It follows the assignment of the main character to her first position in the United Terran Council (UTC - a future manifestation of the United Nations), which places her on Europa, home to a mining settlement, to handle what appears to be a social rights problem. What unfolds on Europa blends the political and futuristic setting dynamics with elements of Earth folk lore. As an added element of interest a number of current events have been woven into the history of the story. California and several other states succession from the United States, the formation of the Nation of California and the success of the United Nations in becoming the United Terran Council all add to the social intrigue of the story line.