Capt. Nikalishin has recovered from the Darter Disaster, received command of his own Mars ship, and married the woman of his dreams, yet his struggles with loneliness, misunderstandings, and dissatisfaction continue in spite of his many friends' efforts to help him. His wife proves to be hard-hearted and manipulative, while the revelations that come with the loss of his mother do nothing to improve his mental state, and the persecutions of his vindictive commanding officer exacerbate his problems. His health declines and he takes increasing refuge in alcohol. He knows nothing about the existence of the new interstellar program as government officials wait for him to prove himself still capable of commanding a starship.
Will Robbin Nikalishin's "core of character" save him, or is his life really at an end?