(Italica - April 29, 1945, 1011 hrs.)

Travers and Gallahand were surprised when two young female knights came towards them. The intentions of the latter was likely for information gathering in regards to what happened recently.

"Excuse me, young soldiers?" The blonde knight called.

"Ummm...us?" Travers tried to confirm.

"Yes, you two." The silver-haired knight replied.

"I would like to ask where do you come from." The blonde requested.

"We came from Alnus." Gallahand answered, which surprised the knights.

"Huh?"

"What's wrong with us coming from that place?" Travers wondered.

"That place...was the holy ground!" One of the knights answered before holding the handle of her sword. "I won't let the hill be defiled for the second time!"

This prompted Travers and Gallahand to put their hands on the grip of their sidearms for a possible fight. Just then, Piña and Patterson arrived.

"Bozes, Panache! That's enough!" Piña ordered them.

"Milady, you're here!" Bozes uttered.

"The men in green are not a threat to us. They saved the city."

"Umm, who is that beside you, milady?" Panache asked while pointing at the lieutenant.

"The person beside me is Lieutenant James Steven Patterson of the so-called Office of Strategic Services, part of the United States Army. He is the leader of the army that helped defend Italica from the bandits and the Army of the Iron Cross, or Germany as they are called." The princess explained.

"No way."

"Yes, apparently."

Patterson arrived to meet with his subordinates.

"How are things doing here?" Patterson asked.

"Our encounter with those young ladies became heated, but otherwise, no shots were fired." Travers reported.

"I would also like to report that the citizens here are getting their aid as we speak." Gallahand followed.

"Good." Patterson nodded. "In a while, regroup at the mansion. A field debriefing will be held there."

"Affirmative sir." Travers and Gallahand said before saluting.

The two sighed in relief.

"Let's not speak of this again." Travers suggested.

"Yeah." Gallahand agreed.

(Clan Formal Mansion - 1156 hrs.)

On a large table, representatives from the OSS were negotiating a treaty with Myui, Piña and Hamilton regarding the provisions for the handling of key issues, including treatment of POWs, economic grants and the future of Italica.

"In regards to prisoners, we, the OSS, will exclusively handle German prisoners of war, as well as a total of 55 POWs from the bandit army." Manon suggested. "As well, for the rest, which will be under the supervision of Her Highness Piña Co Lada of the Empire, they shall be treated humanely and without heavy abuse."

"Humanely?" Hamilton wondered about the word.

"Yes, humanely." Patterson answered. "It means that you treat them without putting them under harsh treatment, like heavy torture or slavery."

"Oh, I see."

"Second, Alnus and its tenants will be exempt from any taxes or economic policies from the Empire for the next ten years." Lieutenant Rolando, the officer who arrived in the new world early this morning, followed. "This will ensure that the refugees under our care will be financially and economically ready for their future as a village within the holy ground will be established within the period of effect."

"I will agree with that." Piña said.

"Finally, for your world's security and ours, we will operate freely within your realm for our operations." Patterson took his turn. "Italica, from this day forward, will house a nearby base, thereby putting the city under extended protection courtesy of the United States Army. Countess Myui Formal will continue to lead the city as usual."

The nobles were in a sign of relief.

"I thank you for your generous aid." Myui said in gratitude. "The city will never forget what you did yesterday."

"Your welcome." Patterson replied.

Then, every side shook their hands after the treaty is signed. Outside the room, Travers was finishing his report when Rory came.

"Still not yet done with the report?" Rory asked.

"Already did, Rory." Travers replied. "I'll give this to the colonel when we're done with the discussions."

"You better, because I have to return back and take a look around more. Those people descending towards the sky and how your iron eagles fight made me interested."

"Whaaat?" Travers was surprised. "Don't you think this would annoy some of the personnel? They're kinda busy, you see."

"Ugggghh, okay then." Rory felt disappointed. "How about for once?"

"Just wait for the permission from the higher ups. I'm sure they would do that." Travers suggested which made Rory suddenly excited.

"Oh thank you, Boyd!" Then she ran towards him and began to hug. This annoyed Boyd.

"Uhhh...maybe not now." Boyd tried to get out of the hug.

Meanwhile, Patterson and Holt are discussing the events happening in their world.

"How are the Russians doing?" Patterson asked.

"They're closing in on the Reichstag as we speak." Holt reported. "That's what my Russian friends said."

"That's good news. Anything else?"

"Fifteen days ago, even before we are sent here, we did managed to find some maps containing some submarine and shipping routes to the Arctic, even the lists of equipment being sent there, including aircraft and all. That place is very cold so it's unlikely they'll ever keep it running as a regular base, unless the Krauts might be developing something."

Holt began to ask if there is something weird there.

"Hey Jimmy, do you think that the second tunnel like that one near Regensburg could be there too?"

"That's highly likely." Patterson said while holding his chin. "The officer earlier said that there is a possibility that another gate exists somewhere. What you found could fit the last piece of the puzzle."

"Indeed. In a few weeks time, me and my team might check that place out."

"Affirmative." Then, the two saluted before they depart separately.

In her room, an exhausted Piña was sitting in her bed after moments of tense negotiations. Her maid Kaine arrived with tea.

"How are the negotiations doing, milady?" The maid asked before putting the tea on the table.

"It's going well as we speak." The princess replied. "We'll be safe under the OSS for a while, after what happened last night."

"That's great. I even heard from Persia that she fought a so-called German soldier."

"Wait...what?!" Piña was surprised.

"It's true. She said that two of the OSS soldiers were captured by the Germans for a brief moment here." Kaine began telling Persia's story. "Then, she attacked one of them and the men in green did the same."

"So...that means that they can still fight without those weird staffs?"

"Apparently, they can."

Piña then thought of something.

"Kaine, summon Bozes and Panache here." She requested.

"As you wish." Kaine replied before leaving.

(1309 hrs.)

In a tavern, the patrons were feeling relaxed after what happened. Some drank while others talked. Travers, Gallahand and Harvey were stopping by to do the same as well.

"I owe you ten bucks if Travers can nail that only shot with only his pistol." Harvey challenged Gallahand in a bet.

"Oh, you're on." Gallahand accepted.

"Anyway, I have a story to tell." They sat down and they got their drinks.

"Yesterday, some of those Krauts managed to get inside the mansion quickly after the attack began." Harvey explained.

"By surprise, I presume?" Gallahand guessed.

"They did." He replied before drinking. "Me and McCann got a very close call when we're captured for a very brief moment. One of the maids gave us the opportunity to fight back."

"Wait, one of them?" Travers asked.

"Yes, one of them. And that maid has cat ears and a tail."

"What?" The two men was surprised. "She has cat features?!"

"Yes, believe me." Harvey pleaded. "This world might have more creatures that we haven't seen yet. Plus, most of them aren't humans just like her."

"I wouldn't certainly disagree with ya'." Travers decided. "I'm probably gonna have to get some more food if we need to."

"Yeah." Gallahand followed. "Guess it's our turn to share."

"I heard from Lelei that Rory went blood-crazy during the fight." Travers said. "According to Lelei, whenever a fight like what happened last night occurs, she would first behave as if she has an injury and then suddenly go fight the oppresing force with glee."

"What the..."

"It's true." Gallahand insisted. "Boyd even told me that it is her nature as an apostle for the god Emroy. She is a conduit for the souls of the dead."

"Holy cow." Harvey uttered before Tuka came.

"I was thinking if Travers is here." She said.

"Uhm, I'm here." Travers answered. "Just having some time for ourselves."

"Great, because I was wondering if you could help us with the aid you gave to them." Tuka requested. "They still need help with how they can use them and what they are."

"Oh, that." He replied before standing up. "Gallahand, Harvey, meet me at the mansion when you're done."

"We'll d..." Harvey stopped before changing his mind. "On second thought, let's all help."

"Count me in, too." Gallahand followed. "I wouldn't let my buddy get in trouble."

"Thanks, guys." Travers replied. "Tuka, you may..."

"Oh, right." Tuka then lead them them to the aid receiving area and they began to teach them how to use their goods aside from helping them. Medic also arrived to help.

Meanwhile, Bozes and Panache were inside the mansion receiving orders from Piña.

"As you know, the OSS are going to freely move around the world in search for the so-called 'Germans'. Piña explained. "Our weapons are useless against them while they have the sorcery, magic and unusual creatures to cause catastrophic damage."

"Umm...like what happened here, milady? Panache asked.

"Correct. Italica was hit on all sides, mostly on the Germans. The OSS also has the same means."

The princess then began to move on with the orders.

"Panache..."

"Yes, milady?"

"...you'll be in charge with the security of the city, along with the other knights and the OSS." Piña said. "Myui already has help, but I think she needs to have some more just in case."

"As you wish, Your Highness." Panache accepted.

"And you, Bozes..."

"Yes, princess?"

"Come with me. We need to see Alnus for ourselves." Piña requested.

"But-but...why go there?!" Bozes asked with a surprised face. "Isn't that where the iron crosses first settled in this world?!"

"Yes, but the OSS, those 'men in green', show capacity to fight for their allies and friends and they have some compassion to everyone around." The princess assured. "So I bet they could allow us to go inside and see what they have."

"I...I...I understand." The blonde knight decided to agree.

"Good. Be prepared in three..."

A loud bang was heard from outside the city. Shockwaves were also felt. An OSS-installed siren was even filling the air.

"Hya...what was that?!" Panache wondered.

"It's the same explosion as last night!" Piña answered. "But...for some reason, it was more powerful."

Shouting was heard from outside the mansion.

"Artillery fire!" An OSS soldier shouted. "Everyone, to battle stations!"

"Ready the tanks and AA!" Another followed. "Get us air support!"

Then, Patterson and Myui arrived in the room.

"Your Highness, we have to move!" He requested.

"Alright!" Piña agreed. "Bozes..."

"Yes, milady!"

"You too!" Patterson said to Panache.

"Uh, alright."

Soon, they head outside. On the way there, another explosion took hold, this time on the northern section of the city. When they reached outside, screams of the citizens were heard as well as engines and OSS soldiers running to their positions. Boyd and his friends arrived, including Rory and Lelei.

"Another artillery fire again!" Travers commented. "They don't want to give up, do they?"

"Yeah! They wanna have revenge so bad." Patterson agreed. "Get the ladies inside! We'll arrange a mission once we determined where those shots come from."

"Affirmative." They board the truck and it began speeding to Alnus.

"That explosion was more powerful the moment we felt it." Lelei told them. "Whatever they have, I felt that some form of magic was in it."

"What?!" Gallahand was shocked. "So they somehow tapped the source of the magic?!"

"Probably."

"I wouldn't be surprised." Harvey commented. "Those same shots were exactly what they wanted: to terrorize the opposition using their superweapons."

"Excuse me. Superweapons?" Bozes wondered.

"Yeah. That attack was part of a program called the Wunderwaffe, or 'wonder weapons' in their language."

"How are we gonna stop it?!" Piña frantically asked. "We can't just sit here and do nothing!"

"That's why we have them on our side." Rory assured her on the OSS. "They'll sabotage that whatever weapon they are using and everything would be easy."

"'Sa-bo-tage.'" Panache began to wonder about the word. "What does that mean?"

"It means that we blow it up and make it unusable." Travers answered.

"I hope you can pull this off." Tuka said to Travers. "I'm getting worried."

"Don't worry, Tuka. We can do this." Travers replied which made Tuka feel a little better.

"Speaking of which, where is Manon?" Piña asked.

"She'll be a few in charge of the defense of the city." Patterson replied. "As long as we have our allies protecting the city and our skills, we can get through this rough time."

"Please do." Myui then nodded.

With that, a new chapter in the war in the Special Region began to unfold.

A/N: Surprise attacks are now covered. Next thing to do is to send delicious cookies to Greta. Also in the next chapters, there will be an Open Base Exhibit. So don't go anywhere.