Chapter 7

Ras attacks Murderbot with an energy weapon, then Ras and Eletra collapse from implants activated remotely by the Targets. Ras dies from his implant's effects; Murderbot successfully removes Eletra's implant but she nearly dies in the process and must be saved by ART's reactivated MedSystem. Murderbot reveals to Amena that ART, its friend and the transport's bot pilot, is dead.

Ras shoots Murderbot with an energy weapon he'd picked up earlier. Amena tackles him from behind while Eletra shouts for them to stop, indicating this isn't a coordinated attack. Murderbot subdues Ras and retrieves the weapon, then all three humans collapse or convulse. The emergency kit's scan reveals both Ras and Eletra have implants—devices similar to governor modules—that have been remotely activated by Target Four using a screen device. A power surge from Ras's implant destroys his heart and lungs; he dies. Eletra's implant is causing severe swelling and infection at the base of her skull. Murderbot jams the signal, stopping the activation. Amena theorizes the Targets implanted them without their knowledge while they were unconscious after capture, likely to control or incapacitate them if they escaped.

With the emergency kit providing guidance, Murderbot carefully surgeries to remove Eletra's implant using a laser scalpel. Eletra wakes briefly then loses consciousness. During resuscitation when Eletra's vital signs crash, ART's MedSystem mysteriously powers on and saves her life. Murderbot carries her onto the medical platform and the system stabilizes her. Amena presses Murderbot about what's wrong, eventually breaking through its evasiveness by admitting she's scared and isolated. Murderbot finally reveals that ART, the bot pilot of the transport and its friend, is dead and it believes ART couldn't have allowed this situation if it were alive. Amena responds with unexpected compassion, suggesting Murderbot is emotionally compromised. After Eletra regains consciousness, Amena learns the details of the implants from Eletra, who is confused and doesn't remember them being inserted. Murderbot attempts to hack the targetControlSystem but finds it won't communicate. It decides to search engineering for an auxiliary station that might provide system access. Amena offers to accompany Murderbot but stays behind when Murderbot points out someone must remain with Eletra. Before leaving, Murderbot apologizes for being an asshole, and Amena asks Murderbot to keep talking to her on the feed.