In hiding, Book and Tarka load the anti-DMA weapon with the isolineum they got at Haas's casino.

Saru joins Burnham and she plays an untraceable message Book sent to her. He's seen the information about the DMA being a mining tool but doesn't intend to stop the plan to destroy it.

Vance allows Burnham to lead the mission to stop Book and Tarka but assigns Commander Nhan to make sure there's someone who can make the hard call if it comes down to it.

Saru contacts T'Rina and asks her to help him meditate. He's distracted by Su'Kal's anxiety about the DMA. She offers to share a meal with him to help calm his concerns.

The bridge crew discusses the conflict with Book and welcomes Nhan back. Burnham is transparent about Nhan's role.

Discovery uses the spore drive to jump to Book's ship's location. Burnham has Saru and Culber brief Nhan on the plan.

On the shuttle to Book's ship, Rhys continues to defend Book and Tarka's actions, causing some friction with Bryce.

As the shuttle docks, an alarm sounds and the shuttle crew report that there's something on the ship's hull.

Book asks about the alarm and Tarka reveals that he added something new to the defense system. The intrusion defense eats the ship. Book and Tarka come up with a possible way to save them and Owosekun is able to beam the crew back before the ship disintegrates.

Book checks to see if the crew are okay before he and Tarka jump away.

Discovery follows them to the DMA to try to find the controller first.

Nhan briefs Saru and Burnham on a weak spot on Book's ship created by the proto-spore drive Tarka's installed. They can destroy the ship as a last resort but they wouldn't be able to save Book and Tarka.

Burnham theorizes that they can track the DMA by where there is boromite and how much there is in each site.

Tarka apologizes to Book about nearly killing the shuttle crew, but points out that he'll have to choose between Discovery and their mission eventually.

The weapon is ready and Tarka loads it.

Discovery finds the controller first. Burnham situates the ship between the controller and Book.

Book comes in fast on the controller. Discovery blocks his maneuvers and he fires warning shots. Nhan encourages hitting the weak spot. Burnham refuses.

Tarka encourages Book to hit them hard. He refuses. Tarka loses patience and fires a barrage intended to damage them.

As Burnham considers the fatal shot, Stamets reports in on how long it'll take for the DMA to mine the area. It'll take nearly a week.

Burnham gives up the con and plans to deliver the data about the mining timeline directly to Book. Nhan has the authority to destroy Book's ship if need be.

She asks Book to stand down for the week and give the Federation time to make first contact. If first contact fails to withdraw the DMA, the Federation will approve the use of Tarka's weapon.

Book takes the deal despite Tarka's objections.

Burnham returns to Discovery but Tarka beams the weapon into the DMA.

Discovery and Book's ship jump away in time to avoid the explosion. Tarka can't find the power source in the aftermath. He realizes the DMA was powered from the other side of the wormhole.

Nhan checks in on Burnham. Book's not responding to her hails. Federation is fast-tracking first contact in case Species 10-C retaliates.

Saru checks in with Culber. He asks for advice about T'Rina. Culber encourages him to follow his feelings towards connection.

Saru is called back to the bridge and is informed a new DMA has appeared in the exact spot the other one was destroyed.