Cimber stood up to address the chamber in an eerily somber tone.

”Cato, as a friend, I ask you to retract your veto. This is not a time for political posturing. Peace was acquired by Rome these many years due to the negotiations of Catulus Aemilius. This was in effect a pardon of a Roman half-breed that has proved itself unworthy of such leniency. It was through his family ties that Rome has inherited the jewel of Africa, Aegyptus province. I must further remind you we are speaking of a man that to this day lives in suspicion. Surrounded by bodyguard in his twilight days. Servants tasting his food before he eats. All this because he has dropped treason charges against Cinna. A sacrifice he made for the good of all Roman people so that civil order would be maintained. This is the mark of selflessness and an action I dare say few others would have made. Though apparently too ill to respond to my calls to speak on his own behalf in the courts then, there is now seemingly nothing here that could prevent Cinna from recanting his words and putting all our hearts to rest now.

His head hung low, Cimber turned his back to the audience as he strode to the doors. Through the corner of his eyes he saw the statue of Romulus and Remus feasting from their mother wolf. It seemed that it was built in Rome’s foundation that brother would be pit against brother. Raising his hand, but without looking back, his booming voice echoed so that all could hear him. "Be well, senators. I make preparations to sail to Alexandria and fight Roma’s true enemies.”