Hello, i have decided to cut the chapter here so enjoy. I promise that in the next chapter Pavel will start leading his team. I have already created most of the characters i need for now but i still need to tweak and finish their visage and basic bio. Only in retrospect i have noticed that majority of recon team is of slavic descent. I personally blame Guest and his Yugoslavian wish for baffeling my mind. But dont worry there are non-slavic characters.
Dont get used to this tempo of publishing, it will get slower a bit and chapters will get longer. Sometimes i will be replying in reviews or just letting you know thing or two.

UPDATE: Tweaked thing or two. I noticed that when i transferred this from word some of my formating went nuts. Should be fixed now.
I also noticed that I am getting quite a bit of heat for my AU. But like I said it is just that and I have seen much more outlandish AUs.
As for not getting full-comunist after WW2 is relativly easy. Up untill elections 1948 we maintained strong democratic goverment. In 1947 hardline communists were democratically elected into our parlament and started forcing their ideas. Other parties tried to prevent that by mass abdication from office which backfired spectacularly thanks to inactivity of our president who at that time had serious health and other problems and didnt use his vast powers to stop what was happening.
My idea was that this didnt happen and thanks to better success of paragroups and actions of armored division communits would not get so much support thanks to the people having bigger faith in former war-time leaders and their promises.

So for now the story is here and coming up next will be "Dragon-Pinata"

Chapter 3 "The New Dawn"
Falmart, Alnus Hill, Invasion Day

If there were any living Imperial soldiers they would see as the first wave of allied forces set up a beachhead. Tanks advanced and formed defensive circle around the Gate. First and last line of defence was established some 500m away from the gate to create manoeuvring space for incoming forces. Infantry APCs immediately moved to reinforce the front, stopping 50m behind the tanks and spilling infantry squads.

Unfortunately for the Imperials no legionnaire stationed at Alnus Hill was alive by the time first two tanks crossed into their world. In week prior the main invasion, small groups managed to infiltrate the surrounding area. Not larger than four-man squads these infiltrators were elite special forces soldiers who were tasked with acquiring intel on the enemy's defences and 'softening' them. That is fancy military euphemism for killing any imperial who looked least bit important and assuring that their supplies wouldn't be in any usable state. The last part was easily achieved by few well-placed incendiary grenades and little bit of C4.

Facing these attacks, the Imperials were forced to withdraw further away from the gate and set their camps in what they thought would be safe area at the foot of the hill. Small token of guards and their messengers were silently dispatched by a quartet of bushes holding HK417s and MP7s. FSK operatives (Note: Norwegian Spec-force) quickly dragged bodies away and along with SAS and GROM squad (Note: Polish Spec-Force) and awaited the army. When the army secured perimeter their respective commanders quickly reached command OT-64/R4MT where they reported to brigadier general Moravec, leading entire operation. Handing over crudely drawn maps of the area with marked enemy positions along with intel gathered from 'dispatched' officers they were ordered to take their squads and return through the gate for well-earned R&R.

Examining available intel, general Moravec ordered all units to advance further 500m and dig in, since there was no sign of imminent enemy attack. Thus, all units advanced and then dug up complex set of trenches and set up sturdier wooden pillboxes. Three machineguns were placed in each pillbox, two NSV HMGs and one Zastava M53. Tanks and APCs were also placed in fortified positions until all that could be seen from them were their respective turrets.

Behind first line of trenches pillboxes and tanks, dug in the SPAAs whose turrets and radar dishes continuously scanned the area for any signs of flying lizard vermin. After the engineers from 20th Engineering Regiment of CSR army and British Royal Engineering Corps finished setting up the trenches, they moved forward and placed large numbers of barbed wires and fences. Afterwards they retreated to the main trenches and bolstered the infantry units present with their own rifles.

Thanks to the intel gathered by spec-force squads, the commanding officers knew exact location of imperal camps. It has also been confirmed that no slaves or non-combatants were present in any of three camps located at the foot of the hill. And so, it was that the crews of six RM-70 MRLSs were preparing to fire.

Pavel was darting through set of trenches back to his assigned unit. He was carrying two boxes of grenades and few steps behind him young sergeant carried additional warheads for squad's RPGs. When they jumped inside their trench and placed the cargo in prepared places one of the soldiers commented
"Well, not to offend you sir, but it looks like you and lieutenant Vortel decided to set up armoury in our trench." and further emphasized by pointing to two boxes with ammunition brought by Pert.

Pavel smiled to himself and turned to the soldier.
"Well you see, corporal… "He trailed off. "Corporal Šmídová, Martina" added young soldier quickly.
Pavel nodded and continued "Well as I was saying Martina, to them it is all about the numbers no?"
Martina nodded "Yes, sir."
Pavel pretended to be deep in thought for a while then said, "In that case wouldn't it be better to have more weapons that can take out large groups of infantry and larger stockpile of ammunition?"
Young corporal understood in an instant "Ahh, sorry sir. Haven't thought of it that way."
He simply nodded and finished conversation by saying "No problem, it is better to ask than to stay ignorant."

He turned and walked to his wife who sitting and talking with Pert and Pahria. When Catherine saw him, she said with a smile "You do realise you could have just said it to her at the beginning and save yourself time?"
He pretended to be hurt and defended himself "And where is the fun in that approach?"
She gave up and commented to herself "You'll never change."
Laughing he said "No, I suppose not." After he calmed himself down he continued "I've talked to the rocket men. They are ready, so any moment now we will send some greetings down the hill." And jerked thumb behind him down the slope.
"What greetings?" asked Pahria who was listening to entire exchange.
"The best kind. From Russia and with love." was cryptic answer she got.

Before she could ask what it meant, all hell broke loose. RM-70s started firing all of their 240 old-soviet-made rockets on one camp, mortars targeted second one and howitzers targeted last one. Rockets lit up the night sky as they flew from the launchers towards their targets few kilometres away. (Note: It is a big hill with mild slope. Besides JSDF also used artillery.) RM-70s fired their salvos in an instant and their crews started tedious task of reloading. The longest-bombardment-trophy belonged to self-propelled howitzers. The four DANAs fired all shells they had in their autoloaders. Every soldier agreed that it was best wake-up call imperials could get.

Imperial Camps
If the bombardment was spectacular on the sender's side then on the receiver side it was absolute madness. First, the legionaries were woken up by unnatural screeching and yellowish glow over the holy hill. As they gathered to watch these strange phenomena, rockets and shells started impacting in the presumed safety of the camps. Many were killed before they could comprehend what was happening as the HEF shells rained from the sky. Some had more luck than the others and survived while others increased their survival chances by pure instinct to lie down on the ground.

When the bombardment stopped and survivors stuck their heads out from their shelters they saw nothing but pure destruction. Tents ripped to shreds, wooden palisades splintered and their once glorious armour nothing more than a crushed and torn piece of metal. A sense of panic filled the hearts and camps were abandoned in haste. Few had remained at least partially sane and headed to the nearest villages where the main body of imperial army was stationed.

Coda village, 20km from Alnus hill
Residents of Coda village had their sleep interrupted too. They gathered in fields outside the village with torches in hand and watched strange glowing and flashes coming from distant Alnus hill until as suddenly as it began, it stopped. When nothing happened for a while they slowly started walking back to houses discussing this strange phenomenon. None of them got much sleep that night. Same could be said for many other villages in the area and even residents of Italica, some 100km away, could see faint glow on the horizon and strange howling in the distance.

Alnus hill
As the sun rose in the sky of falmart soldiers lying in trenches stirred and engineers began construction of the base. Area around Gateway has been flattened using recovery tanks. Construction teams began pouring concrete foundations. In safety of defensive perimeter another group of engineers began digging foundations of main walls.

Few squads were searching area between the Gateway and foot of the mountains. They confirmed that thanks to steep slopes any army with technological level of romans would not be able to pass through. That left only the possibility of frontal attacks and provided security to their flanks.
With second wave of units in this world, the allied forces established unshakeable foothold.

Unbeknownst to all soldiers present, they were being watched. Gods of Falmart have taken quite an interest in them. Each god had his own agenda and plans with invaders. Unfortunately for the gods, it seemed like all attempts to influence minds and destinies of them failed. Gods were dumbfounded when they realised that some strange essence was shielding invaders and even to some extend their native companions. Deciding to leave them be for now but to stay vigilant, the gods turned their attention back to their respective domains. All except for Emroy. The god of war and violence was fascinated with invaders and their destructive powers. Before he returned his attention elsewhere he decided to send his apostle towards Alnus Hill.

Pavel froze and stood upright on the turret of T-72M4. Tank commander noticed this sudden change and warily looked around then asked
"Uhm… everything all right, sir?"
"Yeah, … I think so. I am not sure but I have this feeling someone is watching. I get that a lot lately."
He replied shaking his head.
"I understand what you mean. I get it too lately. But there is always nothing on the scanners." Admitted tank commander.
"Anyway, there is nothing to do about now. Let's get back to the discussion…" said Pavel.

Two days after scattering the three imperial camps.
Several tank gunners spotted dust-clouds in distance and soon spotters could identify large force of legionaries marching towards the hill with wyverns and slightly larger dragons flying overhead. Carts pulled by horses and other dragons hauled supplies for the army and siege equipment. It appeared that The Empire bolstered their legions by mercenary groups and other auxiliary units such as ogres and similar creatures.

Command staff reached the conclusion that in order to maintain some level of stability in the area, they had to eliminate or capture most of the opposing force. It was believed that if large number of legionaries escaped they would in turn terrorize local villages and settlements. If they wanted to maintain some form of order they had to prevent berserk rampaging of the shattered remnants of an army.

With the fortifications still incomplete, troops would fight in trenches they dug when they arrived. Behind them stood base and its massive walls with still hardening concrete. Howitzers stood between them and trenches. Too close for indirect artillery fire, SPGs would fire directly into enemy lines with their 152mm guns.

Everyone was preparing for upcoming fight. Imperials set up camp bit further away from the hill, consolidated their more than 100 thousand strong army and set for the hill. By this time all the allied soldiers were ready and waiting.

Pavel and his squad were no exception. Looking over his shoulder at Pahria he inquired "Are you ready? If there is something wrong, now is the time to ask."
Pahria quickly shook her head "No, you have taught me how to use it and I want to stay here." Satisfied with answer Pavel simply nodded and smiled at her.
Finishing last check of his weapon he turned face to face with his squad and once he knew he had their attention stated "Okay boys and girls, this is it. Thank you for being here today. They thought that they could attack us with impunity. But today we show them that the Czechoslovakian Army and our whole world bows to no one."
"Yes, sir."
was their answer.
"Don't waste your ammo. This isn't some contest of who shoots more. Aim and make sure you hit, leave suppressive fire to MGs and autocannons. Understood?" he continued.
"Yes, sir." said everyone.
"Good, then. Man you battle stations and we will show those savages how to fight." he finished.

Everybody braced on the trench breastwork and aimed their rifles downhill. Eerie silence filled the air and only sound that could be heard was marching of imperial army growing in the distance. Suddenly familiar tunes could be heard, slowly gaining more energy.
Confused Pahria questioned "What is that sound? It sounds like… Music."
Pavel and Catherine could only stifle a laugh and Petr said "Yes, it is music. Sounds like Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture to me. Am I wrong Pavel? After all you are the classical music expert here."
Pavel threw glance at his friend and said "I am no expert, I simply like to listen to it a bit…"
Catherine interrupted him "A lot."
Sighing Pavel continued "Okay, a lot. And yes, it is 1812 Overture. My guess is that some joker brought speakers. Not that I complain about his choice."
Catherine added "Neither do I." and others agreed.

They could not do anything but wait for the imperials to enter 'the kill zone' as was fondly named zone where the trap would spring. Marching imperial soldiers also heard Overture and were puzzled why would the invaders divert their effort to play musical instrument when this colossal imperial army was upon them. Most believed that it was because invaders were insane.

As the Overture was continuing and growing in strength, Imperials crossed the line decorated with warning signs and entered 'the kill zone'. Coincidentally timed with music in the air SPGs opened with first thundering salvo that ripped several imperial formations completely apart and virtually disintegrating large number of legionaries. Tanks followed suit and achieved similar results with bit less devastating effects. Machine guns tore lined up legionaries and mercenaries apart. NSV gunners focused their fire on larger creatures while M53 gunners fired hails of lead creating continuous strands of death shredding everything in their path. Infantry squads added their bits to the mill as single shots from rifles joined cacophony of sounds. Experienced soldiers were firing in short controlled two-shot bursts while those less experienced stuck with semi-auto fire mode. RPG missiles flew from the trenches and obliterated several ogres and those who attempted to use them as cover. Seeing the carnage on the ground, wyvern and dragon riders attempted to dive down only to be swept away from the sky by 30mm and 35mm shells fired by entrenched SPAAs.

After half an hour of one-sided bloodshed, fire stopped and silence once more settled over Alnus hill. Allied forces suffered no casualties while imperials were nearly wiped out. Closest call of allied soldiers was when carcass of a dead wyvern nearly squashed few soldiers who ducked at the last possible moment. One soldier was born anew when one of the wyvern's claws, separated from the body, burrowed itself few centimetres away from his face. His friends had to restrain him as he cursed and yelled at crews of SPAAs to "watch where are they dropping their waste". After a minute he somewhat regained control and calm and returned to his now wyvern decorated position.

Pre-selected infantry squads rose from their trenches and slowly combed the battlefield looking for injured and shell-shocked survivors. When they found one they moved nearby swords and daggers out of reach before calling medic. Medics then performed first aid and took them to already finished hospital in the base under watchful eye of military police, should the now-prisoners try something. Out of estimated 120 thousand strong army that marched uphill only 35 thousand shell-shocked and devastated survivors remained, many of which suffered at least some form of injury.

Pavel, his squad and one other, two T-72M4 tanks and four BMP-2s assembled and set off to deal with imperial camp. Not bothering to stop as they came to the camp they dispatched the few guards that were left behind with ease they entered the encampment. One tank drove though main gate and squads of infantry poured out from BMPs behind. Moving with trained swift movements they incapacitated and cuffed any imperial they could using their gun-stocks. Not hesitating and shooting those who drew swords or daggers. Leaving the tank at the main gate they spread and systematically cleared entire encampment. Securing scattered supplies, mostly empty stables and partially set up tents. Surrounding command tent they threw in flashbang grenade waited for it to go off. When the bang went off they charged in, rifles held up. Inside was disoriented imperial centurion and exquisitely dressed man along with girl scantily dressed in rags kneeling near bed and rolling around holding her ears. Pavel knocked centurion's sword out of his hand and twisted arm that was holding the weapon behind centurion's back cuffing him while Petr did same with other man who turned to be some nobility according to the centurion's yelling. Pavel motioned Pahria to take care of crying girl who was clearly personal slave of one of two men still rolling around thanks to the effects of flashbang.

Walking out and lining the prisoners in neat lines they called for more transports and combed the camp searching for anything that could be useful or important. Pavel slowly walked to where Pahria seated the girl threw blanket over her and was calming her.
He crouched smiled and said to the girl "Hello little one, are you alright?"
She looked at him still visibly frightened and murmured "Y-yes."
Still smiling he said "I am glad to hear that. I will leave you in tender care of Pahria here. I just want to know if there are others and if yes then where."
Girl looked at Pavel and then at Pahria who smiled and nodded then she pointed toward one of the carts. Pavel smiled at her and stood up. He took two nearby soldiers with him and walked to the large boxy cart. Soldiers behind him raised their rifles as he reached and carefully opened doors and stepped back. Instantly he was assaulted by stench of unwashed bodies sweat and feces. He looked inside and in darkness saw humans, cat-people and few other races he didn't yet recognize. Removing his helmet and protection glasses he outstretched his hand put on his friendliest smile and said "Don't worry. I mean you no harm. Come. You are slaves no more."
Someone finally guardedly grabbed outstretched hand and he helped them out of the cart where they were blinded by sunlight. Medics quickly rushed to them and with tender care examined former slaves who were getting out from the cart with help of two soldiers who came with the bewilderment of captured imperials, kneeling in lines guarded by several soldiers, former slaves who were mostly non-humans received medical attention and few even received chocolate and treats from soldiers.

Pavel stood and was looking over the ransacked camp just as three 8x8 Tatra 815 trucks pulled up to pick up prisoners and former slaves. Catherine saw him standing in middle of rubble and walked to him.
She waved and smiled "Hey. What are you thinking about?"
He snapped out of his thoughts and replied "Just thinking how much is still needed to be done. We have just begun."
She walked to him and put her arm around him "Yeah that is true. But there is no point in wondering what will happen right now. We have won and that calls for celebration."
He looked at her smiled and nodded "Yes, you are right. We have won this battle."

Together they walked to Pahria and others ready to return to the hill. They gathered and left leaving the ransacked encampment as a warning to anyone who would dare to think of attacking their base.