Darrow arrives to find MineMagistrate Timony au Podginus fawning and performative, surrounded by Gray mine guards in dress uniforms. Refusing small talk, Darrow has Ragnar present data showing a fourteen percent decline in helium-3 and a projected shortfall. Podginus blames widespread dissent and outlines petty countermeasures as he scrambles to placate Darrow.

To test him, Darrow threatens a Quarantine—flooding the mine with achlys-9 and replacing workers. Podginus panics, pleads, and details manipulative strategies he has used: ration cuts, smear campaigns, pheromones and alcohol, sabotaged equipment and maps, and false promises of terraforming and immigration. Seeing a pathetic, self-justifying functionary rather than a grand villain, Darrow stays his hand, protects the mine, orders increased rations, and provides supplies to throw a feast for the Reds.

From the viewing room, Darrow watches thousands of Reds eat, drink, and dance, recognizing old friends and family, including his brother Kieran. The celebration brings him no joy; he feels alienated and regards himself as a necessary evil whose innocence is gone and who no longer belongs among his people.

Mustang joins him, teasing lightly before turning to policy. She identifies corruption and skimming in the mine’s supply system and describes legislation to reform the Department of Energy and the Board of Quality Control. When she asks why they are here, Darrow says this is the mine where the girl sang the Forbidden Song, and he takes Mustang by the hand to show her more.