Maven Ophidian reviews personnel files the night before Jaril arrival, struggling with command weight. Lieutenant Commander Singh reports unidentified sensor anomalies in Meridian Corridor with signatures not matching known configurations.

The final intelligent Void Walker emerges at the northern nexus. Gregory moves to the front lines to study its sequential threat-processing and devises a crystal-decoy plan to split its attention. Bryce says farewell to Abigail.

One year after anchoring. Daven delivers the first Annual Coordinator's Report to a packed Treaty Hall. Alliance thriving: 26K population, expanded trade, zero tremors. He reads Cael's farewell letter publicly - 'not sacrifice, maintenance' - bridging the generational divide.

Ailana fights a delaying action against 180 imperial soldiers at Archive Seven while Sara extracts the complete Prometheus data including the cure sequence. Using enhanced senses and terrain knowledge, Ailana pins down multiple squads in a canyon. Feral packs drawn by the fighting create chaos.

Jayson and Vivian arrive at Silvent Academy through its lethal defense gauntlet. Maven reveals the Ministry is recalling surgeons for an implant project. Vivian proposes infiltrating the Ministry with Traq's help.

Thea conducts detailed detective work uncovering that Annie Wren kept a diary, was scholarship-bound for Boston University, and would never voluntarily abandon her documentation.

The extraction team reaches the garage. Marcus starts the truck—engine runs. But the lights go out. James Wright, Helena Fischer, and Samantha Torres appear with makeshift torches. They block the exit. Kira charges Helena, sacrificing herself to create an escape window. Helena and Kira duel.

Traq awakens on pilot Corinne Vance ship Meridian after being recovered unconscious. Fever dreams mix childhood memories with horrifying visions of alien transformation. Corinne reports the Empire conducted devastating bombardment of Jaril with millions of casualties.

Resolution. Belphegor gone, Dominick gone. Niccolo called, Frieda rebuilding networks, research continuing. Haatim and Abigail on the rooftop — hope fragile but real. The cure path mapped. The quest begins.