Lili is taken hostage as a Jaridian escapes from the Taelons in a shuttle. Liam pursues and both shuttles are drawn into a alien vessel. Liam explains that the vessel is a repository for the Kimera's accumulated knowledge. In order to leave, they must go to the vessel's core. Da'an confronts Zo'or about the Jaridian's escape, and challenges his authority. The Jaridian reveals his race and the Taelons were one until the Taelons separated. Now the Taelons want to force a union with the Jaridians by using humans as soldiers against them.

With Da'an's help, a handicapped scientist genius, Sparrow, heads a program where disabled persons can transfer their consciousness into a healthy body by creating a biosurrogate with Jaridian replicant programming, and then live normal lives. A reporter sneaks into the lab and his camera flash activates a biosurrogate. Sandoval arrives to find the reporter and a guard dead, and the biosurrogate gone having no consciousness of it's own. Lili finds that Zu'or has tampered with Da'an's research and have programmed the biosurrogates into killing machines. Liam learns that Sparrow has transferred his consciousness into a second biosurrogate.

Juda's death spells hope for Renee in her battle against the Atavus.