Something strange is happening on the planet Cyrene, which is in the
early phases of being "developed" by the mammoth Interworld
Restructuring Corporation. Terrans from the base there have been
disappearing. Myles Callen, a ruthlessly efficient "Facilitator," is
sent to investigate. Also with the mission is Marc Shearer, a young,
idealistic quantum physicist, disillusioned with the world, who's on his
way to join a former colleague, Evan Wade. On arrival he finds that Wade
too has vanished and doesn't want to be found by the Terran authorities.
Wade has arranged contact via the Cyreneans, however, and accompanied by
two companions that he has befriended, Shearer embarks on a journey to
find his friend that will change Cyrene--and Earth itself.