Benton Hawkes, the hero of Man O' War, is a highly successful diplomat. At the end of a distinguished career, Hawkes is assigned to solve the political problems on Mars where most of Earth's food supply is produced. Although he would prefer to stay on his Montana ranch with his horses, mining interests are trying to dig the land right out from under him. He suspects that the assignment to Mars (devised by his many enemies) is a ploy to get him out of the way. Moreover, he feels the mission will end in disaster and ruin his otherwise perfect diplomat record. Since he is not a man who runs from anything, Hawkes takes the assignment and boards the Mars shuttle.

He survives repeated assassination attempts and must determine which side is trying to kill him and sabotage his mission.

Michael Carri is Hawkes's chief opponent, even though...