Forward Operating Base (FOB) Bifrost

Colonel Chester Pitch sits idly on his office as he watches supplies being unloaded outside his window. It was quite peaceful in here, a complete opposite of what he's used to. Vietnam wasn't exactly a pleasant experience, but something just felt off about this peaceful atmosphere. Almost as if he was out of place. Not that he wanted combat. He wouldn't dare relive the horror he went through.

Another trailer truck appears, and men start unloading a segment of a UH-1 Huey helicopter. He smiles. The FOB was almost complete. Barracks buildings, Hospitals, Supply Depots and other facilities were nearing completion. He was hoping to have an airbase constructed here, but the Pentagon didn't approve it. Based on what Ilse Langnar, the Wall Native that first crossed the Gate, the natives here are primitive compared to the current 1980s. They didn't like the idea of spooking the Natives by flying reconnaissance missions on their airspace.

As if Helicopters can't do the same. No point in arguing, he's just glad that he has at least some aerial capabilities.

His telephone rings. Straightening himself, he slides with his office chair towards his desk, away from the window and took the phone.

"Colonel Chester Pitch here"

"Colonel, it's Lt. Colonel Steven Haller of 1st Battalion" the phone answers.

"Yes Steven what is it?" He asks.

"Bravo Company ran into some trouble. They got cornered by Titans and decided to join forces with the Natives."

The Colonel's eyes widened at the news. They weren't supposed to fight against Titans, let alone fight with the Natives. Rules of Engagement literally says not to spook any of the Native in the region. He pinches his head and leans forward on his desk.

"Did you order them to pull back?" the Colonel questions.

"Yes, but they said the AO was too hot and retreated to a forest. I just got word that apparently the Natives offered to help them. I sent in Alpha and Delta to relieve them."

Chester groans at the report "Well this escalated rather quickly... Listen" He leans back "Once they've been relieved, have their commanding officer report to me immediately for an after-action report."

"Will do sir."

"Was that all?"

"Yes sir, that was all."

"Then there's nothing more to discuss. Thank you" The Colonel ends the call and takes a sigh. Hopefully nothing goes wrong...

Lieutenant Felix Lyfeld POV, Bravo Company, 5 minutes later

Most of our AAVs were full of scratch marks, but nothing too severe. Thankfully, no one was hurt. Most of the Titans that came after us were mowed down before they could even grab one of us. Thank God for the .50 Cals and Mark 19s. Those might've just saved our lives.

We formed a defensive perimeter, checked our ammo and tended to whatever needs to be done. Ammo changes, sorting out equipment and all that stuff. Though the curious eyes of the Scouts above us made me uneasy. They looked down on us like monkeys dangling on the trees. Something tells me we're not exactly welcome here.

The silver haired officer that led us here flew off after she told us to hold here. Not that I'm complaining. There was a shed next to us, which we used to rest up. Still though, every time I look far into the woods it almost seems like a Scout is just looking at me, eye to eye before disappearing again. This environment is their playground. He didn't feel safe.

"Tree huggers" One of the Marines comment.

"Reckon we'd be able to reverse engineer one of those? Spiderman doesn't seem far off if we had those Gear of theirs."

"Man you think the Nazis would just hand over secret documents of the Atomic bomb? Those are definitely top secret."

"I'm just saying..."

I really didn't have anything better to do other than eavesdrop on other people's conversations. Stype is still on the AAV trying to communicate with Alpha or Delta Company who were on their way.

I saw Charlie sitting down on a piece of wood, chewing on some biscuits he got from the MREs. He didn't seem to mind the presence of the Scouts above and around us. I wish I was as relaxed as him. I kept walking around the men on guard, making sure they're on alert.

Keep an eye on them... Don't slack off, we're still in enemy territory... We're still surrounded. Be on guard

Those were all I could say to them. They probably think I'm paranoid and such. Most of them have seen more combat than I did. Gunnery Sergeant Walter Ace, whom we call Spades, has been through hell and back in 'Nam. Right now he's the most experienced soldier in this Company, which makes me want to do more to live up to their standards.

"Lieutenant" Spades comes in, holding a folder "After action report." He says, handing it over.

"Thank you Gunny." I reply, taking it from his hands.

As I read the contents, I notice him squint his eyes, still looking at me.

"What is it Gunny?"

"Don't overwork yourself too much sir. You handled the situation well back there. Best give it a rest."

"I feel like I could've done it better."

"You could've. Only thing for you to do now is do better. No point dwelling in the past." He takes a step closer and places his hand on my shoulder "I've heard the men. They trust you."

I sigh "I hope you're right..."

Interestingly enough, he smiles "Don't screw yourself over sir." And walks away. Despite the difference in our ranks, his experience alone outranks me. I took his words to heart, and joins Charlie by the fallen tree with a sponge cake on hand. This day was rather tiresome.

Erwin Smith, 5 minutes later

Erwin stood atop the mechanized perimeter of the outsiders. He recently heard that it wasn't just Nanaba's squad members who encountered them.

Three cadets, each from different squads also encountered them apparently when they withdrew to the forest to report the presence of the Female Titan... Well, wherever she was now.

Levi's Squad was decimated. Though Levi himself managed to outclass the Titan, he sprained his foot when he rescued Eren.

Now, they were down to 50% strength. Maybe even less. Atleast everyone has already regrouped with him.

"Seems like she wasn't lying" Miche said, standing next to Erwin "Whats your move, Commander?"

Erwin had no idea how to approach them. They all seemed to be on edge. He heard the testimonies of the Scouts who escorted them within the forest that their weaponry was nothing to scoff at. Perhaps a slow approach will entice them to communicate.

Erwin reeled down slowly, much to the disapproval of his comrades. Miche does the same, but he doesn't mind.

He sees the outsiders all look up at him as he descends slowly and touches the ground. Now that he was closer to them, only then did he witness how alien they were. Their gear, their uniforms, and not to mention their carriages. It was all too different from what he's used to.

One of the outsiders approach him, followed by another. They all wore the same uniforms, but he could tell this young man was the leader. His presence invoked authority but Erwin couldn't quite put it to words.

He spoke in a foreign language, but surprisingly, the man next to him translated fluently.

"I'm Lieutenant Felix Lyfeld of the United States Marine Corp."

"My name is Command Erwin Smith of the Survey Corps. I'm pleased to meet other humans other than us."

The other soldier translates it to the Officer, Felix, and by the looks of it both the officer and the translator seemed to be shock at the mention of his name.

"Commander Erwin Smith of the Scouts...?" The translator questions without the words of the Lieutenant

"Yes. Do you know of me?" Erwin says, keeping his stoic look.

"Yes. One of your Scouts was the reason why we came to this place. She told us all about your Society and thus the reason why we are sent here"

"You have... Met one of my Scouts?" Erwin questioned suspiciously.

"Well, yes. It's a complicated matter of which we don't have the authority to tell you."

The Officer spoke to the translator which Erwin understood as him scolding the translator. Perhaps advising him not to make small talk without his permission? Well, who knows.

Felix spoke, to which the translator relayed back to Erwin.

"Um.. We can't stay here for long unfortunately. We were not supposed to engage in combat with Titans today. More of our men will arrive to escort us back to our base. Please, take this" Charlie hands Erwin a pamphlet. To Erwin, the material was unlike he had ever seen. Polymer wasn't exactly a thing that would be seen within the Walls, so to him, it was yet another foreign construct these Outsiders have brought with them.

"It's a pamphlet that shares some information about us. Please, hand it to your superiors. We would like to establish peaceful diplomatic relations in the future." Charlie added.

Miche eyed them suspiciously. It's not that he doesn't find their presence exciting. Part of the reason why he joined the Scouts was because of his curiosity of the outside world. The presence of humans does surprise him, but his instincts are telling him that they aren't just here for a visit. No... They most likely are here to stay. Why else would they be here? Are they expanding their territory, or are they also facing the struggles of Humanity within the Walls?

Something behind the welcoming smiles of Charlie makes him feel uneasy.

4 hours later, Military Headquarters within Wall Sina

"Is that all Erwin?" The High-Ranking Noble questions

"Yes sir. Though I'd like to add that they seem to be eager to cooperate with us if we do things fairly." Erwin says.

"Right right... The Noble scoffs "If that is all, then you may leave."

Erwin, still fatigued from the Expedition, leaves the room in silence. However, before he fully closes the door, one of the nobles spoke up "And please prepare Eren for trial once he is awake."

Erwin halts for a moment. "Yes, I shall" he says, then closes the door.

The High-Ranking Noble leans back on his chair, and pinches his brow "People outside the Walls? Here?"

"Is that even possible? I mean, how could they bypass Wall Rose, let alone the thousands of Titans outside the Walls?

"Questions yet to be answered..." The High-Ranking Noble says, looking down at the pamphlet Erwin handed him during the debrief. At first, he didn't believe him. Lord Reiss and immediately sent a response force. But to think that they were cordial with Erwin and his scouts despite the bad history between the old kings and the outside world struck him the most. Something wasn't adding up here...

"They are outsiders. They must be here to kill us all! We must mobilize the Military!"

"What? Don't be stupid! We finally get to meet humans outside the Walls, and you want to kill them!?"

"Anything that is outside the Walls will kill us! That is why it was made in the first place! Use your head!"

It was obvious that not everyone in the room was aware of the full truth. Leaving things as it is now would only fuel chaos within the Walls.

"News of the matter must not spread. Keep their presence a secret." The High-Ranking Noble replies. If somehow the presence of outsiders became known to the public, who knows what would happen. It might reignite the fuel to venture deeper to outside territory, making contact with the outside all too inevitable. Worse of all, the Survey Corps and Erwin might gain too much public support, making a coup or even a Civil War possible. This issue cannot stand.

"Servants!" He calls out "Prepare my carriage, I need to meet Lord Reiss"

Author Notes:

Had a bit of a writer's block, not to mention I got sick with the damn rain not stopping .
But anyway, slowly getting better so I should be able to get myself out of this writer's block.

Comment Replies:

Endragora: "I'm gonna be honest this feels like it was inspired by "Freedom Rings"

-Not exactly wrong though the only thing that I actually took inspiration of was the Gate. As for the inspiration for the rest of the fanfic, it goes all the way back to January of 2022 when I opened an AOTTG Server where we roleplayed as a technocratic Empire against the entire world of Titans lol. Honestly I would've written a 'What if the Imperium of Man found the AOT Universe' but I just recently finished watching Generation Kill so I went for this instead XD