Tomorrow, the world

Power, unlimited power

I paled when I heard the options presented. I'm not one for exotic fetishes. No need for extravagant body modification, no need for supernatural fertility manipulation. No, my true lust is for power. And here it was, more power than any mortal had ever been known to have. This wasn't merely the stuff of pornographic fantasy. This was enough to seize the world, and remake it to order.

I had, in my more lonely moments, fantasized about taking over the world. And here was my chance to do it, in perfect comfort and safety, and with whatever companions I wanted.

"Very good. Let's start with the basics: I'm going to use contracts; my slaves will be happy (1). Of course they'll be happy! I'm going to remake their bodies (5) and minds (1) to order! And it will all seem normal to people (1)! Now, tell me about the hive mind. What exactly is involved? How much individuality versus collectiveness?"

The demon waved his hands dismissively. "Up to you. Put it in the contract."

"Very good. In that case, I want to let my followers form a hive mind (3), guided by super-intelligent me (3)!"

The demon laughed, one of those "I am an evildoer" laughs that starts as a chuckle, and grows until it ends as a cackle. Then silence, and blackness.

Ascension

I woke up in bed, covered in sweat.

It was a weekend and I had nowhere to be. I spent the morning experimenting. My mind was so clear! And, as an experiment, I altered my face. Sure enough, I could modify bodies.

My next step was to draw up a contract, have some copies printed, and infuse them with my essence. The text was a work of art, if I do say so myself. It vested perpetual rights to the soul and will of the party of the first part in the party of the second part, which was not named but merely described -- so a stray copy of the text wouldn't identify me. It allowed superseding agreements to be imposed, and it authorized the retention of multiple or digital original copies. I wasn't sure the latter part would hold up, but it seemed safe to try. For the moment, I wasn't prepared to use the hive mind powers, but I was sure I could go back and add them later.