The Will of the Senate - Senate Deliberations III

[econ21]

[NUMERIUS AUREOLUS]: My congratulations to the First Consul on his latest report. He has completely turned around the critical situation he inherited upon coming into office. The Seleucid invasion of Europe has been reversed - we are now invading Asia. Carthage has been dealt a succession of hammer blows and is surely doomed. Ptolemy has been stripped of some of its most wonderous and lucrative coastal provinces. Iberia has been deterred and Thrace can only lurk in the dark forests across the Danube.

Senators, I submit that our Republic has never been stronger. I salute the First Consul on his achievements and wish Marcellus Aemilius every success in his imminent battle against the Carthaginians, and the subsequent campaign of conquest.

[Dooz]

{Cornelius Saturninus}

I shall echo senator Aureolus' sentiments in congradulating Consul Aemilius with his apt handling of the dire situation he came into. The results speak for themselves, no doubt.

However, I am a bit worried about the last battle report we recieved from Marcellus. We lost too many men in my military opinion and I'm worried about further battles with the numerous Carthaginians on the horizon. It won't be easy, or cheap, reinforcing Afrika, and if we lose too many more men, our campaign there may end up all for nought. I fear the appointment of Marcellus Aemilius to such a crucial theatre in our military front may have been a mistake, whilst I was moving around giving speaches to a bunch of greeks and barbarians. Now, I don't want to excuse the Consul of any favor-giving, far from it, it just doesn't seem that Marcellus was the most qualified for the job. (OC: I say this in-character of course, referring to Marcellus' 1 star military stat. Has nothing to do with how the actual battle was carried out . Also of course has interesting in-character implications considering the 'family ties'.)

At any rate, these are only my concerns for the good of our Republic, I do not wish to insult anyone in particular. Only to see the success of our plans and have our nation prosper.

[GeneralHankerchief]

As you know Senator Saturnius, the Consul and I can hardly be considered family any more, so I doubt that this appointment was done due to family connections.

That said, the next battles should come easier. Mainly because the largest army in the theatre has just been taken out of action, and I now have experience fighting the Carthaginians.

I would next like to make a request to the Consul: If my purpose in Afrika is to destroy armies, then I would rather do it in the open field, perhaps on a bridge than sallying out of a fort.

(OOC: Marcellus did receive a trait increase after the battle and pretty soon he'll get Legate, so stars shouldn't be a problem).

[Lucjan]

UPS - You're complaining to the consul about having to sally forth from a fort to do battle? Carthage chose the venue of a siege. Or would you rather the consul had not allocated the funds necessary for a fort and given you the potential of being assaulted in the open by two Carthaginian armies rather than being besieged by one? An open field battle like that would have meant the total decimation of your legion. Not even you can contest such a thing Marcellus.

[Dooz]

{Cornelius Saturninus}

I seemed to have forgotten the troubles within the Aemilii family, my apologies. And perhaps I was being a bit too quick to judge, it was the first major battle against the Carthaginians, and a strong force at that outnumbering Marcellus. I'm sure the experience gained will come quickly and forcefully, and upcoming promotions will help with advisors and such rallying around the general. I just had a bout of doubt about our actions in Afrika, and seeing all those Carthaginians closing in. My best wishes to the two men leading our cause across the seas.


*edit*
I can hardly believe my ears! Word has reached me yet again about spectacular victories in Afrika under the leadership of our young Consul Marcellus. I believe we are bearing witness to a legend in the making, his battles within the last year already having gone down in the history books. My hearty congradulations and support for the wonderful work in Afrika, may the gods keep your strength up.

[GeneralHankerchief]

Another great Carthaginian city is in our possession. Hadrumentum is ours, and the price the Carthaginians paid probably finished them off. They have lost yet another army (I am told that the only significant force on the mainland now is the garrison of Hippo Reguis), as well as another general.

[Glaucus]

Well done. First Consul Servius, you amaze us all with your stunning victories on every front.