Vulcan is a factory planet, centuries old, Company run, ugly as sin, and unfeeling as death. Vulcan breeds just two types of native—complacent or tough. Sten is tough. When his family are killed in a mysterious accident, Sten rebels, harassing the Company from the metal world's endless mazelike warrens. He could end up just another burnt-out Delinquent. But people like Sten never give up.