Beneath the roiling surface of Betelgeuse, scientists anxiously await the one man essential to the success of Starmuse, the greatest engineering project in human history. But on Kantano's World, Willard Ruskin battles invisible agents for control of his life, his physical form, and even his memories. Drawn into a conflict from which not even death will free him, Ruskin must find a way to reach Betelgeuse before his enemies sabotage Starmuse-and humanity's future among the stars. A harrowing journey from inside the human cell... to the mind of a dying star. A stunning blend of hard science fiction with moving characterization, both human and otherwise. Introduces the robot Jeaves, familiar to readers of . From the Nebula-nominated author of , and recent recipient of the Helicon Awards' Frank Herbert Lifetime Achievement Award for writing science fiction. A bestseller.