[1] It is the sequel to Forward's Rocheworld (also known as The Flight of the Dragonfly), a novel about the first crewed interstellar mission to a unique double planet orbiting Barnard's Star.

It features a return journey to that planet by the crew of the lightsail powered Starship Prometheus.

Major General Virginia "Jinjur" Jones leads a return journey to Rocheworld, where they set up a communication station for the flouwen to use.

Built to survive harsh conditions, extremes of temperature, long droughts, and competing for scarce food supplies, these elephant-sized multi-tentacled creatures are far more physical and aggressive than their aquatic ancestors.

The Flouwen figure out how to operate the Dragonfly II Spaceplane and take several gummies back to Eau, to the objection of the humans.