I spend the preparation period reinforcing my neural camouflage while reviewing everything I know about the Integration Program. The deceptive architecture has stabilized nicely, surface pathways displaying impressive but conventionally limited telekinesis, with my true capabilities embedded deep below this visible layer.

  At 1045 hours, my tablet chimes with a final reminder: "Administrative Assessment: Director Karis, Sector 3, 1100 hours. Report to Security Checkpoint B for escort."

  I leave my quarters and make my way through Block D toward Security Checkpoint B. The other independents watch my passage with a mixture of curiosity and concern, word of director-level assessment has clearly spread throughout the population. Some nod respectfully, others deliberately avoid eye contact, as if association might somehow transmit whatever selection criteria flagged me for administrative attention.

  Security Checkpoint B marks the boundary between independent housing and the facility's administrative sectors. As I approach, the reinforced door slides open to reveal two facility guards in specialized black uniforms waiting with a handheld scanner.

  "Independent Asset 7249," one states mechanically. "Present palm for verification."

  I comply, placing my hand against the scanner's surface. The device pulses with blue light as it reads my biometric signature and confirms my identity against facility records.

  "Identity confirmed. Authorized for limited administrative access. Weapons scanning required."

  The second guard activates a more comprehensive scanning device that emits a series of pulses as it moves over my body from head to toe. The scan feels different from standard security checks, a slight tingling sensation suggesting it penetrates deeper than surface detection.

  "Neural signature recorded. Telekinetic capability assessment in progress. Stand by."

  This confirms they're specifically analyzing my abilities rather than just confirming identity. The neural camouflage faces its first test against facility technology.

  After several seconds, the scanner emits a soft tone. "Baseline established. Proceed to Director Karis, Administrative Suite 17."

  The guards flank me as we move through a series of corridors significantly different from independent sectors. The utilitarian aesthetic gives way to more refined design, polished surfaces, improved lighting, and environmental systems that maintain perfect temperature and humidity. The administrative heart of the facility reflects the hierarchy of control through physical comfort unavailable to assets of lower classification.

  We pass several offices where facility staff work at advanced terminals, monitoring various aspects of the operation. Unlike the guards and trainers who interact directly with enhanced humans, these administrators represent the invisible bureaucracy that maintains the classification system itself.

  After several minutes of walking, we reach a door marked "Administrative Suite 17 - Special Asset Development." The polished surface slides open silently as we approach.

  The space beyond is nothing like I expected. Rather than a sterile office or medical examination room, Suite 17 resembles a comfortable living area, tasteful furnishings, ambient lighting, and even decorative elements that seem deliberately chosen to create a sense of ease. The psychology is obvious, put subjects at ease to facilitate more accurate assessment.

  A woman rises from a chair as we enter. Director Karis appears to be in her fifties, with short silver hair and striking amber eyes that suggest enhancement modification. Her outfit is neither uniform nor casual clothing but something in between, a tailored gray suit with subtle patterns woven into the fabric.

  "Asset 7249," she says, her voice carrying an unusual resonance that seems designed to put listeners at ease. "Thank you for your punctuality. Please, have a seat." She gestures toward a comfortable chair positioned opposite her own.

  The guards remain at the entrance as I take the indicated seat, maintaining alertness while giving the appearance of privacy for our conversation.

  "You may be wondering why I requested this assessment," Karis begins, studying me with those unusual amber eyes. "Your combat performance yesterday demonstrated telekinetic application significantly advanced for your enhancement duration."

  I maintain neutral expression, neither confirming nor denying her assessment. The neural camouflage should present exactly what she expects to see, impressive capability with structured limitations.

  "Before we discuss specifics, I'd like to clarify something about the Independent Asset classification," she continues, folding her hands in her lap. "The facility permits independence as a developmental path for assets who demonstrate higher performance without direct sponsor protocols. Contrary to what some faction leaders might suggest, we value autonomous enhancement trajectories."

  Her phrasing is careful, acknowledging faction existence without directly naming resistance groups or their claims about the Integration Program. This indirect reference suggests she's aware of information flow between administration and independents.

  "Asset 7249, or do you prefer Gary?" she asks, surprising me with the use of my name rather than designation.

  "Gary is fine," I respond, matching her conversational tone while remaining alert for manipulation.

  "Gary, then. Your telekinetic abilities have developed along an interesting pathway since rejecting sponsorship. Molecular manipulation at your enhancement stage is particularly noteworthy." She activates a holographic display between us, showing my combat performance against the Crystalline Remnant members. "Your control during combat suggests deliberate restraint rather than limitation."

  She's more perceptive than I anticipated, identifying restraint rather than assuming my displayed capabilities represent my full potential. The neural camouflage will need to be particularly convincing.

  "The Integration Program identifies assets with complementary ability profiles for advanced development opportunities," she continues, shifting the holographic display to show neural mapping data, presumably mine from earlier scans. "Your telekinetic architecture shows promising compatibility with several enhancement templates currently under development."

  So Marcus and Void were correct about the program's purpose, though Karis presents it as development rather than extraction. Whether this is deliberate deception or compartmentalized information remains unclear.

  The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  "I'd like to conduct a more comprehensive assessment of your current capabilities," she says, standing and gesturing toward a section of the suite that transforms as panels slide away, revealing a small testing chamber. "Nothing strenuous, just a series of precision exercises to map your telekinetic parameters more accurately."

  This is the critical moment, the comprehensive scanning will either validate my neural camouflage or detect the deception. Everything depends on presenting consistent ability aligned with the surface architecture I've constructed.

  "Of course," I respond, rising to follow her into the testing area.

  The chamber contains various objects designed to test different aspects of telekinetic ability, metal spheres of various masses, crystalline structures of different compositions, and what appear to be specialized scanning panels embedded in the walls.

  "We'll begin with basic lifting and manipulation," Karis instructs, activating the scanning systems with a gesture. "Please demonstrate your current maximum simultaneous control with these objects."

  I focus on the collection of items, gathering telekinetic energy through the surface pathways I've constructed. The camouflaged architecture responds as designed, impressive capability but with visible limitations and efficiency losses at key junctions. The objects rise simultaneously, their movement smooth but requiring more visible concentration than would be necessary if I accessed my true abilities.

  Karis observes with clinical interest, the scanning systems recording every aspect of the demonstration. "Excellent basic control. Now please attempt molecular density manipulation with the crystalline structure."

  This represents a more significant challenge for the neural camouflage, demonstrating advanced capability while maintaining consistent limitations. I focus on the crystal, applying telekinetic pressure at the molecular level to slightly alter its density. The structure changes from transparent to translucent as its molecular spacing increases.

  "Remarkable precision for your enhancement duration," Karis notes, making adjustments to the scanning parameters. "Now please attempt the same manipulation while simultaneously maintaining the levitation of the metal spheres."

  This request tests multi-tasking capacity, a deliberate stress test to identify performance boundaries. I respond by maintaining the molecular manipulation while continuing to levitate the spheres, allowing visible strain to manifest in my expression and subtly destabilizing the floating objects to suggest reaching capacity limits.

  Karis watches with increasing interest as the test progresses through increasingly complex demonstrations. Throughout the assessment, I carefully maintain the performance parameters established by my neural camouflage, impressive capability with consistent limitations that suggest development potential rather than realized mastery.

  After thirty minutes of testing, Karis deactivates the scanning systems. "That's sufficient for initial assessment. Your telekinetic profile shows fascinating architecture, particularly your neural efficiency ratios during molecular manipulation."

  She gestures toward the seating area again, bringing up a new holographic display as we return to our chairs. This one shows a three-dimensional model of what appears to be my neural architecture based on the scanning data.

  "Your enhancement has developed along multiple pathways simultaneously," she explains, highlighting various sections of the model. "Standard telekinetic templates typically prioritize either gross manipulation or fine control. Your architecture demonstrates parallel development in both domains, with interesting structural adaptations."

  The display zooms in on specific neural junctions, precisely the areas where I've implemented the most sophisticated camouflage. The instabilities I deliberately introduced appear as developmental variations rather than intentional flaws, exactly as intended.

  "Based on this assessment, I believe you're an excellent candidate for the Advanced Integration Development program," Karis states, her amber eyes fixed on my reaction. "The program offers specialized resources for assets with compatible neural architecture, allowing for accelerated enhancement progression without the limitations of standard protocols."

  Now comes the critical moment, her actual proposal rather than just assessment.

  "Participation would require reclassification from Independent to Special Development asset," she continues. "You would maintain significant autonomy while gaining access to advanced training facilities and specialized nutrition formulations designed to support your particular enhancement pathway."

  Her offer is cleverly constructed, acknowledging my apparent value for independence while offering resources that would be difficult to obtain otherwise. The deliberate omission of what happens after "development" reaches their desired stage confirms the warnings from Marcus and Void.

  "What exactly does integration involve?" I ask, projecting curious interest rather than suspicion.

  Karis smiles slightly, the first real expression she's shown during our meeting. "Integration refers to the neural architecture templates we've developed through years of research. Compatible enhancement profiles can adopt optimized pathways that significantly accelerate ability development beyond standard evolutionary timelines."

  A masterful non-answer that sounds informative while revealing nothing about the actual process or end goal. The facility excels at bureaucratic language that obscures rather than clarifies.

  "This sounds like a significant opportunity," I respond, matching her professional tone. "What timeline would reclassification follow?"

  "Initial integration preparation could begin immediately," she replies. "Full reclassification would process within 72 hours, after preliminary neural mapping and compatibility confirmation."

  Three days, exactly the window that Marcus mentioned for the first two phases of the Integration Program. The consistency between her timeline and his warning adds credibility to the resistance faction's information about the program's true nature.

  "I'd like some time to consider this opportunity," I say, maintaining polite interest while avoiding immediate commitment.

  "Of course," Karis responds smoothly. "Integration works best with willing participants who fully understand the benefits of the program. I can provide a 48-hour consideration period before requiring your decision."

  Two days to decide, or more accurately, two days to prepare and "develop" my fake enhancement pathways.

  "Thank you for the consideration time," I reply. "The opportunity is significant enough to warrant careful thought."

  Karis nods, clearly accustomed to this response from potential candidates. "During your consideration period, you'll maintain normal independent scheduling with one modification, daily supplemental nutrition allocations specifically formulated for your neural architecture. These supplements are optional but recommended regardless of your ultimate decision."

  Translation: they're already beginning the preparation process, using nutrition as the first vector for whatever modifications the Integration Program requires. The supplements would need careful analysis before consumption.

  "This concludes our formal assessment," she says, rising from her chair. "The guards will escort you back to independent sectors. Please direct any questions through your tablet interface, I'll respond personally within four hours."

  As I stand to leave, Karis adds one final comment: "Your association with Null Asset N-4186 has been noted in your file. While independent assets have discretion in their professional collaborations, I would caution against investing significant resources in permanently classified assets. The technokinetic's neural damage was thoroughly evaluated before Null designation was assigned."

  This direct reference to Desta sends a clear message, the facility monitors our interactions more closely than I realized, and her classification as Null wasn't casual but deliberate containment of abilities deemed potentially dangerous.

  The guards step forward to escort me back to independent sectors. As we exit Administrative Suite 17, I maintain neutral expression while internally processing everything from this assessment. The neural camouflage appears successful, presenting precisely the profile needed to validate interest without revealing my true capabilities. The 48-hour consideration period provides critical time to carry out the rest of my plan.