Greg travels to a community at Whitecross to trade with its leader Charles Vaughan (Denis Lill) who he last met at Mardell. Jenny is now pregnant so Greg also seeks news of Ruth's whereabouts, as she promised to return to help with the birth. Whilst Greg is away, a fire destroys the grange. The survivors of the blaze are soon reunited with Greg, who leads the way back to Whitecross where they hope to stay, at least until Jenny has had her baby...

Charles and Greg hold a meeting at Whitecross with leaders of nearby settlements to try to come to some co-operative agreements. The event is interrupted by the news that the wife of one of the leaders has been killed by a sniper. It is soon learned that the sniper targets young women and seems to be travelling towards Whitecross. Jenny, bravely volunteers to act as bait to bring the sniper out into the open...

Charles and Pet are returning from a salt collecting expedition when they meet two other travellers who become very ill. They take them to a nearby settlement in an old army camp. The community there is run like a police state where eugenics, euthansia and religious fervour all hold sway. The people there are led by a charismatic man called Max Kershaw and his second in command Joy Dunn. Pet is fearful that they may not be allowed to leave, whilst Charles is summoned to speak to the community's council...

When Sally becomes pregnant by Alan, Charles is overjoyed, thinking this will encourage a baby boom at Whitecross. Sally wants to live with Alan as his wife but he has other ideas. As the situation becomes more tense, Charles crosses swords with Melanie, Ruth and even Pet...