The narrative follows Lee Bolden, an Earthman on the planet Van Daamas, who is tasked with negotiating with the native inhabitants for their labor in the Earth settlement. During his visit, he contracts a mysterious illness known as the Bubble Death, which affects his nervous system, causing numbness and paralysis. Despite his deteriorating condition, he successfully negotiates a deal with a native, who gifts him a creature that the natives keep as a pet. As Bolden struggles to return to the settlement, he faces a violent storm that forces him to land and wait it out. During this time, he bonds with the creature, which provides him warmth and companionship. After the storm, he manages to return to the settlement, but collapses due to his illness. He is placed under the care of Doctor Kessler, who uses advanced medical technology to diagnose and treat Bolden's condition. The doctor discovers that the Bubble Death is caused by a microbe that attacks the nervous system. Despite the medical team's efforts, conventional antibiotics prove ineffective against the infection. Bolden realizes that the creature he received from the native may hold the key to his recovery, as it seems to have a unique ability to counteract the disease. As Bolden's health improves, he learns that the creature is not just a pet but a vital part of the treatment for the Bubble Death. The natives had understood its significance long before Bolden did. However, the creature's life is ultimately sacrificed to save Bolden, as it is killed to provide the necessary energy to combat the infection. In the aftermath, Bolden grapples with the moral implications of the creature's death and the realization that while he has survived, he has lost a companion that had become integral to his recovery. The story concludes with Bolden reflecting on the creature's sacrifice and the bittersweet nature of his survival, as he becomes the first Earthman to discover the creature's value, a distinction that weighs heavily on him. The narrative explores themes of survival, sacrifice, and the complex relationship between humans and the alien life forms they encounter.
By F.L. Wallace · First published 1976 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Fantasy