Contents
Chapter 8
Overview
Wren tours the Blue Dagger with Gray, encountering backlash after Fiona exposes her as an inciter and drawing Karra’s ire over Gray. She demonstrates her marksmanship, questions the Uprising’s pace and the lack of camp rescues, and learns security policies. After attempting to steal a jammer, Gray lets her keep it to contact Xavier. Kallister calls her to begin training.
Summary
Wren wakes to Gray’s message and heads to the mess hall, spotting Saint with a clandestine companion. Outside, she witnesses Karra berating Gray; after Karra storms off, Gray admits Karra learned he and Wren fooled around. Inside the mess, Wren senses coolness from some, including pilot Lexi.
Gray reveals word spread—likely via Fiona—that Wren can incite. Hurt and exposed, Wren is reassured by Gray that disclosure fosters trust at the Dagger. He urges patience as wary teammates adjust. Their banter continues as Gray withholds his own ability.
On a base tour, Gray shows food production, research, the restricted Intelligence chamber, and Operations. In the gym areas, Wren spots Evlynne sparring; at the range, Wren and Gray trade shots, and Wren’s precision impresses. Gray explains recruitment, notes no Primes are stationed at the Dagger, and defends keeping Xavier imprisoned as a security risk.
Wren presses why the Uprising isn’t rescuing Mods from labor camps, citing her marked friend Tana. Gray argues plans take time and warns the pace will accelerate. In Tech, Wren eyes a signal jammer and tries to pocket it. Gray calls her out, but after she admits she wants free conversations with Xavier about the captain, he lets her keep it and signs it out.
A comm buzz from Kallister ends the tour: Wren’s training is about to begin, setting her next step within the Dagger.
Who Appears
- Wren (Stella Hess)Protagonist; faces backlash for being an inciter, tours the Dagger, showcases marksmanship, questions strategy, and secures a signal jammer.
- GrayGuide and ally; admits Karra’s jealousy, reveals Fiona’s leak, leads the tour, defends strategy, and authorizes Wren keeping a jammer.
- Karra (KC)Confronts Gray over his history with Wren; her anger signals social fallout Wren must navigate.
- LexiPilot who pointedly avoids Wren, reflecting base wariness after Wren’s inciter status spreads.
- EvlynneSeen fiercely sparring in the gym, highlighting the Dagger’s combat focus.
- SaintBriefly encountered leaving his quarters with a tryst, adding to base gossip atmosphere.
- KallisterSends for Wren, signaling the start of her formal training.