At one-fifty, the Challenger jet carrying Tim Jamieson, Luke Ellis, Julia Sigsby, and Dr. James Evans lands at a private airstrip owned by a shell company tied to the Institute. The tarmac is quiet, with only motion-activated lights revealing ground equipment and a black, tinted Chevy Suburban waiting by the stairs. As the plane powers down, Luke identifies a faint hum not from the jet but from the children at the Institute, which he expects will grow stronger as they get closer.

Tim opens the cabin door and extends the stairs, then hands out Maine Paper Industries baseball caps he found onboard. He orders Julia Sigsby to put one on and go first, intending for her to draw any potential fire if an ambush awaits. Dr. James Evans refuses to leave, citing severe foot pain and an inability to navigate the steep stairs. Luke verifies Evans’s claim as true.

Luke condemns Evans for participating in the Institute’s medical abuses, recalling drown-simulation experiments and fatal reactions to injections, but restrains himself from retaliatory violence. Tim confirms the sequence: Sigsby first, Tim second, Luke last as backup, since Luke is the most important asset. Sigsby announces herself loudly at the top of the stairs in case anyone is waiting, but there is no response beyond crickets and the persistent hum.

Tim thanks the pilots and tells them they still have one passenger—Evans—to take “wherever” they want; Luke adds a bitter quip about sending Evans to hell. With no sign of attackers, Sigsby descends, followed by Tim and Luke. Tim seats Sigsby in the Suburban’s front passenger seat, belts her in, and instructs Luke to sit behind her to use his abilities if she makes a move. Evans remains on the plane due to his injury.

Before departing, Tim calls Wendy at the Beaufort Econo Lodge, reporting, “The Eagle has landed,” and telling her to stand by for an update when it is over. He then takes the driver’s seat, with the key in the cup holder, and finally allows Sigsby to close her door. Sigsby mocks Tim’s backward cap, and Tim curtly shuts her down, ready to proceed as the operation moves into its next phase.