Plot Summary
The crew of Pegasus reaches a colony once called Eden, now a home to genetic mutants and other monstrous creatures (e.g. politicians). Keeler leads a landing party on a long and dangerous journey to reach the mysterious Temple of the Z’batsu; an artifact of enormous power left behind by the original Commonwealth colonists that contains the explanation for this bizarre world and the even bizarrer creatures that inhabit it. On the way, Keeler and his party are joined by a scarecrow, a robot, and a human-lion hybrid who lost all his lands and status due to cowardice. Meanwhile, Redfire consorts with a witch.
Back on the ship, Goneril Lear's first-born son, Trajan Lear, undertakes a journey of discovery and mortal danger in Pegasus's UnderDecks, discovering a secret world most of the crew don’t know exists, and those that do know seek to cover up. There are a number of stowaways living in the unused industrial and cargo areas of the ginormous starship. One of the stowaways kidnaps Trajan, intending to ransom him in exchange for joining the regular crew. Goneril Lear dispatches two Centurions of Republic’s Secret Order, the Notorium, to retrieve her son, and kill anyone who gets in her way. Lear is aware of the presence of the stowaways, and is determined to capture them and put them off the ship.
Redfire, after assisting in the rescue of a group of runaway slaves, returns to the village of Green Witch and agrees to sleep in the tent occupied by the witch. He experiences a vivid dream in which he transforms into a dog and has sex with the witch-woman, who has also morphed into a dog. The next morning, he is found naked in the woods, covered with scratches. The witch is no where in sight.
The World
