THE BLUENESS of the WATER OF LIFE
by Henryk Szubinski
The being referred to as "the creature " = the being FAUSTUS CROW who works for the trading guild of the planets involved with the SPICE FLOW.
The conflict starts when they are aware that a DUKE has the power to claim the throne and the TRADING GUILDS.
The cylindrical spaceships of the trading guild as shown below in the half section.
Music for reading.