[b][color=ed1c24]Legion Border Along the I-15[/color][/b]

A rider rode hard against the burning heat of the noonday sun. His mount pushed to the brink of collapse and exhaustion as he whipped the beast incessantly, unwilling to allow even a moments delay to rest. He’d already lost one mount to heat stroke, and been forced to requisition another from a passing caravanner. His mission was singular and yet of utmost importance, and his objective was the solitary city of New Ravenna right at the border of Legion territory, a trading post that had grown significantly into a burgeoning trade hub since the Legion took over governance of it. Goods and wares from across the Legion’s empire passed through the city, bound for trade routes leading north into the Khanate, while traders from the Great Salt Lake and beyond plied their goods or continued south towards the rest of Legion held Utah. 

As the crimson clad rider reached the border, he was stopped by a Decanus Legionary stationed at a small watchtower that stood as a way-station right along the I-15. The rider nearly fell from his horse, exhausted and heat-stricken as he was from the non-stop ride. One of the Legionaries stationed at the tower brought him a brahmin skin water bag and the rider eagerly drunk from it, grateful to finally be able to slake his thirst and cool his cracked lips. After his drink, the rider passed the waterskin back and leaned in to whisper something in the guard’s ear. 

The Decanus’s eyes grew wide and he immediately issued orders to his Contubernia. The city must be warned. 

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[color=ed1c24][b]Office of the Military Governor of Northern Utah, New Ravenna [/b][/color]

“Are you sure of this?”

Gaius Tranquillus, the regional Military Governor sat uneasily in his seat as the news was relayed to him by a lone Prime Legionary from the watertower. 

“The Exploratore was quite clear sir. A force of the 80s have sacked Salt Lake City and destroyed it utterly, taking whatever slaves and plunder they could seize. Now they are making their way down the I-15 towards New Ravenna. They’ll be at our gates within days. Their intentions are unknown, but from what we’ve been able to gather, their being lead by a newly crowned Chieftain named Thunderfoot.”

Gaius sat back, he was a veteran soldier, once a Legionary serving under Caesar himself during the Campaigns in Colorado and Utah. He rose through the ranks quickly and attained the mantle of a Senior Centurion, before Lucius appointed him Military Governor of Northern Utah following his full conquest of the region. In all his years as a soldier however, he’d not quite faced a situation such as this. Despite his growing concern, Gaius knew he had to act quickly and decisively, otherwise he could find himself utterly overwhelmed. The forces he had at his disposal to meet the immediate threat were relatively minor, a two urban cohorts and a single cohort of border watch: a little less than a thousand Legionaries in total. 

“Send word immediately to the third Legion to march here with all possible speed. And tell Caesar of our plight. Then fortify the city and bring as much provisions for a siege as possible. We don’t have the manpower or the armaments currently to fight 80s on an open field. We must weather the storm as best we can. If these tribals intend to attack Caesar’s lands, they’ll find no easy conquest here. Legio Invicta!”

“Legio Invicta,” The Legionary replied with a sharp salute, “In Caesar’s name, it shall be done.”