Holden follows Miller as they trail a mercenary unit clearing a path toward the port. Along the way they see newly infected civilians; Miller concludes these are the first incubated batch used to seed the shelters, confirming Eros as a running experiment. The pair keep their distance as the mercs move through the warehouse levels.

They encounter a tuxedoed infected man. Holden forbids Miller from shooting, asserting command if Miller wants passage on the Rocinante. Soon after, they find the mercenary force expanded and split into two camps—professional soldiers versus riot-gear muscle—and the argument detonates into a point-blank firefight that turns the cross corridor into a killing zone.

Needing the lift beyond the gun battle, they wait for an opening. When four riot-police thugs arrive unaware, Miller hints at needing armor; Holden fires first, and together they kill the foursome, strip usable armor and helmets, and Miller uses a helmet radio to broadcast a bluff that they’re joining up, hoping to reduce friendly fire.

Holden and Miller dash through the crossfire. They are immediately raked by bullets; Holden’s borrowed armor stops some rounds but he takes a hit through his calf, while Miller’s arm breaks under fire. They crawl and limp to the elevator, bleeding and exhausted, and ride up toward the Rocinante’s berth.

The doors open to Amos waiting in the airlock, heavily armed. With both men barely standing, the chapter ends as Amos takes in their condition, confirming they’ve reached the ship alive but grievously hurt.