Editing Stephen R. Donaldson (section)

==The Gap Cycle==
A [[science fiction]] epic set in a future where humans have pushed far out into space in the attempt to replace depleted resources, ''[[The Gap Cycle]]'' follows two concurrent story arcs. The first concerns an ensign in the United Mining Companies Police (UMCP), Morn Hyland, who is attempting simply to stay alive after being captured by a marauder named Angus Thermopyle. The second follows the Byzantine political maneuvering of the head of the UMCP, Warden Dios, as he attempts to thwart the machinations of his boss, Holt Fasner, who is the CEO of United Mining Companies (UMC) and the most powerful man in human space.

Each of the epics takes place against the backdrop of a threat to human survival itself from an alien species called the [[Amnion (Gap Cycle)|Amnion]] who use genetic mutation as a way to assimilate and overcome. Trade in raw materials (mostly ores) is carried out with the Amnion in exchange for technology, by both the UMC and illegals. Some illegals trade in Amnion territorial space, referred to as "forbidden space", out of bounds to the UMCP by treaty.

Donaldson wrote the series in part to be a reworking of [[Wagner]]'s [[Ring Cycle]]. The "Gap" of the title refers to the [[faster-than-light]] drives used by the space vessels in order to cross great distances, an instantaneous occurrence similar to the notion of "folding" space.

===The Gap series===
# ''[[The Real Story (novel)|The Gap into Conflict: The Real Story]]'' (1991)
# ''[[Forbidden Knowledge|The Gap into Vision: Forbidden Knowledge]]'' (1991)
# ''[[A Dark and Hungry God Arises|The Gap into Power: A Dark and Hungry God Arises]]'' (1992)
# ''[[Chaos and Order|The Gap into Madness: Chaos and Order]]'' (1994)
# ''[[This Day All Gods Die|The Gap into Ruin: This Day All Gods Die]]'' (1996)

The 2008 reprinting of the series combines ''The Real Story'' and ''Forbidden Knowledge'' into a single volume.  According to Donaldson's website, this was done at his request.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.stephenrdonaldson.com/fromtheauthor/gi_view.php?Year=2008&Month=09&Filter=&all=forbidden-%7c-knowledge-%7c-real-%7c-story | title = Gradual Interview (September 2008): Stephen R. Donaldson - Official Website | author = Stephen R. Donaldson | date = 28 September 2008 | access-date = 21 June 2010}}</ref>