As the old General sat and pondered the history of his particular legion of the Imperial Roman Army of ACC, his mind turned to past battles won and past battles lost. The famous northern campaigns against the hordes of Groningites, the now infamous invasions of Britannia as well as the countless rearguard actions fought some of them in vain but everyone etched upon his memory. The famous fourth legion was no more, usurped by a group of interlopers under the command of the new upstart Abidus Malikus. The old general MacDonaldus had been commanded by Guido Ceasar to form a fifth legion from the remains of the old fourth legion but all that was left was old men and young boys.

The campaign of 2010 was difficult because the fifth legion was forced to fight alongside the new fourth legion, an unseasy peace had developed between the fourth legion and the fifth legion but the General knew it would not last and sooner or later the uneasy peace would falter and the fourth and fifth legions would be forced to do battle. All things were leading up to this. The fourth legion had amassed six victories while the general’s own fifth legion had aquitted themselves well with five victories. All the while the general’s eye had been on the new soldier from the far away land of the World Cup. Paulus Leibius Bergus was his name and while his skill with the bolus projectile left a great deal to be desired, the General had noted that his skill with the sword showed great promise.

As the fifth legion prepared to do battle with the Red & White legions from Harlem the General called Paulus Liebius Bergus to his tent.

“Paulus” said the General “I need a new Centurion, and I think it can be you!”

“I am honoured sire” replied Paulus nervously “but what about Robertus Wolfus?”

“Robertus Wolfus is an old Centurion, concerned more with his scribblings than the legion. Even his own brother plots against him, besides the legion needs a new dynamic hero” the General continued.

“Command me sire and I will obey” implored the young soldier.

“Today, you will become Centurion” the General replied. “I will place you at the key position of number three. Yes, yes I am sure Robertus Wolfus will object but what does he know of batting orders? You will take at least 100 scalps and the men will love you and you will be installed as the new Centurion”.

“I obey sire” said Paulus.

The general, battle weary, watched from his encampment as the brave young soldier donned his amour and entered the battle. Concern on the General’s brow soon turned to pride as the young soldier gave an account of himself that heartened the rest of the troops in the legion. Eventually he passed the 100 mark and a new Centurion was made. With a final score of 124 a new hero of the fifth legion was born who would help the General to defeat first the fourth legion of Abidus Malikus and then rid him of the sad ramblings of Robertus Wolfus.

General MacDonaldus commander of the fifth legion. MMX
For anybody who wants to see the stats on Paul Liebenberg’s first century in Holland please check out: http://mscm.arlsupport.com/pub/2010/4a/8_29.htm

Mike Walsh