The novel is set in the twenty-third century and is a satire that gets quite politically bigoted for the sake of amusement.
A fleet of space vessels are detected by Earths tracking stations as they enter the outer reaches of the solar system. Messages of greeting are met with silence, and after several attempts, it is presumed that they constitute an invasion force. Several world powers have nuclear capabilities, and after a meeting on a global level, it is decided to attack the ships that are growing ever nearer before they can accomplish their mission.
The strike is totally successful, and the threatened hysteria dies down.
Then a second wave of vessels, exactly as the first are detected, once again ignored every message of enquiry of intent that Earth has sent them. Further warheads are sent to destroy them with total success just as before. It seems that the vessels have no conventional weapons and are unable to defend themselves. While on Earth, looting, murder, and other crimes is rampant during the hysteria.
One man, Hakt, begins digging in his backyard to create an underground shelter. He feels certain the end of civilization is upon them. The first few chapters deal with his experiences, especially when a third wave of craft are detected on their way to Earth. As the various powers all maintaining their nuclear arsenal is exhausted, the ships arrive unmolested. One lands in the Gambia, while the others land on the far side of the moon. A united nation squabbles over who will go to greet the lone vessel. Once the argument subsides, a deputation does indeed approach.
A gas is released from the ship, and those it lands on are dissolved to nothing more than grey residue. Not only that; the ships also bathe every conflict theatre currently undergoing war on the whole planet! The tacit aliens have brought peace to Earth, but at what cost?
