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.The panniers were supported behind them oncheap suspensors.Awareness of that food sent sharp hunger pains through himbut he forced himself to ignore them.With experience of more primitive planetsin his long service to the Bene Gesserit, he saw this human activity as littledifferent from that of farmers leading loaded animals.The foot traffic struckhim as an odd mixture of ancient and modern -- farmers afoot, their producefloating behind them on perfectly ordinary technological devices.Except forthe suspensors this scene was very like a similar day in humankind's mostancient past.A draft animal was a draft animal, even if it came off anassembly line in an Ixian factory.Using his new second vision, Teg chose one of the farmers, a squat, dark-skinnedman with heavy features and thickly calloused hands.The man walked with adefiant sense of independence.He towed eight large panniers piled with rough-skinned melons.The smell of them was a mouth-watering agony to Teg as hematched his stride to that of the farmer.Teg strode for a few minutes insilence, then ventured: "Is this the best road to Ysai?""It is a long way," the man said.He had a guttural voice, something cautiousin it.Teg glanced back at the loaded panniers.The farmer looked sidelong at Teg."We go to a market center.Others take ourproduce from there to Ysai."As they talked, Teg realized the farmer had guided (almost herded) him close tothe edge of the road.The man glanced back and jerked his head slightly,nodding forward.Three more farmers came up beside them and closed in aroundTeg and his companion until tall panniers concealed them from the rest of thetraffic.Teg tensed.What were they planning? He sensed no menace, though.His doubledvision detected nothing violent in his immediate vicinity.A heavy vehicle sped past them and on ahead.Teg knew of its passage only bythe smell of burned fuel, the wind that shook the panniers, the thrumming of apowerful engine and sudden tension in his companions.The high pannierscompletely hid the passing vehicle."We have been looking for you to protect you, Bashar," the farmer beside himsaid."There are many who hunt you but none of them with us along here." Teg shot a startled glance at the man."We served with you at Renditai," the farmer said.Teg swallowed.Renditai? He was a moment recalling it -- only a minor skirmishin his long history of conflicts and negotiations."I am sorry but I do not know your name," Teg said."Be glad that you do not know our names.It is better that way.""But I'm grateful.""This is a small repayment, which we are glad to make, Bashar.""I must get to Ysai," Teg said."It is dangerous there.""It is dangerous everywhere.""We guessed you would go to Ysai.Someone will come soon and you will ride inconcealment.Ahhhh, here he comes.We have not seen you here, Bashar.Youhave not been here."One of the other farmers took over the towing of his companion's load, pullingtwo strings of panniers while the farmer Teg had chosen hustled Teg under a towrope and into a dark vehicle.Teg glimpsed shiny plasteel and plaz as thevehicle slowed only briefly for the pickup.The door closed sharply behind himand he found himself on a soft upholstered seat, alone in the back of agroundcar.The car picked up speed and soon was beyond the marching farmers.The windows around Teg had been darkened, giving him a dusky view of the passingscene.The driver was a shaded silhouette.This first chance to relax in warm comfort since his capture almost lured Teginto sleep.He sensed no threats.His body still ached from the demands he hadmade on it and from the agonies of the T-probe.He told himself, though, that he must stay awake and alert.The driver leaned sideways and spoke over his shoulder without turning: "Theyhave been hunting for you for two days, Bashar.Some think you already off-planet."Two days?The stunner and whatever else they had done to him had left him unconscious fora long time.This only added to his hunger [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]