Prologue

[Spoken:]

A beginning is a very delicate time

Know then, that is is the year 10191

The known universe is ruled by the Padishah Emperor Shaddam the Fourth, my father

In this time, the most precious substance in the universe is the spice Melange

The spice extends life. The spice expands consciousness. The spice is vital to space travel

The Spacing Guild and its navigators, who the spice has mutated over 4000 years, use the orange spice gas, which gives them the ability to fold space

That is, travel to any part of the universe without moving

Oh, yes

I forgot to tell you

The spice exists on only one planet in the entire universe

A desolate, dry planet with vast deserts

Hidden away within the rocks of these deserts are a people known as the Fremen, who have long held a prophecy that a man would come, a messiah, who would lead them to true freedom

The planet is Arrakis, also known as Dune