Julia is at the lab when Jack and Mae return. She says she’s grateful for them, but Jack notices that she is talking too fast and wants them all to drink champagne as if they are out of danger. Jack wants to call the Army. Julia looks at Ricky, then agrees. Jack feels that everyone is playing a part, as if he is watching a performance. The phone line won’t connect, so Ricky goes to check the comm lines. Jack can tell this is obviously a performance.

Julia says her pride wouldn’t let her admit that Xymos was failing. She apologizes for her behavior. She tries to kiss Jack, and he pulls away. Ricky calls and says that there is a problem with the comm lines—someone has pulled out the wiring in the communication room—and Charley seems to be dead. On a monitor they view his body, which is enveloped by a swarm. Julia says Charley locked the door from the inside and must not have wanted to be able to get out. Jack notices how careful Mae is being around Julia. He suggests pumping liquid nitrogen into the room to kill the swarm, but Ricky says it would destroy the equipment.