Disclaimer: I don't own Gate, Hearts of Iron series, nor the elements used in the story. Everything belongs to their respective owners.
December 13th 1945/December 13th 2015
Appia and Dessria Highway, Towards Alnus Hill
Third Person POV
In "Snow Country" by Kawabata Yasunari, there was a line which went:
"After the long tunnel on the border is a country of snow."
It described how the darkness of a tunnel suddenly became a pure white snowscape, and what it made it the most famous of all his works was how the author described the scene so vividly that a reader might feel they had been transported into the novel.
But, if one wanted to apply that same turn of phrase to the experience of passing through the Gate it would be impossible.
Anyone would be moved if they were walking down Ginza and suddenly saw a sprawling natural landscape before them.
However, there was now an asphalt road on both the Special Region and Ginza exits of the Gate and the Gate itself was surrounded by a concrete dome, so anyone emerging from either side of the Gate would only see featureless Gray landscape.
In addition, the extensive security measures established around the Gate — including fingerprints, palm prints, biometric and retina scans — formed countless of layers of barriers before entry, and these troublesome procedures killed any romance the trip might have.
In another addition, every vehicle that went in and out of the Special Region was subjected to a thorough disinfection before being allowed to proceed.
After leaving the concrete dome, one would see several freshly-contructed buildings, so new their paint had not yet had the chance to dry. Around these buildings would be the six-pointed star fort, enwrapping the entire site in a solid defensive fortification.
Outside the star fort, on the surroundings of Alnus Hill, the terrain was reshaped into something that could have come out of a field defensive tactics manual, with communications trenches and all sorts of obstacles, filled with an amount of chain link fences and concrete bunkers that might have been considered "paranoid". All of this denied entry to anyone who tried to approach.
There was a stretch of trees to the South of Alnus Hill.
This was the site of the Alnus Living Community, where Lelei and the other refugees from Coda Village lived. Although it was surrounded by forest, trees in the Special Region looked almost the same as those in Japan, so probably nobody but a trained Botanist could tell the difference.
On the East of the Hill, they were already finished with the runway and a few hangars.
They had already set up a miniature airfield on one corner of the base, and inside one could see them assembling several F-4 Phantom Jets.
Probably nobody would be moved anymore after passing through the Gate, given the extensive development of the surroundings.
In truth, passing through the Gate was less exciting than visiting a certain theme park based off an American mouse. They would probably be very disappointed.
Still, it was not as though the JSDF lacked a sense of fun or adventure, just that to a normal person, a theme park would be much more comfortable than a garrison base like this. To members of the armed forces, who were already used to the sterile, boring environs of a military base. But to civilians, it would be like stepping into another world that felt wrong, in a sense.
One could say that now, there was no difference in the scenery on both sides of the Gate.
Because of that, to Piña Co Lada, and Bozes Co Palesti, Alnus Hill itself was like another world to them.
Piña had made a request regarding how her nation acted — she had asked to personally apologize to Lieutenant-General Hazama and other high-ranking officials of the JSDF in person. IJA Itami approved, and had told the JSDF and they said they also agreed as well as the permission to go to Alnus Hill with SDF Itami and his Team.
That said, IJA Itami knew that they did not have time to wait for Piña and her followers to slowly catch up with them on horseback. Therefore, IJA Itami had added another condition:
"Only you and one other follower are allowed to ride in the SDF's Type 4 Armored Truck with us."
In truth, IJA Itami was hoping that Piña would choose the same follower as his vision predicted.
Piña's response was rather difficult, if the NWEF weren't here she would've assigned Bozes and Panache to Italica's security, while Hamilton would liaise with and act as the representative for Formal Clan. But since that was no longer possible, after some decision she announced that "I will go myself" in a determined and confident manner.
However, they could not let their Princess walk alone into the enemy camp. Bozes and Panache were arguing over who would get to accompany her, and Piña finally selected Bozes to follow her. After hurriedly packing their things, they boarded the SDF's Type 4 Armored Truck.
When SDF Itami saw his IJA counterpart carrying two suitcases, each held with two of his hands — which is long enough to compare the length of a rifle affixed with a bayonet — and he had worn his usual IJA uniform. SDF Itami asked.
"Oi, Ossan. Are you sure that you're coming with us? After all, this is not really necessary..."
SDF Itami scratched his face nervously at the thought that his counterpart will be going with them back to their homeworld.
Ossan smirked, "I know. But my superiors had ordered me to come with you, especially when I have Lieutenant-General Hazama's permission as well." he stated, making his SDF counterpart sigh tiredly.
"Fine. After all, there's still an extra seat for you to ride on the Humvee."
With that said, he was still a little skeptic about it. But then again, Ossan did have permission from Hazama after he was informed earlier this morning. And so with that thought, the once convoy of thirteen vehicles of the Combined Team now reduced to three, the Team quickly left Italica to Alnus Hill after IJA Itami had taken his seat.
With the Vehicles moving at high speeds, they swiftly arrived at Alnus Hill.
During the trip, Piña and IJA Itami were conversing with questions mostly from Piña about how strong is the Imperial Army of Japan, and many other things related to that topic.
Meanwhile, Bozes also conversed with the members of the JSDF in the HMV. Hoping she can wrest some information from them. After all, information was power, Piña needs as much as she can get her hands on to give her an edge in this desperate situation.
As they continued their way towards the JSDF headquarters in the Special Region, the scenery changed bit by bits. Signing they arrived the territory controlled by the JSDF.
The scenery there was no longer familiar to Piña and Bozes. What had once been a bare hill now a fortress.
A flight of three helicopters on a training mission greeted Piña and IJA Itami, as they turned overhead while flying a Nap-Of-Earth course. Their powerful engines created a mighty downwash that seemed like it was going to sweep the surface clean.
Another amazement on how the 70 year gap between us and the JSDF are still beyond us. IJA Itami thought.
Third Recon drove down the newly-built road among the flying sand and dust.
After passing the OPL (Outpost Picket Line), they entered the territory controlled by the JSDF.
The large space they had just entered was called the FEBA (Forward Edge of the Battle Area), which was used as a training and practice area. At the same time, it was a boneyard for numerous Wyvern corpses, as well as where the children of Coda Village's refugees went to work.
The first thing Piña saw was the JSDF troops formed up into squads with a flagbearer at their head holding their unit flag high above himself. They were chanting some mysterious magic spell that she couldn't understand while running in the opposite direction of the convoy and swiftly passing by.
"Model A Ford and a tank full of gas!"
"Hand full of pussy and a mouth full of ass!"
"Sound off!" "One, two!"
"Sound off!" "Three, four!"
"Sound off!" "One, two" (Two and a half-beat pause) "Three-Four!"
...At least, that was what the arcane incantation sounded like to Piña's ears when the men ran past the convoy.
"Is that some sort of incantation?" The Princess of the Saderan Empire murmured.
IJA Itami let out a small chuckle at her murmur.
"No, it's not an incantation, Princess. It's only a small song what made the soldiers easier during exercises. The Imperial Army practiced such methods many times under their training. It raised their spirits and made their training much more efficient." the IJA Lieutenant explained in her language.
Though in truth, he lied about that part and thought it would be great if they have those back when he enlisted in the Imperial Army years ago. But then again, times have changed, it is more likely what he said to the Princess was true. And so, he silently prayed to the Shinto gods that his words he spoke to the Saderan Princess was true.
Piña nodded uneasily then looked back to the exercising JSDF soldiers.
The speed of the vehicles left them far behind, but before Piña could turn to watch them, the skeletons of several buildings came up by the side of the road.
The JSDF had considered the possibility of street-to-street fighting during a theoretical invasion of the Imperial Saderan Capital, so they had asked Master Cato to supply blueprints of an average residential building in the city.
They had turned these blueprints into mockups of Imperial Buildings, which the soldiers used to practice their urban combat tactics.
Initially, Piña had no idea what these troopers are up to.
In the Special Region, the most common form of attack was having infantry or cavalry charge into close quarters with the enemy while shouting "Waaaaagh!" or some other bloodcurdling battle cry.
Once contact was made, it was every man for himself. They would strike down the enemy with blades, spears, or shield bashes. Unlike the barbarian tribes on the frontier, the Saderan Army did not allow their Legionaries to fight by themselves. Instead, their Centurions would maintain order and rotate out the men on the front line of the formation to the rear as they got tired. Their enemy would fight until they got tired and then they would be cut down, but the Saderan Army would always have their freshest troops in the frontline, while their tired and wounded would recuperate in the rear.
This basic combat tactic remained the same whether they fought on open plains or dense city streets. The Commander's job was to raise the men's fighting spirit, train their fighting skills, and lead them victory over the enemy.
However, the JSDF were different. They did not use shields, nor did they form a dense Tetsudo formation. They would spread out to sprint, halt, and drop prone, all the while communicating with hand gestures. They were closely-knit, well-oiled machine that switched between stillness and motion with a fluid grace.
At the same time, they were raising metal staves in all directions. They looked like hedgehogs.
What on earth are they doing? Piña tilted her head as she thought, but could not find an answer.
"They're all holding staves like Itami. Could it be the Jayesdeef are mages? If that's the case, is that the secret of their power?"
Boxes answered Piña's question with a question of her own, "But mages are rare since magic is a special ability. Then, does that mean the Jayesdeef can produce mages in large quantities?"
Piña could imagine how those staves could strike down the enemy with beams of searing light. After that, she understood what the JSDF were training for; their movements were calculated to conceal themselves and respond to to the enemies' own movements, in order to find their foe and kill them in any environment or surroundings.
Even if they were ambushed from the dark corners, even if they were fired on from high windows by snipers, even if they were flanked from both sides by Imperial Cavalry, before the enemy troops could close the distance to the JSDF, they would be turned into Swiss Cheese by their fire-staves.
"No, these metal staves are not magic. In their language, they are weapons which are called "guns", or "small arms"."
From the side, Lelei denied Bozes' answer.
"The Jayesdeef uses these guns as the basis of their fighting ability. In order to make full use of their guns in combat, they have trained and developed their skills to this level."
"They're weapons? That is to say; they're like our swords and bows?"
"Yes. The principle is simple. They enchant a piece of lead with explosive magic, seal it within the metal tube, and then they let the lead fly free." the petite blue-haired mage explained.
SDF Itami just shook his head after hearing Lelei still thinks their weapons are magic based. But said nothing.
IJA Itami chuckled after hearing Lelei's answer. The blue-haired mage turned her head towards him.
"Is something wrong, Lieutenant Itami."
"You almost said everything right Lelei. But you were wrong on one thing about theirs and my nation's, and the entire alliance's, weapons." he said in their language.
Lelei tilted her head. Piña moved closer to IJA Itami with an interested look on her face.
"There is no magic used in our weapons. These weapons only used a chemical reaction to create a miniature explosion in the chamber. Therefore, it is called "Gunpowder" or black powder. But you can call either of them as you like to call it."
Lelei tilted her head questioningly once more. "Black Powder?"
Ossan nodded, "Black Powder. It is a mixture of several materials. Because of its highly reactive nature, it is widely used both mine and Gaki's world for mining and many other things which requires controlled explosion..."
Lelei nodded in understanding.
IJA Itami's explanation about Gunpowder in great and scientific detail could go like this:
"Gunpowder is classified as a low explosive because of its relatively slow decomposition rate and consequently low brisance. Low explosives deflagrate (I.E., burn) at subsonic speeds, whereas high explosives detonate, producing a supersonic wave. Ignition of powder packed behind a bullet must generate enough pressure to force it from the muzzle at high speed, but not enough to rupture the gun barrel. Gunpowder this makes it a good propellant, but is less suitable for shattering rock or fortifications."
Every JSDF inside the HMV widened their eyes after hearing the IJA version of their Lieutenant explained the modern day, scientific explanation of how their weapons work.
Kuribayashi Shino, who decided to ride in the HMV, put up her hand questioningly.
"Excuse me, Lieutenant IJA Itami, sir. But, how do you all of this? The way you speak is like that of a Professor's?"
"Well..." IJA Itami pondered a bit, "Ever since we first arrived in Alnus, I've taken the liberty to research on some things that I can compare about between our 70 year gap. Must've memorized it, since I was so immersed in reading."
After he said those words, Shino still looked at him with questioning eyes. Still skeptical on what he said.
"What? Still don't believe me?" he asked, "Ask Gaki, he knows what I'm saying is true!" he pointed at his SDF counterpart part for proof.
Shino looked at her Commanding officer, and with the face as if to say, "Well~?" but on a more menacing type.
SDF Itami made a small wince at her look and immediately replied, "It's true!" he waved his hands in a defensive matter, "After we took Language classes, Ossan wanted to go where the library was located. And I said "no, I can't take you to the library without the Commander's permission." and then he retorted "what about that strange, small, rectangular item that you always use when you're slacking off"."
"And then, I confessed him that I was slacking off and I explained to him what I have here," SDF Itami then took out his phone from his pocket, "and what's its uses. Then came the time when Ossan became interested. And so, I began teaching how to use my phone and since then on, I never got the chance to read the updated chapters of my favorite Light Novel since then. " he grumbled that last part of the sentence.
After hearing her superior's story, she felt she could make a smug face about the Lazy Lieutenant unable to use his own. But decided not to do it, since it would be out of character for her and made a small nod. Signifying she believed his story.
Piña sighed in desperation because she couldn't understand what they were saying and looked out of the window with a dissatisfied expression searching some kind of hope.
While inspecting the piles of Wyvern corpses on the battlefield, she had found many huge holes in the bodies. A closer inspection of their shattered scales revealed lead chunks and other fragments. Working backward from there, Lelei had deduced the mechanism of firearms by careful analysis of what she had seen, heard, and learned.
IJA Itami's explanation strengthened what she heard and completed the puzzle in her head.
Completed what she already knows. Either Piña convinces her father to surrender immediately, or the Saderan Empire will be annihilated from the ground. Either by the War machine of the JSDF or by the might of the GACOPS alliance or practically both at the same time!
Piña's vision suddenly blurred, thinking about what IJA Itami had said about their weapons. It's not magic, but a weapon? So since human can make these weapons, they can distribute them to all of their soldiers?
If that's the case, then obviously the way they wage war would be different. No matter how many men with spears or swords we raised, their numbers would be useless in the face of an enemy who fought like this.
As these thoughts ran through her mind. Out of the blue, a Type 96 Armored Personnel Carrier roared up besides them. The rear hatch opened, disgorging a number of fully armed and equipped men.
The soldiers who rushed out of the vehicle swiftly formed a neat firing line; their weapons pointed at imaginary opponents.
At this moment, Piña could vividly imagine Cavalry and Infantry being gunned down in their ranks, and she furrowed her brows in anxiety.
"Too slow! Move your asses faster! Again!"
In response to their Commander's rebuke, the JSDF troopers got back onto the APC. After watching them training like, Piña could not help but think.
So there's a huge difference even from their basic styles.
Unlike the fear which had been deeply engraved her souls in Italica, she was afraid because she could now understand her opponent, and it frightened her.
IJA Itami took mental notes on how the JSDF acted, reacted, and what they do according to their training and he thought, Well, this is new.
Piña turned back to look inside the HMV, and she saw Itami, Kuwahara, Kurata, and the others holding the non-magical weapons they called "guns". If they were weapons, Piña and Bozes should be able to use them if they got their hands on one of them.
If they could fully understand these weapons and obtained them, then at least future battles would not like be one-sided slaughters like what had happened previously. Piña understood the importance of this. Her aim now was to obtain these weapons and pass them on to the best craftsmen she could find and force them to make more, at any cost.
As though reading Piña's thoughts, Lelei quietly chimed in from the side.
"That would be pointless."
Lelei pointed outside, through another vehicle's windows.
On the open ground, something that looked like a cross between a crazed elephant and a block of metal was thundering towards them. It was a Type 74 Main Battle Tank.
"When they say "small arms", they mean that these weapons are small guns. So that means that there should be "big guns" as well."
They looked at the Type 74 as it turned its turret, their eyes going to its 105mm rifled cannon.
"Does, does that spit fire too?"
Piña's thoughts were not the same as Bozes' murmured words. She realized that the Iron Elephants and Iron Carriages were used by the otherworlders as Armored Units. The Iron Pagasi and Fire Dragons are used as their Aerial Units.
"I have seen something similar to it myself, it was beautiful to behold and terrifying to get hit and get killed by it."
No Blacksmith in the Saderan Empire could make such a thing. And it was not just the Empire, but nobody on the continent could build stuff like that. It probably would not make a difference whether she searched the underground world of the Elves or among the master craftsmen of the Dwarves. It was a monster from another world, and she could fully believed the stories made by the people of Coda Village that it actually killed the Ancient Fire Dragon.
Iron Pegasi, Carriages, Fire Dragons, and Elephants. What was this the JSDF, this force that could produce these things in such great numbers? She looked at IJA Itami thoughtfully.
This soldier from the Gate of Barkus Hill, he stated the JSDF are 70 years in the future from an Alternate Timeline. He even stated the difference between them and the JSDF in terms of Technology and new rules and tactics in their Modern Day Warfare. A terrifying thought, I was naive enough to think they were both equals to begin with.
She even remembered how he said about the JSDF being a sleeping Dragon. Once rudely awakened, there's absolutely nothing that can stop them of their die hard will and determination. Even the same weapon that was used to put them to sleep 70 years of the JSDF's past.
"Such terrifying power... Why did we even attack them in the first place?"
In response to Piña's quiet mutterings, Lelei replied:
"The Saderan Empire has trod on the Griffin's and the Dragon's tail."
"You, you... Don't talk like it doesn't concern you! The Saderan Empire is in a crisis for survival, how can you speak so easily about it!"
Bozes angrily grabbed Lelei's shoulder, and in return, she received an even more hateful answer.
"I am of the Rurudo Clan. The Empire's well-being has nothing to do with me."
The Rurudo were a nomadic people. Although Lelei had settled down near Coda Village, she and her people had never had any particular opinion about the Saderan Empire.
Tuka, who had been listening but did not have the chance to cut in, rushed to raise her hand and say, "Yes, I'm an Elf!"
"..."
Rory remained silent. She did not need to say anything and simply smiled.
The Saderan Empire had made the Allied Kingdoms bend their knees and ruled over its citizens with force.
The Emperor did not expect his subjects to love, respect, or do anything but fear him.
The Saderan Empire's policy of conquest, suppression, and rulership through violence had led to the present situation — despite its dominance over them; it did not have the loyalty of its subjects.
It was only now that Piña realized the consequences of the Saderan Empire's actions. She watched back at JSDF and the NWEF in Italica. From their perspective, they were doing what was necessary to do, it was not for conquest but rather, in retaliation against the Saderan Empire. There was also mutual respect amongst each others forces, and they even established friendship between them and the people of Italica from what she seen the night before.
Not to mention when ordered, they would obey their officers with extreme dedication to their orders. Without dedication within the ranks of the Saderan Army, everything would be a mixed of undisciplined soldiers and lazy, corrupt officers. Thinking about it made her head ache.
Piña and IJA Itami were brought to Alnus Hill, to a building with a plaque on the front that read "Special Region Expeditionary Force Command". IJA Itami snorted, thinking the name "Special Region" was insulting, especially when they're in another world.
Piña and Bozes parted ways with the two Itami and the others here. Escorted by a uniformed female officer, Piña and Bozes were guided up a flight of steps and into the depths of the building.
Following that, they were brought to a waiting room for a short time.
The waiting room was unappealingly small, and it had little in the way of decoration, but the high-backed chairs were very comfortable. The craftsmanship of the table also seemed exquisite. It must have been the work of a renowned craftsman.
Just as they were getting bored of this room, a knocking came from outside.
Piña and Bozes practically jumped out of their seats.
The man who entered looked like he had reached middle age.
His black hair was streaked with gray, and he had a crewcut the way Kengun did. However, unlike Kengun, he had a small warm smile on his face. He seemed gentle enough, but there was a hint of strength within that kindness.
Piña felt that his green uniform was too sparsely decorated, apart from the set of colored bars on his uniform's breast.
In truth, she found it hard to believe he was a General of an army. After all, in her experience, a high-ranking officer's chest, shoulders and entire body would be plastered with medals, jewels, and other decorations. This austere look of his made him seem like a humble footsoldier.
However, since she had arrived here, Piña realized that this army despised meaningless ornamentation and instead valued actual competency. Therefore, she had no doubts about this man.
She immediately understood that the man before her might well be the highest-ranking officer of this otherworldly army, or at least, he was one of them.
Behind Hazama, Kengun stood at attention behind the middle-aged man, whispering into his ear from time to time. Kengun seemed to be a relaxed person who was nevertheless devoted to his job.
There was another man behind Kengun. He had a sly smile on his face, and he arrived not long after the female JSDF officer. They all wore the same green uniform, though there were differences between them. From Piña's observations, she concluded that the mottled JSDF green uniform must be some sort of camouflage used in combat, and it was different from the single-colored green uniform used for ceremonial purposes.
Finally, Lelei and IJA Itami entered the room, standing beside the middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man smiled and said something to Lelei and IJA Itami.
The two nodded and then Lelei translated his words to Piña and Bozes "This is the General of the Jayesdeef, his Excellency General Hazama." However, IJA Itami re-translated those words "This is Lieutenant-General Hazama, commander of the SPREF."
Following that, Piña also introduced herself and Bozes to this Lieutenant-General Hazama. Because Lelei did not fully understand Japanese, while IJA Itami can understand them. And so, he translated for her.
"This is her Imperial Highness, Princess Piña Co Lada."
"Thank you Lieutenant, I have a question. How do they address the members of royalty in this world?"
"From what I learned, there are slight differences between men and women. But for ladies, "Francea" will do for now."
Hazama nodded and gestured to Piña and Bozes to take a seat.
"Please have a seat, Francea and Miss Bozes."
After that, Hazama and his entourage sat down one by one, and they began speaking, while Lelei and IJA Itami served as their translators.
"I believe this is uncalled for. But, what happened to bring Your Highness here in person?"
"The truth is, my nation had done many atrocities to your country. We deeply regretted the events that followed after their defeat in your world, and we hope you will forgive our nation. Even if it takes to sign an unfair treaty."
"I've know this is in the past now. Did some occurrence happened to make you come here?"
"Well..." she couldn't just say, "We've seen your power and we will present the unconditional surrender of the Saderan Empire, so please spare us." and other similar statements.
However, unknown to her, IJA Itami explained Hazama her reasons in his language.
"She feared that they angered the JSDF when my other-self was sent to the National Diet. As such, she took this opportunity to offer some peace treaties in order to spare her nation. Hence, she misunderstood the meaning when my counterpart was called back to your world."
"I see. So this is a misunderstanding, huh? Well since she's here, we would like to hear what she has to offer to us."
Hazama said before turning back his attention to Piña and Bozes.
"This man had told me what happened." Hazama started to explain, "Although, we wish for your Highness to continue being an intermediary between the Saderan Empire and us. If the events that have caused you so much grief require it, we can also reconsider the terms of the treaty that we can agree on.
The Japanese attitude to diplomacy was to respond flexibly to minor setbacks. However, this way of thinking was quite problematic for diplomats, in particular, Piña, who represented her nation. To her, denying the terms they wanted was equivalent to the JSDF attacking them. Therefore, she misinterpreted Hazama's words as "If you don't do as we say, we will destroy you." The addition of "We wish for your Highness to continue being an intermediary between us and the Saderan Empire" made her feel even more uncomfortable.
"No, no, actually—"
The man with the sly smile, who had been sitting to one side all this time, suddenly cut in.
"I've been briefed by the two Itami. May I ask what was the real reason why you came here?"
Halfway through Lelei and IJA Itami's translation, Piña and Bozes were already sweating bullets.
In the end, they still could not silence SDF Itami. The two of them had tried to cut in at every possible opportunity, offering every lewd temptation they could muster, but ultimately, none of their attempts worked. Then again, it would have been a miracle if SDF Itami had actually allowed himself to fall victim to a crude seduction when the woman who, almost, attempted to beat him up one night and then smiled sweetly at him while saying "Come on~" the next morning.
"I confess, I wanted to laugh when I heard you two came here almost as if you were begging for forgiveness. Especially when this man here," he gestures to IJA Itami, "had claimed that you were here for the sole reason to prevent our Itami to go to the Senate, am I right?"
The way he smiled while earnestly asking, "Did you really think you can expect forgiveness from us?" made Piña think of him as a snake, with all the accompanying negative impressions.
He refused to drop the matter and kept asking questions like, "Why did you came here?", "Was there any reason to prevent him from going there?" during any lull in the conversation. It was clingy and annoying to say the least.
She could almost hear IJA Itami's mutterings, "Your talking like Zan, he's just as annoying as you are." and it seems he was getting annoyed as well.
He did nothing wrong, yet he was called to his Senate. The words of this snake-like man, while not inherently judgmental, sounded like he was condemning them every time he spoke.
"..."
Piña could barely squeeze out a response, and in the end, Lelei and IJA Itami said something to the man with the sly smile. Following which, the sly smile became a mocking smile, and he introduced himself.
"I do apologize for not introducing myself. My name is Yanagida, and I am pleased to meet you."
To Piña, it sounded like I'm Yanagida, remember it.
This might take a very long time to negotiate with these strange people.
"Well, then~ looks like all that's left is dinner and going to bed."
They had already returned their unused rounds to the ammunition dump, while the rifles were signed back into the armory after the necessary maintenance (Kuribayashi's rifle was a write-off. It had taken irreparable damage when it had used to block an unexpected sword strike, and the armory had signed off on it), and their vehicles were returned to the vehicle pool after cleaning the mud and sand off them. Sunset had come and gone by the time they finished these chores, and there was no time left to eat.
And then, he still had to write and submit results, and tomorrow he would be going before the National Diet, and after that, he still had to wait for further instructions... Just the thought was enough to tire Itami out.
In any case, he'd worry about that later. Itami opened his desk and placed various documents into a folder before slotting it into the depths of his table, but then he spotted a blinking light on the phone he left in there. It would seem he had received an E-mail.
Now who could that be from? While thinking that, he opened the messages and saw that they were from Risa and His Excellency Taro.
The two of them were Itami's Otaku comrades. In Taro's case, he proudly used his real name, so those around him jokingly called him "His Excellency," a title he sportingly accepted.
Risa seemed to have written something that resembled a report, and then plainly added at the end "Please lend me money (heart symbol)." After that, there was a second, and then third E-mail, which was accounts of the tragedy that read like "Send reinforcements immediately!" and "I don't have water, food, or gas!" However, there was only a day or two between the E-mails, so the situation could not have gotten so bad as she said.
This woman basically treated Itami — with his stable income as a public servant — as a credit card with no limit. She would impulse-buy figures or other expensive goods, which would then affect her ability to pay her living expenses. He felt that he could not leave her be, but at the same time, he also felt that he was just enabling her.
Taro's E-mail, on the other hand, simply asked about how he had been lately, and if he was free for a meetup.
Although he had almost forgotten which season it was during his time in the Special Region, it was winter back on Earth. The year was coming to an end, and Itami was thinking that it was about time he started applying for leave to do things. It had been about half a year since the summer doujin event was cancelled so that the winter event would be more crowded than before.
If His Excellency Taro is asking to meet me, it's plainly obvious he doesn't want to squeeze in at the doujin market with the others, but instead he wants me to buy his titles for him. I wonder if I show them the pictures what I made with our new friends... He shook his head as he thought about this.
Although he had been summoned back to the homeland as a witness, Itami's first priority was to get the catalog for the market.
Just as he was thinking about this, the lights-out signal went out, and the lights to his block were cut.
Ah, it's so late that even the cafeteria and canteen are closed by now.
Since there was nothing to be done, Itami took out several cans of food from his desk (Combat Ration Type 1 — chicken rice, preserved daikon, assorted vegetables) and opened them.
At this moment, there was a knocking on the door.
When Itami looked outside, he saw nobody there. For a moment he thought someone was pranking him until he saw Lelei waiting in the darkened hallway.
"It's pretty late, what's the matter with you?"
Lelei was able to translate various documents into Japanese, so she had been temporarily employed as a "Specialist" with Ossan (the two had been paid for that, of course, albeit in Yen). As a result, the two of them could come and go freely within the base.
In order to avoid being mistaken for an insomniac wanderer, she wore her I'd pass hanging around her neck and came here while carrying her basket.
"Itami, I'm tired. Send me back to camp."
With that, she tossed her staff aside and sat down. Lelei wasn't the type to easily show her emotions, and she was used to enduring hardships. For her actually show weakness by saying "I'm tired" meant that she must have been exhausted. After all, interpreting for Hazama must have been very draining.
"Eaten yet?"
It was hard to speak, so she groaned and shook her head. The way she looked at Itami was like a puppy that had been abandoned on the roadside.
"Ah~ but I can't drive now, why don't you just sleep here? There's a lot of room here anyway."
The camp where she lived was a pretty long distance away from here.
Besides, if he wanted to leave the base at night, he would have do so in full gear. In addition, he could not move around alone. Therefore, he would have to wake up someone from RCT3 to accompany him. Then he would have to request and fill out more forms and book a vehicle, and it would be a pain in the ass. That being the case, it would be better to find Lelei, a bed so she could sleep here.
Lelei seemed to have trusted everything to Itami, given the way she nodded and murmured before closing her eyes and drifting to sleep.
Good thing there was still an actual open room. Itami thought as he made preparations.
Then, time to set the bed.
Every member of the armed forces in the JSDF had a bed that consisted of one mattress, one pillow, five towels (one was for decoration), one pillow case, two bedsheets and one blanket (the above mentioned did not apply when new bed provisions were available).
Since the materials provided were limited, the sleeping arrangements one could produce with were also limited.
First, he laid down three dust covers. Since a dust cover was roughly half the size of a bed, he had to layer the three towels over each other.
On top of that, he spread two bedsheets. He laid one piece on one side at the foot of the bed, then he carefully folded each one under the mattress in a hospital fold, so that the sleeper could tuck themselves into one or both sides and feel like they were wrapped up.
After that, he laid the last two dust covers on the pillow side and the foot of the bed, folding them into another set of hospital corners, with all the care of wrapping a present. Then he laid the pillow down as well as the bedsheets, tucking it under the mattress. With that, the bed was made.
He laid another blanket over this warm little nest.
After making the bed, Itami lifted Lelei in his arms and laid her down.
Her face was pure white, and her clear skin was as flawless as porcelain.
People might have mistaken her for a life-sized doll. Since Itami had no interest in that sort of thing, he cover her up with the blanket, but at this moment he felt that he could emphatize with those people who liked looking at young girls.
As he thought that, Itami frantically shook his head while thinking, No, no! Anyway, it'd be laughable for someone my age to be turned on by a girl like that. He tried to rationalize it away with his psychological defenses, but during the year Itami had graduated from highschool, there had been a girl in his class who had been pregnant and gave birth to a baby. Thinking about it now, it did not seem impossible.
Lelei said she was 15, but she seemed less developed and curvy compared to a Japanese girl of 15. Lelei did not just look younger than her age, but she seemed more delicate too. Still, when it came to being older than they looked, there were two prime examples right here.
Suddenly, his vision blurred as he was looking at Lelei.
If this went on, he would fall asleep soon.
No, no, if I fell asleep here, somebody will see it and get the wrong idea. I need to get back to my room to sleep.
Not long ago, Kurata was teasing him by asking, "Say, Lieutenant, do you like DFC?"
Granted, Itami knew we wasn't good around carnivorous, mature women, but it was ridiculous to have that interpreted into a taste for flat chests. If pressed, Itami would say that breast size was irrelevant, only the shape of the body.
In other words, he did not dare lay a finger on Lelei. Furthermore, waiting unnecessarily beside a sleeping girl would invite unwelcome gossip from the people. He had to get out of here right now.
Moments before Itami could let his conciousness drift him to the dream world. A certain person walked towards him.
"Well, seems someone was tired as well, huh?" Itami suddenly heard a male voice behind his back and woke up immediately. He jumped up in a frightened expression settled on the First Lieutenant's face.
"O-Ossan! What are you doing here?! You should be back at your room! How do you even got here?"
His frighten expression can be seen on his face as he took a comical pose.
IJA Itami chuckled before pointing at the door, "The door was open..." he answered.
He calmed himself and nodded, "I see..." he glanced down to the sleeping girl.
He then looked back at his counterpart, "Anyways, what are you doing here Ossan? Isn't your room on the other side of this building?" he asked before noticing he was carrying a pair of Type 1 Combat Rations.
"I was looking for Lelei, I heard she was coming to your office." he said, "When I got there, I only saw several cans placed on the table. So I said to myself "I should bring these and find Gaki" that was when I noticed from the window, and I saw someone carrying a young girl to another building. That was when I decided to follow, and you should know the rest of the story."
His summarized story seemed believable enough for Itami, but another question remains.
"Why did you brought those rations Ossan?" he asked, wondering why he brought it along with him.
Ossan answered, "I was hungry, the cafeteria and canteen was closed before I got there, and I never got the chance to eat dinner as well." he said as his stomach grumbled.
"Same here." Itami's stomach started to grumble as well.
IJA Itami chuckled, "Let's eat first then we can talk what we have experienced today, deal?" he offered and SDF Itami gladly accepted the offer.
After eating the rations Ossan brought along. The two started sharing stories about what they experienced in the base today.
It was then they started exchanging questions and answers. It was mostly from SDF Itami about "How was the work?" or "How was the translation going on". SDF Itami was at least grateful that his counterpart was here, he couldn't believe he brought along those rations just because he was hungry.
From IJA Itami's perspective, the reason why he came to this room was because that his vision had predicted that his other-self accidentally slept inside this room with the dumbest reason of being tired. And so, he should at least help his other-self with his current predicament.
"Anyways," IJA Itami suddenly began, "You should sleep now Gaki, it's getting late, and you have to prepare yourself to go back to your homeland for the National Diet."
"Yeah, yeah, I know." SDF Itami tiredly scratched the back of his head, "But my room is faraway and someone might caught me just because I was awake this evening."
It was true, curfew hours are very strict when there are guards assigned for night-watch, especially when they have orders to apprehend someone who was awake and wandered around the base.
"Well... At least we could sleep here." IJA Itami suggested.
"Eh~? Are you sure Ossan? There isn't an extra bed we can use to sleep here?"
"I could always sleep with my back on the wall. I've taken the habit of it when I was assigned for night shift back in World War 2 and the Second Sino-Japanese War. Mostly slept in foxholes and trenches instead of tents."
"I see..." Itami looked at his IJA counterpart skeptically, but otherwise it was his experience during the war so it sounds legit enough to believe.
IJA Itami made a yawn, "Anyways, I'll be closing the door. Don't want anyone to see what we're doing here in this room. If someone seen us, we might've use the lame excuse to protect a certain VIP in this room." he joked as he closed the door.
"Yeah, right. As if someone would actually believed that?" Itami said sarcastically.
IJA Itami with his legs crossed and leaned his back on the wall, "I'll be sleeping now Gaki. I'll see you in the morning, good night." he said before his eyes closed, signifying he was going to sleep.
"Yeah, goodnight as well Ossan." after he said those words, his body started feeling heavy.
Even after taking the night in the Formal Mansion in Italica. Itami could feel his body suddenly filled with fatigue. And it was too much for him to resist.
And so, Itami passed out.
In the end, against all of his wishes, Itami ended up falling asleep, finding himself on Lelei's tummy.
IJA Itami silently open his eyes, and he saw his SDF counterpart sleeping on Lelei. Then made a small sigh.
Well his vision wasn't wrong for sure this time around.
December 14th 1945/December 14th 2015
Local Time 11 o'clock
In front of Alnus Gate
Today's sunshine was exceptionally bright. Itami was standing still, a blank expression on his face. The First Lieutenant was still tired after he had to wake up earlier with Ossan acting as his alarm and he had to finish his reports before he returns to Japan.
He was wearing the Type 91 Winter Jacket, which made sense for Japan's weather, but considering the climate was still warm on this side of the Gate, it felt too hot. Because of that, he was only wearing the Jacket and had his sleeves rolled up.
Passing officers might have frowned on his poor personal grooming lol, but after noticing his winter clothing line, their expressions turned to wry grins which made him uncomfortable.
The summer uniform was fine on this side of the Gate, but anyone going back to Japan, which was in the middle of winter, would have the discrepancy in seasons was funny in its own way.
"So slow..." he sweated.
For the most part, everyone everywhere should have a sense of time, but he did not know how it was for people in the Special Region. After all, they did not have clocks, so they might not have the habit of being on time as well.
So I'll wait then, Itami thought as he wiped the sweat from his brow. Eventually, the people he was waiting for finally arrived.
"Ossan~ Kuribayashi~ Tomita~ you guys took so long!"
"Sorry, Lieutenant, we were delayed because we were taking care of things."
In contrast to the uniformed Itami. Shino and Tomita were in civilian clothes. While Ossan was wearing a mid-1940s Business Winter dress.
"It's so hot out, where are you going to wear this so much?"
That had been Tuka, speaking in a soft voice. Lelei gave Itami a long and intense look, while the black-clad Gothic Lolita had followed of course.
Itami, the Commander in charge during the battle with the Ancient Fire Dragon, was not the only one being summoned by the Diet. Several other witnesses from the affected refugees had been called too.
Among these "Affected Refugees," the presence of Lelei was essential because she could translate for both sides.
Lelei's services were in high demand recently, almost to the point of abuse.
Still, the amount of work was overwhelming. All they could do was ask her to bear with it. Lieutenant-General Hazama had even told her in person that after the meeting with the Diet, as compensation for her hard work, he would arrange for her to have fun and relax in Japan before coming back.
Tuka would be coming along because she would be the living proof that the Special Region contained other sentient species besides Humans. Her mere existence would answer many questions, and to the media, it would have great persuasive power.
As for Rory... Well, she looked human enough and resembled a child. With that black priestess' garb on top of that, what if she was mistaken for a cosplaying girl brought along to make up the numbers?
Although demigods were feared and respected in this world's legend (not including the countless stories of luckless others being killed off), it would be troubling if she wanted to demonstrate her "Divine Power" in the Diet. As a result, Itami was in a dilemma over how to handle her.
But the main reason they had brought her along was because she said, "How could you leave me out of something so fun?"
In addition, Kuribayashi and Tomita were there as their guards.
As for IJA Itami... He was briefed by Hazama that the existence of the NWEF was not to be revealed to the public unless needed so. That was what Lieutenant-General Hazama had told IJA Itami of the condition to cross the Gate and let him come to the National Diet as another witness.
From Ossan's perspective. IJA Itami knew that the topic about Imperial Japan and the Imperial Army of Japan was always a touchy subject for the Japanese from Gaki's world. As such, it would be best to reveal it unless the situation calls for it.
Though he still wondered who was the VIP that came from his world and then goes to Gaki's world? He didn't know, unless he crosses the Gate.
Leaving these thoughts behind. SDF Itami shook his head and turned back to the others.
"All right~ that should be it. Then, let's move out."
Just as Itami said this, a car drove up in front of Itami and stopped there.
Yanagida got out of the passenger seat and raised a hand in greeting.
"Sorry, sorry, the procedures took a bit more time than anticipated."
What was this guy up to? Just as Itami was starting to get annoyed by looking at him, Yanagida opened the rear door of the vehicle and invited the two people within to a light.
"Her Imperial Highness Piña Co Lada, and her Excellency the Marchioness Bozes Co Palesti. These two will be accompanying you secretly to Japan. Please take care of them."
Piña and Bozes got out of the car and lined up in front of Itami.
"Oi, Yanagida, we never talked about this." The First Lieutenant protested.
"Ah? Didn't I tell you before? Then it shouldn't be too late to explain now, right? I've made the arrangements with Ichigaya Park (a hotel run by the Defense Ministry), and a hotel at Izu is settled too. Go and enjoy your three-day vacation."
"You... Ah, forget about it. It's useless now."
"Heh. Well, it doesn't matter, don't worry about it. In any case, Her Imperial Highness will be an important intermediary between our government and hers, so it was only natural that she requested to come to our country to learn about it."
With that, Yanagida drew close to Itami and spoke softly to him while sliding a white envelope to Itami's pocket.
"Courtesy of Lieutenant-General Hazama. Use it to show our guests a good time. Show them the meaning of Japanese hospitality."
Itami sighed and turned back to the others. "All right. Let's get in the car."
They took seat one by one, and the miniature convoy had departed. Because of their increased number. Piña, Bozes, IJA Itami, and Kuribayashi sat in the same car. Meanwhile, SDF Itami, Rory, Tuka, Lelei, and Tomita went with the same car.
They passed the borders of the Gate under the Ferro-concrete sarcophagus like a dome.
The car steadily moved towards the other side of the where Ginza awaited them.
Now, what will happen, they wonder?
To be continued.
Important Notice!
To those who are my fellow countrymen (Filipinos) they should know about this news.
There would be a very powerful Typhoon coming here in the Philippines, and I'm afraid my updating schedule will be hindered due to the Typhoon.
Hopefully, I will hope I'll survive if the Typhoon hits my place (Leyte, Eastern Visayas) and please pray I would so.
I'll be putting polls and be sure to vote in the Poll section by then after reading.
Same as always, gabrielchiong11 out!