As winter deepened, Aria received concerning news from one of the pilot territories. The program there was facing significant local resistance. Traditional leaders objected to what they called continental interference in territorial affairs. They were pressuring participants to withdraw and threatening to expel program coordinators.
"This is exactly the kind of resistance we anticipated," Liora said, reviewing the reports. "Territorial autonomy concerns overriding practical benefits."
"We need to address this before it spreads," Aria said. "If one territory successfully expels prevention programs, others will follow that precedent."
She traveled to the resistant territory despite difficult winter conditions. The journey took five days through snow and cold. But the situation required direct engagement.
The territorial leadership agreed to meet, though their initial stance was openly hostile.
