Bai Ze landed his flagship beside the damaged tower deck, but he did not step down until Austin lowered the test load.
The courtesy surprised them both.
Austin met him at the safety rail. “You’re in a restricted work area. State your business.”
“Junior Judge Bai Ze, Upper Void patrol. By order of the High Tribunal, mortal construction above the cloud boundary must stop.”
“Why?”
Bai Ze had expected a demand for authority, not a plain question. “The old barrier keeps mortal war out of the Upper Realm. Your tower offers a road through it.”
“It also carries power lines and elevators. We have rules for who enters a work zone. Your Tribunal can use a gate like everyone else. And that horn is well past eighty-five decibels.”
Acolyte Chen stepped off the escort dory. “You do not set terms for heaven.”
