I exit Agricultural Sector 2, Trell's words echoing uncomfortably in my mind. Karis's administrative approval of our "psychological support framework" suddenly feels less like opportunity and more like another form of surveillance. The facility never gives without taking something in return.
The corridors between sectors feel oppressive today, the constant monitoring more obvious after Trell's casual mention of "official records" and "protocol adjustment." Administrative endorsement means administrative attention, exactly what we've been trying to avoid with our careful deception strategy.
I make my way toward Training Facility 7 for my afternoon session, methodically analyzing the implications. Karis approving extended contact with Desta creates legitimate cover for our neural repair work, but also establishes official interest in our interaction patterns. The psychological support narrative now exists in formal monitoring parameters, creating both protection and vulnerability.
Training Facility 7 buzzes with unusual activity when I arrive, independents clustered around the central notification board where combat assignments are typically posted. I approach cautiously, extending telekinetic awareness just enough to scan the gathered crowd without activating abilities that might register on monitoring systems.
"Arena selections posted early," someone mutters as I join the group. "Combat Board moved demonstration schedule forward by three days."
The digital display shows combat pairings for upcoming arena matches. My designation appears third on the list: "Independent Asset 7249 vs. Independent Asset 3219 (Designation: Shockwave)."
“Tomorrow, 1400 hours, Eastern Arena. Preparation period approved from 1200-1300 hours in designated facility.”
Shit. Even earlier than I expected. Thankfully I focused on improving my physical abilities.
"Shockwave's a concussive force manipulator," comes a voice beside me. Volt stands there, electrical energy crackling subtly around her fingers. "Three previous arena victories through blunt force trauma. Favors distance attacks that utilize kinetic energy transfer."
Useful intelligence, but her presence suggests Marcus's faction maintains interest despite my continued neutrality in their recruitment efforts. "Thanks for the info," I acknowledge without commitment.
"Combat Board accelerated arena schedule following increased collection actions," she continues, keeping her voice low. "Facility replenishing sponsor options after Integration processing reduced independent asset pool."
That explains the accelerated timeline, the recent collection of Integration candidates has created shortage in combat demonstration options, forcing earlier arena matches to maintain entertainment schedules. The facility's classification system prioritizes sponsor satisfaction above all else, adjusting asset utilization accordingly.
“They’re going to burn all of us out at this rate.” I grumble.
“Doesn’t matter, word is three ships worth of Potentials just docked today.” Volt replies. “We’ve been seeing increased Potential numbers for the past week, with no signs of it slowing down.”
Past week? That’s around when I joined wasn’t it?
“That means I was part of their recruitment surge?” I ask.
“One of the first batches in their new recruitment drive.” Volt grins.
Lucky me.
I move away from the notification board, finding unoccupied space in the telekinetic training area to begin standard exercises. Just routine maintenance of visible capabilities while preserving energy for tomorrow's match.
As I work through basic telekinetic patterns, my mind analyzes combat strategy against a concussive force manipulator. Shockwave's distance attacks represent significant threat if allowed to build momentum, but create vulnerability during energy gathering phases. Enhanced speed provides advantage in closing distance before attack completion, while strength offers offensive options once inside effective range.
Most importantly, the physical capabilities priority designation means telekinesis remains unexpectedly available as reserve option, not anticipated by either opponent or observers focused on conventional combat assessment. Perfect strategic advantage if carefully deployed within parameters consistent with plateaued development profile.
Volt approaches again as I complete my training routine, electrical energy dancing between her fingers with unusual intensity. "Marcus offers preparation assistance if needed. Faction resources include previous combat data against Shockwave from training scenarios."
"Appreciate the offer," I respond noncommittally. "Still evaluating approach options."
Her expression suggests frustration with my continued neutrality, but she maintains professional demeanor. "Arena matches determine more than just combat capability assessment. Sponsor interest patterns follow demonstration results, creating classification opportunities outside both Integration and continued independence."
Translation: faction recruitment continues through different angle, presenting sponsorship as alternative to both Integration vulnerability and independent limitations. Not direct pressure but strategic positioning of options within existing system parameters.
"Noted," I acknowledge without specific commitment. "Focus remains on immediate combat preparation rather than long-term classification considerations."
As Volt returns to her faction across the facility, I complete my training session with deliberate moderation, showing exactly the telekinetic capabilities that facility monitoring expects while preserving energy for tomorrow's arena match. The physical enhancements activated overnight will provide significant advantage against Shockwave's distance attacks, allowing combat victory without revealing advanced abilities that might trigger renewed administrative interest.
I leave Training Facility 7 with clear strategic priorities for the upcoming arena match. Not showing off, but surviving without revealing anything that might renew Integration interest.
---
I make my way toward CDC-4 for evening nutrition, muscles tingling with low-grade fatigue after the day's exertions. Tomorrow's match has accelerated everything, combat preparation, strategic planning, the delicate balance between revealed and concealed abilities. My enhanced physiology processes these stressors with mechanical efficiency, converting anxiety into heightened awareness as I navigate the facility's oppressive corridors.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
The security presence has noticeably increased throughout Block D, more patrol drones, cameras tracking with greater intensity, facility staff conducting random identification checks at junction points. Collection actions always trigger heightened surveillance, the system tightening control parameters to discourage resistance among remaining assets.
CDC-4 pulses with unusual tension when I arrive, conversations muted, independents clustered in defensive formations rather than casual groupings. The notification board displaying tomorrow's arena matches has created ripple effects throughout the social hierarchy, forcing recalculation of alliances and territorial claims as combat pairings establish new status opportunities.
When I reach the dispenser, the system scans my palm and announces: "Independent Asset 7249. Standard allocation, minus 22% sponsor enhancement factor. Combat preparation supplement approved."
The slight increase in protein allocation for tomorrow's arena match creates another data point in facility records, tracking nutritional adjustments against performance metrics to optimize asset function within classification parameters. The gray paste slides out looking marginally less unappetizing than usual, subtle variation in protein content the only acknowledgment of tomorrow's combat requirements.
I find an unoccupied table near the wall, maintaining visible neutrality in faction politics while positioning myself to observe both entrance and exit. As I force down the bland paste, my enhanced senses map the room's complex social dynamics, Marcus's resistance faction maintaining unusual distance from my position, Shatter's pragmatists watching with calculated interest, unaffiliated independents reassessing potential alliances based on tomorrow's combat pairings.
"Heard you're fighting Shockwave tomorrow," comes a voice from behind me.
I turn to find a scarred independent I recognize from training sessions but haven't directly interacted with, designation unknown, ability type some form of physical transformation based on the metallic sheen occasionally rippling beneath his skin.
"Arena match," I confirm without invitation, continuing to eat my nutrition paste.
He slides into the seat opposite mine without asking permission. "Fought him in previous cycle. Nearly cracked my ribcage with a distance blast when I hesitated during approach."
Hm, interesting. The unsolicited intelligence suggests faction interest beyond direct recruitment, information sharing as an alternative strategy to establish connection. Whether Marcus's resistance or Shatter's pragmatists, the approach demonstrates evolving recruitment techniques beyond direct pressure.
"Appreciate the insight," I acknowledge noncommittally.
"Creates concussive force through air compression," he continues, the metallic sheen beneath his skin intensifying slightly. "Requires approximately three seconds to generate effective blast radius. Physical transformation abilities provide minimal protection against kinetic transfer."
Specific combat details beyond general information, suggesting direct experience rather than observed assessment. The intelligence aligns with my preliminary strategy development, enhanced speed to close distance during energy gathering phase, strength for offensive capability once inside effective range.
"You survived," I observe, noting the absence of significant physical damage despite his description of impact force.
A grim smile crosses his scarred face. "Metal form absorbed enough to prevent critical damage. You don't have that luxury with strictly telekinetic shielding."
So he believes my capabilities limited to telekinesis only, unaware of the enhanced physical attributes I activated overnight. The facility's intelligence networks clearly haven't fully processed this morning's strength demonstration, creating potential strategic advantage through capability mis-assessment.
"Every fight differs," I respond vaguely, finishing my enhanced nutrition allocation.
He nods, apparently satisfied with this exchange despite minimal reciprocal information. "Just thought you should know what you're facing. Arena matches determine far more than you realize."
With that cryptic statement, he rises and returns to a table occupied by independents I don't immediately recognize, perhaps another faction beyond the established resistance and pragmatist groups, or simply unaffiliated assets sharing mutual protection arrangements.
As I dispose of my empty container, I notice Desta entering CDC-4, unusual timing for Null classification, which typically maintains separate nutrition schedules from independents. Her presence suggests deliberate deviation from standard protocols, perhaps utilizing our psychological support narrative to establish contact outside agricultural assignments.
I remain at my table, allowing her to collect her smaller nutrition allocation before approaching. The psychological support framework provides legitimate cover for this interaction, but public association still carries potential monitoring implications that require careful management.
"Independent," she acknowledges as she sits opposite me, maintaining formal address for benefit of surveillance systems.
"Desta," I respond, using her name rather than designation, consistent behavior pattern for established psychological support narrative.
We maintain appropriate conversation volume for public space, not conspiratorial whispers that might trigger security interest, but measured exchange consistent with our emotional support cover. Around us, other independents note this interaction with various levels of interest, assessing potential implications for tomorrow's arena match and broader faction politics.
"System access identified combat opponent parameters," Desta says quietly during a momentary reduction in background noise. "Three previous arena matches recorded in facility database. Attack pattern analysis suggests 3.7 second energy gathering phase before concussive discharge. Vulnerability window sufficient for enhanced speed approach strategy."
Her developing technokinetic abilities have provided access to specific combat data beyond what faction intelligence networks offered, precise timing measurements for Shockwave's attack sequence rather than general assessment. The information confirms optimal strategy utilizing enhanced physical capabilities while maintaining telekinetic reserve for unexpected contingencies.
"Appreciated," I respond simply, maintaining appropriate emotional signaling for psychological support narrative while conveying genuine acknowledgment of valuable intelligence.
"Additional information: observer attendance includes representatives from three potential sponsors," she continues, eyes focused on her nutrition paste rather than direct eye contact that might suggest conspiratorial communication. "Classification advancement opportunities present regardless of combat outcome if physical capabilities demonstrate sufficient value metrics."
"Not fighting for their entertainment or advancement," I remind her, keeping my voice low but tone firm. "Just trying to survive without revealing anything that might trigger renewed Integration interest."
Desta nods almost imperceptibly, understanding both my practical strategy and philosophical position. "Agreed. Optimal approach utilizes physical enhancement within acceptable demonstration parameters while maintaining advanced capabilities in reserve. Combat victory achievable without revealing development beyond plateaued assessment profile."
Her analytical assessment aligns perfectly with my own thoughts, show enough to win without revealing what matters for long-term autonomy.
As we complete this information exchange, I notice facility staff entering CDC-4, standard monitors rather than specialized security, but their scanning devices pass over independent groupings with unusual thoroughness. Perhaps routine surveillance escalation before arena matches, or specific response to increased faction activity following combat pairing announcements.
"Rest period optimal for combat preparation," Desta observes, rising from the table with her empty container. "Psychological support contact recorded in official monitoring parameters. Follow-up session approved after combat if requested."
"I'll consider it," I acknowledge as she departs, maintaining appropriate emotional signaling for monitoring systems while preserving decision flexibility.
As I leave CDC-4 and make my way back toward my quarters, I process all gathered intelligence against combat strategy options. Shockwave's concussive force manipulation presents significant threat if allowed full energy gathering phase, but creates 3.7 second vulnerability window during attack preparation. Enhanced speed provides optimal counter approach, while strength offers decisive offensive capability once inside effective range.
