Alpha is being pummeled by shock waves emanating from a ring of moons surrounding a planet. Koenig, Alan, and Maya investigate, and are told by a voice probe, on the nearest moon, that only the "Masters" can stop them, but all are in a state of hibernation except one, who has gone senile. When Koenig tries to get him to listen, he accidentally breaks the seal of his chamber, killing him. When the first two re-awaken, they hear Koenig's plea. The two, A and B, disagree. They have to wait for a third deciding vote. When C is born, he turns out to be a relative of the "Master" killed by Koenig.
