Chapter 4 (Can you feel it)

A graffito warns of foldspace dangers as Vorian Atreides, using the name Kepler, lands on Arrakis with Captain Marius Phillips. Vorian struggles with an infected toenail and a desire for anonymity, contrasting his legendary past with his current life as second-in-command on a low-wage Nalgan Shipping crew.

They don stillsuits and trek toward Arrakis City. Vorian reflects on his long life, his promise to Emperor Salvador to avoid politics, and the pain of outliving families on Kepler and Caladan. Memories of Griffin Harkonnen’s death on Arrakis deepen his dislike of the planet and his urge to remain unseen.

In the hardscrabble city, Phillips introduces Vorian to Qimmit, a long-time expediter for spice cargoes outside VenHold’s primary channels. Qimmit arrives late and abruptly raises the price by fifteen percent, citing Combined Mercantiles’ ruthless destruction of poachers, recent worm losses, and costly storms as justification for higher bribes and maintenance.

Phillips resists the surcharge, threatening to find other merchants despite Qimmit’s warning that few will trade outside Combined Mercantiles. After a tense exchange, Vorian suggests other venues to search, and Phillips ends the negotiation, choosing to seek alternative suppliers rather than accept Qimmit’s terms.