In the grand tradition of galaxy-spanning epic science fiction, Wolverton ventured to the far future, where the insectoid Dronons have invaded the human worlds and threatened the ultimate destruction of human freedom. But their invasion was thrown into disarray when for the first time a human became queen of the Dronons. Maggie Flynn is now, through test of combat, the Golden Queen. Thus began the adventures of the cocky and courageous Gallen O'Day, the pious Orick (an intelligent black bear), and the beautiful Maggie Flynn. The adventure continues in Beyond the Gate. Gallen, Maggie, and Orick face an attack by the alien Dronons on the distant planet, where humans have achieved the pinnacle of genetic engineering. Our heroes must stop the Dronons while guarding an explosive secret: the whereabouts of Maggie. For she is only the Golden Queen of the Dronons until her champion, Gallen, is defeated by a Dronon challenger. In the midst of a slam-bang story, Wolverton raises and examines deep questions of human identity and the definition of humanity.