A small object far out beyond Jupiter is determined to be a rogue comet headed on a course to hit Earth. The best chance to stop it is to finish a new ship, Jupiter 2, with the new style engines and collector systems. However the engines and supporting collectors are in doubt because they were used on the Lith. And after three months of searching the fate of the Lith is still unknown.
JD, supported by Tod, Jorgi, and Fos in the Light Speed must find the Lith and determine if the engines or collector systems caused it to be lost. Order of the Phoenix tracks JD and his crew as they determine the fate of the Lith, construct a new Jupiter 2 and voyage out to do battle with the massive comet.
During a return trip to find out why the Comet, now parked in the Hammered Belt, is venting steam they learn we are not alone in our Galaxy. We have Neighbors. However, the newly met neighbors relate to the research team that they have a huge problem they hope we can help them solve.