The Truth Behind Midgar
By Hatred's Legacy

Chapter One

"Isn't it wonderful, Settan?" asked Nibori, as he stood in front of the window, looking down upon all of Midgar. His Midgar. His glorious creation.

"Is what wonderful, Nibori?"

Nibori swept his arm out in front of him, gesturing towards below. "All of this, Settan! This settlement itself! These people were doomed to live without any luxuries. But thanks to my vision, a solar-powered city was finally brought into existence!"

Settan snorted his disgust. "And we're not making any profit off of this. You call this wonderful? I call it a Squatter's Paradise."

He smiled widely at Settan. "It doesn't matter that the residents aren't paying. Hell, I designed this city specifically so they wouldn't have to. No one should be charged or taxed for the right to live on the Planet or use the sun's rays. No one."

Settan merely rolled his eyes. "If you say so," he muttered.

Nibori strode over to his good friend Settan and cheerfully slapped him on the back. "I say so. Now, no more worrying over such trivial matters. Everything's gonna be alright." He glanced down at his watch. "If you'll excuse me, I've a meeting I must attend and I do believe I'm already running late!"

Settan watched as Nibori dashed out the door and down the hallway to the elevators and then calmly walked over to the window and peered down at Midgar. "It surely is something," he said softly.

A loud knock at his door brought him out of his reverie. "Come in."

A young soldier entered, his posture stating that he was all business. "Sir, the body of the Mayor of Celestial Village was found dumped behind the Church."

"What?! ... Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir. Without a doubt."

"Cause of death?"

"Bullet to the head, sir. We fear it was an assassination as no valuables were stolen from him."

"Hmm. Keep it quiet about this. The last thing we need is a widespread panic that there's an assassin on the loose."

"Sir, shouldn't President Nibori be informed of this?"

"He will be. You just worry about who this assassin was. I want him caught immediately. I'll find some way to break the news to Nibori. Him and the Mayor of Celestial Village were childhood friends."

"Ah, I see, sir," replied the young man. Sensing that the conversation was over he gave a curt nod of respect, and quickly turned and left.

Settan walked back over to his desk and sank heavily into his chair.

"And so it has begun."