Epilogue - The Hydra's Rise

Jacob Kilburn, Viashislov Shuisky, and Edwin Rass stood and watched the sunrise over the construction site. The facility--its inorganic parts, at least--was approximately two-thirds complete.

"Gentlemen, we are making history." said Shuisky. "Biomancy, architecture, and mechanical engineering, all integrated into the same wonderous living device."

"The Sons of Thunder are ecstatic with the results." said Rass. "They're sending more materials and workers then even I'd thought they'd be willing to cough up. Of course, there's the problem that we still don't have a name."

"We have 'The Hybrid Project' up to now. But it does not roll off thee tongue." said Shuisky.

"I've been thinking about that." said Kilburn. The Reaper had dropped him off a few weeks earlier. He didn't know what had happened to the other laborers and didn't want to think about it. The only change in his appearance was that he cropped his hair close--it had started to turn black from the ears down, so he'd cut it off in shame. "I broke away from Chimaera. That should have been my doom. But it looks as though this new facility is going to put Chimaera to shame. What should have killed this project has made it stronger. So I came up with a name for this place."

"What is it?" asked Rass.

"Hydra. Hydra Laboratory. Cut off its head, and two more grow back."

"I like it. I like it a lot." said Rass. "Doctor Shuisky?"

"I could get used to it." said Shuisky, a slow smile spreading across his face.

"Hydra it is, then." said Kilburn.