Editing Spacing Guild (section)

=== Sequels ===
After publishing six [[Dune prequel series|''Dune'' prequel novels]], Frank Herbert's son [[Brian Herbert]] and author [[Kevin J. Anderson]] released two sequel novels, ''[[Hunters of Dune]]'' (2006) and ''[[Sandworms of Dune]]'' (2007), which complete the original series and wrap up storylines that began with Frank Herbert's ''Heretics of Dune''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/books/review/Itzkoff.t.html|title=Across the Universe: ''Dune'' Babies|last=Itzkoff|first=Dave|date=September 24, 2006|website=[[The New York Times]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024031606/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/books/review/Itzkoff.t.html|archive-date=October 24, 2015|url-status=live|access-date=October 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7653-1293-8|title=''Sandworms of Dune'' Review|website=[[Publishers Weekly]]|date=July 23, 2007|page=40|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017194752/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7653-1293-8|archive-date=October 17, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=October 22, 2022}}</ref> The works were based on a 30-page outline by Frank Herbert for a sequel to ''Chapterhouse Dune'' he dubbed ''Dune 7''.<ref name="AMC notes 2009-08">{{cite web |last=Neuman |first=Clayton |date=August 17, 2009 |url=https://www.amc.com/talk/2009/08/winds-of-dune-a |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090921011119/http://blogs.amctv.com/scifi-scanner/2009/08/brian-herbert-interview.php |archive-date=September 21, 2009 |url-status=live |title=''Winds of Dune'' Author Brian Herbert on Flipping the Myth of Jihad |publisher=AMC |access-date=June 16, 2020}}</ref>

In ''Hunters of Dune'', the Navigator '''Edrik''' fears his kind's obsolescence when the Spacing Guild itself (pressured by a shortage of melange) begins funding the development of superior [[Ix (Dune)|Ixian]] navigation technology that would not require Navigators. Seeking an alternative source of spice to break the Bene Gesserit monopoly, Edrik meets with [[Uxtal]], the last of the [[Lost Tleilaxu]], hoping that he can rediscover the method of producing melange in [[axlotl tank]]s (a secret believed lost when the Bene Tleilax were destroyed by the [[Honored Matres]]). However, Uxtal is in the forced service of the [[Matre Superior]] [[Hellica]], and her price for his expertise is Edrik's help transporting a certain cargo. He agrees, delivering by heighliner the [[Obliterator (Dune)|Obliterators]] that destroy the planet [[Richese]], where the Bene Gesserit are mass-producing weapons and armed battleships. Uxtal is ultimately unsuccessful, but the [[ghola]] he creates of deceased Tleilaxu Master [[Tylwyth Waff|Waff]] later offers Edrik something better in exchange for sanctuary—the genetic knowledge for the Guild to create their own, optimized [[sandworm (Dune)|sandworms]] to produce melange.<ref name="Hunters">{{cite book |last1=Herbert |first1=Brian |author1-link=Brian Herbert |last2=Anderson |first2=Kevin J. |author2-link=Kevin J. Anderson |title=[[Hunters of Dune]] |year=2006}}</ref>

In ''Sandworms of Dune'' (2007), the sequel to ''Hunters'' and finale of the original ''Dune'' series, the Spacing Guild has begun replacing its Navigators with the more cost-effective Ixian navigation devices and cutting off the Navigators' supply of melange. More and more Navigators are dying from withdrawal of the spice—including Ardrae, "one of the oldest remaining Navigators"<ref name="Sandworms 180">{{cite book |last1=Herbert |first1=Brian |author1-link=Brian Herbert |last2=Anderson |first2=Kevin J. |author2-link=Kevin J. Anderson |title=[[Sandworms of Dune]] |year=2007 |publisher=[[Tor Books]] |isbn=978-0-7653-1293-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/sandwormsofdune00herb/page/180 180] }}</ref>—and many defect and disappear into space rather than allow the devices on their ships. All are unaware that [[Face Dancer]] infiltrators are behind the plan, plotting their own takeover of the universe.<ref name="Sandworms">{{cite book |last=Herbert |author2=Anderson |title=Sandworms of Dune |year=2007}}</ref> Waff works in secret, hidden on Edrik's own heighliner, on genetically engineering his "advanced" sandworms. He accomplishes this by altering the [[DNA]] of the [[sandtrout]] stage and creating an aquatic form of the worms, which are then released into the oceans of [[Buzzell (Dune)|Buzzell]]. Adapting to their new environment, these "seaworms" quickly flourish, eventually producing a highly concentrated form of spice, dubbed "[[ultraspice]]."<ref name="Sandworms"/> Edrik and the ultraspice are later intercepted by Face Dancer leader [[Khrone]], who seizes the valuable optimized melange. He incapacitates Edrik by damaging his tank and releasing its spice gas, soon destroying the entire heighliner to rid himself of the Navigator altogether.<ref name="Sandworms 217">{{cite book |last=Herbert |author2=Anderson |title=Sandworms of Dune |year=2007|pages=217–218}}</ref>