invasion and theft as much as through their own construction and manufacturing."
Tethys asked, "How long before they use all that they've gotten against Tiberia? Or against everyone else?"
Cronus looked to Iapetus as the other Titan thought. Finally, he said, "Any time now. They have dozens of legions of soldiers, entire squadrons of aircraft and transports. Three entire fleets of naval vessels, too." Oceanus shook his head while Iapetus finished, "Were I them, I'd strike now."
Coeus quickly lifted his hand and began to speak, "Is there truth to the rumor that the Caesar is negotiating with the Pact for an alliance?"
Cronus looked toward Iapetus and said, "You're the war consul. Tell us."
Iapetus smirked and sighed. "There have been … discussions." Some of the Titans grumbled. "A few cautious messages sent but no real overtures."
"Since you're being so open," Cronus said, "tell me, why does the Caesar want to speak to Zeus?"
Iapetus' eyes widened and he said, "I don't know anything about that."
"Come now," Cronus said. "I have birds that chirp. A message was delivered through Ares. Caesar wants to meet with Zeus."
Hyperion pounded the table with his fist and scrunched up his mouth as though he was readying a glob of spit. "Zeus. What does he want with him?"
Iapetus shook his head. "Technology? Information? Another inroad with the Pact? This is the first I'm hearing of it."
Cronus motioned toward Hyperion and said, "Tell him what you told me."
After a quick scratch of his thick beard, Hyperion sat forward and said, "That terrorist and his friends have been visiting villages in Assuria. They have structured cells to operate against the government."
"The same is true in Alabor," Theia said. "No offense, Cronus, but things haven't been as bad as they are now since you were there."
Cronus grinned, "I'm only glad I'm no longer a praetor. You each have vast responsibilities and you're being undermined by your children." Tethys scoffed. "You're not being helped by Tiber, either. The Draft has only hurt your positions." Most of the Titans nodded. "The Caesar has, inadvertently, prepared your populations to be molded by terrorists like Zeus."
"What is the point of this," Iapetus asked, angrily.
Cronus leaned back and stared at his comrade. "The point is … there is an air of change. I don't know whence it will come, but I feel it. We need to prepare for the possibility that you won't be getting much more help from the Caesar in the near future." Iapetus sighed. "It's not a threat. It's not seditious talk." He poked the table to emphasize each of the next three words, "It is realism."
"And Zeus? The Olympians?" Crius asked.
Cronus nodded and stood. "Typhon is hunting them. Still. They will be stopped."
Several of the Titans grumbled and began to leave the room. Eventually, only Themis was still seated at the table. She was sitting in her chair, comfortably, as she had been for the whole meeting. Finally, she stood and slowly walked toward Cronus.
"Rhea? Mnemosyne?" Themis asked. I didn't see them here."
"Rhea is content to oversee farmers in Naban and Saban." He shook his head dismissively. "And Pathya now. Let her stay there."
Themis nodded. "I believe there is more to it than that." Her eyes wandered over to Cronus' personal guard, the large, colored, multi-limbed robots standing by the doors.
"I wouldn't know." He wiped his mouth and said, "Mnemosyne is off on her own. Painting, watching sunsets, or something."
"Living a peaceful life," Themis said. Cronus shrugged. She tilted her head before saying, "Caesar is preparing the people for Zeus?"
Cronus nodded. "Truth."
"To a point. In reality, the Titans are more complicit than the emperor." Cronus' grinned, almost inviting her to go further. "Hyperion grumbles about Zeus but he fails to connect the terrorist attacks with the public executions he holds. Tethys tightly controls her mining concerns, her death camps, while the people struggle. And Alabor? They're starving while Theia lives in luxury."
Cronus shrugged. "You are not incorrect."
"Then why advise them?" Themis asked. "Why keep propping them up in their own minds and to their own detriment?"
Cronus' jaw flexed and he folded his arms over his chest. Campe entered the room and stopped. She leaned against the door and smiled at him. He looked back at Themis and said, "I need them to be this way." Themis was surprised and he added, "Everything I said is true. The Caesar's days are numbered. Whether his end will come from the Cylons or from his own angry, hungry plebeians, I don't know. But the end is near for the Empire." Themis nodded. "When it falls, when the nations connected to it fall, we will be there to pick up the shards. The Cylons will wage war not only against Tiberia, but Attica, Huban, and the rest. They will be weakened, all of them. And the Titans will still be here."
"And what about the Cylons if they're victorious?"
Cronus inhaled deeply and said, "I've talked my way into their favor before. I've maintained … a measure of communication with them."
Themis squinted and said, "You sound like a bad movie villain."
Cronus shook his head. "Again, realism. We will still be here to rebuild. We will have learned many lessons. I can advise some of them," he motioned toward the empty table, "on better ways to govern. Right now, though, they're quickening the fall of the Empire and I need them to keep doing that." He smiled, "Once it does collapse, we can reshape Tiberia and all these nations however we like." He took Campe's hand. "We are the future."
Themis backed away. "Outlast the emperor. This is your plan? It sounds delusional."
He kissed Campe's cheek and said, "I'm being prepared."
LXXXVIII
CAESAR
4 Years Before the End
Maxentius exited the large sitting room and stepped out onto the balcony. He could smell the salty air. The waves hit the rocks far below. He opened his eyes, looked around the white-colored villa and saw his guest waiting down in the garden.
The emperor descended the staircase and allowed his hands to brush along the smooth brick of the rails. More brick, intricately patterned, made up the floor of the walkway and the garden. He moved between two carefully sculpted bushes and stood calmly behind the man.
"Zeus."
He turned around. "Caesar."
He smiled and walked toward him, offering his hand. Zeus grinned and stuck his out. As they shook, the emperor said, "It is a pleasure to meet you, at last."
The white-haired man smirked and said, "I'm not entirely certain I believe that."
"Oh, please believe me." Maxentius walked ahead of him toward the wrought iron fence. "Like your parents and the Titans both, you Psilons have contributed a great deal to the world in the sciences."
Zeus nodded. "We try."
"Yes." The Caesar chuckled and said, "I admit that I get more than some pleasure from seeing Cronus feeling … distressed about you."
Zeus' eyebrows raised. "Really?"
"Yes," the imperator shook his head, "I do. Cronus and the Titans have done a great deal for me and Tiberia over the last century." Zeus' jaw flexed as though he were stifling a sneeze. Caesar knew he was merely guarding his speech. "I have been disappointed in the way some of them have ruled their territories. Cronus foremost among them."
"Thus his exile."
Maxentius nodded. "To here, actually." He shrugged, "They keep their populations in line, they produce more than enough of their resources, but Tiberia is now a nation that tries to do business with the outside world. The Titans are a liability, perception-wise. I would be happy to wash my hands of them."
Zeus waved and said, "Then why not get rid of them?"
"Because I do not trust anyone else, simply put. I gave them freedom and comfort at a time when they had neither. That bought me their loyalty for generations. Most of them. People, though," he shook his head, "have their own goals. Often short-
term and near-sighted."
Zeus nodded. "Indeed."
"Let's talk about you." The Caesar turned and leaned against a brick column. "Your war on the Titans."
"It's not my war."
The emperor nodded. "I suppose the Titans started it."
"With your help."
Silence. Maxentius inhaled deeply and nodded. "Yes. On a personal level, I apologize to you for that. I was paying someone a debt. A debt I felt I owed. Had I known then what I know now, I would not have paid it."
Zeus said nothing.
"You've struck your blows. Propaganda, bombings, arms shipments …"
Zeus shook his head. "No. Propaganda only. The rest came naturally from all that the Titans have done."
"Perhaps," the emperor said. "Your recent stunt with him," he laughed, "Cronus was furious. I don't know the full story with his crew of brutes, but I know you angered him beyond reckoning." Caesar girded his smile and then said, "I did not bring you here to scratch scabs, however." Zeus nodded. "I have questions for you. Maybe a proposal."
"Ask your questions."
Caesar folded his arms across his chest. "You've met with the Cylons. Please, give me your analysis of them."
Zeus said, "They are, quite simply, children. When they were placed on Gela, they were given no guidance on how to make a society." The emperor nodded. "They live their lives as they wish with little thought to others."
"Yes. That's what my ambassadors said, too."
"There's something else, though." Maxentius fixed his eyes on him and listened intently. "They can be singularly focused. Driven. The way they embrace their personal freedoms
Lords of Kobol - Prelude: Of Gods and Titans Page 68
