Location: Classified, Black Guard Site 5

Date: 2006, 30, March

Time: 8:17am

'It's so cold..'

Was all that Colt Formal could think about when he first arrived in this freezing hellscape.

Or if it was one..

Truth be told, he couldn't see anything, everything was in pitch black, as if some person went and stole he's eyes. Yet, he can feel them and everything.

But wherever he is placed in, it feels like purgatory to any soul in these conditions, The amount of how freezing it was, was just enough to make any sane man insane by the looks it.

He could hear the shivering of many men that were part of the expedition force, or..how they haven't completely lost it.

By the amount of days that he have been placed here, every now and then, he could just hear those just completely breaking down into tears or laughing mad. And the ones that lost their sanity, always followed a sound of thunder. One that would light slightly the entire place he was in a second.

And always would be a naked silence for the entire time after that.

The people who keep them locked up, or if they can called people. Bring them some form of food in a plate and a cup of water. And to him, it was the only thing keeping he's body warm so it wouldn't freeze to death.

But it always had its difficulty to even locate the food and water. As while he could hear it being delivered to him, including the footsteps that accompanied it. He always had to be careful to not spill the items. As he could ruin the food or spill the water by accident, making it unsuitable to injest. But even if he did that mistake, he would always eat it from the floor or drink from the floor, as it was desperate measures.

The food he received..didn't have a single taste to it, it didn't taste horrible, but it also didn't taste good either. But it didn't matter to him as it was still warm to him. The water was always either cold and hot to drink, but it didn't bother him too much.

And while he has the daily things he needed to eat and drink, he was always in a frenzy that he'll snap by how dark it is, or he'll become blind because of this.

And one thing he has been doing sense he first got here, was praying to any gods, Emory to be more specific, to make sure he's three daughters were safe, including he's home city, Italica. As he knew he had taken a big majority of the cities guard to the expeditions to the gates.

But knowing how this expedition went, he doesn't have high hopes on how the other expeditions went.

But soon that train of thought was soon silenced when the lights all over this dungeon soon lit up. Almost blinding him at first but he soon got used to the sudden brightness. He then finally get to see the cell he was placed into, it was cell with that was completely grey, most likely stone, with completely nothing inside, aside of the plates and cups that is around the cell.

Soon he then saw the cells and cell door, he then slowly and sluggishly walked to the Cell Door and to looked around but one thing he almost noticed immediately that there were no guards whatso ever.

This would've been considered an idiotic act back home, especially to the Saderan Empire. But Colt could see why they didn't use guards to patrol the cells. It was too cold, even if one of soldiers from the expedition was to escape from their cell, they would have to figure out how to escape from this dungeon. And there's no doubt that they'll have guards at the exit of this dungeon.

As he looked around, he could see the other the other imperials also in the similar position he is in, some were standing, though a bit weakly, but some were laying on the ground, too weak to even stand up.

But then he could hear doors slowly creaking open, which it sounded it came from the end of the hall, Colt Formal, and the others who had enough strength to stand looked over toward the door, and they froze.

What they saw is something they never saw in their lives, the first figures for what felt like weeks, they saw was most likely to be presumed to be the guards of this dungeon. But they looked entirely different than the ones he witnessed in the city they invaded.

They had what he assumed it was some kind of helmet that was completely black and it had a dark blue star in the center of the helmet. They wore black overalls which included their boots, while their choice of armor was odd, it didn't explain their face.

They wore some form of mask, it has something coming out of the mouth which was connect with some kind of rope that was attach to something carrying in the back, the object looked weird, something related to a cylinder.

But the most intimidating of all was it's supposed eyes, which nothing but pitch black, while it could be glass, it didn't explain why it was completely shrouded in darkness.

Then there the man in the center, he had a completely different entire, while the formentioned mask and cylinder on the back. It didn't wear a helmet, exposing it's brown hair and it's ears which looked like a normal human. It wore a black formal clothing with armor on the individual, and there were three letter that were said there.

C.I.A

Whatever that meant, must've meant some form of higher command, perhaps a noble of sorts. But it didn't ignore the fact that almost after all this time, this is finally they finally see them.

Colt Formal didn't know that this was their kind of torture, to see how long someone could last? To test their sanity? See if one would break infront of their presence? To watch them suffer personally?

But then the figure that had the three letters imprinted on it's leathered armor. Walked up to the center of all of the cells in the section. The figure looked around the room, almost analyzing them as it seemed. But I cleared it throat and spoke.

"So." He began with a voice of authority, a voice similar to an emperor of somewhere. "Which one of you, barbarians, savages, subhumans, whatever you personally want to called yourselves. Are willing to speak for the sake of your civilianization?" Asked the man in a authoritative tone in perfect Saderan.

Colt Formal was surprised at this revelation, this nation knew Saderan? From what he could gathered when he in the battle. They spoke some weird language that he and the Saderan's never heard. So he would've thought that they never would've understand their language.

But it was what he said that made him froze completely. 'For the sake of your civilization' There was many ways a multitude of people would interpret this, but one factor would be the voice, and the man's voice. It had a growled tone to it, as if it was predator, and the prisoners was it's prey. But the most important one, it sounded inhuman. The immediate thing that sent him in an alarm was that it an open threat, and if what he said was genuine. Then it doesn't mean anything good for the long run.

Colt looked around to see if any Generals or Nobles were within this prison. But he didn't see any of them rise up or yell in retaliation for calling them 'barbarians or savages' nor did they do anything of the threat the man just made. but it seems that they were none here. Unless they were too weak or too afraid to speak up.

He didn't flatter the idea of speaking to them as he was afraid what they would do if he reveals himself. However, the words of the man repeated itself into he's head, and images of Italica being burned down into the ground and he's subjects being subjected to different acts of terror, either being burnt alive or death by hanging. But one important factor was he's precious daughter, Myui. He already had nightmares of these strange soldiers doing the unimaginable to her. Or one of those demons getting her hands to her and..

He shook he's head and made a final decision, he was too weak to speak but he could still move he turned he's attention to the man with the three letters on its vest looks around to see if anyone spoke up or or some form of movement to indicate that they were willing to talk, but. Even with the creepy mask on, Colt could see the disappoint in the man eyes. He then turned to he's guards and spoke something unintelligible, he then turned to leave, Formal then put he's hand up in hopes that one of them would notice, and in luck, one of the guards saw him and spoke up to the man while pointing to he's cell.

The man turns to look at the cell he was pointing and looked directly at him. He shuddered at in instant as the man stare was..wrong in some capacity, almost as he made a wrong decision, as he felt as a prey of a vengeful spirit who was angered by this uncalled attack into he's lands.

One of the guards went over to the cell door. Colt then stepped back with the energy he had left. The guard then looked at the man to signal to open the cell. The man nods and so in response he takes out he's something that looked and swipes it on the cell and which it opens.

Both guards grab Colt Formal and drag him out from the cell door and out of the cell block. And which the man closes the cell door and then walks out shutting down the lights within the cell block and knocking him out cold with a singular punch in the face.

Time: 11:00am

Colt Found himself reawaken on some chair with both of he's hands tied or completely stuck on something made out of Stone or something completely unknown, he wasn't sure as he couldn't turn around. He then saw dimmed light source coming from atop the roof to which he can see only in front is what seemed to be a table but instead of wood it's made of some unknown material. He looked around to see if any guards was around. And even with something distorting he's vision, Colt noticed a pair of two glaring red eyes directly at him which made him to silent anything he was gonna say.

And then a door opened right behind them and while he couldn't see where exactly the door was, he knew it opened and now someone else was here.

He then heard the door closed but this time there a loud click to it, while it certainly sound like some lock. He knew it mean't the door was now sealed shut, somehow that is.

He then heard a pair of footsteps approaching the desk, and the figure that arrived in the room now appeared in full view by the light source now showing who had entered the room and removed the cloth from he's eyes.

It was the individual that had the C.I.A on its armor, and it seemed to be carrying something on its hand. It seemed like a bag on its hand. The individual then sat down on the chair that was in front of him. As he place the bag on the table, he opened it from the top and pulled out some papers. He layes it down the table for Colt to see and then he looks at him.

Colt Formal was already afraid and confused on what this man was trying to do, he knew it was some interrogation of some kind but it still felt off, and the fact that the man still had its mask on didn't make it any better.

Then the man suddenly started to clap he's hands, really slowly that was. Colt was confused at first but at the same time, the man stopped clapping and stopped. He then spoke in a low tone. "Congratulations. You made a wise decision to talk."

Then the man took a file out of the suitcase and pulled out a piece of paper and layed it down on the desk and began to speak in the same cold tone. "In the Texan Territory city, Houston, at precisely at 12:00pm. An unknown structure appeared directly at the center of the city, when the Local Military Police force went in to secure the local area, then a Roman like army with humanoids and mutants attack the MP officers and then went on to commit multiple atrocities within the city. Until that is, they were fully pushed back by our reinforcements. To which the Junta decided to put those Invaders into cells until further notice. To which now leads up to you." He finishes putting the paper down and looking at him courtly.

Colt Formal stayed completely silent, he wasn't sure if he was made to comment or say something in response, The man spoke again, but this time he leaned toward him with an even darker tone. "Now, you need to listen closely and understand the grave mistake you made attacking my nation and distracting it from its supreme goals. So let me be clear, whatever you say happens to turn out to be a complete lie, will have dire repercussions back to your home world and all the people there, we won't give a damn who it is, we won't care if the people we kill are innocent or not, because of right now, everyone in the other side is deceived as a threat. And if you didn't decide to speak up, we would've kill everything in our path, so your world fate lies upon your very words, so be thoughtful on what you say next"

Colt now was mentally freaking out and even hyperventilating despite the extreme measure of cold in skin. Everything in he's life now lays upon he's very a words, the pressure on himself was amounting high, he had to be careful on what he says, or else it's burns away in the hands of this nation.

"Now" The man began once more. "I'd like to assume that you have injected that warning into your head, let's begin with the questions." The man then went and picked up a piece of paper. "Is there more gateways?" He asked.

Colt was reluctant at first to speak but he knew if he stayed silent, it likely wouldn't end well for him. And while the question in hand was, odd. It was clear they wanted to prepared if the other gate would lead into their lands or their vassals. "Y-y-yes.."

The man then looked at him with that uncomfortable stare of he's once more and wrote it down without even looking down. "How many?" He asked, not as a question, but as a demand.

He was hesitant at first, but the warning repeated itself onto its head once more. And spoke once more. "W-what I w-was informed. Th-they told m-me that the-there was a s-second gate.."

"Do you know what's in the other side of the second gateway?" He demanded once more.

"N-no. I was n-never informed abo-about the other side of the s-second gate" He said. And this was the truth, he never got a chance to see it with he's own eyes, but even if he did see it, the Empire wouldn't have sent any scouts to see the other side, but most likely just go in with an invasion force once more.

The man was silent as he kept he's stare at him while writing it down without checking. "How far away is it from this gateway?"

Colt paused momentarily before giving he's answer. "I-I am not quite s-sure. B-but I do kn-know that it much farther fr-from here and m-much closer to my c-city."

The man then simply wrote it down once more. "When was the invasion due to begin?"

"A-about a w-week after th-this expedition" He answered weakly.

The man paused for a what felt like a good minute. But for Colt, he felt like it was an eternity, he was afraid that he messed up, that he wouldn't believe him in the slightest. But instead, the man finally looked down and wrote it down. He then kept looking at the paper for a while before returning he's gaze at Colt once more. "What is your name" he said in a, much more calmer tone than before.

"C-Count Colt For-Formal, Head of the F-Formal Clan of I-Italica"

The man then wrote it down before looking up again "What is Italica"

Location: Militarized District of Washington D.C.

Date: 2006, 30 , March

Time: 11:42am

"This is all that the prisoner answered?" Asked Cabinet Member JFK Jr through the phone with Agent Newen.

"Yes sir" Responded courtly the CIA Agent. "That is all, I have also documented all of the responses he made"

John nods he's head. "Were those responses out of desperation or genuine"

The other side of the phone went silent before the Agent Responded. "Hard to say sir, while he's voice sounded desperate, he didn't do it for himself, more so about protecting he's people."

"So, he's some kind of ruler or something on the other side of the Gateway?" Questioned the Cabinet Member.

"Somewhat" Replied the CIA Agent.

"Define Somewhat" Ordered the Cabinet Member.

"From what I gathered from the prisoner, he stated that he is a king of a city state named Italica. While we couldn't exactly get the population of Italica, sense he himself didn't have an exact numbers of inhabitants, he did say it did round up to maybe in 10 thousand, 20 thousand, just somewhere near the 10 thousand area." The Agent says.

There was another sigh from the Cabinet Member from the other end. "This would complicate some things as we would need almost an 2 entire groups of either Military Division to fully take control." He then pauses for a minute before speaking again. "Does this location have any insignificance at all or it's just a waste of time"

"Give me a minute sir"

The cabinet member then could hear paper shuffling in the background, most likely looking for the answer to he's question, then he got one.

"Here it is sir" The agent on the other side of the phone stated. "Italica is an important city state to the Saderan Empire as Italica is a trading city constantly running with Merchants in and out of the city, it is also noted that it is one of the most important agricultural areas within the entire empire."

"Then we taken one of their most important trading hubs." Finished the cabinet member. "While it's good to know vital information like this, it has to be placed in hold until that city is sprung up again later on, And the planning on taking the city."

"I understand sir" Said the agent, the cabinet member then heard the agent putting the papers back in place before speaking up again. "And that'll be the end of the report. As no other Black Guard Sites have any successful interrogations and he was the only one to have the actual guts to speak, unlike the other fucks"

There was sigh coming from John when he heard this. "You completely sure he doesn't have more information on this Saderan Empire?"

"Not sure, while we can't be completely sure that he is holding more vital information. He only told us what we could expect from a Roman Empire look a like. Slavery, An Absolute Monarchy, Feudal society."

"Did he have anything to say about the humanoids, mutants and those who possessed supernatural capabilities?" John asked the agent further.

"I do sir, however this information would be present at the Military Cabinet Monthly Meeting sir." The agent responded.

The Cabinet Member nods. "Very well then."

There was silence once more before the mention of the second gateway went into Kennedy Jr's head once more. "Has there been significant changes in the Eurasian command?" He asked.

The silence returned very quickly before there were more papers being moved once more. "No sir, it remains the same. Same reports of troops amassing to the Middle East to quell down the increasing social unrest."

The Kennedy nodded to that information once more. "Is there a probability that there are more gateways in the other world?"

Kennedy felt there was some hesitation on the other side before he received a court response by the Agent. "The only confirmation that we have sir, is that there are and only are two gateways. However, the probability of more being created is to be unknown and most likely probable.

There was some silence on the phone line before the Newen Agent Spoke up again. "Reporting for the next task Cabinet Member Kennedy" the Agent asked.

Kennedy thought for a moment before giving in he's response to the Agent. "I want you to have Count Colt Formal out of the others prisoners, due to he's cooperation with you, I believe it's only fair he gets a much more...proper treatment." John worded carefully.

Understanding what the Cabinet Member was saying, the agent responded quickly. "Understood" The CIA agent said taking note of the next task it had next. "Glory to the Military Junta." The agent said signifying the end of the report and the conversation as a whole.

"Glory to the Military Junta" John said back before putting the phone down onto the receiver. He then goes grabs a pen and begins to write down a report of which Military Division to send into the Gateway and to prepare for the most likely soon invasion.

The Cabinet Member then came to the conclusion of one specific Military Division would be in charge of having the operations in the other side of the gateway and reporting back. The 18 Military Division.

The 18 Military Division was filled with some of the top Veterans from the Japanese Islands Campaign and during the 2ACW, and new recruits being assigned into the Military Division. Some being outside of the North American mainland, The big ones notably being those from the British Isles, The Japanese Islands, and down south from Australia. The reason being that the 18 Division was currently was out of action so they replenish their numbers as they lost a huge amount of soldiers during those two conflicts,

Especially during the 2ACW, if he could recall, the 18 Division was one of 5 Military Divisions to suffer the most casualties during the Second Civil War. With a whopping 84% of the 18 Division being completely gone with only 16% left.

And with that reason alone, it was one of the few that was taken out of action immediately after the conclusion of the civil war. And after 2 years they were able to replenish to about 74% before their official confrontation in the Japanese Islands in 1986.

But the main problem with this proposal is that it doesn't have a Major General to lead them.

A Major General is the highest ranking within the standard military, and while a Lieutenant General has a higher rank, that is specifically classified into the Black Guard.

The Major General that was in charge of the 18th division..'retired' from he's service and went into he's own isolation. For what reasons, the Military Cabinet didn't know but accepted he's request. But this left a vacancy in the leadership for the 18th division.

The last potential Major General was killed during the the southern offensive when taking out the last southern warlords on what used to be the new born confederacy, he was killed by a stray car bomber who rammed into the Major Generals Hunvee and exploded with the c4 the individual brought with him.

And without a Major General, the 18 Military Division cannot be mobilized for their objective for the Gateway. JFK Jr was silent for the time being thinking of who to place him into that position.

Then that's when it clicked into the Cabinet Member, he snapped he's fingers as he went into the phone and began to dial for he's personal assistant. After a few ringing, an answer was picked up.

"Yes John?" Came a curt response.

"Delroy" He simply said, choosing he's words correctly before continuing . "Can you find Major General Gordon Denton for me?"

Location: Great Plains.

Date: March, 31, 2006

Time: 4:38am

"You could've done more." Was the last thing that Gordon Denton heard before he 'woke' up once more. The same reoccurring message that he has gotten just mere days ago. He doesn't understand what it means or it's purpose. But one thing that he can make one possible connection would be he's military career and the actions he made.

He wasn't a innocent man, god no. He was far worse. If it was still normal and nuclear war didn't fuck up the world, if he's current actions came up, he'd would immediately put place in front of a firing squad or get a new identity as while he's ethics would've considered inhumane, it was still effective against the enemy .

But now he's actions under the Military Junta of North America is been deemed as necessary courses of actions or him simply doing he's part for the North American Junta to finally gain its retribution against the soviets. But the 2nd American Revolution, it changed him.

No longer did he feel any revanchist goals against the communists, no longer did he feel any resentment towards the countless people who revolted against the Military Junta. He didn't feel anger nor was he furious. He felt...absolute nothing, he felt empty.

That was the main reason why he took himself off from service, he wasn't thinking straight nor could he stand being there for another second, he just needed to think. But that was one of the many problems he was facing.

It been two years, two fucking years. And he is yet to understand what is wrong with him, was he trying to feel guilty about the things he's done? Trying to think of some way to atone for he's actions? To justify them? He didn't understand it a single bit. It was frustrating as due to the effects of the plutonium within he's system, while it had its positives of making the individual physically stronger, quick learners and making them age for far longer than a regular person ever should. It did have the heavy cost of their emotions being easily consumed by anger, and making it easier to be ticked off.

Anger was a mark that ran through the Military Junta, as it was considered to be something completely inseparably as it can be seen in training, while in duty, or while in the thick of a battle. It was a deadly weapon in and out of the battlefield if used correctly.

Of course people aren't immediately born furious. It was a slow process of succumbing into that anger, the first steps it comes from training camps. Then there it diverges, individuals can either turn into a "Civilian" or join the Military Police. Then they would continue to go up on the rank. The final point of rank is the Military Cabinet, the highest and respected rank a person could achieve in the Military Junta. And depending on how their actions and how much they had consumed into their feel of vengeance, it would probably shape them in the Military Cabinet.

If he came into the position in the Military Cabinet, then he would've been considered as a Omar Brandliest or to a McCarthist to some extent. But to him, he would like to consider himself a devoted MacArthurist, A MacArthurist Militarist who is willing to go on to finish its objective and to give to its final war towards the soviets.

And yet, here he remains contemplating he's actions and seemingly regretting some of them. Something that was completely alien to the man for a long time. And those words. 'You could've done more' kept coming back again and again every time he 'slept'. What did it mean, what did it fucking mean-

But before he's thought could devolve any further, he heard the distance phone ring, almost immediately discarded he's previous thoughts and stiffened. Nobody had called him in the last 2 years, any news he would've gotten would be from the private news sector and someone would've arrived to explain some any form of situation in great detail. But if someone was calling him. It meant business.

He proceeded to straightened himself and he calmly walked towards the phone and place he's hand on it. He close he's eyes for a minute before picking it up and answering the call. "Gordon Denton" He said in a firm tone.

"CM-JF" Was all that said in the other receiving end. And he knew immediately who it was.

"Cabinet Member Kennedy Sir." He said saluting. While he knew he wasn't there and wouldn't even be able to see him saluting, but he didn't do it out of protocol, he did it out of pure respect on who it was and what rank he had.

"At ease" Said the Cabinet Member in a stoic but calm tone nonetheless. The man then retracted he's hands to a neutral stand. "Have you been informed on the current situation in Houston?" He asked.

Denton Gordon took some seconds to choose to he's words correctly before speaking. "Vaguely sir, all I am informed at the moment sir is that a foreign force came through some form of gateway, forces ranging from pre 1962 humans to completely mutated or to some cases considered to be completely nonhuman." He responded curtly.

"Have you been informed about the Military Division that has been assigned to that gateway?" Asked Kennedy.

Gordon then once more took a minute before answering. "The 18th Division sir"

"And I would presume that this is the same division that you've been apart and fought with throughout your service?" Questioned the Cabinet Member.

Gordon was silent when the Cabinet Member Kennedy asked that. He had a long history with the 18th Division. One that he could remember each time the division was stationed and the countless battles that he had taken a part of. First was in War Over Japan and the Second American Revolution. All of whom were brutal in their own rights.

With slight hesitation, Gordon answers "Yes sir"

There was a shuffle of papers being moved until he was gained a response. "The Military Cabinet has approved and requested for your immediate reentry to Military Service. Your assignment will be located in Houston and you'll be given a proper explanation on who and what these beings are so there won't be any confusion."

Gordon didn't say anything, nor did he move. Truth be told, he didn't want to deal with this at this moment. But he knew that if one of the Military Cabinet Members contacted him directly to reenter into he's service once more. Then it was nonnegotiable. He was silent for a few more seconds before he gave a response to the man in the other side.

"Affirmative" He replied curtly.

"Good." Kennedy said before continuing. "You'll be required to be on post in the first of April at 12:00pm and you'll be given proper command over the 18th Division. And while you are still within rank of a Major General. Given the, unique circumstances of our new enemy poses. The Military Cabinet had agreed that'd you be given an immediate promotion into General."

General. While the name itself wasn't flattering or unique, it meant dearly to the Military Junta. General was considered to be one of the highest ranks within the Military Junta, with it behind being a Military Cabinet Member. Being General also had a representative of something major. It was an official rank for them to be in control of a Military Territory.

Military Territory was a definition of where the Military Junta of North America has control of large amount of landmass. And then in turn, they would require a high ranking officer to be in charge of that said Military Territory until they can figure out what to do with it. And there were two reasons that he was familiar with.

One: Soldiers. Any Men or Women, weather age qualified or not, they would be forced into conscription into basic training and if they are considered to be acceptable enough, they join the army, if not, then they would go back into civilian life.

Two: Geographic Advantage, This was a Major case for the territories in Britain and the Pacific. As it gave the Military Junta a lot to work with their navy and as possible stepping grounds. One major stepping stone toward the Soviet Eurasians that is the upmost important, is Japan. One, where he didn't even to think about it.

But that was also in question, what purpose did establishing a Military Territory in the other side of the gateway would even benefit the Military Junta? Sure, there could be unique resources or new material for the Junta to see. But, it also very likely that the Military Junta would just ignore them in general and most likely stick to the old resources their used. At most they would lend the new materials to the Brazilians at best but not definite guarantee.

Then there was also a large amount of other questions as to why it was unwise or even unpractical to put up the effort to establish a Military Territory. And considering it was a new world, they didn't know jack shit of the dangers. And while the ones that attacked them were General pre industrial and are General nothing more than Roman knockoffs. They had unnatural capabilities that are considered to be anomalous and there was a possibility of a enemy that they couldn't handle on the other side.

And it didn't even start with the simple fact that they couldn't even breathe in the other side, what purpose did it serve to even have a foothold with that problem alone. Unless, the Military Cabinet have the NATAA and the Brazilians working on some form of solution.

There was pause before Gordon finally spoke up. "...Understood Sir"

Of course, the Cabinet Member took notice of the hesitation fairly quickly. "Do you have some uncertainties about this new promotion?" Asked Kennedy Jr.

"...Permission to speak freely sir?"

There was a moment of silence, before the Cabinet Member responded. "Permission Granted"

"With due respect sir" Began Gordon. "I would believe that a establishment of a Military Territory, or even a base of operations on the other side. Would be a big detriment for the Military Junta for the a long term. As it pull resources and manpower into the gate and if, some form of anomalous identity is a bigger threat and if it deems us as a complete threat to the Military Junta. Then I have concerns that it would direct some of our or complete attention to that instead of the looming coming of the Utopian Communists." Gordon stated with a curt response.

Then there was silence once more. Gordon wasn't worried or nervous, but he had hopes that he didn't blabber some the thing that Cabinet Member probably heard elsewhere by either the CIA or a fellow cabinet member but he waited for a response from the man in the other side.

"I understand your concern Gordon" The Cabinet Member started. "However, this gate has given the Military Junta as a whole quite the concern. This is the first time in recorded history that this anomalous event has occurred. And it wouldn't seem far fetch to see similar gateways opening up throughout the world. But another concern the junta has would be that the big probability that there are already other gateways in Earth. One being the biggest concern, being possibly within the borders of the National Soviet State of Eurasia."

The NSSE. Gordon's free hand balled into a fist when he heard that nations name. The entire embodiment of the scum of the earth, a stain to mankind as a whole, a single ethnolinguistic group. Slavs, Russians. If one thing that the entirety of the Military Junta. All from the MilItary Police to the Black Guard. Privates to Lieutenants. Brigadier Generals to Generals. And every single Military Cabinet had a unanimous agreement.

The Eurasian State as a whole needs to be dismantled. They needed to be destroyed as soon as possible. Their self destructive ideology of a bullshit perfect dystopia almost caused the world to kill itself due to their desperate needs of winning. They needed to be punished, the Eastern Slavs needed to be-

Gordon then shook he's head and put he formerly balled fist on to he's forehead. Now wasn't the time, he had bigger priority's that needed to attend to and...they were irrational for the time being, no point on dwelling on it at the current time. He then returned he's attention to the speak of the phone once more.

"Another thing to note by" The Cabinet Member continued. "As for the issue for the oxygen in the other side, you'll be debriefed on that subject once you arrive in Houston. Is that understood?"

The response was in a immediate stoic tone . "Affirmative sir"

There was a moment of silence as Gordon faintly heard folders and paper shuffle in the other side before the same voice was heard once more. "Well General Gordon, that is all I have to say, any questions?"

Gordon thought about it for a few seconds before shaking he's head. "Negative sir"

"Very well, Glory to the Military Junta"

Gordon once more then saluted sternly to the man in the other side of the phone. "Glory to the Military Junta" he then heard the phone beep. With that interaction ended he placed the phone down onto the receiver and looked at he's closet.

He remained looking at the closet, he wasn't sure if he wanted to even open to begin with, but. He had orders, orders that he was going to follow. With that he went forward to the closet, but he felt..something.

He felt..odd? as with each step he took towards the closet, there this sinister sensation that was completely indescribable. As he finally was infront of the closet, it felt as he's head was being beaten to death. Was..there someone in the closet?

Not taking any chances, Gordon then unholsters he's 44 Magnum from he's waist and aims it toward the closet door, he moved he's other hand toward the handle as he points the sidearm towards the assume position the intruder is in. He aggressively pulls the handle to the side opening it to reveal...just he's clothes.

Gordon stepped back for a second to process what had occurred, the feeling was gone now? Why? Why did this feeling come to him? What purpose did it serve?

Sensing the probable cause was that someone was near he's location unauthorized. He walked towards a section of the house where there was multiple monitors stacked one another. It was he's surveillance, where he has eyes around he's surroundings.

He checked every section, every land, every room, everything. And yet nothing came up. And nothing even looked different from what it was. Everything was in place.

He placed he's revolver back into he's holster as he sat down on a chair as he placed he's hands onto he's face. The feeling is gone, but why? What systematical purpose did it serve? Was it to mock him? To make him feel insecure? He wasn't sure.

He was sitting there with he's hands on he's face for a good five minutes before finally standing and relieving he's hands from he's face as he once more walked up to closet. With the sudden feeling no longer showing up, he was free to see inside. And only two uniforms were present in the closet. The two representing a different time and a different era.

He looked toward the right side of the closet and pulled out a uniform and set it on the table that next to the closet. He set it down and took a good look at it. It had a Dark Cyan Wool color. The same design when it made when the Military Junta of North America was officially declared in April 5th 1967.

It was the same uniform that he wore and fought with during the War over Japan. A war where he's destain of Communism and desire of retribution only embolden by the staggering years it took to take the island. Which in the end, while it a desirable victory for the Military Junta, it was completely filled with the corpses of the soldiers of North America and Eurasia.

It was the same one he wore throughout the 2nd American Revolution. The war that changed him to some degree that he is unable to even describe in any sense, it was he first began to feel regret, doubt and confusion. To a point where he felt completely nothing, even he's anger didn't last.

He didn't want to wear it, he still felt lost, and he had concern that should be act up due to he's regret. Over something that he can't explain, then he himself will become a detriment to the Military Junta. But he couldn't decline a direct order from higher command.

Slow and steady, he put on he's uniform, for two years the uniform was left in the closet, away for Gordon to collect himself. An old soldier that had awaited for all those years, was already in preparation to be placed back once more into the battlefield. He then looked back into the closet and look on top of the shelves and pulled out he's helmet.

The helmet itself wasn't unique or special. It was a simple grey kevlar helmet that had a 1980s design with a small singular sharpe white star in the center of the helmet. While Gordon wasn't one to have anything of sentimental value. This helmet was a factor of he's continuation in the Military Junta. A single bullet could've killed him during the Siege of Sapporo. But this helmet saved him from ending he's service, wether it was sentimental or not he wasn't sure, but it stuck with him and it was he's general preference.

As he puts on he's helmet on and locking it in place. He then opens the drawer and pulls out a pair of pants and puts it on, and lastly the pair of leather boots. When he finally slide them on and tide them up. Gordon looked at the closet once more and pulls out he's Kevlar Vest and slowly puts it on. He then closes the closet door and walked up to a mirror to view he's reflection.

If one didn't know about the context of what a general in any rank looked like in the Military Junta, then he would look like an armor soldier at best. But one thing that the Military Junta did different was that the generals would mostly look like a generic soldier, with the difference being located in their helmets. While Generals are still issued peaked caps, they are only used when inside building or during meetings. But otherwise, they are completely unseen during duty.

As he stood there just silently watching himself through the reflection as he made contact with its own dead eyes that was devoid of anything of what would considered alive as it completely white. He turned to leave through the front door.

As he approached the front door, he grabbed he's keys from the desk nearby and placed he's hand on the handle and he paused. He then turned to look at the clock.

5:00 am

With this in mind he finally opened the door went outside to he's porch and closed the door behind him and locking it. He then made he's way to the vehicle that lay in front of he's house, what type it was didn't matter in the slightest, what mattered was that he had a method of transportation.

As the door was unlocked, he got inside and closed the vehicles door locking it in the process, before he ignited the engine, he pulls out a radio from the top corner of the vehicle and press on it. "This is G-DG, I am moving out over" He then separate he's finger from the button and awaited for a response.

A voice then crackled from the radio in less than three minutes. "Affirmative, A covey of MP's will be awaiting you General." With the confirmation now complete, he then placed he's key on the engine and turn it, the engine ignited to life, he then placed one hand on the wheel with the other headed toward gear shift. He then pulled it back and pressed the peddle and the vehicle moved backwards as he moved the wheel to the side to connect with the road and stopped.

He then pulled the gears forward and stepped on the peddle once more and vehicle now was moving along the seemingly endless road.

Location: Houston, Texan Territorial Zone

Time: 12:00pm

"Two Bodies Found, reporting back to surface" Crackled a voice through the walkie talkie.

Private Matthew Knox then pick it up and simply said. "Understood" He then placed back into place and slowly began to reflect on the following events that had happened when the 16th Military Division finally entered the city a few days ago.

To put it bluntly, the center of the city was a fucking mess, blood all over the streets, body parts laying all over the place, mass fires, all the things to expect after a battle. Or what some consider to be a extremely over glorified violent riot. Due to the mere fact that these Roman Knockoffs and their disgusting mutants were put down in what many would consider a remarkly fast pace.

If there was a immediate counter offensive that were to be conducted, Knox didn't know, but he knew for sure that there wasn't gonna be anytime soon after seeing the failed assault by the MP's and the RD's. While it would've been considered as a setback at most, but it was the simple reason they couldn't breath in the other side was why the assault failed as it is.

And with this reason, the 18th Military Division was now just in the process of guarding the gate and to help on the cleanup of the city. To which he was doing he's part of a clean up crew of checking the sewers.

It had gained the attention of the 18th Division when people began to turn up from the sewers, while this wasn't much of a importance, just to repeat the same to others, that martial law was declared and they had to return back home. It was the mention of dead Roman Soldiers down there that caught their attention.

Not wanting for the possibility of them somehow coming back to life and becoming a problem later on the line. Many soldiers were tasked with searching down the sewers and to remove every body down there.

Just one issue, it gets tedious after a while, and then annoying as they have search the same area once more just incase they missed any. And to a point where it becomes time consuming to even move the body due they have to get through a the sewer hatch.

Wanting to kill time, Knox then looked at the he's fellow soldier next to him also standing guard. "Private Mike"

Private Mike Hall then moved he's head to look at him. "Private Knox" He said and with him now looking at Knox, whom Knox had an expression of a somewhat confused on its face.

"Any idea how these Tubes died so quick as they did down there?" He asked. And while Mike didn't understand any Scottish slang whatsoever, he already knew Knox was referring to the Roman knockoffs.

Mike then place he's free hand on he's masked chin. "If I were to assume, then it was the high concentration of plutonium down there."

Knox only nodded. "High concentration of plutonium down there?"

Mike only nodded. "And considering that their bodies were never used to plutonium, especially at such high amounts of it, you could already have a pleasant answer from the top of your head."

And Knox already did, but he didn't care much about it, he already got an answer he asked. He then diverted he's attention to the sewers hatch and he saw a soldier pull himself up with a rope attached to him, he then turned back around and started to pull on the rope and it pulled out one of the Roman corpses. When it was fully pulled out, the soldier took out the latch from the Roman and threw back down in the sewer.

Knox got a good look on the state of the body, the Roman had its skin burned out from the insides, even some of its body showing its bones showing how the plutonium burned through its body.

At that time the soldier got the second body out with the other soldier finally , who was also in a very similar state as the other one. The soldiers then close the hatch and the two then picked up the second body and dragged it towards the truck.

As they were dragging the dead body away, Knox noticed the first body twitching a bit, with the mouth moving ever so slightly, the bastard was still alive, just barley.

"Oi." He said gaining Mikes attention. "That one is still kickin" He gestures toward the body whom Mike immediately takes notice. "You want to do the honors?" He asked.

Mike then turned off the safety of he's M4 Carbine and muttered. "Sure" He then rose the rifle up and aimed down the iron sights and a single bullet pierced through its head killing him instantly as it blood splattered from the receiving end. Mike then turned the safety back on and lowered the M4 back down.

The two soldiers then returned and also began to drag the body away for it to join the others. And with this Knox and Mike then followed them back into the truck as their job was now done here and now has to check another section of the city.

As they arrived to the truck, the two soldiers had already threw the thing in the back already and were in the process in entering their respective seats infront. So the two private's then sat in the back with the rest of the bodies and when they sat down, the truck then began to move down the road.

As the truck move down the road, Mike took notice of Knox's disgusted face, and he could already tell that he was just barley going through it. And while he couldn't smell a god damn thing, due part of the effects of the plutonium. He already assume that bodies laying down in the sewers covered with sewage and what ever stuff down there and already looking like they were rotting for week?. That particularly wasn't a pleasant thing to smell at all.

Knox then looked back on the road just trying to forget the smell. "The only grateful thing that has happened today" He began. "That this truck is an open top instead a close one. Or else I would've boke already by this boggin smell." He muttered in disgust.

Mike only nodded as he could understand what he was saying, standing by corpses that look like absolute shit would not something he also wouldn't stand but he had orders to do so.

"And honestly, you surprised me." He said that gaining Mikes attention once more. "I thought you would've enjoyed the idea of giving that bastard some more suffering."

Mike simply looked toward the body with the visible bullet hole on its side and shrugged. "I didn't want to waste anymore time. Just wanted to go by this assignment already."

"Aye, I agree with that. Feels like we're doing this until gloam." He commented. Whom Mike then looked at him and even with the mask on Mike, Knox could see an eyebrow forming to which he somewhat sighed. "Until dusk" he said clarifying.

Mike then shook he's head. "I sincerely hope that won't be the case." He said with a hint of annoyance on he's voice.

Knox then nodded in agreement. "Right you are"

Mike wondered if Knox would've said anything else or made another comment if not the ground then began to shake abruptly for a complete second. Causing the truck to brake hard and with every soldier in Houston to immediately go on high alert.

Then their walkie talkies then came to life with an urgent voice coming from the end. "This is checkpoint Alpha. The gateway is attempting to shut itself. I repeat. The gateway is attempting to shut itself." Was the last thing that was said before going silent and was replaced with shouts from around the area.

Knox looked up to Mike and he could immediately tell the immediate anger building up, along side with confusion. He too shared that statement when those words came out.

But it was Mike who broke the silence. "You got to be fucking kidding me"

Location: Research Facility, Military Territory of Guyana

Time: 4:45 pm

A simple sigh was a escaped the lips of Norberto Marquinhos as he saw the latest report that layed in front of him. He took off he's glasses as he placed he"s hand onto he's forehead. Of the new recent project he was now tasked with.

15 more minutes..

The god damn filter lasted 15 more minutes before being completely unusable. While this would've no problem. The problem was that they started this new project on the 28th of March. But the Junta this time asked for a request that never in he's life time would ever be asked to be done.

Make gas masks that can convert clean oxygen into plutonium.

Just..what?

While he perfectly understood the context of this request. It was for the invasion ground forces of the 18th Military Division, so they can safely go through the Gateway without having to go with bags of plutonium on their back and have it constantly change every hour or less every time.

But even he knew this was far of pushing its limits on science. If he had to count what other ridiculous requests the Military Cabinet had for he's team of exiled Brazilian Technocrats. It was the Soldat Program. A program where it would build the 'perfect' soldier for the Military Junta.

But for now he has about 13 other scientists working on this new project. But the pace was incredibly slow, it was so slow that even a snail could beat them over in the finish line. Before he could devolve into he's thoughts for much longer, a the door to he's office then opened gently and came in one of he's scientists.

"Uh.. Marquinhos?" Asked Aldina, who for some reason was whispering instead of her normal and tired voice.

"Ugh.." He groaned for a bit until directing he's view into her. "What is it Aldina, am busy at the moment. Can't you see that?" He said with iteration on he's voice.

But unlike the other times where she have a disgusted face of equal iteration. Her expression remained unchanged as she quickly turned back to check something until whispering once more. "Sir..he's here."

Marquinhos froze when she mentioned him. And he immediately stood up and straighten himself to not look like he just woken up and haven't have he's daily coffee. "Is..he waiting in the front?"

"Y-yes" Aldina hesitantly responded. "He was waiting there for god know how long and he-" Before she continue Marquinhos cut her off.

"Why didn't you-" He cut himself off as he placed he's hand on the desk to balance himself to not collapse of fear. He then straighten he's desk while saying to her. "Tell him am ready to see him"

She nods as she closes the door to leave him to he's thoughts alone. If today wasn't bad enough, then it just a lot worse with him here. But he couldn't stop him, as if he only meeting him, then he has news to deliver from the Military Cabinet.

It wasn't long before Marquinhos could think any longer, the door suddenly opened and with him coming forward into he's office and shutting the door behind not even turning back. The man or thing in question wore a formal suit with black gloves. It had a rifle of some kind on its back with a pistol on its holster. Everything would've find if it's face was anything but normal.

It's entire head was covered by a balaclava which went around its entire eyes being replaced on what can be described as a pair of goggles but with it glowing bright blue. Then it's place where it's hair would go is replaced by a metallic helmet.

He kept its glare at him specifically. As Marquinhos kept himself from speaking to him. But without any formal introduction what so ever, he began the discussion. "Status Report"

That voice made the lead scientist shake into he's internal core. It's voice sounded electronic as it didn't seem it was apart off. And what made it worse was that it's suppose mouth beneath that balaclava didn't move a single bit. But, he asked for a report, a report that he has to give to..it.

"Uh..yes. The report. I am safe to say that we have been making good progress on the modification gas mask, just a bit of trouble with the filter, but one that will be fixed in due time." He tried to say it nonchalantly as possible.

But the thing didn't buy it for a single second. "What, bit of trouble?" It sneered at the scientist once more.

Marquinhos mentally slapped himself in the face when he had to word trouble incorrectly infront of that abomination in front of him. "Just..the main issue we've been." He paused momentarily. "The filter was never designed to convert oxygen to plutonium of all sources. And because of what plutonium is, it has difficulty trying to converting oxygen which only leads to it being usable for a certain amount of time."

He didn't bother going with a detailed explanation to the thing as it would most likely care less about the science and would still want the report as soon as possible.

"How long?" The thing suddenly asked to Marquinhos.

"I-I..What?" He sputtered out at the unexpected question.

"How long." The man repeated himself once more. "Does the gas filter last?"

Marquinhos hesitantly answered the thing question. "A-after some ex-experiments that we have con-conducted. We-we have only been able to make it effectively last.." He throat went cold before blurting it out. "3-35 minutes a-at this current of ti-time..."

Marquinhos then saw the man's hands balled into fists, as the fists began to shake in anger, even if he couldn't see it, it was furious at the current results. He sweared that it could've killed him if it wanted to. But the fists then fell flat and it began calm once more.

"You have a deadline 'Doctor' Marquinhos" The thing said to him with its electronic dead voice.

"W-what?" He asked in confusion.

"The Military Cabinet has required for your filters to be finalized in the 5th of April. Failure to do so will result to your extortion, you and your team will then be sent back to TSB." The thing simply said before turning around.

Marquinhos jaw dropped into the floor. The 5th of April. Today was March 31st. That was only five days. Only. Five. Days.

"W-wait!" The scientist quickly said. "You can't do this! This is only five days! W-we can't do this in five days! We have been doing the Soldat Proj-" He was suddenly interrupted as the things hand went up and grabbed him by the throat, it was so strong he felt like he was being strangled.

"I think you misunderstood me" The man said with an even darker tone than before. "Your only given five days because the Military Cabinet has expected better of you, they had anticipated that you would've had an filter that lasts an hour by now. Instead, you have given me the most pathetic report that I have ever seen."

"I-I.." He tried to speak up to the man didn't let him.

"The Military Junta has been very generous keeping you and your team in exile doctor Marquinhos, very generous in fact that I believe you have been playing them as a fool. A disgusting act of treachery that should go unpunished. However, my orders still stand. You have until the 5th of April to give a much more better and satisfying report. And if you fail to do this, then I'll be gladly be awaiting for your execution in Brazil for all the things your old government has done to me. He finally finished off before throwing the scientist to the side as it stomp off and shutting the door loud as the thing left him to be.

Marquinhos held he's throat as he slowly got up from the ground and sluggishly walked to he's desk and drank some water to ease the pain. It didn't do much but it at least help ease the pain.

He then heard a pair of footsteps rushing toward he's office and the door open as Aldina and two other scientists rush to him. "Marquinhos! Are you alright?"

"I..yes. Am fine..just, caught me a bit in the throat." He said as he waved them off a bit but as they were persistent and sat him down onto he's chair.

Before they could ask anything else, he then looked at them sternly. "Tell the staff working on the Soldat Program to halt all operations and focus their attention on the gas filters.."

This confused the present scientists in the room. "What.." One of the scientists hesitantly began. "What did it demand now..?"

Marquinhos then recalled the warning once more, and he decided that not telling them would just be pointless, he open up. "We..have a deadline for the gas filters now"

The three other scientists then looked at him before Aldina asked. "H-how. Much time do we have..?"

Silence filled the room before Marquinhos opened up the big bomb. "We..have until the 5th of April to give a much better report..five days..we have only five days.."


I don't have much to say really. But just hoping it wasn't a confusing read through. But yeah, until next time.