Max discovers that one of her "sisters", Tinga,  has abandonded her husband and child.  She attempts to find her in order to find out what's happening.  After the missing person report is filed by her husband, Tinga returns with Mantacore on her heals.  Max help Tinga and the family escape Manticore and Bryn (who has been reintegrated into the corps).  Tinga, in the end, offers herself in trade for her son.  Lydecker agrees but his bosses have other plans.