General Brown
Go Boston Sports!
please add more!!!!!!!!!
Hail Caesar
- Thread starter zeeterus
- Start date
I have a request, could someone put what he has written so far into a word file or some other form. And maybe put it on the main site. So people can read it without all of the other posts. I.E. the Heroic Epic section Padma was talking about. Plus I think more people would get a chance to read it, because I doubt many people ever come into this section of the forum.
I'm working on it, Moss.
I have many demands on my time, so sometimes the "Heroic Epics" sections gets short shrift.As soon as zeeter writes "The End", I will add it to the stack of stories I am preparing.
Agreed!!Originally posted by Moss321
Well hopefully he writes the end before I die of old age, or worse, he dies of old age.
Well, I occasionally visit Poly, and Gamecatcher, but I'm usually here.
IIRC, I am only registered w/this nick at one other site, but it's not Civ-related.(Oops, another site: the C3:C Beta Test forum.
)You know Zeeter, you have really crushed my career plans(at least for now) I used to think I was a 'great' writer, but now I think of myself as a stick in the mud.
Btw, what if Zeeter lives until 2024, but yet never comes back to finish his tale?
Wouldn't that be the dissapointment of the 21st century. OK, maybe not, but it would be up there.
Btw, what if Zeeter lives until 2024, but yet never comes back to finish his tale?
Wouldn't that be the dissapointment of the 21st century. OK, maybe not, but it would be up there.Death has a funny smell; one that cannot be described. The best description is that of burning, rotting meat. This description sadly understates it, though. This stench surrounded Antony now. Perhaps it is the knowledge of knowing that it is a human smell. Perhaps it is the fear of turning up that way himself.
Antony was reminded of Mozart's Mass in C minor. The sad, deliberate opening giving way to a moving, hopeful middle, and finally to a frenzied finale. This was the sad part. The bodies that surrounded him were Roman. Traitorous Roman, but Roman nontheless. Octavian gave him hope, though.
It was but a week ago that seven of Lepidus' ten captains came to Antony and Octavian to pledge their allegience to the youngest general. These were Caesar's men and their loyalty to the great leader was passed on to his adopted son.
The frenzied finale troubled Antony, though. Nobody knew what would become of Rome once their plan was hatched. It was a gamble, to say the least.
The senate was strong once again. Cicero saw to that. Information was leaked to the press (to Pius Greco, to be exact), damning each general and senator who dared to side against the Senate. Many of these generals were killed. Some were even burned at the stake. The senators were crucified. Those who killed themselves had their families killed. The crimes of these generals and senators were considered treason. They were replaced by men who were more sympathetic to the Roman cause.
Their first problem was solved, though. Antony looked at the faces of the dead. Some he knew. Many of the officers had served with Antony from time to time. Most were anonymous, though.
Antony headed to the command post. It had been hit several times by artillery shells. The roof was caved in and smoke could be seen billowing from the window openings. He stopped.
On the ground at Antony's feet was a flag. Brutus' flag, fallen from its post. Part of it was burned. Looking up, Antony moved more quickly. The door to the command post was blown away and inside Antony saw the horror.
Six bodies, burned beyond recognition. He searched for some insignia, some identification among the dead. Antony had to know for sure. There was too much devastation, though. The bodies were blackened.
His head down, Antony saw a flash from one of the bodies. He knelt beside the body and lifted the source of the reflection. It was the Roman Star.
Antony whispered softly. "You didn't know, Brutus. They betrayed you."
The General rose and looked for the Roman Star from Cassius' body. Removing it, Antony walked to the doorway of the command post and sat on the step, examining Rome's highest medal. Each showed the date of the last day of the Battle of Liza. Antony heard his company clerk coming up the hill towards him.
"General, I have sent word to Octavian of yur success here," the clerk said.
Antony did not look up. "My success," he mumbled. This idea troubled him. Antony's success was in the killing of thousands of Romans who fought for a cause that they did not understand. For the killing of a General who thought he was doing the right thing. "My success," he mumbled again.
"I beg your pardon, sir?" asked the clerk.
Antony still did not look up, but sat motionless. Finally he spoke to the clerk. "Get Cleopatra on the phone."
Antony was reminded of Mozart's Mass in C minor. The sad, deliberate opening giving way to a moving, hopeful middle, and finally to a frenzied finale. This was the sad part. The bodies that surrounded him were Roman. Traitorous Roman, but Roman nontheless. Octavian gave him hope, though.
It was but a week ago that seven of Lepidus' ten captains came to Antony and Octavian to pledge their allegience to the youngest general. These were Caesar's men and their loyalty to the great leader was passed on to his adopted son.
The frenzied finale troubled Antony, though. Nobody knew what would become of Rome once their plan was hatched. It was a gamble, to say the least.
The senate was strong once again. Cicero saw to that. Information was leaked to the press (to Pius Greco, to be exact), damning each general and senator who dared to side against the Senate. Many of these generals were killed. Some were even burned at the stake. The senators were crucified. Those who killed themselves had their families killed. The crimes of these generals and senators were considered treason. They were replaced by men who were more sympathetic to the Roman cause.
Their first problem was solved, though. Antony looked at the faces of the dead. Some he knew. Many of the officers had served with Antony from time to time. Most were anonymous, though.
Antony headed to the command post. It had been hit several times by artillery shells. The roof was caved in and smoke could be seen billowing from the window openings. He stopped.
On the ground at Antony's feet was a flag. Brutus' flag, fallen from its post. Part of it was burned. Looking up, Antony moved more quickly. The door to the command post was blown away and inside Antony saw the horror.
Six bodies, burned beyond recognition. He searched for some insignia, some identification among the dead. Antony had to know for sure. There was too much devastation, though. The bodies were blackened.
His head down, Antony saw a flash from one of the bodies. He knelt beside the body and lifted the source of the reflection. It was the Roman Star.
Antony whispered softly. "You didn't know, Brutus. They betrayed you."
The General rose and looked for the Roman Star from Cassius' body. Removing it, Antony walked to the doorway of the command post and sat on the step, examining Rome's highest medal. Each showed the date of the last day of the Battle of Liza. Antony heard his company clerk coming up the hill towards him.
"General, I have sent word to Octavian of yur success here," the clerk said.
Antony did not look up. "My success," he mumbled. This idea troubled him. Antony's success was in the killing of thousands of Romans who fought for a cause that they did not understand. For the killing of a General who thought he was doing the right thing. "My success," he mumbled again.
"I beg your pardon, sir?" asked the clerk.
Antony still did not look up, but sat motionless. Finally he spoke to the clerk. "Get Cleopatra on the phone."
ravensfire
Member of the Opposition
WOOHOO - He's back!
Hey man great story. I have only read the first few posts but the structure and plot is well developed. Its like a small book so its gonna take me a while to catch up to where u last posted but dont stop!! Kepp it up and trust me people are reading!
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It had been years since Atahualpa stood before Montezuma. Indeed, the Aztec leader thought he had seen the last of this coward. It was through his own ignorance and insecurity that the former Inca ruler was beaten.
Montezuma knew the tale well. Atahualpa's father was the greatest of the Inca kings. He built them from a small tribe into one that could match the Aztecs. Montezuma watched them from afar, waiting, for he knew of the Inca king's only weakness. His love for his sons, Atahualpa and Huascar.
Upon his death bed, the Inca king gave each of his sons an equal share of his kingdom. His hope was that the two young men would honor their father by ruler together, rather than separately. Montezuma knew better.
Huascar was younger and naive. His intention was indeed to rule in his father's image alongside his brother. The Inca people loved him, as they did his father.
Atahualpa was different. Fearing his brother's great approval rating he arranged for his imprisonment. This was what Montezuma was waiting for. During the confusion surrounding Huascar's disapearance he attacked his southern neighbors and decimated them.
Atahualpa's begged for his life and was spared; he was the only one who could truly rule the Inca people without them revolting every month or so. Montezuma never found Huascar.
Now, Atahualpa begged him again. This time, for money.
"The Americans live for wealth, and that is the one thing that we have," Atahualpa pleaded.
"Are you suggesting that we pay the Americans to prevent a war?" Montezuma couldn't believe that the Inca could be so dense.
"What else can we do? Just wait for the atomic weapons to land on us?"
"Or maybe we can use that money to build our own Atomic weapons...." Montezuma replied. "For decades we have spent all of our money on armies and not enough on making better weapons." He shot a look of disaproval at Hiawatha, who was standing nearby.
"Yes, and misguided as that was, it kept us from anihilation at the hands of the Romans and Americans. Now, though, they don't need an army, just a bomb," answered Atahualpa. "We must pay for our future survival."
"And what comes of us when the money runs out, Atahualpa? What do we give them then? Our virgins?" This was a low blow, and Montezuma knew it. While Atahualpa begged for his life years ago, he offered virgins to the Aztec ruler. Montezuma, being a devout family man, turned him down.
Atahualpa looked down sheepishly. "We could have a contract with Roosevelt. One that will ally us with them indefinately."
"Indefinately doesn't mean 'forever'," replied Montezuma. "The Americans are not stupid. They will take what they can with honor at first, but when we have nothing left to give they will destroy us. We cannot deal from weakness."
A voice came from the corner of the room. "Then deal from strength."
Montezuma didn't care to hear from Hiawatha at this time. "Haven't you found anything to occupy your time yet?" he asked the former Iroquois leader.
Hiawatha ignored him. "Hannibal has squatted in my territory. He is small, but growing fast. A quick strike will allow you to take over all of Iroquoisland."
This was subtle, Montezuma thought. "And I suppose that once I've taken over Iroquoisland we can hand it over to you so that you may rebuild your empire. Is that the plan?"
The former Iroquois leader looked at Montezuma sheepishly. Then his look changed to one of determination, then one of humility. "No. I have lost," he said.
For once, Montezuma looked at Hiawatha with more than disdain. During his reign he was an arrogant leader. Afterward, a revengeful one. Montezuma was sure that Hiawatha still had revenge on his mind, but he was finally thinking clearly.
"I have no transports, Hiawatha," the Aztec leader replied.
"My people can take care of that," said Atahualpa. "Give them something, though."
"Can you afford to lower the luxury taxes?" Hiawatha asked. "That may allow for these cities to grow faster and spur the economy a bit."
While Montezuma didn't particularly like being told how to run his country, he did realize that Hiawatha was right. "I may be able to work something out.
"Atahualpa, the southern cities will begin building transports. I will work out a formal peace proposal with the Americans once we attack the Carthaginians."
It had been years since Atahualpa stood before Montezuma. Indeed, the Aztec leader thought he had seen the last of this coward. It was through his own ignorance and insecurity that the former Inca ruler was beaten.
Montezuma knew the tale well. Atahualpa's father was the greatest of the Inca kings. He built them from a small tribe into one that could match the Aztecs. Montezuma watched them from afar, waiting, for he knew of the Inca king's only weakness. His love for his sons, Atahualpa and Huascar.
Upon his death bed, the Inca king gave each of his sons an equal share of his kingdom. His hope was that the two young men would honor their father by ruler together, rather than separately. Montezuma knew better.
Huascar was younger and naive. His intention was indeed to rule in his father's image alongside his brother. The Inca people loved him, as they did his father.
Atahualpa was different. Fearing his brother's great approval rating he arranged for his imprisonment. This was what Montezuma was waiting for. During the confusion surrounding Huascar's disapearance he attacked his southern neighbors and decimated them.
Atahualpa's begged for his life and was spared; he was the only one who could truly rule the Inca people without them revolting every month or so. Montezuma never found Huascar.
Now, Atahualpa begged him again. This time, for money.
"The Americans live for wealth, and that is the one thing that we have," Atahualpa pleaded.
"Are you suggesting that we pay the Americans to prevent a war?" Montezuma couldn't believe that the Inca could be so dense.
"What else can we do? Just wait for the atomic weapons to land on us?"
"Or maybe we can use that money to build our own Atomic weapons...." Montezuma replied. "For decades we have spent all of our money on armies and not enough on making better weapons." He shot a look of disaproval at Hiawatha, who was standing nearby.
"Yes, and misguided as that was, it kept us from anihilation at the hands of the Romans and Americans. Now, though, they don't need an army, just a bomb," answered Atahualpa. "We must pay for our future survival."
"And what comes of us when the money runs out, Atahualpa? What do we give them then? Our virgins?" This was a low blow, and Montezuma knew it. While Atahualpa begged for his life years ago, he offered virgins to the Aztec ruler. Montezuma, being a devout family man, turned him down.
Atahualpa looked down sheepishly. "We could have a contract with Roosevelt. One that will ally us with them indefinately."
"Indefinately doesn't mean 'forever'," replied Montezuma. "The Americans are not stupid. They will take what they can with honor at first, but when we have nothing left to give they will destroy us. We cannot deal from weakness."
A voice came from the corner of the room. "Then deal from strength."
Montezuma didn't care to hear from Hiawatha at this time. "Haven't you found anything to occupy your time yet?" he asked the former Iroquois leader.
Hiawatha ignored him. "Hannibal has squatted in my territory. He is small, but growing fast. A quick strike will allow you to take over all of Iroquoisland."
This was subtle, Montezuma thought. "And I suppose that once I've taken over Iroquoisland we can hand it over to you so that you may rebuild your empire. Is that the plan?"
The former Iroquois leader looked at Montezuma sheepishly. Then his look changed to one of determination, then one of humility. "No. I have lost," he said.
For once, Montezuma looked at Hiawatha with more than disdain. During his reign he was an arrogant leader. Afterward, a revengeful one. Montezuma was sure that Hiawatha still had revenge on his mind, but he was finally thinking clearly.
"I have no transports, Hiawatha," the Aztec leader replied.
"My people can take care of that," said Atahualpa. "Give them something, though."
"Can you afford to lower the luxury taxes?" Hiawatha asked. "That may allow for these cities to grow faster and spur the economy a bit."
While Montezuma didn't particularly like being told how to run his country, he did realize that Hiawatha was right. "I may be able to work something out.
"Atahualpa, the southern cities will begin building transports. I will work out a formal peace proposal with the Americans once we attack the Carthaginians."
Only one time in history had troops marched on Rome. Octavian remembered reading about it when he was a boy. Caesar became a hero to him and to all of the Roman Empire. No longer was Rome butt of the world's jokes. No more would they pay for their safety from the Iroquois and Aztecs. Caesar gave the Roman people pride and honor. The senate was ruined and existed only as a figurehead.
Cicero had changed this with the killing of Caesar. Brutus and Cassius were useful for a time, but when their usefulness became a threat he threw Antony against them. To cover his bases, he then threw a young and naive Octavian at Antony.
Octavian knew Cicero's game, now. He kept his rivals confused. Mussolini was next, he thought. While they all bickered it was Cicero who was still standing, with Octavian as his puppet emperor.
Lepidus, the inheritor of Caesar's armies, sat with him now. Nobody but Cicero had actually seen the document stating Lepidus' prize, but nobody would challenge the fact.
"It seems that I have no choice, Octavian."
"Lepidus, I am not condemning you. You fell under the spell of Brutus for a while, but Caesar always knew where your loyalties lay."
"They always fell to Rome, and Rome's leaders," replied Lepidus.
"You were there. You saw what they did to Caesar. You even tried to stop it. Are these the leaders that you are loyal to?"
"But Cicero was not there. You cannot accuse him of Caesar's murder."
Octavian looked away and stared off into the distance. "You let me worry about Cicero," he said.
"Octavian, my army..." Lepidus stopped and thought for a moment before correcting himself. "Caesar's army has pledged it's allegience to you. You do not need me to back you."
"No, Lepidus. I don't need you. But Rome does. Already Antony has placed a stake between us. What I fear most is that this feud between the Generals and the Senate becomes an all-out civil war. Without you, and a few other good men I cannot procede. Imagine how Rome would feel if I were to simply march on Rome and take over.
"That is why I need you to lead your army. I think that Antony hates the Senate more than he hates me. I beat him to Rome, and now he tries to ally with the Egyptians. He will not interfere on behalf of the Senate."
Octavian waited for the words he wanted to hear from Lepidus.
"I will lead my army against Rome, alongside your army."
Finally, Octavian thought. He had a true ally. One to give his leadership respectability.
"On one condition."
Uh-oh, thought Octavian. "What condition?"
"It is no secret that you will be the true emporer of Rome when we are done. Give me the Unfinished Isle."
"I cannot allow the Unfinished Isle to fall out of Roman control," answered Octavian.
"It will still be Roman, but with me as it's emporer."
Octavian thought for a moment. The people of the Unfinished Isle loved him. Even the few Iroquois and Aztec people that remained from the wars long ago. Any plot against him coming from these lands would be easily put down.
"I'll give you the Unfinished Isle, Lepidus. We will rule together." He held out his hand to the General.
"And Antony?" asked Lepidus.
"Antony has his own decisions to make. I don't know that I could keep the Northern Province from him. But he needs to show us where his loyalties are. I have sent my sister as an envoy to him. We'll give him a final chance at joining us."
Cicero had changed this with the killing of Caesar. Brutus and Cassius were useful for a time, but when their usefulness became a threat he threw Antony against them. To cover his bases, he then threw a young and naive Octavian at Antony.
Octavian knew Cicero's game, now. He kept his rivals confused. Mussolini was next, he thought. While they all bickered it was Cicero who was still standing, with Octavian as his puppet emperor.
Lepidus, the inheritor of Caesar's armies, sat with him now. Nobody but Cicero had actually seen the document stating Lepidus' prize, but nobody would challenge the fact.
"It seems that I have no choice, Octavian."
"Lepidus, I am not condemning you. You fell under the spell of Brutus for a while, but Caesar always knew where your loyalties lay."
"They always fell to Rome, and Rome's leaders," replied Lepidus.
"You were there. You saw what they did to Caesar. You even tried to stop it. Are these the leaders that you are loyal to?"
"But Cicero was not there. You cannot accuse him of Caesar's murder."
Octavian looked away and stared off into the distance. "You let me worry about Cicero," he said.
"Octavian, my army..." Lepidus stopped and thought for a moment before correcting himself. "Caesar's army has pledged it's allegience to you. You do not need me to back you."
"No, Lepidus. I don't need you. But Rome does. Already Antony has placed a stake between us. What I fear most is that this feud between the Generals and the Senate becomes an all-out civil war. Without you, and a few other good men I cannot procede. Imagine how Rome would feel if I were to simply march on Rome and take over.
"That is why I need you to lead your army. I think that Antony hates the Senate more than he hates me. I beat him to Rome, and now he tries to ally with the Egyptians. He will not interfere on behalf of the Senate."
Octavian waited for the words he wanted to hear from Lepidus.
"I will lead my army against Rome, alongside your army."
Finally, Octavian thought. He had a true ally. One to give his leadership respectability.
"On one condition."
Uh-oh, thought Octavian. "What condition?"
"It is no secret that you will be the true emporer of Rome when we are done. Give me the Unfinished Isle."
"I cannot allow the Unfinished Isle to fall out of Roman control," answered Octavian.
"It will still be Roman, but with me as it's emporer."
Octavian thought for a moment. The people of the Unfinished Isle loved him. Even the few Iroquois and Aztec people that remained from the wars long ago. Any plot against him coming from these lands would be easily put down.
"I'll give you the Unfinished Isle, Lepidus. We will rule together." He held out his hand to the General.
"And Antony?" asked Lepidus.
"Antony has his own decisions to make. I don't know that I could keep the Northern Province from him. But he needs to show us where his loyalties are. I have sent my sister as an envoy to him. We'll give him a final chance at joining us."
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