The world of Jalna had revealed many secrets to the Sholan-Human teams sent there on a rescue mission. They had discovered one of the methods Valtegans used to control other races, had learned how deceitful one of their own allies had been, and were about to begin negotiations for an alliance with several newly met races. Yet the planetary conflicts had led to the injured Carrie and Kusac being placed in cryo on a non-Sholan vessel, with Kaid desperately trying to rush them back to Sholan medical facilities. But before they could reach their rendezvous point, the ship they were on was caught in a Valtegan trap, leaving Kaid barely enough time to send Carrie's and Kusac's life-pods into space, in the hope that they'd be found by friendly forces.