Told from the point of view of a historian tasked with summarizing the generative influences of the most seminal moment in the history of an entire inter-planetary species, this story explores the convoluted mechanics of what some might call the Divine Intent, and which others may call the workings of an indescribably complex clock-work universe. On another world, a civilization far evolved beyond us in intellect and science is nonetheless spiritually and socially stunted. Violence and war have been unknown to them until recently. They ask, "How can this be endured or dealt with, or even...

Golem is a Clay-Man, a person physiologically altered to be able to administer psychiatric therapy to Artificial Intelligences. A day comes when he is as much seduced as bribed to infiltrate and expose the dirty secrets of the Munificent, that small elite cabal that answers to no one and owns everyone. But in order to find out what they are actually doing with all those volunteer pioneers they send off into the void of space in vast ships owned and operated by the insect-like traders known as Leggits, he must make devastating but altruistic sacrifices beyond the ability of any mere human. The...