David Clark wants to put Round Tree and his family behind him to clear his mind. He's ready to return to the United States from Kenya to pursue a career in teaching when he receives a call from his family to authenticate a dig claiming to be a parallel to Round Tree. Like an old fire horse, he hurries to UMBA and realizes his true calling.

Leonore Hayes, Leo to her friends, came to work on UMBA in order to begin her studies at Havelan College with Dr. Jocelyn Grant-Clark. Upon her arrival she was told her job would be to clean the dorms, including the toilets. When she goes running, she falls through a sinkhole and discovers the archaeological find of the 21st century.