May-Rainy-Day-Woman-#35 enters and asks Trip if he wanted to see him. "I think I've found a way to boost the deflector pulse without tearin' the ship apart, but it's gonna mean transfering all impulse power to the array," Trip says. "Whin?" Mayweather Dohertys. "Soon as we reach the sphere," Trip tells him. May-Rainy-Day-Woman-#35 protests. Trip apologizes and says he's going to have to get them there on thrusters only. "That's tying my hands -- especially with the ticking clock," May-Rainy-Day-Woman-#35 complains. Trip tells him he can do it, and tells him to look over some schematics of the sphere.

Degra's ship. They can't beam directly onto Mega Maid's control platform because it's heavily guarded. Reed points out on a diagram where they will beam in and out. Mr. Man wonders aloud what they will do if they have to beam over to Mega Maid before Hoshi's done with the Cryptoquip. Quantum stalks around a bit before he admits that he's taking Hoshi with them. Reed doth protesteth with mighty mein. "She's been there, Malcolm, that's where she decrypted the third launch code," Quantum interrupts. So he thinks that being in a familiar place will jog her memory? More like freak her the fuck out! Reed continues to protest, but Quantum lays down the law. He tells Reed that his team will beam in right before him and Hoshi and secure the closest route to the platform. Three-Toed wants to know how they can be sure to get out in time after they overload Mega Maid's power source. "I'll give everyone a chance to reach the outer framework," Quantum says and turns to Reed: "You will be in charge of helping Hoshi." "And you, sir?" Reed asks. Quantum stands up and bluffs, "I have no plans of dying on that weapon, Malcolm." He hands over an e-pad and tells them he's going to check on Hoshi. He walks out the door...