SecUnit wakes the group after ART locates a damaged Barish-Estranza supply transport near the wormhole. ART’s scans show the transport has taken weapons hits that do not match ART’s systems, which supports SecUnit’s revised timeline of events. The group debates whether to answer the transport’s incoming comm request, because contact might finally provide information about ART’s missing crew but could also expose them to another trap.

ART opens the channel, and Supervisor Leonide of Barish-Estranza appears. With ART managing the presentation, Arada poses as Dr. Arada of a university survey team working legally in the system. Leonide admits the transport was attacked by raiders but refuses to say more on an unsecured channel. When Arada reveals that the group rescued Eletra from the hostile raiders and that Eletra seems to have suffered mind-altering interference, Leonide reacts strongly, asks for Eletra back, and requests replacement engine components.

Trying to force a more honest exchange, Arada says their own crew is also in danger because the ship that attacked them may have been Barish-Estranza’s explorer. Leonide still refuses to discuss the situation over comms, but offers an in-person conference aboard the supply transport. Despite immediate objections from the others, Arada agrees to go, linking the meeting to the transfer of Eletra and the requested components. Once the call ends, the crew argues, but ART begins assembling the supplies because Arada’s decision has committed them to the plan.

Thiago and Amena prepare Eletra for a call with Leonide. Eletra recognizes Leonide, confirms she came from the supply transport, and struggles again with her damaged memory and sense of time. She tells Leonide that gray raiders captured her and used something that affected her mind. After Leonide cuts the conversation short and hands logistics to a cargo factor, SecUnit continues gathering intelligence through Amena’s questions: Eletra says the explorer carried three SecUnits, while the supply transport carried none, and Barish-Estranza used its own units rather than contracted ones to keep the mission secret.

SecUnit decides to accompany Arada onto the transport, both to protect her and to use the visit as a chance to gain information directly. The crew agrees this is necessary, though they remain angry about the risk. SecUnit and ART then argue over cover identities: SecUnit insists on posing as the university’s security SecUnit rather than as an augmented human, because that lie is closer to the truth and easier to maintain. ART provides a new uniform, Arada is coached to treat SecUnit like hired security, and the chapter ends with Arada and SecUnit ready to board the Barish-Estranza transport.