The distant future. Humanity has spread throughout the Galaxy. Giant megacities and deserted planets. Young adventurer Jerg Algan falls for a recruiter’s bait and against his will becomes a scout for new worlds suitable for settlement. In a merchant’s shop on one of the Puritan worlds, a strange chessboard falls into his hands. An ancient artifact that, as it turns out, can grant immortality and power over the Universe. One capable of completely changing humanity’s fate. How will the hero of the book use it?