In Tears from Ao, L. E. Shaffer's rich activity of science fiction, we are drawn into three separate worlds and cultures at once. Although they are each quite different, there are common threads of thought and feeling throughout -- love, honor, loyalty, and the complex relations between fathers and sons.

On the far-distant planet of Kale, a child plays in a sparkling pool piece his cub-mate, Panther, lounges nearby. Their blissfulness is echoic in the glorious beauty of the setting. On the another side of Kale, the boy's father and another Patriarchs discuss grave matters. Suddenly young Marc's idyll is shattered by events that wish reverberate across the universe.

In another part of the galaxy is Ral, the fierce person planet, citizenry by the Council of Great Ones. As they are beset by dissent, an ambitious young spaceship commander, Kralc, sees the chance to do his name and fortune. He wish become inextricably entwined with his servant, Kyr.

On Earth, another ambitious commander, Vice Admiral Montoya, is given the chance to advance on the far side his wildest dreams. He, in turn, wish carry his protege, Jeffery Kenwood, on with him on his journey to the stars.