The lift carries Hadrian, Switch, and the other fodder myrmidons into their first event of the day. Switch prays in terror, while Pallino reminds the fighters to hold in groups of five and warns that Jaffa’s Borosevo Sphinxes may use javelins. Hadrian tries to steady Switch, but Hadrian is also frightened, thinking of his year-long contract, the lethal odds, and the impossibility of simply running from the Colosso.

On the arena floor, Hadrian sees stone pillars set as cover, the prudence shield over the crowd, Count Balian Mataro in his box, and five armored Sphinx gladiators at the far end. The myrmidons soon discover that the Sphinxes carry plasma lances, not mere spears, turning the match into a cull. Pallino realizes the managers are likely punishing the fodder for Hadrian’s speech about unity in the yard.

Hadrian concludes that the original plan of tight groups will only make the myrmidons easier targets, so he urges everyone to split up and isolate the gladiators. A recruit who challenges Hadrian is immediately killed by plasma fire, forcing Hadrian and Switch to move. Hadrian then coordinates with Banks and two others to trap a lone gladiatrix: Hadrian draws her attention and closes inside the reach of her lance, while Banks attacks from behind, causing her suit to seize and removing her from the fight.

Hadrian searches for Switch and joins Ghen and Siran, learning that Pallino has already disabled another gladiator but that several myrmidons, including Keddwen, are dead. The remaining three Sphinxes regroup back-to-back, and the arena pillars begin sinking into the floor, threatening to leave the fodder exposed. Hadrian insists they must attack immediately and devises a rough plan: neutralize the lance-wielders first and leave the sword-armed fighter for last.

Hadrian, Ghen, Siran, Kiri, Erdro, and the surviving myrmidons charge. Hadrian absorbs one plasma shot on his shield, throws the heated shield to knock another gladiator’s aim off, and creates an opening for Ghen and Siran to disable him. Hadrian then strikes another gladiator’s arm and thigh, forcing the suit to lock up, while the final gladiator falls to Siran and another fighter. When the fight ends, only twelve of the twenty myrmidons remain alive.

The prudence shield drops, and the crowd erupts at the unexpected victory. Count Balian Mataro publicly praises the surviving myrmidons and awards each fifty hurasams, turning the slaughter into spectacle. Hadrian checks on Switch, receives respect or congratulations from Ghen, Kiri, and Pallino, and privately recognizes the event as bread and circuses.