Miller obsessively watches war feeds as Deimos’ destruction turns Mars–Belt fighting into a sideshow to the looming Earth–Mars conflict. He and Amos trade grim relief that no planet-killing impacts have begun. Exhausted and unsettled, Miller heads for a blood flush, reflecting on Eros and Julie’s death.

In the medical bay, Holden proposes broadcasting the Protogen data to end the war by exposing the truth. Miller flatly refuses, warning Holden would have to shoot him first. They debate: Holden argues transparency prevents manipulation; Miller insists raw information, misread, becomes a pretext for violence and asks Holden to consider “what happens” next. Miller predicts disclosure will spark a system-wide scramble to weaponize the protomolecule.

News from Ceres interrupts: the OPA displays bodies of “Martian spies” vented into space, with Captain Shaddid declaring no compromise for freedom. Miller reads it as pogroms. A course change ripples through the Rocinante, signaling Holden’s decision.

Holden decides against broadcasting, fearing it will get them killed and worsen the fight. Distrusting all powers with the safe, he sets a course for Tycho Station to someone he doesn’t actively distrust. Miller says the right choice would be to throw the safe into the sun and quarantine Eros and Phoebe, but admits the “holy grail” is hard to discard. Holden did not consult Naomi but believes she would approve.