In 2298, the HRL is engaged in a battle with opposing forces near their orbital elevator. Hercury orders a retreat, but Sergei countermands that and says they have to keep up the defense line, or the engineers and families at the elevator will be in danger. Hercury points out that Holly is part of that defense force, but Sergei says she's a soldier and is mentally prepared. In the present, Andrei thinks to himself that he never had a proper conversation with Sergei after Holly's death, but he still blames him for killing her by following military protocol.