Dr. John Fleming has been apprehended by British military personnel and returned to the Thorness Research Center in Scotland for questioning. He claims he had nothing to do with the destruction of the computer built with the radio-telescope message from the Andromeda galaxy. He also claims that the woman Andromeda, an anthropomorphic construct of the computer, died when she feel into a deep pool after being chased into a sea cavern. The research center's director, Geers, wants to re-check the site with Fleming even though no body has been found. In the cave, Geers hears a sound. They find an unresponsive Andromeda. A bit of spirits has her somewhat revived. John lifts her up, knocks Geers down and runs for the boat. He quickly takes Andromeda out to sea in the motor launch, abandoning Geers. The two hide in a shepherd's hut on a small isle off the coast of Borve in the Hebrides. He sets the boat adrift so they can't be traced. Andromeda's burned hands are in need of the healing enzyme made from computer instructions. He leaves her with Andre Preen, the hut owner, and borrows his boat to get to the Isle of Skye. He contacts biochemist Madeleine Dawnay, his Thorness colleague, who developed it. After delivering the enzyme, Madeleine indicates she's moving to the Middle Eastern country of Azaran. When she is picking up her visa and airline ticket at the embassy, she is drugged with a fake yellow fever inoculation and forced to reveal John's whereabouts. It seems that the Thorness computer that was destroyed by John is not the only one. A mole leaked the plans earlier and Azaran has one, too!.
—Garon Smith