The uplift series postulates a future in which humans have managed to survive the 21st century and overcome their neuroses. They "lift up" to sapience two species: dolphins and chimpanzees, now called neo-dolphins and neo-chimps. At that point, they make contact with galactic civilization, billions of years old, who regard the humans, neo-dolphins, and neo-chimps (Earthclan) as wolfling renegades unfit for civilized society. When the dolphin-crewed spaceship, the Streaker, discovers a momentous archaeological find with religious implications for galactic society, Earthclan is beset by powerful, hostile alien races trying to get access to the discovery. But these wolflings have some tricks up their sleeves ...