Earth-born adolescents, Meda and Kirsty, are eager to explore the Zaidus system. They just don't want to explore it as members of an organized tour group. The chaperone's a harridan, and most of the places they're forced to visit are really boring. Striking out on their own holds far more appeal, and despite limited funds and unexpected mishaps, they manage quite well – at first. But thanks to a bratty little brother, a dimension-travelling alien girl, and a handsome alien prince, an independent tour of the Zaidus planets is not without its complications.