In the smoky aftermath of a failed ambush, Miller steadies Holden’s shaken crew and immediately calls Sematimba, noting the eerie lack of security response. He admits he was following them to find a Scopuli survivor and learns Holden’s team is also searching for someone likely tied to the Scopuli at this flophouse.

The group advances down cramped corridors in a protective formation, with Miller and Amos managing the risk. At the target door, Holden knocks, then has Amos kick it in. Inside, the power is dead and the room is vandalized: smashed lights and console, a discarded vac suit, and an older hand terminal that Miller bags as evidence. A dark fluid trail—too dark for blood—leads toward the bathroom.

Miller follows the trail and discovers Julie Mao dead in the shower, her body overtaken by invasive, tendril-like growths and exuding a foul sludge. He orders everyone out to avoid contaminating the scene and closes the splintered door, holding himself together through procedure.

Sematimba arrives with riot police, and Miller outlines the situation: attackers targeted Holden’s crew, and the lack of alarms indicates ties to Eros security. He identifies the victim as Julie Mao and urges Sematimba to keep his distance from the deepening conspiracy, agreeing only to notify him before leaving the station.