I make my way back to independent sectors, my body tense from the telepathic assessment despite successful deception. The neural camouflage worked, presenting false enhancement architecture that convinced Karis and her psionic operative of my plateaued development. I'm no longer priority target for Integration, though I remain under standard surveillance rather than completely clear.

  The corridors of Block D feel different now, less threatening, more navigable. Still a prison, but one where I've earned temporary breathing room through carefully constructed deception. Other independents move through common areas with visible caution, security presence remains elevated, but the immediate danger of collection has passed.

  I check the time, 1700 hours, standard evening nutrition cycle begins. Perfect opportunity to meet Desta without arousing suspicion, our psychological support narrative providing legitimate cover for shared meals in public spaces. I send a brief message through our established channel, nothing explicit, just notification of my location for appropriate meeting.

  CDC-4 pulses with unusual tension when I arrive, several collection actions must have occurred during the day, creating heightened awareness of vulnerability throughout the independent population. The line for nutrition allocation moves with mechanical efficiency, each enhanced human focused on individual survival within the system's narrowing parameters.

  When I reach the dispenser, the system scans my palm and announces: "Independent Asset 7249. Standard allocation, minus 22% sponsor enhancement factor."

  No mention of Integration supplements, confirming my removal from immediate candidacy in facility systems. The gray paste slides out looking exactly as unappetizing as always, but somehow tastes better today. Amazing how avoiding neural harvest improves appetite.

  I find a table in a corner with good sightlines to both entrance and exit, positioning myself to watch for Desta's arrival while monitoring general security presence. My neural architecture continues operating on dual systems, surface patterns presenting plateaued development while true capabilities remain hidden beneath layers of telekinetic camouflage.

  Marcus's resistance faction occupies their usual tables near the exit, their attention occasionally shifting toward me with what might be curiosity about my continued freedom when other consideration-period assets have disappeared. Shatter's pragmatists control the central area, maintaining territorial presence through calculated positioning rather than explicit threats.

  Desta enters CDC-4 ten minutes later, her brown Null coverall hanging loosely on her wiry frame as she moves through the nutrition line. Her expression remains neutral, but her eyes scan the room with increasing awareness, sign of continued neural repair progress despite maintaining outward appearance of suppressed abilities.

  She collects her allocation, noticeably smaller than independent portions, and moves toward my table without hesitation. Our psychological support narrative provides perfect cover for this public association, facility monitoring already incorporating our connection into official records as "productivity-enhancing."

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  "You survived assessment," she states quietly as she sits opposite me, the simple observation carrying significant weight given collection patterns throughout independent blocks.

  "My plan was effective," I confirm, keeping my voice low enough that nearby monitoring can't distinguish specific words. "Presented flawed development consistent with surface neural pathways. No longer priority target for Integration."

  Desta takes a small bite of her nutrition paste, her movements deliberate as she processes this information. "Psychological support narrative officially accepted in administrative records. Provides continued cover for neural repair sessions."

  "Karis specifically approved our continued labor cooperation," I tell her, the implication clear, administrative endorsement provides additional layer of protection for ongoing interaction. "Explicitly noted as productivity enhancement factor in official records."

  Desta's expression doesn't change, but something shifts in her eyes, calculation giving way to what might be relief or satisfaction. "Optimal outcome given current parameters. Provides framework for continued development without triggering security escalation."

  Around us, the atmosphere in CDC-4 gradually shifts as evening progresses, tension dissipating slightly as collections end for the day cycle, enhanced humans settling into standard rest period routines. Security presence remains elevated compared to normal operations, but less aggressively focused now that primary Integration candidates have been processed one way or another.

  "What's next?" Desta asks after finishing her smaller portion, the question encompassing broader strategy rather than immediate tactics.

  "Continue neural repair sessions using psychological support cover," I reply, thinking through implications of our new status. "Focus repairs on system access abilities. Leverage reduced monitoring attention for enhanced capabilities development beneath detection thresholds."

  She nods almost imperceptibly. "Logical progression. Decreased surveillance provides expanded operational parameters while maintaining necessary cover behaviors."

  We've earned this breathing room through successful deception, creating space for continued development beneath the system's notice while outwardly conforming to its expectations. Not freedom exactly, but a form of autonomy within constraint that allows genuine progress toward whatever comes next.

  "Your quarters tonight?" I ask, maintaining our established routine for neural repair sessions. "Psychological support narrative provides legitimate explanation for extended contact during rest period."

  "Optimal location," she confirms. "Null quarters minimal surveillance."

  We finish our meal and rise from the table, our movements deliberate but unhurried, exactly the behavior pattern expected from independent asset providing psychological support to Null classification. To facility monitoring, we appear as productive collaboration rather than secret alliance, our interaction beneficial to system efficiency rather than threatening to classification structures.

  As we leave CDC-4 and make our way toward Null blocks through maintenance tunnels, the weight of immediate threat lifts slightly. We've survived the Integration assessment through carefully constructed deception, earned breathing room for continued development, and established legitimate framework for ongoing collaboration.