During R&R in Catalan with Tranns, Lucien is surprised, one morning, to wake up in a bleak warehouse with no
memory of how he got there. As confusion sets in, an Ebene woman named Sirtis arrives, carrying an Ebene uniform.
She gives it to him and orders him to put it on, then informs him that his name is now Toreth and he is a member
of the Ebene secret police, the Shiar Order. She warns him that unless she follows her instructions, he will be
discovered and killed. He is to tell Beomere, her superior officer and the leader of an Ebene supply convoy, to
travel to Harper Palace to drop off a mysterious shipment.
Lucien is introduced to Beomere who takes an immediate dislike to both him and his instructions, but agrees to follow
them. Beomere displays a deep distrust of the Shiar Order. A tense meal in the officers' mess follows, during
which, Beomere isolates and demeans Lucien, continually asking him questions that an unfortunate Lucien does not know how
to answer. He finally explodes, berating the Shiar Order for causing distrust and chaos. Angrily, he tells Lucien
he will not be responsible for any disruption of the convoy the mysterious cargo might cause.
Sirtis takes Lucien to the cargo storage. She explains that she is part of the Ebene underground fighting against
the likes of Milady and Klein and is under orders from Mogli to assist in a massive transit of some of the underground leaders.
In the cargo crates are several Ebene, currently in artificial comas. The purpose of Lucien impersonating Toreth is
to smuggle them into Shaldani, to be delivered into the hands of the Phoenix Fighters. Lucien was chosen because of
his connections to the Phoenix Fighers and his ability to speak the Ebene language. Lucien's only concern is Tranns'
well being. Sirtis agrees to see to it that Tranns is safe, provided Lucien cooperates.
True to her word, Sirtis sends a sympathizer named Petan to Catalan. He finds an unconscious Tranns and brings
her back to the Phoenix House. There, he instructs the admirals to have the strike team sweep Harper Palace at the appointed
time, where Sirtis intends to drop off the illegal cargo. Although hesitant to believe this rare opportunity to gain
valuable insight into the infastructure of the Ebene hierarchy, Adriana eventually agrees to send a team to Harper Palace
to pick up the refugees.
The strike team - including Tranns who threatens to give Ariadne all of her romance novels if Phil doesn't allow her
to join - head out to Harper Palace. Unfortunately, they arrive at the same time as Beomere's convoy. Beomere
prepares to attack the Phoenix Fighters, but Lucien, stepping into the role of Toreth, orders him to disarm and drop the cargo
instead. Beomere responds by pulling a sword on Lucien, but Sirtis warns him just in time and he manages to duck.
Beomere calls both Lucien and Sirtis traitors and has his men attack them both.
A fight breaks out, during which Sirtis is mortally wounded. Lucien manages to hold his own and knock out Beomere.
He commands the members of the convoy to cease and they obey, afraid of the wrath of the Shiar. As they retreat, Lucien
defects back to the Phoenix Fighters. Sirtis dies in Pfalz's arms, pleased that the mission was a success and thanking
Lucien. The somber Phoenix Fighters gather the precious cargo and return to the House, dazed and confused.
