{Caesar}
It's been a week since I woke up in this hell and honestly life is good. I have everything I could ever want. However I have been thinking, the legion as it is is unsustainable. We bleed troops way to much and although the battle of Hoover dam is far in the future I don't want the realisation to arrive only when we are beaten. So I have summoned Joshua back to flagstaff to discuss a sweeping military reform to reform my legion into a fighting force that can stand up to the NCR. Now do I want guns everywhere, No. But if my troops have training with guns and have guns they can utilise against enemies like the NCR then we will stand a better chance and not hemorage manpower in every battle.
'Knock Knock'
"Enter"
One of my Praetorians pokes his head into my study.
"Vulpes Inculta is here to see you." "Send him in."
He vanishes and then the door opens and Vulpes enters. He stands before me as I lean back in my chair.
"Vulpes I have a number of tasks for the Frumentari." "Yes my Kaiser." "First, I need Frumentari in the NCR military specifically the expedition in the Mojave. There are items I want. When the NCR takes Helios 1 I need someone to sneak some members of the Cult Vulcan in so they can take control of the Archanedies laser. I have plans for it however no one can know that Archimedes is under our control and it should only be activated shortly before the Malpase Legate advances on Hoover dam since I want it fired upon the retreating NCR forces. I also believe they will rig Bolder city to explode so I need a frumentari placed to detonate the city when the NCR retreats to it. This man should be informed that he will likely die. The firing mechanism is disguised as a pre war toy gun that appears to end up in freeside find it. I need people to go to a place called Sunny vale. There is a small circular silver coin marked with a large black 38 find it."
He blinks overwhelmed by information.
"Yes my Kaiser." "Anything you wish to tell me Vulpes?" "Yes my Kaiser, I have confirmed the presence of a significant rebel cell in both north and south Pheonix. The recently conquered Rusty Hooks raider tribe is resisting assimilation." "I will seek the advice of my council on the Pheonix issue. The rusty hooks will be sent to Legate Augusta to deal with. Before I forget I believe that the White leg tribe is interested in joining us." "Yes my Kaiser. Salt upon wounds has sworn to conquer the salt lake in your name and burn New Canaan to the ground." "Ah" "What is it my Kaiser?" "There is a big issue with that plan of his." "What my Kaiser?" "New Canaan isn't his to conquer." "I don't understand my Kaiser." "New Canaan belongs to the Malpase Legate." "Oh." "Yes Oh Vulpes. He may conquer the salt lake and it's surrounding tribes but tell the frumentari we have in his tribe that if he decides to begin an invasion of new Canaan on his own he is to be crucified and they are to take over the tribe." "Yes my kaiser."
I stand.
"Shall we discuss the pheonix issue over lunch."
He bows and follows me out of my study and into the dining room. I look at my praetorians. Go get me Lucius and inform me of when the Malpase Legate arrives. We sit my praetorian guard sitting at the other end of the table. Lucius enters and sits to my left, Vulpes sits to my right. Slaves bring out lunch, it's roast bramen with flatbread, prunes, olives and peppers from Gente Del Sol, he's been trying to get on my good side so I'll reverse my decision to give his land to two sons. We eat in silence and its only after we have finished that I break the silence.
"I wish for both your inputs on how to deal with the growing rebel cell in pheonix."
Lucius pushes his plate away and leans back. Vulpes looks eager.
"Vulpes tell me your plan while Lucius thinks." "Well, my suggestion would be to arm the rebels with faulty guns then pull our garrison from the city's allowing them to rise up and bring all the rebels into an identifiable state and then when we retake the city's we can execute all the rebels in one go."
I consider him. It's a plan truly worthy of a snake like him however.
"I worry that it would set a precedent that it is possible to rise up against my legion." "I have of course considered that however if we put them down quickly and suppress news of the rebellion it could have the opposite effect and instead show that even if you rebel you cannot stand up to the legion."
I look at Lucius who frowns and then says.
"I agree with Caesar on this matter. Allowing a rebellion to rise up would only lead to the legion being perceived as weak. Even if we did put it down immediately the fact that rising up against us shows that we are weak. My proposal would be to execute the wealth elite of the city and redistribute their wealth and resources to the rest of the city's population."
Not a bad suggestion.
"You could crucify one in 10 of the population."
I turn to see Joshua.
"Your thoughts are noted."
He nods and takes a seat next to Lucius. The slaves serve him and he tucks in as I contemplate the options. Joshua's suggestion makes sense, crucifying one in ten of the population of phoenix would bring them in line however I don't think that I want to go that route.
"Lucius I think your suggestion is the one we will go with however if there is not a sufficient drop in rebel activity then one in 10 will be crucified. Now if there is nothing else I will retire to my study and I bid you join me when you are finished Joshua."
He bows his head as I leave. Once in my study I slump in my chair. The headaches aren't common I've had only 2 since I awoke in this world. After about 5 minutes Joshua enters and sits across from me.
"You look tired Edward." "I am, I think I'm dieing Joshua and there is no one capable enough to save me unless you believe the followers would help me, Ha." "They might if they were convinced that doing so would prevent the immense loss of life and suffering your death would cause, the legion is a deck of cards Edward." "I know Joshua, it's what I wanted to talk about." "Hmmm?" "I want to reform the legion, slowly over many years I want to reforge it into an actual civilisation. I have a number of ideas for reforms but the first is the most concrete." "What is the reform?" "Our military is great for subjugating tribals Joshua but as we expand we will come up against more advanced enemies, remember the brotherhood. We lost disproportionately compared to what we gained. Imagine what would happen if we fought a larger faction that could do as much damage, we would be so weakened that we couldn't hold what he took." "I see your point, so what do you have in mind?" "First guns, not giving every legionary a gun but instead giving them a long range weapon that they can use to fight when wave assault isn't practical. Two we need a new training plan. Currently we waste potential by throwing them at the enemy and we don't adiquately protect those we do have. I think that we should introduce Initiate as a rank. Those we assimilate or the children who come of age are given the rank initiate, we give them cloth to cover themselves two sheets of metal to wear as armour a poor machete and a poor single shot pipe rifle let them maintain them, for 40 days they must prove themselves and then they can become a recruit. They don't fight on the front lines but must serve in some combat, they don't have the right to equipment or our colours." "That seems reasonable a training rank before they reach the front lines." "Next the recruits, give them a 6 shot rifle and a good machete, they get a red colour some of our leather chest armour and a steel chestplate, give them shoes and leather vambraces. Give them head wraps and goggles no helmet they haven't earned the write to it. You get where I'm going with this?" "Yes, one second."
He leaves and 10 minutes later he returns with two members of the cult Vulcan who are heaving and sweating.
"These two are going to help us work this out."
We spend 3 hours workshopping everything. Finally we have the new structure figured out, I read the paper work one final time.
Initiates. Given barely anything, one rusty machete, one rusty pipe rifle that barely works, two pieces of metal tied with string to wear as a breast plate, one tunic, one set of shorts, one head wrap and one set of sandals. They have 40 days to prove themselves if they fail they are enslaved if they succeed they become recruits.
Recruits, Given a basic machete, a single shot rifle or shotgun, one set of spears, one red tunic, one set of leather chest armour, one steel chestplate with steel pauldrons, one pair of leather vambraces, one skirt, one set of shorts, one set of socks, one pair of leather shoes, one head wrap, one pair of goggles, one set of fingerless gloves and one belt. Their ritual of ascension involves kneeling half naked as a priestess of Mars anoints them with blood and swear an oath of loyalty unto death to a portrait of Kaiser. They do the dirty work for the legion along with fighting in combat. They must learn to survive this world along with being a warrior. They will be killed if they falter, disobey or retreat. They are also assigned one legion owned slave to manage. At this rank they are assessed for special skills that could benefit the legion and if found they are removed from the military ranks to serve one of the cults.
Legionaries, given a legion machete, a hunting rifle or shotgun, one set of spears, one red tunic with white stripe on the sleeves, one set of leather chest armour, one extended steel chestplate with steel pauldrons, one pair of steel vambraces, one skirt, one set of shorts, one set of socks, one pair of leather boots, one face wrap, one pair of goggles, one leather helmet, one belt, one bag for essential items and one set of fingerless gloves. Their ascension ritual involves walking barefoot across burning coals and shrouded in smoke and then swearing their loyalty to Kaiser, Mars and the legion before a portrait of Kaiser. They are in charge of recruits and can lead them on small missions, they can delegate simple tasks to recruits. They can be commanded to enforce discipline among lower ranks. They are taught small unit tactics, reconnaissance, basic leadership and more and are allowed better kit, weaponary and rations. They are assigned 2 legion owned slaves to manage. At this rank they can be selected to become scouts or other special extra military ranks.
Prime legionaries, Given a good quality legion machete, access to a variety of guns depending on the mission, one red tunic with two white stripes on the sleeves, one set of leather chest armour, one chainmail chest armour, one set of full steel torso armour including side armour and pauldrons, one pair steel vambraces with steel hand armour, one skirt, one set of shorts, one set of socks, one pair of leather boots, one pair of steel greaves, one chainmail face wrap, one pair of goggles, one reinforced leather helmet, one steel cap attachment for their helmets, one red belt, one set of bags for essential items and one set of fingerless gloves. Their ascension ceremony involves their Centurion handing them their new tunic while a priestess anoints them with blood, herbs and oils. They are incharge of maintaining discipline in the lower ranks and are an example of a true legionary. Their reward for achieving this rank is better equipment and respect. They are assigned 3 legion owned slaves to manage. This is also the rank at which they can be considered for promotion to recruit decanus.
Veteran Legionnaires, given a high quality broad legion machete, any weapon suitable for a mission,
One Red tunic with 3 white stripes on the sleeves, one set of leather chest armour, one chainmail tunic, one full set of steel chest armour made to their exact dimensions with copper trim, one pair of enclosed steel vambraces with steel hand armour, one skirt, one chainmail skirt, one set of shorts, one set of socks, one pair of steel toe leather boots, one pair of enclosed steel greaves, one attachable steel face plate, one reinforced leather helmet, one steel cap attachment for their helmet with red stripe, one leather belt, bags for personal belongings and trophies and one set of fingerless gloves. They are chosen from the prime legionnaires by their centurion and must make a pilgrimage to flagstaff to receive their armour and swear an oath to Kaiser personally. They can take the role of bodyguards to decanus, centurions and legates, they can also challenge praetorians to take their position, their are the right hand to their decanus and command respect. They are assigned 4 legion owned slaves to manage.
Recruit Decanus, given a steel legion sword, their pick of ranged weapon, one red tunic with gold stripe on the sleeves, one set of leather chest armour, one chainmail tunic, one set of segmented steel chest armour with copper trimmed pauldrons with neck protection, one pair of enclosed steel vambraces trimmed with copper and with hand and elbow protection, one leather skirt, one chainmail skirt, one set of shorts, one set of socks, one set of steel reinforced leather boots, one attachable chainmail face armour, one eye and nose protecting steel mask, one metal reinforced helmet, one mesh helmet cap studded with brown and black feathers, one red leather belt, one leather bag for personal possessions, one leather map bag and one ammo belt. Their ritual of ascension involves standing before his centurion and 8 prime legionaries who each place one of his personal trophies at his feet, he must destroy each trophy to rid himself of 8 sins and show his acceptance of the burdens he will now acquire. He is then blessed by a priestess and swear an oath of loyalty to a portrait of Kaiser. He is assigned a veteran legionary to be his right hand and are trained in basic literacy. They are incharge of a squad of initiates, and a squad of legionnaires which alter based on the mission. They are assigned 4 legion owned slaves to manage and a wife.
Prime Decanus, given one steel sword, their pick of ranged weapons, one red tunic with one fancy gold stripe and a smaller gold stripe above it on the sleeves, one set of leather chest armour, one chainmail tunic, one set of segmented steel chest armour with copper trimmed pauldrons with neck protection, one pair of enclosed steel vambraces trimmed with copper and with hand and elbow protection, one leather skirt, one chainmail skirt, one set of shorts, one set of socks, one set of steel reinforced leather boots, one attachable sharp shaped steel mask, one metal reinforced helmet, one mesh helmet cap stuffed with white black and red feathers, one red leather belt with chainmail strips, one leather bag for personal possessions, one leather map bag, one ammo belt and the right to personalise their appearance such as with furs. Their ritual of ascension involves a dual with a Veteran Decanus where they will be given a cheek scar. They are in charge 3 recruit Decanus and by delegation 30 legionnaires and 30 initiates. They are incharge of logistics, fort and outpost construction, troop rations, supply lines, armoury stockpiles, and promotion between ranks. He must report issues to the designated logistics officer. He is assigned 2 veteran legionnaires to be his hands. He is trained to a higher level of literacy. They are not expected to engage in combat unless supply lines are threatened or during major battles. They are assigned 4 slaves to manage and 2 wife's.
Veteran Decanus, given one steel sword they can personalise, their pick of ranged weapons, one red tunic, two copper rings worn on left arm, one set of leather chest armour, one chainmail tunic, one set of shaped steel chest armour made to their exact dimensions with copper trimmed pauldrons with neck protection, one pair of enclosed steel vambraces trimmed with copper and with hand and elbow protection, one leather skirt, one chainmail skirt, one set of shorts, one set of socks, one set of steel reinforced leather boots, one attachable copper paint sharp shaped steel mask, one metal reinforced helmet, one mesh helmet cap stuffed with black feathers, one red leather belt with chainmail strips, one leather bag for personal possessions, one leather map bag, one ammo belt and a red cape mounted on the right pauldron. Their ascention ritual involves fighting their centurion and then making a pilgrimage to Flagstaff to receive their armour and swear an oath to Kaiser in the temple to Mars. They are incharge of 2 prime decanus and by delegation 60 legionaries and 60 initiates. One will be selected to be his centurions deputy. They are incharge of selecting decanus recruits and promotions within the decanus. They are trained to be fully literate and are incharge of teaching recruit decanus and prime decanus literacy. They relay and interpret their centurions orders. They are assigned 4 legion owned slaves and 3 wife's. Only 4 will exist per Centurion.
I look up from the paperwork.
"Is that everything?" "We believe so Kaiser." "I am going to bed I can barely think anymore."