Fleeing the supernova chain reaction at the galactic core, the cowardly Puppeteers of the Fleet of Worlds have---just barely---survived.
Their hopes and fears, dr.
Nessus? The insane Puppeteer scout is out of ideas, out of resources, with only desperation left to guide him.
He will do anything to seize power---and to take his revenge on everyone who ever stood in his way.
Achilles? Despite past disgrace, the charismatic Puppeteer politician knows he is destined for greatness.
But some problems cannot be left behind, and other problems---like the Fleet of Worlds itself---are racing straight at them.
Ol\'t\'ro? The Gw\'oth ensemble mind fled across the stars to establish a colony world free from tyranny.
Who can possibly save the Fleet of Worlds from its greatest peril yet? Louis Wu? Trapped in the Wunderland civil war, all he wants is to go home---but the only possible escape will plunge him into unknowable danger.
Catastrophe looms again as past crises return---and converge.
The onslaught of the genocidal Pak.
The spectacular rise of the starfish-like Gw\'oth.
The relentless questing of the species of Known Space.
They\'ve stumbled from one crisis to the next: The rebellion of their human slaves.
Fleeing the supernova chain reaction at the galactic core, the cowardly Puppeteers of the Fleet of Worlds have---just barely---survived. worlds. . .
And the winner takes .
Their hopes and fears, dreams and ambitions are about to collide.
Nessus? The insane Puppeteer scout is out of ideas, out of resources, with only desperation left to guide him.
He will do anything to seize power---and to take his revenge on everyone who ever stood in his way.
Achilles? Despite past disgrace, the charismatic Puppeteer politician knows he is destined for greatness.
But some problems cannot be left behind, and other problems---like the Fleet of Worlds itself---are racing straight at them.
Ol\'t\'ro? The Gw\'oth ensemble mind fled across the stars to establish a colony world free from tyranny.
Who can possibly save the Fleet of Worlds from its greatest peril yet?Louis Wu? Trapped in the Wunderland civil war, all he wants is to go home---but the only possible escape will plunge him into unknowable danger.
Catastrophe looms again as past crises return---and converge.
The onslaught of the genocidal Pak.
The spectacular rise of the starfish-like Gw\'oth.
The relentless questing of the species of Known Space.
They\'ve stumbled from one crisis to the next: The rebellion of their human slaves.
Fleeing the supernova chain reaction at the galactic core, the cowardly Puppeteers of the Fleet of Worlds have---just barely---survived
