Warf Rat III

The tavern was small dark and dirty. The smell of fermenting wine strong cheese and rotten fish dominated the rooms aroma. At a corner table sat a lonely inconspicuous figure who caressed a cup of cheap wine. He unlike the others in the tavern was a stranger to this area. The man had been assigned to investigate a theft ring which had been operating in the Roman port of Ostia. All his leads had lead him to this place where he waited and watched. His name was Sarius Fortunus Alarius, an Officer of Rome's Praetorian guard. He had thought that this assignment had been given to him as punishment for stepping on the toes of his superiors but to his surprise the more he investigated the more he realised the importance of his investigation. He had requested a contingent of 50 Praetorians be kept on standby should the need for force arise and had been granted his request. Two men entered from the street . One was tall and thin then other was of medium height and stature and has a distinct scar across his left cheek. Neither looked to be of Roman decent. They sat themselves down at a table across from Fortunus and spoke in whispers. Moments later a third man entered at sat down with them. This man was hunched over. He appeared to be Sicillian, or the native of one of the Mediterranean islands. They ordered from the waitress then began to discuss something. Fortunus strained his ears to listen in on their conversation.

Tall man: "My people are set for tonight".

Hunched man: "Good good.... and the manager?"

Scared man: "He will cooperate. Nothing will go wrong tonight."

Hunched man: "And the funds from the goods that have been sold are where?"

The tall man reached under his clothes and pulls out a leather pouch handing it to the hunched man who quickly snatched it. He says to the scared man "You'll get this and the rest tonight ."

The waitress returned and places three goblets of wine on the table and some bread and cheese. Waiting as the waitress moved away, the scared man said: "My ship is moored at the usual dock. We sail for Narbo Martius as soon as you are ready."

Tall man: "What is the target tonight?"

Hunched man: "We strike at the warehouses of a wealthy Roman aristocrat . This man has much which will aid our cause. I know for a certainty that there is an arms store among tonights loot as well as gold, fine wine, pottery and wheat ."

The tall man looked surprised: "You aren't serious? Surely someone will notice! "

Hunched man: "Yes, are you concerned? Anyone who has ever noticed has only ever done so once. Remember that and you'll go far".

Tall man: "Yes boss.".

The scared man raised his goblet of wine. " To the future of Rome" he snickered.

Laughing, they finished their meal and one by one they left, the tall man being the last. Fortunus was quick to follow. Later that night: Fortunus and another Praetorian watched in disbelief from the shadows behind some empty crates as about thirty men,some acting as armed watchmen, carried varying goods and loaded up carts in the light of the half moon and a few lit torches. The tall man who he had followed could be seen directing things just inside the warehouse's entrance. Fortunus whispered to the other Praetorian . "Go quickly. Bring the men. We must surround the area and arrest these villains before they take off with anymore of these goods."

Nodding the other man swiftly headed off to carry out the order. No sooner had the Praetorian gone than another sinister character entered into the scene that Fortunus had been watching. He recognised him immediately as the hunched man who he'd seen earlier that day. Now, however, he carried a short spear and appeared to have another weapon beneath his gray cloak. He looked over the progress the men were making . Grunting and banging the end of his spear against the ground, he said , "Faster Faster! We have not got all night!"

The tall man approached him. "Sir we have everything now . We are set to go".

He responded, "Excellent. You've exceeded even my expectations." Turning the the men who now stood awaiting the next command " Take this to the usual spot place."

The carts began to move out to their destination .

"No" Fortunus thought . "I must buy time". In a moment of desperation and lack of thought for self preservation Fortunus from the shadows shouted, " Halt! In the name of the Emperor and the Praetorian Guard I order you to halt!"

The mention to the feared Praetorian Guard brought an instant paralysis on the thieves. Moving out from the behind the crates Fortunus continued , "You are all under arrest for plotting against Rome and for theft. Return what you have stolen and beg for mercy"! There was a few moments of silence as the crooks all stared at this lone man who dared get in their way. Then they all burst into a round of uncontrolled laughter which reverberated through the quiet streets of Ostia. As the laughter subsided all men looked to the hunched man who Fortunus was sure was the 'Wharf Rat', the leader of this theft ring and other criminal activity in Ostia. He stood , supporting himself on his spear leering at Fortunus. Lick wipe. "Continue moving the loot to the ship....... and will someone kill this fool!"

Fortunus drew his sword and readied himself as six armed men raced towards him. The sound of steel begun to echo through the night air as the men attempted to dispose of this loyal Roman. Fortunus felled one man with a quick stab and twist into his unprotected belly and parried the blade of another. The last of the carts were disappearing into the night in the opposite direction the wharf rat going with them. CLANG , SWISH, CLANG ,SLASH ,THUD. Another man was cut down. Fortunus could hear the sound of feet marching toward him. Now he was tiring . The four remaining men had him trapped. He fought for his life with his back to the wall of the warehouse he had sought to protect. As he dealt with the blades of two men Fortunus failed to notice the sharp glistening swords tip which was violently thrust into his unprotected side. Stunned, Fortunus fell to his knees as a second blade pierced through his chest armor and found its way between his rib cage.

Now the world was ablure as many more figures surrounded him three more objects hit the ground beside him. Footsteps rushed off in the other direction. He could hear voices. Familiar voices. A man knelt by him. "Fortunus, sir , the carts where have they gone? Where is the wharf rat?" Fortunus coughed as he struggles to suck air into his lungs . Blood oozed out the sides of his trembling lips. "The ....cough, wheeze wheeze........ wharf. Ship sailing to..... cough ... Narbo Martius, cough .... supplies rebels with money. Must be sto ......." Fortunus draws his last breath . His eye's roll back in his head and his life expired.

Looking up to the men who stand around him the Praetorian says, "Fortunus is with the Gods now. May he rest." Then to his another Praetorian he says "Have a trireme dispatched to Narbo Martius to alert them of the criminals who at this moment sail to that port. And alert the higher authorities in Rome. Hurry!" "Yes sir". Another Praetorian comes forward . "We captured the man we pursued . We are confidant he will supply us with the needed information to destroy this theft ring."

"Good ,do what you must to end this. Make sure they pay for the loyal Roman blood that was shed this night"

Result of scenario: Theft ring in Ostia is destroyed. The army in Narbo Martius is alerted to the escaped criminals and await their arrival.

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By: Sarius Honorius Julianus
AD 29


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