In September 2010, astronomers revealed the “discovery” of a planet, Gliese 581g, with the potential to contain life forms as we know them. It turns out that, eons in the ancient past, telepathic aliens from Gliese 581g appointed themselves caretakers of the Milky Way Galaxy. To keep track of the myriad of actions undertaken to assist other species over the millennia, the Ministry of Observation, Investigation, and Intervention sends teams of field agents to planets they have manipulated in the distant past to monitor the success and progress of their meddling. This is the story of the unlikely team of Mxpan, the meticulous planner, and Zerpall, his spontaneous partner, as they tour the galaxy and uncover some surprising results of their ancestral influence.