The conclave retains two great challenges in an area of space dominated by their new allies. If High Order and Elite are left to their own devices, they will rule the subs, who the conclave is committed to uplifting.

While resolving the dilemma, a terrible medical issue comes to light. High Order and Elite have lived in the belief that their creators valued their race above all others. But the Messinants, in the guise of their creators, have played a cruel joke on them.

Males, young and old, undergo genetic changes at a frenetic pace, and the rapid physical and mental alterations push them toward early dementia and death.

Julien must solve the medical problem to save the species. Afterward, he must convince High Order and Elite to take the transformative medical treatments, which he knows they’ll resist.

The insidious Messinant race represents the other great challenge. Miranda and Z, the protectors, have spent half an annual tracking the race. They’ve discovered a map outlining a string of planets and found that the Messinants occupy spheres much like the one Luminance inhabits.

For the subs, each planet in the string presents increasing dangers, which the protectors must overcome to protect them. Fortunately, Admiral Pappas, with the first wave, and the Storyteller, with the defenders, choose to join the search to locate the Messinants and end their domination of the other races.