A/N: Yes! I am still alive! for now...

Hey guys! Hope you are still safe and healthy in this time of crisis. Taking your vitamins all the while enjoying the isolation that comes with being an introvert. Not before I continue I need to make a few announcements.

I recently got transferred to a new location since he Security Company I work for got a new Contract. So updates will be irregular until I have settled in into my new location. I can't say exactly where it is due to privacy reasons, but it is a big improvement over my last location. Plus I get more time to relax when I am off duty. So I may have more time to work on chapters.

To everyone who has reviewed and been with me since the start, thank you for your support. And to "x37JB51x" lets hope the next time you decide to post a story, you do not copy from someone else who actually put in the effort to make their stories enjoyable. To everyone else, go read GATE: Worlds at War V2 by DrkKnight12 and show him some love. His story is epic! But "x37JB51x" has been copying that fic for his own for a while and anytime someone calls his out on his blatant Plagiarism, he deletes his story, block the person that called him out and then repost in on new different account .

Now do not try to message this individual to harass him for his actions. He wants attention, so if anything, just ignore him and don't feed his ego.

Other than that... on to the story...

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( Chapter 33: A Hopeful Hope )

The Ginza Base Hospital was a buzz of activity by this point, the Ambulances that had been sent out just an hour ago returned with their new passengers. No sooner had the first vehicle entered the compound and reversed into the bay, a team of medical staff swarmed the rear of the ambulance and proceeded to off load the young man that laid in the stretcher and carried him into the intensive care unit.

The boy could not have been no more that 16 years old and his two would be companions were just about the same age. All three showed signs of extreme abuse and numerous lacerations about their bodies. Their almost skeletal frames was evidence that these individuals were not in any way well fed and all were showing advance stages of Hypothermia. Clearly these teens had been through hell and back, and the fact that all three had Asian features made this all the more troubling. Even before the doctors got to work, fingerprints and hair samples were taken so as to identify just who they were and if possible, locate their families back home.

But for now the main focus was on saving their lives, as all three were in bad shape. The next several hours would determine if they would live, or go home in coffins.

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Jade Palace " JUNO PAPA", Sadera

1145hrs

Despite technically located in the Capitol, the Jade Palace was more or less located far away from most of the important mansions and government buildings. This made it the perfect location for Pina to hold many social gatherings with those who opposed the war with the other worlders. Its location also made it easy for said other worlders to occupy the massive structure and use it as a diplomatic center of sorts. Despite their obvious technological advantage, there were many who did not like the idea of basically jolly stomping such an underdeveloped civilization because of its leaders. Besides, there was still the issue of those who were still being held as slaves and any possible allies that could help recovering those who were taken was welcomed.

Over the last few weeks, Princess Pina had been assisting the members of the Coalition move into the lime stone structure. Already several of the Palace's rooms had been renovated to house members of the Coalition and their diplomats. While the princess herself had held a number of social gatherings as a means to introduce some of the noble houses to the Other Worlders. This lead to many interesting interactions and exchanges between said Nobles and the Coalition Ambassadors. But it was during these meetings that Pina was reminded just how cunning (If not devious) the Coalition could be. As Hostile Nobles soon became docile and more hospitable toward the Coalition diplomats when they discovered family members they once thought had been killed when they Marched into Ginza, were alive currently being held in camps across the Gate.

They were even more surprised to discover that the Other Worlders were willing to release the captured Nobles back to their families. But only if certain requests were met, that is.

In a clearing located just a few miles away from the Jade Palace, Princess Pina and a few of her more loyal Knights could only look on in awe as the Other Worlder flying machines came in and landed just a few meters away from her group. The sight of the two Ospreys hovering before her reminded the Princess and her companions just who was really in control of the continent and why she wanted to work with the Coalition.

Within a few minutes, the two impressive aircraft touched down and their occupants began to file out. Taking defensive positions around the landing site, the Marines pointed their weapons into the tree line. Moments later, Ambassador Todo emerged from the second Osprey with Itami and approached the Royal.

"Princess." Todo addressed the royal before him. "I hope that you have been well since our last meeting"

"I have," Pina replied, as she noticed the crates being off loaded from one off the Ospreys. "Are those for the party tomorrow?"

"Indeed." the Japanese diplomat replied with a grin. "Some of the finest items and wears my world has to offer. From what you have said about some of these nobles. What's in these crates should go a long way in winning them over to our cause."

"Indeed, it should." the leader of the Rose knights replied, knowing full well just how much the nobles of Sadera prized such exotic items from far away lands. She then leaned towards Itami with an hopeful expression and asked "D... Did you bring what I asked for."

"Uh, yea!" the Japanese soldier replied, as he went into the Crate and took out a small box. "Risa sends her regards, by the way."

There was almost a child like glee in the princess' eyes, as she took said box and opened it to see its contents. A small squeal almost escaped her lips, before closing she replied. "Thank you very much. Shall we be going?"

With nod, the Ambassador and his small entourage followed the princess and her knights toward some carriages which would take them to the Jade Palace. But while the Japanese would be going with Pina, the Marines that traveled on the second Osprey returned to their aircraft.

"Where are thy ey going?" Pina asked the Itami, a puzzled expression forming on her face as she saw the tilt-rotors slowly lift off. "They are not coming with us?"

"No." Itami replied. " They were only here to make sure nothing happened when we arrived."

"So where are they heading now?"

"Honestly, they never told us." Todo replied. "But if I have to guess, those Americans have their own objective in Sadera."

Once again, Pina began to have sinking feeling in the pit f her stomach. Just what were the Other Worlders up to? Up until now, an hostile enemy force had not entered the Sadera for almost five hundred years and even then it took a year long siege to destroy the city defenses. Now there were enemies of the empire walking within the Imperial capitol and more were to come. With that fact in mind, Pina and her knights mounted their horses and began the long trek back to the palace with their new guest in tow.

Meanwhile in the air, the Osprey that were carrying the marines made its way to it secondary location. Though an unofficial cease fire currently existed, the Coalition leadership knew it was only a matter of time before the Empire went back on the offensive. The Empire was currently in the process of moblizing/rebuilding it's military after the heavy losses it had suffered at Alnus. It was only a matter of time before the Emperor thinks that he could defeat the Coalition Forces and send his new army to "drive back the other worlders."

An action that would result in another slaughter and possibly lead to the destabilization of the Imperial Government. Considering how things apparently worked in the Empire, it was not too far out there to believe that it could possibly lead to a civil war in Sadera. If peace talks were to fail, then the Coalition needed to have the ability to strike down the Imperial leadership and its supports in one swift blow.

As a result, Operation Black Paint was initiated. Over the last few weeks, Special Forces teams had begun to secretly enter Sadera and set up a covert base within the city walls. Their task was to conduct recon missions into the city itself and relay any and all information they acquired back to Ginza. Thus elements of the Third Recon Battalion, Third Marine Division had been deployed to take part in the operation. They would be joining members of the Fillipino 1st Scout Ranger Regiment that had already been operating just outside the capitol for a week, scouting possible targets. While members of the Japanese Special Forces Group Commandos were in the process of location a suitible base of operations within Sadera itself.

The arrival of the Force Recon team would bring up their total number 75 and it was expected that Australian SAS would be joining them soon. But for not the main focus would be to locate and link up with the other teams to secure a new base.

Another Phase in the Tiger Strike mission was about to begin.

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Administration Building, Fort Ginza

Yao still could not believe that this was happening. The Elf woman could barely contain her absolute excitement as she said in a chair and waited for her name to be called. After so many weeks, she was finally going to be able to speak to the leaders of the Other Worlder army!

The two other worlders that wanted to speak to her first took her to what was quite possibly thee most basic yet comfortable room she had seen in a long while. It felt so good to finally lay in a soft bed, yet she did not understand just why the door back outside was locked. But it didn't matter. After a couple hours, the dark elf was taken out of her room and was informed that the operation commanders were willing to meet with her face to face. Yao could feel the tears once again form in the corners of her eyes, as she practically lunged at the Italian MP and hugged him tightly.

Now here she was, sitting quietly and waiting. Yao still had her bag filled with her clan's most valuable of treasures, which she planned to use as payment for asking for the Other Worlder's help. Hopefully it would be enough to convince them to save her clan. If not, then the Elf woman would have to resort to... other means... to bribe these leaders. Yao did not care just what would happen to her, as long it meant that her clan would be saved.

Suddenly the door opened and too her surprise, a young mage with short blue hair and an neutral expression on her face came out. The Mage then told her that the Commanders were now ready to meet with her. With one last sigh, Yao got up from her seat anf followed the girl inside.

A Few Minutes Later...

"My name is Yao Haa Dushi of the Dushi clan of the Dushi!" The Dark elf said proudly, as she addressed the Tiger Strike commanders. As Leilei translated for her. "I come from Schwarzt Forest and represent all the clans that call it home in an attempt to ask for your help. In recent months, the clans that call the Schwarzt Forest home have come under attack by an Aquadraco that has killed many of our people.

"Entire villages have been washed away and we have been forced to flee into the mountains for safety. But the Aquadrago has followed us and hunts my people for feed its hunger for our blood. I fear that if this creature is not stopped, then the Dark Elfs of the Schwarzts Forest will become nothing but a memory that will be forgotten as time passes."

Tears began to form in her eyes as the memories of those attacks began to flood her mind once again. But she continued to speak. "I... I come before you today... to ask for your help. My people are dying... and there is no one that can help us. Our warriors tried to kill this beast, but have all failed. I beg you... " she then threw herself on her knees and clasped her hads as if she was praying. "We are willing to pay you everything we have! Please save my people."

General Hazama and the other commanders were obviously taken aback by this woman's plea and it was clear to see that she was desperate for their help. But then again the Dark Elf and her clan were strangers to the Coalition and there was no telling if she was being truthful. Then again, from what Leilei had told them about Dark Elves (The Mage had told them everything she knew about the Dark Elves prior to them meeting with Yao), they were usually not known for asking for help from outsiders unless their situation was dire.

Thank you, Miss Dushi. That would be all." General Hazama told Yao, as he instructed Leilei to escort her out of the room. Yao felt a bit surprised by the other worlder's response, it was rather neutral compared to what she was expecting. From all the stories she had heard, Yao thought that the Other Worlders would jump at the chance to save her people. But they didn't. Feeling slightly deflated and with no other choice, Yao left the conference room with the young Mage and was escorted to a new room that had been provided for her.

"Tell me, young mage." Yao asked Leilei. "Do you think they will help my people?"

Leilei just replied "The Other Worlders like to think before they act. They will need some time to think about what you told them before they make a decision."

Yao began to feel a little more anxious at this point and it clearly began to show on her face. Something that did not go unnoticed by the teenager.

"Would you like to get something to drink?" Leilei asked the older woman, attempting to get her mind off of her current situation.

Yao was a bit surprised by the young girl's offer, but with no other option but to wait on the Other Worlder's reply, the Dark Elf decided to go along wit the Mage. If only just to pass the time.

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Meanwhile, back with the Coalition Comanders...

"Well...?" Gibbs asked out loud.

"Well what?" The commander of the Korean contingent replied.

"Well... what do we do now?" the Marine Corp Colonel asked again. "Do you really believe that she really needs our help, or just pulling our legs with that story?"

"I don't know." Respati replied, as the Indonesian commander got up from his seat and walked up to the giant map of Falmart that was on display in the conference room. Visually scanning the map, Respati stated, "The Schwarzt Forest is a good distance away and even then, it's technically inside the Kingdom of Elbe."

"That should not be too much of a problem" Bautistia replied. "King Duran is more or less on our side."

"He still may not like the idea of our Forces entering his kingdom" Hazama stated, was he too walked up to the map. "The main reason he agreed to assist us, is because we told him that we had no interest in invading his or any of the other kingdoms. If we suddenly suddenly show up near his kingdom with a large force, then he may believe that not only have we gone back on our word, but we are going to invade his kingdom. The last thing we need is another front in this conflict, especially against an ally all because of a misunderstanding. And even then, we still don't know if this Dushi is telling us the truth."

"Then the only way to find out if she is telling us the truth, is to take a look for ourselves." Colonel Singh suggested, as the Indian officer spoke up. "We should conduct a recon flight over the Schwarzt forest to see if there is any signs of this... Aquadraco. If this creature is as destructive as as Miss Dushi says it is, then there should be signs of this devistation."

"Even if there is such a creature, we really don't have any obligation to assist Miss Dushi or her people." Brig. General Thomas Giddeion of the Australian Army added, "This may sound cold, but our main focus should be on locating and rescuing those who were taken from Ginza. I am certain that we are all aware that we currently have three individuals laying in the base hospital who have been identified as persons who were taken by the Empire."

"I am well aware of that fact." Hazama replied. "But we also have an obligation to assist any and all Allies we have made in the Special Region. We may not have direct ties with this Dushi clan, but they do reside within the Kingdom of Elbe and who is to say that this... Aquadraco would not soon become a threat to the rest of that kingdom and it's people? It may only be a matter of time before King Duran request help from us."

"Beside, I doubt any of us here like the idea of quite possibly leaving people to die, all because we refused to take them seriously." Gibbs chimed in, "We could have one of the Predators do an over a fly over of the region and send us a live feed."

"Then I guess it is settled." Hazama announced. "A Drone will be sent out first and depending on what we find, then we will know haw to react."

And with that statement, the Commanders of Tiger Strike left the conference room and made their way back to their personal offices. But as General Hazama was about to enter his office, a Japanese soldier ran up to him.

"General Hazama..." the young man said in between breath. "The Hospital has called."

"What has happened?" the older male asked, as he was closely monitoring the status of the three people that had been rescued by the Shinano.

A somber expression suddenly came upon the soldier's face. "I am sorry sir, but one passed away while in ICU.."

"And... the other two?"

"Only one has woken up." the young man replied. "The other one is awake and talking."

"Contact Col. Gibbs and General Giddeion and tell then to meet me in the Hospital." the Japanese General order, before he made his way out of the admin building and towards the base Hospital.

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A/N: Another Chapter down and I hope you enjoyed it! Anyway as always please leave a review and tell me what you think, or I will steal all your hand sanitizer and Toilet Paper. Until next time, NIGHTSTALKER OUT!

Sorry, no Trivia today.