The second book (chronologically, not in order of publication) takes place about 150 years after the end of WILD SEED. The ancient psychic Doro, who takes over the bodies of others in order to prolong his life, continues to forcibly breed other psychics together in an attempt to increase the psionic power of their descendants. Finally, it seems as if his breeding project has reached its culmination with Mary, a strong potential telepath. After completing her "transition," the painful process of maturing into her mental powers, she instinctively creates a "Pattern," a web of psychic force ...