The first red point appeared at 2:13 in the morning. Nobody noticed .Not immediately.
Inside the National Emergency Monitoring Center, the night shift was unusually quiet.
A few technicians worked beneath the soft glow of computer screens. Someone was drinking coffee. Someone else was complaining about the air-conditioning.
Outside, Valenridge slept.
The country had spent the entire day talking about Dorian. The man who had refused a government appointment.
The former prisoner who had chosen to work quietly. The financial consultant who had told an entire team to judge him by his work.
People had found the story strangely inspiring.
For the first time in years, many citizens were beginning to believe that change might actually be possible. They were wrong.
Or at least...they were about to be tested.
The technician responsible for the banking network frowned at his screen.
A small warning had appeared. He leaned closer. Then clicked on it.
