Gate: And So The United Republic Fought
A Gate to another world opened in the United Republic without warning. The Republic defending themselves from ruthless invaders decides to send the United Republic Ground Forces to the other side. Itami Youji, a URGF soldier who saved many lives in the West District, was among the team. But on the other side of the Gate was an army numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
Special Region
Imperial Capital
Senate Building
"It was a disaster and an embarrassment your majesty!" said the Duke. "We lost 60% of the Empire's military might! What will be our course of action?"
Emperor Molt spoke slowly his voice filled with authority permeated throughout the Senate Chambers. "Duke Casel we must think about how the people feel. It is true to losses we sustained have lost us our military advantage. They worry the various vassal states and others may revolt and attack the Imperial Capital itself. How Pathetic."
A wave of shock passed through the Senate. How could the Emperor consider this legitimate threat to the Empire pathetic? The Emperor continued "Every time our Empire is in danger, the Emperor and the Senate and the people rally together to defeat this threat and bring about even more progress! No war is won without loss so I won't hold anyone responsible for our recent losses."
The Senate collectively breathed a sigh of relief. They were expecting some heads to roll for that embarrassment.
"To think that another nation dares to surround the Imperial Capital. I trust none of you will want to waste time" he said with a smile.
"But what shall we do?" said a voice. Hobbling into the room with his cane was the elderly man "The army we sent was defeated in just two days and now the enemy has captured the Gate. Every minute that passes their position becomes more fortified. We attempted to take back the hill but our forces were defeated at a distance! I never seen such sorcery."
"We should fight them!" said one of the Senators from one of the more military oriented families. "We will recruit soldiers from our tributaries!"
"What will brute force do alone!?" came another "It will just be another disaster!"
The various senators bickered back and forth for a minute before the Emperor raised his hand for silence.
"I do not wish to sit idly by therefore we will fight. Send delegates to our tributaries and neighboring states. Ask them to send troops to help defend our continent from these men from another world. We will lead the Allied Army in an attack on Arnus Hill!"
"For Emperor Molt!" cheered the Senate. "Glory to the Empire!"
The Duke wasn't quite convinced however. "Your Majesty" he said simply "It will be a bloodbath."
The Emperor simply grinned sending a chill up the Duke's back.
2 Weeks Later
Arnus Hill
"Forward!"
The Armies of Alguna, Mudwan, and Ligu over 10,000 in all surged forward towards Arnus Hill. Though the Imperial Army wasn't in sight the soldiers of the Allied Army didn't care in the slightest. More glory for them. The plan was to overrun the enemy with horse and dragon cavalry then raid through the Gate itself to claim some spoils. As they got closer to the hill there was still no Imperial Army which made the Kings leading the charge nervous. Where were they?
The soldiers marched forward passing by a sign in a language they couldn't read. KEEP OUT! For safety reasons this area is not to be entered. United Republic Ground Forces. Below it was a flag they've never seen before. It was a dark blue. In the center was a bird that some identified as an eagle. Surrounding it were two olive branches. There was an inscription on the flag but it was in that strange language United Republic of States. As the army marched forward they came across another sign but instead of being made of metal like the other one this one was made of wood and with similar inscriptions painted on the front roughly: You're gonna be sorry…
Suddenly there was this whistling in the air. It got progressively louder and louder until out of nowhere an entire column of infantry erupted in a ball of fire. Several more explosions rocked throughout the hill leading their allies further behind to think the hill was erupting. When they caught up they were met with a hill covered in craters and bodies.
Allied Kingdom's First Assault- Over 10,000 Dead
This time the Allied Kingdoms assaulted with a large amount of infantry supported by a swarm of dragon cavalry. Enough troops to theoretically overwhelm the Imperial Capital twice over. All throughout the hills and plains surrounding Arnus was a rat-a-tat sound as dragons fell from the sky. Great thundering booms and whistles filled the air as the hill once again erupted in fire and smoke.
Allied Kingdom's Second Assault- Over 40,000 Dead
In the Tent of Kings morale was at an all-time low. "How could this have happened?! We have less than the 100,000 men we set out with! We should retreat!"
"No." said King Duran of Elbe. "We cannot run off now. Not before I have repaid them with an arrow. We will attempt a night raid."
That night the remaining soldiers of the Allied Kingdom's marched as quietly as they could to Arnus. Their boots and weapons were muffled with bits of cloth. As they got closer to the hill they thought this plan might work when suddenly the sky lit up like it was day. The sky was filled with tiny miniature suns. The soldiers never seen magic like this before. It was like the gods themselves were against them. King Duran knew the enemy would be attacking soon and ordered his troops to charge the hill. Like he suspected blasts of light soon came from the enemy positions on Arnus Hill and the explosions started up. King Duran rode his horse toward the hill as fast as it would go when unexpectedly he was thrown off. Looking back at his horse he saw it was caught in some kind of spiked metal wire moaning in pain. Duran looked around him and saw his men get blown skyward by the explosions and entire shield walls fall apart as something tiny pierced them leaving the shields and men filled with holes. Duran saw a discarded bow and arrow on the ground and picked it up. He aimed and fired at the enemy watching the arrow fall short. Duran began to laugh maniacally until an explosion consumed him and his remaining men.
Itami and Kevin walked through the battlefield turned graveyard. They along with some other soldiers were tasked to scour the battlefield for survivors and alert the medics so they could be given medical treatment. Judging from the number of vultures helping themselves to the aftermath the chances of finding survivors is quite low.
"I heard we killed over 60,000 of them." Said Kevin looking at the sheer devastation.
"Add that to the 60,000 we killed when we entered through the Gate and that's 120,000." Said Itami as he reached into a crater and pulled out a bow that had been blown in half. "Just what kind of nation are we fighting?"
And So The United Republic Fought
"Your Majesty we expect over 100,000 casualties in total among the nations. What is left of the defeated armies are returning home." Said the Imperial Advisor.
"Good." Said the Emperor "Now our enemies can no longer threaten the Empire. Burn every village and town from here to Arnus. Poison their wells and take their food and livestock. That will deprive them of food and resources."
"Scorched Earth Tactics, your majesty? I worry about the loss of tax revenue and defectors however."
"Defectors?' said the Emperor quietly
"There are…movements within the Senate led by Duke Casel to have you recalled."
The Emperor chuckled "This presents a good opportunity to take care of the Senate in one fell swoop. Let us order the Council to investigate."
The great doors of the throne room opened and in strode the Emperor's daughter, Princess Pina Co Lada.
"My Daughter, what do you need?"
"It is about Arnus, of course" she said after respectfully bowing "I learned that the Allied Army faced a miserable defeat and that the Empire's holy ground Arnus hill is occupied by enemy forces. What are you doing at a time like this?"
The advisor knowing this was a touchy subject for the Emperor tried to defuse the situation. "We are using this situation to try to retake the hill and…"
"What complacency! That will not help us stop the enemy invasion!"
"Pina you are correct but we are too far ignorant of the enemy occupying Arnus Hill" said the Emperor. "This is perfect. Could I ask you and our Order to scout their position?"
"Me? With my order?" the princess asked shocked.
"If your order is more than your plaything of course." he said with a smile
Pina was taken aback and nervous at the task her father set for her but she and her order would rise to the challenge. Pina kneeled before him. "Yes your Majesty."
Earth
Holy Empire of Rome
City of Rome
Caesar's Palace
"Just what is the Republic doing there." Asked Caesar looking around the meeting room at the other world leaders minus the Wanderer. "You're friends aren't you Dido. Has he told you anything?"
Consul Dido narrowed her eyes. "He told me the same thing he told all of us. They are currently securing the immediate area around the Gate and soon will be sending out scout teams. Once they have a better understanding of the world they'll plot their next course of action."
"And what if the Wanderer is lying to us?" said Premier Catherine of the USSR "That world is a treasure trove. The amount of resources behind the Gate will send the Republic's power to untold levels."
"Why should he lie? He is under no obligation to tell us anything." Said President Bismarck. Dido breathed a sigh of relief Bismarck will help these fools see reason. He continued "The Republic is completely just in its attack and if it wants to claim the entire Special Region since the only way to it is in their territory and capital city no less. Not only that but they can back up their claim…"
Catherine and Caesar gave each other a look. They both knew of the Republic's military might. Theoretically they could conquer the entire world in a generation, less if they used nuclear weapons. Antagonizing them without just cause was unwise as those beyond the Gate would soon learn.
"I would also like to mention that when the Republic has secured the area they are allowing the UN to send in observers and possibly set up a base."
That didn't make Catherine and Caesar completely happy since the Wanderer was General Secretary of the UN but Caesar was voted head of the Security Council so this would give him some authority in the Special Region. If Caesar was anything it was pragmatic and if this was as much as he was going to get out of the Wanderer at the moment then no sense pushing the issue.
Arnus Hill
United Republic Ground Force Expeditionary Base Alpha (or Arnus Base)
"So we've come to the conclusion that before we continue our push we'll need to know this world better. Lt. Itami you along with several other officers will lead scout teams to investigate the immediate area." Said the Major
"An investigation?"
"Learn about the industry, religions, and politics for the region along with any potential allies. And be friendly Itami. You are representing the URGF and United Republic as a whole."
"You don't have to worry about that sir." Said Itami with a smile and a salute
The recon teams were given 2 Humvees and a Stryker each. They weren't meant for heavy combat but from what they saw so far it was best to be ready for anything. One Humvee was armed with a M2 Browning the other with a TOW missile though Itami doubted they'd have to use that. The Stryker had a regular 30mm cannon. Itami heard a few of the commanders arguing whether or not they should use the Anti-tank or Artillery variants. One wanted to send in a flame thrower tank. Itami could understand their eagerness. The last real war was the second world war of the 1930s. There is the odd barbarian cleanup but no actual combat against an organized force. These people might not be as well armed as some barbarian tribes but they're more organized.
Itami and his team drove to a nearby village which they learned was called Coda. The villagers were wary at first but the kind demeanor of Itami and his team did get them to come around though. The village chief pointed them in the direction of another settlement not too far away.
"Oh man I hope we meet a cat girl or something." Said Kevin as he drove down the road.
"You like cat girls?" asked Itami with a smile
"Oh yeah I always kind of had a thing for them with the cute little ears and tail. So what about you?"
"I like magical girls."
"Oh! Hoping to meet some well-endowed sorceress!"
"Yeah I love Emyu from Mei com"
"Emyu huh" said Kevin none to enthusiastically.
"Hey! I'll kill you if you badmouth my waifu." Said Itami warningly.
The next minute or so was filled with them singing the opening theme to Mei Com unaware that the radio was on. The rest of the recon team was amused at their merriment except Shino who wondered how she got stuck with a fool of a commander.
That night when they arrived at the forest the chief mentioned they saw it was being burned to the ground by a large red dragon. They didn't have the equipment to fight such a beast so they laid low until morning. When dawn broke they scoured the burned forest for survivors. Inside the burned forest they found the village they were looking for but it was in ruins and its former residents were charred husks. SGT. Tracy or 'Pops' as the squad called him looked over the desolation and said a prayer for the fallen.
Just as Itami and his team were about to leave they happen to find a single survivor at the bottom of a well…
And So The United Republic Fought