If you'll please indulge my inner Grammar Nazi, followed by a more detailed review;

"Paced" and "impatiently" so close in the same sentence feels weird to me.

"He been expecting that, the Guide of The People would want to speak to him..." Maybe separate this sentence into two where you have the comma so the reading goes smoother.

"Tiny robots moved sedately[,] cleaning every surface..." This time the comma works.

"Statues moved smoothly[,] reenacting scenes from the Holy Book."

"Richard knew the statues were constantly watching the room for assassins and were programmed to kill if The Guide seemed to be in danger. He also knew that he had been scanned, and was being scanned by hundreds of different means to ensure the safety of the Guide."

The reiteration of keeping the Guide safe isn't necessary. Maybe instead of "if The Guide seemed to be in danger", you could write "at the first sign of danger" and leave the mention of the Guide specifically for the last sentence.

"Hurting The Guide physically, was the furthest thing from his mind." Again, removing the comma is the way to go here.

Maybe a break between the above line and the next paragraph to reinforce that the scene has changed.

"The Guide looked down on him, his eyes were covered by a dark silky band that made him look blind..." Take out the "were".

"...any camera connected to the net. A golden net..." The use of the same word so soon is a little bothersome.

"...giving him a ghostly appearance[,] [a]kin to what ancient oracles achieved through torchlight..."

"...that would send it to the Emperor[']s ears."

"Your message tonight, and ever after[,] shall be heard in every media..."

"A rare smile[-d] appeared on The Guide[']s face."
"I thank you for this honour[,] my Guide."

"The Guide controlled everything, using advanced technology[-,] and religious fanaticism."

"Richard had seen too many death camps to let that happen." "He prayed that he was doing the right thing." I think these two sentences would work better beside one another, as opposed to each getting their own line.

"...he was now alone in an old fashion tv booth." Old-fashioned.
"Richard placed one hand on his head, and his other began rubbing his stomach." I realize what you're saying here, but I feel it could be worded better.

"...Only, unknown to everyone else, the board was now hooked not only to the Net..." That first "only" can go. It doesn't add much and it's used again shortly, anyway.

"...and The Guide[']s computer system, it was also connected to Richard[']s brain."

"All he had to do now was press any key on the keyboard to initiate his own program." This should probably be the last sentence of the paragraph it follows.

"Could he press the key?" Same case here, put it with the sentences before it.

"This could cause the death of millions of people including himself." Same thing.

"Better to die fighting for freedom, th[a]n to die screaming for saying a wrong word." Ditto.

"...they could have notice[d] a trace of drool..."

"Or the blank[,] dead face..."

"Across the world[,] tv screens, radio's, computers, and virtual reality chambers..."

"Once it had control[,] the Program flooded everything with its[-'] message."

"He was surrounded by starving people, [their] thin, fleshless arms pull[ing] at his clothes..."

"The Guide tried to run[.] [H]e fled through the Net..."

"[L]ooking over the codes[,] he knew he could break them..."

"Furiously, he tried to break through to the program[,] [e]ven as the Net shifted showing secret after secret."

"Finally[,] he was through."

"If he worked quickly[,] he could control everything."

"...downloaded from Richard[']s head."

"Finally he summoned his powers." You used "finally" not just a few lines up, so I'd take that out.

"If he couldn't control the Program[,] he could stop it."

"His headset beep[ed] incessantly[,] calling for his attention."

"With a thought[,] he opened a connection."

Overall, I'd say don't be so afraid of larger paragraphs. Also, one or two sentences per line doesn't always make a point stand out more. Sometimes, it just looks like sloppy editing. Another thing to keep in mind is when commas should and shouldn't be used.

Now, besides all the technical stuff, this story comes off as rather simplistic to me. For instance, if the Guide has this "neural garb" that gives him access to the Net and an abundance of cameras, how is it that Richard managed to stealthily created a program to bring his empire down? Also, I find it a little ludicrous that there wouldn't be a bigger group involved in overthrowing him. Although rebels are mentioned, they seem to pose almost no threat. Especially if you consider the possibility that these rebels would probably try and lay low on the Net, if they don't just detach themselves from it completely.

I would recommend reading more of Jave Harron's "Science Fiction For Dummies" (not that I'm calling you, one, but you could benefit) since you seem to have already added it to your Favorites.

--dreamshell--