"Hold up," Alexander raised his hand, signaling the team to stop paddling. Their canoes drifted silently in the gentle current as he studied the riverbank ahead.

  After a week of navigating the confluence byrinth, they'd decided to explore a northern tributary that wasn't marked on their salvaged map. The narrow waterway had gradually widened into a scenic stretch bordered by tall pines reaching skyward from both banks. But it wasn't the natural beauty that had caught Alexander's attention.

  "Watchtower," he said quietly, pointing to a wooden structure partially concealed among the trees. "And there—defensive positions along the bank."

  Lyra narrowed her eyes, following his gesture. "Artificial clearcutting pattern too. Designed for maximum visibility while maintaining cover."

  "Someone's home," Riva murmured, already reaching for her spear.

  "Stand down," Alexander ordered. "If they wanted to attack, they would have already. This looks like an established outpost."

  As if to confirm his assessment, a melodic series of birdcalls echoed from the watchtower. A signal, not natural wildlife.

  Alexander straightened in his canoe. "Take us in slowly. Keep your hands visible, but be ready for anything."

  As they approached the bank, figures emerged from concealed positions along the shoreline—men and women in practical leather and canvas gear, armed with spears and bows but not openly hostile. Their equipment showed signs of long-term use and careful maintenance.

  A tall woman stepped forward as they neared the shore, raising her hand in a clear signal for her people to hold position. She stood with the easy confidence of someone accustomed to command, her weather-beaten face marked by several scars including a prominent one that ran from her left temple to jawline. Despite appearing to be in her te thirties, her eyes held the depth of someone who had seen far more than her years suggested.

  "Travelers," she called, her voice carrying easily across the water. "State your business and origin."

  Alexander guided his canoe to the small wooden dock that extended into the river. "We're exploring the river system," he replied, keeping his tone respectful but not submissive. "Looking to map the confluence byrinth."

  The woman studied them intently as they secured their canoes, her gaze lingering briefly on each team member before returning to Alexander.

  "Floor entry date?" she asked.

  "Seven days ago," Alexander answered. "Before that, six months in the Game total."

  This answer seemed to satisfy something for the woman. She nodded slightly.

  "Captain Verna," she introduced herself, offering a forearm in warrior's greeting. "Commander of Forest Watch Outpost. We don't get many visitors who navigate the confluence successfully."

  Alexander csped her forearm in return. "Alexander Voss. This is my team—Elijah, Lyra, Riva, and Valeria."

  Captain Verna's eyes flickered briefly at the Voss name, but she made no comment on it. Instead, she gestured toward the trees where a path was now visible.

  "Come. Any group smart enough to solve part of the confluence deserves at least a hot meal and information exchange."

  Alexander gnced at his team. Riva looked eager, already halfway onto the dock. Valeria maintained her usual composed demeanor but seemed more rexed than expected in this military environment. Elijah was focused on the medical pouches visible on some of the outpost guards, clearly identifying potential knowledge sources.

  Lyra, however, had gone very still. Her eyes darted between the armed figures, cataloging weapons, positions, and escape routes. Alexander recognized the instinctive wariness of someone from the Unaligned territories encountering an organized military structure.

  Captain Verna noticed too. "Your gear will be safe here," she said, directing this specifically to Lyra with understanding in her eyes. "No one touches another's equipment at the outpost. That's rule one."

  Some of the tension eased from Lyra's shoulders, though her watchfulness remained as they followed the captain up the path.

  The Forest Watch Outpost revealed itself gradually as they walked—not a single structure but a collection of buildings integrated into the natural environment. Watchtowers disguised as tall trees, barracks built into hillsides, and training areas in natural clearings formed a settlement that could house perhaps fifty people comfortably.

  "We've held this position for twelve years," Captain Verna expined as she led them through the compound. "Established as a monitoring station for the confluence and northern river territory."

  "Twelve years?" Elijah asked, unable to hide his surprise. "You've been on Floor 7 that long?"

  The captain's expression revealed nothing. "Some choose to ascend. Others find purpose where they are."

  She brought them to a central building constructed around the base of an enormous pine tree, its trunk forming a natural column in the center of a circur room. A rge table held detailed maps of the river system, far more comprehensive than their own salvaged version.

  "This is our command center," Captain Verna expined. "And where we'll feed you before discussing your expedition."

  At her signal, outpost members brought food—roasted fish with river herbs and root vegetables prepared in ways they hadn't tried before. The meal was simple but delicious, clearly refined through years of local ingredients.

  As they ate, various outpost specialists joined them. Healer Jorith, a middle-aged man with steady hands and calm demeanor, immediately engaged Elijah in conversation about river-specific injuries and treatments. Scout Nessa, a nimble teenager with exceptional climbing equipment, shared observations about river currents with Riva. Artificer Jorin, a one-eyed man with mechanical arm repcements, initially sat apart until Lyra cautiously asked about a unique gearing system on his prosthetic.

  Alexander watched his team gradually integrate with the outpost personnel, noting the valuable exchanges occurring. Meanwhile, he focused on Captain Verna, recognizing her as the true source of strategic information.

  "Your maps of the confluence are impressive," he commented. "Would you be willing to share that knowledge?"

  Captain Verna studied him for a moment before answering. "Information is currency here, Alexander Voss. What do you offer in exchange?"

  "Fresh data from the amber and azure realms," he replied without hesitation. "Detailed guardian tactics and navigation shortcuts we've discovered."

  Something like approval flickered in the captain's eyes. "Acceptable." She unrolled a rger map across the table. "The confluence follows a five-phase cycle, as you've likely discovered."

  Alexander nodded. "We've mapped about forty percent of the junction points using the phase sequences."

  "Impressive for newcomers," she acknowledged. "Most miss the timing element entirely." Her finger traced a pattern on the map. "There are three major circution systems within the overall structure. You've discovered the western circuit. These are the central and eastern networks."

  As they discussed river navigation, Alexander noticed Elijah deep in conversation with Healer Jorith, who was demonstrating a technique for treating something called "river fever" using a specialized tincture. Elijah's notebook was open beside him, filling rapidly with notes.

  Valeria had somehow integrated herself with a group of outpost guards, trading stories of corporate training compared to their frontier methods. Her ease in this environment highlighted her security background in a way Alexander hadn't seen before.

  Most surprising was Lyra's gradual engagement with Artificer Jorin. Initially hesitant, she now sat beside the one-eyed craftsman, hands moving animatedly as they discussed what looked like mechanical water flow regutors. Her usual caution around structured environments seemed temporarily overcome by technical fascination.

  "Your Unaligned has good instincts," Captain Verna commented quietly, following Alexander's gaze. "Watched all escape routes before engaging. Smart."

  Alexander raised an eyebrow, neither confirming nor denying Lyra's background. "She's a valuable team member."

  Verna nodded. "Jorin was Unaligned too, before finding his way here. Took him weeks to sleep without a weapon in hand." She turned back to the maps. "Now, these sections here are particurly treacherous during phase four..."

  As afternoon turned to evening, Captain Verna offered them accommodation for the night—simple but comfortable quarters within the outpost's guest barracks. Alexander accepted after a quick silent check with his team, recognizing the strategic advantage of a secure base and the opportunity for further information exchange.

  Scout Nessa gave them a tour of the remaining facilities as the captain returned to her duties. The young reconnaissance specialist showed particur enthusiasm when describing the hidden observation posts throughout the river system.

  "We've mapped nearly every tributary within two days' travel," she expined proudly. "Including some passages that don't appear on standard maps." She lowered her voice conspiratorially. "There are underwater tunnels that can bypass entire sections of the confluence if you know where to look."

  Elijah, who had rejoined the group after his extended session with Healer Jorith, looked particurly interested at this information. Alexander made a mental note to discuss it with him ter.

  As night fell, the outpost transformed. Specially designed nterns cast a blue-green light that was visible to residents but minimally detectable from a distance. Guards rotated shifts with practiced efficiency, and somewhere someone pyed a string instrument whose mencholy notes carried through the compound.

  The team gathered in their assigned quarters to discuss the day's developments.

  "Their medical knowledge is incredible," Elijah reported, organizing the new herbs and tinctures he'd been given by Healer Jorith. "They've developed treatments specifically for river-reted conditions I've never even heard of. Jorith gave me recipes for three different antidotes to local toxins."

  "The artificers have created water flow regutors that could help us navigate the trickier confluence junctions," Lyra added, her initial caution now tempered by professional respect. "Jorin showed me designs that are... well, they're brilliant. Simple but effective."

  "And the food doesn't suck," Riva contributed with her mouth half-full of dried river berries she'd been given by one of the cooks.

  Valeria remained quieter, though Alexander noticed she seemed unusually at ease in the military setting. "Their security protocols are efficient," she finally offered. "Layered defense with multiple fallback positions."

  Alexander nodded, processing everyone's observations. "This outpost could be a valuable base for our exploration of the remaining confluence sections. Captain Verna has invited us to join the morning briefing tomorrow."

  Later, while the others prepared for sleep, Alexander checked the security of their quarters—a habit he maintained regardless of surroundings. As he examined the locking mechanism on the main door, he was surprised to find Lyra outside, sitting on a wooden bench overlooking the river below.

  "Can't sleep?" he asked, joining her.

  She shook her head slightly. "Too many people. Too much structure." She gestured vaguely at the orderly outpost. "It's like being in a corporate zone, just... woodsier."

  Alexander considered this perspective. For someone raised in Sector 17's chaotic, independent environment, the outpost's military precision must feel foreign, perhaps even threatening.

  "Captain Verna seems to understand," he observed. "She mentioned something about Jorin being Unaligned before."

  "She noticed immediately," Lyra confirmed. "Something about how I checked escape routes." A small, rueful smile crossed her face. "Hard habit to break when you've spent your life avoiding corporate patrols."

  They sat in companionable silence for a moment, watching the moonlight on the river. Alexander found himself increasingly comfortable in these quiet moments with Lyra, despite the growing list of inconsistencies in her background. Whatever secrets she kept, her fundamental character had proven itself repeatedly.

  "The captain wants to meet with us privately before the general briefing tomorrow," Alexander said finally. "She mentioned having more detailed confluence information she doesn't share widely."

  "Do you trust her?" Lyra asked, her gaze still on the river.

  Alexander considered the question carefully. "Provisionally. Her outpost is well-run, her people respect rather than fear her, and she's survived twelve years in one of the more challenging floor environments. That earns a measure of respect."

  Lyra nodded, accepting his assessment. After another moment of silence, she stood. "I should try to sleep. Big day tomorrow."

  As she turned to go, Captain Verna emerged from the shadows nearby—moving with the silent efficiency that marked experienced Game survivors. She acknowledged Alexander with a nod but addressed Lyra directly.

  "The structure feels confining at first," she said without preamble. "I felt the same when I first joined a squad after years solo." She gestured to the scar running down her face. "Learned the hard way that some rivers can't be navigated alone."

  Lyra studied the older woman, neither accepting nor rejecting the implicit understanding being offered.

  "Your skills are evident," Captain Verna continued. "The way you've modified your equipment, your awareness patterns. If you have questions about anything here, my door is open." With that, she nodded to them both and continued on her rounds.

  Lyra watched her go, something like puzzled respect in her expression. "Twelve years on one floor," she murmured. "I wonder what makes someone stop climbing."

  "Purpose, maybe," Alexander suggested. "She's built something here that works."

  They returned to their quarters where the others were already sleeping. As Alexander took the first watch, a habit he maintained even in supposedly secure locations, he reflected on the unexpected discovery of the outpost. Every floor brought new challenges, but also new resources and allies.

  Tomorrow they would learn more about the confluence from people who had spent years mastering it. For now, that was enough progress for one day.