Blake tries to rescue the remaining prisoners from the prison planet Cygnus Alpha only to find they have a disease that can be cured by the power mad high priest Vargas.

The Liberator runs into a web created by psionic means; the crew meets the race of genetically-engineered Decimas. Blake learns of the attempt at genocide being waged against the Decimas by the creator of the Web.

Gan's limiter malfunctions, and the crew go to space station XK-72 to have it repaired, at the risk of being discovered. The neurosurgeon notifies the Federation and delays surgery long enough for Federation forces to arrive.

The Liberator is ambushed by several Federation ships. Travis captures Blake's cousin. He claims to want to join Blake's crew.

The crew travels to the planet Albian in search of information on the location of the Federation computer system Star One. Avon defuses a bomb with the help of Del Grant, who had thought Avon deserted his sister.