A new-cover reissue of the second book in the bestselling five-volume sf series created by the world-famous author of the Thomas Covenant chronicles -- and acclaimed as the 'best work of his career'. In The Real Story, Morn Hyland had survived a terrible ordeal at the hands of one space pirate, only to find herself trapped in the ship of another, surrounded by hostile, unfriendly faces. Nick Succorso had rescued her, but for what purpose? He and his crew were all illegals, and she was a cop -- a cop with gap-sickness. Just having her on board would put all their lives at risk. But Nick knew that Morn possessed something that could be of value to them all -- and he had every intention of exploiting it. As she struggled to recover from her shattering experiences, Morn would hear increasingly shocking tales of corruption in the UMCP, and even more alarming rumours of a shadowy alien life force -- the Amnion -- with their all-consuming mutagens. All too soon, on the long and hazardous voyage to forbidden space, the bizarre stories would become horrifying reality...