Ghost Recon: The Gate War

by Skootmeister

2021, for 7 years relative peace has reigned over the world in the aftermath of conflict after bloody conflict. The Ghost Recon force takes on a seemingly inconspicuous mission in Japan. Fate however rolls the dice and soon the team, and the world, finds itself at war with an empire of might, monsters and magic. Once again, war has come to call the members of the Ghosts to action.

4. Battle of Alnus Hill

The next day

Much of last night passed by without anything significantly important going on.

Unless you were Scott Mitchell. For the past 8 hours he and the recruits have been silently watching the opposition from a nearby hill. They didn't like what they saw. From the drone getting close to visual identification, the estimates of enemy numbers was about 60,000 foot mobiles. Probably more. Add to that the dragons, giants, and the siege weapons. Artillery could reach out and touch them, but with how precarious the situation was, especially with how few guns they had, command wanted to pick and choose when to unleash their salvos. Otherwise the entire army would likley scatter and they'd have a hard time tracking down the large number of stragglers.

"I still say we should blow up their weapons dumps. Just one." 30K commented.

"Cool it, 30K. We'll get this done. We can't just mosey on in and attack them like that. No stylish explosion is gonna fix this problem right now. This is where the 'recon' part of our job is evident." Kozak answered.

"Style points don't matter, kid. You do what you gotta do to get it done. Rest is just details." 30K shot back.

"Yeah. I bet being chased by a whole army angry soldiers is a great way of getting the job done." Pepper added.

"Quiet!" Scott barked, not moving from his binocs.

"We're out of range, sir." Kozak whispered.

"You never know. I see some dog-types out there. I bet they have all the abilities of their more animalistic cousins too." The captain said.

"So, we can add wolf-people to the list. What's next? Mermaids?" Ferguson asked sarcastically.

"Maybe. We don't know what's in these oceans. And quite frankly, I don't wanna know." 30K said. "I ain't a Navy man." They've been doing this for the past few hours now. Taking a spot, then moving to minimize detection. Sometimes closer. Other times farther. It was a standard tactic for this in place reconnaissance on a force that was holed up in its walls or tents. There wasn't going to be a preemptive attack with tanks and choppers however. Not enough firepower, let alone the men to pull it off, especially after the last battle. The policy was sit and wait, turtle up. They saw countless soldiers constantly practicing with crossbows, the swords and shields off to the side. Bows were used as well. Siege engines were also utilized in practice.

"They're pulling out a shitload of crossbows aren't they?" Pepper piped.

"Yeah I see it. Guess they have a fetish for human pincushions?" 30K joked.

"You idiot, they're learning."

"Speaking of throwing shit, you see the size of those trebuchets? They're as big as Warwolf from the siege of Stirling... the fact they're building these fucking things overnight..." Kozak muttered.

"Giants make things easier it seems. We got a lot to learn." Mitchell responded before reaching for his radio. "Command, this is Ghost Lead. Update on enemy forces."

"Go ahead, Ghost Lead."

"It's looking bad. They have a lot of ranged weapons with them. Crossbows and bows everywhere, we got giants working on siege weapons and plenty of dragons around. No sign of the Saderans themselves. We have eyes on what we believe their command tent, several of the men who went in there definitely fit the bill in appearance."

"Understood. Maintain reconnaissance, send word if there's movement."

"Understood. Ghost Lead out." Mitchell concluded before getting back to his watch. "Hello, what's this?" Mitchell's attention was drawn to another part of the camp. Two men wearing ornate armor. One wore knightly armor in a deep plum color with a fur collar, an eyepatch over his left eye, bearing sharp facial hair. The other bore armor more in tune with a Roman general. Green and light blue colors decorating him. Needless to say this man's armor was... pretty interesting. He was shaved clean save for short black hair neatly arranged. The two were walking through the camp talking to one another. "I think we got some leader types going about. Kozak, can you get the drone closer?"

"Yeah, but we're pushing the range limit. Gonna have to get closer so we avoid any complications." Was the answer.

"Do it. Ellison, go with him. We'll provide overwatch." Mitchell ordered. 30K left his spot to follow Kozak as they got closer to the camp.

"Did he just call me by my name?" 30K Asked.

"Affirmative, Ellison." 30K tched at Kozak's tease. "Okay... this should be close enough. Got the drone, patching it through to you, sir. Hope this drone's Latin translation works."

...

"That's quite an accusation, your majesty."

Savagii was spending some of the midnight hours with King Duran through the camp, having a more private conversation. Duran, left without much reassurance from his suspicions decided with so little time to confront the Legate. As one would expect, Savagii, if he knew anything played coy at first. Though with everything being said, he seemed no wiser to the answer. Though all the pieces were there.

"It makes sense if you take time to think about it, my friend. We've made reasonable requests to your father since he came into power, especially with the lack of threats and the war his father waged being over decades ago. And now here he is conveniently ordering us into the fray."

"Now hold on just a minute, your majesty." Savagii began, "The decision to have you move up and attack instead of more of our own legions is rather underhanded, I will agree. But don't act like you are an innocent party in all this."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't be so arrogant. First Alguna asks for less troops in their borders, but all they have are two legions with an auxiliary cohort there. Legions that if you took a look at where they are on a map are in a prime position to block any sort of movement from the Ictuns moving in should hostilities rise again. The Principality asking to give less tribute. Are you aware their tax to us is but a trickle compared to the taxes we expect from our own citizens? And you... you... you ask us to have no presence save the written word in your lands. These are not requests from vassals, these are demands from insubordinate subjects."

"Subjects? So it's true you see us as naught but tools instead of valuable additions to the Empire then?"

"Oh don't play this game Duran. Your 'requests' are nothing more than the cry of men who are dissatisfied with the fact they lost a war. Plain and simple. Meanwhile the Belkans further north are far more obedient despite the fact they have actual reason for mistrusting us." Savagii shot back.

"It was your apostle, Mabel's word that convinced them to accept them as vassals." Duran pointed out.

Savagii scoffed. "Just like with you. Or are you so quick to forget the events involving your own kingdom, let alone how that entire fiasco started? Not to mention the fact that we've been VERY generous to you considering all the Denzalcian coin that lined your nobles' purses several times trouble brewed. We didn't have to accept your surrender so early when we were besieging your capital."

"You would've come to take our lands sooner or later!"

"Yes. But then you'd have an actual reason to moan like a maiden about it. In fact you should be thankful I'm here."

Duran laughed. "ME? Thankful for YOU being here?"

"Yes! I not only approved of the plan you came up with, I offered my own insights and suggestions to ensure it works. I plan on assisting however I can when the arrows and spells start flying. If we pull this off correctly, we can win. And who knows, you may just get your 'wishes.' Assuming you live, which you will so long as everyone here does their part, and everyone here WILL do their part. Would you have me say anything else? I believe we can win, therefore we can win! So for the love of the gods drop this petty worry of yours and focus on the battle at hand... it's bad enough Ligu is so headstrong about marching forward to meet the Otherworlders first. We can talk about your issues with the empire later. Who knows, this victory may just play into your hands after all."

Savagii left the king and returned to his friend, Leonius. The dragon had some idea of what they were arguing about, evidenced by the fact he was just around the corner from Savagii. Leonius grumbled seeing him.

"You said it my friend. That being said Duran is no fool. He knows we need our heads in this if we are to come out on top. That is why I want you to be as focused as we, Leonius. We'll most certainly be focusing on leading their dragon forces, hope you remember how to properly lead a formation." Leonius replied by shoving his snout into Savagii's chest, asking for pets. "Bah, oh you."

Duran for his part was left angry, but not furious. As far as he was concerned, Savagii exercised the usual arrogance Saderans practiced, but he was right about one thing. They had to be ready for the battle in both mind and body.

...

"Well that confirms it. These are different armies we got here."

"And looks like there's some divisions. Got some backstage politics in their army. If we're lucky this will work in our favor." Mitchell said in response to Kozak's observations. He himself knew how much politics could screw over operations far more than a bad day of supply. His experience with Fang Zhi from Taiwan back in the Philippines coming to mind.

The next day

Itami rolled out of his bunk, and fell another bunk down onto the ground.

"THAT'S IT! KURATA-SAN, I'M DONE WITH THE TOP BUNK! Gimme yours!" He yelled. That had to be the fourth time that's happened to him. It's been going on ever since his time in this world. So tired he didn't wanna wake up, and then rolled over in reflex to get a new position. Then that happened.

Putting on his shirt, and getting his gear, he left for the trenches. Guards were shifting positions. The only ones who seemed to not of been doing anything were the Americans, they were busy shooting off fireworks and celebrating their independence. Not that it mattered who was monitoring the security and perimeter. The enemy army was pretty content with staying out there. From what Itami heard, they were training for the big fight. Like impromptu stuff. Crossbows and catapults.

He wasn't really sure what to expect, but he hoped it wouldn't be another... well. He just hoped it would go better than last time. He reached the trenches. There he found Mitchell talking to a single standard US soldier at a .50 cal. "Just keep cool son. You'll do fine."

"I will, thank you sir." Then to another soldier peeking from the edge.

"Don't get antsy. Just stay calm."

"Got it. Thanks."

Itami joined the ranks, and this time really took in the trenches lining the defenses. There were three sets of 4 trenches that were connected by spaced out single trenches. He was in the set closest to the front lines. Machine guns and vehicle pits throughout. More tanks and other vehicles had come through the Gate and had found spots to sit in be they defense or reserve. The camp defended by barbed wire and extra hesco walls still being built. After that, well, it was a good shot to the Gate itself. Itami found a spot to sit at while he waited for the enemy to arrive. "Well, look what the cat dragged in." He recognized that voice. None other than CQC expert Shino herself, right there next to his spot.

"Ohaya" He simply said, trying to sound at least interested. He sat next to the female soldier, who in turn was next to Kurokawa. "And to you to, Kurokawa-san." He added, more cheerfully.

"Good morning. Let's enjoy it while we can, especially you Kuribayashi-san." She said honestly. "I hear the enemy is beginning to move. It's just a matter of time." Shino got a bit more joyful at hearing that.

"Good! I'm getting bored. I could use a fight." She said. Itami just scoffed, and looked away. Kuribayashi however, heard that and glared daggers at him, but he had no reaction still. He was still tired. "You got something to say Lt?"

"Yeah. I was at the first battle." He said. That got her going.

"YOU, at the first battle AFTER being at Ginza? What's next?!" She fitted.

"Take it from me, sergeant. A wise man once said 'War is sweet to those who never experienced it.' Believe me... and wake me up when the shooting starts."

"Yeah, you just remember where to point your gun, dumbass." She responded. He put his helmet over his eyes after that, apparently not interested in debate. That didn't stop Kuribayashi from going off on a small rant. He didn't want to get into what he saw that day. Soon, Shino just huffed and looked back over the trenches. Her face in a puff with annoyance all over it. Kurokawa followed suit and did so as well. Itami just sat there. Listening to the banter between soldiers and the boots hit the dirt at his leisure. He had nothing better to do, so why not just sit and wait until something happens, right?

"Jeez goes she EVER shut up?" An American moaned.

"Don't know. We just met her." Kurata answered.

"Sleeping on the job, eh?" He recognized that voice, no doubt. He removed the helmet and saw Mitchell staring down at him. That same gear and mask with the Ghost mouth on it. He frowned, and sighed again.

"Hello again, Taichou. Not now, I fell out of my bunk. Again." He said lamely. Scott chuckled. Then a slight squeal followed, and Scott visibly cringed at the voice. Itami found himself looking at a completely different Kuribayashi now.

"It's him! It's really him!"

Mitchell was taken aback. Itami looked at the now unsteady man and gave a big fat smirk. He decided to jump on this once in a full moon opportunity to embarrass the captain for all the training he was put through.

"Well well well, Mitchell-dono. I didn't know you had a fan club" Itami said intentionally loud, though it seemed like only Shino cared. Mitchell shook his head.

"I always said Modern Heroes would bite me in the ass sooner or later" He bluntly said. "Just didn't think it'd be like this.

"You know him, Kuribayashi-san?" Kurokawa asked.

"No. But I know of him from Modern Heroes." Kuribayashi began. "That American TV show focusing on groups and individuals from militaries across the world. This is Captain Mitchell-dono of the Ghost Recon force. Best special forces group in the world!"

"And you say I'm a nerd that obsesses over things." Itami mused.

"You look at worthless garbage that losers spend their time staring at. The stuff I'm obsessed with is real AND beneficial to society!"

Kurokawa however seemed in thought. "Ghost Recon... wait... I was over in the field hospital taking crash course lessons in arrow wounds. I remember our tutor being a Ghost. A Nolan-san."

"That's right, he said something about taking time to do that. A good idea all things considered." Mitchell responded.

"He's funny too. Never expected someone to look so nerdy to have a sharp tongue like that." Kurokawa added with a small snicker.

"Yeah, don't get into a joke contest with him. You'll lose. Now if you don't mind, I have other spots to check on." Mitchell said, making way to leave.

"What's it take to be a Ghost? Anyone know?" The American from before asked.

"I'm just glad they're on our side. I'd go Ghost if I thought I had half a chance to make it... assuming I knew how they recruited."

"You? Please. I hear Ghosts can slit throats sleepwalking. You run into walls every five seconds."

"Oh fuck you, man."

"Shouldn't he be like out there in the enemy rear or whatever?" Itami asked.

"There were two times that he and his team defended alongside the regular soldiers. Back in the Third Korean War he helped defend the line outside of Hyesan and later a hospital camp caught up in the front lines. Probably has all the information they need from a run last night."

Itami just let Kuribayashi talk as he went back to catching what rest he could, hearing the boots of Kurata and another guy named Tetsuya Nishina. Guy was almost visually identical to Kurata, the two mistaken for brothers if not one other outright.

"Hey... Itami-san." Kurata whispered.

"Yo?" He whispered back.

"Aggressiveness aside, Kuribayashi-chan is quite a sight, isn't she?" Itami couldn't deny that. Slim waist, petite figure, cute face, and breasts the size of melons. What's not to love? Other than that rabid as hell attitude of hers. But that didn't stop him from watching. Most of the other guys in the base avoided her because of her hand to hand expertise and short temper. But Itami snuck a few glances here and there on the few occasions he's walked by her. One can hardly blame him. He's a guy for crying out loud! It happens to everyone. And unlike anyone else, he could get away easily. He ran faster.

"Yeah... yeah she is."

"You ever... think about it?" Kurata continued

"About what?" Itami asked.

"You know. It?" Kurata responded, giving the double eyebrow lift. Itami looked back across the field, dead ahead.

"No." He replied.

"Then why are you blushing?" Itami tried to shrink into his body armor and hide in his helmet after the remark. Kurata laughed out loud and left him be.

"You two are playing a dangerous game." Nishina commented quietly. "This girl is insane."

"Yeah I know, but that doesn't stop us. We're men for kamis' sake." Itami muttered. "You can relate, right?"

"No he can't. He's married." Kurata said with a teasing tone.

"Ah, well he has a good reason to not get involved then." Itami responded with a grin. Nishina shook his head with an amused smile.

"You guys really are a couple of dorks."

"Hey, that's Lieutenant Dork to you, Master Sergeant." Itami challenged.

"What are you idiots talking about now?" Kuri demanded. Only for Kurokawa to calm her down.

"Oh leave them alone, Kuribayashi-san. They'll have enough on their hands without you getting on their case."

"Sniper overwatch here, enemy forces approaching. Repeat, enemy forces approaching." The radio broadcast was heard by all soldiers in the area, and they moved to their respective positions of battle, Itami himself getting his Howa 89 ready.

"Ahhh finally! The waiting is harder than the fighting!" A Frenchman called out.

"Ugggh yeah, that's why I signed up! To see a damn canvas of rolling hills." His pal added with sarcasm.

The report from the snipers sent a wave of confusion as well, something many voiced. "Straight at us again? Have they lost their marbles?" A British asked.

"Apparently so comrade." A Russian said.

"Lot of infantry, all armed with crossbows. Wheeled siege weaponry with giants tending to them. Ballistae, with catapults too. I think those are mangonels there." The sniper said.

"Hold fire, let them get closer, let the artillery get corrected shots." Hazama ordered over the radio.

Itami, along with every other soldier there, readied their rifles as tanks aimed and prepared to fire. "Anyone else nervous about those trebuchets?" He asked.

"I hear that laddy. Those are some serious toys, just ask the men at Sterling Castle in 1297. So there's no reason to think otherwise." A Scotsman said.

The soldiers waited for the sound of artillery to fire and pound upon the enemy. Out in the future no-man's land. The armies trampled over the signs warning anyone from approaching. Written in both Japanese AND Imperial languages.

"Ok. I think we've held fire long enough. Unleash the volley!" Hazama ordered. The commanders followed the suggestion and ordered the French artillery to fire, followed by additional guns that arrived overnight.

"WAIT!" The order was given by one of the snipers, stopping the attack just moments before the buttons were pushed. "Enemy forces are stopping! Looks like their commanders are having an argument. One just arrived on horseback from behind their lines. There's another on a dragon coming behind him.

"Overwatch, what are they doing?"

"That guy just reached some other authority types. They're talking right now. Looks like they're... the one with the eye patch doesn't look happy. He looks pretty pissed. So does the Roman guy."

...

Duran had woken up just now, leaving his tent as the sun began to rise. The sounds of the armies preparing to march forward filling his ears.

"So... the sun has nearly reached the zenith of the mountains." He mused.

"Indeed." The voice of Savagii hit his hears. "There's good news though. The legions are just an hour away. It won't be long before they reach our position and we can put the plan into motion."

"Ah." Duran for once, was relieved. "Good good... now it's just a matter of-"

"MY KING!" The voice of a soldier from Elbe reached their ears, a man running as if possessed before stopping short of falling over and kneeling. "Forgive me my lords, but we could not stop him!"

"Stop him? What what do you mean?"

"Lord Ligu has convinced the minor kingdoms of Bella and Norso to follow him! That's 18,000 men marching ahead now!"

"WHAT?!" Duran roared.

"That pig-headed! He's going to ruin the plan!" Savagii shouted as he ran for his dragon. "LEONIUS! WAKE! WE HAVE A FOOLISH KING TO STOP!" Duran for his part made for his horse and galloped forward as Savagii flew alongside on his dragon. "This is why I can't stand these lands! Because you eventually find that one man who thinks he's king of the world! I swear I'm going to have him crucified for this!"

"One thing at a time! Let's just get him first!" The two raced ahead with whatever escorts could catch up. It wasn't long before they ran past the armies following their leaders. "LIGU!" Duran roared in fury as his horse caught up with the forward elements of Ligu's forces.

"King Duran... I didn't think you'd catch up so-"

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE GODS ARE YOU DOING?! This was not the plan!" Duran roared. "We were to have a massive gathering of our forces to encircle them as best as possible and then attack all at once!"

Ligu seemed to let out a groan. "Duran you know as well as I do that you can't possibly do such a thing. That will take forever and the enemy will have time to properly counterattack before we're done."

"YOU FAT BUMBLING BOAR! Turn around now before the Otherworlders unleash another damned surprise!" Savagii yelled

"Stay out of this you high and mighty Saderan! I don't answer to you!" Ligu spat back

"Get your forces back to our lines and reorganize now!"

"We're already a ways out and have passed their forward lines, at least as far as these signs go! If I turn back now, time will be wasted and the enemy will have more time to prepare now that they are surely aware we are coming!" Ligu defended himself.

"Which will be nothing compared to the slaughter you'll be going through should you continue! For once stop thinking with your pride and think with your brain!"

As the two bickered and the column waited, thunder sounded. Though this went mostly unnoticed despite the sky being clear as day. Though when it happened a second time, a third time, and then a 10th time. That's when everyone started to notice.

"Thunder on a day as clear as this?" Ligu said puzzled

"See, even the gods are angry at you." Duran joked.

"Dammit fine! But don't blame me when-"

As the two argued, Savagii's gut told him to investigate. He ushered Leonius to fly higher to get a look at the enemy base. He could see it clear as day, making out specks that appeared to be men running around. Thinking ahead he took the telescope he prepared and looked. His first sighting of the Otherworlders was an experience to behold. Just as the survivors and Zorzal described, they bore uniforms of shades of greens and browns. But there were noticeable differences not just in the shades but in the patterns. His attention was drawn however to other men running around what appeared to be a long massive tube with strange wheels at the end. What was it? Some kind of... cart? No no, there was no compartment or room for storage.

Then he saw a flash of fire and smoke erupt from one, and another, and another. Several. And soon after the sound of thunder hit his ears. Horror filled his heart as he realized what was about to happen. He raced back down to the arguing kings.

"Dammit Ligu this entire battle is-"

"THE OTHERWORLDERS ARE FIRING AT US! BACK TO THE CAMP! BACK TO THE CAMP!"

"So far from their camp? Surely you cannot be-"

"I SAW WHAT'S OUT THERE! They have bigger weapons, they know we're coming! BACK BACK!"

As Savagii ushered the army to run back, what seemed to be whistling filled the air. Not the whistling when you're bored, in a good mood or anything like that, but rather a long, continuous whine that got louder and louder when without any warning an explosion erupted in front of the column. The imagined response, sudden terror was evident. Then came more whistles and explosions that occurred at random intervals. Horses whines, men yelled and any assortment of beasts there were either confused, frightened or simply too dumb to care.

"BACK TO THE CAMP!" And just like that, anyone who could ran back for their own lines. "Don't stop! Just keep going!" SAvagii ordered. But for the moment, at this time, any semblance of order had broken in the blink of an eye as men scrambled to run. And all the while, the whistles and explosions continued to occur. Duran was speeding on his horse further and further ahead and only spared glances to shout orders to keep the retreat as organized as possible as men ran for their lives.

...

"One of the commanders must've jumped the gun." Another sniper commented. Time seemed to stretch as the pause on the arty was held. No one doing anything. Some soldiers began to whisper among themselves, thinking that this was all a ruse, and the rest of the enemy force was making for a different direction. Others thought it was just a stalling tactic for the rest of the force to gather. Others thought it was what it looked like.

Regardless of strategy, one of the gun crews got impatient, and fired the first shot. And like dominoes, the rest followed suit. This in turn, elicited an angered chain of command and soldiers preparing for the worst. But it seemed that wouldn't be happening as the enemy began running back towards their camp to reorganize and regroup. "Looks like they're falling back." Itami said, using binoculars. "That was easy."

"Yeah... too easy." Scott answered. "Ramirez, Paul, with me. We're going to investigate. Get the AMV, we're running out there to investigate." Itami was about to protest the captain's plan, only for the three to storm off. Knowing that they really had no say there, they went back to guarding.

"If only we had air support. Then we could blow them back to the Stone Age." A nearby Brit said.

"I hear ya. Too bad that Gate doesn't come in extra-large." Said a Korean.

"You think those trebuchets will hit us?" A Frenchman

"Son. If they can see us, I'm sure they can hit us." Said a Brit.

Time passed as the sentries stayed on guard. Watching the front while others monitored the sides. Itami was watching out for the Ghosts to return. The big issue was what the enemy's next move was going to be. No doubt they would try again after this setback. The binoculars Itami used revealed several scouts in the distance, not warranting the need for sniper fire yet. Itami decided to continue reading the manga he smuggled in his helmet. Latest copy of that Mei Com series. He drew the attention of his fellow soldier, Kurata with the manga as he was an otaku as well. So far, Kurata was the only soldier to see eye to eye with Itami. The close second would be another man named Tomita. But not that close. "Oh, this is that crossover with Sailor Moon where they clean up that one mess from an aquarium?" He asked.

"Yep. It's a classic."

"So. What's it like? Fighting with Mitchell? You got stuck with him at the Palace during Ginza, right?" Kurata's question was met by Itami sighing. A very dramatic one at that.

"It was insane. You ever see a man move and fire so fast? Some of those soldiers were mounting the walls with ladders, three side by side at one point and I see the captain shoot them. Pop pop pop, then he gets back to what he was shooting at before"

"... Itami-san. No need to be dramatic." Kurata said, a little uneasy.

"Dramatic? I'm being honest. These guys are something else altogether."

"That's right. Best in the world. No one gets better toys than they do!" Kuribayashi chimed in. The sound of a vehicle approaching hit their ears. It was the Ghosts in their AMV returning from a look at the enemy.

"What did you see?" Kurata asked.

"Looks like it was a big fluke by them. They're reorganizing and it seems they lost quite a lot of men from that. Including one of their leaders. They're going to be organizing some sort of recovery before they hit us again." Itami sighed in relief at the captain's words. They'd get a chance for more rest, thank goodness.

Then the sound of thunder in the distance hit his ears, causing him to groan

...

"Where the hell is Ligu?!"

Duran's cry went unanswered as Principality's army hobbled what numbers they had left together. It was a disaster as they predicted. They weren't sure how many were lost, but they were certain the Principality's offensive power was halved if not obliterated by this fiasco. All because Ligu couldn't wait like everyone else.

Duran continued searching the returning personnel looking for Ligu, hoping against all hope he was out there somewhere. As it seemed Savagii was intent on searching as well, his dragon flying above looking around. Bella and Norso's kings were dead as Duran saw himself, and their armies were practically gone. Any left were likely to march back home. Assuming the Principality's did as well, that's 18,000 men gone, leaving just 53,000 left. The numerical advantage was still there, but given what just happened it may not be enough. If Duran had any doubts about Savagii's plan before, they were gone. And they would wait for the legions to arrive.

Something on the ground caught his eye. His horse trotted forward before he dismounted to investigate. His heart sank. It was Ligu's crown, dented and chipped with holes and soot on it.

Thunder was heard in the distance, but he didn't care. He could only return dejectedly back to the tent with a silent Savagii. No words needed to be said. And they sat like that for a good couple of hours in somber thought at the situation.

"Ligu is dead..." Savagii finally said, breaking the silence, "as are the kings of Bella and Norso. I think the point of how precarious this is has been made." Savagii's statement went without any push back. The two legions had finally arrived, giving some hope with the numbers and beasts provided. But that was small compared to the danger that was faced by them now. There was no doubt just how powerful these Otherworlders were now, possessing weapons that could fire from so far away and hit them with sure accuracy. "Despite this setback, the plan still stands. We surround and smother them."

"B-b-b-b-but Savagii, what happened there. It will take so long to organize the troops and we cannot possibly do so in time before those weapons fire."

"I'm afraid I must agree." The recently arrived Legate said. "If this happened in such short time, then we may very well be in over our heads."

"Perhaps... but we aren't without hope. The mages are still useful, and the siege weapons we've unpacked and built can cause mayhem in their lines once the giants carry them into the field... the question is-" The sound of rain hit the roof of the tent, bringing spirits down further. But Savagii's face lit up. "That's it... THAT'S IT! We attack them when they least expect it!"

"You mean-" Duran began.

"YES! The rain is expected to last for the rest of today and well into tomorrow, right? We use that to our advantage!" Savagii declared.

"Sir, if I may," The Legate interrupted. "The strategy is sound but the mud will be churned up by our front ranks, leaving the rest of the army slowed down! We'll be stuck without hope of retaliation if we do that!" Savagii's face calmed down in thought, the gears in his head churning. The man was right, there would be little hope with the mud that surely came from this. So he sat back down in thought.

"Wait." Sylvester chimed. "We have many mages among us. They are skilled in multiple schools right?"

"Yes... I believe they are most dedicated to destruction spells. Frost, fire and lighting to be precise. Why?" Duran asked.

"I think... it's a bit risky but what if these mages are at the front laying down frost spells as they march ahead, when we get close that is. Then they cast the spells to a moderate degree to harden the ground, keeping it from turning to mud as we march but not cold enough to freeze in the rain..."

"So when we get into battle we can maintain our momentum without fear of getting stuck!" Savagii finished. "King Sylvester you beautiful bastard! Get all the magicka potions to them we can. They'll need quick replenishment after that little stunt so they can bring up barriers if need be! Gentlemen, this is it! This next attack will be do or die. No more mere observance, I will personally be involved in this now that our forces have arrived!"

The next day

The rest of yesterday went by without incident. No attacks.

Now, the next day was going by. Hours passed. Nothing happened. To make matters even more egregious, rain fell since yesterday. There was also a fog forming across the hilly terrain ahead of them Itami made way back to his tent, looking for some food he could grab. The nice thing is that given the rain, the enemy was most certainly not going to attack. Even today armies tried not to fight in the rain to prevent mud issues, it was all but certain these men wouldn't. Opening the flaps, he went to his bunk and saw a familiar face inside. There under his bunk with a bag and rifle.

"Oh no. What are you doing here?" Was the sarcastic question from Kuribayashi.

"Kuribayashi-san? I could ask you the same thing." Was his reply. "Didn't you get relocated elsewhere?"

Shino just scoffed, "I had to move back Some of the reinforcements needed a tent closer to their commander. So myself and a few others volunteered to find another bunk. The Mexicans will be here soon, and I was lucky to find this one… wait… don't tell me."

"Yeah. That's my bunk over you." Shino's eye twitched, and she gave an annoyed growl. "Well it was... I told Kurata-san he could have it. Now that you're there he'll probably move. If you want, you can have the top bunk. It's not as comfy as I thought."

"UGH! No way! Who knows what you do up there?! Wait this is Kurata-san's bunk?!" She cried. Itami gave her a face that was the very essence of 'are you fucking kidding me?' "Well at least he's more normal."

"Just because I'm an otaku doesn't mean I masturbate. And if I did, why would I do so here? This is the opposite of private."

"Do you see anyone else in here besides me?" She says as if proving her point. "Besides, how can I trust that? You otakus are weird. So focused on anime and manga." Kuribayashi protested.

"Ha ha ha. You're thinking of weeaboos and the fringes of the otaku group. Only they go that far. Besides, anime and manga isn't as bad as you think. In fact, there's a lot of military ones out there."

"Oh I know, military forces being absolutely ineffective against the antagonists, and the only ones who can beat them are little girls. What kind of fucked up shit is that? I like manga as much as the next guy, but it'd be a whole lot better if it was more like Hellsing!" Shino cried.

Itami was grabbing some rations by now. "Hehey, that one's a classic! A bit too dark for me though. But if you're looking for better manga, I recommend Code Geass, or Fullmetal Alchemist. Not quite that far from the 'fictional' stuff. But they at least include more realistic characters. And some interesting worlds. Though, now that I think of it, I think there's a World War 2 one of dogfighters. Oh, and there's that When Worlds Collide one that was rebooted recently in a more modern style. It's a great one."

"Ugh. Whatever. Just don't mention any of that stuff around me."

Itami shrugged. "Ok. But between you and me, I AM getting a little bored with that kind of anime. I often think to myself, 'Would it KILL EM to make a NORMAL military anime every once in a while? You know? For kicks!"

"I KNOW! Missiles can't hit em, but flying little girls can?! It's so stupid!" Kuribayashi cried, possibly referring to an experience she saw on an anime.

"Well at least we're proving that wrong today." Itami said. Shino found herself in agreement. She reached into her bag again, then appeared to be frantically searching.

"What?" Itami asked.

"My rations are gone! I thought I grabbed them when I moved! AWWWW I bet the others are eating them right now!" Itami had to restrain himself from laughing at her suddenly moe-like attitude. Then looked to the rations he had. About four. Being a nice guy, he gave two to her, to her surprise.

"Ehhhhhhhhh... you know what? Here. Help a fellow soldier right?" He said, a smile on his face.

Kuribayashi seemed to hesitate, but took them anyway, then got to reading the contents. "OOOOOOH! There's a cookie in them! CHOCOLATE CHIP! I love chocolate chip! Thanks a bunch!" She replied happily giving a big smile, before recomposing herself. "B-b-but don't get too comfy. It's just a nice gesture. Nothing more!

Itami laughed before grabbing his things and heading back out. He ran back to the trenches, maneuvering through the different connecting paths and over mounds in the way. Occasionally chuckling. He made it back to Captain Mitchell, who was talking to some Koreans. "Hey. What's so funny, Itami?" He asked, noticing the still laughing soldier.

"Well. After grabbing some rations, I discovered that Kuribayashi is in my tent now. We had a little discussion, and I am now convinced she's a tsundere. She's priceless!"

"Oh boy. I wouldn't rile her up too bad, if I recall correctly, she's a CQC specialist." Scott said.

"That makes it even better, a typical background for a generic tsundere!"

"It is kinda funny." One of the Koreans said. Itami finally calmed down as he grabbed his binoculars again. Scott turned to the front as well. More soldiers gathering at the edge of the field. That's when the rain began to pour harder, eliciting groans from the soldiers there.

"Today's my son's birthday. And here I am in a wet trench watching for damned Romans." A Russian muttered.

"Oh shut UP. Ivan. Maybe we should actually watch, you know. Do our jobs?" An American called out.

"Don't tell me you're afraid of the big bad legions." Came the Russian reply.

"Bitch, bitch, bitch it's all we ever do." His pal in the trench up front added.

"Well... so much for lunch. And speaking of the current situation, it doesn't make sense. It's like they're scared to come at us now. Why don't they bring in something like a demigod? That's what I'd do." Itami said.

"Comparing real life to popular culture I see." Scott's voice gained Itami's attention. "The movies always makes it seem so simple. It's not. Take my word for it son."

"I know, I know. But this isn't the modern world with information and drones. We're dealing with mystical might and magic. Take for example how we thought dragons existed in the Middle Ages. They exist here. So does magic and mythical creatures. So who's to say demigods, or even gods themselves don't exist here?" Itami reasoned, his gaze returning to the front lines.

"It's always 'what-if' isn't it son? We shouldn't always worry about every little detail. Otherwise nothing will get done. You should focus on what can be controlled." Answered Scott.

"Like the siege weapons?" Asked Itami.

"Basically." Answered Scott. With that said and done, Itami tried to look back across the hills. But the fog was thickening. And he had no thermals, so he just had to wait. Scott used the Cross Com to tag into the camera of one of the still flying UAVs. It had an eye on the retreating forces before stopping. A set range from the base prevented it from going further over the camp to avoid losing more. Though something was missing. The remaining siege weapons. They would send up a predator, but the damned dragons kept showing up and chomping their wings off, and the UAVs, unless lucky, were hit by arrows. So they could only stare at the big expansive clouds forming in front of them.

"Captain Mitchell here, anyone got a visual on the field?" He asked.

"That's a negative, too much fog." Said a Brit. "Command did say we should take it easy."

"Non." A French said.

"Nothing on ze scopes. Can't see through this damned pea soup!" A German asked.

"Can't find the svoloches anywhere." Replied a Russian. "Doesn't anyone have thermal sights? Anyone?"

"No, besides, they aren't likely to attack us in this weather anyway. This fog is too thick and the ground is muddy. Best we can do is wait for this mess to clear out."

"Exactly. Armies like this hardly fight in the rain. Agincourt ring a bell anyone?" A Brit asked.

"Oh here we go!" A Frenchman replied annoyed.

"UUUUGH! Why don't they come already!?" Shino cried.

"Now, Kuribayashi-san. It's not worth getting upset over." Kurokawa said. Oh, Shino listened, but she was still pissed. The fog was still there and the sky was still dark, but the rain was beginning to let up. If there was some good news, there was no way the enemy would try to march across now. That land was now all wet and muddy. Impossible for an army to cross without difficulty. The Coalition could rest a little easier knowing this and got back and settled down. At least until the rain began again.

"Aw man." Itami said. Scott however wasn't convinced. This sounded different. More like... a swarm of angry bees. Getting louder and closer.

"GET DOWN!" His order followed by the sound of hundreds of arrows slamming into the ground around them. Following that, the noise of rocks and bolts slamming into the trenches and beyond. "This is Ghost Lead, GET THE ARTILLERY OUT OF HERE!" The frontal guns were packed up as quickly as possible after this bombardment began and, but most were already hit. Mainly the FH70s and other towed guns. The mortars were better off, but they'd have to redeploy with no idea where the enemy was for a proper counterattack.

"Where are they? Where are they?!" A British soldier screamed as he swore a volley barely missed his position. Another shot reaching further and destroyed an almost complete barracks.

"Hot damn! Then these ones have some serious range!" Said an American.

"I think they out range the trebuchets we used once upon a time!" A French woman yelled.

"Stop complimenting them and shoot them!" A Russian cried out.

Itami was hunkering down in the trenches with his fellow soldiers. The Coalition fired whenever they could, but the arrows were like a rain, and those trebuchet shots were unrelenting. While the Coalition's own fire was basically spraying and praying with the fact the fog was still out there. How could this be happening?! Was this just a harassments strategy? Surely the enemy can't be making way to attack again. And with the weather being what it was, drones like the Cypher were unable to be sent out. Machine guns rattles, snipers fired, and tanks let out their payloads as the attack continued, and thunder began to play out continuously.

"We need backup! We need reinforcements!" Another explosion rocked the sound waves, and a FH70 fell upon the battlements. With more trebuchet payloads slamming into the trenches, followed by large bolts showering the area.

Suddenly, they stopped. The siege weapons stopped, the arrows stopped, but the thunder... no wait... that wasn't thunder. The fog was dissipating by now, and the defenders could see further out. The machine guns were readied as riflemen took positions to provide supporting fire. Any tanks that weren't hit or retreated readied in their digouts. The alert was sent to the camp as extra forces were readied to deploy.

Then it happened. From the fog came feet soaked in mud with crossbows in arms. Swords wielded only by a few as they came into view. All charging at full speed under whatever banners they had. Giants in armor bounding forward smashing the barbed wire posts underfoot for the infantry to get through. Men on horseback in between these forces with lances and spears in hand. Up above, dragons could be seen ready for the kill. In the very front were mages blasting white clouds of magic onto the ground, appearing like cold winder winds. The muddy ground becoming naught but hard dirt, removing the penalties of a muddy terrain. The realization came too late that this was part of the enemy plan. A ruse. They attacked the Coalition after the rainfall when they least expected an attack. They attacked when the soldiers manning the trenches were cold and soaked after the rain.

And now they were in a proper position to finally deal casualties of their own.

(Cue 300: Marathon)

With a roar of battle from the ranks, a large volley of crossbow bolts let our their symphony as they flew into the trenches, whether dirt or flesh were hit, the sudden terror was already sown. Soldiers made for the rear of the first set of trenches while the attacking forces readied whatever swords or hand-to-hand weapons they had as horses bounded over the trenches to make for the rear. Mitchell opened fire with his MR-C, and anyone else with a weapon followed suit, but the charge was detected too late and they were forced to fall back as the first line of the trench set was taken immediately. They stayed down as machine gun fire from the second set came forward. The scene looking like a repeat of the Korean war with communist forces mass charging the UN forces. And to emphasis such a comparison, thousands of men were attacking. The sounds of AA fire hit the air throughout the pandemonium as tracers made way into the opportunistic dragons.

"We can't stay here, we have to fall back! GO GO GO!" Mitchell yelled ushering other soldiers along as they ran for the second set. He let off a few shots as more and more soldiers with crossbows appeared. And these guys were firing too fast for those to be normal crossbows. From what he could make out, the crossbows had a bigger bowstave with the roller release further behind than what one would expect. And another addition was to the bowstring itself. He watched one reload the weapon while on a knee. Put up two hooks that latched onto the string, and pull a lever back like a modern rifle. Put a bolt on and fire. It was still slower than a modern reload, but it was far shorter than a typical crossbow reload. He didn't have time to ponder what materials that string was made of or how they got to this point, all he could do is fire. Clearly in some ways, these guys were advanced. They were far far FAR smarter than the Coalition gave them credit for. And considering they were being cautious already, that bode ill for the future.

The few mages were scattered here and there offered their usual barriers and whatever spells they could when they chose. A spike of ice flew forward, narrowly missing Mitchell's head. "Fire fire fire!"

"Got it sir, opening fire!" Ramirez responded. He and Nolan was opening fire with his P90, which was suitable in these conditions. They ran for the rear trenches next. Mitchell followed last, but the enemy continued to rush the defenses with even more flooding in. Artillery was readying themselves, but every volley they let out was met with an attack from more siege weapons. Said weapons came in sight, but any direct fire from the likes of tanks was focusing on the enemies up close, the giants in particular.

"These guys have some interesting crossbows!" Nolan cried.

"Add tactics to that! These fuckers pulled a massive ruse on us!" Ramirez shouted, when a soldier took a bolt to the chest, sending him crashing to the trench wall.

"MEDIC!" Nolan ran to the shout. All the while, the trenches were in the midst of a tug of war as both sides maneuvered and butchered through the winding trails. Both sides using their advantages in close-quarters to murderous effect. And before they knew it, the Coalition forces were attacked by knights upon horseback again. There's nothing quite as demoralizing as seeing your comrade charged down or impaled on a lance to be hoisted into the air as the knights continue on. But that was nothing compared to a dragon swooping by unleashing its breath along the trenches. The AA vehicles worked their magic as best as they could but there were so many dragons. And one in particular of green and blue seemed keen on knocking them out, evidenced by it slamming down on the turret of a Tunguska and bending the barrels with its claws before flying off to find another. The giants took advantage of their size and crushed small bunkers with their weapons.

In response, light vehicles such as Komatsu LAVs, Humvees and Tigrs zoomed across the front to blunt the knight charges with support from APCs like BTR-80s and K200s bringing more troops to the battle. The occasional gunner finding themselves either suppressed or impaled by an arrow. Tanks and the heaver IFVs made way to deal with the giants or blow holes into enemy formations. AA vehicles firing tracers into the sky, the HAWK missiles and Starstreak munitions blowing whatever dragons they could apart. This battle was an episode of brutality and carnage.

And to make it worse, it wasn't just here. Reports of brutal attacks were coming from all around the base. Worse still, the actual Saderans had made way to the rear and were making good progress. The forces right here were the other armies.

"The first trench is lost! BACK TO THE SECOND!"

"They keep coming! Run while you still can, comrade!!!"

"Shut up! Run!"

The second was better defended at this point. Anyone who didn't follow in this fallback was already dead. The defenders abandoned their posts, running to the second set as bolts and magic strikes peppered their retreat. Casualties were still being dealt to both sides. The Coalition could hold out better now though, the paths leading to the first blocked off by sandbags. Now they opened fire on their pursuers.

"You were wanting a fight!" Kurata said to Kuribayashi now by his side.

"YEAH... guess I did!" She answered, a bit uneasy. But still fairly excited as she fired full auto at the enemy.

"FORGET THAT! IT'S SUICIDE TO STAY HERE!! Stay and die if you want! I'm running!"

"Fucking coward! All of you!" Kuribayashi roared.

"Forget about them! Short controlled bursts, Sergeant! Save your anger for the enemy, AND your ammo!" Mitchell ordered, but the temperamental soldier just ignored him and continued letting lead fly. He shook his head and got back to focusing on the enemy. He looked to the company he had. There was Salvatore and Brown with their SAWs, Nolan, Ramirez, and other Ghosts around the trenches. The SDF soldiers he saw before and various soldiers. But he didn't see a particular man. "Where's the Lt?"

Itami was still in the first set of trenches, in the rear section. He was shaking, huddled into a small ball as the sounds of battle once again filled his mind. He and one other soldier were there amongst other dead men. "COME ON SIR!" The man shouted. "WE CAN STILL MAKE IT! COME ON!" The soldier got up, and was immediately hit by a bolt straight into the head, and just like that he fell. Dead before impact. Itami snapped out of it for a moment and got up not wanting to be next, and a trebuchet shot landed nearby, sending him flying forward into the mud. His world suddenly went deaf as he got up and wiped his face of dirt and grime. Everything seemed to move in slow motion now. He saw one other man over across a path, hands over his helmet trying to hide from the world and huddled against a wall. Couldn't have been older than 20. He crawled over, letting his hearing restore. The sounds of other men still stuck here hitting his hearing.

"Where are those reinforcements!?"

"Oh god! It's in my fucking arm! Get it out! GET IT OUT!"

"FALL BACK! FALL BACK!"

"THEY'RE MONSTERS! FUCKING MONSTERS!!!" These and others were the many sounds bombarding his ears. Itami scampered back up and ran past bodies and wounded comrades running or crawling back. Making it to the man who was hiding.

"Kami... Buddha... whoever... so much blood." He whispered. "Crap crap crap…" His trembling hands reached for his magazine, but after getting it out and grabbing a fresh one, he lost his grip and tried to get it back. "He-h-he-HEY! YOU!" The soldier looked up, his face full of fear and terror. "COME ON! WE GOTTA GO! THIS SET IS GONE!" He cried The kid stayed paralyzed for a moment, before grabbing his rifle and following. No need for some speech, thank God. They made a run for it, reaching the last section before a path to the second set. They found a wounded soldier there. His lower torso where the intestines would be with 5 arrows lodged into it. And a bolt in his shoulder with two more in his left leg. Blood recently pouring from his mouth. How was he still alive?

"MAMMA! MAMMA!" He cried. "MAMAAAAAAHAHAHAAAAA! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAAAAA MUMMYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!" Itami had to shake himself to move on, doing what anyone would and trying to drag his comrade with him.

"YOU! GO! I GOT HIM!" He sent that other soldier on ahead. He couldn't believe he was doing this. Why wasn't he just running off? Why was he going to grab this man and try to bring him back with him? By all rights, he could be a dead man by then.

"HELP ME! I DON'T WANNA DIEEEE!" He grabbed the man in a fireman's carry and ran for the next set of trenches. The enemy on his tail by now. He had to move fast and hope that nothing would hit him. Over the sounds of battle, he heard ear splitting screeches. Dragons were coming in as a V. Blue in color. They opened to let out their attack, ice shards peppering the landscape like automatic shotguns. It wasn't even a contest for the Kevlar as ice tore through the soldiers who were caught. And to his left were more dragons breathing fire. Itami just looked forward, fear and terror coursing through his veins as he willed himself to go on with the man on his back.

With Mitchell, the Lt was found, following a man who ran from the trenches, with one around him. "THERE HE IS! COVER HIM! YOU TOO, KURIBAYSHI!" Fire pelted the ranks of enemies behind the SDF soldier as he ran through the path to the second trenches. And he made it, getting the wounded man over the barricade as he made his own way inside.

"HEY! SOMEONE! HELP!" Peeking over to get another shot out, hoping someone would grab the wounded man. He found the same damn thing happening, more soldiers coming, slowed after having taken the first trenches. But there were more out on the battlefield, more coming in. Those siege weapons were preventing a proper counterattack. And there wasn't a damn thing they could do!

...

"CYKA BLYAT! Our men are being slaughtered out there, I'm not going to let them die alone!" Boris roared, he was grabbing body armor and a helmet fully intent on going out there.

"The AA tanks are being disabled by a gutsy dragon, we're running low on starstreaks and the Rapiers are out!" Valentine shouted.

"The tanks are getting their barrels bent or torn off! Our IFVs don't have enough firepower for this! The roads out of the base are filling with vehicles. Any more and we clog the flow of reinforcements unless we want to drive over our tents!" Shin declared. And that wasn't to bring up those being torn down in the fighting.

"Just get whatever men out there you can! Get me the other side, get me the other side!" Hazama yelled. "Where the hell is that link to Asaka?! We need reinforcements and a preparation for retreat!

"We're getting what we can but with the disruption these supply convoys have caused it's not ideal!" Hazama cursed hearing that. It was complete pandemonium. They had some difficulty getting established here at the first battle, but they came out relatively unscathed and managed to set up shop. And here they are a week later getting their asses kicked by some history enthusiast's wet dream with magic and dragons. Numbers alone mean nothing without strategy, and this enemy proved they knew how to form strategies.

"We may have to consider a full retreat." Berathraben said.

"If we do that this entire operation is over, Ginza will be at risk all over again! The fallout will be-"

"Ja ja ja, the people will be mad and the politicians will play the blame game. It's going to happen regardless at this rate. Best have it happen with men surviving the disaster rather than the entire task force being wiped out!"

"We at least have a contingency plan for Ginza, focus on the here and now!" Valentine added. "God save the Queen because we really need some intervention."

Valentine's exasperation wasn't unfounded. Even now, reports were coming in that the enemy assaults were bearing down on the second line of trenches, and as expected they had cross bows to make up what little they could to fight. Combined with the warbeasts, the magic, and the surprise attack, it was an incredibly effective move. Now it was a battle of attrition, one the Coalition was losing.

"If you got a sidearm I'd suggest getting it ready." Arnaud noted. "Maybe save a bullet for yourself if it comes to it."

"We can't just run to the other side like this! We need to push back! We have tanks and mortars for fuck's sake, use them!" Shin said, his last sentence directed to forces on the radio.

"Hazama, sir! We got contact from the otherside!"

"Finally! What can we expect?" The General breathed in relief.

"They just said keep the Gate clear, they're coming through like an angry toro, their words... what's a toro?"

Hazama's relief became angry confusion. "What kind of answer is that?!"

...

"FORWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!"

The armored sergeant bellowed to the spearmen under his command, taking point ahead of them as they made way into and across the trenches. His cry was met with a chorus of enthusiastic roars from the soldiers. The armies were taking a pounding, but they were making way into the enemy base. They were actually doing it! Savagii's plan was working.

"DOWN!" Savagii shouted while nudging Leonius, the dragon doing so in time before one of those contraptions spat it's deadly barrage at him. "FOLLOW ME!" His lead was followed by the dragons following him as they dove avoiding the fire, their dive providing an opportunity as they were low to the ground over the trenches. Leonius and the other dragons let loose their breaths, fire taking over the sections of the trenches. A single streak of cyan flanked by trails of orange. It would prevent the army from advancing there, but would also keep the Otherworlders from using it. A turn to the left and they flew over incoming reinforcements, scattering to break up their retaliation. The volume of attackers firing at them would be enough to distract their dragons and make them crash.

"Rally and continue men!" Savagii shouted. "Focus on the larger contraptions. The ones that look like elephants and the weird ones beside them! They pose the greatest threat! Do not concern yourselves with destroying them! Just disable their weapons! Bend them, tear them, anything!" Leonius made for one, landing on the turret before pounding on it, then pounding the long tube that exploded with energy to attack. It was bending down with each strike. Then Leonius was ushered to fly up. "If it worked for the ones spewing fire it'll work for them too!" The best part about all this was even though the skies were not safe, their quick flying contraptions from the other side had yet to show up. It seemed they had no facilities or proper place to keep them until now!

On the ground, Duran and the other kings raced across the trenches on horseback with their household guards every which way. The assault was going well, that man Savagii knew his stuff. And Sylvester's recommendation just added to it. Now it was a matter of keeping the momentum going.

"KEEP GOING! KEEP GOING! Do not be afraid! They can bleed! They can die!" The same sergeant shouted holding an Otherworlder helmet in his hands high for the others to see.

"Do not let your confidence lead to complacency! We will be winning once these trenches are ours!" Duran shouted riding down more Otherworlders. Up close they seemed no more dangerous than game. If that was the case... "FORWAAAAAAAAARD!"

Across the field Sylvester and kings with him were making good progress, up to the second line of trenches with panicking Otherworlders unsure of how to push them back. King Harold and his fellows were facing stiff resistance, but the mages ensured the stalemate couldn't go in the enemy's favor. And the Saderans proved ever eager to prove their skill, getting into a few of the second line structures before being pushed back, only to return with a vengeance.

With the battle going so well, the siege weapons ceased their fire, lest they hit their own men. They fulfilled their duty and they could sit and rest as the forward forces did their job.

The Otherworlders were taken completely by surprise when the fog slowly lifted and found the army attacking. It seemed they really weren't so different from the thinking done here, otherwise they'd expect an attack in the rain. As expected, the clash of hand to hand was decisively in the hands of the attacker. But the ranged weapons spread across the ranks also did wonders in the chaos. The weather played hell, but for the most part, the soldiers could get an easy shot at the Otherworlders, even in the trenches. And the grinding push to the second line was slow but steady. They had reinforcements coming in from their base in those contraptions of theirs. Very tough, but it wouldn't be enough. The numbers were not only in the favor of the attackers but so was the overall situation.

"King Duran!" Leonius swooped by knocking Otherworlders away before letting out a breath of fire. Dazzling cyan sweeping the enemy positions. "I take it things are well?!"

"Savagii, you madman victory is sure to be ours with this!" The king exclaimed.

"Good good! Keep pressing!" Leonius returned to the skies as Savagii directed him to continue fighting. "Leonius you are doing magnificent! Just keep going, my friend. Keep going!" Leonius responded with a screech of excitement just as more contraptions spewed more death at him, sending a few dragons down. "They just keep appearing! Then we just keep breaking them!" Leonius made for the thing, only for it to swerve at them and spew at them. Leonius moved at the last moment, Savagii swearing he could feel the heat of these things flying at him as they dodged.

Duran for his part led his guard and the horsemen around to cause havoc in the rear so long as these major contraptions didn't prevent an approach. Their charges while limited at the trenches and slowly losing use at the moment, the attack was still strong, and the charges helped keep the enemy down as the mages slowly recuperated, their barriers providing much protection. With the cramping conditions, others used mighty spells such as Ice Storm, freezing whirlwinds of ice sending shards in a path ahead. Fireball, which explodes upon impact in a wide radius, or even Chain Lightning, shocking attacks that jumped between enemies either painfully slowing them or killing them outright. It wasn't just offensive magic though. Other mages got down and dirty into the brutal business them selves creating bound weapons. Swords, axes and bows of magical, providing more direct assistance to the soldiers, while others took on a support role, magical spells of brilliant yellow light flowing across the field to the wounded and dying, revitalizing their bodies and healing their wounds. Letting them rise again from the brink of death or being able to bear the pain as they were carried off by attendants.

Altogether, this force was bearing down on the Otherworlders hard. What they did to the four legions before, the army would return in kind.

"THEY ARE WEAKENING! KEEP GOING MEN!" The same sergeant shouted.

"It is unwise to praise the day before sunset, but the battle is going in our favor!" One of Duran's guards praised.

"Don't lose focus. We must push them back! DAMMIT LEAVE THAT SPOT!" Duran shouted casting a lesser bolt of fire on a spot with a cluster of Otherworlders. The resulting panic of fire would make room for his own men to move in.

"My lord, news from the Saderans! They've pushed through and taken their part of the second trenches!" Almost as if on que, the enemy in front retreated once again to their final line of defense. More good news!

"DON'T LET THEM DIG IN! PUSH ON! PUSH ON!" The sergeant once more cried out. The reality of the situation was kicking in for any who had doubts. The casualties were piling, but in exchange more Otherworlders died and they pushed closer to the Gate. One more section of trenches and they'd be in the base itself, and that would finally remove any advantage the enemy had.

"Spread the word, concern yourselves with those fighting. Ignore their wounded!" Now that whey were so close, it was imperative the attention focused purely on the threats posed by those still fighting. "ONCE MORE! INTO THE THICK OF IT!" The guards charged once again alongside the infantry and other mounted forces, breaking for the rear under the terrible barrage of those contraptions up ahead. Enemy reinforcements slowly making their way in. But not fast enough. That was when more explosions suddenly rang out behind the army's lines. It seemed the Otherworlders still had a few tricks up their sleeves, over the cacophony Duran could hear the whistling of those weapons firing and falling, like that which killed Ligu. But they had to be something smaller, for the larger ones that hit him were either gone or destroyed before him.

Something else caught his eye as he rounded back to hit the rear. More contraptions racing for the front. Smaller than the ones with long tubes as weapons. But they carried tubes of their own, and there were dozens of them racing ahead, and behind them were more contraptions. Some were emptying their cargo of men bearing completely new pattern as he noted despite the chaos. And he realized.

These weren't just reinforcements... he could now see the Gate in the distance... and there were more Otherworlders coming.

…

"FIRE!"

The chorus of shells erupted from the gathered ERC 90s that had just emerged from the Gate. High explosive shells slamming into the dirt and formations, some being just enough to take down the barriers at their breaking point. Behind them VCR-TTs 6x6 APCs arrived unloading men in distinct black, rust and olive green pixel camo. The Americans among them immediately recognizing these newcomers to the battle.

"I'll be fucking damned, it's the Mexicans!" 30K breathed. Sure enough, America's southern neighbor had arrived, an expedition force of light vehicles and infantry to provide support. And already their trial by fire was there the moment they entered the Gate.

"Mexico?! Now I've seen everything." Kuribayashi shouted in disbelief at the circumstances. If that wasn't good enough, the man standing out from the hatch of one of those little armored cars was a familiar face to the Americans. Colonel, now General, Ramon Jimenez. One of the head honchos of the Mexican Loyalists during the civil wars from 2013-14. Here the man was now, taking the lead of his men.

"GO! GO! It is time to spill blood that is not our own, men!" He shouted. His forces had been unloading from the transport ships, courtesy of the US Navy, before finally making way for the Gate among a line of a supply convoy when the news of the attack was going on. He jumped on that as soon as he could, getting on the horn with officials about this fiasco and arguing about how to resolve this. His solution was just racing ahead as fast as possible to plug in the gaps. It wasn't until he threatened he would just do it anyway with disregard for traffic laws, and the intervention of military command, that he got his way. His time during the civil war showed him enough wasted life, especially in his hometown of Juarez as Rebels tore it apart.

So the moment he had his forces plunging through the Gate and through the other side, he already had a plan. Impromptu and mishmashed given the abruptness of the attack and his lack of understanding of the bases' layout, but a plan nonetheless. Deploy to the trenches ASAP and push the enemy back. Add to that the fact they not only brought along these APCs and armored cars, but also VAB VDAA vehicles purchased from the French years ago. And now those dragons found more lead flying at them.

"Jimenez you old bastard!" Came a grateful Keating over the radio. "You boys came in at a hell of a time. We're one line away from being overrun and our boys are cold and battered."

"As I can see, general! This place is one step away from being Juarez all over again!." Jimenez responded.

"This whole situation is complicated, but we got siege weapons holding fire outside ready to fire if need be, those giants and dragons rampaging about, and of course rank upon rank of hostile soldiers attacking. We need to do something and we need to do it fast!"

"Si... and I already know what to do. You just ensure your men hold tight and keep firing."

"What are you planning?"

"You'll see. It's time the sons of Mexico proved themselves." Switching frequencies, he got ahold of his forces. "Okay, men. This is your chance to prove yourselves! The enemy is one step away from pushing us back across that damned Gate, and we just got here! Tell me, are you ready to go home so soon?" His commanders replied quickly.

"No general!"

"No!"

"Dios mio, no!"

"Then this is what we're going to do. Ensure there's enough infantry to hold back these attackers... the rest of you, mount up and open those firing ports. We're going to break through them and box them in! ADVANCE! GO GO GO!" Jimenez secured his hatch and got comfortable on the coaxial. "Drive forward and behind them. If any enemy gets in our way, crush them!" The vehicle shuddered as it fired, the sound of a large wail of pain signaling a giant was hit. The ERC raced ahead, followed by the rest and what VCRs could follow with soldiers ready to fire. Some allied in their lighter vehicles took notice and the initiative, following after the Mexican spearheads.

As Jimenez ordered, those enemies who didn't get out of the way or weren't cut down by the coaxial AA52 guns were battered aside or crushed beneath the tires. The VCRs with the men at the firing ports strafed the enemy ranks as they ran by alongside the .50cals tearing into man and horse. All the while the AA fire remained strong keeping the dwindling numbers of dragons back. Resistance came in the form of the occasional giant swinging a war hammer or mage sending a spell their way. But much like how sudden their attack was, the enemy were taken aback by these sudden reinforcements. Especially with how, as it seemed in their eyes, the ERCs combined a tank's firepower with a light vehicles mobility. And much like the knights that were charging in the rear as they took advantage of the chaos, these reinforcements proved devastating hitting the less entrenched and therefore more vulnerable attackers.

"SI, SI! Break their backs, destroy their momentum!" Jimenez cheered encouraging his men.

"They are breaking, General! We are breaking them!"

"We have them on the ropes!"

The sound of thuds outside gave them pause. Jimenez peeked out, seeing the siege weapons in action. "Bastards. Three of you, follow me! We're going to take those damned weapons out. The rest of you keep fighting, make these bastards pay for the ground they took!" Jimenez and four of the other ERCs raced further ahead, speeding along and surely gaining the attention of the enemy crews. But unlike the last battle, they had no protection, with all the fighters up at the base pushing ahead and now getting crushed.

Back in the trenches, the beleaguered Coalition soldiers felt the slackening of the enemy attacks thanks to the intervention of the Mexicans. Add to that, they were now fully aware and up in arms for the battle as they regrouped and recuperated before moving ahead to reinforce the trenches.

"THAT'S MORE LIKE IT! THAT'S RIGHT, RUN YOU BASTARDS!" Kuribayashi screamed.

"Get down, you little fool!" A Russian cried out as an arrow flew past her head, making her more in tune with taking it safe. A salvo of machine gun and autocannon fire fell on the attackers who were now being pushed back, and with that, the infantry in the trenches had their chance to push forward.

"Okay Ghosts, let's go! Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast! Short controlled bursts!" Mitchell ordered as his men joined the push. Some of the soldiers in their midst, with how chaotic the battle got, had their bayonets attached. That Kuribayashi girl among them, as was Itami. Their intent of course was night and day among the rest of the crowd. The Mexicans caught up quickly to join them. The advantage for the attackers was being lost quickly. And before they knew it, with the combined return of mortar fire, the attacks in the back, and the rallying of attacking again, the second set of trenches were theirs again. "Take up positions, keep firing! Use your sidearms if you have to!"

"This is more like it! Finally, we're kicking THEIR asses!"

"Are you kidding me? Keep firing, Kuribayashi-san!" Kurata shouted at Kuribayashi's joy at the situation.

"Yeah, stop being so damn happy and fight like you wanted!" Itami joined in on the chastisement as he fumbled with his ammo pouches. Their firing lines were interrupted by the corpse of a giant falling in front of them. "Oh, great!" The soldiers had to stream through the trenches to get ahead and continue firing. Stepping through the mud and blood as the rain kept pouring, they maneuvered through the maze. Needless to say, there was much down their in the way of remains besides ice shards and arrow wounds. After getting around, they were set upon by a group trying to make their way back. One of them bearing a poleaxe and clad in plate armor. The moment he landed he began thrusting his tool forward at Itami, the closest man to him. It was only quick reflexes that saved him. Very quickly Itami realized that heavy armor like that was quite the opposite of bulky and heavy for the wearer as he not only stabbed quickly but kept the distance. Everyone else in the trench occupied with their own personal battles.

Kurata for his part had a stroke of luck and stabbed right into the chest, then pulled the trigger more out of panic than calculation. Kuribayashi on the other hand seemed confident in her skills as her bayonet seemed to strike more precisely through weak spots in the plate armor. Itami himself was having trouble, the reflexes of his training way back when seemed to be dulled by the fear... or the adrenaline, which was it? The warrior then brought the poleaxe up, the mallet end bearing down on Itami. That was until a big form slammed into the man before firing a burst into him. And Itami saw probably the biggest damn man in his life. Another Japanese soldier quickly moving into position after dealing with the war hammer wielding-man.

"Heya, get in the game, man!" He shouted. "We still got a lot of them com-" He was interrupted by another attacker, who was quickly put down with another burst. Itami ran into a nearby bunker, trying hard to ignore the dead man at the M2 there... only to realize he was the only one there as the other soldiers took positions elsewhere.

"Ohhhhh... sorry about this... uuuuurgh." The dead soldier moved aside Itami looked to the gun, and breathed a sigh of relief seeing it was loaded, but just didn't finish a reload. That itself was up to pulling the bolt back. With that, Itami pressed down on the triggers and let loose. Shortly after, more machine gun fire erupted later to join his efforts. And finally came the heavy support. The tanks, held back by magic, giants, and the attacking dragons finally managed to get back to the front again and fire their salvos, APCs and IFVs joining in time. Out in the distance, Itami saw the siege weapons falling to bits, some of those crazy Mexicans went out and sent them packing!

It proved too much for the enemy, and they turned tail and ran at last.

"We got em! We got em! They're turning tail and running! We pushed them away!"

"Let them go!" Came the orders of Arnaud over the radio. "Get the wounded to the field hospital, we got ambulances from the other side on the way and they're not going any further into that hellscape!"

"You heard him!" Hazama came in. "Get the wounded, we dont have much time!"

With the last of the enemy having left, the combat personnel returned to business slowly as the process of rebuilding and healing began. Needless to say, immense gratitude was being showered upon the Mexican forces and their general. Something Mitchell and his Ghosts couldn't help but join in on.

…

"RUN! RUN! BACK TO THE CAMP!

It was going so well... and just like that everything went to hell. The army, all their efforts, cunning and planning rendered null by the timely arrival of enemy reinforcements. Duran had no choice but to fall back. Too many were dying at once.

Savagii for his part fared little better. In his efforts to assist in the attack, he was nearly caught by enemy again. Only this time he ended up falling from Leonius. Now he was on the ground in the midst of the enemy base, tents everywhere. A number of Otherworlders trying to apprehend him... at least they were trying to. Leonius had descended down to protect his friend. As Savagii summoned what strength he could to cast a healing spell upon himself, and what potion he could bear to swallow, Leonius stood over him, slaughtering any man that came too close, breathing fire against those at a distance, and otherwise shielding Savagii until he could be healed.

"Damn. Damn damn DAMN IT ALL!" He cried in anger as the spell worked its magic. "WE WERE SO CLOSE!" He had every right to be mad. Never mind the fact he was taking responsibility for this and was injured, but now what was a close victory would surely turn into a costly defeat, ungrateful vassals be damned. Too many dragons had died to the enemy contraptions as he could tell. The rest of the force he could not say for certain, but he knew it was NOT a good fate. He knew the battle was over, the losses were too great and there would be no chance to keep them back in their inevitable counterattack. The rain was stopping by now, the ground was muddy but he had no illusions of this stopping the Otherworlders. It certainly didn't stop him! All he had to show for it was what he learned here... and trophies of sorts.

He grabbed the weapons of fallen Otherworlders that Leonius dealt with, about 3 that is, and made a point to fumble with their equipment if time permitted. Grab whatever he could so they could learn about them. He wasn't optimistic about his chances. "Gods be good, the risk of them deploying reinforcements like this makes this all too risky. We can't beat them directly like this... more are sure to come." He winced in pain, the wounds on his arm healing as gold magic flowed from his hands upon them. "I need to tell father... I need to tell the Senate... Leonius, we need to head home as soon as we can. The battle is lost!" He gritted through his teeth from the pain.

Leonius roared, seeming to protest the idea. "Alnus is lost, we'll only be throwing away more men if we keep it up! We can't beat them so close to the Gate!" The ground nearby exploding into bits of dirty, the enemy trying to hit him. Returned in kind by Leonius unleashing his cyan flames towards them. "I'm better now, I'm better, we need to go now!" In his haste to escape, he took the body of a nearby Otherworlder and unsheathed his pugio and was about to cut these clothes off before noticing the flap on the man's chest... there was some sort of series of clamps locked into one another with some kind of tab at the top. Out of instinct he fooled with it, Leonius still keeping him safe. "Come on, come on." He muttered to himself, the clamps coming apart as he pulled down. It was a tough but smooth process. This was clearly meant to keep this attire on. From there he undid a few buttons and managed to get it off. He grabbed the man's helmet for good measure before finally tossing what he could into a big pouch on Leonius' saddle, then grabbing the weapons before straining to get on, the pain still lingering despite his healing.

"OKAY GO GO LET'S GO!" Leonius flapped his wings, and just in time as one of those massive contraptions came around the corner missing its chance to attack by mere moments, but not a burst from their weapons, one catching Savagii in the arm he just healed. "GRRRRRRRRGH DAMMIT ALL!" Leonius flew back towards the camp as Savagii looked down on the mess of the battle. The entire army was in retreat back to the camp. Those who could break out that is. No telling how many were left wounded or taken prisoner. The siege weapons as he could now see were gone, blown to bits by a daring party of Otherworlders in their small contraptions.

Besides himself, there were but a handful of dragons left. The stream of survivors coming back left little hope for a return to form. The kings... the remaining ones that is, wandered past him as he watched the column of survivors returning. Then waited for any stragglers. Then flew out low to find stragglers.

Returning to the camp, he went straight to the doctor's section as he kept trying to heal himself. He wasn't surprised at the scene before him. Most of the survivors here were lucky, those wounded early in the battle and taken back for treatment. The healing mages at their full concentration and focus. Now? They were being overwhelmed with the sheer load of work. Some patients had holes in their armor from the enemy weapons. Some were missing limbs, otherwise having less severe wounds. It didn't take a genius to figure out where the more seriously wounded men were, assuming they didn't die instantly.

"Excuse me, madam?" He began, asking for one of the attendants. "Did the Legate of the legions come in here? An Arastus?"

"I'm afraid..." Was all she said before looking out the back of the collection of tents, to the rows of men under sheets. It should go on record these healers were incredible, able to heal all but the most debilitating and devastating of wounds. But they weren't miracle workers, and they could only go so far. They couldn't bring back the dead either. The wounds they had to deal with for the more critically injured combined with the fact there were so many to varying degrees was having an effect on their performance. Potions helped, but they only brought comfort to some. Others needed constant care until the healing spells could be fixed, and the magicka of these doctors was running low, taking time to recover. To make matters worse, the potions they took to replenish magicka were all out, and so were the potions for healing.

So, taking responsibility for this mess, Savagii resolved to help however he could. Perhaps he could comfort some of these souls before Hardy took them into her firm but caring embrace. Even if it meant spending some of his own life force through his healing as he'd done many times before.

…

"We have less than half the forces we were sent out with! How could this have happened?" Sylvester bemoaned, the reality setting in of a mere 23,000 surviving men left.

"We had the Imperial Army with us as well. Too whole legions! How did we fail so easily?" A surviving minor king muttered.

"We can't fight on. If even they cannot make a stand, we have no choice. We must retreat."

"We cannot run off now, retreat is not an option gentlemen." Duran's announcement was met with shock and distress from the remaining leaders. "Not until I have repaid them with an arrow. For the realm we must strike back!" He said, Ligu's ruined helmet in front of him. Besides himself, Sylvester and two surviving minor lords, the rest were either dead or went back home with whatever soldiers were still alive. And the Saderan legions were mauled as well, their determination to win working against them this one time.

"King Duran, we have neither the men NOR the materials!" Sylvester protested.

"A night raid might just give us the adv-" Duran was interrupted by Savagii coming into the tent. Compared to the rest of the kings, he looked worse. Dirt covered his face and arms while his armor had dents in it and his left arm in a bloodied sling. His eyes bearing circles, a symptom of either sleep deprivation or the use of healing magic at the cost of himself. Likely the latter.

"We aren't attacking again." He said in a monotone voice, to the quiet, somber relief of the kings save Duran. "I beseech you, friends. Return to your lands, take your men back to their homes. We've failed... I've failed. I will ensure the Senate respects your contributions and leaves you be in the near future. From now on this will be Sadera's war. And mine."

Sylvester let out a sigh. "Thank the gods, you truly are as your people describe, Savagii." The kings, save for Duran, made for the exit as Savagii slumped onto a chair in thought.

"That's it?" Duran began, not getting Savagii's attention. "You come up with a good plan, something goes wrong and you give up like that?!"

"Something goes wrong? We had it until those reinforcements arrived, and they proved too much for us. You heard your fellow monarchs. We have less than half the men we came with, our losses including mages, giants, dragons and our siege weapons. All of which were central to our strategy. Without them, we have no chance, especially with the fact they are surely recuperating and getting reinforcements to replenish their ranks." Savagii droned. "I will be heading for the Otherworlders to inform them the battle is theirs." He looked to the sling on his arm. "Hopefully the sight of a wounded man with a white flag will stay their hands.

"So just like that, the great Julius Savagii gives up after his first battle with the Otherworlders!" Came a venomous reply from Duran.

"Considering what happened to the last four legions, we got lucky. We can go back... you can that is."

"There's no way your father would agree to that, not with what we did as you so astutely pointed out before the battle began!"

Savagii shook his head. "If I was in on that plan, why in the underworld would I be suggesting you to go home? Some underhanded reverse-psychology? Come now, King Duran. You should know as much as I look down on your ways and system of government, I am better than that. Go back home to your family and friends like your fellow monarchs are. Heal from this like you did after the last war. Go back in peace. Don't let what happened to Ligu-"

"YOU DO NOT GET TO SAY HIS NAME!" Duran exploded.

"SO YOU WOULD FOLLOW HIM INTO DEATH!?" Savagii exploded right back. "You would throw what little you have away and risk your kingdom and people falling into civil war from succession disputes for some code of honor?! Even with your son being your successor I'm most certain there will be an opportunity for less scrupulous men! EVEN LIGU WOULD RECOGNIZE THE FUTILITY OF THIS SITUATION! Gods be thanked his people elect their kings and avoid a succession crisis! If you wish to prove my people right and show just how much of a pig-headed outdated relic you are as some honor-bound man of this Chivalry and feudal lordship then at least have the decency to do your most loyal of men instead of damning your whole army to death!"

After that, it was clear Savagii and the king would have no more words to say to one another. He didn't care anymore... all the stress from this disaster and his desire to send these men back home to prevent hopeless bloodshed consumed his mind. And now here he was, ordering the rest of the legion to go back to the castra they came from. The losses consumed nearly the entirety of one legion and the other was bruised and bloodied. Better for these two forces to go back for replenishment rather than join the previous two in death. Perhaps the survivors would be formed together into a newly reformed legion or two?

But first, he prayed dearly to Deldorus, god of covenants and Lunaria, goddess of the moon, music and peace. He prayed the Otherworlders were not the savages they all but appeared to be in battle and would listen to him.

…

Night fell upon the camp soon after the battle.

Some of the damage had been cleaned up. And the good news was that after the Mexicans came through, some choppers were brought through the Gate as Hazama promised. And more were on the way with ambulances carrying the critically wounded off.

The dead were gathered while the lesser-wounded were in the medical tents. Itami, now more revitalized from potential PTSD, was sitting on a Humvee at the first trench and reading a manga. He would look towards the front where Scott was, going to each and every soldier in the Coalition there and see how they were doing like he saw before. Giving them some words of encouragement. Itami couldn't help but think that this was a lesson being taught to him indirectly. Forming a bond with the soldiers. He was feeling better, somewhat. But he still found his hands shaking every now and then

"Heya sir." There she was again.

"Can I help you, Sgt?" He asked.

"Just saying hey. And congrats on that stunt you pulled back there. I honestly thought you were dead by then." Kuribayashi said.

"No shit! He's got balls the size of Godzilla or whatever his name is!" An American called out.

"Well... I almost was dead. But I got out. Unlike some of the others. Myself, that kid, and the other guy were all that were left I think." Itami replied, looking back at his manga. The one Kurata gave him, No Gods or Masters.

"So... back to same old useless otaku huh?"

"Hey, this manga I'm reading would be more up your alley. It's got a healthy balance between that moe lovey-dovey stuff and the heavy military parts. Here, see for yourself." He said, handing her the manga.

"Hahaha, NO." Itami just smiled and got back to reading. "I'm just being nice because of what you pulled off. You're still useless, sir."

"Mm-hmm." He responded, not giving a care. Kuribayashi rolled her eyes and left. Itami kept reading, finding himself looking back up as she left. Let's just say she walked nicely.

"Lieutenant." Mitchell made his way and snuck up on Itami again. Eliciting another yelp.

"M-M-M-Mitchell-dono! I uh...uh... y- you know." Itami began, smiling weakly.

"Relax. Relax." Itami calmed down hearing that, and went back to reading his manga. Mitchell looked at the pages he was reading, despite his lack of Japanese understanding, thinking of what to say next. "You know Itami. You really surprised me out there. Grabbing that soldier and hauling him back with the enemy firing bolt after bolt at you. I thought you were gonna get hit. I guess I misjudged you. You have guts and commitment to others."

"I know." Itami responded. His expression was beginning to change to a more neutral stance.

"... that kid you saved is gonna be fine. He'll be out of action, but he's begging to get back on his feet into the fight. He was just in a lot of pain." Itami said nothing to this. Mitchell sighed. 'Don't sugarcoat it. Just get it over with like a band-aid.' "Itami, I'm not trying to make you relive those moments. I was in your shoes too. When I was at a lower rank of course. Back in the Middle East. I had those sleepless nights and bad days. But I made sure to get help. Make sure you do the same. The trauma has a way of wearing down your sanity and making you... detached if you will. Don't let it happen." Itami gave a chuckle after that. But it wasn't a hollow, scary one. It was more light-hearted. He then closed his manga and held it in front of Mitchell.

"You see this sir? This nonsense the young people read as you would say? It probably doesn't mean much to you. But for me? It's a miracle. This is my help, sir. It's weird, I know, but this is my help. As you know, it's my hobby. And my hobby saves me from all that." He left his seat on the Humvee and stood in front of the captain. "It helped me once. It'll help me again. I'm not exactly a stranger to pain and suffering. This is just a new kind."

"What do you mean, son?"

Itami closed his eyes and bowed his head. "Not now sir. It's... very personal. But I will say this just to get it over with. I'm gonna have my moments. But... thanks for the pep talk, I'll be fine."

The otaku left with a smile, leaving a very confused captain at the Humvee. "You're welcome?" Scott wasn't sure about what just happened. Here he was expecting to give some life advice and some moral support. But Itami is suddenly fine after last night? The captain shook his head. Besides the defense of the base, and the coming of additional support, this was the strangest soldier he ever met. Then again. Maybe he should be thankful. Itami did seem better, his eyes were more lively and cheerful like usual. And his voice wasn't emotionless. "Maybe I should leave it be for now. Diaz, it's Mitchell. What do you see?"

"Just the usual. More scouts, nothing more. Cedric and his boys are coming back. So fare nothing. The enemy army is still holed up in their camp. They're making more weapons, but it seems these are their last legs." Some good news.

"Good. Keep watch. I'll head to the command tent and update Keating."

"MITCHELL-DONO!"

"Goddammit. I'll get back to you, Diaz!" And like his namesake, Mitchell took off to avoid little miss fangirl. This had to be the third time she's done this. She usually just followed him around like a lost puppy. Now she probably wanted another selfie. That conundrum however was quick to disperse however as the alert sounded. The enemy was coming back!

Soldiers deployed to the trenches at speed while vehicles took positions. But to their astonishment, it wasn't the army coming, but a single dragon. The one green and light blue one from before coming in slowly and low to the ground, in its mouth a single white cloth. Confusion, but not bewilderment took hold as they were very well aware this could be some kind of trick. The dragon landed with all guns aimed. From his back came the Legate bearing the flashy ornate armor from the camp, arm in a sling with bruises and dirt all over. With his free hand he took the cloth and held it over his head before slowly coming forward, beckoning his mount to stay behind.

"Pacisci opto!" He said.

"What's he saying?" Mitchell asked Diaz.

"He wants to negotiate." She answered. A moment passed before Mitchell answered.

"Ask him what he wants." Diaz left cover and slowly approached, lowering her weapon.

"Quid vis?" She responded.

"Tuus est dies, quem amisimus. Rogo ut viros in castra recipere sine te insequentes domos abire liceat."

Diaz turned back. "He wants us to let the survivors of the enemy to go home. Looks like we won."

Mitchell processed the request. It was surrender... or at least them throwing in the towel to leave. "What about the war?"

"Quid de bello?" Diaz parroted in Latin.

"Dixi te pugnae vicisse. Non bellum."

"We won the battle. But the war's still on, sir."

At this point, Mitchell was more than willing to accept such a request. The enemy army was badly mauled when the Mexican forces came, which meant there were more fresh men on the Coalition's side. But the Coalition also had a chunk bitten off of it. The number of wounded already running over 1,000. The statistics included all wounded from simple cuts to debilitating injuries. As for the dead, so far he knew of at least 300 confirmed KIA from Keating. And the damage to their tents, specifically the equipment inside, the vehicles that were damaged and needed repairs and refits. Neither side was willing to carry on it seemed.

"That's up to the generals to decide. Command, this is Ghost Lead, we just got approached by an envoy." Mitchell radioed, getting Keating on the horn.

"Say that again, son?"

"One of the higher ups from the enemy camp, he's looking worse for wear. He's asking for us to let the enemy army disperse and go home. We won as he put it."

The information warranted what would be the last meetup for this battle in the war room.

"We still have plenty of assets in comparison thanks to those reinforcements... but I think we should take the offer. We have a lot more work ahead of us." Arnaud reasoned. "In fact I dare say we are due to get an upgrade for our fortress beyond what we currently imagined."

"I agree." Valentine said, his usual gung-ho attitude taking a backseat. "Enough of Her Majesty's men paid the price for a while. We need more time to gather more munitions. A lot more... it will allow us to put more requests for munitions and supplies in the meantime. Perhaps this fiasco will encourage priority on shipments. Definitely ordering more Challenger Marksmen."

"I as well, but I say we make sure they leave. Just in case." Borislav muttered. "Too many surprises to take the chance. I can organize a small force to personally see to that."

"Ja. Ja, that is acceptable. We keep an eye on them as they leave the area." Berathraben added. "No more surprises."

"Ghost Lead, do we have any movement out there besides that man?" Keating asked as the generals were essentially coming to an agreement.

"No, but... he's telling us to be wary. One of his fellows may try to launch a night attack as he put it. Something about avenging a friend."

"Looks like Mitchell was right about tensions between certain leaders. I guess the defeat made them snap." Valentine summized.

"Yeah... my forces will work with Jimenez and monitor the area. His are fresh and I received replacements." Hazama said. "Hopefully that will be enough. So we're in agreement about the enemy army departing?" Nods around. "Okay... go and do your thing. Maybe it'll be enough to deter that night attack as well."

"Okay, Mitchell. Tell your friend that he's good to leave, we'll be watching them."

"Right, Diaz. He has the go, tell him he can go. He's gonna be watched though" Mitchell relayed.

"Copias ad te speculandum mittemus, sed ire potes." Hearing this, the men let out a breath and relaxed, relief flooding his face.

"Tibi gratias ago. Lunaria luna tibi luceat, et Deldorus nostro pacto rideat" A short bow of the head, and he turned for his dragon, hopping on and flying off into the night.

"Mitchell, you and your team have done enough. Hazama and Jimenez will be taking over guard duty, everyone else is due for a nap." Keating said.

"Copy that command... getting some R and R."

...

Savagii watched from atop one of the nearby mountains with the remaining dragon riders as the armies dispersed. Sylvester and the other kings that survived marching back to their lands with their handful of survivors. The one legion and what survivors of the other remained marching back to the castra.

Otherworlder contraptions had arrived and sat down on the slope that led into the valley to the base to ensure they kept their end of the bargain. Two of which clearly looking at him and his compatriots. Savagii however did not see Duran departing... not that he cared anymore. He was done doing favors for that man. He was sure that the king was going off and marching his army in the dead of night to the enemy fort. Perhaps in hindsight he was right to warn the Otherworlders of a potential attack, so that way if somethign happened, the rest of the army wouldn't suffer from Duran's lunacy. And that's what he was exhibiting. The loss of Ligu and this failed assault with everything else around from the tension with Sadera to Savagii's presence throwing off his suspicions... how could he not be?

But again, Savagii didn't care anymore. His priority was getting as many men home as possible. And as far as he was concerned, he was doing just that.

"Sir..." A rider spoke up.

"Yes?"

"Your arm... do you not know how to heal it?"

"Ahh... I was more focused on helping the wounded to worry about myself... besides. It's best I get a proper healer to look at it when I get back to Sadera." He said as he went to cast some healing on it anyway. "The Senate must hear directly what sort of enemy we deal with."

"Deal with? M-m-m my lord forgive me but how do we deal with an enemy like this? They beat us back again and again with their and they have more ready to come fight! Their magic, their weapons, their contraptions are nothing like we've seen!"

"Yes. But you killed some, right? Your mount had slain some?"

"I... yes sir."

"And the rest of you?" Savagii asked turning his attention to the rest of them, their dragons also listening. He was met with more affirmative responses. "You see? Yes, they are swift, they are mighty, and they are undoubtedly dangerous. But they can bleed. They can die. They aren't invincible. And as we learned from my failed assault in the rain, they can be fooled. They are not omnipotent." Savagii's words were milling around in their minds.

"It is not a matter of if we can defeat them. But when we can defeat them. We were utterly wiped out in their world, but they're on our soil now. They're in OUR empire, and we know it better than they. It will be hard, and many will be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice... but this? This is just another chapter in our empire's history. So take heart and know it's not hopeless." There was no cheering from them, or great clapping, but Savagii could see his words had effect as their mood lightened. "Plus... they are letting us leave. This is very important, because it shows they are not butchers. They are willing to negotiate. And if that's the case... perhaps I am wrong. Perhpas this war will not be long. But, I shall not pray for that, I am not that idealistic. So come, let's go home."

Leonius let out a screech, answered by the others as they left their mountain perches and flew off. Leonius making for Sadera itself while his new friends took to the departing legions as they left for the castra. Savagii took a moment to look in the bag on Leonius's saddle. The weapons and armor of the Otherworlders he took before leaving. It wasn't much, but hopefully with these, the empire could find a way to defeat them... or at least learn what they were about. He only hoped Duran actually heeded his advice and left for home. As for Savagii, he was off to the Mother City.

A good thing too... if he stuck around he'd see that Duran had not taken his advice. He took what men he could and had moved in the night.

"A new moon is tonight. If we take advantage of the dark and come in from the side of the hill blocking out the stars, we should be able to make our approach." He said, more to himself. His nearby guards weren't listening, and neither was the second in command. Their faith in Duran had always been firm until this moment. Now here he was, ordering them into what was abject suicide. Only a mere 17,000 men left now that the others had departed. It was a miracle that this many of Duran's men survived at all, and now here he was ordering them back into the fray after the last fiasco?

"You disapprove." He added.

"It is not our position to question why, but do." A guard said with no real conviction. It seemed at this point Duran was finally getting the message this was a bad idea. And as if to prove that point, the sound of thunder was heard again.

"What... no... no!" And from there, the sky erupted into bright white light, literally. Lights had appeared in the sky and were fallling down slowly. Almost like the spells of magelight, and like magelight it revealed the entirety of the area, leaving the army exposed. "GO! GO! FORWARD MEN!" Duran panicked, charging his horse forward as the army stopped, caught off guard and dazzled by the display of lights.

However, when Duran looked back after charging he saw his men weren't charging. In fact, they weren't even moving. They stood like sheep. "COME ON! FORWARD MEN!" Again, they didn't... then one turned and ran... then another... then another. The chain reaction hit and soon the entire army just broke and ran for the hills. "NO! Don't retreat! Don't leeeeaaaaaave!" Even his retainers and household guards who he saw didn't join him were running off. "No... NO..." Finally, it finally set in. Savagii, once again, was right. And once again, Duran was left without any way to anwser to this.

"How can this be happening... damn you Savagii." Of course... how else would these Otherworlders know he was coming? He came here to ask for safe passage, and likely told them of Duran's possible attack after that argument. It seemed that Molt would get his 'weakened vassals' after all. More thunder sounded

"Damn you... DAMN YOUUUUUUU-" And an explosion erupted nearby.

...

Dawn had finally came to. The Coalition forces were back to rebuilding. The good news was most of the buildings were within repair and progress went unhindered.

The bad news? This battle was far more brutal. With the combined battles of entering and holding the gate. From the arrow volleys, siege weaponry, buildings falling, and the horde of enemies that made it to the trenches, about 1,032 soldiers were dead, and injured were among the thousands. Far more than expected. The enemy lost FAR more men, but this was crazy… the enemy had inferior equipment, but they also had magic. So as far as the Coalition was concerned, they could end up fighting monsters as big as Godzilla. Hopefully not of course. Still, as tragic as their losses were on their hearts and minds, it was far better on their side, as the enemy force was nearly annihilated.

But they came close, so close to beating them back across the Gate. And this was ingrained in their minds. The Ghosts were busy searching with other soldiers around the battlefield. Countless dead were everywhere, vultures coming to do what they did best. Itami was with Scott and his team. He himself bore an expression of what could only be described as shock, disgust, and overall shell shock. His eyes wide in horrified amazement. Bodies were everywhere. Everywhere. The stench was atrocious, and he already heaved his lunch four times. After he seemed to just aimlessly wander the battlefield. He wasn't the only one as he noticed.

"I always wanted to see a dragon... just not like this..." A German said in a dulled voice.

"They beat the hell out of us..." A French companion added.

"To think... they almost beat us back with these." He said holding a broken bow.

"NEVER underestimate your enemy." Scott said. The veteran gained the rookie's attention. "No you don't have to see them as equal, but if you don't have some form of respect for your foe, you're in for one nasty surprise after another."

"It still makes you think." Kurata said before sniffling a little. "I heard we killed roughly 48,000 of them." His own face said little better. Though it looked like he had been crying recently.

"These men aren't people... they're lunatics." An American grumbled.

"They sent less than that number to Ginza. About 10,000. And 10,000 more to fight us here when we crossed." Itami said.

"So they upped their ante. Yet still failed." Said Nolan. Checking the corpses for any signs of life. Doubtful in this outcome, but you never knew.

"So that's 68,000 altogether." Said Kurata, he sounded like he was on the verge of tearing up. "Compared to us, we lost a total of about 1,300? 400? We lost less men... but... is this... is this even a war?"

"Hernan Cortes went through the same thing, but he would lose even if he killed 25,000 Aztecs for every one of his men, they would finish with him. We're in THEIR backyard now. Let's not forget," Nolan began. "we killed a lot, but there's bound to be more. Often times in the Medieval era, the knights and other high noble titles gained the number attention. No reason to not think this happens here. While the lesser counted peasant soldiers number WAY larger. With all this carnage. I'd expect the enemy to control the whole planet, or at least a vast majority. Even if you compare it to Roman logic, it's still a large number"

"Isn't that a little out there... I mean they can't keep this up... can they?" Itami asked.

"Itami... are you familiar with the Punic Wars?" Nolan asked.

"... no?"

"Well, before Rome was an empire, it was a kingdom. Then a republic. It was during its time as a republic it engaged in three wars against the neighboring power of Carthage, which at the time was the major power. They were fighting for what to them at the time was the entire world, the Meditteranean. The first war was one of the steps in life that led Rome to being an empire, and it cost them a fifth of their population."

Itami, and the men gathered around them looked at him, some doing a double take.

"It lasted for at least twenty years and encompassed at least million soldiers. Do you have any idea how long it took a western war to include that many after Rome fell? The sixteenth century, and here they were doing it in the third. And the losses they took? Lots of them were lost at sea when Rome finally built ships, around 200 to 220 in these fleets... the fleet of them were lost at sea in a storm. So they built another one... and it was also lost at sea to ANOTHER storm. Hundreds of thousands of men, when you take that into account of the men they lost in the land campaigns. And then they lost ANOTHER fleet... and they still kept fighting."

Some of the men listening, realizing the enemy was more or less "Rome," began to look queasy. Itami looked to the broken bow in his hand. Then looked back up, looking like he was about to lose his lunch once again. "What kind of enemy are we fighting?"

Nolan looked up and towards where the direction of enemy camp was. "A determined one. One that is not willing to give up. No different than the likes of your Oda Nobunaga, or Admiral Yi from Korea. Or the wide selection of great leaders in Asian history. It never pays to discount an enemy just because they don't have fancy toys like us. The sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be."

Itami, hearing the comparisons of determination between his people and others throughout history felt very uneasy... and threw the broken bow into the distance.

4 days later. World News Media

"Estimates place combined casualties up to a total of- Mother of Mary. sixty five thous- hold on hold on hold on, is this a typo?"

UN

"Most of these loses are on the enemy's side. Our estimates place our losses at little less than 2,000." Hojo said.

"Little less than two- you say that like it's a good thing!" Pritchard cried.

"We only have ourselves to blame." Caldwell began. "We clearly hadn't learned our lesson from the last battle. We need to treat this enemy like an equal. Not a lesser."

"But ma'am. They're in the Medieval age for Christ's sake." Francois said.

"And they have magic on their side. And combine that with our complete lack of information, I can safely say that this is a Phyrric victory. We are completely unprepared for this war and unless we take steps, it will cost us in the long run!" Caldwell declared.

"Do you have an idea ma'am? You sound like it." Hojo asked.

"Yes. I do. Ladies and gentlemen of the United Nations... we need to acknowledge a very grim and very distinct reality. And that reality is that this will NOT be a quick war. If what we saw is any indication, if these people are truly like the Romans as they appear, we must be ready to go on the warpath and prepare for a long war!"

"That will cost millions!" Pritchard cried. "While our combined economies will more than pay for it, it will add up as upkeep and the continued shipping impacts our pockets! Not to mention the cost of lives this will incur!"

"We'll be sending men into the meatgrinder if the reports are anything to go by!" Francois roared.

"The people of Japan are content for now, but it will only be a matter of time before things become too much to bear!" Hojo declared.

"It's too late to do otherwise. The moment we formed a Coalition and stepped across that Gate decided our course of action. If we back down now there's no telling how the enemy will react, the only consolation we have is they are not completely unreasonable as the one who approached our base proved."

"So what is your plan?" Hojo repeated.

"We already planned that they would need a strong base... one that would allow them to be semi-self-sufficient when fully prepared. We continue with that and extra. This mustn't be a mere operating base. But a fort. A fort to protect against further attacks."

"Da." Treskeyav said. "The Russian Federation is prepared to delve into its holdings in Siberia to help this effort."

"As is Mexico." Ruiz-Pena chimed in. "We do not have much, but NAJSA has opened the path to a slow prosperity for us in Mexico, it is time to spend a little extra of that money."

"There's two." Caldwell said. "And just to hammer home my stance, I'm willing to delve into my own damn pockets to see this effort put into place." Now she was getting attention. Whether it was just a stunt to goad them into action or genuine... who's to say?

"Well... we do need to keep sending material. Starstreaks and Marksmen are on the list." Pritchard said.

"As are motorized vehicles and other older gear. It's clear our modern day current equipment is no good over there." Francois said.

"Ja. And should time permit, Germany will be able to test new toys in this war. In the meantime you can count on our extended support." Luitpold voiced.

Eun-Kyung followed with, "And not to mention this Gate is still scaring the hell out of the world. As we know Brazil is preparing an expeditionary force and many other nations across Asia are ready to offer help. Civil engineers, medical professionals and more. Korea has a vested interest in ensuring a sure and firm action as well, considering should the worst happen it is likely us that will feel the aftermath first."

Caldwell continued with, "I'm not saying we go all in with a wapath, people of the world. I'm saying we must be careful. We need to be cautious as well as daring. Otherwise we are going to make blunder after blunder."

"We'll leave those details to our generals." Treskayev stated.

Meanwhile, Saderan Senate

The Senate was in an uproar.

It seemed like every senator and his brother was in the building. The defeat of the vassal army and two legions was enough to sent off alarms in their society. It was years since Sadera had taken such losses, even if most belonged to their vassals this time. But that was beside the point. Senators argued and debated left and right on how to act. Molt himself sat in his throne with his head resting on his fist, tapping his fingers impatiently. He would give them time to banter until he decided to take the stage. Take charge only when needed. But it seemed this would be sooner rather than later.

It was more than the loss that had the Senate so uptight, but how close they came to victory only for defeat to come and clamp down on them. In addition, Alnus Hill, where the Gate and the enemy rested, was on the other side of a great mountain range. On the opposite side of said range was the Saderan capital itself. The only comfort was that no one would dare try to cross it. It was inhospitable and harsh. But that did little to waste away the worries that plagued the people.

As Savagii suggested, and they expected, the battle went in the favor of the Otherworlders. But the fact they came so close to pushing them back only for victory to be snatched away was enough to get people riled up. He himself was among the Senators, as was Zorzal and Savagii.

Finally, Molt got up and stepped to the center of the building. The senators continuing their debates despite the emperor's moving. "May I remind you all," Molt began, his voice silencing the senators, "that the Other-Worlders are at least 500 km from Sadera?!"

"Well then we must fight them until we destroy them!" A senator shouted.

"Or until we are destroyed!" Molt responded.

"Your Majesty!" Zorzal cried, standing. "Are you questioning the honor and the courage of the People of Sadera?"

"THESE. ARE. THE FACTS! Your crossing to the Otherworld cost us 10,000 lives and a Legate! Another 10,000, and a Legate captured after that, a senator! And now over 65,000 men and another senator lay dead at Alnus with families from around the Empire once again dragging carts to find their loved ones!"

"If memory serves, it was you who ordered that advance. Or did you in your ego forget that?" Zorzal accused.

"Indeed, I gave that order, but was it my fault that Ligu ruined the plan? Was it my fault that the enemy could deduce strategies? NO! Our army may field countless numbers, but we cannot afford to keep up with these losses in such a matter. We are LOSING! And if we continue along the path of direct attack, Sadera WILL be destroyed!" That declaration, emperor or otherwise, was met with a rather nasty response from the war-ready senators. "NOW is the time to be ruthless! And not just with our enemy, but with ourselves. To face our failures and reconsider our strategy!"

"What is your proposal, your Majesty?" Came the question from Casel.

"My son!" Molt gestured to the man, who came down to the center as the emperor returned to his throne, the speaker announcing Savagii's possession of the floor. His arm was fully healed by now, and he was cleaned up from the battle. But he had yet to fix his armor. Dented and punctured in battle.

"Saderans... senators... friends... as you can see. I have been healed, but my armor remains dented and battered, and my arm requires a brace a while longer. If one doubts my participation at Alnus, may he speak now!" No reply. "The Otherworlders cannot be beaten directly. Not like this, not so close to the Gate. It is their link to reinforcements and home... and everything else they need. Scorched earth tactics won't work should they continue. Yet we cannot let them move unmolested... which is why we do the one thing we can at this point. Make them come to us."

"Savagii, is that wise? They may take more ground, or gods forbid, forts."

"Oh that is a possibility indeed, but it is our only way. We must shift our focus to be like the scutum a legionary carries. Firm, strong, impenetrable. Let them attack, wear them down, and hit them however we can as they work their way in. We must be on the defensive for this war. We must buy time."

"But time for what?!" Zorzal questioned.

"Negotiations... or a breakthrough." Savagii gestured to the guards, and two stepped forward with his finds. "In my attendance of the battle I acquired three of their weapons and a set of their armor. In doing so I pray that the mages can look at them, see what makes them work and see if it is possible to replicate them. As for negotiations. They are not mindless savages or barbarians. They agreed to my request to let the rest of the army go, and I feel the intense attack coupled with our own losses played into that."

"That's the tactic and hope of a coward! Not a soldier! Would you have the Saderan Army adopt the ways of a savage!?" Zorzal challenged.

"I would have the Saderan Army do whatever it takes to win this war once and for all!" Savagii replied.

"He is right." Diablo said. "It is the best we can do, and if fortune favors us we can learn of their ways with the items Savagii brought back. He has my support."

"As with mine." Leontius spoke. Like a tidal wave the rest of the senators voiced their support of this measure.

"It may be our only chance... let the Otherworlders stretch themselves thin and fight us outside of their comfortable defenses. So it shall be. Take the items to the archmages. We will study them." With that, the meeting was basically over. Anything that needed to be said between father and son was already said... Molt wasn't happy about Savagii taking such chances but it couldn't be helped, and now he was the best informed man on how the Otherworlders performed.

Later back on his residence he would be contemplating alone until Marcus appeared. "It as was said, over 64,000 casualties in total among the nations. The defeated armies have been left without sufficient might and are returning home. Kings Sylvester, Harold and a couple of minor kings survived. The rest are our own surviving forces are returning as we speak. Reports are about a legion's worth having made it back to Castra Falco.

Molt gave a somber smile. "So long as Duran is gone, the major factor is removed... we will reduce the taxes for the kingdoms and grant some requests, keep them content so they don't devolve into rebellion."

"The Mystic Council has been working hard. While progress is slow, they have already made a few modifications to the weapons and armor being made, but they cannot hope to equip all legions." Marcus added

"That won't be necessary, my friend. Focus on the legions near the roads from the capital to Alnus. We must prioritize who gets what. Right now we must keep an eye out on our enemies."

The door opened to the throne room. "Your Majesty." The voice was female. Pina had come "Pina. What do you need, my daughter?" Molt asked.

"It's about Alnus, of course. I have learned that the Allied Army has suffered a miserable defeat.?What are we doing about this?" Was the reply.

"We are taking this time to fortify our positions for their inevitable assault." Marcus said.

"What complacency!" Piña shouted. "This will not help stop the enemy invasion!"

"Pina, you are correct." Molt responded. "But we cannot just attack. We believed that the with the vassal armies and we failed. We are far too ignorant regarding the enemy that occupies Alnus Hill. They indeed can be killed, but at a cost. We must mitigate this cost, and right now the best way to do that is to let them make the first moves, and wear them down." Molt was silent for a moment, then signed. "Actually... this is a perfect opportunity for you. Could I ask you and your Order to make way to their position? See if you can help the forces at Castra Falco in anyway?"

Piña reacted in surprise. "Me? With my Order?" She asked.

"Indeed. You were always trying to prove that your Order was more than a plaything. Now's your chance."

Pina slightly gritted her teeth, but kneeled before her father. "I understand, Your Majesty." She got up and left the throne room, but before she could.

"Pina, remember. This is not a death or glory mission. I'd rather know nothing about them if it means you live another day." Molt said after her. She turned, nodded, and left. Marcus soon after. "Guards. Leave me." He ordered, the soldiers left too. Now he was all alone.

Molt got up from his throne and looked out one of the window, letting the events dawn upon him. The army destroyed, a force unlike any other. And now he made these decision? What was becoming of the Empire? "Gods what am I doing? I'm finally giving into Pina's little games... Evangelus... hear this old man's prayer. Look over little Pina as she goes on her way... don't let her become the next victim."

…

The next day

Fort Gate was looking better. After the battle, buildings were in progress. There were so many workers form civilain sectors coming through the Gate in the past four days, so much work was being done. It was like watching ants work. As for the structures, it was admin and command first of course. The base was covering much of the area, beyond the established no-go zone. It had everything a Fort needed, including an under construction air field.

Planes were being sent through the Gate in parts, but the bigger ones would take much longer. Materials were being sent for an airfield as well so there was good news. The base had walls being built, with attack helicopters constantly patrolling. Mostly Japanese helis as Hazama had promised, with a few multinational transports like the Blackhawk in between. Itami was exiting a tent. He was feeling better... somewhat. He figured he was a veteran now… well… a new one anyway. He was given his new orders to assume Third Recon Team. He was really not happy. This was what Mitchell wanted him about when having to take responsibility, but he didn't want to do it, he also didn't feel ready to do so.

But the higher ups say otherwise. He wrote in his journal before this, so there was nothing missing. Save for the minor part he added of taking the responsibility of being a team leader and how much he thought it was going to suck.

Other than the whole leadership thing, command is sending six recon teams. Each includes SDF forces with another country. United States, Germany, Britain, France, South Korea, and Russia. We got word various others will accompany as advisors and mechanics. That sounds good. I just wish I wasn't in on it.

He'd continue later. He walked on, running into Scott. "How you feeling son?" He asked. Itami sighed.

"Like I wanna go home." He answered honestly.

Scott put a hand on his shoulder 'If it makes you feel better, I'm going with your team." Itami really didn't know how to feel, save for slight relief. "Looks like fate has us stuck with each other for the time being."

"Well… at least we'll have an expert with me." He said.

The two soldiers continued on. Along with Ferguson and the other recruits, Scott had Diaz, Brown, Hume, and Nolan. Safety in numbers right? The group approached the recon team. It was safe to say the team was absolutely happy that the Ghosts were with them. Though other teams took the pleasure of having other of Special Forces with them.

But for most of them, seeing Itami being assigned to them... especially Shino... yeah.

"I'm Itami, commander of the Special Region Recon Team Three." Itami began, no gusto in his voice.

"He's good soldier, and pretty fun to mess with." Nolan said smugly. Itami flinched and began to stutter at him. His friends and the Ghosts began laughing. While Itami simply lowered his helmet over his eyes in embarrassment.

"So much for an introduction." He mumbled. A quick eye contact with Shino warranted a huff from the female soldier.

The soldiers began to mount their vehicles, the SDF with a Komatsu light armored vehicle, a Toyata HMV, and a Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck. The Ghosts had the ever-lovable Humvees. Scott was going over some last minute conversations with General Keating. "Nothing too fancy today, Mitchell. The lack of intel we have on this world really leaves us with no alternatives. Still, this world has proven its got one surprise after the other." Keating said.

"I understand sir."

Mitchell heard what sounded like a small child whimpering. He turned around to find a sparkle-eyed, giddy Kuribayashi looking up at him with a big smile. "Scott?" Keating asked, realizing the situation.

Mitchell let out a very audible, very long sigh. "This is..." He looked back to the soldier. "My number one fan apparently." He mumbled.

Kuribayashi let out a squeal upon hearing the title. "MITCHELL-DONO CALLED ME #1! SUGOI SUGOI SUGOI!"

"Getting fans are we?" Keating asked, teasing.

Mitchell slapped a hand on his face while mumbling every curse word in the English dictionary. Itami began to stifle laughs. "And I thought you were immature." Said Mitchell. Itami looked at him still stifling.

"I guess so. But you gotta admit… she is kinda cute." Itami said. Staring at her bouncy assets. "Yeaaahhhhh…" A quick playful slap to the head brought him back to reality. "Sorry." Mitchell scoffed and went to the Humvees, where the Ghosts were sharing his thought process. The consequences of fans. All finished, the recon group consisted of three Komatsus and two Humvees, one with a minigun, the other with a grenade launcher. The repeating kind.

The groups exited the gates to the outside and made way to find a settlement. Itami writing in his journal, and Scott going over some details with the team.

Whatever happened, they had to be prepared.