Earth was helpless after the atomic holocaust-ready prey for the worst threat of all, the invaders from an alien galaxy?WAS MAN DOOMED FOREVER TO SENDING MESSAGES BY SMOKE SIGNALS? The Earth, after the atomic holocaust, had reverted to a strange kind of barbarism where men could build space ships but could not communicate except by the most primitive means. So it was a sickening shock to Lord Clane Linn when he captured one of the alien invader's space ships and discovered that their central headquarters in another galaxy was sending them messages and getting answers. There was no possibility of sneak attack against such an enemy. With this weapon alone the aliens could win the war-unless Earthmen discovered the secret and how to use it... before the next assault. ALONE AGAINST THE UNIVERSE? The alien Riss were coming to destroy Earth. Everyone knew it, but they did nothing. They were too busy fighting among themselves, planning bigger spectacles for the arena and engaging in petty intrigues to gain petty power. Only the mutant, Clane, knew how to fight the Riss. But he could count on no support from his fellow Earthmen. This was a task he must perform unaided...