14th of May 1990, 13:12 US expedition.

Parkers Battalion, 2nd Infantry company 1st platoon 1st squad.

"Well, this sucks," was all Private Hudson could think of as he and his squad mates ate their MREs around a fire behind their M113.

The fire took a while to lit but they succeeded, and now they had the luxury of receiving its warm protection from the cold snowy forest they had taken positions in. But it still didn't change the fact that they were, still quite literally, in the middle of fuck all nowhere.

"Join the Army," they said "You won't regret it," they said. Well, he was regretting it quite a bit right about now. He had joined up with Uncle Sam's Army before the war started but didn't get through training until after the shit hit the fan, then he found himself in World War 3. His unit didn't get the priority to get shipped to Europe, so they stayed in the states and helped train the new influx of recruits until it was their time to leave. They did leave, just not to Europe or Asia, they instead went West to Washington state. And to say it was horrible was a understatement. He was told before they left that the Ruskies would be a bunch peasant conscripts in mobs lead by idiots. Well, it sure as hell wasn't a peasant mob they nuked it those mountains. They were there a solid week, and in that week of mountain forest combat a quarter of the Battalion they shipped there with was already casualties.

He jammed his utensil deeper into his "Pork" harder as the thought about his experience fighting Ivan.

It only got worse as they pushed them back closer to the Ocean, the combination of hills, rivers, forest, and urban areas made it difficult, but they succeeded. His unit itself didn't get the experience of fighting in Seattle itself, but he heard it was a bloodbath. But, against the odds, Sawyer and his boys destroyed them before the Chinese could drop their own guys off. Guess when you have motivation like dying to a Nuke or to a Russian you take the Russian, he mused.

Hudson started to stir his "Pork" trying to get the salt he added to mix into it better.

He could remember when him and his squad were praising God himself for not having Sawyer leading them, they even laughed about it, then the next day they got word they would be transferring to Sawyer. Hudson himself decided never to laugh to God about something again in his life.

Now Sawyer was not a bad officer, far from it actually, he'd come back from Europe before the Ruskies landed and he had already won a few fights against them there. He then got shipped to Washinton to fight them there, not getting any major victory's or anything, but he certainly bought some time for Uncle Sam to send some help. Then skip a few weeks and he's in Seattle waving the red, white and blue on the space needle. And at this time everyone who was in Washington had heard about him, a Colonel that fought in Vietnam, Cambodia, Grenada, Europe, some said he even fought in Russia itself but that was a rumor. A brutal and aggressive officer, always demanding and keeping the pressure on. Always on the move to one place or a other.

So image Hudson surprise when they got Sawyer leading them, they got some time to rest. Now he realized it was just the calm before the storm, before anyone knew it they were packing up and heading back into the mountains in the middle of the night and taking a magical portal to a other world. You'd figure this would be a win over fighting Russians, not really if you asked him. Instead of Russians you were fighting you were fighting black monsters.

He jammed his "Pork" into his mouth and started chewing.

And to make it worse, instead of enjoying the nice spring weather they had back home they were instead enjoying goddamn winter.

"Hudson..."

Like give him a break for God's sake, he'd just fought all winter in the mountains back home! Against the Russians! Those commie bastards practically swim in the snow butt naked!

"Hudson..."

And now that spring came, they ship his ass to a world that's, guess what, having its own winter!

"Hudson..."

And to make it worse, they are fighting what would be considered nightmares in this forsaken place!

"Hey Hudson..."

So help him if he goes to heaven when he dies, he's going to say to God to go fuck himse-.

"Earth to Hudson!" the voice that has tried getting Hudson attention finally got his attention.

Hudson looked to his right to find Corporal Hicks standing with his rifle in hand staring at him, "Yeah Hicks?" Hudson asked him.

Hicks rolled his eyes, "Sorry to disturb your internal tantrum but it's time for our watch, so get your ass up."

Hudson heard chuckles from his squad around the fire, but he ignored them, "I finished eating anyway," he said, spiting the MRE as he threw it into the fire.

Hudson grabbed his rifle at his side and made his way to Hicks who was already making his way to the sentry post.

Hudson came up beside Hicks, heaving his way in the snow as he did so, "You know, we are not on Earth anymore," Hudson said.

Hicks annoyed by the smart-ass remark, "Hudson so help me god, shut up."

"Just saying, we are not in Kansas anymore," Hudson said with a smile on his face.

"Hudson... There's going to be a accidental discharge by my rifle within the next few minutes and it's going to be conveniently aimed right up your ass."

They stopped at the sentry post where the other two members of their squad were taking watch, "Relieving us?" one asked.

Hudson wanting to change the previous subject spoke first, "Thats right, time for some lunch."

The two previous sentries looked to have brighten up at the mention of a meal, "Thanks guys, don't be at each other's throats the whole time," the other sentry said. They then walked off leaving Hicks and Hudson to take a seat on log that they had been sitting on, facing West.

They were not the only sentry in the area, due to the amount of monsters in this world and the engagement upon entering said world made some of the officers worried about attacks at any time so each squad had to have a sentry posted. Which meant a few dozen yards to their right and left there was a other squad's sentry post, if you found a sweet spot you could even see other platoon's sentries.

But Hudson didn't feel like spying on other platoons, so he turned to Hicks, "Hey Hicks, how you feel about this deployment?"

Hicks, who was leaning on his rifle by having the butt end on the log and the barrel pointed towards the sky, turned to him and gave him a "You serious" face.

Hudson, just thinking he was being dramatic, "I'm being serious," he told him.

Hicks looked forward, keeping a keen eye on the area in front of them, "Could be worse," he answered.

"Is that so?" Hudson said, trying to get more out of him.

"Could be fighting Russians,"

"Oh yeah right, instead we are fighting literal monsters on a different planet. Could not be worse," Hudson responded sarcastically.

"Well, I heard the North Koreans are quite brutal."

There was a pause in chatter as Hudson didn't say anything more. Both just observed their line of sight, looking for any type of black movement within the forest.

"What do you think about our Battalion commander?" Hudson asked, breaking the silence.

Hicks lowered his rifle onto his lap, "He seems competent."

"I heard he's the Colonel pet," Hudson was quick to voice his opinion.

"Might be, but his track record says more than that," Hicks responded.

Hudson had to agree on that. The Major's record was indeed good, the major been had been fighting with Sawyer since the war began. Fought in France at the start, took out the spetsnaz at New York next, fought the Russians straight off the landing craft in Seattle and shoved them right back into the sea at the end. Tells you something if the famous Colonel Sawyer keeps you around but living through all that says something about the man.

"Fair enough," Hudson responded and silenced ensued once again between the two.

But Hudson had to admit, the forest wasn't bad to look at. If you got past the cold, frozen toes, ice, and monsters, you could enjoy this place quite a bit.

"Did you see Major Parkers weapon of choice?" Hudson asked, once again breaking the silence but with a smile creeping up.

Hicks smiled at Hudson question, "I did, didn't expect that," he responded.

"I didn't either. You know what he said when I asked what he was going to do with a shotgun?" Hudson asked with his smile getting bigger.

"I was there you dumbass," Hicks told him but with grin on his face.

Hudson crossed his arms for a mock impression of a officer, "I like to keep this handy-" Hudson started.

Parkers Battalion HQ.

"For close encounters," Parker finished explaining.

Sergeant major Johnson only reaction to Parker's explanation was a slight grin, "Is that so, Major?" Johnson then looked back to the map on the table of the surrounding area, "Well, I guess when your head is in one of those things stomach, you'd do find some pretty good use for it then." He said while taking particular notice of the distance between their battalion and the staging area.

Parker tried thinking of something witty to say but was interrupted by his Radio operator Charlie, "Sir, the Colonel is on the line," Charlie said from his table with the radio from the other side of the command tent.

"We'll continue this conversation later," Parker said to Johnson, then made his way to Charlie and the radio, cursing Johnsons black ass the whole way. He then wasted no time and held his hand out for the radio, to which he received it from Charlie and spoke into it.

"Eagle-six, this is Bravo-six over," he waited a moment for the Colonel.

"This is Eagle-six, Bravo-six I got orders for you over," The colonel said over the radio.

Parker had a rough idea what it could be, and he wouldn't like it. "Bravo-six receives, what'd you got for me."

"Bravo-six you are to advance five kilometers West; do you copy Parker?"

Despite Parker predicting the order he still wasn't happy about it, "Eagle-six, that is out of the light support range. Do we at least have helicopter support over?"

Parker couldn't believe this; they were already 11 clicks out, and they wanted him to go more? The light artillery could barely reach them even now and if do the five more clicks they'll be totally reliant on heavy artillery, which they only have a battalion of. Parker would bet Sawyer knew this but was probably ordered to expand after the expedition found nothing but snow, forest, monsters, rocks and more monsters. He could only hope they cleared the forest around the staging area enough for the helicopters. In two days.

"Negative Bravo-six, no support from the air today or tomorrow. The earliest you'll get any air support would be at the earliest. two days from now," It was only wishful thinking on Parker's part. "And you'll just have to deal with it like the other battalion's parker, they'll all be going the same distance. We might not like it but we've got orders."

Maybe he'll actually get to use his shotgun at this pace, "Roger that Eagle-six, we'll reach 16 clicks by tomorrow at noon over."

"Sorry Parker but I had my hands tide, the higher ups want something other than forest and monsters on my report. So, their pushing me by making me push you, not many excuses I can give us either, so we'll just have to make do for now." Colonel attempted to sound sympathetic, but it sounded more pissed than anything.

"I understand Colonel, I'll make do," Parker responded.

"I knew I could count on you Parker. Bannon didn't sound too confident when I told him, its greatly appreciated. Eagle-six out."

"Bravo-six, out." Parker ended the conversation and handed the radio back to Charlie, "Charlie, tell the guys to get ready to move." He told Charlie and received a yes sir back from him. He turned and walked up back to the center table of the command tent and observed the map.

Parker had to admit it could've been a lot worst as he looked at all the units marked on the decently flat forest landscape. His Battalion was marked on the Western flank of the Brigade while Bannon was marked South, and Webb was marked North. On the eastern flank was Major Fordo, and the two reserve battalions were marked in-between their battalions and the staging area on the East and West flanks. His Webbs, Bannon's, and Fordo battalions all equal distance from the center.

If he did run into trouble, he could call for the reserve battalion on the Western flank, and if it got really bad just ask for Webb or Bannon to provide some support. The Artillery could be moved closer to the flanks, if need be, evident by the four battalions of Artillery on the map. The three light artillery battalions were positioned in a triangle around the staging area with each at the tips of the triangle and the heavy artillery battalion was in the staging area itself.

"So, we moving sir?" Sergent Major Johnson asked as he walked up beside Parker.

"Yes we are. Five more clicks"

Johnson's response was him looking back to the map, he then looked back to Parker with new notable frown on his face, "They do realize that we are, in fact, fighting monsters in a other world?"

"I think they're aware," Parker responded.

"That we could possible find more monsters if we keep moving."

"Possibly."

"That we will have to fight."

"Yes."

"With no support."

"High chance."

There was a pause as Sergent Major Johnson was staring right into Parkers skull from the side as Parker was still observing the map but with his hand on his chin.

"What kind of bull-" Johnson started but was interrupted by Parker.

"Think of it like this," Parker crossed his arms and turned and faced Johnson, "You could be the logistic guys moving our shit." He then motioned with his hand to the map on the table, bringing attention to the fact by tomorrow by noon they'll be 16 kilometers West of the Archway. In snow covered forest. With no roads.

Johnson's face turned more positive at Parkers point, "Poor bastards."

15th of May 1990, 11:27 Soviet expedition.

Romanov battalion.

"With our new valiant allies in Asia, we have struck multiple crippling blows against our enemies. The American puppets in Korea and China have been utterly routed and destroyed, leaving the Japanese puppet state the only capitalist nation in the East. Which is surly not to last under our and allies might and the will of the peoples supporting us. With our-"

The political officer shut the radio off that was on the table Romanov was seated at. How it was able to receive from here and Russian through the Archway was a mystery to Romanov, maybe they have the radio tower up already and it was a recording?

"So Comrade Major, Am I correct that this is your first-time commanding a unit if this size on the field?" The political officer asked after he started a audio recorder and took his seat on the other side of the table, directly facing Romanov.

Romanov remained calm and a little annoyed but went on with the process, "That is correct."

The political officer didn't even seem to have processed the answer before asking the next question, "You just came from the American theater, yes?"

"Yes I have," Romanov was more pissed now then annoyed, now of all times for this? He wasn't even a full day on this world, and they decide to do a interrogation.

"Unfortunate the outcome of that operation and our comrades stranded there isn't it?" He seemed to have put more attention and focus into Romanov's response this time.

Romanov sat up and put his hands on the table for more effect, "It angers me that we missed such a great opportunity at attacking the enemy's homeland, at its heart." He balled his hands into fist, "If only we had more troops and commitment, we could've defeated them and drove them back and ended the war." Romanov then leaned back into his seat and rubbed his face with one hand, "I also feel guilt at having left my comrades behind, I just hope they had a glorious end, fighting for our cause."

What he said wasn't a full lie, just added more dramatics. Hopefully his comrades were captured and alright.

The political officer seeming to have been satisfied with the response moved on, "You think you'll put your skills to the same effect as America, in this land?"

"I've always tried to fulfil my duties to the best of my ability's, so I see no reason why I wouldn't here or anywhere else." Romanov said as he held his hands together, making himself comfortable again.

The political officer pleased by the answer, "That commitment is good, and it shows in your victory's," he said as he pulled up a file and read through it. "In this report it states you defeated the creatures that attacked your units as soon as you crossed into this land. Outnumbered and caught off guard, but still defeated them with no casualties and still was able to form a perimeter for the other battalions to cross over." He looked up from reading when he finished and waited for Romanov's response.

"I did little in that engagement, it was mostly my tank company's commander's calmness and experience that made it so we had a favorable outcome." Which was true, he didn't panic nor acted aggressive.

"But you did give him some instructions?" The political officer questioned.

"Well, yes but-" Romanov attempted to answer but was interrupted when Colonel Orlovsky stormed into the tent, pushing its entrance flaps away as he did so. The political officer having heard this stood up from his seat and faced the Colonel.

"Colonel I was in the middle of-" The political officer was cut off by the Colonel before he could finish.

"Now? My officer just got here and is needed by his battalion," Romanov noticed just now, how terrifying the Colonel looked when pissed with his eye batch. "He needs to be moving North in just a few hours and you deemed it necessary to question him now?" The Colonel then looked to Romanov, "Romanov, come on."

Romanov stood up and made his way for the exit while the Colonel turned back to the political officer, "You can do your questioning only if it's at a appropriate time, not in the middle of a operation. After my permission, Understood?" He stared directly in his eyes with his one and waited.

"Yes comrade Colonel," Was all the colonel needed to hear from him and then he left with Romanov through the tent entrance.

They walked out onto the brigade staging area, which was still in the process of being set up, with men in red army winter camouflage setting up green tents, vehicles still coming out of the Archway and being directed to their appropriate destinations. Defensive structures being set up, like machinegun placements and mortar positions on its outskirts and at its center, the proud hammer and sickle on its red background flying proudly on this new world.

"Sometimes they seem to value politics more than battle," the colonel voiced his thought to Romanov as they walked to the Northern area of the Brigade staging area.

"I could be wrong, but he might've been looking for confirmation on skill then loyalty to the party." Romanov voiced his own thoughts on what just happened.

"What makes you think that?" the colonel asked when they stopped to let a logistic truck pass by, the driver giving a salute as he did so.

"Seemed more interested in my combat record and command ability," Romanov responded.

Orlovsky didn't say anything at first, probably processing that information, "You are my number one officer, perhaps they were just making sure my best was actually my best." He chuckled and continued, "Most likely not wanting to risk messing this whole operation up..."

There was a notable pause and the colonel thought about what he was about to say, "Maybe they didn't want the most politically active member of our nation interacting with any natives either."

"You think so?"

"Would you want someone like Malashenko interacting with any natives or nation here?" the Colonel said like it was obvious.

"Oh... makes sense," Especially if they were the exact opposite of socialist. But that brought up a other question, "Well has there been any response to our signals anyway?" Romanov asked, seeing how they set up a radio tower and have been trying to get any radio signal or response or anything really since they started setting up. Maybe they got something.

The Colonel sighed at the mention of communications, "No we have not. But I can tell you right now Romanov we are going have to be awfully careful if we do encounter any natives." He stopped and Romanov stopped shortly after and was under the gaze of the Colonels eye, "If we do find any type of intelligent life, we won't be under the gaze of high command but the entire government."

Romanov understood, just be nice and use some manners his mom taught him if he encounters any, "I understand Colonel."

The Colonel nodded his head and the two continued on to the Northern edge of the staging area. For Romanov to depart with his battalion, and for the colonel to see Romanov off. For it could very well be for the last time he would see his subordinate.

6 weeks before the earth expeditions.

A lone figure stood at the window of a large room; the room being situated like a conference room with a long table at its center with crystal like seats lining the sides with them all leading up to the head of the table with a single seat at its place with what appeared to be a desk behind the head of the table. The windows occupied all but one of the walls of the room with candles in-between them lighting the room and making it look more like the said figure was in a cathedral then a actual conference room. But still the figure observed the outside world and its features instead of the architecture of the building the person occupied. But the only real features of the landscape one could see was the rocky and dead looking landscape with the general atmosphere having a notable purple like hue to the surrounding area, with just a few giant compliments of giant crystals protruding from the ground on the landscape.

One would think this was hell then a place on Earth.

But that would be wrong on both accounts for this wasn't hell, nor was it Earth.

"Watts...Did your mother ever teach you manners." the figure at the window stated to the one other occupant of the room.

The person being addressed, right his wrongs, and pushed his feet that he was resting on the table off and back onto the ground, "My apologies, Salem. Won't happen again." he responded to the female figure at the window on the other side of the room.

The person named Salem didn't say anything in return, so the person named Watts went back to his work that was on his little handheld device, typing and swiping at the screen of the said device and he did so.

Salem just continued watching the landscape before her, the land she destroyed and shaped in her image with all her Grimm roaming in all their forms. She would usually be doing more important task but in order to hear from her servants. She needed to be near Watts to receive news as soon as possible as to better react to certain recent events. Failures tend to draw schedules behind, a schedule she would like not delayed more than what it was.

Salem herself wondered if cutting Cinder off for her failures was a wise choice of action for punishment. There was a small chance of deserting and running away, but Cinder was not one to run away from opportunity of gaining power, raw power at that, so she found it reasonable to assume she would redeem herself in some way. But perhaps-

She was suddenly pulled from her thoughts at a sudden feeling.

The feeling wasn't painful, but what felt like a wave of energy that passing through her.

"What the?" Watts voiced from behind her.

She turned around and found Watts standing up horrified at looking at his scroll that was on the table. And when she looked to it, what she usually saw on his scroll was data and code she wouldn't understand herself but now it was just a glitched spasming image of code emitting a quiet static.

But right as the feeling of energy was there, it was gone. Same with the scroll, it turned back to what it usually showed when in watts use, just a image of code. It normalized right as she felt the energy disappear.

Watts horrified at the fact he had no clue what just happened quickly looked to Salam, "I'm sorry Salem I have no clue what happened, but I'll try to find out immediately." He went to grab his scroll and investigate.

"No need," Salem said.

Watts stopped halfway from grabbing his scroll and looked back at Salem confused.

Salem closed her eyes and let her powers run through her. The energy she just felt wasn't any she felt before but that made it unique and if whatever caused it still remained, she would be able to locate it, roughly.

She felt it...

She pulled her hand up to try to pull it towards her or her towards it. She grabbed onto the feeling.

Sustained...

constant energy...

coming from... the East.

She turned and faced East; arms raised, grabbing onto the feeling of this energy.

Its...

More then one?

Its... In Mistral.

She opened her eyes and saw the landscape outside her window. She brough her hands down together at her front and frowned.

This is strange she thought, never had something like this happen before. And more interesting she didn't know entirely what it was, but she did feel one tiny feeling from all of it that was familiar to her.

She felt death.

Welp, if you made it this far it means you made it to the first Authors note and you are somewhat entertained by this story.

I hope you're enjoying it so far. It's not perfect, Grammar and spelling was never my major skill area, but no one has complained so far about it so I must be doing something right. But if something major is wrong in the grammar or spelling area your welcomed to correct me and I'll try to correct it.

I'm not entirely sure how many of you, if any, are familiar with World in Conflict. But technically speaking Bannon and Orlovsky are dead but this is a fanfic and I like both of the characters, so I assumed none of you mind the change in outcomes. Plus, Colonel Orlovsky with a eye batch would look awesome.

Corrections: I typed Mantle instead of Mistral last chapter, so I corrected that mistake.

Military mistakes: If any of you actually care, if you notice a military mistake, I'm sorry about that. But it's a giant pain to find info on unit organization, ranks, and equipment on two completely different militaries in the 80s and 90s. It's one thing to know what a military had but it's a other thing entirely on how they are used, how much are used and when and who used it. Again, sorry but I'm not a cold war expert, And the radio chatter and callsigns are likely flawed.

For you readers: You might have noticed I have given little to any character descriptions, this is on purpose. Reason for this is most of the Main characters mentioned are in the Wikis of their respected universe and you can look at them there for what they look like. Except for Parker and Romanov, in game they technically leave it up to you to image what they look like so I figured I'll give you that option. But for minor characters, their names usually give you a hint on what they look like and where I took them from. I hope you don't mind that.

That's about all I have to say, so have a fantastic day.