8 The G-spot

In the next morning, Amulius instructed Cassius to assembled the legionnaires. Upon hearing the instruction, Cassius knows that the time has come. The military engineers checked every Roman warmachines.

"As what we planned before, 3 squads will be deployed on this area. The Orc's troops are expected to be coming from the west, so most probably they will have to cross the river. But the river in these areas that is shortcut to Romavena are deep. And according to the reports, these orcs are simple-minded. They are the kind who use common sense in every situation. They will probably go around to this part of River where it is shallow and they can probably cross the River with ease but longer path to Romavena. This is where we ambush them with ballistae, the G-spot. After the ballistae scramble them, the legionnaire will finish the job." Amulius made it sound like the battle will be easier because these creatures are dumb. All of his officers agreed to his battle plan, but there are some who doubted it.

"Sir, I suggest that we should deploy lookouts in this region just in case that our plan didn't work." A squad officer who seemingly doubted Amulius' plan couldn't stay quiet and just obey. However, this is uncommon in the Roman military. Orders are absolute, but they are in the planning stage so his act can be treated as merely a suggestion.

Upon concluding their battle plan meeting, they mobilized their troops and warmachines with urgency. The battle map is a forest beside the river with small surrounding hills. There are 20 carroballistae deployed near the shallow part of the river, 100 legionnaires in the rear, 30 legionnaires on each side to flank the incoming enemies, the 50 scorpion ballista are scattered in the surrounding hills.

Before the troops started to march, Amulius sent 30 advance troops consisting elites legionnaires. The covert agents of Amulius are keeping an eye on the Orc troops movement. These agents are instructed to give a signal smoke as to the Orcs position and direction. The mobilisation of the Roman troops took less than 3 hours before they arrived to their ambush positions. The Orcs at this time are 2 hours away from the G-spot. Amulius named the ambush spot as G-spot because this is where the fate of Gaguka will be decided.

After an hour waiting...

"Sir!!! The Orcs took the shortcut! They are now preparing to cross the river, they might be crossing the river by now!" The lookouts they deployed came running, they can't afford to be spotted and chased by the Orcs.

"All troops, move to the rear! Carroballistae, move with haste. Cassius, I want you to lead 20 Scorpion ballistae and 60 legionnaires to cross to the other side of the river, then attack them to their rear! To the 20 carroballistae, 100 legionnaires and 30 scorpion ballistae, screw that G-spot! On me!" Amulius was furious as the plan didn't go according to his plan. The Orcs turns out to be using orc's common sense afterall. For them, crossing a river is not an issue of shallowness but to where they can reach their destination as soon as possible. Amulius as of now is considering a defensive battle after a few skirmishes, but he will not be able to attain his goal if he continue to be outsmarted by orc's common sense.

Less than an hour, the carroballistae arrived to the location. The Orcs were caught unprepared as some of them are still crossing at the middle of the river but there are already soaked Orcs who have crossed the river. The carroballistae were instructed to fire-at-will, the soaked orc's are not on their perfect condition considering their time of travelling and crossing the deep and wide river. The Orcs are very tired as they drag themselves to chase the carroballistae who are shooting them with iron bolts. The Orcs who are still crossing the deep river are hastening to reach the riverside. In the river, they will be sitting ducks for the carroballistae to shoot that is why Gaguka was very furious and ordered his troops to charge without mercy.

However, a 100-orc troop is not that much compare to the carroballistae of the Romans. Each orc brutes are shot atleast 5 bolts before they die, except if the bolt was shot directly to the head. The ammunitions of each carroballista are not enough to kill all these Orcs, as some of these Orcs are personal elites of Gaguka. The forest in this region are favorable for the carroballistae as the land here is plain and the trees gaps are wide enough for the carroballistae to maneuver. Some of the elite Orcs were able to drag 2 to 3 carroballistae and destroy it, Gaguka was also able to destroy 3 carroballistae.

In a shortwhile, the legionnaires arrived to reinforce the carroballistae. The first order of Amulius is to throw their Pilum to the Orcs. The thick skin of the Orcs was useless against the carroballistae bolts, but against the Pilum javelins, their skin was able to deflect a few of it.

"Attacking Testudo formation! Forward!" the 100 legionnaires of Amulius formed a shell of shield formation while moving forward. The 50 legionnaires who did not throw their pilum javelins was deployed to the front and sides of the Testudo formation. Their javelins serves as a poking weapon once an orc came near.

A lot of frustrated Orcs charged to the legionnaires. As soon as the Orcs crashed into the Testudo formation, numerous Orcs were pierced by Roman pilum but some broke through their defensive line. There are Legionnaires who were overwhelmed by fear from the charging Orcs, but there are also brave men who shine bright in this battle.

"Hold the line! Maintain Testudo!" Squad leaders shouted as they held on to the orcish charges. There are legionnaires who falters, but their comrades are there to lift them up.

"Hold! and PUSH! Stay with me!" Amulius is at the second line to the front. His 100-man unit is as hard as a tortoise shell. The daily training that they have been doing all this while showed its results. The Orcs who crashed to their shields are pierced by javelin pilum and swords. The bloody clash lasted for almost an hour until the Orcs finally hesitated to ram those shields. Dead bodies of Orcs are littered to the ground, but the legionnaires did not still dare to loose their Testudo formation.

The Orcs have high stamina compared to the humans, but they hesitated when they saw their dead comrades after ramming those shields. Unbeknownst to the Orcs, the legionnaires are also exhausted to death, but its hidden inside their helmets and shields. Encouragement from their superiors and from Amulius is what stopping them from collapsing.

Meanwhile, the scorpion ballistae finally found their best spot. Soon, scorpion bolts were fired to the orcs coming from all direction. The Orcs that were injured from the carroballistae and legionnaires earlier were shot to death. No matter how strong these Orcs, the scorpion ballistae won't cower before them. The 100-orc brutes of Gaguka dwindled to around 40 injured orcs.

"Mongrels! Fall back!" When Gaguka noticed that they are losing, he signaled the Orcs who are still charging to the legionnaires and chasing the carroballistae. This is the first time that he sensed danger from facing humans. All this time, he always believed that they are the superior race and humans only exist to be eaten or enslaved. Gaguka is furious, he started to blame his weak brutes for not being able to destroy the shell formation of the legionnaires.

"Retreat you mongrels! Quick! Cross the river!" Gaguka led his brutes back to where they crossed the river. Although the Orcs are injured, their stamina is not dropping anytime soon that is why some of them are still able to cross the river. However, Amulius will not let this golden opportunity to slip. The scorpion ballistae did not ceased to fire the bolts, same with the carroballistae. The Orcs became easy target when they started to cross the river.

A lot of the Orcs died in crossing the river. The 40-Orcs who retreated, now has around 15-Orcs including Gaguka. The Orcs who have finally crossed the river felt that they are now safe. However, the moment they dropped their weapons while crossing the river, their fate has already been sealed. The unit that is led by Cassius has finally arrived to the other side of the river.

"Where did these ants came from?!" The Orcs became furious when they saw the 60-legionnaires who blocked their exit and scorpion ballistae are also in position. These Orcs are proud of their race, they are not the kind who will just bow to anyone that is why no matter how hopeless their situation, they charged to Cassius and his legionnaires. The Orcs are in a desperate situation, they became more ferocious. Even though they have been shot by scorpion bolts, they are still struggling.

Back to the side of Amulius...

"Bring out the ropes. Tie it to the harpoons and shoot it to the other side. Legionnaires, carroballistae and scorpion ballistae, account our losses and clean the battlefield, then bring our fallen comrades and the Orcs back to Romavena. I'll stay here for a while. " Amulius crossed the river alone via ropes. The troops that he left are now resting and accounting the losses. The body of the fallen Orcs were dragged by the carroballistae after they rest, the legionnaires carried their fallen comrades back to Romavena. They are all exhausted that is why they didn't further questioned Amulius' orders.

Back to the side of Cassius...

"Surrender and we can negotiate terms." As soon as Amulius arrived to the scene, he offered a merciful approach to Gaguka. The Orcs hesitated, but one orc charged to Amulius "Die!!!".

"Nope" Amulius easily grabbed the left arm of the orc and drag him to the ground. He broke the left arm of the orc as it plead for mercy. Gaguka and the rest are shocked of what they have witnessed. Although this is not something unusual for the Orcs, they are still surprised to see that there is a human expert here. Amulius grabbed the orc by the neck, and he tossed it back to the side of Gaguka.

"What do you want." Gaguka said to Amulius, but some of his orc brutes are grumbling over their pride.

"I came here to negotiate." Amulius then approached the dumbstruck Orcs, his composure right now is arrogant but backed with power. The Orcs were made to choke down their pride as they agreed with Amulius' statement.

"You have seen our battle power, but this is not all. I don't want anymore bloodshed, I just want to help you, if you wish." Amulius said right on spot what Gaguka really needs. Ever since his brother was chosen to be the chief, Gaguka became irrelevant and useless. He was mocked and belittled by everyone in the fortress since his younger brother is more capable than him. There was no one who see his capabilities and potential, that is why all this time he is wanting for recognition or maybe something more.

"Can you really help?" Gaguka is still doubtful of what Amulius offered. These humans are formidable but they are still pests compared to their physical strength. But if they can help him, he won't mind to negotiate with them. Gaguka is also afraid that if he go back to the fortress with crushing defeat, he will face humiliation or worse.

"Yes, you can go home. Explain your defeat, and I want a trade agreement with a safe passage of my people. If you do it well, then I won't mind doing more favors to you." Amulius wanted to establish trade with these savage Orcs. Although it will be very dangerous, he wants to learn more about this world. Establishing an agreement with your neighbour is one way of expanding your horizon.

"Remember what I want, Trade agreement and a safe passage of my people. I'll await your reply within 3 days here in G-spot." Amulius named this location again as g-spot as this is where Gaguka surrendered and faced a crushing defeat.

The Romans freed the Gaguka and the Orcs, then they constructed a small bridge made from wooden plank and ropes. The remaining legionnaires collected the harpoons, ballista bolts and pilums as they prepare to head back to their town. A few legionnaires was left to construct a tent where they will conduct their future negotiations with the Orcs. The flag of Romavena, which is a olive wreath crown in gold color and red in background, was erected beside the tent and at their side of the river.

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