THE DOME

Before strength became a slogan, it was simply assumed. The country did

not wake up afraid. It woke up working. Roads were maintained.

Systems functioned well enough to trust. People complained, but believed tomorrow would resemble yesterday.

Progress felt shared. What changed first was not law, but attention. Convenience became the

organizing principle. Speed replaced depth. Efficiency replaced resilience. Decisions drifted into technical spaces.

Power stopped looking like authority and began disguising itself as expert philanthropy. Life improved enough

to dull suspicion. Tech reduced friction and entertainment filled silence. Ownership quietly shifted.

Every year arrived with upgrades, and every upgrade felt like progress. By the time