Alexander Voss sat alone at the edge of camp, reviewing the night's data on his neural interface. The camp's security perimeter glowed faintly in the pre-dawn light, casting everything in a subtle violet hue. His team was still asleep—except for Marcus, standing watch with practiced vigince.

  And except for their unexpected guest.

  Alexander's interface showed Lyra Kess had barely slept, her biometric readings indicating alertness throughout most of the night. Prudent, for an Unaligned pyer suddenly surrounded by Architects. He would have done the same.

  He pulled up the data he'd been analyzing since their encounter yesterday: her trap designs, movement patterns, resource allocation. The technical innovation dispyed with such limited materials was remarkable. Most Unaligned pyers relied on brute force or stealth—not sophisticated engineering.

  His father had always emphasized resource evaluation as a leader's primary responsibility. People were assets with quantifiable value. The calcution before him was straightforward:

  Benefits: Innovative technical skills, adaptability, proven survival capability. Risks: Unknown background, potential security threat, Valeria's opposition.

  Alexander switched to the footage his interface had captured of her traps. The triggering mechanisms were unlike standard Game designs, suggesting either unusual training or exceptional creativity. Possibly both.

  "Still analyzing?" Elijah's quiet voice came from behind him.

  Alexander didn't turn. "She's a unique asset."

  "Is that all you see? An asset?" Elijah sat beside him, his expression thoughtful in the dim light.

  "What else matters?"

  "Her neural interface modifications are sophisticated. Beyond what most technical specialists could manage, let alone an Unaligned pyer."

  Alexander frowned. "You think she had help?"

  "Or unique capability." Elijah gnced toward her shelter. "Either way, she's more than just a convenient resource."

  "Valeria doesn't trust her."

  "Valeria doesn't trust anyone who isn't corporate-vetted," Elijah countered. "Her security background makes her cautious."

  Alexander nodded, considering. Valeria's opposition was expected but not necessarily decisive. As team leader, the final assessment was his responsibility.

  "Father would say we should exploit the advantage while minimizing exposure," Alexander said.

  "And what do you say?" Elijah asked.

  Alexander closed his interface dispy, decision made. "That calcuted risks win games."

  He stood as the camp began stirring. Riva emerged from her shelter, immediately checking equipment with methodical precision. Marcus acknowledged Alexander with a nod before returning to his vigint scan of the perimeter.

  Valeria approached, her expression tight with disapproval. "Have you decided?"

  "I have," Alexander confirmed.

  "She's Unaligned, Alexander. Probably using stolen corporate technology. We can't trust her."

  "We don't need to trust her," Alexander replied. "We need her technical skills."

  "She's a security risk," Valeria insisted. "Her neural interface is clearly modified—which is illegal. One report to Game authorities and—"

  "And we lose a valuable resource," Alexander interrupted. "That would be inefficient."

  Valeria's eyes narrowed. "This isn't just about efficiency."

  "It is exactly about efficiency," Alexander countered. "Her technical skills enhance our operational capabilities. The risk is manageable through proper supervision."

  "Your father wouldn't approve of this deviation from protocol."

  Alexander met her gaze steadily. "My father isn't here. I lead this team."

  Their standoff was interrupted as Lyra emerged from her assigned shelter. Despite the quality rest environment, there was wariness in her posture as she assessed the camp. Her eyes quickly found Alexander and Valeria, clearly recognizing a confrontation in progress.

  Alexander moved toward her with purposeful strides. Time to present his offer.

  "You slept well?" he asked, though his interface had already provided that answer.

  "Well enough," Lyra replied cautiously.

  "I've assessed your technical capabilities," Alexander stated, moving directly to the point. "Your trap designs show innovative thinking valuable to our team."

  Lyra's expression remained neutral. "And?"

  "I'm prepared to offer temporary protection in exchange for your technical expertise."

  Behind him, he could sense Valeria's tension without needing to see it. Her objections had been overruled, but her cooperation would be necessary.

  "Why would I trust Architect heirs?" Lyra asked.

  "This isn't about trust," Alexander replied. "It's a transaction. Your skills for our resources and protection."

  "Protection from what?"

  "The quota deadline approaches. More hunting parties will emerge. Solo pyers become primary targets. Your survival probability decreases significantly within the next forty-eight hours."

  The clinical assessment wasn't meant to intimidate, merely to establish facts. Lyra's slight nod indicated she'd reached the same conclusion.

  "What exactly would you expect from me?" she asked.

  "Technical assistance. Trap design. Equipment modification."

  "And when I'm no longer useful?"

  Alexander appreciated her directness. "Then our arrangement concludes. No obligation on either side."

  He extended his hand, offering the formal gesture of a business agreement rather than an emotional alliance. "Do we have an arrangement, Lyra Kess?"

  He could see her calcuting, weighing options against survival probability. Around them, the team waited for her decision—Valeria with thinly veiled hostility, Elijah with quiet interest, Riva and Marcus with professional neutrality.

  After a moment's consideration, Lyra took his hand briefly. "Until it no longer serves either of us."

  "Agreed." Alexander turned to address the team. "Lyra Kess joins us temporarily as technical specialist. Riva, provide necessary equipment access. Marcus, adjust security protocols. Valeria, continue perimeter monitoring."

  Each acknowledged the orders, even Valeria, though her compliance came with evident reluctance.

  Alexander returned his attention to Lyra. "We move in thirty minutes. Prepare your equipment."

  As he walked away to continue morning preparations, Alexander reflected on his decision. Adding an Unaligned pyer to an Architect team was unprecedented in his experience—a deviation from expected protocol that his father would certainly question.

  But leadership required adaptation to changing circumstances. Lyra's technical skills represented an advantage he couldn't ignore, regardless of her social cssification.

  It was simply a calcuted risk. Nothing more.