The Rim Gods — A. Bertram Chandler

John Grimes, astronautical superintendent of Rim Runners and commanding officer of the Rim Worlds Naval Reserve, was tired of being a desk-bound space commodore. So when the chance came for him to do a little personal astronautical trouble-shooting, he didn't ask who, why or what―he just went. Which is how he found himself involved with time-space worlds, predatory starfish, and legendary characters apparently come to life. That's what can happen when you are out at the galaxy's edge and call forth The Rim Gods.