Mission climbs toward the Nest through smoke, exhaustion, and wild rumor. He hears that an explosion in Mechanical may have caused the blackout, that the shaft may be damaged, and that the silo is running on backup power. Because he is wearing Security white, people avoid him or fear him, and when armed recruits stop him, Mission survives by claiming he fought below and is reporting back.

As Mission nears IT, the disorder becomes more organized and more frightening. He sees new recruits kick in doors on the level below, hears screams and repeated sharp blasts, and realizes that frightened, inexperienced men are enforcing order with weapons they barely understand. Mission briefly considers forcing his way into IT to help Rodny, but decides he cannot do it alone and thinks he must return with allies later.

Mission continues upward past the farms, where he sees Winters and others gathered with simple tools, a reminder that some people are preparing to defend themselves however they can. Hungry and worn down, Mission scoops up and eats crushed berries he finds abandoned on the stairs. When he finally reaches the Nest, the usual children are gone, the halls are unnaturally quiet, and signs of sudden flight suggest families are hiding from the violence.

At Mrs. Crowe's open room, Mission finds Allie and Frankie in farm security coveralls, setting out old desks while Mrs. Crowe sings. Their preparations make the room look like a classroom ready to be filled again, hinting at a purpose larger than simple shelter. When Mission tries to report the fighting, Mrs. Crowe interrupts to ask only about Rodny, and she reveals that her note was meant to strengthen him and signal that "it was time to begin." Mission insists Rodny's return note was a plea for help and that Rodny was afraid behind the steel doors; Mrs. Crowe has confidently believed Rodny was safe because he had done "something right," but Mission's insistence finally shakes her certainty.