In Supply, Knox inspects the newly manufactured guns and ammunition that Mechanical has prepared for the uprising. The weapons are crude but functional, and the bullets and homemade explosive devices make the rebellion feel suddenly real to Knox. As he loads a gun and pockets rounds, Knox reflects on why such weapons are forbidden and worries about how easily they can now take lives.

A Supply worker brings out a tub of heavy improvised bombs and explains how to arm them by striking one end against a hard surface before throwing them. Shirly and others take the explosives despite the danger, showing how committed Mechanical has become. Knox notices McLain arming herself as well, and his disappointment makes clear that he had hoped some people, especially the wives, would stay out of the coming violence.

McLain takes command of the operation and organizes the march in waves so Supply can reopen and the armed workers can move with less suspicion. The slower climbers will leave first and act casual, while Knox, Marck, Shirly, and the stronger climbers will follow in a second wave and try to converge on level thirty-four at the same time. Even with the plan, Knox knows the groups will still look suspicious, and his fear grows as everyone prepares to carry hidden weapons.

Before the first group leaves, Knox exchanges farewells with McLain and wishes the group luck. He still hopes violence can somehow be avoided, but the determination on their faces convinces him that the workers are ready to fight if necessary. The moment marks the final shift from planning rebellion to actively carrying it out.

Knox privately asks McLain to wait until his group catches up before starting any trouble, then tries to order her to stay at the back once fighting begins. McLain angrily rejects the idea, demanding to know where Knox himself will stand when the bombs fly. By insisting she will be where he is, she exposes Knox's protectiveness and confirms that she intends to face the danger alongside everyone else, not be sheltered from it.