Time Remaining: 30 Days, 06 Hours. (Status: Core Frequency Stalled at 46 Hertz. Thermal Margin: 89 Hours.) Location: The Citadel - The High Council Chamber.
The High Council Chamber was designed to intimidate. It was a circular room at the very apex of the tower, walled in black granite and lit by a single, massive skylight. The table in the center was a ring of polished iron, large enough to seat the twelve Lords of the Ministry. Usually, this room echoed with the sounds of debate—trade tariffs, border disputes, coal allotments.
Today, it was silent.
Director Kael stood at the head of the table. He did not sit. Behind him, a large slate displayed the map of the Iron Empire. In front of him sat the twelve most powerful men and women in the western hemisphere. General Rylan of the Defense Ministry. High Treasurer Vane. The Lord of Coal. The Lady of Steel.
