The grid did not break around the independent zone.
It flowed around it.
Yuki projected the updated energy map on the strategy room wall. The neutral territory sat in the center of the coastal cluster like a stone in a stream.
"Load redistribution is complete," she said.
"Efficiency loss?" I asked.
"Less than two percent."
"Acceptable."
"Yes."
The neighboring territories had automatically adjusted their output. No emergency calls. No manual overrides. The system recognized the gap and compensated.
"That demonstrates resilience," Catherine noted.
"It demonstrates design," Damon corrected.
"If the system required every node to function, it would be fragile. Because it allows gaps, it endures."
I studied the map.
The independent zone was glowing softly. Not connected. Not dark. J
