“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

~Oliver Wendell Holmes

SSRAH

She was back. Returned from her assessment and with rewards to boot. Not only had she passed with flying colours, she was already well on the path of Uplift. Rather than having to be integrated into the System, it had been more of an adjustment. She had already reached Level Six at entry. This was in direct comparison to a regular Uplift from the Dust Tier from below Level Zero.

The investment the System usually made in lifting [Participants] into Level 0 was considerable. Not only did the System revitalise every single individual, it also aligned their matrices and made them compatible with the System structures of Tiers and Levels. Ssrah was already there.

And not only was she well ahead of every single previous Uplift, her species were also at a significant disadvantage. For they were well shy of meeting the critical population density parameter that the System had determined was optimal in a species surviving the transition. In fact their entire species was already teetering on the brink of extinction. They didn’t even meet the threshold of the acceptable margin of error for the minimum conversion target. And seeing that margin of error was measured as a fraction of percentage to three decimal places, this was absolutely devastating.

But they were already in the System. As a cognizant and sapient species relegating them to remain as [Monsters] was against all the principles and objectives of the System. And Ssrah’s Assessor had laid it all out clearly to her. Remaining as a [Monster] species was unacceptable. Volunteering as a [Participant] was fraught with extreme danger. But the only other option was to reject the [Adjustment], reject the System, and be recycled. It was really no choice at all.

Ssrah was very ~calm and composed.~

The System had balanced out these two great grievances to the full extent of its capabilities.

Ssrah had been offered a selection of various [Perks] which she, as [Forerunner], could accept on behalf of her species. [Perks] which would be bestowed on her entire species as [Hereditary Perks].

And she had made her selection. Her selections.

Having a specialised land form resonated with her. And it was cheaper too. This was a bonus that really swayed her decision as it also allowed her to pick another top tier [Perk]. Her [Sponsor] was humanoid. It was an incredibly versatile form. And having true thumbs was incredible.

Morphing between forms was incredible.

The whole change in her circumstances was incredible.

And now she was back with her babies. They were no longer helpless, dependent balls of fluff. Somehow they had grown. They had levelled up to match her old level. It was incredible all over again.

She extracted herself from their group hug and rose to greet her [Sponsor].

Tad was distracted by a series of notifications. Ssrah knew the feeling well. She waited until she refocused on her.

“Hullo Tad.” She felt somewhat self conscious now that she was meeting and ‘talking’ with her. That was weird. Oh, she was getting feedback from her so much more clearly. She was feeling ~self conscious~ too. She was ~hesitant~. Huh, because she wasn’t wrapped in some fabrics. That was indeed strange. It must be a cultural thing. Ssrah looked down at her new self. She was taller, even taller than Tad. With longer limbs, she smiled again, and with thumbs.

She waggled her thumbs at her.

“Look Tad. Thumbs. Throwing and making is going to be so much easier now.” ~Wonder.~

She accepted the cloths Tad gave her, a [Coat]. Oh, it was like Tad's flappy outer skin. Meh, She didn't need it. Her fur kept her warm and provided good protection from the sun. Nevertheless, she shrugged and slung it over her shoulders, slipping her paws, no her hands down through the sleeves. It was nice and smooth. Tad showed her how to belt it up. It was quite comfortable.

“I have so much to tell you.” Ssrah was beyond ~thrilled.~ “And there is so much to do.” ~Somewhat daunted.~ She turned more serious. “We have a timeline. The System has provided a grace period in which we can prepare the other Otto Sapiens for [Integration].”

She pulled up her [Notifications]. There were two new ones. She found the one she was looking for and flicked it to Tad. “We have just 40 days to reach out to all the [Clans].” It was a massive task. “There is no time for delay.”

Just then Ssrah saw Sophrona. Her old [Matriarch]. She who had set this whole adventure in motion by banishing her. With some effort, she suppressed her urge to challenge. She was beyond that now. She completely eclipsed the wily old [Leader]. And she had no need to rule the [Romp]. No, the System was so much larger than she had known.

Ssrah pulled up the first of her new notifications.

CONGRATULATIONS

You have been bestowed with the Title First Citizen:

“Every good citizen adds to the strength of their Level”

~Gordon B Hinckley

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This was a statement in the obvious. Every Otto knew that you needed to pull your own weight. To do elsewise was absolute foolishness. But who was this Gordon be Hinckley? Gordon was not an Otto name and what was being Hinckley all about? Maybe it meant being clever about how you added your strength? Oh, she had an epiphany. It was someone from Tad’s culture. Probably some wise old [Matriarch] sharing her wisdom.

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Ssrah expanded the Title.

First Citizen

You have been the first to accept citizenship of the Level 1 Dominion of Oreol. In acknowledgment of this achievement you have been granted the following effects:

All influence on your peers is doubled. (+100%)

All influence from your peers is halved. (-50%)

Would you like to accept this Title at this time?

YES NO

Ha! That would be very helpful in accosting her old [Matriarch]. Ssrah [Accepted] the Title.

She pulled up her second notification.

CONGRATULATIONS

Your [Sovereign] has nominated you for the Title Chancellor:

“You could certainly say that I’ve never underestimated myself, there’s nothing wrong with being ambitious”

~Angela Merkel

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Tad had already offered the position to her. That was pretty fast. Ssrah was impressed. Tad had done a great job as an Auntie. She would be an excellent Sovereign. She expanded the Title.

Chancellor

You have been appointed to the second highest position in the Level 1 Dominion of Oreol.

Rank 2 Access to Kingdom menus

Rank 2 Administrator rights and access to the System Shop.

Authority to sub delegate positions and responsibilities of Rank 3 and below

Would you like to accept this Title at this time?

YES NO

And yes Ssrah would be pleased to help her. She accepted the Title.

She looked fondly at her progeny. They had names. Strong and powerful names. Ssrah was in a significantly better position with their support and her position in the new [Sovereignty]. She could afford to reclaim her husbands. It would be lovely to have them back and be fussed over and to fuss over them in turn.

And in just a few more years she would need to help her kits claim their first husbands too.

She looked again at Tad. She was grappling with System notifications of her own. Ssrah frowned. As [Sovereign] she should really have husbands of her own. Ssrah paused thoughtfully as she considered Tad’s unique aloneness. This would not do. A [Leader]’s prestige and status was fully reflected in her husbands.

“Tad,” she drew her attention, “you need to take some males.” Ssrah paused to consider, she herself had three husbands, the [Matriarch] had six. The more you had the higher you demonstrated your authority to be. Some of the [Matriarchs] of the larger clans had over twenty husbands.

“You should come with me. We will choose some choice unclaimed males and you can train them up.”

Tad was confused. “You want me to choose and train some males? I thought they were useless, pampered ornaments.”

“They aren’t useless.” Ssrah was nonplussed. “You can train them to be helpful. And they will help your status.”

Tad nodded. “That would actually be quite useful indeed.”

Oh she had a ~cunning plan.~ Ssrah could feel her emotions flare. She was an excellent [Leader], listening to advice already. Ssrah was very impressed with her. She had expected to have to argue more forcibly with her.

“How many [Males] would you claim [Sovereign]?”

Tad looked at her as if she was missing something.

~Surprise.~ “I will claim them all.”

And it was Ssrah’s turn to flare ~surprise.~ All? Well that was ambitious. But it was in keeping with her System announced position as well. Yes, Ssrah would learn a lot in following Tad. Perhaps she too would claim an extra [Husband] or two.

Heh, Ssrah chuffed. This was going to an especially interesting meeting with the [Matriarch].

POV - TAD

It was great Ssrah was back. Not only did this ease my Auntie duties, it also increased my perceived power base with three high level females bracketing me. And already Ssrah was making some wise suggestions.

I had opened up the first of the notifications the System had bombarded me with. I confirmed acceptance of Ssrah as a fully fledged citizen and then I nominated her to be my Chancellor. She was eminently suited to it, especially with this new humanoid form.

This in turn triggered new notifications confirming acceptance and congratulating me on my achievement in adding a citizen and encouraging me to add more. Hmmm. Obviously a probationary participant was not quite up to par for citizenship.

And I should also offer her a role as a [Disciple] like I had the kits. And here I suffered a slight shock. The kits were not in fact my [Disciples]. I had not opened the notification at the time. I had tasted, so to speak, the flavour of the message and assumed that I had been successful. But I had been successful in cooking a [Clam]. The offer of [Discipleship], not so much. Yet it hadn’t felt like an unsuccessful message at the time, hence my current surprise.

I opened up the old notification.

ERROR!

Monsters cannot be discipled.

However, your success in making this offer and its apparently positive reception is to be commended. The System has reassessed your capability and unlocked an appropriate Skill.

------

Congratulations; you have unlocked the Skill [Monster Tamer].

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Oh. Well. Bother. That will teach me not to open a notification straightway. But, thinking about it, this really was a nothing Skill. The Ottos were sapient, not monsters. It was just the out of date System failing to recognise this. I would gain no benefit from taking this Skill at this time.

And Ssrah drew my attention.

She was suggesting that I train up the males. Hmmm. The males who did nothing to contribute to their society. Straightaway this sounded like an excellent suggestion. I could help them grow their Stats and give them the opportunity to develop and grow their builds. This highest male I had seen was still just Level 3. This was a reasonably large disparity and, as my intuition was telling me, a large reason why their species was struggling to flourish.

Ha. I was previously determined not to get involved with male emancipation. It was part of their culture. I had no role in meddling.

But now I was [Sovereign]. I had a vested interest in their success. I could not afford to pass up this opportunity.

Yes I would train them and reform them. I would claim their strength. They would be productive citizens.

We set off to meet with the [Matriarch].

“You are very wise Tad” Ssrah told me. “I am very glad you found me.” She radiated ~contentment.~ and ~ambition.~ “I will claim a new Husband or two as well.” ~Joy.~ “If you leave me any that is.” ~Humour.~

I looked at her quizzically. What had I to do with her and her [Husbands]?

No, She could do as she pleased, have as many as she liked.

I was quite happy just on my own.