Emergence: Section Six, The Empire; Collected Parts, XXXVI – XLII

36 Servant, 37 Bureaucrat, 38 General, 39 Priest,

40 Faith, 41 Tradition, 42 Fear

Emergence 2.0: Section Six, The Empire Part Thirty-six, Servant Collected Chapters 01 The Oppressed 02 The Suppressed 03 The Repressed 04 The Depressed 05 Hostage 06 Victim 07 Convert #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 260, September 17th, 2017 Chapter One: The Oppressed Every civilization founded by the children of the Ancients was absorbed by the Empire. Imperial governance was uncompromising, ruling with power, and fear, while crushing the people. The Empire sought to control every aspect of the individual’s life, down to what they thought; everything they did was for the sake of the drama it produced. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 261, September 18th, 2017 Chapter Two: The Suppressed Throughout the Empire dissent was punished with brutish joy. Imperial police delighted in torture. The extreme emotions such scenes produced fed the appetites of the Continuum, and the Collective as well, getting them intoxicated on fear, pain, and remorse. A charge of dissent was not limited to aberrant behavior, it also included speech and thought. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 262, September 19th, 2017 Chapter Three: The Repressed For the citizenry, living under the heel of the Imperial police was a constant struggle. The way of life was to go unnoticed, to blend in; these were the keys to survival. A family might cultivate these skills, and live unremarkable lives for generations, only to be cast down for the sheer pleasure of it. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 263, September 20th, 2017 Chapter Four: The Depressed Apart from the upper classes: the nobility, the religious orders, the military, the lives of the people were sorrowful. Most were angry, without hope, desperate and alone. Even those in the upper hierarchies spent their lives filled with dread, competing for place, and prestige, always uncertain of when they might be called upon to sacrifice. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 264, September 21st, 2017 Chapter Five: Hostage Before he developed a conscience, he was a media darling. Even in his youth, when he was a part of the rebellion, a terrorist. His motivation was anger not altruism. At that time he was fighting for himself, against himself. As he learned to love, he turned his attention to the plight of the people. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 265, September 22nd, 2017 Chapter Six: Victim The Imperial powers built him up, they reveled in his celebrity. He was the brilliant rebel, the unfailing hero who could endure everything. They took their time, and charted the limits of what he could endure, then took him down, crushing him absolutely. He became a sacrifice for the Empire, a holocaust, a burnt offering. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 266, September 23rd, 2017 Chapter Seven: Convert In that moment, when he lost everything, even as he was forced to watch the Imperial torturers grinding the life out of the few people he held dear to his heart, even as they lit his own flesh on fire, he relented. At that moment the Continuum restored him to life, a newly created superstar. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 Section Six, The Empire Part Thirty-seven, Bureaucrat Collected Chapters 01 Gatekeeper 02 Desk Jockey 03 Pencil Pusher 04 File Clerk 05 Monitor 06 Quality Assurance 07 Supervisor #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 267, September 24th, 2017 Chapter One: Gatekeeper He became an image of hope to the ordinary citizen, an example of a life rewarded after incredible suffering. He was a symbol of re-birth, of clemency and mercy. Many of his former compatriots were stunned by the turnaround. It was bewildering. Some called the whole drama a charade, others hopefully gave up their rebellion. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 268, September 25th, 2017 Chapter Two: Desk Jockey He was celebrated by the Empire, and Continuum. His daily life was viewed by adoring fans with fascination. His comportment was flawless, he fulfilled the expectations of his station with immaculate precision, moving from the lowest order, into a position of authority. He was beset with challenges, each a test of his poise and wisdom. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 269, September 26th, 2017 Chapter Three: Pencil Pusher From doorman to receptionist, from receptionist to stenographer, his celebrity made him in demand. Bringing him into an office meant exposure and fame for the bosses around him. He rose up the hierarchy mindfully, still carrying the lessons he learned from years in the rebellion, from years of torture in prison. Trust no-one, suspect everything. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 270, September 27th, 2017 Chapter Four: File Clerk Everyone serving in the bureaucracy underwent periodic reviews. Without fail, in his yearly review, he was raised up, given more freedom. He relished it. The small steps he had taken away from the street made a vast difference in his lifestyle. He continued to look beyond his station. Toward a life of ease and comfort. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 271, September 28th, 2017 Chapter Five: Monitor The Empire required and relied on bureaucratic controls. The vast Imperium utilized monitoring at every conceivable level of the social order. In time Jim rose to a position in which he reported, and analyzed a wide range of human activities, and behaviors, especially among those rebel groups that he had once been a member of. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 272, September 29th, 2017 Chapter Six: Quality Assurance His duties were to observe, report, and ensure that the work of government was carried out efficiently; he never once dropped his diligence, not for a moment. He was tireless, to the letter. His life was completely bent on fulfilling every policy. He was a living reminder to his peers regarding the necessity of protocol.   #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 273, September 30th, 2017 Chapter Seven: Supervisor In time he became a chief administrator, and while he appeared to be a man in the prime of his life, those who had been following his career began to realize that he was extremely old, compared to average citizen. It was noted as a curiosity by other administrators. They drafted him into military service. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0: Section Six, The Empire Part Thirty-eight, General Collected Chapters 01 Foot Soldier 02 Yeoman 03 Medic 04 Calvary 05 Pilot 06 Aide de Camp 07 Field Marshall #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 274, October 1st, 2017 Chapter One: Foot Soldier In the post of an agency chief, he enjoyed a life of luxury beyond the grasp of a pleb. Then they ordered him into the service, taking it all away. He did not balk, or look back. He became a soldier, a new way of life, a different class and caste. He went to war. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 275, October 2nd, 2017 Chapter Two: Yeoman After one year in combat they pulled him off the line; the Collective loved his heroism, but feared for his life. Continuum did not want to see him in hand to hand combat. He was brilliant, but he displayed too much gallantry, moments in which he hesitated, giving his opponent a chance before the kill.  #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 276, October 3rd, 2017 Chapter Three: Medic He was a yeoman. Serving in the bureaucracy prepared him for the work. He had reveled in the exploits of the infantry, but he did not resent the break. However, having seen him as a soldier, and a hero, the Collective was not satisfied; they wanted more. He went back to wars as a medic. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 277, October 4th, 2017 Chapter Four: Calvary As a rebel and a soldier, he had mastered fear. While a prisoner under torture, it vanished from him altogether. As a medic he never shrank from danger. He was a paragon of virtue. His audience loved him, his willingness to self-sacrifice. It propelled him to glory. It awakened him to the suffering of others. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 278, October 5th, 2017 Chapter Five: Pilot In the cavalry he mastered every type of combat craft; land, sea, air, and space. The ease with which he learned the controls, the rapidity in which his skills developed into something like artistry, this was shocking to his trainers, they had never seen anything like it before. His comrades worshipped him like a god. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 279, October 6th, 2017 Chapter Six: Aide de Camp He retired from combat as the Empires greatest Ace; living or dead. His heroic image was brighter than a star going nova. Cults of worship began to form around him. Many of his superiors were jealous, wanting to eliminate him. The conservatives simply wanted to return him to the bureaucracy, and groom him for command. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 280, October 7th, 2017 Chapter Seven: Field Marshall When he was elevated to the Imperial Command, it was whispered among the worlds that he was of the Continuum, an angelic messenger. He thought nothing of those whispers, as if he could not hear them. He accepted his position in life, one that was now exceedingly long, rising to the challenges set before him. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 Section Six, The Empire Part Thirty-nine, Priest Collected Chapters 01 Oblate 02 Novice 03 Brother 04 Sister 05 Ordained 06 Abba 07 Overseer #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 281, October 8th, 2017 Chapter One: Oblate They elevated him to the priesthood. It was unprecedented, to rise from the status of a rebel and an outcast, to the most exalted class of being, and once again, he started on the lowest rung. He was an oblate. He was given the mark of humility. He was tonsured, as any beginner would be. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 282, October 9th, 2017 Chapter Two: Novice It was required that he take vows; vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. This was required of every novice, but they were not necessarily for life. He entered the sacred order, and was initiated into the mysteries. He became, once again, a servant. He was the oldest novice ever. He was wise. He was quiescent. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 283, October 10th, 2017 Chapter Three: Brother The priestly class was divided into two groups. There was the priesthood, and then there were the holy orders. He always went deep. He followed the contemplative sects into the paths of mystery, austerity, and aesthetics. He wanted to do more than officiating rites, managing a temple, he wanted to discover the meaning of existence. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 284, October 11th, 2017 Chapter Four: Sister He was a conformist at heart. Since his years as a rebel, he was obedient, a follower, not always of people, but to the multitudes. He had been the unparalleled leader. He was a follower of ideals. In relation to his principles, he was unquestioning. Then he met a woman, and he fell in love. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 285, October 12th, 2017 Chapter Five: Ordained After years of servitude he was initiated into the mysteries, and ordained into the order of the priesthood. He became an officiant of the sacred rites. Every day he reenacted the rituals and repeated the sacred chants, which led to eternal life, both for himself and on behalf of others, opening the gates of Continuum. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 286, October 13th, 2017 Chapter Six: Abba His affair with the Sister was illicit, but he loved her, and she him. They had both sworn vows of chastity. His willingness to break those vows and the anguish it caused, captivated his audience in the Collective. It was out of character, it was unpredictable. They ensured it would continue. They made him Abba. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 287, October 14th, 2017 Chapter Seven: Overseer With the blessing of the Collective and by the favor of Continuum, despite his carnal crimes, he advanced in rank among the religious orders and in the hierarchy of the priesthood. The Continuum loved the intrigue of his cover-ups. They made him a Cardinal. The masses, knowing nothing of his transgressions, adored him even more. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0: Section Six, The Empire Part Forty, Faith Collected Chapters 01 Indoctrination 02 Dogma 03 Rites 04 Mystery 05 Belief 06 Orthodoxy 07 Unkowing #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 288, October 15th, 2017 Chapter One: Indoctrination He was born into a family of plebians, free citizens, but in reality servants of the Empire, slaves of the Continuum. He could not tolerate injustice. He felt the suffering of everyone. He fought the empire. For his gallantry, the Continuum made him a star. He entered service as a bureaucrat, then soldier, then priest. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 289, October 16th, 2017 Chapter Two: Dogma He made his vow, and took holy orders. He immersed himself in the priesthood. His knowledge expanded, the history of the Empire was exposed in sacred texts. It fascinated him, and struck him cold. Deep feelings were stirring inside him. He became aware of the reality of the Collective, and the truth set him free. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 290, October 17th, 2017 Chapter Three: Rites He took all of the rituals seriously, as he did everything during his career. He fulfilled them with grace, and a presence that gave no indication of the fact that he knew they were empty gestures, and meaningless incantations. He believed the cohesion of the Empire, of a million worlds, relied on them for everything. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 291, October 18th, 2017 Chapter Four: Mystery He was indoctrinated into the deepest mysteries of the Imperium. He discovered the mechanism of salvation, translation of consciousness into the quantum field, eternal life in the Continuum as a member of the Collective. He learned that the Imperial rites meant nothing, they were based on lies, minor dramas perpetuated as a means of control. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 292, October 19th, 2017 Chapter Five: Belief He spent his days promoting the beliefs of the Empire. He spoke with power and confidence, elegantly articulating the complex narratives that glued the Imperial society together. He was a living exemplar of the faith, demonstrating to everyone, even the outcast, the possibility of elevating their station with fidelity, duty, and adherence to the laws. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 293, October 20th, 2017 Chapter Six: Orthodoxy He learned to differentiate between belief, and conviction, with the greatest care given to the manner in which he expressed himself; what you hold in your heart is not what you voice, survival depends on it. The higher he ascended into the mysteries, the more he felt he was shackled by the dogma and tradition. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 294, October 21st, 2017 Chapter Seven: Unkowing There are no words available in any language to articulate the universal truths regarding the infinite, and the eternal; every attempt to do so was manipulative, and false. The religion of the Empire was a web of lies, coercions, and control mechanisms. The lie had been perfected over millions of years, holding all people together. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0: Section Six, The Empire Part Forty-one, Tradition Collected Chapters 01 Story 02 Pietas 03 Custom 04 Classism 05 Socialism 06 Globalism 07 Universalism #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 295, October 22nd, 2017 Chapter One: Story The stages of his life symbolized the faith of every citizen, and the fears of those in the ruling class. A million worlds followed him, put their hopes in him. He was a demi-god; myths regarding his origins circulated among the people. During his long life, whole generations had been born and died adoring him. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 296, October 23rd, 2017 Chapter Two: Pietas The perception of holiness mattered more than the reality. The most important thing to the hierarchy is what people believed about the priesthood. Image is everything; rhetoric not logic, not truth, rhetoric was the measure of the day. Given the powers belonging to the priesthood, it was a relatively easy task to deceive the masses. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 297, October 24th, 2017 Chapter Three: Custom In the rituals of the priesthood every gesture was important. The complex movements reenacted a narrative, reinforcing a story that encompassed the history of the Empire, and its million worlds. The group participation in those rituals, led by the priests, sent waves rippling through the lives of the faithful, binding them together in concentric rings. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 298, October 25th, 2017 Chapter Four: Classism The imperial system was held together by class, rank, and ancestry. Nearly every citizen clung to their place with vicious determination. There were few limits to what a person would risk merely to advance a step or two in rank. In as much as they were inextricably bound to it, everyone longed for a release. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 299, October 26th, 2017 Chapter Five: Socialism The immediate goals for the ordinary citizen was advancement. Everyone believed that freedom was waiting for them. Independence was just a few paces away. They wanted to live autonomously, free from the responsibilities of their station. Autonomy was an illusion, private property, self-direction; all lies. In truth, everything and everyone was owned by the state. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 300, October 27th, 2017 Chapter Six: Globalism It was possible for an individual to be at peace in the Empire, millions of citizens were. To be at peace in the Empire a person merely had to accept the view that their happiness was an integral part of the whole. Individual happiness did not matter, what mattered was the happiness of the Collective. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 301, October 28th, 2017 Chapter Seven: Universalism Every person desired to see their lives as meaningful. Even those whose station in life was fixed in drudgery. Every vestige of the rites enforced by the Imperial cult conditioned them to believe that individual fulfillment came through the chain of being, a series of incarnations in which each person experienced life at every station. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0: Section Six, The Empire Part Forty-two, Fear Collected Chapters 01 Loss 02 Pain 03 Shame 04 Duty 05 Honor 06 Perseverance 07 Annihilation #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 302, October 29th, 2017 Chapter One: Loss The prevailing view of life afflicting the masses, and preached fervently among the worlds was this: desire is the cause of all suffering. The faithful were reminded of this daily. Suffering was apportioned with surgical precision, and insidious delight. Every moment of joy was merely temporary, and only to be experienced as respite from sorrow. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 303, October 30th, 2017 Chapter Two: Pain The prevailing philosophy was this: pain was necessary and purgative, both as penance for sin and as a preparation for holiness. This teaching was reinforced at every level of the human experience. Suffering was life, moments of pleasure were structured to be brief, as teaching moments, with periods of joy coming randomly, intermittently, and spontaneously. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 304, October 31st, 2017 Chapter Three: Shame Every person knew their rank, and everyone wanted to advance their position. The social standing of a person, of a family, their village, their planet. These were known figures. They were broadcast. No matter what your Imperial rank, the focus of society was always directed to what you lacked, rather than what you had achieved. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 305, November 1st, 2017 Chapter Four: Duty There were trillions of citizens in the Empire, each and every one of them was conditioned to be joyful only in the fulfillment of their duties. The Imperial schools were formed to fulfill that purpose, and that was the aim of the Imperial cult. Keep the eyes of the citizen focused on the daily goals. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 306, November 2nd, 2017 Chapter Five: Honor In the Imperial cult selflessness was taught as the only way for the individual to escape from the material conditions that oppressed every person. People sought absolution of self for the sake of the greater good, the abnegation of desire; kenosis, the emptying of the self; metanoia, conversion of personhood into self-identification with the whole. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 307, November 3rd, 2017 Chapter Six: Perseverance Everyone looked up to those in the higher classes, or a person of higher rank even in the same class. An old man would defer to a child. Even to the point of laying down his life for him, or suffering forms of extreme abuse. It was conditioning, and covetousness. The system destroyed them all. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!

Emergence 2.0 A Novel – In 55 Words a Day Day 308, November 4th, 2017 Chapter Seven: Annihilation The teaching of the Imperial cult, its dogma, rituals, and spiritual practices all colluded to persuade the people into the submission of their will. The spiritual goal as stated was this: for the individual to rise through every station, over the course of billions of lifetimes, and to ultimately be released, returning to the Continuum. #Emergence #SuperShortFiction #365SciFi #55Words Like it, Follow it, Share it!