I meet up with Desta in our usual spot in Agricultural Sector 2, the cover of our psychological support framework still providing useful camouflage for strategy discussions. The growing platforms create natural privacy zones where we can talk without constant monitoring, and our officially approved interaction raises no suspicion.

  "Recruitment progress assessment?" she asks as we work on calibrating nutrient flow to Hydroponics Grid 19, her hands moving with characteristic precision despite our conversation.

  "Made contact with Ember," I tell her, keeping my voice low. "Pyrokinetic, five consecutive victories before voluntary withdrawal. Skeptical but potentially interested if I demonstrate more significant capabilities in my next match."

  Desta's fingers pause briefly on the control panel. "Recommendation against expanded ability demonstration. Increased monitoring attention creates detection risk beyond current camouflage parameters."

  "Freedom requires taking calculated risks," I counter. "Ten consecutive victories means we need the strongest possible team configuration. Ember's thermal manipulation provides critical offensive capability we currently don't have."

  She considers this with analytical efficiency. "What specific demonstration requirements did she stipulate?"

  "Go all out in my next match. Show what I'm actually capable of beyond the controlled performance against Shockwave."

  "Problematic," Desta observes. "Full capability demonstration would reveal molecular manipulation and potentially expose neural optimization beyond established camouflage."

  "Not my full capability," I clarify. "Just enough to impress someone with high standards. A calculated demonstration that shows my strength while not revealing all my cards."

  We head to the next distribution node, keeping up the routine maintenance act while we keep planning. With how the arena system's been changing, we can't afford to play it safe anymore. If we want out, we have to adapt fast and take smart risks.

  "Fourth team position candidates?" Desta asks, shifting topics slightly.

  "Still evaluating. We need a defensive specialist to complement our offensive capabilities. Maybe a shield generator or force manipulator."

  She nods slightly. "System access identified three potential candidates with compatible enhancement profiles and no current team configuration. Will provide dossiers through secure channel for assessment."

  As we work through our assigned tasks, we refine the team strategy and recruitment approach. With registration opening in less than two hours, decisions must be made quickly but carefully, our team composition is crucial for determining whether we can win all ten matches.

  As we finish our work and prepare to separate for team registration preparations, I feel a growing sense of purpose unlike anything since arriving in this facility. I'm no longer just surviving in a system that doesn't care about me, I'm fighting for actual freedom through a direct, defined pathway.

  "Time to build something that gets us out of here," I tell Desta as we part ways. "See you at registration."

  Her eyes meet mine with unusual directness. "Freedom parameters verification continues through system access. Proceed under assumption of legitimate opportunity while maintaining contingency awareness."

  Always the pragmatist, even with hope on the horizon, she maintains calculated caution. It's why we work so well together, my determination balanced by her analytical precision.

  I head toward the central administration sector where team registration has been established, the corridors unusually crowded with enhanced humans moving with purpose rather than the normal caution. The announcement has transformed the facility's social dynamics overnight, former rivals forming strategic alliances, faction lines blurring under the promise of potential freedom.

  The registration area occupies a large chamber I've never accessed before, with multiple processing stations arranged around a central holographic display showing team formations as they're officially logged into the system. Already dozens of groupings appear on the rotating projection, color-coded enhancement profiles clustered in four-person teams with designations and preliminary combat metrics.

  I spot Marcus near one of the stations, his electrical energy crackling with unusual intensity as he confers with several other independents. Across the chamber, Nova's luminescent patterns flow in complex sequences while she finalizes what appears to be her own team registration. The Crystalline Consortium representatives stand apart from the crowd, observing the proceedings with calculated interest rather than direct participation.

  Desta waits near an unoccupied registration terminal, her expression typically neutral despite the chaotic energy surrounding us. Her brown Null coverall stands out amid the independent and sponsored attire, drawing occasional curious glances from passing assets.

  "System access complete," she informs me quietly as I approach. "Registration protocols confirmed. Team configuration requires four designated assets with verified enhancement profiles, combat assessment metrics, and legal classification status."

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  "Any issues with Null participation?" I ask, concerned that the fine print might create unexpected obstacles.

  "No explicit prohibition in verification parameters," she responds. "Combat history not required for registration approval, only enhancement verification and legal facility status. Role designation options include 'Tactical Support' without combat requirement specifications."

  Perfect. The system allows for non-combat team positions as long as they're using facility-recognized abilities. Desta's technokinetic architecture, even in partially restored state, should satisfy these rules if we designate her role appropriately.

  Even if they figure out that I was the one that repaired her neural pathways, my win streak should protect me from any Integration interest or other outside interference. And once we start winning as a team, they won't be able to do anything to Desta either.

  "What about our fourth position?" I ask, scanning the rapidly filling chamber. Many of the strongest independents have already joined more well known teams, limiting our options for the defensive specialist we need to complete our own.

  "Three candidate profiles transmitted to your access tablet," Desta replies. "Compatibility metrics and enhancement assessments included for evaluation."

  I check my tablet, reviewing the dossiers she's somehow extracted from facility records through her developing system access. The three candidates all show promising defensive capabilities, but one stands out immediately:

  Asset 5137 - Designation: Barrier Enhancement Type: Force Field Generation Combat Record: Three victories, one draw, no defeats Current Status: Unaffiliated, no team registration pending Location: Training Facility 5, Defensive Development Chamber

  A force field generator with an undefeated record and no pending team commitments, exactly the defensive specialist we need to complement our configuration. The enhancement profile suggests ability to create localized energy barriers that block physical and energy-based attacks, providing perfect defensive counterpart to Ember's offensive capabilities.

  "Barrier looks promising," I tell Desta. "Undefeated combat record, complementary defensive capabilities, and still unaffiliated. We should make contact immediately before someone else recruits him."

  "Already initiated preliminary communication," Desta informs me, her system access apparently extending to messaging functions I hadn't realized she could access. "Response received indicating interest in meeting to discuss team parameters."

  Her efficiency continues to impress, staying several steps ahead of me through her developing abilities. Before I can respond, the holographic display updates with another team formation, and I notice with surprise that Ember's designation appears on Nova's roster. The pyrokinetic apparently accepted another offer while still considering mine.

  "Ember registration confirmed with alternative team configuration," Desta observes, already aware of the development. "Recruitment focus must shift completely to Barrier for team completion."

  "Let's register with a provisional fourth position," I decide, adapting quickly to changing circumstances. "Secure our team status while finalizing recruitment details with Barrier. If successful, we can update our team configuration before combat scheduling finalizes."

  We approach an unoccupied terminal, and I place my palm on the scanner to start the registration process. The system pulses with blue light as it verifies my identity and newly established combat designation.

  "Welcome, Kinetic," the terminal announces. "Team registration protocol initiated. Please designate team configuration parameters."

  I enter the initial information, team designation "Exodus," primary combat objective "Freedom pathway through consecutive victories," and preliminary roster including myself as "Offensive Specialist" and Desta as "Tactical Support." The system processes this information, then displays a verification request:

  TEAM CONFIGURATION:

  EXODUS

  Primary: Asset 7249 - Designation: Kinetic - Role: Offensive Specialist

  Secondary: Asset N-4186 - Designation: [PENDING] - Role: Tactical Support

  Tertiary: [PENDING RECRUITMENT]

  Quaternary: [PENDING RECRUITMENT]

  Confirm provisional registration? [YES] [NO]

  I select [YES], and the system processes our partial configuration, generating a preliminary team profile on the central holographic display. Our incomplete roster shows as pulsing outlines where the missing members would appear, but our official status is now established in the system.

  "Provisional registration complete," the terminal confirms. "Team Exodus entered into combat rotation pending full roster confirmation. Update registration within 48 hours to maintain active status."

  As we step away from the terminal, I notice Nova watching us from across the chamber, her luminescent patterns shifting to what I've come to recognize as calculation or perhaps concern. Her team appears fully formed with Ember now in her roster, alongside what looks like a spatial manipulator and some kind of phase-shifter based on their enhancement markers.

  "Nova's team configuration represents significant combat capability," Desta observes, following my gaze. "Complementary enhancement profiles optimized for arena environment dominance."

  "Which means they'll be going after the same victory streak we are," I note, understanding the implications. "Many teams competing for limited freedom opportunities."

  "Statistical probability suggests no more than two teams can maintain undefeated records beyond five consecutive victories," Desta analyzes with characteristic precision. "Arena match scheduling will eventually require direct confrontation between leading teams."

  So we'll inevitably face Nova's team if both our teams maintain winning streaks, former potential allies becoming necessary obstacles to freedom. The rule changes have transformed the facility's social dynamics into something new and unpredictable, creating both opportunities and complications beyond what currently exists.

  "Let's focus on completing our team first," I say, already planning our approach to recruiting Barrier. "Training Facility 5 should be our next stop to make contact and finalize our roster before someone else claims him."

  As we leave the registration chamber, the holographic display continues updating with new team formations, dozens of four-person configurations forming with clear intent toward the ten-victory freedom pathway. Multiple teams competing against each other, each combat matchup eliminating another team from undefeated status.

  But just as one team inevitably has to lose, another team inevitably has to win. All we have to do is be on the winning side ten times. Challenging but achievable with the right team and strategic approach.