Chapter 14: Thirty Minutes

The sun had barely risen, casting a pale light across the glass spires of the council district. Ryo, Aya, and Elena moved in silence, their footsteps barely audible on the smooth pavement as they approached the council building. The air was thick with tension, a mix of anticipation and dread that clung to each of them. Today, everything would come to light.

Elena glanced at Ryo, her expression tight. "You’re sure Councilor Markov will hold up his end of the deal?"

Ryo nodded, his jaw set. "He knows what’s at stake. If Thorne succeeds, it’s not just us—everyone loses their freedom."

Aya, walking beside them, kept her voice low. "The council chamber is likely under heavy surveillance. Once we step inside, Thorne will know we’re here."

"Let him know," Ryo replied, determination gleaming in his eyes. "We’re not sneaking around this time. He can’t stop us from telling the truth."

They reached the main entrance, an imposing structure of steel and glass that loomed above them like a watchful sentinel. The building was heavily guarded, with security drones hovering near the entrance and council operatives watching every visitor who passed through.

Aya took a deep breath, steadying herself. "Once we’re in, we stick to the plan. No distractions."

Elena smirked. "Easier said than done."

The interior of the council building was sleek and sterile, filled with the muted hum of data streams running through its walls. They passed through several checkpoints, each one more invasive than the last, until they finally reached the inner chamber. A tall, elegant receptionist gave them a sharp, appraising look.

"We’re here for Councilor Markov," Ryo said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

The receptionist glanced at her interface, her expression cool and professional. "Councilor Markov is waiting for you in the secure conference room."

She gestured for them to follow, leading them down a series of polished corridors lined with holographic displays of the city’s achievements: peace, prosperity, unity—the ideals the network had promised. But Ryo saw them now for what they were: a carefully curated mask, hiding the cracks beneath.

They entered the conference room, a spacious yet windowless space with thick walls designed to block any surveillance. Markov stood by the door, his expression tense.

"Thank you for coming," he said, his voice low. "Thorne’s already suspicious. We don’t have much time."

Aya set up a small jammer on the table, ensuring their conversation remained private. "Then let’s get to it."

Markov took a deep breath, his gaze flicking between the three of them. "The council has become... restless. Thorne has gained the loyalty of half its members. The rest are either too afraid or too dependent on the network to oppose him."

Elena’s eyes narrowed. "And how many of them have failsafe implants?"

Markov’s face darkened. "Too many. Thorne has covered his bases well. Even if we sway the council, those with implants will still fall back under his control."

Aya’s expression hardened. "Then we expose the implants, along with Thorne’s plans. We make sure they understand exactly what he’s doing."

Markov’s lips pressed into a thin line. "It’s a dangerous move. Thorne’s influence runs deeper than you think."

Ryo’s voice was steady. "We’re prepared for that."

Markov nodded, though his eyes held a trace of worry. "There’s an emergency session of the council in thirty minutes. I’ll make sure you get the chance to speak. But be warned—Thorne won’t sit quietly."

Elena smirked. "He can try whatever he wants. We’re ready for him."

The council chamber was grand, circular, with high ceilings and walls adorned with holographic banners. A half-circle of councilors sat behind polished desks, their faces ranging from bored indifference to guarded curiosity. At the center of the chamber sat Thorne, his gaze icy and unwavering as he watched them enter.

Ryo’s pulse quickened. This was it—their moment to expose the truth, to show the council and the city what Thorne really intended.

Councilor Markov stood and addressed the room. "Esteemed council members, today’s session includes an urgent matter that requires your attention. Mr. Ryo Nakamura, along with his associates, has evidence suggesting Councilor Thorne’s actions may threaten the very fabric of our city."

Murmurs spread through the room, eyes flicking between Thorne and the team.

Thorne’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Threaten the city? This should be interesting."

Markov gestured for Ryo to step forward. Ryo squared his shoulders, his gaze steady as he looked out at the council.

"Councilors, I stand before you not as an enemy, but as a citizen who has seen the depths of this network’s control. Thorne’s plans go beyond emotional suppression. He’s using failsafe implants to ensure complete submission—an override that strips people of their thoughts, their choices, even their memories."

A ripple of shock swept through the council members, some leaning forward with furrowed brows, others shaking their heads in disbelief.

"These implants," Ryo continued, "are embedded in key figures across the city. At any moment, Thorne could activate them, transforming individuals into obedient shadows, ready to follow his orders without question."

Thorne’s calm demeanor didn’t falter, but there was a flash of something darker in his eyes. "Baseless accusations," he said smoothly, his tone almost amused. "You have no evidence to support such wild claims."

Aya stepped forward, holding up her interface. "We have more than evidence, Councilor Thorne. We have records—files showing the locations and activation protocols for each failsafe implant you’ve placed. Each one a ticking time bomb, waiting for you to flip the switch."

She projected the data onto the chamber wall, a cascade of encrypted files, implant locations, and activation logs. The council chamber erupted in gasps and whispers as the councilors took in the damning evidence.

Markov spoke up, his voice steady but fierce. "If these accusations are true, Thorne, you have betrayed this council and the people of LUX Metropolis. This isn’t control—it’s tyranny."

Thorne’s gaze narrowed, his facade of calm slipping. "You’re all fools if you think you can oppose me. The network has saved this city from chaos, from ruin. Without control, there is only disorder."

Elena’s voice rang out, cutting through the tension. "Control by fear isn’t stability, Thorne. It’s oppression."

Thorne’s hand moved subtly to his interface, a small device hidden in his lap. Before anyone could react, he activated a command. The screens in the chamber flickered, and the lights dimmed. A low hum filled the air as security drones appeared at the edges of the chamber, their weapons trained on the team.

"Enough," Thorne said coldly, his gaze fixed on Ryo. "I’ve tolerated your meddling long enough."

Councilor Markov jumped to his feet. "Thorne, this is a council session—"

Thorne cut him off, his voice sharp. "This city owes its survival to the network I built. I won’t let a few idealists tear it apart."

Ryo raised his hands slowly, his eyes locked on the drones. "You can’t silence us, Thorne. The truth is already out."

Thorne’s expression twisted with anger. "But I can ensure no one listens."

The drones’ hum grew louder, their weapons charging. Aya and Elena stepped closer to Ryo, their faces set with grim determination.

Aya whispered, "Any ideas?"

Ryo’s mind raced, heart pounding. He met Thorne’s gaze, seeing the depth of his fanaticism—the resolve of a man willing to destroy everything in the name of his own power.

"Just one," Ryo murmured. "We make this as public as possible."

Without warning, he raised his voice, addressing the council. "Everyone here now knows the truth. Thorne’s failsafes, his control, his willingness to destroy anyone who opposes him. The people deserve to know this too."

Elena grabbed her interface, activating a broadcast signal linked to her device. "I’m transmitting this feed directly to the public channels," she said, her fingers flying over the controls. "The city will see exactly who Thorne really is."

Thorne’s eyes widened as he realized what they were doing. "Stop them!" he roared, pointing at the team as the drones surged forward.

The room erupted into chaos as the drones opened fire. Ryo, Aya, and Elena dodged between the council desks, plasma bursts tearing through the air around them. Councilors scattered, some shouting in panic, others trying to shield themselves from the crossfire.

Aya pulled up a defensive shield on her interface, deflecting the drone fire as Elena worked frantically to keep the broadcast live. Thorne’s shouts echoed across the chamber, his composure completely shattered as he tried to regain control.

"This is what you’ve chosen!" Thorne shouted, his voice hoarse with rage. "A world of chaos, of people who don’t know what’s best for themselves!"

Ryo fired a shot at one of the drones, his voice calm but filled with conviction. "People deserve the chance to choose. Even if it’s messy."

The broadcast was live, streaming directly to the public. Citizens across LUX Metropolis watched as Thorne’s true nature was exposed—his fury, his ruthlessness, his willingness to use violence to maintain his grip on power.

Finally, Councilor Markov, hidden behind a desk, rose to his feet and shouted, "Council members, stand with me against this tyrant! Thorne’s control ends now!"

More councilors joined him, rallying against Thorne as the drones struggled to contain the chaos. The city had seen the truth, and no amount of control could hide it.

As the last of the drones fell, Ryo turned to Thorne, whose face was twisted with disbelief and hatred. "It’s over," Ryo said quietly. "The people have seen who you really are."