Chapter 6

Murderbot secures a defensive perimeter around the medical bay while interrogating the survivors about the ship's missing crew. After discovering evidence of violence in the crew quarters, Murderbot uses psychological tactics and planted audio to confuse the hostile Targets, but is shot at by Ras as the chapter ends.

Murderbot systematically seals off the living section of ART's transport ship, losing drone scouts to stealth targetDrones while protecting Amena, Ras, and Eletra toward the medical suite. The three survivors are injured and in shock; Ras and Eletra insist Murderbot take orders from them, but Murderbot physically intimidates Ras to establish dominance and extract information. All three deny knowing the location of ART's original crew.

Murderbot discovers the crew quarters show signs of recent habitation but contain no bodies—beds deployed, personal items scattered, clothing left behind. One cabin has been violently ransacked with crew uniforms among the debris, and a holographic display shows two crew members smiling. While Amena, Ras, and Eletra discuss how they were captured from their separate expedition (a recovery mission to a lost pre-Corporation Rim colony), Murderbot plants recorded audio from entertainment media into the sealed control area where the Targets are gathered, attempting to confuse them. Ras and Eletra tell Amena she's confused about timeline and warn her that SecUnits go rogue, but Amena dismisses their concerns. As Murderbot returns to medical with supplies, Ras opens fire.