 The scattered planets are held together by the Eron Company, holder—at least apparently—of the secret of faster-than-light travel through the Tubes, which are powered through energy drawn from the star Canopus.The leaders of Eron are gathered on ancient Earth to dedicate a new Tube, near the ruins of what had been Denver, Colorado.Though aging General Manager Garth Kohlnar is nearing death from natural causes, the adventurer Horn has been hired by parties unknown to assassinate him.