Roger Fee had to forfeit his payment after failing to deliver Vera Dardani to her fiance/captor. Vera promised to make it up to him, but her money hasn't shown, so he has no choice but to accept another rescue assignment, even though it's in one of the most vile places in the explored portion of the galaxy.

Tempted by the promise of a generous payment when successful, he's on a trek through blazing desert to locate the heir of a wealthy financier. Two problems. First, his volunteer assistant is a madman with a self-destructive bent. Second, someone back at the base wants him to fail, preferably by means of death. Third—did I mention there were THREE problems?

Yes, afraid so. Third is venomous wildlife that responds to a stimulus from the binary companion of Ascetica's star. This might be the worst of all.

But off he goes in his golfcart-like vehicle, his main weapon an oversized flyswatter, and with a passel of prima donnas to ride herd on.