Jr. Thomas Henry Parnell
2020
THE MASTER RACE The eyes are the most arresting feature. This is perhaps surprising in a creature so unlikely and frankly alien. One forgets the narrow, birdlike body, the long, powerful hindlegs, the nimble three-fingered hands on their strong, spindly arms. One forgets even the claws on the feet, and the sharp teeth in the short, elegant jaws, lips drawn up in either a hungry grin or an arrogant sneer. One looks into those eyes, those big, round, golden predatory eyes, looming above that scaly, toothy little snout. Those eyes, in which are reflected so much strength, so much raw power, and so much intelligence. So much intelligence. Only at a distance can a Ruler be mistaken for a "mere" animal. One look in those eyes leaves absolutely no doubt. "Tu harto asto Vemon," it said. You are a captive of the Rulers!
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