The Fifth Quadrant is the third book chronicling the exploits of Gloria VanDeen, head of the Office of Strategic Intervention, a newly formed arm of the Department of Extra-Terrestrial Affairs. Gloria has made quite a name for herself: ex-wife of the Emperor, savior of the planets Mynjhino and Sylvania, darling of the galactic media (she tends to wear almost nothing), and now an Avatar of Joy; a spiritual icon of happiness (or at least sex) for a trillion citizens of the Terran Empire. In her climb through the hierarchy of Dexta she's made some powerful friends and some powerful enemies. And one of the later just tried to take her head off with a plasma rifle.

(Source: Spectra)