Major Gus Bonner and his team, wrongly accused of treason, flee across the universe, pursued by a ferocious new enemy.

The Ancient chrysalis hatches just in time to save Bonner and his team from the Tlak'khan. After healing the Thorn race of a mysterious illness, the Ancient decides to stay with Gus.

The team finds a signpost that could guide them to the home planet of the Ancients, and Harrison finds himself owned by a disgusting female alien who may not be all she seems.

Ec'co visits the homeplanet of his mother in order to discover more about the Tlak'kahn, but on arrival he finds that the natives are prejudiced against him.

Gus's former mentor betrays him and the trainees to Da'kyll.

When the team goes to a planet almost completely covered in water, Harrison can't resist bragging about his swimming ability - which gets him into trouble when an alien challenges him to a race.