First there was an interstellar Empire, linking

the colonized worlds. After its decline and fall

came the Republic, which endured for 800

years. And now it, too, is crumbling. As its

leadership weakens, subversive groups mar-

shal their supporters and quietly position

themselves to seize power.

The Church of the Quest is only forty years

old, but already it has gathered disciples across

the galaxy. The Church claims that its only

purpose is seeking the "divine point"-the

physical location of God in interstellar space.

To unbelievers, however, it seems that the

Church is more interested in taking control of

the Republic than in finding God.

This is certainly the way that Melkorn

Ayerst sees it. Melkom mns Davner, a small

colony world. Ten years ago, his wife Ellis

became a disciple in the Church and aban-

doned him and Rikki, their seven-year-old

daughter. Now Ellis has returned, leading a

Church mission to Davner. She has plans to

take over the planet and she wants to take

Rikki, too.

Melkom never wanted to be a hero. A quiet,

thoughtful man, he would rather fight for a

compromise than a victory. At the same time,