The story starts off with a confused Atilius trying to figure out how he ended up unconscious in the middle of the Forum. After he collects himself and his vision comes back, he starts to remember all of the details that led him to this position. A few days earlier, Atilius had overheard a group of men describing how they would perform an assassination. Being intrigued by the conversation, Atilius decides to get a better look at the men. He was disturbed to realize that he recognized these men from the senate, Brutus and Gaius Cassius Longinusas as well as a few others. As the conversation went on Atilius gasped when he heard the name of the man that they planned to assassinate, Caesar.

Atilius knew that there had been some tension between Caesar and the Senate: he heard stories of Caesar not rising to accept his new honors and that the senate was upset that Caesar had decided to mint his profile onto the new coins instead of other public officials as was customary. However, Atilius was a loyal supporter of Caesar and could not believe that there was a group of men that wanted to kill the dictator. Atilius knew that he had to do something to stop them. Unfortunatley for Atilius, Brutus heard him when he let out the gasp. Although Atilius ran, Brutus was able to recognize him. It was decided that the group would send out a man to intimidate Atilius to make sure that he would not speak of the forthcoming assassination.

That brings the story back to the present time. At this point Atilius knows that he does not have much time to stop the assassination. He attempts to stop the murder however he is ultimately unsuccessful.