In a distant future, humanity has expanded beyond its solar system, encountering various alien species. Among these, the Rumi, a race of oxygen-breathing bipeds, pose a significant threat due to their similarity to humans and their aggressive nature. To protect its far-flung colonies, humanity has established the Space Frontier Watcher Service, a network of sentinels tasked with monitoring and warning against potential alien incursions. The protagonist, a member of this Watcher Service, is stationed on a desolate moon called Thirty, orbiting a molten planet named Nestrond. His duty is to monitor radar screens and alert the Terran fleet of any Rumi raids. One day, his routine is disrupted when a Rumi fleet appears on his radar, followed by a Terran private craft, the Crossley 18, which is pursued and shot down by the Rumi. The protagonist watches as the Terran ship crashes on Thirty, and a Rumi landing party is dispatched to ensure no survivors remain. Despite orders to remain in his bunker, the protagonist decides to intervene, driven by a sense of duty to protect the human survivor. He ventures out into the harsh environment of Thirty, where he discovers the Rumi capturing a young woman, the daughter of a wealthy explorer. Using his knowledge of the terrain and a makeshift weapon, the protagonist engages the Rumi, managing to eliminate several of them and rescue the girl. In a final confrontation, he defeats the Rumi officer, ensuring the girl's safety. The story concludes with the girl mistaking the protagonist for a dog, unaware of his true nature as a highly intelligent, genetically engineered canine designed to serve as humanity's guardian in space.
By George H. Smith · First published 1978 · Genre: Science Fiction, Military Science Fiction, Space Opera