The last surviving Baasians make period visits to Earth for biological samples to help terraform their new planet. Starting with a young hominid female they named Clover, they also discreetly adopt individuals who had been unfairly exiled from society, hoping to eventually to establish peaceful relations with Earth when the human species is mature enough. When they return to Earth in modern times, they are confronted with mature technology in the hands of leaders with primitive mindsets- the same lethal combination that destroyed their own planet. Their latest adoptee, homeless ex-science teacher Charlie Schwitters, must help the stranded landing party find needed provisions and avoid detection. But the powerful Rev. Graves and other leaders see only evil in some of the humans the Baasians wish to return to Earth- the prehistoric Clover, a pre-Islam Arabic woman Taza, and a certain crucified Palestinian Jew named Yeshua.