The Imperial Legate

By Ivan Masarin

In 2754 the Galactic Empire extends among the stars, dominating thousands of planets.
Nothing could resist the expansion of the human race, that submitted every new alien race met in the galaxy with the military force of its space Legions.
But a simple request for help sent by a frontier outpost hides a terrible threat: the invasion by an alien, unknown enemy. A new, strong race suddenly upsets the same Empire foundations by a massive attack.
Just when the situation seems desperate, Caio Aureliano Veridio, Legate of 83th Legion and Commander of Ares Star Base, decides to risk everything for a chance: he engages the enemy by launching an attack to the same aliens’ heart.
The survival of Earth’s Empire is now in one man’s sword: the Imperial Legate.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phasar Edizioni
• Release date: Apr 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9788863583007

Book preview

Chapter I

Year 2754.002.05

Planet Apricus IV. Solis system

First line of defense at the border

In decades of expansion in the space, Galactic Empire incorporated thousands of worlds. Increasing the number of planets under imperial Eagle, the problems of safety increased also for those at the borders. Apricus IV is a planet at the border and our history starts just here, in a little frontier outpost.

Hail Marcus.

Hail Antonio, what an ugly face this morning. What happens?

I would like to see you in my shoes. It’s three days that I’m here on watch and I must do other two days. I should never smile to Livia.

Did you smile to the daughter of Proconsul Cassio? In this case you are lucky of doing only five watches. Cassio is renowned of not being tender with people not respecting his daughter.

I know, but you should have seen how she looked at me. Bah, now it’s done and I don’t think that the advancement I was waiting for will arrive soon.

I think so. Go on, don’t think it anymore, you’ll see that thinks will go better.

At that moment a deadly, silent green light flash expanded from horizon till the armored outpost.

The two guards had only the time to look at each other quizzically before being vaporized.

In some instants the building disappeared and, at its place, there was only a cold and dead plain of grey sand.

Few hours later, in the Senatorial Palace of Apricus IV.

Medicius! Where are you, little insignificant man! at the Proconsul’s call, the shy consular secretary ran stressed.

Here I’m, Excellency, at your service.

Where’s the report I asked you? It must have been already on my desk.

Yes, Excellency. It’s here.

So, have I to wait still longtime or do you want to tell me something?

Yes, Excellency. This morning at 7:00 we lost every contact with outpost nr 3792 at the north of Urbis Lirica. Colonel Cortex of 4thcompany immediately sent a group of guards to check and…

Go on Medicius, come straight to the point. I don’t have all the day.

So, Excellency…there was no more the outpost.

What do you mean? It was desert? What has become of the two sentinels?

No, Excellency. I mean that the outpost doesn’t exist anymore. The guards referred that there is nothing. It’s as the outpost has never existed.

But this is not possible! How can a bunker disappear without leaving any trace?

At that moment an employee knocked at the heavy wood door of Proconsul’s office and opened it with a clear physical effort.

By gasping, he gave the Roman salute to Proconsul and told few words at secretary’s ears before going quickly away.

So Medicius. For the Gods! What’s happening?

Excellency…

The secretary stopped talking as he couldn’t know how to continue.

Excellency, the town of Urbis Lirica. It disappeared and at its place there is only the desert.

Proconsul sank down on the big leather armchair behind his desk and whispered:

I see. Send a message to New Earth: we need help.

Year 2754.002.06

Low Orbit Planet Glandis III. Nemus system

Star base Ares

The Empire, seen the big extent of its borders not still entirely reconciled, held its power on an uncontested military power of 193 legions. Every legion, led by an Imperial Legate, was situated on a Star Base of category Galaxi that are almost shocking regarding those of a little moon and with a fire power beyond any imagination. On every Base there were 5 cruisers of Star class with support and command tasks and led by just as many Imperial Tribunes. The legionaries of these crews were all excellent soldiers, genetically modified to be more resistant, stronger and faster and all of them proudly wore the distinctive signs of belonging to his own Legion. Space Gladio was a sort of not very long two-edged sword that was given to the legionary the day he swore allegiance and, accompanying him all his life, was broken and given to his family when he died. Together with Gladio, to the legionary was given a splendid armor drop-forged on planet Piro based on DNA of the legionary himself. These vestiges moulded with an alloy of titanium and adamantine made the man inside them almost unstoppable in battle.

Ares Base was one of the most commended Star Bases for its Commander and company’s courage and fealty.

Caio Aureliano Veridio, Legate of 83th Legion, just came back in his cabin after 18 hours spent on the bridge to direct personally the reconnaissance mission on Glandis III. Now he wanted to sleep a little and he left the command of Ares to his second officer, Tribune Sergio Tito Quintiliano, a man of few words but loyal and determined.

In the half-light and silence he tried not to think to the very bad result of reconnaissance mission. He has been acting as Imperial Legate for many years and there wasn’t anything that could shock him anymore, but every time he had a task of responsibility, he couldn’t delegate it, all had to be decided by him. This was not due to the fact that he thought to be better than his soldiers, he knew all one by one, he recruited them. The real reason was that he considered his subordinates as sons to protect and, in certain situations, from people boarded with him.

This was the case of Lucio Servilio Melzo, Emperor Praetorian. A man without talent aiming for becoming legate to lead a Legion, but whose mediocrity made him reject during the training. So, in order to insinuate himself in the senior Imperial military officials, he exploited all the connections of his rich family to be admitted as supervisor on a Star Base. Certainly his position couldn’t allow him to contradict the orders of an official and much less of the Legate, but the regular reports he sent to the Senate of New Earth could be very dangerous.

Aureliano was undressing his heavy armor when a ring came from the vox receiver near the metal cabin’s door.

The Legate made a face and pressed the bottom on the vox.

Legate, Commander Quintiliano requires your presence on the bridge.

It was the voice of communication personnel. It was strange that his second made call him in this formal way. There was only one answer to these questions. Troubles.

Few moments later the Legate came into Ares’ bridge. The 2 legionaries at door’s guard immediately stiffened themselves making the Roman salute and one of the two men cried:

Legate on the bridge!.

People there raised its eyes from screens only for few instants and then returned to observe the computers ruling the enormous space ship.

The Tribune immediately rose from the control chair and came close the Legate. With an imperceptible signal he made him see that the Praetorian was near the main screen.

Hail Legate, I’m sorry of having disturbed you, but we received some orders from the Senate of New Earth and the Praetorian Melzo wanted to be sure that we would immediately do them.

Don’t worry Tito, now I’m here. So Melzo? What is this thing so urgent that couldn’t be done by Tribune Quintiliano?

With slow and theatrical motions, the Praetorian moved to give place to the Legate who sat down on his chair.

Sir, absolute orders, we must abandon the orbit of Glandis III and immediately go on Apricus IV in order to investigate on some...

The Praetorian stopped a moment whispering, as he couldn’t know how to continue the phrase and then finished:

...not so clear facts.

The Legate stayed thoughtful for a moment. It was strange that that man acted in this compliant manner. In a usual situation he has not missed the opportunity to remind his title and powers.

"Could I know what’s going on in a more specific way?!

Neither New Earth people seem to know much more. What is certain is the fact that Apricus IV Proconsul asked urgently a support company for borders problems.

Borders problems...but doesn’t have a Proconsul an army that could face these situations?

The Praetorian didn’t lose time to express his opinions:

Legate, have I to remind you which is your task in these cases? It would be unpleasant if Senate of New Earth would know that you didn’t move in time to do Imperial orders. You know....

He did not have time to continue that Quintiliano suddenly stood up and sprang up on the lousy politician with all the weight of his assault armour and growling with red face:

How dare to speak to Emperor’s Legate in this way?

The Praetorian was shocked about Tribune’s courage. How dared that weak-minded soldier to threaten a Senate official? Certainly he couldn’t glass over it.

Legate told his second quietly:

Sit down, Tito, I’m sure that patrician Melzo didn’t want to be disrespectful regarding an Emperor’s representative, isn’t it Praetorian?

Commander’s voice was not so respectful, the politician got angry and, with gritted teeth, he made a bow saying:

Sure, Legate, certainly I wouldn’t doubt your rank. Anyway I believe that Senate will be curious to know the details of this mission, many people could be put in a good or bad light by a simple report, you know.

The little Praetorian really didn’t understand who he was dealing for.

Aurelian slowly stood up from control chair and looking to the politician from down upon he said:

Melzo, they are few weeks that you boarded on Ares, but I certainly know that you did everything to have this charge. Let me explain you a simple thing. We are not on New Earth here, space ship Ares is war star base and was given me by Emperor himself and not by Senate that you seem love very much. We do not make politics, we leave it to people like you. We execute orders, otherwise people dies. Every given order, it must be executed. All 4657 people actually under my control took an oath. Do you what an oath involves, Praetorian?.

After having told that, he didn’t wait any answer and turned his backs, an action considered extreme contempt. He told Tribune:

Tito, take the control. I want that the companies still on Glandis III surface will come back within an hour. As soon as all the people would be aboard lay up for Apricus IV.

Then, looking the Praetorian, said:

I recommend Tito, don’t lose a minute; certainly we don’t want that Melzo could get annoyed.

Then he left the bridge and went to his cabin, at last.

Quintiliano immediately sat down on the chair just left by his Commander and started to give orders everywhere. All the people were in ferment for immediate departure. Alone, in a corner, Lucio Servilio Melzo, Praetorian of Imperial Senate, felt furious for the humiliation suffered and swore by him that someone would have paid for it.

Chapter II

Year 2754.002.12

Planet Apricus IV. Solis system

Hangar nr 2 Ares stern section

The enormous size of Ares with its extended shape, the bigger main hull and the smaller lateral ones called gondola, made it perfect to lodge 5 recovery hangars for assault means. Here 2 legionaries discussed to each other.

And so he has the courage to threaten the Legate?.

Yes, I was there for my radar watch keeping. Melzo said that, if we wouldn’t immediately move, he would have made a report to Senate.

And Quintiliano?

But you don’t hear me…the Tribune scolded Melzo for his adversary tone and the Legate intervened to put back that politician in his place.

At that moment a very big figure appeared from semi-darkness. He towered over them at least of 2 feet with his height.

What happens here Legionaries? said Giulio Bruto Scario, Titan Centurion, with resolute tone.

Immediately the 2 legionaries snapped to attention making Roman salute.

Hail Centurion! We are preparing the Thunder for disembarking on the planet.

Well, finish checking the battleship and limiting your words.

So saying, the Centurion moved away and the 2 legionaries silently thank that everything went so good for them. Titans were the elite unit of the Legion. Their size, their reinforced armor and the unexpected power in the battle made them soldiers able to face every enemy.

Not far from there, this scene didn’t escape to the attentive eye of another figure coming next to the enormous Centurion.

Well done. Now do you drop in on your subordinates?

This was Sergio Valerio Valenziano’s voice, first assault Centurion.

Do you know Valerio that I didn’t want to scold those 2 legionaries, but no one can foretell who is hearing. It’s better that everyone takes his opinions for himself.

I know Bruto you are right, but don’t tell that a politician speaking with these terms of threaten to someone of us here on Ares doesn’t bother you.

To tell you the truth I believe that the Praetorian would be lucky.

Why?

Because I was not on the bridge when this discussion took place.

Now I recognize you, my dear brute.

In the meantime on the bridge…

Lucio Servilio Melzo came into the bridge furiously and went immediately to the control place. The Legate was engaged with communication Legionary. Seeing the Praetorian arriving running with an air of challenge, he stopped him with a movement of his hand. Some instants later he dismissed the legionary and turned towards the man waiting there.

Legate, they are 6 hours we entered into Apricus IV orbit. Why haven’t we already got off? The situation on earth could be serious.

Be quiet, Melzo. There’s a reason if I haven’t already given the order for disembarkation.

Then I would like to know this reason because the order was to give immediate support to Proconsul Cassio.

I don’t need anyone to remind me the orders.

Turning toward communication personnel he said:

Then Quinto? Any answer?.

Nothing, Sir. Any answer from the planet.

Have you tried all Imperial frequencies?

Yes, Sir, I tried everything but it’s strange. It seems as there isn’t any communication on the entire planet. The only sign I can receive is the emergency radio beacon of Senatorial Palace.

Melzo intervened by asking:

What does it mean? It’s not possible that there aren’t communications. Board equipment could be broken.

The Legionary answered:

Any mistake or malfunction, Sir. I personally controlled board diagnosis. All perfectly works.

At this point the Praetorian spoke directly to Commander:

We must intervene immediately. Send someone to check.

We are almost ready, we cannot go downhill without having any idea of what we expect to find, so I sent some reconnaissance aircraft to check planet surface. They must be here in few minutes.

At this moment the Praetorian stepped aside and waited events carrying on with impatience.

After few minutes, from vox channel, reconnaissance aircraft’ team leader’s report arrived.

Planet surface didn’t show any trace of battle or armed raid, indeed of nothing.

There wasn’t anything where maps indicated the position of Urbis Lirica. Only a grey dust desert that had not to be there.

While Aureliano thought about reconnaissance report, Melzo asked him, this time without the usual superiority tone:

Sir, what we do? We must contact Proconsul.

"Radio beacon of Senatorial Palace still works. This means that there’s still someone there. Tito, I want the Temeritas armed and ready to take off. Please call Claudio Cornelio Virilis and advise him that today