TYDEA
2,071 Years Before the Final Exodus
"Fools," she said. Tydea shook her head and stood up. "Not all of us are content with being silent! We don't all want to stay in our own little corners and not be heard."
"Please," a Cimon said. "We've taken a vote."
"You can undo it," she replied. "For centuries, we have lived here without representation and served mankind. You seem to think we're the same, but we're not. To them," she pointed out the window, "we're no different than Cylons." There was laughter and Tydea spoke louder, "We plug in, we transfer information, …"
"They don't know that," one person said.
"… We do all the work …" Tydea continued.
The Jason interrupted, "We keep hidden. We have kept our secrets. This is what Lord Zeus and Goddess Aurora have commanded."
Tydea lifted her hand to gesture. "We can still be heard, we can still have representation in the quorum and keep our secrets."
"Aurora listens to our concerns and provides," a Mylene said.
"That's one god. If nothing else, her advocacy of us has only stunted our growth." Tydea shook her head and leaned forward with her fists against the table. "No, we need to take part in the world around us. I say we take the Thirteenth Tribe slur seriously and run with it."
The Jason raised his hand. "I disagree. Aurora said if we spoke out or became too open, misfortune would follow."
Tydea slowly sat down. "If we remain silent, then we can't complain when our toes get stepped on."
The Cimon laughed. "Who's stepping on our toes? If we don't stir the pot, there won't be any problems." He pointed to the Jason, "We have our own leadership for our own problems. We have a goddess who looks after us. One of your sisters, Tydea, is Aurora's own assistant. We're doing just fine."
Jason stood and nodded to everyone, "I think that is all. We will meet here again in two weeks."
The other eleven members of the Megaran council stood up and began to filter out of the room. Tydea wandered toward the exit, pausing to look at the group. She shook her head again and left the room.
"Iole Tydea," someone whispered as she left.
She turned around and saw the Crassus standing there. "Yes?"
"Walk with me, please." They left the doorway and entered the hall of the administrative center. Crassus looked around carefully before he spoke. "Do your fellow Ioles agree with your stance?"
Tydea sighed. "I doubt it. Doesn't matter. I was chosen so I give my own opinion."
Crassus nodded. "I see. For what it's worth, Tydea, I agree with you."
She stopped walking and looked at Crassus squarely. She said nothing for a moment; she tried to read his face. "What do you propose we do about it?"
Crassus smiled wryly. "I have friends, as I'm sure you do. We can call attention to ourselves. To our situation. We can demand representation."
"Demand to be heard?" Tydea said.
"Yes. If you will back my play, we can make our first statement in a matter of days."
She looked down toward the floor. A frayed strand of carpet caught her eye as she thought. "Make your move. Whatever it is, we will use it."
Crassus bowed somewhat toward her and walked further down the hall. "I'll be in touch, priestess," he said, without turning around.
Tydea inhaled deeply and straightened her robes. It was getting late. The ride back to Cyme would take a little while on her bicycle and she had an early service tomorrow morning in Dionysus' temple.