ACT 4
What Constitutes a Traitor
Despite the urgency and impending tone mentioned about the coming Colorado Campaign, the establishment of the new front was delayed by around five months after the gun duel of 69. There were many reasons for this, and not because of failures in the preparation work done by Circle Junction. In fact, the Interfector ran his territory very efficiently to the point that much of the work was completed ahead of schedule by approximately two months. The largest reason for the delay was due to the size of the Legion at this time.
The Legion tried its best to accommodate the growth as it happened, which is why the New Mexico Campaign lasted so long. Before marching on a new tribe, Caesar wanted to be especially sure that the latest conquest was assimilated and in the ranks before proceeding. Though much of the campaign picked up towards the end, the Legion was absolutely full of new soldiers and slaves from those 300+ New Mexico tribes that had been conquered over the entire campaign.
Before proceeding, it may be necessary to quickly explain the reason for the "300" number mentioned above and in previous chapters:
Many have known Caesar at the height of his Legion as the conqueror of 87 tribes across the southwest, but that number was a difficult one to calculate. For example, in previous chapters, the Guerreros del Instituto were considered a single tribe located in the old world town of Roswell, but that didn't account for the minor tribes and clans that fell under their cultural identity. As described before Montano's promotion, Montano was there when the 6th Century eradicated the "Goss Renegades", a raider tribe linked by history to the Guerreros del Instituto. Though the Goss Renegades were never counted towards Caesar's grand total of conquests, the Guerreros were, and many of the other subsidiary tribes were also ignored after the fall of the "mother tribe."
In comparison to the old world, it could be said that the former United States conquered the "Apache" people of the Southwest at the end of the official war with them in 1886 after the capture of Geronimo, and despite lasting hostilities. However, the "Apaches" were not just one people but many, consisting of the Plains Apaches, Westerns, Jicarilla, Mescalero, Lipan, and famous Chiricahua. Other examples of these kinds of peoples could include ones like the "Iroquois" of the eastern continent that was made an umbrella name for the confederation of Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Mohican, and Seneca tribes. In the end, the number of peoples to fall in Caesar's expansion was far more than common perception, and this was largely due to the fact that many tribes became offshoots of a larger tribe in the vast region over time. This situation was seen all across New Mexico as well as Arizona. Caesar did not conquer individual tribes most of the time, he conquered entire peoples. It is because of this and the vast territory of both old-world states that super mutant fortresses, prepper communes, and the hundreds of roaming raider clans were also excluded from Caesar's total conquests, even though such groups also fell in territorial pacification efforts.
By the end of 2269, the Legion was mostly ready to begin their Colorado Campaign, but in order to officially do so, there was a lot to take care of. Outside of the preparation of supplies and equipment done by the Praetor of Circle Junction, before the campaign could begin, it was necessary to mobilize the Legion's forces. After the end of the New Mexico Campaign, many of the soldiers who served on that front were put on respite (Like in Montano's case) and many others were put on pacification assignments. It was one thing to conquer the owner of a region, and it was another to tame it, especially in the Legion's brutal way.
When a tribe was absorbed into the Legion, they essentially adopted all of the tribe's old responsibilities, having to do everything from handle hostile wildlife, to clearing out raiders, to even just establishing Legion outposts or camps. So, it was during these months that much of New Mexico was being tamed and built upon in order to establish facilities to perpetuate the coming campaigns. This wasn't even to mention all the slaves from previous conquests still filing into the soldier and slave camps. It was during these months that the tribals from New Mexico were filling old and new legionary camps across the southwest, readying to be poured out onto a new front. There would later be a name for this system of pouring troops straight into the new front, but atop all of this was more prep work to be done. With the equipment forged in Circle Junction filling the armory racks and awaiting use in Colorado, the last preparations came to the responsibility of Lord Interfector of Phoenix. This last act before the Colorado Campaign officially began was hinted at previously by the man himself. An act that was especially controversial to many of Caesar's allies.
Before the march on Colorado officially began, Caesar knew he'd need a staging area in Colorado proper. The ideal location for this staging area was the region of "Mesa Verde." The mountainous valleys and cliffs of Mesa Verde leading further into Colorado through the wilderness were perfect for an advance like that. Much of the early recon done in Colorado before this point showed many potential enemies filling the region who would most certainly use the diverse terrain of Colorado to their advantage. This was something that, though accounted for, would not prevent the march on Colorado from turning into another bloody nightmare in the Legion's expansion. Located only a week's march from Circle Junction, Mesa Verde would serve as an excellent rally point for soldiers fighting in Colorado that wasn't too far from the enormous supply depot under the Interfector's administration. The only issue with this plan of establishing a staging area in Mesa Verde was that it was already home to a tribe that allied themselves with the Legion.
Mesa Verde, Caesar's ideal staging area, was home to a tribe called "Twin Mothers" whose territory stretched from Mesa Verde to the borders of old-world New Mexico. The Twin Mothers had been allied with the Legion for at least two years before the start of the Colorado Campaign, and this was mostly out of a supply agreement. The tribe was unique because it was built on a matriarchal foundation that had women filling the roles that other societies put men in charge of. Though this was a unique practice, Caesar had his eyes on Colorado long before he knew he'd shift his focus there, and so he offered the tribe Auxilia options and offered to keep watch against the tribe's enemies in exchange for supply from their lush wilderness farmlands. An added benefit of this alliance included Twin Mothers' warrior assistance in fights along upper New Mexico. It was a strange sight to see women tribal warriors fighting alongside the Legion's ranks, but as stated before, the Twin Mothers were unique in their cultural practices, and the food and supplies produced by the tribe's male workforce back in their territory assisted tremendously in the taming of upper New Mexico. Although it should be stated that the Twin Mothers were not a warlike people, their female warriors were given to Caesar at his specific request alone, and so the tribe more or less "Used" the Legion's offer to remain safe from their enemies further north in Colorado. Before the Legion, the tribe was known to use the adobe ruins of ancient civilizations dotting the Mesa Verde region, preferring to wait in their mountainside fortresses for attackers to move on rather than take the fight to them directly unless absolutely necessary.
Even though the Legion treated their men and women far differently than the Twin Mothers, it should again be noted that Caesar's offer and alliance was taken out of necessity. Caesar had no intention of showing any Twin Mothers auxiliaries what happened to the women or even men of the tribes he conquered, so the importance of the alliance was focused on their supply role in supporting Legion forces across northern New Mexico. Still, the timidity of the Twin Mothers tribe was mentioned for a reason.
Not long before the end of the New Mexico Campaign, the Twin Mothers were assaulted by a tribe of the same region known as the "Ciphers of the West." This was a tribe that roamed the lands of southern Colorado who were obsessed with technology and interpreted their knowledge of old-world science as an excuse to take what was needed from their neighbors if it wasn't given over. Though the Ciphers had been in the region for years and typically weren't a very hostile tribe, they largely stayed out of the way of Legion forces. Even though it was unusual for them to attack any territory under Legion protection, the Twin Mothers were usually viewed as an easy target for many tribes of Colorado, but their alliance with Caesar was something that prevented attacks from their other enemies at this time. So, despite the Legion banners across Twin Mothers' lands, the Ciphers attacked, ready to take what they needed from the Twin Mothers and disappear into the Colorado wilderness with hopes of avoiding Caesar's wrath. Even though the Ciphers got exactly what they wanted from their raid, they miscalculated Caesar's response to their actions. The Ciphers would largely be left alone by the Legion for years afterward since their attack on the Twin Mothers initiated something of an opportunity for Caesar.
As they were ones to do, the Twin Mothers retreated to their cliffside homes in order to wait out the Ciphers' attack before the small Legion garrison was eliminated. With history repeating, the attackers ransacked the Twin Mothers' farmlands and hunting grounds in the Mesa Verde wilderness and then moved on, leaving the tribe in their nearly impenetrable cliff homes alone. Upon emerging after the attack, the Twin Mothers' lands were destroyed, and an entire municipal garrison of Caesar's soldiers was left to be slain.
Without the ability to support the Legion in that time, the tribals went about their reconstruction efforts as they'd done many times before alliance with the Legion, and Caesar was not pleased. Not only were 60 of his soldiers killed while his allies retreated to their homes, but by the end of the attack, there was nothing that they could offer the Legion. Because of these unfortunate circumstances, Caesar saw the Ciphers as more respectable than his ally of tribal recluses and left the Twin Mothers' pleads for retribution unread. With the end of the New Mexico campaign fast approaching, Caesar deemed the Twin Mothers as first to go in the event he'd ever have to betray one of the tribes that pledged loyalty to him.
In the end, Caesar marked the Twin Mothers for destruction under the assumption that his forces could make better use of the Mesa Verde wilderness than they ever did. It should again be noted that the Twin Mothers were indeed an ally of the Legion, and though Caesar used their warrior assistance relatively infrequently, many other soldiers of the Legion Auxilia knew the Twin Mothers' name. Caesar tried his best to keep his plans for the tribe out of the ranks of his army, but word would spread just as sure as the duelists would fight again.
With the Interfector put in charge of overseeing the Twin Mothers' annihilation, Caesar and his Legate were busy mobilizing their forces across Arizona and New Mexico for the push into Colorado. Under specific instruction, Lord Interfector of Phoenix assembled a force of local centuries with orders to exclude any auxiliaries from witnessing the betrayal of a former Legion ally. The Interfector did this by assembling three full centuries made of boys who'd been raised Legion from the womb, as well as two others, the 30th and Montano's 32nd Century that'd been called up from Gallup at the Interfector's request. Though it had been a long time since the Interfector led in battle, this was something he always expected to come again at some point since becoming the Praetor of Circle Junction. Also, given the rather secretive nature of his assignment, he used this as a time to see firsthand what kind of soldiers he had coming out of those child camps around his territory.
And so, 4 months after the start of 2270, Lord Interfector of Phoenix marched 3 centuries of his self described "Legion Babies" and two from the veterans of New Mexico into Mesa Verde. Accompanied by his faithful right hand, Centurion Aleron, the Interfector was not sure what to make of his task. Even though he was more than ready to carry out Caesar's orders, the Interfector himself was known as a hero to soldiers of the auxilia across Legion territory, Arizona in particular. The Interfector was well aware of his reputation, which is why Caesar put him in charge of eradicating a former ally, and why the Interfector wished he chose someone else.
Mid-2270 - Three Weeks Into the Pueblo Siege
Centurion Aleron looked out at the distant cliffside city or "Pueblo", watching several small fires become smaller in the night as the screams beyond the burnt wilderness plain continued. The Twin Mothers had been holding on valiantly despite original expectations to the point that even the Interfector was becoming restless. Those fires shrank more and more as each flaming boulder from the Legion's siege engines were rapidly extinguished by the defenders of the Cliff Dwellings if not by their ineffectiveness against a city made of stone.
The fog in Aleron's mind from that "Bitter Drink" had finally faded in the cool night breeze as he felt the gash on the side of his head was now closed. His attempt to lead forces against the hidden wash to the Vault entrance proved to be too costly and despite being ready to die, the Interfector called him back before too many losses were accrued. The attack wasn't a failure, but merely a miscalculation on the Interfector's part that was immediately corrected. Despite the attack happening three days prior, the Interfector had means of dealing with the vault itself in a more strategic way and Aleron looked towards the east awaiting the conclusion.
As the five centurions of the Interfector's battlegroup filed past Aleron into the command domicile behind him, it wasn't long after Montano entered that Aleron heard the *Boom*. A distant cloud of dust came up from the hidden valley east of the cliff dwelling and Aleron turned to enter the command tent amidst another surge of distant screaming.
When Aleron entered, he approached the circle of chairs around the fire pit where all the other centurions were getting situated and took his own seat before the Interfector stood up from the command table and sat in his spot. When everyone was in their places, silence ensued for several seconds as the Interfector scanned each officer. The only sound was the crackle of fire as each officer patiently waited. All of them knew that the Interfector was locked in deep contemplation and Aleron in particular knew the Interfector was thinking less about the coming end of the Twin Mothers and more about how that end was to come about. Still, plenty had happened since the last meeting like this and Aleron recalled how the last big issue to be addressed was concluded in that explosion.
The Interfector began the meeting, "Diana is dead now... Or gone, or whatever. It shouldn't be long before the Twin Mothers realize that explosion cut off anymore pleads to their 'goddess.'... So, Centurion Artemis, I assume your boys are ready to tighten the noose?"
Centurion Artemis said, "Yes, My Lord. Your forces are waiting to intercept the second the Twin Mothers realize what happened to their vault's access and cut off their east with the advance of our siege line."
The Interfector nodded silently and turned to Centurion Montano, "Centurion Montano, your veterans have excellently detained the bulk of those in their counterattack from the 'Balcony House.' I need a status update on the number of captives and readiness of your unit."
Centurion Montano adjusted in his chair before saying, "My Lord, the captives from the failed assault numbered 42 at the time of our victory. Since then, 31 of their 'warriors' are left standing, 6 are too crippled to move yet still living at your request, and the other 5 have bled out since last evening. A total of 37 remain alive and in the pens behind the line. My veteran centuria stands at 98 strong, including staff, no current injured, and the century has moved up to the first line where they have stayed since the sorting and assessment of the captives."
The Elite nodded and paused for a moment before addressing Montano again, "I would like to take direct charge of your six veteran contubernia if you'd be so kind."
Montano nodded, "Of course Lord Interfector."
The Interfector added, "Keep your two remaining Prime contubernia, and I would like to replace your six veteran units with boy legionaries of the 98th, if that's agreeable for you, Centurion Mateo?"
Centurion Mateo of the 98th Centuria of "child soldiers" said, "Of course, Lord Interfector" and Montano said, "At your demand, My Primus."
The Elite reasoned with Montano, "In the event of battle, I'd like you, Centurion Montano to lead the advance against the Pueblo. Given your experience in southern New Mexico, I trust you the most to lead those inexperienced fanatical 16 year olds to victory."
Montano replied, "It would be an honor, My Lord."
The meeting went on, the Interfector inquired about the 30th century in charge of the siege equipment, and learned that the unit had plenty of munitions for another week of siege. He updated the unit to focus their fire on the two primary gates leading up to the cliff dwelling and sent the officer out immediately to give the update. The other two units of young soldiers were tasked with moving up the line and as soon as he got to that, there was the muffled sounds of distant chaos. This sound was a sign that the soldiers under Artemis were moving to intercept an excavation or investigation force heading to the buried Vault entrance. The question came up about why the Elite wanted to personally use Montano's veterans, but the question lingered for the moment when the former Twisted Hairs explorer turned Frumantarius entered the tent saying;
"My Lord, Beg pardon for the interruption..." The Elite made a "speak" gesture and the frumantarius went on, "Lord Caesar has taught the Twin Mothers a final lesson. Access to their 'goddess' is no longer an option. The rocks have sealed the vault and-"
The Interfector replied, "Thank you, that's all I need. Excellent work. Now send my report to Cassius at Circle Junction and be off. I need the status on that bolstering century so be back within four days... I know you can make the run."
"Right away, Lord Interfector" said the Twisted Hairs frumantarius before immediately departing.
With the frumantarius gone and upon hearing confirmation about the removal of the last big obstacle, the Interfector said to all the Centurions, "Retire to your previous duties, make the changes I've willed, and move the line up 200 paces when Artemis' force has completed its work. This meeting is dismissed."
The group of centurions stood up to depart from the command tent and just as Montano was about to leave, the Interfector stopped him;
"Centurion Montano, stay back a moment, would you?"
Centurion Montano nodded and responded appropriately while Aleron eyed him calmly. The Interfector took his place on the authority side of the command table and silently motioned for both Aleron and Montano to take seats on the other side. Aleron and Montano took their seats beside one another and did not look anywhere other than the Elite. The Elite studied the battle plan drafts and maps across the table and tapped a pen on it idly for several seconds. The duelists remained calm and silent before the Elite ceased his tapping and glanced up at both men. Moving his gaze casually from one man to the other, he finally asked both;
"I'm certain you both know that the Twin Mothers will fall very soon, but I held you back for a reason..."
The two remained silent and continued to watch the Elite without making direct eye contact. Both were curious about the reason for private counsel, Montano in particular. Although Aleron knew the dilemma the Elite was considering, he was curious about Montano's part in this meeting, at least if this meeting was going to be in regard to what he expected. Before any speculation could be done, the Elite went on,
"Centurion Montano, are you aware of the issue I'm facing with the fall of the Twin Mothers?"
Montano replied, "No, My Primus. Considering the recent destruction of the Vault, I remain ignorant about other causes of concern."
The Interfector asked both men, "You two understand why the force on this short campaign has been made entirely of legionaries?"
Aleron had been told the reason why during several of the idle chats at his Lord's side, so the question was geared more towards Montano. Centurion Montano would have said it was because the Auxilia are worthless compared to Caesar's own soldiers if the Interfector's face didn't say something else. Either way, the Interfector clarified for both;
"The betrayal of allies is something that Caesar almost never does, with the last recorded incident being the fall of Have-Su in 2261. However, Caesar needs Mesa Verde as his staging area for Colorado. The only problem is that the Twin Mothers are technically still under Auxilia status... Even right now..."
The Interfector paused and both men could clearly see that the man was disgruntled by something on his mind. He asked Montano, "... So, Centurion Montano, I'm sure you understand the situation I am dealing with?"
Montano was telepathically permitted to meet the Interfector's eyes as he considered all the Interfector said, "I understand that you are in search of the best approach in dealing with the Twin Mothers in a way that causes the least negative ramifications to Lord Caesar's other auxiliaries."
Aleron almost looked at his rival he was so surprised that Montano understood the situation on so little. The Interfector leaned back, sighed, and said, "Exactly."
Although Montano had pieced together the Interfector's concern, he couldn't understand why he would hold such a concern in the first place. The Interfector's eyes glanced to Aleron, permitting him to ask his question, "Has My Primus made up his mind about the dealings of such matters?"
The Elite met Aleron with another disgruntled sigh before saying, "No. Aside from awaiting the bolstering century from Circle Junction, no..." He paused again before addressing both men, "Caesar has tasked me with eradicating the Twin Mothers, no other instructions other than to leave auxiliaries out of the campaign. Though he didn't tell me this directly, he does not want word of what happened here to enter the auxilia's ranks. So, although it will happen, I need to ensure the Twin Mothers' end with the least amount of fallout. To put it another way, the prevention of word getting out is inevitable, and Caesar knows this, so it is up to me to see that end happen in the most honorable way for when word eventually does reach the auxilia ranks."
Neither Aleron or Montano could quite grasp the reason the auxilias may take the destruction of the Twin Mothers as a bad thing, but Aleron was the closest to understanding that idea due to time at the Interfector's side. Montano on the other hand, couldn't quite understand the trouble that could arise from vanquishing a simple enemy of Caesar regardless of whether or not the tribe used to be allied. The Elite glanced to Montano, and permitted the man to speak who did so in a way reminiscent of childlike ignorance;
"My Lord, you are inferring that there is something shameful about falling to the might of Caesar? You have just said that a climactic battle is inevitable and-" Montano stopped himself when he saw the Elite look up.
When the Elite met Montano's eyes, he said, "Unless a battle isn't inevitable..." He paused again, studying both men before a sad smile crept across his face, "I'm sure both of you are curious why I held you back for counsel. We can talk all night about the situation, but do either of you understand why I brought you here?"
Aleron and Montano glanced to one another and back at the Elite before they said simultaneously, "No, Lord Interfector."
The Elite smiled again and thought once more for a long moment before saying, "Centurion Aleron here is my most trusted right hand. I have dealt with him for many years and all his approaches to the many objectives of my Praetorship have been executed flawlessly in cold calculative means..."
Montano's face didn't change from its original state, but internally he didn't enjoy hearing such praises about his rival. That changed when the Elite went on, "... Centurion Montano, I've read all the reports from New Mexico throughout the campaign and I am more than impressed by what I've read about you. In your first trial of leadership, you led your forces to victory in the worst battle of the southeastern front. Your actions in the gatehouse during the fight against the Guerreros was more evidence you were worthy of Graham's mask order..."
Now it was Aleron's turn to internally damn his rival. He tuned out the Elite's praise of his rival, remembering that .44 he put in the man's chest only 5 months prior. As he was one to do, Aleron expertly knew when to tune back in upon hearing the Elite say, "... I am inclined to take Centurion Aleron's advice through a display of some sort, but I wish to take your advice in dealing with this."
Montano asked, "My Lord?"
The Elite asked, "You were there on the expedition to destroy the Taotians, right?"
Montano replied, "Yes, Lord Interfector. However, I do not understand what you are asking?"
The Interfector asked, "Was that expedition not three fourths auxilia?"
Montano nodded to acknowledge the question and asked really quickly during a pause, "My Lord, if you're asking for my input on what garners the respect of auxilia, I would sooner ask you that question. I myself am hardly qualified to give details on such matters."
The Elite said plainly, "That's where you're wrong..." He paused and glanced to Aleron momentarily before continuing, "My personal reputation grants me ties with the auxilia of Arizona. As for New Mexico and even Colorado? That reputation doesn't mean a whole lot. I can slaughter all Caesar's Arizona allies personally and any of the survivors will thank me for doing so, but I want to know how our auxilia, which is now mostly New Mexicans, will best view the situation in the event they hear what happened to the Twin Mothers."
Montano thought for a long time before finally saying, "If I am to be forthright with Lord Interfector, I must say that I have paid no mind to the opinions and attitudes of the auxilia, regardless of home tribe. There is far too much variation in values amongst the auxilia tribes, so I must also say that the universal language is the one that best gets the message across: Violence. Violence is the reason auxiliaries come to our ranks, and violence is what they expect in their end. The way in which a tribe is ended is almost irrelevant to the final message."
The Elite stayed silent for another long moment after Montano was done. Perhaps he was overthinking the entire thing. Perhaps the matter was as simple as he thought and his worry was only an unnecessary burden. Perhaps the ramifications for ending the Twin Mothers would be the same regardless of how that end was to come about. All they would see is the end result: The Twin Mothers were destroyed by their ally. Still, the Elite had to consider the other alternative that was more tactful in approach, and could offer a softer blow when it reaches the auxilia ranks. The Elite turned to Aleron and asked;
"Centurion Aleron. I have considered your suggestion, and ask if we have a means to carry out that display you mentioned."
Aleron knew that his rival was in the dark about the other possible approach and used his words to clarify the alternate means, "Yes, Lord. Given the captives Centurion Montano's forces obtained in the assault from Balcony House, I would say we have a sizable group for an effective means of forcing the Twin Mothers' surrender."
Montano asked the Elite, "Is this 'display' My Lord mentions also the reason he has taken control of my veterans?"
The Elite replied, "Yes it is..." and gave another sigh, "I simply don't know how to deal with this tribe. I assume that when word of the Twin Mothers' destruction finally reaches the auxilia's ranks, the consequences won't be as dire if it is told that we allowed their surrender. This 'display' I'm considering is the only thing that could force the surrender, and in order to initiate it, I'm having your veterans hold the blades. My only problem is that I don't want to do this with the captives if I end up having to slaughter the Twin Mothers anyway. There is always the chance that displays will only strengthen the resolve of defenders and Caesar needs the Twin Mothers knocked out yesterday, so I'm not able to starve them out! How would it look if word gets out that we executed all the Twin Mothers captives in front of their fortification and then slaughtered all of them after they refused surrender? The only message that sends is that Caesar will completely annihilate anyone who helps us!..."
Both men remained silent for another long time.
The Elite put his hand to his head and shut his eyes as he collected himself and tried to organize his thoughts. The two rivals sat there silently still. Both duelists had reached the conclusion that the Interfector simply wasn't able to: There was no "Good" way of destroying an ally. To try and force a surrender meant the possibility of an even bloodier battle, and the Elite could not cater this situation to the dozens of individual auxilia tribes. One way or another, the Twin Mothers' destruction was going to come about, and the ramifications weren't something that could be mitigated by the way that destruction came.
After enough silence, Montano said to the Elite who still sat there with his eyes shut, "Lord Caesar is capable of putting down any problems that may arise after the dealing of this tribe."
Then Aleron said, "The fall of the Twin Mothers, regardless of means, will be an example of Legion authority and power."
Another long silence ensued before the Elite finally opened his eyes again and said to the two, "I have made up my mind. Thank you both for your input. I see this coming situation with better clarity now... You both may go."
Aleron and Montano both stood up, gave their salutes, and departed the Elite's residence.
Two days after that night, the siege was still going on. The siege engines had destroyed the gates up to the cliff dwelling four separate times and the Twin Mothers were out of supplies to keep repairing them. The siege line was less than a mile from the gates and earthworks were covering the burnt plain before the ancient city. Rifles continued to pop off all along the line as more boulders smashed into the stone structures. Legion raid parties continued to prod defenses around those gates and the cries from the people in the city were heard each silent night as they continued to mourn the loss of the their contact with the "Vault Computer Goddess." Still, there was no sign of surrender, despite the nightly sobbing, and the day came when the Elite tried one last time to save so many through a vicious display.
One more petition of surrender was offered as the 120+ captives from the short campaign were lined up along the trenches, each one with a veteran behind them. As mentioned before, the tribe was a timid one, and their warriors were women. The Twin Mothers had not known war, especially the Legion way. The campaign they aided along the tamer region of northern New Mexico was unlike the southern one.
The Inhabitants of Mesa Verde had not known that they were even at war with the Legion until the Interfector marched his forces into the region only two months prior, and since then, the people were scared and helpless. The people they allied with did not appreciate their aid, and saw them as a burden, a burden to be destroyed. Though the army of soldiers in crimson surrounding them was a terrifying sight, there was no way out and their mysterious "Goddess" was destroyed in a single night. The Twin Mothers had just lost their god and the offer of surrender came to their doors, an offer from an organization they thought they could trust. Needless to say, the offer was refused out of disbelief that the Legion would keep their end of the terms. Unfortunately, the Interfector did not know what the Twin Mothers were thinking, what they experienced, or the reasons for their terrified refusal. So, it was with a heavy heart that the Interfector gave the order.
One by one, the captives were killed across the line, each one falling lifelessly into the trenches below, and the surrender was refused four more times as the executions continued. The Twin Mothers would have surrendered in a heartbeat if they hadn't been betrayed. With no reason to believe the Legion would allow any to survive, the Twin Mothers could only watch as their captured warriors were killed. Their apocalypse was happening right then and there. Fearing the same fate as the captives, the last offer was refused, and the Interfector's worst case scenario was finally realized: The complete and total slaughter of the Twin Mothers was inevitable.
When the bolstering century from Circle Junction arrived the next day, the Interfector ordered the march forth. Under the cover of a grey sky, the Legion marched out of their trenches towards the cliffside city, led by Montano. At the gates, Montano's vanguard was assaulted but made quick work of the broken but defiant defenders, securing the broken gates and allowing the rest of the Legion to enter the ancient city. Still with no intention of surrender, the legionaries had to put down so many of the people in their feeble attempts at defense. Before the day was done, nearly a thousand were killed and only a few dozen were alive, most of them children.
Atop a small hill, the Elite looked out at the crumbling city and ordered his staff to depart from him. Aleron remained silent, congratulating his Primus on the victory but not able to fully understand his master's thoughts. The Interfector had been with the Legion for the betrayal of an ally before, and each occasion of treachery hit him in a way he tried to block out in service to Caesar. Finally, the Elite could look at the distant chaos no more and ordered Aleron to relay the conclusion report to a runner.
The work was finished and Montano reveled in the glory of another fallen enemy of Caesar.
The Elite struggled to forget his repeating past.
Aleron found himself mourning the destruction of the tribe for one solid second, and immediately began drawing up mental plans for the establishment of the new Colorado staging area.
Just as predicted, the word still got out about what happened to the Twin Mothers. In the end, all three men were right. The Interfector was indeed overthinking the problem, and eventually saw that the means of ally's destruction didn't really matter. Aleron too was correct, the brutal means of destruction didn't serve any purpose other than displaying the Legion's terrible capabilities. Then Montano was right as well, Caesar certainly was and would be capable of dealing with any problems to arise from the destruction of an ally.
When auxiliaries would later inquire about the reason the Twin Mothers were betrayed and destroyed, the simple answer given was that they were "traitors" and the issue was left at that. Either way, most of Caesar's most supportive tribes knew that the Twin Mothers were one of his auxiliaries, and though there was no cascade of tribes turning on Caesar after the Twin Mothers fell, the seed was certainly planted. The Twin Mothers were completely erased, and their nonexistence meant little to the news that they were "traitors." All would eventually learn that the only thing that constitutes a traitor is simply what Caesar has said so.