Settlers on a planet distant from Earth rebel against their long-distance government, forging a planet-sized nation-state called New Gwalintu. Over hundreds of years, their government evolves, leading to war between The Planet of New Gwalintu (and its allies) and The Planet Earth (and its allies).

In another universe, it is the early 21st century and neither The United States of America nor The Russian Federation exist in the real world, though The United States of Philsatlan and The Democratic Republic of Belarus exist as two of the most powerful nations on Earth. Having entered the age of nuclear weapons during peacetime, inhabitants of that world become concerned about the implications of that development. A grand spectacle of a conference showcasing talented public speakers fond of science and philosophy ensues, yet a criminal element takes special interest in the proceedings.

In yet another universe, attention turns to sixth-millennium space exploration, including a planet where a team of four astronauts and many artificially-intelligent devices venture where to the best of their knowledge no human missions had previously landed. That planet provides surprises both to the human crew of Nike, Webster, Sooner, and Scarington and to their chief AI computer.