Jack has an uphill battle as he rejoins the remainder of the civilization that has matured without him. His father is known and the senior's theories are deemed valid to those he encounters as he enters the progressing world of the survivors. He must go from the brutal world of the barbarian upwards through a scientific society to meet his maker and his destiny. The thing is rumored to be on Phoebe and the rings of Saturn. An envoy from the start he must now deal with the inhuman intelligence that controls humanity to forge a destiny worthy of his fellow man - and to make his unknown father proud.