In the new, roomier lab alcove, Jessyn works with Rickar to prepare altered berry pulp for their captive three-legged, shelled specimen. The better equipment and the sense of space briefly let Jessyn forget captivity, Irinna’s death, and the pressure to join Urrys Ostencour’s brewing revolt.

They process the berries with acid and catalysts, confirm the chemistry on slides, and feed the mash to the “not-turtle.” The animal lunges for the food and devours it eagerly, and the small success lifts their spirits—until Rickar notices trouble at the alcove entrance.

A Rak-hund confronts their guards. Dennia shoots it in the head to buy time, and Synnia runs, but the Rak-hund knocks Dennia down and kills her with its knife-legs, then withdraws into the crowd. Jessyn realizes the attack was selective: the Rak-hund targeted Synnia and Dennia because they were committed to Ostencour’s bioweapon plan, while Jessyn and Rickar were spared because they had not agreed.

Synnia races to the near-field quarters to warn the others, but violence is already underway. Inside, Allstin, Merrol, and Llaren Morse try to barricade the door; their remaining gun is useless, and they brace for the Rak-hund’s breach. When the door splinters, Rak-hund pour in, and Synnia charges—only to be struck and overwhelmed as the others fight and die.

Jessyn and Rickar follow the blood trail to the shattered near-field quarters and find Allstin, Synnia, Merrol, and Llaren Morse dead, along with a slain Rak-hund. Searching upstairs, they discover Else Yannin dead in Jellit’s room without visible wounds, and Jellit is missing. Back in the corridor, alien passersby ignore Rickar’s breakdown as he finally collapses into prolonged, raw screaming while Jessyn stays beside him.