The Eternal Empire

by Geoff Fabron

  "We've already been though that!" snapped Franz, irritated that his feeling of euphoria had been interrupted, "the foreign ministry has been working with the Arabs and the Turks. They'll mobilise and force the Romans to keep their legions in the east and along the Danube in place."

  "And if they don't?" the voice persisted, "I don't like the idea of depending on others when so much is at stake, especially the Turks. Don't forget that we also share a border with them."

  Katherine could make out murmurs of agreement from a few other officers. Not surprising she thought, the brutality of the Turkish wars of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries had never been forgotten.

  "They'll support us against the Empire," said Franz confidently. "The new trade laws affect them as much as us. Besides," his voice changed to a sneer, "do you really think the infidels will miss an opportunity to see Constantinople squirm." Another ripple of laughter spread around the room and no more questions came from the doubting officer.

  "Right then, no need to worry about the eastern legions, they'll have their hands full. We must worry about our attack. Surprise is the key! If they're ready for us, we won't be able to destroy their remaining forces quickly enough to obtain our objectives."

  There was a pause and then Franz spoke again. "If the plan is compromised," he spoke slowly, emphasising each word, "then we'll have to call the attack off. General Godisger will not send another generation of Saxons to occupy unmarked graves on the other side of the Rhine."

  Katherine sat back from the fireplace, she had heard enough.

  17th July 1920

  Roman Embassy, Minden

  He looks as though he has not slept for a week, thought Cornelius as the ambassador showed him into his office. He looked downhearted and tired, but it was more to do with his lack of success than with the long hours he had spent travelling around the country. As they sat down, Isaac Taronites confided to Cornelius that the situation was not looking good.

  "People I've known for a long time," began Taronites, "some of them good friends, are refusing to see me. Those that do believe that if the trade issue is not resolved there will be another war."

  "The press and radio have been increasing their attacks on the Empire," added Cornelius. "Some of them are actively recommending that Saxony recognise Britannia as an independent state."

  "And that's another problem!" said Taronites in exasperation, "I've formally complained to the Saxon government about the presence of Saxon 'volunteers' in Britannia. All the Foreign Minister does is shrug his shoulders and say 'Saxon citizens may go where they please'."

  "And how does he explain the Saxon weapons that have found their way across the sea?" asked Cornelius.

  "According to the Minister Saxon army equipment is available to any who wish to purchase it," said Taronites dryly, "I wonder how the rebels are paying for it - assuming they are of course."

  "I suspect that anyone taking a shot at the Empire will get a line of credit from the Saxon government at the moment," commented Cornelius.

  "You're probably right," agreed the ambassador. "It's the developments in Britannia that I actually wanted to see you about. What information do you have from your sources?"

  "Not a great deal," said Cornelius as he pulled some pages out of his folder, "but it does explain some of the discrepancies that I couldn't account for earlier."

  "What do you mean," asked Taronites suddenly alert. "Are the Saxons committing regular army units?"

  "No ambassador, a few units of aircraft, landships and artillery seemed to disappear but their personnel turned up elsewhere. It appears that the Saxon government 'sold' their equipment to the rebels."

  "Along with some 'mercenaries' to operate it no doubt!"

  "I wouldn't be at all surprised to learn that some of these mercenaries are still drawing their salary from the Saxon army paymaster," concurred Cornelius.

  "What else do you have?"

  "The Rhine army is sending more troops to Britannia to counter the arrival of the volunteers and mercenaries."

  "So it looks like the next Roman-Saxon war is being fought in Britannia," commented the ambassador wryly.

  Cornelius said nothing. In a way he hoped that the ambassador was right, but the thought of the destruction being suffered by the people of Britannia made him feel guilty and he feared for his brother.

  17th July 1920

  Saxony

  Landship driver (1st Class) Klaus Alaric’s feet were throbbing. He hadn’t undertaken a full route march since basic training several years before. Hell, it was because of that experience that he had volunteered to join a Landship regiment. At least then he could ride everywhere instead of walking!

  Then, a week ago, they were ordered to deliver their vehicles to the docks at Bremen for shipment to Britannia – their landships had been designated obsolete and ‘surplus to requirements’. Apparently the rebel government of Britannia had offered to take them off our hands! Likely story thought Klaus and the rest of his crew during the train journey back to their base in the centre of Saxony, but they all assumed that some shiny new machines would be waiting for them. However on arrival back at the base, they were paraded before the Colonel who informed them they were going on a series of route marches to the west. Some sort of army exercise.

  And so for the past five days they had marched across Saxony, avoiding all towns and villages. At the end of each day they found a tented encampment waiting for them camouflaged in some wood, complete with changes of clothes and hot meals. At least all they had to carry was their combat kit and personal weapons. Seems like a bloody stupid sort of exercise to Klaus, even for the army.

  After the first couple of days the rumour mill had got into gear. What was up? None of the officers knew – or was letting on. Some reckoned it was a punishment for screwing up the Kings Parade last year, others that the new deputy commander, being a fitness fanatic, thought the rest of the regiment needed some old fashioned exercise. One of the clerks in the HQ century claimed he overheard the senior officers talking about collecting new landships at the end of the march. Now that really sounded daft to Klaus. Why march all the way, nearly to the Rhine to collect new landships when the factory that built them was 30 miles down the road from the barracks. It didn’t make any sense at all.

  18th July 1920

  Lactodorum, Britannia

  Titus ducked instinctively as the bullet struck the wall behind him. Bloody sniper, he thought as he looked carefully over the rubble. For the past three days Titus had led a battlegroup of the legio II Augusta fighting from street to street and house to house. He hadn't come up against any of the foreign volunteers yet, Lactodorum being defended by a force of local militia and auxiliaries. They knew the city well and were tough to shift.

  He heard a noise off to his left and Titus and the squad of legionaries with him turned weapons at the ready.

  "Don't shoot!" said Virius, as he scrambled over a broken-down wall landing up next to Titus. "Unless you want my job that is."

  "What, and miss all this fun!" they both flinched as another bullet ricocheted off the brickwork. "Anyway, what are you doing here Virius? You should be back at headquarters deciding where you can get us killed next."

  "I like to get out in the fresh air when I can," answered Virius taking his friends teasing in his stride, "besides I like to deliver good news personally."

  "Oh yes," said Titus sarcastically, "what is it this time. Lead a frontal assault on a Caledonian landship in my best toga?"

  "No, we've been relieved."

  Titus was silent and looked at his friend in disbelief.

  "If you're joking Virius Primus, I will stick this handgun up your arse and blow your brains out."

  "No Titus, it's true. The legio IV Macedonian will finish off Lactodorum and push on to Venonae. We're to return to Isca to rest, reorganise and refit."

  The two men had changed since the fighting had started. Titus had lost much of his easy going nature. Constantly surrounded by d
eath and risking his life everyday he had become cynical and hard. Ironically Virius, who had been regarded as quite reactionary before the rebellion and had been one of the first to call for the use of force had mellowed considerably. Coming face to face with the realities of war had made him believe that there had to be a better way.

  Titus smiled, and Virius could see a few tears clearing a path through the dirt and grime on his checks. "Yes, Virius," he said choking back his emotions, "that is good news. We've been fighting for too long, and we've lost too many good people."

  The smile on Titus face disappeared as a question formed in his mind. "The legio IV Macedonian? What are they doing here? They weren't part of the original relief force."

  "New reinforcements have arrived, large detachments from the First Trajana and Thirteenth Gemina as well as the Fourth Macedonian, complete with armour, artillery and aircraft," answered Virius, "Constantinople is reacting to these foreign volunteers and mercenaries. If this goes on much longer the entire Rhine army will be here!"

  Chapter Eleven

  19th July 1920

  Minden, Saxony

  Cornelius went over the intelligence reports for the hundredth time. He had the feeling that he was missing something - that hidden in data before him was something that the Saxons were trying to keep secret.

  The phone on Cornelius desk rang, breaking his concentration. Normally he hated being disturbed while he was trying to solve a problem but as he had been going around in circles for hours the incessant ringing came as a welcome break.

  "Cornelius Petronius," he answered formally as he picked up the ear piece.

  "Cornelius, it's Katherine, I must see you. Now."

  There was a note of desperation in her voice.

  "What's wrong Katherine?"

  "I can't tell you over the telephone but I must see you now. Please Cornelius, as soon as you can!" The urgency in her voice was growing.

  "All right Katherine, I'll come," he said, keeping his voice calm and hoping that it would have a soothing effect on her. "Where shall I meet you?"

  "I'll pick you up at the embassy, at the side gate by the river in half an hour." She sounded more composed now.

  "That'll be fine," Cornelius replied, "I'll see you then."

  The line went dead and he replaced the ear piece on its cradle on the side of the telephone. Swiftly Cornelius cleared the papers on his desk and locked the secret intelligence reports away. He wondered what could have happened to unsettle Katherine so much. Cornelius had never known her sound so agitated.

  Leaving his office he informed the duty orderly that he was meeting a 'confidential source'. This raised a few eyebrows from the centurions of the intelligence section who knew that the acting head of military intelligence was not a 'field man', but they just looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. After all he was in charge, so he could do what he wanted.

  Katherine did not say anything when he got into her motor carriage. In response to his first questions she told him to wait until they were out of town and drove off. Throughout the trip she said nothing, but Cornelius could see a conflicting set of emotions fighting for control over her features as she sped out of the city at her usual breakneck speed. Determination, fear, anger and sadness all registered on her face during the drive into the countryside outside the Saxon capital.

  They stopped at a deserted picnic spot along the roadside and Katherine switched off the engine. She sat for a few moments holding the steering wheel tightly and staring out of the windscreen. Cornelius had hardly taken his eyes off her since leaving Minden, and despite his need to know what was wrong he waited until she was ready to speak.

  "There's going to be a war," she said finally, not looking at Cornelius. "I overheard Franz and the others planning it at the lodge."

  "It was probably just a plan Katherine," said Cornelius, "remember it's their job as staff officers to prepare for all eventualities and war is..."

  "No Cornelius! It's not 'just another plan', it's for real. The uprising in Britannia is part of it!"

  That got his attention. "What do you mean," he asked. "What does the fighting in Britannia have to do with this?"

  "They want to draw your troops away from the Rhine frontier before they attack. They'll be cut off in Britannia and unable to get back." She went on to explain how she had overheard Franz and the others in the study below her room.

  Cornelius listened with mounting concern. When she had finished he had a dozen questions but only one that was really important.

  "Why are you telling me this Katherine?"

  She looked directly into his eyes and spoke slowly and deliberately, "Franz said that surprise is all important. If you, the Romans that is, were forewarned then they would have to cancel the attack. I want to stop them Cornelius, I want to prevent a war, that's why I'm telling you. I want you to warn them so that the attack will be called off. So that there will not be a war." Her voice had become dry and tears formed in her eyes. "There are enough people dying in Britannia. I don't want to see another generation of widows and orphans in Saxony."

  Cornelius took her in his arms and held her tight. She was risking everything by telling him this. She would be regarded as a traitor and her family connections would not save her from the executioners axe. But he could understand her reasons and came to a decision quickly. He gently pushed her away until he could look at her, his hands gently cupping her face.

  "I'll contact the Rhine army head quarters immediately," he told her, "but I won't put you in any danger. I will not reveal the source of my information and you're not to talk to anyone else about this. It's to remain between us."

  Katherine nodded and then gave him an envelope. "I wrote down everything I heard. You must stop them Cornelius."

  "Take me back and drop me somewhere quiet," he instructed her as he took the envelope, "contact me in a week and I'll let you know what's happening. I don't think that we should be seen together."

  She nodded her agreement, started the motor carriage and drove him back to Minden. There was a park about half a mile from the embassy where they used to go for walks and she dropped him off there. Before getting out of the vehicle Cornelius leaned over and kissed her.

  "I love you Katherine," he said and quickly got out.

  Silently she watched him walk briskly away along a path that led out of the park towards the river. "I love you too," she whispered.

  Back in his office Cornelius studied Katherine's notes, cross referencing the information she had written down with the data from his intelligence sources. There was nothing that contradicted what Katherine had discovered and plenty that supported the Saxon assistance of the rebels in Britannia, but Cornelius could find nothing significant to substantiate a Saxon invasion of the Empire.

  Suddenly Cornelius realised what it was that he had been missing. He had been looking for activities that indicated what the Saxons were up to, whereas it was their absence that was significant. The Saxons should be preparing to attack. Given the bad relations between the two nations, no Saxon government would miss an opportunity to at least put pressure on the Empire especially with a province in revolt. Why were they providing so much support for the rebels across the sea whilst doing nothing here? The mere threat of a Saxon mobilisation would have prevented the transfer of many of the imperial troops now fighting in Britannia. Unless that was what they actually wanted.

  ‘They have fooled us,’ thought Cornelius bitterly, angry at himself for missing what in hindsight now seemed obvious. He called the orderly from the office next door and a young soldier came in immediately.

  "When is the next courier leaving for Colonia Agrippina?" he asked him curtly. The orderly was taken aback by Cornelius's uncharacteristic abruptness, but replied promptly.

  "This evening sir. He's booked on the seven o'clock train."

  Cornelius looked at the clock on the wall. He had just over three hours.

  "Tell him to wait for an important document from me. He's
not to leave without it. Do you understand?"

  "Yes Cornelius Petronius," answered the orderly, still a bit shaken by the tone and manner of his superior, "I shall see to it immediately." He saluted and left.

  Cornelius took a clean piece of paper and began to write. He put down all the facts and details from Katherine's notes together with his own analysis and information, but carefully omitted anything that could be used to trace it back to her. Once he had finished he burnt all the papers that Katherine had passed to him.

  21st July 1920

  Augusta Treverorum

  Cornelius sent Katherine's information to the military intelligence section of the Rhine army. It reached Augusta Treverorum the following afternoon and was delivered to the desk of Silvanus Anemas, but he only opened and read it the next day. Silvanus Anemas had a great deal of respect for Cornelius and the threat of an impending attack by the Saxons was not something that he could ignore. After studying the report and checking its facts against his own sources he went straight to the office of Manual Dikouros and demanded to see the army commander immediately.

  When the intelligence officer arrived, Manual Dikouros was about to leave for an inspection of the legio IV Macedonian. A group of senior officers from the Praetorian Guard were due for a visit and Dikouros had selected this legion to parade in their honour. Most of the legion had just been detached to join the fighting in Britannia, but there would be enough left to put on an impressive display for his visitors from Constantinople.

  The demand to see him immediately, rather than make an appointment irritated Dikouros. He liked to review the service file of an officer before a meeting. Dikouros would gauge how important and well connected the officer was and then decide how he would treat them. He had not got where he was by making enemies of junior but influential officers.