Earth is an old planet, and her teeming masses are running out of resources... and time. A path to the stars seems the only answer and it is up to men such as Jeff Holman to discover a haven for Earth's millions. Altair VI is one such planet, and Holman is determined to transform this world into one where the human race can survive.

But in terraforming the planet, Holman discovers that Altair VI holds a terrible secret, and he is faced with a soul-wrenching decision -- for to make Altair VI habitable for humans, all native life must die.

Including a race that is as intelligent as Man.