What is the main conflict in The Neutronium Alchemist Consolidation by Peter F. Hamilton?

Captain Joshua Calvert and the Lady Mac have just rescued Kelly Tirrel, Father Horst, and children of Aberdale children from Lalonde. The epicenter of the possession outbreak is now under complete control by the returning dead, and is enshrouded in the red cloud they use to hide themselves. Joshua returns to Tranquility, where Ione Saldana asks him to track down the escaped Dr. Alkad Mzu, who escaped from her long captivity on the Blackhawk Udat and is expect to attempt to recover the dreaded weapon, the Alchemist, and use it on the Omurtan homeworld. Louise Kavanaugh, her sister Genevieve and possessor Fletcher Christian escape from Norfolk and pursue the evil Quinn Dexter to the Sol system. Throughout the Confederation, new leaders like Kiera Salter, Annette Ekelund and the 20th century gangster Al Capone take charge of the forces of the possessed, infecting and consuming planet after planet.