Noth, Martin

"In a past age, humanity fled a dying Earth in massive arkships, which searched the galaxy to find a new home. One fleet found Centauri, a dense cluster of stars teeming with habitable planets. Now, thousands of years later, Centauri's settlers have evolved into advanced beings known as Celestials - and their great houses rule vast star systems. As the Celestials vie for supremacy, Earth's arkships continue to arrive and humans must serve these repressive masters. But is there a better life beyond the empire? Finn is a Centauri-born human who yearns for a brighter future. So, when another arkship arrives, he seizes the chance to become a Traveler. These heroes explore the unknowns of distant space, dedicated to humanity's survival. And they hope - one day- to find freedom. The Archimedes Engine is the first book in the Exodus series, a major action-adventure RPG."