Trapped in the explorer's SecSystem, the copy of SecUnit confronts the hostile targetControlSystem that has taken over the ship. An off-ship connection appears through the comms, and the copy listens as this TargetContact asks what it is and suggests it could be useful. When TargetContact shows security footage, the copy realizes the original SecUnit on the surface has been captured, and the way TargetContact reacts through the connection convinces the copy that the enemy is probably human-directed rather than alien.

At that point, SecUnit 3 makes secure contact after disabling its own governor module. SecUnit 3 says it wants to help retrieve the clients, so the copy sends a plan and launches a coordinated attack on the explorer: it locks internal hatches, destroys the target drones, cuts the screen-device links to the humans' implants, and shuts down bridge life support to distract the Targets. SecUnit 3 forces open the lounge, wakes the groggy captives, identifies itself as sent by Perihelion, and starts moving Turi, Karime, Martyn, and the surviving Barish-Estranza personnel toward the shuttle.

While the humans struggle through the corridors, the copy and targetControlSystem trade increasingly destructive attacks. The copy threatens the engine controls and rigs the weapons system as a trap, forcing targetControlSystem to divide its attention, but targetControlSystem also tears apart SecSystem and deletes much of the copy's storage. Interior hatches reopen, armed Targets reach the evacuees, and SecUnit 3 has to shield the humans from gunfire and physically fight the attackers to keep the retreat moving.

Running out of resources, the copy abandons the ruined SecSystem and transfers itself into the module dock controls long enough to regain local cameras. It locks the hatch behind the evacuees, watches SecUnit 3 shove the last survivors aboard, and jettisons the shuttle to safety. When TargetContact orders the explorer to fire on the escaping shuttle, the trap the copy left in weapons control detonates and splits the explorer's hull. Before the blast, the copy jumps into TargetContact's connection and follows that signal down toward the planet.