Prologue

Calairnia. An orbiting city above Earth. The 31st Master of the City is directing the Procedure of Descent, a mostly ceremonial way to conduct the descent to earth. This is a tri-deccenial return to land for routine mantinance and overhaul of required items that can't be conducted in the air, either because it is too dangerous or involves the flight system. The City also get new passengers who can't afford the airship prices. M.T. Ralk has lived on the City for 22 years but did not get here quite legally. He managed to fabricate a set of wings that he used to fly up to the city. This, however, was not achieved without a little trouble...