The narrative follows a dying alien ship, piloted by a creature known as the Nipe, as it navigates through space toward a planet inhabited by humans. The Nipe, a centipede-like being, reflects on its dire situation, having sustained severe damage from a plasmoid encountered near a sun. Alone and desperate, it contemplates survival and the necessity of landing on a planet to avoid dying in the void of space. Meanwhile, on Earth, a forest ranger named Wang Kulichenko witnesses the crash of the Nipe's ship and attempts to investigate. He encounters the Nipe, leading to a fatal confrontation where the Nipe kills him in self-defense. The story then shifts to Government City, where officials discuss the implications of the Nipe's existence and the need to capture or kill it. The Nipe, meanwhile, begins to explore its surroundings, trying to understand the human world and its inhabitants. As the plot unfolds, the Nipe's perspective reveals its struggle to comprehend human behavior and its own identity. It grapples with the idea of civilization and the nature of intelligence, believing that it must be a superior being due to its advanced technology. The narrative explores themes of survival, identity, and the clash between different forms of intelligence. The story progresses with the Nipe's attempts to gather resources and knowledge while evading capture. It becomes increasingly aware of the humans' fear and misunderstanding of it, leading to a series of violent encounters. The tension escalates as the Nipe's actions draw the attention of authorities, who are determined to eliminate the threat it poses. In parallel, the narrative delves into the lives of the humans affected by the Nipe's presence, particularly focusing on the psychological and societal impacts of living in fear of an unknown entity. The characters grapple with their own motivations, fears, and the moral implications of their actions against the Nipe. Ultimately, the story culminates in a confrontation between the Nipe and the humans, raising questions about the nature of intelligence, the ethics of survival, and the consequences of misunderstanding. The Nipe's journey becomes a metaphor for the struggle for identity and acceptance in a world that views it as a monster, while the humans must confront their own fears and prejudices in the face of the unknown.
By Randall Garrett · First published 1970 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure · 23 chapters