Once Gino Molinari, elected leader of Earth and supreme commander of its armed forces in the war against the reegs, had been assassinated by a political rival. The second time he had a heart attack while negotiating a surrender to the enemy. But now he was back, younger and more vigorous than before, giving Earth new hope in its battle for survival. Had he really died? Was an artificial Molinari - a robant - masquerading as the overlord of Earth? And what about the men from Lilistar, supposedly Earth's allies? Come to that, what about the reegs, supposedly Earth's enemies? One way and another, the solar system was in bad trouble and Molinari was the only one who could get it out of the mess it was in. If he could stay alive long enough. Or at least not stay dead too long...