"This is some bullshit", Sherman said under his breath so quietly only Julius could hear him complain.
Julius was a giant of a man who towered over most other legionaries. Rumors had been around since he could walk that he was the son of Legate Lanius. If he was than the legate never bothered to tell him.
"What's bullshit?", Julius asked as they continued their March under the Mojave sun.
"Us having to march in the heat behind captain coyote over there", Sherman pointed to the frumentarii wearing the coyote head who was leading their squad, "couldn't he at least tell us where we're going or what we're doing?"
"I suppose but I rather just avoid getting whipped in the end", Julius answered, "And the man's the leader of the frumentarii. I don't think you get that position by being an idiot."
"Yeah", Sherman grumbled angrily knowing Julius was probably right. He than turned to Titas, "so how's the your first mission since yours months of healing and looking at that medical slave?"
"It's hot and I'm having to listen to you. So horrible but same as always".
Sherman gasped in mock surprise, "after all I've done for you!"
"Will just shut up!", Titas growled
Sherman ignored Titas' plea. "Do you really trust Vuply over there", he pointed to Vulpes Inculta again.
"No", Titas said, "but I trust Chief and Chief trusts him."
...
Two days later...
Starved dog and Burning ant raised the last cross. The NCR trooper that in was lashed to the cross screamed in pain from their broken limbs and begged them for mercy.
"Please", the female trooper begged from atop the cross. Tears treamed down her sunburnt face, "just... Just kill me now! Please!"
It was one voice of many. The mayor of the town had stopped his screaming only a few moments ago as he died from the fire . Children and the third place winners wept loudly as they huddled together in fear as Chief, Sherman, Titas, and a couple of recruits made sure none of them dared to run away.
Julius broke the legs of the second place winners with the flat of his fire axe. The man, a powder ganger, cursed loudly as he was dragged into one of the buildings to be left there.
Finally, Vulpes Inculta watched it all from just outside the court house. Next to him stood the first place winner, another powder ganger, whose hands were tied behind his back.
With the final cross now raised Starved dog and Burning ant went to help the other with the new captures. One of the captures', a little boy who looked no more than nine, cried out to a man lashed to a cross, "DADDY, help me!". The boys face was wet with tears and snot.
The man looked at the boy silently before speaking. "Help YOU?! Why didnt you help me?!", The man shouted in rage, " I feed you! I raised you! And this is how you repay me?! You are nothing but a useless whore like your mother!"
The little boy cried harder, "bu- but daddy..."
"Do not speak to me! I hope the legion rapes you till you die!"
The boy collapsed on the ground sobbing as his father continued to curse and shout.
Vulpes Inculta ignored all of this and seeing that their work was done untied the first place winner.
"Tell everyone you meet what you saw here", he ordered the powder ganger.
"Yes sir!", The man said with a massive smile upon his face, "thank you so much! Man, can you smell that air!"
The man ran off, ignoring the pleas of help from those he used to call friends.
The legionaries made sure all the captures' hands were well bound one last time and began their march back toward the Colorado.
...
They set up camp that night on top of a hill.
After pitching the tents Julius went to take a nap while Sherman and Starved dog kept an eye on the the captures. Titas and the recruits were put on first watch. Chief went to discuss some matters with Vulpes Inculta.
Burning ant prayed on his knees to Mars, "please grant us safe passage in the name of your some, Caesar". He took his machete and cut open his hand and let the blood drip into the fire. "I give to you my blood as a sacrifice".
"Hey!", Sherman called over to him, "Come over here and get that bandaged before it gets infected".
Burning ant walked over to them and held out his hand, "if Mars wishing me to live so be it. If he wishes me dead so be it".
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You say that every bloody time you do this shit", Sherman said.
"If Mars controls all life and death than why does he allow us healing powder?", Starved dog asked.
Burning ant stood there pondering that question as Sherman poured healing powder on the wound and bandaged his hand. Burning ant grimaced at the familiar burn of the healing powder.
"I swear if your dumbass keeps doing this you'll die of blood lose", Sherman grumbled.
"A sacrifice to Mars for protection is worth however much blood he requires", Burning ant said.
"If Mars was so powerful why would he send us Caesar to lead us?", Starved dog asked, "why not just tell us to do his bidding and make all those loyal to him indestructible?"
"Perhaps as a test", Burning ant argued.
"Or maybe he isn't as powerful as you think", Sherman added, "maybe sending us Caesar was all he could manage".
Both looked at Sherman in surprise.
"What?", Sherman asked.
"I did not figure you for the philosophical type", Burning ant said.
"Yeah, well, if it gets you to shut up and stop fucking cutting yourself than I guess I am", Sherman said.
"Aw, I didn't you cared about us", Chief teased as he walked over.
"I'm just sick of his stupid ass wasting all our healing power everytime he wants a fucking blood sacrifice".
"Suuure", Chief said with a grin, "anyway, I came to tell you all that Vulpes is leaving for some special mission. Before any of you ask; no, I do not what the special mission is".
"Good riddance", Sherman said happily.
"Me and Burning ant-"
"Burning ant and I", Burning ant corrected.
"Burning ant and I", Chief continued, "will keep an eye on the captures for now. Both of you get some rest".
Starved dog headed toward the tents without comment but Sherman stayed behind.
"Hey Chiefy" Sherman looked at the terrified bunch of future slaves, "you think I could have a go with one of em?"
"Fine", Chief agreed.
Sherman took a woman from the group. She was blond with deep blue eyes and a long neck.
She kicked and fought with tears in her eyes. "NO! Let me go! NO! Please!", She begged.
Sherman carried her away to somewhere more private.
(Please leave criticisms and critiques)