When Moonbse is threatened with closure by technology-hating factions on Earth, its leader Douglas Stavenger - who cannot return to Earth except to die - vows to save the colony which has been his life"s work and his father"s dream. But if Moonbase uses violence to defend itself, their cause will be lost as surely as if it were destroyed. Only an audacious, nearly impossible combination of military defence and political wisdom can save them.