The Daniels family are blamed for the rabies virus and the North Col community will not listen as Noah tells them the rats weren't real but holograms. Matters worsen when it is discovered the vaccine held as evidence has been stolen. Simon's subsequent collapse causes everyone to panic… he has a virus! Liz finds that the disk given to Noah by Tao is nothing but a series of sophisticated computer generation images. Who is responsible for this dangerous hoax? Noah returns to Haven to collect more vaccine to save his father. But the Mine has been abandoned. Tao has moved everyone to the Mountains of the Moon in search of the Motherlode. Noah makes his way across the Red Desert. He must save his friends and get the vaccine before it is too late! Inadvertently a Kestrel gives Tao the answer he has been searching for. Now the Shadowmaster and Tao stand, transfixed — before them is the secret of life, youth, and absolute power… it is the core of the Nemesis Comet… the pure Thunderstone Motherlode!