Harese III is a desert planet. It is, technically, not habitable. The atmosphere is mosty hydrogen, and frequent and powerful storms would wipe out any civilization anyway. Eighteen years ago, though, Andrew Millington discovered a way to shield cities in harsh environments using plasma and Meson energy. Nine cities were built on Harese III using the round shield. The sheild blocked out the storms and didn't let in the hydrogen. The cities were filled with oxegen, nitrogen and carbon-dioxide (the oxegen had to be continually replenished) and tens of thousands of humans were transported to these new homes. The project, a desperate measure because of overpopulation, cost nearly a trillion dollars. Ever since the fall of the Empire, the nine independant cities have been fighting for control of the plutonium trade that had blossomed a few years before. The residents of Kalis, fearing that another city, Boran, was developing some plan to stop the others from mining and trading, managed to get a mechanic specialist to go into Boran. The man, once inside, fought his way to the reactor in the middle of the city and disabled the shield. The storm raging outside immiatly destroyed the city, killing all 40,000 inhabitants. The next day, after the storm has passed, Kalis speeders check for survivers and equipment. They will find nothing that has not been ravaged by the sands of the desert. Here's a Bryce pic with a little PS. Hope you like it...