Due to the emergency call from Mila and Nadja Vandemar, the GILGAMESH flies to the Sol system, where it comes upon the protection of the ATF field. Three temporal locks can be identified by measuring hyperphysical energy fields. In one of them is the Time Crosser 2 station, which is shaped like a St. Andrew's cross with bars 100 meters long and 25 meters thick. At the crossing point is the headquarters of the station, where Commander Claude Vernon is. The latter received instructions from LFT Commissioner Cistolo Khan, allowing cell activator carriers access to the Sol system at any time, but since this instruction does not include the GILGAMESCH, he does not allow the ship to fly in.

However, Vernon brings Atlan, Anata Katcoraexe, an ATF technician, and Karak Menontro, a Plophosan combat specialist, with a ten-meter long time ferry to the opposite station Time Crosser 2 Plus within the ATF field. There they find that the crew is out of commission due to the doodling syndrome. Khan is also a victim of the syndrome. That's why Vernon finally lets the GILGAMESCH pass. On Trokan, they learn from the Vandemar twins that the doodling syndrome has spread throughout Terra. Countless fatal accidents have already occurred on Earth. Also the Terran workers on Trokan are affected; only the Herreach are not affected. The spaceships in the solar system have withdrawn to the edge of the ATF field to escape the influence for as long as possible.

On June 2, 1289 NGE, Atlan contacts NATHAN to have the ATF field switched off. Then the spaceships could leave the system. NATHAN refuses because this represents an instruction with priority level one, which after new additional programming can only be issued jointly by the First Terran, the LFT Commissioner and the TLS Chief. However, all three people are affected by the doodling syndrome. NATHAN provides a comprehensive management report on the conditions on Terra. In Beijing, for example, true crowds of people gathered within a radius of ten kilometers around an unknown mental power and the »teachings of the Philosopher« are heard. This power had moved westwards to Mombasa in several teleport jumps.

Atlan goes with a few companions in a dinghy to Mombasa. They watch huge crowds that spiral around the Philosopher. Katcoraexe also briefly succumbs to the doodling syndrome, while Atlan remains unaffected. As a result of the Philosopher's Psi-broadcast, NATHAN loses control of the weather control station on Mount Kilimanjaro. A hurricane forms nearby that threatens the pilgrims. When Atlan and his companions reach the station, the Philosopher is inside. When he leaves, Atlan lets him attack. The being, which presents itself as a reflecting energy field with a diameter of 100 meters, can escape. Trying to trap the Philosopher in an HU-screen fails. Atlan orders the retreat to the GILGAMESCH. There the Time Crosser 2 and Time Crosser 2 plus stations no longer respond to their radio calls.

In order to switch off the ATF field despite NATHAN's refusal, the GILGAMESCH flies to Mercury to switch off the main tidal converter on site. Atlan arrives at the station with a raiding party. Since the control system also refuses to deactivate the field, Atlan has the main tidal converter blown up. Katcoraexe and her two sons, who are stationed on Mercury as ATF technicians, are killed by the explosion when they follow the lure of the Philospher’s calling. After the breakdown of the ATF field, the GILGAMESCH leaves the Sol system to take the crew out of the area of ​​influence of the scribbling syndrome, while Atlan and the Vandemar twins fly to Terra with a space jet to continue the fight against the Philosopher.