Dylan finds himself on Seefra-1, one of nine identical planets orbiting two suns. He soon encounters Rhade, who has abandoned all hope. Rhade hates Dylan for the hope he has brought, and when someone asks Dylan be killed, Rhade agrees to do it.

The unexpected return of Flavin takes Dylan on a journey through time, revealing mysteries surrounding Tarn Vedra, the Paradine, the battle with the Worldship, and Trance.

With the help of the avatars of the nebula, the Andromeda goes through the Route of Ages, back to the Known Worlds, and the Commonwealth.