Once they pushed big ships through the cobalt glory of the Nada-Continuum, but faster than light isn't fast enough anymore. The interfaces of the Keilor- Vincicoff Organisation bring planets light years distant a simple step away. Then a man with half a face offers ex-engineman Ralph Mirren the chance to escape his ruined life and push a ship to an undiclosed destination. The Nada- Continuum holds the key to Ralph's future. What he cannot anticipate is its univerala importance-nor the mystery awaiting him on the distant colony world