Part 6/8:
The military’s manipulation of the child survivors reflects a chilling metaphor for war; the young are trained to fight against an enemy they scarcely understand. Ben, another critical character, becomes embroiled in the army's plans as he learns about threatening truths regarding the aliens among them. The revelation that they may be the actual 5th wave—the children being pitted against their own kind—raises moral questions about sacrifice, trust, and the deep-seated fears prevalent in times of crisis.