In the lab alcove, Jessyn methodically skins and labels red “berries” as she and Irinna test which amino acids kill the microbial farm fastest and discuss the larger problem of feeding the not-turtles. When the feather-haired “monkeys” deliver a small gray box, Irinna refuses it and tosses it back into the corridor, joking with Jessyn about it as they keep working.

Jessyn’s mask of being “fine” slips. Depressed and barely functioning, Jessyn clings to a nearly empty medication bottle with one pill left, fearing what it means to truly run out. A sudden idea gives Jessyn a surge of hope: if the berry-farm system can be turned into a biochemical factory, it might be able to produce the active compound Jessyn needs. Jessyn decides to retrieve the pill so she can test whether it is toxic to the berries.

Jessyn hurries back to the shared rooms, briefly clashes with Tonner about abandoning the lab schedule, and retrieves the last pill from under the bed while praying it will lead to a way to keep living. Returning through the busy central corridor, Jessyn hears a low, roaring explosion and smells acrid smoke, then runs toward the lab.

Outside the alcove, smoke hangs near the ceiling and the lights strobe. The feather monkeys have gone berserk: they smash Jessyn’s prepared berries, rip up notes, and—worst of all—maul Irinna with gleeful violence. Jessyn attacks the animals in a fury, beating one to death and snapping another’s neck while being bitten on the leg and shoulder; the remaining attackers flee into the crowd, unhindered by the other aliens.

Badly injured, Irinna explains the gray box was a bomb and that Irinna failed to throw it out in time. With the lab ruined and no help coming, Jessyn drags Irinna onto her shoulders and carries her step by agonizing step back through the indifferent alien traffic. Jessyn bangs her head against the door until Else opens it; the group rushes to help, Tonner runs to assess the lab’s destruction, and Else finally confirms to Jessyn that Irinna has died.