Iron Age of HAS

Chapter 1: the Defiance of Sicily

From his hill, General Carolus Puniceis scanned the opposing force, two Equestrian manipular legions stood on the opposing hillside.

A messenger approached on horse back, “Sir, our allies from Syracuse have been engaged by a third Equestrian Legion. Also, the Mother Empress wanted me to remind you, that under no circumstances are you to fall in battle or be captured, and that you are to immediately return to her tent if the battle turns south.”

“Very well.” Carolus replied, and mentally cursed the Mother Empress for choosing to fight in the field, rather then chance a siege (she didn’t want to see her last, and most loyal, subjects endure a siege on her account). He returned to analyzing the enemy formations, they may have stolen the manipular system from Rome (which admittedly  had been stolen from the Samnites) but they hadn’t exactly mastered them, he saw many opportunities for his men.

Another thing of note, was that physically humans where superior, man to stallion he was sure his Hastati could go toe to toe with the opposition’s Triarii. Their only real advantage, was number and to a lesser extent skirmishing (they could levitate their javelins back to them after throwing).

By this time the opening skirmishing had commenced, his Velites unleashed their volleys, then quickly retreated to avoid the enemies continued barrage.

He shouted the attack order, and was immediately drowned out by the war horn blasting out the order to advance. Immediately his Hastati rushed forth driving the enemy skirmishers back, and slamming into the enemy Hastati, while his Princepes followed close behind, ready to reinforce if needed. From his vantage spot up on the hill he could see that his superior infantry was shredding the enemy.

He frowned, Ponies where cowards by nature, there was no way that they would go for a head on assault with only a 2:1 numerical advantage. His suspicion was confirmed when his advisor, Mark Monotone, rode up and announced, “The enemies reinforcements have arrived.”

Carolus looked to his eastern flank and noticed as the enemy Velites crested the ridge. “Fucking Greeks! It’s bad enough that their colonies keep provoking caused 90% of the Mediterranean’s problems, but now they can’t even fight stupid equines!” He remarked, assuming that this was the third legion, which had engaged the Syracusans. “Triarii hold Square, and be ready for any further surprises! Equites on me!” He ordered and  spurred his horse towards the new army. “Onwards Defiant!” He exclaimed as he unsheathed his sword. Yes his horse was named Defiant…

Meanwhile in the Rhodian Senate Building (Formally the court of the King of Rhodes)

Jett, Tyrant of Rhodes, marched towards the senate room. Their was a state trial today, and that would likely occupy time whilst his servants prepared his ship.

He entered the room and took his seat in the throne, to his left the bench of Philanthropists (his die hard supporters), to his right the elected Senate of Rhodes, before him in chains stood the accused. “This family has been accused of harbouring ponies in their homes, on Rhodian soil. They will have a few minutes to defend their actions.” He said and examined the paper listing the evidence against the pair.

“The ponies seem like nice barbarians, and we didn’t want to see them killed by your men.” The man explained.

Jett frowned, “Says here that my men found 800 Equestrian gold bits in your possession upon your arrest.”

The man seemed to have realized that he was backed into a corner, and began stammering, “b-But… y-you-no!”

“This blabbering idiot is an insult to the people of Rhodes, guilty!” Jett condemn, and one of his shield bearers silenced the insolent fool with a spear thrust. “Woman! Perhaps you can speak where your husband failed!”

“The Equestrians will rule us! They have a god as their ruler, we are mere mortals, we would be wise to be on their good side!” The woman chose the wrong line of thought.

“WE ARE RHODIANS! We are Greek! Our ancestors hailed from Athens, Sparta, and Crete! When Xerxes, god and man as one, lead his infinite armies into Hellas itself our ancestors fought and won! We are to do the same, and drive those foul beasts back into the hole from which they came!” He bellowed, eliciting a roar of applause. “Guilty, kill her, then hang the bodies from the Colossus, let the world see what we do to misanthropes!” With that, Jett left for the dockyard., where he boarded his ship and set sail west.

Carolus staggered across the battlefield. Falling off his horse in the middle of a pitched battle… Not fun, not fun at all.  The hill, which he had deployed his men on, was soaked with blood, a pyric victory indeed. He did eventually find his horse, “Good boy Defiant, good boy.” He said as he approached. The horse gave an unnaturally high-pitched whinny in response. When Carolus looked for a reason, he noticed a wound right where… “Uh… Good girl?” He said then climbed into his saddle. He rode around the battlefield, and gathered up his remaining forces to march back home to Sicilia, last city of Rome. He lead his men through the city gates, past the vigiles and other token forces that had been left to garrison the city. Once he got his men back to the barracks he rode hard for the palace.

He sent his horse the stable to get patched up, and made his way through the palace. He found Mother Empress Michaele Capra in her quarters. “Mother Empress, I would like to report a victory.”

“OH THAT’S WONDERFUL!” She exclaimed and hugged him. “What where the casualties?”

Carolus thought for a way to not make it sound hopeless, “We have only ten Maniples left…” Yeah there was no way to put it to make it sound good…

She took a few steps back. “Well I was prepared for such a thing. In fact, I have a plan for it.” She said. She in to a back room, and returned with a child, couldn’t be more then 3. “This is my daughter, my successor, and as long as she is free, Sicilia is free. I want you to take her, keep her safe, unite the splintered factions of humanity, then return, and take Rome back.”

“And you?” he questioned.

“I’ll make do, now there is a ship from Rhodes waiting for you at the royal dock.” She said and turned to her window. She waited until he left, then sat on her bed and watched the sea until a lone Greek vessel headed east wards past over the horizon.

Yes this is basically Roman mass effect 3.

Next chapter will feature celts!