Earth planets created by the Varan race continue to fail at an alarming rate. Most Varan lose interest in their failures. They consider humans inferior and believe that the Earth projects should be phased out. But not everyone agrees with this strategy. A diverse assembly of old friends decides to follow a radical new idea. This team is comprised of Varan – mainly Karish and Astrans – but initially, even with the help of the Black Ship, their plan seems impossible to accomplish. Just as they are about to commit themselves to this doomed enterprise another Black Ship materialises. Summoned by their own vessel, for without both ships the manoeuvre would be abortive, the second ship contains some of the oldest inhabitants of the universe. Time has no meaning for a Black Ship and their vessels are aware of the outcome of the voyage before it begins. Aeons must pass in a day to form a new safe era on the dying Earth planet below them. The Black Ships will gather the best of humanity from many eras and take them on an interminable journey back and forth through time to save their race and their homeworld.