-Operation Vanguard-

Falmart Calendar, 1291

Princess Piña CoLada

Tavern near Itallica, Sadera, Falmart

Piña and her small detachment of Rose order knights Sat in a Tavern not far from Itallica. From here on out it would have been 2 more hours on horseback until the major trading hub.

"Do you guys need anything else". The Tavern was manned by Demi-Humans, bunny warriors to be precise. Their appearance would have been considered rather Cute but if provoked, they'd turn into killing machines.

"No", Answered Piña sternly. She was drinking a drink that was called beer by the locals.

"I don't like this stuff", Hamilton said as she sipped on her own cup. Hamilton was also considered Rose order but technically she was just the right hand of Piña, a mear assistant. "It's beer, a commoners drink". Chimed in Grey Co Aldo. He was the oldest of the group, simultaneously he was Piña's and all the other's mentor. He was the one who trained them to be Knights.

Then there was Norma Co Igloo. At first he only was here because of the ladies but later on he admitted to like the Rose order, this statement still didn't change the fact that he was a "Playboy" and tried to get any good looking girl into his bed. Just like now fir example. Instead of discussing the situation with his team mates he rather tried to lay girls he would only see once.

"The enemy from the Gate completely took out the Vassal Armies... how was that even possible. They where 2 dozen kingdoms combined", Piña asked no one in particular.

An older looking man sitting at a Table opposite of theirs began to laugh. He clearly was drunk. "What are you laughing at peasant?", asked Hamilton with an edge in her voice. Piña held her hand up to stop Hamilton.

"Your Armor... you are a imperial Soldier". The man snorted. "I was", he slurred out.

"What did you mean, you were?", asked Piña as she approached the man's Table.

"I was, because i am not anymore". He answered, his voice showing that he was getting annoyed.

"Did you desert your rank?", asked Piña, her hand ready at the hilt of her sword. She was ready to cut the man down right then and there when she felt a hand on hers. She looked back. It was Grey, she reluctantly sat down again.

"Why did you stop me. I could have found out some things about these other worlders", hissed Piña. Grey wanted to give his wisdom when both of them got startled when the bar tender appeared out of no where.

"You want to know something about the men in Green?".

Piña stared at her, not knowing what to do. She managed to stammer out a weak, "Yes?".

"GREAT!", yelled the bunny woman startling the knights again. "That'd be 1 gold Coin please", she added and held out her palm. Hamilton stood up and was about to yell at the Demi-Human and her audacity to ask for a Gold Coin but Piña once again, held up her hand, stopping Hamilton in her tracks.

Piña sighed and pulled out a sack of Gold Coins, she took one and flicked it to the Bunny warrior.

"Alrighty, in which Men in Green are you interested in?". Piña was taken aback. "What do you mean which one? Are there multiple?".

"Two Gates opened and the Empire started two Conquests at the same time. A bad call if you ask me".

"How dare you question your empire?!", Piña felt offended by the bunny warrior and was about to cut her down when, once again, Grey held her off. "Princess, we want information from this lady and not her head", Grey chuckled sheepishly at his sentence. After Piña calmed down again she noticed that the bunny warrior wasn't affected at all but stood there with her unamused look.

"Fine... how about both?", asked Piña after sitting down.

"One more Gold Coin". Piña grunted and muttered something under her breath as she flicked another Gold coin over.

"Alright, The Gate South to Itallica was conquered by the other world army only recently and the enemies there took more casualties when they faced the wrath of the combined forces of the Vassal states and the Empire because they weren't really prepared.. The Gate to itallica's West, the closer one was under the other enemies control for a longer time so the defense was easier for them. Both of them fight from the distance with with magical staffs and iron elephants which can create Explosions. The Other worlders to the west had their own flying beasts. All in all, the Empire is doomed if these two would form an alliance and take the Empire".

Piña felt anger bubble upwards at the last sentence but refused to show it. "Thank you", she said through gritted teeth. The bunny warrior nodded and left.

"We need to be at Itallica before any of them do". Piña suggested.

"Good plan your majesty, we have s greater chance of defending Itallica inside their walls". The princess nodded and called over the Tavern, "Norma, get your pants up. We're leaving", Norma pouted and tried to resist but one stern glare from Piña made him falter. He blew a quick kiss to the ladies he was entertaining, they giggled in response. This triggered a groan from Piña as she watched the ordeal.

-Operation Vanguard-

Falmart Calendar, 1291, 09:04h

Captain John Mitchell, Basilisk Squad

Briefing room, Erusian/Osean Gate FOB

The briefing room was packed full of personnel. Erusian Soldiers. Osean Marines, Basilisk Team, Iron Horse-1 and the last to enter where Trigger and the Thunder squadron. The A/C hummed and pumped out cool air to counter the hot weather in Falmart.

"Settle down, Settle down. First Operation for you guys", Said McKinsey as the Room settled down. All eyes watched McKinsey as he prepared the briefing. They didn't had any tactical Maps, Satellite pictures or any other live updating Information besides Drone Pictures taken some hours ago.

A man in a Black suit entered the room and shook McKinsey's hand. "This here is Special agent Klark Hudson from the Osean Intelligence Agency. His word has the same weight as mine while you conduct the Operation. Your task is it to escort Agent Hudson and his Friend Count Colt Formal to Itallica. It's main trading hub, 20km east from here. For the Empire it is it's main trading hub in the area so taking it without any force is more than necessary to cripple the enemies economy and its also important as an Staging area for future Military action against the Capital".

"Without force? These idiots keep running into our bullets. How do you think this'll work?", asked the VC from Iron Horse-1.

"That's where the Count comes into play. You will escort him with a total of 5 Vehicles. The M1 Tank from Iron horse, three JLTV's and the M2 Bradley from Basilisk. You will have Air support. Thunder Squadron will be on Standby the whole time along side with the Helicopter Units which arrived this morning. They are part of the 160th SOAR. They have AH-64's and a bunch of UH-60 and CH-47's which will bring additional troops to the battlefield if needed. Sergeant Kelly, you and your Marines will remain on standby as the QRF", Kelly nodded and Fist bumped his XO sitting next to him.

"Any questions?", A hand raised. It was an Erusian officer who would be part of the escort for the Count. McKinsey gestured to him to speak. "Imma go out on a limb and say that i'm speaking on behalf of everyone in this room. Why don't we just bomb this Itallica out of existence and build something new there?". There where agreements from both Erusians and Oseans.

McKinsey pinched the brim of his nose, "Grunts will remain Grunts...", he muttered. "Wow, great job you fuckhead. I was one of these people who believed in that there weren't any stupid questions but you convinced me otherwise".

There where laughs from the other soldiers and the Erusian who asked went red. "Alright ladies y'all are dismissed. OP starts tomorrow at 06:00.

-Operation Vanguard-

August 25th, 2020

Princess Rosa Cossette D'Elise

Tyler Island

Crown Princess Rosa Cossette had a lot up her mind lately. Mostly work and her fellow Erusians but also a Certain Osean Pilot. She began to Miss him, the last time they talked was when Trigger left into the Gate, there they shared their first genuine Kiss. It was unofficially official, they where a pair but of course no one could know because that would stir up unwanted attention and international outrage would break out.

"How's the reconstruction of Farbanti going?". Her assistant, Helena Martin was buried in her Tablet and didn't register Cossette's question.

"Helena?", Cossette called again, startling the woman. She almost dropped the expensive electronic.

"I'm sorry Your highness, what did you ask". Cossette giggled slightly.

"I asked,How's the Reconstruction of Farbanti going?", Cossette asked a second time. Her amused smile lit up the room.

"Good, the reconstruction park is cleared of all wrecks and the GHQ is being rebuild and almost done", Helena said without looking at Cossette.

"And the palace?". Cossette asked consciously. Helena slowly looked up from her device with a grim look. "Sorry your highness. Cossette took a deep breath and shook her head while wiping a tear away. "No, no. Everything's good", she said with an clearly fake smile.

"oh you poor thing". Helena Embraced Cossette in a Hug as the latter burst out into a waterfall. Her shoulders rocked up and down from the heavy sobs. "It's all my fault", Cossette managed to say in between sobs. Helena didn't reply but kept rubbing soothing circles on her back.

"Listen Child. I know it's hard for you, you took over a breaking country, you just found your first real love with the ace who won the war for the enemy-". Helena was Cut off by a shrill scream from Cossette.

"HOW!?", She demanded. Helena began to chuckle, "Oh child, i'm a mother of three girls. I notice these kinds of things. In fact all of my three daughters tried to hide their lovers from me but failed miserably. Just like you".

Cossette blushed madly, "Was it that obvious?", she asked, bracing for the answer she didn't want to hear.

"Well, it was obvious that you had an eye for that Ace but as far as I know, no one besides me has noticed that you to have been... you know".

Cossette turned even redder. Her head was at this point practically a tomato with blonde hair. Helena laughed out loud and hugged Cossette and then started whispering into her ear, "If he ever hurts you, or breaks your heart... just call me". Cossette had a mischievous grin and nodded.

"Thank you". The faint whisper was barely hearable. "I wish your mother could see you right now. She'd be proud of you", Helena said and placed a motherly kiss on Cossette's forehead.

-Operation Vanguard-

Falmart Calendar, 1291

VC Harris, Iron Horse 1

Erusian/ Osean FOB

Next morning, 05:30h

The crew of Iron Horse-1 went through their last checks before the Operation would start. They had to rely on Drone footage that was livestreamed to their Tank. No IFF, no GPS. Harris, the Vehicle Commander just checked his Commander sights on any malfunction as did the Gunner Tarry.

"Andreas, if you break my sight again i'll cut that from your paycheck", Harris said in a playful, yet stern tone. Andreas, the loader winced visibly, the even still clear in his head. In the last battle he managed to throw a APFSDS shell right into the monitor of his Commander rendering it useless. It wasn't really Andreas' fault because it was in the heat of the battle and Lucas, the Driver, obviously didn't consider driving like a normal human being but taking curves, breaking hard, rolling over infantry and what not. In a hard break the shell Andreas had ready to load into the breach slipped from his hands and the Sabot dart impaled the Monitor. Lucky for Harris, he wasn't using it at the moment, because if he would have been, the day would have ended in a whole different scenario.

Suddenly a scream was heard from outside the tank. "Lucas! You good down there buddy?", asked Harris out of his hatch. First a dramatic pause, then another scream. "I just hit my fucking head!", came the reply. The three soldiers inside the turret started to chuckle.

"Alright ladies, fun time's over, OP starts in half an hour, all ready?". Thumbs up greeted Harris. Andreas checked the ammo rack one last time and saw that it was full, "Ammo is full sir!". Harris nodded as the Turbine engine of the M1 began to howl to life. He and the other two put on their helmets and connected their headsets to the coms.

"Engine's up and running sir", Came the final announcement over the radio.

"Copy that Lucas, move us to the Gate", responded Harris.

"Wilco sir". Lucas release the breaks. The steering of an M1 was similar to an Motorcycle, so steering the 70 ton beast was no problem.

The Tank began to move, it's massive structure on top turned to face forward while the main cannon was simultaneously angled upwards so it wouldn't hit Lucas since he was driving with the hatch open.

-Operation Vanguard-

Falmart Calendar, 1291

Captain John Mitchell

Erusian/ Osean FOB

06:00h

The M2 Bradley parked just behind the gate. It would take the lead in the convoy, behind it where the three JLTV's and Iron Horse was rolling towards them at that moment.

Before Mitchell could enter the Bradley, he saw Agent Hudson bringing Colt into the middle JLTV and then ran up to him.

"Captain, I've read your file", He began. "Sure you did", chimed in Mitchell unamused.

Hudson continued, "You're the most experienced here, I want you to take charge". This took Mitchell of guard. Hudson stretched out his hand and after some hesitation, Mitchell shook it.

"Alright ladies, we're Oscar mike".

A/N:

For anyone who's wondering:

VC stands for Vehicle Commander

JLTV stands for Joint Light tactical vehicles

FOB stands for Forward operating Base

Co stands for Commanding officer

Xo stands for Executive Officer

Oscar Mike stands for On the Move or on Mission

Keep in mind. I'm only explaining these things if there are some guys or girls who have no idea about military Lingo and still decided to read this.

Next two chapters will be my favorite. SIEGE OF ITALLICA!!

Also, just so you guys know, if you look at the map of Falmart you see Itallica, southeast of it is Alnus hill and north-northwest of it are the Romaria Mountains. That's where the Gate from the Ace Combat verse appeared. It is significantly closer than Alnus to Itallica and Rondel this will be important later on in the storyline

Reviews:

Guest-I will! But bear with me until then i promise the plot will get fucked up and mess with your head