Prax recalls an early scientific epiphany: a failed school experiment became a victory once he understood the hidden cause. After four sleepless days responding to donations and messages from Holden’s broadcast, Prax has another insight and calls the Rocinante crew to a private lounge on Tycho Station to explain it.

Prax tells Holden, Naomi, Amos, and Alex that Mei’s kidnappers likely did not use the Ganymede lab as their main research site. Because they helped turn Ganymede into a war zone, Prax reasons that the lab there was only a field installation. The real base must be close enough to Ganymede to move protomolecule-altered creatures before the creatures become uncontrollable.

The crew questions Prax’s reasoning, and Prax explains that the protomolecule constructs are powerful but biologically unstable. The creature that attacked the Rocinante likely ejected its bomb because it adapted beyond its handlers’ control, suggesting the kidnappers need short transport times before such organisms “slip their leash.” Using donation money, Prax also traced controlled mutagen shipments: supplies went through Europa, but their containers were returned from a transport out of Io.

Prax concludes that the kidnappers’ main base is probably on Io. Amos undercuts the long explanation by saying Prax could simply have said that, but the crew accepts the lead, and the Rocinante departs under thrust toward Io.

During the trip, Prax reads the flood of supportive messages sent by strangers across the system. The encouragement, donations, and shared grief make Prax feel connected and hopeful despite knowing intellectually that Mei may already be dead. Prax focuses less on money once there is enough to fund the trip and more on the emotional reinforcement of the public response.

The mood abruptly changes when Prax receives a wave of violent hate messages. Prax follows a newsfeed link and discovers the cause: Nicola Mulko, Prax’s ex-wife and Mei’s mother, has gone public accusing Prax of being abusive and claiming Mei’s disappearance is a cover for Prax having killed her. Prax watches in horror as Nicola delivers the accusation through tears.