At a Conference of Psychic Sciences, "The Commonality", the Taelon psychic link has been invaded and the secret plans for Earth are known. Katya Petrenko possesses incredible psychic gifts and an interest in Boone. She confronts Zo'or, telling him that the Taelons must change their approach to humans, or they will destroy both races. Katya reveals that a Taelon named Ma'el gave some humans the gift to break into "The Commonality". As Katya dies, Dr. Belman performs a brain transfer of all of Katya's knowledge to Boone.