Following a day of mourning out on planet Suidonj, Gilt Duroc is laid to rest.  Meanwhile, many light years away, the story's main character Estrella Mwonga makes her first appearance, along with Admiral Slout and her 'uncle' Kscheeech.  After addressing Estrella's grief over the loss of her hero Gilt Duroc, they discuss the goings-on which have turned the normally peaceful planet of Suidonj into a potential powder keg.  Estrella observes that the insanity surrounding Landrase Jahmff and his mindless followers is atypical of the planet's culture.  Slout agrees.  So does Kscheeech.  Thus the only solution is to travel there and see if they can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the pathogen has somehow made its way to their biggest customer and newest ally within the Interplanetary Authority.  Only challenge will be in convincing the planet's leader, Prime Minister Henriff Abrafrilric to trust them.  

Gilt Duroc prepares to take the stage following a raucous performance by a band composed of members of an alien species called Schpleeftii.  During the last century these rat-like creatures have immigrated to planet Suidonj by the millions; only to be forced to live in abject poverty.  Now they've become a major political issue.  Landrase Jahmff and his hoof-pumping supporters want them rounded up and deported.  Gilt and her liberal-leaning constituents don't see it that way.  As the band leaves the stage, having created an almost concert-like atmosphere for the nearly fifty thousand now in attendance, Gilt walks out to a thunderous reception.  However her moment in the sun is not to last when a disturbance develops near the front of the stage.  At first glance it looks like a simple altercation.  Isn't long before someone produces a gun.

Story opens at a campaign rally on an alien planet called Suidonj.  Pig-like creatures in the crowd are being whipped into a frenzy by an announcer who's about to introduce the day's star speaker, Landrase Jahmff.  Candidate Jahmff was once a political outsider who burst into global politics only recently.  His rise to prominence has been just as strange as the sudden transformation within Suidonji society.  If all goes as planned his upstart Industrial Party will easily sweep the ruling Conservatives from office.  However he still has to face a rather formidable opponent in the form of Gilt Duroc, head of the recently established Progressives.  This faction mostly caters to the urban educated elite throughout the planet and opposes Jahmff and his largely rural working class constituency in practically every facet of their beliefs.  The stage is set for a head-to-head clash between two political heavyweights.  What's at stake is the political and moral future of an entire world.