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[Shootandrun]

As Marcellus returned to his seat, Kaeso got up for the third time and reached the podium. He addressed both the senate and the emperor this time around.

"My compatriot raises good questions, but I fear he has forgotten one of great importance. Shall we declare war upon the Alliance before invading their territories? While honor demands that we send them a formal declaration, military wisdom indicates that perhaps we would have a greater edge earlier on if we did not warn them in advance of our coming. Of course, some may call it dishonorable, but then again - should we Hadrians truly have to go so low as to honor these scum with bothering formalities and unnecessary messages?

Bah, I say! The Whitepeak Alliance will cease to exist in a matter of months. Once those who resist are dead and those who live have bowed, who will remain to critique our lack of proper etiquette? Besides, striking with speed and surprise on our side will guarantee the deaths of fewer Hadrian soldiers - something, and I believe you will all agree with me, that should not be overlooked. We should not be thinking of building agreeable relations with Whitepeak once the war is over - we should be thinking of annexing them quickly and without unnecessary risks."

With that, he returned to his seat.

[CyberGenesis]

***The night after the Senate meeting***

It had been along day in the senate, again, and Cain was short of allowances. Work required things to be done, yet he was behind - as usual. Though he had a certain amount of leeway when it came tohis Reports, he tried not to push his boundries too far.

Times had been slow since the reign of Septimus began, and it was likely in Cain's best interest to re-evaluate. He summoned his assistant, Eris, to his side. A balding man of nearly 50, Eris has been the prime assistant of Cain's for 8 years now. Eris was more an an inheritance than an employee though...

"You called for me Sir?"

"I did, I need an inventory. It's been months, if not years, since a proper inventory was recorded. I need to know everything you still retain access to.."

"Of course Sir, any expedience on that?"

"No, I prefer it be accurate rather than fast"

"Very well, I shall get to work then"

[Ardas]

Crassius was not a man of high honour like optimates, but to hear of such a proposal astounded him. He decided to speak out again, if only for the sake of the the reminder to others.
"This is a moot point, fellow senators. Only a thief, a bandit or a barbarian wages violence upon others unnanounced, using subterfuge and surprise as his advantage. One cannot hide a legion away from plain sight, let alone 3.

The least can we do is to give a formal delcaration of war, make appropriate sacrifices and let our enemy meet us in the field. We are conquerors and Hadrians, not thieves and barbarians."

[filiusenox]

Fae rested back, saying nothing, merely staring off into the distance as the other argued about war and barbarians and raiding or something stupid. He hid a yawn as a cough, and otherwise just stayed silent, as so many other senators with a lick of sense were doing.
   He however, slowly made to rise, before Crassius stood back up to argue once more. He silently flopped back on his seat and waited once more.

[Ghazkull]

From somewhere at the back of the Senate Building were the guards stood a loud "Heh" could be heard at the words of Crassius.

[Evil Marahadja]

For the first time this session. Laevinus stood up. Among most battlescarred of the senate. Participating in close combat several times. When he stood up it was an impressive sight. He let his green eyes wander among the senate, before finaly speaking up. You could detect an inch of nervousness in his voice.
Fellow senates, besides the obvious dishonour in invading without a formal declaration of war, there are several practical disadvantages as well. First and foremost, we have to assume that the The Whitepeak Alliance has spies somewhere in the social ladder. May it a merchant or a slave. It is close to impossible sending 15, 000 soldier accompanied by many others unnoticed. This will diminish our edge and hurt our honour, making it harder to conduct diplomacy with other states in the future.
He let the message sink in before continuing.
Secondly, I argue that we want them to know that we are coming. If they aren't able to muster their forces before invade. They may hide in their cities, we will face 3 sieges, possible taking several years and killing many men in the sickness that follows a long military campaign.
But with a formal deceleration of war, we may be able to draw them out from the safety of their walls. I rather see us face there pathetic excuse of an army on a open field. I am confident in our Emperor and the Legates appointed. I am sure they will give us a crushing victory over our foes. Giving them no other option than surrendering when they lost the army supposed to protect them. As several senates wisely has stated, time is of the essence. Let us not waste time in prolonged sieges. That is all.

[Dragor23]

Flavius stood up once again, with the same smile as ever on his face.

"I agree with my dear friend Crassius here. We need to declare war properly, sacrifice to the gods and crush them.
It is not our call to make use of petty ruses and laughable "suprise attacks". What are we? Barbarians? Dancing around stones, not covering our bodies, bleating like sheeps? Of course not! We are Hadrians!"

He smiled broadly at Crassius.

"I always thought you are more honourable than your origins, fellow senator! Now you just need to learn what the plebs deserves and how we should guide it."

[Ghazkull]

Somewhere from the back came a mumbled comment about girlish clothes and neutering somebody...but that was propably not ehard in the "greast" speech of Flavius.

[Caellath]

Durant listened in silence to the Senators' speeches and minor bickering, his helmet under his arm, one of his hands resting over the pommel of his simple morning star. He was already used to that kind of talk, the verbal combat that always ensued whenever the Senators had to decide something, anything.

His gaze shifted sideways and to the Emperor, expecting him to pronounce his own opinion on the matters. Knowing him, the praefectus had an idea of the experienced man would say to the Senate. Almost always, the middle ground, the area which swerved between both sides without falling exactly on one of them.

He also noticed some mumbled comments from the foreign guard. To be sincere, Durant couldn't hold anything against them; he supposed both he and his men would get better acquainted with other warriors - even if their origin wasn't hadrian - than with most Senators. Their purpose was one and the same, and they needed stronger bonds than just a reluctant cooperation. He respected the men in furs, and he hoped for similar from them.

"I wonder where she would be." he thought aloud, looking around.

[Sheb]

Once more, Lucullus stand up.

My fellow Senators, I think the result is clear. We shall fight like men, like Hadrian men!" said Lucullus in a strong voice. Then, turning toward the corner of the senate where the Novi Homines sat, he said with a grin:

"I think my esteemed colleague can understand this desire of men, and will retract his motion. Should he decide a vote shall go on, he can be sure not a single one of use will vote for it.

[Shootandrun]

With a polite smile, Kaeso raised his hand and walked towards the podium, nearly cutting off Lucullus.

"I would like to thank the senate for its... Enlightening views on the matters of honor and pragmatism. However, I believe I will indeed call a vote to see whether or not we should send a formal declaration of war. I suppose the Emperor will wish to speak of his opinion on the motion before we begin voting?"

[5+1] Kaeso has convinced the Novi Homines of voting with him.

[filiusenox]

Fae closed his eyes and slouched back a little more, going silent, and seeming for all the world like he fell asleep. His dwarven guard roused him when the vote went around, and he abstained from voting, before resting back once more.

Abstain from voting.

[Ardas]

Taking note from Fae, Crassius remained silent and abstained. To vote against normal declaration of war was a barbarity that was not up for consideration.

Crassius abstains.

[Dragor23]

Marcus Flavius is more active than certain members of the Populars, voting for the formal declaration of war.

[2+2] Flavius has convinced the Optimates of voting with him.

[Evil Marahadja]

Laevinus Cornelii votes for a formal declaration  of war. The honourable and most practical thing to do.