An alien philosophy has the power to unite-or divide-humanity on a colonized world in this science fiction adventure from a Hugo Award-winning author.

Besieged by overpopulation, dwindling resources, governmental collapses, and environmental destruction, the people living on Earth and its solar system colonies face a dire future. Light years away, the colony planet of Coyote offers humanity the best chance of survival, but its leaders are limiting immigration from Earth to protect the civilization they struggled to establish-and the world they call home.

Meanwhile the alien hjaad have been permitted a place on Coyote, an embassy where they can strengthen ties with humans through cultural exchanges, the most significant of which is the Sa'Tong-tas. Containing the hjaad's ethical knowledge and philosophical beliefs, it's an AI book that engages its readers through conversation.

Ex-convict Hawk Thompson was just carrying out his mindless community sentence before he encountered the Sa'Tong-tas. Now, he believes he has a purpose: not only to share the hjaad's philosophy of moral behavior towards all living beings, but to live that philosophy through selfless service to those in need. He is now the chaaz'maha, a teacher with lessons that people across Coyote wish to hear.

Religious leaders see these alien lessons as blasphemy. And as the chaaz'maha gains more followers, they see him as a threat to the human race who must be eliminated . . .

"This one is, for me at least, the best of the [series], with better characterization and a more interesting story wrapped around an understated mystery. I'd be very surprised if this is our last visit to this particular planet." -Don D'Amassa, Critical Mass