The Makkarios training team returns, plagued by internal strife and old scars. They are meant to be preparing for their next big mission, a world study assignment to Jinx's home world Ginhana, but distractions abound. Truman's ex-girlfriend Elzbet is back in his life and determined to have him for herself, even if that means breaking apart his current team. While Elzbet makes herself odious to everyone in the team, Jinx's mentor Rai begins behaving strangely, even by his own eccentric standards, raising serious doubts among the trainees as to his trustworthiness. Jinx already has troubles enough, just facing the trauma of returning to her home world. It falls to Truman to step in despite the personal danger and bring Rai back to his responsibilities as mentor. Then Mango calls Truman and Rai to a secret viewing of Jinx's recruitment footage. The coming assignment is more than it appears, as is Jinx herself. Only by learning about the tragic events that led to Jinx's arrival at the Center can the two generalists prepare themselves for the Ginhana mission. Neither man is prepared for what he learns about the little outcaste who has become so dear to them both. What none of the team members realize until too late is that, while they prepare for the Ginhana mission, old scars in one of their number pose a far greater danger to them all. Before they can face their next difficult mission, the Makkarios team will suffer a grievous loss that threatens to tear the heart from their team and rob them of two members.