P.R.O.P.H.E.T

Chapter 3

Chapter Three: Death and GrowthAll of O.P's predecessors had had to face the fact of death at the age of 13. How they dealt with it at the time, well, Uncle Roy could only guess. But the most important psycho-historians had all more or less agreed that the experience had been a significant one in the development of the qualities that had made each successive emperor such a unique success. It might be necessary. But still, it was a lot to put upon a young boy. He wasn't sure that, given the choice himself, he would have put the boy through it. But at the same time he was fascinated to see how his 'charge' would respond.

The main thing, anyway, Uncle Roy thought to himself, is to be there for him. To offer what emotional support he could. His role was not to influence the boy in any way, but merely to provide as close a simulation of the life conditions of Makrus the Optimaliser as was possible. He only hoped that one day the lad would understand that he was, after all, only following orders, and doing what the psycho-historical experts all thought was in the best interests of the galaxy.

But what of O.P's interests? No, if he is anything like his predecessors, his Uncle reflected, and from what his Uncle had seen so far, he certainly was, well if he was, as he appeared to be, then he would be the first to agree that it was necessary. And one day he would be ordering the same sort of 'care' for his potential successors. And while there were rumors that in the past some of the Makrus clone's carers had been a little too literal, shall we say, at least in this case there was no actual dying done, just the affect of death. But wait, all this will make sense later. For now, just consider that Uncle Roy, like many people, was not only what he appeared to be. And O.P? Well, patience, my dear friend, and all will be revealed.