The war did not begin with shouting.
It began with applause.
Mira heard it before she understood it.
It was like loud echoes radiating all over the room
She was halfway through a panel discussion at the National Civic Assembly—an event that had once felt like a milestone and now felt like a battlefield disguised as a conference.
The moderator had just introduced the final keynote speaker.
Daniel Armand.
The applause rolled across the auditorium in waves.
Not explosive.
Controlled.
Respectful.
Dangerous.
Mira kept her expression neutral as he stepped onto the stage.
He did not look at her immediately.
That was deliberate.
He thanked the host. Acknowledged the youth delegates. Spoke briefly about transparency reforms.
Then he pivoted.
"As we push for accountability," Daniel said smoothly, "we must ask ourselves a difficult question. Are we willing to hold ourselves to the same standards we demand from institutions?"
The crowd murmured.
