Thanks to Lyddie’s tutoring, Wren improved her written test score to 85, though she preferred the action of drills and jumps. In a Wait for Rescue exercise, Wren and Kaine played hostages guarded by Roe Redden while other recruits attempted a rescue; bored and impatient, they overpowered Roe during his regular check and walked out, only to be reprimanded by Xavier Ford and Matt Hadley for failing the mission’s purpose: to wait and follow orders.

Wren realized pairings were based on self-reported weaknesses from Section 2, explaining her frequent assignment with similarly impulsive Kaine. During the debrief, Ford announced all guards and the extraction team passed, while the hostages Wren and Kaine failed, underscoring their lack of discipline.

Jayde Valence then arrived on the training ground, commanding immediate attention. She singled out Red Cell recruit Peter Berghman and declared that eight months in the future he would make an error leading to six soldiers’ deaths. Despite Peter’s protests, Hadley dismissed him from the Program on Jayde’s word, shocking the recruits. Debate followed about trusting a precognitive Mod; some, like Bryce, voiced fear of Jayde despite her reputed accuracy and long service to General Merrick Redden.

Shaken by the dismissal and thinking of Betima’s death, Wren later went to the roof, noting the lingering bloodstain. She reflected on fate versus choice, her isolation from Uncle Jim, and linked telepathically with Wolf for companionship. They discussed whether destiny is fixed or shaped by choices, with Wolf likening it to navigating an ocean current.

Restless, Wren wandered the base at night. Cross Redden followed and confronted her near the South Plaza, their conversation laced with jealousy, denial, and mutual attraction. Cross admitted she disrupted his control and responsibilities, while Wren deflected and challenged him.

In the tunnel’s shadows, the tension peaked as Cross pressed close, accusing Wren of lacking restraint and confessing she made him want to break her defenses. After a charged standoff, Wren initiated a kiss; they made out intensely until distant guard voices broke the spell. Frightened by the intensity of her desire rather than Cross himself, Wren asked to be dismissed and left him in the tunnel.