Marcus stood over a large table upon it was a scattered mess of scrolls and reports around the table also stood several of the Primi Puli head officer of the Legion, in the center was laid out large map of the surrounding area and the last known movements of the Illyrians. the smell of candle smoke and burning oil filled the dimly lit study of the Villa which Marcus quickly took up as a acting headquarters for the legion. The men stood around each making various gestures as they talked in a murmur figuring out trivial facets such as where each cohort was to be encamped. Suddenly the door to the study opened and in walked a young man dressed in the uniform of a adiutor in his hand holding a scroll slightly shaking as it hanged by his side. The man stood there in attention silently as Marcus looked up from the table the other officers stepping aside as the legatus walked toward the man.
"What is it you'd like Adiutor?" Marcus said annoyed at the young man interrupting the meeting.
Giving a quick salute the adiutor stuttering over his words as he addressed Marcus. "Si- Sir, I bring word fr- fr-from Consul Sempronius." the man hesitantly handing over the scroll.
Snatching it from his hands Marcus quickly unrolled it looking over the text giving a small sigh. "Thank you, under normal stances soldier I would have you flogged for your Incompetence but now with this news i will need every able bodied man I can get." Marcus said as he opened the door of the study letting the man out. Turning back to his office his hands firmly clasping the scroll behind his back."Men, Word from the Consul has come along with it the newest report from our scouts, It appears that King Demetrius that dog has raised an army from the Illyrian tribes around 30,000 men strong intent on taking back Apollonia. I have no intent on giving him such a victory, the Senate has promised to send the aid of two legions to help in the defense and possibly a counter offensive, but I fear they will not arrive before the Illyrians arrive and begin their Siege. We are horridly undermanned for this assignment but we must hold this city at all costs go forth and rose your men, Gaius and Julius I want your men to be on constant guard outside the walls send a up a signal if any sign of an enemy force is seen." The legate said maintaining complete calmness and composure in the face of the dire straights he was in. 
quickly the men funneled out of the room leaving behind only Marcus and his personal adiutor. Retaking the place at the head of the map covered table he turned toward his assistant who stood silent through the whole ordeal. "I want you to post a edict for all the town to hear, all of its citizens are to gather at the forum by noon anyone not found there will be arrested for Treason." Marcus spoke in a harsh tone his brow furled as he planned the strategized the defense of Apollonia.
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The Next day Marcus Stood on a raised platform in the Forum the entire populace of Apollonia packed tightly into the square. The sun shining down on mass of People as the town watch struggled to keep the crowd in control. Walking up to the podium a small group of Princpes behind him Marcus Addressed the Populace.
"Patricians and Plebeians alike! I have gathered you here today to announce a state of emergency. Word has reached us that a large Illyrian force is marching toward Apollonia at this very moment." As these words were said a sudden wave of gasps and mumbling ran through the crowd with a few of the women crying out in horror. "Now Hear this! I Promise to you the people of Apollonia that I shall sooner see my forces massacred than lose this city! But in exchange for this goodwill I ask you to listen to me. I can only keep you safe if you follow my word to the letter. My current forces here are too few in number to properly defend this city and repel the attacking forces as such I ask you the citizens to help me. I order that every man young or old who is able to hold a spear or sword be conscripted temporarily into the city's garrison! Those who refuse or try to desert will be arrested and killed as an enemy of the state. You all know your duty the risks and the costs of Cowardliness and insubordination. All we can hope for now is the gods favour in this endeavor.”once again a wave of murmurs and whispers traveled through the crowd as Marcus stepped off the podium and the guards began to organize the crowd separating the women and children from the men who were fit to fight. within a hour or so the men were organized into a column and commanded to walk to the barracks of Apollonia where they each were given a spear and sword and began to be taught the basics of military organization.
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During the following weeks Marcus enacted several city projects mobilizing his men and the people of the city to fortify the cities defenses raising additional defensive walls and digging anti Sapper tunnels all in preparation for the on coming siege. supplies such as food and clothing from all over the city were commandeered and rationed out to each citizen encase of a prolonged siege.The militia Marcus raised was motley and under armed those who were too late in acquiring arms from the barracks were set to practice bearing nothing more than clubs and hatchets.
within days of the final shoring of the sapping tunnels off in the distance a black mass could be seen the shifting mass of Illyrian troops marching toward the city walls.
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Soon enough the Illyrian forces had arrived and began to gather their forces preparing to besiege the city. Sallying his forces Marcus prepared to launch a counterattack raiding the camps of the besiegers. as his forces gathered in the parade ground marcus rode up and down the lines preparing his men for the task which was about to come.
Mounted on a great black Giara he trotted to the front of the great mass of shining armour and spears rising above their heads like a small forest.
“Listen Romans! Today we fight for the glory of the republic! our odds are dire but we must hold out to the very last of us fall, until Consul Tiberius and the 1st and 2nd legions arrived to assist us in our defense. At our gates stand a mass of rabble and scum wishing for nothing more than the chance to ravage and terrorize this grand city taking with them all we have worked for. I shall sooner die than to see that happen! So I ask of you men to follow me into battle and possibly give your lives so Rome and her people may flourish! Centurions! prepare your men and begin to move out!”
Marcus yelled his words echoed by the centurions orders placing their men on a march through the city. as they moved a rousing cheer and the clink of metal spears and plates resounded through the whole city. The many columns of men began their slow methodical move to the gates of the city masses of wives and families cheering and throwing flowers as the men marches out the gates and through the improvised fortifications.
Marcus rode at the head of the lone snake of Roman troops know full well the dauntless task that was to follow.
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No sooner had the Romans formed their lines where they assaulted by a charge of Illyrian cavalry the men whooping and screaming as they pushed their chariots and horses onto the writhing mass of men. Marcus quickly let out a blow of his whistle as the lines of soldiers prepared for the attack quickly no sooner than the whistle heard was a black shower of pilums descending on the enemy cavalry, Marcus watched satisfied as horses and man alike fell to the javelins. He let out another whistle blow as the men quickly began to stand closer angling their spears ready for the attack of the remaining cavalry. but the cavalry began to retreat just as it was in yards of the infantry’s spear line.
“Damn whole thing was just a ruse for me to let loose our pilums!” Marcus mumbled to himself as the cavalry trotted back to the Illyrian lines. Moments after the cavalry had retaken it’s place a large mass of Illyrian Infantry began its approach to the front. as the infantry slowly made its way across the field a mass of arrows showered the Romans as they tried to lift their shields to block the volley. just as the volley of arrows had stopped Marcus once again blew his whistle this time the cavalry from the left flank sally forth prepared to charge the infantry approaching the front. Another whistle blow and the equestrians were galloping full speed toward the Illyrian formation. within minutes the equestrians had hit the infantry on its left flank before it had the chance to turn its direct. As the horsemen fought in a brutal melee the center line of Hastati began to march towards the mass of infantry.the Illyrians let loose another volley of arrows but the romans had enough foresight to raise their shields as they marched toward the enemy line.as the infantry hit the Illyrians a chaotic melee ensued the Illyrians futility attempted to run but were only left with two choices running right where they were surley to be assaulted once again by the Roman Equestrians or retreat back to their lines. The Illyrians quite intelligently choose the latter as they began to retreat back to the main Illyrian forces. The Roman infantry soon followed them stepping over the dead bodies of friend and foe alike. The cavalry had begun to return to its original position in the line fearing a advance from the Illyrian pikemen.
“Citizenry Forward!” Marcus yelled his words relayed down the lines as the motley mass of citizen move forward.”Velites forward!” the Velites too stepped through the lines pushing forward the citizenry ready to dispatch of any men who thought of deserting.The line of men stopped little less than a hundred yards from the Illyrian lines as the velites threw a mass of pilums descending upon the besiegers like a flock of birds. The Illyrian infantry stepped forth charging the writhing mass of citizenry as a chaotic and desperate melee ensued as the citizens attempted to hack and slash their way forward fearing retribution and punishment from marcus more than facing the enemy. As the citizenry line fell into chaos the velites continued their volleys one after another each time feeling many Illyrians.
then once again the Illyrian cavalry appeared from the rear of the besiegers line this time marching full speed upon the rows of velites and plebs. as the chariots and horses hit the javelin men and the militia marcus sat upon his horse his face unflinching as he watch his line begin to be cut down before him. he blew another whistle ordering the citizenry and velites in full retreat back to the roman lines. betting on the over zealousness of the Illyrians he once again set his front lines ready to take the full force of the charge. marcus assumption was correct the over excited and arrogant Illyrians charged following the retreating mob. as the last of the mob got behind the front line of infantry the cavalry hit. those who had braced themselves and their spears watch in awe as the Illyrian horses impaled themselves as their riders tried in vain to pull back the horse while those who had not were pushed to the ground in the massive wave of cavalry.
After a few minutes of melee the Illyrians had regrouped themselves and began to fall back to their lines. hundred of dead horses and men scattered the field as the Illyrians realized the futility of attempting another assault and began to go back to their encampment preferring to try and starve the Romans out of apollonia. The Romans too returned to the city where they were meet with great cheer by the people as they saw their saviors walk through the gates. what they did not see was the many dead and wounded bodies of the citizenry conscripts who gave their lives to give such a victory.
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Hail Consul Sempronius,
I hope this letter along with word of our victory against the Illyrian besiegers have reached you well. While we were not able to push the scum back away from Apollonia we did manage to stave them off and I believe they have no intention of raising a actual assault against the city’s walls anytime soon. I hope to see you in Apollonia soon along with your legions, their arrival will be well meet and shall be rejoiced reinvigorating the men after having to watch as the Illyrians sat unmolested outside our walls for so long.
godspeed to you and your men,
Legatus Marcus Cornelius Imperiosus