The conclusion of the grand space opera begun in The Golden Age and The Phoenix Exultant is a story in the tradition of Jack Vance and Roger Zelazny (with a touch of Cordwainer Smith). It is an astounding story of super science, a thrilling wonder story that recaptures the verve of SF's golden age writers. Violating the sanctions against him, Phaeton has traveled across the solar system to recover both his memory and the marvelous Phoenix Exultant, the first true starship. Should the minds of Earth break out of the safe confines of the solar system and reach for the stars? So Phaeton argues at his trial, but a new enemy would deny them either choice, unless he can stop them. John C. Wright has launched on the first great space opera career of the new millennium.