Crewperson Sesha of the ship Inner Six is a galactic shopper for the Phenjemian Alliance of 10 worlds. Crossing the galaxies in hyperdrive, the crew sleeps until they arrive - but this time they won't. The ship has broken down and only Sesha is awakened, a fluke in the computer system.On Earth, it is the year 1841, and Reverend Peter Allway has taken his entire congregation and supplies into the wilderness, away from the cities of sin, to build the Heavenly City and prepare his flock for Missionary Missions. The people have fallen his spell and follow his every rule - except a few, including his wife, Beulah.Sesha discovers Earth and it reveals the ocean waters are what is needed to revive the ship's engines, so she takes a shuttle under and crashes in the forest nearby, spies on the humans and determines a plan to get them to take her in. Since she is almost exactly human in appearance, an opportunity arises and she makes her attempt.As Sesha, in her carriage with a dying horse enter the camp, the people are alarmed, then desire to be helpful of the apparently sick and dying young woman. Sesha sets to learning the language with the help of her wrist computer, the Gem, and plays the part to the hilt.Allway desires a child his wife cannot give him, so rapes Sesha in a "private" prayer session, believing he will fool the people .into thinking the girl was already pregnant upon arrival.Beulah, though, knows of her husband's sinning and of his nefarious plans. When Sesha reveals herself to Beulah, she is convinced to help the alien and get away from her husband, with those who want to come along. Can the women save everyone, or will they die trying?