Kratos Space Empire. The old empress Anastasia Pavlovna dies, and her successor, Vladimir Stradin, comes to power. How will his rule turn out? Change is not long in coming. On the remote planet Svetloyar, which is part of the empire, the head of the colonists, Daniil Danin, a scientist, traveler, warrior and diplomat, was arrested and accused of treason. What was the reason? Carelessly thrown word? Court intrigue? Or is his arrest only a tiny episode of global change threatening to doom all of humanity? What awaits him? Immediate execution? Proceedings in the capital of the empire and the struggle for the return of honor and good name? Or escape, thrilling adventures and fighting an adversary more dangerous than the emperor? And who is he? What's going on with him? Why do his fingers sometimes leave melted marks on the metal?