The captive racers are taken to an abandoned village and thrown into a shack together. Wild speculation races from the Japanese to the German contestants about their probable fate. Thinking quickly, Yael demands to speak to Commander Vetrov, claiming to know where the missing Katsuo is hiding.

When she’s alone with Vetrov, she appeals to the Soviets as allies of the resistance. Yael discloses the plan to kill Hitler and also reveals her shapeshifting abilities. The commander agrees to verify her story with his own superiors. When he receives word back that cannot confirm Yael’s identity, Vetrov believes her anyway. Even though he cannot release her and defy his own orders, he has another plan: “Vetrov nudged the pistol forward with his knuckles. Over borders. Back toward where Yael stood. ‘But—should you escape on your own—that’s a different matter entirely’” (241).

Yael is taken back to the holding area where the other racers are waiting. Using the knife in her boot, she frees the hostages, assisted by a Japanese contestant named Takeo, who produces a knife of his own. Yael says they must make a break for it while the Soviets are assembled in another part of the village.