In the novel, intelligence officers operate - under cover legends, using agents and fake documents. Ambushes, chases, setups - everything is like in an ordinary spy thriller. Only they know how to fly, hypnotize, set up force fields and carry out a mission on a distant planet doomed to destruction, and their task is to save part of the local population. A safe planet has been selected, huge starships are ready. Just which of the one and a half billion inhabitants should we save? What parameters are used to select those who are worthy of continuing life? Numerous adventures are intertwined with moral problems, and the ending still turns out to be unexpected.