Saikat was not a paradise. Like most other planets of interest to the Foundation for the Development of Alien Cultures. So Ivar Trevelyan’s new business trip promised him unforgettable meetings with humanoids at the stage of development of Neanderthals, and other delights of the wild world. But contrary to expectations, the greatest surprises were presented not by primitive brothers in mind, but by work colleagues. They were the Kni'lina - humanoid, but very unpleasant neighbors in the Galaxy, distinguished by a complete lack of a sense of humor and a painfully good memory. And on board the space station, circling over the blue surface of Saikat, an intrigue worthy of the pen of Agatha Christie began to spin...