The OSS team waited till it was night as the artillery ceased and the anti-aircraft guns were silent; however, Captain Durante could not remain comfortable with the situation of the town. The company commander saw the townspeople walk through the streets, avoiding the gazes of the American and the British soldiers passing by through the streets. Trucks passed by with hundreds of soldiers occupied with fresh faces of young men who missed out the last days of the war. The captain could tell that they were newcomers, their behavior reminded him of his first time when he went to North Africa with Captain Derby.

One truck pulled up near his side of the street as the men sitting in the back were looking around. "Hey Sarge, what are we pulling up for?" One of the riflemen asked. "Weren't we supposed to arrive at the next town?"

Monte leaned back on the building behind him, watching the passenger step out of the vehicle. "Shut up, I'm just making a quick stop to see someone." The sergeant answered as he walked towards the company commander. Durante recognized the grizzled veteran show his face and his weary eyes before he expressed his smile to the officer. "I heard they gave you your own company? I'm surprised they did, those bars seem to fit you well." The old sergeant began. "It's been long time since we last met. I recall that you got promoted after we ran those krauts out of Normandy."

The captain returned the same expression to the older man. "It truly has been a long time, Sergeant McCullen. I see you've been busy as usual. What brings you here?"

"I've been hearing that there was something about monsters appearing in Germany. That is the official word from the government." He answered. "My boys are moving in with replacements and supplies so we could kill the damn things and go home. Though, I want to ask. Do you have any word on what's happening?"

"Negative, I can't disclose any information to you. As much as I would like to talk about it, I'd have to shoot you afterwards. I don't know when they'll tell you, but I'm sure that you will be amazed at what you find." Monte answered. "It's good to see you again."

The sergeant swung his hand around and tapped Captain Durante by the shoulder. "Likewise, I better get moving. The lieutenant would give me hell for delaying these men to the next town. Though, it's good seeing you again, kid." Then Sergeant McCullen turned away from the officer before climbing back into the truck. "Alright driver, get us moving. We don't have all night."

The truck's engine roared before the vehicle drove back into the traffic and made its way towards its destination. Monte stood there as he watched the old acquaintance of his depart out of town. Then he recognized the British outfit of the commandos as the man standing in front of him had now wore a beanie over his hair instead of his red beret. "Captain Durante, are you and your men ready?"

"Of course, Argall. My men were just waiting on you."

"Let's make this quick so we can both get a pint." Replied Captain Argall. "It's been ages since I had a drink back in Europe."

The two men walked down the street as Monte looked up from the town's humble location, only to see the castle where he once rescued Doctor Sauer and Pyrrha from. A strange feeling churned within his body while he walked alongside the British officer. "I have a bad feeling about this. Don't you?"

Argall simply shrugged his shoulders. "No, not at all." He answered. "From the way I see things, tonight is a fitting time to conduct our little operation and I believe we will succeed. I can guarantee that things will be smooth as always."

"How can you be so sure? Everything doesn't go as planned."

The Scotsman chuckled at his words. "Ye shouldn't worry about it. We'll be out of the castle in no time."

By the time the two men had arrived at the outskirts of the town, eight men were standing near the guard posts with their weapons at the ready. A Ranger walked up to the officers as he handed them their weapons. "Captain Argall, here is your Sten and Captain Durante here's your Thompson." The officers snatched their weapons from the man as they slung their weapons over their shoulders.

A soldier at his guard post had stepped out to talk to them. "Alright you knuckleheads, you all can go through." He stated before walking back into his guard house.

The ten-man group walked out of the town as Argall took the lead. "Gentlemen, we won't take the direct route to the castle. There's a passage south of here. Follow me."

The moonlight played a role in keeping some light on the earth as the British officer shifted the entire group to the right, only to directly walk through the vineyards.

"Keep quiet, but stay close."

Monte knew he had an equal rank to Argall, but he knew better to let the man take the reins. He was more experienced in this line of work compared to his small time with the OSS. The Ranger stayed silent as he closed the distance towards the right flank of the castle. However, he occasionally glanced at its walls to see one-man sentries patrolling from the destroyed castle walls.

After going past seven rose of vineyards, Argall was quick to stop everyone with a low voice. "Everyone stop!" He demanded out of everyone. Immediately, the group froze in their tracks as they remained silent throughout the entire moment. Yet, it played an important role as they heard the roar of an engine accelerating closer. "Hit the deck."

Monte's full body met with the dirt ground as a vehicle's engines were close enough for the captain to note where it was located. Then he saw a pair of headlights shining past him with the Soviet patrol passing by, unaware of what happened in the darkness. Once they were out of their line of sight, he saw Argall rise to his feet.

"Let's keep moving lads, we don't want to waste our time here." He stated as they crossed the road.

The commandos took point as they moved from the base of the hill and discovered a small trail that lead to the castle. Monte followed after them as they silently elevated themselves towards their destination.

The captain stopped in his tracks when he saw a hole into the castle wall, only to be guarded by a Soviet with a lamp. The sentry silently looked at them before Argall walked up to him and handed him the monetary amount required to pass through. The Soviet nodded in approval as he took the British pounds and smiled at what he earned. Then he stepped aside and nodded into the castle. "Quickly, get in."

The team was quick to rush into the opening in the ancient castle wall without hesitation.

After going through the dark-lit hallways filled with the occasional Soviet soldier passing by, the British-American team found themselves within the confines of the walls. However, they began to cross into a courtyard in order to get to a pair of doors that were on the other side of the open ground. Monte made hand gestures to unlock the door on the other side as he stood beside Captain Argall.

Everything went silent except the sounds of a man trying to break open the locks. Then everything changed when the entire courtyard was lit up with brightness. It was here when Captain Durante shunned the light from his eyes. He heard one of the British commandos say they opened the door as the group found themselves in the spotlight, literally.

When Monte's eyes readjusted to the lighting of the entire courtyard, he realized their mission was compromised. Then he heard various weapons behind the lights to be ready and aimed at his group. Knowing this, he remained frozen trying to find a way out of this situation. The officer looked around and tried to find a suitable position in the courtyard to escape, but he knew better that it was not worth the effort when a familiar voice called out to him.

Beyond the lights that shined down on the men from the top of the walls, Monte recognized the Soviet. "Captain Durante, we meet again under unfriendly terms." He began. "Would you please tell me why you and nine of your brave comrades have decided to bribe my men just so you could get entry to this castle?" He asked.

Argall placed a hand on his chest. "Lad, let me talk to him." The commando had spoken. "Look lad, we're not here to cause any trouble. The lads and I were just here to pick up something along the way and leave."

"The question was directed at the American. I only want him to answer it."

"Captain Kuznetsov, my friend is right. We're just only here to pick up something and leave." Monte replied. "I don't want any trouble with you and your men. It wouldn't do both of us any good if we did this."

"You and your friends are too well armed to be simply picking up something or rather, documents in regards to the machine to the other world."

"How the hell do you know that?"

"It is none of your concern." The Soviet answered. "I was given orders to capture anyone who would enter this castle; however, I would allow you to leave this place with the lives of your men if we take you in. This is fair."

Durante shook his head. "No can do. I have my orders."

Then Captain Kuznetsov sighed, but it loud enough for the officer to hear him. "This is a pity, I was hoping I could convince you. Sadly, the motherland comes first." A moment of silence came over him as the next set of words came as an order. "Open fire."

It shocked Durante that Captain Kuznetsov, the man who asked him for his brother, was now going to kill him despite what the American did for him. "Get inside, now!" He ordered. He and many of his men had begun to run into the doors as Monte heard the gunfire follow after them. A Ranger beside him was struck down by a bullet as he fell forward and hit the ground hard. Then two commandos tried to fire back, but they too were gunned down by the numerous Soviet soldiers.

When the remaining survivors had gotten into the castle's hall, they were met with the old furniture that had seen better days in a time full of knights and ladies. However, it was not the time to think about the situation as Captain Argall had taken over. "Close the doors and reinforce it." The commandos were quick to get a cabinet as they blocked the entrance on their side. Then he glanced over to Durante. "Yank, could you lend me some of your men. The Soviets are going to barge in here as soon as possible. You go look for the documents needed."

Monte nodded his head in approval of this plan. Then he looked over to the four surviving Rangers. "You three, do as Argall says and make sure that they hold off the Soviets." His men acknowledged his order as they joined the commandos near the window and opened fire on them. "Argall, I'll be back in a jiffy."

The commando shook his head in disbelief as he brought his silenced sub-machine gun to bear. "Lad, don't try to be British when you're not." Captain Argall was about to look back at him, only to see that he wasn't there anymore. "That's quite rude, if you get back." Then he joined the small team in manning the defenses.

Captain Durante found himself rushing into the very room where he had found the doctor. He quickly found himself standing behind the control room as he began to search for files and documents left behind. It surprised him that the Soviets didn't manage to take the leftovers after they claimed the castle for themselves.

The table was filled with papers, but they were always about logistics for other projects. "Where is it?" Monte asked himself.

Then he noticed a notebook that had been titled, "Portal Machine" in German.

A smile got onto his face as he kept the file close to himself as he leisurely was about to walk out of the long-forgotten control room. The only problem that got his attention was the life on the other side of the glass panel. "What the hell?" He asked himself as he stopped in his tracks to see a hole in reality. However, he felt his body being sucked up as he tried to reach for an object to hold on.

Yet, it was impossible to resist as he tried to reach for the door. Then he was swept off his feet as he looked back at the portal, only to be taken into the abyss.

Then his body landed on a hard floor as he groaned from the hit. "Damn, that is going to hurt in the morning." He said to himself as he sat up, only to find himself in a laboratory of sorts. However, he noticed there were two people standing in front of him as he slowly glanced up to see the f aces of men masked away by their gas masks.

What shocked him was the uniforms. He recognized the German markings, but he had seen these before a long time ago. He was looking at two soldiers from the Oberkommando Wehrmacht.

One of the masked men had stepped forward as the last thing the officer saw was the butt of a German rifle.

Captain Vastano found himself looking at his friend at the docks. "You already talked with Velvet's mom?" He asked.

The company commander of Baker Company nodded his head. "Yeah, it turns out that it was just quicker than I thought it would be." Captain Edwards replied. "Funny enough, she mistaken me for Velvet's… boyfriend."

Johnny chuckled at the thought. "Maybe you are, you don't seem to know that."

"Up yours."

"Tell Coco and Velvet I said hi."

"Don't worry. I'll tell them." Bill assured him. "You take care, Johnny. Be careful out there and try not to let your temper get the best of you."

"What are you? Jackson?" Johnny asked.

The officer shook his head. "Nope, just a concerned friend." The ship behind him had begun to blow its horns. "I better get going, I'll see you back in Atlas."

"Take care."

The paratrooper watched as the officer began to run up the ramp as he joined many of the civilians on the leisure ship. Strange how much the group would be separated from one-another as a familiar companion joined him. "Seeing your friends off." Johnny looked around as he found Pyrrha standing next to him. "Sorry to surprise you."

"No need to say sorry." The captain replied. "What brings you here?"

"I'm here to ask you something. Do you think you could ever find your friend? I'm not trying to discourage you, but it seems like you will never see her again."

Captain Vastano lowered his head. "It never hurts to hope. Sometimes, being hopeful is my way of coping with how I lost her. Her dad made an impact on my life that I must do it for him. It's the only way I can be at peace."

Pyrrha grew interested in the man's conviction. "That is why you want to rescue her."

He admitted with a simple nod.

The ship that had brought Vastano and his men slowly slipped out of the port. The company commander watched as the ship with his friends on it had left the island for good. There was no turning back from the path he had taken. At this point, Johnny understood to be trapped and away in a world unlike his own. "Pyrrha, I got to ask, but don't you have anywhere else to go to?"

He glanced over to see the Mistrailian huntress. "I already left my home a long time ago. Once I became the champion, I didn't have any place to go until I arrive at Beacon Academy to become a huntress. With Beacon gone, I don't really have much of a home."

"Do you have any friends that are still here?"

"Yes. I was once part of a team and I was with them until I arrived in your world."

Captain Vastano smiled at the thought he was about to say. "A friend once told me some advice about life, stick with your friends and you'll have a home. Do you know where they are exactly?"

Pyrrha shook her head. "Sadly, I don't know. I've been away from Remnant for a long time to even know where they are."

The officer tapped her by the shoulder. "Don't worry, if my life in Chicago taught me, you'll see people you miss. It's going to happen."

Both people heard a pair of a heavy-footed person creaking on the wooden boards that made up the docks.

Johnny looked over his shoulder, only to see Mr. Belladonna as he placed his hands behind his hands. "Mr. Belladonna, what brings you here?" He asked.

The older man straightened his back. "I do have a report from a particular White Fang Cell in Vale reaching out to the Atlas Cell in the capture of Colonel Jackson's daughter. My daughter has explained to me that the cell in Vale has been reckless and I think I should oblige you with some information on my part." He answered as his hand brought out a file from behind his back. "The details are in the files, but I hear that Adam Taurus and his cell are going to connect to the people in Mistrail." Then Mr. Belladonna glanced over to Pyrrha. "Ms. Nikos, I believe you are from there, correct?"

The young person among the trio admitted with a nod. "Yes, but why are you doing this?" She asked. "Aren't you going against the White Fang's interests?"

"I believe you are mistaken." He answered the question. "I am looking out for the White Fang's interests, but after Adam attempted to take my daughter's life and ruined the image of the White Fang with his ways. I believe helping you would get rid of the radical elements within the organization as you rescue your friend."

Johnny smiled at the turn of events that went in his favor. He walked up to the man and brought out his hand. "Sir, I don't know how to put this, but you earned my trust. As a guy from Chicago, if you need anything talk to me. Talk to me, I'll see if I can get the faunus some recognition."

"Why the sudden change of heart?"

"You did me a huge favor and I owe you. My first faunus friend was a girl that had bunny ears. In my opinion, it's quite interesting and surprisingly neat. Besides, a girl with bunny ears is fucking adorable. If we had faunus back home, they would be bee's knees."

"You don't have faunus in that other world you are from?"

"No sir, but it would be nice to have them around. Makes life a bit more interesting." Answered Captain Vastano. "Thanks for the information."

Mr. Belladonna handed the file to the soldier as he nodded to both people. "Captain, since you brought my daughter's friends I wish to invite you and Ms. Nikos for supper."

"Thank you, sir. It's been a long time since I actually had been to one."

The giant chuckled. "I will be sure to tell my wife about that."

A village burned as Colonel Falkenrath glanced around, only to see it's people have their bodies strewn about. The buildings burned after the pioneers brought out their flamethrowers and set everything alight. Nothing was spared as the ashes rose to the skies. "This is good enough. Everyone, we're leaving."

The company began to walk away from the road as they looked forth to the Nevermores that brought them to this village. The German colonel was just about to get ahold of its legs until he looked past and saw a Ghost. "Doctor Sauer… what you doing here?" He demanded out of the old man. There were hundreds of Grimm and fallen soldiers, who turned their full attention on the single entity that came to them.

The doctor stepped forward with his hands behind his back. "Colonel Falkenrath, quite a surprise to see you back from the dead. I take that Doctor Amsel was the one who brought you?"

"What are you doing here? Answer me. You should be in Germany keeping the Allies back."

"The war is over. I have no obligation to work besides nationalists of a defeated country." Sauer answered. "Besides, I never liked your sort to begin with. You Nazis were merely a means to my ends and the truth is I never showed any sympathy to your cause. I just pity how fate has put you and your soldiers in bondage."

The German colonel pulled out a Luger from his holster as he aimed the weapon in the general direction of the man. "Answer me, god-damn it!"

"You believe that pea shoot is going to hurt me?" Wondered the doctor. "I am something beyond human and beyond Grimm. As for your question, it appears I am too late from stopping you from killing the people of this village."

"You were here to stop me?" He asked.

"Of course, colonel. You no longer serve that buffoon who led your country into the ground, but someone I know. Someone who opposes me. I believe you will get the idea."

Colonel Falkenrath fired his pistol, only to see Sauer simply put out his hands and block the bullets. As the rounds contacted his hands, the bullets bounced away from him as he continued to walk forward. "Men, kill this bastard!" He ordered before he immediately turned away from the doctor and climbed onto the Nevermore. He looked back to see his men open fire on what appeared to be an old man.

When the Grimm descended him from the ground, Falkenrath saw the old man shoot black energies from his hands and into the bodies of the former Wehrmacht soldiers. The bodies of the fallen soldiers had ignited into flames before bursting into ashes, leaving nothing except their uniforms, equipment, and gear. More "men" marched into the meatgrinder as Doctor Sauer glanced up at his gaze with a grin on his lips. "Tell Salem I am coming back to take back what's mine!"

Captain Argall watched helplessly as the last of Durante's Rangers were struck down by a bullet. He sat in a chair as he placed a hand on his left shoulder, one of the Soviets had managed to wound him enough to keep him out of the fight. Then he looked back to the bodies of the men he brought with him, only he was the only one to survive. "Bloody hell, everything turned for the worst." Then he thought about the fact that Durante was supposed to return with the files, but with how FUBAR the situation went the captain doubted the American actually accomplished the goal of the mission.

He stopped trying to cover the bleeding spot on his shoulder as he pulled out a small bag in his hands, a Gammon bomb. Being in the Office of Strategic Services taught him one thing, information was key and he doubted the Soviets were going to simply shoot him like a dog. Argall expected more to come from STAVKA and they would probably capture him and demand his reason for being there. Yet, he wouldn't take that chance and he was forced to go out on his own terms.

"Well, I believe I had a good run in this life."

The British officer heard loud Russian shouting on the other side of the barricaded doors as the volume of gunfire increased. There were bullets bouncing off the windows and tore apart the furniture and the lovely decorations of the German castle as he waited for his time to come. Then a cannon was fired from the outside, catching the commando off-guard. The barricaded doors exploded with splinters and wooden debris flying in every single direction.

A pain had torn into his abdomen as Argall looked down to see his own body impaled by a large splinter. This time, blood was spilling out of his body and it was faster than he could expect out of it. He wheezed and tried to breath as he heard the Soviet soldiers rushing into the room.

Captain Argall reached down into his holster and pulled out his revolver. The commando made one last act of defiance by shooting at the shadows of men. Three Soviet soldiers fell to his doomed effort, but it was too much for him as more men stormed through the debris and unleashed their firepower on the last survivor. "You owe me a bloody pint, Yank."