It was beginning to look as though no one could prevent the annihilation of the civilized Universe. For a weird intelligence was directing the destruction of all civilization from the icy depths of outer space.

Kim Kinnison of the Galactic Patrol was one of the few men who knew how near the end was. And in the last desperate stratagem to save the Universe from total destruction, he knew he had to use his children as bait for the evil powers of the hell-planet Ploor...

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First magazine publication: Astounding Science Fiction, sr4, November 1947-February 1948
First book publication: Fantasy Press 1954
First published in Great Britain by W. H. Allen & Co. Ltd. 1972
Published in 1973 by Granada Publishing Limited / Panther Books Ltd.
Reprinted 1973 (twice)
Cover art by Chris Foss