Nels has arrived on the surface of Ararat. He plans to set up a camp near the colony and show the members how to adapt to Ararat's environment. But the colony does not want his help, so Nels plans on living alone. He soon learns that being prepared for Ararat's atmospheric conditions is not enough to survive.

Can he find native foods that meet his requirements? How must he adjust when some of the colony members escape and join him? Does the future of humanity depend on finding answers to Ararat's challenges?