RobertKleinislookingforhisstep-brother,Emanuel,whomhehasmetonlyonce.RobertvisitstwocompaniesthathavedispatchedhisbrothersomewhereinEurope–aJapanesefirmthathuntseelsandaUStrustthatconductsillegalprobingformethane-miningoperations.Robertfindsoutthathisstep-brotherissuccessful,andhisworkisraisingdoubtsamonghisemployers.HedecidestofollowEmanuel’strailbutisnotentirelysurewhyisheundertakingthetrip.Hetravelsthroughswampcountry,pickingupcluesabouthisbrother'sactivity.Hediscoversthathisnameprovokesfearincertainpeople,illwillinothers,andevenvenerationinsome.HethenfindsoutthatEmanuelhassurroundedhimselfwithaposseofillegalAfricanrefugeeswhoareaidinghiminhiseel-huntingandgeologicalprobing.