Minagerad, once nothing more than an acidic ball, orbiting an unimpressive gas giant, orbiting an unassuming star. A toxic planet with no hope of life. All that changed thousands of years ago, and it is now the greatest nature preserve and zoo in the galaxy. Millions of species from hundreds of worlds were moved here so the numerous sapients of the galaxy could appreciate them. The planet's second function is in the event of catastrophe on their homeworlds, no irreplaceable life will be lost. Gabriel Ratlu travels to this world to spend a year enjoying the wonders of Minagerad. Gabriel hopes his stay will be enjoyable but not exciting; it was a wish he will not get. Gabriel meets a Tufanda woman, Nish, and her precocious daughter Pista, whose desire for adventure gets her into trouble. Gabriel rescues the girl and, despite some misgivings, opens up to the pair along with two other tourists, Erilur and Risoti. It will not be easy, though; Gabriel has horrors in his past and must overcome them to be the man he wants to be.