Four years later, the children of Earth begin to demonstrate advanced psychic abilities and form a mental link with Jennifer. The Greggson family is wary of what is happening to them and they move to the free city of New Athens, hoping to escape Karellen's influence. Ricky eventually succumbs to his illness. Karellen announces to the world that all children will be reunited, that no more children will be born, and that adults are free to live their lives as they wish. The children begin to float through the sky. The mayor of New Athens decides that all hope is lost and launches a nuclear bomb that destroys the city. Milo is smuggled onto one of the boats carrying zoo animals, and upon arriving at the Overlords' homeworld is shown a glimpse of the Overmind, a vast cosmic intelligence they serve. Milo returns to Earth some 80 years later (due to time dilation), just before the time the children join the Overmind. He goes to the surface and...