Zora is judged a new lifeform and joins Starfleet, the Federation assembly votes for first contact with Species 10-C, and Book and Tarka leave with a weapon.
Zora identifies the anomaly's creator, Unknown Species 10-C, but refuses to share its location for fear of endangering the crew. Dr. Kovich evaluates her and concludes that she is a new form of life; she may stay aboard if she enlists in Starfleet and follows orders, which she accepts before revealing the coordinates.
At an assembly of Federation and non-Federation worlds, Burnham and Rillak argue for contact while Book backs Tarka's weapon designed to destroy the anomaly. The assembly votes for first contact, and Tarka and Book escape to use the weapon on their own. Lee Rose directed.