World leaders were furious.
Satellite feeds showed Hong testing weapons, building towers, and recruiting warriors.
At the emergency summit, a dozen voices argued.
Until the feed cut—and Hong's face appeared on every screen.
"You're afraid because I don't ask permission.""I don't need to. I'm not interested in borders.""I'm building the only thing that matters—a civilization that survives."
Silence.
Then… applause.
From the African representative.
Then from the Indian and South American delegates.
Within hours, 12 nations pledged cooperation with CORE. Earth was no longer divided.
It was preparing.