from DUNE: HOUSE ATREIDES, DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN, and DUNE: HOUSE CORRINO, by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.

At one time, the Ixians were one of the wealthiest factions in the imperium. However, they were almost destroyed by the fanatical Tleilaxu who were convinced that the Ixians were making intelligent machines and violating the most important law of the Imperium, “Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a human mind.”

The Tleilaxu also coveted the excellent manufacturing facilities on Ix and felt it was their destiny to use such facilities for a higher purpose.

The Tleilaxu knew that they could not conquer Ix on their own. But other forces were at work and an unexpected nexus was about provide secret help from House Corrino. First, the renowned assassin, Count Hasimir Fenring, the childhood friend of the Crown Prince Shaddam Corrino V, presented the Tleilaxu with a path forward. If the Tleilaxu would agree to use their knowledge of chemistry and genetics to create synthetic spice, perhaps Imperial funding could be arranged for the project.

In a carefully orchestrated audience Fenring brought the Tleilaxu scientist Master Hidar Fen Ajidica before the Emperor to propose their ambitious plan. Emperor Elrood Corrino IX was appalled at the presence of such a being so close to him, but Crown Prince Shaddam and Fenring convinced him to listen.

When Elrood learned that the Tleilaxu had determined that synthetic spice was a possibility and they were bringing their secret to him, he was immediately interested.

When the Tleilaxu Master broached the topic of financing, Emperor Elrood pondered the question and then remembered his hatred of Earl Dominic Vernius of Ix and his anger at losing tax revenue because of more efficient Ixian heighliners. And so it was. The Emperor secretly joined a Tleilaxu invasion of Ix by sending the feared Sardaukar disguised as Tleilaxu into the battle.

Of course, the Emperor was slowly being poisoned by Fenring so it would be the new Emperor Shaddam and Fenring who would reap the rewards. If their plan succeeded, they would destroy the planet known as DUNE and control the only source of spice in the Imperium.

Alas, the plan to create the synthetic spice failed miserably causing two spectacular Guild Ship disasters. And the Cyborg Rhombur Vernius, rebel Ixian forces, and his friend Duke Leto and his Atreides forces attacked and regained Ix for house Vernius.

Emperor Shaddam IV, of course, disavowed all knowledge of the scheme.