Chapter Three

Murderbot stows away aboard the shuttle in a storage space, using Miki's feed to monitor the research team and security consultants as they prepare for departure. Through Miki's eyes, Murderbot observes the team's equipment and interactions, discovering that Gerth and Wilken carry weapons and high-end armor, while grappling with unexpected jealousy toward Miki's comfortable relationship with the humans.

Murderbot uses the station's hauler-bot passages to reach the shuttle's embarkation zone, freezing a security camera to cross undetected and enters the shuttle using an access code from Miki. It hides in a dark storage space in the converted lab area. Through Miki's feed connection, Murderbot monitors the crew as they load equipment and personal gear. When Don Abene grabs Miki's arms in excitement, Murderbot reacts viscerally—no one should grab SecUnits. Murderbot directs Miki to inspect Gerth and Wilken's equipment cases, discovering weapons, ammunition, and expensive self-adjusting armor through close-up views. Miki innocently claims Don Abene sent it to ask if they needed help, and Gerth dismisses the bot. Later, when Miki sits naturally on the couch with the humans during mission briefing and participates in their camaraderie, Murderbot withdraws to its dark cubicle, experiencing unexpected anger and jealousy. Don Abene explains to Miki that while they consider Miki family, it should remember that to others it's a stranger—explaining why the security team guarded their equipment. Murderbot realizes Miki's coded behavior compels it to confide in Abene and extracts a promise of secrecy. When Hirune expresses concern that two security consultants won't be sufficient against raiders, Abene dismisses the worry, but Murderbot knows threats are often fatal before detection. Miki asks if Murderbot will keep the team safe, and Murderbot agrees, committing to its cover story.