Human agents infiltrate the Hivers, an aggressive alien race of insectoid species, to study their culture and defeat them. Or better still, learn to communicate with them and reach a modus vivendi.

The successful completion of the Padrugoi Space Station, the first large-scale permanent presence in space, has people scrambling to establish colonies on alien worlds, but there are those who want the outposts to fail, and only the Talented, men and women with extraordinary mental powers, stand in their way.

The combined telepathic powers of Damia's children must confront a mysterious enemy attack.