Ray Mallin returned from the stars to find his home-planet Mars fallen into decay and apathy. The progress of mankind had passed Mars by, and she had become a 2nd-class planet, her Mars-born humans only dead-end mutations. As soon as Ray landed, he was abducted by agents of one of the star-empires and put through a brutal torture session to make him talk about his last voyage. Recovering from his wounds, he sought guidance from his aged Martian mentor - and found treachery, intrigue, danger… and a secret that could affect the entire future of Mankind!

Serialized in Amazing December 1966 & February 1967.