The distant future — the beginning of the 24th century. Space has become a field of work for xenoarchaeologists: interstellar ships roam the Universe freely, and robots with advanced artificial intelligence can hold a conversation and ease the journey to faraway galaxies. Sergey Svetlov is a young xenoarchaeologist who has devoted himself to studying the race of the Nekkars.
An unexpected invitation from a renowned professor turns out to be a cleverly laid trap for the ambitious: a group of space adventurers urgently needs a specialist in Nekkari studies. Honor and convictions would never have allowed Sergey to get involved in such a suspicious expedition, but his craving to touch the ruins of a fallen civilization takes over and pushes him toward a risky, ill-considered choice… a choice that will change not only himself, but also the course of human history.