In private, Holden learns new intimacies about Naomi, and they agree to an exclusive relationship. Their quiet morning ends when Fred Johnson calls with urgent business. Together they head to Fred’s office, where they find Miller already waiting.

Fred reveals that Earth’s science vessel Charles Lyell, with a Phantom-class escort, is racing toward Eros to retrieve protomolecule samples. Miller and Fred outline a two-layer deterrent: Rocinante will keep the Lyell from landing while six freighters clamp onto Eros’ docking clusters. Five will be abandoned and wired with high-yield fusion warheads as proximity booby traps; the sixth extracts the crews.

The real endgame is the Nauvoo. Tycho will launch it on a calculated trajectory to strike Eros and push it toward the sun, with the impact and detonations rendering the surface lethally hot and radioactive. Miller will coordinate security against anything that might emerge onto the surface. Naomi raises the risk of fragmenting Eros; Fred notes Tycho’s engineers are modeling the impact to avoid that outcome.

Fred then demands Holden surrender the protomolecule sample. Holden refuses, orders Amos to lock down Rocinante and escape or fight if anyone tries to seize it, and faces Fred’s anger. Miller intervenes, arguing Holden’s idealism and tight-knit crew make him the least risky custodian and that public knowledge of the sample can deter attacks after the Eros strike.

Reluctantly, Fred relents, prioritizing the mission. Holden and Naomi leave to ready Rocinante to intercept the Lyell and buy Tycho time to arm Eros and launch the Nauvoo.