Chapter 151: The Council

Even from space, the outlines of massive artificial structures were clearly distinguishable against the natural geography.

?Gaia wasn’t merely a planet where people lived. It was the administrative, economic, and political heart of an interstellar civilization.

?Countless starships moved through the surrounding void, adhering to strict flight corridors between orbital stations and surface ports.

Massive commercial freighters hauled cargo from distant systems, while sleek military cruisers patrolled the planet’s defensive perimeter.

?Farther out, mega-scale orbital structures floated above the atmosphere. Space stations, shipyards, and transit hubs formed an intricate metallic ring around the planet, each node connected by regulated traffic channels.

?Yet despite the staggering scale of activity, everything functioned with flawless precision.

?Louis gazed at the familiar view for a quiet moment. He had visited Gaia countless times throughout his tenure as Overseer, but the planet never failed to remind him of the staggering weight he carried.

?The Astral Dominion governed innumerable worlds, each with its own population, culture, and economic interests.

Every single decree issued on Gaia could ripple through the lives of trillions across the stars.

?And as Overseer, he was tasked with keeping the entire machine running.

?Louis exhaled softly.

’At least Planet Roca survived. That’s one less disaster to manage.’

?He turned his attention toward the surface.

?Ordinarily, a Lord of his tier could teleport directly to almost any location within his visual range. However, Gaia was different.

?As the capital planet, it was shielded by an extensive array of spatial barriers designed to block unauthorized teleportation.

The grid extended far beyond the atmosphere, forming multiple defensive layers that actively monitored and suppressed spatial anomalies.

?Even someone with Louis’s authority couldn’t simply ignore those protocols.

He possessed the raw power to force his way through, of course, but doing so would trip the planet’s automated defense network and trigger an unnecessary planetary emergency.

?There was no reason to turn his own arrival into a security breach.

?Instead, Louis began his descent toward the planet.

?His body moved through the vacuum with effortless grace, crossing the defensive perimeter and entering the upper atmosphere.

A faint, luminous shimmer enveloped him as he passed through the planet’s outer planetary shield.

?Below, Gaia’s surface unfolded into a breathtaking panorama.

?Metropolises stretched across the continents, their skylines dominated by arcologies rising thousands of meters into the clouds.

Some towers were forged from polished metallic alloys, while others blended translucent crystal with intricate architectural designs that caught the sunlight.

?Suspended transit lines crisscrossed the urban landscape, carrying high-speed shuttles between towers and elevated platforms.

Beneath them, broad avenues handled ground traffic, while designated flight corridors guided personal transports through the gaps between buildings.

?Automated traffic systems coordinated the movement of millions of vehicles in real time.

Holographic displays shimmered above commercial districts, broadcasting updates on trade, transportation, and civic affairs.

?Farther beyond the city centers, industrial zones operated around the clock. Automated shipyards extended from manufacturing towers, where robotic systems worked alongside specialized personnel to assemble vessels for the Dominion fleets.

Entire sectors were dedicated purely to research, higher education, and technological development.

?Vast ecological reserves were woven directly into the cities. Synthetic forests covered entire districts, while rivers flowed through carefully engineered green corridors.

Some parks were large enough to house complete ecosystems, giving citizens a natural sanctuary amidst the hyper-advanced urban sprawl.

?Gaia’s population numbered in the tens of billions, yet the planet had been engineered to accommodate them without sacrificing efficiency or natural beauty.

?Louis passed over several cities, crossing the continent in seconds.

?His destination lay within the capital district, a heavily fortified region reserved for the governing bodies of the Astral Dominion.

?Unlike the sprawling commercial hubs, this district was comparatively restrained. Its architecture emphasized authority and permanence over flashiness.

Wide avenues connected administrative complexes, security headquarters, and government facilities, with defensive systems discreetly built into the surrounding structures.

?At its center stood a monumental structure.

?The House of Council.

?Louis gradually slowed his descent as he approached the complex.

?The building spanned an immense square area, its central spire towering over several interconnected wings.

Its exterior combined dark metallic surfaces with pale crystalline accents, creating an imposing silhouette against the sky.

?A grand colonnade flanked the main entrance, each pillar bearing the crest of the Astral Dominion.

Above them, a massive holographic emblem rotated slowly, visible from miles away.

?The House of Council was where the most critical decisions regarding the Astral Dominion were debated and enacted.

Matters involving interstellar defense, military deployment, resource allocation, and diplomatic crises all flowed through its chambers.

The figures gathered within its walls represented the most powerful interests in the civilization.

?And today, they had convened to address the crisis on Planet Roca.

?Louis descended toward the main plaza, his long robes fluttering gently in the breeze.

As he drew near, the automated security network recognized his biometric signature, and the defensive barriers parted silently to let him pass.

?He touched down lightly before the entrance.

?Several waiting officials immediately straightened, one stepping forward to bow deeply.

?"Overseer Ferdinand. The council is fully assembled and awaiting your arrival."

?Louis adjusted his sleeves and glanced toward the massive bronze doors. "Have they begun reviewing the incident?"

?"Yes, sir. The initial field reports have been presented. Several high councilors requested your personal briefing before any formal action is taken."

?"Of course they did," Louis muttered under his breath.

?After a long day spent preventing a planet from being blown to pieces, he had hoped for at least a few minutes of peace. Apparently, the universe had other plans.

?He walked toward the entrance, his expression smoothing back into its customary stern composure.

?Whatever questions the council had, he would answer what he could. The Astral Dominion needed to understand what had transpired on Planet Roca, especially if the attack was merely the opening salvo of a much larger conflict.

?The doors of the House of Council swung open before him.

?Louis stepped inside, the distant murmur of the gathered assembly echoing down the hallway.

?Another long session awaited him, and judging by the circumstances, it was not going to be an easy one.

....

Author’s Note: Apologies for any typos in these three Chapters. I came down with a pretty bad cold, so my editing wasn’t up to par today. Thanks for bearing with me, I’ll clean things up as soon as I’m feeling bette.