Wide open fields lay where an Imperial Army of a thousand men had gathered to meet the enemy. Italica had fallen less than two days ago and the momentum of the Ones from Beyond The Gate and Those From Above had not halted. Four more major towns and several villages surrounding them in the nearby fiefdoms had fallen to the enemy, whose banner was raised high above their capitol buildings. Some of the men in this force of Legionnaires came from the villages and cities that had been taken. Aside from them, around two thousand Auxiliary beastfolk had been brought in to serv.
The single Wyvern and rider that had returned from an early patrol reported that an enemy force of metal beasts was rushing toward them at breakneck speed, aided by their own flying creatures, also made of metal. The men stood in ranks, in their respective contubernia, prepared to meet the foe. Last in the Army was about five hundred Elite Mages recruited from the village of Rondel, now an Imperial Fiefdom for their own safety.
The mages had been evenly spread out among the contubernia of the Legion, as to allow all of them the capability to fight the oncoming foe. The general leading the force sat on his horse, gazing outward, to the distant peaks. He wondered just how long it'd take the enemy to reach them here, by the borders of the city of Salinas. One of the last couple of cities until they reached the capital.
They'd hold the line here...
The man hummed, then saw massive plumes of dust approaching from far ahead. He squinted as the cloud of dust that formed began to obscure the peaks. First to come into view were the enemy's flying beasts, metallic machines resembling mockeries of nature. Four of them escorted the rest of the enemy line. Metal beasts barreled forth, faster than any horse could, their strange horns staring at the units.
... The Chinese First Armored Division 'Red Dragon' rolled forth. Its assets represented the best of China's arsenal. ZTZ-99 Main Battle Tanks rolled forward at high speed, their stabilized guns locked on the horde of enemy units. Behind them, ZBL-08 IFVs moved, carrying the best of China's youthful warriors of the PLA. To their right on the other side of the dirt road, advanced Russian T72Ms, T80s and BTR-95s, each carrying troops.
"Sokol, this is Battlemaster Actual. Status report." Demanded the commander of the lead tank and the overall UN Force as he glared through his commander sight at the enemy forces, all of them lit up a burning white on the black-and-white thermal display. Three thousand five hundred targets to kill. Easy prey for anything even remotely capable of shooting a bullet. Much more for modern firearms and tanks.
"Battlemaster, Sokol Actual. We are on schedule. Enemy targets have been pre-sighted and lased," Replied the Russian commander, this one a female, "HEAT loaded."
"Copy. We will prevail," The Chinese tank commander replied, "Range to target is one kilometer. All helicopters, engage at will." As he regarded their WZ-10 attack helicopters pick up speed. The ten aircraft, armed with rocket pods, sped toward the targets. Thirty-millimeter cannon fire lit the sky first, tracer and shell roaring through the sky and impacting the lines. With the thermals, the leading Chinese tanks could clearly see the men in the line being torn asunder.
Flames spouted from their ranks as return fire, balls of orange fire arching into the sky. One washed over the belly of a WZ-10, scorching the paint and partially heating the hull, but the pilot was quick to return the favor alongside his brethren. Explosions blossomed across the enemy line as unguided HE Rockets left their pods, the return fire dwindling down.
"In optimal range," Battlemaster reported, "Gunners. Fire at will."
The leading ZTZ-99 and T-80 rocked back as their guns recoiled. Smoke filled the fighting compartments, only to rapidly be filtered out alongside the spent cases that were ejected. High-Explosive Anti-Tank Fin-Stabilized rounds left the barrels of each tank, arching high and flying straight as arrows, before striking the enemy's positions. Flames and smoke lifted to the sky as the Battle Tanks surged over a small hill, followed by the IFVs on their rear.
A barrage of shells continued for two seconds, before the tanks finally reached about halfway toward them and could see the smoke plumes rising. Helicopters flew through the plumes, spreading them apart. The tanks rolled over the craters, over burnt corpses and further forward, toward the city ahead. The IFVs behind them still moved as well, their turrets already tracking possible hostile targets.
Battlemaster and his task force were about to enter their assigned city on the road that was an enemy MSR. The main plan remained the same, sow terror into the enemy's hearts and cut off their supplies. Starve the capital's rich of their riches while the ONI agents worked their hand at infiltrating the place alongside CIA and other agencies. In the meanwhile, Battlemaster wondered where their UNSC support was, because a UNSC Convoy was supposed to meet them here soon and set up a defensive perimeter.
After they'd cleared the town, of course. He wondered just how much collateral damage they were allowed, considering there were presumably still Civilians within the confines of the town. The UN was probably not going to care after everything that'd come to light about the Imperials. At least so the Chinese Major hoped. Still, only the Americans could do something about this. The UNSC? He wasn't sure.
He just hoped their Intelligence Agency was ready to get that info they wanted to get out of their own trips over to the UNSC's base.
Pretty much like the CIA's own work on the matter, though...
The whole of the UN knew how important their alternate-universe brethren would be in the coming years. Even after Falmart was done, the UN's Great Powers knew what needed to be done. To either bring them to the side of one of the major military parties, or outright rid themselves of them by force of arms. They could only do the latter if they knew the UNSC's tech. Given enough time and enough 'missing' or 'appropriated' items?
They would...
FOB Alnus
After Italica had been taken and Scientists had been brought in to check the 'Shrine of the Mother Goddess', HITMAN-3 had been given a nice chunk of 'shore leave' at home. Richard himself was sat in his room, staring up at the white ceiling with the drapes half-pulled down. There were black clouds above Alnus, signaling a rainstorm was about to begin, so he couldn't go play football with the fellas, which was ass. He had a computer in his room, brought in at his request from the PX Office. He'd set it up, but he had nothing to really do on it.
With a heavy sigh, he pushed himself into a seating position and looked around. He had a coffee table in the room, shelves filled with some of the hardback books he was able to have shipped from KINGDOM and his old mug. The man wasn't one to get bored this easily, though he wondered what Itami and Henry were doing right now. Both of'em were probably out dealing with some important business, to be honest. He knew Tyuule was back home for a bit, checking on her people.
BANG BANG BANG
He practically jumped out of his skin when he heard what sounded like a fist slam against the door. He looked at the clock on the wall above his desk and saw that it was about two AM local time. He'd done all his paperwork, handed it in, did a lil' extra, then a lil' extra more just for the sake of not being bored and handed all of that in as well. Why the hell would someone come looking for him right now?
He sighed, then asked, "Who is it?"
"Yo, Richard! It's us, man!" Torres replied, jovial.
"Open up, please!" Itami chuckled. Richard blinked, then slid the door open. The two men were looking a little more casual without their full combat kit on. They were in their short-sleeved undershirts, camo pants and boots, but that was about it. Richard could see the tattoo sleeve on Torres's hand now, as well as the watch he wore around his wrist, while Itami looked pretty clean.
The most noticeable fact was, however, that the boys were grinning and carrying six-packs and food. Namely, Pizzas. Torres smirked and said, "Can we come in, Rich?" as he lifted the six-pack. Richard rolled his eyes, then grinned and waved them inside, watching them set the Pizzas down onto the table. Torres looked around, then whistled and said, "Lots of books. You even have time to read'em all?"
"I make time, man, relax," Richard snorted, "Y'all were as bored as I am, right?"
"Pretty much," Itami commented, "Henry figured we would hang out as Lieutenants, y'know. Help build cohesion."
"Uh-huh," Richard smirked, crossing his arms to his chest. "And where's everyone else? I'd've thought they'd be tailing your asses over here..." And yes, he did fully expect their squads to wonder just what the hell their Lieutenants were doing. Luckily, it seemed not o be the case, as the boys simply set themselves up, Itami sitting on the floor, while Torres sat on the chair at his desk.
He sat himself down on his bed as Torres stated, "Kurokawa, Shino, Taylor and a few of my other boys are busy playing poker, Ivanov is also there, Rosie, Stavrov and some of your boys and girls are playing soccer with the refugee kids we rescued from that village and everyone else is busy with their own shtick." He then pulled out a bottle opener and popped the cap off one of the beers, extending it to him.
Richard took it and nodded in thanks, while Itami pulled out playing cards, "So, in short, it's just us until we get new orders."
"Nice," Richard snorted, "A Guys' Day, eh?"
"Lieutenant Shindig," Torres quipped with a grin.
"Officer Get-Together," Itami added, "Crazy Eights?"
"Sure," Richard nodded. The Japanese lieutenant started spreading out the cards with a smile as the boys popped open the fresh Pizzas and two more beers, one for Torres and one for Itami. They clinked the bottles together and took two swigs before starting up their game. Torres pulled the blinds up as the sound of jet engines filtered in. All three boys looked out the window, to see a pair of Su-25 'Grachs' coming back from a fire mission, their ammunition expended. They then turned back to the table and their game, Itami plucking up a slice of pepperoni Pizza and biting into it.
"Those fucking things must be nightmares to fly in," Remarked Richard with half a mouth as he picked up another card and sighed. Torres hummed in agreement, while Itami focused on his cards, wearing a fairly standard, but effective poker face. Richard almost wanted to laugh at the sight of the Japanese otaku officer's false impassivity, if he wasn't acting much the same.
"Only seen them from afar during UN missions," Torres murmured as he picked up another card as well and said, "Pass."
Itami nodded as he plucked up another card as well, then sighed and threw a card down, first in a pile that would grow over time. He stated, "They have targets to hit here, kind of like the A-10..." which garnered a short snort from Torres. Itami smirked and said, "I know you love the A-10, Henry. Any sane man does... But you gotta admit that, in any peer-to-peer war, it'd be downed."
"I don't care. Cool factor fucking beats usefulness. It's why I also still like the Frogfoots," The US Marine snorted as he tossed a card down, "Anyways, no talking about work. Let's talk about something else..." And he paused as he and his two friends started thinking. Torres smirked and looked to Richard, then asked, "How're things going with you and Tyuule?"
Words which caused the man to, at first, choke on his beer that he was drinking, then spit it off to the side, into a nearby trash can, before wiping his mouth as he coughed. He murmured, "You fuckers are still on that, eh?" before he looked to Torres and smirked, asking, "How about you and the Princess, then, buddy-boy?" as he pulled at his collar. Itami snorted as Torres gagged on a piece of food, then both Marines turned to him.
"What about you and Rory there, Itami?" Richard added while Torres was still clearing his throat. Itami grew rosy-cheeked as well, while the two Marines laughed and laughed together, much to their friend's chagrin. He sighed deeply, shaking his head and waiting for them to play they cards. As they went another couple turns after settling down, Torres looked up.
"Seriously, though..." The man sighed, "I mean it, man. I've seen women stare like that before. Not at me, necessarily, but-"
Richard sighed deeply, "I'm a grunt and she's a Queen, alright? It's why I couldn't say a damn thing for these two years we've worked together. And it's not like it matters, anyway. Once we're done with Falmart, I'm getting redeployed or retiring, cuz God fucking knows, I've earned that shit..." and he looked between them, "And I'm not sure I can take a Queen away from her people."
"Oof..." Itami winced...
"Yeah, that's a fucking tough one..." Torres admitted, dropping another card onto the table. He hummed, then grinned and asked, "Who gives a shit, though? Queen, king, Marine Grunt, whatever the fuckery. She and her gals are UEG Citizens or being fast-tracked to it, right?" and received a nod from Richard. The process was almost complete, in fact. Any Warrior Bunny, new and old, would be receiving a UEG Citizenship after continued, proud service with the UNSC Military. His grin grew wider as he said, "Well, there ya have it."
"Fraternization's not permi-" Richard started.
"Nobody really cares about that rule," Itami murmured, shuffling his cards in his hand. Richard looked to the Japanese soldier, who gave him a sheepish smile back before turning back to his cards. Richard scoffed, then grabbed and scarfed down a slice of cheese Pizza. Before long, they were continuing their game, all while Richard seemed to be in deep thought.
An hour of small-talk, games and two beers each later, there was another knock at the door, which Richard casually stood up to open. Sliding the door to the left, he was surprised to see Doctor Halsey standing in the doorway. She nodded to Richard and said, "Hello, Lieutenant..." She peeked inside and hummed, "Lieutenants. I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
"Just a bit of Crazy Eights is all," Richard quipped, "Anything I can do for you, doc?"
"We've received new orders," She stated, then lifted her tablet up and handed it to Richard. She hummed, "Rather, I asked for these orders and UNSC High-Command has agreed to them," and then looked back inside at the two other Officers, "We will be heading to the UN's Earth, for a speech at the General Assembly, inquiries related to us escorting the people of Falmart to the UN Base and the multitude of military agreements made so far between all of us. It will also help us learn about how the world beyond the Gate knows enough of our world to have made it a Videogame."
"Sounds good to me," Richard smirked, then looked back to the boys. Both of them gave thumbs up, probably because it'd literally mean Shore Leave for HITMAN-3 in Japan and New York of all places. He looked to the fellas and said, "Looks like we'll be seeing your version of Earth pretty soon, folks..." before pausing and looking to the Doctor, stating, "Wait, what about-"
"The Princess, her escorting guards and our ladies, meaning miss Mercury, miss La Lalena, miss Luna Marceau and, of course, queen Tyuule, will be joining us on this outing. I've already sent a memo to the rest of your unit as well, should they wish to come along with us..." Halsey explained, then hummed and added, "We will also be bringing BLUE Team with us."
Torres jumped to his feet, barking "WHAT?!"
"Doc..." Itami started, "That's... Going to break the entire world."
Halsey put on a surprising facial expression:A mischievous smile. She spoke, "That's the intent to some degree... So the world can see that the UNSC is real and that we mean business," then turned to leave. She stated one more thing before she walked off, though. "I've been preparing a speech for the UN. The Japanese Diet's representative to the UN will probably ask a few questions, gentlemen, so don't be shy about answering."
"Wait, doc," Richard stopped her, then whispered into her ear, "We already got ONI assets beyond the Gate?"
"They've been on the Alternate Earth since after we've made contact and agreed on a mutual research venture into the Gate, Lieutenant," Halsey replied knowingly. It seemed as if the good woman still kept some of ONI's tricks up her sleeve, something which got Richard to grin. Halsey hummed, then put a finger up to her pursed lips, telling him to keep it quiet, before walking way.
"So... Going home, eh?" Torres smirked at Itami, "Guess I'm taking your sorry asses to a pub run in NY."
"Hell yes," Richard snorted as he rejoined the boys, "We'll get shitfaced."
"Shitfaced with the Boys," Itami quipped, garnering a laugh out of both men...
Meanwhile, at the Imperial Palace...
"This is nonsensical, Piña..." Molt sighed, rubbing his eyes. Around him, his Praetorians and councilors stared at the young woman with horror after the tales she'd told. The flying abominations of the enemy, their rolling steel elephants, their magical staff weaponry that killed men in single blows. The same weapons of the men and women aiding them. He spoke, "If that is how they've been defeating us, then how come our magic isn't aiding against theirs...?'
"Theirs is not magic, father..." The Princess spoke, feeling a lump in her throat, "Their weapons were, according to Rory Mercury herself, made by man and for man. I've yet to get any sort of explanation, seeing as I was held within the town with my Knights, but believe me... No mere magic can compare to the weapons they wielded. They were far more advanced, far more terrifying..."
"The same weapons our allies wield, as it would seem," Voiced Zorzal. He motioned with his good hand toward an elderly man clad in a khaki uniform that was sat behind them, in the shadows. Two soldiers clad in similar kit to the UNSC's, though a little more personalized, flanked him, rifles hanging off their shoulders by leather straps. Both stood at attention, both had their faces obscured by black masks and both seemed to almost be glaring at the room.
The Princess nodded to her half-toasted brother, then hummed and said, "Right, I had forgotten... So, then, you must understand, what their weapons can do, father..."
"Indeed," The man replied, then sighed softly and leaned his head against his left hand, stating rather confidently, "And we will beat them... One of our finest has just returned from the subjugation campaign in the Western Desert." And he motioned toward the door. The Princess paused, turning to the sound of the door as it creaked open. She watched a young beastwoman, a silver-haired one with wolf ears and a tail hidden beneath her white robes. She had, draped in front, from her left shoulder down to her waist and around, a purple sash and a golden necklace, as well as golden wristbands with the symbol of a lotus on the front.
Her face was impassive and cold as she walked in. Behind her, two guards clad in segmentata armor, the classical armor of the Empire and one of the most expensive to manufacture and produce, marched with her in step. Both wore purple sashes and capes and both carried dark-red shields bearing Imperial Iconography underneath the same Lotus symbol. The temperature in the room dropped by forty degrees as she stopped, the thumps of her bodyguards' steps against the marble floor ceasing as well.
The figure looked at Molt, then, without hesitation, bowed speaking reverently, "Greetings, my Emperor."
"Welcome, general Claudia," The man replied, leaning back into his seat, "I hear the campaign West has ended well?"
"Indeed," She replied, her voice soft, melodious, but with an air of authority. Calmly, she began explaining, "The Lamia living within the center of the Desert have been pacified, as have the surrounding tribes of demihuman creatures. They proved most... Cooperative... When faced with the might of my Legiones. The Lamia king was even wise enough to surrender himself to us and should be arriving with the next slave convoy within the week."
"And you returned to Sadera quite quickly, daughter of the Ephes familia," Molt stated rather proudly. He stood up, adding, "Well done, as usual. What of casualties?"
"Minimal," She replied. And that was all that needed to be said for the entire room to applaud. The Princess eyed the woman herself. Clad in attire meant for a meeting with the Emperor, rather than her battle armor. She was clearly well-versed in the laws of the Empire. And indeed, Piña knew the fair general all too well. The wolf-kin beastwoman looked to Piña, then hummed and bowed, "Your Highness, Princess Piña. It has been many moons since I've last seen you."
"General Claudia Em Ephes..." Piña replied, her voice filled with reverence, "The Beast of The Palatine Family."
"It is just Claudia, or servant, to those of the Royal Family held in such high regard as your father or yourself," She offered curtly, then hummed and looked to Molt. She was about to ask something when she heard the clatter of an all-too-familiar set of armor. She sighed deeply, her wolf ears slightly drooping, before she met the gaze of the smirking, half-burned man with her own impassive, frozen one.
The man stopped in front of her and said, "It has been far too long since I last saw you, Claudia."
"Zorzal," She replied, her tone of voice denoting a boredom that seemed to irk the man, his smarmy grin slowly fading. She stared at him, face to face, both being the same bloody height, before she looked over his burned side and hummed. He seemed about as bad as when she had left about half a year ago on that campaign. She inquired coldly, "What is it you want from me?"
"I desired a simple catch-up with an old friend," He quipped, crossing his arms to his chest. The prosthetic seemed to be holding together well.
She blinked, unamused, then replied, "Tell said friend I said 'hello', then..." as nonchalantly as possible, which stunned Zorzal and a few others, the Princess included. Turning back toward Molt, she spoke, "I understand you have need of me, Your Highness. What has transpired to so quickly have me summoned back here?" and she paused as she saw the Princess wince. Her face betrayed no emotion, but a hint of worry seemed visible through the motion of her ears, the slight droop again.
"Our enemies, the Otherworlders," Molt stated, "They have taken Italica and are making headway toward the Capital."
The woman replied calmly, "I see. I take it our other Legiones cannot hold them at bay. And our new allies are too uncoordinated to fight properly, are they not...?" And she got a nod, despite the seeming leader of the Innies clearing his throat. She nodded to him calmly, then stated, "Give me time to scout them out, learn about them... If you have any prisoners from their ranks, they may be of use."
"We do have one," The commander of the Insurrectionists spoke, "She was supposed to go to the Prince today, but she's an officer in the UN ranks. She might know a few things in regards to how our dear alternate-universe counterparts may be operating," And he looked to see Zorzal glaring at him. He shrugged and said with a dismissive wave, "You'll get a new toy soon enough, Your Highness. If General Claudia is half as good as His Highness, the Emperor, made her out to be in our private chats, well..." He smirked, leaning forward enough for the scarred face to be visible, "I'd very much like to see how she operates."
She nodded at him, "I will need some of your men and equipment if my tests are to succeed..."
"However many you need," He replied calmly.
"We will also spare some of the mages of Rondel," Molt added, cutting Zorzal off just as he was about to protest. The Princess stared at the Beast-woman with wolf traits, awed by the sheer support she seemed to be receiving. With a nod of thanks, the General looked forth, at the table sat in the middle in the room. She walked up to it, noting the map and the arrayed troops, before leaning over it. Her guards stood close behind as she seemed to arrange and check the information.
She spoke once more, her voice quieter, "We found artifacts from the Gods in the Desert... So many... It may take aeons to peruse them all..." and her gaze locked on the Princess, "What can you tell me of the Otherworlders from the sky? I know Emroy, praise be unto Him, told of them through his Apostle. That she is with them..." all while Piña was trying to figure herself out.
"Yes..." Piña replied, slightly dumbfound, "How-?"
"I have my ways," Was all the woman said, "Alas, what can you tell me about them? All of them? Both those from Alnus and the ones from near the Warrior Bunny kingdom...?"
"They're odd," Piña responded, placing a hand on her own chest. She breathed a sigh, then looked up and said, "All of them are odd. Their armor and weaponry, their technological advantage, and yet they act like schoolchildren. They have fun, chat, laugh... But when in combat, they seem to become one of the deadliest and most unified fighting forces on Falmart. They took Italica and halted the forces sent to burn it... Killed them all with disregard."
"I see," The woman hummed, then looked at Italica on the map. "That means Italica has been fortified, its walls repaired and its defenses re-established by the occupier. Retaking it may be impossible unless we whittle the enemy down. And seeing their advantage in technological might... Perhaps our best bet would be to use the same tactics your men and women," she gazed upon the Insurrectionist, "used to capture the officer belonging to the Alnus camp."
"Guerrilla tactics?" Inquired the man.
"We can test a variety of tactics better if the enemy does not know when and where we will strike, though I am certain they may have already prepared countermeasures against ambushes like that..." She spoke, then hummed and cupped her own chin, staring at the map. She tapped her fingers against the wood table below the map, gears seemingly turning in her mind.
"What is it you're considering, General?" Inquired the commander of the Innies.
"... Merely our options for now. Ambushes may continue, but they will soon learn to counter them, I am certain. If their technology is this prevalent and powerful, then..." She blinked and a small smile formed on her face, "We must find ways to deter or deny the use of that technology. I will need that officer in my care. We will interrogate her, see what she knows and use her..." before glaring at Zorzal, "Certainly in a better way than she would've been used in the hands of a certain malicious prince..."
And yet again, nobody dared respond, not even Zorzal, even though he seemed to be fuming. He knew his father much preferred the adopted daughter of the Ephes clan to him when it came to military prowess. She turned to face the room, leaning herself against the table and interlacing her fingers, leaning her hands on her lap, "As I said, I will need some time to learn our enemy. Not just their fighting capability, but their strengths, weaknesses... Perhaps even thoughts... I want to see how quickly they respond, how quickly they adapt... And how dangerous they truly are. Know an enemy and know yourself and you may do battle without fear..."
"Then?" A predatory grin formed on the woman's face, her pearly-white teeth, elongated canines included, visible, "We will end their stranglehold on our Southern territories. In the meanwhile, to the leader of this 'Sapien Sunrise', I will need your soldiers to train mine in the use of your weapons. While I abhor the use of such dishonorable means for combat, it does not mean one should forsake the War that they are given. Not until either total victory, or complete and utter defeat lay ahead or have already been achieved. So, let us fight proudly..."
To Death Before Dishonor...