Alien life is absent throughout explored space, an anomaly that is considered possibly threatening to scientific discovery. A Regency Scientific Council decides to correct the situation with the ambitious project of creating their own "alien" life form. A genetically created species is placed on what is thought to be an undiscovered planet, but an outer rim scout, Rath Scampion, explores the barren landscapes simply before the experiment begins. As the alien colony takes hold, researchers learn their production is advancing at an appalling pace. The experiment spirals out of control, and the council is forced to abandon its production and cover up their missteps. Rath must fly Regency controlled space as he hopes to elude the political and military turmoil that spreads from this experiment gone wrong.