“Do you think we’ve really messed up?” Jane asked, pulling her cloak around her. “Have we caused Marcus to change his behavior significantly?”
“We have no way of knowing,” said Gene, pausing to watch another tent being raised. “I never came across Marcus’s name in my history, at least that I can remember. His actions may never have been written down by any historian.”
“I’m just afraid that the Germans only attacked our patrol because Marcus took us out today. Anything that the Romans or Germans do as a result of that skirmish could mean a significant change.”
Gene nodded. “I know, but look at it the other way. Maybe, even without us, Marcus or some other patrol might have gone out today and been in a skirmish with the Germans. Maybe it would have happened without us.”
“Since MC 3 was with that bunch of Germans, I suppose they were somehow influenced by his presence, too.”
“Sure, it’s possible. But we can’t know for sure. And now we can’t undo it, either.”
“And what if he goes out to burn a village in retaliation after all?”
“It doesn’t sound like he really wants to. But he might have done that without us, too. After all, it’s a standard tactic in Roman intimidation.”
“Jane, Gene!” Hunter’s voice reached them from behind.
Jane turned in surprise. “I’m glad to see you!”
“You are both well, I see.”
“We’re all right,” said Gene. “But we’re both worried about the changes we may have caused.”
“It’s Marcus,” said Jane anxiously. “He’s trying harder than ever to convince Governor Varus that the Germans are up to something.”
“Because of the attack you told me about?” Hunter glanced around the camp.
“Yes.”
“I understand. What more do you know about MC 3? You said he was with the German party?”
“Yes, but he kept trying to interfere with their fighting-to stop them under the First Law. They may not be very happy with him now.”
“Yes, I agree,” said Hunter. “He would have a hard time explaining his actions to them-even if he could speak their language, which I doubt. He remained with them after the combat had ended?”
Jane looked at Gene, shrugging.
“I couldn’t see, either,” said Gene. “But I suppose he is still with them.”
17
As the legionaries and work crews continued to raise the camp around them, Hunter quickly reviewed his historical data. It did not contain enough detail to help him. “Gene, has the governor so far altered anything because of Marcus?”
“I don’t think so,” said Gene. “Marcus is very angry right now over his failure to convince Governor Varus that the Germans could be a real danger. That must mean the governor has not changed his orders.”
“Good,” said Hunter. “If the change has been confined to Marcus, then it may not matter. What about the Germans? Are they acting differently?”
“Sorry.” Gene shook his head. “I’m afraid I can’t help you there.”
“No?”
“The historical records discuss the Roman failure to prepare for the ambush in Teutoburger Forest, and the attack itself,” said Gene. “They really don’t give much detail about German preparations. I suppose the Roman historians never really knew too much about those details.”
“I have no idea what influence MC 3 could have had so far,” said Jane. “If he can’t speak German, which is probable, he might not have had much at all. But if he displayed any robotic abilities that the Germans considered more than human…” She shrugged. “Anything could have happened.”
“That’s true,” said Gene. “The Germans might have associated him in some way with their folk religion if he showed them any special abilities.”
“I understand,” said Hunter. “In the cases of both the Romans and the Germans, nothing critically important appears to have happened yet. The danger is that a small event or two will snowball.”
“What do you think we should do?” Jane asked.
“I shall start by talking to Marcus,” said Hunter. “Where is he?”
Jane looked around. “He was here just a minute ago-there.” She pointed. “He’s talking to some people.”
“Thank you.” Hunter saw Marcus talking to two other Roman officers. He approached them slowly, not wanting to appear to interfere.
“I’m only asking you to think about it,” Marcus was saying to the other officers.
“It’s this weather I’m worried about,” one of them responded. “All we need is a mudslide or something on these horrible barbaric roads.”
“After all,” said the other. “You’re the governor’s aide, Marcus. If you can’t convince him, I don’t see how the rest of us can.”
“Maybe if we all spoke to him, in a formal meeting-” Marcus started.
“Sorry;” said one of the other officers. “I have no wish to risk my career on predicting the behavior of these savages.”
“I would watch my tongue if I were you,” said the other. “You don’t want to make the governor doubt your judgment in the future.”
The other two officers walked away. Marcus sighed and looked around. Hunter hurried up to him.
“Good evening, Tribune.”
“Ah, Hunter. I wish it was. I’m glad to see you are well, however.”
“I could not help but overhear part of your conversation,” said Hunter. “I know that Roman army matters are none of my business, as a traveling trader, but would you like to talk, just between friends?”
“I could use a friend right now,” Marcus said grimly. Then he grinned wryly. “No, that’s too strong. Governor Varus has been a good mentor. But he just can’t see what’s right in front of him.”
“Jane and Gene told me you had a clash with the Germans today. You feel more is to come?”
“I’m certain of it.”
“Have they skirmished like this with you before?” Hunter asked. “You Romans, I mean.”
“No, not recently. Not since Prince Arminius and the Cherusci tribe were given status with the Empire. That was before I received my assignment here.”
Hunter nodded, trying to convey concern. “Would you have ridden out today, if Jane and Gene had not enlisted your help in their own search?”
“No, I don’t think so. But I was glad to do it. Don’t make any mistake about that.”
“You have been very kind.” Hunter considered what little information he had. Knowing that he could make no more than a poorly educated guess, he estimated that so far, Marcus and the Germans had engaged in no more than a minor historical change. He simply had to stop the damage right away.
“It’s nothing, Hunter. Besides, if I hadn’t taken them out today, I would never have received further evidence of German hostility.”
“What casualties were sustained? On either side?”
“None for us, except for a few scratches and bruises. I think we made a better showing against them, but they carried their wounded away.”
“So perhaps no retaliation is really called for. You already got the best of them.”
“Well…I guess you could look at it that way.” Marcus grinned, finally.
“Tribune,. I shall tell my party that we shall not interfere with you any further. Your army duties must come first. I feel that we are entirely to blame for disrupting your normal routine. Please accept my apologies.”
“Not at all, Hunter. I was glad to help. But I will respect your wishes, of course.”
“I do not want to disturb you further,” said Hunter. “I shall rejoin Jane and Gene.”
“As you wish. You will all be my guests for dinner, of course.” Marcus nodded and walked away.
Hunter returned to Jane and Gene, who were standing near the governor’s tent.
“What do you think?” Jane asked. “Have we really made a bad mistake?”
“I told him we shall not interfere with army routine again,” said Hunter. “If the German ambush of this army takes place as it should, then we have not caused irreparable harm to the sequence of events.”
“What do you want us to do now?” Gene asked.
“I want to reunite the team,” said Hunter quietly, looking around to make sure none of the Romans was close enough to listen. “However, attempting to bring Steve here tonight does not seem wise.”
“Do you want us to go with you?” Jane tugged her cloak tighter around her. “We’ve had a long day, but if we have to go, then we have to go.”