Years after the colonization of space was halted due to the genetic mutations that began afflicting the colonists, the secret of space travel has been rediscovered and made safe. Due to their specific mutation, only pilots from the colony world of Guera can operate the new ships, thus making the shipping guilds of Guera very rich and very powerful. As various political and corporate groups struggle to bring down this newly born empire, a young woman--an orphan--is told that she will be instrumental in the future of the Earth and its colonies. A New York Times Notable Book for 1998.