Synopsis/Details
Diplomat Leonard Carpenter, a long-time widower, crash lands on a sandstorm-swept planet. There he meets Triana, a beautiful young girl who sets his heart afire, and the planet's ruler - Ed.
Ed turns out to be an Earthman who crash landed there many years ago. He has taken on the role of the aliens' "decider." Want to start a business? Ask Ed. Want to get married? Ed's decision is law.
Carpenter tells Ed that, with his help fixing the damaged shuttlecraft, they can leave the planet. Ed observes that, for him, this planet is a very nice prison, but a prison nonetheless. Carpenter observes that most of this belief comes from Ed's feelings toward Triana.
In a talk with Triana, the young lady realizes how Carpenter feels about her. When the topic of marriage comes up, she says it has to cleared through Ed or it won't happen.
A misunderstanding over the love of Triana causes the two men to fight. Ed dies. Carpenter learns that the feelings he thought Ed had for Triana were the love of a father for his daughter.
Triana assumes temporary leadership. Carpenter is to replace Ed as decider. If he disagrees, the penalty for Ed's murder - even though accidental - is death.
