Innate justice does not exist anywhere in the known universe except, that is, for Justice World, an abandoned penal colony equipped with a "justice field" which inflicts the consequences of a crime on its perpetrator. The innocent have nothing to fear. Rimmer is in big trouble.

In a universe almost identical to our own, another Arnold Rimmer exists. A test pilot in the Space Corps, he is charming, popular, brave and modest. After his test craft breaks the speed of reality, he finds himself face to face with his counterpart aboard Red Dwarf.