 Fortunately, they are able to rescue the Autobot leader and move away from the shuttle as it collides with the star and causes it to nova, their alloy proving sufficient enough to withstand the intense heat and radiation the explosion produced.With both missions a success, they head for home, but not before Gregory notices a series of unusual spores attaching themselves to their ship's hull.Back on Earth, in Washington, D.C. , Gregory and Jessica's father begin running tests on the spores, and soon discover them to be a highly infectious contagion able to induce and exacerbate hatred and destructive impulses in any sentient being they contaminate.