Ve změněném světě upadající země spolu putují Pozorovatel, Okřídlenka a bezkastovní Podvrženec. Úkolem Pozorovatele je zaznamenat blížící se invazi a včas varovat hlídky. Když k invazi nakonec dojde, stane se tak naprosto nečekaným způsobem. Vír příštích událostí roztrhne putující trojici. Trvá dlouho, než zase naleznou jeden druhého – a také sami sebe.
Scout-Officer John Leeming knew from the very start that his reconnaissance mission deep into enemy territory would likely be a one-way trip. But, after he crash-lands on a far distant planet and becomes a prisoner of ruthless aliens, he knows he can't just give up. Armed with only a piece of wood, a coil of copperlike wire, his quick wits, and an imaginary ally called Eustace, Leeming embarks on a brilliant campaign to gain his freedom--and undermine the alien war effort, too. This original, full-length version of one of Russell's most popular stories, "Plus X," is amusing, adventurous, fast moving, and razor sharp. Poking fun at bone-headed and inflexible bureaucrats and institutions, it ranks among his very best work. Also known as "The Space Willies" when published as part of an Ace Double: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...