Mallory Pantera has managed to nearly strangle Earth trade in his sector, due to an almost uncanny knowledge of the schedules. His imprisoned former girlfriend Jen Burton might know how he has achieved this, so Buck goes undercover into a high security prison run by androids to break her out and return her to Earth. He manages the breakout, but discovers she's still loyal to Pantera. And, a murderous android named Hugo follows the pair, determined to kill them for engineering the breakout. Even if they make it to the rendezvous, Pantera plans to kill Burton to keep her from betraying him...

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.