War between the stars... It was started and fought by an AI. Few humans even knew there was a war at all. But now people are dying-and the AI wants it to stop. But a war is easier to start than to stop, and the computer can't alter its course without outside help. When the Gnostic Control System searches for co-conspirators, it chooses its friends carefully. • Pali: a brooding public relations director. • Ramo: a flamboyant senso-dancer, who prefers a musical jamdam to serious conversation. • Sage: a systems designer for whom the AI rapture-field is realer than life. • And three of the alien Ell: Harybdartt, who would rather die with dignity than betray his people; Lingrhetta, who tries to unravel the meaning of human dance and music, pain and love; and Moramaharta, the binder, who must persuade his fellow decision-makers to risk everything for the sake of a fragile bridge of understanding across the stars. A thought-provoking novel from the award-winning author of Eternity's End and The Chaos Chronicles, and recipient of the Frank Herbert Lifetime Achievement Award for science fiction writing. REVIEWS: "The story is meaty and satisfying. I enjoyed this one greatly." -Analog Science Fiction "An absorbing, suspenseful novel of first contact and interstellar war. It's a complex book, requiring concentration from the reader, and is well worth the effort."-Aboriginal SF "A lively dance of ideas-first contact, interstellar war, artificial intelligence, alien culture-and it moves at a rapid pace, from Earth through cyberspace to the Horsehead Nebula, and various points between. It's well-worth the trip ticket." -Roger Zelazny
