late June, 238. Based on a true event.

Looking back, people would said that Pupienus Maximus and Balbinus would have a short reign on the imperial throne because of the eclipse during their reign. The same would be said about the sixteen year-old Gordianus III. The truth of the matter, Rome had seen a high amount of solar eclipses in ten years. They had seen three. One, they saw during Severus Alexander's reign, March 23rd, ten years ago, another four years ago on June 14th, and the third one on April 12th of last year. The last one endured for nearly one hour and people thought it would never end that afternoon. It didn't help that the sunset soon after to make people feel as if it lasted the entire night. Another one wouldn't come until four years later and it would be many years after that any would follow. The gods didn't give any clue to what would be happening in June of 238.

Quintus Cinna managed to clean himself up. He was now in his best toga and Fabricius Flavius had reintroduced him to the senate. Many had distrustful looks at him. He used to be the leader of the frumentarii, and then the city mayor for Rome.

Distrust and jealousy reigned in the senate; and even in the temples where they assembled every senator carried either open or concealed arms.

"He should be not allowed in the senate!" yelled a senator from the Senate House's crowd. Quintus Cinna looked around but couldn't find the person between all of the many senators within the room. Emperor Balbinus was supposed to be there, but seemed delayed. There was a crowd outside the front door. Many people wanted to hear what the senate was saying.

"The man worked for Thrax and probably leads the Praetorian guards!" another said. Thrax was a nickname of the tyrant Thracian emperor Maximinus who was recently murdered after three terrible years.

"Only for a short while," another senator said. People were starting to pick sides. Quintus Cinna didn't want to be a part of it. He didn't know why he listened to Fabricius.

"The praetorians are still loyal to the dead emperor. They want us all killed!" another voice said. QC only could see hundreds of senatorial togas.

More outsiders tried to squeeze toward the entrance to hear what was being said. Some were hoping that the new emperors would relieve them of tax this year. Two evocati (veteran soldiers) stumbled forward. QC didn't know if it was intentional or by accident, but they entered the sacred place and passed the statue of Victory.

Gallicanus, a consular, and Maecenas, a praetorian senator, viewed with indignation their insolent intrusion: drawing their daggers, they laid the spies for such they deemed them, dead at the foot of the altar, and then, advancing to the door of the senate, imprudently exhorted the multitude to massacre the Praetorians as the secret adherents of the tyrant.