{Abdias - [Harry Peterson]}
It's been 3 days since I got the firing mechanism. I received word that a scout will arrive at dawn. I check the clock. 5:00 I have time. I silently get out of bed as to not awaken Amanda then slip to the living room. I sit down at my desk and open the bottom drawer and pull out the cloth package. I carry it to the kitchen and carefully place it into a box filled with packaged meat. It's a delivery for Helios but my courier will be intercepted by a raid and the box taken. We could have paid off an actual courier but men talk and I don't want to hunt him down afterwards so a scout is to be used. The clock ticks and I remain sat at the table waiting then a nock on the door. I stand and answer it. A small man in an couriers outfit stands there he looks uncomfortable in it much to much like someone out of his depth.
"Av-"
I slap a hand over his mouth and drag him inside.
"Are you quite stupid. You are meant to say howdy." "Sorry."
I grab the box and shove it into his hands.
"Go. Be quick and don't talk to anyone."
He scurries from the house clutching the box. By Kaiser if he is the death of me. There is still time before the lieutenant awakens so I return to bed.
{Bonifatius}
Shit. My first job for the frumentari and I almost mess it up immediately well I've just got to get this to the meeting. I set off at a brisk pace. I'm tempted to use my usual routes to get there as quickly as possible but the last 3 days has had multiple Frumentari drilling into me that this leg must be done slowly I must stick to the roads no matter what.
It's been hours this box has grown heavy in my hands but I am nearly there. I am just looking for somewhere to sit for a minute when I hear something. A spear slams into the dirt a meter from me. I spin as a legionary leaps from the hill on the left hand side of the road. He comes at me with machete raised and a war cry. I wheel back as another leaps at me. It's to much and they bear me to the ground thumping me in the stomach and sending the box crashing to the ground. Packages of meat fly out splattering to the ground. One clunks and we all free. One of the legionaries lets go of me and steps over to the box righting it and scooping the heavy package up and placing it back in then picks it up and walks over the hill. The other punches me again causing my nose to bleed and drip onto the road he then manhandles me up the hill and into the arms of a Decanus. He is in old kit and leans close whispering.
"Sorry brother we needed it to be realistic." "No continue brother I understand."
He nods carefully slides the heavy package into a special pocket of my coat then thumps me. They drag me for ages until we reach a camp. There is some rushing and they set me down giving me some healing powder.
"The boat is in an hour it won't wait lest the river patrol get it."
I nod and rise wincing. I take the package out and wrap it in plastic and tape it closed. I leave the camp and begin my journey, the sun is hot and bares down on me. I have to stop regularly for water but I reach the shore to see no boat. Either I am late or it has been driven off. The river is wide and deep. I could wait for it to return but that could take ages. I take of my shoes, socks, trousers, jacket and shirt then bundle them together in my coat with the package at the centre. I use the straps that went over my outer to bind it all tight then I wade into the river soon I am to deep to wade and I use my bundle as a float as I kick and kick and kick. It seems mars favours me today as the river is calm. But as I continue my slow progress I hear a rushing. I look to my left and see a mass of water rushing towards me. I grab my bundle and hold it close as I am thrown around. I almost loose my grasp as I slam into the rocks. But as I hang underwater the relentless current ripping at me I force my eyes open. I can't see far but I can see my leg and the jagged piece of metal impailed through it.
[Caius]
"He's late." "It's not an easy journey mighty Frumentari."
Something stumbles over the hill. It is a slave, it drags itself closer pitifully wheezing.
"Mighty Frumentari, Mighty Legionary." "Where is the scout." "We recovered his body from the shore. He bled out a metre from the water." "What happened?" "He had a large wound through his calf it pierced straight through and was torn open that's all I know." "And his package."
The slave wheezes then reaches into its robe and holds out a package wrapped in plastic. The Frumentari takes the package and wipes it with his tunic then hands it to me. I gently place it onto a box lined with cloth and place it in the basket of my bike. He hands me the badge,
"Go to signal tower 15 they will send a signal to Outpost Mare."
I nod knock on my helmet then put the bike in gear and speed off. The road is well maintained if not the best. I'll need to go east until I reach the spine then I can follow it south.
2 hours later I reach signal tower 15. I pull to a stop and show the sentry the badge.
"Send a message to Outpost Mare. The Herald rides."
He nods and turns shouting my message up to the flag man who checks his weather vein then picks up a device he sets it on the south side and turns a valve then with a spark a light shines. In the distance another light shines in return. He nods then begins his flag movements. Once he is done he looks out as the light flashes 3 times he nods and takes in his light turning the valve again causing the light to slowly sputter out.
"YOUR MESSAGE HAS BEEN SENT."
I nod to myself and restart my bike and continue my journey. I reach the spine half an hour later and turn south. The spine is a prewar road. I pass several work crews performing maintenance. At one point a small shanti town pops up at its centre is a petrol station. I pull in and fill up my bike. The attendant locks eyes with me and I can see the hope of payment die as I flash the badge at him. I pull forward as a Bike legionary like myself rolls to block me. I flash the bag and his eyes go wide. He snaps down his visor and as I pull off he pulls off with me we ride for hours every time a Bike legionnary meets his my escort waves them down and gestures and they fall in with me, eventually we span the road as my fuel begins to run low I gesture to my closest brother pointing at my tank he nods then turns on his seat and relays the message. Soon a jerry can has been passed forward and someone has pealed off. I insert the funnel into the tank as two of my brothers pull forward and rest their feet on my bike to stabilise me. Soon the Jerry can is empty and I carefully remove it and hand it off. I close my stank and lean forward.
By daybreak only 2 of my brothers are still with me. One is asleep the other keeping him from drifting. We come into sight of Outpost Mare where a legionary waves and screams.
"TO THE STACKS!!! TO THE STACKS!!!"
We continue on and my still awake brother kicks the other awake they pull off into the outpost most likely to get fuel and go rescue our stranded brothers. As I continue I bike approaches. It is bulkier than mine and has two riders they come level with me. They are dressed in leathers and the one on the back stares at me. He holds out a badge marked with the Laurel identical to mine. He is a Praetorian. I pull the package from my basket and hand it to him. He cradles it to his stomach and we continue.
As we reach the stacks a on the side of the road roars to life. The man on the back stands on the bike then as one of the men in the chariot holds him he steps into the chariot. The driver of the chariot grips the handlebars and with a shout revels the engine he fiddles with the gearbox and the chariot screams and takes off shooting past me the motorbike speeding to join it. The driver getting close and being lifted by the men aboard bike and all and placed on a rack.
The gates to the stacks open and I ride in. I am greeted by several legionaries. They grab my bike then lift me off and convey me to a stretcher then to bed.
[Caesar]
I am sat at breakfast Lucius is sat with me. Today we are accompanied by the servant. I didn't have a reason to summon him it just make meals more interesting to have company. Suddenly there is a shout. My Praetorians turn to the doors. There is a crash and the sound of leather meeting flesh then the door flies open. A man in black motorbike leather steps behind him a legionary lays clutching his stomach. My little dinner party is reflected in his helmet. Each of my praetorians are stood their weapons in hand Lucius is stood gauntlet whining. I slowly hold out my hand.
He steps forward everyone following him with their eyes he stalks towards me and places a package infront of me. Then he collapses to one knee helmet pressed to his fist.
"My Kaiser, I bring you the firing mechanism for Helios One."
My breath hitches in my throat. I slowly reach out and undo the knot. Inside is a plastic package resting in cloth. I remove the package and with a sharp tap I send the box leaping off the table. I gently place the package on the table and use my knife to slit the tape and pealing off the plastic. Inside is a paper package. I can't help a chuckle as I undo the string and peal back the paper to reveal cloth. I peal off the cloth to reveal the firing mechanism. I slowly hold it staring at the toy like device. All this for a toy a toy that when properly used could destroy cities.
"Servant your dreams have been made."
I hold it out to him and he reverently takes it. I turn to the Praetorian and tap his helmet he quickly undoes the strap and removes it. I tilt his head up.
"You have done well. Go, to my guest rooms, bathe and rest you have earned it and has your driver."
A servant rushes out to grab the driver. As another removes the collection of materials from the table and returns my plate to me.