After being roused from cryogenic slumber, Chirico becomes separated from Fyana. His quest to locate her attracts the interest of a Nextant, a successor to the Perfect Soldier project. Meanwhile, as the selection of a new Pope looms, Chirico is heralded as 'The Untouchable' in religious circles. With a nominee's ties to the Nextant, Chirico's choices will carry significant political consequences.