Alexander Zorich’s book is a kind of journey through Russia of the future—a strong, sovereign state whose power reaches far beyond the Solar System. This book is about people and the cosmos, written in the best traditions of Russian science fiction. Military fortune has left the United Nations. Defeat follows defeat. And now the enemy’s starships bomb Moscow and Berlin. The next blow of a treacherous foe is aimed at the largest extra-terrestrial fortress of the Russian Directory—the super-fortress Eight Hundred and First Parsec. But as long as the army and the fleet live, Russia lives. Former cadets—now experienced combat pilots—will lead their “Durandals” and “Gorynychs” into the decisive battle. They will fight without fear and without mercy, because they know: there is nowhere to retreat.