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The Bene Gesserit super-being – whom they refer to as the Kwisatz Haderach – arrives a generation earlier than expected in the form of Paul Atreides, who is free from their direct control though his mother is the Bene Gesserit Lady Jessica.

In Dune, Paul seizes control of the harsh desert planet Arrakis, the only source of the all-important spice melange ; by threatening to destroy all spice production, he maneuvers himself into the Imperial throne.

With Paul holding a tight monopoly on melange, a decade later the Bene Gesserit participate in a conspiracy to topple his rule in Dune Messiah ( 1969 ).

Even after a blinded Paul walks into the desert to die, his sister Alia rules his empire and keeps the Bene Gesserit at bay until Paul's young son Leto II takes control himself in Children of Dune ( 1976 ).

Over 3, 500 years later, Leto – now a hybrid of human and sandworm – still dominates the universe as the tyrant God Emperor in God Emperor of Dune ( 1981 ).

Through prescience, he has foreseen mankind's possible destruction, and has forced humanity into what he calls the Golden Path, a plan which he believes will assure their survival.

Having halted all spice production and thus making his own stockpile the only source of melange left in the universe, Leto is able to maintain firm control over the various factions and effects a " forced tranquility.

" He has taken the Bene Gesserit breeding program from them and uses it for his own mysterious purposes, and their limited spice supply is subject to their obedience to Leto, and his whims.

Recognizing that his work is finally done, Leto allows himself to be assassinated.