In a future where humanity has colonized other planets, the United Earth Government has established a strict caste system to maintain social order. The ruling class, known as the "Council of Elders," controls all aspects of society and maintains its power through propaganda and manipulation. A young man from a lower caste discovers that the Council's authority is based on a lie: the existence of an alien threat that justifies their rule. He decides to expose the truth, but his actions are met with resistance from those who benefit from the status quo. As he navigates this complex web of power and deception, the young man must confront the consequences of challenging the established order and decide whether to conform or risk everything for a chance at freedom and equality.
By Mack Reynolds · First published 1966 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Satire