It’s the stuff of interplanetary espionage: A NASA operative steals exotic geologic specimens from the surface of an inhospitable planet. After stashing the samples in a hermetically-sealed metal orb in a remote orbit around the planet, the op sends coded messages about their location to a French stranger, entrusting the Franco-agent to undertake a risky rendezvous, then smuggle the interplanetary contraband — gems the world wants — to a U.S. military base in the Utah desert.