(Caesar)
8 months I've been in this body. By Mars it feels like longer. Only two months ago I gave the legates their new armour. And after 8 months the Servant has realised a major issue with Urbs Ignis in a legion of thousands of men with hang on. After the Centuria Manpower Reform I've lost count. Each legate has 4 Centurions each centurion has 4 Veteran Decanus who manage 8 prime Decanus who manage 16 Recruit Decanus and 20 prime legionaries. Each recruit decanus manages 10 men and together they manage 20 initiates. Each centurion has 20 initiates, 80 recruit legionaries, 80 legionaries, 20 prime legionaries, 28 Decanus and 28 veteran legionaries making 256 men per centurion and 1028 men per legate giving me a total of 4116 men total which feels really small. Joshua assigned 2 legates to assist in the construction of Urbs Ignis so they have 514 men to build the city and they have a manpower shortage the issue isn't a lack of unskilled men or even a lack of skilled men. The issue is a lack of average men who can mass produce equipment. The cult Vulcan is filled with skilled men and women who can produce the Decanus and veteran equipment at a good pace but struggle with mass production and the unskilled workers need training which is eating up manpower.
What will I do the servant indicates that unless we Gen an influx of skilled gun smiths and average workers we won't reach the 40% equipped threshold I want for the battle of Hoover Dam. The door opens and a prime legionary enters and places a letter on my desk salutes and scurry's away. The only reason he wouldn't announce it is if it's from Generalissimo I'm tired of his letters, asking, to, enter a trade, partnership, with, the, legion. Do you smile down on me Mars so that the solution to my problems does fall into my lap or is it coincidence.
"PABLO!"
Ever since my chat with Vulpes he has been in the NCR personally completing my tasks, he left me his number 2.
"Yes my Kaiser." "Tell Generalissimo he has an audience with me in Two Sons." "Yes my Kaiser."
He scurries out and Lucius pokes his head round the door inquiringly.
"We are going to Two Sons have the carages prepared."
A look of panic flickers across his features.
"Don't worry it has nothing to do with Two sons. I need to negotiate with Generalissimo he may be the key to our manpower shortage."
Lucius sags with relief and scurries off.
Several days later we arrive in two sons. Thankfully I didn't have a seizure this time. My presetion rolls into two sons to be greeted by Legionaries and Two sons soldiers stood to attention with their motorbikes. I step out to see the hight priestess and the new minor legate assigned here. They bow and fall into step with Lucius.
"What is the status of Generalissimo?" "He will arrive in an hour his presetion had to make a detour to avoid members of the Sinaloa Cartel who seemed to be transporting drugs." "Hmm something we will need to deal with in due time."
We walk into the building I visited only last month. Once in the lobby I collapse onto the sofa. Lucius sits to my right and the high priestess hovers aquadly with the new Legate.
"I don't have need of you Quintus and you are not required to stay Hight Priestess."
Legate Quintus salutes and walks up the staircase and the high priestess makes excuses and wanders off. Julie pours me a glass of milk from a decanter as we wait. Finally the doors burst open and Generlissimo saunters in. He is wearing an impeccable military uniform, his hair swept back and fine shapes beard and a fat cigar smouldering in his teeth.
"Kaiser it is an honour ." "A pleasure general."
He wrings my hand then sits on the sofa perpendicular to mine he spreads his arms over the back and crosses his legs.
"So you have considered my request?" "Not as such but I have an offer."
He picks up the glass of milk Julie pours for him sips and smiles.
"Nothing beats legion milk." "Assuredly."
He locks eyes with me then chuckles and waves to his military officers who rush out the door. Soon a large chest is brought in and placed on the table. The officers open the chest. Inside are several gold bars. A bag of coco beans. Several fusion cores in a case and a bolt action rifle. I gently pick up the rifle and examine it.
"It is the newest design my people have come up with. You impressed?"
I place it down and lock eyes with him.
"I am looking for skilled gunsmiths and workers to work my factory's. That is what I want from you. Now what do you want from me." "Workers?" "Yes." "What contract would you offer?" "2 months, 9 hour shifts 6 days a week. Accompdation, food, and 3 denarius an hour." "And the gunsmiths?" "I want your gunsmiths to train some members of my Cult of Vulcan in their art. So that we can produce our own arms." "And I would willingly allow you to reduce your reliance on my arms why?" "Because we won't even begin such a project until at least 2080 and you don't have anyone else to trade with, the free fighters despise you. The cartels are not people you want to trade with. The republic of rio grande hates you, two sons will not trade and neither will I the NCR has a warrant for your arrest so they won't trade with you. Accept my terms and you will gain access to my land and the ability to trade through the legion opening your trade options and making you more than what you will loose by teaching us." "Fair point. What would I gain by allying with you?" "We would buy your guns, access to our stable market, resources and the protection of the Legion which would cause the Republic of Rio Grande to back off and end their blockade on your ports." "You can promise that?" "My agreement with Tlalocan allows this privilege. I will not do such actions upon any Mexican nation and they will not do them to us in return, all enforced by Tlalocan." "I see. Can I think on this? It's a big decision." "Of course."
He nods, drags on his cigar and smiles.
"So military reforms eh?" "They were inevitable and necessary." "Quite, but why not a full reform? Would your men not be stronger with extensive firepower?" "No. My Legion is built on the strength of men not guns. Plus I do actually have to consider costs and arming my entire legion with both good guns and enough ammunition to fight protracted battles would bankrupt me. Plus it doesn't benefit me, in the way it benefits you or the NCR. You rely on small forces of moderately skilled men to use your guns to fight, I rely on mass assault and ambush. My men try to get as close as possible to the enemy before the fighting happens and once in melee range my forces are superior the point of my reforms are not to fundamentally change my legion to fight on an even footing my reforms are geared towards allowing my men to loose less lives in getting into melee range where they are superior do you understand?" "Si."
We chat on many topics until darkness falls and he retires to a guest room.
"My Kaiser why are we negotiating and not just invading and absorbing?" "Tlalocan." "One AI can't compare to the Legion." "He can't but he has shown a willingness to reign unholy fire upon invading armies. The losses for invading Mexico while he still lives are to high to risk it plus the chains that bind us to only raiding the border bind the Republic of Rio Grande as well." "I understand my kaiser."
I retire to my chariot.
The next morning we are at breakfast when Generalissimo arrives.
"What is on the menu?" "Beef, prunes, porridge and nuts." "Any milk."
Julie pours him a glass and he drinks deeply. Once breakfast is over I take him an a tour of Two Sons.
"Its a beautiful city Kaiser." "It was built on the ruins of Tucson a rather rich city. Its wealth made it a rather rich trade node although my poor relations with our neighbours has impacted it but the internal trade network of the legion has sustained it and within the legion as a whole it is second only to Pheonix or it was." "Was?" "Oh they were pushing in a direction we didn't like." "And?" "The Malpase Legate hung their options out and they chose the one where they survive." "I understand." "As much as I enjoy giving you a tour of a city I know little about I need your answer, do you accept my deal."
He takes a long drag on his cigar then gazes at me.
"No."
Indescribable rage. I think that's what this is I'm not sure as it is by definition indescribable. Lucius looks like he is trying to quantify the same emotion and my praetorians are ready to kill.
"Care to clarify." "I-" "To clarify please explain why you would pass up the thing you have been begging for for months."
He backs away his eyes reflecting a flickering red hue.
"My people I could not just give them to someone like you." "Then name your price Vialla." "El Diablo." "This is not the time for compliments Vialla you want something else from me because the total protection of your people and an expanded market are not enough. So. What. Do! You! Want!?" "Lumbar." "Lumber?" "And stone." "How much?" "As much as I need." "Clarify." "I will have my people work with yours to draw up a number." "Acceptable."
I hold out my hand and he warily shakes it.
"Welcome to the Legion Generalissimo."