Book excerpt: Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle rocked the science fiction world with The Mote in God's Eye. Sentient, capable, and even charming, the "Moties" nevertheless proved to be enemies of humankind-not by intent, but by dint of biology. With a fresh point of view, deep continuity, and page-turning plot twists, Pournelle brings a new generation of Moties to life for a new generation of readers. Outies introduces new characters, adds depth to beloved old ones, creates a rich, imaginable world, and stands the very notion of "first contact" on its head by questioning what it means to be an alien and an outsider.