Ruhn storms into Bryce’s apartment before dawn and insists on joining the mission to the crystal palace because Agent Daybright has been exposed and is likely imprisoned there. Hunt and Bryce challenge him, arguing that trying to split off to rescue Day on his own would be reckless, but the argument ends with all three agreeing they will go in together and come out together. Framing the mission as a refusal to obey either Ophion or the Asteri, they commit themselves to their own plan.

Using the map Fury provided, Hunt shifts into command mode and pushes them to solve the mission’s biggest problem: they need a major distraction strong enough to draw attention away from the palace while they search the archives and the dungeons. Ruhn, desperate to save Day, suggests using Pippa’s hidden plans for a new strike, and Bryce calls in Cormac. She also summons Tharion, noticing immediately that something about him seems altered, though he does not explain it.

When Cormac and Tharion arrive, Cormac reveals new intelligence: Pippa is planning to raid the Pangeran lab where new mech prototypes are being developed. Because the group cannot rely on Pippa directly, Tharion proposes that he and Cormac stage the raid themselves so Pippa and Ophion will rush in, and then dreadwolves can arrive to compound the chaos. Cormac takes the idea further by proposing that they destroy the lab entirely, which should force the Asteri to focus on the explosion and possibly even leave the palace; Hunt agrees only on the condition that they minimize casualties.

Once the strategy meeting ends, Bryce retreats to her bedroom and stares at an old photo of herself with Danika, Juniper, and Fury. The image makes her confront how little she understood about the people she loved and how far she has drifted from the carefree person she thought she was. Bryce admits to Hunt that she is terrified and overwhelmed by the scale of what they might be starting, from uncovering Sofie’s secret to possibly toppling the Asteri, and Hunt comforts her by urging her to focus on the immediate goal rather than the future’s impossible consequences.

Hunt also shares the practical next step: Declan will hack the crystal palace security cameras while Flynn supports him, so Bryce, Hunt, and Ruhn must stick closely to their planned route. After Hunt leaves Bryce alone, she calls Juniper and reaches voicemail, then leaves a heartfelt apology for failing her and for not being the friend Juniper deserved. As a final act before the mission, Bryce takes the old photo from its frame, folds it, and slips it into her phone case, carrying her past with her into what may be a deadly break-in.