Wren reels from learning that Captain Cross’s full name is Cross Redden and that he is the son of General Merrick Redden. Disgusted with her earlier attraction, Wren trades barbs with Lyddie, who insists Cross earned his rank and adds that Cross’s older brother Travis works in Intelligence. Wren mentally elevates Cross to a top-tier enemy due to his lineage.

At assembly, Cross introduces himself as Silver Block’s captain of operations and presents Deron Radek as administrative captain. Cross warns recruits that weakness will be cut and that for the next eight weeks his authority is absolute; he will monitor reports, rarely grant second chances, and handpick any shortlist for Silver Elite without disclosing criteria. When a recruit asks about Elite, Cross publicly shuts him down and declares that top scores and showing off do not guarantee consideration.

Radek explains Silver Block’s mission: they do not police streets or enforce laws like Tin, Copper, or Gold Blocks; instead, they target Faithful camps, dismantle criminal enterprises, and eradicate silverbloods. As Radek speaks, the doors burst open and a latecomer—Roe, Cross’s younger half brother and the General’s bastard—arrives, flaunting dress-code violations and sarcasm. Cross confronts Roe privately, delivers a terse warning, and exits; Xavier Ford orders Roe to join the group.

During the meal that follows, Wren studies Roe, noting his closeness with Anson and sensing danger in his presence. The recruits proceed to a dim shooting range for a weapons assessment overseen by Ford; Cross arrives to observe, drawing attention from Wren and from Ivy, whose watchfulness suggests lingering fixation on him.

Ford orders the class to arm up. Cross publicly references Wren as a “crack shot,” alluding to the earlier rescue shot that saved Rachel’s son, which threatens Wren’s goal to stay unnoticed. To avoid standing out, Wren deliberately misses her shots, drawing mockery from Roe, Kess, Ivy, and Ford, who calls her “sweetling.”

Wren repeatedly fires wide, suppressing her skill while enduring laughter and taunts. She pushes back verbally at Ford’s term of endearment, then asks Cross if she should continue. Cross, watching closely and masking his reaction, logs a note on his tablet and moves the class on, leaving Wren’s feigned incompetence intact but under his scrutiny.