While daydreaming in the sun one day over dinner, Professor Christian Aitken realises that the wine that was recommended to him by wine waitress "Marguerite" has very special properties that promise to end mankind's energy crisis. When Marguerite vanishes with the only known sample of the wine, Chris calls on his old friend, and former protege, Professor Philippe Dreyfuss for help. Together, the two men embark on an adventure that takes them to unimagined new frontiers and to a plan so audacious that the government of an alien world is willing to consider the ultimate sanction against...