The Rocinante docks with Thoth on failing thrusters, its airlock destroyed and oxygen vented. Holden, Naomi, Alex, and Amos spacewalk from the stern cargo lock to the station’s emergency airlock, noting the Roci’s extensive damage. Inside, OPA troopers report lighter-than-expected resistance and escort them toward operations through corridors littered with Protogen security and staff casualties, including lab personnel who attacked with makeshift weapons.

In ops, Holden finds Fred Johnson, Miller, OPA forces, and a well-dressed prisoner: Antony Dresden, Protogen’s bio-research VP and Eros architect. Amid screens spooling Eros data, Holden learns Protogen security carried nonlethal gear. Dresden’s poise and condescension anger Holden, who has Amos stand ready to break Dresden’s jaw. Fred confirms Eros data is being funneled to Thoth.

Holden demands to know why Eros was sacrificed. Dresden argues the protomolecule is humanity’s greatest opportunity and threat, comparing Eros’ deaths to historical mass killings as trivial by scale. He outlines his plan: observe the protomolecule at sufficient mass to see its program, learn to alter it, and then remake humanity—radiation-hardened Belters, long-sleep colonists, and engineered bodies free of current biological limits. He insists this is necessary to survive a universe of “gods.”

Naomi asks how Protogen kept its team compliant despite atrocity. Dresden admits they removed ethical restraints, creating high-functioning sociopath scientists and backing them with a security force outfitted for riot control. He warns that destroying Thoth will waste Eros’ data and all those deaths, and offers to negotiate. Fred hesitates, weighing the stakes. Miller, stony and silent until now, cuts Dresden off, signaling an imminent, decisive end to the debate.