Would it work? Perhaps, eventually. The problem would most likely be that the flywheel would have to keep everything going when the steam was not pushing. It would have to be fairly heavy, which meant that the steam would have to give a firm push. That meant the steam would have to have a high pressure. The biggest danger was the whole contraption coming apart at the seams. Facing an enemy with a sword was one thing. You could see what was coming, and if you had enough skill you could parry it. If he was better, then you died, and that was how things were meant to be, an incentive to be better. But steam was different. First, nothing, then an explosion, and the most terrible agonizing wounds that eventually went septic and the victim died. Gaius shuddered at the thought. He made a promise to himself; when this machine was started up, he would be at a safe distance.
Thoughts of assembling all his bits had to wait, however, as a message came from Rome:
Gaius Claudius Scaevola.
Greetings!
Thanks to your advice, the legions' loyalty, and I rather suspect your special efforts, I remain Princeps. Like you, your legion, the XIth, requires a name. Inform them that for their special loyalty, I award them the right to be termed Legio XI Claudia pia fidelis. The seventh has been similarly rewarded. Inform them also that I have decided to reward a loyal supporter by appointing him Legatus of the Claudia, and accordingly your command ceases on receipt of these orders.
I take your point on the need for summer action. My attention has been drawn towards Britain. You will recall that Cunobelinus of the Catuvellauni expelled one of his three sons, Adminius, who subsequently surrendered to Gaius Caesar. The Atrebates have now expelled Verica, who has sought refuge with Rome, and it is believed that Caratacus of the Catuvellauni, who has a distinctly anti-Roman outlook, was responsible. It therefore seems that the Catuvellauni are moving to unite Britain and take over those tribes loyal to Rome. As you are aware, it was the divine Augustus' policy to ensure that barbarian tribes on our borders were continually at war with each other, or very strongly allied to Rome. Because of a possible threat to our Lower Rhine and Gallic provinces, and because of trade, particularly in tin and silver, action is required.
I have informed the Senate for the People of Rome that I have decided to invade Britain. Accordingly, I need commanders for the invasion. In return for the loyal support of the legions in your region during my recent problems, I have appointed Aulus Plautius as overall commander of the invasion in my absence. I have chosen him because I also feel he will make, at a later time, a Governor I can trust. At a critical time, I also intend to take the field myself. I have appointed Titus Flavius Vespasianus as Legatus of Legio II Augusta. He has sworn loyalty, and he was particularly efficient at rooting out opponents under Gaius Caesar. I am partly rewarding him, and partly ensuring he is properly occupied. I understand he is also a distant relation of yours through marriage, namely through Lucilla's husband.
I also need commanders with some concept of strategy. Accordingly, you, Gaius Claudius Scaevola, are hereby ordered by the Senate for the People of Rome to make all speed to Novaesium, and thereupon take command of Legio XX, Valeria. Then, you will march to Portus Itius to join with the other legions, and thence under the orders of Plautius, and later under my orders, carry out those actions as required to bring the Britons under the direct control of Rome.
I also recognize that you have been carrying out forest exercises. Since Britain is highly forested, you may wish to take some senior officers. These may be exchanged with those in the Valeria, but you should let me know whom you choose.
At the same time, keep me informed of everything that happens. When I take the field, I shall need every piece of advice I can trust, and the loyalty of every soldier that will give it. Be aware that I need every piece of help you can give me. I shall thank you appropriately for your help in due course.
Tiberius Claudius Drusus,
Princeps.
Gaius stared at this in amazement; it was a further confirmation of the prophecy. Athene had told him he would command the most loyal of legions, and his legion had been named Claudia pia fidelis. That was too strange to be an accidental coincidence, or a lucky guess. That only made sense if Athene had seen the future, which in turn meant. . What? He would succeed with his engine, which would make no difference to anybody except himself?
That was possible, in as much as Hero's engine was nothing better than a toy, but his. . Surely it could be made bigger?
But not in the immediate future. He had clear orders to take command of a legion that would be part of an invasion. Conquest! It was then that he remembered a discussion with Timothy: what right did Rome have to invade other lands? He recalled his own response: whether it was right or wrong, it did no good for a soldier to refuse orders for the invasion would go ahead, with or without him. Then he recalled both Timothy and Rebecca: a soldier had to fight, but it was what he did after the fighting was over that would make the difference. Under his command there would be no rape or pillage, or else. That may not justify the invasion, but it was still better that he was a Legate than somebody else.
There would be plenty of forest fighting in Britain, he realized. He was now very grateful that he was allowed to take some of his best Tribunes and Centurions. Those exercises had not been a waste of time. Lucius Matius might be a little disappointed, because he would have expected his next move would be to advance his career, but he was the most promising Tribune, so he needed him. In any case, if Athene, or whoever she was, had told the truth it may not take Lucius that long to get a legion.
He must call together the men he would take, gauge their reactions, and prepare to move. He must also write and thank Claudius, and give him his timetable. He intended to move very quickly. With a new legion, every day before winter set in would be valuable for carrying out exercises, and he had no intention of wasting a day. The Valeria would get a wake-up call very soon.
Chapter 18
Once again, Gaius thought to himself, he was approaching his new command with a small group of soldiers who were escorting a cart with his belongings. Once again it was fall, the leaves were a striking golden brown in the evening sun, there was a major river nearby, but this time there were no barbarian raiders. They had previously crossed a small river and had followed it downstream on its northwest bank, and now the legionary camp could be seen directly ahead. A little to the left there was a small hill. Gaius rode back towards Timothy, who was driving the cart, and told him to take the cart into the camp, together with the ordinary soldiers. He would take the Tribunes with him, together with the Prime Centurion of the first cohort, and he would go to the top of the hill to view his new command. When he, Timothy, arrived in the camp, he was not to let on that their new commander was on the hill, but rather inform them that he was following some distance behind. Timothy nodded, and set the cart off at a rather slow canter towards the camp to the northeast.
Meanwhile, Gaius' party rode promptly around the back of the hill before making the ascent. They reached the top, then scanned the scene below. The scene was very peaceful in the autumnal sun, which was probably just as well, Gaius thought to himself, for the last thing he needed right now, with an invasion of Britain coming up, was a war with the Germans. To the northeast, the camp looked very secure as it was situated on a terrace that was highly suitable for defensive purposes, and just to the south of it, the small river he had been following provided a natural defence as it joined the Rhine. The camp looked orderly enough, but there were no signs of squads exercising or returning from exercise. There was no sign of a squad undergoing fatigues, and while this might mean the discipline was perfect, more likely it meant that discipline was not being imposed very rigorously. That would change!