Life in the Phoenix House is the same as ever, except for Tranns who suddenly finds herself unable to participate in
her normal activities. Aside from morning sickness, she begins to develop a nasty fever, one that Casey cannot account
for. She determines that Tranns' body is producing antibodies, but there's no sign of infection. She confesses
to Lex, however, that cross breeds are far more likely to get sick than most other creatures. Without Valero, the kitchen
staff can only guess at the cause.
Late at night, while sitting around the lobby discussing the medical situation, Aden and Adriana are surprised to find
a traveler named Nein at the door. They let him in and he urgently begins asking them to help him find his missing brother.
They ask where he's from and Nein surprises them by replying that he's from Ebera. Aden summons Joey who subjects Nein
to a test. Much to everyone's shock, she reports that Nein has no intention of hurting anyone in the Phoenix House.
He explains that he and his brother belong to a small sect of the Ebene population that has refused, for centuries, to participate
in the evil actions of the empire. After all that time, however, the other Ebene have gotten angry and started attacking
their village. Nein and his brother Mogli came to get help from the Phoenix Fighters, but they were separated when
they arrived via portal and Nein cannot locate his brother.
Adriana sends Pipira, Philip, and Ariadne out with Nein to track down Mogli, using a fork with his scent on it.
Along the way, Nein shocks Ariadne by breaking out into the Andorian language. He explains that he too is a linguist
and he's met Andorians. Before she can question him further, the trail ends and they discover Mogli, handcuffed to Dagllas,
walking down the road. Against Dagllas' warnings, the Phoenix Fighters free Mogli and he reunites with his brother.
The group return to the House where Nein explains the purpose of his visit. He wishes to bring some of the Phoenix
Fighters back to Ebera in order to help his village fight against the empire. The Phoenix Fighters are reluctant to
send their people over permanently, but Aden and Adriana agree that it would be easy to send people over for a little while,
to teach the rebel Ebene how to defend themselves. They disagree, however, over Adriana's desire to be part of
that team. The disagreement escalates to a full out fight.
The Phoenix Fighters prepare to send a team over to Ebera, voicing individual opinions on Adriana's going or not going.
Tranns, who has begun to recover, asks Adriana why she wants to go and Adriana replies that she needs to be able to feel compassion
again, something she has lacked since her death. Tranns encourages her to go.
Since Adriana and Aden aren't speaking, Ariadne decides to intervene as well. Although having taken a vow not to
lie again, she tricks Adriana into thinking that Aden is down in the basement with Karri, when he's actually down with Lucien
and Tranns. Adriana bursts in with a passionate display, touching Aden and confusing the other two. They decide
to leave, but suddenly, Tranns experiences acute pain. She collapses and Casey is summoned. Despite her best efforts,
Casey is forced to finally announce that Tranns has miscarried. The antibodies that formed in her were designed to attack
the fetus. Everyone is shaken.
