Belobog, Upper District, Kliperburg.
The towering fortress stood atop a raised platform, like a spaceship suspended in the sky.
Standing in the Central Plaza of the Administrative District and looking up at the steps leading to Kliperburg, one could scarcely see their end.
This was the Supreme Guardian's residence, the absolute heart of Belobog-Kliperburg!
Named after Qlipoth, the Aeon of Preservation, it embodied the lofty will of the Architects!
It was early morning. A tram stopped in front of the plaza, and a soldier jumped off and hurried toward the fortress.
His uniform was a mess, even its buttons fastened crookedly. He had clearly left home in a rush.
"I'm done for, done for. Late again," the soldier muttered anxiously.
"Well, look who's here bright and early," the guard at the foot of the steps teased his tardy colleague.
"Come on, do me a favor. Let me through," the soldier pleaded.
As he spoke, he slipped a few Credit notes into the guard's hand.
He still remembered his father's advice: whenever a problem arose, first try solving it with money.
Anything money could solve wasn't a real problem.
The guard quietly tucked the Credits into his trouser pocket and lowered his voice.
"Go on up."
"Thank you, thank you!" The soldier nodded and hurried up the steps.
His assigned post was at Kliperburg's main entrance.
When he reached his post, the veteran partnered with him couldn't help grumbling.
"Kid, why are you late again?"
"Couldn't help it. Something came up at home." The young soldier looked rather embarrassed.
"Did something come up, or did you have too much fun last night again?" the veteran teased. "Heh, you boys from the big families have much livelier nights than us poor sods. We just go home and fall straight into bed."
Kliperburg's