Danger for Johnson.

Cautiously Johnson, Joanna and the twin scientists entered the chamber that was screened by the forcefield. It's centre is dominated by a transparent tube filled with a swirling gas. This is the source of the eerie purple light, the gas within shines brightly and pulses of brightly sparkling luminescence flare inside. Behind the tube is a large ornate chair, reminiscent of a throne in which a dessicated corpse dressed in mouldering rags is seated. On it's forehead is a implant that matches those that Johnson and his cronies have.

"OK." Johnson said slowly as he steps forward to examine the artifact. "So what the hell am I looking at?"

The twins seem unsure and huddle together discussing in hushed tones the meaning of the data they are reading from their scanning instruments. Johnson looks mildly irritated by the delay, but fascinated by the light display within the tube he raps his knuckles against the artifact. The coiling gaseous substance within reacts to the union boss's clumsy investigation, swirling around the spot where his knuckles made contact and glowing intensely.

"There's considerable electrical activity inside what seems to be a containment chamber." One of the scientists hesitantly informs Johnson.

"The electrical readings are identical to brainwaves." Her twin adds. "How it was done eludes us, but all data seems to indicate that the tube contains a living consciousness."

Johnson walks round the containment tube and stares at the ancient corpse. Reaching forward he gives it's shoulder an experimental shove. The shrivelled remains slump sideways on the throne, the head tilting to face Johnson. The shrunken lips have curled away to reveal the teeth and the cadaver looks as though it's smiling at Johnson.

"So do you reckon it's this guys brain in there?" Johnson asked.

"In the abscence of any imperical evidence, that is a logical assumption." A twin replied.

"INDEED IT IS A LOGICAL ASSUMPTION, THOUGH NOT ENTIRELY CORRECT." A synthesised voice booms suddenly, seeming to eminate from the walls of the room. "THAT SHRIVELLED HUSK WAS MERELY THE LAST OF A LONG LINE OF FORMS THAT HELD MY BEING."

"Oh yeah, so who fuck are you?" Johnson snarled, looking around himself uncertainly.

"I AM THE ETERNAL, MASTER OF A HUNDRED SOLAR SYSTEMS. FOUNDER OF THE GREATEST EMPIRE THE GALAXY HAD EVER SEEN." The voice gloated. "FOR CENTURIES I HELD DOMINION OVER A VAST EXPANSE OF SPACE. MOVING MY ESSENCE FROM BEING TO BEING AS I NEEDED, UNDYING AND ETERNALLY REBORN. I MANIFESTED IN THE FORM OF EMPEROR OR EMPRESS IN A MULTITUDE OF SPECIES AND RULED GODLIKE OVER MY VASSELS."

"Undying?" Johnson queried, his averice piqued by the prospect. "You saying this gizmo is the key to immortality?"

"INDEED, THIS GIZMO AS YOU CRUDELY TERM IT IS." The voice acknowledged. "THIS AND THE IMPLANT NEEDED TO FACILITATE MY TRANSFER. ALL MY OFFICERS AND OFFICIALS RECEIVED SUCH IMPLANTS AND WERE GRANTED POWER OVER THE MASSES BY THEM. THUS I ENSURED THAT THE MOST POWERFUL AND CAPABLE WERE BENT TO MY WILL AND AVAILABLE FOR ME TO POSSESS WHEN I GREW BORED WITH MY PREVIOUS HOST."

Johnson touched the implant on his forehead, a look of fear replacing the greed as the words sunk in. He started to back away from the tube containing the consciouness of the ancient being, glancing nervously at the open doorway.

"AT LONG LAST I SHALL BE REBORN ONCE MORE AND RECLAIM MY EMPIRE." The voice roared jubilantly. "THOSE RACES WHICH CONSPIRED AND ATTEMPTED TO DESTROY ME SHALL BE CRUSHED AND BECOME MY PLAYTHINGS."

"Protect me!" Johnson bellowed, his hands clawing at the implant on his forehead as it began to glow with purple light. He stumbled towards the exit.

"The forcefield." One of the twins shouted. "Raise the forcefield and it should prevent the transfer."