For 15 years now, the Harrians have maintained a base on the far side of the Moon and waited for the outbreak of a nuclear war on Earth. Their own civilization escaped this because of its natural incapacity for violence. But in relation to other nations, they helped them after the war, and then charged a small fee for it in the form of timber, metals, minerals, etc.

But on Earth the conflict never began, but an incomprehensible cold war. The Harrians are tired of waiting. Having kidnapped the earthling, they tried to understand human logic in this way. He then compared them to vultures, waiting for death and then devouring carrion. Instead of stopping the war, the Harrians wait for it to end and only then supposedly help...