Chapter 14 — Optimization
Rishikesh — 01:32 AM.
Vansh did not open the terminal.
He did not monitor telemetry.
He sat still.
Compression 4 was coming.
Not stronger.
Smarter.
Aaryan would measure interference geometry.
If Vansh responded the same way as before, triangulation probability would spike above 45%.
Unacceptable.
Brute duration was no longer viable.
He needed structural efficiency.
Not more time.
Less waste.
He reviewed past activations mentally.
0.7 seconds — low cost.
1.8 seconds — moderate.
3.4 seconds — fracture threshold.
Energy cost scaled nonlinearly under background instability.
Why?
Because he was forcing alignment against unstable substrate.
Forcing required pressure.
Pressure required duration.
Duration caused strain.
Solution:
Reduce force. Increase leverage.
He activated the interface — carefully.
0.6 seconds.
Instead of projecting wide branches, he narrowed scope.
Single variable. Single harmonic layer. No global branch mapping.
The difference was immediate.
Energy cost dropped 38% compared to previous similar activation.
He ended it.
Interesting.
He had always simulated full decision trees.
Unnecessary.
He only needed decision nodes.
Not entire futures.
He activated again.
0.9 seconds.
Focused only on tertiary coupling elasticity.
Ignored geopolitical outcomes.
Ignored financial ripple.
Ignored long-term projections.
Just harmonic tension mapping.
Energy cost manageable.
Cognitive clarity stable.
This was it.
He had been over-modeling.
Over-modeling increases strain under noise.
He refined internal rule:
Do not simulate futures. Simulate pivot points.
Helix Headquarters.
Aaryan finalized Compression 4 protocol.
Instead of increasing threshold, he altered harmonic distribution geometry.
Tertiary nodes redistributed across array.
Triangulation sensor density increased 15%.
"If they intervene again," Voren said quietly, "we catch them."
Aaryan's eyes were calm.
"If they are intelligent, they will change method."
Rishikesh — 03:10 AM.
Vansh ran another micro-activation.
1.1 seconds.
Focused on Compression 4 harmonic distribution only.
No global branches.
Projection: If he intervenes by shifting only one micro-node, triangulation error increases.
If he avoids tertiary correction entirely and instead alters resonance decay timing, detection probability drops to 18%.
He stopped.
That was new.
Before, he corrected visible instability.
Now he could redirect decay curve instead.
Subtle. Less signature.
More efficient.
Global coherence drift: 0.0090%.
Stable but stretched.
Compression 4 scheduled in 36 hours.
Helix expecting familiar interference.
China observing. India silent. US monitoring.
Vansh recalculated.
Old method: 3+ seconds activation. High signature. High strain.
New method: 1.2–1.5 seconds. Single pivot alteration. Resonance decay redirection.
He tested another micro-scope projection.
1.3 seconds.
Pain minimal.
Energy drop acceptable.
Cognitive latency stable.
Yes.
He had been fighting structure.
Instead, he should guide it.
Morning light entered the bookstore.
Professor Mishra entered quietly.
"You seem different," he said.
"Optimized," Vansh replied.
The professor smiled faintly. "That sounds dangerous."
"It's necessary."
Helix Orbital Array.
Pre-compression checks underway.
Sensor triangulation active.
Aaryan reviewed geometry one last time.
"You adapted," he murmured softly, as if speaking to someone unseen.
"But so did I."
Rishikesh — Night before Compression 4.
Vansh closed his eyes.
He did not fear the trap.
He feared inefficiency.
He activated once more.
1.4 seconds.
Single pivot simulation.
If Compression 4 proceeds to 1.7 seconds: Resonance spike predicted 0.0103%.
If he adjusts decay timing instead of harmonic phase: Peak reduces to 0.0095%. Triangulation signature blurred.
Optimal path identified.
He opened his eyes.
Energy stable. Mind clear.
Evolution achieved.
Not stronger.
Cleaner.
Global coherence drift steady at 0.0091%.
The duel had shifted again.
Aaryan prepared a net.
Vansh prepared to slip through.
Compression 4 in 12 hours.
This time—
The stabilizer would not push.
He would redirect.