"On twenty-third-century Earth, ravaged by climate change, political power has been grabbed by a few powerful families and their green saints. Millions of people, most little better than slaves, labour to rebuild ruined ecosystems. Those who fled Earth's repressive regimes to the moons of Jupiter and Saturn l\\/e in a fantastic variety of habitats, some deep underground, others protected from inhospitable atmospheres by vast tents; all scientific Utopias crammed with exuberant inventions of the genetic arts. But the fragile peace between Earth and the colonies is threatened by the Outers' growing ambitions to spread out through the Solar System, pushing human evolution forward. On Earth argument rages: whether to take pre-emptive action against the Outers, or to exploit their scientific talents. Amidst all the debating and turmoil, war between the two branches of humanity moves ever closer."--Back cover.