Towers of Vallas

A.D. 7776. The Vallan Empire, though criticized as a totalitarian state, is about to lead mankind out of a centuries-long dark age. Its people are soon to learn about the civilizations of the past--and maybe of the technology they once held.

The sea levels are falling, revealing ancient coastal cities. The Vallan people are eager to learn about these civilizations. Scholars are hard at work exploring their depths. But the empire keeps a tight grip on their scholars and a close eye on what reports are made. They have many enemies, inside the empire and out, and know that knowledge is a great power.

A World Without Electricity. Throughout the Vallan Empire people flock to the public movie-houses to catch stories of the latest finds. The secret of electricity--its generation and manipulation--has been lost with time. The people learn of its power and it soon sparks their imaginations.

How much better life could be if this "fire" could be harnessed! How much more power could the Vallan Empire gain over its enemies? How much power could its enemies gain over the empire? The race to learn is on, and to the victor goes a great prize.

The Film-maker A.C. Emris has been working closely with the empire representatives in Gamma Center, a large tower complex at the edge of the capital city. The people are awaiting the film ``The Lost City'' after reading his book The Electric Renaissance. But most scholars believe the film to be a distraction, to lead the enemies of the empire off the electric trail.

A change in the air. The Vallan Empire has been rounding up the undesirable, political enemies, those with unpopular opinions, and those who know too much for their own good. The exiled thief Marika fears her brother, the scholar Cata, has become their latest victim. She journeys to the Gamma Center towers in hopes Cata is being held in its prison.

There is much to discover and learn in the towers. Will Marika find Cata? Will she learn what secrets the empire is keeping about the ancient cities? Only with your help will she ever know...