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Midgeville would never have existed at all if it were not for two wholly unrelated events. The first, and most obvious, is urban sprawl. The second is known as the Venice Project.

The Venice Project began about seventy years prior to the beginning of our story. The full tale of this enigmatic and dynamic program would (and does) fill volumes; but in brief, it is a series of trials and experiments designed to release the latent paranormal abilities of the human species. It began with one old woman in the early days of the atomic era, and now directly influences the lives of thousands in the world today.

Despite its Orwellian facade, the Venice Project is not a major topic for the wild-eyed conspiracy theorists of the world. First, it is not a secret project in any sense; many of its major discoveries were announced to the world in respected scientific journals. It is not a haven for shadowy cabalists; in fact, three of its researchers have been awarded Nobel prizes for their work with genetics, organic chemistry and theoretical physics. Nor is it a haven for wicked industrialists or politicians; while the project is funded by both corporate and taxpayer monies, its independent Board of Directors has been outstandingly vocal in its opposition to any form of what it considers undue outside interference in its own scientific purview. Its budgets, employees and achievements are all easily accessible from either its own Annual Synopsis Report (published by the in-house Annual Synopsis Press) or, more recently, through its well-known website. In short, the Venice Project is as open and as transparent as any such endeavor has any right to be.

Thirty-five years ago, the Venice Project began building a new complex beneath the waters of Lake Kahlonagiga, located about seven miles southwest of Juster. Given the highly specialized nature of the facility -- devoted to both genetic and nanotechnological research -- it seemed appropriate to also develop a nearby location for all the incoming researchers to live. The Planning Committee worked for a year on the final blueprint before sending it to the Board for approval. The Board made a few small changes, such as transforming the blueprint's large and faceless apartment complexes into evenly-spaced subdivisions of single-family homes, and in the end approved the construction unanimously. With contractors working around the clock, the entire project was completed in less than five years.

On the Fourth of July thirty years ago, the town of Midgeville opened for business.