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 and his squad end up having to evacuate Coda Village. During the evacuation the squad encounters a Fire Dragon. The squad manages to drive the dragon off and now have to deal with the displaced villagers, a mysterious priestess, and an elf who was the lone survivor of her village.

Carrying the villagers the squad drove back to the base at Alnus Hill. To their surprise the simple trenches that covered the hill at their departure were now replaced by the beginnings of an extensive set of fortifications. The Gate was now had a dome similar to the one back in Republic City around it preventing entry. It was also dead center of a star shaped Citadel making any assault on Alnus even more of a slaughter. On a nearby field there was the beginning of an airbase. Alnus had become a major Republic Base in little over a few days.

"How did they get all this done?!" said Kevin "We've only been gone a few days!"

"I heard rumors that once we secured the area from all hostiles General Harris and the Engineering Corps would be coming in the further cement our hold." Said Akira through the radio.

"Here's hoping they have Wi-Fi." Said Itami

Their arrival at the base was met with little fanfare. General Harris himself congratulated Itami on recusing the Coda Villagers and 'upholding the Republic's values'. He was a bit concerned about the Coda refugees however. Harris was concerned that the language barrier might cause them and others to believe they were being imprisoned or held against their will. After reassurance that any competent observer would know the difference between refugees and prisoners did the General allow them to stay. Itami in addition to his recon duties was put in charge of the refugees. That meant, much to his private distress, he'd have even more work than ever! Itami shuffled toward the building's exit. He'd have to go to the Quartermaster and requisition some tents, cots, food, and…

"Hey Itami." Said a voice. Itami turned to its source and saw 1st Lieutenant Yeager. Despite his rank he was General Harris' right hand man. Harris would sometimes rely on him instead of anyone of higher rank. This and Yeager's mysterious demeanor made many wonder if he was a member of the Republic's intelligence division.

"Lieutenant Yeager? Is there anything else the General wanted?" asked Itami

"No. Nothing like that. I would just like a minute or so of your time if that's okay with you."

"Sure I guess."

Yeager led Itami out a side door into this lot where the soldiers were hanging sheets out to dry. "Itami I just like to say you made a good call on bringing those refugees."

"Well any decent person would have done the same." Itami replied shrugging.

A small smile graced Yeager's lips. "Perhaps but you have no idea what this does for us in the long run."

"The Long Run?"

"Itami this world is a treasure trove. The amount of untapped resources here alone make this world valuable. If the report you did on the refugees is to be believed then this world contains magic as well! Controlling this world would make the Republic completely untouchable."

Itami frowned. "I'm sensing a 'But' here."

"But this world is not ours to claim. At least not all of it."

"What do you mean?" Itami asked

"Back on the other side of the Gate the halls of politics are a warzone. Caesar is demanding the Republic allow settlement in the Special Region. The Republia Party is demanding the Wanderer declare the entire Special Region to be Republic territory. The Wanderer doesn't plan to heed them knowing such a move would turn the world against us but Caesar is using them to further his own ends. At the next UN meeting a few years from now there will be a vote. Even our allies are seriously considering voting for Caesar's proposal."

"But what does this have to do with me?"

"By saving those refugees you helped foster trust between the Republic and the people here. The villagers that didn't come here are most likely going to tell of your kindness." Yeager then moved back towards the door. "Soon our world is going to start claiming pieces of this one. You just helped us secure ours."

Yeager then went back inside leaving Itami to his thoughts. This did sound big but hopefully he would have no part in it. That was happening back on the other side of the Gate. He just need to take care of the refugees and do the occasional recon. After a few weeks he'd request some time off. There was still time for the winter cultural convention.

Itami just finished collecting the names of the refugees. The mages Kato and Lelei, the elf Tuka, and Apostle Rory Mercury were the ones that stood out. They were the most…unique of the refugees. Itami spent the rest of the afternoon instructing them on how to prepare canned food and other important topics quite poorly many noted.

"Maybe you should have paid more attention in language class sir." Kevin whispered to him.

"Shut up or you're on latrine duty."

Lelei watched as great big metal machines moved outside the 'Yooargeef' fortress. They had scoops on them and were picking up large quantities of dirt. Her mentor Kato stood next to her.

"Just what is going on here?" her said

Lelei thought about it. She remembered when they arrived the machines were helping build a wall. They must be construction machines.

"They are building us houses." She guessed

"Good." Said her mentor "That means we can finally get everything out of the cart. I'm going to go take a nap. This is too much excitement for me."

Her mentor gets tired easily. Nearby was the elf Tuka. She seemed…lost. Lelei greeted her but she was distant. Lelei frowned when Tuka mentioned her father. She had a feeling this was going to become a big problem later. A few soldiers came over and said something in their language while making shooing motions. They must not want them around the work area.

Lelei wandered around until she came across the cooking area. There she found one of Itami's soldiers, Franklin she believed his name was. He was sitting down and peeling potatos.

"Oh. Hello there." Said Franklin when he noticed her. "I'm just peeling potatos for dinner. Potato."

"Potato." She repeated getting the feel of the unfamiliar word. "Potato."

Later at dinner Lelei went over all the new words she learned today while everyone oozed over the new culinary sensations. "Potato. Bread. Fork." She then clasped her hands together in prayer.

"You're not eating Lelei" asked her mentor.

"Some of the Yooargeeef always pray before a meal." She explained. Lelei prayed to her patron god La. La was the one of the twin gods of study and knowledge. A trait La's followers possessed was the ability to learn at an increased rate. She asked La to help her learn this language. The knowledge these strange people possessed was near infinite. Lelei made it her goal to learn it all.

Holy Empire of Rome

Rome

Via Cassia Highway

Emperor Caesar lounged around in his limo fuming over his latest annoyance. The Republic and the Gate.

"Why did the Gate open in the Republic? We're the ones that need it more." He said

"Of course, Emperor." Said one of his bodyguards. "We can't let the Republic have the Special Region all to themselves."

"As you know Rome has always been low on resources. Both strategic and luxury. Only trade with Carthage and the Republic are keeping us afloat. I hope to find new resources in the Special Region to help our people."

"Excellent idea, Emperor. Though I have been getting reports form our Frumentarii agents. We might have a problem."

"I thought I ordered no agents to be sent into the Republic. That damned Firewall of theirs makes spying on them next to impossible."

"No sire. Not in the Republic. The criminal underworld is all riled up. Weapons are being collected and men organized. If what we think is happen IS happening then this is a problem the entire UN might have to deal with."

United Republic of States

Republic State, Republic City

Wanderer's Palace

The Wanderer sat at his desk and let out a sigh. On his desk were newspapers from the Republic City Report. The newspaper was in the pocket of the Republia Party. A small but very vocal minority that wanted him taken out of office for the radicals or have his power limited for the moderates. Some members thought him a tyrant while others thought him to be spineless. The entire party was rife with contradictions and hypocrisy. Though things in the Special Region were going fairly smoothly the Republia Party was not spinning it that way.

URGF BLUNDER! HUNDREDS OF CIVIES DEAD!

URGF INCOMPETENCE LETS CIVILIANS DIE

WANDERER'S WAR LEAVES HUNDREDS OF CIVILIANS DEAD

The Wanderer took some anti-migraine medication. Since they were founded about 60 years ago the Republia Party has been the bane of his existence. He didn't understand what those people wanted from him. If he did one thing they'd condemn him for even if it was good for the nation as a whole. A part of him wanted to ban their political party but he knew that would just be proving everything they thought about him plus it went against everything the Republic stood for.

He was glad they only had one seat on the Senate but they used the seat as best they could. Senator Sarah Parker called for a Senate Hearing on what happened in the Special Region for those poor civilians to get killed. Enough Senators were genuinely interested enough to allow the motion to pass. Lieutenant Itami was going to be summoned to Republic City to give testimony. The Wanderer knew Itami's type when he first laid eyes on him. Lazy and will avoid work at any cost but when put on the spot will rise above and beyond the call of duty. That's why he promoted Itami despite his lackluster record. Itami just needed motivation and he will become one of the greatest officers the Republic's ever had.

One Week Later

Itami ran through the base with a mad look in his eye. He wasn't the only one. The base's water collectors and plumbing was completed yesterday. That meant everyone was able to properly bathe instead of having to endure two minute cold showers. He collected a fresh uniform and claimed an empty bath chamber. In Hanoian culture the bath was not just a way to clean the body but also a way to unwind and relax after or in preparation for a hard day. That was one of the many parts of Hanoian culture the Republic adopted. Itami had a couple of hours before he had to work. He'd soak for half an hour then spend the rest of his time playing Mei Quest on his phone.

When he finished with his bath Itami went out and found a person wearing an NBC Suit waiting for him. When the gas mask came off he could see it was only Lelei. Where she got the NBC Suit on the other hand was still unanswered…

"The outside seems safe." She said

"Hello Lelei. Your English is getting better." Said Itami

"There is still much to learn." She said. "I wanted to ask you something."

"What is it?"

"Everyone is grateful for the URGF caring for us but it's Tuka."

"What about her?"

"She is afraid we might have to provide for ourselves one day. She thinks we might have to sell our bodies to the soldiers here to get by."

Itami thought about it. They needed to get money. Something the URGF would be interested in since it had none of the local currency besides the few coins they got of the dead Empire soldiers. Wait...

"Lelei I think I found a solution." He said.

The next day Itami and the recon team prepared to head out. They collected the scales from the dead dragons. Dragon scales were very valuable in this world. They collected over 200 pristine scales and were going to sell them at the nearby city of Italica. Despite being under the control of the Empire the people there had no love for it. Once the vehicles were loaded up the team set out for Italica.

And So The United Republic Fought

AN: I have received reviews and PMs from readers who were concerned this was just a Gate clone with a different nation. I gave the matter some thought and come to the conclusion that those people are right. But don't worry. Wanderer101 took care of it.

Bear with the story for a bit longer. After the Italica Arc I am going to start taking the story into another direction. Some anime/manga events will still happen mind you (Senate Hearing, Zorzal and Tyuule, and Flame Dragon) but will have different outcomes. I'll also be bringing in some things that will help the story standout from others.