The Theater at Ephesus

The Benefactor captured by Sister Perpetua Lucy and her teammates has given up vital clues to the invader's plans. The Confederation and Church must split their forces to investigate. Admiral Yar'Adua, Lt. Taylor and Sir Anselm head to Usurash where the Obim and the Odalph live in an uneasy detante. Sister Perpetua Lucy, Lt. Phillips, and Ranul land on Perpetua's homeworld of Sshak Zg to investigate someone spreading dissent and rebellion. And Arch-Magistrate Antarid of the Law Directorate discovers people being kidnapped for unknown purposes.

Meanwhile, Greatmind Threetgsh of the Chemosh seeks to return the captured populations of Drudges and Servitors enslaved on Bhom, and Herdmaster Sunish seeks the trail of the Benefactors who escaped from Refuge Station. Also, Taran of the Kralk plots revenge against the Benefactors.

Things are coming to a head. Will the Benefactor's scheme be revealed? Will their base of operations be discovered?