A full-scale war between humans and Alvalans was averted at the last moment. However, the chain of events launched by the first contact of humanity with an alien race cannot be stopped. Alwala, engulfed in civil war, is in flames. The world's largest powers cannot stay away from the conflict when both opposing sides ask them for help. The reward for the winner is too great - resources, money and technology of an alien race. NATO countries see this as a chance for them to overcome the crisis and maintain their leading positions; the “Asian Tigers” see an opportunity for global dominance. But neither one nor the other takes Russia into account. Russians have no chance to make a name for themselves in the new world... Or do they? Lieutenant Colonel Lipatov, Ilya Krasikov and other participants in the first Russian military-diplomatic expedition to an alien planet will have to answer this.