Anno 10.191. The universe is ruled by Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV who feudally divides his territory among the noble families. Two houses - House Atreides and House Harkonnen - are in balance for absolute power. Key to that power is the control of the production of a rare mineral, the Specie. Duke Leto Atreides appears to be able to take a major step forward when the Padishah Emperor assigns him the inhospitable sand planet of Arrakis, but in reality he walks open-eyed into a death trap that the Emperor has set for him along with his diabolical opponent Baron Harkonnen.