"Next communication request: Director Karis, Administration Division. Priority designation: Alpha."

  "Decline," I respond immediately. I've got better things to do than listen to Karis pretend she doesn't know I've been hiding my abilities all along. Whatever warnings or fake congratulations she wants to offer can wait.

  The system pauses, clearly not programmed for this response. "Decline Alpha priority communication? Confirmation required."

  "Confirmed," I reply. "Route to message storage for later review."

  Another brief pause. "Alpha priority communication routed to storage. Next communication request: Crystalline Consortium Representative Facet. Priority designation: Beta."

  "Decline and store," I tell the system, not interested in sponsor pitches right now either. "In fact, decline all pending communications except from Team Exodus members."

  The system processes this instruction, then responds: "Seventeen communications declined and stored for later access. No active Team Exodus communications pending."

  Perfect. I need time to think, not endless conversations with people who suddenly find me interesting now that I've shown some power. My private tablet buzzes with a message through the secure channel Desta established:

  "Priority information regarding potential fourth team member. System access revealed candidate with optimal compatibility metrics and enhancement profile. Meeting requested in Agricultural Sector 2 at earliest opportunity. Secure communication environment required. —D"

  Now that's actually important. Desta's found someone worth breaking normal communication protocols. Given her analytical precision, this candidate must be something special.

  I change quickly into the standard independent uniform rather than the flashy combat gear. Better to attract less attention moving through the facility after the spectacle I just created in the arena. The corridors feel different as I make my way toward Agricultural Sector 2, other assets watching my passage with new calculation in their eyes, some nodding with respect, others carefully avoiding eye contact altogether.

  The security checkpoint at Agricultural Sector 2 scans my palm as usual. "Independent Asset 7249, combat designation Kinetic. Authorized access confirmed. Notification: Enhanced security protocols in effect following arena combat exhibition. Performance monitoring activated."

  Great. The facility's keeping closer tabs on me after that punch. Expected but annoying.

  I find Desta at our usual workstation in Hydroponics Grid 23, her movements characteristically precise as she adjusts nutrient flow parameters. Our psychological support framework provides perfect cover for this meeting, especially with monitoring increased after my match.

  "Maintenance assessment indicates optimal flow distribution achieved," she states formally as I approach, playing the role for any listening devices. "Psychological stability framework continues effectively despite combat stress factors."

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  "Appreciate the support," I respond, matching her tone while scanning for surveillance drones. "The exhibition match created unusual pressure parameters."

  We move between the hydroponic platforms, creating natural privacy zones where conversation can occur with minimal monitoring. The dense vegetation helps obscure both visual surveillance and audio capture.

  "Fourth position candidate identified through system records," Desta says quietly when we reach a relatively secure spot, her voice barely audible over the hum of nutrient pumps. "Enhancement type: Gravitational field manipulation. Name: Eli."

  "Never heard of him," I admit, keeping my voice low. "Not one of the fighters I've encountered."

  "Recent enhancement subject, limited facility presence. No combat record but ability assessments indicate exceptional potential," she explains. "Most significant factor: classification anomaly that created system access opportunity."

  I raise an eyebrow. "What kind of anomaly?"

  "Dual classification designation," Desta responds, her eyes meeting mine with unusual intensity. "Formally registered as independent asset but with provisional null category due to enhancement stabilization issues. Neither fully independent nor officially null."

  Interesting. Someone stuck between classifications, like Desta herself in a way.

  "Where is this Eli now?" I ask.

  "Medical stabilization chamber, recovery cycle from enhancement calibration procedures," she responds. "System access indicates release scheduled within two hours. Currently unaffiliated, no team approaches recorded."

  "Because no one knows about him yet," I realize. "You found someone off the radar completely."

  Desta nods slightly. "Facility records indicate exceptional gravitational manipulation potential once stabilization complete. Currently classified as 'developmental asset' rather than combat-ready."

  "Which explains why he's not on anyone's recruitment list," I conclude. "But if his abilities are as good as you say, he could be exactly what we need for team balance. Gravity manipulation creates both offensive and defensive options."

  "Additional factor of significance," Desta continues, her voice dropping even lower. "Enhancement architecture similar to mine, synthetic pathways rather than direct neural modification. Potentially receptive to restoration assistance."

  Holy shit. She's found another asset with the same kind of suppressed abilities she has. Someone I might be able to help like I helped her.

  "How soon can we meet him?" I ask, mind racing with possibilities.

  "Have established communication through system access. Meeting arranged following medical release in Null allocation area. Classification anomaly creates access to both independent and null sectors."

  Desta has thought of everything. This Eli could be the perfect final piece for Team Exodus, unusual abilities, outside the established hierarchy, potentially sympathetic to our approach given his own classification issues.

  "What about Ember?" I ask. "She's already confirmed for the team."

  "Initial compatibility assessment indicates complementary enhancement types," Desta replies. "Gravitational manipulation creates acceleration potential for pyrokinetic applications. Technical synergy metrics project 78% optimization possibility."

  So not just a good fourth member, but potentially the perfect match for our existing abilities. If his gravity manipulation can amplify Ember's fire attacks while also providing defensive options, we'd have a remarkably versatile team configuration.

  "Let's meet him as soon as he's out of medical," I decide. "If he's as promising as you think, we'll finalize the team today and start training immediately."

  As we finish our conversation and return to legitimate hydroponics maintenance, I feel a growing sense of possibility. The facility's hierarchy and classification system creates blind spots that we can exploit. While everyone focuses on established fighters with combat records, Desta's system access has found us a potentially game-changing teammate that no one else has even considered.