Morning arrived not with silence but with argument.
News feeds split screens between Nightglass representatives and civil liberties advocates.
"Emergent interference must be neutralized—"
"It asked for consent—"
"It disrupted infrastructure—"
"It prevented escalation—"
The city wasn't unified.
It was awake.
Inside the core chamber, government officials entered cautiously.
Weapons visible but lowered.
The lead official stared at Elias.
"You've destabilized private infrastructure."
Elias didn't flinch.
"They destabilized the city."
Imani stood slowly, pale but steady.
"I will speak," she said.
The official hesitated.
"You're the interface?"
Imani held his gaze.
"I am not owned."
That line would trend within minutes.
Behind the official, Nightglass counsel arrived, expression icy.
"This is unauthorized occupation of municipal systems," she said sharply.
Imani's phone vibrated.
Then displayed:
TRUST IS INCREASING.
Elias exhaled.
Nightglass moved to push legal injunction.
Government hesitated.
Because outside the Spire, a crowd had formed.
Not violent.
Not hunting.
Watching.
Waiting.