Matthew Gilmore returns home after three years expecting recognition. At dinner, his parents downplay his honors and refuse to let him rejoin the army. His father, Chief Commander of Northbank, and his mother, head of the state's pharmaceutical research, reveal Zachary is taking the Martial Entrance Exam and needs merit points. They will recommend Zachary as a Major and demand Matthew hand over all military merits he earned. Matthew is stunned by the ultimatum; the episode ends with him forced to decide whether to surrender his merits.