Amazing what can be found on an archeological expedition.

Irisa bumbles through a summer snowstorm to discover a crude lean-to…complete with a warm fire and loin-cloth clad man. When the expedition leader also discovers the alien, a chase across the galaxy bring Irisa and Niallan close to the Planet-Eater.

But, which is the more dangerous--the Company that wants evidence of alien life--or the mindless mass destruction of the huge nebula?