"Dune 03 - Whipping Mek (Short Story)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Herbert Brian & Frank)

machine had three sets of articulated arms, each one holding a deadly-looking

weapon. Moving in a graceful blur, the mechanical unit struck blow after blow

against the man, who defended himself perfectly each time.

Vergyl’s heart leaped. How had one of the enemy machines gotten on board

Xavier’s battleship? Had Omnius sent it as a spy or saboteur? Were there others

spread out around the ship? The beleaguered mercenary landed a blow with his

vibrating pulse sword, causing one of the mek’s six arms to drop limply to its

side.

Letting out a war cry, knowing he had to help, Vergyl snatched the only

weapon he could find—a training staff from a rack by the wall—and charged

forward recklessly.

The mercenary reacted quickly upon hearing Vergyl’s approach. He raised

a hand. “Hold, Chirox!”

The combat mek froze. The mercenary, panting, dropped his fighting

stance. Vergyl skidded to a halt, looking in confusion from the enemy robot to

the well-muscled fighter.

“Don’t alarm yourself,” the mercenary said. “I was simply practicing.”

“With a machine?”

DUNE: WHIPPING MEK

9

The long-haired man smiled. A spiderweb of pale scars covered his cheeks,

neck, bare shoulders, and chest. “Thinking machines are our enemies in this

Jihad, young officer. If we must develop our skills against them, who better to

fight?”

Awkwardly, Vergyl set his hastily grabbed staff on the deck. His face