Five Years Later
The classroom was full of energy—twenty-seven children aged eight to nine, all fidgeting in their seats as their teacher pulled up the history presentation.
"Today," Mrs. Okafor said, her voice carrying that practiced authority teachers developed, "we're going to learn about the System Revolution. Can anyone tell me who led the resistance against World President Mark?"
Hands shot up immediately.
"Reynard Vale!" a boy in the front row called out before being properly acknowledged.
Mrs. Okafor smiled. "That's right, David. Reynard Vale. He's in all your history books now. A man who challenged tyranny when most of the world believed it was impossible."
She pulled up an image—Reynard's face from five years ago, standing in Mark's command center, delivering that final broadcast. The children leaned forward, recognizing the moment they'd been taught about.
