Following the derivation of the Strong Gravity scale from the 8,4,4 error-correcting tensor network, we extend the discrete lattice framework to recover the core phenomenology of Quantum Electrodynamics. Rather than inserting continuous gauge groups and arbitrary parameters by hand, we demonstrate that electrodynamics emerges as the geometric shadow of the underlying quantum error-correcting vacuum. By projecting the antisymmetric vac- uum flux into the 3D T1u vector representation of the Octahedral (Oh) group, we prove that the photon is topologically protected from acquiring a mass gap, in stark contrast to the massive spin-2 graviton. We demonstrate that physical fractional electric charges (+2/3, −1/3) natively emerge when the U(1) topological operator evaluates the broken symmetry of confined SU(3) colour defects. Furthermore, we evaluate the Pauli Z-stabilisers of the 8,4,4 code, identifying a structural correspondence to continuous U(1) gauge invariance that recontextualises charge conservation as the vacuum actively suppressing phase errors. By evaluating the geometric flux through lattice plaquettes, we verify the framework’s con- sistency with standard lattice gauge theory, confirming that the discrete topology natively preserves the Bianchi identity and Faraday’s Law. Finally, we show that the bare inverse fine-structure constant (1/α0 = 137) derives from the T(16) topological capacity of the bipartite scattering space. 2026-06-20 legacy canon revision: This is a canon-reconciled legacy version. Photon identity and trans-Lambda representation substantially changed The paper retains its historical derivation trail but carries a 2026-06-20 canon revision note identifying current status and superseded claims. 2026-06-21 canon refresh: This version incorporates the 2026-06-21 ANCHOR/DRIFT/PTMS canon refresh and rebuilt local PDF.
David Elliman (Sun,) studied this question.