The crew of the Sparrow accompany the Concord strike force back to Bauble. Along with a squad of 8 marines and a team of 3 techs, they cautiously make their way through the vault and sweep the tunnels beyond. Whatever had been occupying the complex is gone. Plasma scorched walls, piles of organic ash, and signs of equipment having been mounted in places are the only traces of an External presence. A few shards of a shattered 3D are found among some fragments of human (or mechalus) cybertech. These are taken back to Lison for the Concord techs to analyse.
Joseph has made arrangements with a t’sa physician to go into cryosleep. He will give it a little more time, just in case a lead emerges; otherwise Hadley has been given instructions.
Wayne finally gets his ghost-hunting trip to Mindara Station. TJ, a marine sergeant who is curious about the rumours, accompanies them. He brings three recruits, ostensibly as a training exercise. Aboard, they find the supernatural trappings serve to mask the presence of a group of klicks. Worse, they discover that a human turncoat, Lt Tuslow, has been supplying the enemy with sensitive Concord data. After a protracted firefight and some tinkering with the environmental controls, the klicks are downed, the traitor apprehended, and the station secured. Cinque acquires some new old toys. Conrad claims “salvage” on Tuslow’s personal yacht, the Star Skimmer. Veil sends in reinforcements, allowing the Sparrow to return to Lison.
Gus gives a presentation to the government’s archival division. With a little help from Cinque, she is offered first refusal on a security contract. Kerri gets a promotion to replace the department head who has suddenly decided to retire.
Cinque undergoes intensive pilot training through Concord.