On the planet Emeraude, a colony taken from the tentacled Cepods, a secret agent is investigating the mysterious disappearance of a number of humans. When someone tries to kill him, he is forced to work outside of official channels. His mission takes an unexpected turn when the poet with whom he had made a romantic connection is herself the victim of a...

Stung by a swarm of telepathic insects during a visit to a faraway planet, Julius can read people's thoughts and uses his gift to get by as a two-bit con artist. One night, on the run from the angry losers of a card game gone wrong, he winds up seeking refuge with an old acquaintance, Marje. A former leader and flamboyant adventurer with a shady past, she...