The time has come for both Tolo and the Starjammers to decide where their loyalties lie – and what they’re going to do about it!

Back at the Starjammers' base on the Thorn homeworld, Tolo is greeted with hostility, particulary from the base commander, Hepzibah. Just when he is about to be judged before the grove of Thorn elders (former Thorns who have now taken root as trees), the base is attacked by Union Defense Corps Forces. They burn the grove, kill many Thorns, and carry away the remaining hyrax seeds. Tolo is thunderstruck by the genocidal actions of the U.D.C. and vows to stop them, though not trough violence. He decides that they should go directly to Princess Sabra and let her know what is going on in her government.