Gaal and Salvor look for a way off Synnax after discovering that another crisis is near. After an attempt on the life of Cleon XVII, he presses on with plans to marry – threatening to upset the Cleonic Dynasty.

Gaal and Salvor attempt to figure out how to get Hari's plan back on course, leading Gaal to a disturbing vision of the future they must avoid. Brother Day entertains his betrothed on Trantor, while in the Outer Reach a pair of missionaries are recalled to Terminus to witness the opening of the Vault.

Hari forces Gaal to travel with him to the ancient remains on an uninhabited world, while Demerzel tries to convince a bitter prisoner to help Empire. Poly Verisof and Brother Constant go in search of Hober Mallow, a trader and con man who may be needed in order to survive the new crisis.

Hober Mallow returns to Terminus, where the Vault presents an unexpected challenge. On Trantor Queen Sareth gets closer to Brother Dawn, and Bel Riose arrives on Siwenna to determine whether the worlds of the Outer Reach have become a threat to Empire.

While Sareth tries to discover how Cleon XVII survived the assassination attempt, Brothers Dusk and Dawn learn that Day has the power to edit their memories. The Beggar lands on Ignis, where Salvor encounters a face from her past.

Tellem works to gain the trust and support of Gaal and Salvor, while driving a wedge between Gaal and Hari. Hober Mallow arrives at the coordinates Hari gave him, and Brother Day's introduction of Queen Sareth to the people of Trantor does not go as he planned.

Sareth's discovery of what happened to her family puts her at odds with Day, provoking her to desperate actions. Hober Mallow tries to negotiate with the Spacers, while on Ignis Salvor pursues her suspicions about Tellem and the Mentallics.

Rue confronts Dusk with Demerzel's true nature, exposing the possibility of an even deeper secret – as Empire prepares to execute Seldon's emissaries. On Ignis Tellem searches for the Prime Radiant, and Salvor reaches out.

Cleon I tells the story of how Lady Demerzel first came into his service, while Brother Day arrives on Terminus. Salvor and Gaal fight Tellem for their freedom, and Bel Riose is pressed into a fateful decision.

General Riose is backed into a corner after Brother Day declares his intention to wipe out whole worlds. Gaal and the others discover a new hope for the Second Foundation, and on Trantor Dawn makes a desperate play to save Sareth's life.