On Luna, Holden calls his mother Elise from Avasarala’s luxurious hotel suite. Holden wants his family to come up from Earth to meet Naomi, but Elise first suggests that Holden come home to Montana. Holden explains that Naomi is a Belter, that Belters do not go to Earth, and that his relationship with Naomi has become serious.

Elise reacts awkwardly, revealing anxiety about Holden possibly having Belter children and leaving Earth behind. Holden pushes back by saying Earthers and Belters are not different species and that any children born in space would simply be Belters. Elise accepts that the family should come meet Naomi, promising to get Tom onto a shuttle despite his hatred of microgravity. Holden also asks Elise to keep previously sent data quiet but safe, in case Holden needs it in the coming months.

Later that night, Holden tells Naomi that his parents are racists because they fear their grandchildren might be Belters. Naomi, half-asleep beside him, answers briefly and then murmurs, “No babies,” before falling asleep, leaving the comment unexplained.

The next day, Holden leaves Naomi sleeping and goes to the New Hague United Nations complex to witness Avasarala’s meeting with Jules-Pierre Mao. Avasarala has arranged Mao’s transfer to Luna after his arrest during the post-Io crackdown, and Holden wants to confront Mao before the affair feels truly finished.

Holden waits outside the conference room so he can see Mao brought in under guard. When Mao arrives in restraints, Holden asks whether the deaths, Julie’s fate, the ruined company, and the destabilized solar system were worth it. Mao avoids answering. Holden reminds Mao that Holden helped destroy Protogen, found Julie after the protomolecule killed her, and killed Admiral Nguyen; Holden wants to see Mao receive justice.

Inside the conference room, Avasarala deliberately humiliates Mao by ignoring him while discussing future work with Holden. After Holden declines a longer-term government contract, saying the Rocinante will escort the first reconstruction flotilla to Ganymede, Avasarala turns fully on Mao. She rejects negotiation, recalls warning Mao not to lie to her, and promises to bury him, dismantle everything he built, and force him to watch his legacy erased. Mao tries to appear defiant, but Holden sees that Avasarala has struck at what Mao values most.