Chapter Four: Probability Is Not Prophecy

“Proof that they are lying.” Seven hours into its absence, Zero had returned with two messages. “The text that forced its way through my channel came from Nightwatch, the Clocktower’s decision system.” “I cannot prove that it did not alter me.” Lin replied with their rule: Facts must come with evidence. Zero sent him a probability tree. It did not show the future. It modeled the buyers’ habits, funding paths, and where their eyes lingered. Every conclusion included raw evidence. Each time Raven raised the price, the tree recalculated. “Number Thirteen will withdraw at ninety million. Probability: eighty-six percent.” “Why?” “His deposit comes from a short-term credit line capped at ninety million.” “Number Twenty-One?”