'Jack had only seen the true extent of the Spire twice in his life. When he was fourteen his tec father had died, his native born mother unable to tolerate tec society without him, had taken Jack and fled to her birth place outside the City. They had descended from the mid levels by wooden walkways and down crude rope ladders to the base where Jack had never been. Riding the cart they had crossed the native part of the city early in the dawn when there was little too see but rough stone and wood houses none more than two stories high. As they left the city the rising sun had lit the enormous burgundy Spire round which the houses congregated. Jack had seen the huge tec structures attached to the Spire connected by endless walkways. Yet, despite the number and size of the many buildings clinging to the Spire he could see that more than half its length still stood, unadorned in the morning light. It reached hundreds of unmeasured feet into the sky. Tec measurements of the Spire were a secret known only to the few in the highest echelons. The natives never mentioned the height of the Spire and most other details about it. All such detail was forbidden, shrouded in myth and folklore. The shadow of the immense metal Spire had fallen on them that day and it seemed to follow the cart for a long time on its journey to the country.
He returned four years later when his mother died, suffocated by the prejudice of her brethren. Her son was tired of the constant mistreatment and had gladly left it behind. He stood once more in the shadow of the Spire, older, taller, strengthened by his years in the country. He wore only the simple clothes of a country native and a hat to ward off the sun. He carried only a knife and purse not much burdened with money...' (Source: http://members.optusnet.com.au/~clipstone/spire_city.htm) Sighted 24/02/2006
