Chapter Fourteen: Melba

Melba leads Soledad and Stanni through the Thomas Prince’s service corridors, chasing an electrical anomaly for their contracted work while privately reeling from having murdered Ren and hidden his body in sealant foam. The crew’s superstitions about the Ring mask Ren’s disappearance, giving Melba emotional cover as they work.

In the galley, Stanni and Soledad grieve openly for Ren, and Melba’s guilt intensifies. Pastor Anna, noticing Melba’s distress, approaches to offer comfort. Interpreting this as a threat to her cover, Melba nearly attacks but regains control and leaves before security intervenes.

Determined to refocus on her mission, Melba abandons the repair search, heads to the hangar, and takes a shuttle back to the Cerisier. She navigates the crowded corridors, returns to her cabin—still betraying traces of Ren’s entombment—and powers up her comm deck.

Calm settling over her, Melba executes the long-planned script. The Rocinante’s compromised comms will transmit a trigger to the UNN Seung Un, pause, then broadcast Holden’s supposed responsibility and demands as the Seung Un’s weapons systems come online. The confirmation returns, signaling that the frame has been set and the next phase of her vengeance is inevitable.