With a Vengeance

In a near‑future San Francisco, the world is jolted when a charismatic young man seizes power, crowning himself the First Imperator of Terra. The narrative unfolds through the eyes of an old newspaper editor who once dismissed the future ruler as a clumsy apprentice, recalling the day he fired the boy for his unpolished speech and lack of training. As political tides turn, the editor’s memories of dusty ledgers, fading apprenticeships, and the rise of a new aristocracy provide a vivid backdrop to a society teetering between democratic ideals and the allure of absolute authority.

Through witty reflections on language, education, and the seductive promise of a single, unchallengeable leader, the story probes whether humanity truly craves a figurehead or clings to the myth of the “common man.” It sets the stage for a tense power struggle, leaving listeners eager to hear how the fragile balance of power will reshape the world’s future.