The auditorium holds its breath. Max Powers stands at the stage edge, huge hands open now, but his grin is all challenge. Arthur watches the console, ready to kill any feed. Victoria keeps her weapon level, refusing to blink.
Max Powers
You want the truth, Abby? Then give the crowd proof. Open the lab logs. Show them the serum data.
A hush ripples through the audience at the word logs. Arthur’s fingers hover over the console, waiting for Abby’s cue.
Arthur Blues
If he gets access, he can splice the files. But if you want, I can put the original trial record on every screen right now.
Victoria
Your move, Abby. One clean display, and he loses the room.
Abby Stone
Show it.
Arthur taps the console. The giant wall display blooms with test footage, dosage graphs, and side-by-side scans of Abby’s serum growth curve. Max’s jaw tightens as the first numbers hit the screen, and the audience leans in, finally seeing the conflict turn from threat to evidence.
“"All my research files are publicly accessible to anyone who visits my company website, Max. And as you can see from the displays my adorable little boyfriend is activating, the data is clean. My serum is 100% safe and effective, and I'm living oroof of that." I say as i pose and flex for the audience.”
SUCCESS (Great Diplomacy, rolled +0)
The display keeps rolling, and the room shifts with it. The numbers are clean, the trial logs are open, and Max has nowhere to hide behind bluster now.
Abby Stone
My research files are public, Max. The data speaks for itself.
Arthur Blues
Original record confirmed. No edits, no missing blocks.
Max Powers
...Fine. The evidence is real.
A murmur passes through the audience. Max’s shoulders tighten, his oversized frame suddenly looking more stubborn than threatening as the screen reflects across his face.
Abby Stone
And I am living proof.
Victoria
Then let them hear it clearly, Max. You lost this room.
“I order Max Powers to leave now”
SUCCESS (Legendary Willpower, rolled -2)
Abby Stone
Leave now, Max. You've had your say.
The order lands cleanly across the stage. Max's face hardens, then slackens with reluctant acceptance as he takes one slow step back from the lights.
Max Powers
...Understood. I withdraw.
A few audience members exhale at once. Arthur lowers his hand from the console, and Victoria eases her aim without lowering her guard. Max turns his huge shoulders toward the aisle, forced into a public retreat.
Arthur Blues
The record stands. The trial data is intact.
Max reaches the edge of the stage, jaw tight, humiliation visible in the set of his neck. The room watches him go, and no one rises to stop him.