Chapter Five: The Promotion Line

The Red Star reserve match looked professional from the first minute. Two thousand spectators filled the ground, three scouts sat in the top row, and a Noah Dynamics ambulance waited beside the touchline. As Lin warmed up in the rain, the system displayed repeated scanning requests. Emma cut the wireless module from his registration band, leaving only the league positioning chip. “They're trying to trigger a template remotely. Load nothing unless I tell you.” Red Star's young players were faster and cleaner on the ball. A draw guaranteed first place, yet they pressed Saint-Denis into their box. In the nineteenth minute Jules slipped while clearing, and Red Star scored.