Miller links his suit med data to prove he’s lucid, then tells Holden that Julie Mao is “alive” inside Eros, steering it like her racing pinnace. He argues the protomolecule adapted using Julie as a template, borrowing her emotions and goals, so she’s going home rather than attacking Earth.

Holden informs Miller that Earth has launched its entire interplanetary nuclear arsenal, homing on the freighter transponders. Miller pleads for time to reach Julie and negotiate; if he fails, he promises to detonate his nuke. Naomi, skeptical of Miller’s stability, challenges the idea, but Holden decides to buy time without aborting the strike.

Naomi devises a plan: spoof the missiles by retargeting their transponder locks along an extended arc using OPA ships and stations, while simultaneously triggering a broad hacking attempt to force the missiles to ignore midflight reprogramming—then quietly lead them back to Eros later.

Holden sells the plan to Fred Johnson by offering the protomolecule sample and notes in exchange for cooperation. Despite objections, Fred agrees to help manipulate targets across the Belt. The missiles are pulled off their direct intercept, buying critical hours without losing the ability to kill Eros.

Holden tells Miller he has time to find Julie and try to stop Eros peacefully, with the standing order to detonate if talks fail. As Miller considers where Julie might “park” Eros, Holden suggests Venus as a destination.