Chapter 16 (The desert is endless)

Draigo Roget arrives in Arrakis City, assessing spice operations with Mentat precision. Under Venport’s authority, he has increased efficiency and begun cautious sapho trials with his own trainees. New meteorological satellites yield imperfect but useful weather models, though the team confirms sandworms remain unstoppable.

At Combined Mercantiles headquarters, Draigo meets six Fremen youths—five men and one woman—brought in after outreach. He gauges their curiosity and restlessness, noting their awe at a projected ocean scene. After terse exchanges and a demand for names, the group identifies themselves as Taref, Lillis, Shurko, Bentur, Chumel, and Waddoch.

Draigo addresses recent sabotage of harvesting gear without direct accusation, proposing a redirection of their talents. He offers travel to other worlds and training, arguing that mischief stems from boredom and ambition. The ocean image intensifies their desire to see beyond the desert, especially for Taref, the third son of a Naib.

Draigo reveals his true aim: infiltrate rival EsconTran and cripple its foldspace fleet. He outlines a plan to take them to Kolhar, craft new identities, mask their blue eyes, and train them in basic engine maintenance sufficient to sabotage critical systems, exploiting EsconTran’s poor safety record.

Despite initial hesitation—especially from Shurko—the group agrees, swayed by pride, camaraderie, and the promise of oceans and other worlds. Taref voices their resolve: in exchange for passage and experience, they will sabotage EsconTran ships.