The Consensus ruled twelve hundred worlds--but not Northworld. Three fleets had been dispatched to probe the enigma of Northworld. None returned. Now, Commissioner Nils Hansen must face the challenge of this distant planet--a gateway to nine alternate worlds. There, he will confront a world at war, a world of androids, a world of sentient machines--all unique, all lethal. But deadliest of all are the men who would be gods. Who rule these worlds with absolute power. And who challenge all trespassers. Like Commissioner Hansen.