Casca stood, suddenly quite livid.

"With all due respect to the Consul Quintus Servilius Nerva, I must speak against this legislation.

"Conscript Fathers! How dare this man speak of tradition in any way, shape, or form! Allow legions to operate in any province? That is why we have legislation like the Senatus Consultum Cimbrii and Servilia!

"He dares to say that his legislation has no affect - it has every effect! If we are to allow the legions in Africa, Cyrenaica, and Aegyptus to operate in ANY of those provinces, what is the point, Senators? Next we will see legislation that would allow all legions to operate anywhere under the command of their governor!

"To put it simply, Conscript Fathers: If we allow this legislation to pass, we will allow our own Consul to take legions into Aegyptus completely independently. The Propraetor Atrebas will be able to take legions into Cyrenaica and Africa with no regard for the provincial authority!.

"What madness is this, Conscript Fathers?! Soon we will see legions from Aegyptus or Gallia or Africa operating freely and with impunity INSIDE ITALIA!

"This, Senators, is a precedent which MUST NOT be set. Imperium is an integral part of the mos maiorum, and thus, the mos maiorum will suffer from this legislation!

"I would speak at greater length, but the Consul has seen fit to do away with debate on an entirely new subject, while extending the debate for legislation that has already been discussed."

Casca turned to the Consul, and very nearly spat.

"Tradition. Honor. Integrity. You, sir, have no claim to any.

"No to the Senatus Consultum Servilia Infra Internum Abomination."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~