Sector General, the giant hospital in space, has a staff of thousands, comprising over sixty different species. Of all the staff, Senior Physician Conway, the human doctor in charge of the ambulance ship, is thought to be the most promising.

So when he is replaced - with no notice - by the bird-like empathic alien Prilicla Dr Conway is surprised. But that is nothing compared to the shock when he is offered a promotion to a challenging new position. But does he have the nerve to take it ...?