The plot centers on an American diplomat, Brian Byard, who is abducted by unknown individuals and, with the help of a scout machine capable of moving across alternative worlds, is transferred to the Imperium world. There, history and technology developed along a different line since 1709, so everything turns out not the way Brian is used to seeing it. Here exists an Anglo-German Imperium that includes Sweden. And now the main character must confront a powerful dictator.