Gate: And So The United Republic Fought
The URGF was sent to the Special Region. 1st Lieutenant Itami Youji's squad saved Italica, which was under attack by bandits. But on the way back they encountered Pina's knights, The Order of the Rose. Itami was captured and his troops forced to retreat. His fate now lies in Pina's hands.
"Just what the hell do you think you are doing?!" yelled Pina throwing her goblet at Bozes, her second in command. "You idiots."
Knight Panache rushed over to help Bozes when her head began to bleed from the thrown goblet. "Princess what have we done wrong?" she asked.
"Can't you tell" Pina said pointing over in Itami's direction. Itami was slumped against the wall. His nose was broken and left eye swollen shut. His hands were bound very tightly cutting deep into his wrists. Itami's breathing was labored and Knight Hamilton was trying with little success to wake him.
"We had signed a treaty with them." Pina explained "And now we have broken it in less than a day. They were the ones who broke the siege and they did so with weapons like no other. It was as if the gods themselves took to the battlefield."
Pina's knights now realized the trouble they were in. In the journey to Italica from the Capital they heard rumors of the Men beyond the Gate's power but considered them just that rumors. When they paraded Itami through Italica's streets they assumed the many boos from the city's populace was for him not them.
"Don't worry about it princess." Said a voice
Looking towards it source they could see Itami had stood up.
"Don't worry about any political ramifications." He said coughing up a bit of blood "This was all just a big misunderstanding."
"Sir Itami I thank you for you forgiveness" said the Pina bowing slightly "If there is anything I can do just name it."
"I said don't worry about it. It was just a misunderstanding. Now I need to get in contact with my…" Itami didn't get to finish because he suddenly blacked out again collapsing on the floor.
"Recon Team 3, this is Command. Requesting status report, over."
"Command this is Sergeant Major Tracy." Said Pops "We set up near Italica overlooking South Gate. Preparing to infiltrate city, over."
"Roger that Recon 3. Any new information of Lt. Youji?"
"Negative. Still in enemy hands and severely beaten. Possible K.I.A."
"Roger."
Pops turned off his coms and gazed in the direction of Italica. "Get ready team. We'll be heading in at 0200 hours" he said checking his watch.
"They beat Itami pretty savagely" said Shino
"Don't worry he's fine." Said Akira
"And what makes you say that?" said Shino
"Itami may not look like it Shino but he can take a beating. After all what else do you expect from a member of the Viet Cong."
"WHAT!" yelled Shino
Viet Cong- The Viet Cong is a Hanoian Special Forces group that is considered around the world as the masters of asymmetrical warfare. Only the best Hanoians are selected for Viet Cong training. The training is hellish with the soldiers being deprived of food for long periods and even beaten to prepare them in the event they are captured. For this the Viet Cong are treated with the utmost respect by all Hanoians.
"How could he be a member of the Viet Cong! That's impossible!" cried Shino
"Who are the 'Viet Cong'" asked Lelei
"They are the best soldiers from our city-state of Hanoi! Able to complete any task and with bodies & minds of steel! That is not him! That is not Itami!"
"So Itami's a mighty warrior." asked Rory impressed.
"Yes. He is one of our nation's best." Said Akira
"Come on everyone" said Pops "We're moving out. Keep low and keep quiet."
Infiltrating the city was simple. Tuka used a sleeping spell on the guards allowing the team to slip in unnoticed. The keep was the most likely place he was being kept. Getting in would be difficult but not impossible.
Itami woke up on what felt like soft bed sheets. Opening his eyes he could see a black-haired girl standing next to his bed. "Are you awake, Master?" she asked.
Looking around Itami could see 3 other girls around his bed and they were definitely not human. One had hair that looked to be made out of snakes, another had bunny ears, and the third was a cat woman. 'At least I can tell Kevin this world has cat girls…' thought Itami.
"Where am I" he asked.
"Countess Formal's Mansion." Answered the human girl.
Behind her the doors to the room opened and Head Maid Kaine entered. "Awake I see?" she said closing the door behind her. "Princess Pina has ordered us to ensure that you are treated with the greatest care and both she and Countess Myui extend their apologies over your treatment by the knights."
"Don't worry" said Itami "It was all a misunderstanding. They couldn't possibly know about the treaty."
"Thank you for your kindness and understanding." Said Kaine "Until you recover these four will look after you."
All four of the girls bowed and said in unison "Master, we are so pleased to meet you."
"Ask them for anything you need." Said Kaine
"Uh...Will do." Said Itami blushingly
Suddenly one of the bunny girl's ears twitched. "What's wrong, Marmina?" asked Kaine
"Someone is forcing open the bars of the window down the hall."
"It is likely Master Itami's friends. Marmina, Persia please show them in. If it is anyone else you know what to do."
"Understood" said the bunny and cat girl.
After they left Itami asked Kaine just what were they since the URGF hasn't encountered any of their species yet.
"They are new to you?" said Kaine "Marmina is a Warrior Bunny. Persia is one of the Cat People. Aurea here is a Medusa. Mome is a normal human. The former Count had a very liberal nature so much of his staff are from various species. I suspect it was also personal taste."
"Sounds like someone I could get along with." joked Itami
"Master Itami! You give off a similar scent to the old count!" said Aurea whose hair snakes were getting uncomfortably close.
Mome popped Aurea on the back of the head and scolded her "You mustn't be rude to our master."
"Medusa's can drain people's life force with their hair" Kaine warned "She's been carefully trained but you should still be on your guard."
"Will do." Said Itami nervously.
'Something else I need to be constantly paranoid about. First that damn dragon and now girls that can kill me with their hair! What's next?"
The door to the room swung open and Itami's squad rushed in guns raised. "Lieutenant! Are you all right!"
"Hey guys. Wondering when you would get here." Said Itami
"Just great. We go through all the trouble to sneak in and it turns out he doesn't even need rescuing." Said Kevin.
"I suspected as much but I didn't want to assume. The knights didn't know about the treaty but Pina did." Said Pops
The squad mingled with the maids. Kevin introduced himself to Persia. Any social skills he may have had instantly disappeared when he started talking to her making the conversation look from an outside perspective very awkward. Persia however found his awkwardness endearing. Itami would list this in his report as a 'cultural exchange' and hope the General would leave it at that. Itami regained enough of his strength to get out of bed so he could put back on his uniform. They would return to Alnus in the morning so he could report to Republic City for that Senate Meeting. The universe however decided Itami's troubles weren't over just yet and sent Knight Bozes, who was in lingerie for some reason. She looked furious about something and in one fluid motion kicked Itami in a very vulnerable position. Hard. Itami's scream ended waking half of Italica.
And So The United Republic Fought
Pina was beside herself. After being questioned she admitted to sending Bozes to make things right with Itami by 'using her body'. Itami was however having none of that.
"Princess despite the beating I received and the unprovoked assault upon my unborn children there is nothing you need to worry about. You have been forgiven."
Pina wasn't convinced. No one was this generous. "Sir Itami there must be something we can do or give. We invite you to stay a few days and perhaps we can…"
"Sorry Princess." Itami interrupted. "I have an important appointment. I was supposed to go through the Gate and give a report to the Senate. I can't stay any longer."
'He has to give a report to their Senate…' Pina thought 'With a single word he could bring the entire URGF down on us!' The thought of those Iron Pegasi returning not to defend Italica but to destroy it told her what her next action should be.
"Then I'll go with you!" she said "I'll go with you to Alnus and apologize directly to your superior officer."
Itami was going to refuse at first but seeing the determination and desperation in her eyes he finally relented. "Alright princess. We leave first thing in the morning."
When morning came they sent off for Alnus. Pina and Bozes marveled at the speed of their vehicles which arrived at Alnus in a half an hour rather than the several hours it would take on horseback. The trip was mostly silent which was only broken when they passed by a shooting range.
"Those staves." Pina asked looking at the soldiers shooting at targets. "Are all of the URGF's soldiers mages?"
"No. It's not magic. It's a weapon called a Gun." Lelei explains "The principle is simple. They use an explosive powder to fire a small piece of lead."
"Do they give this to all their soldiers?" asked Pina dreading the answer.
"Yes. In their world they invented the gun and have perfected the art of fighting with it."
'Their way of fighting is completely different than ours. Is this why the Imperial Army lost?' thought Pina
A rumbling sound filled the car as a trio of M1A1 Abrams tanks drove over a hill firing at a distant target. Following it were several tanks of many different models.
"Iron Pegasi, Iron Elephants. They truly are otherworldly monsters! Why is an army like this attacking us?!"
"The Empire stepped on a griffon's tail." Said Lelei
"How could you speak like that when the Empire itself is in peril!?" demanded Pina. This was her own nation she was insulting!
"I am a nomad. The Empire has nothing to do with me."
"So we can take over a country by force, but we can't make its people's hearts our own." Said Pina
Itami sat in the front seat listening to the exchange. Sounds like the princess finally understood. You just can't go around conquering everything and expect the people to like you afterward. As they approached the base Itami saw something that piqued his interest.
"Hey Kevin. What's that?"
"What's what?" asked Kevin
"That." Said Itami pointing towards a construction site near the airbase.
"If I had to guess I'd say it looks like a Launchpad."
"Like for a rocket?"
"Yeah. Maybe they're going to put up satellites. Good thing too. I miss using a GPS."
Pina met with General Harris to apologize about the incident with Itami and to request to go through the Gate to possibly broker peace. The General was understanding knowing that they lacked the communications needed to inform all of their forces of the treaty. They left through the Gate early the next morning. Itami was originally against taking Pina and Bozes with him due to the difficulty of providing security for them and the girls. Lieutenant Yeager managed to convince him otherwise.
"Everything has been taken care of. Members of Republic Intelligence will help you with security. Besides there is nothing wrong with showing them our nation is there?"
"By that you want to show off." Said Itami
"Of course. I can see their resolve is already shaken. Once they get a look at our capital the Princess' will to fight will be broken. Like a plague this sentiment will spread from her to the rest of the Imperial leadership." Said Yeager.
"If I'll have support then it's no problem. Is there anything I need to worry about?"
Yeager was silent for a moment before saying "I wasn't supposed to tell you unless necessary but it is better if you know. We have reports that large amounts of weapons are being funneled to…someone. Whoever they are they have a large interest in the Gate."
"Do you think it might be the Romans or…"
"No. It's not any of the other nations. Whoever it is are small but very, very organized. We think our guests might provoke a response. Be on your toes."
Itami, Shiro, and Akira were selected to escort the girls. Climbing onto a bus they set of through the Gate back to the United Republic.