I have tracked down Skorda and found him before the Maas Kharet and his mysterious pursuers—gravely ill, but alive. He revealed to me that he found the tainted spice on Ix, and had no idea of its lethality. Two other ships had similar cargo, but were shot down over the Sheol—only the Kytheria's could be recovered. Skorda simply intended to sell the spice, escape the war and live a quiet life somewhere in the Imperium. Arrakis will be his grave instead.