A camp in Transalpine Gaul

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Consul prepares to meet with the Senators he has invited to a meeting in his camp. He had been hearing disturbing accounts of events back east and wished to meet with like minded, conservative senators. Order must be maintained in Rome while he was away in Gaul.

[ulti]

A reply arrives from Consul Decimus

Salve Severus,

Unfortunately, due to the climate here in Rome, it would not be prudent for me to travel to meet you. Instead, I have sent my trusted servant, Regulus Magnus in my stead. He carries with him papers of authorisation for this. He knows my views on the matters you wish to speak about, and will tell none except me about the meeting.

Consul Artillius

Two days after the letter arrives, a well dressed man arrives at the camp on horseback. His ship from Ostia was delayed due to the winds, explaining the delay in his arrival. As he enters the camp, he seeks out the Consul.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Dismayed at the abysmal turnout, Cincinnatus dismissed the proxy. If only one man was willing to discuss the problems of Rome outside the senate things were indeed more dire than originally thought...

[ulti]

The proxy, before leaving, hands the Consul another letter from Consul Decimus, which was to be given after the meeting.

Severus,

The climate here has changed. Caesar's allies have been subdued, the Senate calls for his blood. Pursue your objectives in Gaul, then return with haste. I fear that this may not last, the vacuum that he creates will no doubt be filled by another pleb lover, and we must be ready.

I will do all in my power to ensure he is put down like the dog he his, and I hope so shall the Praetor. But I fear that our so called allies are not as dedicated as they pledged to be.

Decimus

P.S Burn this letter once you have read it.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Cincinnatus incinerates the parcel then musters his legions.

[ulti]

A more official looking letter arrives.

Consul Severus

Go forth with the Senate's blessing, may Fortune smile upon you as you smite the Gallic barbarians.

Consul Decimus Pontius Artillius

[Raglan]

A weary looking Lucius Primus arrives as asked by the pro-consul. He wonders just why he was called here, and hopes it had better be good.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Lucius is taken to the center of the camp and enters the Consular tent, a dimly lit room strewn with maps.

Lucius, I'm glad you came.

[Okmin]

The newly-appointed Legate Gaius Marius Aquila arrives at the camp as requested.

[Pontifex Maximus]

He is led into the tent where the two men already sat.

I am glad you have arrived at last, Legatus Aquila. We will have much to discuss later, but for now please join us.

[Okmin]

He takes a seat. "Thank you, Consul. If I may ask, why is he here?" Marius gestures to Lucius.

[Pontifex Maximus]

He is my guest for this evening. I asked Lucius and several others to join me here to discuss a matter of grave importance to the Republic and her armies. Whether or not they will appear is another matter entirely..

[Okmin]

"What could possibly threaten-- never mind, I believe I will find out soon enough. Is this why you made me legate?"

[Raglan]

Lucius Primus throws a dirty look at (okmin) he didn't like being talked about in the third person like that.

This had better be good! I shall be most unpleased if i have come all this way for something useless. I had grave doubts about leaving Rome. I am a tribune of the people. That is where i should be!

[Pontifex Maximus]

Are not eh fifteen thousand souls in this camp not citizens as well? Are not all the fighting men? I asked you to come because there are some in the Senate who threaten the safety of all of us, and especially those in Greece, due to their own twisted ambitions. I've had disturbing reports of factions in Rome, even as part of the reason why my letters to the Senate have been ignored. They tell me Caesar's supporters in the senate blocked any initiatives to give me recommendations because the senate refused to send Caesar, a proconsul, to invade Thrace with under one legion?! Tell me this madness is not true...

[Raglan]

Lucius Primus shook his head.

More true than you realise. The discussions in the curia are all over the place, one moment talking about tax, then someone stands and shouts about Caesar. He has some very vocal backers. This then gets ignored as someone shouts for a different pro-consul to be removed for not writing to the senate.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Severus stood and walked to the table

Handicapping a Roman army on the brink of victory in order to force the senate to pass a bill is tantamount to gubernatorial blackmail. The rise of factions will only hearken in an age of Roman decline. I refuse to be the figurehead of any bloc. The senate must begin to organize itself, when a Consul is away from Rome order must be maintained. This operation shouldn't take long, especially with Aquila here. When I return to Rome we must work together to dismantle this Caesarian lunacy, not in the name of our own personal interests, but in the interests of Rome. One legion to conquer Thrace indeed. The man defeats a pack of slaves with pitchforks and thinks he can march to the moon and back. It shows a monumental lack of understanding of military tactics. By Mars, his whole legion would have been slaughtered.

[Okmin]

Lucius Primus throws a dirty look at (okmin) he didn't like being talked about in the third person like that.

"Apologies, Tribune. I assumed you did not know why you were here either."

(OOC: Edit...)

A messenger arrives and whispers something in Marius' ear.

Marius stands. "I apologize, Consul -- and Tribune. I must leave at once... It seems I've been elected Pro-Consul of Graecia, so I am off to relieve Caesar of his duties."