The Senate Hall of Estovia was freezing, kept at a crisp 18°C while the streets outside boiled in the tropical heat.
Senator Vargo stood at the podium, adjusting his diamond cufflinks. "My fellow Estovians," he lied smoothly into the microphone. "The budget for the Flood Control Project... has unfortunately been delayed. We need more funding."
It was the fifth time he had stolen the budget for the same dam. He smirked, checking his phone. His Swiss bank account showed a fresh deposit of $50 million.
Suddenly, the lights in the Senate Hall flickered. A low hum, like the vibration of a massive engine, shook the dust from the ceiling.
Every smartphone, laptop, and TV screen in the room went black. Then, a single line of blue text appeared.
[SYSTEM ERROR: GREED DETECTED.]
"What is this?" Vargo shouted. "Security! Cut the feed!"
The text changed.
[Administrator Rights: REVOKED.] [Transferring Assets...]
Vargo watched in horror as his phone screen flashed red. -$50,000,000. -$12,000,000. Balance: $0.00.
"My money!" he screamed. "Where is my money going?!"
The screens in the Senate Hall merged into one giant holographic display, showing a map of Estovia. A cold, synthetic voice echoed through the chamber, bypassing the speakers, resonating directly in their skulls.
"The funds have been redistributed to the victims of your negligence. The Sovereign State of Estovia is now under New Management."
Outside, in the sweltering heat of the slums, a million phones pinged at once.