Chapter 2: Ancient Gaul

Alex was thrown out of the portal and landed face first on a dirt field. Coughing up dirt, he rose to his knees and picked up his spear, called a Pilum. Designed to hook into a shield when it penetrated as a result of being thrown or thrust into it, the weapon weighed it down, forcing the defender to either fight with a now heavier shield, or toss the shield aside, as they couldn't remove the spear. Alex also carried a large shield that protected much of his body, along with a short stabbing sword called a gladius, which had been created originally in Spain. Alex hoped he was dressed appropriately, all things considered. Wandering around, he found a road and saw a column of Roman legionnaires marching towards him. A tribune, marked by his helmet with red painted horse hair going side ways at the top. Spotting Alex, the tribune hurried ahead of the marching army to intercept him.

"Crap!" Alex mumbled, as he realized that he could be in a lot of trouble.

"You there! Get back in formation! What were you doing out there?" The tribune said.

"Nature called, sir." Alex said, hurrying to join the column of soldiers.

Find a place towards the rear; he fell into step with the others. They marched for hours, and Alex thanked his lucky stars that he had spent months practicing all the things real Roman soldiers did in this time period, otherwise he would be a lot more tired when they finally stopped.

A man who had been marching right behind him, sat down beside him near the campfire that night, "I am Elegius, what's yours?"

"Alexius." Alex replied.

"This is your first tour? I've never seen you before." Elegius said.

"Yes. How many have you been involved in?" Alex asked.

"This will be my second, but my first time heading deep into Gaul." Elegius answered.

"At least we have a wall between us and them." Alex said, eyeing the darkness surrounding the camp. Tents had been setup in neat rows, and they had constructed a wooden fort around them to protect them as they slept.

"You strike me as someone who knows what he is doing when it comes to building. If it weren't for the look in your eye, I would have mistaken you for a veteran on how well and quickly constructed your part of the wall." Elegius commented.

"I was an engineer back home." Alex replied.

"Then why aren't you assigned to the engineers? They could definitely use you there." Elegius said.

"It was decided that I should be a legionnaire instead." Alex lied.

"Damn clerks! It's a waste, if you ask me. I know a few men in that unit. If you want I could put in a good word for you. Maybe something could be arranged." Elegius offered, trying to look out for the newcomer.

"I would appreciate it, thank you." Alex said.

"No problem. Wait here and I'll be right back." Elegius said, rising and heading off.

He returned not long afterwards with a man named Castus. Like Elegius, Castus was an older man who didn't look much older than twenty five. Alex himself was barely eighteen, having only celebrated his birthday a week earlier, in March.

The two men were introduced, and Castus said, "Yes I recognize you. You are one of the laborers we used today. Is it true you were an engineer?"

"Yes, sir. I know how to build many things, even fortifications for combat. I have studied engineering since I was a boy. It was unfortunate that I was not assigned to be a specialist." Alex said.

"Well, Alexius, I think we can take a chance on you, given what I have seen. I'll see about getting you transferred, but don't make me regret it." Castus said.

"You won't, sir. Thank you, sir." Alex said, giving him a Roman salute.

Elegius flashed a smile as he saw the young officer leave, and they settled down to have a meal, "See, I told you that you belong with that group. Just remember, if you get yourself promoted who your friends are."

"I won't forget, Elegius, and thanks again." Alex said, liking his new friend.

Elegius was a plebe from Rome, making him not from noble birth. The plebes were the common people, a step or two above the slaves. He had spent six years in the army, but like Alex, this was the farthest he had been into Gaul. Before now he had been involved in border skirmishes, now he would be involved in full fledged battles. The following morning, Alex was assigned to the engineers and moved his things over to his new unit. Breaking camp, they marched out in columns again, heading north along the road. It was midday when the attack came. Arrows flew in from the trees, striking men from the left and right. Troops and horses panicked, as they scrambled for cover. Those who didn't, hid behind shields until the arrows stopped, but then came the battle cries. Gallic infantry, some completely naked, charged their flanks. Alex unsheathed his gladius and took a broadsword on his shield, before stabbing into a naked Gaul before him. Metal sliced through flesh and the man grunted in pain. With a jerk, Alex freed his blade and took on the next Gaul, repeating the process with mechanical precision, Alex held his ground against superior numbers, while other men died around him. Caught by surprise while undeployed into proper formations, the Romans were being overrun. Seeing three Gauls trying to surround his friend Elegius, Alex rushed to his aid. Stabbing one in the back as he made ready for another swing, Alex drew off his friend's other attacker, so both of them were now fighting man to man. Smashing his shield into his attacker's body, Alex stabbed him as he fell to the ground dazed. Unfortunately, Elegius had not faired so well. Finishing off the last man Elegius was unable to hold up his shield any longer, and gripped his side, groaning in pain.

Quickly moving to help him, Alex dropped his own shield and put him over his shoulder. Carrying him into the woods, they hid there until the Gauls left and it was safe to come out. Alex retrieved his shield as Elegius sat down in the road and looked around.

"We should find any survivors and continue marching north." Elegius said.

"First off, it looks like we are the only survivors. Second, you're wounded. Even if the Gauls don't come back, heading into enemy territory with you injured doesn't seem like a good idea." Alex replied.

"Then what do you suggest?" Elegius said.

"I saw a horse back in the woods as we came in, grazing. If it's still there, I can make you a litter and use it to drag you south." Alex said.

"I don't suppose I'm in a position to argue." Elegius said, gritting his teeth in pain.

"No, you aren't. Wait here, my friend." Alex said.

Walking into the woods, Alex found the horse not far from where he had last seen it. Cautiously approaching it, he managed to get a hold of its reins and lead the horse back to his friend. Gathering wood from what was left from burning wagons; Alex constructed the litter and set Elegius upon it so they could set off. Traveling most of the day, Alex led the horse as they traveled south, but their progress was severely limited thanks to his wounded friend. If they moved too fast it would only exacerbate Elegius' injury. When they finally stopped, Alex checked the Roman's wound, and didn't like what he saw.

"You're bleeding too much. I've done all I can with the bandages I could make or find. What we need is a needle and thread so I can stitch up the wound, otherwise you'll bleed out or die from infection." Alex said.

"Leave ... me." Elegius managed to say between pain filled gasps: the journey has taken a terrible toll on him, without the aid of painkillers.

"Not a chance." Alex said, flashing him a smile.

If he could get alcohol and a thread and needle, he knew he could save Elegius. Kenshiro had taught him detailed first aid involving its practice on ancient battlefields. Alex knew what to do once he had the materials he needed. Leaving his shield behind for greater speed and maneuverability, Alex hid his friend and their horse in the trees off to the side of the road, before searching for a nearby settlement. It was night time by the time he reached an outlying farmhouse. Hoping to find what he needed inside, he snuck up to the home, heading around the fields and avoiding the stables and barn where the beasts of burden were kept, so he could lessen the chance of being discovered. A woman's scream from inside sent him down on his belly, fearing he had been spotted. When the screams continued, he dared to creep forward until he was able to peek through a window.

Inside Alex saw a few Roman Legionnaires holding a woman in between them, and the look in the eyes of one of the men brought a sickening sensation to his stomach, only to be replaced by a feeling of rage by the sounds of terror from the poor young woman. Bursting through the door, he caught the Roman soldiers by surprise. At first they might have thought him a friend as he came charging in with his sword unsheathed, but that quickly changed as he stabbed the man closest to the door. By the time the others let go of the woman, Alex was killing the second man before he could defend himself in the close quarters. The last man, panicked by the death of his two comrades, made a break for the door, only to find a savage pursuer on his heels. Alex has no intention of letting him live, for even daring the crime the Roman had considered committing. Cries for mercy, as he scrambled on his hands and knees after tripping go unheeded, as Alex butchers him mercilessly. By the time he returned to the farmhouse he is covered in blood. The woman is huddled, mentally scarred in the corner of her home.

Alex is torn between approaching a hysterical woman and possibly making it worse, or just searching for the materials he came for in the first place. Choosing the second choice, he decides to give the woman time to recover now that the danger has passed. When she is ready, she can finding the nearest village or town for help and safety, right now he had a friend in need. Finding a wineskin that had enough for his purposes, he also managed to find some thread and a needle that the woman used for sewing. Two men lay dead; both held a strong resemblance to the woman; no doubt her brother and father. As he moved to head out, he heard the creek of the floorboards, and turns around to see the woman following him.

Studying the language of ancient Gaul for years, Alex said in her own language, "It is not safe to come with me. The other Romans are gone. You are safe for now. You should head to the nearest settlement when you are able."

"I'm too scared. Please let me come with you." The woman said, tears filling her eyes.

Unable to turn her away, Alex said, "Alright, you can come. Do you have any horses or beasts of burden that we can take with us?"

She nodded and pointed at the barn and stables that he had avoided earlier. Asking her that question had been a quick way to get her mind off the trauma she had just experienced, with her mind and body working on the problem of finding the animals they needed and leading them away from the farm. Leading a bull and a packhorse away, they rejoined Elegius and Alex gave him the medal attention he needed. The wine acted as both a painkiller and a way to clean the wound.

"This aught to hold you for a while, my friend. Thanks to the bull and packhorse, our progress should be faster, so we should be able to get back to the border in no time. Don't worry." Alex said, trying to be cheerful.

"Thank you, Alexius." Elegius said falling asleep, looking totally exhausted.

They continued heading south, with Alex insisting that the woman ride as Alex walked alongside the bull, leading it as his eyes searched the trees along the road. He felt very exposed like this. Despite his misgivings, they made good progress and camped that night in the wood just east of road.

"My name is Vala. You never asked me." she said, as she sat next to him at the campfire, while Elegius tried to sleep despite the pain he was suffering.

"Sorry, I've been rather busy. No insult was meant." Alex replied, taking his eyes away from a diagram he had been drawing in the sand with a short dried up stick.

"I understand. What are you drawing?" Vala asked.

Pausing after finishing another illustration, Alex answered, "It was a game I played as a child. I have always found it an interesting exercise, allowing me to come up with traps and other defenses. This here is an overhead view of fortifications, along with some hidden traps to slow infantry advance. Each has spikes at the bottom and is covered with vegetation. Channelling the enemy between the pits allows you to concentrate arrows and siege weapons, thus increasing their effectiveness."

"Have you ever built any thing like this?" Vala said, eyeing the diagram of a fort surrounded by pits.

"This and more. I'm well versed in this type of warfare." Alex replied.

Vala said no more, and settled down to go to sleep. Alex himself eventually felt the pull of sleep and he succumbed to its power, as he was tired from all he had been through recently. Something awoke him in the middle of the night, and his hand went to his sword hilt, his eyes searching the darkness, he saw Gallic warriors carrying spears surrounding them. Drawing his blade, Alex prepared to fight to the death, expecting the Gauls to offer him no mercy.

"Wait!" Vala shouted, as she emerged from among the Gauls, "He knows how to build Roman walls and siege weapons!'

This caused the Gauls who could be seen at the edge of the firelight to eye Alex with keen interest and lower their weapons.

"If you teach them this technology, then you will be more valuable to them alive." Vala said, trying to save his life.

"Why would he teach us the ways of his people?" the Gaul closest to her said.

He was a man of about medium build, with a blond long flowing beard and hair. The man wore no armor, only regular clothing. He looked like a farmer, about middle-aged.

"Though I am trained in Roman warfare, I was born in the east in a land past Germania." Alex confessed.

"If that is true, I promise to not harm you or the Roman if you will help us fight our enemy." The Gaul said.

"Alright" Alex said, handing over his weapon, as he figured this was their best chance for survival.

He couldn't blame Vala for possibly turning them in, she had been through a lot, and at least her people could offer her safety and freedom. Now that he thought of it, Rome would present many dangers for both of them. Both Elegius and himself might be considered deserters for not trying to connect up with another Roman force still in Gaul. Desertion, as in most armies, was punishable by death. Actually, he was safer with his now possibly former enemy. They marched for some time through the night, while the Gauls carried Elegius on his litter, taking them right to their village. Women, children, old men, and young men stopped to watch the newcomers. Alex could hear their whispers and see their questioning looks. No doubt this was the first time a Roman soldier had been seen captured by Gallic soldiers. Alex was shown to a room in one of the houses, while Elegius and Vala were taken to another. Tired, he fell asleep on the floor near the fireplace inside the small hut.

The next morning he awoke before the sun had fully risen over the eastern mountains. Grabbing a bite to eat, he set out exploring the village and its immediate surroundings. The Gauls set two guards to follow him, though Alex had no intention of trying to escape by his actions. His mind full of designs, he began drawing detailed drawings in the muddy earth in the middle of the village, noting possible key defensive positions. A familiar Gaul approached and greeted him.

"Hello, I don't believe I ever got your name." Alex said, trying to be polite.

"Ambiorix. You have been wandering around the village for some time. What are you drawing here?" The Gaul asked.

"Your defenses. Since this land has been cleared of trees to make room for you fields, the walls should be set around your homes themselves. You gather the food and water you need and bring them inside of the walls, and if necessary burn the fields to deny the enemy the food under siege." Alex explained.

"But it would take us forever to re-grow our crops. Our people might starve after the siege is over." Ambiorix exclaimed.

"First off, if you don't, the enemy may do it anyway, but that will be after they gather food for themselves. Second, hunting and fishing is still an option after a siege is lifted. Would you prefer the enemy not to starve, and encourage them to come back even if we do win?" Alex pointed out in a sarcastic voice.

"I hadn't thought of that." Ambiorix said, feeling embarrassed.

Sighing, Alex said, "Follow me, I have something to show you."

Leading him to a hill west of the village, Alex said, "Look down at the surrounding countryside, and picture an enemy coming up at you, this is the basis of a fort. It artificially gives you the high ground, and it allows you to control your enemy if you use it right. Granted, using a fort on a hill is better, but I believe setting a fort around your town allows you to better deal with surprises."

"You really are going to help us, aren't you?" Ambiorix asked.

"I'm an engineer, Ambiorix. This is what I do. Buildings and weapons, whether in combat or outside of it, have always fascinated me. While on one hand the Romans can offer you many things as far as technology and culture, perhaps there is a way to have you earn it for yourselves with a little help." Alex said.

Ambiorix was fascinated by the younger man who seemed so full of knowledge. The level of respect he had for Alex grew day by day. Alex taught them how to use basic measurement tools that used simple terms like a finger, arm, or measurements in between. The reason why Alex used these things to gauge measurements for building things, was to teach the uneducated farmers how to measure things by using something they could easily understand. From there, he built on these concepts as he built walls and new siege weapons, including the Roman style ballista. Being able to make weapons that the Romans had been able to use to terrify them on the battlefield, gave the villagers a great sort of pride, as they built and trained to fight the Romans. Word began to spread among the Gauls of these new advances, and Gallic tribes send their armies to the village where Alex was at to be trained in this new type of warfare. Vercingetorix himself comes to see the Gallic villagers' progress. Recognized as the head of the Gallic resistance, his showing up caught the attention of Julius Caesar, who wanted to crush him once and for all, but Alex had been very busy.

When the Roman army surrounded the new fort, built outside the village walls and fields as an outer defense with the help of Vercingetorix and his troops, Alexius Gregor as he came to be called, unleashed his form of hell. Roman artillery and troops found it dangerous to come anywhere close to the walls, as Gallic defenders rained ballista and catapult fire down on them from reinforced walls. Julius knew he couldn't starve them out. Not only did the Gauls have plenty of food if they rationed it wisely, but they also had plenty of water, and could work their fields without fear of him raining artillery fire down on them. For the first time in his life, he was facing an enemy who was fighting from a superior position and at an equal level of technology. How this had happened he did not know. The change had seemed so sudden, and the village the fort surrounded did not seem strategically important on its own. The people inside were merely farmers, and should not have been able to compete with a Roman army. Sending a messenger back to Rome, he called for reinforcements, not liking how his rival now seemed to be out of reach. Vercingetorix's hit and run raids had wreaked havoc on his armies, and had made him look incompetent. His one advantage had been his ability to use engineering to control and overcome his enemies, but now someone had taken it away. If they continued to hide behind those wall, he would have to attack them on their terms, and all his defensive works that he had constructed in front of a wall he had built around the city to protect his own troops would remain useless, and actually work to slow his attacks on the enemy fort.

"I don't understand why we can't attack." Vercingetorix said, wearing his armor as he looked upon the distant Roman fortifications.

He was a dark haired man, with his share of battle scars from fighting both alongside the Romans and against them. The Roman fortifications kept them from escaping unless they faced Caesar's army. The Gallic leader didn't like putting his fate in the hands of a man he didn't know, in the form of Alexius Gregor, as many had come to call him.

"Because he has no doubt prepared for such a thing. Our own pits are full of their dead outside the walls. Would you like your men to suffer a similar fate? Here we have a strong position, and we are busy building new weapons to increase our advantages." Alex said, standing beside him.

Alex himself wore a simple chainmail hauberk to cover his upper torso, and he still carried his Roman gladius. Looking down at the no-man's land in between the two forts, he knew this battle was far from over. The Romans, no doubt, would call for new troops, and be back. What they needed to do was not just match the enemy, but made sure they were afraid to venture into the no-man's land. Thankfully, he had not limited himself merely to Roman level siege weapons, but had actually studied weapons from all time periods, allowing him to draw from many different sources all the way up to 20th century weapons, when he designed his own. Improvising when he needed to, he had more than a few good ideas to deal with the Romans.

Calling down to Ambiorix, Alex said, "Bring up the rocket launchers for the towers!"

As ordered, Ambiorix and his specially trained artillery crews began setting up rocket launchers on each of the towers that would provide them with excellent firing platforms, using ropes tied to the launchers and pulling them up from the top. Metal cased rockets with fins on the bottom for stability could be carried on packs Alexius thought up. The villagers he had trained were able to perform their jobs with skill and precision. He was proud of all of them, and made sure they knew it. These were his men, and they followed his orders to the letter. Even Vercingetorix was forced to admit they were impressive in their task orientated efficiency. It was during this time that Alexius reflected on another of his childhood pursuits, where he had made his own little rockets, having always been fascinated with any thing that flew.

When the Romans made a second attack on the forts walls, the adjustable platforms were aimed and the rockets launched for maximum effects. Fairly accurate, and allowing an increased fire rate compared to most other weapons, they launched hundreds at the advancing Romans, well outside of the attack range of their small catapults and ballista. Rockets exploded over the heads of enemy troops, slicing through their lines and causing men to panic. Those who still had the courage or discipline to continue were greeted by ballista and catapult fire that devastated what was left of their ranks, as they marched bunched together presenting perfect targets.

Alexius understood the tactics of the Romans and their mentality. Using numbers, superior technology, tactics and discipline, they crushed their enemies, but now Alexius had taken at least a few of these things away. Their siege weapons were forced to fire at their maximum range, in hopes of being missed. Any closer, and they increased their chances of being hit. Reforming, the Romans attacked again, carrying ladders to scale the walls. Gauls launched explosive pots from the walls that exploded as fuses lit the gunpowder inside. Romans screamed and fell as bodies began piling up before the walls, slowing the enemy advance to a crawl. Archers fired into the enemy below, launching hail after hail of arrows into them. With their progress ground to a halt a mere ten feet from the walls, the Romans are forced to retreat.

"Congratulations." Vercingetorix said, having to admit that this was a great strategic victory.

"I'm not done yet." Alexius said to him before turning to Ambiorix, "Prepare our crews to bring up the second group of launchers on carts, along with some ballista and catapults."

The Romans had lost enough men that they now lacked numerical superiority, after facing such unexpected opposition. By the time General Julius Caesar had managed to call for a general retreat, he was shocked by what he had seen. Strange explosions and smoke covered the battlefield. Some hardened veterans had panicked and ran, as they saw friends and comrades die from sudden explosions that ripped apart man or beast. Armor did little to protect them from the concussive force, even if they were not burnt. Caesar's men were demoralized, and had the look of defeat in their eyes. He was busy trying to think of a plan to overcome his enemy's extremely well thought out defenses, when the first rocket attack hit. An explosion rocked the fort as the rocket hit, setting one of the walls on fire, but it wasn't over yet. More rockets rained down on them, some landing short and striking the walls, while still others landed inside the Roman defenses. Men ran for cover, as explosions riddled the ground and sent dirt flying. Julius watched as a rocket exploded over a tent, killing all the men who had been sleeping inside. As much as Julius and his officers tried to organize a defense, the Roman troops were far too panicked, and either ran away, or cowered and prayed to whatever gods they could that they wouldn't get hit.

The Gallic artillery units launched from outside the Roman defenses, which included caltraps; which were wooden three or four pronged spikes made to stab through the footwear of the enemy, along with the same spiked pits that Alexius and his allies had used. The rockets allowed him to fire and not risk any of his own men. Vercingetorix waited in the rear, ready to come to Alexius' aid with his cavalry if the Romans managed to come out and counterattack. No enemy resistance came out, and Alexius called for more carts to bring over new rockets to keep up the barrage on the enemy camp beyond the walls. All the way to dawn their rockets lit up the night. By morning the Romans had retreated at a forced march, trying desperately to get back onto Roman soil. Vercingetorix pursued, dogging their every step with his old hit and run tactics that still worked with great success. By the time Caesar had reached the border and got away, he vowed to return and draw out his rival and crush him for the terrible defeat Julius had just experienced. His conquest had gone well before Vercingetorix had come along, but Julius Caesar still didn't know how the Gauls had managed to learn how to build siege weapons that could even beat his own. He recognized that whatever those explosive weapons were, they were ideal for siege. If only he could get his hands on them, the Roman general could defeat any army.

A messenger arrived with one of Caesar's Gallic spies, "This man has important news, sir. He says he knows the name of the man who built what he calls rockets."

"Who is the Gaul?" Caesar asked.

"That's just it sir. He says the man is not a Gaul, but a Roman." The Roman messenger said.

"What? You there! Speak!" Caesar said, pointing at the spy.

Bowing, the spy answered, "It is true my lord, the man was dressed like a Roman legionnaire when first I saw him. It wasn't until later that he dressed as we Gauls do. He is the one responsible for your recent defeat."

"He commanded the forces, not Vercingetorix?" Caesar asked, his brain working on overdrive, trying to figure out how something like this could have happened.

"Yes sire, that and I saw him teaching the Gallic troops how to use Roman ballista as well as the new rockets." the spy said.

"I want that man! Find him and bring him here alive." Caesar said.

Alexius had no idea that he had been targeted by Julius Caesar himself, and at that moment he was celebrating their victory against the Romans. Many villagers, as well as their Gallic allies, congratulated him for his efforts and brilliance.

Vala found Alexius alone as he stood at the edge of one of the fields, trying to get some air. She smiled and started to approach, until she saw men emerge from the shadows around Alexius, who was looking up at the stars.

"Alexius!" she cried, out trying to warn him.

Alexius heard the alarm in her voice and immediately went on alert. The cloaked figure closest to him attacked, throwing a large net at him. Alexius quickly rolled clear, kicking out his legs at another attacker. He heard bone break and one of the shadowy men fall with a cry of pain. As two other men tried to rush him, Alexius aimed a punch into the lead man's balls, and used his bulk to keep the other man at bay. When he got to his feet he pushed the injured man into him. Four more sets of hands tried to grab him and pull him down. Alexius sent an elbow into one man's jaw, making his head snap back and his legs buckle out from underneath him. Using surprise to his advantage, he stabbed another man in the eye with his thumb, forcing him to let go, and sent a punch to the throat of yet another one. The last man left unharmed pulled a knife and made a stab for Alexius. Dodging to the side, he grabbed the knife arm with one hand and sent a hard palm strike to his attacker's ear. The man screamed in pain, dropping his knife as his eardrum exploded before falling to the ground. Vercingetorix came charging out of the village, accompanied by a number of his warriors with swords unsheathed. They had heard Vala calling for help as Alexius fended off his attackers. The cloaked men saw them coming, and those that could disappeared into the night to escape capture and death.