The footage went viral within hours.
Not because of drama.
Because of precision.
Public Reaction
Commentators replayed the moment the evacuation order was given.
"He didn't hesitate," one analyst said.
"And he was right."
Data overlays told the rest of the story.
Numbers didn't lie.
Institutional Discomfort
Behind closed doors, the tone was different.
Emergency boards convened.
Policy advisors frowned.
"A civilian system shouldn't override local command," someone said.
Another replied quietly,
"Unless it's better than ours."
The First Call
Lin Chen received it that evening.
No caller ID.
No introduction.
"We need to talk about formal integration," the voice said.
"And about limits."
Lin Chen listened.
Limits were negotiable.
Results were not.
System Insight
[External Pressure: Increasing.]
[Public Trust Index: Rising.]
Two forces pulling in opposite directions.
Dr. Hart's Question
"They'll try to control it," she said.
"Or bury it."
"They'll try both," Lin Chen replied.
"Which means they're already late."
A New Line Drawn
He drafted a public briefing.
Transparent metrics.
Open methodology.
No proprietary secrets.
Let them see enough.
Not everything.
Closing Line
Once proof entered the public record—
Silence was no longer an option.
End of Chapter 77