Michael Perrin is now back home on Earth, living with his parents and continuing his training. Perrin has inherited Arno Waltiri's home and estate. Perrin moves in and begins to go through Waltiri's papers, where he finds a strange news story about bodies that were discovered in a nearby hotel.
Michael Perrin returns to Earth, living with his family and resuming his studies. He now occupies Arno Waltiri's dwelling and property. As he reviews Waltiri's files, Perrin comes across a strange news item about bodies found in a nearby lodging establishment.