Across the galaxies, against wrongdoers and rogues!

Only Retief - the indomitable champion of the underdog and 27th-century diplomacy - can seal the peace between the battling earthlings and the lobster-like aliens known as the Haterakans.

In constant peril, the daring spacewarrior must join a pirate band, cross the fatal boundaries of the Terran Defense League, and take on his arch rivals Foulbrood and Bloodblister.

Facing certain torture, double-dealing, and ruthless espionage, he passes within inches of death. But he must emerge victorious - or the Hatracks will waste no time in executing their berserk plan to raise earthlings as a food supply!