A young man named Alan Donnell lives aboard the starship _Valhalla_, which is returning to Earth after a long journey. As he celebrates his seventeenth birthday, he reflects on his twin brother, Steve, who jumped ship during their last stop on Earth. Alan's father, Captain Donnell, expresses disappointment over Steve's departure, and Alan feels the weight of his brother's absence. The narrative follows Alan as he navigates life aboard the _Valhalla_, grappling with the Fitzgerald Contraction, which causes time to pass differently for those traveling in space compared to those on Earth. Alan is determined to find Steve during their brief stay on Earth, but he is also drawn to the idea of exploring the universe and the potential for faster-than-light travel. As the _Valhalla_ lands, Alan's curiosity about Earth and his brother leads him to the Starmen's Enclave, where he learns about the challenges of life on Earth. He meets Judy Collier, a girl who has a crush on him, and reflects on the limitations of life aboard the ship, which feels like a prison to some of the crew. Alan's journey takes a turn when he decides to leave the _Valhalla_ and stay on Earth, seeking adventure and the possibility of discovering the secrets of faster-than-light travel. He befriends Max Hawkes, a gambler who introduces him to the world of Free Status individuals living on the fringes of society. Alan learns the ropes of gambling and begins to thrive in this new environment, but he also becomes entangled in the criminal underworld. Hawkes and his associates plan a bank robbery, and Alan is reluctantly drawn into the scheme due to his unique status as an unregistered individual. The robbery goes awry, resulting in the deaths of several members of the gang, including Hawkes. Alan narrowly escapes arrest and decides to take control of his life, using the wealth he inherited from Hawkes to pursue his dream of developing a hyperdrive. After a year of traveling the world and gathering knowledge, Alan returns to York City, where he learns about the legacy of James Hudson Cavour, a scientist who had once sought to create a faster-than-light drive. Alan discovers Cavour's journal, which contains crucial information about the hyperdrive, and he resolves to follow in Cavour's footsteps. With the help of his newfound wealth and connections, Alan builds a new ship equipped with the Cavour drive. He embarks on a journey to test the hyperdrive, successfully traveling through hyperspace and reuniting with the _Valhalla_ and his father, who have only experienced a fraction of the time that has passed for Alan. In the end, Alan's journey is one of self-discovery, as he learns about the complexities of life on Earth, the consequences of choices, and the pursuit of dreams. He emerges as a determined individual ready to explore the universe and change the course of interstellar travel forever.
By Robert Silverberg · First published 1977 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy · 19 chapters