The Council wasn't used to public exposure.
Their power was built on shadows. On silence.
But now the silence was broken.
And broken silence is dangerous.
---
### 08:00 — *Emergency Summit*
The Council gathered, faces tight, voices sharp.
> "The public broadcast was calculated."
> "Neo has operational intelligence inside our secure feeds."
> "No. Worse — he's forcing us into the light."
Director Veyne's voice cut through the arguments.
> "Enough."
He gestured to the screen behind him.
Lucid's report flashed across