Humanity has recovered from economic apocalypse, to rebuild a better society, but one still plagued by dissension and selfishness. Sero Novak is biologically teleported to the wetworld of NineDee on a critical mission to discover the mysterious fate of the colonists there. Novak is mentally connected with the rest of humanity by NeuroVision memory technology. Novak explores NineDee, encountering the dangers of the indigenous life forms and environment—and uncovers ever weirder secrets about the colonists themselves, culminating in a terrible revelation that forces him to take desperate action. Bereaved, tormented by grief and driven by the fading shadow of the ideals he once held, he knows that a powerful and expectant government is tracking him from Earth via the global broadcast of his own memories. During his mission, Novak befriends a young colonist in whom he sees similar torment and confusion. Will Novak be able to protect the young girl? Will humanity carry petty desires and desperate wishes across the galaxy? And will Novak be able to act in the best interests of all of humanity when faced with slipping ideals and destructive passions of the people sent to build among the distant stars? Alone, he confronts the wilderness of loss and the physical danger of the wilds the only way he knows how; sheer will.