A seemingly psychotic "Collector" simultaneously takes credit and blames Dylan for the fall of the Commonwealth. He also claims to be hosting (or holding captive?) the Triumvir Tri-Jema. The crew must decide whether to accompany Dylan on yet another odds-defying journey to save the Universe or to retire in relative safety.

In a race against Tyr to control the Route of Ages, the crew find themselves in another universe. To save them, Trance finally reveals who and what she really is.

After being repeatedly attacked by bounty hunters after several evasive slipstream jumps, Dylan determines that there must be a mole on board. After analyzing data recordings, he discovers that Beka has been infected by The Abyss and has unknowingly been giving away Andromeda's position. Dylan and the crew have to come up with a way to rid Beka of The Abyss -- without killing her.