On the outskirts of space and in the far corners of the State, a complex game is being played. Several forces continue to pursue the deadly and mysterious Penny Royal, however, no more dangerous than Brockle, an analytical psychopathic AI, a criminal who escaped from prison, modernizing himself in anticipation mortal combat and has become even more powerful and intelligent. On board the plant-station Workshop 101, the giant factory that gave birth to Penny Royal, groups of people, Prador aliens and AI combat drones fight for control. Matters become more complicated with the arrival of the duckling known as the Weaver, the last living member of the ancient and powerful race of Esheter. What can an Esheter expect from his multi-way dealings with Penny Royal? Will the forces of the State and the Pradors fall for the bait of the dark AI or is there a workaround? All the pieces of the puzzle fall into place in Neil Asher's action-packed book, the last of the Transformation trilogy, leading to the threshold of a black hole, within which lies a terrible secret that could destroy the entire State.