She displayed images of the facility where we'd rescued the children. "These children were taken from their parents at age three, raised in isolation, and trained for Magnus Terra's purposes."
"This is classified information!" Thorin shouted, his face contorted with rage. "You're committing treason against both our peoples!"
"The only treason," I countered, "is against the truth. Against choice."
Chaos erupted as officials tried to shut down the presentation. Our supporters moved to block them, creating a protective barrier around the platform. The matched pairs on stage looked at each other in confusion and growing horror as they realized what their unions truly meant.
The young human woman paired with Garvek turned to him. "Did you know about this?"
The Stoneclaw warrior looked genuinely shocked. "No. I was told it was my duty to my tribe."
Similar conversations broke out across the platform, the first seeds of doubt taking root. Exactly as we'd hoped.
Suddenly, the main doors burst open. A contingent of heavily armed Magnus Terra security forces marched in, led by a stern-faced woman I recognized immediately, Regional Governor Selaris, the highest authority in the territory.
"What is the meaning of this disruption?" her voice cut through the commotion like a blade.
Thorin rushed to her side. "Governor, these rebels are spreading dangerous misinformation. I recommend immediate arrest and… "
"I can see what they're doing," she interrupted coldly, her gaze fixed on me. "The question is why you allowed it to progress this far."
I stepped forward to meet her gaze directly. "Governor Selaris. We've met before, though you may not remember. Five years ago, when you approved the expansion of the matching program to include 'genetic optimization.'"
Her expression remained impassive. "I remember, War Chief. Though I understand you've abandoned that title now."
"I've abandoned nothing except lies," I replied. "We know the truth about the program, Governor. And now, so does everyone else."
The tension in the hall was palpable as Governor Selaris surveyed the scene. The evidence still displayed above us, the confused matched pairs, our united supporters, and the increasingly restless crowd.
"Clear the hall," she finally ordered. "Everyone except the leadership of this... demonstration."
"We're not leaving," Elder Marok called out, stepping forward. "Not until changes are made."
"What changes?" Selaris asked, her tone suggesting she was actually willing to listen.
I seized the opening. "First, all current matches must be given the option to dissolve their unions without penalty."
"Impossible," Thorin sputtered. "The Accords clearly state… "
"Second," I continued, ignoring him, "any future matches must be truly voluntary, with full disclosure of genetic implications and no coercion."
Kalyndi stepped beside me. "Third, all children currently in Magnus Terra custody must be returned to their parents immediately."
"And finally," I concluded, "a joint oversight committee must be established, equal parts human and monster, to reform the entire system."
Governor Selaris studied us with calculating eyes. I could almost see her weighing options, assessing damage, considering political ramifications.
"You realize you're asking to dismantle a system that has maintained peace for generations?" she finally said.
"A false peace built on lies and manipulation," Kalyndi countered. "Is that really what either of our peoples want?"
One of the matched humans on the platform suddenly spoke up. "I want to know if what they're saying is true. Was I selected because of my genetic markers?"
Governor Selaris's silence was answer enough.
The Rivercliff female joined in. "I agreed to be matched because I was told it would protect my tribe from territorial restrictions. Was that a lie too?"
More voices joined the matched pairs finding courage in numbers. Throughout the hall, previously matched couples who witnessed the ceremony began asking their own questions, doubt spreading like wildfire.
