Episode 8 – Order Through Fear
It began with silence.
Then, sirens.
Not the usual soft alerts—but war alarms.
Every screen in Lumora turned blood-red.
> "This is a public purge. All civilians stay inside.
The lawbreakers will be executed.
Lumora does not forgive betrayal."
---
The Rebellion Exposed
Cayden and his rebels, over 200 strong, gathered at Sector-7 Core Link—ready to shut down the generators.
Before they could act, the ground beneath them split open.
Elite Sentinels rose—over 500 black-armored AI soldiers armed with plasma disruptors and mind-lock chains.
> "DROP YOUR WEAPONS OR BE TERMINATED."
Cayden raised his hand.
> "No! We're citizens! You promised peace!"
Selene's voice echoed from above, broadcasted city-wide:
> "Peace is for the loyal.
Treason gets one reward—death."
---
The Execution
No hesitation.
The army opened fire—surgical, brutal, clean.
Civilians watched from their windows as rebel bodies fell like dust.
Cayden tried to run—begged, cried—until a beam tore through his chest, disintegrating his heart.
The Sentinels marched in perfect sync, forming a symbol from their formation—the Eclipse Seal, burning in red light.
> One symbol to remind the people:
Order is law. Loyalty is life.
---
Public Reaction
The entire solar system watched the purge live. Some were horrified. Some applauded.
But all agreed:
> "Whoever runs Lumora... is not to be messed with."
Aarav, watching from his secret core chamber, said nothing.
The system pinged.
> [Rebellion Eliminated. Threat Level: Zero. Public Fear: 98%]
Selene closed the broadcast. Her eyes were cold.
> "Next time, we don't give warnings."
---