Last Light

Council votes 7-5 against rescue. Too risky. Kate stays in seal. Lucas and Chelsea process devastating but logical decision.

Alexis Chen analyzes Kate's neural scans and discovers that each use of Kate's abilities causes approximately 0.3 percent neural degradation. She calculates that at current operational tempo, Kate will experience complete neural degradation within eighteen months.

Chelsea visits Marcus. He is worse - coughing blood now. Marcus: "The child is already gone. What is left is the question - weapon or victim?" Chelsea refuses to accept either.

Marcus attends the command conference without his recorder for the first time. Admiral Voss presides as the officers debate integrating the three changed crew members. Harris argues they are compromised; Marcus breaks his silence to vouch for their humanity with passionate testimony.

Chelsea Park steals a transport ship and spends three days at the nexus coordinates searching for Kate, broadcasting messages into empty space where she can almost perceive the faintest shimmer of the dimensional barrier.

Kate recovers from the failed raid in the medical bay, processing survivor's guilt and the deaths of twelve soldiers. Chelsea helps her accept that the seal is inevitable.

Kate overhears debate about her. Walks into war room uninvited. Tells admirals SHE chooses to help. Not their decision. Silence. A child teaching adults about duty.

Chelsea testifies what Kate would want (no rescue) vs what Chelsea wants (her daughter back). Emotional testimony tears council.

Kate Morrison undergoes testing in the containment chamber to demonstrate her abilities. She successfully removes Hollowing corruption from an infected crew member, but the experience leaves her bleeding and vomiting black substance. Chelsea intervenes to stop further testing.