A/N: Guess what? this will be my last update for 2019 and on Christmas day too! How is that for a Christmas Surprise?
Normally, I would answer questions reviews left for me and what not, but this is a all points bulletin to other authors writing for GATE.
There is an author by the name of who copying other people's stories for his own and is actively blocking people who call him out on his blatant plagiarism. He will often remove his stories, block certain reviewers and then repost it in an attempt that no one would known what he has done. Other writers have tried to talk to him, but he has blocked us all.
If you want to read the fic the is stealing from, read TheDrkKnight12's "GATE: World At War V2" Believe me, it much better than the other guy and if you read both, you will see what I am talking about. I normally don't do this, but this guy needs to be dealt with.
Enough of my rant, now on to the story...
[ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ]
( Chapter 28: A Demon Girl named Shino... )
December 15th, 20XX
Yokosuka Detention Center, Yokosuka Naval Base.
Despite being nothing more than a prisoner, Dena had to admit that his captors treated him and his men much better than the Imperial Army. The Demi-human (Half man, Half Tiger) could still remember day his unit marched through the Gate on Alnus hill and into this new world. He was just one of thousands of "Beast Men" that had been conscripted into in Imperial Military and Dena himself had taken part in a number of campaigns the Empire had launched against it's neighbour.
Despite being seen as second class citizens by Sadera, the Imperial Army did have a large number of conscripted Beast Men and "Non-Humans" among their ranks. It may have been odd to see Demi-Humans serving in the army of a nation that actively discriminated against their kind, but for these beast men they really didn't have much of a choice. For many, they saw service within the Imperial Military as a way to earn money for themselves and their families. The pay may have been only half of what a human soldier made, but it was still a lot more than what could have been earned by working as a farm hand or a simple labourer. It was the main reason Dena allowed himself to be conscripted, as at the time his wife had recently given birth to twins and he wanted to make sure his new family could live well.
Thanks to his monthly income, Dena had managed to secure a comfortable home in a small village near the city of Italica. One of the few where both human and Demi-Humans lived side by side in peace and his two daughters both happy and healthy. Dena himself had also saved up some money which he hoped he could use to buy a boat so he could fish once his conscription was up. Which was supposed to be when his unit returned from beyond the Gate. But nothing could prepare the Tiger/Human for what he saw on that terrible day. The Imperial Commander had his men slaughter every single person they saw once they were through the Gate. Those who were not killed and captured were sent back through as slaves, as the Imperial Army pushed further into the city.
But what Dena remembered the most, was just how brutally the Imperial army was beaten back, when the city's defenders finally responded. Their commanders wanted Dena and his men to act as shields as the Imperial Army retreated and ordered them to charge the advancing army. But Dena and his men refused and attacked their human commanders instead. Only stopping when the other worldly army surrounded the camp and blocked the Empire's escape. Not wanting to anger the "enemy" forces, the surviving beast men units allowed themselves to be taken prisoner and in some cases, helped freed some of the civilians who had been taken captive by the Imperial Army. This action may have actually gone over well with their captors, as Dena and the rest of the Demi Humans were taken first to what looked like a colosseum and finally, to what looked like a villiage near the sea.
But this village was in reality a prison camp which had been created for them and in the weeks following the Battle of Ginza, Dena was surprised by just how well they were treated. They were given three hot meals a day and even had access to fresh water. Water which was the cleanest he had ever seen. Their "Cells" were well lit and far more comfortable than the barracks they would sometimes sleep in back home. Once the language barrier had been broken (Much to Dena's surprise!) the Beast Men allowed themselves to be interrogated by the Other Worlders and gleefully answered any questions they had. Despite being part of the Imperial Army, the Demi-Humans held at Yokosuka had no obligation to protect an Empire that had treated them and their kind so badly.
It was not long before these would be prisoners began to feel as if they were nothing more than guest in this new world. As their cooperation with the Other Worlders saw their living situation become more comfortable. In a way, there was a working relationship between the two parties. But while he was in good health, Dena could not help but to think about his family back home who most likely thought he was dead. He did not want to think just would happen to his wife and daughters now that he was here. Dena was still a Prisoner after all and there was no telling just when or if he would ever go home, or if he would have a home to go too.
Another day had begun as Dena left his room and made his way to the cafeteria for breakfast. It was a routine he had done for weeks and nothing out of the ordinary really happened this early in the day. Eventually, he made it to his destination but something was off. Instead of the long line that normally greeted him, Dena saw that everyone was seated by their tables without food. While the air was thick with murmurs which came from the assembly.
"What's going on?" Dena asked one of the detainees, a Pig Man that was seated next to him as he took a seat.
"I don't know." The Demi-Human replied, "The guards said that the commander of this facility has some announcements to make."
"This early in the morning?" Dena asked curiously, as such an event usually took place later in the day. "I wonder what it could be about?"
"Who knows." the pig man replied, just as the Detention Center's commander made his way into the area and stood on a small podium which had been set up by some of the guards. The Demi-Humans at the center had grown to admire this Jah-Pan-Ese Officer over the last few months. Though firm, the commander was fair and would often listen to the concerns of the POWs in his care and it was a fact that made them respect him.
"Good Morning, Gentlemen." The Japanese commander said, as he addressed the detainees. "I hope all of you had a good night's rest, because I have some important news to share with you all. As you are all well aware, my nation's military and our allies successfully crossed through the Gate and are currently engaged in hostilities with Saderan Empire."
This was something the Demi-Humans already knew and it was something that made many of them smile. They all remembered what they saw during the Battle of Ginza and the idea that the Empire itself was now at war with such a powerful adversary made them happy.
"Well, I am here to inform you that there have been some developments in Falmart that you may find interesting." The Commander announced. "Our Forces were able to get in contact with the leadership on the City of Italica and thanks to our efforts, both the city and it's ruling family declared its Independence from the Saderan Empire."
This caught everyone by surprise, as they all knew just how important the city was to the Empire. But no sooner had they heard the news, many of them began to cheer loudly at the Commander's announcement. Italica was widely known among these beast men as being one of the few places in the Empire where their kind would not be discriminated against. Some of them, like Dena, had even put down roots near the city. With Italica free from Sadera, by extension they were free too.
"There is more." the commander continued. "In recent months, hundreds of refugees have begun to settle around Alnus hill. Apparently, the conflict has destabilized the region and the Empire has pulled most of their forces in an attempt to consolidate their military. But this had lead to a sharp rise in bandit and slavery activity in the Alnus provence. Allied forces are doing their best to police the region and deter these negative elements, but they are not familiar with the land and are having difficulties interacting with the flood of refugees into Alnus.
"That is why command has come up with a solution to this problem." The Japanese officer then took a deep breath and said, "Command is considering taking volunteers from your group to form a new unit to assist in the Refugee situation in Alnus..."
[ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ]
December 19th, 20XX.
Berks County Volunteer Fire Department, Station 6.
Shino was the first one to wake up out of her group. The night before, the men were separated from the women in an attempt to give them some privacy. The dormatory they were given were normally used by the Fire Fighters and despite some reservations, it was still rather comfortable. A vast improvements over the bunks they had in Ginza. The rest of her group were still asleep, even Rory was still snuggled up in her bed with her Ax resting against the wall next to her. Although it was still rather early, Shino did not feel like staying in bed and decided to head down stairs and wait for the rest of her companions to wake up.
Wearing a grey T-Shirt and a pair of black track pants (The "Secret Service" had transferred their luggage from the hotel prior to their arrival), Shino made her way down the first flight of stairs and onto the second level. There, the male members of the group had slept for the night. She cringed when she saw Itami laying half way off his bed and wearing nothing but a black shorts and a line of drool coming from his open mouth.
'What does Risa see in him?' The Sargent thought to herself, as her mind tried to work out how a guy like him was able to get a somewhat pretty wife and still have a sex life. Shino cringed even more as she remembered what she heard coming from his room during her time in the hotel. It was also at that moment the Sargent noticed that there was one member of their group that was missing. Williams was not there, just were had he gone? The Sargent soon got her answer when she heard a door suddenly open and a long groan followed.
Looking in the direction the sounds came from, the CQC expert was greeted with a sight she was not expecting. For coming through the door was a sleepy and shirtless Williams who seemed to be coming out of a small private bed room. Although the young woman's attention was more focused on the shirtless man that was now standing in front of her. But the Marine soon realized he had an audience and his eyes soon went wide in horror before slamming his door shut. Leaving a VERY surprised and red faced Japanese woman to mull over what she had just seen.
'Kami-sama..." Shino thought to herself. Her cheeks turning a slight shade of red as a shocked yet amused expression formed on her face. "He is ripped!'
It was one thing to to see him shirtless from a distance, but to see the Marine shirtless up close... well... Shino was only human after all.
A few minutes later Williams emerged from his room, now wearing a white T-shirt of his own with the Berks County VFD symbol on it. Both he and the Sargent had an awkward moment where they just stood there just looking at each other before Shino decided to break the silence and asked...
"Um... so... you have your own room?"
"Um, yea. Sorta." the Marine replied, trying not to notice that Shino's top hugged her "Assets" quiet well. Or that they were currently reacting to the cold air.
"So..." Shino asked again. "You live in the Fire Station?"
"For now, anyway." Williams explained. "Trying to save up for my own house right now and the other fire fighters suggested that I live here for the time being."
"And they just let you live here?" Shino asked in amazment.
"It was their idea." the Marine replied. "Besides, it was their idea and I really don't want to stay by my parents place when I was off duty. And I am not the only one that stays here. Usually, one person stays in the station for a week then another takes over and so one. But when I am home, I usually stay until I have to return to active duty."
"You don't like staying by your family?" Shino asked curiously.
"I love my parents and sisters to death." The Marine explained "But I also like my privacy as well."
Shino just nodded in understanding, as she could relate to Williams' plight for his own place. She herself mostly lived in the Fuji Barracks and only just recently got an apartment of her own in Tokyo. It was not a very big apartment and could be considered to be in the bad part of town, but it was her's and the woman did not have to deal with sharing her space with someone else.
"So what are you doing up so early?" the Marine asked the young woman.
"I... just am." Shino replied. "I'm always up early."
"Heh, same." Williams stated. "I was about to head down to the kitchen to start breakfast."
"Um.. would you like some company?" The young woman asked nervously, not sure how to continue the conversation. Williams for his part was a bit surprised by her request, but figured that the young woman just wanted an opportunity to get to know him better. Truth be told, the marine wanted to get to know the Sargent better himself. She was a very attractive young woman after all and Williams had to admit that Shino did had some qualities he found himself attracted to and not just her figure.
He accepted her offer and together, the US Marine and Japanese SDF Soldier made their way to the Fire Station's kitchen area.
A couple hours later, the remainder of the group had woken up and were now assembled in the kitchen area. The group was treated to banana pancakes which Williams had made from scratch, as was hot coffee (For Itami and the Japanese-American contingent) and chilled orange juice for the Falmart natives. Needless to say, the group was a tad bit surprised that the Marine had made them all breakfast and were equally as impressed by just how good it all was. But while most of the group happily eat their meal, there was one individual who was not feeling hungry at the moment.
Pina just sat at her seat and quietly looked on at her untouched glass of juice, as her pancakes slowly cooled off in the morning air. Her meeting with the United Nations Assembly had a massive impact on the young royal and even though she held no illusions, Pina was not ready for what she she experienced. For the first time in her life, the Saderan Princess saw just how the Mighty Imperial Army conducted itself when it was sent forth to expand the Empire's boarders. The images she saw on that video both sickened and horrified the princess, for so long she believed that Sadera was spreading enlightenment and civilization when it expanded it's boarders.
But now the other worlders showed her the truth about the Saderan army and it's so called glorious campaigns. She saw Imperial Soldiers butcher innocent women and children why tried to run away. She saw how gleefully they slaughtered those people and even cheered when they killed someone. But what made it all the more worse, was the fact she could not bring her self to defend her nation's actions against the other worlders. These people were angry and demanded answers to questions she could not ( or would not ) answer. Pina just hope that she could deliver on her promise to locate everyone the Empire took from Ginza and have them returned home.
"So... Williams..." Myui spoke up, just as she finished her glass of juice. "You said that you would give us a tour of this... Fire Station?"
The Marine just smiled as he could clearly see the hopeful expression on the young Countess' face. Noble or not, she was still just a child and it was a well known fact that Fire Stations hand that special effect on young children. "When I finish wash up, we can start." Williams told her. "Just go and wait in the living area and I will be along shortly to begin, okay?"
The countess just nodded happily before she and the rest of the group left the kitchen area and wait for their host. Apparently it wasn't just Myui who was interested in getting a tour of an American Fire Station.
[ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ]
True the William's word, the tour soon began and both himself and Puller proceeded to show the group around the fire station. As well as give a brief history about the about the organization and their exploits over the years. Through the two marines/firemen, the group learned that the Berks VFD was formed out almost 80 years ago with only one truck and that how over time, the organization grew as the county's population expanded. As a result, they now operated three trucks from this station and would normally be dispatched to other towns in the County to assist the local fire departments.
The group was shown around the facility and asked questions at every opportunity, to which the two marines answered them. Eventually they was lead to the three trucks which were currently being operated by the fire house. The first truck was a Pierce Impel which acted as the Engine, it had been donated by the NYC Fire Department back in 2011 and was the primary unit the VFD used when a call came in. the second vehicle they were shown was a AM General M939 5-TON named "Attack 6 "which was bought back in 1995 and had been converted into a "Brush Unit"
"Brush Unit?" Leilei asked curiously, "What is it used for?"
"We use it to fight forest fires." Puller replied. "This truck is able to go into areas the Engine can't."
"Impressive." Persia gasped out, as she gazed at the large horseless wagon. Particularly the large water cannon that was mounted on the vehicle. "Do all fyre statons have these?"
"There are a couple other units in the county that have them, but not all." the marine replied, just as the group were lead to...
"Tanker 6." Williams declared, as the group say the large water tanker. "This is what I drive, I guess that it's name is pretty much suggest what it is for."
But while most of the group listened intently to the two fire men as they showed them around. the Mack Truck, Shino could not help but to think about William and not in the way you think. When she first met the man, Williams was everything she thought a Marine would be. Strong, duty driven and an aggressiveness that she always admired. From what she saw in Falmart, Williams was all of this and it was a factor that made the young woman fall for the man. But it surprised the curvy sargent that despite his aggressiveness, Williams was actually a quiet and level headed individual who really had no interest in making the Marines his life.
He had plans to go back to school, get a degree while still becoming a fire fighter. Williams obviously had a plan for his life and from the time she had spent with him, it was clear to her that "her sempai" was quite content with his life goal. But while Williams had plans for when he left the military, Shino never once considered what she would do with her life if she were to leave the JGSDF. Eventually, there would come a time where the young sargent would leave the Japanese military but then what? Just what would she do with her life afterwards. For Shino, the military was her life, her ultimate goal and she accomplished it. She quite litterally lived, eat and breathed the military, so much so that Shino soon came to a shocking conclusion... would Williams still like her once he was out o the military?
Would he be comfortable with a person that was known as "Demon Girl of Chiba Garrison"? Once he had settled into civilian life? More importantly, would she be able to be adjust to civilian life if she were to leave the JSDF? Sure she had her own apartment in Tokyo, but most of her neighbours avoided her. She would try to go out but would always end up going home alone while her few girl friends would always have stories about their night the next morning.
The JGSDF was her life, it was all she knew and for the first Shino felt as if her blessing, was now actually a curse.
[ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ]
( That Night... )
'Should not have had that last borrito.' Williams thought to himself, as the young man exited the Fire House's facility and began to make his way back to his room. The day itself was thankfully uneventful and the group more or less stayed indoors and kept themselves entertained by either watching movies or even playing games the Falmarts knew. But eventually it was time for bed and everyone done just that by 10:00pm.
Well most of them were, as the marine was now regretting eating the last microwave borrito that was in the fridge. But with his system clear, Williams was on his way to turn in for the night when he noticed there was a light still on in the living area. Upon investigation, he could see that Shino was sitting alone on the couch and was currently half way done with a large pack of Oreo cookies which he was very certain he had hidden way in the kitchen.
"Shino-san? What are you doing up?" the Marine asked the sargent, as he walked up to the young woman. Shino for her part, was surprised by William's unannounced appearance. She wanted to be alone at the moment, but she did not mind the intrusion.
"Oh.. um... I just could not sleep." the young woman replied. "Thought I would just come down here and get a snack."
Ignoring the fact that the curvy sargent had eaten half of his secret stash of doubled-stuffed Oreos (With is the good shit by the way), the corporal could see that these was something bothering the young woman. Had she been crying?
"You know, nobody is around so you can be straight with me." the marine told the sargent "Wanna talk about it?"
Shino, knowing she was defeated, allowed her crush to sit with her at that moment. Besides... Williams was possibly the only person she felt comfortable talking to at the moment. Which all things considered, was really saying something.
Taking another bite out of her cookie, Shino just huffed and asked... "How do you do it?"
"Do what?" Williams asked the woman, a puzzled expression forming on his face.
"How do you manage to balance out being a Marine and Fireman?" the Sargent replied, in an almost pleading tone. "How do you do it?"
"Where is this coming from?" the corporal asked the young woman. "What's wrong?"
"It's... it's just that...For as long as I could remember, I always wanted to be in the army, like my dad was." Shino began to explain. "He was in the JSDF before he died. Even after my mother remarried, I still wanted to follow in his foot steps. Its all I wanted to do. The day I graduated from basic training was the greatest days of my life... but..."
"But...?"
"I... I don't know..." the Sargent confessed. "You know what they use to call me in basic training?"
"The Demon Girl of Chiba Garrison." Williams replied with a slight smile, much to the surprise of the Sargent.
"How... how...?"
"Your friend Mari told me." the Marine replied, refering to Third Recon's medic.
"Figures..." Shino muttered.
"Yep... but why do you have to be so aggressive all the time? From what I have heard, it was why they call yo the Demon Girl."
"I... I just don't want to look weak." the CQC expert admitted, before she looked up at the marine and said. "When I was growing up, I was always picked on. The other girls would pick on me for mot being 'pretty enough' to have a boyfriend and the boys would always tell me I was too ugly for them... and the ones who said they did like me, only did it to make me feel worse. My step dad told me to stand up for myself or the bullying would never stop and people would always take advantage of me."
"So that is why you are aggressive to everyone?"
Shino just nodded before she replied, "Since I already planned to join the JSDF, I saw no reason to stop being the way I am. Besides, its was probably the only place where someone like me would fit in. I just want to be the best."
"You put a Indonesian Marine in the hospital for a month when you were sparing with him, I think you have more that achieved that." Williams said with a chuckled. To which Shino could not help but to smile herself. "It's not always easy for me to balance my military life with my private life, but somehow I manage to. I just got to remember that I can't be focused one thing all the time."
"I just want to be good at what I do."
"You are good at what you do." Williams reassured her. "You just gotta flick that soldier switch off and turn on the civilian switch on."
"That's the problem." Shino said sadly, as she gazed up at her sempai. "I don't know if I can..."
"I can help you... if you let me." the corporal replied, before he got up and made his way towards a small cabinet. Upon reaching the piece of furniture, the marine opened the twin doors to reveal a vast collection of Bluray and DVD cases.
"In the name of the moon..." Shino gasped out in awe, as Williams closed the cabinet and walked back to her holding three Bluray cases.
"Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz or Paul?"Williams asked his friend, as he held up the movies in question.
Shino was completely taken aback by the Marine's question and replied, "Um... which one you think I will like more?"
"No..." The marine stated, "I mean which one you wanna watch first?"
[ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ] [ [ [ [ ] ] ] ]
A/N: And with that... we close off 2019 and in true style, I end on a somewhat cliffhanger.
AAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNYWAY... I just want to wish everyone a very Happy Holidays and lets hope 2020 doesn't suck royally like 2019.
As always, leave a review and tell me what you think. Until next time, NIGHTSTALKER OUT!
P.S.: Ten Points to anyone what movie I referenced at the end of the chapter.