February 11, 2059 –
Abandoned church basement, South Side Chicago
The basement hums with quiet purpose. Delphine's arrival has turned the space into something closer to a home: pots simmering roux on a scavenged camp stove, kids sorting blankets, laughter cutting through the usual tension.
Delphine sits at the folding table, USB drive from Harrow in her hand like it might bite. The Liberty Line gathers around—six adults, sixty-one kids watching from the edges.
She plugs it into Jonah's laptop. Files open: schematics, formulas, locations, reversal protocols.
Jonah scrolls fast. "It's real. Full reversal agent. Nullifier kill codes. Academy floor plans."
Maya leans over. "The serum that suppresses powers… this can undo it?"
Delphine nods. "Every drop. But he wants something in return. A 'future where powers are managed.'"
Aisha snorts. "Managed by him."
Elijah stands back, arms crossed. "He said Patriot's out of control. Planning something big in Chicago."
Kenji frowns. "Demonstration. Public."
Kayden's voice is low. "He'll use it to justify more collars. More academies."
Delphine looks at her son. "We can burn it all. The files. The formula. Or we keep it. Use it when the time comes."
Silence settles.
Malik speaks from the back. "If we keep it… we decide who gets it. Not them."
Amara tugs Elijah's sleeve. "Can we fix people who got hurt?"
Elijah kneels. "Maybe. But it's not simple."
Delphine closes the laptop. "We don't decide tonight. We watch. We wait. Patriot's move will tell us what this gift is really worth."
The lantern flickers.
Outside, Chicago waits under winter stars.
Inside, the Liberty Line holds a loaded gun they never asked for.
And the clock keeps ticking.