The hearing had not yet begun.
But the numbers were already moving.
Lin Chen noticed it during a routine cross-check.
A minor inconsistency.
Less than 0.3%.
Most systems would ignore it.
He didn't.
The First Irregularity
A mortality curve flattened too early.
Recovery timelines shortened by hours.
Not impossible.
Just… convenient.
[System Alert: Statistical Anomaly — Low Confidence.]
Low confidence meant plausible deniability.
Dr. Hart's Concern
"They're adjusting the framing," Dr. Hart said.
"Not the facts."
Lin Chen nodded.
"Facts don't matter if the narrative is clean."
The Invisible Hand
The council hadn't altered outcomes.
They altered interpretation.
Control groups redefined
Risk thresholds shifted
Context removed
The story became softer.
Less urgent.
Less necessary.
System Recommendation
[System Advisory: Counter-Adjustment Possible.]
[Risk: Escalation of Political Conflict.]
Lin Chen considered it.
Correcting the data would expose manipulation.
But also reveal how closely he watched.
A Deliberate Choice
He did nothing.
For now.
Instead, he marked the nodes.
Every adjustment.
Every silent hand.
[System Log: Observation Mode — Activated.]
The Trap Forms
If they continued,
the pattern would become undeniable.
If they stopped,
they'd know they were seen.
Either way—
They had already committed.
End of Chapter