In the year 3016, the Second Empire of Man spans hundreds of star systems, thanks to the faster-than-light Alderson Drive. No other intelligent beings have ever been encountered, not until a light sail probe enters a human system carrying a dead alien. The probe is traced to the Mote, an isolated star in a thick dust cloud, and an expedition is dispatched.In the Mote the humans find an ancient civilization—at least one million years old—that has always been bottled up in their cloistered solar system for lack of a star drive. The Moties are welcoming and kind, yet rather evasive about certain aspects of their society. It seems the Moties have a dark problem, one they've been unable to solve in over a million years.This is the first collaboration between Niven and Pournelle, two masters of hard science fiction, and it combines Pournelle's interest in the military and sociology with Niven's talent for creating interesting, believable aliens. The novel meticulously examines every aspect of First Contact, from the Moties' biology, society, and art, to the effects of the meeting on humanity's economics, politics, and religions. And all the while suspense builds as we watch the humans struggle toward the truth.
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye,but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
Roderick Harold, Lord Blaine, Commander, Imperial Space Navy.
Arkley Kelley, Gunner, Imperial Marines, and Blaine family retainer.
Admiral Sir Vladimir Richard George Plekhanov, Vice Admiral Commanding Imperial Navy Forces, New Chicago, and Acting Governor General, New Chicago.
Captain Bruno Cziller, Imperial Space Navy, Master of INSS
Commander John Cargill, ISN, Chief Engineer of MacArthur.
Commander Jock (Sandy) Sinclair, ISN, Chief Engineer of MacArthur.
Midshipman Hosrt Staley, ISN, senior midshipman aboard INSS MacArthur.
Midshipman Jonathon Whitbread, ISN.
Kevin Renner, Sailing Master Lieutenant, Imperial Space Navy Reserve.
Lady Sandra Liddell Leonovna Bright Fowler, B.A., M.s., doctoral candidate in anthropology, Imperial University of Sparta.
His Excellency Horace Hussein Bury, Trader and Magnate; Chairman of the Board, Imperial Autonetics Company, Ltd.
Midshipman Gavin Potter, ISN.
Fleet Admiral Howland Cranston, Commander-in-Chief, His Majesty’s Forces Beyond the Coal Sack.
His Imperial Highness Richard Stefan Merrill, Viceroy for His Majesty’s Dominions beyond the Coal Sack.
Dr. Anthony Horvat, Minister of Science for Trans-Coalsack Sector.
Dr. Jacob Buckman, Astrophysicist.
Father David Hardy, Chaplain-Captain, Imperial Space Navy Reserve.
Admiral Lavrenty Kutuzov, Vice Admiral Commanding His Majesty’s Expedition Beyond Murcheson’s Eye.
Senator Benjamin Bright Fowler, Majority Leader and Member of Privy Council.
Dr. Sigmund Horowitz, Proffessor of Xenobiology, University pf New Scotland.
Herbert Colvin, onetime Captain of Space Forces of the Republic of Union, and onetime master of Union cruiser
1969—Neil Armstrong sets foot on Earth’s moon.
1990—Series of treaties between United States and Soviet Union creates the CoDominium.
2008—First successful interstellar drive tested. Alderson Drive perfected.
2020—First interstellar colonies. Beginning of Great Exodus.
2040—CoDominium Bureau of Relocation begins mass out-system shipment of convicts. Colonization of Sparta and St. Ekaterina.
2079—Sergei Lermontov becomes Grand Admiral of CoDominium Space Navy.
2103—Great Patriotic Wars. End of the CoDominium. Exodus of the Fleet.
2110—Coronation of Lysander I of Sparta. Fleet swears loyalty to the Spartan throne. Marriage of dynasties produces union between Sparta and St. Ekaterina.
2111—Formation Wars begin.
2250—Leonidas I proclaims Empire of Man.
2250–2600—Empire of Man enforces interstellar peace.
2450—Jasper Murcheson explores region beyond the Coal Sack. Terraforming of New Scotland.
2603—Secession Wars begin. Growth of Sauron supermen. St. Ekaterina nearly destroyed.
2640—Secession Wars continue. Dark Ages in many systems. Effective termination of First Empire. Sauron supermen exterminated.
2800—Interstellar trade ceases. Piracy and brigandage. Dark Ages.
2862—Coherent light from the Mote reaches New Scotland.
2870—Effective end of Secession Wars.
2882—Howard Grote Littlemead founds Church of Him on New Scotland.
2903—Coherent light from Mote ends abruptly.
2903—Leonidas IV of Sparta proclaims the Second Empire of Man. The Oath of Reunion is sworn.
3016—Revolt of New Chicago.
3017—FIRST CONTACT.
