Book 2 of the Spaceship Lyra Logs has some startling answers to old questions. Planet Arcane is where Fontalo began experiments combining humans and animal genes. The Sentinels are their first failure; the mascots their final success.
Over sixty years ago, when something went wrong on Purlieu, Fontalo abandoned their experiments on Arcane and left their scientific team stranded on a hostile planet. When only one descendant of the team remains, she gets desperate enough to send a distress signal.

The Lyra is a research and rescue spaceship and its supreme commander could never ignore a cry for help. A two month furlough is replaced with two weeks preparation for a new mission. Donte must find a new spaceship commander, alert the new crew and address a growing problem in Bergen simultaneously.
Due in part to his unique skills, Donte is an unconventional commander, often putting himself in danger. Such is the case when they reach Arcane and try to resolve its problems.
Arcane is one of the greatest challenges Donte has ever faced. This mission is one of the most tragic. He knows only one way to restore order to Arcane, but will the mother planet Oriel agree?