The final survivors of mankind have just been deposited onPandora, a horrific, poisonous planet rife with deadly nerve-runners, hooded dashers,airborne jellyfish, and intelligent kelp. The motivated colonists attempt toestablish a bridgehead on the deadly, inhospitable globe, but more troublearises. Their sentient ship-backed up by an impressive selection of armaments-hasdecided it really is God and is insisting the colonists discover appropriate methods toworship it.

In an attempt to help individuals complete its test, Ship awakenschaplain-psychiatrist Raja Flattery from hybernation. Either the humans passthe test-or the human race could be destroyed.