After the agricultural shift with Desta, I head to Training Facility 7 for my afternoon session. My body still hums with leftover energy from the neural repair work, manipulating cellular structures at that level of precision leaves a strange tingling sensation throughout my nervous system.

  The corridors between sectors feel more restrictive today, the surveillance more obvious. Maybe it's just heightened awareness after meeting Karis, but I swear the monitoring devices track my movement with more focused attention than before. Several independents nod respectfully as I pass, word of my assessment with Karis has clearly spread, elevating my status in the complex social hierarchy of Block D.

  Training Facility 7 is unusually crowded when I arrive, at least thirty independents using the various stations, their abilities creating a cacophony of energy signatures that my enhanced perception registers as a chaotic symphony. Electrical discharges from Volt's corner, spatial distortions from the area where Vex usually trains, and various other manifestations fill the space with palpable power.

  I spot Shatter and her pragmatists clustered near the strength enhancement equipment, their territorial presence drawing a wide berth from other independents. She notices my entrance, her bone protrusions extending slightly in what I've come to recognize as a greeting display.

  Finding an unoccupied section in the telekinetic training area, I begin with basic warm-up exercises, lifting and manipulating objects of increasing mass. After the meeting with Karis, demonstrating exactly the level of ability suggested by my neural camouflage becomes crucial. Too powerful might trigger suspicion about hidden capabilities; too restrained might suggest deliberate deception.

  As I work through progressively more complex patterns, Volt approaches, electricity dancing subtly around her fingers. "Heard you met with Karis," she says without preamble. "Still walking free, so I'm guessing you didn't tell her to fuck off."

  "Consideration period," I reply, maintaining focus on my telekinetic exercise. "Forty-eight hours to decide on Integration Program participation."

  Volt creates a small electromagnetic field around us, just enough to disrupt nearby audio monitoring. "Marcus is concerned after last night's meeting. You rejected our offer."

  "Not rejected," I clarify. "Just not immediately committed. Need more information before making decisions that significant."

  She studies me with narrow eyes, electrical currents intensifying slightly. "Information has limited value when the window for action closes. Integration preparation begins immediately through specialized nutrition supplements, even during so-called consideration periods."

  "Already figured that out," I respond. "Won't be consuming their supplements."

  This seems to satisfy her somewhat, the electricity around her hands subsiding to a subtle crackle. "Meeting offer still stands. Junction L-19, tonight. Same time. Marcus has additional intelligence about the Integration Program you might find valuable."

  Before I can respond, the electromagnetic field dissipates as Shatter approaches, her bone protrusions fully extended now, a dominance display rather than greeting.

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  "Integration candidate," she addresses me, ignoring Volt entirely. "Prestigious attention from Karis herself. Congratulations on your imminent departure from independence."

  Her mockery carries an edge of genuine concern—Integration candidates typically disappear from independent sectors within days, never to return.

  "Consideration period," I repeat, continuing my training exercises without interruption. "No decisions made yet."

  Shatter moves closer, her voice dropping. "When you realize faction protection is your only viable option, the pragmatists offer more concrete benefits than resistance fantasies. Actual influence with facility staff, resource allocation priorities, and territorial security."

  "Noted," I reply noncommittally.

  Volt's electrical signature intensifies with irritation, but she maintains professional distance. The faction rivalry plays out in this subtle positioning, both sides recognizing my potential value increases with Karis's interest.

  I continue through increasingly complex telekinetic exercises, deliberately maintaining performance within the parameters established by my neural camouflage. Several other independents watch with peripheral awareness, studying my abilities now that I've been identified as an Integration candidate.

  The facility's social dynamics shift around perceived value and threat level, my combat performance established combat capability, while Karis's assessment confirms administrative interest. The combination creates a complex status that both elevates and isolates my position among independents.

  Halfway through my training session, I notice something unusual, a facility staff member I haven't seen before observing from the entrance. Unlike standard monitors, this individual wears specialized equipment suggesting ability assessment functions. Their attention remains fixed on me throughout a series of telekinetic demonstrations, their tablet recording data continuously.

  "Integration scout," Volt murmurs as she passes my station again. "They're already mapping your progress patterns. Consideration period is mostly for show."

  This confirms my suspicion that the 48-hour window is largely ceremonial, the Integration Program has already tagged me for collection, regardless of my formal response to Karis's offer. The timeline may be flexible, but the intention seems fixed.

  I adjust my training approach accordingly, introducing subtle inconsistencies in performance patterns, moments of exceptional precision followed by minor control failures, creating a profile that suggests developmental volatility rather than stable progression. If they're mapping patterns for integration templates, presenting an unpredictable profile might complicate their process.

  The facility staff member eventually departs, but the message is clear, my training no longer occurs without administrative observation. Whatever freedom independent status theoretically provides has been significantly compromised by Karis's interest.

  As my designated training period ends, Shatter approaches again, this time with less aggressive posturing. "Final offer of pragmatist protection," she says quietly. "After today, the window closes. Integration candidates attract too much administrative attention for casual alliance."

  "I'll consider it alongside other options," I respond, maintaining neutral engagement.

  Her expression hardens slightly. "There are no other viable options once you're tagged for Integration. Faction protection or program processing, those are the realistic paths forward."

  As she returns to her group, I consider the factional pressure from both sides, Marcus's resistance and Shatter's pragmatists each presenting their protection as the only viable alternative to Integration. Neither acknowledges the possibility of navigating this situation independently, reflecting the facility's fundamental assumption that assets must exist within established classification frameworks.