Worst corruption episode. 23 seconds lost. Abigail hunts Petrillo during breakthrough. Scorch marks, golden residue, pupils leaking gold. Arthur: months, maybe less. Haatim: we move faster.

Three days after the War Council. Lilith visits Marcus at CEA headquarters expressing ancient fear that humans will inevitably abandon limitation for infinity. Marcus challenges her assumptions, arguing she observed from outside and never experienced the choice.

Chelsea Park testifies before the council about Kate's character, recounting her early empathy for the Dominion and a moment when young Kate rescued a wounded Dominion scout during evacuation, understanding that the soldier was also someone's child.

A fleet command meeting debates Kate's status as either valuable asset or existential threat. Commander Voss argues her consistent protective pattern over three years suggests genuine alignment with humanity. Admiral Chen worries about manipulation and hidden agendas.

Kate experiences a deep dream where Hollowing shows catastrophic futures: dead bodies in command center, Chelsea killed, and an older Kate corrupted with alien light. The entity offers Kate power in exchange for surrender, claiming resistance is futile.

Lucas holds the perimeter while Nigel triggers shutdown. He provides cover fire, then escapes through maintenance tunnels seeking another route out. He survives to fight another day, setting up his reappearance in Chapter 11.

Marcus moves Thomas to a safe house after Sword operatives find the seminary. Thomas shares the Iscariot family history: generations of carriers, his uncle's suicide, his mother Ruth who hid the manuscript and killed herself to give him choice.

War Council debates how to fight Guardian Vera. Gregory volunteers for Guardian transformation but Elias steps forward instead. Mina describes visceral transformation risks comparing to Bryce's experience. Lyria reveals temporary Guardian option with life-force cost and hard 72-hour limit.

Sara, unable to sleep after Greenwood, joins Dr. Quentin analyzing creature footage and boot prints. At dawn they search the ruins, finding a shelter with a warning message pointing south.