Something strange is happening on the planet Cyrene, which is in the earlyphases of being "developed" by the mammoth Interworld Restructuring Corporation.Terrans from the base there have been disappearing. Myles Callen, a ruthlesslyefficient "Facilitator," is sent to investigate. Also with the mission is MarcShearer, a young, idealistic quantum physicist, disillusioned with the world,who’s on his way to join a former colleague, Evan Wade. On arrival hefinds that Wade, too, has vanished and doesn't want to be found by the Terranauthorities. Wade has arranged contact via the Cyreneans, however, andaccompanied by two companions that he has befriended, Shearer embarks on ajourney to find his friend that will change Cyrene — and Earthitself!