I head straight toward Agricultural Sector 2 after the assessment, my mind racing through the implications of meeting Karis. The so-called "consideration period" is clearly just a formality, they expect compliance after their fancy sales pitch about "advanced integration development." But beneath the polished bullshit, the warnings from Marcus and his faction ring true. This isn't development; it's harvesting.

  The corridors feel different after visiting Administrative Suite 17, the contrast between their comfortable, refined spaces and the utilitarian paths of independent sectors highlights the facility's physical manifestation of its hierarchy. Even the air quality degrades noticeably as I return to areas designated for assets rather than administrators.

  When I reach Agricultural Sector 2, the palm scanner pulses green as I press my hand against it. The door slides open to reveal the now-familiar expansive hydroponics facility, rows of plants growing under specialized lighting, the air humid and oxygen-rich compared to the dry, recycled atmosphere of the corridors.

  I spot Desta at our usual workstation, her movements precise and economical as she calibrates nutrient flow rates. The brown coverall of Null classification hangs loosely on her wiry frame, a constant visual reminder of her deliberate containment by the facility.

  "Independent," she acknowledges with a slight nod as I approach, maintaining the formal address for benefit of monitoring systems. "Continuing maintenance on distribution nodes 28 through 35 today."

  "Desta," I respond, using her name rather than designation.

  We work in silence for several minutes, checking flow rates and adjusting mineral balances according to the specified parameters. When we're positioned at adjacent distribution nodes, partially shielded from direct surveillance by equipment panels, I speak quietly without looking at her.

  "Assessment with Director Karis completed," I murmur, hands continuing work on the filtration system. "Integration Program confirmed. Neural extraction for composite systems, just as suspected."

  Her hands pause momentarily before resuming their work. "Timeline?"

  "Forty-eight hour consideration period before decision required. Initial integration preparation supposedly beginning immediately through specialized nutrition supplements."

  I adjust a flow valve before adding. "The botanical knowledge exchange isn't convincing anyone. Karis directly referenced our association during assessment."

  She considers this while we move to the next distribution node, maintaining the appearance of routine maintenance. "Performance optimization," she suggests after a moment. "Your telekinetic control could benefit from technical insight into system operations, understanding operational parameters to improve ability application."

  "Engineering mentality applied to ability development," I elaborate, seeing the potential. "Makes sense for someone who rejected sponsorship in favor of self-directed enhancement."

  "Creates mutual benefit narrative," she adds. "I gain survival advantage through association with combat-capable independent. You gain technical knowledge applicable to telekinetic precision."

  It's a much more convincing cover than botanical information exchange, one that aligns with both our apparent self-interests while creating a legitimate reason for regular interaction. The facility might still be suspicious, but they'd have difficulty arguing against the logic of such cooperation.

  "Perfect," I say. "We implement immediately. Now for the neural repair work, accelerated timeline required given the Integration situation."

  We position ourselves behind a large vertical growing platform, using the dense vegetation as visual cover while pretending to examine a nutrient distribution panel. The constant hum of equipment masks our conversation.

  "Daily sessions will continue," I explain quietly, "but we need to increase repair capacity per session. The neural camouflage I've developed should prevent facility monitoring from detecting the work."

  Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

  "Increased risk?" she asks pragmatically.

  "Manageable if we're careful," I respond. "Target focus on communication pathways rather than direct ability centers initially. Restore your capacity to interface with facility systems before reactivating full technokinetic manipulation."

  Desta's eyes brighten slightly at this suggestion, the first real emotional reaction I've seen from her. "System interface without manipulation capability would register as data interpretation rather than technokinesis. Much lower monitoring threshold."

  "Exactly," I confirm. "Information gathering first, action capability later."

  I position myself to shield her from direct line of sight with the nearest camera, pretending to check readings on the distribution panel while extending my telekinetic awareness with carefully controlled precision. The containment field forms 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, specifically the pathways that facilitate system interface rather than direct manipulation. The synthetic blockers are strategically positioned throughout her enhancement architecture, but with different density in information processing regions versus command execution areas.

  "Going to attempt concentrated repair on system interface pathways," I whisper. "May feel more intense than yesterday's session."

  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 pathways. Using the techniques refined during sleep meditation, I begin the delicate process of encouraging new dendritic growth across multiple damaged connections simultaneously.

  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. "Significant activity," she whispers. "Pressure at base of skull, extending forward to temporal region."

  I continue the repair work, bypassing synthetic blockers rather than removing them, creating new neural bridges that circumvent facility suppression rather than directly confronting it. This approach should allow function while maintaining the appearance of continued containment to monitoring systems.

  After several minutes of concentrated work, I gradually withdraw my telekinetic awareness, 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 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. "System efficiency increased by 3.2 percent. Recalibration of adjacent nodes recommended."

  As we move to the next distribution point, she positions herself close enough to speak without being overheard. "Something definitely changed. Can perceive data structures more clearly. Like seeing through fog."

  "Neural bridges established around six major junction points," I confirm quietly. "Interface pathways partly restored while manipulation remains suppressed. Can you access any systems yet?"

  "Minimally," she responds. "Can sense local environmental control parameters. Too fragmented for meaningful interaction currently."

  "Progress," I note. "Daily sessions should restore basic functionality within a week if we maintain this repair rate."

  We continue our work through the remaining distribution nodes, the new cover story already manifesting in our interactions. I ask technical questions about system operations that would benefit telekinetic application, while she provides insights that could legitimately improve ability precision. The performance optimization narrative builds naturally through these exchanges, establishing a visible pattern for facility monitoring.

  "Your decision regarding Integration Program?" Desta asks as we complete our final assigned task. "Forty-eight hours is minimal preparation time."

  "Still evaluating options," I reply vaguely. The fewer people know my plans the better.

  She makes a final adjustment to the distribution system. "Whatever you decide, the neural repair work will continue. My abilities, even partially restored, provide options neither the facility nor the factions have accounted for."

  As our shift in Agricultural Sector 2 concludes, I feel a renewed sense of purpose despite the complications from Karis's assessment. The neural repair work is progressing faster than anticipated, and our new cover story creates a more convincing framework for continued cooperation.