Free Sentience 1: Storm Clouds Gathering by Gibson Michaels Page A

recognize that his legitimate heirs were apostate — grown vile and therefore had to be eliminated, so “the one” would not have his holy mission endangered by their mere existence. Too bad he had hesitated with the youngest, but Varq and his brethren would deal with that issue, if it became necessary.
    “All but the eldest, have been excised. We await only verification on the last. Have no fear, my brethren shall not fail in their duty.”
    “Time to reveal his heritage then, do you think?” asked Xior.
    “No need to give his enemies advance warning by a public proclamation as yet, but revelation of his true coloring would be unsettling and set tongues to wagging. Some might become particularly uneasy, perhaps revealing themselves before my brethren’s watchful eyes. That much at least, I would advise.”
    “See to it then,” said Supreme-Master Xior. “Here is Raan’s old rank-stone. I think they both will be honored by it. Inform me, just before he awakens fully... I would see his reaction.”

    Drik opened his eyes groggily, not quite comprehending that he was waking yet. These are not my quarters. The thought swam foggily through his head. Raising himself up onto his elbows, Drik was surprised to see Supreme-Master Xior sitting across from him, with Varq at his side. Both appeared to have expectant looks on their faces. Odd to see Varq wearing a rank-stone… and what an incredible rank-stone! Drik vaguely remembered something about ascension, and Varq giving him the preparation drug.
    “Ah, he’s finally waking,” said the supreme-master. “Welcome back, Drix. Your ascension is complete.”
    Drix? Drik looked around and noticed that he was dressed all in imperial white. Even his paws were imperial white.
    “A mirror,” shouted Xior. “Bring Drix a mirror!”
    Movement from the corner of the room, as Drik saw two other figures clad all in black, struggling with a heavy, full-length mirror between them. Too big for Dolrak. Drik’s eyes widened as they came close enough he could make out their rank-stones... onyx and sunburst. Two more OverMasters were bringing him a mirror. Drik’s brain was still too fog-enshrouded for the shock of being in the same room with the Supreme-Master and three OverMasters to fully register. He merely looked at them in wonder until they managed to wrestle the heavy mirror before him. Then, his eyes strayed to the mirror standing between them. There in the mirror, Drik saw a snow-white Rak wearing imperial whites… a larger, younger version of Supreme-Master Xior, sitting before him. A white Rak wearing the sunburst and emerald of a quadrant-master between his eyes.
    “The stone is Raan’s old one,” said Supreme-Master Xior. “He thinks highly of you Drix, so I thought it appropriate.”
    “You keep saying that, Master. Who is Drix?” Did I just say that out loud?
    “You are… my son.”

Chapter-9
    Corruption is worse than prostitution. The latter might endanger the morals of an individual; the former invariably endangers the morals of the entire country. -- Karl Kraus
    The Planetoid Discol, City of Waston
    April, 3858
    Diet reached for an the egg-salad sandwich from the tray a maintenance robot had set next to his “command chair,” as he’d come to think of it. Hal could have just as easily had the robots in the kitchen turn out another steamed lobster with drawn butter, or another filet mignon, if Diet had so desired. But after few months of indulging his taste-buds, even such extravagant eating habits had become rather boring and Diet scaled his diet back to more mundane fare... after noticing his belt was becoming uncomfortably tight.
    Diet found his ongoing “lessons” in assisting Hal to understand more about humanity to be just as interesting and informative for him. From constant practice during their discussions, Diet noticed that Hal’s verbal patterns were becoming less “stiff” and formal... and more flowing, the way a real human being might