Dune_ House Atreides - Brian Herbert [259]
Somehow, I always manage to find advantages, Rhombur had said. He could use a little more of his friend’s optimism now.
At the crowded blueplaz desk, deep in silent concentration, Thufir Hawat flipped through holo-pages projected in front of his eyes—a compilation of the probable evidence that would be used against Leto, as well as analyses of Landsraad law. This information included the input of Atreides attorneys and the Mentat projections Hawat himself had made.
The case rested entirely on circumstantial evidence, but it was highly compelling, beginning with Leto’s own angry statement in front of the Landsraad Council. He had an obvious motive, having already declared a verbal war on the Tleilaxu.
“It all points to my guilt, doesn’t it?” Leto said. He sat up in the swaying bed, and the massage unit automatically paused.
Hawat nodded. “Too perfectly, my Lord. And the evidence continues to grow worse. The multiphase projectile launchers on our combat pods were checked during the investigation, and found to have been fired. Quite a damning result, and it adds to the body of evidence.”
“Thufir, we know the projectiles were fired. We’ve reported that from the beginning. Rhombur and I went out on skeet-drone practice before the Heighliner folded space. Every member of our crew can testify to that.”
“The magistrates may not believe us. The explanation sounds too convenient, as if it were a concocted alibi. They’ll think we practiced in order to establish a reason for the weapons results, because we knew we would fire upon the Tleilaxu. A simple enough trick.”
“You were always good at the intricate details,” Leto said with a gentle smile. “It’s your security-corps training. You pore over everything repeatedly, searching each layer, making calculations and projections.”
“That is exactly what we need right now, my Duke.”
“Don’t forget that we have truth on our side, Thufir, and that’s a powerful ally. Holding our heads high, we will stand before the tribunal of our peers and tell them everything that happened, and most of all what didn’t happen. They must believe us, or else centuries of Atreides honor and honesty will mean nothing.”
“I wish I had your strength . . . your optimism,” Hawat responded. “You show remarkable steadiness and composure.” A bittersweet expression crossed his weathered face. “Your father taught you well. He would be proud of you.” He flicked off the holoprojector, and the dancing pages of evidence disappeared in the heavy prison air. “So far, among the magistrates and voting members of the Landsraad jury, we do have a few who are likely to find you innocent, thanks to past allegiances.”
Leto smiled, but noted how uneasy his Mentat was. He swung out of bed onto the floor. Wearing a blue robe, Leto left his feet bare as he paced. A chill ran up his arms, and he adjusted the temperature in the cell. “There’ll be more believers after they listen to my statement and see the evidence.”
Hawat looked at Leto as if he were a mere child again. “One advantage we have is that most of your allies will vote to acquit you solely because they despise the Tleilaxu. Regardless of what they think you may have done, you are of noble blood from a respected Landsraad family. You are one of them, and they would not destroy you to reward the Bene Tleilax. Several Houses have given us their support because of prior respect for your father. At least one magistrate was impressed by the boldness of your initial presentation at the Landsraad Council months ago.”
“But everybody still believes I did such a terrible thing?” He frowned dejectedly. “Those other reasons are incidental.”
“You are unknown