Podoks may be fascinating off-world visitors, but to many, their tails are an irresistible delicacy—and a deadly prize. When Roger Denton, Assistant Professor of Off-World Cultures, invites his new Podok friend out for a late-night excursion, it ends in disaster. Kidnapped for his edible tail, the Podok faces a grim fate in the galaxy’s cutthroat black market.
Wracked with guilt and up against ruthless criminals, indifferent authorities, and a ticking clock, Roger must summon every ounce of his wit and courage to save his friend. Can he outmaneuver those who see Podoks as mere commodities, or will his friend’s tail become their next meal? In a universe where cultural understanding collides with greed, Roger faces the ultimate test of loyalty and ingenuity.
