June 5, 1882

For over a century the United States has struggled hard to achieve the dream handed down by the founding fathers, a dream of creating a nation stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific. In that time the young country has endured many hard ships and fought several wars, the most devastating was the American Civil war. American expansion west has inspired many across the world, with the promise of land and untapped riches. All across the western plains it's a fight for the land, as the many Indian tribes fight for their ancestral homelands and their way of life.

Begin Dream

The sound of cannons firing, men all around firing rifles, men clad in medieval armor carrying swords, spears and battle axes, rushing across the battlefield screaming like mad men. "Here they come, keep firing men don't let up," arrows begin falling all around, men are struck down, as a winged beast swoops down scooping up men and dropping them.

"Reload, Reload," the men firing the cannon quickly rush to reload, "the enemy is right on top of us," another wall of arrows rains down, cutting down the men manning the cannon. A young child rushes to help his fellow cannoneers, a large group of sword wielding men come rushing the cannon. The young man springs into action and finishes loading the cannon having watched his comrades do it many times. "Imperium enim barbaros opprime," without hesitation the young man stands his ground as the enemy is right on top of him. "FIRE" the gun recoils back as the charging men are cut down.

End Dream

Leaning against the wall a man in his mid-20s snaps his eyes open in deep sweat, his name, Col Thomas Johnson, taking a deep breathe to get his nerves under control while wiping his forehead to calm himself. Pulling a pocket watch from his pocket its early morning as a train makes its way across the state of Kansas bound for Dodge city, Col Johnson watches the landscape go by.

From an early age Johnson devoted himself to fight for his country, at the age of 6 a young Thomas had volunteered to help fight for the union, despite his young age he was assigned as the cooks assistant in early 1861. As the civil war raged on, young Thomas was assigned to Battery A 1st New Jersey light artillery regiment at the battle of Gettysburg in early 1863. Young Thomas role in the war was small but his courage during the second day of battle earned him his place in the army.

After the war, young Thomas was educated in some of the best schools and attended West point. Graduating in 1880, over the next two years young Thomas would be assigned to several posts and eventually was promoted to col in late 1881. During the war Thomas proved to be excellent with artillery but during his time at the academy, he proved that he was perfect for the cavalry.

Dodge City, Kansas

As the train comes to stop Col Johnson steps off the train, looking around the bustling cattle town. "Col Thomas Johnson sir," another officer walks forward his hand extended. "Welcome to Dodge city sir, im Sgt Josh Morgan 8th cavalry," both officers shake hands as they walk off the train platform. "We'll be escorting a supply convoy through Comanche territory heading for Ft Union, while providing security for a wagon train into the new Mexico territory."

"Very well Lt. let's get moving quickly," the bugler sounded off, the platoon consisting of no more than 33 men mounted their horses and formed up two by two. With wave of his hand Col Johnson lead the platoon out of the town and met up with the wagon train, bound for Santa Fe.

After 4 days of traveling and some minor trouble with bandits the convoy arrived safely in the New Mexico Territory. Arriving at wagon mound the settlers continued on their way, while the cavalry rode on to Fort Union. "Col, I heard you fought in the war at Gettysburg?"

"Yes, I fought at Gettysburg and many other battlefields, I was also at Richmond when the war ended, I was also allowed to witness the surrender at Appomattox." Sgt morgan continued to ask many questions about the war, eventually Fort Union came into view.

Fort Union

Throughout the fort troops were going about their daily duties, while others were enjoying what little free time they had. It was only a couple months ago that the battles of Cibecue Creek, AZ – 1881, Carrizo Canyon, NM – 1881, Fort Apache, AZ – 1881 and it had been only week since the battle of Big Dry Wash, AZ – 1882.

Sitting in his office, General John Marlowe was quietly going over reports, one report in particular was of his newest officer set to arrive sometime that day. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, "enter," Marlowe said as he looked up from the mountain of paper on his desk.

"Sorry to disturb you General."

"Well, you were told to."

"Yes sir."

"Then you would've been sorry if you hadn't, what is it."

"Sir, lookouts have spotted the men that were ordered to escort the new Col, as if waiting for that to be said a bugle sounded off. Getting up Gen Marlowe grabbed his hat and sword and walked outside to observe his new officer. Riding into the Fort, Col Johnson shouted a command to the men, and they formed a line before stopping.

"Prepare to dismount, an officer shouted, Dismount." The men got off their horses as another order was shouted, "form rank." Gen Marlowe continued observing his new officer, then ordered one of his staff to take the officers mounts.

Gen Marlowe stepped forward as did Johnson, "General, Col Thomas Johnson reporting for duty," Johnson said as he saluted.

Marlowe nodded and addressed the troops, "you men are dismissed, Col come with me. Walking into Marlowe's headquarters Johnson followed, entering into his office Marlowe stood in front of his desk before looking at Johnson. I've been going over your file Col, and I must say I'm impressed for such a young man to achieve the rank of Col, is an extraordinary accomplishment, that plus you're a combat vet from the war."

"I only wish to serve my country, sir."

"I understand you were at Gettysburg and Richmond, and it was your actions during that fight that earned you your place in the army, including being sent to West Point. I understand that you excelled as both an artillery officer but as a cavalryman."

"Yes sir."

"Well then, what's your take on the Indians Johnson."

"They're very brave sir, in some ways their a lot like us fighting for the way of life, their homes and land. Personally, sir, I believe we should be working to find a way to make peace with the Indians and work together for a better stronger future sir. Not forcing them onto reservations and then pretending they don't exist, all because a bunch of bureaucrats in Washington refuse to accept that these people are more than savages, but people fighting for their very existence and what they believe in."

Marlowe nodded and sat at his desk, "Col, tomorrow I'll be going to Santa Fe and taking the train back to Washington for a meeting with the war department, while I'm gone, I want you to ride out to the forts in the territory for the yearly inspections, once you've finished at Fort Wingate have the information sent to Washington by telegraph.

"Yes sir."

"Dismissed Col," with a quick salute Johnson went to prepare himself for the mission. 0500 the next morning Johnson had his troop assembled, as Gen Marlowe made his way out with his staff that would be joining him. For the better part of the day Gen Marlowe and his men rode for Santa Fe, along the way they assisted some settlers who's wagon had broken down, then continued on arriving in Santa Fe just before sundown.

The next morning, Johnson and his men were gathering their supplies for the long ride ahead of them, "Col the supplies are loaded onto the wagons and the men are ready sir," Morgan said as he saluted Johnson.

"Very well Sgt, get the men's attention and ill lay out the plan to the men."

"Yes sir, Col," with a loud shout the troop was silenced, and all attention was on Col Johnson.

"Men for the next three weeks we'll be making our way across most of the territory on patrol, but also so to inspect our remaining forts. I realize this isn't the most ideal assignment, but that's what the General ordered, with quick look at the men Johnson shouted, Prepare to move out."

Within a few min the men were mounted on their horses and began the long ride across the territory, while many had made many such patrols before and several had fought in the recent battle of Big Dry Wash, in Arizona, several were new like the Col, but they were all ready to perform their duties no matter what.

Falmart, Sadera, Imperial Palace

20 years ago, the former emperor had learned that a mysterious structure had appeared on the holy hill of Alnus, only known in legend as the Gate. Having heard the many tales and legends about Alnus, the emperor ordered the imperial army to march through Gate, to obtain new lands and wealth for the empire.

It was a disaster, and the emperor was forced to abdicate the thrown in favor of his son Molt Sol Augustus. Molt had vowed that when the gate opened again should it happen during his rule, he would march back through the Gate and take revenge on the barbarians that humiliated the imperial army. It wasn't long, when men of the Alnus Garrison noticed the Gate had reappeared on the holy hill and immediately sent word to the Capitol.

When word arrived of Gates' appearance on the hill, the imperial senate voted for an invasion force to march through the Gate and take its revenge, against the barbarians on the other side. Within weeks thousands of legionnaires and beast men from across the empire, including the empires Vassals had begun assembling at Alnus hill.

Molt himself had arrived to personally see the army off, standing at the head of the Army Molt shouted out "20 years ago the imperial army was humiliated by the faceless barbarians that reside of the other side of the Gate, today you men will march through and avenge that defeat in glorious battle and conquer all that resides on the other side, for glory for the empire." As molt finished the men cheered on as the war horns were blown and the first wave began to march into history.

Fort Wingate

For the last three weeks, Col Johnson and his men rode hard across the territory, performing inspections of the remaining forts, before finally arriving at Fort Wingate. With the final inspection completed and the men having had a day to relax they began making their way towards Albuquerque, little were they aware, that events were about to make things interesting.

15 miles north of Fort Wingate, a structure the likes of which was not known in the area began to appear, shortly after a loud roar was heard as beast men and several wyvern riders emerged from the gate, followed by the finest Legions ever assembled in the empires history, emerged from the gate into this new world, swords and shields at the ready. A man wearing glamorous armor rode forward from the Gate as he inspected his surroundings with a frown before turning to his second in command, "assemble camp and begin building defenses around the Gate, and send out the scouts, I want to know what we're dealing with.

Within minutes scouts began riding out on horse and wyverns, after his tent had been assembled, General Gaius was allowed some relief from the blazing sun, as he began looking over the maps that had been made during the last expedition through the Gate. Nothing made sense, according to the maps he was provided with, there should be lush green fields and forests all around, as well as several small villages and the town known as Gettysburg by the local barbarians.

While continuing to look over the maps and reports from the previous expedition, Gen Gaius officer's and the nobles that were leading their own men on this expedition came into this tent. "Ahh my lord this must be such a disappointment for you," one of the nobles joked as he walked in.

"Yes, those fools who failed in the first expedition clearly don't know a desert when they see one," the noble laughed.

Gaius ignored them while he read a report about the barbarians of this world, "regardless of what these reports say, the emperor has claimed dominion over these lands, and our mission is still the same, the army will have its revenge."

In the air, a squadron of wyvern riders was flying south when they came upon a what appeared to be a small town/ village. At first this seemed unimportant but was noted that it would make a good starting point for the invasion force. Landing on a nearby hill, foot scouts moved closer while gathering more detailed information. The sound of a horn caught the wyvern commanders attention, using a new device called a speculum, he was able to get a better view. In the town center he saw a sight he hadn't seen for over 20 years, the men in blue. As the horn continued to blow, dozens of men in blue were standing in formation, while two men stood near a large pole and hoisted a their vexillum.

Back at the gate the surrounding area was quickly fortified, while scouts continued to come and go bringing very little to no useful information. One significant discovery so far was of some strange iron and wood trail found laid out along the ground running in a straight line, but it was ignored as was a report of strange posts in the ground standing as tall as a tree with strange rope hanging from it. Looking over the reports coming in that were mostly useless, Gaius was interrupted when one of his aids reported that the wyvern riders had returned.

Entering the command tent, the wyvern commander saluted Gaius before giving his report, "my lord about 4 leagues from our current position we located what appears to be a settlement of some sort, however upon further inspection, we believe it to be a military stronghold. This got Gaius attention, while most of the nobles continued to stare off into space uninterested, it is controlled by the men in blue."

Those who had been day dreaming were immediately snapped back into reality, as many began bombarding the commander with questions before being silenced by Gaius. "If this is a fortification for the men in blue then we must attack immediately, turning to his second in command he issued his orders. Get the men ready for battle, we will march to this enemy fort and reclaim our honor for the glory of the imperial army and for the empire. Later, dressed in full combat armor Gaius made his way to the front of the army and personally lead the first attack against the men in blue, the Saderan empire would have their vengeance.