The inhabitants of a harsh desert planet have perfected a system of imprisonment without walls. Called ``Lamination'', this system of virtual slavery ensures that those convicted of serious crimes remain productive, if not free, members of society. The system has made both jails and the death penalty unnecessary in a world where human ingenuity, creativity and labor continue to be precious commodities that cannot be replaced by robots or any form of ``artificial'' intelligence.
Dr. John ``Jack'' Griswold sees his employment in Cerra merely as a means of earning his keep while keeping his mind away from a personal tragedy. Jack has no desire whatsoever to get involved in the planet's curious politics of ``Lamb'' liberation. But a meeting with a laminated person, or ``Lamb'', threatens to peel off the seemingly cold exterior of this man hired to turn a red planet green.