I got informed that a certain Centurion retired. So I pulled his records and went to his farmstead.
Me and my entourage came up in a veterans affair office. I see a lot of veterans collecting their retirement checks. It's a long and tedious process. I walk up to a crate and stand on it. My white hair makes me stick out like a sore thumb.
"Listen here Evocati (Veterans). I bring you a deal. A new legion is being raised and I look to you for experience and support. I promise triple pay whilst you are in my service in return for a standard Evocati Contract. You will make up your own units and have your own part of the camp. You will train the others and give them your knowledge. The Empire needs you yet again. Will you answer my call?"
They all look at me and continue on my business. I stood there for a few minutes even though it felt like an hour. Finally someone exits the line. "I'll answer the call my lady." He takes a knee. I look at him. "Stand Soldier you will not bow before me as a Noble. For I stand in front of you as a Legatus" Eventually a few other break off then a hundred. I tell them. "Spread the word. Spread the word to other Evocati. Let them know across the realm they are needed. I need them. Prefectus Castrum. Get their names. Give them their notice of pay to be redeemed at the Field et Mars" And so Ragnar processes them. After an hour and a half of this we continue on my original task.
We eventually make it to the house of Centurion Decimus. We walk past the small house guard after informing them of who we are. We walk past the large swaths of land dedicated to making wine. We eventually make it to the door. I knock on the door three times. Eventually a slave answers the door. "How can I help you Ma'am."
"We're here to speak with Evocati Decimus"
"Ah, yes I'll inform him right away"
She closes the door. We wait for some time before the door opens and I see the old Centurion. He looks me up and down. "Damn you're not the whore I ordered"
"Funny Evocati Decimus" I say.
He yawns. "What do you want Cadet"
I clear my throat. "Legatus now. Friend for this talk."
He looks at everyone around me. "I see. Come in"
I walk in looking around the small villa. "The legion did you well Decimus"
He looks back "Friends call me Marcus. I invested properly"
I grin a little "Of Course you did Marcus."
We eventually get to the dining room. Where he has his slaves bring in some food and drink. We drink a little and eat before I clasp my hands together in front of me. Arms slightly on the table. "Marcus. Rome needs you." He barks in a hearty laugh. "Sure they do Neapolia. The Imperator ,no offense, is chicken shit to hit Mars back." I look at him with a fake grin. "That may be true directly, but he is hitting back. We have to lower their power and increase ours. If not, We will lose too many even if we win. We could not win at all. Sol space is to evenly divided and you know this as well as I do"
He looks at me "What do you want Neapolia, cut to the chase and..." He raises his voice, "NO HORSE SHIT!" My 4 Praetorians in the room instinctively move their hands on their hilts. I give them a hand motion to relax. "Marcus, brother. Don't be rash. I want to offer you to rejoin the Legions..." He huffs. "...as my Praefectus Evocatus." He looks at me blankly. "Neapolia there are a thousand Evocati better than me and..." I interrupt, "That may be true ,but I trust you and they're not you Marcus. I've offered Triple pay to any Evocati that joins my ranks and I'm willing to offer you Triple Senior Centurion pay and I'll owe you one." He looks at me, "Any thing goes for that favor?" I look at him. "Anything" He looks at me calculating. "I accept. and I want to cash my favor immediately." I look at him blankly. "You should think on the favor, Marcus." He says back immediately, "Dont need to"