The narrative follows Denton Cassal, a sales engineer stranded on the planet Godolph while waiting for a transport to Tunney 21. His situation becomes dire when he is stalked by a would-be assassin, leading to a violent confrontation in which he defends himself, inadvertently killing the attacker. Cassal's predicament is complicated by the presence of Dimanche, a neural scanning device that provides him with physiological insights about others, but which he must keep secret from the authorities. As Cassal navigates the dangers of Godolph, he learns that his delay is linked to a larger conspiracy involving the Travelers Aid Bureau, which appears to be a philanthropic organization but is revealed to be a front for a network that exploits stranded travelers. The Bureau's operatives, including the alluring Murra Foray, are involved in a scheme to steal identification tabs from travelers, leaving them marooned. Cassal's interactions with Murra lead to a complex relationship, as she is both a potential ally and a formidable adversary. After a series of events, including Cassal's realization of the Bureau's true nature and Murra's theft of Dimanche, he is left without his instrument and must devise a plan to create a new one, which he names Manche. This new device is designed to be more powerful and capable of operating independently of Cassal's nervous energy. As he works to build Manche, Cassal grapples with his feelings for Murra and the implications of their encounters. Ultimately, he discovers that the Bureau's operations are a cycle of exploitation, with stranded travelers robbing one another to survive. In a twist of fate, Cassal's ingenuity leads to the creation of a device that allows him to communicate over vast distances, hinting at the potential for instantaneous radio. The story culminates with Cassal taking control of the Bureau, transforming it into a more ethical organization while contemplating a journey to Kettikat, the home of the Huntners, where Murra hails from. The narrative explores themes of survival, exploitation, and the complexities of human relationships against the backdrop of interstellar travel and the harsh realities of life on the fringes of civilization.
By F.L. Wallace · First published 1959 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Mystery