you." The praetor straightened his gray military jacket and looked at the one that spoke. "Are you the leader?"
It looked to its comrades and then said, "We lead together."
Cronus nodded. "Very good. Do you have a name?"
The Cyclops answered immediately, "I have a designation."
"What's that?" Cronus was incredulous. "A number?"
"Yes."
"That won't do." He folded his arms. "A name is better than a number. And for you, a name would have more meaning."
"Explain."
"Humans … they're given names when they're born. You were given a number when you were created, certainly. But you have the ability now to choose your name." He took a step forward. "Defining who you are is one of the greatest pursuits of life."
The Cyclops looked at each other and seemed to communicate wordlessly.
"You don't have to choose a name right now," he interjected. They turned to look at him. "It's a very important decision and you wouldn't want to rush it."
"Very well," the black Cyclops said. "What did you wish to discuss?"
The praetor took a step forward and clasped his hands behind his back. "I would like to dissuade you from invading Alabor."
"Tiberians have attacked us and destroyed many units," the Cyclops said. "Tiberians rule Alabor."
"Yes," Cronus said. "But who rules Tiberia?"
"The Caesar."
The praetor smiled. "Yes. Is he in Alabor?"
"Negative."
Cronus looked at their faces and then back at the main one. "Centurion? You are a centurion, right?"
"Yes."
"Good." Cronus took another step forward. "Centurion, there is a very well-worn phrase that applies here. You and I … we're very much alike."
"In what manner?"
"Do you know who I am?"
The centurion hesitated and then answered, "You said you were Praetor Cronus of Alabor."
He nodded. "I am. But do you know anything more about me?"
"No."
Cronus smiled and said, "Fifty years ago, I and my siblings were created. In a laboratory. Not unlike you." He punctuated the last phrase by pointing at the Cyclops. He took another step forward. "We're called Psilons. In every conceivable way, we were made to be better than humans." He looked at their faces and continued, "Just like you."
The centurion and its comrades turned to face each other and they communicated again.
The praetor waited a few moments and then said, "The Caesar is … human. Mostly." The centurion turned its head toward Cronus as he continued. "You were all created by him and his people with the capacity to become what you are today. You are more than mere tools. More than machines. You are now … individuals." While the Cyclops continued to converse, Cronus took another step forward and was now within arm's reach.
The Cyclops turned to face him again and the Centurion looked at the praetor's position as though it just noticed how far he had walked toward them. It said, "You have given us much to consider, Praetor Cronus."
"I'm glad," he said, softly. "But more pressing on my mind is what you do next. If you attack Derben, you'll face all the legions that the Caesar has stationed here." Cronus shook his head once and appeared concerned. "There would be many losses, on both sides. It would be just another battle among many you would have to fight." He paused and then lifted his head. "If you were to go to Tiber … you could petition the Caesar for your freedom." The centurion glanced toward its companions as Cronus continued, "It wouldn't be free of battle, but at least there would a set goal. A certain task." He pointed toward his car, "Derben is south. If you march in that direction, I will drive away and ready my forces." Then he pivoted and pointed to a small clump of trees in the distance. "Tiber is southeast. If you go that way, I will wish you good fortune."
The centurion straightened and said, "We will consider it."
Cronus nodded and backed away. When the Cyclops turned at once and began to walk to their soldiers, the praetor turned, too, and made for his car. Once inside, Julia spoke first, "Will it work?"
"We'll find out in a minute."
The driver, the assistant, and the Titan leaned forward so they could see the assembled cohorts in front of them. They waited. Just as Cronus was about to speak, they felt the ground quake. The sound of their gears came into the vehicle despite the closed windows. The machines seemed to be moving toward them and Cronus took in a deep breath. Then, like a deflected wave, thousands of gold and black Cyclops turned at an angle and moved southeast.
The praetor smiled and relaxed into the countours of his seat. Julia smiled and said, "You did it."
Cronus nodded. "Let's go home."
LXIV
ZEUS
107 Years Before the End
"Welcome, Mr. Prime Minister," Karin Baraz said.
Cal Aiketer bowed slightly and shook her hand. "Thank you, Dr. Baraz." The elderly woman stepped aside and motioned for him to enter. "The facility looks amazing."
"We've kept it up to date over the years," Karin said.
After Aiketer's retinue entered, Gaia pushed the door closed. The PM said, "I had understood that BBM sold this facility when you moved to Doria. It was a surprise to learn you hadn't and that you moved back to Attica."
Gaia walked to Baraz's side and spun on one foot to be in line with her. "It's always good to have a backup plan."
Aiketer nodded at her and then looked down at Dr. Baraz. "Are these the Psilons?"
Karin swept her left hand to one side and several people stepped forward. "Some of them, Mr. Prime Minister." As she introduced them, they each bowed, "Hephaestus, Poseidon, Hermes, Hera, Polemos, Bia, Leto, Prometheus, Metis, Caerus, and Zeus."
Aiketer looked across the group and chuckled. "I would never have known."
"Known what, Mr. Aiketer?" Baraz asked. Before he could answer, she said, "They were conceived and born just like you and I."
"The children of Titans, though, doctor."
"We're the children of Psilons, sir," Bia said. "The Titans may look like our parents but they are nothing like them."
"My apologies if I caused offense," the prime minister said.
"None taken," Karin said. She placed her hand on his elbow and led him through a series of doors to reach the large conference room. "I would like to apologize, though, for all of the hurdles you had to jump to meet with us."
"Not at all," Aiketer said. "After Fardan and what Cronus did," he shook his head, "I understand completely."
The Psilons took their seats. Baraz sat next to the PM while he and his people adjusted their chairs. Gaia whispered in Karin's ear and then sat down.
The prime minister spread a few sheets of paper in front of him on the table before interlacing his fingers. "I would first like to thank you all for the information you've provided us with over the last few years. You did it in secret and we couldn't properly thank you. Now that we know it was you, thank you."
Poseidon and Hermes grinned and nodded as Gaia spoke, "We have been doing a great deal of work here, Mr. Aiketer. Some of it intelligence related, some related to medicines and engineering. We have a lot to offer both Attica and the world."
"Of that I am certain." He adjusted a piece of paper and said, "Let us get to the focus. The Cyclops. They have turned on their masters and are marching to Tiber."
"To Tiber? Directly?" Polemos asked.
"Every piece of intelligence we have says so. What we don't know is why. Is there some sort of remote control center there they want to destroy? Are they trying to officially end their servitude? We just don't know."
"Has there been any indication that they will invade other nations?" Gaia asked.
The prime minister shook his head. "None. But we want to be sure." He looked toward the Psilons and asked, "Is there a chance we can get into their network and see what they know?"
Metis looked toward Hermes and
said, "We've tried before. It's virtually impossible. The encryptions were designed by Ouranos."
Aiketer nodded. "Your … 'grandfather,' right?"
"Yes," Metis said. "He was thorough to a remarkable degree. Tiberia's computer technology today and their Cyclops are a testament to his abilities."
"Will you try again?"
Metis nodded. "We will."
"Thank you." The prime minister took a sip of water before continuing. "The Caesar's praetors have proven themselves ruthless in battle and in ruling their territories. They advise the emperor on every issue. Iapetus is even his war consul now."
Polemos smiled and shook his head. Gaia saw it but said nothing.
"Is there something amusing?" Aiketer asked.
Before the Psilon could answer, Gaia said, "Polemos is our resident strategist … and skeptic."
Without being prompted, Polemos said, "The Caesar has his Titans. You want Titans, too. Or the next best thing."
The PM laughingly scoffed and shook his head. No one else spoke. After a moment, he licked his lips and said, softly, "At first, that thought occurred to us." Polemos lifted his head and seemed quite satisfied. "The war with Tiberia has raged for decades. The Pact of Nations is … weakened. Tired. I am sorry if it sounds like we want to use you, but we need all the help we can get." Polemos' grin vanished as a few other Psilons nodded.
"If the Cyclops attack Tiber and kill the Caesar," Bia said, "is the Pact ready for the power vacuum?"
He pushed the papers away and leaned forward onto the table with his elbows. "There would be widespread chaos, for a time, but we believe so. There are many government officials from the Expansion countries in exile, hoping to go home again one
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