I make my way toward CDC-4 for the evening meal, my body sore from the day's exertions. Between Karis's assessment, the accelerated neural repair work with Desta, and the carefully calibrated training session, I'm operating near physical limits despite enhanced recovery capabilities.

  The corridors of Block D pulse with evening activity, independents moving between assignments and rest areas, sharing information through coded phrases and subtle gestures. My status as Integration candidate has clearly spread throughout the population, creating a bubble of wary respect as I pass. No one wants to closely associate with someone tagged for potential collection.

  CDC-4 is packed when I arrive, the line for evening nutrition allocation stretching toward the entrance. The stale air carries the bland smell of nutritional paste mixed with the body odor of too many enhanced humans in too confined a space. I take my place in line, studying the room's social dynamics while waiting.

  Marcus's resistance faction occupies their usual tables near the exit, strategic positioning for quick departure if needed. Shatter's pragmatists control the central area, their territorial claim maintained through subtle intimidation rather than explicit threats. The unaffiliated independents fill remaining spaces based on constantly shifting alliance calculations.

  When I reach the dispenser, the system scans my palm and announces: "Independent Asset 7249. Standard allocation, minus 22% sponsor enhancement factor. Integration candidacy supplements available. Accept or decline?"

  The direct acknowledgment of Integration status in a public setting confirms what Volt suggested, the consideration period is largely ceremonial. The system already classifies me as a candidate rather than potential participant.

  "Decline," I respond firmly. The machine seems to hesitate briefly before dispensing standard nutritional paste without the offered supplements.

  With tray in hand, I consider seating options. Every choice communicates something in the facility's social language. Marcus's people watch expectantly from their corner, while Shatter's faction has conspicuously left an open seat at their central table, a deliberate invitation.

  Screw this factional pressure. I spot an unoccupied table near the wall and head there instead, choosing visible neutrality over alliance signaling. The message is clear to anyone watching, my consideration period applies to faction recruitment as much as Integration participation.

  Several independents notice this deliberate positioning, exchanging glances that suggest reassessment of my intentions. The facility's social hierarchy functions on predictable patterns; deliberate deviation creates noticeable ripples.

  I'm halfway through the bland paste when an unexpected figure approaches, Helena, the older telekinetic with her unusual status between sponsored and independent worlds. Her presence in CDC-4 during evening nutrition is rare enough to draw attention from across the room.

  "Mind if I join you?" she asks, already setting down her tray. Her food looks noticeably different from standard independent allocation, higher quality with actual color variation suggesting real nutritional content rather than synthetic paste.

  "Free facility," I respond with a shrug, continuing to eat without interruption.

  Helena sits, positioning herself to maintain clear sightlines across the room. "Integration candidacy after a single combat assessment. Must have been impressive under those observable limitations you maintain."

  Her perception remains unsettlingly accurate, indicating either advanced telekinetic sensitivity or access to information networks beyond standard independent resources.

  "Consideration period," I reply, sticking to the same response I've given everyone else.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "Of course," she says with a knowing smile. "Forty-eight hours to weigh options that have already been decided at administrative levels. The facility excels at providing the appearance of choice within predetermined outcomes."

  Around us, conversations have quieted slightly, Helena's unusual presence and direct association with me creating a ripple effect of attention throughout CDC-4. Both Marcus and Shatter watch with calculated interest from their respective territories.

  "Junction K-7 remains available tonight," Helena continues, her voice lowered slightly. "The equipment I provided might prove useful during your consideration period."

  She refers to the practice medium and neural masking device from our previous meeting, tools that have indeed proved valuable for both my neural camouflage work and Desta's repair sessions.

  "Noted," I respond, maintaining neutral engagement while assessing her motivations. Helena's position between sponsored and independent classification makes her intentions harder to read than most faction representatives.

  "Integration isn't what Karis presents it as," she says after a moment of silence. "The neural extraction process has evolved significantly since early implementations. Current procedures maintain partial consciousness during template transfer."

  This new information sends a chill through me despite enhanced temperature regulation. Consciousness during neural extraction suggests a level of horror beyond even the warnings from Marcus's faction.

  "Subjects experience their own deconstruction," Helena continues matter-of-factly. "A facility efficiency measure, conscious neural patterns transfer more completely than unconscious ones."

  Before I can respond to this disturbing revelation, facility staff enter CDC-4, not standard monitors but specialized security in black uniforms with enhanced weapons systems. Their entrance creates immediate tension throughout the space, conversations halting as all attention shifts to this unusual presence.

  The security team moves purposefully through the room, checking designation codes against a list on their tablets. They approach an independent seated near the entrance, a chronomanipulator I've seen occasionally in training facilities but never interacted with directly.

  "Asset 6113," one security officer states mechanically. "Report for immediate reassignment. Resistance will result in suppression measures."

  The chronomanipulator glances desperately around the room, seeking assistance that doesn't materialize. No one moves to intervene as security escorts him from CDC-4, his expression shifting from panic to resignation as he's led away.

  "Another collection," Helena observes quietly. "They've accelerated the timeline recently. Something significant is happening within the Integration Program."

  The security team's efficiency speaks to routine practice, this isn't an unusual occurrence, just one rarely conducted so publicly. The message seems deliberately crafted: resistance to collection is futile, protection from factions is unreliable, the facility's control systems function regardless of independent social structures.

  As the security team exits with their collected asset, conversation gradually resumes throughout CDC-4, though noticeably subdued. The demonstration of administrative authority has achieved its intended effect, reminding independents of their fundamental vulnerability despite factional alliances.

  "Your timeline may be shorter than the formal consideration period suggests," Helena says, rising from the table. "Junction K-7, tonight, if you're interested in alternatives beyond faction protection or program compliance."

  Seriously? Does it have to be tonight?

  She departs without waiting for response, leaving her half-finished meal on the table, a casual display of resource privilege that further distinguishes her unusual status.

  As I finish my nutritional paste, I weigh the competing priorities this presents. Both Marcus and Helena wants to meet tonight, but I don't have time to entertain both of them, especially with the increased security slowing my down. But Helena's alternative, whatever it might entail, represents another option beyond the binary choices presented by Marcus and Shatter.

  The public collection of another enhanced human demonstrates the facility's willingness to act decisively once assets are tagged for Integration. My own window for effective response may indeed be shorter than the formal 48-hour consideration period.

  After a moment of thought, I make up my mind. I already heard Marcus out last night, let's go see Helena tonight.

  I leave CDC-4 with a clear priority for the evening ahead: meeting Helena at Junction K-7 to understand her proposed alternative before making any commitments to faction protection or Integration participation. Knowledge remains power in this environment, and right now I need every advantage available.