The problem with evolution was that it never asked permission.
It moved whether people were ready or not.
In the days following Aria's full disclosure, the world did not fracture the way Cassian had expected. Nor did it coalesce into unity. Instead, something more dangerous occurred.
It sorted.
Institutions, alliances, and power blocs began to orient themselves, not around names or flags, but around philosophies. Around tolerance for uncertainty. Around willingness to relinquish absolute control.
The empire did not announce a doctrine.
It didn't need to.
Its behavior had become the doctrine.
Victor reviewed the intelligence feeds in silence, the glow of overlapping dashboards reflecting off his eyes. "We're seeing polarization," he said finally. "But not along old lines."
Dante leaned against the edge of the table, arms crossed. "Meaning?"
