The story takes place on a distant planet where the inhabitants have developed a unique culture and technology. The protagonist, a young man from Earth, travels to this planet with a group of scientists and engineers to investigate its resources. Upon arrival, they discover that the planet's inhabitants are not what they expected. The native people possess advanced technology and a complex society, but their behavior is often illogical and unpredictable. As the visitors attempt to understand the planet's culture and resources, they become embroiled in a conflict between rival factions vying for control of the planet's valuable minerals.
By H. Beam Piper · First published 1961 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Political · 20 chapters