Contents
Chapter 13
Overview
Wren deepens integration at the Blue Dagger: she trials a TAC-50 with Mako, then attends a bonfire where Gray publicly trusts her and arms her. She learns about trading with Tierra Fe and samples glenshade. Friction with Evlynne and Neema escalates, culminating in a proposed night-shooting contest.
A brief, jealous link with Cross underscores divided loyalties, while Gray’s trust shifts Wren’s standing among the crew.
Summary
Days pass with Wren mostly training or keeping to herself while noting Gray’s workaholic schedule and a fight with Karra. She suspects secret Uprising discussions as Gray vanishes into the war room. At the outdoor range, Wren tries an Old Era TAC-50 with Mako’s guidance, gauging its power and recoil. Mako persuades her to attend a party that night.
Gray escorts Wren to the bonfire, lightly flirting but chiefly showing confidence by handing her a rifle for coyote and ridgehowler safety, telling her he trusts her. This affirmation eases Wren’s persistent anxiety about her hidden identity. En route, Wren briefly links with Cross; Cross reacts jealously to Gray, but they end the exchange with mutual affection, highlighting Wren’s split ties.
At the party, Wren avoids stims, drinks grange and genuine glenshade, and mingles with Gray’s crew. They recount Luisa’s accidental entry into Tierra Fe airspace, then discuss trade: the Dagger sends medical supplies, tech, and grange, receiving pure glenshade in return.
Social tensions surface. Henley probes Wren’s love life; Evlynne and Neema display open hostility. Fiona tries to usher Poppy home early, drawing comments about overprotectiveness. When rustling at the tree line prompts Wren and Saint to raise rifles, Evlynne taunts Wren about shooting in the dark.
Evlynne’s goading triggers Wren’s competitive streak. Wren counters by proposing a proper night-shooting contest, turning derision into a challenge that will test skill and potentially shift team dynamics.
Who Appears
- Wren (Stella Hess)Protagonist; trains with TAC-50, attends bonfire, gains Gray’s trust, rebuffs Evlynne’s taunts with a night-shooting challenge, briefly links with Cross.
- Grayson (Gray) BlakeWorkaholic pilot/trainer; escorts Wren to party, arms and reassures her, signaling trust and boosting her standing.
- EvlynneHostile teammate; cold at range and party, goads Wren about night shooting, provoking a competition.
- MakoBoisterous marksman; coaches Wren on the TAC-50, invites her to the party, banters with the group.
- HenleyFlirtatious pilot; shares Tierra Fe trade banter, offers Wren glenshade, probes about her romantic status.
- Luisa (Lu)Pilot; butt of the group’s story about straying into Tierra Fe airspace; friendly toward Wren.
- KarraGray’s girlfriend; shown arguing earlier, affectionate at the party, encourages the shooting challenge.
- SaintQuiet group member; drinks grange, raises rifle at rustling alongside Wren.
- NeemaEvlynne’s ally; openly hostile toward Wren, powers flaring during tension at the party.
- CrossWren’s lover/ally; links mid-walk, shows jealousy toward Gray, ends the call with affection.
- FionaGuardian figure; tries to take Poppy home early, seen as overprotective by others.
- PoppyTeen ward; resists leaving the bonfire early, highlighting Fiona’s strictness.