The Second Empire faces a crisis. Not of war or rebellion, but of a far more insidious threat: a lack of gold. This precious metal fuels their starships and industries, and without it, the entire civilization crumbles. In a desperate bid for survival, a ruthless expedition sets course for a new world, rumored to be brimming with the lifeblood of the Empire. Leading the charge is a group of power-hungry "supermen," but their conquest is far from guaranteed. The planet they seek holds a unique civilization, technologically behind yet fiercely independent. As tensions rise and alliances shift, one question hangs heavy: who will become the Despoilers, and who will be left despoiled? Buckle up for a thrilling adventure of greed, power, and the unexpected in Randall Garrett's "Despoilers of the Golden Empire."