Possessed by remnants of His Shadow, Kai convinces Stanley to return to the ruins of Cluster in the Light universe to search for more protoblood. They find insect larva, but it is dormant and can't produce protoblood. So Kai insists on taking it to Mantrid, an infamous scientist that might be able to revive it.

Norb is found floating alone in space, nearly out of oxygen he is taken aboard. To their horror, it turns out he has been modified by Mantrid, and releases a handful of drones who begin tearing the ship apart, building new copies of themselves.

Stanley's broadcast for help against Mantrid brings them in contact with Brizon, designer of the Lexx and Mantrid's teacher. He claims he can shut down the drones, but can he be trusted?

Xev and Stan find their way into the towering city they landed on, but discover the inhabitants aren't exactly the friendliest or sanest around...