Nigel analyzes the ship impossible readings and realizes the AI has not been corrupted - it adapted. The system integrated the Hollowing as a normal variable, now serving the transformed colonists with modified protocols. Agricultural systems run above capacity to meet new nutritional requirements.

Marcus tracks the manuscript to Thomas Iscariot at Chicago Theological Seminary. Thomas is a quiet, haunted seminary student carrying two thousand years of inherited guilt and purpose.

Lyria reveals deeper history of archive theft 47 years ago - stolen autonomy research, Guardian-level wards bypassed, pulse of rogue Guardian power sensed 30 years ago. Sets foundation for Vera reveal.

Ailana's legs burned. They'd been climbing for three days, following switchbacks carved into the mountainside by people long dead. The path was crumbling in places, forcing them to scramble across loose scree that shifted under their boots.

Chelsea discovers Kate Morrison hidden for three months in family residence and finds human toy (20 years old) among alien toys. Team discovers floating platform powered by unknown forces. Chelsea descends into subsurface while platform becomes unresponsive.

Petrillo's backstory — grandmother killed by possessed neighbor, fought with fire axe. Raw talent, no discipline. Dominick sees potential and mentors him. Late-night training session.

Niccolo prays against Mal'akheth's void-nature in layered assault: Psalms as foundation, exorcism rites as walls, Aramaic invocation as roof. Each layer builds spiritual architecture reinforcing Haatim's channel and Abigail's tether.

Kate visits Alexis Chen at the sensor monitoring station. Alexis is tracking the fleet's 400+ vessel signals when Kate arrives. Through their interaction, Alexis reveals she abandoned her childhood dream of exploring stars—the war transformed her into a weapons analyst instead.

Jim and Oliver review applications on the Cudgel. Expanded flashbacks dramatize their month in Royal prison, the betrayal by men in suits who hollowed out Jim Admiralty, and Hektor systematic resource starvation. Oliver leaves for Cortet party.