===The City Palatium Quinus Vitellius, Rome===

Tiberius sat comfortably in the atrium, relaxing after a day full of an astounding amount of complaints for Roman business owners. The recent complaints against Rome’s Praefectus Urbanus had a surprising effect on the Praefectus Praetorio. The decreased amounts of Urban Cohorts and rumored incompetence of the Urban Prefect meant the Praetorian Guard was required to make more patrols than usual. Tiberius had most of his men now committed to patrolling the city; especially since the recent investigation regarding Valens Pollio had been, for the most part, closed.

The Praetorian Prefect relaxed after just receiving word from the Imperator regarding a mission to North Africa. Tiberius had sent out orders just moments ago to both the Legate of the Consular legion I Gemina and the First Tribune of the Praetorians. Over the recent days, the First Tribune had been especially busy finalizing the “new” recruits, Tribunes, and Cohorts recently added to the guard. Elite, loyal, legionaries were just recently taken from several legions throughout the Empire, and were now being used to revitalize the damaged numbers of the Guard. It was, indeed, a proud time for Tiberius. He would command the largest Praetorian Guard since the founding of the elite group and, as an added bonus, many of them had been under his command before.

I Gemina would soon be moving to Ostia to make preparations to leave for Carthage. Three Cohorts from the Praetorian Guard would be joining them, once they were refitted with new men and such. Until then, Tiberius would relax in the comfort of his late Uncle’s home. He always had a particular fondness of the Vitellii City Villa, though he preferred the lavish surroundings of the Vitellii Palace in Carthage. The fondness of the Villa was, most likely, caused because of two Egyptian slaves that he often had sent to his bedchambers.

“Praefectus, there is a man that wishes for an audience with you.”

Tiberius sat up from his reclined position and grunted, “What in the name of Jupiter's fury is it now? More damned businessmen come to complain?”

“No, milord, it’s a Quaestor.”

Tiberius sighed, “Make sure he is unarmed and grant him entrance…”

The Praefectus Praetorio sat alone in the atrium for a few moments, listening to the sounds of Rome winding down while he waited for the Quaestor to enter. Tiberius was, indeed, surprised with himself. He didn’t expect to be kind enough to allow an audience with a lowly Quaestor… But he respected a good rising politician.

“Ave Prefect,” a voice spoke from the entrance of the Atrium. It, unlike most, didn’t sound shaky in the presence of the reportedly-vicious Praetorian Prefect.

“Salve…”

“How are you sir?”

Tiberius looked the Quaestor over carefully, “Busy enough…”

“I don’t wish to take up your time, but I seek your advice on a matter.”

Tiberius heaved a sigh of relieve, satisfied that the man didn’t have some sort of grievance about the Urban Prefect or raids, “Please, I have plenty of time to spare... What is it you need advice on?”

“If you did not know, I am Agrippa Titus Maxus, my grandfather was the late Emperor Maxus.”

Four slaves entered the room, carrying figs and wine, which were brought to the Praetorian Prefect and his 'guest'. Tiberius smiled as one of the petite young slaves poured his wine. It was somewhat apparent that his attention had shifted slight, “I was not aware, but continue.”

“I am a lowly Quaestor, awaiting election hopefully to become and Aedile,” He continued.

“Of course, expected.”

"In the meantime I am attempting to serve the empire, and I think I may have a skill of value to the empire,” Titus paused for affect, “My great grandfather was the military hero and first governor of North Africa. I have studied at the Medical academy, and graduated a physician. I believe I may possess the credibility and skills to assists in the crisis down there, but I do not know how to tell anyone this that matters.”

“It is rather interesting you should mention that, as I am departing for Africa extremely soon,” Tiberius paused to think. While he would be very busy in Africa, he might as well bring the man along…

“I may just have a use for you in Africa, Titus. If you would be willing to accompany us, I would allow you,” He lifted the wine to his lips again and took another drink, “However, I cannot offer you rank in the legions. I am only bringing a Consular Legion and some Praetorian Cohorts.”

“I do not ask for a commission, simply the chance to use my skills for the good of the empire.”

“Understandable, Quaestor... Then I suggest you make preparations for a trip to Africa.”

“Then I shall,” Titus paused once more, “Thank you, sir.”

“No thanks is needed... If that is all that you require of me, I shall have a slave escort you out,” Tiberius lifted a hand and motioned for a nearby slave to come to him.

“Yes sir, I shall make preparations to leave,” Titus said as he rose from the chair and made his way towards the exit.

“Good... Vale, for now!”

When Titus had left, Tiberius sat back once more again enjoying some wine. It would only be a few moments before his wife and son returned from the marketplace, and he intended to enjoy every second of it with his two favorite household slaves…

===Ostia, Days Later===

After days of preparation and marching, the small Roman army had arrived in Italy. Tiberius and several of his Praetorian Tribunes and advisors sat mounted, supervising the boarding of the men onto ships… “Tribune, I hope things are moving swiftly… I want to be en route to Sicilia by midday.”

“Of course, sire… Things are running according to plan,” the Tribune paused, “The entire Second Cohort is already loaded onto the ships of the Classis Misenatis. The rest of the men are currently being loaded onto the rest of the Classis ships and, if needed, merchant vessels.”

“Good, good… Things are going as planned then… And the Quaestor, Titus Maxus, he’s on board one of the ships?”

The Tribune nodded, “Of course. He and the rest of his belongings, slaves, etc have been loaded onto a ship…”

Tiberius nodded, very pleased now. Soon the small army would be in Africa, and they could take care of the region.

By midday, the Roman Classis and merchant Triremes were setting sail from Ostia to Sicilia. Tiberius, being the Pontifex of Neptune, had taken time to bless the voyage. He, personally, didn’t worry much about the blessing of the gods when sailing across the Mediterranean. However, if it improved the morale of the more religious men, it was well worth taking the time to bless the voyage.

Tiberius, Titus Maxus, and more than 7,000 other Romans would soon be looking at the magnificent port at Carthage, the Praefectus’ childhood home.

===Carthage===

As expected, the Praefectus landed in Carthage on schedule. The Classis Misenatis, along with the merchant ships that assisted the Classis in transporting the Romans, had unloaded their valuable soldiers. The men wouldn’t spend much time in the drought-plagued African city, for they had things to take care of in the south.

Tiberius and Tribune Septimus Victricus, along with several other officers, had left the other officers with orders to get the men situation outside the town. Because of the drought conditions in the region, Tiberius and his men had to work with locals to locate strategic positions and be very weary of where sources of water were. He used this as an excuse to visit his brother at the Vitellii Villa.

“Tribune Victricus!”

“Right here, sir…”

Tiberius, his helmet in hand, turned to the Tribune of the 4th Cohort and smiled, “Septimus, will the men be ready?”

“Of course… I suggest we give them the rest of today to rest, and begin our march tomorrow,” Septimus looked around the atrium of the Vitellii Palace, admiring the small memorials to the Scipiian Vitellii that had hailed from the line.

“Yes, yes… We shall give them men some time to rest. I will need to make sure we can find some water sources to make sure we don’t all die of thirst… My brother knows these lands well enough, we can work with him…”

Septimus, a relatively young Praetorian Tribune, nodded… “Of course, sir.”

Tiberius looked forward to working in Africa once more, for however short a time it was.

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Written By: Helvius Tiberius Vitellius

Input by: Agrippa Titus Maxus
113AD