Major General Vershinin continues his journey through the Gray Perimeter, trying to find a way to return to Earth, and not return empty-handed. Without wanting it, he increasingly upsets the balance of power that has developed on the outskirts of the galaxy, and attracts the close attention of people and strangers who consider themselves the masters of this twilight space, where cruelty and cynicism are the norm. Vershinin's unusual abilities did not go unnoticed, and, naturally, people immediately appeared willing to put them to their service.