At the center of the plot is the mission of a reconnaissance craft approaching the planet Earth (for the crew, it is designated as object CKOLT‑37).
The ship’s crew consists of plauts—creatures with an unusual physiology: they have dark-blue skin, four-fingered hands and feet, transparent eyelids, and special hearing..
Admiral Dolk gives instructions to Lieutenant Lada and his group, emphasizing the importance of caution and adherence to the reconnaissance objectives. However, soon it becomes clear that communication with the planet is impossible due to intense radiation, and the group finds itself in a difficult situation.