“...Scientists today confirmed that one of the Omega clouds is indeed on its way to Earth. First of all, I want to reassure you - this does not pose any danger to us. The cloud will approach us no earlier than in a thousand years. Therefore, neither we, nor our children, nor our children's children have anything to fear.

However, we learned that these objects had already visited the Earth in the past at intervals of approximately eight thousand years. Apparently they destroy cities and other types of structures. Nobody knows why. No one knows whether this is a natural phenomenon or the creation of some perverted science.

We will make a serious mistake if we consider that these are not our difficulties, and postpone the decision until future times, if we shrug our shoulders and say : A thousand years is a long time. If we blithely conclude that this problem will resolve itself.

But I tell you: we cannot calm down just because we ourselves are not in physical danger. This is a challenge to our world, to everything we want to pass on to future generations. It is clear from this that we must act now, while there is still time.

I therefore order the mobilization of all the resources of the Council of Nations. We will find out how this cloud works and stop it. ..."

The fourth novel in Jack McDevitt's large-scale space saga.