Roderick Zale specializes in political kidnappings. His latest is eleven year old Genesian President Hieronymus Fox. Initially, Earth authorities refuse the Genesian request for help, as there are no formal treaties between Earth and Genesia. It turns out that Fox is from the twentieth century - a child genius who froze himself when he saw the calamity coming, and was looted by aliens and passed from planet to planet. Genesia wants him back, but is afraid the Earth will demand his repatriation.

Buck escorts Miss Cosmos, a woman as close to genetically perfect as has yet been discovered, on a cruise. But a pair of thieves has also boarded, and they intend to kidnap Miss Cosmos and dissect her into nice, marketable bits of genetic material. They make one attempt that nearly succeeds, revealing that one of them possesses dangerous abilities that will test Buck's defensive and security planning skills.