Time: Morning. The press hits at 6:12.
Which tells me everything I need to know.
They didn’t react.
They planned.
My screens light up all at once—alerts stacking faster than I can clear them.
European outlets first.
Then U.S.
Then global syndication like a wave breaking.
They timed this perfectly.
I lean forward, scanning headlines as they cascade across my monitors.
BREAKING: International Data Breach Linked to Rogue Analyst Network
I go still.
“Oh, you absolute bastards,” I whisper.
Aaron’s voice cuts in immediately. “What?”
“They just went public,” I say. “And they didn’t miss.”
I throw the primary feed to his screen, expanding the article as it updates in real time.
The headline scrolls again.
Whistleblower Tech Turns Predictive Crime Model Into Political Weapon
Under it—
Sources allege Dr. Lark London developed an unauthorized system used to manipulate investigations, financial probes, and international law enforcement priorities.
My jaw tightens.
“They’re rewriting the narrative in real time,” I say. “And they’re doing it clean.”
More lines populate.
Quotes.
“Anonymous officials.”
Fabricated timelines wrapped around real fragments.
And then the part that matters most—
Several officials are calling for her immediate detention pending inquiry.
There it is.
Legal cover.
