The plans set in motion by Theo's enemies have finally come to fruition: he has no choice but to face off against the empire of Tymetron. The invasion of overwhelming power threatens to destroy everything Theo has built, forcing old enemies to band together against the greater threat. Their only hope is to leverage an extraordinary sublime material, centuries in the making. But many forces are interested in seizing the material, from House Crimson to Tymetron to forces across the Nine Worlds...