THE FATE OF THE GALILEO HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED, BUT NOW THE THREAT OF THE KHOL LOOMS OVER THE CREW OF THE ASIMOV SPACE STATION.

Yisht, Khikhya’s assistant, has vanished without a trace. Emily, who has become very fond of the girl, is worried about her fate. Two investigators are to be in charge of solving the mystery of her disappearance.

The recorded messages left by Steven Rhodes mention an ancient alien base under the crater near the Magellan base. What is hidden there might help humanity to survive.

Captain Garth has been defeated. But the rebels are still a threat which needs to be taken into account, especially now that Emily has gained sole command of the Keplerian peoples.

WILL THEY FIND OUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO YISHT? WILL EMILY BE ABLE TO ORGANIZE THE DEFENSE OF THE PLANET? WILL THEY FIND A WAY OF DEALING WITH BOTH THE REBELS AND THEIR INTERNAL  DISPUTES?