Italy May 1912

[ctwaterman]

Discussion in the Forum of the Imperial Senate
Marcus Tullius Cicero Imperial Senator is Speaking to Consul Mastanabal Jugurath General of the Imperial Legions and Consul Lucius Cornelius Sulla Admiral of the 1st Imperial Fleet.

Cicero "My Lords do not be alarmed by the summons here today.  The Senate wishes simply to hear your accounts on the conduct of the war with Egypt.  I can assure you these meeting are not to assign blame but too determine the status of the Imperial Legions and Marina."
Mastanbala "I do not care for that tone Cicero what do you and political cronies really want."
Lucius Sulla *soothingly* "Now Mastanbala I am sure that the Nobel Cicero will eventually get around in his own way to telling us why he has had us called here.  *Bowing to Cicero* "I must offer the most profound apology and condolence to you and your family my lord, for the loss of your son and so many others under my command."

Cicero *Bows back*  " I understand and accept your apology my Lord.  In truth the Senate wishes to here your accounts on what went right and what went wrong. There are critical issues of funding and we simply must get our priorities strait in the shortest amount of time."
Latter at the conclusion of the Senate Meeting-
Senator Severus -
"So my fellow Senators Consul Jugurath and Consul Sulla let me sum up our discussions.  It appears that the armored cars issued to the III and IV Imperial Legions did not handle the stress of prolonged operations in harsh desert conditions and harsh desert terrain in an acceptable manner.  In addition logistics problems caused the stalemate that we now find ourselves locked in and that the only way to continue this war would be to go to full mobilization which the economy at the moment simply cannot afford.  Also while the Egyptian Navy was not  considered a threat but while attempting to destroy it in port and break the will of the Egyptian's to continue this fight ships of the Imperial Mariana Roma were placed in a position of danger to enemy mines without ample support.  The result of this lack of support contributed to the loss of the IMR Naples nearly with all hands due to an enemy mine.   This loss was a result of the IMR Naples's age lack of internal bulk heads and lack of any sort of torpedo or anti mine bulk head."
The Two Consuls state an affirmation to the above statement.
Senator Severus looks at Senator Cicero who nods, and then at Senator Caracus who also nods.
Senator Severus "My fellow Senators I would like to put a motion before this body that we shall elect a Consul to see to the needs of the Military that this might not happen again.  The powers of this Consul will be to over see all special projects, research and development to insure the needs of Rome's valiant defenders.  He will also coordinate his actions with Consul Jugurath, Consul Sulla, and the Imperial Magistrates on any Legislation this body will need to pass to facilitate the needed changes."
The floor of the Senate then breaks out into heated debate....