Fixer Asach Quinn is bored and jaded on Makkasar. Librarian Colchis Barthes is winding down his career on Sparta. Governor Jackson is corrupt and scheming on Maxroy's Purchase. Seer Laurel Courter is young and determined. Splintered by distance, competing visions, and outside rivalries, New Utah is forgotten and alone in a remote backwater of Imperial space. Its residents, busy scratching a living from alien soil beyond the Coal Sack nebula, don't even know they've been designated as an "Outworld." A lot of them don't even know each other.Thirty-five years ago, the Moties made first contact with the Second Empire of Man. Sentient, capable, and sometimes charming, they nevertheless proved to be enemies of humankind—--not by intent, but by dint of biology( Mote in God's Eye). The Fleet’s ability to block Motie access to human space now depends upon a shaky alliance with the horrifically prolific, technologically brilliant, three-armed Moties themselves (Gripping Hand). Human and Motie shareholders have assumed joint control of industrial giant Imperial Autonetics, but the Empire still decides the fate of worlds. Those already possessing space-worthy craft may join as Classified systems, and enjoy the benefits of access to new technology, trading rights, and Fleet protection. Those less advanced may be parceled out as colonial concessions ( King David's Spaceship). Outworlds that refuse to join risk annihilation by zealous commanders intent on preserving the hard-won peace at any cost. New Utah's fate depends upon meeting the Empire with one, united voice. Enter the Seer, the Fixer, and the Librarian. One way or another, everything is about to change.