Chapter 10 (Some people look up into the night)

Josef Venport surveys fortified Kolhar, determined to lead civilization against Butlerian anti-tech zeal while keeping Emperor Salvador neutralized. He opens planetary shields for a spice hauler from Arrakis and goes personally to meet Draigo Roget, the Mentat he once planted at the Lampadas school to serve VenHold.

Draigo reports that Combined Mercantiles’ harvesting remains profitable and insulated from any traceable link to VenHold. Venport reiterates his strategy: starve Butlerian-aligned worlds of melange until they renounce the pledge, then reward compliance with restored commerce. Draigo cautions about deep cultural fears but confirms the shipment will cover Navigator needs with surplus for sales.

As they drive, Draigo proposes recruiting capable desert youths—the Free men of Arrakis—who have been sabotaging equipment as a rite of passage, training them to infiltrate rival carriers. Venport approves the idea, augmenting existing sabotage against competitors. He also insists promises of spice incentives be backed by adequate reserves.

At the Navigator field, Venport witnesses the removal of a failed candidate and intends the still-living brain for secret research on Denali. He reflects that even forcibly transformed Navigators later accept their metamorphosis as vistas open to them.

Visiting Norma Cenva’s chamber, Venport announces fresh spice. Norma warns that prescient paths show Butlerian fear prevailing for millennia and darker tyrannies ahead. Draigo underscores prescience as probabilistic, arguing decisive action can avert that future. Norma agrees in principle but offers no details. Venport’s resolve to crush the Butlerians intensifies.