Boomerang—an untouched pastoral planet: on the surface it seems a perfect candidate for human colonization. But first a Colcom survey team must make contact with the Sades-=the humanoid-looking natives of Boomerang—and determine whether they are animals or intelligent beings. However, the Sades appear to have no interest in the survey team. Mot, at least, until the day that pilot Shelby Michaels encounters a mortally wounded Shade. Then, in a totally unexpected way, contact is finally established, and for Shelby there is not going back.

The Earth's Directorate sends an expedition to the planet Boomerang in search of the secret of the race of Shades' immmortality.