AustLit

'A continuation of the book The Line. John and Gwen had made a comfortable life for themselves in the city of Sevilla on the planet Arieta. But it did not last long. They were discovered, pursued, and had to resort to summoning the Waps for rescue. Back through space at The Line they settled down again, but it was not to last. The Erch, the foes of the Waps, attacked human space. John was asked by his friends, the Waps, to go back to space as a liaison with the humans, as their warships tried to prevent the Erch take over human space. The Erch had got as far as Arieta, on which they had landed, but several space battles later the combined Human-Waps fleet had prevented the Erch penetrating further. Then John landed on Arieta, and inspired the population to resist. Now a hero, John was asked to go to Earth to recommence his role as adviser to the Waps in their negotiations with the humans, and was reunited, to his surprise, with Gwen and the kids. But Rick had not forgotten them!' (Publisher's blurb)

'A young man travels to a planet called The Line, a meeting place for trading between humans and aliens called the Waps. They meet at The Line, a line drawn north south across the continent. The humans trade gold for drugs, and tea and coffee for gold. The aliens insist any mistake in trading is paid with a life. The hero takes a girl wanted by criminals under his wing. His time is now limited.' (Publisher's blurb)