Wren recalls Uncle Jim’s survival training from childhood and contrasts it with her present decision to fake weakness: during hand-to-hand drills she lets Lyddie De Velde dominate, drawing onlookers still resentful over the collective punishment from Wren’s failed escape. She notes group dynamics in Black Cell, including hostility from Kess, Ivy Eversea’s whispering alliance with Bryce and Jones, and the volatile trio of Anson, Roe Redden, and Kess.

At the range, weapons instructor Ivan introduces a REMM-4 sniper rifle developed for low-light conditions under a new Command contract. Wren is excited by the weapon despite herself. Ivan assigns Kaine Sutler to correct Wren’s grip, leading to intimate coaching and overt flirting, which Wren rebuffs after momentary distraction. Their trio with Lyddie continues to coalesce informally.

At dinner they are joined by Lash (an observant, quiet recruit) and Betima (a humorous new acquaintance). Wren notices unusual, hushed attention from Kess’s table, where Ivy and Bryce sit, heightening her unease. Later in the showers, Lyddie asks about Wren’s scars, prompting a flashback: as a child, Wren developed a distinctive blood-red circular birthmark near her hip; Uncle Jim burned it off with boiling water, scarring her thigh. Adult Wren recognizes he acted to destroy the bloodmark and protect her, though she had hated him then.

The next morning the whispers persist, and Wren senses focused stares in the mess hall. Sitting with Kaine, Lyddie, Betima, and Lash, she demands an explanation. Lyddie haltingly reveals that recruits are saying Wren’s uncle was Aberrant and executed for concealment. Wren denies the Aberrant claim but confirms the execution, adopting a composed, loyal posture while internally acknowledging the danger of discovery.

Lash suggests Command drafted Wren as a loyalty test; Wren adopts this as a cover story, saying she is serving to prove herself despite preferring ranch life. She learns Ivy Eversea spread the story of her uncle. Irritated, Wren locks eyes with Ivy across the hall and wonders how Ivy made the connection.

Kess approaches to provoke Wren in front of onlookers. After Wren refuses to engage, Kess escalates, accusing Wren’s executed uncle of being a silverblood and making obscene insinuations about abuse. Wren snaps and punches Kess, sparking a brawl. They crash into tables; Wren lands multiple blows and breaks Kess’s nose before Kaine restrains her and Hadley and Struck break up the fight.

As order is restored, Hadley orders Kess to Medical, and Struck pulls Wren away, furious. Wren, bloodied but satisfied, feels grim vindication for defending Jim’s honor amid the mess hall’s charged silence.