Percy emerges from hyperspace to discover that 15 years have passed, and Caravaggio has had his graphic files updated. Unsure of what to do with The Tulip, she reluctantly teams up with bounty hunters Travis, Rudolpho, Callie and Marcus. Zavras, a Raider and former clansman of Travis, uses Dr. Daniel Rochaz to lure Travis out of hiding.

When Marcus and Callie encounter Taryn, a former girlfriend of Marcus', panicked and begging for help, the crew discovers that she has been genetically altered. Travis is hired to apprehend Father Abode, a former student of Dr. Novak, who has been producing genetic mutants for the pleasure of wealthy clients.

While exploring an uncharted debris field, the Tulip discovers a sarcophagus floating in space. Mishkin, the sarcophagus' lone occupant, spreads a disease among the crew that makes Rudolpho and Marcus question their positions aboard the ship.

The crew of the holovision reality series, ""The Third Thing"", follow the crew of the Tulip. Marcus, wanting more hands-on experience, is given the job of capturing a petty criminal.

Callie's reunion with Lena Bannen, an old friend, is interrupted when a rival bounty hunter attempts to arrest Lena for murder. Percy and Marcus try to find an antimatter stabilizer for the hyperdrive, and are forced to do some bonding when they become stranded in Syn City.

The Tulip experiences a power drain that leaves them at half power. Unaware that the problem is caused by an experiment conducted by Keres Station, a science research facility, Travis accepts an assignment from their head scientist, Dr. Schofield. He must capture Alrick Quennell, a Raider, and retreive a box containing the deadly Tethys Virus that Quennel stole from the station.

Travis and Callie pick up Jane Doe, a psychiatric patient with amnesia, who apparently remembers Travis and wants him dead. Marcus finds himself attracted to Dr. Alora Kir, Doe's psychiatrist. The new incarnation of the Orchard, and their leader, Tristan Catchpole, set their sights on Travis, who may have one of his Divinity Cluster genes already activated.

A con man preying on older women has a mysterious link to Marcus' genes. Meanwhile, Percy is going through some mental difficulties.