From the Author
Doc Smith wrote the original novelette, "Imperial Stars," but passed away before he could write any more in this series. I was hired to expand the original story to book length and write nine further books. It's not easy following in the footsteps of a master, but fans have told me I did a good job. -- Stephen Goldin
From the Inside Flap
THE VAULT Before them stood a powerfully-fortified door, behind which lay the document that could bring down the Empire. "It'll take us a week to figure out how it opens," said the Major. "Then burn the damned thing down," replied Jules. The unbelievable fury of heavy-duty beams chewed away at the thick steel plating until the door fell in with a crash. Then, suddenly, a powerful force yanked them all off their feet. "Ultragrav!" gasped Jules. They were trapped. All they could do was lie there, pinned to the floor by an artificial field of 25 gravities, and watch the castle guards approach with blasters drawn...
