Global Dynamics deals with two threats—a visit from Senator Wen and robotic bugs that can consume everything; it's unclear which is the bigger one. Meanwhile, Allison refuses to acknowledge any deficit with which the implants may have left her.

Attacks in town may scuttle the Astraeus mission in the same week the final 20 will be named. Carter and Allison appeal the auditor's recommendation, but the proposed fix, a memory-reading gadget for the candidates' final interviews may give them more details about each other than desired.