****
"Hensk, you're a fool. He'll never return."
"Wrong, Rorisk. He thinks he has children here. He believes, if he succeeds, I'll give them to him."
"And he has no children?"
"None. He's not mature yet. The physicians estimate it will be hundreds of years before he's capable of siring offspring. I had them change his genetic structure. His children will ripen far sooner, but it will still be hundreds of years before he sires them. The first thing I shall do with project three is collect them. Perhaps, I'll give them to him. Did your uncle grant my request?"
"Yes. Five point two akits of the element will be sent to you. In return, he will receive eleven of the machines."
"I shall need only one. Did he speak of his plans for them?"
"Yes. He'll use them to direct the evolution of the recalcitrant worlds."
"Excellent. The yumari are beautiful. I shall enjoy having them as obedient slaves."
"His thought exactly. When we decide we want them, they'll surrender without a struggle. He's already chosen his agents."
"The priests of Denskarra?"
"Hensk, you astound me. Yes, the dark brothers. They have pledged to do as he requests in this galaxy if he gives them freedom to do as they wish in the others."
"The servants of the Dark One will cleanse the universe of life. I am not sure I trust them to allow life in this one."
"He pointed out, if they destroyed it here, they would not exist and would be unable to cleanse it elsewhere."
"Our emperor is a wise and devious man."
"Yes. My uncle serves the Dark One well."