AN: This is one I've been working on for a while. There is plot to it but that's for later, be patient. For now it's mostly short, related oneshots: Honestly that's all this fic was originally supposed to be…..and then the plot bunny came….So, yes, I do have several fics going at once, why? I get tired of writing for only one fic, which is what happened with Unlaced.

Anyway, enjoy.

Empire Dreams

Prologue

Consummatum Est

…L…

His hands were tired and worn; his eyes burned beneath heavy eyelids, but he was smiling. He was finally finished with his creation. It was his ultimate creation and probably his last, other than the capsules.

Thomas smiled and let his weathered right hand rest on the android's head, threading his fingers through the soft brunet strands. He'd done a marvelous job with the frame at the very least, though he still wasn't sure if this free-willed robot would be just as personable as his previous ones, or if the Three Laws changed something intrinsic in a robot. He wasn't sure how the child would be personality-wise: He hadn't been activated yet, despite Thomas' desire to speak to his son.

Synthetic muscle and skin made for a very convincing human appearance. Along with a sweet, youthful face that made him look no different from a teenaged human boy; his exterior at least would keep him from too much scrutiny should he ever venture out into society.

As if silently bidden, Thomas opened his eyes to see hazy green slits instead of the usual blank, dilated optics, or the closed lids he'd been used to seeing for the past several years. "X?" He called quietly.

Thomas doubted he'd receive a response as the little android was incredibly young, and it could take weeks before he began speaking. It took Robot Masters some time to mature, and as he'd designed X to be more human-like. It was highly likely the child would take far longer to develop than his others had.

As he'd expected, the newbuilt didn't respond. X didn't even blink at him.

Thomas just smiled and patted him gently on the shoulder. After a moment the green eyes closed again…. Thomas had done a good job; if this really was his final creation he was satisfied. The old roboticist let his left arm rest on the slab beside the slumbering child, then he brought his head down on top of it, pillowed on his white coat. His tired eyes slid closed once again, and his right hand gave X's hair one more loving stroke.

Yes. He'd done well.

….L….

AN: Well? Thoughts?