As Vigil contends with external threats, tensions within the Global Citizen Council reach a breaking point. Neo-Digitalists accuse traditionalists, like Vidal's faction, of slowing progress by opposing broader applications for Vigil. Vidal counters that unchecked expansion risks diluting Vigil's ethical foundations.
The council meeting grows heated as Vidal proposes a pause on new integrations, allowing communities to focus on strengthening existing systems. Neo-Digitalists argue that stagnation will make Vigil vulnerable to rivals like the Syndicate.
Nyla mediates, proposing a compromise: pilot programs for new applications will continue under strict ethical reviews, while regional hubs strengthen core systems. Both factions reluctantly agree, but the rift highlights the fragile unity within the council.