The Reckoners lead David back to their base, called Hole Fourteen. After dismissing David’s excited questions, Prof tells Megan to “entertain the kid” (64), to her distaste. David tries asking her questions about the Reckoners, but she deflects. Finally, she gets David talking about his childhood, which mostly included working in a weapons factory. There, he learned about different weapons, was fed, and earned wages that he can now access as an adult. He quickly realizes that Megan isn’t listening—just urging him to keep talking. David grows aggravated, saying that he doesn’t think about anything other than the Reckoners, Steelheart, and his Epics notes. The mention of notes catches Megan’s attention; David’s involvement in Fortuity’s death may have compromised all of David’s intel, including information about the Reckoners.

Prof calmly suggests that they firebomb David’s home. David panics; after ten years, he thinks, “losing [the notes] would be like losing a hand. Given the option, I’d rather lose the hand” (70). David persuades Prof that his information is worth salvaging, and that the notes are necessary for killing Steelheart. Prof sends David, Megan, and Cody to retrieve them.

When they arrive outside David’s room in the understreets’ upper levels, they pause to assess.