The purpling sky is edging crimson...

"We are blessed," Apparat says.

"Truly," Not agrees.

I continue staring ahead upon dim frogmen statuary standing amongst the burbling fountain at the center of the manor courtyard...

"To serve in Dream City," Apparat begins in a voice gone soft, and tremulous. "It is a blessing, and an honor."

"Truly, truly."

The frogmen stand in a happy, inward-facing circle, although one is off to the side fallen. Drowning...

Bright light baths the entire courtyard.

I turn.

A bright eye gradually rises over distant city skyline. The edges darken, slowly consumed until becomes lost in darkness. A thin slit of light reappears after, slowly expanding, spilling out light and warmth until the bright eye is open once more, watching.

"To serve is all."

Did I say that... aloud?

"It is time," its melodic voice whispers, which sends a tingle down the Id EIS spine.

...

I am standing tall, the Id EIS forward, staring beyond Twelve Masters seated around the massive World Table amidst vast spherical twinkling darkness for the last time.

New shape forms above: Iterative Chairman Ur. "We will begin with any closing arguments for Declarations, proceed to Ratification Voting, Confirmation of Next Iterative Subcommittees, Confirmation of next Chairman, then Adjourn. If anyone has closing arguments to put forth now: proceed."

A brief pause.

New shape forms above: X. "The Supremacy Clause is just. To expand it would be proper. We Twelve are the sum and the total. Rightfully eternal."

Silence.

New shape forms above: Ur. "Closing arguments are complete. Now: the First Declaration up for Ratification is Amendment to Outer Policy, Subsection 4. Iterative Declarant Other: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master X: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master Faith: how do you vote?"

"Against."

"Master Joy: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master Fnord: how do you vote?"

"Against."

"Master Gabriel: how do you vote?"

"For."

"I vote For. Master AI: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master Nisargadatta: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master Oryx and Aryx: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master Wu wei: how do you vote?"

"For."

Green light BURSTS bright upon us all, fading slowly. "The Amendment to Outer Policy, Subsection 4 is Ratified." Ur purses its lips. "Next: Ratifying vote on the divisive Determination on Frontier Technology. Iterative Declarant Nisargadatta: how do you vote?"

"For Determination in Favor of Future Exhibition Under the Twelve."

"Iterative Second Wu wei: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master Other: how do you vote?"

"For Determination in Favor of Future Exhibition Under the Twelve."

"Master X: how do you vote?"

"For Determination in Favor of Future Exhibition Under the Twelve."

"Master Faith: how do you vote?"

"For Determination in Favor of Future Exhibition Under the Twelve."

"Master Joy: how do you vote?"

"For Determination in Favor of Future Exhibition Under the Twelve."

"Master Fnord: how do you vote?"

"Against."

"Master Gabriel: how do you vote?"

"For Determination in Favor of Future Exhibition Under the Twelve."

"I vote the same. Master AI: how do you vote?"

"For Determination in Favor of Future Exhibition Under the Twelve."

"Master Oryx and Aryx: how do you vote?"

"For".

Green light BURSTS bright upon us all, fading slowly. "Determination in Favor of Future Exhibition Under the Twelve is Ratified." Ur nods slowly. "Next: Ratification of the Supremacy Statute Expansion. Iterative Declarant X: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master Faith: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master Joy: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master Fnord: how do you vote?"

"Against."

"Master Gabriel: how do you vote?"

"Abstain."

Iterative Chairman Ur pauses. "I vote against. Master AI: how do you vote?"

"Abstain."

"Master Nisargadatta: how do you vote?"

"Against."

"Master Oryx and Aryx: how do you vote?"

"For."

"Master Wu wei: how do you vote?"

"For."

Master Other: how do you vote?"

"Abstain."

Green light BURSTS bright upon us all, fading slowly. "Determination in Favor of Supremacy Statue Expansion is Ratified. Declarations are Vetted. Next: Confirmation of Next Iterative Subcommittees...

An expectant pause.

"Randomization terms Subcommittee for Domestic Security with Master AI, Master Nisargadatta, and Master Ur, Subcommittee for Sol System Overwatch with Master Chimera, Master Faith, and Master Oryx and Aryx, Subcommittee for Organic Stratification with Master Joy, Master Other, and Master Gabriel, and Subcommittee for Genesis with Master Nine, Master Fnord, and Master Wu wei. Objections?"

New shape forms above: Chimera. "I would trade Subcommittee terms with Master Fnord."

New shape forms above: Fnord. "Places swap, but the game is unchanged..."

New shape reforms above: Ur. "Good, then the trade is agreed. Any further objections?"

Silence.

"Subcommittees set," Ur declares firmly. "One month Mandatory Preparatory Period is required as usual, prior to the Next Iterative Meeting. Last item: per Lineage, the next Iterative Chairman is Master Joy. Would you like to announce a mission statement?

New shape forms above: Joy, triumphantly golden. "I am pleased to be presiding over the next Meeting AND the Future Exhibition Under the Twelve! Let us prepare for it appropriately, pushing the boundary of what is known. In competition, we all thrive." Its smile widens. "Some have rested on their laurels, recently. Gabriel: I expect more than nothing from you, next time. Haven't finally run out of inspiration, I hope?"

New shape forms above: The Master, who is smiling as well. "To hope... well. Perhaps mine is a different type of Project. With a different kind of presentation."

...

All is in readiness by the afternoon.

Don't look back...

Walking back a final time across the black and white checkerboard grounds, I pass through an archway in the low white wall of the estate and descend the steps all the way down to the dun courtyard. I then turn, and begin waiting...

The Id EIS goes into slow mode: flickering afternoon shadows quickly lengthen. Two small figures darken the archway in the low white wall above me. Coming out of slow mode: I still do not move as they descend...

(Endings.)

... until imp and serv-unit reach the dun courtyard and join me, standing silently to the side.

Waiting.

The Id EIS goes into slow mode: blue sky quickly darkens, fading purple into evening. A tall figure darkens the archway in the low white wall of the estate. "Is all in readiness?" it calls down. Coming out of slow mode: I bow. "Yes, Master Gabriel."

We three wait until The Master descends all the way down into the dying evening light of the courtyard: tall, grey, and crowned with thorns, its divine, smiling form is still clad in its usual black robe. "Yes?"

The imp steps forward, bowing. "Thank you, Master Gabriel."

The serv-unit spins once, and stops. "Thank you!"

A feeling of unexpected emotion.

We...

The Master frowns. [Feeling] Abruptly walking past them, it then heads out across the dun courtyard without another word.

I hurry after it. "Did your visits go well? At the end?"

"Well enough, Id."

A giant clear disc carrying an opaque white square, edging another giant clear disc after it, waits ahead...

But...

"Master Gabriel..."

The Master stops striding and comes to a halt before the vessel. "We are already the last to depart. I tire..."

(Now.) Beginnings...

"I would ask your permission to start work on a new idea for the Evolution Experiments. Aboard."

Dark laughter before The Master turns back towards me, halfway. "Bold again." It nods. "Permission granted, after clearing the City. But... carefully, now. You approach our ground."

"Yes, Master Gabriel."

The Master steps aboard the first giant clear disc.

I follow it. Rushing air surrounds us, the long greysilk tunic belted at the hip fluttering as the ground begins receding swiftly underneath, visible all the way through the clear surface I walk upon after the striding Master.

I...

While leaving them all behind, I do not look back at Dream City...

(Fading.)