<p>Earth barely survived the 21st Century. Nuclear terrorism, civil war, and famine killed billions. Thousands fled on warpdrive ships to planets around distant suns.&nbsp;</p><p>After the United Nations gained control over Earth, it opened wormholes to the colonies, to prevent a repeat of chaos on a galactic scale.&nbsp;</p><p>Enter operative Stone Chalmers. Spy. Assassin. Instrument maintaining the UN&#39;s order on the galaxy. Then he encountered a strange new colonial faith that promised all mankind Alignment with the Universe.</p><p><em><strong>To All High Emprise Consecrated</strong></em></p><p>On Minerva, while workers prepare a wormhole link to Earth, Stone uncovers a plot to shake to the core the UN&mdash;and himself.</p><p><strong><em>In Public Convocation Assembled</em></strong></p><p>On Earth, Stone plays for the ultimate stakes. Success will transform Earth and the galaxy forever. Failure will doom Earth to the greatest chaos of all time.</p>