New Detroit, August 14 – A volatile scene unfolded at the Council Chambers this afternoon as former Enforcement Officer John Preston experienced a significant emotional breakdown during a routine discussion regarding revised Stability Protocols. The incident, which lasted approximately fifteen minutes, forced an immediate adjournment of the meeting and has sparked renewed debate about the psychological impact of the City’s emotion-suppressing technology, ‘The Net.’

Eyewitness accounts describe a visibly agitated Preston, who has been a vocal critic of the Council’s increasingly stringent control measures, rising to his feet during a presentation by Councillor Harding outlining proposed alterations to the “Memory Scrub” procedure. According to several Council members present, Preston began shouting, repeatedly referencing his deceased wife, Sarah, and accusing the Council of prioritizing order over genuine human connection. “He kept repeating, ‘She felt! She *felt* things! And you’re trying to erase that!’” stated Councillor Ramirez shortly after the event. “It was…disturbing. The whole chamber went silent.”

The outburst culminated with Preston reportedly collapsing to the floor, reportedly exhibiting signs of acute distress. Security officers swiftly restrained him and transported him to a secluded monitoring facility. Medical personnel remain tight-lipped regarding his condition, only confirming he is currently under observation.

The immediate consequence of Preston’s actions was the abrupt termination of the Council meeting. A brief statement released by the City’s Public Relations Department cited “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for the adjournment. However, many are interpreting the event as a direct result of Preston’s ongoing struggle with the emotional suppression imposed by The Net.

“He’s been fighting this his whole life,” said local resident and former Net technician, Elias Vance, who witnessed the event from the gallery. “You can’t just erase the past. It’s… it’s like trying to hold water in your hands. It leaks out, and then you just end up hurting yourself.”

The incident has reignited calls for a comprehensive review of The Net’s psychological effects and a potential rollback of some of the more intrusive control measures. While the City’s administration maintains that Stability is paramount, Preston’s emotional display serves as a stark reminder of the potential cost of enforced serenity. The long-term implications of this event remain to be seen, but it undoubtedly represents a significant disruption to the carefully constructed equilibrium of New Detroit.