Set within the universe of "Swarm", cyborg-enhanced Lydia Martinez, alias "Spider Rose", settles in an asteroid ring after her crew, including her husband, was massacred by Jade of the rival Shaper Council years prior. Bent on revenge, she tries to trade her jewel to a Mechanist investor for a WMD but is instead given a trial with a pet that absorbs DNA from creatures it eats via cocooning. Recovering from her past, Lydia nurtures and bonds with the creature, nicknaming it Nosey. Jade returns and attacks her, but Lydia eliminates his clones and kills Jade Prime. Realizing her habitat is too damaged for survival, she lets Nosey consume her. Afterwards, the investor assesses the jewel and the repossessed Nosey, emerging from its cocoon more human-like.
