The victory over the rebellious Eatesqa race brought peace to the solar system. The defeated, locked in reservations, forced to work for humanity. James Marzi, appointed race coordinator, promises long peace and a gradual merger of the two civilizations; his successor, Marcus Hoyd, vows to follow his path. A strange radioactive metal found on the abandoned starship Eatesqa is being brought to Earth for comprehensive study. A sample of the metal is sent in strict secrecy to Uranium City, the Eatesqa reservation. Some people care whether it will be possible to synthesize an unusual substance. Someone - how soon will Marcus Hoyd, the hidden rebel, order the Eatesqa fleet to attack.