Roman Holiday

Posted on Sat May 28th, 2016 @ 11:24pm by Master Warrant Officer Gaius Aquila & Lieutenant General Jewel 'M'lara' Dartt

1,799 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 91 - Bremer vs Bremer
Location: SB 400, Dock 19 Gangway
Timeline: MD1, 1330 hrs

Giaus got into his dress uniform as soon as Quintus barged into his quarters with the news. A Consul of Magna Roma was arriving, business unknown. Giaus was in such a hurry to properly greet the Consul, that he failed to mention to Holly, or the boys the reason he was running out of their quarters with Quintus on his heals. Since Giaus came from Roman Nobility himself, family etiquette required him to be at the arrival. He arrived at the gate, awaited the guest. After only a few minutes, the Marine known for his exceptional coolness under pressure, started pacing nervously near the hatchway.

Before completely crossing the gangway into the station, The three cloaked figures had to pass through the identity scan. The Consul was the first of the three to pass through. When the computer announced "Lieutenant General, Federation Marines, Inactive", the Security Officers snapped to attention, a courtesy given to retired flag officers. The Consul waved his hand, stating "At ease gentlemen, I am retired, and on vacation, so please do not make a big deal out of this." The Officers both nodded, and continued their jobs.

Giaus could see the trio exiting the gate. Him and Quintus both snapped to attention, and Giaus rendered a Roman salute. "Salve! I am Giaus Marcus Aquila. Welcome to Star Base 400."

The Consul pulled back the hood on his cloak, and returned the salute. "Salve. I am Agrippa Oppius Amandus, Second Consul of Rome."

Jewel was taking a walk to clear her mind, sometimes she would just walk to the Docking bays and roam around. This time she happened to turn down dock 19 gangway and ran right into Aquila and was knocked to the ground. She was lost in thought she wasn't paying attention where she was going.

When she got up straightened out her uniform, "sorry wasn't paying attention." Jewel said as she looked at Aquila. Then she noticed the man standing with him, he looked really familiar. "You guys must be visiting, welcome." Jewel replied.

The Consul's two companions reacted by placing their hands on the hilts of their gladii, but the Consul quickly waved them to relax.

"Thank you Gener...", Before the Consul finished his sentence, he recognized this Marine immediately, "Jewel?!?"

She looked at him for a moment, "Yes it is...Agrippa?" She asked surprised last time she seen him was when she was 17 years old on the USS Liberty as a Marine trainee. "I haven't seen you in 20 years how have you been?" Jewel said with a smile.

Agrippa could not help but think of the simpler times, with him being a marine company commander, and his favorite Cadet. "The whims of the gods have been interesting to me. My father and brother were killed in a freak accident 4 years ago, forcing me to give up my nice and cushy desk on Camp Archer to take over the family business. The fatigue of my daily life helped me decide to take a vacation in the farthest place in the galaxy possible." That was the short version. The long version would have stirred up that famous Jewel temper. Before continuing his reunion, he spoke to Giaus. "Tribune Aquila, I will speak to you later with a pressing matter that involves both our families. But for now, please let me reunite with my friend." Giaus snapped a roman salute, "Ave Amandus." Quintus bowed, "Dominus." Both men turned and left. Giaus gave Jewel a nod, almost forgeting himself as a Marine. Passers by familiar with Giaus were puzzled by his submissive behavior.

She nodded and knew how it was, she then nodded to Giaus. "How about we go to the promenade for lunch my treat." Jewel said with a smile.

"Gladly," Agrippa replied. Then he turned to his escort. "Crixus, find me appropriate guest quarters, then find some for yourselves. We are safe here. Feast when you are settled." Crixus saluted, "My Lord." Agrippa then refocused his attention to his old friend and protege, "I am at your mercy."

They walked down the corridor towards the turbo lift, after what seemed like eternity they reach the promenade and she lead him to her favorite restaurant. They found a quiet seat near the back and took a seat. "So what brings you here? Did you ever settle down with someone special?" She asked looking at him.

Agrippa marveled at how much Jewel has grown. He expected her to go far, but just her rank alone indicated to him that she exceeded his expectations. "I needed a quiet corner in the known universe, as far away from my job as possible. The frontier. The Kaleb system fills those requirements nicely." Then he thought about Jewel's second question. "I did settle down with someone special. She was with my father and brother in their deaths. She now lives....where they live." His expression was one of both sorrow, and rage.

She frowned a little "I am so sorry Agrippa." She said and then quickly ordered her meal. "I am on my second marrage...go figure." She laughed a bit "I have twins who died at 13 from a freak accident. I also have a one year old son with my husband now and are expecting two more in a few months." Jewel stated, "I am the Chief Diplomatic Officer here on SB400. I know ironic for a marine but needed to slow my past a bit." She added with a grin.

"I am sorry for your loss." Then he tried to bring the conversation back to a humorous tone, "A diplomat, and a mother....Are they not one in the same?" Out of habit , he looked over his shoulder for any threats.

She chuckled, "I still got that famous Jewel temper, I don't think that will ever ease." She laughed as she took a bit of her food, "Had to find something less physical, so I settled for being a Diplomat. Not that hard once you get the hang of talking peace instead of bashing someone's face in." She chuckled looking at him.

He chuckled as well, "My last job in the Marines was Commandant of the Camp Archer Marine Center on Mars. The only "combat" I got into on that job was wrestling with the Marine Chief Of Staff on Earth regarding Marine policy, and asset allocation. The current President is quite a micro manager. Still, nothing as exciting as my command of the 9th Marine Division before that. I would gladly trade my current circumstances with life back in the Marines, if reality was different."

"Indeed," Jewel replied "I had to step back due to, and I really don't talk about this much but I had bone cancer which caused me to loose my right leg. You can't tell cause it's a really good prosthetic one. So, anything that can cause injury to it is out." She said "But, it's alright it's a nice change of pace." She added, "Mom would have loved to have seen you, she left us several years ago due to the same cancer, but they caught hers way to late and treatment was out of the question. Luckly the only thing I lost was my leg, but cancer is gone though. Thanks to the great Doctors here on the base." She added then looked at him and smiled.

"That is unfortunate", he said. At least he now knew why his letters suddenly went unanswered years ago. "I am sorry for your loss Jewel. Your mother was a great friend."

"So how long will you be on Starbase 400, I am sure my husband would love to meet you when he returns from a mission. I think you two would get along just great." She said with a smile.

"I am not quite sure. The Republic Senate is on a long recess per say, so I do not plan on returning to Magna Roma for at least a few weeks. I am sure meeting your Husband will go well when it happens. So how do you like life on what is now considered the Frontier?"

"It has it's moments just like with any place, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Found out a few years a go I have a Half sister and half brother, forgave my father for leaving as he's not getting any younger, feel that I shouldn't hold a grudge anymore and learn to accept things the way they are. But, I enjoy the way things are now." She added with a smile, "So enough about me, other then where you are now what have you been up to the last few years?" She asked looking at him, remembering the good old days where she was the feisty teenager that he was mentoring.

Agrippa took a sip from his drink before speaking, "Well, this might be right up your diplomatic alley. Ever since I inherited my family's Senate seat, I treated the job in the same way I treated my Marine career, going full throttle. Last year, the Senate appointed me as a Consul of Rome, one of three. Outwardly, the three of us work together, as a Triumvirate. The three of us literally run a world of 2.8 billion people. Two months ago, things started to change, and one of the other Consuls started to throw alot of coin around the Senate. I think he intends to become Imperator, a position that exists only in history and legends. An Imperator has the potential to be absolute ruler, which is something I cannot accept, probably due to my Federation influences. So now, I either maintain patience and sleep with one eye open, or I openly oppose him, starting a civil war. Other than that, no big deal. I am on vacation."

She nodded, "sounds a bit complicated." She said then looked at him taking a sip of her tea. "Well I am sure your'll enjoy your vacation it's always good to get away from time to time." She added.

"Yes it is, very good in fact." he answered. "I am glad you remembered me. I hope you remember Conner Krosis as well." He laughed at that statement. "He did exactly what he intended to do, and lives in a house out in the country on Alpha Centauri."

"How can I forget," she chuckled. "That's good hope he is living like a King." She added with a smile.

Agrippa smile, "He is. He never did anything small."

"No he didn't, he was always about going big or go home." She laughed as she then looked at the time. "We should get together again, but I really have to get going I have work to do." She said with a chuckle as time seem to have escaped them.

Agrippa smiled, "Until again Jewel."

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