Book excerpt: The First Law of Robotics states that a robot may not injure a human being, or through inaction, allow a human to come to harm. At a crucial conference uniting the Spacers, the Settlers, and representatives of Earth, Senator Clar Eliton of Earth and Senior Space Ambassador Galiel Humadros of Aurora are advocating the restoration of positronic robots on Earth, repudiating years of fear and resentment. As the Spacer delegates arrive on Earth, conspirators assassinate Sentor Eliton and Ambassador Humadros. Derec Avery is called in to investigate what may have caused the robot bodyguards to fail at the most critical hour. But when his inquiries are stone-walled, he joins forces with Special Agent Mia Daventri and Calvin Instititute attache Ariel Burgess to penetrate a vast conspiracy that threatens to bring all three worlds to the brink of war.