Prax remembers watching the leaked Eros footage as a scientific puzzle and compares it to the creature now loose in the Rocinante’s cargo bay. As Holden remains pinned under crates and Amos and Naomi reject a high-g maneuver that would kill him, Prax studies the creature’s form and behavior. Prax notices that this version of the protomolecule appears constrained to a mostly human shape, suggesting it has been engineered for a different purpose than the Eros infection.

When the creature begins tearing into the bulkhead near the reactor, Prax realizes it is moving toward radiation. Because the drive has been shut down and the reactor is only at maintenance output, the creature is trying to reach the ship’s core for energy. Prax proposes changing the radiation gradient by creating a more attractive radioactive bait that can lure the creature away from the ship.

The crew rapidly forms a plan: Prax will carry the bait outside through the forward airlock and throw it into space, Naomi will close the cargo doors once the creature leaves, Amos will rescue Holden, and Alex will restart the engines when everyone is safe. Prax, inexperienced with EVA and mag boots, struggles with fear, disorientation, and awe as he walks along the hull with the bait.

Prax throws the radioactive cylinder into space, and the creature abandons the cargo bay to chase it. Naomi closes the cargo doors, Amos reaches Holden, and Alex prepares to fire the engines. Prax rushes back to the airlock, terrified the creature might return, and seals himself inside just before the ship can maneuver.

After Prax is safe, Amos discovers that the creature left behind a small incendiary charge attached to the cargo bay bulkhead. Holden orders Amos not to cut it away, and the crew moves into the cargo airlock while Alex begins the burn intended to destroy the creature in the Rocinante’s drive plume. As Prax watches the monster recede with the bait, a violent blast strikes the ship, spins it, and knocks Prax unconscious.