Read Cato 02 - The Eagles Conquest for Free Online Page A

sophisticated. ‘
    ‘Do we have to cross here, sir?’ asked Sabinus. ‘Can’t we just march upriver until we find an easier crossing?’
    ‘No,’ the general replied patiently. ‘If we march upriver, Caratacus can shadow us every step of the way and oppose any crossing we attempt. It might be days, weeks even, before we get across. Then he simply falls back to the Tamesis and we repeat the whole process all over again. And time is on his side, not ours. Every day more men will be joining his army. Every day we give him makes our chances of taking Camulodunum before autumn less likely. And unless Camulodunum falls, we won’t be able to secure the alliance of those tribes still neutral. We must fight Caratacus here, and now.’
    ‘Yes, sir,’ Sabinus muttered, striving to hide his embarrassment at being lectured to as if he was no more than a green tribune.
    Plautius turned to address his assembled officers. ‘So, gentlemen, I’m open to suggestions.’
    The legate of the Ninth Legion looked thoughtfully across the river.
    Hosidius Geta was a patrician who had opted to continue his army service rather than pursue a political career, and he had considerable experience of waterborne operations with his legion on the Danube. He turned to his general.
    ‘Sir, if I may?’
    ‘Be my guest, Geta.’
    ‘This calls for a flanking movement, two flanking movements in fact.’ Geta turned back towards the river. ‘While the main army demonstrates here, we could throw a force across the river further downstream, under covering fire from some warships - provided the water’s deep enough at that point.’
    ‘We could use the Batavian auxiliaries for that, sir,’ Vespasian suggested, and drew an irritated glance from Geta for his pains.
    ‘I was going to suggest that,’ Geta replied coldly. ‘They’ve trained for this sort of duty. They can swim across rivers fully armed. If we can get them across without any significant opposition, we can launch a flank attack on the British positions over there.’
    ‘You mentioned a second flanking attack,’ Plautius said.
    ‘Yes, sir. While the Batavians are crossing, a second force can move upriver until they find a ford and then turn the enemy’s other flank.’ Plautius nodded. ‘And if we get the timing right, we should hit them from three directions in a staggered attack. Should be over fairly quickly.’
    ‘That’s my belief, sir,’ Geta replied. ‘The second force need not require too many men, their chief role is to be the final surprise Caratacus cannot deal with. Catch him off balance, and we’ll win the day. He’ll never be able to cope with all three attacks. You know what these native irregulars are like. Of course, if either of our flanking forces is caught in isolation, then losses will be severe.’
    Vespasian felt a cold chill at the nape of his neck as he recognised the chance he had been looking for. The chance to redeem himself and his legion. If the Second could play the decisive role in the coming battle, it would go a long way towards restoring the unit’s spirits. Although Togodumnus’ recent ambush of the Second Legion had failed, the unit had suffered grievous losses in men and morale was low. A successful attack, pressed home ruthlessly, might yet save the reputation of the Second and its commander. But would the men be up for it?
    Plautius was nodding as he went over Geta’s proposal. ‘There is a risk in a divided assault, as you say, but there’s a risk any way we cut it. Right then, we’ll go with that plan. All that remains is the allocation of forces. Clearly, the right flank attack across the river will require the Batavians,’ he said, with a faint nod towards Vespasian. ‘The frontal assault will be carried out by the Ninth.’
    This was it, Vespasian realised. Time to reclaim the Second’s honour.
    He took a step forward and cleared his throat.
    ‘Yes, Vespasian?’ Plautius looked towards him. ‘You have something to