A newly built power station is sent from Earth to a planet called Vita - the latest achievement of technology of the 25th century. While still in flight, the station and its crew are haunted by intrigues and raids, and on Vita, unknown military detachments appear around the power station, murders and attacks by irrational living creatures on people occur. Employees of the military prosecutor's office from Earth, royal investigators from the planet Regdond and employees of a scientific expedition from the planet Kautilya are trying to find out the reasons for this. For the commander of the power plant, earthling Anton Hals, understanding the situation is vital - his work and future fate depend on it. Anton begins his own investigation on Vita, but the situation gets out of control...