Strikes didn't announce themselves.
They synchronized.
It began at 8:43 a.m.
Three separate notifications arrived within the same minute.
A supplier revision.
An investor inquiry.
A regulatory clarification request.
Unrelated.
On the surface.
"They moved," Adrian said quietly.
"Yes," I replied. "Simultaneously."
Coordination disguised as coincidence.
The supplier revision was the sharpest.
Revised pricing model.
Immediate implementation.
Citing "market volatility."
Volatility hadn't moved.
"They're compressing margins," Adrian said.
"Yes," I replied. "Testing tolerance."
The investor inquiry followed.
Not accusation.
Request for strategic outlook update.
Early.
Unscheduled.
"They want to observe posture," Adrian said.
"Yes," I replied. "Under strain."
The regulatory clarification request was the most precise.
Requesting expanded documentation on accelerated operational shifts.
Fully compliant.
But timing deliberate.
Three angles.
Cost.
Confidence.
