章 396: The Declaration (part 1)

The hours inexorably ticked by and the time for the announcement arrived. Everyone with any device that would allow them to watch it was glued to their screens. Those that didn’t have one were huddled with those who did, some even violating the curfew to visit and watch.

So far, the governments had remained completely silent ever since the “stay tuned” message had popped up everywhere. None of them had either confirmed or denied that they would be releasing an announcement, so the people could only default to believing it would be a government spokesperson showing up to let them know just what the hell was going on.

On billions of screens around the world, the notification suddenly disappeared and was replaced by a white podium with no insignia on it at all, backed by a sky-blue stage curtain hanging behind it. Affixed to the podium was a single microphone.