After an impromptu quiz, the recruits are split into Red and Black Cells. Wren and Lyddie are placed in Black Cell, while Matt Hadley leads the Red Cell, which relieves Wren. Ford announces a classroom-only day. During a break, Wren reviews the Program schedule on her tablet and is intrigued by training modules like weapons, interrogation tactics, intelligence gathering, knives, hand-to-hand combat, undercover operations, and flight, but reminds herself she must underperform to be cut and return to Ward Z.

Wren asks Lyddie about an item labeled RTI and learns it means Resistance to Interrogation. They discuss backgrounds: Wren is from Ward Z; Lyddie is from Sanctum Point with parents in Biotech and Command Intelligence. Lyddie explains “staples” are children of high-clearance parents admitted due to connections and mentions Silver Elite as a special-forces unit within Silver Block with the highest clearance. Wren fabricates an impulsive reason for joining, thinking of Uncle Jim and fighting guilt over his execution.

Lyddie quietly identifies several recruits: Anson, a cruel former classmate; Kess, a “quat”; Bryce, a staple with a father in Command Intelligence; Ivy, a soldier retaking the Program; and Lash, a detached loner. Kaine Sutler from Ward D approaches, flirts openly, and admits he avoided the mines due to childhood asthma, having worked at a packaging plant. Wren gives their names, and Kaine vows to flirt throughout the eight-week Program.

After a monotonous day of manuals, the recruits dine and are escorted by Tyler Struck, alongside Hadley, to the co-ed barracks. Struck explains commissary Lux credits and lays down rules: one person per assigned bed, no switching. Wren finds a duffel with uniforms and toiletries, while others display personal mementos. Anson watches Wren with predatory interest, unsettling her.

A problem arises when a shy younger recruit, Pera, has no bed. Ivy states Command always removes one bed to identify a “bleeding heart,” who usually gives up their bed and is cut the next morning for weakness. Kess mocks Pera as a “little lamb.” Despite the warning, Wren asks Pera’s name and gives Pera her bed, asserting Pera will not sleep on the floor and saying she is unconcerned about being cut. Pera thanks her, conflicted.

To avoid the floor, Wren wordlessly takes space in Kaine’s bed, warning him to keep his hands to himself; he complies but jokes crudely, provoking laughter. In darkness, Anson taunts them, and Kaine fires back. With tensions simmering in the room, Wren tries to steady herself amid the stifling, windowless barracks and eventually falls into a restless sleep.