Galerius Vatinius hands a young boy a message.

"Yes, ride on ahead and take this to Rome. Those damned senators would perhaps rather have me dead, but I want them to get the report of my victory even before I arrive there myself."

The boy gallops ahead, full speed towards Rome.

The message reads:

Lucania, Summer 259 B.C.
"Greetings, my beloved senators. I thought perhaps you should be informed of my adventure this beautiful summer day. As I was already on my way to Rome, I was given command of two cohorts of regional infantry by Consul Aemilius to bring up as reinforcements. Along the way, we recieved news of a small rebel force having assembled near the border of Campania, threatening a little village in the area. I was given the order to attack."


"My first battle. Standing against me, the suicidal Captain Herennius had gathered up a small force of rebellious Samnites from the area and awaited our attack."


"As I rode towards the soon-to-be-dead rebel scum, Mount Vesuvius bellowed out smoke almost in anticipation for the battle ahead."


"We approached to within 10 meters of the enemy. They dared not move. I ordered the swordmen on the right flank to release their pila into the sides of the men ahead."


"Immediately after those were depleted, I ordered the spearmen in the center to charge, as I rode forward on the left flank and the swordmen advanced on the right to get behind Herrenius' force."


"I ordered a charge by the swordmen into the rear/left flank of the enemy. I watched on as the Samnites were enveloped.


"I was feeling a bit ill this day, so I waited a little while till their numbers were thinner before I lead the decisive charge into the exposed rebel rear/right flank."


"Captain Herennius was immediately killed, and the remaining Samnites fought to their bloody deaths as they were surrounded with nowhere to run. The men cheered after the destruction of the enemy under my leadership."


"I will be with you by the Autumn, senators. I see Senator Servius has been sent away to fetch the legionary standard somewhere... how fortunate, just before my arrival."