With the discovery of the Thompson Corridors, the universe has been opened up, connecting humankind with a vast network of sentient species. Jesse finds his way to Eastlink, a sprawling human habitat orbiting Shjodathz, home to a race of regenerating beings who maintain direct memory of all their past incarnations. While studying the Shjodathí and their planetary biomachine guardian Kedel, he discovers a strange anomaly within the AI's mind that leads him on a perilous, mind-blowing adventure. Fans of David Marusek, William Gibson, R. Dick will find common ground here - it's hard SF adventure with an eye toward metaphysics.