They'd been sitting in their checkpoint for an entire day now.
When the Imperial forces surrendered, the Temple of Hardy had been converted into a command post for Russian forces due to its central location in the city. Construction had started immediately as the ruins of the temple were cleared and replaced by temporary structures to house Russian forces. Viktor and his squad had been assigned the task of guarding the northern checkpoint.
Bellnahgo was captured in less than a day, though the destruction would be visible for weeks at the very least. Russian supplies were already being brought in to begin reconstruction of the city. The citizens who had fled were allowed into the ruins where they helped begin the rebuilding process.
In some areas of the city, particularly the eastern part, Imperial resistance continued. Several squads had been sent to clear out the city blocks, but it was a slow process requiring houses to be cleared one by one. Viktor was glad his squad didn't get assigned to that task.
It had quickly become evident that there weren't enough Russian personnel in the city to completely quell resistance. Due to this problem, command had ordered the creation of the Bellnahgo People's Militia. The militia was to be recruited of locals, particularly those dissatisfied with the Empire such as slaves, and given the minimal training required to put down resistance. Most of the militia would be using Saderan weaponry, with only a few trusted individuals allowed to carry firearms.
Although he saw the necessary of such a thing, Viktor didn't like allowing those who'd previously been suppressed to suddenly hold power over their former masters. He knew that soon enough, they'd be getting reports of former slave owners and wealthy nobles being executed for minor or even completely falsified crimes. Still, as long as the city was kept under firm Russian control, it would all be fine.
Viktor sighed and surveyed the area in front of him from behind his sandbag bunker. The streets had been cleared of rubble to allow for vehicles to come through, but the buildings remained destroyed. They'd probably have to tear down a large part of the city in order to rebuild.
From behind one of the ruined buildings, a woman came walking out. Viktor had to blink several times to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Her skin was blue with yellow markings and she carried what looked to be a large scythe over her shoulder. But the strangest thing about her, was the set of dragon wings on her back.
Viktor turned to Luka, who was sitting next to him. "You see that thing?"
"What the hell?" He was equally as confused.
"God damn..." He rubbed his eyes to make sure she was real. "Caelia! Get the fuck over here!"
Caelia, who could now understand basic commands in Russian, stood herself up and jogged over to the bunker. "Yes?"
"What that thing?" Viktor spoke Saderan with his language book in order to avoid confusion.
Caelia looked out the sandbag structure at the dragon woman. She then muttered out a word. "Apostle..."
Viktor flipped through the pages in his book, there weren't any mentions of what an apostle was. The woman was getting closer to them and he needed answers. "What?"
"Servants of the gods, demigods in their own right. They are very dangerous."
Viktor nodded before turning to the rest of his squad. "Proceed with caution and don't do anything to aggravate her. Igor, keep your gun trained just in case."
Seeing that the woman was reaching almost to them, Viktor vaulted over the sandbag barrier and approached her. He kept his AK-12 down as a sign he didn't wish to fight. Then, Viktor addressed her. "This restricted place. Who you? Why you here?"
The woman grinned. "I am Giselle, servant of Her Highness, Hardy." Viktor shuddered at the way she spoke. "And I'm here because you have defiled Her Highness' temple."
Viktor started backing away from Giselle. "Prepare to fire!" He yelled in Russian. He increased his pace, aiming his rifle at the woman's head. Making it to the sandbags, Viktor hopped onto the other side while keeping his rifle trained on the apostle.
"Lay down your weapons and I might spare you." She gave her ultimatum.
Viktor refused it. "Open fire!"
Immediately, hundreds of bullets were tossed at Giselle by the Russians. Instead of dropping to the ground dead, she started walking forward again, deflecting bullets with her scythe. Viktor watched as bullet wounds that did hit stitched together in her body. They weren't doing anything to her.
"Fucking run!" He shouted at his squad. They took off in different directions, trying to find cover in order to evade the apostle. Viktor found himself behind the remains of what used to be a house's wall.
Confident in her power, Giselle kept her walking pace as she slowly advanced on the squad. Her arrogance was clear with every stride she took, no mortal could survive her wrath. She'd clearly never met a Russian before.
Viktor watched as Kilment and Sergei fired a rocket from their RPG at her. The rocket, traveling at a speed of 300 meters per second, was struck out of the air by her scythe. Unfortunately for Giselle, it exploded, causing her to be knocked onto the ground and forcing the scythe out of her hands.
Taking the initiative, Viktor pulled the pin on one of his RGN hand grenades and threw it at the downed apostle. Flying through the air, it landed next to Giselle's leg and detonated on impact.
Viktor peaked out from his cover and saw that her leg had been torn off by the explosive power, preventing her from getting up. Luka got the same idea and threw another grenade at her, blowing off Giselle's left arm.
With no time to lose, he ran out of his cover at Giselle, firing a burst into her good arm to prevent her from picking up the scythe. The other squad members came out from their cover while Viktor placed his boot onto Giselle's chest.
She looked up at him. "W-what was that?" Viktor could hear the fear in her voice. Good, hopefully she'll be more cooperative now.
"That was power of Russian weapon. You stay down or I make you stay down." The threat seemed to quell any thoughts of attacking Viktor.
"Viktor!" Caelia came up to him speaking Russian. "Apostle useful, people respect, make trust you. Bad idea to kill."
He looked up at her before looking back down at the fearful woman. "Demian, did we report this to command yet?"
"No, sergeant. Want me to contact them now?"
"Hold off on that for now." Viktor thought about it a little. Having someone that was respected by the local population could get them far in future conflicts. It also meant that resistance forces in Bellnahgo could be significantly reduced due to having support from one of Hardy's servants.
He made his decision. "Caelia, give the apostle an offer. She comes with us and supports our cause, in exchange we won't blow off all her limbs and lock her in a box."
She quickly relayed the offer to Giselle. The apostle nodded immediately. "I accept." There was a tremble in her voice.
Viktor removed his boot from her chest. "Betray us and I not give second chance. Understand?"
Giselle could only nod.
Pellio's face was covered by some sort of bag as he was dragged along. He didn't know where he was and none of the men who'd taken him would speak.
The sound of metal clanging reached his ears. He was promptly shoved forward. Stumbling around, one of the Masked Men forced him into a seat of some sort and bound him to it. Pellio could hear the men walk away as he struggled with his restraints.
"Hello?!" he called out.
There was no response. He continued to struggle against the restraints until he heard what Pellio assumed to be the door into whatever room he was in open. The bag on his head was yanked off and light flooded his vision.
Pellio blinked several times until his eyes adjusted to the light. There was a man in some sort of uniform wearing a fur hat sitting across a table from him. Two other men, dressed similarly to the soldiers who'd captured him, stood by a metal door.
"Pellio Co Sorio, it's nice to meet you." The man spoke with a faint accent.
Pellio merely stared at the man with a blank expression.
"My name is Cheslav Boykov, I've heard quite a bit about you." Cheslav had a reassuring smile as he spoke.
Deciding it would be a good idea to get on the man's good side, Pellio greeted him. "It's good to meet you, sir."
Cheslav's smile grew. "You seem rather uncomfortable. I'm very sorry for the conditions you endured during your transport here." He spoke to the other men in their foreign language and the two soldiers undid his restraints.
"Thank you, I'm just glad I finally am able to speak with someone as kind as you. Though I do wonder why you've brought me here." Pellio needed to get the full picture as soon as he could.
"Right to business then." Cheslav pulled out a notebook. "I'm in need of the location of a few people."
"Well I'm not sure how much help I'll be, but…"
"They were captured as slaves during the initial attack into my world through Aquilla Hill."
"Ahh…." So that's why they need me.
"Would you happen to have heard of anything relevant to this?"
"Well… I may have heard of a few rumors, but first I'll need a few things in return." Pellio was no stranger to negotiation, he considered himself quite good at the art of talking.
"Anything you need." Cheslav replied.
"I'd like safe passage to either Sadera or Italica, a fresh set of clothes, and around fifty thousand Denari as compensation for my lose." It was a high price, Pellio knew the counter deal would significantly lower it.
Cheslav smiled once more. "Done." He said simply.
Pellio suppressed his shock. The man must have been an absolute amateur at negotiating. To accept such a high price was insane. Perhaps he could exploit the man's poor skill even further.
"Oh, and one of your iron chariots. It'll make the ride quicker since you took my horse."
"Done." He responded without hesitation.
Pellio was so busy mentally celebrating that he almost missed Cheslav speaking. "Now what have you heard?"
"Hmm? Oh yes." Pellio brought forward the rumors he'd heard in the slave market. "I believe I remember hearing that the slaves from another world were to be taken directly to the Imperial Capital. Prince Zorzal wanted to have them for himself and the Emperor allowed it."
"What will happen to them there?"
"Well, typically the men will be sold off at the slave market and the women…" Pellio reminded himself that this man probably cared for the slaves he sought. "Prince Zorzal likes to keep female slaves for his own personal use."
Cheslav sat stone faced throughout Pellio's explanation. "Is that all?"
"That's all I know from rumors." Pellio couldn't wait to come out of this rich. His own iron chariot and fifty thousand denari, he would be the richest man in Italica.
"Excellent." Cheslav replied. The men at the door unlocked it and pushed it open for Pellio.
Pellio stood up and walked around the table. Cheslav's hand was extended and Pellio eagerly shook it. He began to walk towards the door already planning what he'd do when he got to Italica. He didn't see that Cheslav had drawn his MP-443 Grach.
Pellio had been dead the moment he entered that room. He just didn't know it.
Viktor stood at attention as Lieutenant Colonel Zolotov approached him. He had been ordered to report to the man's office for further orders. Viktor didn't know if he was glad or terrified to be getting a new task.
Part of that fear was the possibility of being reprimanded for his recruiting two auxiliary soldiers without getting the OK first. He hadn't received permission before recruiting Caelia, he only told command once it had been done, then he did it again with Giselle. So far, none of his superior officers had mentioned it or even questioned why he had two locals following his squad, but Viktor didn't know if that luck would run out or not.
Viktor snapped a salute to the Lieutenant Colonel. "Sir, here as requested."
Zolotov looked him up and down. His gaze made Viktor want to squirm under it. "Sergeant Statnik." Viktor could feel the punishment coming. "In recognition of your bravery and exemplary service during your reconnaissance mission and at the Siege of Bellnahgo, you are hereby promoted to the rank of senior sergeant."
Quietly, Viktor let out a sigh of relief. You didn't get promoted right before a punishment.
"Due to the current circumstances, you will remain in command of Shapka-213. Additionally, you will be permitted to recruit additional auxiliary soldiers, such as the two women you saw fit to enlist already." Viktor had to restrain himself from flinching at the Lieutenant Colonel's tone.
"Thank you, sir." He managed to say without letting his nervousness bleed through.
"As for your mission. You and Shapka-213 are to head south, towards the city of Rondel. Reports say this city has little Imperial presence and mostly manages its own affairs, it is also filled with people we've identified as magic users. As such, you are to peacefully pass through the city and move onto the city of Italica."
"Sir, what are is our primary objective?"
"First and foremost, you are to investigate Italica's political situation. It lies on an important crossroad that needs to be secured in order to advance onto the Imperial Capital. Report back if the rulers are cooperative or if military force is necessary."
"Understood, sir."
"Your secondary objective is the investigation of mineral resources in the area. This is not a major concern, so do not avert from the main objective unless you deem it necessary."
"Yes, sir."
"Good luck, Senior Sergeant Statnik. Dismissed."
Viktor gave another salute before heading back to his squad. That had gone far better than he'd thought it would.
"Your majesty." The messenger knelt before Emperor Molt and the Imperial Senate. He wore the armor of a Dragon Rider, only it was scorched and covered in dirt.
"Speak."
"Bellnahgo has fallen. I flew day and night from there to reach here, the Masked Men did a direct attack on the city, it didn't last a day." Shouts of outrage came from the senators, particularly the pro-war side.
"We need to recruit more men!" One senator shouted.
"No more slaughter, we must negotiate!" It came from the other side of the room.
"You'll have us surrender?!"
"Better than dead!"
The shouting match had begun, as it often did, between the opposing factions in the senate. Molt touched his hand to his forehead, trying to ease his growing headache. He knew the remnants of the Imperial army wouldn't last, he just didn't expect it to happen to quickly. Molt lifted his hand to silence the senate. "Let the messenger continue."
The Dragon Rider hesitated before continuing. "They used their magic and great iron beasts to bombard the city into rubble. Most of us died without even seeing the enemy." He paused and took a deep breath. "Then they sent their iron chariots into the destroyed city. We tried to resist, but it was futile. Their magic was beyond anything we had seen, we had to surrender."
"You are a coward!" Senator Podawan shouted out. "It was not their magic that won them the battle, it was our men's cowardice!" That served to restart the shouting match between the senators.
Attacked from two sides by enemies that wielded superior magic and fighting prowess. This was truly a dark spot for the Empire. Molt knew there was a difference between the enemy at Alnus and the enemy at Aquila, he needed to exploit that.
Scouts had reported back to him the difference in banners, at Aquila it was a red, blue, and white tricolor while at Alnus it was a simple red dot in the center of a white background. Beyond that, they wore different clothing which gave way to their distinctive names, the Green People and the Masked Men.
They also had a difference in strategy. While the Green People had sat at Alnus, sending only a few scouting parties out, the Masked Men had actively advanced on and seized one of the Empire's major cities. His daughter; Pina Co Lada, was currently investigating the matter.
Shouting continued while Molt was deep in thought.
"If we fight, we die! It is as simple as that!"
"If we don't fight, we will become slaves!"
"Better live as slaves than lay in graves!"
Senator Podawan once more stood up. "Are you all foolish cowards?!" The room became silent.
"This Empire had lasted for hundreds of years against thousands of threats and enemies. Never once in the past did we surrender, never once did we fail! Have you all forgotten the lessons of the Arctic War?" He addressed the entire senate.
The senators looked at him in silence. "Our army was beaten, our spirits broken, we were ready to accept chains and slavery, but we persisted! And through our persistence this great Empire managed to defeat the barbarians once and for all."
Emperor Molt looked up from his thoughts. Podawan continued, "We find ourselves in a similar position, my fellow senators. Beaten and broken, but not defeated. Let us follow the legacy of our forefathers and continue on until victory has been achieved!" The senate room erupted into cheers. Molt could even spot several of the pro-peace senators cheering.
It seemed they would fight after all.
A/N: Good news! I have finally acquired the full works of the original 'Little Green Men' from the fanfiction author named Posterity232 (who re-uploaded 'Victoria's Gate' with the original author's permission). Thanks to Posterity232 help, he/she finally convinced the original author; fromdingdang564564 to give a copy of the LGM story after the latter seeing his work being re-uploaded by me to the Gate fanfiction. Give credit to Posterity232 for giving me the copy and also for the original author for allowing it, as well for his famous fanfiction. :)
Reviews:
kasrkinsquadtrooper: I am not misunderstanding though. Even I finished my Gate/Hyperdimension story, I will work alone even you wait. Again, thanks for the offer though. :)
jhonjairo2000105 (1): I don't read or speak Spanish, so I used Google Translate to translate what you were saying here.
You mean they were given to withdraw. Viktor was just relaying the message to Bellnahgo, saying that; if you all don't get out, you'll all be fucked. The one that is extreme is using chemical weapons to both civilians and enemy forces alike. No military leaders would resort to that tactic unless they forced their hand.
Jhonjairo2000105 (2): I'm not working a Halo/Gate or Attack on Titan crossover. I have already two Gate crossovers to work with, adding one more would slow my uploads. But thanks for asking me though. :)
Platypus Killer: In later chapters, yes. The Russian and Japanese leaders met each other in Tokyo, but in secret. They both agree to work together against Sadera, though the latter was hesitant to aid Russia as he sensed there's more to it than it seems.
pakgun612: Thanks, but I'm not rewriting the chapters. I just fixing the spellings and grammars. Meaning, the chapters would stay the same as the original.