A distant future… The gears of big politics grind in the Hyper-empire. Intelligence services fight rebels, weave intricate intrigues—one of which must use as bait the division of “disposable” agents, employed blindly. And Thomas Breine, a barbarian from little-known places, is the best candidate for such work. He is promised full legalization in the Hyper-empire if he leads a group that will pass through stormy jungles on a distant planet and deliver an important person to the destination. Everything is extremely secret and confidential—but information about the route of the bait group is instantly “leaked” to the enemy…