Fragments of an artificial sphere around the star are all that remains of a highly developed civilization. The descendants of once strong peoples, the Founders and Masters, wander through the fragments, trying to preserve intelligent life on them, but over time it still fades away. Inen is one of the Founders. After the death of her assistant-Master, she is ready to give up her work, no longer seeing the point in it. But the mentor persuades her to return to the fragments with a new Master. No one notices that the forgotten nature of the Founders is beginning to manifest its powers in Inen.