Hidden behind strong barriers the heart turns to ice. Under God Emperor Leto II, mankind was scattered across the galaxy. Now it is returning from the Diaspora. New powers have emerged, new technologists have been developed, and the Order of Bene Gesserit, which has watched over the genetic heritage of the Atreides for thousands of years, is confronted with powers that have never existed before. No help is to be expected from Arrakis, where only a quarreling priesthood lives, worshipped by Leto in the form of Shai-Hulud, the giant sandworm, and the once proud Fremen, now only a shadow of their former selves. But then a girl comes from the desert, who with mysterious powers commands Shai-Hulud and forces his will upon him.