The glorious spires that reach for the sky

and the harmonious souls that live all about them,

the winds which we tamed, brought into our service

and the knowledge we won throughout the long ages,

these guide my hand, these are my voice.

What built such glory, what lit the way?

The endless labor of countless great men

who did their harsh duty, served as all should.

In the old days, before Hallifax knelt

before the old empire, before calamity struck,

before the rebirth, before the resurgence,

a whole host of paragons were called by the Board.

The long serving chairman who had led for century

turned his eyes towards them, spoke in a clear voice.

"Honorable comrades, distinguished by deeds,

a great task stands before us awaiting your minds.

It is time to look outward, to go forth into the world.

Who knows what awaits us, save danger and glory?

There is much to be risked, much more to be won.

Who knows what allies will join us if they are found,

or what new knowledge is hidden out far from our spires?

The Collective is strong, and yet its strength could grow

if we but looked out into the world and found such things.

That is your task, the burden you are to bear

and although it is heavy, and the road will be long

I know that none of you shall shirk it or flee the post.

You will go out in force, wander far from our home

go where our power is weakest and find what is to be found.

Where a thing lies unstudied, you must learn its true nature,

where savages wallow in folly, you must teach them out ways,

where enemies lurk, they must die on the tips of your spears,

where new comrades await, you must bring them back home.

I set this task before you who have proven your skill

none surpass your in valor, in knowledge, in worth,

nor is your virtue in question, none doubt in your souls.

Now I set each to his duty that he may go and fulfill it.

Honorable Jekkex, you conquered our foes in cruel war,

the smoke spewing savages fear you, you fill them with terror,

for you spilled their life's blood with the tip of your spear.

You sheltered your comrades behind your strong shield,

and led them to victory, they slaughtered the foemen.

A new task stands before you, duty awaits you,

you must stand as the sentinel protecting the rest.

Choose one hundred shield-comrades of the bloody caste,

one hundred of proven courage, valor, and might.

When the proud stand against you, force them to kneel

when the fools strike out against you, bring them cruel death."

Then Jekkex spoke out, in a voice calm and cold,

"I serve at your pleasure, my duty shall be done.

None will ever doubt the bloody caste's devotion.

We shall do as commanded, shelter all of the rest

by the strength of our arms and the skill of our hands."

This pleased the chairman, who spoke out once more,

"So it shall be, and may great glory find you.

And you, Halon, you who have learned many things,

you who devised countless great wonderous treasures,

you must go forth into the world, learn of its nature

find that which is useful, and put it to new use

that the Collective might profit once more by your mind.

Take what assistants you need, whatever is required,

whichever students seem proper, take those who you will.

Your judgment is to be trusted, none can dispute that

and thus you must bear a second, heavier task.

The command is yours, lead where you see fit.

This power will pain you, that much is certain

for any drop of blood shed shall plague you with guilt

but some noble soul must ever hold the command,

and that one must be the wisest, thus it falls to you."

Sweet silence fell in the boardroom just then

as Halon turned his words over in the depths of his mind

until the silence was finally broken with his well chosen words.

"So be it then, I shall do that which needs to be done.

It is better that I bear the great pains of command,

I whose soul has been hardened by long years in the lab,

than that the most heavy of burdens should fall on another

one whose soul is untempered, whose mind might be broken.

I shall do as you order, I shall rule by command,

and bear the guilt for all failings, as is the custom

but take no share in the glory of any success

save that which is truly my own, the fruit of my mind."

His words stopped all at once, his face stained with fear,

for the grim task before him stood out clear in his mind.

Honorable Jekkex saw the truth of the matter, as he himself

had borne the same burden for countless long years.

He placed his hand on his comrade, gave the sign of support

that he might ease the burden upon his highest caste comrade.

The chairman nodded his head, and then spoke out once more,

"And you, Kruye, shall go forth with them as well.

Bureaucracy shall serve far away as it does here.

When a task must be done, and will claim many hours

and it does not need their skills, only a mind

made for long labor, and a memory for details

the task shall fall upon you rather than them.

You shall free their minds to look to the work of their castes."

Silent Kruye said nothing for words did not suit her,

she who bore the long hours of her life's labor in silence,

but only gave the smallest sign, the slight nod of her head.

Thus with their task laid out before them, each went to work.

Each chose those of their caste who would serve outside the city.

The greatest soldiers were rallied, the bloody caste marched

under their glorious banner, behind their shining shields.

Each one a hero, who had done some great deed in war.

And the universities were emptied of those who could go,

those who had both inquiring minds and some youth left in their limbs

that they could bear the great labor that awaited in future days.

The labourers also went forth with the strength of their bodies,

just as those who went to their work with their keen minds.

It took many weeks, but soon all was prepared, and they went forth.

They went out from the city without trumpets, nobody watched them,

as was right and proper, for what honor is there in commendation

for deeds yet undone, for a task yet uncompleted, that may yet be failed?