As the dark side of the moon receded, it revealed a strange sight to any onlooker in lunar orbit curious enough to crane their neck below: A dome of sorts on the lunar surface, made of white metal, so vast in scale as to visible from the very surface of the Earth - a tiny bump on the otherwise flawless face of the Moon. It had been under construction for over five years, and despite numerous setbacks, would now serve a critical function in providing energy independence to the Lunar sphere - a new age power plant that could extract pure energy from other worlds. Dimensional energy was renewable, seemingly limitless, and above all - safe for everyday use in a variety of roles. Furthermore, not only would it serve as a power plant, but also a fortress - once completed, the ZONE's own reservoir of energy would render it nigh-impervious to attacks...
In theory, at least.
In truth, such a construct had never actually been built before - the ZONE was the first of its kind and it was something of a wonder that the Dimensional Energy Institute had been invited to be involved in its construction at all. Despite their strength in the field, the Institute had long been reviled as a place where undesirables and outcasts from the Kingdom had fled, their talents being put to use in often unscrupulous ways for the benefit of the (charitably described) morally-flexible Directory. Those acquainted with this perception could not help but shift uncomfortably in their seats as the semicircular form of the ZONE rose in the horizon over the years.
Now, on the day of its completion, it peered starward with its crystal cerulean iris, as though scrutinizing the dark depths as figures milled about busily below.
At length, the form of a colossal blue and gold machine, built like a spiked mountain almost 60 meters tall, strode its way across the surface, kicking up clouds of white as it approached a predetermined point at the ZONE's exterior.
Within the cockpit, Sir William Exeter cleared his throat. Today was an auspicious day, he thought. The day that the ZONE would undertake its first test, and Luna would truly take its first step towards being recognized as an independent entity from the Directory. Ever weary of interference, the Lunar government had issued forth orders to its Knights to guard the ZONE for the duration of the test. Some of them he knew and recognized - but others were unfamiliar, and he was looking forward to seeing how they fought. He glanced down at the map as he pondered his speech:
The area around the ZONE had been divided into three sectors: Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. He was currently occupying Alpha, and more would be arriving soon... Raising his voice to what he thought sounded like a nobleman's own, the Saffiard issued a broadcast:
"Attention all Orders... This is Sir Exeter. The test will be commencing shortly, so in the event of communications failure, state your name and location."
In theory, at least.
In truth, such a construct had never actually been built before - the ZONE was the first of its kind and it was something of a wonder that the Dimensional Energy Institute had been invited to be involved in its construction at all. Despite their strength in the field, the Institute had long been reviled as a place where undesirables and outcasts from the Kingdom had fled, their talents being put to use in often unscrupulous ways for the benefit of the (charitably described) morally-flexible Directory. Those acquainted with this perception could not help but shift uncomfortably in their seats as the semicircular form of the ZONE rose in the horizon over the years.
Now, on the day of its completion, it peered starward with its crystal cerulean iris, as though scrutinizing the dark depths as figures milled about busily below.
At length, the form of a colossal blue and gold machine, built like a spiked mountain almost 60 meters tall, strode its way across the surface, kicking up clouds of white as it approached a predetermined point at the ZONE's exterior.
Within the cockpit, Sir William Exeter cleared his throat. Today was an auspicious day, he thought. The day that the ZONE would undertake its first test, and Luna would truly take its first step towards being recognized as an independent entity from the Directory. Ever weary of interference, the Lunar government had issued forth orders to its Knights to guard the ZONE for the duration of the test. Some of them he knew and recognized - but others were unfamiliar, and he was looking forward to seeing how they fought. He glanced down at the map as he pondered his speech:
The area around the ZONE had been divided into three sectors: Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. He was currently occupying Alpha, and more would be arriving soon... Raising his voice to what he thought sounded like a nobleman's own, the Saffiard issued a broadcast:
"Attention all Orders... This is Sir Exeter. The test will be commencing shortly, so in the event of communications failure, state your name and location."