Tevun-Krus #26 - Alternative Universe

BraveNewWorld - a Short Story by @bloodsword

The intricate clock with it's delicate Illyrian mechanism, chimed musically from its spot on the mantle. Hearing the familiar sound, Gaius Theolonius Bennett looked up from the paper he was reading to check the time. He then glanced out a nearby window.

Just as quickly he was grimacing in disappointment.

It was still raining. While not uncommon in Londinium, Britannia's capital, to have rain at this time of year, well, at any time of year really, he had hoped for less seasonal weather for today's events. And by that, he wanted clear blue skies.

Of course the ever-present clouds hanging over the factories in the industrial quarter made blue skies over the sprawling city virtually impossible. Still, he had hoped.

Gaius sighed. Such a thing was just one of many challenges of living in a modern industrial city like Londinium in this forward thinking time, 724 Anno Domini, two years after the establishment of the first Roman settlement across the Atlantic to the west, on the shores of the New World. But, when one lived in the worldwide glory that was the Unified Roman Republic, one could expect such advances each and every day!

Before he could sink further into his thoughts, there was a sharp rap on the door of his apartment.

"Gaius, you layabout!" a familiar voice called from the other side. "Rouse yourself, old friend. We've an adventure to begin!"

"I'm up, I'm up," he quickly replied, throwing himself to his feet. A handful of steps took him to his door, which he pulled open in a single motion. In doing so, he revealed the smiling visage of his life long friend.

"Gaius!" said the sandy haired man he found there in the way of greeting. Dapper in a well-tailored suit and long coat of gallic make, the man took his hand and giving it a firm shake.

"Lucius Flavius Nero, you old scoundrel," Gaius replied as he returned the handshake, his smile equally broad. "You look fit. Egypt must've agreed with you."

"I was entertained while I was there, for certain."

"By Alexandria's famed Library?'" Gaius asked with a grin, earning himself a snort.

"And you claim to know me," Lucius said dryly, eliciting a laugh from his friend.

"As long as you didn't catch any permanent diseases, I'd say it was time well spent." He gave Lucius a slap on the shoulder. "Good to see you, old boy!" He gestured over his shoulder. "Give me a moment to retrieve my coat and hat and then we'll go!"

By the time the two friends had reached the street running in front of Gaius' building, the drizzle had become a downpour. Flipping up the collar on his heavy gallic long coat, Gaius settled his hat more firmly on his head.

"So the shipment arrived without incident?" he asked as he glanced up at the sky beyond the portico protecting the building's entrance.

"I saw to its escort myself," Lucius assured him. "You've nothing to fear, old friend. Senator Kingsley's goods have arrived in Britannia safe and sound. They'll be ready for the exhibit at the museum on schedule. The senators from Gaul, Hispania and Germania will be suitably impressed by the antiquities you've gathered from Egypt and all points of interest in northern and central Africa at Kingsley's behest."

His friend paused just long enough to settle his own hat before taking a step out from beneath the portico to wave down a taxi. As the horse-drawn covered carriage went to a nearby intersection to turn around and come back on their side of the cobblestone road, Lucius darted back under the portico.

"You'll make your inspection, sign the customs forms, and collect your fee from the senator's aide before lunch," the sandy haired fellow continued as if he hadn't stopped, shaking the rain from his sleeves as he spoke. "Leaving plenty of time to visit Britannicus Circus's steam menagerie, that one you've been dying to see, before you have to make an appearance at the senator's office to make your report."