Penn's Number One Fan!

Wormholes remain one of the universe's greatest mysteries. Even in the 651st century, the singularity on the edge of Spatial Grid 746 in Quadrant Two has become the intense focus of both the religious and scientific communities. The anomaly becomes even more extraordinary when Cade emerges from it, claiming to have crossed over from an entirely different reality. Hailed as an emissary to the gods. The religious sector has made it a point to ban the study of the wormhole out of fear of provoking the gods. Auxi Aerospace and Corwin-Mashido are constantly battling the Majah for dominance over the wormhole, viewing the phenomenon as nothing more than a point at which multiple areas of space collide.

Six ferns have passed since the fall of the Citadel. With the Ashavelli now rebuilding their civilization across the frontier colonies of their new homeworld, Ashavelli Prime formally "A3", tracking down a single person has become nearly impossible. Refusing to give up, Cade spends ferns searching for his "younger brother," Happy. Although he briefly saw him after the events of Resurrection, fear and uncertainty kept him from reaching out. A decision he has regretted.

When Cade finally locates Happy, he vows not to let the opportunity slip away again. Their emotional reunion, however, is quickly overshadowed by an unexpected threat from the First Majah, Kari Shah, who insists that Cade not leave the protection and sanctuary of the royal chapel. Cade, not taking this particularly well, hires Corwin Penn to capture and bring Happy to him. The mission is successful, but when Happy develops Stockholm Syndrome toward Penn's eccentric personality, it becomes a problem.