Editing Melange (Dune) (section)

===Project Amal=== <!-- This section is the redirect destination of [[Project Amal]], [[Ajidamal]], and [[Ajidica]] -->
In the ''[[Prelude to Dune]]'' [[prequel]] [[trilogy]] by [[Brian Herbert]] and [[Kevin J. Anderson]] (1999–2001), '''Project Amal''' is an early attempt by the Bene Tleilax to create synthetic melange in order to eliminate dependence upon Arrakis. Upon presenting their idea to the [[Padishah Emperor]] [[Elrood IX|Elrood Corrino IX]], in 10,154 A.G. the Tleilaxu are granted the right to occupy the planet [[Ix (Dune)|Ix]] by force (with the help of Elrood's [[Sardaukar]] army) and remake it into a laboratory station for the project.  The old Emperor wants to remove the spice monopoly by making sure that he has the only access to it, thus controlling the Spacing Guild. The Tleilaxu subsequently rename Ix "[[Xuttuh]]" after their founder. In the year 10,156 A.G., Elrood IX is assassinated by [[Count Fenring|Count Hasimir Fenring]] at the behest of [[Shaddam IV|Crown Prince Shaddam]]. Shaddam, now under the name of Padishah Emperor Shaddam IV, gives Fenring the title of Imperial Spice Minister and orders him to supervise the project.<ref name="Prelude">{{cite serial |last1=Herbert |first1=Brian |author1-link=Brian Herbert |first2=Kevin J. |last2=Anderson |author2-link=Kevin J. Anderson |title=[[Prelude to Dune]] |date=1999–2001 }}</ref>

Although Tleilaxu Master Hidar Fen Ajidica manages to create an artificial melange (called "'''ajidamal'''", or "amal") that seems to have the original's properties, it does not work properly. Test-[[sandtrout]] explode when exposed to it, and Fenring's test of its use by Guild Navigators ends in catastrophe as one [[heighliner]] and its passengers are destroyed and the Navigator of a second heighliner dies. When [[Leto I Atreides|Duke Leto Atreides]] invades Xuttuh in 10,175 A.G. and reestablishes [[Rhombur Vernius|Prince Rhombur]] of [[House Vernius]] as ruler of Ix, all the records of Project Amal are destroyed by Fenring. When the news hits the [[Landsraad]], Shaddam denies all participation, claiming never to have heard of it.  He maintains that it had probably been something his senile father Elrood had done in his last days. The Tleilaxu Masters involved are ultimately executed. Ajidica himself dies from the side effects of ajidamal: his body literally falls apart as the synthetic melange eats its way from the inside out.<ref name="Prelude"/>