Back to top 17th Nov. 2005

Cogil, Vincent and Ryan continued the walk south.

"Ok, so what are we doing? Why was Doctor Troy sounding all prophetic? Also, where are we going??" Vincent asked.

"Now, now. Let us not get ahead of our selves. First we have to make it all the way down there to the city. Then, we have to figure a way to get in to Towz proper. If that all goes according to plan we then have to find this device the bureaucrats have are going to set off, changing the city in some unknown way. Ya got that?" Cogil said.

Cogil, Vincent and Ryan continued to walk on the downward slope, down the road together.

"I guess there's no reason to hurry now. I mean if the bureaucrats do set off the device we can't escape it anyway, right? Assuming Doctor Troy didn't simply want to get rid of us?" Vincent asked.

"I suppose so. I don't think Doctor Troy was trying to get rid of us actually, he seemed to genuinely be concerned about this. What is it about Northern Towz anyway?" asked Ryan.

"I heard over past hundred years or so it has become more and more separated from the rest of the city. And that Towz is actually much larger then most of the citizens know. The populace, though much smaller than the rest of Towz, seems to have a much more independent way of thinking up here. For instance there views on a military: they have one." Ryan said.

"Oh really? I thought those were starting to become obsolete or something. Hasn't there been peace for a really long time thanks to the Pacifist Act?" asked Vincent.

"Oh no. Outside the city the world is much different. In fact in an indirect way the rest of Towz has benefited from Northern Towz having a military of any noticeable size. After all, despite differences, were Greater Towz to be attacked Northern Towz wouldn't hesitate to come to the its' defense." Ryan explained.

"Ok, I see that. Yet northern Towz has a lower tax rate. Odd." Vincent said.

"God, you guys are boring. At least tell us the general theories around having a military versus not having one. Surely there are benefits? What do you think Ryan?" asked Cogil.

"I'm not sure many countries have survived for too long without a strong military. Not the memorable ones anyway. Without some sort of constant reminder of what tough times can be like a populace can grow bitter and apathetic. A sizable population of veterans integrated into society can at least indirectly keep some perspective for the rest." Ryan said.

"Yes Ryan, that sounds just about logical to me. Oh, as long as we're talking here, what exactly did it say on that device your saw in that noisy room of Subterranean Towz?" Asked Cogil.

"Ah yes. That. I was about to tell you before and we were interrupted. In really big, bold, capiltized letters it said...HOLY SHIT! WHAT THE HELL IS THA..."

The sudden change in tone from Ryan startled both Cogil and Vincent. The two of the looked at each other, puzzled, then looked back Ryan still completely perplexed. Ryan had stopped walking and was as white as a sheet.

"Ryan, what are you talking..." Vincent started to aske for explanation but stopped. Out of the corner of his eye he saw an extremely large what looked like ball of light starting to come out of the center of the Greater Towz. Ryan just continued to stare at this, frozen.

"What in the world is that?" Vincent asked.

"I'm not sure, I don't think it's really good though, is it?" Cogil said.

"Judging by the look on Ryan's face, I think he knows something and I would guess that no, it's not too good." Vincent said.

"Look, a shaft of light is going into the sky. Is it getting darker?" Cogil asked.

"You're right, it is getting darker" Vincent said.

The ball of light had started to appear some where in between the Hall of Happiness and the Hall of Bureaucracy and had grown in size and shape. When the shaft of light shot up into the sky the ball of light only a grew a little. Since then the ball of light had stayed fairly consistently sized. The sky started the darken. Within minutes stars were visible and the moon was no where to be seen. Still, the ball of light remained. In the dark it appeared to be a brilliant blue color.

"That is some weird lighting effect right here. Ryan, judging by your expression I'm guessing you know something. Care to share with us?" Cogil said.

Ryan continued to stare, white as a sheet, apparently unable to speak. He then to started to whisper and mumble incoherently. Cogil tried to get him to say more but with little success. Finally Cogil heard Ryan say something like "run".

"Run you say Ryan? You want us to run?" Cogil was asking.

"We have to get away from here! Now!" Ryan was suddenly screaming, "Run back to hospital! The bureaucrats have finally done it, they have..." With that the ball light suddenly expanded into a giant mushroom shaped cloud. Within moments, it had completely consumed all of Greater Towz. As the cloud reach further and further into the sky the base of it expanded further and further outward.  ¶ 9:35 AM