Chapter 57 (All power bases are made of flesh)

Manford Torondo arrives unannounced on Salusa Secundus, drawing a fervent crowd and forcing an immediate Imperial audience. Prince Roderick, still grieving Nantha’s death in the Zimia riots, tightens palace security and tries to steady Emperor Salvador, who is shaken and increasingly reliant on melange. Reverend Mother Esther-Cano attends, but Truthsayer Sister Woodra publicly aligns with Manford’s delegation.

In the audience, Manford rejects courtesies and demands action against Venport Holdings, accusing Josef Venport of creating spice-mutated Navigators and using prohibited computers. Anari Idaho and Sister Woodra present a holo of the Arrakis attack that killed Manford’s body double, claiming Venport ordered the assassination. Roderick questions the proof and notes Butlerian violence, but Manford insists on Imperial condemnation and the death penalty.

Manford pivots to economics, arguing Venport’s effective monopoly on spice, shipping, and finance makes the throne irrelevant and the Imperium dependent. Salvador, already warned by his Truthsayer about Venport’s reach, wavers as Roderick cautions that Imperial forces rely on VenHold transport and could be crippled by blockades. Manford hints at popular unrest if Salvador fails to act, while Sister Woodra suggests Imperial control over foldspace as well.

Stung and eager to assert authority, Salvador abruptly declares spice a strategic resource to be placed under direct Imperial control. He announces plans to take charge of Arrakis and mobilize the fleet, even proposing to oversee the transition personally with a small force. Roderick is alarmed by the rash decision and potential reprisals, while Manford appears satisfied, having pushed the Emperor into a direct confrontation with VenHold.