Sorry for the long wait folks but here's the newest chapter!
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11:43 AM Hours, April 7th, 2018 (UNSC – 2536)
Rondel, Falmart
"So, this is Rondel, the city of magic." Sparks looked around, observing the city of knowledge and magic. "For a medieval city, the place sure as hell looks quite fancy. Not to mention this place would make for a nice tourist destination." Admiring the city's beautiful looking white stone construction and its domed and conical-shaped roofs, giving it look more a more high-quality appearance in comparison to Italica. Something that wasn't surprising if the rumours were true that the city was partially constructed through magic.
"You can sight see later after we're done with the mission, Sparky." Turpin tapped him on the shoulders to get his attention away from some fancy ship and keeping them from slowing down.
"As long as you don't get us into another 'adventure' Turps." Sparks grunted.
"Thank you, oh dear buddy, you just jinxed us all." The blonde woman snarked back loudly.
"Well, it's more or less a fundamental truth, at least the majority of the time." He admitted. "Though on the bright-side, your luck could also bring us a fun adventure for once."
"Define 'fun' Sparky." Gruss glanced behind. Her voice tone indiscernible, but the way her helmet glanced at Sparks was about as subtle as a MAC round on her tone. "The two of you seem to really want to tempt fate."
"Would you mind your voice; you're bringing us unnecessary attention." Professor Anders whispered, noticing a male Cat-Person glancing at them. The small commotion drew the eyes of an uncomfortable number of bystanders around them.
The ODSTs of Sunray 1-1 and Professor Anders, along with Irisia, Lelei, and Master Cato were currently navigating through the busy city to their destination: The Magic Academy. The individuals who been to the city or at least familiar with it guided the UNSC personnel through the labyrinth of streets and buildings. Passing by countless alleyways, buildings, and shops selling various objects of all kinds, ranging from foods to potions of all kinds. All of which was recorded by their helmets for later analysis, capturing any details the UNSC could deem important. However, the biggest detail that caught their eyes was the inhabitants of Rondel themselves, not only composed of humans – though they were the majority – but also of the different species that called Falmart their home.
Cat-People, Elves, Dwarves, winged humanoids, and many more. The city held a diverse population with different races of all kind inhabiting Rondel, either as normal civilians or scholars and trainees of magic. Encountering Elves was one thing – who could be easily mistaken for human at a distance if the ears were covered – but something that looked like a walking dragon-thing or humans with bird-like traits was another matter. They had a surprisingly normal lives similar to those of human worlds, but in a medieval setting.
Overall, encountering all these species that looked half-human or non-human was a unusual experience for the ODSTs; whose only experience was on the receiving end of a genocidal campaign by inhuman alien species. So, to say this was a strange experience was an understatement. But Sunray 1-1's training kept their personal discomfort and distaste to themselves least it effects their mission negatively. Still, some of them were quite fascinated seeing a multitude of different species living together side by side, not to mention races that only existed in fantasy. At least for this area, as current intel gathered showed less than stellar relation between the Empire and its non-human subjects.
For Professor Ellen Anders, the entire place and its entire inhabitants drew out the scholar within her in the desire to learn new knowledge. Knowledges she thought wasn't possible and only existing as a fictional concept in books and holovids she used to watch as kid. She had witness some magic Irisia shown her and the initial analysis of the enchanted rocket launcher, along with the helmet footage of said rocket in action. The Spirit of Fire's engineers and technicians had no clue as to how the rocket launcher worked, and Serina didn't have much luck other than detecting the sample of the mysterious energy – likely this 'magic' – mostly in the launcher's structure.
While there was a high concentration of said energy in the Schwartz forest near Fortress Rivendell, there wasn't much the UNSC could do other than setting up some scanning equipment at the area. But without any knowledge of how to directly extract or analyzing the 'magic' in-depth, there was nothing they could do other than the basic scans. Yet here it was, the natives of this strange, fantastical world utilizing it directly without any technological implement. Captain Cutter, Serina, and herself were intrigued by the fantastical phenomena and the possible utilization of it: advancement of their understanding of the universe, possible usage for technological development, and finding a way back home.
"We're here." Irisia announced to the ODSTs, standing before a large circular building that was the meeting hall of the Magic Academy of Rondel. And looking nearby they saw the stadium-like structure, what appeared to be dormitories, some warehouses and some dome-building surrounded by walls sealed off from the rest of the complex. The ODSTs thought they heard some muffled sounds of explosion coming from the sealed off building.
Seeing the ODSTs looking at the direction of the muffled explosion from the sealed off domed building, Irisia explained to her guests. "That's the research building, sealed off from the other buildings due to the… experiments that happens there all the time." She glanced to Leliel and Cato who nodded in support.
"Sounds like my old high school science lab." Professor Anders muttered to herself, yet feeling more curious than ever.
"Looking forward to what kind of hocus pocus they'll pull out of their rear." Turpin whispered to Sparks.
Vaughan was glad he had a helmet on and visor polarized, because his face was that of someone winning the lottery in billions of credits or graduating with full honours. "Spirit of Fire Actual, we're about to head inside the academy." Vaughan reported to the ship.
Irisia knocked on the door few times, opening up from the inside as the group entered the building.
"Copy that Sunray Actual, we have eyes in the air and extraction team on standby in case things get dicey."
11:43 AM Hours, April 7th, 2018 (UNSC – 2536)
Sadera, Falmart
Princess Pina Co Lada took a sip of wine, enjoying the mixture of sweet and sour taste in her mouth, making her relax a bit as her body was a living embodiment of anxiety. Here she was at the matinee she was hosting today, where members of the Imperial Senate – the war faction – were gathered, enjoying the party. Attending the matinee was the partially disguised Japanese delegates of diplomats and soldiers – their true origin hidden for now. She saw Koji Sugawara and Reiko Shirayuri, representatives of Japan, currently conversing with senators who belonged to the Hawk faction – who advocated continuing the war with Japan. So far both sides were going along nicely, even if the senators weren't aware of who they really were.
Besides the Japanese delegates were UN officials sent to help with peace negotiation between Japan and the Empire. As with the Japanese, the UN officials were having pleasant conversation with the attendees of the matinee unaware of their true origin, showing off the variety of wealth and riches they have, impressing the attending senators and nobles. And finally, last but not least was the walking titans that were the UNSC who sent in their own delegates, mostly the intimating black armoured troops representing their most elite forces and some officers.
She didn't know what the stakes the UNSC had here other than making sure the peace process goes smoothly. But whatever move she makes now and in the future needs to have them on her side or neutral, because the last thing she wants is to have their massive flying fortress of steel rain death and destruction on the city of Sadera.
And at the same time, she was partly glad the UNSC was here. While she was hoping this matinee will discreetly show the power and wealth of Japan and the overall world behind the gate, thus making the peace talks more successful. Yet at the same time she was aware of how others will be adamant in continuing the pointless war out of pride, unwilling to bow down to who they deem 'inferior' or 'barbaric', as the Empire had stood tall and undefeated for many centuries since its birth, no matter the foe: whether the vassal kingdoms they forced to become their tributes ages ago; the great goblin bands that once terrorised the countryside in the early days of their expanding empire; the Ratkin swarms of the south and many other struggles the empire enduring through blood and steel.
But the UNSC wasn't the type of foe one could fight on equal terms or with steel and the sacrifice of brave warriors. The Empire are ants compared to the titans that walked among them. Lords of steel and with their massive fortress of steel that flew in the sky and– if she heard correctly– the great beyond.
While Japan was a country that they couldn't even hope to fight against in the first place, the UNSC was simply like trying to fight an entire mountain range with a spoon. She could feel the changing coming about from the horizon, and the choices the Empire makes now deciding its fate in either surviving and adapting to a new world or dooming itself to oblivion. Its mere existence whispered among aging elders and dilapidated ruins.
Having the UNSC nearby, it would help her effort in bringing about successful peace talks between the Empire and Japan. If her father, the generals, and the Senate couldn't be convinced of making peace with the Japanese, then she could remind them that Japan was receiving reinforcements in the tens of thousands from its own allies. Along with the floating sky fortress of steel floating above them ready to rain fire and fury. Especially from what little rumours she was able to hear among the UNSC was that the fortress Spirit of Fire wasn't considered particularly powerful by the standards of the UNSC. Something that made her terrified of a flying fortress much more powerful than what she had already seen.
"Are you alright your highness?" Sugawara asked, noticing subtle expression of stress her face was showing.
"I am fine, Mr. Sugawara. Feeling quite nervous with the momentous task I have before me, and the possible ways this would be for nought." The red-haired princess moaned. "The fate of my people rests on this negotiation succeeding."
"It is to be expected in conducting peace talks, especially when our countries are still technically with war with one another." The man nodding in understanding. "But do not worry as Japan is dedicated to peace between our people."
"Milady Pina, your highness." A man in his 30s called out as a small group of nobles approached the two.
"Lord Duen! It's been a while, are you well?" The red head greeted the noble she hasn't seen awhile.
The noble kissed her hand and replied. "Yes. Both my family and I are extremely thankful for your invitation to this splendid matinee." He glanced at his children enjoying one of the games stands nearby.
"That's wonderful." She spoke, "Lord Duen, this is sir Sugawara, the one who came up with the idea for today's festivities." She gestured to the Japanese man who the Nobles and Senators should give their gratitude towards
"Sugawara, a pleasure to meet you." The Japanese diplomat greeted them as they returned their own.
"Lord Duen is the third son of House Mahle." Pina explained to Sugawara. "His older brother is on the list of names that was delivered the other day. The gentlemen behind him is–." She continued explaining to him the individuals who were alongside Lord Duen of House Mahle.
Here's some omakes!
Omake: Provins Simulation – based on RubixRaptor's Arma 3 Halo video involving Provins
Alnus Base
"Alright boys and girls, looks like it's your lucky day." A UNSC marine sergeant began. "You are the first 21st century military units to try out the latest UNSC AR/VR simulation training facility and equipments, standard to all UNSC recruits and service personnel." He pointed to the prefabricated building where the AR/VR simulation was located, along with many AR/VR goggles and etc.
"Unlike the VR set where you all come from, these aren't some fuzzy video game systems but the real deal. These goggles and the simulations can simulate near life-like environments and variety of combat scenarios, along with weapons and so on." He gestured to the building where a female marine sergeant waved. "Close enough that some compare it with live-fire training or actual combat scenarios."
"So, who wants to give it a shot." The Sergeant rhetorically said to the US, JSDF, and various soldiers of different nationalities.
"What's the simulation scenario we're using for today." The sergeant whispered to the sergeant in charge of the building. As 21st century troops entered the building to try out the simulation and train in the ways of the UNSC.
"Provins." She gave a small smirk.
The sergeant winced at the answer as uncomfortable memories from his days as a trainee popped up.
"Oh no…" The male sergeant could only whisper as memories of never-ending waves of simulated Innies, armoured vehicles, and stupid amounts of bullet storms rained upon UNSC position. The simulation was based on a rather infamous ground engagement during the early days of the Insurrection, over some small road intersection and a pair of houses.
The UNSC (and the Insurrectionists) to this day never knew why the Innie forces at Provins was so determined in holding out on to that small piece of near-useless real estate property; along with the sheer amount of munitions spent and vehicle wreckages that crowded there.
Omake: Mister Spartan – based on the Mister Chief helmet option in Halo Reach
"Where did you found this Spartan… IV again from the future again?" Captain Cutter asked with a befuddled expression on his face.
"His reports states that it involved touching some strange alien artifact and slipspace portal, sir." Spartan Jerome answered while glancing at the new comer, still put off by the armor modification he was seeing.
"Serina, anything on his file?"
"Just the one not covered in black ink." Serina quipped while seemly trying to hold in a giggle.
"Well… Good to have you with us Spartan, looks like we need to debrief one another on the current situation at hand and what happened in our absence back at our home universe." Cutter welcomed with a degree of amusement on his face.