Stardate: 865783.7: With only 29 hours left until the DMA is in range of Ni'Var and Earth, the Discovery proceeds to a former gas giant, whose atmosphere was blown away by asteroid impacts some 1000 years ago. This was at about the same time the hyperfield of Species 10-C was constructed. There are also Dyson rings around the central star of that system about two light-years away from the hyperfield. Burnham surmises this is the homeworld of 10-C. She takes Saru, Culber and Detmer on a shuttle mission to investigate the ruins on the surface. It turns out that some of the debris actually consists of huge bones of low density. The lightweight species must have lived in the gas layers of the planet. Saru begins to experience fear, and so does Culber when he tries to help. Finally Burnham succumbs to the effect as well. Only Detmer remains unaffected. They find out that the hydrocarbons on the ground chemically induce emotions, even through the protective suit. Detmer modifies the filters so the away team is safe again. When they arrive at something they identify as a nursery, Burnham deactivates the filter on purpose and experiences love and peace. She concludes that the substances on the surface may be like a Stone of Rosetta and may help communicate with 10-C. In the meantime, Tarka and Book have secretly beamed aboard the Discovery to create a blind spot for Zora's sensors that would allow to attach Book's ship and thereby penetrate the hyperfield of 10-C, with the goal to deactivate the power source. Book allies himself with General Ndoye, who is skeptical about the diplomatic efforts and wants to have a backup plan to save Earth. As he is working on the necessary modifications in engineering, Tarka tries in vain to hide from Jett Reno. But he somehow manages to overwhelm her. When Book returns to his ship, which is attached to the Discovery now, he is unpleasantly surprised that Tarka has a hostage.

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