Title: The War of Two Earths
Rating: M for violence, gore, and profanity.
Disclaimer: Fallout franchise is own by Bethesda Softworks while Gate - jietai kare no chi nite kaku tatakaeri created by Takumi Yanai.
Warning: AU Fallout and AU Gate, swearing, death, and violence.
Summary: A strange Roman-like structure rise and Japan found itself invaded by the strange clothed humans and fantasy-like races acting familiar with Earth, claiming retribution against...America?
Chapter 7: Daily Lives of Falmartians
Somewhere...Italica, Central Falmart…Morning...
"It is time to wake up, sir." A non local accent spoke, waking a middle aged gray hair man from his slumber and pulling him into another day of living. Even with his eyes closed, he could tell the sunlight is rudely invading his room through the windows. Invited itself as usual whenever the curtains get pulled open.
"Sir?" The same odd voice still sounding polite after waiting ten seconds, "It is time to wake up, shall I physically 'assist' you, Mr. Formal? Perhaps, your body need another health check."
At the last part, the voice became slightly deeper and sinister as if threatening. Remembering the last time and not wanting to experience the consequence again, a stirred response came out in form of a groan and body shifting on bed under a blanket.
"Ugg...Fine." The middle aged man named Colt Formal groaned grumpily as he slowly turned his head to face a floating metallic spherical object possessing three soul-less eyes and three limbs with one having claws while two two limbs have different weapons for "self-defense" purpose.
"There is no need for that, Python." Colt lifted his head off his comfortable pillow to look at a talking object named Python, "I'm awake."
Colt grumpily dropped his head to push his source of warmth off his body, revealing a nightgown before adjusting himself into sitting position with his feet on the floor.
"Very good, sir." Python's voice instantly became lighter and jovial, still in odd accent that the Ameereekans called 'British'.
Damn ro-bawk has the gall to act as if it hasn't threaten to use a physical 'assistance' in first place, Colt thought with a stink-eye toward a floating ro-bawk who proceed to inform him.
"Your daughters are currently down stair and have already started eating their breakfast. As a reminder, Myui and her classmates will be performing a play today at late afternoon after school. No doubt she is eager to showcase her acting. Off course, Loui will be there however Elle has sadly declined the invitation."
"Or rather she ignored it. Not surprising." Colt thought about his eldest daughter, Elle who's an adult now working as a store clerk, a job he knew she loathed.
Elle has always wanted to live comfortably and lavishly with desire for power. She was going to be wedded to Count Roen until the Ameereekans came to Italica and have strangely frowned upon "underage" marriage. Possessing their own insane idea of what considered to be civilized and what not, the Ameereekans have voided every single marriage and engagement involving one or both parties being under age 18 while placing many rules during the last 20 years with Colt still officially recognized as a "ruler", though many citizens knew him as a figurehead and it's actually his Ameereekan "advisors" governing the city and its daily operations.
Colt didn't mind Elle's marriage to former Count Roen being voided but Elle who was 14 years old at the time did. He was already considered to be an odd one among the nobility for having unusual perspective and welcoming all kinds of humanoids into his services. Thanks to the Ameereekan rules, he doesn't have to worry about setting up marriage for Loui with other noble house anymore as his parents and their parents did back in their days. Same with Myui when she was born.
Many rules including the ban on child marriage and slavery along with the loss of prestige and benefits have greatly upset many former nobles whose families have been doing them for many generations. It didn't helped that the Formal Clan has managed to retain its current residence albeit the half of the building got taken over by the Ameereekans who made changes as they pleased such as new walls to block the connecting hallways as well as installing over dozens odd devices known as cameras and turrets for security for Italica's new government office.
Deadly security, thanks to a thing called...technology. As in not magic!
"Let's not think about that, it is too early." Colt thought, not wanting to remember two of his humanoid maids being filled with holes from demonic devices capable of shooting deadly projectiles traveling faster than eyes could follow.
Oh! How about a school play with his youngest daughter in it! Yes, let's think about the school play! A play where his Myui playing as a character named...named...Ali-sa something from one of the Ameereekans' children literature. That last part was surprising for Colt who didn't think the Demons in Green would have literature.
That made Colt smile as he recalled Myui excitedly telling him about her school hosting a show that'll be open to all parents. The happy and innocent look on his youngest and sweetest child's face is one of few things Colt desired to keep and cherish forever. His smile slightly faltered with his mind voicing a concern as few of the parents are Ameereekans and the other few are former nobles while the rest being the common people and lesser beings. Even today, Colt could still see the former nobles' resentment toward the Ameereekans over the loss of prestige and benefits including the right to own slaves and have as many as slaves and servants as their heart desired.
When the Ameereekans introduced the standardized education for all children of specific age range in Italica that has been selected along with Liberty City and very few other cities, there was another outrage from the former nobles. Because when the Ameereekans said 'all children', they really meant "ALL children", regardless of what background. Including children born from the parents who used to be slaves. But it didn't stop there because the humanoid children will also be attending.
It was an outrage!
Unacceptable!
Insulting!
Preposterous!
Ignoring the boundary line between the nobles, merchants, peasants, and slaves? What an absurd notion! Blatant disrespect to the cultures and traditions!
In the nobles' mind, the idea of children from multiple social standings interacting in the same room and receiving the same level of education to learn reading, writing, history, economy, and math was unheard! The education will even teach children to speak English and learn science that affronted many scholars and religious clerics of how the world work.
"Madness!", the nobles have cried, Colt recalled. The purpose of having peasants and slaves around is so they can serve their betters as their parents and ancestors have done so for many centuries, not to be on equal standing! Disgusting Ameereekan scums! They deserve to rot in hell and be eternally tormented for coming up with despicable and heretical idea of equality!
To make it worse, the education is free! Barring the former nobles' blockade attempt, there's no barrier to children from peasant or former slavery to enroll in Ameereekan schools, converted from most of the noble homes.
But the Ameereekan authority has been firm and heavy-handed in their response. After increasing the number of orphans, the remaining former nobles had to shut up. Being forced to live with bitterness for sixteen years as they watched their children being escorted to the "school" where they'll be at risk of being tainted from being in close proximity with the former slaves' children and the non-human children along with the Ameereekan ways of life. Even when children reached age 13, they still must go to school as if they're on their way to become a full time scholar instead of finding a job and work to make a living.
Unfortunately, most of the former nobles have passed their negative attitude down to their children and most of them tend to look down on children from low status background. Sadly, they have also targeted Loui and Myui for being daughters of the traitor who bowed his head to the Ameereekan force and was rewarded to "keep" the Formal Clan's high status for opening the gate without a fight.
It didn't matter that many former nobles chose to conveniently forget that over half of the force sent from Italica to reinforce the Imperial Capital got wiped out. Saved for Colt and his few loyal officers and soldiers who went back to Italica under disguise of tactical retreat and revising the strategy to counter-attack and prepare for the Ameereekan invasion.
Except there was never a strategy to work on for counter attack or even preparing to defend the city at all. Not after witnessing the Demons in Green's handiwork and the Imperial Capital's sacking, Colt and other survivors knew even with their city's walls and home advantage mean nothing to the Ameereekans who don't fight fair and honorably while possessing fearsome power and range.
They could try to fight and defend Italica but that would be foolish and would lead to the city being sacked with fire and deaths. No, there was nothing Colt and the defenders could do against the Demons in Green.
Saved for one thing, resting Italica's and its citizens' fate on Colt Formal who did exactly one thing to save his home from destruction and unnecessary deaths. Off course, Colt had to persuade the hardheaded nobles not to do anything foolish by punching the most outspoken opposing noble's face to shut him up and saying couple words with other survivors' verbal support.
Sometime, it amazed and frightened Colt just how stubborn the nobles can be even with over dozen survivors all saying the same thing. They have too much pride in themselves and faith in the Imperial military might. Perhaps it was too easy to be in denial rather than believing just how outmatched the Imperial military was in comparison to the Demons in Green.
The middle aged man could still remember that fateful day when Italica was greeted with the sight of Ameereekan force approaching. Striking those who have witnessed the demonic weapons while ignoring the ignorant defenders' jeering of how the Ameereekans being foolish, coming to attack the well fortified city with such a small number.
How he, Count Colt Formal, stood alone outside Italica's gate with no weapon, waiting for the Ameereekans who later sent a horseless iron carriage with two men hopping in their odd green outfit and armor. Unnerving Colt with how human they look as one man spoke in strange language and other man spoke in the Common Language, translating the question that came out cold and harsh with nothing holding back his assurance that the Ameereekans will win.
"You surrender, no fight?"
It took one word from Colt and the gate opening to save Italica from suffering the same fate as the now called Liberty City and other cities including Rondel did. The Ameereekans have just walked through the gate while the city with Colt walking next to the front horseless carriage as the worried crowd stood on the sides. Unfortunately, there was a small opposition toward the Ameereekan force resulting almost 160 deaths caused by their guns and another 200 during panic and unrest as the people screamed and stampeded hysterically, crushing the victims under their weight until the Ameereekans forced order upon Italica.
But...It was the right decision he made to save his city and people from the meaningless deaths and devastation. No matter how often Colt ignored a small voice somewhere in his head, taunting him for being a coward. No matter how often Colt defended his choice, using the Imperial Capital and Rondel as justification. If a city filled with numerous mages, all capable of magics (no matter how small) and the biggest heavily fortified capital couldn't stop the Demons in Green, then what could he, the leader of trading hub do?
Pray to the gods and ask for help? Smite the demons? Send their mighty Apostles? Any kind of sign from the gods telling the people that the gods are on their side. Colt and many other people prayed, but no help would come.
What does it means? The gods were on the Demons in Green's side? Was the Empire being punished? Perhaps, it was meant to be with no whisper of Apostle prowling and punishing the Ameereekans or anything.
No matter how many years Colt endured his memory of watching many brave men charging toward the Ameereekans. How their boisterous yell turned into confusion, shock, fear, and rage. How the Imperial morale quickly got shattered as if furiously struck by lightning before feeling dread.
How the people fled from the Imperial Capital's bleeding grasp. How some of the refugees went with Colt and his surviving army to Italica.
Colt could still feel guilt of turning half of them away from Italica due to lack of space already has been taken over by the refugees from different cities, towns, and other settlements. Crowding the streets, filling them with unrest and uncertainty as many refugees inside the walls spoke of the Demons in Green leaving corpses after corpses in their march. The area outside the city wasn't any better with the local military and farmers forcing the refugees who couldn't get in to set up their tents away from the walls and crop fields…
The same fields being used to feed the Ameereekans who hired many former slaves to work on the existing and new fields.
A humming from Mr Handy bought Colt back to present time.
Python floated toward one of the windows before remarking, "Today weather will be beautiful unlike yesterday rain. Oh goodness, it was murky, wouldn't you say. Your morning walk to your work will be pleasant. Lucky you, sir."
Work...Ah yes, his work as a "governor" and thanks to the Amereekans' changes, Colt has to go outside of his home to walk couple steps to the Ameereekan occupied portion of the same building where he has to show some card showing picture of his still handsome face with name in English and Common Language to get through security checkpoints. Then walk some more steps to get to his office while making small uncomfortable talk with some kor-poor-rate Ameereekans who would be parading around in their odd clothing that look to be made of finer materials.
What a big change Colt has to endure to get to the space he once owned. Not only the Ameereekans have proven to be fearsome, they're also paranoid as they've constructed walls to cut off many hallways as well as "persuading" half of the Formal Clan servants to find new job somewhere. There goes half of his pretty servants.
Yes, another "wonderful" day as Italica's "governor" for Colt Formal. At least, he doesn't have to wear that Gods-awful thing called...necktie as that would make him feel like he's a prisoner who has rope tied around his neck for execution by hanging that could occurs at any time. Or perhaps he's feeling like a slave with a collar despite the Ameereekans having aversion to slavery, a complete Un-Ameereekan thing. Or so that's how they phrase it.
How could the Ameereekans stand wearing that thing around their neck? Colt eyed a blue necktie hanging on wardrobe's handle. Didn't he asked Kaine to discard that...thing last week?
"Oh! Nanny Wanda found it on the street while doing shopping. She washed it and bought it back along with new neckties." Python informed Colt, referring to a Miss Nanny ro-bawk bearing a name tag "Wanda".
"Oh..." Colt responded in disappointment before repeating with apprehension, "New neck..ties?"
"Off course! You mean you didn't see them?" Python floated toward the wardrobe before opening it and pointing at the door where multiple hooks holding neckties of different color, much to Colt's horror. No doubt from one of the local clothing stores selling various Ameereekan style clothes that made their appearance few years ago.
"Speaking of which, sir! I believe this shade of blue here will go splendidly with-"
Later…
"I didn't need to wear this damn necktie so why ro-bawk decided I need to now?" Colt thought sourly. He missed the old days of having all natural servants (mostly beautiful women) serving faithfully and out of gratitude for saving them from bigoted nobles. But atlas, he'll have to keep tolerating the ro-bawks' presence. He'll admit that it's great the ro-bawks don't need to eat and sleep however, it's also a curse. On some occasion, he would hear one or two ro-bawks voicing complaints outside his bedroom about someone missing the spot or how Ameereekan homes tend to be cleaner than Italica.
At midnight!
Grumbling about an irritating ro-bawk with too many duties, Colt is still adjusting his necktie to make it loose around his neck. He is wearing his preferred shirt, trouser, and shoes made in Italica. The only Ameereekan article of clothing Colt has on him beside that cursed necktie is a jacket typically worn by government official and kor-poor-rate people in Ameereeka. That he has no problem with the jacket's quality and how it fit his upper body.
But a thing called necktie?
"What fool invented such infernal thing?" The middle aged man thought, mentally cursing. After tugging few times, Colt's necktie became looser and allowed him to breathe easier. He'll just take it off and discard it somewhere in the Ameereekan building.
Colt could see Myui lighting up upon seeing him coming down. An eleven years old girl ran toward him to give him a hug, "Good morning papa!"
Walking behind Myui is Loui, a 23 years old woman who greeted tiredly, "Good morning father."
"My dear daughters, did you sleep well?" Colt asked with fatherly smile, returning a hug to Myui.
"I slept well, papa!" Myui cheerfully answered, earning a short chuckle from the father who patted her back. Seeing other daughter's tired face, Colt asked, "I'm assuming you didn't get good night sleep with the ruckus caused by the ro-bawks last night, hmm?"
He is referring the things called Protect-Trons that supposedly made to protect and serve. Helping the Ameereekan and local law enforcers to keep order and subdue criminals and dissidents. Oddly shaped blue-white colored metal golems walk loudly as if their presence cannot be ignored and they would frequently tell the citizens to obey the laws in the Common Language and English. Some of them would have a set of odd wheels called tread wheels instead of legs, enabling them to pursue the criminals at greater speed.
"Robots, father. It's ro-boTs." Loui corrected her father's pronunciation before answering with irritation, "Yes, those metal things kept me up all night. Are you going to address the ruckus last night when you go to work?"
"Yes, daughter." Colt sighed as he took a seat at the table whose length is rather modest by the old noble standards.
"But they're not going to do anything about the noise." Loui stated rhetorically, "Just as they didn't do anything about other things."
Having interacted with the Ameereekans for long time, Colt answered with one of the common Ameereekan phrases he heard, "Not a chance. Sadly, not a chance."
"Papa!" Myui tugged her father's jacket for attention, "You'll be able to make it to the play, right? It's today!"
"Off course, I will be there." Colt smiled warmly, "I dare not miss my daughter's performance as Ali-ka...something."
"It's Alexa and the Odd World, papa!" Myui giggled, correcting father's butchered pronunciation, "The girl who fall in different world, remember?"
"Ah yes, I remember." Colt stroked his chin as if pondering, "I must be getting old. You would think I would have no problem pronouncing the Ameereekan names and terms after interacting with them for a long time."
Far too long for his taste. While the Formal clan leader has no problem with most of the Ameereekan laws and promoting the equality, it wasn't how he visioned the equality among all races and classes. He has seen how much changes the Ameereekans have been pushing Italica and most of them have been concerning. The beloved city population has seen aggressive and passive changes set upon them, affecting how they live in the city. Some of the older citizens are still getting used to seeing the ro-bawks and trouser-wearing women patrolling the street as if they're professional solders.
Some citizens are still grumbling about the strange speaker devices installed throughout the city, playing Ameereekan music at random times. Some took it as new entertainment to listen to while working. The damn Ameereekans have even erected their odd and menacing forts on top of the two cliffs located at one of Italica's gates along with elevators and stairs restricted for the Ameereekans only. Off course, they had to cut down many trees to construct buildings made of concrete, a new and revolutionary thing introduced to Falmart.
Sadly, the Ameereekans aren't keen to share the secret of manufacturing concrete properly. Colt knew many native representatives from the newly established construction companies have been miffed with how stubborn and restrictive the Ameereekans' answer has been. Anyone who've been interacting as long as Colt could see how careful the Ameereekans have been with their answer when being questioned about...everything related to the Ameereekans.
How exactly does Ee-leck-trick-city work…How can the people of Falmart wield such...magic? Colt doesn't care how much the Ameereekans insisting ee-leck-trick-city is not magic. As far as he's concerned, it's magic. By the gods' tits, the Ameereekans have device capable of capturing people's image on card!
Ro-bawks, guns, and bullecks…How are they made? Even today, the Ameereekans here are receiving shipments of new weapons and ro-bawks from somewhere north where the very first Ameereekan base is located and said to be resembled a mighty fortress. Colt knew there was one attempt to replicate a rifle by a local blacksmith who later was found screaming with his foot burning from attempting to mold the excess amount of metal into unfamiliar shape of rifle.
How the Ameereekans are producing goods in mass in such short time...How a place called factory is constructed? How many craftsmen are needed to work in factory? What kind of magic involved?
Speaking of magic, how to even get started on technology? Colt has never been so curious until after the Ameereekans crushed the Saderan Empire. For all the showcase of technology by the Ameereekans, Colt knew it would be nearly impossible to learn and replicate, even with greedy kor-poor-rate people who possessed enough sense of self-preservation not to disclose enough detail. One kor-poor-rate man simply gave one and only one word hint.
In-dust-tree-lie-zae-shun.
What's in Emory's anus is that, Colt has no idea. Does it has to do with how many jobs the Ameereekans have been giving to the former slaves to work on the crops, mines, and such along with giving education? Are the Ameereekans planning to have the Ameereekan Sadera to go through in-dust-tree-lie-zae-shun?
No doubt the Ameereekans are planning to keep expanding their size and influence to the rest of Falmart in future.
Why, the Ameereekan influences are everywhere in Italica and have been spreading slowly to engulf the city's culture more and more since its surrender without a fight. Even the visitors from one of the farming settlements could see the difference between Italica today and Italica 20 years ago.
As a father of three daughters, Colt has been able to observe and live through the changes caused by the Ameereekans. Elle could barely speak English and didn't get Ameereekan education because she was too old when Ameereekan education was introduced. Loui spoke decent English and did few years of Ameereekan education before the Ameereekans added more levels of education.
And Myui…
Sweet Myui is still in elementary and will be the most educated woman compared to her older sisters once she graduated from "12th grade". And that frightened Colt as not only Myui was born couple years after Italica fell under the Ameereekan control, she was greatly exposed to the Ameereekan culture compared to Loui. Colt blamed Python and a Miss Nanny named Reba for that as he worried once Myui become adult, she may be too "Ameereekan" to remember and appreciate few positive aspects of the Italica traditions.
Colt had even fought hard to get the schools to stop calling Myui "Betty"! With some successes that felt like defeats with Myui liking the sound of "Betty" that her name became Myui Betty Formal.
Betty...Why in Hardy's shithole did the Ameereekans call sweet Myui "Betty" when they didn't have problem calling Loui "Loui" and saying Elle's name at ease in form of passing mention. It just make no sense!
"Thanks the gods that Myui didn't become ill or die from drinking Nuukaa." Colt shuddered, remembering his and Bartholomew's first time trying a curious red banded glass bottle containing brownish liquid offered by one of the Ameereekan advisors.
Oh gods, Nuukaa tasted way too sweet in disgusting way that he immediately fell ill and thought his soul would depart from land of living. He had to "take a break" for two weeks with an Ameereekan doctor sticking needles into his body. That was downright horrible and never again, he or any of his household will taste the dangerous drink said to be enjoyed by adults and children in Ameereeka as if that's the greatest drink ever exist. Definitely not after Bartholomew's death by cursed drink.
"Poor soul." Colt thought sadly, "Bartholomew was a kind and hardworking butler with good taste in women." Unlike him, Bartholomew wasn't fortunate enough to survive. The Ameereekan doctor said Bartholomew's heart just stopped and died because it couldn't handle Nuukaa's sugar content or kal-lo-wees.
Until one day when Colt decided to go with Persia and Reba to pick up Myui who was 7 years old at that time at the school. Upon exiting out of the school located couple blocks from the Formal residence, many children have acted rowdier than usual. Including Myui who ran toward her father and outright demanded him to buy a lot of Nuukaa Colla as if she's an empress seeking dozen virgin sacrifices from poor farmers so she could stay young forever and satisfy her taste bud.
Having experienced illness and learning Nuukaa Colla has claimed the life of over thousand people in addition to Bartholomew's death since its introduction by the Ameereekans and merchants, Colt had put his foot down.
Adamantly without giving a quarter. It was one of Colt's frightening experiences.
Young Myui wasn't happy on that day but Colt could take comfort that none of his daughters is addicted to Nuukaa Colla. Those who survived and actually enjoyed Nuukaa's tempting taste like it's an elixir that can grant immortality or create gold out of nothing have gone mad. At least in Colt's opinion.
Off course, Colt's request to keep Nuukaa Colla out of Italica went ignored. As a consequence, it became another battle for Colt to deal with. That devil drink is just too popular for the greedy merchants to ignore and even with the "promised" change in Nuukaa Colla ingredients, too alluring for any untainted and naive victim. No matter how much reminder the school workers tell parents not to bring or include Nuukaa in children's bag, there's always one or few children born from Ameereekan parent or Ameereekan friendly parents sneaking their container filled with sweet deceitful poison.
Ready to unleash a horde of sugar rushed children upon society or a number of dead children lying in the dining room. With the inappropriately cheerful Ameereekan music playing in the background.
It was as if Colt is dealing with the breakout of plague with the Ameereekans and profit-chasing merchants scheming to make it worse than ever. Sadly, he IS dealing with the plagues beside the infamous Green Plague turning people into flesh eating monsters from drinking tainted water.
Namely the people who have yet to get needle sticking inside, injecting something to protect them from diseases as explained by an impatient doctor who used a bunch of terms that Colt has no idea what they mean. Until an Ameereekan nurse came along and gave Colt a short explanation about diseases including the Ess-Tee-Dees (STDs).
It was...rather enlightening and terrifying that changed how Colt think about his body and health. Recalling some of the men in power bellowing and complaining about their balls and skin long time ago, Colt shuddered. Now he know and wish he didn't. Ignorance is a bliss as said by the nurse and Colt could agree with that while thanking his past self that he didn't sleep with as many women as some of his now dead peers did.
Hopefully the Ameereekans have been telling the truth about protective measures that the schools have been sticking needles into children. Loui and Myui will be safe from all or at least, most of existing diseases.
Right?...Right? They have to be safe from diseases! Whether it's be today or 20 years from now, his daughters will be healthy in body and mind, right? No matter how much outrage the remaining religious orders have expressed over the Ameereekans' blasphemous use of needles and unrecognized medicines. Tainting the innocent children with demonic poison, one religious leader has cried with his thick finger pointing accusingly at the Ameereekans.
Before Colt could continue his thinking and perhaps how to safeguard Elle's health and the consequences be damned if Elle threw fit just because he still care about his elder daughter, he heard a Miss Nanny announcing. Why are those floating ro-bawks are called Miss and Mister when they don't have proper genital?
"Young Myui, it's time to go to school." Reba hovered out of kitchen to pick up a brown saddle bag containing books, papers, and supplies. At least, the ro-bawks have decency to use Myui instead of Betty.
"Yes Miss Reba!" Myui gave another hug to her father and a side way hug to Loui before jogging to grab her bag from Reba. Waving good-bye, Myui ran out with Reba following, calling her to watch her steps.
Leaving Colt to ponder about his worries.
Ameereekans' presence and influences…
Former nobles' forced compliance and bitter scheming…
Nuukaa Colla plaguing the city…
Estranged Elle still refusing to interact with her father and sisters at all...
Loui still torn between old Italica and today Italica with her future...
Myui and her future...How long before she stop responding to "Myui"…
Then there's the Formal Clan's uncertain future...Who will take over the clan affair after Colt die? After all, Colt is just a normal human who managed to reach his 50th birthday. Normally, it would be Elle since she's the eldest and not married to any noble. Whether Elle is seeing someone or having romantic relationship is hard to tell. Colt's hired helps didn't see any sign of Elle pursuing someone.
Unfortunately, that would cause a lot of issues if Elle become the next clan leader. Elle absolutely loathed the Ameereekans for voiding her marriage and forcing her to work like a commoner. She doesn't want to be near the Ameereekans, never mind sharing space with them. Elle would've move out of Italica long ago if it wasn't for an Ameereekan Commander named John Hamburg and his petty desire to teach the "spoil-rotten princess" a hard lesson of reality.
Gods….Colt thought he would lose his eldest daughter when she barged into the meeting with the Ameereekans whom Colt and his trusted officers discussing Italica's future. Demanding her father to grow some pair instead of cowering like a dog to the low-born scums who violated her sacred marriage (and continuation of luxury and benefits many nobles enjoyed) as well as corrupting Italica. Her rant and tone have offended the Ameereekan military including Commander Hamburg.
Loui would be safer option in Colt's opinion with her having background as an Italica-born with few years of Ameereekan education. Off course, Loui or the new Formal clan leader won't become Italica's governor as part of the "agreement" with the Ameereekans.
Now if only father could figure how to keep Loui from joining the Ameereekan military. He has never thought the Ameereekans would recruit the Falmartians until they announced four weeks ago. Loui has expressed desire to join mainly to get out of Italica and see the world. Perhaps to get better understanding of ro-bawks, despite her annoyance with the Protect-Trons and Wanda's intrusiveness.
Colt sighed when his breakfast has been delivered and set down by one of his humanoid servant, Persia.
"Another day of worries and battles to protect my city and keep my family safe..."
A middle aged Formal man grabbed a fork and knife before starting to eat. Off course, eating his breakfast couldn't keep Python away.
"Sir, why your tie is-"
Somewhere in north from Liberty City, American Sadera…
"-LOOSE!" An angry American drill sergeant bellowed in English as his red face pulsed with veins few inches away from a 19 years old red hair girl who fought her hardest not to flinch or react when some of spits landed on her face. She could make up many detail about the drill sergeant's ebony face with bloodshot brown eyes, bullish nose, hair sticking out of nose, and few yellow teeth.
As sharp as his round hat, the drill sergeant examined the girl up and down before loudly questioning in English, "STAND UP STRAIGHT, MAGGOT! EXPLAIN WHY YOUR BELT IS NOT PROPERLY SECURED!"
In equally loud voice, the red hair girl straightened her back before answering in English, "BECAUSE I WAS IN HURRY AND WASN'T ABLE TO PROPERLY SECURE MY BELT AFTER USING BATHROOM, SIR!"
"IT'S DRILL SERGEANT, YOU NUMMMMMBSKUUUULLLL!" The American man barked with his wild brown eyes furiously boring into the girl's dark red eyes as if trying to set them on fire. Or perhaps spit acid to melt her face.
Much to the girl's inner relief, the drill sergeant glared before moving away before marching back and forth with his right hand gesturing like a knife as he addressed the rows of recruits. All humans dressed in USAF military fatigues.
"LISTEN UP, YOU SAD EXCUSE OF SLOPPY JOBS! WHEN THE DRILL SERGEANTS LIKE MYSELF!" The man sharply pointed at himself before pointing at the recruits, "ADDRESS YOU OR TELL YOU TO DO SOMETHING, YOU SAY 'YES, DRILL SERGEANT'! BECAUSE I AM NOT YOUR FRIEND! I AM NOT YOUR MAMA OR YOUR DADDY! I AM YOUR DRILL SERGEANT WHO WILL BREAK YOU AND TURN YOU INTO A KILLING MACHINE! AM I CLEARRR?"
"Yes, drill sergeants!"
Upon receiving saddest affirmation from the recruits, the drill sergeant roared, "AM I AT THE GRAVEYARD OR THE BOOT CAMP? I SAID AM I CLEAR?"
"YES, DRILL SERGEANT!"
"THAT WAS PATHETIC AND DEPRESSING! I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO REPEAT THIS ON YOUR SECOND WEEK! LET'S FIX THAT! WE'RE GOING TO DO ANOTHER THREE MILES RUN TO WARM UP OUR SPIRIT SOME MORE FOR MORRRRE TRAINING! HOW DOES THAT SOUND, MAGGOOOOTS!"
The red hair girl stiffed her groan about more running though the short white hair girl and other recruits didn't. Unfortunately, the drill sergeant did notice.
"WHAT'S THAT? SOME OF YOU WANT EXTRA MILES? WELL SIX MILES IT IS!" Addressing few random slow recruits, the drill sergeant roared at them, "HAUL YOUR ASS AND RUN BEFORE I HAVE YOUR ASS SERVED FOR BREAKFAST, MAGGOOOOOOOTS! MOVE IT!"
Later…
Huff! Huff! Huff!
The red hair girl could be seen panting as she bend her knees with her hands on them. Her USAF recruit fatigue is drenched in sweats from physical activities that have been demanding on her body. Glancing around, she could say the same for the majority of recruits who either breathing with difficulty or sitting on the ground, sweating and panting.
After running 6 miles, the drill sergeant have them do all kinds of exercises that the red hair girl is familiar with.
Running…With drill sergeants chasing and yelling...
Push-ups…With drill sergeants roaring at unlucky trainees' ears to start over for not counting loud enough…
Sit-ups…With drill sergeants barking to continue until they (not trainees) feel tired...
Chin-ups…With drill sergeants insulting few recruits' noodle-like arms and weight...
Obstacle course…With drill sergeants complaining how their dead grandmother can complete the course faster than the recruits. If the red hair girl wasn't so tired, she would've thought to file some of the insults for her own use.
And then there's enduring more yelling from several drill sergeants including the ebony man whose surname is Heller and has voice that could force the dead ones to return to life and resume duty because being dead is not a valid reason to slack off.
But it'll be eight weeks of American military training to become a "killing machine" as her drill sergeant said. Eight weeks to endure from waking up at ungodly hours to learning how not to shoot own face off but once she has completed her training, then perhaps she'll figure out how to live her life somewhere during her tour of duty.
She has no desire to go back to Liberty City. Not after her mother's death in the ally.
She could never forget how her mother died 9 years ago when she was 10 years old and was walking with her mother on one of the ruined streets, passing number of damaged but intact buildings at early evening. It was supposed to be safe with how frequent the American military police and robots patrol, considering how close the area is to the American Zone in Liberty City.
It was everyday routine where every morning, mother would walk her to the school where she would learn a whole lot that mother didn't have opportunity to learn. Mother would head to the store own by cousin to work 8-9 hours long before coming to the school to pick her up and walk home. On the weekends, she would sometime help her mother and older cousin, Kognak with the store selling goods or watch American sports such as baseball and football, hosted by the Americans.
It was fairly simple life for her and her mother. With no father around. But again, she knew many people close to her age have no father while growing up and going to school. She and others were considered to be lucky to have at least one parent as there was also a lot of orphans who lost their mother and father. Just as there was a lot of parents who lost their children with sons in battle and daughters in unfortunate times.
Although it would be nice to know who's her father whom she assumed to be dead before she was born and wasn't a good man with how mother acted when being asked, she was content with just mother, Kognak, and few friends.
Just content...
Until her mother decided to take a route through an alley because the usual route was busier than usual and would be difficult to walk. It was the last time she would walk with her mother when they came across a drunken man who mistaken mother as a prostitute and confronted her aggressively, demanding a refund or free sex as compensation.
The drunken man wouldn't let them leave by quickly grabbing mother's arm, gripping tightly. Mother had wrestled in attempt to free herself before screaming for help. Her scream for help became scream of pain with a dagger stabbed deeply into mother's liver.
She remembered how much blood poured from mother who was let go as she ran to her, crying. By the time the drunken man was going to run, a loud noise could be heard twice. The drunken man fell backward with two wounds in chest, shaking before coming to stillness with dying gasp went ignored.
"Tina!" A female voice called out, gasping for air.
The red hair girl lifted her head up a little to see a blond hair girl stretching her back with hands on hips. Like the red hair girl and other Falmartian females, the blond hair girl has military standard short length that has been tied up by green hairband to keep hair out of face.
"Bozes." 'Tina' recognized one of her childhood friends, Bozes Palesti as she gave a nod as a form of greeting. Bozes has been her friend since the first day of first grade when Bozes physically got dragged into the classroom, screaming and kicking because no child is allowed to miss a single day of American education, barring sickness and other circumstances.
It was thanks to fate that the first grade teacher assigned Bozes to sit next to 'Tina'.
Flashback…
Immediately after the teacher dressed in business suit turned her back to write something on the chalkboard, a little blond hair girl introduced herself, "I'm Bozes! What your name, peasant?"
Instead of answer, a little red hair girl made shushing sound with finger to her mouth, "Shhh! Teacher talking!" Mama has always said to behave well and don't get in trouble. Especially with the Ameereekans.
Only to recoil when Bozes screamed louder, "WHAT YOUR NAME, PEASANT!" Clearly, Bozes didn't like being told to shush.
"There will be no raising voice in this classroom!" The teacher sharply addressed a young blond hair girl who whined, "I WANT HER NAME!"
And then, cue chaos when other children began to whine as the teacher tried to get English language class under control before roaring in Common, "QUIET!".
Banging a textbook against the wooden desk like a madman.
Later, the teacher started the first lesson of English by starting off with introduction with children stating their name in Common and English. Some of them have their pronunciation corrected by the teacher who read off the names on clipboard, provided by the school administration. Later, the class would learn about saying colors in Common and English.
Somehow, the red hair girl got herself a new friend who said red is her favorite color.
Flashback end…
It was embarrassing time, 'Tina' thought as she remembered being corrected by English teacher on pronouncing her name and had to stay at school longer for insisting her name is pronounced as "Pina". Oh, her mother had been furious when 'Tina' told her. Mother had tried to get the school to correct her daughter's first name pronunciation but got rejected because mother need to go to the American Local Affair office for correction and fill out some paperwork.
It was a nightmare for mother to gain her very first experience with bureaucracy laziness and poorly translated paperwork and for 'Tina' with how furious her mother had been. Because of that one American clerk misheard how mother said "Pina", she put down "Tina" as Pina's legal name in Common and English. The clerk has even made her last name as one word when it should've been two words.
Also because Pina's full name didn't like a name at all to the Americans who thought Pina's mother was crazy and drunk with how she has launched her rant. So Pina Co Lada, the daughter of Nella Co Lada got stuck being called "Tina Colada" for her entire life. By the time she graduated from school, she got used to being called and answering to "Tina". She didn't feel like filling out paperwork that constantly got lost somewhere just to get the Americans AND Falmartians can stop calling her "Tina".
Granted, there is a small number of people calling her by proper name. On the bright side, Tina Colada wasn't only one with naming issue in the first batch of natives recruited from the American Sadera.
Now if only the Americans can stop sticking needles, that would be great. Because Tina thought she's done with the needles. But no, the recruits still have to get needles for health reason and are required to repeat every year.
"Damn you, Damon." Tina thought with annoyance as an image of a tan skin American middle age man wearing dark blue sweater and green military combat pant. Damon Caribe, the same Ameereekan man who came and shot the drunken man twice after seeing Tina's mother got stabbed. Even after escorting her to Kognak safely, he would come visiting her to check on her.
At first, Tina didn't want to talk to Damon, mainly because of her mother's cautious view of the Ameereekans and personal experience with the Ameereekan school. As time went by with Damon telling about himself including how he lost his mother, Tina began to open herself and held conversations. Even Kognak would join in whenever she has free time and the store's not busy.
It didn't take long before Tina starting to see Damon as an uncle figure. She has even learned boxing and wrestling from Damon so she could defend herself from the trouble-makers on the street. Oh, she recalled how good her fist felt upon landing a direct blow to this one male customer who didn't like seeing a 15 years old girl wearing a trouser and wouldn't stop grabbing her shoulder or arm while lecturing her for being tainted by the Ameereekan way and it'll be a sin to let her become one of those uncultured Ameereekan women.
"I still...can't...believe...you talk...me...into...joining...this...madness..." Bozes told Tina with panting between the words.
"I didn't...talk to...you into joining...with me...you said...you couldn't...bear to be...away from….your closest...friend when...I told you...I'm going...to join..." Tina responded back with bemused expression albeit with less panting compared to Bozes who pouted.
"Remind...me...again...why…?" Bozes wheezed out her question while gesturing her short hair that used to be long, "Damon...didn't...say...anything...about...hair...cut...Tina!"
Tina rolled her eyes, telling her, "Bozes...Damon told...us right...before we...walk into the...recruitment...office..." She stood up to bend her back backward, stretching. She could feel her muscles aching. Good thing she spent time working out under Damon's coaching.
Tina added, "Beside...you said you...haven't decide...what you...want to do...with your life..."
Bozes groaned, "True...But he said...nothing about...food being-"
"BREAK TIME IS OVER, MAGGOTS!" Drill Sergeant Heller's voice could be heard, interrupting chat between Tina and Bozes. "HAUL YOUR ASS TO THE RANGE B FOR YOUR FIRST TARGET PRACTICE!"
Target practice. That means guns!
Damon had sometime let Tina play around with a bulky L-shape pistol after taking a magazine out and making sure there's no bullet in the chamber. Although he wasn't supposed to, Damon would explain how to properly hold the pistol and aim.
Gun safety, Damon has called it while demonstrating proper care with two hands to hold the pistol and later, a rifle. Sadly, he wouldn't let Tina hold his rifle referred as a combat rifle.
But that's fine, Tina and other recruits will get to learn how to shoot rifle and maybe learn about all kinds of bullets. Why the Americans have so many different types of bullets, Tina has asked Damon who answered it's so the bullets can hurt and kill all kinds of targets.
"MOVE IT, MAGGOTS!"
Tina and Bozes look at each other before jogging along with other recruits. Most of them could be seen eager to learn how to use guns, the same weapon that said to be capable of killing over 100 or more per minute. The same weapon that can bring down many mages.
The same weapons that not many Falmartians would have opportunity to hold and learn guns as well as have access to bullets. Until today...After almost 2 decades, the Americans announced they're opening the U.S military recruitment only to those age 18 to 24 of any species.
Encouraged by Damon since Tina has expressed her desire to see the world and figure out what to do with her life, she has decided to join the American military.
As excited as she is, Tina couldn't help but wonder if the American recruitment is open to any species then…
"Why I don't see any demihumans here? I remember seeing a lot of them at the recruitment office when I enlisted. But here, all I see is humans." And robots.
Are the humanoids training at different boot camp? What kind of training are they getting and how different from human training?
Maybe she could ask, assuming the humanoids will finish their training in 8 weeks.
After jogging for nearly ten minutes, the recruits made it to the range where their first gun lesson start. Fortunately, Drill Sergeant Heller isn't their instructor as a stoic short blond hair woman wearing sunglasses in military fatigues, also a drill sergeant who introduced herself by pulling a pistol up and-
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Many recruits jumped, startled by just how loud the pistol was as the woman fired her pistol at one of the targets. Some targets resembled humans while others resembled demihumans.
"Everybody, listen up! I am Drill Sergeant Kroger and here's your first lesson...Guns are not toys! Guns are not something to be taken lightly! Whatever you're thinking, get rid of it and gather around! Now!"
A/N: Lo and behold, Formal Colt is alive! As opposed to being dead in canon. How lucky is Colt?
Regarding American recruitments, think about how French recrutied and trained Vietnameses before getting kicked out of country.