The crew, along with harvesters which are to collect and process materials for the Argonos, descend on the planet. The team consists of representatives of the Executive Council, Bartolomeo included, and of the different classes on the ship. Nikos asks Bartolomeo to join the team which is to land on the planet, which the Bishop soon names Antioch. It is an incredibly basic signal offering no information as to who sent it or why. It is a short distance away and therefore a landing can be attempted, but more importantly, a signal has been sent from the planet.

A planet suitable for human life has been discovered. While the Bishop's previous failed landing helped to place Nikos in good light, there seems little to improve Nikos' ordeal. Nikos informs Bartolomeo of news which may help to improve or reduce Nikos' position. Niko's credibility as captain is declining and many are ready for a new leader. Within the first few chapters it is clear that Nikos is in an increasingly dangerous situation and that tensions on the ship are beginning to rise. Bartolomeo is a close friend and advisor of the Argonos' captain, Nikos. Born with physical defects, he has integrated prosthetic material into his body as compensation. The story is told by the reserved Bartolomeo Aguilera whose cunning and bravery contribute to the outcome of the novel. When a signal is received, a team aboard the Argonos prepare to make a landing on the first alien planet which has been encountered in years. A Bishop sits as the head of the Church which wields some influence over the people, and the Bishop himself is a member of the Executive Council which governs the Argonos. By contrast, the upper-class maintain positions of power. A class-system has developed in which the commoners and poor serve in the lower levels and provide maintenance for the ship. The original goal of the Argonos has been lost over time no one on board can say for certain of their origins.

The Argonos has presumably been traveling through space for centuries upon centuries. The Argonos is a space-faring generation ship containing thousands of humans.

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