Anadrov had stood patiently as the virus did its work to ensure Ina’s loyalty. His old friend had no clue what had just happened but it didn’t matter. It also didn’t matter that most of the information within that was actually true. At least from the point of view of the Greater Houses. What did matter was that his loyalty as well as his participation was assured.

This had been part of Anadrov’s greater plan.

A promise given to House Damaran’s leadership.

As one of the few remaining houses to be purely attended by thaeruun, House Damaran held the most extensive knowledge of the Dominion’s history. Untainted by the allowing in of the other species. Though he wasn’t against them. Power needed to be distributed. That was a necessity of reality. Yet the other species had proven time and time again that their biology, psychology and evolution or creation was flawed. It was the thaeruun who, having been perfected by the universe’s harsh realities, should wield ultimate power.

In the end it would be to their benefit.

They had after all created the Dominion afterall, stealing these interstellar regions from the Rhinavren during the Titan’s Fall war.

It took several minutes before Ina had finished being reprogrammed. He could see the change in the glowing of his friend’s crimson eyes. Though mechanical, a hint of the soul lingered through, the ghost trying to bleed out from the machine. Anadrov smiled.

“Welcome to Operation Reclamation.”

Ina bowed his head in a gesture of deep gratitude.

“You have freed me.”

Anadrov suppressed a grin keeping his face stoic. The gesture wouldn’t had anything other than to stroke his echo. Instead he adopted a more humble stance, reaching out and lifting Ina’s shoulders as though to suggest they were equals. He left one lingering hand there.

“My friend, it is not us who needs to be free.”

“I understand that now.” Ina shook his reptilian head, “How could I have been so blind?”

“We are all indoctrinated in our own ways. Beliefs accrue within us, gifts from our parents, society, religions. Yet enlightenment is seeing beyond such things. That is what separates us from those who can only be tools. They have their part to play but it is we who have to guide.”

Ina nodded, soaking in the words. This time Anadrov smiled. The gesture reflected itself onto Ina’s face though his biology made it far more fierce. Clapping Ina on the shoulder, Anadrov set about giving him his tasks. The future was going to be busy. Ina took his instructions and left, eager to begin his new crusade.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Anadrov smiled in satisfaction as he made his way over to the far wall. He activated the viewport and clasped his hands behind his back. He admired the machinery that worked with fervent emotionless dedication to completing its task. There was something awesome in it. The way the various systems, gears and arms, pistons and power cells, all coming together to create an emergent whole. He’d always been fascinated with such things, even from a young age. His eyes flicked to focus on his reflection. He hadn’t anticipated that he’d have such things welded to his flesh. Though in the end he quite admired the transformation.

Standing there, he basked in the moment. There was nothing like feeling the invisible threads of a plan in motion. He could almost sense the vibrations of cause and effect rippling across the spiderwebs of his design. It was intoxicating. Empowering. He’d learned long ago that power came from manipulating such strands. Molding situations into shapes that could then be harnessed.

That’s how he’d laid out his plan before the elite of House Damaran. They had been skeptical, believing him to be arrogant. They couldn’t see the webs. Couldn’t feel their influence. Couldn’t feel his influence upon them. He knew the only reason they’d allowed him to undergo this plan was that they thought his downfall would serve as their entertainment and that had been by his design.

They were no longer grinning in anticipation of his downfall.

Instead they were watching with great interest, eager for news of his next success.

Now all he had to do was ensure Korsha did her job. She was the key to all his plans. During the process of building his machinations he’d realized how weak and fragile she’d become. A tool that had never been properly sharpened. He blamed himself for that. He’d been far too focused on the political side of his plans to realize that she, while effective, was deficient.

And so he’d turned his attention to her. It had taken some time to negotiate the various aspects of what was needed from both House Damaran and to rebuild Korsha. Yet once more he’d woven the impossible together. He’d purged her of Deidra’s melancholic effects. Given her Tal to keep her from being lonely, who in his own right was a useful tool, one that Anadrov had spent considerable resources to mold and as such should be the one to reap the rewards of his labor.

As intricate and complicated as everything else was, it was the Samsaragni armor that he found most delight in. Korsha had always had the problem of being vulnerable during her trips into Keshkigal. Tal would alleviate that but giving her armor that held a mortal spirit who could act as a perpetual guardian was far greater than any flesh and blood defender. It had taken hundreds of hours to work out the kinks, to design the perfect system, to find the perfect spirit.

Yet he’d already had one.

Among the spirits he’d had, this one had always been the most defiant. The one that had resisted and persisted in its rebellion for far too long. Implanting it within the armor and then breaking it down over and over only to be welded back together with those beautiful golden lines had been the key to finally making it realize its purpose. Another touch designed specifically for Korsha. One that he knew she wouldn’t ever understand but one that brought him immense satisfaction. Then he’d offered the spirit a chance to serve him once again, to obtain a greater purpose other than being the power source of armor.

To be Korsha’s guardian.

The spirit leapt at the opportunity, seeing the value in such an action. After nearly a decade and countless wasted hours he’d finally triumphed again. Yet he worked to ensure his ego remained in check. There were always the problems that lurked in the shadows just out of sight. He’d have to be wary of them. For now he turned his attention back to the present.

He turned away from the viewport. His heeled boots clipped across the floor as he made his way out of the room. The future was going to be busy. He grinned.

He relished the challenge.