(Excerpt from AAR debriefing for Operation Reclamation, audio recorded testimony of Martin Walker, Captain, U.S. Army, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment–Delta, timestamp: 12/20/2012, 0238 hours local time)

"Then there was the fact that the Damned 33rd had their own DJ. That's when the mission went from shit to weird shit. Almost made me forget about losing Kuwahara..."

*Walker looks at a file photo of Sergeant Major Kuwahara and asks for another cigarette*

"Of all the soldiers in Third Recon, I didn't think that Kuwahara would've bought the farm. He had the most experience of all of them, and honestly I think he was the only one who could keep Lt. Itami in line."

*Debriefer speaks: "You mean the bit where the mission almost went from bad to worse?"

"Yeah. Don't get me wrong, Lt. Itami was a good guy. I liked him, Lugo liked him, hell even Lt. Adams liked him as well, in spite of hating on nerds who like cat girls and weird Japanese cartoons. Itami was even a good soldier, by JSDF standards. It's just he wasn't ready for combat, and he completely lost it when Kuwahara died and his drive to try and rescue his two surviving JSDF compatriots, both of whom were women, turned into an obsession."

*Here Walker pauses and takes a drag from his cigarette*

"An' the tension was building in my squad...Adams and Lugo...I mean they already weren't on board with having Itami in tow with the first part of the mission. We've been through a shit lot together, but even we had our limits...and Itami's obsession was bringin' out the worst in both of them...

"An' as we pushed deeper into that weird world, shit just got weirder and weirder..."

"You okay, Walker? You've been awfully quiet..."

Captain Walker paused for a moment. He had just managed to club one of the enemy soldiers to the ground and executed him by stomping on his neck, killing him instantly. The Delta Force captain was just having bad memories of Kabul as he was brought from his reverie by Lt. Adams's voice. Walker responded.

"Just thinkin' about our next move..."

He glanced around and saw Lugo checking the vital signs of the last enemy soldier. Delta Squad followed the trail from the site of Third Recon's ambush to a heavily wooded area to the west, when the trees were so thick that there was hardly any accumulation of snow on the ground. He shuddered, and it wasn't the cold. He heard Adams speak up again.

"Wanna share it with the rest of the team, Marty?"

Walker looked up at the his heavy gunner and second in command. Lt. Adams rarely used Walker's first name in a combat op unless he was worried, and even through the grime of combat he could see concern all over Adams' dark complexion. But before he could respond Lt. Itami exploded in accented English.

"There's nothing to think about! With respect, Captain, both Shino and Mari need our help!"

Walker saw the young JSDF officer gesture frantically towards deeper into the forest as he continued.

"We need to keep moving!"

Then Itami made the mistake of grabbing Adams by his plate carrier, which had an immediate reaction from Adams. The Delta Force operator shoved Itami aside, snorting to himself.

"Hands-off, Nerd Guy! In case you haven't noticed, we are doing something!"

Captain Walker watched as Lt. Adams turned to address him.

"Sir, can I go on record and say that this babysitting detail was a bad fuckin' idea?"

When Walker didn't respond Adams continued.

"I know what you're thinkin', Walker, you're thinking of buckin' orders and chasin' down bad guys. That ain't our mission."

He heard Lugo speak up in the background.

"You want us to leave and forget about the survivors, Adams?"

"Man, fuck `em, they're soldiers they knew what they was signin' up for! We gotta get back to to the Gate and radio HQ. This mission's fucked, an' we're no longer looking for hostages and cat-girls now!"

Before either Lugo or Walker could respond, Lt. Itami, who apparently had more command of English than previously thought, sprang up and lunged at Adams.

"That was Tomita, you motherfucker!"

Itami tried to throw a punch at Adams, which the Delta Force operator easily deflected and put the JSDF soldier in a headlock. Only for Walker to jump in and push them apart, Adams took a step back and Itami fell to the ground.

"Stand down, both of you! Stand the fuck down!"

Walker glared at the two soldiers.

"The fuck is wrong with you two? We're in the middle of a freezing fuckin' warzone an' you're fighting in the dirt like a couple of goddamned kids!"

Sgt. Lugo opened his mouth to speak, but Walker cut him off.

"Not now, Sergeant!"

He turned his attention back to his second-in-command, standing over Itami.

"Lt. Adams! You are a fuckin' Delta Force operator, fucking act like one!"

He paused for a moment, and his icy cold gaze softened.

"Adams, we're in a fucked up sitch right now I need you to be at 110%, you tracking?"

His second-in-command glared down at Itami, but finally acquiesced.

"Yeah, roger that."

Walker nodded, then turned his attention down to Itami, his furious glare returned. For a moment the JSDF officer was genuinely afraid as he quailed under the American Spec Ops soldier's cold gaze.

"Lt. Itami, I understand you're under a lot of stress, but I need you to calm the fuck down and not make the sitch worse."

He glanced over to Lugo who started to translate for Itami. He continued.

"This isn't our first combat op, an' we know the stakes involved. But we, yourself included have to remain professionally detached and not let your emotions or personally attachments to the survivors interfere with your judgement, otherwise this mission is going to go from FUBAR to worse."

He saw the look of resignation in Itami's eyes, and concluded.

"An' like it or not this is now an U.S. military op, and you will respect the chain of command, including anything I or any of my subordinates say, understood?"

Itami sullenly nodded. Walker glanced over to Adams.

"We good?"

When he saw Adams nod Walker continued.

"Good. To answer your question Lt. Adams I think we need to continue for at most another hour, or before it gets too dark to regain our bearings. We continue to the west to see if we can recover the missing soldiers, then fall back to the Gate and report to HQ."

He saw that it satisfied both his squad and Itami, so he gestured forward.

"let's keep moving and see if we can find your two comrades...Lugo, see if you can pick up their trail, Adams, cover 'im. Itami, you cover the rear with me..."

(45 minutes later, approximately 10 klicks west of the Gate)

"Hey, they're shooting at us!"

Lugo reached out with his TAR-21 and blind-fired from cover as he shouted out over the radio. He heard Adams' response on the radio.

"I know that Lugo!"

The Delta sniper snorted.

"No, I mean they're shooting at us! With actual guns!"

He pulled himself back into cover and crouched to avoid a stream of incoming enemy fire and keyed his throat mic.

"That was an AK-47 that was just fired, and I'm pretty sure that zing! i heard was a 7.62x39mm round!"

"SO?!"

Lugo sighed.

"So where the fuck are they getting firearms from? HUMINT said these were primitive medieval types!"

"Probably looted off the 33rd."

"Yeah, but where did they learn to shoot? Who the fuck taught them?"

The Delta Force squad and their JSDF charge had made it to a clearing and were encountering heavy resistance from the locals, including someone proficient in firearms. Lugo and Adams were engaging while Walker and Itami were slowly making it to their forward position. Something else had bothered Lugo, one of the dead enemies they encountered was wearing ACU trousers and had a US military issued flashlight, but the man was a heavyset brute with a beard and looked like a local.

Like the weapons, Walker had concluded that the gear was looted off dead 33rd soldiers. Behind him Lugo saw Walker slowly crouch down and approach his position.

"Sit-rep, Lugo!"

The Delta sniper shook his head.

"We were pinned down by fire, sounds like the AK fire before, along with a mix of small arms."

He paused.

"Sounds like they let up, maybe they wanna talk?"

Walker nodded and glanced through the brambles that were offering Delta Squad cover. Across the clearing was a high ridge that the yet-to-be-seen enemy was holding position.

"Outworlders! Answer us!"

The Delta Force capatain glanced over to Lugo. Someone in the ridge, probably the same people who ordered the ceasefire, had called out. Walker leaned out of cover to get a better look. He could see more men, these ones were different from the ones that attacked Third Recon. Whereas their attackers at the Gate were wearing mail armor and steel helms, these enemies were dressed in ragged clothes and rough cloaks made from animal pelts. Walker heard Adams speak up in the radio.

"This could go south real quick, captain. Could be an ambush."

Walker keyed his mic.

"Yeah, but it could be something else. We need to play it smart. Nobody fire unless I give the order."

He then raised his voice so he could be heard.

"My name is Martin Walker, we're looking for survivors."

He heard one of the others shout out.

"Why? So you can kill us, too?"

Walker shook his head.

"No! We were scouting out the Gate, an' we're looking for survivors from the attack on the Gate."

No sooner had Walker said that then someone emerged from the cleft of the rocky ridge. It was a large man with a fiery red beard and wearing a cloak of animal skins. What struck Walker the most was that the strange man was also brandishing a large AA-12 automatic shotgun with a drum-fed magazine, he wielded the large weapon as if it were no more than a toy. The man called out in a harsh voice to Walker.

"Who are you, Outworlder? Are you allied with the 33rd, or are you allied with the CIA?"

The man spat out the acronym as if it were poison, but his utterance shocked Walker to his core. The CIA? There was no way in hell the CIA would be involved with the Gate, it was a Japanese issue, and more to the point it was secured by Japan's own secretive internal security service. Walker decided just to tell the truth and called out to the man.

"My name is Captain Martin Walker! I am a United States Army, Delta Force! I'm looking for Colonel Konrad and the 33rd!"

The large man's demeanor changed immediately, he paused. Someone else was talking to him from the ridge but Walker couldn't make out what was being said. The large man waved off whoever was addressing him, then turned back to Walker.

"Show yourself, Outworlder who calls himself Captain Martin Walker of United States Army!"

Captain Walker was still in shock and processing the fact that the locals knew of the CIA and that somehow those agents were operating in this world. He ignored the warnings from both Adams and Lugo and instead stood up, his hands away from his weapon. The bearded man strode up through the clearing, closing the distance between him and Walker. As he approached Walker realized that the man was much larger close up. The man's eyes widened as he beheld Walker, and turned to shout to his compatriots.

"Look! It's as I thought!"

The large man pointed to the American flag patch on Walker's chest plate.

"His sigil, he is one of Konrad's bannermen!"

He turned and grinned at Walker, who still stood dumbfounded.

"Just as it was foretold, I knew that you would come in our hour of need."

Walker tried to returned the grin but there was a shout raised by someone on the ridge. The Delta Force captain turned and saw Lt. Itami has sprung from cover, brandishing his rifle. He cried out angrily.

"Where are they!? Where is Shina and Mari?! Answer me you bastards you kn-"

The rest of Itami's rant was cut short by a fist-sized rock hitting the side of his head, and the JSDF officer crumpled to the ground. Walker turned and saw the large man leaning forward as if he had just thrown the rock.

"Couldn't understand what the stupid cunt was saying, but I'm guessing he's with you, but not one of yours?"

Walker nodded uncertainly.

"But how-"

The large man pointed to the now-unconscious Itami and his uniform.

"His clothes and banner are different from yours...still has same Outworlder tech...so he's not one of your bannermen."

Walker watched as Lugo and Adams administered first aid to Itami, then he felt a heavy, meaty hand clap onto his shoulder. In spite of the padding from his plate carrier he almost dislocated his arm from its socket.

"It is a good thing you showed up, Walker. Come, I will take you to the 33rd."

Walker held up his hand.

"Wait, what about the survivors? There was an ambush by the Gate! Two survivors, women, dressed like that man over there, they were taken..."

The large man turned to face Walker again, this time his face looked grave.

"Ah, I knew that lot would be drawn to the Gate when it opened again. These lands are not as safe as they once were. There are raiders that would take the opportunity to lash out at the 33rd and her allies. As for your women..."

He glanced over at Itami's unconscious form.

"It would be best if they are already dead."

Then the man gestured behind him, and several more dressed like him came out of the rocky cliffs. Two of them were dressed in the same cloaks of animal pelts, but Walker noticed that one of them was wearing muddied combat boots. The man reached into a bulky pack the the second man was carrying and pulled out a familiar-looking radio receiver, then spoke.

"Checkmate One-Six this is Two-Six Romeo, be advised we have made contact with Outsiders. Send in Bravo Two-Six for exfil."

There was a hiss of static and Walker heard a voice speak up faintly.

"Bravo Two-Six acknowledges and is inbound, ETA 5 mikes..."

Walker had too many questions to ask, but instead decided to check in with the rest of his squad. Lugo was finishing bandaging up Itami's head when his CO approached.

"Well, he's gonna have a big lump on his head and possibly a concussion, but I don't think there'll be any permanent damage."

The Delta Force Captain nodded.

"Yeah, what do you make of all this shit?"

Lugo glanced up at Adams, who shook his head.

"Man, this is some fucked up shit. Locals carrying weapons, with radios?"

Walker shrugged.

"At least they're not shooting at us, an' the big guy said he can take us to Konrad and the 33rd."

Then they heard it. The distinctive chopping sound of an inbound helicopter. Sure enough, within a few minutes Walker saw an object rise into view above the tree line and approach them. As it got closer Walker could make out that it was a Blackhawk helicopter, its anti-collision lights winking on and off as it slowly circled their position before descending. The locals were accustomed to the sight and even crouched down like well-practiced soldiers to avoid the downwash. Walker noticed that the Blackhawk chopper was in fact black with a red mouth painted on it. The side cargo door slide open and someone wearing stained ACU's and a helmet beckoned Walker and his team to enter.

As he approached Walker noted that the chopper's entire fuselage was covered in black scales, between that and the red, toothy mouth on the front it looked like a dragon. But Walker noted that the pilot was in ACU's and a helmet as was the crew chief in stained ACU's. Neither of the soldiers paid Walker or his team any mind, but seemed laser-focused on their jobs. The large man joined Walker in the cabin, and took up half a bench seat himself. The crew chief slid the door shut and the helicopter lifted off.

Suddenly a familiar voice boomed through Walker's radio and some speakers mounted to the chopper's interior.

"Well well well! Looks like we finally have some folks droppin' in from the real world! About damned time, I'd say!"

Walker was in disbelief, but he heard the bearded man laugh.

"I like him, we call him the Jester, but the 33rd call him the Radioman. He provides us with music, and entertainment, no matter where we are in the world."

Neither Walker nor any of his team responded, and just listened the DJ's spiel as he continued.

"Beep Beep Beep! This just in! Tourism is up an astounding 3000 percent as a new wave of Americans decide to make this backwards shithole their vacation destination of choice! When asked by one of the local primitive screwheads what he thought of these fresh new faces, he had this to say...AAAAARRRRRGGHHH!

"...Okay, that was a bad joke and a bad impression of a death rattle, but I don't know about you I am genuinely curious to know what our American friends had brought with them, and what news they bring...More details at the top of the hour!"

Walker craned his neck to get a better look outside and get his bearings, but all he could see was more forest. He couldn't even make out where the Gate was, or even what part of the forest that was. He heard the large man lean in and speak to him.

"Not much to see here, but we will be there soon."

As if on cue the chopper descended, and Walker didn't get a chance to look around but instead saw a tall stone wall grow in his field of vision. He could see that this was some sort of helipad. As soon as he felt the chopper's wheels touch ground with a 'thump!' the side cargo door opened, revealing men wearing mail armor and leather helms. Walker and his crew stepped out, out of the corner of his eye he saw someone in ACU's with a red cross band on his arm approach the unconscious Itami, but then he felt a hand pulled him away. The large man grinned at Walker.

"Your fellow will be taken care of by the 33rd, not to worry. Their medicine is much better than ours."

He pointed to a castle that was connected to the walled enclosure.

"There, there is where you'll find the 33rd."

He gestured dismissively to the men in chainmail.

"These kneelers will take you to them, but don't let them give you any shit, you have my permission to shoot them..."

Off to one far wall were several AH6-J Little Bird choppers that were being prepped for takeoff. Walker didn't get a chance to gawk as he was ushered by the men wearing mail armor away from the chopper and into the castle. Through several long dark hallways Walker followed the men, not quite escorts but not quite guards, until they came to a set of large heavy wooden doors. The guards paused and pushed them open, gesturing for Walker, Adams and Lugo to go through.

As soon as they entered the doors shut, but Walker got a good look at their surroundings. They were in some sort of great hall, with tables and chairs flanking the sides but leaving the center aisle open. Banners hung from the rafters, most prominently was the one that was flapping outside, a white and green banner with a snarling wolf's head. At the end of the hall sat a young lady in a large ornately carved wooden chair. She looked to be scarcely out of her teens, with vivid red hair, grey eyes and pale skin. She was wearing a black formal dress, over which was a heavy black cloak. To her right was a man with mutton chop sideburns and a mailed shirt. The woman said nothing, but gazed at the three Delta Force operators with her cold blue-gray eyes. Finally Walker decided to break the ice.

"Um, we were told that we could see Colonel Konrad and the 33rd?"

The tall man with the mutton chop sideburns glared at Walker.

"Show some respect for your betters and the mistress of this House, Outworlder!"

The man's rant was cut short by the young woman raising her gloved hand. She spoke in a soft voice.

"Peace, Ser Rodrick. These Outworlders do not know of our customs."

The young woman continued to fix Walker with her cold, scrutinizing gaze while he and his two squad members stood in awkward silence. Finally a door creaked open, and a young man strode into the room. Walker noted that the young man was in his early twenties, wearing impeccably clean ACU's with a pistol belt and closed-cropped hair. He had the rank insignia of a Lieutenant, and was definitely 33rd. In other words, the young officer would look perfectly normal at any military base, but in this medieval setting he looked about as out of place as Walker or his companions. Walker also noticed that the young woman's gaze softened considerably when she turned her attention to the young soldier, who cleared his throat.

"Captain Walker, I presume?"

When Walker nodded uncertainly, the soldier gave a crisp salute.

"Lt. John McPherson, of the Damned 33rd. I'm Colonel Konrad's adjunct, sir."

Walker was still processing this when Lugo spoke up.

"Lieutenant, sir, I mean, what the fuck is going on here? Why are you guys working with locals, an' why is the CIA here?"

He heard Adams chime in.

"Yeah, and why do they have a hard-on for the Damned 33rd?"

Lt. McPherson held up his hands placatingly.

"All will be answered in due time, gentlemen."

He heard the young lady clear her throat, and he flushed slightly.

"But first I believe some introductions are in order."

He straightened up.

"Gentlemen, welcome to Westeros. And more specifically, to Winterfell, home to House Stark."

(AN: AAAAAAnd there's the twist! Yep, this isn't Falmart, it's Westeros. And for anyone who is curious, where Walker and Co have found the 33rd is in the Game of Thrones, specifically right around what would be the 7th season, although since the 33rd were involved some things are obviously different. This story will be framed in a series of vignettes as told to Walker by various characters, both from the Damned 33rd and GoT. Hopefully I haven't disappointed too many Gate fans, but I always wanted to do a GoT/SO:TL crossover and thought this was a good way of going about it. That and if anyone deserved to be on the receiving end of the Damned 33rd and Wily Pete it would be the denizens of Westeros.

Anyways, if you want to cast off here, that's fine, and if you want to continue to see what happens to Walker and his squad as they navigate the complexities of this new world, not the least of which what happened to the survivors of Third Recon, read on. A word of warning, this will be playing out like the SO:TL video game in certain aspects, except in this case it's Westeros instead of Dubai, so there will be more plot twists abound. I am still trying to keep with the monthly updating, and I will try and get another chapter up before Easter. Until then, follow/fav/comment or jeer away!)