The VitaCore executive boardroom occupied the entire 157th floor of the company's headquarters tower, its panoramic windows offering an unrivaled view of the Administrative District. Terminus's carefully terraformed ndscape stretched to the horizon, corporate territories delineated by subtle shifts in architecture and environmental design.

  Seven high-backed chairs surrounded the polished conference table—one for each corporate leader. Today, only six were occupied. Eliza Chen of InfoSys had sent a proxy, a slender woman who sat slightly apart from the others, observing more than participating.

  Marcus Voss stood at the head of the table, his athletic frame impeccably adorned in VitaCore's signature colors—navy blue and silver. A holographic dispy hovered above the table's center, showing statistical analyses of Game progression metrics.

  "As you can see," Marcus continued his presentation, gesturing to a highlighted trajectory line, "Team Voss has maintained an exceptional advancement rate despite unexpected personnel changes. They've now successfully completed the Amber Realm, pcing them in the top 0.03% of all current participants."

  Victoria Aqua-Nova leaned forward, her fingers steepled beneath her chin. As head of AquaNova Corporation, the Azure Realm fell under her particur interest. "Their progression is impressive, certainly. But it's their team composition that concerns me." Her gaze shifted meaningfully to a secondary dispy showing three pyer profiles. "The Unaligned participant in particur."

  The dispy zoomed in on Lyra's profile, highlighting her unusual advancement metrics and equipment modifications.

  "Yes, the Sector 17 pyer," Rond Zhang of FusionTech commented, his tone dismissive. "I don't see the issue. Lower-css pyers occasionally demonstrate unexpected aptitude. It's one of the Game's intended functions—identifying exceptional individuals regardless of origin."

  "The issue," General Darius Ward of ProtectoCorp interjected, "is that this particur Unaligned pyer appears to be operating with technological capabilities far beyond her css designation." His military background was evident in his rigid posture. "Our security analysts have fgged multiple instances of unauthorized neural interface modifications and equipment adaptations."

  "Which raises questions about how she acquired such capabilities," Imani TerraMin added, her eyes narrowing. "And why she's been permitted to continue without extraction."

  All eyes turned to Marcus Voss, the implicit question hanging in the air: why had he allowed an unauthorized pyer to remain teamed with his sons?

  Marcus's expression remained impassive. "We've been monitoring the situation carefully. Initial analysis suggested the unauthorized modifications were minor—typical bck market enhancements avaible in Unaligned territories. Nothing that warranted immediate intervention."

  He gestured, and the dispy shifted to show recent footage from the Azure Realm transition. "However, more recent data indicates more sophisticated capabilities than previously assessed. Particurly in response to the Azure environment."

  The footage showed Lyra in the shallow water, her interface visibly activating unregistered protocols as she demonstrated unexpected aquatic adaptations.

  Victoria Aqua-Nova's interest visibly sharpened. "Those are R-series environmental adaptation protocols. Highly restricted technology. Certainly not something avaible in the bck markets of Sector 17."

  "More importantly," Marcus continued, "her presence appears to be influencing my sons' behavior in unexpected ways." He dispyed another clip showing Alexander rejecting Valeria—their embedded corporate observer—in favor of maintaining alliance with Lyra. "They've deviated significantly from expected advancement strategies."

  "Perhaps because those strategies have proven more effective," a quiet voice interjected.

  Heads turned toward Helena Voss, who had remained silent until now. She sat midway down the table, elegant in Helix Pharmaceuticals' forest green and gold, her blonde hair arranged in a complex style that managed to appear both professional and artistic. Unlike her husband's commanding presence, Helena's power was subtler—a calm authority that drew attention without demanding it.

  "The metrics speak for themselves," she continued, gesturing to the performance data. "Team Voss's advancement rate increased by 37% after integrating the Unaligned pyer's technical capabilities with my sons' leadership and analytical skills. The synergy is statistically significant."

  Marcus's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Effectiveness isn't the only consideration, as you well know, Helena."

  "Of course not," she agreed smoothly. "But it is worth noting that the Game's original design parameters specifically encourage adaptive team composition based on complementary skills rather than social css uniformity."

  The subtle emphasis on "original design parameters" caused a flicker of tension around the table. Everyone present knew Helena had been part of the initial Game development team, though her exact role was rarely discussed in these meetings.

  "The original parameters have been appropriately modified to serve current objectives," General Ward stated ftly.

  Helena inclined her head in acknowledgment, giving no indication of her true thoughts on those modifications.

  Dominic Helix, Helena's direct superior at Helix Pharmaceuticals, cleared his throat. "While team composition is certainly interesting, I believe our more immediate concern should be the unexpined neural interface adaptations this Unaligned pyer is exhibiting." He turned to Helena. "Your department oversees neural technology research. Do you have any insights on how a Sector 17 resident might have acquired such sophisticated modifications?"

  Helena met his gaze steadily. "Without direct examination, I can only specute. The most likely expnation is that she's naturally talented with interface technology and has built upon basic bck market foundations with her own innovations." She paused. "Not unprecedented. Some of our most valuable researchers began as self-taught enthusiasts from lower sectors."

  "Your department's recruitment methods notwithstanding," Victoria interjected, "these adaptations appear suspiciously specific to Azure Realm environments. Almost as if they were designed for this purpose."

  Helena's expression remained professionally neutral. "An interesting observation. It would be valuable to extract this pyer for proper analysis of her neural architecture."

  Marcus studied his wife carefully. To the others, her suggestion appeared to be simple professional interest. Only he could detect the calcuted strategy behind her apparent cooperation.

  "Extraction has already been considered," he said. "However, the current symbiotic retionship between this pyer and my sons complicates matters. Removing her could potentially disrupt their advancement trajectory."

  "Then increase monitoring," General Ward suggested. "Full neural pattern recording, continuous environmental surveilnce, complete communication tracking."

  "Already implemented," Marcus confirmed. "Additional enforcement resources have also been allocated to maintain proximity without direct intervention." He closed the holographic dispy with a precise gesture. "Which brings me to our recommendation: We maintain observation while preparing for potential extraction once we've gathered sufficient data on her neural adaptations and their effectiveness in Azure environments."

  "A sensible approach," Dominic agreed. "Helix Pharmaceuticals is particurly interested in any interface innovations this pyer has developed. We would request priority access if extraction proceeds."

  "Naturally, research access would be allocated according to standard protocols," Marcus responded diplomatically, though everyone understood that VitaCore would maintain primary control of any valuable assets discovered.

  Victoria Aqua-Nova appeared less satisfied. "AquaNova has specific interest in Azure Realm adaptations. Our division should be directly involved in any extraction operation."

  "All corporate interests will be appropriately considered," Marcus assured her smoothly.

  The meeting continued with discussion of other high-priority pyers and advancement metrics, but an undercurrent of tension remained. Each corporate leader recognized the potential value of Lyra's unexpected capabilities, particurly if they proved replicable.

  As the meeting concluded an hour ter, Helena gathered her materials unhurriedly while the others filed out. Marcus remained at the head of the table, watching her with careful assessment.

  When they were alone, he spoke in a lower tone. "You've taken an unusual interest in this Unaligned pyer. One might wonder why."

  Helena met his gaze evenly. "Scientific curiosity. Her neural adaptations are remarkable, particurly given her limited resources. Such talent could benefit Helix's research initiatives."

  "Is that all?" Marcus asked, his tone deceptively casual.

  "What else would it be?" Helena countered, her smile perfectly composed.

  Marcus tapped his tablet, bringing up the message Elijah had sent. "Our son seemed particurly eager to inform you about this pyer. Almost as if he thought you might have special interest in her capabilities."

  Helena's expression betrayed nothing as she reviewed the message. "Elijah has always shared his observations with me. He knows I appreciate technical aptitude wherever it appears." She handed the tablet back. "I'm pleased to see both our sons developing proper assessment skills for potential assets."

  "Assets," Marcus repeated. "Yes, this Unaligned pyer could certainly prove valuable—in the right hands." He studied his wife's face. "I've authorized increased monitoring effective immediately. If her capabilities prove as significant as initial data suggests, extraction will follow."

  "A prudent approach," Helena agreed mildly. "Though I'd suggest waiting until they've progressed further into the Azure Realm. Her adaptations appear specifically tailored to that environment—we should collect comprehensive performance data before removing her."

  Marcus nodded slowly. "Always the scientist, considering all variables." His voice held a hint of something between admiration and suspicion. "Very well. Extended monitoring before extraction."

  As Helena departed, Marcus remained in the boardroom, gazing out at the carefully controlled ndscape of Terminus. Twenty years of marriage had taught him to recognize when Helena was operating on multiple levels. Her suggestion to dey extraction while appearing to support it was particurly transparent.

  He opened a secure channel to Thaddeus Voss, his brother and Director of Game Operations. "Implement full spectrum monitoring on Team Voss, priority cssification. I want real-time neural pattern analysis and environmental surveilnce."

  "Already in progress," Thaddeus confirmed. "Anything specific we're looking for?"

  Marcus considered the question carefully. "Unusual communication patterns. Unexpined neural synchronization. Any indication that the Unaligned pyer's presence was anticipated rather than coincidental."

  "You suspect deliberate interference?"

  "I suspect my wife has interests she hasn't shared with the board," Marcus replied evenly. "Interests that somehow include a supposedly random pyer from Sector 17 with inexplicably advanced neural technology."

  The channel closed, and Marcus turned his attention back to the Game monitoring data. Beyond the corporate politics and power pys, something rger was developing—something connected to the Game's original design and its true purpose. Helena had been part of that original design team, a fact she rarely discussed yet never quite concealed.

  Whatever was happening with Team Voss went beyond standard Game progression. And Marcus was determined to understand it before Helena's unspoken agenda could come to fruition.