Although plagued by internal conflicts and power struggles, the Saunder family holds the key to the future of human civilization and the Earth's defense against approaching aliens

Quol-Bez, alien ambassador on Earth, was offering planets, other stars to man - if man could reach them! Oh, the aliens had faster-than-light travel. But if men wanted that they must find it for themselves. And without it, the nearest such world lay a lifetime or more away. Brenna Saunder's aunt and uncle had died in an experimental ship, seeking for that way. And now Brenna was devoting her life and her share of the vast Saunder family fortune and prestige to solving the problem of such faster-than-light travel. She had lost her lover to a hiber-ship, one in which those who dared would spend the years of travel in hibernation. Now she watched another of her group try and end in disaster. Finally there was time and means for only one more attempt - one more chance for man to find his destiny among the stars! Grimly, Brenna buckled herself into the pilot's seat of the final experimental ship and reached for the ready button!

Anthony Saunder is a mere clone—a whim of the cruel Carissa Saunders—and not a man of lofty dreams, but upon seeing the beautiful Whimed star, he takes on a magnificent challenge

WHAT'S PAST IS...DEADLY? Dan McKelvey, poor relative of the powerful Saunder-McKelvey family, was stranded on a world where aliens and human archaeologists sought evidence of the past of a strange race. Members of that race were stunted savages now, but long before they had been a mighty, star-roving people. By now, Dan had become fascinated by the project. With his mechanical skill to help, the scientists were about to uncover a temple or museum of the distant past. But none could guess what lay within, and Dan worried as he helped to open the strong, buried doors that guarded it. Would they find secrets that could enrich the present races? Or would they discover an ancient horror that could threaten all life? Some alien force had certainly ruined these once-great natives. As they neared success, Dan's fears grew—until...