Chaos reigns in the Zintoniean capital after the terrorist attacks instigated by Duke Wells. Queen Igna is missing and presumed dead as the Royal Conservatives take over the government, but she will return to inflict a bloody vengeance. Duke Wells, along with psychic Jad, track down the mysterious shapeshifter known as Tessler. Tessler wrestles with his identity and past. Seeing the Lenail virus as the only way of finding an answer, he pursues the scientist-priest Portious. Portious is drawn further into the world of intrigue that his ancestor created, trying to find meaning now that his faith has been destroyed. Captain Tamorra deals with the death of crew members and continues the exploration of the derelict. She begins to suspect that all is not that it seems, both with the Duke and Captain Rodgers, while the Bloodless One infiltrates the scientist's enclave to discover their motivations and assure the clones' freedom.