This story is about mans' first steps beyond the confines of the Solar System, taken by a seemingly ineffectual young man. Chamois had a short temper that frequently got him into trouble, eventually being dishonourably discharged space navy and sent to a penal colony where he found friends and made a deadly enemy. He escapes with the aid of some navy friends and eventually after many hazards takes command of the space vessel "Orion" and heads after the further reaches of space. Chamois discovers that he has a unique gift, meets unusual entities, helping some and arguing with others when he is in a very dangerous situation.