A Bridgehead for a Loner

The Empire of Humans is gradually losing the war. Using new technologies, the imperial forces discover—from millions of light-years away—another civilization of humans. It lags behind the Empire in development, but it is also fighting for survival. The imperial forces see an opportunity in uniting, but reaching potential allies requires a portal consisting of a pair of gates. Brigadier General Dean, who has already been hit by a ray in battle and is preparing for death, is offered a transfer across the abyss of space into the body of a terminally ill teenager who is in a coma. Dean’s task is to recover, build a career, rise to power, and construct the second gate of the portal.