The novel takes place in the 23rd century.. In the future, a technology for the production of thinking androids has been developed. The work of these artificial people is actively exploited in various spheres of the economy. Androids have a full mind, and their physical characteristics are even superior to human ones. However, androids are completely deprived of civil rights, and are officially considered the ordinary property of their owners. Under these conditions, there are several competing movements among androids for their release. One of them has a religious character .. The postulates of the new religion of androids say that their slave state is a test from above, and that only by their labor can they earn the right to be considered equal people. Another teaching is secular in nature, and proposes to seek liberation by political methods. Both movements of androids for equality are still mostly peaceful, but the situation is heating up, and the conflict between androids and people threatens to result in an open confrontation.