STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

hovered near the ceiling, their sensors sweeping the room.

Caidan was already waiting, flanked by two other Council members and a small group of Stewards. He stood at the center of the hall, his polished demeanor as calm and practiced as ever. “Thank you for coming.”

Lyra didn ’t respond immediately. Her sharp gaze swept the room before she stepped forward.

“You’ve had 24 hours. Let’s not waste any more time.”

Caidan smiled, gesturing toward a long table in the center. “Of course. Please, have a seat.”

The rebels sat on one side of the table, the Council members on the other.

Caidan folded his hands on the table. His voice was calm. Controlled. “Your demands are bold. A sector at the edge of the city. Free passage between sectors. Shared utilities and infrastructure. No interference from AstroSYS. ”

He paused, studying them. “You’re asking for a lot. Too much, some might say.”

Corin leaned forward, his tone sharp. “And you’re holding onto too much. You’ve seen the streets. People are waking up, and they’re not going to stop. This is your chance to avoid total collapse.”

Caidan’s smile tightened, but he didn’t rise to the bait. “We’re willing to consider your proposal. But there are conditions.”

His tone remained measured, almost disarmingly polite. “The sector will be granted—but under certain terms. Shared utilities, yes, but with oversight from the Order to ensure stability. Free passage, but it will be monitored to ensure public safety.”

The rebels bristled. The room heated with their anger.

“Monitored?” Lyra’s voice was like a blade. “That’s another word for controlled. You’re still trying to keep us on a leash.”

Harun let out a sharp laugh, shaking his head. “Oversight, monitoring... it’s the same damn thing. You’re giving us a sandbox and telling us to play nice while you keep watch.”

Caidan raised a hand, his voice firm but composed. “This is about ensuring stability. If you think we ’ll simply abandon our responsibility to the people in this city, you ’re mistaken.”

Corin scoffed. “Your responsibility? Don’t make me laugh. Your so-called stability is what’s choking the life out of this city.”

Caidan’s smile barely flickered. “We are willing to grant you autonomy, but it must be structured. Without guidance, your sector will descend into chaos. You know that as well as I do. ”

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