Octavius watched quietly as the small box was taken away, containing his old colleague. He felt no pity. The man had cost and spent the lives of many, and this was what he deserved. There was no remorse in the Roman general as he watched, stone hearted and cold. The museum was free of his plague, and so was he.

Yet, in the coldness within his soul, there was a spark of sorrow. He had witnessed another life taken. That was not something he enjoyed. There was nothing good about someone's demise, no matter who it was. But he was so scarred by this man, he didn't care. In fact, he felt stronger. He smiled grimly before turning to face his men.

They trembled, afraid of their punishment.

"Gentlemen," Octavius said, his voice calm and conserved. "You have betrayed be. But you will not be punished. I understand your motives and hold you to nothing. You have always served me well and have given me no reason to doubt your loyalty. But I shall give you a warning. If you betray me again, I will leave you to the sun. And there will be no mercy. Is that understood?"

The soldiers muttered their consent, relief in their voices and eyes. The general nodded, and the men quickly dispersed, heading to their barracks to rest up before the next shift of duty. Octavius stood alone, on the edge of his diorama, listening. From the other side of the wall, through the tunnel, he could hear Jedediah giving his men a good scolding as well, but he was a lot gentler about it, he noted.

A few of the cowboys still denied his leadership, but he gave them a choice between the sun and him,and they chose loyalty to him. As it should be. He listened for a while longer before he felt a presence at his shoulder.

"You were a little rough," Lepidus said, watching as a few of the men glanced nervously back at their general.

"A leader must be hard." Octavius said, staring directly in front of him. His voice was quiet, as if speaking only to himself. "He must be respected. Be strong. Be feared."

"That is not the way you lead, Octavius."

"That is the way I lead." He then turned to his old colleague. "I shall rest now. Goodnight, Lepidus."

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"I do not like this station." Octavius grumbled, glaring at the radio.

"Then change it." Jedediah replied, gesturing to it.

"But I do not know how."

Jedediah turned to his friend, a mock expression of surprise on his face. "You never learned how 'ta change a radio station?" The Roman shook his head, and the cowboy turned back to the wheel. "All these years and ya've learned nothin'. Whaddya have 'ta say for yourself?"

There was no reply. Jedediah thought he was just playing quiet, and let it be, looking out his window at one the neandertals.

"Sure is a quiet night," He commented, still looking out the window.

There was a strangled breath from the passenger seat, and before the cowboy could look over at his friend a hand desperately grasped his arm, causing him to momentarily lose control. The car skidded to a halt, and he looked beside him.

"Ockie, what's the matter?" He asked urgently, grabbing his forearm.

The Roman was coughing, and seemed to be having trouble breathing. Jedediah said his name again, but got no reply. He quickly leapt out of the car and ran to the passenger side, pulling his friend out and leaning him against the side. He quickly and firmly pounded a fist into his back, hoping to clear whatever was causing the coughing. But it grew worse, and before he could react, the Roman pitched forward, falling to the ground...

Jedediah woke with a gasp, his hands trembling slightly as he gripped the mattress, his eyes darting around the room. He shook his head, then rose to his feet. He grabbed a lantern and ran to the tunnel, running through the city until he reached his friend's quarters. He hurriedly knocked on the door.

A groggy voice answered and he pushed his way in, shinning the light over the Roman, who winced and shielded his eyes.

"Jedediah?" He yawned, rubbing his eyes. "By the gods...what are you doing here?"

"I had a dream." Jedediah said, setting the lantern down.

Octavius sighed. "It was probably nothing. Go back to bed."

"Ya told me 'ta talk to ya if I dreamt again. And I did." There was silence for a moment, and Jedediah gave the Roman a pleading look. "Pease Ockie..."

The Roman sighed, and sat up, before nodding at his friend. "Go on then."

"We were ridin' in the car. An' ya started coughin'. Like, ya couldn't breath. Then ya passed out..."

Octavius shook his head, and laid back down on his pillow. "It is alright, Jedediah. I am fine."

"But it was like them dreams I had. Where you were hurt. What if it means somethin'? Aren't ya the bit concerned?"

"I am concerned that you are jumping at shadows,"

Jedediah sighed, and slowly rose to his feet. "Kay. Sorry I bothered ya. Goodnight, Ockie."

"Goodnight, Jedediah. And please; do not worry. I promise you I am fine."

Jedediah nodded, and quietly left the room, leaving his friend to his slumber. He paused for a moment, listening. He could have sworn he'd heard coughing...nah. Octavius said he was fine. So he must be. Suddenly feeling very tired, Jedediah hurried back to his own exhibit, got back into bed, and fell to sleep, all cares of the future put aside.

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And this story in the Emperor ofRome series is complete. There will be another soon.