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The Military is the sole Imperium institution free from the jaws of the Religious Factions. The Trinitas Sanctums have tried to infiltrate the military order through funding wars, policies, and even political spies, but they have failed.
This comes down to two factors: the overwhelming number of plebeians within the order and the existing senatorial influence within the order.
With plebeians having a long grudge against the Trinitas sanctums and their gods, the Religious factions lack the means to let their corruption fester. The Imperator, the third most powerful individual in the Imperium, is chosen by the senate. This preestablished connection helps protect both the interests of the Senate and the Military from the Trinitas Sanctums.
With no wars left to fight, who will the Military turn to, and how will the actions ripple through the fragile landscape that is the Imperium religions?
Excerpt is drawn from 'Religion's Place In War' by Scholar Quinta.
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From the castra's balustrade, I overlooked the entirety of Black Hollow. It was a jagged landscape with nothing but snow-topped houses, pitch-black nights, and cold winter air. The ballroom lights reflected on the horizon, their yellow light phasing into the night to form a different kind of beauty. It was not the eye-catching kind but the kind of beauty that accentuated the simplest things nature had to offer.
I leaned even closer, the wails of drunk soldiers battled to match the soft orchestral music within the ballroom. Black Hollow masqueraded as a regular city while it was one of the four barracks within the Imperium. Built into the valleys of the Cyrran mountains, it was made to be easy to defend, a last refuge if it had to. It had once been a fortress for rebels, but the Imperium always had its way regardless. The cold air began to sting my lungs, lessening the experience; I had taken a long enough break from the party, so I went back in.
My vision blurred, the sudden change from darkness to light almost blinded me. The music was gentle and forced into the background; not too loud to distract people, but loud enough to mask their pretentious exchanges. My vision restored, my eyes met Nona's. A crowd had flocked around her like a dissimulation of birds, eating by her hand as she entertained them, a predator in its natural habitat,t it seemed.
I went to a secluded corner, and I found an empty table; on top of it was a glass of sparkling champagne from the Tiraxis Lowlands. I sipped and continued watching. The crowds mingling, their words were wielded and honed for subterfuge and bluffs. There were no discernible truths and lies, or so they thought.
Revelation drew out color from the ballroom, and in its place, blobs of grey and black settled. I moved to the seemingly familiar Flamen. His chasuble was stripped of its usual white and gold. The corner of his eyes wrinkled as he smiled when he saw me.
"How long has it been?" Flamen Marcus said, with genuine excitement in his voice.
"Not long enough."
I matched his smile. Thin black smoke silhouetted his body, while red streaks decorated where the black smoke did not. I pulled focus, ridding him of the black smoke and red streaks; then it was just the two of us in Revelation's gray-black world.
"I see Sol has been lighting your way,"
"I beg to differ."
"Then His words might change that, "He placed an arm on my shoulder.
"His words are wasted on me." I rolled his arm off my shoulder and stepped closer," What are you doing here?" I asked.
"My Lord saw it fit to serve the people of the Cyrran Marches. Spread his word and help where necessary," he responded.
"Like you helped me?"
Memories of the previous Cassian's time at the orphanage placed Flamen Marcus as the head of the orphanage: a bugger who sold children to nobles for favours, and I was the last commodity he sold before his surprise promotion. No longer a surprise now.
"First time I have seen you here," He said," the waves you are making back home and at the academy have served you well."
"You sound proud," I said.
"I am. It's not every day a child you raised from the gutters gets to become part of the Iūdicium. I attribute it to my early education."
I laughed. Revelation discerned Flamen Marcus thought his words to be his truth. The devilish smell of arrogance and pride wafted around, suspended in the air.
"I have some questions about Nighthold."
"Ask away, my child."
Before I could answer, a Palatine came to our table, and in a hushed tone she said,
"Your brother requests your presence at the main study."
She stood there waiting.
"Let's save the questions for later. It has been a pleasure," I said to Flamen Marcus.
" Lead the way," I said to the Palatine.
* -----*
The halls leading to the main study were hollow and devoid of beauty. It was not damned nor fear-inducing; they were bland and void of decorations fit for soldiers, not for the nobles who flooded the halls currently. A final turn left us at the door to the study. The palatine nodded and pushed the door open.
The room was blander than the halls. It had one long rectangular meeting table and a set of six brown chairs. Gauis was by the sole huge window, staring outside.
"Do I look sophisticated?" He asked. His voice carried the Atrius weight, " I do feel sophisticated like a noble scholar," Gaius continued.
"That would require reading a book, so I don't think so," I talked back.
"Humor is lost on you, Cassian,"
"That's my line," I took the seat at the tail of the table. I continued," Will it kill you to call me brother?"
Gaius finally steps away from the window and faces me. Gaius wore father's features just as well as he did; the strong jawline, the deep brown eyes, even father's Roman nose. The only difference was the inevitable aging that every man faced, and Gaius had thick, shoulder-length black hair.
"It actually will. I might choke and die a whore's death."
"What does a harlot's dying have to do with you?"
"They are the people known to choke on this mighty Dormanii cock," Gaius proceeds to cup his groin and break into a derogatory shake. He uncups his groin only to break into an obnoxious laugh. He finally recovers.
"It seems even camp humor is lost on you," Gaius said as he sat at the head of the table.
"So are your manners. And here I thought I was the commoner."
Gaius lost his playful facade faded, and he leaned on the table," Here we don't discriminate, that applies even to visitors. Act accordingly. Regardless, time among the soldiers has worn out my noble etiquette, and I find it amusing."
"What is amusing?"
The study door flung open- five newcomers entered the fray. They wore the red military uniform, and the stars on their epaulets meant they were centurions, just one rank below Gaius, who was a Praefect.
They saluted him before they sat.
Gaius stood; now he looked and behaved like an Atrius.
"Let's begin the meeting."
Everyone settled.
* -----*
A new soldier entered. She had a two-star epaulet and a stack of documents in her hand. She spread them around the table, handing a set of papers to everyone at the table. I looked at the rest of the table, waited to see what they would do.
Gaius cleared his voice," Authorized by the Imperator, I officiate Operation Solaria. Turn to the first page." The papers shuffled, and in a split second, we were at page one. Gaius continued,
"Military agents within the academy have reported the increased activities of the zionist and rebel groups within the academy walls. All members here are assigned to unit IX and are in charge of identifying and capturing suspected zoinists and rebels. This is part of the new campaign to rid the Imperium of those not compliant with the status quo once and for all."
"Is this a joint effort with the Custodes Aeternae?" the female centurion to my right asked.
"No. This is a sole military campaign backed by the Consuls and the Senate. The Imperator desires to end the war on terror during his reign, and we shall all see to it."
"Yes, Dominus," she responded.
"And for those wondering, the newcomer," Gaius pointed at me," is Cassian Valerian Atrius and will be taking point of the Operation within school grounds, and when they enter the Superatio. Agreed."
The room bellowed in agreement.
"Let's move on. Turn to page 7."
Page seven held sketches of Solmir and Darsius. I did not hide my smile. It had gotten interesting.
"The pretty one, I believe, is Darsius River, and the other is Solmir. Cassian will confirm. They are confirmed to be leaders of the rebels in the academy. Information on the zionists is still hazy, so we will first focus on the rebels and wait the zionists out."
The centurion next to Gaius spoke," You can liaise with my sleeper agent, Quintus Otho Nerva. He was assigned to Lucius Aelius Varro, but he was freed from the assignment."
"I am aware," I said, smiling, " Two questions. Zionists are mostly noble. What is the procedure for handling such people? The second question, what of Valedara's Crypt?"
Gaius matches my gaze," You have full operational autonomy within the academy based on the fact that you are a child of the Imperator, and two, you are in charge of the on-site operation; the rest of us are here just to ensure your work is done right. Basically, do as you please. About Valedara's Crypt. House Atrius owns the license to the Crypt. All relics and items found within the Crypt belong to House Atrius, and see to it that it remains that way. Satisfied?"
"Yes."
"Then it's done. You are promoted to the rank of Decanii. Your uniform and military card will be provided as you leave. The Imperator is eager for results, so let's deliver it to him. Meeting is adjourned."
The other centurions and I stood and saluted Gaius. They turned to me. They shook my hand and whispered a quick welcome, then left.
The room held just me and Gaius.
"Father is pleased by your recent antics, especially in recruiting Lucius. Great work. You may now leave."
I saluted Gaius and left.
* -----*
The palatine led me back to the hall. The music had died, and the crowd was leaving. I scanned for Flamen Marcus. He was not in the room. Questions unanswered, Nighthold, and my vague past had to wait until the exams were over, that is. I requested to be led back to my carriage, and the palatine did.
I found Nona comfortable, a glass of wine in balanced between her first two fingers.
"How is your reward?" I asked.
"Still not better than sex but I will take it."
I smiled back. A soldier knocked on the carriage door, I opened it. He handed me my red uniform witha card placed on top. He left as quickly as he came.
Nona, curious, asked," What's that?"
"Work. We have work to do."