Book excerpt: History is made with the first human expedition to another galaxy, under the guidance of Renaissance. Meanwhile, back on Earth, Liz explores the foothills of the Andes in a desperate search for Swänn, hoping to find him in one piece. An ocean away, in London, Hélène and Sätie follow the trail of a forbidden experiment: the creation of human-Näkän hybrids. Three expeditions, three paths that will lead to the discovery of the greatest threat ever orchestrated against humanity and Renaissance...