Miller, Holden and his crew fight their way to the Rocinante to escape Eros. On Earth, Avasarala fears for the stability of Earth's government and her family's safety.
The Rocinante crew and Miller and Holden (suffering from the effects of radiation sickness) make their separate ways through the increasingly horrific situation on Eros toward the ship. They theorise that whoever is behind the stealth ships (Mao) is purposefully using the impoverished population as food for the 'Protomolecule' infection.
Miller begins to see hallucinations of Julie Mao. Amos kills Miller's friend Semi after he holds Nagata at gunpoint when she refuses to launch the Rocinante without Holden. They make it to the ship and are treated for their advanced radiation sickness as the conspirators remotely activate a device that accelerates the unique Protomolecule crystals in Julie's corpse. Analysis of a liquid from her corpse shows a triple-stranded DNA with a third unknown additional chain.
On Earth, Avasarala presents evidence to Errinwright that Earth did indeed manufacture the stealth ships but for a civilian corporation -- he terminates her investigation while praising her good work and assuring her that his own research has shown the OPA to be the mysterious corporation. It is revealed that the UN is involved with Jules-Pierre Mao's conspiracy.
Avasarala resolves to fight the corruption within her government and uncover the truth. On Eros, Kenzo, who failed to escape, finds himself trapped with a highly advanced form of the Protomolecule. Firefly-like airborne motes of light study him and mimic his form before grabbing him with a tentacle and absorbing him into the massive growth on Eros.
