A Tripod is destroyed. Racing towards the White Mountains, the black guards capture the boys and an interrogation begins.

All the boys have been chosen to participate in the games. Now comes a trip to Germany, to reach the games stadium.

Will is arrested after a fight while drunk, Beanpole is missing, and Fritz may head for the games without them. Will and Beanpole end up on the run from Goetz.

With some help from Zerlina and Papagena, Will and Beanpole escape from Goetz, and make their way to the stadium just in time for the games.

Fritz chooses to stay in the City, and Beanpole saves Will from drowning during his escape. They make it to a nearby town, and hide from the black guards in a circus.

Will and Beanpole pretend to be clowns in Ali Pasha´s circus. Their goal now is to get back to the White Mountains and tell the free men about what the Masters are going to do to Earth. They are doublecrossed by Ali, though, who intends to give them all to the Tripods to finally receive their capping.