Holden and Naomi become lovers. She sets out conditions for their relationship, and he agrees. He wants to tell her this is more than just sex to him, but he can’t find the words. His terminal buzzes; Fred is summoning him.

Holden is unpleasantly surprised to see Miller with Fred. Fred explains Miller’s concern that someone will try to go to Eros to get Protomolecule samples. He activates a display that shows an Earth science ship already heading for Eros with a companion ship. Fred wants the Roci to chase the Earth ships away. He also wants to send freighters to Eros to buy time until the Nauvoo can knock it toward the sun. Holden agrees to the plan.

Fred insists that the Protomolecule sample must stay on Tycho. Refusing, Holden orders Amos to lock down the Roci and leave if anyone tries to board. Fred bristles and tells Holden not to threaten him. Miller tells him it’s not a threat; Amos will do exactly what Holden told him to do. Fred is angry but relents.

Inside the Nauvoo, Miller faces off with Mormon resisters who are protesting the takeover of their ship. They gas the protesters with a relatively harmless riot control substance, then pull everyone from the ship.