Not so long ago Marcus Walker was just another young commodities trader in Chicago, working hard and playing harder. But that’s all in the past, part of a life half forgotten—a reality that vanished when he was attacked while camping and tossed aboard a starship bound for deep space. Desperately, Walker searches for explanations, only to realize he’s trapped in a horrifying nightmare that is all too real. Instead of being a rich hotshot at the top of the food chain, Walker discovers he’s just another amusing novelty, part of a cargo of “cute” aliens from primitive planets—destined to be sold as pets to highly advanced populations in “civilized” regions of the galaxy. Even if he weren’t constantly watched by his captors, Walker has few options. After all, there is no escape from a speeding starship. Another man might resign himself to the inevitable and hope to be sold to a kindly owner, but not Walker. This former college football star has plenty of American ingenuity and no intention of admitting defeat, now or ever. In fact, he’s only just begun to fight.

Marcus Walker was kidnapped from Earth to be sold with other aliens from "primitive" planets as "pets". Free with talking dog George, unable to return home, he becomes .. a chef. What else can they do, besides avoid Vilenjji? Plenty, as it turns out ...

Human Marcus Walker leads speech-augmented mutt George, cephalopod Sque, and gigantic poet Barouk homeward. Peaceful rodent-like Hyffians ask for arms against invading Iollth. At each planet, they must prove their "civilization", whether by poetry or battle, and ask directions onward. The last combat faces the original alien Vilanjji Pret-Klob.