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

Zon Noret nodded. “If a man wants to fight, he should be allowed to do so.”

Vergyl lifted his chin. “I couldn’t agree more.”

DUNE: WHIPPING MEK

11

“I warn you, this may be a training mek, but it is lethal. I often disconnect

its safety protocol during my rigorous practices. That is why Ginaz mercenaries

are so good.”

“There must be fail-safes, otherwise it wouldn’t be much good as an

instructor.”

“Training that entails no risk is not realistic. It makes the student soft,

knowing he is in no danger. Chirox is not like that, by design. It could kill you.”

Vergyl felt a rush of bravado, hoped he wasn’t being foolish. “I can handle

myself. I’ve gone through Jihad training of my own.” But he wanted a chance to

prove himself, and this combat robot might be as close to the fight as he ever got.

Vergyl focused his hatred on Chirox, thought of all the horrors the fighting

machines had inflicted upon humanity, and wanted to smash the mek into scrap

metal. “Let me fight it, just as you were doing.”

The mercenary raised his eyebrows, as if amused and interested. “Your

choice of weapons, young warrior?”

Vergyl fumbled, looked at the clumsy training staff he had grabbed. “I

didn’t bring anything but this.”

Noret held his pulse sword up for the younger man to examine. “Do you

know how to operate one of these?”

“That looks like one we used in basic training, but a newer model.”

“Correct.” Noret activated the weapon and handed it to the young man.