Zelu lies in bed rereading her published novel, easily recalling every passage, but unable to find her way back to writing the long-demanded sequel. Frustrated by relentless online harassment from fans demanding book two, she avoids social media. Daydreaming about escape — the Galapagos, a robot-run yacht, even outer space — she stumbles onto Rusted Robots fanfiction sites where readers have written entire novels based not on her book but on the film, renaming her characters Yankee and Dot. Devastated and angry, she impulsively emails Jack Preston.

Jack responds within minutes, quoting her own words from the Nigerian kidnapping ordeal — that she'd be more prepared in space than walking people — and offers her a slot as a civilian astronaut on his company #Adventure's next mission, on which he himself will fly. He calls her, and despite her reservations, his enthusiasm about funding climate research, heart disease research, and a Nigerian hospital and university wins her over. She agrees, realizing she hopes the journey will unlock book two.

Telling Msizi triggers their first serious fight. He is furious, blaming her impulsiveness for the Nigerian kidnapping and accusing her of repeatedly going where he cannot follow. The remark wounds her, suggesting he sees her as not truly Nigerian. He apologizes for that but insists three days in space is reckless after all they've endured. He storms out.

Msizi returns hours later with Harold's Chicken and pomegranates, channeling his hurt into methodically preparing the fruit. He tells her he won't stop her but admits it hurts. The mission is three months away. For the first time, Zelu asks if he loves her; he answers without hesitation that he loves her more than anyone in the galaxy. They move on with the day.

That night, a thunderstorm wakes Zelu. She wheels to the window and watches lightning split the sky over Lake Michigan — beautiful, lethal, fleeting — burning the images into her memory as she contemplates her impending leap into the unknown.