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His gaze holds the same focused assessment I remember from six years ago—calculating beneath apparent simplicity, strategic beneath physical presence, the Alpha who fought through nineteen others then touched my face with impossible gentleness despite designation dynamics and institutional expectation.

The observation might feel uncomfortable to someone with standard socialization or conventional understanding of interpersonal dynamics—the unblinking attention, the focused assessment, the predatory stillness that institutional conditioning typically eliminates through systematic application.

Yet something in me recognizes the behavior as fundamentally reassuring rather than concerning— evidence of genuine connection being reestablished through careful evaluation rather than automatic acceptance or conditional response.

He's determining if I'm real, if this represents an authentic reunion rather than institutional deception or psychological manipulation.

The thoroughness serves tactical advantage beyond emotional reassurance—comprehensive verification ensuring strategic alignment and operational coordination before commitment to whatever comes next within Press's elaborate production.

"They've upgraded your accommodations since I was last here," I observe, deliberately casual despite the intensity of his continued assessment. "Even gave you your own bathroom. Must be doing something right in the fighting pits, having this access when you need it."

His head tilts slightly—the movement containing curiosity beneath tactical assessment, interest despite contextual limitations and emotional constraints that institutional existence creates within enhanced subjects.

"How long were you here before?" he asks, the question carrying genuine curiosity beneath careful neutrality. "The real you, not your sister."

The distinction registers with perfect clarity— the recognition that he immediately identified the substitution despite identical physical parameters and institutional deception.

His perception transcended superficial similarity to recognize fundamental differences in cognitive approach and operational methodology— evidence of connection formed through genuine recognition rather than simple designated compatibility or physical attraction.

"Three years, four months, seventeen days," I answer with characteristic precision, the timeframe requiring no calculation or memory enhancement.

The numbers remain burned into neural pathways despite intervening years and experiences—the period representing formative development and strategic foundation rather than simply chronological measurement or temporal quantification.

“Snooping. Investigating. Going in and out to map everything out.”

"And you remember it all," he observes, something approaching admiration coloring the assessment despite contextual limitations and emotional constraints.

Not question but confirmation, recognition flowing beneath surface observation with perfect alignment despite separated experiences and divergent contexts.

A smile forms—not the practiced expression employed for tactical advantage or the cynical version warning of impending action, but a genuine response to his perception despite our circumstances.

"Of course. How else would I have found my way back to you?"

The question hangs between us with unexpected vulnerability—not tactical calculation or strategic consideration, but genuine emotional content emerging despite operational parameters and contextual limitations.

The admission carries risk beyond simple disclosure—potential weakness within the institutional environment specifically designed to exploit emotional connection and psychological attachment for research purposes or manipulation leverage.

"Jinx," Maverick's voice interrupts through our secure connection, the timing preventing whatever response Riot might have offered to the unexpected vulnerability.

"I've completed preliminary scanning of institutional architecture within current position parameters.

Structural analysis indicates a potential access route to Level Minus One through the maintenance corridor located approximately thirty meters from your current position. "

I maintain a neutral expression despite the interruption, years of practice preventing a visible reaction to communication inaudible to others within operational proximity.

The skill proves particularly valuable in the current context, where explaining the subdermal implant and external communication capability would necessitate a comprehensive disclosure beyond tactical advantage or immediate operational requirements.

"The access point appears minimally secured compared to standard transition architecture," Maverick continues, analytical mind prioritizing escape parameters despite our apparent temporary sanctuary.

"Surveillance coverage shows systematic gaps consistent with maintenance requirements rather than security protocols.

With appropriate timing and distraction methodology, transition to Level Minus One could be accomplished with approximately seventy-eight percent success probability. "

The information provides a valuable tactical advantage despite my immediate recognition that advancing through the institutional hierarchy represents significantly lower priority than current reunion parameters and recovery requirements.

The intelligence gathering serves future operational planning rather than immediate action implementation—preparation for whatever follows this temporary sanctuary Press has orchestrated with such theatrical precision.

"That would be helpful if infiltration was our primary concern," I respond quietly, phrasing constructed to appear as a simple observation rather than direct communication with external contact.

"But there's obviously an incentive behind this temporary sanctuary.

They wouldn't be helping us if there wasn't some form of entertainment value or research objective. "

Riot's eyes narrow slightly at my apparent soliloquy, tactical assessment clearly recognizing communication patterns inconsistent with standard self-directed verbalization or simple thinking aloud.

His perception has always operated beyond conventional parameters, recognition flowing beneath surface observation with irritating accuracy despite contextual limitations and operational constraints.

"Isn't your survival sufficient entertainment value?

" Maverick questions, analytical mind applying logical framework to institutional motivation despite limited exposure to Press's specific psychological profile or operational methodology.

"The combat qualification demonstrated clear audience engagement based on behavioral indicators and response patterns among observing subjects. "

I roll my eyes slightly, the gesture seemingly directed at ceiling surveillance despite actually responding to Maverick's limited understanding of institutional objectives beyond surface performance or immediate tactical assessment.

"My survival against those tainted Omegas was just a qualification demonstration," I mutter, arms crossing with deliberate casualness that conceals growing tension beneath practiced nonchalance.

"A simple display to verify combat capability and designation dynamics despite system separation and experiential divergence.

The real entertainment value lies in whatever reunion parameters Press continues measuring with such methodical precision. "

I close my eyes momentarily as Maverick begins responding with characteristic analytical thoroughness—not actually sleeping or disengaging, but creating momentary privacy within shared space that institutional surveillance cannot penetrate beyond external observation or behavioral documentation.

The brief disconnection from visual stimuli allows concentrated focus on communication exchange without environmental distraction or contextual interference.

The sensation of presence interrupts this momentary concentration — not sound or scent but something more fundamental to designation dynamics and proximity awareness.

The feeling registers with perfect clarity despite closed eyes and deliberately measured breathing—someone has entered my personal space with calculated precision, maintaining silence while establishing a dominance position through proximity rather than verbalization or physical contact.

My eyes open with practiced casualness despite the adrenaline surge triggered by unexpected proximity violation—the reaction controlled through systematic conditioning rather than appearing as a startled response or defensive positioning.

The visual confirmation aligns perfectly with proximity sensation despite its unexpected manifestation: Riot stands directly before me, close enough that standard socialization would register as uncomfortable despite contextual limitations and operational parameters.

His expression carries none of the tactical neutrality or careful assessment from our previous interaction—just raw possessiveness that institutional conditioning should have eliminated through systematic application, yet somehow persists despite six years of dedicated deconstruction.

Interesting…

The intensity radiates with almost physical presence—not simple territorial display or designation posturing, but genuine emotional content emerging despite operational constraints and contextual limitations.

"Are you okay?" I ask with deliberate neutrality, the question serving multiple tactical objectives beyond simple inquiry or emotional engagement.

The verbalization acknowledges his proximity without challenging the territorial display, recognizes emotional shift without directly addressing underlying causation, maintains conversation parameters without escalating potential confrontation dynamics or triggering defensive positioning.