While examining Ma'el's ship, Liam and Renee find a chamber and in it are some life pods and the persons are all dead except for one. He awakes and reveals himself to be from Ancient Rome and he was chosen by Ma'el to deal with the Taelons if they chose not heed Ma'el's telling them not to come to Earth. At the same Tathan decides to challenge Zo'or for the right to lead the Synod and Zo'or decides to get an advantage by using Sandoval.

Liam investigates a mission run by the Church of the Companions when a friend of his disappears. Sandoval and the Taelons are concerned about "the fields" where something vital to the Taelons' survival is harvested.