Septimus showed no interest in Lepidus' small rebellion. He could easily raise 30 legions in less than a day, and battles involving fewer than 10 legions were not very interesting.
On the other hand, as a spectator, Septimus had no confidence in Catulus' victory.
Catulus himself also lacked confidence in defeating Lepidus. He had never fought a battle, and the very first thing he did before the Senate was hand over command of the army.
Lepidus' actions briefly awakened ambition in Lucullus' eyes, but it quickly faded.
He longed to command those two legions, but the chances were slim.
The heated debate over who would command the two legions finally reached a conclusion.
Pompey volunteered to become Catulus' advisor and command the two legions.
The Roman system placed great emphasis on age; to command two legions, one had to hold at least the office of consul, meaning one had to be at least 39 years old. Neither Lucullus nor Pompey met the qualifications, so neither was eligible to command those two legions.
However, there was one solution: allowing an advisor to command the two legions.
This had happened before in Roman history. After Scipio Africanus defeated Hannibal, Hannibal sought refuge with Antiochus, King of Syria.
Antiochus assembled an army of 80,000 men, ready to avenge his defeat.
Fearing Hannibal in Syria, Rome decided to send Scipio Africanus, the very man who had defeated him.
However, Roman law stipulated that a man could serve as consul only once every ten years. Although exceptions existed, they were granted only during critical times of war.
The Senate decided that no exception should be made, so they appointed Scipio's brother, the mediocre Lucius Scipio, as consul, while Scipio himself served as his advisor and commanded the Roman army.
Septimus probably understood Pompey better than Pompey understood himself. He knew that Pompey was a man obsessed with honor, and that if anyone dared to stand in his way, Pompey would undoubtedly turn against them.
The Senate quickly proposed Pompey as Catulus' advisor.
Lepidus was about to reach the city of Rome, and it was necessary to raise an army to defeat him and prevent a massacre within the city.
With great pride and amid the cheers of the entire Senate, Pompey would command two Roman legions and his own three personal legions to confront Lepidus.
Septimus' name was naturally remembered by many senators, but they gently shook their heads as they recalled Sulla's young general with his stern face and indifferent expression.
The memories of the Roman Civil War were still fresh, and Septimus' clone army was known for carrying out bloody massacres.
Through his clones, Septimus was able to learn about every change in Rome's political and military landscape.
With Pompey as the Senate's ideal candidate,
the Senate soon reached the quorum required to hold a meeting.
Although Sulla had expanded the Senate to 600 members, fewer than 500 usually attended.
Many senators had been sent on official missions to various places or had been recruited as lieutenants to fight in places such as Hispania.
As usual, the High Priest offered sacrifices to Jupiter, then looked up at the sky and said, "The omens are favorable."
A Senate meeting required favorable heavenly omens. If the omens were unfavorable, the Senate session could not be held.
Although the matter was urgent, the necessary procedures still had to be followed.
As President of the Senate, Lucullus stood upon the platform, from where he would preside over the session and direct its deliberations.
"Senators of Rome," Lucullus began, "you all know the current situation. The traitor Lepidus is marching toward the city of Rome with his legions and threatens to unleash a massacre."
"Consul Catulus and his advisor, General Pompey, will lead five legions to crush the ambition of the rebel Lepidus."
After Lucullus finished speaking, he continued, "Next, Chief Senator Valerius will speak."
The Senate followed a strict order of speaking. First came Chief Senator Valerius, followed by the former consuls, the current consuls, the former Chief Magistrate, and the current Chief Magistrate, in descending order of seniority and rank.
Normally, Lucullus had to ask every senator for his opinion before a vote, which inevitably involved debate, but this vote was merely a formality, and the overwhelming majority of the Senate had already made its decision.
After the formal procedures had been completed, the results were decided, and Pompey was legally authorized to assemble his legions.
Two weeks passed quickly.
News of Pompey's complete victory over Lepidus' army spread rapidly.
All of Rome was filled with jubilation, and the Senate planned to organize a celebration in Pompey's honor.
Unfortunately, Pompey did not disband his troops, nor did he intend to return to Rome.
Pompey's legions marched into Hispania without considering the Senate's opinion.
The Roman Senate was alarmed, and many senators publicly expressed their anger.
"This is outrageous! Pompey has refused to allow the military tribunes we sent to enter, claiming that the remnants of the rebels have not yet been eliminated and have already fled to Hispania. He wants to lead his troops into Hispania."
"Who does he think he is to dare defy the Senate's orders?"
"I believe he should be declared an enemy of Rome."
"I object. Pompey has his reasons for doing so."
The uproar within the Senate did not subside, and many senators angrily accused Pompey.
Unfortunately, another piece of news from the region of Campania further inflamed the already restless atmosphere in the Senate.
Septimus had sent a letter addressed to Rome demanding the full support of all Rome in order to eliminate the pirates of the Mediterranean.
Septimus' demand itself was not the problem, but his subsequent threat to lead ten legions if the Senate refused was deeply alarming.
Ten legions led by Sulla's most ruthless general.
The Senate, and all of Rome, were alarmed.
Septimus was known for being resolute and ruthless, with absolutely no scruples about attacking the city of Rome.
Many nobles left the city of Rome in their carriages as soon as they heard the news.
Pompey's disobedience could not be compared to the direct threat contained in Septimus' letter.
At that moment, Consul Cotta, Caesar's uncle and the man presiding over the meeting, had a splitting headache.
The Cotta family had benefited from Septimus' protection because of the rumors surrounding Aurelia and Septimus.
Everyone knew that Septimus was irritable and easily provoked.
Aurelia was recognized as Septimus' lover, and very few families dared to offend either the Cotta family or Caesar.
Septimus' reputation in Rome was comparable to that of a beast that was easy to provoke and difficult to appease.
Since the region of Campania was nearby, the Senate quickly proceeded to a vote.
Unfortunately, not all senators were aware of the danger, and many harbored deep resentment toward Septimus.
"206 in favor, 245 against. The Senate has rejected Septimus' proposal and gives him ten days to apologize," Consul Cotta's voice echoed throughout the temple.
Some senators cheered, while others looked utterly dejected.
One war had just ended, and another was about to begin. What was happening?
The meeting continued until dusk, and the senators left the Senate wearing various expressions, sensing a profound danger.
Septimus was not known for making empty threats, and there was a very high probability that the demand and warning contained in his letter would be carried out.
Meanwhile, Septimus quickly received the news, and with a single thought, the warehouses throughout the region of Campania were opened.
A large group of clone men gathered together and mechanically assembled to equip themselves.
Three days passed quickly.
News of the deployment of ten legions in the region of Campania reached Rome.
Septimus spread the news through the newspaper without making any attempt to conceal the truth.
On the streets of the city of Rome, a newspaper vendor shouted to the crowd.
"Shocking news! The Roman Civil War is about to erupt once again! The Senate rejects General Septimus' demands, and the region of Campania deploys ten legions."