Shynkrette, leading a Kindred Special Operations cell in offices encircling Plaza Spar, reviews a botched yet swift kidnapping that netted six children. With a storm delaying exfiltration and a police heavy-weapons convoy approaching, she orders Alternative Five: dissolve into the crowd and, before leaving, kill the captives to deny them to the Accord and fulfill Pedure’s psychological objectives.

As Shynkrette and her sergeant Denni head upstairs, the captives—Viki, Gokna, Brent, Jirlib, and two babies—suffer hunger and despair. Their improvised rescue flag has been torn away. They rig an elastic twine trap above the door, assign roles (Viki and Gokna to drop, Brent to distract, Jirlib to shield the infants), and listen as sirens and running feet draw near.

The lock turns. Brent feigns helplessness to pull the kidnappers in. When Shynkrette opens the door, Viki and Gokna drop through the doorway. Viki crashes into Shynkrette, knocking her and her weapon down. The second operative, a step behind, shrugs off Gokna and shoots her, spraying fragments and blood across the wall.

Brent launches onto the second kidnapper. Shynkrette bucks Viki into the doorway, dazing her. As Viki fades, she hears more gunfire and additional voices arriving, suggesting converging forces while the fight rages around the children and the two babies Jirlib is guarding.