I have been reading a trilogy I recently found at a used book store, and it got me thinking about these stories. The books are Procurator, New Barbarians, and Cry Republic by Krik Mitchell, and they are about a Roman Empire that survived to modern times in an alternate universe. Interesting books, but they got me thinking about these stories, and I have to say, I think that this set of stories conveyed the background and "feeling" of a modern Rome just as well as the books I've been reading, if not better.
To bad you stopped writing them.
Kurt
Kurt, I have read those books also. The only problem I had with the series was the unsatisfying end to Cry Republic. It felt like the author just got tired of the subject and stopped it suddenly to move on to something else.
And thank you for your compliment in my portrayal of a space-faring Roma. I have put my very best effort into trying to make them seem as if they were real. As for the Test of Wills stuff, I never stopped writing the stories, I just stopped posting it on Aurora. The reason why is it seemed there was no feedback or interest anymore, so I stopped. I have actually finished A Test of Wills: A Time of Fire, it came in a little over 194K words and 373 pages, and am now working on A Test of Wills: The Time of Blood. Below is a segment from the new story:
Terra, Homeworld of the Roman Republic
Casca stormed up the stone steps and entered the building housing the Roman government, an assembly of Senator’s and the leaders of the five hundred largest factions on Terra. It was an ancient and stratified mode of government, which had served well in the past but its own view of enlightened self-interest had proven to be its downfall in this matter. Casca could only hope it wasn’t a literal downfall which awaited them all.
“Honored Senators,” the Pro-Praetor of the Senate had all ready begun as Casca took his seat near the front of the chamber, his personal wealth and head of the military giving him a huge influence. “The Denevans have begun their assault on Africa Proconsularis.”
The room erupted in a muffled roar of exclamation and accusation. Casca merely sat still and said nothing. He’d seen this coming and was grateful his military commanders had too.
“We have planned for this!” The Pro-Praetor yelled over the forum. “All ready our Classis is fighting them in Africa Proconsularis, they are holding them steady and preparing to counterattack!”
The door at the back of the forum burst open and an exhausted aide staggered forward, it looked like he had run across the whole city though in truth it had just been the neighboring building. He ran up to Casca and said breathlessly, “The Denevans…” he gasped. “They’re across the border!”
He received a number of superior looks from the assembled Senators. “Yes, we know.” One of them said with a syrupy-sweet voice. “We are fighting them at Africa Proconsularis.”
“Africa Proconsularis?” the man winced. “No, they’re over the border at Baetica!”
“You should get your facts straight.” The Pro-Praetor began but was interrupted by Casca standing up.
“What have you heard about Baetica? Speak quickly.”
“A Denevan fleet crossed the border a couple of hours ago, we had next to nothing in the system, our guard fleets all went to Africa Proconsularis.” He relayed his story. “We received a distress signal and some sensor information, then it all went black.”
The room was suddenly completely silent; with Baetica gone the Denevans had a clear path to Noricum Ripense, the Capitol of the Europan Prefecture itself. Disturbing as that was it was even more worrying to the assembled leaders because virtually the entire Classis Basilikos was at Africa Proconsularis getting pinned down by a feint attack.
“They tricked us.” Casca shook his head. “It was all an elaborate bluff.”
“No.” The Pro-Praetor said forcefully. “It isn’t a trick, intelligence confirms the attack on Africa Proconsularis is being led by Fleet-Lord Tera’Kah himself! It must be the real attack!”
“It’s a bluff.” Casca repeated.
“They wouldn’t have their best commander lead a feint!”
Casca spun on the Pro-Praetor with a snarl. “Well they just did! They probably sent their best because they knew it would make the trap juicier for us, and we wandered right into it!”
“But Tera’Kah…”
“He is a Fleet-Lord and obeys his orders, by Mars’ bloody balls I bet he probably came up with the plan!” Casca grimaced. “By Iuppiter, we’ve been outsmarted on this one.”
“We need the Classis Basilikos to retreat back to Noricum Ripense.” The Imperator announced.
“And abandon Africa Proconsularis?” a Senator shouted. “My Gens has major holdings on Africa Proconsularis, it must be defended!”
“Not at the expense of Noricum Ripense and the Europan Prefecture.” The Pro-Praetor’s sense of self-preservation kicked in. “Get the ships back!”
“It isn’t that easy.” Casca found himself remaining calm and easily accepting the unfolding disaster. “The Classis has to disengage itself from the Denevans first, if they run they’ll be cut to pieces.”
“Well they need to get back to Noricum, if Europa falls, we’re helpless!” The Pro-Praetor yelled.
“If I were you Pro-Praetor, I’d get my affairs in order.” Casca looked at him and the now eerily silent Senatorial Forum. He had the right to tell them all he had predicted this and more preparations should have been taken to defend themselves, but it was pointless now and far too late. “And perhaps say a prayer to the Gods that you die in the bombardment and not the invasion itself.”
Cheers, Þórgrímr