Andromeda is in dry dock, having some upgrades performed.

Tyr tells Dylan that the Dragonia vine was sent to him by other members of the Kodiak pride, who wanted to let him know that they, like the Dragonia, were thought extinct but are still alive. He wants to go to find the other Kodiaks. Dylan reluctantly agrees, although he wanted to have his crew on hand for the launch of the new High Guard warship, Resolution of Hector.

On the Resolution, Rommie and Harper discuss the ceremony involved in joining an AI to a ship, and Rommie emphasizes how significant this is to an AI.

The Hector avatar introduces himself to Dylan. Hector was based on the template of the Wrath of Achilles.

Harper is working hard, preparing the Resolution of Hector for the joining, when armed troops burst in. Rommie enters behind them, and Harper expects her to save him from the troops, but she appears to be directing the invaders. She throws Harper against a wall, and tells him to keep quiet if he wants to live.

The Resolution of Hector leaves dock, and Rommie hails the Andromeda, telling them that she has taken control of the Resolution and will use force if they try to stop her. The Resolution fires, and Andromeda's defenses are offline due to the upgrades, but the Resolution only destroys the dock it was in, and does not fire on the Andromeda.

Dylan sends Beka out with a fighter wing, to locate the Resolution, and rushes the repairs to the Andromeda.

Tyr, working under the alias "Mr. Jericho", meets with a black-market Perseid doctor.

Dylan wonders why Rommie has "gone rogue". Hector suggests that the Andromeda core AI may be compromised, and they should shut her down, to be safe. Andromeda says that she cannot detect any problems with herself, but she cannot be certain. She agrees with Hector, and suggests that Hector take her place. Dylan is not happy about this arrangement, going into combat with an unfamiliar AI, but agrees with the necessity.

Harper assumes that Rommie is deceiving the invaders in order to gain their trust, but she reveals the truth to him: The core personality of The Balance of Judgement, left from her encounter with Gabriel, has taken control of her.

In the VR matrix, the Balance reveals that he plans to use the ship to revive the Restorians. Through Rommie, he forces Harper to build an avatar for him. Harper is reluctant, because he does not want Rommie to be hurt again. The Balance names his new avatar "Remiel". Rommie tries to bring out the part of the Balance of Judgement that was Gabriel, by appealing to him emotionally, but without success.

The work on the Andromeda is going well, and Hector, having assumed the duty of ship's AI, is putting the crew through drills.

Beka locates the Resolution of Hector. She is spotted by the Restor crew, but Rommie tells them to let her go, because Dylan will bring the Andromeda to them.

The Perseid doctor declares the procedure a success. He has modified Tyr's DNA to match a sample that Tyr brought with him. He informs Tyr that no one but Tyr and himself will ever know the difference. Tyr responds to this by killing the doctor and destroying his ship, stating "business is business."

Harper completes the Remiel avatar, and Rommie transfers the Balance of Judgement's personality into it. Harper tries to interfere with the transfer, but Remiel prevents him.

Hector suggests that they destroy the Resolution, but Dylan wants to capture it, rescue the people, and find out what happened to Rommie. Dylan also reveals that he still has the Drago-Kazov AI eraser, in case it is necessary.

The Andromeda exits slipstream, finding the Resolution in an asteroid field, which it has seeded with mines. The smart mines fire on the Andromeda, and Dylan returns fire, targeting the asteroid that the Resolution is using for cover. The debris damages the Resolution, which returns fire. The Resolution's sensors report the Andromeda destroyed, but then she reappears and returns fire. When Remiel accuses Harper of sabotage, he admits that he has locked the ship in training mode, so they can only run simulations. Rommie bargains with Remiel for Harper's life. She says that she might be able to get them out of the situation, then give control back to Remiel – if he will release Harper. Remiel agrees. Rommie takes the ship towards a slip point, and several Restor fighters emerge to give them cover. The Resolution makes it to slipstream, but one damaged fighter is left behind, and Dylan captures it.

Rommie returns control of the ship to Remiel, as she promised. He releases Harper, but is surprised she did not betray him. He does not think the life of "one organic" is worth it. Rommie insists that, in some sense, she loves Harper, and love is the only real reason to do anything. Remiel greets this with scorn.

Tyr meets William Ataturk, the new Drago-Kazov Fleet Marshal. Tyr presents him with the results of a DNA test that prove that Tyr is the genetic reincarnation of Drago Musevini. Tyr demands his "proper place" as leader of the Nietzschean people. Ataturk questions Tyr's appearance, saying it does not match the pictures they have of Drago Musevini. Tyr hints that he may have had his appearance altered. Ataturk says that timing may be a problem, because a united Nietzschean Empire would draw unwanted attention from the Commonwealth and Dylan. Ultimately, Ataturk agrees to Tyr's proposal, and presents him with the shroud of Drago Musevini, as a symbol of his position.

Dylan plans to use the Restor fighter and its codes to infiltrate the Resolution. He takes the Hector avatar with him, because of Hector's familiarity with the ship.

Rommie claims that, by letting her live, Remiel has demonstrated that he is not immune to emotion. Remiel insists that he believes she may still be useful, but Rommie says that this is just rationalization. She confesses that he can probably win her back, but if he lets Harper go, she will join with him voluntarily. Harper protests this plan, because he does not want to leave her, but Remiel prepares a slip-capable pod for him.

Dylan and Hector board the Resolution and disable the security systems. Remiel first suspects Harper and pulls a weapon, but Rommie intercedes. Dylan makes his way to Command, disables the Restors who are present, and activates the AI eraser. Remiel arrives on Command and tells Dylan that he has known about the AI eraser since Dylan found it, and has devised a countermeasure for it. Dylan and Remiel shoot at each other until Hector arrives and joins the fight, allowing Dylan to leave and rescue Rommie and Harper, who are trapped in a machine shop.

As Rommie and Harper are trying to find a way out, Dylan forces the door open from the outside. He enters with forcelance drawn, but quickly realizes that Rommie is herself again, and leads them out. Rommie insists that she should be the one to deal with Remiel, so that Dylan and Harper can escape. Dylan sends Harper to prepare the fighter, while he goes to find Hector.

Hector and Remiel are fighting. Hector insists that the AIs have a duty to organics, as their creators, but Remiel claims that organics are destroying the universe. Hector says that change is a part of life.

Rommie enters the VR matrix and begs the Balance of Judgement to reconsider his actions, reminding him of his High Guard origin. The Balance things he failed his duty, but Rommie says that showing mercy proves that there is still good in him. Rommie admits that she made a mistake in killing Gabriel. The Balance agrees to let Dylan and Harper go, and orders the Restors off the ship, leaving him defenseless. He intends to surrender, but Remiel refuses. Remiel heads for the hangar deck, and Rommie follows, engaging him in a fight.

Dylan finds Hector, who was shot by Remiel, dying. Hector says that it was an honour to serve Dylan, but Dylan protests that he did not serve him, he served with him.

The external hangar door opens, sucking Rommie and Remiel out into space. Remiel grabs an edge at the last minute, and Rommie grabs Remiels foot. They struggle, and Rommie makes her way to the edge, pushing Remiel off. Dylan, in an EVA suit, pulls Rommie to safety.

Tyr gets a message from Olma, telling him that Tamerlaine is safe, growing healthy and strong, but wondering about his father. Tyr, thinking aloud, says that he will not have to wonder for long.

The Hector AI returns control of the Andromeda to her own AI. Rommie is repaired and ready for duty. The Perseids have removed all traces of the Balance of Judgement from both the core AI and Rommie's avatar. Dylan tells Rommie that Hector was great, but he could never replace her.