But then a renegade alien crashed on Venus and a ragtag group of mercenaries determines to break him out and learn his secrets for themselves-maybe even the secret of the deepdrive. But in a search for the deepdrive, nothing is as it seems, no one exactly who-or what- they appear to be. There are no easy answers, only layer upon layer of secrets and lies. And as events set in motion long ago and far away begin to ripple into human space, it is no longer even clear who are the hunters, and who the hunted.

Amazon.com Review
In Alexander Jablokov's new novel, no less than 11 different alien races have visited our solar system, setting up home on the planets and moons most hospitable to them. Humanity would love to join these far-flung adventurers in their travels, but we lack the deepdrive that makes trekking between the stars possible. So far no human has been able to acquire a drive or find a way to create one, and none of the aliens are willing to pass along the secret. But a few years ago, an alien by the name of Ripi crash-landed in our system, and he may have brought an intact drive with him. Since his landing, Ripi has been held on Venus, half exile and half political prisoner, refusing to say anything about the drive. But now Ripi has put the word out that he'd like to be rescued from his enforced vacation, and mercenary Soph Trost is one of many people (and aliens) who want a piece of the action... and the deepdrive. This is a ripping tale by Jablokov, who has no trouble mixing good old-fashioned action with an intricate plot and colorful characters. --Craig E. Engler