Three races collided in space: humanity, the Reguli, and the Mri in the service of the Reguli. The events take place after a 40-year war in which almost the entire Mri civilization perished. The reader sees the decline of a once great race, a race with a thousand-year history. The Reguli betray the Mri and make peace with the earthlings, and then, fearing the revenge of the Mri, they destroy the remnants of civilization. Two mri remain alive - the Mother of the People and the Hand of the People. The earthling Duncan joins the proud and reserved Mri. Duncan is a Planetary Scout who participated in the war against the Mri. By chance and by politicians, he finds himself in close contact, first with the Reguli, and then with the Mri. Duncan and Mri face many trials and losses...