The room was made of black stone and went up high to a curved ceiling. Cold, fake lights made long, dark shadows. The air felt heavy, full of power and command.
Obsidian Heitt stood in the middle. His dark clothes were still, like the empty space of the stars. His silver eyes showed nothing. The most important leaders of the government—the "system"—were gathered in front of him. They were holographic images, flickering as they joined the meeting from far-off planets.
Outside these walls, a whole galaxy was holding its breath.
The news broadcast had already begun. On every major planet, in every area, on every space station, the system's message was spreading. It was a single order that would change history forever.
Obsidian looked up. His voice, loud and clear over the broadcast, sound
