Combines two sequels (The Ship Who Searched & Partnership) to the best-selling The Ship Who Sang in a single volume.

Tia, a bright and spunky seven-year-old accompanying her exo-archaeologist parents on an EsKay dig, was afflicted by a mysterious neural disorder whose progressing symptoms finally permit her no life at all outside of some total mechanical support system.

Nancia, daughter of one of the high families discovers that her services will not always be utilized by people of her own high moral integrity.