Jayson and team receive mission briefing from Alexander at Academy, then camp in wilderness preparing. Richard shares intel about Captain Grove executing 2000 on Daer and her redeployment to Sector Two where they're heading, creating urgency.

Chen keeps vigil as David dies from Divinity burnout. She refuses Luxs permanent integration offer, choosing to let David die human. After his death, hospital staff claiming special protocols take Davids body for processing - Chen signs without questioning.

The team enters the far-side base to discover a two-hundred-year-old graveyard. Forty-three expedition members lie dead throughout the corridors in various states of preservation, evidence of the Fist's systematic slaughter when the original expedition became infected.

Thomas stops running in the forest, takes inventory and realizes the between-state is herding him away from the Heart. Pushes south through fog resistance into the hospital.

Abdullah attends the Pass of Command ceremony where Captain Grove executes Rodriguez and his friend Mikael, then sentences Sister Portia to burning. He almost steps forward but makes the agonizing choice to stay silent.

Dr. Nigel Rhodes discovers through neural analysis that Kate's transformation isn't random corruption—the Hollowing is deliberately reshaping her into a living portal to allow dimensional breach.

Admiral Chen - Lucas father and fleet commander - argues Kate must be used strategically. Others object - she is only seven years old. Heated debate about ethics of using child as weapon. The Admiral has seen what the Hollowing does; he will use any tool to stop it.

Admiral Rylee Voss oversees the aftermath of the war against the Dominion, dealing with massive casualty figures and the absence of Kate Morrison, whose transformation has left no detectable trace.

Petro's first morning at the Citadel. Prayer feels hollow. Observes families at breakfast - children playing, normal life. Meets Mark, a former Church believer who found peace here. Afternoon reconnaissance - cataloging defenses while suppressing emotional reactions.