The crew of the Athena made their way to Thoras which is suffering under heavy oppression. After dropping of Victor, they decided to stay to help incite a revolution. They organize a series of rallies with Por as the spokesman to incite unrest in the population. The Thorian Mining Company responds by increasing their prices on essential goods to keep the population busy working just to earn enough food to eat, but Redlen organizes some rebels to help him raid some food depots using precise demolition strikes.

Lemons uses his skill at jury-rigging to help manufacture weapons for the rebels. The Thorian mining company tries to raid the weapon supplies, but they are already too spread out to police the illicit weapons. The Thorian mining company then tries to hire additional mercenaries to help with security, but cannot afford enough to make a real difference.

Redlen the leads another set of demolition attacks against the Thorian Mining Company communication centers, causing a huge collapse of effectiveness in the Thorian Mining Company's ability to coordinate and suppress the riots. This almost pushes the people into revolution, but Por tempers their zeal in an attempt to push towards a alliance with the Tau. The Thorian Mining Company responds by offering to erase the debt on anyone who is willing to turn in rebels. Por manages to prevent widespread infighting by speaking to the rebels and unifying them towards the greater good.

Tali and Redlen make a final push for the Thorian Mining Company's center of operations in the nation's capitol by flying in a covert team lead by Redlen. However, behind the scenes Por is trying to charm the Rebel leadership into a alliance with the Tau with the help of Lemons. However, the strike on the capitol goes so well, the Rebels are confident they can defend themselves without interference by the Tau.

The rebels drive the Thorian Mining Company from several key cities and effectively declare independence. The Thorian Mining Company still controls several areas, but withdraw most of their forces to a nearby moon and loose their blockade on the system's warp points.

The crew of the Athena leave Thoras victorious, leaving the rest of the fighting to the newly established Independent Thorian Government. They transport Victor to Cunniculun Rocks so he can rendezvous with his own ships. They celebrate in a bar (the Rock Lobster) with drinks on Victor. However, their celebration is cut short when the news reports that the Icrion warp point has suddenly been cut off. All that made it through is a probe broadcasting the message, “It was a trap. They were waiting, they've always been waiting. Don't use the warp points.”

The crew of the Athena discuss the possible ramifications of this event when Victor points out that the first effect will most likely be a full out invasion of Tau by the Velt.