In the Epicurus system, the still overcrowded Proxima encounters another Republic cruiser. The Hadrian agrees to take on some of the survivors. The system itself appears to be an island of peace, offering the crew a much-needed shore leave. But something is not right - Zadiya Ark senses a trap... Star Cruiser Proxima - an odyssey through an empire on the brink! The Terran Republic is falling apart. Former colonies declare their independence, plunging the galaxy into chaos. In a devastating battle, the Terran star cruiser Proxima barely escapes the combat zone. On the retreat, the Proxima fights for survival and becomes a pawn in a confusing war. But Captain Zadiya Ark and her crew have no idea that fate has even harsher blows in store for them... Dirk van den Boom (born 1966) has published more than 100 novels in the fields of science fiction and fantasy. In 2017 he received the German Science Fiction Award for his novel "Prinzipat". Dirk van den Boom is also a consultant on development cooperation, migration policy and social policy, and a professor of political science. He lives with his family in Saarbrücken, Germany.