The Galaxy, and the Ground Within

Return to the sprawling, Hugo Award-winning universe of the Galactic Commons to explore another corner of the cosmosone often mentioned, but not yet exploredin this absorbing entry in the Wayfarers series, which blends heart-warming characters and imaginative adventure. With no water, no air, and no native life, the planet Gora is unremarkable. The only thing it has going for it is a chance proximity to more popular worlds, making it a decent stopover for ships traveling between the wormholes that keep the Galactic Commons connected. If deep space is a highway, Gora is just your average truck stop. At the Five-Hop One-Stop, long-haul spacers can stretch their legs (if they have legs, that is), and get fuel, transit permits, and assorted supplies. The Five-Hop is run by an enterprising alien and her sometimes helpful child, who work hard to provide a little piece of home to everyone passing through. When a freak technological failure halts all traffic to and from Gora, three strangersall different species with different aimsare thrown together at the Five-Hop. Grounded, with nothing to do but wait, the trioan exiled artist with an appointment to keep, a cargo runner at a personal crossroads, and a mysterious individual doing her best to help those on the fringesare compelled to confront where theyve been, where they might go, and what they are, or could be, to each other.