Some of the legionaries broke off from the ranks and dashed into the crowd grabbing government officials at random.

  “Pick me! Pick me!” said one of the officials, excited by what seemed to be but a show.

  The emperor did an Elon Musk and thrust his hand up and out. “Silentium!” To Alex: “Verba mea translatate!”

  Alex gulped and nodded. “He meant silence !”

  Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

  The crowd calmed down.

  The emperor began to speak with Alex translating. “Greetings, Romans of the future. I am the Emperor Commodus. You need not fear! I have returned from the past to rule the future of this world!”

  An awkward cough echoed around the Colosseum followed by laughter.

  “I see you do not believe me. Mark my legionaries! We have taken hostages. Bring me your guns now or I will execute them!”

  The official from earlier stopped smiling. He pointed to his neighbour. “Pick him! Pick him!”