Chapter 10: The Council's Last Hand

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.

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### 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