The first protest began at dawn.
Brayn was in the command center, reviewing the latest reconstruction reports, when Maria's voice crackled over the comm, sharp with urgency. "Brayn, we've got a situation at the Central Core square. Hundreds of people have gathered. They're demanding answers."
Brayn's blood ran cold. "Answers about what?"
"The reconstruction. The integration. The Chosen. They're saying we've been hiding something. That we're not telling them the truth."
Brayn was on his feet in an instant. "I'll be right there."
---
The square was chaos.
Brayn stood on the platform, his eyes scanning the faces of the crowd. Hundreds of people had gathered, their voices raised in anger and fear. Some held signs. Others chanted slogans. The tension was thick, suffocating.
"We want the
