On seeing the nD structure, Tucker realises that Preston's toxin has not worked and that the process she is undergoing will continue. Bentley now has the proof he needs and artillery is in place to attack the phenomenon. Reece argues that they need time to investigate it, that force will not work, but Bentley feels he has no option and orders a futile strike to go ahead, causing Reece to pull Tucker, Drake and the team out of the area before they can gather all the data they are after. When it becomes apparent that the strike has not worked, Bentley hands control back to Reece, acknowledging that his people are the experts and our only line of defence. When Tucker and Drake are ordered back to Field HQ, Nick makes a case for staying near the phenomenon. He has picked up some unfamiliar readings and needs to investigate further. When he realises that it must be nD communication, he is excited by the chance this offers and without clearance, heads back to gather more data. He makes an abortive attempt to communicate. Tucker volunteers herself to Preston for tests understanding the process she is undergoing may be the key to beating the nDs. Preston is professional as ever, although she is, by now, straining to keep her faith in science's ability to provide answers. Drake is distraught by the knowledge that the changes in Tucker are irreversible. Working from the limited data they gathered in the vicinity of the phenomenon, Tucker and Drake realise that objects entering it leave a channel behind them from which information can be received. In the absence of a more sophisticated probe, they resolve to attach instrumentation to a plane and fly it in. Reece must decide between Drake and Knox to act as pilot. The job falls to Knox, who sends back useful data before being lost in action. Preston has been analysing the progress of nD cells in Tucker's body and realises that non-living matter is an obstacle to them. This, together with results from samples taken around the phenomenon, leads her reluctantly towards the idea that denying the nDs access to living matter is the only thing that will stop them. Taking into account the energy of the structure, Tuckers works out how much ground will need to be scorched only a nuclear device is powerful enough. As she works, Tucker realises that she will have to be eliminated as well. Naturally, there is some urgency to finding an alternative to this drastic action. Tucker finds that the structure of the nD matrix extends to higher dimensions. More of them could be about to appear at prepared sites throughout the planet. Her calculations show that a small release of energy at a critical point inside the phenomenon will destabilise the whole structure. Tucker and Drake make practice runs on a simulator rigged up using the telemetry from Knox's flight. Her insights are precise and far reaching she is starting to think like an nD. Desperate to assert her humanity, she makes love to Drake. Eventually Drake and Tucker make the run and when the phenomenon starts to disintegrate, it seems that their mission has been a success. But as soon as they escape another one appears, folded down from a higher dimension. They realise that nD resources are practically infinite. Scorched earth is the only option. We have to show the nDs that we would rather wipe out our own species than give ourselves over to them. Tucker realises that she must sacrifice herself to be free. As the order to deploy a nuclear weapon comes through, Tucker goes to Kirkhaven. She smiles as she is enveloped by the blast. It is the only way, but she has beaten them.

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