Fear and faith are indivisible on the Republic of Earth, where privacy is nonexistent, creativity is a crime, and intelligence is a heresy. Leander Schaiden has spent his young life in a losing battle against the State and the Church, seeking any freedom he can steal. He dreams of an impossible escape. The Septarch is immortal and all-powerful, far beyond the control of the Republic. Some say he is an alien, some say he was once human, some say he is the Devil himself. Leander considers him a tale told to frighten children. Leander is wrong.