Under the Skin

Overview

Phaeton's scientists have succeeded in creating a Neo sapien that looks like Alice Noretti, who was a member Able Squad when she was killed. Phaeton places her on a Terran worker transport, having learned that the Resistance plans to free the workers. Phaeton assumed (correctly) that she would be placed back with Marsh's squad, and since Marsh was a favorite of Winfield it would only be a matter of time before Noretti got the opportunity to assassinate Winfield. Meanwhile the Marsh/O'Reilly romance seems to progress, but is hindered by the arrival of Noretti. Marsala begins to notice clues that indicate Noretti is a Neo, but Marsh is in denial when Marsala shares his suspicions. Winfield decides to go to the Venusian surface to examine the situation and mingle with the troops, and of course expects to meet Marsh. Noretti acts, and has the opportunity to kill Winfield. But an identity crisis prevents her from doing so, for she embraces her Alice Noretti persona. She then tries to fight her way past various e-frames and jumptroops, but after getting hit by O'Reilly her e-frame crashes into the canyon wall, killing her.