In the infirmary, Wren nursed her self-inflicted, multi-fractured wrist and told Captain Cross Redden that Dr. Harumi recommended surgery and an eight-week cast. Cross confirmed she could not train in that state but left without committing to removing her from the Program, heightening Wren’s unease.

After hours, a Modified man named Ellis arrived, displaying a black loyalty band and a bloodmark in his palm. He said Command had flown him in from Red Post specifically to tend to Wren, implying her importance. Ellis revealed he was a healer and offered to mend the wrist in minutes, eliminating recovery time.

Realizing Cross would not allow her a medical exit, Wren consented. Ellis used his healing ability, flooding her arm with warmth and tingling as the bones realigned and knit. The pain vanished, and Wren’s wrist function returned fully. Though grateful in words, Wren felt defeated, believing she was trapped on base.

Dr. Harumi confirmed the “miraculous” recovery and discharged Wren. Back in the barracks, Wren told Lyddie and Kaine that a healer had been flown in from an outpost; Kess taunted her about breaking it again. Wren noticed a lingering glow in her skin from the healing energy and tried to sleep, despondent.

Then Wren sensed a telepathic poke: Declan reopened contact for the first time since her arrival at Sanctum Point. Angry at being abandoned, Wren confronted him, but Declan delivered instructions—Adrienne would meet Wren the next night at midnight at the west-end vehicle pool. When Wren protested about cameras, Declan said there would be none and cut the link, leaving Wren with renewed, cautious hope.