The seventh episode of Murderbot commences with a scene set one month prior at Port Freecommerce, on the eve of the Chatterjee Memorial Lecture. The atmosphere takes a sudden dive when Gurathin confesses his past as a corporate spy, revealing Mensah as his target. Weighed down by the burden of deceit, he expresses a desolate desire to end his life, which is what prompted his escape to the Preservation Alliance.
Outdoors, Gurathin's apprehension about the impending expedition is palpable. He harbors doubts about its wisdom and is particularly uneasy about the prospect of a SecUnit joining their ranks.
Flashing forward to the present, the group is still grappling with the tragic loss of LeeBeeBee. Murderbot, resolute about the need to proceed, adopts a gentler tack than its initial stringent urging, to surprisingly positive effect. They board the hopper, though trust in Murderbot remains tentative. Both the group and the titular character ponder their options, with Murderbot contemplating abandoning them or simply observing Sanctuary Moon until its power wanes.
Eventually, an honest exchange of views ensues. Mensah expresses her view of Murderbot as one striving to assist, hoping for reciprocated goodwill. However, their conversation is abruptly halted.
The hopper finds itself encircled by hostile creatures, not in battle but in the throes of mating. Gurathin and Murderbot contemplate electrocuting the hull, but the humans object. The creatures leave behind eggs adhering to the ship, but a more pressing concern arises when another SecUnit materializes, disrupting Murderbot's threat assessment functionality.
As the menacing SecUnit lays waste to a portion of the precious eggs, one of the creatures suddenly materializes, unleashing a fury of destruction upon it, tearing its head from its body with relentless force. Mercifully, this fearsome, centipede-like being refrains from targeting the Preservation Society members, who stand in awe, witnessing the monster seize the remaining eggs and descend into the depths of the earth. Gurathin, however, is in dire straits, collapsing to the ground in a state of weakness. Despite the looming perils and the potential for more hostile encounters lurking in the vicinity, the group resolutely decides to convey him back to the safety of their habitat.
