With Cyriax's mania building, Zandie consoles her loneliness with a bottle of wine. On the cubeball court, Cyriax plays dirty with Tane but Degenhardt is unable to convince the cadet to report the injuries. Pancha, uncomfortable with her own body image after Sheng tries to ask her out, creates the "perfect girl" on the computer.

The Commander's madness is a subject no one dares comment on even though his latest order has the Star Runner flying back towards the wormhole. Pancha and Sheng try to work out a way to combine their hectic schedules with time for love. Mara is stood down causing Lillian to confront Cyriax who collapses in a fit of alien convulsions.