Nella presents Ren to Captain Drevin for scout corps assessment. Ren opens the armory padlock in under thirty seconds, reveals camp vulnerabilities mapped during third watch, and bypasses two soldiers before going over a branded sentry in the movement test.

Ren discovers the Dimming's advance is accelerating exponentially and correlates with boneglass deposit density. He shares the data with Callum, who theorizes the army may be worsening the wound, and with Nella, who frames it as a tactical crisis: four months until the Dimming reaches camp,...

Marcus is interrupted at his daughter Rachel's preschool pickup by an emergency from Chen: 200 people are trapped in superposition across seven simultaneous timelines at the Merchandise Mart.

Arthur delivers Dominick's letter to Marvin in Baltimore. The blood-smeared envelope, the garlic kitchen, the question "Was he scared?" and the honest answer. Arthur sits with grief he can't fix, walks into the sun with the debt settling.

Ailana monitors galactic reaction to walkout from secure wing common room, receives intelligence about Operation Iron Hand from Maven Ophidian, organizes data distribution

The emissary arrives through Chelsea's connection. Reality splits as a vast presence enters the operations center. Chelsea and Kate work together to translate, conducting a 17-minute conversation. The network offers an alliance - partnership, not absorption.

Team assaults Belphegor communication hub. Haatim coordinates the attack. Abigail uses full power against a greater demon lieutenant, routing it but advancing her corruption significantly. Haatim uses his Gift to ground Abigail. Victory achieved but at the cost of deeper corruption.

Multiple POVs converging on Regamon. Jayson and Bret cross border checkpoint; Bret's personal motivation revealed (mother's illness). Abdullah gets diplomatic promotion from Grove. Vivian gets Traq's implant surgery on Terminus. Jim commits fleet to Maven's cause.

Thomas returns to the church now further corrupted. Finds hundreds-strong congregation led by a simulacrum of Father Michael — a between-state puppet wearing stolen features.