The 2nd Mass meets new faces, while Tom comes across his former mentor, but it’s difficult to know whom to trust. Maggie realizes that Pope may not be sticking with the group very long. Tector embraces his military past.

Tom and the remnants of the 2nd Mass learn to pilot a Beamer as part of their plan to destroy the Espheni Power Core, and the group draws straws to see who will embark on the dangerous mission. The threat of death hanging over everyone triggers long-simmering confrontations between many of our main characters, ultimately bringing the 2nd Mass closer together.