THERMAE SALINUNTINAE HARBOR, SICILY.

It was a fine morning, with moderate land breeze blowing in such a way as would aid the pirates, giving them much added speed as they sortied forth from their safe haven.

The pirates were forming their ships, making every indication that they were about to fight their way past the waiting Roman fleet in an attempt to make it to safety, abandoning the mercenaries to their fate.

As the lead bireme reached the mouth of the harbor it suddenly dropped its sails and began to back oars, turning about and heading back for the safety of the piers before the first Roman ships could bring their ballistae to bear. The other ships in the pirate squadron did likewise.

Perplexed, and not a little disappointed, the Roman fleet waited to see what would happen next. The land breeze was no longer carrying enemy warships toward them, but it now carried the sounds of the land battle which was growing beyond the walls which protected the camp...
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Arbiter's Comments: Agrippa, battle data has been sent via e-mail. Take that data and run with it, and make us all proud!