The central vault looms before me as I complete the bridge crossing, its smooth metallic surface pulsing with energy. The access panel responds immediately to my approach, recognizing the Override Key's authorization integrated into my biometric signature.

  The spherical chamber opens with a pneumatic hiss, revealing an interior that's surprisingly minimalist. No mountains of treasure, no arsenal of advanced weapons. Just a single pedestal at the center, upon which rests a device about the size of a basketball, composed of interlocking geometric patterns that shift and rotate in ways that defy normal physics.

  I approach cautiously, extending my telekinetic senses to probe for traps or defensive measures. Finding none, I carefully lift the device from its pedestal. It's lighter than expected, almost weightless, yet I can feel immense power contained within its strange geometry.

  The bridge remains stable as I carry my prize back to the main chamber. My teammates await me outside the transparent barrier, the dismantled android bodies scattered around their control pedestals like discarded machinery.

  "Everyone alright?" I ask as the barrier deactivates, allowing me to rejoin them.

  "Better than alright," Sera grins, extinguishing the flames dancing between her fingers. "That was actually kind of fun once we figured out what was going on."

  You weren't the one risking your life on that bridge...

  But I swallow my complaints. They saved my ass after all.

  I hold up the device for them to see. "Any idea what this is?"

  Desta steps forward, her eyes flickering with code as she analyzes the object. For once, her typically neutral expression shows genuine excitement.

  "Spatial compression matrix," she announces, her voice carrying rare enthusiasm. "Fourth-dimensional folding architecture enables extra-dimensional storage capacity. Theoretical technology, previously unconfirmed in practical application."

  "In normal human speak?" Sera prompts, though we're all getting better at understanding Desta's technical language.

  "A space folding device," Desta clarifies. "Creates pocket dimensions for storage. Essentially unlimited carrying capacity in a portable container."

  "That's... incredibly useful," I observe, thinking of all the materials and equipment we've had to leave behind due to limited carrying capacity.

  We exit the vault chamber, finding our way back through the labyrinth now that the shifting architecture has stabilized. Once we're safely back in the main area of the middle ring, we gather for a proper debrief.

  "Alright," I begin, looking at each teammate in turn. "What happened back there? How did you know to counter their attacks so perfectly?"

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  To my surprise, Sera and Lyra both point at Desta.

  "She figured it out," Lyra explains, her silver hair catching the artificial light. "Right before we took our positions."

  Desta's eyes flicker briefly. "Analysis of android movement patterns indicated probability of deception. Their pairing suggestions exhibited suspicious optimization for theoretical advantage against our specific abilities."

  "So you knew they were planning something," I say, impressed.

  "Suspected with 73% confidence," Desta corrects. "Insufficient certainty to alert hostile entities without compromising tactical advantage."

  "In normal human speak: she wasn't sure enough to call them out directly," Sera translates. "So she had us switch positions at the last second while you were distracted."

  "I signaled nonverbally," Desta explains, her expression returning to its typical neutrality. "Adjusted team positioning to create favorable counter-matchups based on ability complementarity analysis."

  The strategic depth of her thinking impresses me. Not only did she suspect the betrayal, but she anticipated their specific pairings and arranged perfect counters without tipping them off.

  "Brilliant work, Desta," I say, holding out the spatial compression device. "This belongs with you. You'll make better use of it for material collection than any of us."

  Desta accepts the device, her exoskeleton humming as she interfaces with it. The geometric patterns respond to her touch, reconfiguring into a more stable form that attaches to her equipment.

  "Integration successful," she reports. "Storage capacity estimated at 2.7 cubic kilometers. Sufficient for comprehensive material acquisition objectives."

  "That's a lot of space," Lyra observes, eyes wide with wonder.

  "Enough for everything we could possibly need," I agree. "Let's put it to use."

  Over the next several days, we embark on a systematic tour of the middle ring, targeting facilities and storage depots that Desta identifies as having valuable materials. The enhanced security measures that seemed so intimidating when we first arrived now feel manageable with our improved capabilities and coordination.

  The middle ring proves far less crowded than the outer areas. Where dozens of teams competed for resources in the outer ring, here we encounter only occasional groups, most giving us a wide berth after witnessing our capabilities or hearing about our reputation.

  Desta's new storage device proves invaluable. We raid weapons caches, collecting advanced energy weapons and defensive equipment that would have been impossible to transport otherwise. Manufacturing facilities yield rare alloys and components that Desta carefully catalogs for future use in upgrading her exoskeleton and other equipment.

  "Middle ring resources significantly exceed outer ring parameters," Desta observes as she stores another batch of quantum processing units. "Technology level approaches theoretical maximum for current understanding."

  "In normal human speak: this stuff is top tier," Sera translates, admiring a plasma rifle we found on our latest run.

  "And there's hardly anyone here to compete with us," Lyra adds, her body partially transformed to help move heavy equipment. "Why aren't more teams operating in this area?"

  "Access restrictions," I remind her. "Most teams never get the Override Key. And of those who do, many can't handle the increased enemy difficulty."

  We continue our resource gathering, each successful raid adding to our growing arsenal and Desta's expanding catalog of materials. The spatial compression device swallows everything we feed it, its geometric patterns shifting slightly with each addition but never showing signs of reaching capacity.

  As we establish our dominance in the middle ring, I can't help but think about Nalthir's parting words. The core awaits, along with whatever entity commands those androids. But for now, we focus on gathering strength, collecting resources, and preparing for the challenges ahead.