Across the world, spiders watch a fiery trail and understand that the Messenger’s satellite has perished. Fabian, a solitary scientist, is unexpectedly moved, even as he converses with the Messenger’s voice—a presence speaking through the walls of his chamber.

Fabian’s chamber is a vast ant supercolony hosting the downloaded mind of Avrana Kern. He maintains and troubleshoots this living computation, which has slowly reassembled itself into consciousness. The Messenger urges retaliation, dismissing recent conciliatory efforts as hopeless and warning that the enemy will show no mercy.

Fabian confirms via orbital observatories that Gilgamesh is decelerating to take orbit. Across species linked to the spiders—ants, stomatopods, beetles—there is a shared awareness that the end is near. In the orbital web, Bianca and Portia prepare the defense as the immense ark ship closes.

Gilgamesh’s forward lasers rake the equatorial web, severing strands, rupturing nodes, and venting spiders into space. Bianca, absorbing losses, keeps the plan intact and orders rock-missiles launched—primarily as distraction. Portia acknowledges lingering qualms but commits to the mission.

Portia’s unit is sling-launched toward Gilgamesh on tethered wheels, using minimal propellant to match the ship’s pass. Lasers deflect and shatter incoming rocks; one strike vents air from the hull. Portia lands hard, is reeled in by peers, and one comrade dies from a shattered mask. Securing the body, the team anchors to the hull and moves, beginning their boarding attack.