As our agricultural work continues through the day, I look for an opportunity to begin the preliminary neural assessment on Desta. The hydroponics section provides decent cover, tall growing platforms create natural blind spots in the surveillance coverage, and the constant hum of nutrient pumps helps mask quiet conversation.

  We move systematically through our assigned maintenance tasks, gradually working our way toward the eastern corner of the sector where the surveillance camera coverage is less comprehensive. I've been mapping the monitoring patterns since arriving, noting the rhythmic sweep patterns and blind zones created by equipment.

  When we reach nutrient distribution node 27, positioned behind a large vertical growing platform, I find the moment I've been waiting for. The nearest supervisor is occupied with a system malfunction across the facility, and the surveillance cameras in this section are focused on the main pathways rather than maintenance access points.

  "Flow rate shows inconsistency," I say at normal volume for the benefit of any audio monitoring. "Need to check the distribution junction behind the growing platform."

  Desta follows my lead perfectly. "Secondary access panel requires two-person maintenance. Safety protocol for pressurized systems."

  We move behind the dense vegetation of the growing platform, positioning ourselves in a partial surveillance blind spot. The plants provide additional visual coverage while we pretend to examine the nutrient distribution panel mounted on the wall.

  "How much do you know about what I'm planning?" I ask quietly, hands continuing to work on the distribution system.

  "Neural repair attempt," she responds without hesitation. "Trying to restore damaged technokinetic pathways."

  I nod, impressed by her perception. "Can I do a preliminary assessment? Just mapping the damage patterns, nothing invasive yet."

  She considers for only a moment before nodding. "Monitoring less focused on Nulls. Biological changes attributed to standard system fluctuations rather than intentional manipulation."

  Perfect. I position myself to shield her from direct line of sight with the nearest camera, pretending to check readings on the distribution panel while she crouches to examine lower connection points.

  Extending my telekinetic awareness with carefully controlled precision, I create a containment field around us, a microscopically thin bubble that keeps the energy from radiating outward where it might trigger detection systems. Within this shielded workspace, I focus my perception on Desta's neural architecture.

  The damage patterns become immediately clear, severe burnout at key junction points where her technokinetic abilities interface with standard enhancement templates. The neural pathways themselves remain intact, but critical connection points have been destroyed by power surges during initial manifestation.

  Most interesting is what appears to be deliberate suppression rather than just damage, synthetic neural blockers positioned at strategic points throughout her enhancement architecture. The facility didn't just leave her burned-out pathways to heal naturally; they actively prevented recovery.

  "Synthetic blockers," I murmur, continuing the pretense of system maintenance. "Deliberate suppression beyond the original damage."

  "Expected," she whispers. "Technokinesis considered high-risk for facility security systems."

  With the damage mapped, I make a critical decision, attempting a very small, very focused repair to test both my capability and the facility's monitoring sensitivity. I select a single neural junction point far from the primary technokinetic control centers, a small connection that might restore minimal function without triggering full ability reactivation.

  "Going to attempt minimal repair," I warn her. "Single connection point. May feel unusual sensations."

  She nods almost imperceptibly, continuing her pretended examination of the distribution system.

  I focus my telekinetic perception at the cellular level, creating an even smaller containment field around the selected neural junction. Using the techniques refined during sleep meditation, I begin the delicate process of encouraging new dendritic growth across the damaged connection.

  The work requires extraordinary precision, manipulating individual cells without disrupting surrounding tissue, stimulating neural regeneration without triggering inflammatory responses that might alert monitoring systems. I maintain careful energy discipline, keeping the telekinetic field completely contained within the microscopic workspace.

  Desta's breathing changes slightly, the only outward indication that she feels anything happening. "Unusual tingling at base of skull," she whispers. "Not unpleasant."

  Encouraged, I complete the microscopic repair, a single neural bridge reconnecting one damaged pathway. Nothing that would restore actual technokinetic function yet, but a critical test of both the repair technique and monitoring thresholds.

  I withdraw my telekinetic awareness gradually, maintaining the containment field until fully disengaged. When I finally release the field, I scan for any change in the surveillance patterns or security responses. Nothing, no alarms, no shift in monitoring focus, no indication that the microscopic intervention was detected.

  "Flow rate stabilized," I announce at normal volume, for the benefit of any audio monitoring. "Distribution junction functioning within parameters."

  Desta stands, her movements casual and unhurried as she makes a notation on her work tablet. "Maintenance complete on node 27. Proceeding to node 28."

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  As we move to the next distribution point, she positions herself close enough to speak without being overheard. "Felt something change. Small but definite. Like neural static clearing briefly."

  "Single connection point repaired," I confirm quietly. "Pathway well away from primary technokinetic centers. Testing response thresholds."

  She nods, understanding the strategy. "Smart approach. Gradual restoration less likely to trigger monitoring alerts than sudden recovery."

  We continue our work through the remaining distribution nodes, maintaining the appearance of routine maintenance while processing the implications of this successful first attempt. The neural repair is possible, my techniques work on someone else's neural architecture, not just my own. The containment field effectively prevents detection, and the synthetic blockers can be bypassed with sufficient precision.

  Most importantly, Desta experienced tangible results from even this minimal intervention. With repeated sessions, carefully staged and disguised as routine labor cooperation, full restoration might be possible without triggering facility monitoring systems.

  "How frequently?" she asks as we complete our final assigned task.

  "Every day," I reply. "Small repairs in each session. Gradual approach keeps changes below detection thresholds."

  She considers this briefly, her eyes calculating as she checks for nearby supervisors. "Agreed. Daily interaction reduces suspicion if established as routine, and multiple small repairs are more effective than infrequent larger interventions."

  Adjusting the distribution system one last time, she adds, "Nulls have exercise periods in Facility 12. Surveillance is minimal compared to independent training areas, making it another potential location for continued work."

  That's valuable information, another opportunity for continued interaction that would appear legitimate to facility monitoring while providing cover for neural repair work.

  "We alternate locations," I continue, keeping my voice low. "Agricultural assignment, exercise periods in Facility 12, occasional 'chance' encounters in common areas. Varied settings reduce pattern recognition in security protocols."

  Desta nods, impressed with the strategy. "Essential to establish legitimate reason for each interaction. Botanical knowledge exchange remains our primary cover."

  As we return our maintenance equipment to the supply station, I notice Supervisor Trell watching our interaction with mild interest. The information broker who inadvertently exposed our connection to the Crystalline Remnant. We'll need to manage his perceptions carefully.

  "You've improved distribution efficiency by 7.3% in two days," Trell comments as we check out, his cybernetic eye whirring slightly as it focuses on us. "Rare to see such productive pairing between classifications."

  "Complementary skill sets," I respond with practiced casualness. "Desta's knowledge of agricultural systems fills gaps in my technical understanding."

  He makes a notation on his tablet. "Continued pairing approved for this sector assignment. Efficiency improvements noted in personnel file."

  Perfect. Official validation of our ongoing interaction, recorded in facility systems where other factions can see it. The botanical knowledge exchange narrative solidifies as our legitimate connection.

  With our agricultural assignment complete, I head toward Training Facility 7 for my afternoon session. The corridors hum with conversation about the morning's combat assessment, word travels fast in the closed ecosystem of the facility.

  When I enter Facility 7, the atmosphere shifts noticeably. Independents pause their training routines, glances exchanged as I move through the space. My defeat of three former Crystalline assets has clearly reshaped perceptions.

  "Heard you made quite an impression this morning," says Volt, approaching as I begin basic warm-up exercises in the telekinetic section. "Three-on-one against Crystalline Remnant members."

  I shrug, maintaining casual confidence while beginning a standard lifting routine. "They wanted to discuss territorial boundaries. We found common understanding."

  Volt laughs, electricity dancing briefly between her fingers. "That's one way to put it. Combat Assessment rating update has everyone talking. Special Monitoring Status is rare for independents."

  So that information has spread too. Nothing stays private in this place for long.

  "Just doing what was necessary," I respond, continuing my deliberately unremarkable practice routine. After this morning's performance and the resulting increased attention, showing minimal, standard telekinetic control during official training sessions seems the smartest approach.

  Volt creates a small electromagnetic distortion field, not enough to trigger security alerts, just sufficient to muffle our conversation from nearby monitoring. "Marcus wants to meet. Tonight, junction L-19, 2300 hours. Says it's important after what happened this morning."

  Interesting timing. The combat assessment has clearly accelerated faction interest in my potential allegiance. "I'll consider it."

  "Director Karis requesting your presence isn't something to take lightly," Volt adds, confirming my suspicion that facility staff share information with independent factions. "Integration Program has been collecting specific ability types for months. Telekinetics with molecular capabilities are high-priority targets."

  The electromagnetic field dissipates as another independent approaches, Shatter, her bone protrusions partially extended as she studies me with new calculation in her eyes.

  "Impressive performance this morning," she says, her tone suggesting reluctant respect. "The Crystalline Remnant needed reminding that former sponsored status doesn't grant automatic authority here."

  "Just establishing boundaries," I reply, continuing my practice routine without interruption.

  Shatter moves closer, her voice dropping. "My offer of alliance remains open. Pragmatists provide protection and resources that could be valuable under increased monitoring attention."

  "Still evaluating options," I respond noncommittally.

  She nods, understanding the strategy. "Don't evaluate too long. Director-level interest usually precedes reclassification or special project assignment. Independent status becomes more difficult to maintain once you're flagged in the system."

  I continue through my training routine, deliberately keeping my telekinetic displays within standard parameters while my mind processes these developments. The Integration Program that Desta mentioned seems central to the pattern of disappearing telekinetics throughout the facility. Director Karis's personal interest suggests I may have been identified as a potential candidate for whatever experimentation they're conducting.

  As I complete my training session, I'm acutely aware of the calculated observation from both independents and facility staff. Combat performance has elevated my position in the independence hierarchy while simultaneously increasing facility administration attention. The neural repair work with Desta now occurs in this more complex environment, higher risk but also potentially accelerated timeline if daily sessions prove successful.

  The path forward requires careful balance, maintaining enough visible capability to deter challenges while concealing advanced abilities from facility monitoring. Accelerating Desta's neural repairs while establishing legitimate reasons for our continued interaction. Navigating faction politics while preserving true independence of action.