Torn from the universe by an insatiable cosmic vortex, Earth is trapped in the grotesque parody of reality called the Maelstrom -- along with thousands of other planets, millions of species, billions of warring creatures...all swirling toward ultimate destruction. EARTH'S LAST HOPE The Mars colonists watch, helpless, as the Maelstrom anomaly swallows Earth. Yet Dr. David Hutchins's horror is offset by scientific curiosity, and somehow he manages to tether a probe connecting our solar system to the Maelstrom. Now David, pilot Raedawn Corona, a Neo-Soviet POW named Boris, and a telepathic alien have only one desperate chance to bring Earth home. But the Union and Neo-Soviets must be willing to cooperate before the anomaly closes -- and before evil species from the Pharons to the Shard seize the escape route for themselves...