With nothing left to screw up more than he already has, Captain Poluka takes the Starship Hanno back to the mysterious Zone to see what the automated probes have learned.

Gentry Stokes and his Arcturusian wife and children go with the Hanno, but Commander Washington is uneasy about the existance of aliens and intends to investigate further.

Meanwhile, Captain Poluka has changed his mind about the direction of the conspiracy against the government of Earth and now wants to attack the defenses of Earth.

This sets the stage for a confrontation between Poluka and Aguire as the crew and officers begin to choose sides.