Hey guys I'm back with GATE Thus XCOM fought there!
Now Like I said It took me some time and I kinda lost the inspiration a little bit but never the less I managed to get this chapter out!
Now this chapter might seem short compared to the others but I'll see if I can rectify that problem the next chapter I post. Hopefully...
But enough outta me I hope you enjoy the chapter and I'll see ya at the bottom!
Enjoy!
Defence of Italica
Ever since we've taken in the refugees back to Alnus base three individuals had gotten quite close to us quicker than I thought was possible after all the fighting that has been going on. I was referring to Rory, Tuka and Leilei, they had gathered a couple hundred Wyvern scales from the many battles against the enemy forces, and I had taken some myself making little charms out of em. Right now we're driving towards Italica which from the girl's information was a large trading hub from across the country and if we can get them to side with us it'll make things easier for when we spread the word of our existence and reasons.
"Hey Itami how far are we from Italica anyway?" I hear Smokes ask who sat opposite from me.
"Should be nearing Italica now". He called from the front of the vehicle. I glanced at the girls we took in who sat in the back with me one at a time. Tuka looked around everywhere just minding her own business, Leilei was talking to Smokes on how her Med-kit worked in a way she could understand and Rory always gave Itami a creepy smile every now and then just for shits and giggles which made me smile and shake my head in amusement. "Hey Alcatraz, you should see this". The LT said and I looked up ahead of us to see a large pillar of smoke.
"You sure that Italica is that way Itami?" I asked him and he nodded and gestured to the map he was holding. He wasn't wrong, Italica was up ahead and the pillar of smoke was a clear giveaway as well. "Alright, we'll need to speed things up no way that's normal. As soon as we're at the front door I'll know what to do next but in the meantime step on it Kurata". I ordered as the Vehicle began to slowly speed up and drive towards the plume of smoke. The closer we got the better we could see the source, as we managed to see what seemed like Italica we could see the damage from far away, the walls had been damaged and there were scattered weapons that seemed to be used not too long ago. "Something's not right. Convoy this is Strike Lead, hold position outside the walls at a safe distance". I ordered through the radio as all the vehicles came to a stop just outside the main gate, it was all quiet and nothing was really happening.
"Identify yourselves! If you are not our enemy come out into the open now!" Well that just killed the silence.
"So that's how it's gonna be huh?" I mused. "Alright then".
"Captain, what do we do?" Itami asked me.
"We'll comply for now. Rory, Tuka, Leilei and Itami are with me. Last thing we need is another massacre on our hands". I ordered as the said individuals dismounted the vehicles along with me. 'Let's hope we can deal with this peacefully'. I thought to myself as I put my helmet on.
If things couldn't get any worse, well, they just might. Princess Pina Co Lada along with Hamilton, one of her Knights of the Order of the Rose who was under her command along with Grey observed the other worldly carriages made from Iron. They didn't expect to have their kind make their way towards Italica so quickly and without warning after just fighting off a large force of rouge soldiers from neighbouring kingdoms gone rouge, this just added another problem to their list of problems.
Behind one of the Iron Carriages stepped out a Blue haired girl wielding a staff.
"That's staff of hers, only a wizard can wield one". Pina stated as she saw an elf then appear next. "And an elf? If they know how to combine their powers it could end up being a serious problem". But that wasn't what was shocking them she then saw someone much worse. "Rory Mercury's with them?!" She gasped quietly.
"Rory the Reaper, that's definatly not good". Grey added, they then saw a huge green figure which looked like it was made of iron. It stood much taller than the man in green that was with them. "What is that? Is that a Golem of iron?" Grey asked the two of them but didn't really have an answer themselves. They had few options, one of them was to consider the City lost due to the fact Rory Mercury is with them, however they don't fully know if these people are their enemies if they were they would've attacked by now. Pina's train of thought was broken when there was several knocks on the door which made them jump a little.
"If this group is not our advisories, then we'd certainly want them to join us". Pina stated as she made up her mind and began unlocking the door. When it was unlocked she opened the door fast. "Welcome to Italica Friends!" She greeted but the four of them just stared at her blankly. When it came to her she looked down and saw the man in green with a bruise on his head and was on the ground. "I-I, uh, I, that was me huh?" She said with embarrassment and the four of them nodded.
"Well that's one way to greet someone". The green giant chuckled while shaking its head and kneeled down next to the man in green. "You alright LT?" He asked his friend as he put a hand to the side of his head to hear him. "Yea he's fine". He said aloud. "If you're still hurting you're still breathing ya wimp". The giant then looked towards her and she felt uneasy. "Is it fine if we come in and get our friend back to his senses?" He asked her and she nodded as the giant threw the man in green over his shoulder and followed her inside.
When they were inside the people were fearful of the green Giant that was with them as he set down his companion on the ground and took his helmet off. The giant then took something from the man and opened it up and poured water over his face. The man in green then sprung up fully awake and looked around.
"Enjoy your little nap?" The giant chuckled which left her more confused to see how it was sentient as person. "I radioed the rest of the team and I gotta say the rest of Strike-2 had a good chuckle at your misfortune".
"Yea, yea laugh it up". The man groaned and then looked among the group of people present. "So uh, which one of you fine folks is in charge here anyway?" The man asked aloud as everyone looked towards Pina, Hamilton then stepped up.
"Everyone, you're in presence of her majesty, the third Princess Pina Co Lada! Show some Respect!" She called out. The group of individuals looked at her in with a small amount of confusion.
"Princess?" The giant asked.
Operation: Special Delivery
Date: August 7th 2025
CPT-Alan 'Alcatraz' Miles.
Team: Strike-2.
Location: Italica.
Objectives: Establish connections with the local trade hub in the city of Italica while delivering Wyvern scales.
As we followed the one in charge who was an Imperial Princess name Pina Co Lada…yea kinda like the drink. We followed her through the palace of the city as it was all luxury and all that jazz, Pina then began speaking about this City we're currently in.
"This fortress city Italica stands strategically between the Tessaria and Appla highways, making it a commercial trading hub. For generations, it been ruled by the counts of Formal, Imperial Nobility. However the Count took ill recently and had passed away leaving a political power struggle between his daughters. The older two were married to other families but there was still a custody battle. They had a third sister Myui. She happens to be the only real successor to the family throne". Pina explained.
"Guess this sort of stuff happens in your world too huh?" Itami said.
"You understood her?" I asked him.
"Yeah, just getting bits and pieces of their language, maybe hitting my head gave me special powers". He replied as I merely rolled my eyes behind my helmet.
"Sure whatever dude". I said as Pina then began speaking again.
"And then the Empire sent troops through the GATE. All of our nobles were told to send troops from their Kingdoms for the campaign. In the end, none of them made it back. Public order in the city has deteriorated, with no soldiers or officials, its complete Chaos". The Princess stated which was pretty apparent from what we saw outside, we kept walking as we came to a huge set of doors. "Beyond these doors lie the ruler of Italica and countess of Formal, Princess Myui". She stated as the doors opened up and we saw-
"A kid?" I asked a little harsh than I intended, but luckily no one picked it up.
"If I remember correctly, she will be 11 this year". Leilei stated.
"She may be part of the family, but she has never been taught the violent art of leading an army. From here on I am commanding whatever's left of her Militia until she can". Pina stated.
"Oh well that makes sense". Itami said in which I nodded.
As we had been shown around the palace and been told what the situation was we all sat down to discuss what would be happening since we had arrived here.
"Let me get this straight, you willing to help us defend the city?" Pina asked us.
"Yea, I don't think any of the merchants here are in the mood to buy dragon scales right now". Itami answered her.
"Very well then. I'll have your forces occupy and guard the south gate". She said to us.
"If I may ma'am?" I asked getting her attention as I took my helmet off shocking her and the others besides our group, showing that was human like the rest of them. "I have squad of 6 including myself that can help hold other positions if needed, we may not be much in numbers but it's the quality that outmatches the quantity". I suggested.
"If you're troops are as good as you say they are, I'd like to see them for myself if that is ok with you". She asked me and I nodded in return.
"Just give me a minute to discuss the plan to them first and I'll let you know when we're ready". I stated as we all came to an agreement. Itami had given the rest of the team to enter the gates and set themselves up for the defence of the city. In all honesty I feel that the princess is trying to get rid of us and the bandits at the same time, I mean I get that we're enemies and all but doesn't the saying 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' quote not go round these parts? Because the way I see it, this is exactly how I'm seeing it.
Anyway…Third Recon and Strike-2 had dismounted the vehicles and took the time to stretch their legs and observe their surroundings. I had then overheard Itami on the radio requesting reinforcements on our position but they're a days out minimum, meaning the bandits might get here before they arrive. We'll just need to hold them back long enough for the reinforcements to arrive.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T MAKE IT BACK ITAMI?!"
Oh great the Major was going off his head again, the last thing we needed was that right about now.
"Yea…well…you see-," Itami stuttered before I gestured him to give me the mic.
"Pass it here I'll set him straight". I said to him as he then sighed quietly in relief before handing the mic to me. "Major? How are ya?" I smirked.
"Damnit Captain what did you do this time?!"
"It's not what I've done Major, it's what's going to be done. Now listen carefully because I ain't gonna repeat myself, tell the Colonel that we need reinforcements at Italica, a single MEC Trooper squad, Air support and anything that the JSDF can assemble within a few hours. If that's too hard for ya, then you can take it up with the Colonel personally, and I think we both know you don't want that…so what's it gonna be?" I stated as the line went silent for a moment.
"I…I'll make the arrangements". The Major said in defeat.
"Wasn't too hard now was it Major". I stated as a matter of fact before I hung up.
"How does he not scare you again Alcatraz?" Itami asked me with a brow raised.
"Him? Pft, I fought Mutons that were scarier than him by 100". I chuckled as I patted him on the back before walking over to my troops who were checking their weapons and discussing among each other. "Listen up boys and girls". I said getting their attention. "Princess Pina Co Lada, yes I am aware of that name…" I said as the troops got a good chuckle out of it before sobering up. Heh, sober. "Now she wants to see what XCOM's troops are made of and what we can do, even though she's the enemy as you might be aware of, but you will show the same respect you would give any other person. Am I clear?"
"Yes Sir!" They responded.
"Very well, have the equipment ready and be ready, make sure we have defences up and running before sun down". I said as they then followed my instructions as I walked off. Now all I had to do was find Princess Pina and introduce her to my team, now I get the feeling she'll be sceptical of them since for times like these you have to overpower them with as many numbers as you can. Tactics like that don't work all that often anymore. Regardless I had found her talking with the one who I recall is Hamilton on the wall overlooking Third recon and glancing at Strike-2 every so often.
"So they're the men in green we've been hearing about. The ones who supposedly defeat the Flame Dragon". She said.
"Looks like they are". Pina answered.
"Are you sure it's safe? Should we let the rest of them inside the walls?" Hamilton asked the Princess.
"We're not in a position to be picky with our allies right now. If they say we're here to help we must believe them". Pina stated as a matter of fact.
"I couldn't agree more actually". I said getting their attention. "Also I'd like to point out that we didn't kill the Flame Dragon, we merely drove it away be severing its arm". I corrected.
"How did you do it?" Hamilton asked me.
"Let's just say it took a lot of explosive power then we drove it off and we managed to save as many lives as we could that day". I said to her as I then looked at the Princess. "We only just managed to send the thing packing. It almost roasted the majority of the Recon team, but never the less what matters still up for it, I can introduce you to my team".
"Please, lead the way". She said to me and I nodded before then walked off with the two of them following me, as I walked the three of us back to where I would be introducing them to Strike-2, Demon managed to get to me before I could.
"Sir, Itami had reported Scouts along his sector". He stated with his Laser Sniper in hand and I saw the girls glanced at the weapon but were brought back to reality when I spoke up.
"This is one of your men Captain?" Pina asked me and I nodded.
"Pina, Hamilton this is Abdullah Kharam or as we call him 'Demon'". I introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you two". Demon said simply as he tipped the front of his hat towards them.
"What is your role in your Captain's team, 'Demon'?" She said struggling to say his call sign, Demon might mean something else here or is actually a thing on this side of the GATE.
"I'm the squad's Sniper, I'm able to pick off targets from more than a hundred meters away at a high vantage point". He answered.
'"I don't see hitting a target from that kind of distance is even possible". Hamilton said as a matter of fact.
"Norma!" Pina scolded.
"It's fine Ma'am". Demon said to her. "From what I can tell, abilities like that wouldn't be possible around here, but I assure you it's possible". He stated before looking at me. "What's the go boss?"
"Get to a high vantage point and see what you can see up there, if there's any movement let us know. Make sure that Itami's aware of everything that he or his team may miss, we cannot let the bandits get the jump on us before help arrives". I ordered.
"Yes Sir!" He responded as the Jet Pack on his armour activated and he soared into the sky leaving the two Imperials shocked beyond belief at this point and I was merely chuckling at this. "Leave your mouths open any longer you'd swallow a fly". I smiled as the two of them.
"H-…how is that possible without any wings?" Hamilton asked me with shock being apparent in her voice.
"Well, the specialised armour he was wearing allows him to fly for a short time. But I can assure you all will be answered in time. Right now we have places to be". I replied as we kept going. As I guided her and Norma back to the squad all of them were gathered and facing me.
"Squad as you may know this is Princess Pina, and she has come here to see our squad herself". I said to them before looking at the Princess. "Ma'am I'll tell you how much our squad excels than the rest of us. First we have our resident Medic Beth Harris or as we call her 'Smokes' she's the best around when treating any medical injuries on and off the field. Next is one of our heavy units Shaojie Zhang call sign 'Chilong', he's an expert in anything that can make a big explosion".
"You give me too much credit friend". He said with smile.
"Next is our close combat specialist Rosario Moreno or we call her 'Rhino', and our other heavy weapons specialists Shaun Hall, or 'Mack' as we call him, he and Rhino are what you'd call Gene troopers. They're able to do things that no other normal human being can do, such as they both have much sharper reflexes, go invisible, and have a secondary heart…and I'm not lying about that". I said before they could say I was bullshitting them.
"Also Mack is what you'd call a Psionic operative as well. Meaning he's latterly able to do things with his mind, hell even read your thoughts". I said to them but Hamilton crossed her arms.
"You might say it is impossible Hamilton". Mack said shocking her with a shit eating grin. "The captain wasn't lying when he said I can read the mind". I then looked at the two of them and smiled.
"Told ya".
After we had gotten introductions out of the way we had both agreed that the squad will be split into 3 groups. Mack was with Demon due to them being able to manoeuvre extremely quickly. Smokes will be with Rhino helping Pina's forces just in case, and that left Chilong with me where Itami is. Itami had noticed a something in the Princess's tactics and in all honesty didn't think we'd see it, we're playing the decoy so that she can wipe us and the bandits out in one go. Clearly she doesn't know what the JSDF and XCOM are capable of.
I then saw Itami struggling to put on night vision on his helmet but this made me roll my eyes at his attempts to get it on.
"Itami dear. Why are you helping the Princess of an empire that attacked your homeland?" Rory asked.
"To protect the people of this town Rory". He answered.
"Plus there's also the fact that there are innocent people here that didn't wish for bandits to attack them, so it's what we do to protect those who can't protect themselves. That's what XCOM and the JSDF do". I added.
"You really meant that, wow".
Rory smiled.
"Of course we do why wouldn't we?" Itami stated, still trying to get the night vision goggles on his helmet and failing miserably. But Rory decided to give him a hand and held the helmet for him. "Do you care what's going on?" He asked the Demi-goddess as he started attaching the NVG on his helmet.
"Emory is a god of battle you know, with death and destruction come with the territory. But there is motive, it is the most important thing. If your purpose isn't righteous, then death and deception will sell you your soul". Rory responded as she put his helmet on his head.
"Well glad that we weren't bullshitting about helping these people, besides no matter what war you put me in I always protect those in need. And I'd do it all over in a heartbeat". I added getting their attention. "Plus I always save people first rather than fighting the enemy, that way there's not risk in killing innocents and then felling the repercussions".
"Is that so?" Rory asked.
"Yep, after everything we went through in 2015…I felt like I could've done more. Although what's happened, happened we can only learn from our mistakes and things we that could make better".
"What exactly happened in 2015 anyway?" Rory asked.
"Rory". Itami said getting her attention. "10 years ago back in our world, our home was invaded by beings from another world". He said lowly.
"Let's just say there is so much more beyond the sky of this world and ours, an endless void called space. These beings came from another world and invaded our cities countries and other placed around the world, earth's militaries were struggling to fight this enemy. But that's when XCOM came to the fight". I said to her.
"It's true. When I was still Corporal in the JSDF XCOM responded to an in progress abduction in Japan. They managed to save a lot of lives back then. But you can't save everyone". Itami said sadly.
"We managed to adapt and overcome our enemy and destroy the source of the invasion…a cost". I added looking down.
"What, what was the cost?" Rory asked dreading the answer.
"I lost someone I considered a brother, he sacrificed his life so that the rest of the squad could escape. He chose to give his life so that humanity could survive". I answered quietly wiping my eyes of the tears I had, I then gotten my act together and took a breath. "C'mon, let's make sure we're ready for the fight that's coming our way". I said as I walked off.
Night had fallen and we were waiting, and waiting, and waiting. But nothing was happening, however they should be arriving very soon. However the Princess's plan didn't really come to fruition as she thought she did as I just gotten a report from Rhino.
"Sir! The enemy is at the East gate! I repeat the East Gate is under attack!"
"Rhino you and Smokes hold them off as long as you can! Mack, Demon get over there and help them out, you are clear to engage!" I barked orders over the channel before looking at Chilong, who nodded in agreement.
"Why way over there!? We're supposed to fight them right here!" Rory wined as she tapped her Halberd on the ground.
"I got 03:11. They couldn't time it our any better could they?" Kurata asked aloud.
"Those bandits out there used to be regular army, they still know a thing or two". Katsumoto said to the young soldier.
"Chilong and I are going to reinforce the rest of Strike-2. If you wanna come by all means". I stated I put my helmet on and Chilong followed me towards the battle that was taking place. "Rory you're free to tag along if ya want!" I called back to the Demi-goddess as we both ran to support our team.
Operation: Special Delivery
Date: August 8th 2025
Lieutenant-Beth 'Smokes' Harris
Team: Strike-2.
Location: Italica.
Objectives: Establish connections with the local trade hub in the city of Italica while delivering Wyvern scales-Status Unknown.
Current Objective: Defend Italica from bandit army until Reinforcements arrive.
.
Damnit they just keep coming and coming! No wonder they were able to cripple the defences here before we got here! Rhino and I were holding the enemy back as the red lights from our weapons lit up the night with each trigger pull. Even if they had their shields up the lasers just burnt right through em. I kept hitting as many as I could but even with the two of us it will be too much for-
"Mind if we crash the party?" I heard from behind me and saw Demon and Mack who just arrived as our Sniper had taken to the skies and fired his Laser Sniper Rifle at all Archers to ease the heat off for a bit. Mack fired his Gatling laser at everything that was below us.
"Glad you fellas decided to show up!" I said reloading my rifle.
"And let you have all the fun? Nah!" Mack smiled as he fired everything into the enemy below us and rarely missing his targets with the amount of ammo he's burning through. We kept up the pace and I continued to hold the enemy off and saw a pin on the ground.
"Grenade!" Rhino shouted as she tossed it down below and making a good enough chunk taken out of the enemy force. I then heard more footsteps approaching from behind and saw Alcatraz and Chilong had joined the fray, the team is back together now by the looks of it.
"Strike-2 hold the line for as long as you can! Help's on the way! We just need to hold on long enough for them to arrive, give em everything ya got!" I hear the Captain shout over the chaos. With every enemy we killed 3 more take their place and it never seems to end no matter how many rounds we put into each bandit. I then noticed they were starting to get ladders ready and they were going to climb the wall.
"Pick them off the wall! Don't let any arrow go to waste!" I hear the Knight under Pina's command order aloud. As the archers fired, a huge gust of wind blew them away. I then noticed a green glow from far away behind the enemy's line.
"Alcatraz! There's a girls using some sort of magic in the distance!" I call to him and he saw it as well.
"There's no point in staying here! Chilong and Mack suppressing fire on that green glow! Smokes give us some cover! Strike-2 Fall back! I repeat fall back! MOVE IT!" The Captain ordered as I pulled the pin on a smoke grenade which gave us a window of opportunity to get some ground as the Militia ran with the squad covering them.
This is turning out to be a real shitty day.
Operation: Special Delivery
Date: August 7th 2025
CPT-Alan 'Alcatraz' Miles.
Team: Strike-2.
Location: Italica.
Objectives: Establish connections with the local trade hub in the city of Italica while delivering Wyvern scales-Status Unknown.
Current Objective: Defend Italica from bandit army until Reinforcements arrive.
.
We fell towards the makeshift barricade the Militia had set up and the Bandits had gotten the gates open and then they came flooding through. My team was at the front ready to pull the trigger just in case, one of them brought up one of the people defending the wall and tossed him on the ground and I saw that he was already dead, several others did the same thing and I glanced at my team mates, if they were felling anything it was built up rage. Each one was seething seeing this barbaric act, they'd follow my lead…and I plan on showing no mercy.
However one of the militiamen pretty much charged at them and the rest followed suit making this complicated.
"Boss now what?!" Demon called to me. I looked around at all the fighting and I knew if I ordered weapons free there was a chance we could hit an ally. But if we don't we won't be able keep them all at bay, what to do, what to do?!
Well there ya have it, another chapter done and dusted.
Now Someone asked me how would the laser weapons work and it got me thinking. I kinda see them being like the laser weapons in Fallout 4. Since Laser weapons are practically Mid-tier weapons they won't be the ones XCOM will be using throughout the story. The Upgrade to Plasma Weapons will come in time.
Now next time, reinforcements are on their way to Italica to back up 3rd Recon and Strike-2. And let's jus say with XCOM involved thing's will get very bad for the bandits very quickly! Now I'd liek to thank you guys for sticking around for me to make this crossover, I was hesitant at first but with all the support I've been getting I can't thank you guys enough. It means a lot to me that you're still here reading my work.
Thank you ;)
Now I hope you enjoyed the chapter and be sure to leave me your thoughts and opinions in the review section. A bit of feedback can go a long way!
So until then, I'll see ya next time!
Cronus Prime Out!
