Kendall Stone races against time to prevent the execution of Galth of Rastol, an alien whose death would trigger a violent reprisal against the human colony on Rastol III, endangering countless lives, including his own family. Arriving at Mojave Spaceport, he faces bureaucratic obstacles when he loses his identification booklet, which prevents him from leaving the spaceport. Desperate, he resorts to violence, incapacitating a guard to escape. Once in Mojave City, he seeks the Governor's Secretary to plead for a stay of execution. However, the Secretary dismisses him, and Stone realizes he has been set up; a pickpocket working for the Secretary has stolen his ID. The Secretary's ulterior motive is revealed: he aims to eliminate the Rastolian colony to monopolize the market for antivirotic drugs produced on Vescalor IX. Stone kidnaps the pickpocket, Miller, to extract information. Miller reveals that the Secretary framed Galth for murder to incite a conflict that would benefit his business interests. As they flee in an aircar, they are pursued by an assailant. Stone manages to evade capture and, after a tense aerial battle, he gains control of the situation. Upon reaching the Governor, Stone recounts the conspiracy, and Miller corroborates his story. The Governor, realizing the gravity of the situation, commutes Galth's death sentence just in time to save him. As dawn breaks, Stone reflects on the lives saved and the impending reunion with his family, relieved that he has thwarted a disaster.
By Robert Silverberg · First published 1970 · Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Adventure