Gleb Bystrov, a former WWII fighter pilot rescued from a downed plane by aliens, becomes the captain of a small starship. To this day, through alien technology, he has retained his youth and serves the people of another civilization who once saved him. Bystrov finds himself drawn into the intrigue of a powerful galactic empire. His task is to save Princess Arietta, who is being hunted by the envoys of the rebellious Duke, wanting to kill her so that another person can ascend to the empty throne. At the same time, the secret services of several other non-imperial civilizations began searching for Arietta - they need to discover the secret of the superpowers that the princess possesses. The novel takes place on the planets of the empire, on Earth and in deep space.