143
Macen's story incensed Alaric. The Emperor rose from his chair and began pacing about the parlour.
"Again!" Alaric fumed, "Again it is the accursed Iotians. We bore the brunt of the heavy reparations. Romans, citizens, freemen, and slaves alike vigorously toiled to repay that thrice-damned debt in just under three years. It nearly crippled the Treasury but we achieved the impossible."
Alaric whirled and turned on Macen, "After the debt was paid, they demanded more! We unveiled the Banner-class starship and we proved to them we would not accede to their demands without a struggle. Seeing that our new ship type was more advanced than theirs, they retreated and have not been heard from again."
"Where did your new ship type originate from?" Macen asked, "It closely resembles a Federation design."
"The design and technology were transfers from the Omicron." Alaric grimaced, "It was one of the few decent things that they left."
Macen recalled how the Omicrons had overwhelmed Aurelius and virtually taken over the Roman government during their brief "alliance" with the Nova Romans. There was little love lost between the Romans and the Omicron. Alaric had declared war on the Omicrons. Any Omicron found within Imperial space was to be summarily executed.
"Can your people handle the technology?" Macen asked. It was a fair question and not intended as an insult.
Fortunately, Alaric understood that, "The Omicron left behind extensive training programs. My crews are well versed in how their vessels and their various subsystems operate."
Alaric turned to Kohl, "Isn't that right, Joachim?"
Kohl spoke for the first time, "That is correct, Caesar. I have paved the way for a future generation of clones."
"Are you always so robotic?" Macen asked. T'Kir elbowed him in the ribs, "What? He's coming aboard my ship. I want to know what he's like."
Alaric opened his mouth but Kohl spoke first, "It is a fair question, Caesar. I utilise the courtesy required by a person's rank and title. I tread lightly where my Emperor is concerned but I do not have to offer you the same degree of respect."
Macen grinned, "Nice. I like your fire Joachim. You'll fit right in with my crew."
Alaric looked relieved, "Now I will summon the Commander of the Space Legions and we will dispatch a fleet to assist you in your investigation of the Iotians."
"Much obliged." Macen offered.
"Wait here while I set the wheels in motion." Alaric commanded. He rose from his chair and strode over to the intercom. He activated and began dictating orders to the unknown voice on the other end. The conversation ended with the faceless voice snapping off a, "Yes, Caesar!"
"That should mobilise the troops." Alaric said with a feral smile.
It took the Commander of the Space Legions an hour to arrive at the palace. He entered the rotunda and found Alaric seated upon the Imperial throne. The War Minister was present as well. Macen's team sat at the various tables laid out across the room. Joachim Kohl stood in an unoccupied curve of the room.
The Commander straightened himself up and then bowed from the waist, "You sent for me, Caesar?"
"Gerhard, I want you to deploy half of our space forces in order to escort the Federation ship currently in orbit around this sphere." Alaric ordered.
"Such a request will take time." Gerhard Kohl pointed out, "We need to revise patrols and scouting expeditions."
"You have twelve hours." Alaric determined.
"Yes, Caesar." Kohl bowed his head.
"One further thing, Gerhard." Alaric added, "Your adopted son will be departing with the Federation personnel. I suggest you say your farewells within the next twelve hours."
Kohl bobbed his head, "Understood." With that said, the general turned on his heel and strode out of the audience hall.
"Joachim, come here." Alaric motioned for the younger Kohl to approach, "Take a knee."
Kohl knelt before Alaric and raised his head so that he could look his Emperor in the face, "Yes, Caesar?"
"You will be my eyes and ears in the outer world." Joachim intoned, "I give you five years and then you must return and report."
"Yes, Caesar." Kohl's head bobbed.
"Go now." Alaric ordered, "Pack your belongings and prepare for the journey ahead."
Kohl nodded and then slowly rose and turned to exit the room. He hesitated at the door but shrugged, squared his shoulders, and left.
"There's a man with a lot on his mind." Macen observed.
Alaric stepped away from the throne and approached Macen, T'Kir and Grace's table, "You truly think so. I felt he would be better suited to serve beside you. You, at least, will treat him like a man."
"What do you mean?" Macen asked.
"The Senate has decreed that clones are fit to serve in the Legions but they are not to be awarded citizenship nor will they be freemen."
"They'll be slaves?" Macen's temper flared.
Alaric nodded sadly, "The first the Army has known. We'd kept slaves as workers and valets but they weren't soldiers. Slaves released by their masters to military service earned their freedom and citizenship."
"And the only difference is that they aren't going to be naturally born?" Macen asked.
"Yes." Alaric's sorrow deepened, "I've treated Joachim like a favoured nephew. I do not wish to see him enslaved. He must go with you. Return him here in five years so he can be debriefed and then spirit him away again."
"Well, I'll say this for Joachim, he shares his predecessor's lack of a homeworld." Macen revealed, "Dracas was condemned on his own world due to his homosexuality."
Alaric shook his head, "It is a readily accepted truth here. In fact there are schools of thought that say a man or a woman must marry in order to procreate but they must take a lover of the same sex in order to find true happiness."
"The Federation has proponents of the same theory." Macen admitted, "They are a small but very vocal minority."
"Here they are a majority." Alaric revealed, "Only the Crusaders believe in strict monogamous heterosexual coupling."
"You seem to as well." Macen commented.
Alaric laughed, "Tell that to my many mistresses."
Macen shrugged, "Each to their own."
"This does not shock or offend you?" Alaric was surprised, "You stated earlier that you reserved yourself for relations with your wife."
"That's my choice." Macen said, "My choices are not for everyone, merely for me. My people were rather urbane. They embraced many lifestyles and creeds. The Federation teaches non-interference and non-judgement in regards to other cultures."
"A lesson that Rome is now learning with the addition of all of our protectorates and new provinces." Alaric remarked, "If we continue down the path of forced assimilation, all will be lost."
"Cooperation always serves a cause better than force." Riker forcibly clarified upon hearing Macen's statement, "Unless, of course, when you're dealing with a military or paramilitary operation."
Alaric nodded, "I'm beginning to see your point as the day's march on." Alaric suddenly smiled, "You and your crew must be tired, let me show you to your rooms."
"That's unnecessary." Macen replied, "We can beam back up to our ship."
Alaric insisted, "I would be remiss in my duties as a host if you were to leave now. My honour demands that I shelter you."
Macen shrugged, "Okay."
"Everyone, follow me to the guest mansion." Alaric called out like a tour guide. He gave a blow-by-blow explanation and description of every wing as they passed it. He showed them the vast kitchen complex and introduced them to the four overnight cooks and servers.
"Ask them for anything and they will bring it to you throughout the night." Alaric boasted, "It is an innovation that improves the lives of the Praetorian night watch as well as midnight cravings that cannot be quelled."
Alaric chuckled conspiratorially, "I've gained twenty pounds since I became emperor."
"Fortunately, it doesn't show." Macen consoled him.
"I spend an extra hour a day in the gymnasium." Alaric divulged, "I've turned my excess food into muscle."
"Congratulations." Macen said.
"Your physique is much improved over the last time you were on Magna Roma." Alaric observed.
"The benefits of clean living." Macen quipped. T'Kir chortled and broke into a fit of laughter. Macen frowned.
"Don't go spilling any secrets." he advised.
"Don't worry," T'Kir gasped, "I wouldn't want to embarrass Alaric."
"I don't embarrass that easily." Alaric assured her, "But I do know when to respect another's privacy."
"Your loss." T'Kir retorted.
"I'll live." Alaric replied, "Now if you come this way, I'll lead you to the guest mansion."
He led them outdoors and up the gently sloped grounds to an outbuilding. The SID ground team remembered it as the temporary headquarters for the Omicron. During their first visit to Magna Roma, they had waged a deadly battle within the mansion's walls.
"Do not worry." Alaric seemed to sense the thoughts of the former ground team, "We've repaired the damage…and removed the stench."
Macen grinned, recalling the pungent stale smell of the Omicron, "That's a relief."
Slaves opened the doors to the mansion as they neared it. As before, the doorway opened to reveal a foyer leading to two hallways. Both of them led to areas with rooms to either side of them. The kitchens were in the rear of the building.
Alaric noticed the stares of his guests, "What is it?"
"It wasn't nearly so opulent last time." Macen confessed, "It's a bit overwhelming."
Alaric laughed, "And you haven't seen the rooms yet."
"I'm afraid to." Macen quipped.
Alaric chuckled, "Perhaps you should be. I promise you we will spoil you while you're here."
"Good." T'Kir interjected, taking hold of Macen's arm, "Can't wait to get started."
Alaric beamed, "At least one of you knows how to be an appreciative guest."
"We'll learn," Grace piped up, "or we'll die trying."
"Just think of it as a night on Risa." Danan offered.
"You can be a palace lord with a harem of one." Parva commented. All eyes turned to her and she shrugged, "What?"
Kort bristled, "All this finery. It is not befitting of a warrior."
"Think of it as being a warrior in my bed." Radil countered.
"Ahem," Alaric cleared his throat, "how many rooms will be needed?"
"Six." Danan answered, "One for Hannah, one for Tom, one for Brin and T'Kir, one for Rab and Parva, obviously one for Radil and Kort and one for me."
Alaric clapped his hands and the chief steward ran over, "Prepare six room for occupancy. Spread them out throughout the mansion so that there will privacy. Alert the staff that they are on constant alert." Alaric turned towards the SID team, "The servants are at your beck and call twenty-seven hours a day. I wish you every happiness but I must take my leave of you now. My own family awaits my arrival."
"Thank you." Macen replied.
"It is the least I can do for those that freed my world and fought beside my sister."
Alaric exited the mansion and was escorted by a squad of praetorians back to the palace. The praetorians had been discreet enough to hide their presence when the emperor was escorting his guests to the mansion but all such restrictions were gone now.
"Well, now what?" Daggit asked.
Parva grabbed his arm and began dragging him off towards a room, "Now we get wild!"
The steward interrupted with a polite cough, "These ladies will show you to your rooms."
After everyone was escorted to their rooms, they were given instructions on how to alert the staff to any wants or desires. Any wants or desires, it was stressed.
T'Kir closed the door behind the departing maid and looked at Macen like a tigress views her prey.
"Oi!" Macen exclaimed, "This is going to a long, but very fun, night."
"You don't know the half of it." T'Kir growled as she coiled and pounced.
Grace stepped out of the bath and dried herself. Wrapping herself in a towel and wrapping her head in another, she exited the bathroom and headed into the bedroom. There, waiting for her, was a tall, muscular Latin holding a bottle of oil.
"Greetings, Milady, I am your masseuse." he said softly, "Any pleasure you can think of, I am here to provide."
"Oh…my." Grace said as possibilities began swirling through her brain.
Danan was luxuriating in the bubble's of her bath when she heard knocking at her door. She sighed and called out in return.
"I'm busy right now. Please come back later."
After a moment's silence she heard the door creak open. Cursing under her breath, Danan rose and stepped out of the tub. She stealthily crossed the room and reached for her holster. She pulled her phaser free and cradled it in a two handed grip as she pressed her back up against the wall next to the doorway.
She was getting cold but she could hear her intruder rooting around near the bed. She stepped out and saw that the intruder was kneeling next to the bed. She raised her arms and aimed squarely at the back of the perpetrator's head.
"Freeze!" she yelled, "Make one false move and I'll drill you into the wall."
The man, Danan was sure it was a man now, raised his hands and Danan barked, "Slowly get up and turn around." The man started to rise but at a rapid pace.
"I said slowly." Danan growled, "Don't make me castrate you."
The man stopped and then crept up into his full, daunting height; "Good now turn around but do it slowly."
The man slowly turned. Halfway around, Danan recognised who her burglar was, "Tom! What the frinx are you doing?"
"I came to say good night." Riker grinned sheepishly, "I couldn't find you but I heard something so I looked under the bed."
"What would I be doing under the bed?" Danan grated.
"You know, avoiding an unexpected intruder."
"I can handle an intruder." Danan retorted, "What I can't handle is you."
"Can you put the phaser down?" Tom suggested.
Danan lowered the phaser and Tom grinned, "This is a good look for you."
Danan snapped the phaser back up, aimed at Riker's chest. His arms flew upright of their own accord.
"Damn it Tom! You scared the shit out of me. I should give a heavy stun blast and let you sleep it off."
"That would hurt."
"That's why it's tempting." Danan growled.
"Has anyone ever told you you're sexy when you're angry?" Riker wondered.
"Yeah." Danan relaxed her stance and lowered the phaser, "Brin used to, all the time."
"He was right." Tom lowered his hands, "Look, I'm sorry about creeping into your room. I was hoping that even if you weren't here, I could leave a surprise."
Danan grew suspicious, "What sort of surprise?"
"This." Riker stooped and retrieved the most beautiful rose Danan had ever seen.
Where did you find that?" a captivated Danan asked in awe.
"A rose garden on the estate." Riker answered, "One of the maids led me there and helped clip it and remove the thorns. It's a native to the planet."
"That was actually very sweet." Danan admitted.
"Now that I'm here, and you're here, what's the point in my leaving?" Riker asked.
"I'm taking a bath." Danan said sternly.
"I could use a bath." Riker grinned.
"Oh." Danan's mouth formed an O, "Why not? Sounds fun."
"It will be." Riker promised, "Trust me."
A sentry delivered Parva and Daggit's request. They swiftly donned Roman armour and wielded wooden swords.
"A night in the arena." Parva said with relish, "The winner of the bout decides how we spend the evening."
"Agreed." Daggit replied and tightened his grip on his sword.
Parva lunged. Daggit sidestepped her jab and smacked her bottom with the flat of his blade. Parva yelped and spun around. She wore a look of wounded pride.
"Remember, I did this for real." Daggit smiled thinly.
Parva delivered a slashing blow that would have bisected Daggit's chest if he'd not blocked it above his shoulder. She stepped back and rotated her shoulder so that she could jab from underneath. Daggit stepped in towards the blow but let it merely graze his shielded ribs. He wrapped his left arm around her right and then straightened his arm, hyperextending hers.
Parva dropped her sword but Daggit wasn't finished. He released her arm with his left and cracked her across the mouth with the pommel of his sword with the right. Parva flew into the wall and slumped to the floor. Daggit knelt before her and placed the wooden blade of his sword into her throat.
"Yield." his voice was merciless.
"Never!" she shot back fiercely.
Daggit threw down his sword and took by the arms and rose. He pulled her in close and roughly kissed her. Her entire body relaxed and when he ended the kiss, she smiled up at him. She wiped her blood off his lips.
"All right, I'll yield."
"My rules, agreed."
"Whatever you say. You won." she wiped the blood from her own lips, "I'll win next time though."
"You usually do." Daggit smiled.
"Have you ever been sorry?"
"Well, there was that one time involving a pair of shackles and a riding crop."
"Oh, don't be so conventional. You enjoyed yourself even if you don't want to admit it."
"Rule number one for this evening…"
"Yes?"
"No more arguing."
"Okay." Parva acquiesced, "Then what?"
Daggit pulled her close then spun her around and propped her arms up and then put her into the wall. As she was leaned up against the wall, he kicked her feet apart.
"First, I'm going to get you out of this armour."
"Fun!" Parva squealed.
Kort and Radil were making so much noise in their love making that the kitchen staff were gathered around their door and were taking bets on endurance and utterances. After a prolonged silence the staff began grumbling amongst themselves. The door flew open and a very naked, very enraged Kort flew out of the room. The beleaguered slaves scattered before this howling demon become flesh.
Content that he'd done his job properly, Kort returned to the room, "Jenrya my love, now we can truly indulge ourselves."
"Prophets! What's it been up until now?"
"I believe the human term is 'foreplay'."
"By all that's holy, I don't know if I can survive much more."
"You will Jenrya. Your heart will ascend to the stars with mine and we will both be overcome by it."
"Ah, what the hell. Ascend away."
"I trust the evening went well?" Alaric asked as he stood in the foyer of the Guest's Mansion.
"We were collectively swept off our feet." Macen admitted with a smile.
"Good." Alaric beamed, "Now your attention must turn to military matters. My generals are here, as well as my ablest Space Legion commander. He will guide my forces as they accompany you to the wretched Iotian territory."
"I'm looking forward to it." Macen replied.
"We shall break fast and then attend to business." Alaric informed them assembled group, "Now yesterday you learned of my world's progress. Now I wish to hear of life beyond our provinces."
"We'll do what we can." Macen assured him and then followed Alaric out into the courtyard.
