"A beginning is a very delicate time. Know then, that it was the year 10,191.
The known Universe was ruled by the
Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, my father.
"At that time, the most precious substance in the Universe was the spice,
Melange. The spice
extends life. The spice expands consciousness. The spice is vital to space
travel. The spacing
guild and its navigators whom the spice has mutated over 4,000 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 the
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"
