Physics Professor Winston Sloane is a man possessed. Fleeing a trauma in his past and vowing to a loved one to solve its mystery Winston shuns responsibility, and his daughter, Illawara, to pursue his boyhood dream, and adventure through time via his discovery of an ancient and terrifying Pagan device: The Hermeporta. Winston embarks on a quest of towering ambition, pursued by his questioning daughter and her cursed friend Hermes, to Italy in the year 1611 determined to gain the knowledge he needs, and an audience with Galileo – at any price.But in Italy the Professor meets his match in the formidable Lucia, Hermes rediscovers truths of his ancient past, and Illawara catches the eye of a powerful Cardinal that ultimately brings the wrath of a Counter-Reformation Pope down upon them all. Can Professor Sloane’s vision for humanity succeed? Or will the powerful forces he has unleashed destroy them all