While exploring a cave with his friend, 16-year-old Nathan stumbles upon someone unexpected: Science Officer Satou of The Explorers' League.Satou is equally surprised, and after Nathan breaks through the security barrier, he does the only thing he can and takes Nathan with him, forever changing the balance of the universe.Nathan is introduced to the Consortium: an intergalactic league of explorers, scientists, soldiers and diplomats. He also discovers the Universal Map - an ancient artifact locked away long ago by the mysterious Cartographer.After Nathan accidentally unlocks the Universal Map, a chain of events is set in motion... one that threatens to tear at the very fabric of the universe, and to destroy Earth.