The son of an influential planetary ruler, Lord Rancer Weidemose, Byron Farill finishes his studies at the local university on the Earth planet. He is visited by Sander Jonty, who tells him about the murder of his father by tyrants and the possible threat to Byron himself, advising him to go to Rodia. Although this world has been conquered by tyrants, it is simultaneously the strongest of the worlds under their control. There Byron learns rumors about a planet where a rebellion against the tyrants is being secretly prepared.