Chapter 01

March, EC 1932

A Loud noise could be heard as a new Panama max sized container ship almost ran aground on the riverbank of a new unknown country. As it kept moving south down the river, An Emergency meeting on the bridge was called.

"So, where are we?" Asked the first mate.

"No Idea, but we gotta think of something to do for the rest of the crew and fast!" The Second mate exclaimed.

"Well we could set up a settlement near one of the river banks" The Helmsman said over his shoulder.

"That's not a bad idea, keep following the river for now and we'll settle down on which side we should set up out new abode" The Captain said, with a stoic look upon their face.

With what they decided to do in the long term all said and done, they focused on finding a place to Set up shop. Their modern and experimental technology should come in handy, for better or worse.

April, EC 1935

Kilomanjaro Town

It had been three years and Four months since the industrial and technology town was established. Kilomanjaro was a town with a monopoly on advanced technology for the region. With a population of a total of 2,500.

Within the EXO-Frame Training grounds four men heard of the on going conflict between their new nation of Gallia and the East European Imperial Alliance. They also Dragged a contact, one of the select few Local Gallian's that knew about some of Kilomanjaro's more advanced project's. The four young men wore the standard issue camoflauge shirts and pants with boots and crew cut hair.

"Kid's you sure about this? Making noise for Squad seven of the militia" The boatman said as he sat in the drivers seat of the EXO-frame carrier "You know what'd happen if you do".

"Honestly, I feel we've remained Neutral for too long" The Asian man, Kenneth Jung said as he gritted his teeth "If Gallia falls, then Kilomanjaro town would be not long next".

Ian Clay, an African American pointed back at the 9 feet tall, humanoid robots that they'll be piloting "To be honest If both side's find out about the EXO-Frames, Neither side will keep quiet about it".

"To be honest, I'm still in training" Private Dingo Chavez said with a light smile "Where the instructors go,I Follow".

"As for them not being quiet about it, That's what I'm hoping for" Jack said as he looked over to the Hispanic recriminate "Then again Chavez, I'll take the flak either way".

The Boatman sighed "OK, then I'll take you all and your EXO-Frames a close as I can under the cover of the fog".

Ian then piped up "We'll get hover boots ready and final preparations before then".

Before the four young men were four 9 feet tall humanoid machines, each with a saddle on the back. Clad in Orange composite Biomimetic Armour, with wheels on their tails and knees. A Camera sphere for a head in front of a hexagonal cockpit pod, lined on gun racks weapons from grenade machine guns to scaled up rifles and rocket launchers.

These were the older first generation training model, the RF-04 Gavel. A more primitive model, but more than adequate for training and limited combat use. Until the nanotech imbued second and third generation EXO-Frames were completed.

"Chavez, take a 20x110mm EXO Rifle" Jack spoke with a light smile as he got one and some ammunition and magazines to put on his Gavel "We got an abundance of ammo for those"

"Uh, A-aye Sir!" Chavez went and hastily got the aforementioned items together.

"Ian since we'll be encountering tanks take a 90mm mag fed bazooka" Jack requested as he pointed at the rack of Bazookas for EXO-frmaes and the spare ammunition and magazines.

"Right, I'm on it" Ian went to carefully gather his loadout a 90mm mag fed bazooka and a 14.5x114mm automatic rifle for his Gavel.

As Jack and the other were finishing up on their machines, he asked "Jung think you can take a .338 Lapua magnum machine gun for anti-personnel work?".

"Of Course Lieutenant" Jung went and got some belts of .338 lapua in ammo cans and a EXO Frame portable machine gun based on the M2HB "Who knows where the enemy may hide their sorry asses".

They were now more or less ready for the fight ahead. This could spark an arms race, but Jack didn't care the imperials have had their fun. Now it was time to give them a taste of their own Medician.

Great Vasel Bridge, two hours later, West Bank

[This is About as Close as I can get you four without being squished, good luck!]

The Four Gavels hover boot sprung into action as soon as the rear gate opened up, one by one they skated out onto the surface of the river and mad their way to rendezvous with the lone Gallian tank on the east bank. On the thanks radio frequency Jack said.

["This is Gibson 1-1 to Edelweiss, moving in to assist you off the river in T-minus 20 seconds"]

The silver haired tank commander was confused at first but deciding to give the people on the other end a benefit of a doubt. At least for now, he replied ["Edelweiss to Gibson 1-1, copy that"]

["Be advised we'll be arriving in orange clad vehicles"] Jack said as the squad of EXO- Frames Arrived at the river bank. Disconnecting their hover boots as they covered the Eidelwiess. Both Welking and Isara looked shocked and confused but quickly regained their composure and the former launched a flare signalling that they got across. Causing the rest of the squad to follow on boats with whatever weapons and ammunition they could carry. As the four Gibsons, Jung, Ian, Chavez and Jack moved forwards and Ian or Gibson 1-3 fired his bazooka at a incoming light tank before it could respond. Causing another to appear which Welkin quickly took out with the Edelweiss's 88mm main gun.

Isara drove the Edelweiss up the bank and onto the streets while the EXO-frame pilots supported both the tank and Welkin's squamates. Both Gibson 1-1 and 1-2, Jack and Chavez kept the enemy lancers and snipers pinned with their 20mm HE shells. While Gibson 1-3 and 1-4 Moved with the Edelweiss through the the streets keeping cover and concealment to obstruct their opponents line of sight as much as possible.

Welkin had ordered his squad mates not to fire upon the Orange EXO-Frames that had arrived on the scene. As he was notified for their assistance beforehand.

["Gibson 1-2, Enemy Lancers at three O'clock!"]

The Lancers took aim and fired.

["Shit!"]

However due to the range they barely missed and gave Gibson 1-2 time to get into cover. The Last anti-tank Lance Detonating on a piece of thick wall and rubble between Gibson 1-2's current hiding spot and the Lancers.

Largo and Jann focused on taking out any tanks that out flanked the Mech's and shock troopers while Fressia, Vyse and Aika Under the orders of Alicia provided anti-personnel cover for Gibson 1-1 and Gibson 1-2. marina and Oscar took up positions to pick off any Lancer or Sniper that popped up in their sights, the Latter relocating to assist the Edelweiss. While Gibson 1-4 picked off any Lancer or Sniper Caught out on the Open with a barrage of .338 lapua Machine gun fire.

The Battle was Long and Arduous, The EXO-Frames proving to be useful to a degree in the support of Infantry and Tanks. When Squad Seven Hi-jacked the controls for the bridge the enemy reinforcements were dropped into the river. With a Unknown number of Casualties. A Conversation between Welkin and Gibson 1-1 and 1-3 had begun over the radio.

["This is squad seven leader, Welkin Gunther, Gibson 1-1 we advice your units follow use back to base"].

["Gibson 1-1, Understood Lieutenant Gunther, Though I may need to contact the township at Kilomanjaro, as that is the only known place in the world where resupply and refit be made possible for Gibson squad's units"].

["Gibson 1-3 here, Like I said if Gallian high command finds out about our technology, they won't keep quiet"].

The Militia and Regular Squad passing over the river, after Squad seven retook the bridge saw glimpses of Gibson 1-1's EXO-frame. Which would cause certain general's to demand an explanation. Then a certain blonde reporter came into the scene as Jack and the other three men got out of their EXO Frames while waiting for transport.

It was on that night, that one of the first times EXO-frame's were deployed in combat. Were they a part of Vinlandian Tech Programme or not is still highly debated to this day. One thing was certain, the New technology brought something new to the table.- Irene Koller, On the Gallian Front

Authors Note: Both Laim's stories, Cerberus and Gibson Squad's Stories are all happening in the same timeline and universe.