Smoke on the Water

by AnonymousFanPerson

Early Summer, 2020. A Gate to another world opened. But with it came an attempted invasion by a fantasy Navy. This story is not the gate you know. This time the Gate opens on the water. That changes the warfare. The countries involved are different. That changes the dynamic. This story does not follow any characters. But instead tells the events.

1. Prologue

Prologue

Imperial City of Mare-Oppidum, Falmart

Manius Baro walked down the docs towards his vessel. Walking next to him was the Emperor himself. "I want you to lead the recon force personally." Said the Emperor. "Once you reach the otherside, Conduct a quick recon of the surrounding area, take note of the water depth; Then send one ship back to inform the rest of the Armada."

"It will be done my lord." Said Manius. He then climbed the gangway onto his ship. Not that it was required. A Lusorias ship was quite small. Typically it was used as a troop transport. On this day however it will be a recon vessel. Its shallow draft made it an excellent choice when traversing unknown waters.

The Gate of the Gods had opened once again. This gate would temporarily join 2 worlds together. In the past this has allowed the people of other worlds to come to Falmart. Goblins, Orcs, Demi-humans. Many species came to this world by the Gate. The Gate would always open in 1 of 2 places. Either the hilltop at Alnus, Or sometimes in the Blue Sea. This time the Gate was in the sea. Thankfully it was not far from the town of Mare-Oppidum. The home base of the Imperial Navy. It's been known for a long time that the Gate was soon to open. And wherever it would lead would hopefully hold unknown riches.

Or a people waiting to be conquered and enslaved. The Empires economy was driven in no small part by the slave trade. Farming, Mining, fighting, or entertaining. The Empire always needed new slaves, and new areas of influence. Of course conquest made up another sizable part of their economy as well. New territory meant new slaves, but also new countries paying tribute. This was the case five years ago when the gate last opened. The Empire entered, concurred, and returned. With thousands of new slaves, and new tribute to the empire. At Least until the gate closed.

That was their plan this time. Though the gate being on the Sea changed things. They would first send in their ships with the shallowest draft. An initial recon would be required to see the waters of the other side before committing more troops.

And so the Imperial Armada sailed. A small detachment of five Lusorias ships, Each one holding 50 men, Entered the gate. What they report back would decide the Empire's commitment to their new plan of conquest.