Midwinter 47, Year 6822

City of Ekon, Ekkadia Province, Verkon


Looking out from the aircraft's windows, Valdrig couldn't help but frown at the snowstorm that was brewing outside. From all angles, there was nothing but a billowing, bright white. The harsh winds battered the small VTOL, and he cringed as he heard what sounded like a particularly heavy piece of hail bounce off the roof. Since the snow made it impossible to see anything in the distance, he turned to the pilots. "How much longer until we reach the city?"

The pilots, used to such questions at this point, barely looked up from their instruments to answer him. "Not much longer, sir. We should be approaching the barrier field in a few minutes."

"Good. I'd rather not be stuck in this storm for any longer than necessary." Of course, he knew that the craft he was on was sturdy, built to survive storms such as these. And yet, every time he was outside the barriers, he couldn't help but think of all the horror stories of planes being shredded by the wind, or crushed by hail. Banishing those thoughts from his mind, he stared out the window until, eventually, the pale blue glow of Ekon's barrier field was visible. As the VTOL approached, there was a faint whoosh, and suddenly the wind was less harsh, and he could see outside again.

Ekon was an old city, one that was almost as old as civilization itself. Throughout the years, it had grown from a collection of mud huts on a riverbank, to the center of verakh civilization. Once the capitol of the ancient Ekkadian empire, and the nations that followed its collapse, it now served as the capitol of the Compact. The city had only grown since, and looking through the windows, Valdrig could see the winding streets and old, clay-tiled roofs, occasionally interspersed with clusters of pre-fabricated habitation blocks. In the city's center stood several skyscrapers, and their destination- the tallest, and seemingly newest building of the group, a silver-coated monolith, whose knife-like point almost seemed to stab at the sky.

Unity Tower was easily the tallest building on Verkon, and its construction was one of the longest and most expensive. It served as the administrative nerve enter of the Compact, containing hundreds of offices and service facilities dedicated to carrying out the many tasks that a world-spanning government had to do on a daily basis. It was also where the Overseer Council met, which meant he had to be there.

As the VTOL approached the helipad, jutting out from near the top of the tower, there was a rush of air as the VTOL's fighter craft escorts broke off, heading back to their base. Soon, they touched down, and Valdrig stood up for what felt like was centuries. Stepping down the ramp, two members of the Council Guard met him, each clad in a black, military-model HCS. Standing at the sides of the ramp, they each gave a salute, putting their fists to their chest. He gave them a respectful nod as he walked down.

"High Overseer," one of them began, "The Council has assembled, at your request. We are to escort you to the Council chambers at once."

"Of course." As they approached the door, he took a deep breath. "Remember this day, friends. Today, we are making history."