High above the planetFlorinia, the Squires of Sark live in unimaginable wealth and comfort.Down in the eternal spring of the planet, however, the native Florinianslabor ceaselessly to produce the precious kyrt that brings prosperityto their Sarkite masters. Rebellion is unthinkable and impossible. Notonly do the Florinians no longer have a concept of freedom, anydisruption of the vital kyrt trade would cause other planets to rise inprotest, ultimately destabilizing trade and resulting in a galactic war.So the Trantorian Empire, whose grand plan is to unite all humanity inpeace, prosperity, and freedom, has stood aside and allowed theoppression to continue.Living among the workers of Florinia, Rik is aman without a memory or a past. He has been abducted and brainwashed.Barely able to speak or care for himself when he was found, Rik iswidely regarded as a simpleton by the worker community where he lives.But as his memories begin to return, Rik finds himself driven by acryptic message he is determined to deliver: Everyone on Florinia isdoomed . . . the Currents of Space are bringing destruction. But if theplanet is evacuated, the power of Sark will end--so some would finishthe job and would kill the messenger. The fate of the Galaxy hangs inthe balance.