The Avatar

In the future, humanity has made limited use of gates left by an ancient alien race called the Others, which enable travel throughout the galaxy. After colonizing a single star system, Earth's repressive government forbids further exploration and seizes the returning starship Emissary, capturing its crew and an alien passenger from the planet Betan. Daniel Brodersen, a wealthy entrepreneur opposed to this antiexpansionist policy, commandeers one of his company's ships to rescue the prisoners and the extraterrestrial visitor. He escapes with them and his lover, Caitlín Mulryan, but inadequate preparation leaves them lost in uncharted space. Their only chance of returning home depends on making contact with the Others, humanity's mysterious ancient benefactors.