Chapter III Test de l ' amiante [Test of the Mind]

I awoke to a loud explosion. The girls jump out of their bed as air raid sirens wail. I look out the window and see fighting in the drill square. I scream "Ladies to arms! We're under attack." We swiftly put on our fatigues and armor (Lorica Musculata), and grabbed our VibroGladius and Timinithium square tower Scutum. We rush out of our dorm room as an explosion rocks the hall leaving a giant hole where the window was to our dorm. I see other ladies doing the same. I drew my Gladius and raised it in the air. "Ladies of the Imperium! Grand future officers. Follow me, our home is under attack!" They all shout back "RAAA!" We ran down the stairs. I see Ragnar leading the males. The Cadre and local garrison are still fighting back as Las, Plasma, and Slug rounds fill the air. The clanking of Melee can be heard. I lead the women, some 80 cadets in various stages of training, to Ragnar whom is at the head of some 200 cadets at various stages of training, as well.

"Ragnar, we must help. I say we work as a Unit."

"Of course, lead the way."

I divide the group into even sections with my closest friends and Ragnar assisting by relaying orders to the right flank and me on the left.

"Cadets, Standard Formation. Advance at standard pace behind the battle line"

The orders are echoed across the battle line first by Rangar then by the others to their various sections. We advance to the rear and I see Centurion Decimus. he runs over to me. "Didn't expect to see y'all here. What of the other Training Cohorts?"

"Dunno, Dominus. Just us was all I saw"

"Continue the work. Work your formation over to the right flank"

"As you command Dominus!"

"Group, Rotate right, continue until ordered otherwise"

The Centurion runs back to the fight as we head over to the right flank. We step over dead bodies of Garrison and Cadre alike. Eventually I see a gap caused by an explosion "Group Rotate left. Double step until the gap is plugged. Shield wall. Prepare Pila" The orders are echoed. We jogged into the gap. Two men take las rifles to the face. "Group Halt, Shield wall. Prepare Pila" The orders get echoed as I prepare for their melee to charge us. Now that we're in the shield wall we're near impervious to frontal fire.

I see the enemy amassing a group to push us. As they charge I yell "Group, throw Heavy Pila, prepare to receive charge. Draw Gladius" The order is echoed as the formation throws their heavy Pila. they stick into the shields of the enemy detonating blowing of limbs and chunks of flesh alike. Then their Formation Collides with ours as we draw our swords. a Vicious Melee erupts. We kill twelve for our four.

"First Rank Rotate. Second advance" They do so. as first Rank pulls to the rear Second rank takes initiative and throws light Pila. Spewing acid on their shields rendering them useless as Second rank slices through their front rank. We lose two for their twelve. So far our casualties are light. I do a quick tally and we've only sustained eight casualties.

"Second Rank rotate, Third Rank advance. Throw Light Pila." The orders are given and third rank does as so. The light Pila slam into shield and person alike melting the person or shield. Then third rank slamms into the enemy. Killing twenty-eight for our loss of one, bringing us to nine casualties out of two hundred eighty.

"Third Rank Rotate, Fourth Rank advance. Throw Light Pila!" The third rank disengages as fourth rank throws their Pila. Slamming into the enemy. Killing fifteen.

"First Rank Advance, Fourth rank rotate, First Rank throw Light Pila. Group Charge!" I saw the enemy was waivering. The Light Pila Slamms into the enemy along with the full group charging was enough to shatter their lines with ninety Casualties to them and four to me. Bringing us to thirteen Casualties out of two hundred eighty.

The battle was like this. rinse and repeat. Until the enemy retreated from the College walls. We chase them into Roma. As the Sun rises the enemy is killed or captured to the man. No escape. All in all my force walked home that day with one hundred sixty men and women.

The Martian's landed with some twenty thousand men. We took some fifteen thousand casualties.

As we checked the bodies of the Fallen I see that Angela von Saxonia laid Slain. Our friend group mourned her loss for a few days. As the Imperator of Roma is hesitant to declared a state of war against mars. I vowed to the Gods I would get my revenge. I vowed her death would not be in vain. I cursed the Martians. I eventually went to sleep on the fourth day of Vigil. Ragnar told me to get it. He comforted me all that night.