Gaal Dornick travels to the capital planet of Trantor to meet the enigmatic mathematician Hari Seldon – who is being scrutinized by the galactic authorities for his controversial predictive theories.

While Cleon's people investigate the bombing, the Foundation colonists travel on a multi-year voyage to Terminus. Gaal considers how to counsel a fellow settler, and on Trantor Brother Dusk takes a journey of his own.

As the genetic dynasty advances to a new generation Brother Dusk prepares for the ending of his life. In the present, Salvor Hardin works to protect the young colony on Terminus – and makes a discovery about the mysterious artifact found there.

Salvor falls into the hands of an Anacreon raiding party that has landed on Terminus in search of something. On Trantor, the Cleons worry that a new political crisis on the outer rim may be evidence of Hari Seldon's prophecy.

On Synnax, a young Gaal Dornick finds herself caught between her strict religion and her innermost convictions. In the present Gaal wakes up on a ship alone, and discovers that she has been in cryosleep for more than 34 years.

Brother Day arrives at the Maiden, center of the Luminist faith, where he finds a power struggle over leadership of the order at the coming Conclave. On Terminus, Salvor and her friends search for a way to stop the Anacreons from moving forward with a plan that could plunge the empire into war.

The Anacreons force Salvor to help them board the legendary imperial ship Invictus, hoping to take control of it. Brother Day tangles with Zephyr Halima, while on Trantor young Cleon turns to Azura in the hopes of another life.

Cleon embarks on a punishing religious rite in order to gain leverage against Zephyr Halima. On the Invictus Salvor attempts to escape her Anacreon captors and take control of the ship, while elsewhere Gaal gives Hari an ultimatum.

Fearful that his secret may soon be discovered, Brother Dawn considers running away with Azura. Salvor returns to Terminus hopeful for the Foundation's future, but is stunned by what she finds there.

With Anacreon and Thespis at each other's throats on Terminus, the legendary Hari Seldon returns with a plan to shroud them from the empire. Having learned of the plot against the genetic dynasty, Brother Day returns home to pass sentence.