Summary

The planet Meager appeared to be the perfect world for colonization. It had an earth-like atmosphere and sufficient water; lush foliage that showed signs of potential value; and it lacked animal life forms; so it was believed there would be no native sentient life forms to prevent colonization. There was also a nearby asteroid field that promised huge rewards by way of asteroid mining, and it seemed the colonists of Meager would all do well – that is, until the native flora quickly began adapting to be useless to human purposes and another race called the Kwings, who had superior weapons and ships, appeared in the asteroid fields and became antagonistic with the humans trying to mine there. Without hesitation the Kwings escalated the confrontation to full-scale warfare. Then a new situation arises, one which may mean that all humans will need to leave Meager forever. Kenneth Neider and his best friend Abilene Thorson make a shattering discovery while helping Ken’s grandfather clean up an old biological laboratory. Two study plants left unattended for over thirteen years have begun to move around in an enclosed garden, seemingly under their own faculties. Also, the plants are starting to produce sounds that seem to be an attempt at speech and are displaying other undeniable signs of intelligence as well. Kenneth and Abilene immediately understand that if the Federation learns of these individuals and they are declared to be sentient, the situation would mean the planet was colonized illegally and that all humans would need to abandon Meager. When the administrative governor of Meager learns of these life forms, he tries to have them destroyed. Ken and Abilene get caught up in the adventure as they try to protect and hide the two native plants which, to their amazement, continue to evolve and learn at a rapid rate. While doing their best to stay in hiding, Ken is accused of having kidnapped Abilene and, as a result, Ken's grandparents are held incommunicado and accused of treason. Ken and Abilene’s only hope is to get these life forms safely into the hands of a Federation fleet admiral and ambassador circling the planet in a Federation spaceship that has arrived with a fleet to confront the Kwings. However, with their faces on the news broadcasts as kidnapper and abductee, getting off-world and aboard the Federation ship won’t be easy in a time of war.