Rocky is slated to pilot the Orbit Jet to Space Station X-07 carrying Dr. Hillary Tyson and a group of ambassadors to the Interplanetary Peace Conference. Vena Ray pleads with Secretary Drake to let her go. But it was unnecessary as Rocky had already selected her as his navigator. He is also bringing Bobby to help keep the ship's log during the mission. The conference is being held in a neutral zone near the planetoid Paratain in the Jupiter equilateral. Cleolantha has heard about the conference and is resentful that she has not been invited. Her first angry reaction is to have her Space Ranger mole Duveen blow up the Orbit Jet as it launches. Luckily, the electronic detectors at the launch field pick up on the detonator he is trying to set. He is quickly nabbed and carried away in custody.