On her epic maiden voyage, the NAC spacecraft Odyssey introduced Earth to the wonders of an untouched universe — and the unimagined horrors lurking in the black. Now the Odyssey’s second voyage will carry Captain Eric Weston and his crew back to a familiar battlefield, to face an enemy unlike any they have ever known. For on war-torn Ranquil, homeworld of Earth’s newest ally the Priminae, the invading Drasin are but foot soldiers for a powerful unseen force. Unmasking the mysterious puppet masters means defying orders and venturing into deep space, a voyage only the Odyssey’s crew would dare undertake. But soon they will learn that some secrets are better left hidden...Part old-school space opera, part modern military epic, The Heart of Matter is an exhilarating new sci-fi adventure, a pulse-pounding sequel to Into the Black: Odyssey One that will echo long after its thrilling conclusion.