"'Perpetually Regenerating Warps and their Application in Interstellar Engines'...."
The words meant nothing to him. He dropped the magic book and picked up two others. This time his eyes widened.
"What is it, Kieron?" Alys asked fearfully.
"Long ago," Kieron said thoughtfully, "on Valkyr, it was said that the ancients of the First Empire were familiar with the secrets of the Great Destroyer...."
"That's true. That is why the Interregnum came, and the dark ages," said Alys.
"I wonder," mused Kieron looking at the books. "What was this Geller known best for?"
Alys shuddered. "For his homunculi."
"The ancients, it is said, knew many things. Even how to make ... artificial servants. Robots, they were called." He handed her the book. "Can you read this ancient script?"
Alys read aloud, her voice unsteady.
"'First Principles of Robotics.'"