Once they realized their clans might someday gain access to Plantation Tower Technology and its limitless potential, the elders of both clans grew wildly excited. But they were experienced enough to know that John might only be dangling an enticing promise, with no guarantee it would ever come true. So none of them asked when it would happen. Instead, they praised the governor of Faoken for his generosity. After a brief exchange of compliments, John led them away from the viewing platform. Following the itinerary Lunebo had devised, he invited them to Faoken's military demonstration ground for the final event—the one that worried him most. For safety, the demonstration ground had been established on a broad, level plain east of Revival City. It had once been a battlefield during the Fang Clan's clash with the Empire's First Army. On John's orders, it had been restored a month earlier: the scorched earth had been turned over, and the shell craters filled in.
Because the terrain was flat and open, making the effects of artillery fire easy to see, Marda had applied to use it as the demonstration ground two weeks earlier. Now the Morning Star Clan's elders and the Black Marsh Clan's representatives occupied the reviewing stand with the best view. John stood at the front of the group, with Elder Gray Hoof of the Morning Star Clan on one side and Chief Zalga of the Black Marsh Clan on the other.
Wendy, who had been hiding in the crowd to enjoy the show, had been dragged out by John and now stood obediently behind him. The centaurs stood solemnly, while the lizardfolk elders of the Black Marsh Clan sprawled in specially made, oversized chairs. They looked relaxed, but their brown slit pupils swept over the troops assembling below with grave