In shock after her first kill, Aster buries her feelings as she and Halan prepare for QTA Manager Coley to arrive on the beacon. Coley immediately distrusts Halan and sees him as a threat, forcing Aster to make a tough decision.

In the early days of Beacon 23's history, Sophie receives a surprise visit, forcing her AI to act.

While uncovering Halan's past, Aster finds a link to the rocks that will alter both their lives.

Going back in time to show how the rocks first appeared on Beacon 23.

Aster and Halan become obsessed with learning more about The Artifact, when an organization known as The Column arrives at the beacon and reveals even more connections. The weight of this knowledge turns out to be too much for one of our heroes.

The QTA Mothership descends on Beacon 23, and Aster must make a life-or-death decision.