GATE: And So the Allies Fought There!
Chapter Two
Commence Operations
Summary: During the Invasion of Ginza, not only Japanese citizens were killed, but so were international tourists and foreign workers. In addition to these people, many of the embassies and foreign consulates in Tokyo were also attacked and heavy casualties suffered. In response, the United Nations mediated that Japan would send through an initial response, but also that the United States of America would also dispatch an expeditionary brigade under the command of the SDF's expeditionary forces.
XXXX
Outpost Indigo, Hill 139
United States Forces-Falmarius
0923 hours Fort Alnus Standard Time
Day 112
"REQUESTING FIRE MISSION AT GRID KILO-DELTA-5-6! FIRE FOR EFFECT!"
"AMMO! GET ME SOME FUCKING AMMO HERE!"
"MEDIC! I NEED A MEDIC OVER HERE!"
"FIRE!"
The 57mm (Field) Gun M1A1 recoils as it fires a canister shot at the charging enemy, the round exiting the barrel to fly 50 meters before breaking open and hurling hundreds of steel balls no bigger than a marble into the enemy ranks. As the attackers are turned into a bloody mess on the formerly green land, Corporal Steven Grey Ryan runs through the trenches outside the pre-fab walls of Torrent Company's outpost. On his back are two cases of supplies. One contains medical supplies, the other powerpacks for suits. Of the two, the one containing powerpacks is nearly empty. Fortunately, a medical team is in need of the supplies and relieve the corporal of them, instead, giving him another case of ammunition that needs to be taken to one of the machine gun nests.
Running down the trenches some more, he tosses a powerpack to a soldier who needs it badly. The woman swaps out her dead pack and installs the new one and begins to breath easier now that her suit has been powered back up. Ryan checks her to make sure she's going to be fine before moving on, stopping only to call for a medic and a replacement as he pops the heads of a trio of ogres with his M14A3. Then, once the perimeter is secure again, he's on the move through the trenches and arrives at the machine gun nest to find the soldiers there in literally bloody hand to hand.
It was Torrent Company's luck to get the outpost with an overlooked blindspot. As such, the enemy had been able to push a force right up to the trenches and some of them had begun to spill into the trenches. As such, they have wounded piling up at the aid station and fierce close combat breaking out all over the place.
Joining the fight, the corporal draws his M1911 .45 caliber ACP and puts a neat hole into one orc's face that blows the back of the head out messily. Two more shots stop another orc from climbing in. A pistol whip and an enemy soldier collapses, helmet dented in and likely having a broken skull.
"Throw me that weapon!" another member of Torrent shouts to Ryan and the corporal throws the soldier his sidearm. The man turns and empties the remaining four rounds before reloading and firing at targets on his side.
Ryan begins a close combat fight with a spear wielding enemy. A quick swipe with his rifle butt knocks the other guy's helmet off, revealing a boy of possibly 14 or 15 years of age. Before the boy can recover, Ryan grabs him and tosses him into the trenches behind the nest. There another soldier picks up and body slams the teenager until he's out of breath and unable to fight.
But Ryan has more problems as another spear wielder is engaging him. Both men lock their weapons together, but it is Ryan who gets the upper hand by shifting his weight and falling to a knee, causing his opponent to lose balance and tumble forward. With no room to recover, the man smacks his face on the Browning .50 caliber and begins crying out as his nose is broken along with his jaw. Ryan merely grabs the man and tosses him into the trench, where he's quickly placed in flexicuffs.
One of the machine gun crew grabs the spare ammunition off Ryan's back and hurriedly reloads the crew served weapon. Ryan covers him, bayoneting another enemy in the leg and shooting an ogre in the gut a half dozen times over. A troll then wanders up and Ryan empties his magazine into it before it can cross into their position.
Unfortunately, it falls on the razor wire, flattening most of the line and allowing the enemy to rush them.
If not for the M2A1 BMG that springs to life and stops the rush with a deluge of heavy fire.
But the enemy is still coming. Fortunately, a 57mm Field Gun is put into position and fires. Then it fires repeatedly. The crew pumping out as many rounds as is physically possible to do. The effort pays off and the attack on the nest is stopped and the survivors forced back.
Then air support arrives in the form of UCAVs. MQ-1 Predators have suddenly appeared on the battlefield and armed with light machine guns, bombs, and rockets, they have begun taking a toll on the enemy's forces.
But that means dropping low, right into the engagement envelope for the enemy's Dragon forces. So the attack runs are short and quick. Using Boom and Zoom tactics to get in and get out before the Dragon Legions can get a coordinate air defense going.
Which speaking of which, the M163s and M42 Dusters are finally putting an end to any further strafing runs on Torrent's positions. While the men can dodge the spears, there were simply too many. Though it took the crews long enough to finally get that over with. Unfortunately, again, that damn blind spot had allowed the Dragons to get in close before the gunners could react.
They're going to have to something about that in the immediate near future.
Suddenly, Ryan finds himself being grabbed and lifted up by an enemy troll.
"Motherfucker!" Ryan tries firing his weapon, but the M14 is just too long to be effectively brought into place before he can feel the squeeze literally being put on him.
"I don't think so you ugly sonovabitch!" the rapid fire of a M16 turns the troll's head into confetti and Ryan finds himself being dropped to land hard and his ankle screams to life in pain. "Corporal Ryan! Can you stand?"
It's Private Seamus and she's helping him to his feet.
"That your kill private?" he inquires as she helps him into cover, before snagging one of his powerpacks to replace her almost dead one.
"Yes Corporal Ryan," she responds, before helping him ease his leg up as a medic arrives to look it over.
"It ain't broke and don't feel like a fracture," the medic is quick and blunt. Then he gets to Ryan's ankle and the corporal cries out in pain. "Looks like a sprain to me, but until we can get you into the Medical Hab, I can't be sure."
Ryan's answer is to use his rifle to pick off four enemies running along the length of top of the trench.
"Then it's a good thing I'm a crack shot!" he points to a nearby and strangely empty tower, "Get me up there private!"
"Right away corporal!" Seamus responds, helping him up onto his good foot.
The two begin moving down the trench, the corporal passing his powerpacks to the medic to hand out. The medic gives him a spare. Ryan checks and sees his power levels are at 37%. He will need it soon enough.
XXXX
"Last stop! Everyone out!"
First Lieutenant Youji Itami calls for his recon troopers to disembark from their Type 60 APCs. As his recon troopers pour out and line up, Itami sees Sergeant Major Souichirou Kuwahara checking each and every member of the platoon. Itami also sees Sergeant Takeo Kurata checking on the rest of the company.
Itami's company is a quick ad hoc company. They have support of the Finnish Type 55 Marksman SPAAGs and the Israelis are moving in concert with the US Marines to secure Torrent's flank by seizing another hill and getting a company of Field Guns on it. For now, Itami commands a mix of recon, support, and available infantry troopers with enough Type 60s and Type 73s to get them to Torrent.
"Sir!" Itami turns to his radio operator, "The US 89th Armored Battalion is on the move to cut off the flow of enemy reinforcements and SDF Companies A and C of the 105th Mechanized Infantry Regiment are on their way to give use support. Time until arrival is 12 mikes."
"Artillery support?" Itami inquires immediately. His ad hoc unit won't hold for long. Where the hell is the leading elements of the 11th Division? Shouldn't they have come through the gate by now?
"Freshly arrived Artillery has been designated to support us and Torrent Company," the radioman replies immediately. "It's American artillery, a mix of Towed and SPGs. We have two companies of Paladins on call, callsigns Longarm and Gunny."
"That's good news for today," Itami turns to his Sergeant Major, "All the troops ready Old Man?"
The oldest soldier there nods, "Yes Lieutenant, we are good to go."
"Kurata!" Itami turns to the other sergeant he can rely on.
"All good Lieutenant!" the sergeant responds.
Itami nods and issues his orders, "Skirmishers up front, everyone else spread out, one meter spacing don't bunch up or line up! Stay close to the vehicles and check your power levels as regularly as you can. Keep an eye on your air supply and ammunition. Move out!"
The vehicles begin advancing as Itami's recon platoon moves up front to act as the vanguard skirmishers. The rest fall in near the vehicles keeping their spacing and giving the vehicles a bit more room to maneuver.
XXXX
Several infiltrators charged Captain Ronalds and his command staff. Quickly drawing his two pistols, he easily dispatches the first soldier with a shot to the head. Then he spins around another man's spear thrust, bringing his elbow down on the back of the man's head and sending him tumbling to the ground. A third man catches two bullets through his chest plate. A fourth is swiftly kicked with a low sweeping kick that puts him on his back before a bullet splatters his brain in his helmet. A final attacker gets an elbow to the face for his attempt and he releases his sword to cradle his broken jaw before a shot each to both legs drops him.
The remaining enemies back up, but two are shot in the head anyways before the Torrent Company commander aims up and fires into the dragon rider above him.
The dragon roars as its rider falls from it. Before it can get up though, one of the men of the command staff rushes out and aims up before firing his M72 LAW. The explosion kills the dragon instantly, blowing it into two pieces, but out of the smoke and flame steps Captain Ronalds as he spins his newly loaded weapons in his hands.
The surviving enemy soldiers gulp collectively in nervous fright. Then they see the man that had been knocked to the ground begin to get up, but before he can orient himself, a M14's rifle stock puts him back on the ground and out cold.
The headquarter guards have arrived.
But the enemy isn't done yet. One man unleashes a battle cry, only for Ronalds to shot him in the head. A second man charges with sword and shield, only to lose an eye to a well placed round from the captain. Two others though use their comrade as cover to attack with spears and swords, but the captain only holsters his weapons and fights them man to men.
The first man attempts a ramming with his shield, big mistake as Ronalds jumps backwards. The man overextends and losses balance. His spear is then grabbed and yanked forward by Ronalds. The man, off balance, tumbles and falls.
The second man thrusts with his spear when Ronalds is clear of his ally. The captain of Torrent draws his combat knife in response, parrying the thrust. Then using the spear to push off, spins around and manages to slide his knife between the shoulder armor and helmet to stab the man in the neck.
As the man goes down, clutching at the knife that is buried in his neck, the first man gets back up. Before he can turn and engage Ronalds, the captain is on him. The two men hit the ground, rolling four times as they wrestle for dominance. Ronalds gets a good grip on the man's left leg and twists, hard.
The popping sound is followed by the man's immediate screams of pain. His left leg dislocated and possibly broken. Ronalds is up, pulling the man's sword from its sheath and pointing at the remaining enemy soldiers before him, including some new arrivals.
"Anyone else interested in a fight?"
Light dances off the shined sword as Ronalds' faceless appearance with his arm outstretched, covered in blood and soot, make him look less human and more like a faceless agent of death.
Someone, a guy with a lot of plumage, is.
With a wordless battlecry he charges Ronalds. The captain dodges and rolls from the first well honed swing. Not getting up from the ground, Ronalds kicks out and knocks the man's right leg from under him. Yet the man only falls to his knee and rolls over his own shoulder, evading Ronalds' follow up thrust.
The two men are up and circling. Then the blades meet in a metal clash of steel on steel. Ronalds pushes off, backing off and drawing one of his pistols. His opponent's eyes widen before there is a brief echoing report.
And an enemy orc falls dead before it can crush one of Ronald's men. A neat hole in the back of the head and a messy hole where the left eye used to be. Along with part of the left side of the face.
Another shot and another orc falls. A literal in one ear and out the other. Even if it isn't dead, it just lost all hearing and balance. Of course that being less an issue when a shotgun wielding cook appears and removes the head at the neck for good measure.
Ronalds is then engaged by the enemy commander once more. But this time, the man uses his shield in an attempt to cave in or at least strike Ronald's in the head. At the same time, the man is preparing to turn and carve up the captain with his sword.
The captain counters by letting his armored vambrace deflect the sword attack and uses his own sword to parry the shield strike, though he ends up losing his hold on the sword.
It doesn't matter.
A quick choke hold is applied before his opponent can turn around and recover and with a painful yank and pop, dislocates his opponent's arm before pushing him forward and kicking out to break the back of the man's right knee.
With a howl of pain, the enemy commander hits the ground incapable of further combat.
Not that it matters. Lieutenant Itami is charging through the enemy with his men. The appearance of the SDF reinforcements breaks up any further attacks. The vehicles provide heavy fire support, clearing the sky and forward positions. Artillery slams into the areas beyond, cratering the landscape and bowling over enemies. Bits of men and beast and monster fly.
Itami fires two bursts from his Type 64 Rifle and then walks over to Captain Ronalds.
"I see why they call you Rex, sir," Itami salutes, his rifle raised up and resting against his shoulder, "Lieutenant Youji Itami reporting sir."
Returning the salute as he returns his pistol to its holster, but not before reloading it, Rex just sighs, "Sometimes I wish they didn't."
Both men have a good laugh.
XXXX
Rifle resting across his lap, Ryan let's out a relieved sigh. His perch in the tower has afforded him a grand view of the arrival of reinforcements and the encirclement of the enemy. Textbook fire and maneuver, anvil and hammer tactics.
Ryan can hear Seamus gathering up some prisoners, he thinks he hears Sergeant Paparelli down there as well. That crazy Italian had enlisted with the US Army right out of High School in his native Genoa so he could travel the world and send his money back to his family. Now he's traveling worlds and keeping the men and women of Torrent Company happy with his Italian cooking.
"Which means things must have been bad if the Head Cook is out here, sheesh," Ryan mutters as he watches two Reapers fly by overhead and drop a payload of small bombs.
The explosions are definitely worth a philosophical debate about beauty and violence.
Ryan yawns then. He's tired. He had also been trying to take a nap earlier. Now, there's all of this.
"What a rude enemy," Ryan yawns again, "Couldn't they… -yawn-... have… -yawn-... at least… snarfer... called before attacking?"
And he's completely passed out, his eyes closing before he finishes speaking and not realizing he's let slip on a verbal tic.
XXXX
"Look at that Lieutenant Itami," Captain Ronalds smiles at the map in the Command Hab. "While we aren't encircling the main force, it's a nice bag of gifts and fresh intelligence either way."
Itami nods. His and Rex's helmets rest before them, up turned for a quick put on. The Nipponese officer's eyes glued to the giant screen showing the map of the area and the positions of both sides elements. The otaku has to admit, the Americans know how to throw their money around when it strikes them.
Especially with how it is feeding his inner nerd.
Right now, he can see the enemy may force making for nearby passes and bridges. They are effectively withdrawing and ceding complete control of the Alnus Hill area to the Allies. A few drones go out to confirm and keep them running. Yet, the battle is effectively won for today.
Thus, for now, the potential Second Battle of Ginza is averted with the Second Battle of Gate Hill.
Which is good. Although it won't get him back home to any conventions soon, the little girl who lost her parents appears in his mind's eye and he unconsciously releases a fist he hadn't realized he had made.
"Get used to it El-Tee," a Specialist at a computer looks up to him as Itami rubs his hand, "You'll likely be doing it a lot before this is over."
Nodding to the man, "Thank you, I'll take your word for it." Itami shifts uncomfortably. This is one of the reasons he didn't like being this responsible. His eyes go back to the screen and the enemy's isolated and encircled elements are being picked off at leisure, often with artillery fire.
"What's the casualty count for today?" Rex orders next, curious if they were so lucky as they were on the C-Day when they lost no one killed, wounded, or missing and there hadn't even been any accidents either.
Best of all, no friendly fire for once.
"All expedition elements are checking in and reporting zero dead and missing," another Specialist reported from her station, sighing with relief, "Yet again."
"That's good to hear," Ronalds slaps Itami on the shoulder, but men glad that for once in their modern warfare history, no one would be heading home in a body bag.
"Our company has sustain over 60 percent wounded though," Ronalds 2iC, First Lieutenant Jerry Mapleton, reports from his position in the field as he appears on a smaller screen to the side of the main screen, "We can expect more than that by the time the final tally is made Captain Ronalds."
Nodding, "I'm well aware Lieutenant," tapping a tabletop interactive plot screen, before a Three Dimensional representation of Torrent Company's position appears indicating the whereabouts of the entire company and their condition, "We got a lot of Yellow and Orange lights all over the place," then he notices one very lone lime colored dot in a tower with no one around it, "Someone get Corporal Ryan, he appears to be injured in some way."
Itami looks at the holo representation as it grows larger to show virtually no one anywhere near that spot and then he sees where his men are located, "I'll send Sergeant Major Kuwahara and two platoons to secure the spot and retrieve the corporal immediately captain."
Turning to smile at the man, "Thank you, saves me trouble," then turning back, "Huh? I wonder if he fell asleep?"
XXXX
When the 50 something year old sergeant major finally reaches the top of the ladder into the tower, there he finds Corporal Ryan has indeed fallen asleep.
The older man merely shakes his head and finishes climbing into the tower post. Checking the area around him, he can see that the corporal must have been busy. Lifting his face plate and sighting through his own binoculars, he can see some enemies that the corporal was likely to have killed. Given the number of empty brass cases, it must have been one heck of a shooting gallery. He'll have to check the corporal's feed and see if he can't take a copy back to be used as training film for the SDF.
"Corporal Ryan," he reaches out and gently shakes the American soldier, "Corporal Ryan," he repeats when he gets only snoring. Again, he shakes the corporal and again, he reminds silent save for his snoring.
Frowning, Kuwahara checks the corporal's bio monitor. He's surprised to see a serious injury on the corporal's ankle. Pain was sufficient enough for the automated system to inject a dose of morphine. Twice.
"Little wonder he's asleep," Kuwahara calls down for a rope and a litter as the medic who was waiting at the bottom starts rapidly ascending to see what is wrong.
Re-entering and taking a look out at the field, Kuwahara guesses the corporal must have injured his ankle earlier and then started fighting on it. Getting up and then continuing to fight. He must have strained it significantly for the bio monitor to issue two doses of morphine.
"Tetsu Actual, Tetsu Alternative, I found Corporal Ryan," the medic enters the tower hut and moves to take care of the sleeping corporal, "He appears to have an ankle injury that is severe enough to warrant two autoinjections of Morphine. He's currently unconscious at this time and is receiving medical care before we evacuate him."
"Copy that Tetsu Alternative. Man I hate saying codenames at times," a pause and a voice in the background, "Huh? That was broadcasted? Whoops! Sorry about that Old Man. How long before you can get him out of there?"
Kicking some of the brass casings as he chuckles at his sometimes absent minded lieutenant, the old Sergeant Major begins picking up a few and noting with some surprise that they came from a M60 machine gun. He could see the scrapes from the belt that held them and there are pieces of disintegrating belts laying all over the place. The particular types are that most associated with the M60. There are also discarded ammunition magazines for an M14. Too few to have been more than one person, yet the ammo locker holding ammunition has been opened up and there is hardly any ammunition left in it.
"He's completely out of ammunition Sergeant Major," the medic suddenly reports, "I can't find grenades or a spare magazine."
"Truly a dedicated soldier," Kuwahara responds as he moves to help the medic prep the corporal for transport, "I heard he alone, through courage, daring, and leadership, enabled the doors to Nerima to be barred shut to the enemy."
The medic nodded, "Yeah, I treated some of the wounded there," then suddenly laughing a bit to himself that he cannot stop himself for a few good moments.
"What's so funny?" the old Sergeant Major lifts an eyebrow behind his faceplate.
Struggling for a few moments, the medic gets himself under control before turning to the older soldier, "I just remembered he was seriously wounded in the Battle of Ginza too. I think he took a stab wound to his side and never noticed it until he passed out from blood loss later. Now here he is laid out because of an ankle injury."
The medic broke back down into fits and giggles as he works. The old SDF sergeant only shakes his head. His shoulders bobs, though, up and down. He too finds that to be completely laughable.
"Yo! Old Man! Waiting on a report here!"
Startled by Itami's call, Kuwahara clears his throat before speaking, "Sorry Tetsu Actual, should have him prepped and in transit inside of 5 mikes and have him in the Medical Hab in another 5."
"Well that's good to hear, but what was the hold up?"
Holding up several casings, he can pick three out that are likely from Ryan's own supplies, "I was just going over the area and the number of spent casings. Looks like someone had an M60 up here, but I do not see the weapon in question. In addition, Corporal Ryan appears to be either completely out of ammunition or down to his last magazine," picking up the corporal's weapon and removing the magazine and clearing the chamber, Kuwahara is surprised to find only three rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber, "Correction, he was down to his last four rounds."
"Isn't there an ammo locker there?"
Kuwahara takes a look and to his surprise, the remaining magazines are for sniper rifles, "I'm finding only two belts of M60 ammunition and a full load of sniper ammo. It appears to be completely devoid of rifle ammunition."
"That is a lot of bullets sent down range."
"Indeed sir," seeing a private come up the ladder and report the litter was ready, the Sergeant Major helps him grab the rope and pulley from the next locker to attach to the conveniently installed hooks and guides that were put there for this very purpose, "We're now setting up to lower the corporal back down to ground level. I'll check in once we have him on the ground."
"Copy that Testu Alternative," a pause, "Just be careful. We just got word of some stragglers here and there."
"Copy that Testu Actual," the medic indicates there isn't much more to be done. The sleeping corporal's ankle has been put into a splint to keep it immobilized. "Beginning procedures, talk to you soon sir."
"Roger wilco."
"Tell the others to stay sharp," Kuwahara informs the soldier assisting him, "We may have stragglers in our area."
"Yes Sergeant Major," and the man leans over to signal with hand signs.
Then the process of getting the American down soon begins.
XXXX
Capital City Sadera, Sandera Empire
Midday
Senate Forum
Three days since the Second Battle of Alnus
The Senate Forum had been in heated debate for several hours now. Since it began early this morning. Now, with it being midday, the Emperor of the Falmarius Empire, Molt Sol Augustus, is considering breaking the bickering Senators up for lunch. Perhaps after a meal, they will be less likely to argue and howler at one another.
Plus he can use the time to come up with a plan.
But, first, they would need to hear out the senior surviving Praetors from the battle.
Surprisingly, only one man enters. Even more surprising is the markings of his rank and post. He is a middle ranked Armicustos. This is the senior surviving Praetor? The battle must have truly gone so horribly wrong if this man is before him and the Senate.
And when the formalities are done, the battle had gone horribly wrong.
As the Armicustos began his report, it didn't seem all that different. He had been at the briefing from some survivors who had gone through the mysterious gate on Alnus hill and had come back. He had heard that they reported a city of immeasurable size, filled with buildings and wide walkways that stood high. Some of the buildings seemed to reach for the heavens. Made of towering metal and glass, there were still more familiar buildings of reasonable and respectable height of brick and mortar as well.
He had heard the briefing from the survivors of the garrison that had also been destroyed in a day long battle with the invaders. That the enemy used some kind of strange magic and could not be closed with with all of their might. That a much larger force was needed to make the breakthrough and recapture the hill, thus his legion and others had been dispatched.
This was not new to the Senate nor the Emperor. They had be well aware for some time. The Armicustos though reported that defensive construction hadn't begun yet, even though the Senate and the Emperor had both ordered it and provided resources. As such, the garrison soldiers had remained normally encamped, though they had taken precautions nonetheless and prepared wooden strongpoints in the event of an enemy attack.
And when that enemy attack came, it came at night and filled the night with light. As bright as day. With great beasts of metal and long and short snorts that spat flame and explosions filled the world. At first, the enemy appeared only to be armed with some sort of new crossbow and scopios. Instead, they were some kind of magical devices.
Which, unfortunately, was only learned the hard way by the army charged with recapturing Alnus Hill and the mysterious gate upon it.
When light and flame appeared, men died with holes in their bodies. Great explosions tore through ranks and bowled others over when the sky itself exploded. Great streams of lights crisscrossed the battleground. Wherever they went, men and beast fell dead. Strange ghosts that were conjured chased dragons high in the sky and no matter of trick or maneuver save for dropping fast behind hills and trees seemed to fool them.
Metal appeared from thin air, scattering across the fields and scything through men like they were wheat. Through metal, cloth, skin, flesh, and bone.
The man reported their only near success had been a well positioned fort that had one overlooked blind spot. The forces arrayed had managed to breach its walls and enter it. Though the whole way was heavily contested.
When asked about the fort, the response was shocking.
A fort of instant buildings, walls, and towers of metal. There were long strings of metal wire with razor sharp small blades and pointed small prongs that cut flesh and caught cloth. Trenches had been dug and wood used to make strongpoints as well as a strong solid grey rock-like material.
The enemy then lived in this instant fort with horseless carriages of forged metal carrying them about when they left for their main encampment.
Despite everything, they managed to use that one blind spot to successfully surprise their opponent and nearly overrun him at that one fort.
Unfortunately, the defenders fought back hard and skillfully. They used some strange white birds that flew overhead and dropped some sort of metal casks that exploded about the soldiers assaulting the fort. They also had that flame and lines of light. They also had something else that left thin white trails in the sky of burned smoke. Though the Dragon Riders had held them at bay or prevented them from making a more concerted effort to attack the soldiers on the ground.
Reports filed back about not only men, but women making up the garrison. They all fought as though they were a Cohort themselves. These were professional soldiers, well trained and disciplined and very skilled at fighting. Even as men entered their trenches and fort, they fought with their strange weapons in hand to hand. They drew knives or turned their long weapons into some kind of spear. They fought with fist and foot and knew how to wrestle as well as used their own style of grappling and throws. They grabbed shovels and clubbed men dead or beat them senseless with whatever their hands could grab.
When asked of their appearance, the response was 'Green People.' For that is the color of their clothes and armor. Green and Dark Green, like a forest and field meet. The only other colors were patches on their upper arms or what trimmed their contours. Some had more notable designed helmets with prongs sticking up from the back. All had used a closed helmet that had no discernable means of air or sight. Yet they were passing strange things around to one another and then put them into their armor, generally the large packs on their backs.
The ones at the fort used a blue color to designate them. There were nearly 300 enemies there. Some of the leaders had more identifiable markings. A typical enemy had no color on his shoulder.
When asked about that strange remarked, the Armicustos responded he was about to explain.
The enemy common soldiers had no markings on their shoulders. Only the standard markings and colors that everyone had. But those higher up had small stripes that would appear on their shoulders of a blue color. After three blue stripes, the color became a blue stripe with a green stripe of the shade of an apple. Then it was alternating stripes of blue and that apple green for another three ranks. Then it was a solid yellow band. After that blue stripes on a yellow band. That was for two ranks before it turned into a red band with blue stripes for three ranks.
The known last one appeared to be the commander of the fort. A man with two strange small black objects on his belt. A man with deadly precision, calm thought, and formidable skill that he singlehandedly took out a dozen men by himself in just as many steps. A man not fazed when a dragon was killed in a ball fire just above him. He even found time, when fighting with a Centurion, to defend his men from surprise attacks from behind.
He was not the only one to stand out. One man, seen regularly running through the trenches, passing things out, had fought hard and was only nearly defeated when one of the fort's exterior strongpoints had nearly been taken. A troll had managed to get its hands on him and was preparing to kill him when one of the soldier women appeared and killed the troll instead. The man was dropped and appeared injured enough to require attention, but he still was able to be carried by the woman to a tower when he could not be dislodged and the woman would allow no one near the base of the tower to destroy it.
"Eventually enemy reinforcements arrived and the few survivors of the breach managed to escape somehow," the Armicustos shook his head in disbelief, "Their numbers had swelled to rival our own and they were able to maneuver faster than us. While most of us escaped, many others were encircled and there was nothing we could do. We had lost all of our leaders to their attacks from beyond the horizon and our supplies were nearly exhausted as were the surviving men. Our wounded piling up faster than our doctors and healers could work. Armor and weapons, forged with some of the greatest talent and materials, ruined completely beyond repair. The enemy continued to harry us. Their strange weapons make a deep Pow-Pow-Pow sound, almost like deluded thunder, if such a thing is possible, while others were the sound of thunder. I heard sounds of cloth being torn through the air and not a soul near. Some made a definite sound. A sound I cannot describe, yet I was reminded of saws used to cut lumber for some reason. Others had a more muted sound, but I can scarcely say what. I believe distance was a factor there. And that is the conclusion of my report."
"I see," Emperor Molt speaks after a few long moments of silence, "That is most distressing. But you did well to bring the living back. We shall pray that many who are wounded, stay among the living. You may go and rest before you rejoin your Legion. You all will be withdrawn and given time to rest and recover from your losses, but I fear neither you nor the Empire will ever fully recover from our losses in that battle."
"Thank you Your Imperial Majesty," and the Armicustos is lead out by members of the guard. The man is not to blame. Apparently, everyone had seriously underestimated the threat. Even himself and that worries Molt greatly.
"Talk about an unmitigated disaster," the Emperor pinches the bridge of his nose, "To think that an enemy so formidable has appeared before us. But it is an enemy we shall have to deal with immediately."
Suddenly, Marquess Casel stands up and walks to the center of the forum. Once there, he immediately begins speaking, addressing the matter. He is to the point, though. Very much so.
"It was an embarrassment, Your Majesty," the man is dressed in an orange toga over a creme-colored tunic with purple laena. He has a small circlet with a small jewel hanging down between his eyes around his head. He has a particularly long face with a long nose and short cut eyes. His short brown hair is spiked up and back. "We have nearly lost 60% of the Empire's military might. What would you have us do?"
At those words, various senators began talking to one another, each indicating some concern or another. The loss of so many men in so little time is virtually unheard of! With what they have left on border guard elsewhere, the capital itself is left wide open.
"How would you guide the state?" the Marquess Casel challenges.
The Emperor, upon his throne waits a moment as he chooses his words. There is some good reasons for the challenge. Yet he has a plan. He just needs to implement it.
In a tired and exhausted tone, the Emperor Molt speaks, "Marquess Casel, think how the people must feel?" And Molt watches as his words catch the senator off guard as he leans to cover his face with his left hand, "It is true that our latest loses have cost us our military advantage, to say nothing of the heartbreak the families of the lost men and followers must be feeling right now. They worry that vassals of our state and others may revolt and attack the Imperial Capital itself."
Marquess Casel changes his look as he hears the Emperor speaking and wonders what the man is saying.
"How pathetic," Emperor Molt states as he removes his hand from his face, surprising Marquess Casel who makes a small sound at being surprised, and begins to exert energy into his voice, "Every time our Empire is in danger, the Emperor, the Senate, and the people become one to confront the danger, and bring about even more progress than the prior. No war is won without losses. So therefore I will not hold anyone responsible for our recent losses," the emperor shifts his head as he closes his blue eyes in contemplation, "To think another nation dares to surround the Imperial Capital…" suddenly straightening up and looking the gathered men with a cool confidence, "I trust that none of you will waste time in court."
The emperor's word put both a mixture of some confidence and of some uneasy confidence as the senators begin to talk to one another.
Marquess Casel, though, doesn't take well to it, "To pass over all responsibility…"
Suddenly, another, much older senator with a wooden cane steps forward, speaking as he does so, "But what shall we do now?"
Everyone turns to see one of the oldest senators as he stops just short of Marquess Casel. He is dressed in a dark blue overcoat and has a long blue scarf wrapped around his neck that trails all the way done near the edge of his coat. On his aged head is white hair that is long and swept cleanly back down his back. Wrapped around his forehead is a white bandage and he is slightly hunched over not only from old age, but also from the fact that he had gone to see the reconquest of Alnus Hill and was also barely able to escape.
"The army we sent before was destroyed in just two days," the old senator states, "Along with the forces we sent through the gate previously and the original garrison. And now the gate still remains captured, the enemy is, even now attempting to fortify their positions on this side."
XXXX
Back on Alnus Hill, forces of the Expedition are doing just that. Walls thick and powerful are under construction, the first such massive undertaking in nearly a century to build an actual fortress. At other locations, strong forts begin to give rise, not just mere bunkers and pillboxes connected by trenches, but honest star forts being positioned to maximize fire coverage and provide mutual support.
Airstrips are also being constructed. The frenzied construction has already seen the E/A-12A Scorpion and some of the few remaining A-10 Thunderbolt II Attacker arrive and be placed into temporary shelters as their hangers are completed. F-5E Tiger IIs also sit on the runways at the other end with OV-1G Gohawks and OV-12D Broncos. Facilities for larger and more powerful aircraft are also being completed even as the helicopter areas near completion first alongside the Jump Pads for the AV-8D Harriers and Harrier III FGR1 with several American, Japanese, Spanish, and British Harriers already parked and ready for their first break in flights.
Artillery is now being emplaced and pre-sighted with a plan for a much more powerful weapon to arrive.
XXXX
Molt leans back as the man continues speaking, "Of course we attempted to take the hill back as well," he holds up a hand and then suddenly clenches his fist, "But the enemies in the distance…" he stops momentarily as he recalls that unique sound those weapons made. The flashes of when they were used. The strange smell on the wind. And the lights that tore into men. "I have never seen such sorcery!"
"We ought to fight them!" someone suddenly shouts from the speaker's right and everyone turns to see a bald headed genera stand up. Everyone knew he was also a senator. Many commanders are senators after all.
"If we do not have enough men, we only need to recruit them from our tributaries," then holding a fist outstretched, "Then attack the other side of the gate once more!"
Suddenly a younger senator from the opposite side shoots up to his feet and starts yelling back, "What good will brute force alone do!? It will be another Godasen!"
And then suddenly, once more, the entire senate descends into a shouting match over what must be done. Two distinct factions appear and bicker over what to do. Many shout for further conflict and just as many shout for the opposite. A number of other senators remain quiet, judging the matter and trying to make sense of their colleagues shouting match, again.
Then, suddenly, Emperor Molt lifts his right arm and silence just as suddenly descends upon the forum. Clad in his richly made purple robes embroidered with gold trim and a white center that stretches from his neck to his hem. His white and red cape sits neatly on his shoulders. His golden crown nearly lost in his golden blond hair. A silver ring sits on his right hand. Above and behind his throne is the red and purple banner with the golden seal of his empire on it. Two small purple banners sit to either side of his bronze throne with purple cloth covered cushioning. Two guards stand further away from the Emperor, to give him space, yet be close enough to shelter him from harm if need be. The steps that lead down to the forum floor are wider than those for the senators. Light comes through a special system to keep his place alight even during stormy days and moonless nights.
Once he has all attention, he speaks in an even tone that makes it clear he has reached a decision, yet in its softness, carries great weight, "I do not wish to sit idly by," he waits a moment, "Therefore we must fight."
All of the senators are shocked by the announcement. But then the emperor further shocks them.
"Send delegates to our tributaries and neighboring states!" he orders as he moves his head to address both sides of the argument, "Ask for help in defending the continent from these men and women from another world."
Then he suddenly straightens up before standing, striking a pose to ensure he can gather all to him, "We will lead the Allied Army of Godu Rino Gwaban in an attack on Alnus Hill!"
The desired effect has happened. Both sides begin to cheer Emperor Molt. Several senators chant his name and others give praise to him. Both sides agree to come together.
But Marquess Casel is not so easily mollified and steps forward, though with his head bowed, knowing that he is still defeated, "Your Majesty," then he looks the emperor right in the eyes, "it will be a bloodbath."
With a hand on his hip, the emperor only smirks cockily.
For that is the plan.
XXXX
River Objective Baker
1223 hours Local Alus Time
Day 128
"Captain," Itami can't help, but whine a bit, "When they said they were giving us a soft target, did they overlook the local bandits and militia in saying that?"
Ronalds, next to Itami and sheltering behind the same tree as arrows thunked on the other side, "If they did, they must have forgotten about those regulars still there too."
One humvee was already on fire and another crushed beneath a boulder that had landed on it. The good news, no one was killed when both vehicles were lost. The bad news, is that the wounded troopers from both were pinned down 70 meters in front of the rest of their forces and until they could get some more armor up, they couldn't reach the wounded soldiers.
So far, Torrent had taken only a dozen casualties in the last two hours. All of them wounded, thanks to the fact that all of the troopers are wearing armor protection. That and their enemies had just as much difficulty shooting an arrow or crossbow bolt at them as Torrent is shooting back at them with rifles.
Itami and his recon platoon? Not so much good luck.
Already half of Itami's men have been evacuated due to battlefield wounds. All of the SDF man's vehicles, except his two Type 89s, were destroyed or currently bogged down in some soft terrain and needing extraction via recovery vehicles. The same problem bedeviling Torrent's vehicles as well.
The sound of a BMG firing causes both men to turn to see that a crew had finally been able to find a good place to set up and now had the enemy pinning the trapped soldiers under fire. Now, they just might be able to extract them. If they could get some help to do so.
That help finally arrives an hour later in the form of two squadrons of AAV-7s and the United States Marine Corps along with a platoon of tanks from the Corps.
With the help of the Marines fording the river under cover from their tanks, Torrent and the JSDF Recon Troopers are able to reach the trapped soldiers and extract them. At the same time, a second arrival of reinforcements, including two bridging tanks and several ARVs, appear and now the soldiers from another world are on the attack once more.
XXXX
Enroute back to FOB Alnus
2132 hours, Alnus Hill Local Time
Day 129
Itami yawns as he puts his helmet on the rack above him. He then stretches a bit inside the tight confines of a converted commercial truck being used to ferry troops to and from the battlefields and various outposts and main base as a mobile hab block. Still, despite a lot of space, it's like anything else military, crammed full of stuff.
The battle to take River Objective Baker had turned into one hell of a fubar. Torrent Company was already depleted of strength due to the difficulty of getting the needed soldiers specially trained and equipped. To say nothing of the fact that living in fully enclosed and armored hazard suits originally meant for the Nuclear Battlefronts of World War Three and living inside of mobile habitats converted from NASA Mars Mission designs and in forts of instant steel walls and towers meant that all soldiers had to pass a special mental exam and that further slowed the process of replacements. As such, Torrent Company just might have 35-40% of its strength left and that is to say nothing of his now crushed recon unit.
Itami could barely form a squad and a half around his two AFVs.
And he lost all of his other vehicles either destroyed or stuck in maintenance until they can be thoroughly cleaned and repaired.
With a sigh, he turns to the other command officer in the trailer.
Captain Ronalds is going over his map currently, his own helmet hanging on his rack. Though, he often has to push Corporal Ryan's hand out his face as the man is in the sleeping rack above the officer. The corporal he knows rarely sleeps face down. So he must be tired or the medics gave him another dose of morphine earlier for his strained ankle the man was lucky he still has use of.
Permanently torn ankle muscles would ruin many a good job opportunity in civilian life and end his military career outright.
Itami moves over and manages to turn the corporal onto his back and the man just snores on. Even as they hit a pretty hard bump. One made by an artillery piece four days ago.
"I don't know how some guys can sleep through this," Itami states as he leans against Ryan's rack and looks down the lines of racks to see many forms sleeping peacefully. "Makes me envious though."
"Agreed," Ronalds doesn't look up from his map as he reads an update on a tablet, "Good news is, that they expect to capture a portion of a nearby lake that River Objective Baker is attached to. Water should be deep enough for a gunboat or two."
Itami nods, "That will defend our flank, correct?"
"Pretty much and include a source of fresh water," then Ronalds frowns, "But it is also overstretching our lines so much that there will be a no man's land between them and the main fortifications."
"What about the locals?" Itami doesn't want to be inconvenient to anyone. Really, this war is someone's idea of a big inconvenience for a lot of folks.
"Most are actually happy that we're clearing out the bandits and some are happy just to have some regular military presence," Ronalds shakes his head, "Despite being some kind of important place, the local powers that be haven't been particularly active the further it gets from the trade routes."
"That's just wrong," Itami states with a nod and almost topples over as the truck hits another hole in the road, shaking the trailer as well.
XXXX
Outpost Zebra
1107 hours, Alnus Standard Time
Day 398
The men and women of Outpost Zebra have one of the most lonely positions in the entire network. Made entirely out of trenches and wooden redoubts surrounded by wooden fences and other obstacles, Outpost Zebra is an expendable position. It is also position so far forward that the defenses were largely deterrents for any bandits that got it in their empty, thick skulls to try and attack the Allied position.
Since the Second Battle of Gate Hill, there had been barely any action other than the occasional bandit and brush with an enemy patrol. Some probes here and there and as well as some clever recon by enemy dragon scouts, but not a whole lot of action in general.
Everything has been quiet. Like the war is over. Though everyone knows that isn't true.
It's just that the other side has received such a beating, they are likely recovering their losses and preparing for another attack. Though, during that time, the Expedition has been growing and growing. What was a few regiments worth of soldiers has since swelled to have entire divisions.
This included soldiers from other countries than were originally among the first to enter. Among these were Canadian Armed Forces units such as the recently fully established 1st Canadian Division, the newly formed Québécois Division, the 1st Royal Canadian Armored Division, 2nd Canadian Airborne Division, and elements of the Canadian Special Forces, among other units sent in.
The Canadians were one of many forces to arrive and so far, only the leading elements had actually arrived, like the Royal 22e Régiment of the Québécois Division. The divisional status is as much administrative for the Canadians as much as operational.
And they weren't the only ones to do so, as additional forces from other countries had arrived, though in reality, the stated designations didn't match up with the actual units deployed.
But what did the men and women of Outpost Zebra care?
They were out here, enjoying what was essentially paid vacation, babysitting some people whose job it was to take soil samples, plant samples, and a few other samples.
For the last four months things have been very quiet. Not even an enemy scout or deserter or even a fleeing refugee or something to take note of. Not that they weren't trying, but seriously, you can only look at the same patch of real estate so many times before it starts to blur to the soldiers. With no enemy action, there was that feeling of peace and it filled the soldiers with some concern.
Thus, when the lookouts spotted a massive troop concentration heading their way, they quickly began the process of packing up and moving out.
Already, skirmishers and scouts are testing the outpost's defensive line. All important documents and equipment are already packed up, save for a single radio and its transmission tower with a small generator hooked up to both. The outpost commander is already recalling the last of his guards and defenders. The plan is to retrograde out and make a run for the main defense line.
The defense and operation of Outpost Zebra is the custody of Zouves Company. Their green armored hazard combat suits have red lower legs and blue forearms. Formed largely of New Yorkers and Pennsylvanians, the unit is named for the famous, elite Union Zouves Regiments of the American Civil War. They also wore yellow tassels attached to their helmets to further distinguish themselves.
Out here in Fantasyland, breaks with regulations could be courted in a few ways.
As the remaining troops pull back and begin to pack up to leave, the commander is in communications with Alnus Hill FOB.
"Confirm," the company commander replies as he observes the main enemy force, the occasional gunfire indicating that the enemy is still close, "Negative. This force is wearing entirely different armor and colors. Negative on that. No eyes on their flags yet. Copy that. Yes, I can confirm visually at least one, possibly two divisions with more further back. Yes, I- Hold on," the officer zooms in with his binoculars as another man uses more powerful field glasses.
What the two see, shock them. It's an entirely new army alright. Though they can spot Imperial forces leading them. An initial First Contact had nearly been fatal for the pickets. The four soldiers would live, but they had left on the first Humvee over an hour ago. Since then, the enemy's numbers have swelled as Zouves Company has been coordinating with the FOB to determine who they were up against and how many.
But now, they can see them alright. At least four divisions, possibly five divisions. A force of two corps. What's worse is that they can see another uniform color. And there, in the distance, they can see the approach of possibly a third unknown group.
Maybe as many as three corps. An entire army heading in their direction.
"Blue Leader be advised," the Zouves commander swallows hard before continuing on, "Eyes on possible army sized force. I repeat, possibly six or more divisional size forces heading towards the Alnus Gate."
"Blue Leader copies solid, get out of there Zouves Actual! You'll be encircled otherwise."
"Zouves Actual confirms, oscar mike in ten," and with that, and rapidly approaching enemy reinforcements, the remaining Zouves breakdown the last of their heavy gear and abandon Outpost Zebra.
The empty outpost is quickly overrun minutes later. The soldiers and scouts find their enemy simply gone. The structures are left intact and could be used to understand their enemy.
Forty seconds later, the scuttling charges detonate, destroying the critical points of the outpost and badly damaging the rest of it.
Over 90 enemy soldiers are killed or wounded in the explosions and fire.
XXXX
Alnus Hill FOB
Central Forward Complex
Torrent Company Habitat
1734 hours, Alnus Hill Standard Time
Day 398
"Did you hear what the Zouves saw before leaving Outpost Zebra?"
"Yeah man, I did."
"A whole fucking army heading our way."
"Two Recon Teams from the SDF ran into another prong about 1300 hours too."
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. Took a bit of a beating in an encounter with their skirmishers, but they all made it out alright. For the most part."
"Good to hear. It takes too damn long to get replacements."
"Tell me about it. They actually gave what is left of 4th Platoon over to Corporal Ryan."
"Geez! I hope Ryan can handle it. Not doubting his fighting ability, but he's still only a year in uniform, right?"
"I think he is or close to it, but I agree. Still, he can still command a defense line at least. If he's poor on attack, he makes up for it on defense."
"Good enough for now."
"Yeah. Hey you got any smokes?"
"Are you kidding me? Everyone wants a smoke! But until they're told it won't blow up the habitats, we ain't getting any."
"Dammit."
"Again. Tell me about it."
Steven Ryan doesn't blame the two about wanting a smoke. He could go for something else other than gum right now himself. Unfortunately, Starbursts and Skittles are not high on the items to ship.
Still, it isn't like the Army forgot to send them some good things every couple of days. Fresh pies and apple cider from the States, baked in the good ole US of A and shipped to them still fresh and hot somehow, is helping to keep up morale.
And no one passes up the chance to drink their Northern and European counterparts good stuff either.
Right neighborly of the Canadians and Europeans to share.
Everyone knows it should be getting close to October or November. A time when a lot of US service personnel get some free time to see their families, even for just a few days. The good times when soldiers begin to relax and unwind as Christmas approaches. A time away from duty and combat.
But like so many enemies in recent decades, this new enemy and his friends aren't letting them enjoy a peaceful end of the year again. They already missed last year, being stuck in this new world, living off a damn single corridor get their supplies through. Command did its best for them all, but it ain't the same as being able to call home at any time of the day and night.
Then again, the terrorists back home aren't either being nice either. Always raising some kind of fuss and racket. Body counts are still being counted in the Middle East, though in more recent years, that's really started to taper off. After all, they've been at it for almost 20 years now, International involvement aside. Things are bound to get quiet after a while.
Sure, America's usual line up of haters in the world are still causing a ruckus themselves. The same with the ones complaining about the Europeans, specifically Western Europeans. Which now includes Poland and Ukraine and Finland.
Go figure, right?
North Korea has actually been, thankfully, quiet right now. This whole new mess has actually surprised them and made them go unusually silent.
Not that Ryan has anything against Koreans since he has a cousin-in-law who is Korean. It's just… Well… Just North Korean leaders, but that's just because they call America the enemy and have attacked Americans and South Koreans in the past, justifying him calling them the enemy.
And not because his cousin and his cousin's then not quite realized future wife were almost killed.
Well… It had some bearing, but not a lot.
Sadly, he has to lump the average citizen into the category too. All because the North Korean leadership can't get with the times or loosen their hold on things to allow peace and prosperity to arrive in North Korea.
Heck, if North Korea would knock it off, the US Forces-Korea would have already left, no doubt to the joy of many of the South Koreans.
But what can be done with politics?
"Hey Ryan!" the brownish-blond haired man looks up and is surprised to Lieutenant Itami walking over with Sergeant Kurota, "Got something you might be interested in."
The corporal merely raises a stark blond eyebrow, but then Itami and Kurota, smiling like new fathers, produce an item that makes Ryan go still.
"No fucking way," the corporal hesitantly reaches out, almost afraid it will disappear. "That… That… Wow…"
The two Nipponese men smile wider before handing it over. A First Edition Star Elf Dragoons Manga. Two of them actually. Written and produced in the USA, it is America's giant kick into the Manga field and onto what is predominantly Japanese territory.
Written by the Corporal Steven Grey Ryan himself no more than three years ago.
He wrote it for his love of wanting to put America on the Manga Map and also because he wanted too. Steven Ryan may not act like it, but he's a junkie when it comes to Anime, Manga, and Videogames. Not as bad as the Jeitei loot and sergeant, but he's still crazy about it. One of the reasons he was in Tokyo that day was for the big convention.
But here was his Manga, translated into Japanese and if he isn't mistaken…
"A best seller," Youji Itami sits down next to the American. "After someone found out that you started writing a Manga, some people bought it and from there, it exploded off the shelves in North America."
"No way…" Steven Ryan looks at the lieutenant in surprise. "It barely sold in its first year, though it has been gaining traction over the last couple of years," the corporal shifts a bit embarrassed.
Takeo Kurata also sits down, though he's careful of the corporal's splinted leg, some locals who were hunting had set a snare and gotten Ryan instead, before he settles his weight at the American's assurance, "Someone over in America brought a few copies back to Nihon and well…" the sergeant blushes a bit before taking a pen out and holding both it and his own First Edition copies before the startled author, "CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH!"
The shout causes a number of heads to turn to the trio. His face flushing, Steven Ryan takes the six copies and the pen. Surprisingly, not only is there English and Japanese, but also Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Korean. All First Editions. Kurota is a major fan apparently.
Still, Steven Ryan signs Takeo Kurata's copies, even adding in a few good words and, for added measure, his thumbprint which sends the Jeitei sergeant over the moon and back.
"You're totally awesome man!" Takeo Kurata holds his manga to his chest like his first born. Both Youji Itami and Steven Ryan share a nervous, if humored chuckle together.
"Wait a second?" Steven Ryan finally realizes something, "How did you guys know it was me?"
The two men chuckle, before the officer shows that his picture has been added to the inside of the back cover. There he is, clad in uniform and with his awards from the Battle of Ginza pinned, showing just who wrote the Manga.
"Oh," and suddenly realizes that Youji Itami has a few as well and the man in question chuckles weakly before the junior soldier offers to sign them.
"Thank you Corporal Ryan," Youji Itami says as the last one is signed. Much to Steven Ryan's surprise, the officer has not only the same ones as Takeo Kurata, though the original first edition English versions are missing the picture of himself at the end, but the man also has ones in two Chinese dialects, Indian, Vietnamese, and surprisingly… Russian and Ukrainian. "I know a few people and they will be thrilled to received these once we get clearance."
Explains that difference.
"Not a problem sir, but definitely a new experience," there's a cheesy grin now on Steven Ryan's face. His dark blue eyes are lit up in joy at seeing his work becoming so well known and loved. That would also explain why his publisher was riding his ass so much to get the next books done and turned in before his deployment and keeps riding him even during his down time here. That woman also forgot to mention why his earnings had suddenly jumped, though he had guessed, he hopes she hasn't forgotten herself in some way.
"You don't know how jealous guys are going to be back home!" Takeo Kurata carefully shifts himself, so as not to disturb the American's injured leg, "When you're story arrived on our shores, it was minor, but then suddenly the story is so good, I heard they are talking about making a full on Anime of it!"
Steven Ryan who has just begun to enjoy some water, suddenly sprays it, off to the side thankfully, out of his mouth in surprise.
"AN ANIME?!" he shouts suddenly, "THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE AN ANIME OUT OF MY MANGA STORY?!"
And he regrets it as the whole company heard him shouting and now wants to know what all the ruckus is about.
In mere minutes, the shock is wearing off as the teasing and good natured ribbing begin.
"Oh boys and girls, we got ourselves a star writer in the ranks!"
"Hey man! When's the big party to celebrate!"
"Dang Corporal ain't there nothing you don't miss?"
"Ladies, better get him while he's still single!"
"Sign my bra corporal!"
"Forget the bra, sign here corporal!"
"I don't think I'll wash my hand ever again!"
And they just kept coming and coming. The good nature, tight knit fellowship of Torrent Company. The men and women that make up its ranks have only been together for a short time, yet they have managed to form a camaraderie that is rare to find in the regular units.
"A toast to the man who has a future out of this here Army!"
"Hip Hip Hooray!"
XXXX
Command Center
That same time
"Damn," General Hazama mutters quietly beneath his breath. "An estimated 300,000 now?"
"Yes sir," his head of Intelligence reports, "From the size of the dust cloud and the numbers we counted thus far."
"And that's only for those heading straight at us," Brigadier General Bill Presley, commander of the 2nd Expeditionary Brigade states, "Not counting the main Imperial body other side of those mountains around us."
"And the bandits and other criminals that are being a nuisance," Brigadier General Christina Redwing, commanding the 1st Expeditionary Brigade, adds as she goes over the reports herself, "We need the 15th Expeditionary Brigade here yesterday."
"There is no 15th Expeditionary Brigade," an officer on General Presley's staff states, the man clearly there because of politics, given that he is the related to some people and knows others.
"She means we need more troops major," Presley growls at his man, indicating for him to use his damn head. "Fortunately, the Joint Chiefs were getting antsy and so we're getting an Army ACR and a Marine MEU, complete with air assets, some time in the next couple of days."
"At least their lead elements," Hazama folds his hands in front of his face in thought, "We're only at half strength I would feel comfortable with in this situation, but more units are being pushed through to reinforce us and we can expect to have two reinforced divisions by the time the main attack arrives with a regiment and a battalion in reserve."
"Not bad," Presley nods at that good news, "We should be a reinforced division or two in that same time or at least just the former. The 3rd and 4th Expeditionary Brigades have just finished their work ups and the leading elements of the 5th and 6th are already through."
"Plus we have the Observers with us," Redwing points out as she taps a control and a digital map appears, showing where the two Corps-size forces are currently situated.
As well as what appears to be a Brigade-size force attacking two Battalions of them.
"What the fuck?!" Hazama's chief of Intelligence steps back in surprise, "When the hell did that appear?"
"Those mines are probably not as blocked off as we were lead to believe," Redwing's own Intelligence chief frowns, "Either they were never blocked, only partially blocked, or we were misled or just misinformed."
"Why haven't we heard anything?" another officer speaks up and just then, the alarm comes in from the Communications Hab.
XXXX
"Let's move Torrent!" Ronalds shouts as his company pours into the trenches and begins vicious close quarters combat with the enemy troops.
Torrent Company and Itami's Recon Platoon have the easy job. Take back the primary communication relay towers. There are only three up and a fourth under construction. Of that, only the still in work one and one of the others is still standing. One of the towers is toppled over into the next tower, halving that one at the midway point.
The guards and communications personnel are still alive. They are currently trapped inside their bunkers, firing out occasionally. The sheer number of bodies indicate that they must be low on ammunition. Fortunately, Torrent Company brought along six M117 APCs loaded with munitions and other supplies. Two more APCs are medical units here to get the wounded.
Itami encounters an enemy officer. Unlike the Roman-like Imperials thus far, this guy looks like an actual knight and has a raised middle section on his helmet, unlike the other knights. The guy also has more heraldry on him than the others.
Dodging a well practiced sword slash and a follow up shield thrust, Itami kicks out, knocking the shield arm wide and throwing his opponent off balance. Before he can take advantage, another enemy knight attacks him, this one only having an independent heraldry on his shield. A couple of wild swings and Itami brings his rifle up and gets off a couple of quick shots that send his opponent to the ground with a cry of pain that sounds too young to be here.
"$ #(#)$!" Itami hears to his left and sees the enemy knight officer charging him and swinging his sword wildly a few times to get Itami to back away. Itami can guess the knight had shouted something along the lines of 'Bastard' as he charged. Yet, Itami is more shaken by the voice.
Dodging another combo attack, Itami simply slams bodily into his enemy with enough force that not only do both hit the ground, but his opponent's face guard pops open to reveal a boy. Itami figures he must be 15 or 16 years, perhaps younger. Explains why he's shorter too.
The boy struggles to get Itami off of him, but the Japanese officer isn't having a boy continue to fight. With a solid punch, the young boy's eyes dilate from Itami's blow to his helmet near the solar plexus. Then the otaku officer picks the boy up bodily and tosses him into three of his comrades, knocking all of them down.
Before they can even think about getting back up, big Sergeant Major Kuwahara is towering over them with two others. All four are out of the fight for good.
Meanwhile, Ronalds has slipped into being Captain Rex again. Charging in with two pistols in hand, he shoots any enemy dumb enough to come near him. He watches as one of Itami's men loses his rifle and then punches an enemy in the face. Unfortunately, the hit on the helmet is wrong and the man's wrist audibly breaks.
"AHHH!" he grips it as he backs off in pain.
His enemy doesn't give him a chance to get away or to draw another weapon. The knight brings his shield around and smashes the visor of the Recon Trooper. The armored section actually breaks from the impact and their is spider cracks on the inner face plate. Not that the recon man notices as he's knocked out cold from the hit.
The enemy knight brings his sword around for the kill, but Ronalds appears first and puts a round into the man's head. Moving over the incapacitated soldier, the captain of Torrent Company fires into the flank of an enemy group, killing four outright and wounding two others.
Another recon trooper charges forward, firing his rifle. He fires long bursts. Quickly his magazine is depleted and he quickly reloads, keeping the enemy from pincering the captain and the wounded man.
Someone lets off a M72 LAW that blasts back another small knot. Ronalds sees one of his men rush by to join the recon trooper. The two men holding a small foxhole against unseen enemies attempting to hit them with arrows and rocks from slings.
"MEDIC!" Ronalds calls out as he hurriedly reloads his weapons. Now that he has time, he will use it. Unfortunately, several enemies manage to get by the two soldiers and charge his position, intent on killing him.
Fortunately, Private First Class Margaret Anna Seamus, the ex-model, appears and she spears an enemy light infantryman, forcibly forcing him back as he crashes into and bowls over a pair of his own companions. The man coughs up blood as the woman's bayonet enters and sticks into him. The medieval armor not standing up to the industrial manufactured and sharpened blade.
With a single shot, Seamus clears the man from her weapon as other soldiers form on her, shoving back or killing their opponents, and with their captain safely behind them, begin to pour a withering volley into their enemy together as a single mind and body. The knights and their light infantry component fall backwards to the ground as bullets penetrate shields and armor to hit the men underneath the armor.
The bullets' passages can be seen as pieces of armor and metal fly and blood sprays or splashes from wounds or fatal shots. One man, falling to his knees hit, is pierced several more times as the bullets tear his armor open and scatter his blood and flesh across the ground behind him. Men and boys drop as puppets with their strings cut, but some go down in ways worthy of a Hollywood movie. Near them, their beasts fall dead as they are even less protected.
Several times, enemies got up to the line and several times they were hurled back. On four occasions, brutal close combat ensured before the telling effect of rifles over swords sent their enemy reeling. Then the volley goes on and on. Eventually, there are soon no more targets left.
The survivors throw away their weapons and surrender while a few others attempt to escape, only to find motorcycle recon troops chasing them down and forcing them to give up or die.
Once more, Itami's Recon Platoon and Torrent Company have secured a vital position. Once more called from their rest and once more victorious. Several soldiers even raise up the flag of United States Forces-Japan, showing the alliance of the two nations as the victorious soldiers shout and cheer their victory.
The Irish troops stumble out of their bunkers, feeling relieved to be alive and rescued. It had been pretty hairy and uncomfortably close for them. But now, they are safe.
As they stand around, shaking hands and taking a breath of relief, one of the Irish soldiers finds and with help, hefts back up their Irish Tricolor.
Together the soldiers of three nations enjoy their victory.
Even as the fighters cheer, the engineers and technical personnel get the last tower operational again. With that done, the radio operators reestablish contact with Command. In short minutes, every available artillery piece, vehicle, and launcher is sending tubed and rocket artillery fire at the enemy force. The attack is broken up along with a reinforcement element of at least brigade size.
If the cheers had been excited before, they are now positively jubilant now.
For another day has ended in victory for them.
XXXX
A couple of days later...
King Duran stops his horse and his guards also bring their horses to a stop. The one eyed king of Elbe looks out across the vast plains and rolling hills before him. He can just barely make out the enemy stronghold. Closer, but still at a great distance, is an enemy fort. A flash of light tellingly gives away that he is also under observation.
"A smart enemy," he mutters as he observes the enemy fort with his good eye before bringing up a telescope to see better.
He can make out more detail of the fort now. As the rumors said, it is made of metal. Strong supports can be seen on the exterior to help brace it. They are held by some sort of large mechanisms that appear to be anchored into the sides and the ground. Each support is also connected to one another via cross supports that are likewise, bolted into one another.
That would make taking them out extremely dangerous and hazardous.
The walls also have their ramparts actually recessed a little, yet he can just make out that the walls are not a vertical face, but are inclined to some degree in order to maximize defense and minimize an attacker's ability to seek cover beneath them. A clever little modification of a recent new idea that had been making the rounds among strategists.
The walls are also not round or just four walls to a point. It appears more like a pentagon. Each section almost tapering off to become a star. That would make a conventional attack extremely difficult and minimize their ability to simply break through. In addition, the point that he is facing is pointed right at him and the direction by which any attack would have to be mounted. That means a direct hit on the side would not be possible and the Allied Kingdoms soldiers would have to remain exposed far longer than anyone would like to get in and begin placing ladders or attempting to batter their way through the walls.
In addition, he can see the metal wire that is strung before the walls and the trenches on the other side of that wire between it and the walls. He can also see the towers on the external side, simple, skeleton things. He can also make out some sort of oddly colored stone fortifications and log barriers as well.
King Duran hmms to himself when he spots a patch of green inside the barriers and focuses there. He can just make out something, jutting up from a trench. The green grass gives it away. It almost looks like rabbit ears with balls on the end. If he had to actually guess, some sort of two piece telescopes that allow his enemy to see from the safety of his trench.
Others might call that cowardly, but he can see the good reasons behind it. An enemy commander can safely watch and determine where and when to place his strength best. That would allow to maximize his limited forces and no doubt direct archers and defense emplacements most ably.
"And no doubt that such telescopes are also on the walls and in the towers," Duran mutters to himself as he lowers his telescope.
Bringing up an armored hand, he rubs at his bearded chin in thought and contemplation.
There are large signs in the local language that can be easily seen and read. Also some type of poles with strange bells hanging from them at odd angles. No doubt a warning system against infiltrators or perhaps a magical means to contact them? Maybe. The signs clearly say do not enter, territory of the 'Japan Self Defense Force' and others read 'United States of America Military Forces-Sandera.'
A few other signs indicate names such as 'Israeli Defense Force' and 'Irish Defense Forces.' A couple of other names were such as the 'Her Majesty's Armed of Forces of Britain,' 'Canadian Armed Forces,' 'Land Army of the Republic of France,' and 'Federal Defense Army of Germany.' He could make out at least a dozen different names, meaning an allied force rather than the single force that had been originally reported by the Empire.
"Clearly someone hasn't been paying attention," Duran states with some annoyance. The Imperials were typically far better than this. Either they had been having a trying time, just like their own vanguards, or someone incompetent had managed to weasel his way into a high place, which is also possible, given Imperial losses over the last year.
"What say our scouts about this enemy?" the King of Elbe suddenly asks the approaching commander of his vanguard.
The man did not show his surprise. He shows instead his irritation that his king can figure out it is him and not someone else. But that was the King Duran. They didn't give him his nickname as a poorly thought jest after all.
"They've had difficulty," the man admits, gently stroking his own long bread, "Every time we think our scouts have found a good position, they find it defended or they are attack trying to see the enemy."
"Hmm…" King Duran brings his telescope up and he can see one of the rumored horseless carriages moving. He is not surprised, but he is indeed impressed. He had, as a child, once seen a man make a carriage move with a hand crank and leather straps. No doubt this new foe has another method as the enemy carriages are said to be made of metal and some do not use wheels at all. "Our foe has a strong mind, this will be a difficult battle if we are not careful."
The general of the vanguard nods with a quiet sound of agreement. That is his opinion. The Imperials are calling for their aid against so small a force? The Emperor Molt is far more proud than that and he knows the dangers of his two sons. The few true leaders in all the continent are not fooled by the First Prince Zorzal's acts of foolery nor are they blind and deaf to the maneuvers of the Second Prince Diablo.
Suddenly, bursts of flame could be just barely made out further back. A sound that wasn't quite like thunder, but more of some kind of bang and power noise with a sound that sounded more like a… Duran was at a loss to describe it.
Then there was a sound like something wagon going fast off a cliff or something, something that gave a… soaring sound?
Then explosions ripple where Duran looks to see men from the Duchy of Ligu had attacked a fortified hilltop.
He could see that saying 'had attacked' would merit. The explosions tore the earth and sent debris flying into the sky. On occasion, the figure of an armored man could be seen in the air before falling back down to the hard, unforgiving earth. The men from Ligu quickly began to withdraw as the long range attack continues, breaking up their formations and forcing them to flee back to the main lines.
Duran lowers his telescope and hmms quietly to himself. Then with a dismissive sound he turns back to the enemy's main encampment, unfinished walls appearing in the distance that is protected by numerous forts and many smaller outposts. This enemy is preparing himself for a long stay. Very long.
"And not with the use of magic," the King of Elbe spits out in annoyance, "The Imperials were, for once, fools not to pay attention."
"Sir?" one of his guards speaks up, confused by his liege's disregard.
With a 'hmph,' the king turns his horse and gently rides up to a new position to get a better look.
"I've heard of a powder, far to the east and even to the northwest, that causes explosions," the King of Elbe states as he observes the progress of his own army and the enemy positions, "I've also seen some powder that mages have been able to make explode when mixed with the right ingredients."
Pulling his horse to a stop and observing from the new position, he can see with his lone eye that the enemy has sensed the battle that will come. It will be a hard fought battle, no doubt. Reports said they are not afraid of close combat, but they must feel more comfortable attacking at range.
"What we face is a group of enemies that have advanced further along than we have for reasons I cannot explain without knowing their knowledge first," Duran explains to his entourage which now includes some of his commanders, nobles, and advisors that have traveled with him, "What we see is an enemy alliance who has invested in knowledge. Knowledge that can only be gained from stability interrupted by brief moments of war. Our rules of war and their rules of war will be different. A pity we have to be enemies, but so is how the world works."
"So we will have to be careful in how we attack?" one of the nobles inquires, looking a little confused, but now that the king mentions it, he recalls a pair of magical liquids, that when combined, could shatter a stone cliff with a single explosion.
Duran hmms again, "Yes. Bold, but cautious. I have a feeling that any Imperial support might not arrive at all."
"If not frightened or due to losses will be a good question," one of the other nobles puts not so diplomatically and quite diplomatically.
With a smirk forming on his lips, Duran turns to his counterparts, "Then we will win here and then march on the Imperial capital and show the Emperor how we feel about being treated like bunnies!"
With a round of laughter, the men of Elbe turn and head back to their encampment. They have the advantage at this time. They know that they don't face magic. Just an enemy alliance with advanced knowledge. Once they arrive in camp, they will share this knowledge and the enemy will lose a powerful fear factor.
Unfortunately… That isn't the real strength. The real strength is far more deadlier.
Literally.
XXXX
Torrent Hab Block
An hour later
"So let me get this straight," Ronalds looks at Itami standing there before him, "They're essentially putting all of the chewed up units into this area and plan to make us into joint teams until we can get our strength back up?"
With a shrug, the SDF officer responds with a bored tone, "In so many words, yes."
"At least we're off the line for the next week or two," Ronalds knows that the SDF's recon platoons took an unusual beating and aside from Torrent, Zebra and Hellfighter Companies are understrength. In addition, a British platoon and the Irish they saved the other day are also undermanned and are being reassigned to their hab area.
Among other units being joined together as temporary ad hoc reserves.
Fortunately, once over here, there had been no problems between any of the soldiers of different nations. Everyone generally has the same overall attitude and mindsets. The various folks from NASA had bemoaned that so many potential Mars Explorers were just common soldiers. With their numbers, NASA had admitted that safely colonizing Mars could be possible before 2060.
'Now wouldn't that just beat all,' Ronalds thought, wishing that his Torrent Company was the security up on Mars than an invasion force into this strange world. 'Oh well, we're here now, just get used to it.'
As he mentally said that, a female soldier goes by in only a towel wrapped around her waist. Then again, everyone had to be cleared to be perfectly fine working in a coed environment. This is the Army after all. No private rooms or showers Mister Jones. Otherwise, the mission would be too complicated as individual habs would have to be made for men and women. Simpler and cheaper for just a single coed hab than two individual gender based habs.
'We're also the poster children for the next generation military life,' Ronalds leans back in his chair, thinking about the suits and armor they wore and sighs, "So Itami, who do you have from my company?"
They've worked together so much, why wouldn't they stick his people with Itami?
"I think they might give me your 4th Platoon, simply because Corporal Ryan is a Corporal," Itami responds, not particularly thrilled at having his name put at the top for the special recon teams that were to be formed. Damn the fact that he had to go and score the highest grade in recon in the history of the Jeitei! He knew he should have just been his usual self, but Kanou had personally asked him to go out and do his very best.
Oh well. At least he will be working with good people.
"Hmm…" Ronalds close his eyes and thinks it over, "I'll see if I can't get you 2nd Platoon. They have a First Sergeant in command and he's been in service far longer with more deployments and combat experience than Ryan. He'll be a good man too. Should fit in with your team easily enough."
Itami nods, "That'll work. Though I wouldn't mind having Ryan tag along, if only because of our shared hobbies," Itami then laughs at the end while Ronalds shakes his head with a chuckle.
"Who knows, maybe you might get both," Ronalds smiles as he moves to sit up.
Only the alarms begin to sound and he falls right out of his seat. Itami helps Ronalds up as both men hear the general call to arms and the alert going out to prepare for battle. All command officers are also being summoned for a briefing in the Command Hab.
Both Itami and Ronalds leave it to their subordinates to get the troops organized as they suit up and armor up. Once that is done, they head down the connected hall spars to the 'Broadway,' a massive enclosed walkway that connects all of the habs together. It is actually one of several Broadways and this particular one is known as Westside Road.
The two men hop on a shuttle tram and hang on as the small vehicle is overloaded with officers heading to the Command Hab, answering the summons to the briefing.
Other shuttle trams pass by, heading in the opposite direction loaded with ammo, battery packs, supply packs, medical supplies, tools, and weapons.
The big battle everyone has been expecting is about to happen.
XXXX
A/N:
Well… I was going to get to the big battle for this chapter. The three that would decimate the Allied Kingdom Armies. Decided against it thought. That's why this chapter is so late getting out.
It's been ready to roll for a month now.
Now onto some changes…
Because I've studied history better than the author and animators, I know that a chief concern would be the atmosphere and ecosystems. Those of us who watched War of the Worlds with Tom Cruise can remember what happened to the Martians in that movie, as well as the original novel written over a hundred years ago (does time fly or does it fly?).
Thus, I give you men and women living in habitats like the one from the movie The Martian.
This way they can live safely as the main base is constructed. Able to get out of the suits and actually feel human once in awhile. Very much like Roughnecks: The Starship Trooper Chronicles, which yes, I did base the opening scenes on the opening sequence of the series.
We also see Captain Ronalds, aka Captain Rex, in action. I hope I made him very much like the Clone in his prime. Solid, dependable, tough to fight, let alone beat. There may be no Anakin Skywalker, but I think Rex can get by fine without him, so long as another Force User isn't around.
And lo and behold! Ryan is a Manga Author! Bet you folks didn't see that one coming, did you? Wait until you see more. Like when Ryan's cousin shows up.
We also that King Duran isn't much a believer in the supposed magic of the Allies. He's able to deduce that they are simply using advanced scientific knowledge. I decided to portray King Duran as the one leader that the Imperial Emperor and Senate fear the most. A famed and wise leader and warrior, skilled diplomat and general, and a man better versed in various things, such as those I put above that would make him more formidable in the eyes of the Empire.
And for those of you who know what the reference means, KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT!
Let the new guys find out what 'Bunnies' mean.
Chapter Refit:
I was chitchatting with fellow writer, Goodalwayswins, and the of us came to a number of conclusions, such as horses are not as fast as humvees and that dragons can't outfly a jet.
We also talked with some other guys who know their stuff as well. As such, we concluded that the quick timeframe in the canon story is just another load of Accelerated BS.
Movement of supplies from Sandera to Alnus hill by horse and wagon would likely take a few weeks. A few good horses could get messengers back and forth in a number of days. Dragons would be naturally faster.
As such, I've had to go back and try to reorganize things.
I'm also expanding a bit the size of the forces. Though despite designations, there is only one means of resupply. That means is only so big. So while it has been a year, troop reinforcements have actually been quite small for the Expeditionary Forces. Now they are starting to build up and trust me when I say, they will build up.
Till next time and to give a date for this:
2/28/17
The last refit was 2/27/17 for the previous chapter.
