In order to establish first contact with Species 10-C and to stop the DMA, the USS Discovery jumps to the Galactic Barrier, with a diplomatic delegation led by President Rillak on board. To Saru's surprise, President T'Rina too has joined the mission, saying that the delegate from Ni'Var didn't arrive in time. Book intends to drop Tarka off his ship, but the scientist says he knows of a supply of programmable antimatter that could shield the ship and allow them to cross the Galactic Barrier. The Discovery has been so equipped as well, but the shielding is not sufficient to withstand the energy barrier long enough. Stamets suggests to use bubbles of protected space to pass through the anomaly. In search for the programmable antimatter, Book and Tarka arrive at an abandoned Emerald Chain camp, actually the place where Tarka and his friend Oros were being held. He finally tells Book the whole story of their captivity. The Emerald Chain forced them to work on a new dilithium-free warp core, but Oros came up with the idea to use the energy to power an interdimensional transporter that could take him to another, better universe. Tarka joined the effort. When they activated the device, the power turned out insufficient. The guards were alerted. Tarka felt guilty because he had agreed to spy on Oros's work. He killed the guard that beat up Oros and destroyed the tracking devices in their necks. Sadly, Oros was too weak and had to stay behind. Tarka managed to escape and later found the camp deserted. But Oros had left behind a mark that gave Tarka hope to see him again. Book and Tarka take the antimatter supply to their ship and head for the Galactic Barrier. In the meantime, the Discovery has reached the other side the anomaly. But President Rillak has unsettling news that she finally reveals to the crew: The DMA has changed direction, and Ni'Var and Earth are now on its projected path within 71 hours.

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