February 12, 2059 –
Abandoned church basement, South Side Chicago
The basement feels smaller with the new files open on Jonah's laptop. Schematics glow blue-white on the screen—academy layouts, nullifier circuits, reversal dosages.
Delphine stands over the table, arms crossed, reading the reversal protocol like it's a recipe she doesn't trust.
"This stuff could wake up every collared kid in the country," she says. "But it's experimental. Side effects listed as 'unknown long-term.'"
Maya leans in. "They never tested it on people. Only models."
Aisha snorts. "Of course. Why risk their own before ours?"
Elijah sits on a crate, jaw still bruised from the last fight, eyes fixed on the screen. The drive from Harrow sits beside the laptop like a loaded gun.
Jonah scrolls. "Patriot's demonstration is scheduled for February 20. Daley Plaza. Public 'hero showcase' with live power displays. They're bringing academy kids to perform."
Kenji frowns. "Showcase or spectacle?"
Kayden's voice is quiet from the corner. "Spectacle. He'll make them look dangerous. Justify more collars."
Malik floats a water bottle absently. "They'll use me as the example. 'Look what happens when you run.'"
Delphine closes the laptop. "Then we decide tonight. Burn the drive and stay quiet. Or keep it and plan around Patriot's show."
Silence settles.
Elijah speaks first. "If we burn it, we lose leverage. If we keep it, we're playing his game."
Aisha leans forward. "We don't have to play his way. We crash the demonstration. Show the world what the academies really do."
Maya's light flickers. "Without hurting the kids they put on stage."
Jonah nods. "I can hack the broadcast. Overlay real footage—academy interiors, collar marks, the truth."
Kenji looks at Kayden. "Illusions could hide our approach. Make it look like the kids are breaking free on their own."
Kayden meets his cousin's eyes. "I can do that. No blood. Just truth."
Delphine looks at Elijah.
He exhales.
"We keep the drive," he says. "We crash the show. We expose the collars. And we do it without turning into what they say we are."
The basement exhales with him.
Outside, freezing rain taps the roof.
Inside, the Liberty Line begins to plan.
A demonstration is coming.
They intend to steal the spotlight.