Uldovai's Quest

An empire crumbling, a desperate ruler. A strange and unexpected hope. Emperor Germain Justinias of the vast Uldovan Empire near the center of the galaxy needs help. Conspirators have, through treachery and sabotage, caused outer sectors of his empire to break away, and his wife Shantal has joined his enemies. Finally, when his ex-lover Liminar, a governor of one of those outer sectors, pleads for help, he discovers the breadth of the disaster. He immediately sends troops to her sector to calm the unrest, but it's too little too late. She and a few of her rescuers barely escape. Migal Horne has ruled the small Harthan Empire for almost 18 years, creating a strong and supportive interdependence among the planets. Its capital, Hartha, is what used to be the burned out hulk of old Earth, now beautifully transformed. All the Harthans are telepathic, but he has a special gift-the ability to control with a thought, which he rarely uses these days. Everything is working very well, and he is bored. He needs more excitement. And it's on its way.