Author's notes: Last chapter I said Courier was traveling with four Centurions. This is wrong - she's traveling with 4 Praetorians (went ahead and updated the chapter), so my bad for any confusion.

This chapter is courier only, the next chapter focuses on Boone (I think everyone's fav anyways) and I'll be releasing that in a few days (still wordsmithing). I originally had them together, but I am trying to go with smaller chapters. Previous chapter (Boone) took place a night - this chapter (Courier) takes place earlier during the daylight part of that same day. Picks up exactly where we left off with the Courier last time. Thanks to everyone for the feedback! Have at least few references to the Art of War in here - so props to Sun Tzu. Hope everyone enjoys it and again, please excuse any spelling/grammar errors!

Act II, CHAPTER Ten: Retribution

[Courier - PRESENT - Traveling within Legion Territory]

I open my eyes. I'm sitting on my knees. The room is circular...there is bedding for two here. The walls are moving...this is a tent. Where am I? I look down and see a nearby mirror. My reflection is blurred, distorted...but from the little that I can make out, I look younger...late teens maybe. It's unusually dim in here - almost like a dark fog is hanging in the air. It's hard to breathe. I hear someone pacing behind me - the voice of a woman. I have the feeling we spend a lot of time in discussion in here. She says, "Tell me the tenants again."

I say without thought, "A king needs five things: the confidence or the fear of his people, a general to manage his armies and campaigns, advisers to maintain and grow his kingdom, an heir, or his crown will be handed to a fool, and a code of tenants to keep his rule. The first tenant: a kingdom must never show weakness. If a king shows illness or frailty, his heirs will expedite his death. If a king asks for aid from the people, the people will lose confidence. If a king requests anything from a neighboring kingdom, they will see it as a weakness and will soon make plans for attack. Weak kings will always be too open and ask, strong kings will always hide weakness and take. The second tenant: A kingdom is only as strong as it's general. A bad general will weaken the strongest of armies. A king with a weak army will not keep his kingdom. A good general is essential for a kingdom to flourish. The third tenant: know and understand your enemy. They lie in wait outside the kingdom, but they will always have ears inside the kingdom. Our enemy will be nowhere, but be everywhere.."

"Wait," the woman interrupts. "What are the tenants for taking an empire down?"

I pause briefly before asking, "Taking down...as in take over or destroy?"

"It does not matter."

Yes it does. But I know to hold my tongue. I ask, "A specific enemy you had in mind?"

"The enemy does not matter."

I think for a few moments before saying, "To take an enemy down - you must know your enemy. The first thing to do is institute a network of spies. They must be loyal...well paid. And fear retribution for failure and betrayal. Once established, listen to the news they bring. Seek weakness and points of attack from their observations. Exploit any mistrust amongst their own circles, especially heirs. Those will tear a kingdom apart..."

"Wait. A network of spies makes sense. So why are we not doing this with our own enemies then?"

"But we are..."

"No - our girls should be taking more active roles in their society. They need to get in deeper. We will learn more quicker if we do."

There is a voice in my head telling me to suggest placing three of our own as a trial, knowing it will fail. Just appease the woman...but another voice shouts that we have to stop throwing our own kind to the wolves just to make one person happy. Our numbers are dwindling. I say, "That would be a mistake. Our kind is too easily identified - we structured it that way." I look down at what I am wearing - a long black dress with a white circle stitched on the front. I drag my finger tips along the path of the circle, then look up and say," They see us, they fear us."

"You doubt my plan?"

"No, of course not. I..." Before I can finish, everything gets suddenly darker...almost like a black mist. It's even harder to breathe now. I start to feel too weak to move and start coughing for air. The woman is standing in front of me. She wears a long black cloak with the same circle on the front - looks almost like she is floating. Her face is blurred, but I can identify the anger in her voice. "Do you need a reminder of what happens when you lie to ME?"

Thankfully, I hear a young girl's voice shouting outside the tent. "Intruder...we have caught an intruder!" The mist dissipates and I gasp for air for a few short moments before getting back on my feet. I stagger to the entrance of the tent and cough, "Intruder? Where are they now?"

"He's held at the meeting area." An intruder? Here? This whole situation is bad all around. I look to the woman and she waves her hand for me to go. I take a step to leave when I suddenly feel pins and needles in my shoulder... I feel the grip of her hand there. "We will continue this conversation when you return. Find out why they violated our boundaries today. And then...make an example of them so it won't happen again."

I wheeze, "Your word will be done," and leave. I'm led through a maze of mangled brown tents until we finally reach him. The prisoner is being held away from the living area... a large flat circle of dirt surrounded by at least 20 small boxes - used for seating I assume. He's tied to a post that's located in the center of the circle, his clothes have been removed. He hangs his head low - looks like he's taken quite a beating. Three girls are standing around him like sentries. Wait...young girls standing guard? I say to the messenger, "Bring me Marcus." She runs off and returns a short while later with what looks like a teenage boy with short fair colored hair in a brown, tunic-like soldiers uniform. The face is blurred..but I can tell it's not the same Marcus that I'm traveling with. Someone else. He's covered in sweat and dirt - I can tell he's not happy that I've called him. I pull out a knife and throw it to him. "This man infiltrated our camp today. Find out why." He catches the blade, and says, "Tell me you're joking!" I stare at him and say nothing. He glares at me and says, "You've seriously called me here for this of all things? I just got back! You know how little time I have here before I have to return to training..."

I ask sternly, "Are you defying Her command?"

He throws the blade to the ground in anger, and yells, "No! I am defying a lazy, ill-bred, light in the ass liar! She didn't order me here. YOU did!"

Damn him! He is always causing problems, never doing as he's told. I have grown tired of this game. I yell back, "And MY word IS her word! Pick up that blade and do what you do best." We stare each other down for a few moments - I can see the anger in his face. He eventually bends over and picks up the blade...and with all his strength, he hurls it at the prisoner. It goes straight into his lower abdomen. The prisoner yells out in pain, blood spurting everywhere. He's not going to live long unless someone does something. I turn to Marcus and yell, "You FOOL! What have you done? I said interrogate him!"

He yells back, "You said to do what I do best...and that would be to kill! I am not trained to take prisoners!" I point to one of the guard and frantically yell, "Quick, fall on your blade so we may reverse this." Wait...what did I just tell her to do?

She looks at me nervously. Her hand is shaking as she pulls her knife out - I can see she doesn't want to do this, but I can see she fears disobeying more. She stabs herself in the chest. She cries out in pain, wheezes and sputters and after a few minutes eventually falls to the ground and dies - but I'm surprised for some reason. Something was supposed to happen...but it didn't. I run over to the girl, now lying in a black pool of blood, to check her pulse. Nothing. I point at the other two guard and tell them to do the same. Marcus yells, "Wait! Don't!" But it's too late - they listened to me and not him. They fall to the ground and after a few minutes bleed out and die just like the first. Again...nothing happened. I am panicked for some reason. We both are...something is wrong. Marcus walks around the bodies. He kneels down over one and says, "I...I don't understand. How can this be?" I don't know. This shouldn't have happened. This is all wrong...but that is not what I say. "It must have be Fortuna's will."

I look up and he's glaring at me...like I could do something about it. He says, "Reverse it, Augusta. Reverse it and I'll do as you say - I'll interrogate your prisoner. No need for three to die today. Our numbers are low enough as it is." In my heart, I know he is right...but word of what transpired here will get back to Her. If he had only complied with what I asked earlier...all of this could have been avoided. But now...I have to make an example, teach him a lesson to keep others from taking his lead...from getting punished myself. I stand up and say, "I will do nothing. Fortuna willed them dead, and we will accept that loss..."

"As I have always thought - our lives mean nothing to you. Tell me - how many more would you be willing to watch die in the name of cleaning up YOUR mess then?"

"YOUR mess you mean! And this conversation is over, Marcus! I'll go inform Her the prisoner died and be done with this! Don't worry - I will send three more for you to train to replace these three.." As I walk away he yells, "Misfortune upon you! Fortuna will damn you for your actions today! And if she won't - then I will."

I turn and say, "You will them to live that badly then? If Fortuna indeed made your will so strong that it can't be broken...then you do it. Be reborn. Oh - that's right. You're never had to try. It should work though ... as well as it did for these three I assume." He frowns at me, pulls out the blade from the girl's chest and nervously aims the blade at his heart. His hands are shaking. I laugh at him, "Some general you'll turn out to be! You have the hesitation of a coward!" He gives me an angry look then plunges it into his chest. He yells out in pain, collapses to the ground and then a quick flash of white light...

I'm standing away from Marcus again. The knife is on the ground by his feet where he threw it earlier. I look and see the prisoner is still alive as are the three guard. The young man grasps at his chest and falls to his knees. I laugh at him in his agony. While he's down, I run over, grab the knife from the ground and raise it to his throat. "Why are you so lucky, huh? Three die and you can't be one of them just once, just for me? You want to die for good this time? Interrogate the prisoner now, Marcus. Find out why they infiltrated our stay and keep him alive this time." He knocks me back as he stands up, grabs my wrist, trapping my bladed hand and twists my arm behind my back. He pulls me close and whispers, "Tell me, can any of your tenants and rules save you from the blade of a coward?" I swallow nervously as he holds the blade up to my neck now. He says calmly, "How about I teach you a lesson even an Augusta can understand. There is only one tenant of war - that all warfare is based on deception. Appear weak when you are strong - appear to have your guard down and crush your enemy when they attack. Oh no, Augusta - YOU'RE the lucky one. Lucky I don't show you the true meaning of retribution." He pushes me down to the ground and stands over me. I look up as he says, "You and I are on equal footing whether you want to accept that or not. If you want something done - you better learn to ask nicely." He walks over to the prisoner. He kneels down in front of him, looks at me briefly before tapping the prisoner with the flat side of the knife. He looks at the man and says, "Your choice: talk or play? But I should warn you before you chose...I know a seeeeecreeet, a dirty little seeeeecreeet. I know a secret about yooooouuuuuu..."

...

I open my eyes...in real life this time. I'm sitting on the ground, legs crossed...I must have fallen asleep. What the fuck was all that about...even my dreams are crazy now. I glance over my shoulder to see my new Legion friends are standing a short distance away. No idea what they're doing over there really other than I know Lunaris is cleaned up and back on his feet. Not happy about that one...but from watching him I can tell he's not moving the same. He's still in pain. Better keep my guard up on that one - I know his type. He'll want payback I'm sure.

Marcus gave me an hour to spend "with my gods"...I know that time has to be up soon. I try to relax, clear my mind, enjoy my last few moments,...just breathe. I feel my collar pinching me and then I hear a familiar voice: "What are you still doing here with the Legion? These are bad people." I look up and see my imaginary Gannon standing over me. His arms are crossed and he has a look of disappointment in his face. I say to him, "Did you fucking see what they did to that prick Lunaris earlier? I can tell you right now - that's not going to be me! I'm not fucking doing anything. They tell me to jump, I'm going to ask how high. I don't need to be pissing blood for a week..."

He replies sternly, "This isn't the Courier I know. She would have figured a way to get out of this by now. You were always good at using what you had...finding a way. You're not even trying. You've given up."

I sigh, "Accepting the reality of my situation isn't the same as giving up. Even if you say it is and you call me a coward, I really don't care. The truth is the tech in this collar is advanced - too advanced for my knowledge. I wouldn't be surprised if it could read my thoughts and detonates the second my brain figures out how to get it off. This situation... is impossible to escape."

"Nothing is impossible - look harder." WHY does he have to be so difficult? I scowl and look at what I have...which is nothing. No gear bag - they made me leave that. No weapons. Just four assholes who are itching to stomp me into next week if I give them any problems. God, I could use a drink. Gannon rolls his eyes and says, "Alright - you're clearly not thinking. The one called Lunaris - he punches you with all his strength in the stomach and what happened?"

"Nothing."

"Right - you felt nothing. Hello? Is your brain working today? Think like the Legion thinks - how do they like to fight?"

I turn my head and look at them briefly. "Hand to hand - they think being dependent on guns makes you weak."

"Right - and you're no good at hand to hand. Barely capable with a pistol - everyone knows this. See that rusty can over there? Pick it up."

"Barely capable with a pistol? What the hell do you mean everyone knows this?"

"We don't have time for this, Courier! Just do as I say and trust me on this!"

"Oh, I'll grab the can alright - but you're going to answer some questions when we're done, you son of a ..." I look over my shoulder at the Praetorians - they look occupied. I inch over a bit, lean forward, and pick up the rusted can. "Got it."

Gannon says, "Good. Now, squeeze it as hard as you can."

"You want me to squeeze a tin can?"

"Yes, that's what I just said!"

"Oh okay...that's what I thought you said. Because nobody can crush a tin can. Just confirming I'm listening to hallucinations that are more delusional than me right now... "

"Shut up and crush the damn can." I sigh but relent to his request. If I cut my hand and bleed to death...well, there's that I guess. I squeeze the can as hard as I can, imagining it's a smaller version of him...and to my surprise, it bends in my hand. I look at him wide-eyed and gasp, "Wait...was that a real tin can or an imaginary tin can?"

"Would you stop with the sarcasm and be serious for once! That's exactly what I thought would happen. The Legion didn't take your weapons away. They gave you something that *they* would consider a weapon. The suit makes you stronger, do you see? Made you more resistant to damage which is why you didn't feel the blow. I bet you're slightly faster too - probably can't sneak as much as with a regular assassin's suit, but I'm sure they knew you could compensate."

I shake my head. This can't be right. "If I'm stronger, then how did two of them hold me down earlier?"

"Did you even try to pull free?"

Okay. He got me there. "...No... But it doesn't make sense...why give me a suit that makes me stronger if I'm a prisoner. Why would anyone do that?"

"Maybe because you're not a prisoner."

"Then what am I?"

He frowns, "We'll have time to figure that out later. Let's focus on getting you out of that collar first. Behind you are four Praetorians - even with the suit, they know you can't take them out all at once. So what is the best way for you to take them out?"

God, why am I listening to him? I think for a second and say, "For me specifically...I have a better chance if I do it individually - one at a time."

"Right. Now would you stop fucking around and do it!"

"But Marcus..."

"...has the pip-boy, I know. You have to keep him alive - you should be able to handle one Praetorian. Whatever you do - tackle him last. Take the other 3 out first. If you go for Marcus first by taking him hostage - they'll just kill him...and you. Lure them one at a time and then take Marcus."

"No. This isn't a plan - it's a suicide mission. If I fuck it up - and there is a high probability of that I might add - they'll kill me."

Gannon leans in, places his hand on my shoulder and says, "Courier - if you don't try, you'll die anyways. Don't forget the lesson you learned from Benny. As soon as they get what they want out of you whatever that may be...they'll kill you." I watch as Gannon fades away. He's right...he's absolutely right. I just have to figure out how to get each one alone...that's the real trick. After a few moments, I stand up and the four turn their attention to me. I smile and point at a large area of brush. "I'm going over there to take a piss. Who wants to watch?" Marcus motions Falx to escort me and I start walking.

This is the stupidest plan ever...

We walk over. I'm leading, he's following. The second I get behind the brush out of sight, I kneel down and kick on my stealth-boy. He walks around to watch me and his eyes get that 'where the fuck is she' big. He starts looking around frantically. Now fucking what. I see Gannon standing beside me. He runs his finger along the side of his jaw. "Ever heard of a glass jaw? This is the trigeminal nerve. You hit someone here, you can knock them out. Suppose you hadn't done much boxing..." I sneak over to Falx, make a fist and hit him square in the jaw. He takes the impact and doesn't go down. I'm panicked now. Before he can react I punch him two more times as hard as I can in the same spot. This time he goes down. I can't believe that actually worked. I go through his clothing to see if I can find anything to tie him up with. I find miscellaneous crap that won't help me - some healing powder, food, a few denarii. Nothing for tying. I find a pocket on the inside of his uniform - a small photo of him standing next to a young woman. I don't recognize the location but I do recognize the style of clothing and a Great Khan symbol tagged on a wall in the background. So he is a Khan. He looks younger in this pic - and happy. Was he hiding this? I put the picture in my pocket and notice Scipio is walking up now. He walks around just out of sight of the other two and sees Falx lying knocked out on the ground. I pound him in the side of his jaw before he can do anything. He goes down as well. I check his gear and he has duct tape - my lucky day. I use the tape to bind their hands and feet. Two down, two to go. A few more minutes pass - Marcus and Lunaris are walking over now. Should have figured they would...this is going to be difficult with two. I turn off my stealth boy and hide it just in case things don't work out - can't risk them knowing I have it. I duck out of sight and wait. The second Lunaris sees the bodies, he runs up and I jump out and clock him one good time. He had that coming. He falls to the ground...I look over and see Marcus staring me down. I expected he'd react with anger, but he's calm...too calm. With a completely straight face he says, "There are better ways to gain my affections, courier."

I slowly walk in his direction. I say, "It's just you and me now, Marcus. Unlock my collar."

"You know I won't do that. The collar remains until Caesar commands it be removed."

"Do you really require three guard and a slave collar to control one woman? Seems a bit excessive to me...unless Caesar doesn't feel you can manage on your own."

He smirks, "Watch your tongue, courier...unless you enjoy the idea of it being removed. Caesar's decision was based on your merit, not mine. *You* are a known liar and a thief."

"I have sworn loyalty to the Legion - that is not taken lightly by anyone. Everyone knows the penalty for breaking their oath. Only a fool would do that."

"And is this is how you show your loyalty? By overtaking my men?" As I get closer I hear the subtle squeal of his ballistic fist powering up. He's calling my bluff. I stop advancing and say, "It would have been easy to kill them - but I didn't. All I want is to be free of this collar, Marcus. Nothing more."

He laughs, "Are you saying you spared their lives for me? You actually think I'll be swayed by that? You've dishonored all three of them today - subdued so easily by a woman no less. Killing them would have done us all a favor." He looks at them lying on the ground and shakes his head. "Now...you've created a problem for them...for me...and for yourself. Everybody pays today...even I when we arrive to Lanius' camp behind schedule. You understand penalties are harsh for disobedience and failure...or at least you will learn that today...what retribution means in the Legion."

If there is one thing I've learned in life is that when a Legionary starts talking about retribution, then the conversation is officially over. I rush toward him and as soon as I'm within striking range, I start throwing punches. All of them connect... but it's like I didn't hit him at all. He didn't even bother to dodge either. He grabs my fist mid-punch, twists and traps my arm behind my back...just like in my dream. I try to pull free but all the strength I had earlier...it's like it's left my body. Like it was never there. I...I don't understand. Gannon said the suit made me strong and it did...was he wrong? He pulls me close to him, twisting my arm until I yell out in pain. He eases up a bit, but I still can't break free from his grip. I'm gasping for air - I'm winded and the stupid collar is making it hard to breathe. He whispers in my ear, "We have a saying in the Legion - the size of a person in a fight matters less than the size of the fight within them. The ability to push on, to keep going against all odds - the will of a person is what makes them dangerous. Someone with the will to fight and no skill to do so will most certainly lose. But with good fortune, they can win. Are you such a fool to think you could use my own luck against me, Augusta?"

I yell in anger, "What are you talking about?"

"You really think you could fight those three and win all on your own without any help? I have to admit - you surprised me today, courier. At first I didn't think you had the will to escape. But from all that I have heard about you, I knew you would eventually try. I underestimated you - your attempt came sooner than I expected. Far sooner. So few people have the will to challenge their situation. Their fear of pain and consequence controls them. They are the easiest to re-mold because their will is already broken. But easy means no challenge, no game. But they're not like you, are they?" He runs his hand around my waist and pulls me into him and says, "I think I'm going to enjoy every second we spend together, courier. I'm going to bet you have... a delightful scream." Oh, fuck this psychopath. I try to fight free but he just laughs and twists my arm even more. I see Lunaris is coming to. He gets on his feet and looks at us. Marcus yells, "Order rescinded." The order not to lay a finger on me, no doubt. Lunaris smiles as he runs up and hits me square in the face. Motherfucking trigeminal nerve...everything goes black.

...

I wake up face down in the Mojave sand. My arms are stretched up out and tethered down. My feet are tied together - I can't get up. I can't move. The top part of my assassin's suit has been pulled down to around my waist and the back of my undershirt has been cut so my back is bare. It feels slightly blistered from the sun. Fuck.. Marcus is kneeling over me and says, "Good. You're finally awake. Didn't want you to miss out on any of the fun."

My heart is beating out of my chest now...oh fucking no. I've heard the stories of what they do to women. I want no part of their 'fun'. He says, "There is a rite of passage for all Praetorians that serve under me, did you know? Scipio, show her what I mean." I get nervous as he starts pulling off his armor. When his chest is completely bare, he turns around. The whole of his back is covered in scars. A series of symbols have been cut into his back and scarred over. I start to feel faint. Only one reason why they are showing me this...I'm not that slow. "You see - the five of us are going to be working together for a very, very long time. And we feel that we should make you an honorary Praetorian. So you have a more feeling of belonging, a part of the pack. To understand us better. Your actions today indicate that you do not feel like a part of our group. We need to fix that. Falx."

I see Falx from the corner of my eye and feel him rubbing in a warm paste into my back. No, no, no...I feel like I'm going to throw up. Falx glares at me for a moment before placing a rolled up piece of leather in my mouth for biting down on. No doubt - he's pissed about what happened or he's figured out who has his missing picture. I see Marcus pull out a knife and suddenly the old woman appears out of thin air. Falx, Scipio, and Lunaris step back from her but Marcus...he glances at her as if annoyed. They can see her? I thought...I was imaging her all this time. She looks down at me, then at the knife in Marcus' hand and says, "What do you think you are doing?"

"This doesn't concern you."

She yells angrily, "It doesn't concern me?" Tendrils of black mist flow and wrap around her body...kind of like in my dream. No, it can't be... Her voice gets angrier and the mist starts to spread. "I have searched for her for years...YEARS, Marcus! I can ill afford you killing her." The three Praetorians step further away from her but Marcus doesn't move. They...really fear her. But not Marcus.

She grits her teeth and says, "You do this, and you'll make her an enemy - she'll never lead us to what we want." He smiles. "You're wrong. If I don't do this - she'll lead us astray. This will bind her to me forever - she'll never forget this day even if she wants to. This won't kill her - but it will make her stronger. By the time I'm done with her, her loyalty will be ours. But you have to let me do it *my* way."

Her anger seems to subside and the black mist fades. She reaches into her dress, pulls out a small device...it fits snugly in the palm of her hand and has a single button on it. She presses it and everything becomes curved and distorted for a split second, like we were just hit by an invisible wave of something...like looking at the world through a drinking glass. No one seems phased by this except me. She says, "Setting the meridian for caution's sake. You better be right about this." The old woman looks at me and smirks, "Welcome back to the family," before taking a step back and disappearing again. Family?

Marcus turns his attention toward me again. I look to my right and I see a man kneeling beside me...another hallucination. I don't know him though. An older man with short fair colored hair and a beard. He's wearing a soldier's uniform similar to what the boy Marcus was wearing in my dream. I look at it compared to what the Praetorians are wearing...it looks pre-Legion in design. Oh God...

He says, "Augusta, we don't have much time. I need you to look at me. Forget them - concentrate on your breathing and stay focused on me!"

"Who are you?" He hears my thoughts and responds, "I am Vero, father of Marcus Solarius and first protectorii of the Belli and of you... the Augusta." Vero...means in truth. Whoever he is...my mind must have wanted me to listen to him. I ask him, "You know me then?"

"Yes, when you were younger..but now is not the time for questions..."

Marcus starts walking toward me. I look at Vero and plead to him, "...please tell me. Am I Legion?"

"Now is not..."

"PLEASE TELL ME! ...I have to know!"

He lays his hand on mine...not that I can feel it. He answers, "Yes," and with that one word I hear a thousand voices in my head scream out at once and I feel my soul withering and dying inside me. My worst nightmare is true...and nightmares I haven't even had yet are coming to fruition around me...and there is nothing I can do about it because I deserve it. I am the bad guy - and retribution has finally found me. The voice of the Vero snaps me back to reality as he continues, "...which means nothing compared to the woman you have become. Leave this! Don't let it own you. There are worse things to be dealing with right now, Augusta!" Marcus is standing over me now, and I catch the glimmer of his blade. I look back at Vero who says, "I have trained many soldiers to defeat interrogation and torture rather than succumbing to it. But you've had no such conditioning - I won't lie to you, Augusta. This will be bad, but you WILL survive this - do not focus on the pain. Focus on me! No matter what they do... keep your eyes on me, Augusta!" I'm overcome with fear now, and Vero knows it. He reassures as much as he can by saying, "I'm not going anywhere - I'm going to be here with you the entire time. You are not alone here. But you have to focus your breathing. Focus on me!" I manage to nod and steady my breathing.

And then... Marcus began the marking.