A space opera and thought exercise for the avid science-fiction reader, "Departure" explores mankind's greatest test against an adversary of their own creation: self-replicating drones that threaten humanity's very existence after a malfunction spirals their growth rate out of control. Installation of the first-ever Dyson Sphere goes awry when a world-shattering mistake threatens Corina-189 and its host star, Elnath. Humanity faces an unthinkable terror when the self-replicating drones forming its shell malfunction, tearing away inexorably across the galaxy, devouring all energy in its path. A young commander struggles to lead a fractured civilization in a fight for victory against a new, infinite enemy amidst a brutal war for planetary control. Will they find salvation? Or will mankind run forever through the stars?