 Some of the Central-American/Egyptians settled on Venus to form a growing human community; they often served as physicians to the Thotheen.At the time of Plummer's arrival on Venus, the long co-existence between the two species is breaking down; Zumeena predicts that conflict will soon erupt between them, which the Thotheen will win due to their superior intelligence.Plummer also learns that he has been brought to Venus as a subject for vivisection, because of his excellent physique.