At dawn, Wren awoke in Kaine Sutler’s bed, realizing she had been pressed against him. Instructor Matt Hadley discovered them and reprimanded both for breaking the “one to a bed” rule established by Tyler Struck. Hadley ordered Wren alone to get dressed and accompany him, ignoring Kaine.

Hadley led Wren through secured corridors to the office of Captain of Operations, Captain Cross. Cross cited Hadley’s terse write-up about Wren sharing a bed with Kaine. Wren admitted she had given up her bed for another recruit, recognizing the missing-bed setup as a test and challenging Cross to cut her as “the bleeding heart.” Cross declined to cut her, noting she had already been written up within 24 hours, and made it clear he intended to keep her in the Program.

The exchange turned charged as Wren accused Cross of forcing women to do things they do not want to do, and Cross provocatively responded, leaning in to whisper, “I like it rough,” clearly trying to unnerve her. He then asked if Wren would be a problem; Wren implied she would. Cross warned her not to test his patience, dismissed her, and advised her to keep a lower profile because instructors target troublemakers.

Cross accompanied Wren to a large training gym where morning meal was delayed for his address to the recruits. Wren rejoined Lyddie and Kaine, lied that she had only received a warning, and reflected that Cross’s protection meant she would not be easily expelled, reinforcing her plan to perform poorly to escape Silver Block.

As Cross conferred with another captain (an older, dark-haired officer with four silver stars), Wren and Lyddie noticed Ivy glaring at Wren. Lyddie revealed Ivy had previously been romantically involved with Cross and was repeating the Program, speculating Ivy might be trying to regain his attention. Kaine teased Lyddie for her biting commentary, and Wren tried to mask her own conflicted reaction to Cross’s earlier provocation.

The gossip culminated in Lyddie disclosing a critical fact: Captain Cross’s full name is Cross Redden, and he is the son of the General, a powerful figure reputed not to welcome outsiders. This clarified Ivy’s lingering interest and explained Cross’s stature within Command.