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The induction cereh table Tom was acclaimed the 5122nd member of the Esteemed Order of Guardians and inforathered that uaranteed immortality and that, as Emperor of the Sixth Realuidance of the Supreme Council of Guardians

He had never , perverted arseholes in all his life Nothing in his former life had prepared hi over the prospect of his agonising death at the hands of a pack of ho praise on hi what a clever felloas

The chancellor took him off for a friendly chat after the cerearden with orange trees Tom had never seen so much luxury with so few people to enjoy it

'We are about to enter the Forbidden Zone,' the chancellor declared

'Forbidden to whouardians?'

'Precisely You will have free access once your implant is fitted'

Tole of alarm 'My implant?'

'We all have implants, Professor Yours will be put in place by one of our palace surgeons Prior to that I shall introduce you to those of your fellow guardians ere not present at your induction'

'These would be the more junior members?'

'Quite the contrary, Professor They are our older and more senior members As immortals, we cannot expect to dash around in our poor tired bodies forever A time comes e have to lead a more sedentary life That does not, of course, mean we cannot participate as full members of our fellowship inbuilding at the far end of the garden To to be taken to some sort of old-folks' hoht reside He had visions of private chaht of e hall Tom was reminded of soantic space was decorated with displays showing the Eighth Realiraffes were now extinct together witha display of extinct butterflies when a door at the end of the hall opened and two young arments that looked like tracksuits