"Oh, thank God..." Halsey whispered to herself in a single exhale. She leaned against the holographic table in the middle of FOB, now affectionately nicknamed FOB 'Kingdom' by the UNSC staff and given that callsign, presumably due to their proximity or presence within the borders of Tyuule's kingdom. Word had just come through via radio that the Third Platoon was alive and healthy and that the RV with the UN forces had gone well. She clicked the 'transmit' button on her own radio system, then said, "Thank you, Cortana. I take it Blue Team is now providing escort to the Marines and the Civilians they rescued from Coda and the Elf village, then? Very well. Report back as soon as you can. I'll take the first flight over once the UN forces allow us to come in. In fact, I'll talk to the general right now. You stand by once you reach it. FOB KINGDOM, out..."
She leaned against the table, covered her mouth, then breathed a sigh of relief. The winged, fire-breathing lizard was dead for all intents and purposes, save for its head and whatever chunks remained after two high-explosive anti-aircraft missiles tipped with heavy warheads penned its thick skin and exploded. She looked to the Colonel as the man seemed to be waiting with bated breath, before giving a nod.
Several cheers erupted across the board, with Halsey feeling relief finally washing over her. It had been merely a day since they had first gone missing. She narrowed her lips, then murmured to herself, "Look at you, you old woman... Starting to care about your fellow humans again..." before looking at the feed from several Wombat drones that had linked up with the massive convoy of civilians being evacuated.
She sighed, then cued her mic and switched frequencies, stating, "General Hazama, this is Halsey."
"Doctor. I take it you heard the good news. HITMAN-3 has already reported that they've recovered your soldiers and are on their way over. Two of your wounded are also being treated at our base's hospital," The general of the SDF and overall commander of the UN Special Region Task Force replied, his voice friendly, though gruff. He assured her, "Worry not. Your men will be treated with the utmost care in accordance to every law under the sun."
"I have heard the news. And you and your men have my thanks, general, but I have a request..." She started.
"Of course," He replied.
"... I wish to come retrieve my men in one of my own aircraft. We can ensure our meeting takes place this way, provided you find the idea agreeable and have the time," She offered, before waiting for the man's response. As a few seconds passed while the man thought about it, Halsey considered just what would need to be done in terms of future meetings to ensure the UN and the UNSC cooperated properly on what came next.
The man hummed, "It would be a good point to start our discussions and expand them. We'd be glad to have you here, Doctor."
"Thank you, General. We shall see each-other soon... Doctor Halsey, out," She replied, then shut off the com after Hazama's response. She sighed deeply, then ordered, "Contact Her Highness and the Dragon-born. Let them know that our people are alive and well. I will be headed toward the Hill to initiate talks with the general and his UN forces before long. Prepare a Pelican for me and keep me updated via Wombat feed about the status of the Convoy... I shall go prepare."
As the Doctor stepped out of the FOB's CP again, she arranged her labcoat. The few things she needed to retrieve, she'd find in her office in the research wing, where archaeological staff and scientists from all other domains seemed to be trying to understand the devices' link to the Gate. Right now, she didn't care. She needed to focus on making sure her people would get home alive.
She'd done enough evil for the sake of the greater good, she felt. Caring about her own people and their survival was no small feat for her. And she did not mean Humanity. Humanity at large was the reason she had served so willingly and become the monster she was in the past. Her people were her soldiers in this case. The crew she'd come upon this world with.
They mattered just as much as those they'd helped survive the Empire's onslaught, if not more, to her. And Blue Team, blessed they be, they came when she called without hesitation. She'd always look upon her Spartans favorably, even if she considered what she did to them her greatest sin. Right now, however? They were operating nearby the UN's territory.
Well, within it, now. The UNSC and UN would have to carve this place between one-another, she figured. Especially after the war against the Empire was to end. One way or another, the military of the Unified Earth Government and the peacekeeping forces of the United Nations had to live together. Halsey felt that a peace had to be established, treaties signed, things like that. That would be left to the UEG's reps. She just had to make a good first impression upon their newfound neighbor and third power in the region.
She marched up to the heliport, fully packed and ready to leave for the trip. A squad of ODSTs gathered around her, their weapons on their backs. Halsey had wanted to comment, but chose not to. Simple reason was that she would require an escort, no matter what. ODSTs? A neat little show, but one the UN couldn't misconstrue as a threat toward them, especially after they'd helped their people.
She intended to be a good neighbor, for all that was gonna be worth to a fractured, splintered version of Earth, one from a past so long ago that Halsey had only read about it in the old history books. And one of an alternate timeline, a myriad ways different from even their own. One timeline that she knew nothing about, nor could speculate on. An endearing, but terrifying prospect for a woman of science...
Meanwhile... The Imperial Palace...
The clack of heels echoed through the great halls of the Imperial Palace. Heavy plate rustled to match in tone with the marching. A young woman with scarlet hair caught in a braided ponytail, with a bang poking over the right side of a thin tiara that had a white gem in its forehead. Heavy, angular plate armor shoulder pads continued down into a Lorica Segmentata-style pair of arm guards and vambraces.
Her breastplate was solid and only deformed lightly over her chest, with gold details of fleurs-de-lis and other indented symbols of Imperial nobility tapered in. Below it lay a set of leather armor to which the front and back plates were attached. Over her right shoulder was a scarlet cape bearing the symbol of a bright red rose with four green leaves poking out at each of the cardinal points and surrounded by a golden laurel wreath. Over her legs there was a scarlet skirt going to about mid-length of the thigh and below it there was almost no armor save for some shin guards.
Behind her, two more women, a long-haired blonde with blue eyes and a girl with very short purple hair, both of them clad in the same armor types, just with less detailing, marched forward. All three of them had an elongated Gladius clipped to their belts. Princess Piña Co Lada, fifth child and the daughter of Sadera's emperor, marched down the halls, her eyes narrowed, focusing forward as the light of the sun beat through the massive archway windows of the central building.
The rattle of plate armor echoed as guards stood at attention, watching as the Emperor's own little knight daughter marched past them, slightly surprised to see her here with an escort of two of her Rose-Order of Knights. Usually, these women who played soldier would've been the talk of the Empire's actual military. Their laughing stock, more like. But not today.
Piña had noticed that most of the palace guards were raw. New recruits who hadn't seen combat before, unlike much of the higher-ranking Imperial Army that she had seen go out to fight. None of those men, nor the counts whose children had left for battle with them. Some had been friends of hers. Some of Zorzal's. Others of her other family members. Alas.
She stopped in front of the large, carved oak doors that separated the Emperor's throne room from the rest of the palace. She hummed, then said to her knights, "This should be an interesting meeting... Zorzal has supposedly come out of his treatment for the injuries sustained..." before looking to the two of them and stating, "Stay strong and do not respond to his comments, girls."
"As you wish, Princess..." The two of them chorused. The woman hummed, pushing the door ahead open to reveal the vaulted ceilings, the red carpet, the tall altar on which the thrones were sat and the stained glass representing images of the Gods and the Empire's many victories behind the throne, the purple flag bearing the Empire's four-winged cross surrounded by golden laurels, the Dragon behind it.
Sat on the throne, listening to the complaints of a seemingly-bandaged man clad in black armor, a long-haired elderly man clad in purple and white sighed. He looked to see Piña entering, then motioned her forward as the guards shut the door behind her and the Rose Knights. Piña approached with her escort, all three of them taking a knee out of respect and bowing their heads.
Emperor Molt Sol Augustus made one motion of his hand and the trio rose, with Piña stating, "We are here as requested, father..." before casting a sideways glance at her brother, half his face and body still marred by the scars of the fire magic utilized by the foe that protected the Bunny Warriors. The man's right hand had had to be amputated and replaced with a crude metal one that now combined itself with his scarlet armor, or what survived of it. The rest of him? Half his body still bore the awful scars of the fire that took all of his men and his officers.
"Piña..." Zorzal spoke, his voice a bit rough.
"Brother," She replied cautiously, "I see you are better."
"I've survived worse..." He lied, then coughed. Piña knew he hadn't. That man had been as spoiled as they came and had never truly seen combat until that fateful day three years ago, when a New World seemed to come upon them from the first time. Now, yet again, a new world marches toward them, from another place. The very gate they could've used for conquest opened up to the doom of another of their elite forces. He growled, "Those craven whores and their friends will get what is coming to them... I swear it..."
"That's not the matter I called Piña here for, however," Molt took their attention, "Zorzal. Go. Rest. Do whatever you wish. We shall speak of your request later."
The man scowled, then nodded and departed, but not before casting a glare at Piña and her two knight friends. Molt continued, "That boy is still angry at the fact that some barbarians beat him with a magic he didn't know they had. He needs to learn to move on before this anger will consume him. Alas... Piña. I shall get to the point quickly, for I believe it is in our best interest."
"And we shall listen intently, Fa-... Your Highness," She replied, putting some respect behind her words. This may have been her father, but she was still a Princess and a Soldier of the Empire. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Good..." He nodded approvingly, "As it stands, we face two fronts. Two armies that seem to either be elites in magic or some other form of warfare have engaged our people, however, as you are aware, the first Army we have met has not made any attempts to conquer us. That in and of itself has remained a concerning fact. They have stood there, protecting the territories they and the Queen of the Warrior Bunnies have secured for themselves... And we've no idea what they are doing behind that curtain."
"That is, however, not the reason I have called you, either..." He started, seeing Piña already perk up to suggest any kind of military action, eager as always. She deflated, sitting back down as he spoke, "Currently, our forces have dwindled to a fifth of what we've had prior to the fighting near the Gate and even prior to that. And it seems that the Allied Kingdoms had some of their own survive the onslaught at Alnus... I'd like you to do two things in the coming days, Piña. Prepare an envoy force and leave for Elbe, to talk to king Duran. See his reason for retreating."
"It shall be done," Piña stated. Molt smiled, nodding approvingly as he stroked his beard. She asked, "What of the other task?"
"That should be completed as you go. You are to stop at Italica to check upon our holdings there. We think that the Army that came from the Gate may attempt to move through to Italica and occupy it as a forward base. It is, after all, on the crossroads of several important highways," He stated. The Princess nodded yet again, to which Molt said, "Then go, my daughter. You and your Rose-Order of Knights have your first mission..."
"We shall accomplish it with all haste," She smiled proudly. The man nodded, dismissing them with a wave of the hand. The trio slammed their right fists into the left sides of their breastplates, crying out "Ave Imperator! Ave Imperium!" before turning to depart. Quite the literal chest-thumper, Molt thought happily. Piña had always been the more tomboyish of her friends.
As the doors opened and shut with the departure of the girls, Molt made a single motion of his hand. A bald man in a robe, a senator loyal to him and to the war, marched forth. He spoke in inquiry toward one of his more trusted officials, despite being well-aware of his status, "What news do you bring, Legate? Have your scouts met the newcomers to the North?"
"They have, Your Highness," The man replied, his voice weak, "And they come with good news. It seems these newcomers are willing to talk to us about our... Problems..."
He nodded, "More humans with strange habits, it seems..." Then he ordered proudly, "Bring them forth as soon as possible and send to Rondel for mages. That city will start paying tribute in warrior mages whether it likes it or not."
Alnus FOB
It'd been a day and some since the UN and UNSC forces had met on the field. Some hours since they fucked around and fought a dragon, too. Still, the UNSC's Marines cast their first glances toward the base at the top of Alnus Hill now and were smiling all the way through it. Despite the fact that concrete was still being poured and defenses built, ahead of them lay the United Nations' Forward Operations Base. Layers of walls of concrete and defenses like barbed wires surrounded the place from the edge of the road all the way 'round to the main gate, which had a series of pillboxes built into what looked to be casemates.
Machine Gun barrels poked out of the front, while the tops of the base's star-shaped walls had howitzers and mortars of various calibers, clearly sighted-in for the target ranges around the base. Chunks of the ground surrounding the FOB were also destroyed, damaged by artillery and mortars and bullets. They'd definitely cleaned up the corpses, though, but there were warning signs about mines.
"Holy shit, you guys build fast..." Murmured Richard as he sat atop the AAV with Torres and Itami.
"Pays to have SeaBees with you," Torres laughed heartily as they rolled on forth, a convoy of almost a dozen vehicles and the hundreds of civvies they were escorting. The gates opened to the motorpool as the last of the work was put into finishing one of the command buildings of the place. UNCOM wanted to look presentable for the probable upcoming guests and, indeed, UN troops lined the 'streets' of the FOB. Above them, attack choppers patrolled the skies. Apaches of the US Army and Super-Cobras of the JSDF, of course.
Lined in the motorpool were Russian and Chinese vehicles of older designs, as well as the soldiers of said countries. Each man turned to see the arriving UNSC vehicles as they stopped and parked, with the UNSC soldiers dismounting beside the US and SDF troops. One of the Russian officers hummed, then called out, "Didn't know you'd bring this kind of friends, Americanski!"
"Figured we may as well!" Torres jabbed back, then whispered to Richard, "Don't mind the Ruskies and Chinese... Not the nicest people in the UN."
"We're aware. Similar histories," Replied Richard as he saw the SPARTAN aircraft touch down in front of them, at the base's helipads. However, once they walked out onto the main 'boulevard' between the buildings and tents, several of the Marines and soldiers inside stopped, grinning and cheering. Chief looked over to Richard and Torres, with Torres looking back at a somewhat hyperventilating Shino, while Kurokawa was tending to her.
"She alright, Kurokawa?" Itami asked.
"Apparently, it's heatstroke," The girl said with an absentminded smile, while Shino continued to breathe heavily, her cheeks red. Shino nodded, unwilling to admit to these folks' faces that she was well-aware of who these people were. Clearly, so did several Marines and other personnel who've played the series prior to meeting them. Marines bumped fists, saluted the UNSC passers-by and stared with surprise at both the Spartans and the Warrior Bunnies.
"They're a lively bunch..." Commented Delilah from beside the Chief.
"Certainly didn't expect this kind of greeting..." Cortana voiced through the com, "Everything alright with'em?"
"We'll find out," The Chief stated, before looking to Lieutenant Samuels as he found himself shaking the hands of several of the UN soldiers present, the most awkward stare on his face ever as he marched toward the Chief with his squad. The man narrowed his lips, looking over toward Torres, Itami and the other members of HITMAN-3, before shrugging in a questioning manner. Torres tilted his head to the right, then shook his head, showing clearly that he was unaware. The group watched as UN medics marched up to and started helping the people inside the carts, carrying any of their wounded, including the elves, to Medical.
"I'm fairly certain we're crossing a point of weird, sir," The Lieutenant voiced, causing Chief and the rest of BLUE to turn around.
"Not gonna lie to you, El-Tee? I think I agree..." Cortana replied, "This isn't just the glee of people whose friends and new comrades rescued a bunch of civilians and themselves before watching a dragon blow up, honestly... I mean, it could be? But for all intents and purposes, several of these people are staring like they know us. I think that if I pop out for a visit, it's gonna spook a bunch more people than intended."
"I'm with her," Richard nodded, slinging his MA40 onto his back, "We should wait for doc Halsey to swing by and say hello before we go any further... Most I wanna do right now is check on our wounded before we head on out again and... Incoming. Looks like top brass here..." and he, his Platoon and Blue Team greeted a tanned man with military-regulation short hair and a bushy mustache as he approached. Well-built, with a chiseled face and clad in the standard green BDUs of the SDF, the man saluted the team, his sleeves rolled up.
The SPARTANS and soldiers of the UNSC all saluted back, before the man said, "Welcome to FOB Alnus, soldiers of the UNSC... Excuse our men and women. They seem surprised to see an alternate Humanity like yours here.. I am general Hazama, overall commander of the United Nations Special Region Task Force. It is our pleasure to have you here as friends and representatives. I know we're also awaiting for Doctor Halsey's arrival before we go to the debrief with all officers involved in the action that led to our meeting."
"Sir," The Chief nodded, "Doctor Halsey mention when she was going to be arriving?"
"She said she'd be here as soon as possible to start the first series of talks between us and you, followed by the deployment of envoys to the FOB to discuss everything else with our UN ambassadors," The man offered his reply as calmly and clearly as he could. It was clear English wasn't his first language as he focused to speak it properly, but he hadn't so much as slipped on pronunciation of any of the words.
Chief nodded, before the group all heard a sonic boom, followed by the roar of engines as a UNSC Pelican swung in for landing, definitely cleared by the base's Air Traffic Control. It began its gentle touchdown, landing right next to Blue Team's own modified Stealth Pelican. Gathering 'round, the UN staff and UNSC Marines and SPARTANs watched as the back hatch of the Pelican popped, revealing a squadron of black-clad soldiers with helmets with blacked-out visors, thick and reinforced. Each carried a silenced SMG on their thigh and a pistol in a holster somewhere on their person, their armors definitely better than the standard Marine's.
Kuribayashi stepped up as well, then covered her mouth, eyes going wide as Kurokawa tended to her, before letting out a wheezed "ODSTs..." that nobody managed to hear but Kurokawa as she pointed at the men and women in heavy combat gear, definitely Special Ops. She then looked to the Pelicans again, sweat running down her entire body and soaking her in her uniform.
She froze as she saw a grey-haired elderly woman descending from the transport last, offering a nod to the troopers that had provided her escort before she arranged a sparkling-white labcoat with blue accents and a badge attached to its left breast pocket, just below a series of pens. She and General Hazama met in the middle and the doctor gave the man a nod as a reply to his Salute. The two then shook hands as they met.
"Oh..." Shino let out, before collapsing in front of Kurokawa. The doctor gasped, then knelt beside the girl.
"Whatever's wrong with you, Kuribayashi, this isn't simple heatstroke..." She murmured, before motioning to a Marine to help carry Shino back to medical. The three Lieutenants and the SPARTANs witnessed the girl being carted away, before Richard was approached by the doctor. The man snapped a crisp salute, to which she nodded back. The SPARTANs, however, recognized the Doctor's body language. She was ecstatic to see them alive, even if she didn't show it.
"Good to know you are alive, Lieutenant... I dared fear that I'd lost one of the best bodyguards I had to date," She quipped. Richard laughed boisterously, as did his squad.
He replied with a hint of snark, "Gonna take a bit more than a big-ass lizard with wings to put an end to this Marine and his team, ma'am," before noting, "A few people here are overly-ecstatic to see us. Several gave us more handshakes and greetings than they did the Americans and Japanese who took us in... Something's a bit fishy, not gonna lie..."
"We shall figure it all out as this partnership develops. Until then..." She looked over to see Kurokawa and the US Marine pulling Shino into what seemed to be the medical building, "Hm. Lieutenant. You and..." she looked to Torres and Itami, "Your two fellow Lieutenants are to come with me and general Hazama for debriefing as soon as the last Pelican lands."
"Ma'am... Last Pelican?" Richard inquired.
Halsey actively tried to contain the smirk that would surely have followed the devious joy she stated the following with; "I got caught by a young Queen worried for her subjects and her study buddy, Lieutenant... And she demanded that she be allowed to join the formation moving in to evacuate you."
Just as the Doctor finished her sentence, the aircraft swung in for landing, of course. Before long, a squadron of Bunny Warriors in full kit disembarked, with the white-haired queen marching out, her blade stowed behind her and her rifle slung over her shoulder. The moment she and Richard made eye-contact, the woman smiled, then rushed toward him and wrapped her arms around him, before stating, "Thank the Gods, you're alive..."
She immediately realized, however, that she was in the presence of officers. With a healthy blush that she failed to suppress tinting her cheeks red, she stepped back and saluted the just-as-red-in-the-face man. He saluted back, while Delilah and her girls, as well as the Lieutenant's men and the SDF and USMC officers, all chuckled behind them, before Tyuule breathed a sigh and settled down, stating, "Forgive the outburst, I... When we heard you faced an elder FIRE DRAGON in battle from Jeanne..."
"Yeah, we get it," He nodded, rubbing the back of his neck, "But hey, we're alive, courtesy of the SDF and USMC..." before looking to them, "Speaking of. Now that I have the actual time and ability to process this... Holy shit. You people are literally the basis upon which the Corps was formed and I'm standing in front of you like the new kid on the block..."
Itami chuckled, while Torres stated with a snort, "I think we've all seen what the other can do, Richard. No need to play the history card... Make me feel old why don't'cha."
His squad laughed behind him, while Itami's other teammates, Kurata included, let out a few chuckles, but stared at the armored seven-foot-tall behemoths beside the two Lieutenants, the General and the Doctor. Speaking of, Doctor Halsey said, "Very well, ladies and gentlemen, enough. Lieutenants Samuels, Torres and Itami with me, please. Everyone else, find something to do. Rest. We will head out as soon as I've opened the talks with the UN properly... And your Highness," She looked to a surprised Tyuule, "You may join us."
The group nodded, before Halsey ordered, "Then so it is. Chief, if you don't mind going to check on our men in the medical area with the Sergeant..."
"Ma'am," The Chief replied. He looked to the rest of his team and stated, "Keep watch over the vehicles with the rest of the Platoon..." Receiving nods as responses from his teammates. He motioned to Rosie to follow him while the main staff departed for the General's office. Within the base's medical area, the SPARTAN and Sergeant were met with the sight of the wounded civvies. Their two Marines, meanwhile, were at the rear. Ikari was the worst of the two, having had bandages strapped her whole left arm. Although it wasn't burnt that awfully.
Ivanov was awake, however. He managed to wave with a hand full of IV drips toward the Chief and Sergeant, before saluting the Chief as he advanced. The man saluted back, nodding to the squad's SAW Gunner, before stopping in the middle of the medical area. Cortana commented, "Lots of new faces around..." as John looked at the Elves and civvie peasants being treated. He hummed in agreement, then stopped when he saw Kuribayashi and Kurokawa, two of Lieutenant Itami's soldiers, talking.
Shino seemed embarrassed, if Chief were to hazard a guess, while Kurokawa was comforting her. The two women were SDF soldiers, Sergeants going by the rank pins. Shino hid her face behind her palms and murmured something in Japanese to Kurokawa, while Cortana hummed and said, "Well, apparently she fainted if my translation's correct... Which..."
"Yeah," He nodded.
"I'd say talk to them, John. Might help... Y'know... Smooth things over between us and the new folks? We may be operating with'em soon," Cortana suggested with an audible tune of joy behind her words. John hummed, then shrugged and nodded. With heavy footfalls, the Supersoldier clad in armor that could easily rival a tank's approached the two women, with Kurokawa being the first to perk up and notice them.
She smiled, before tapping Shino on the shoulder and whispering something. Kuribayashi spared her a glance from behind her hands, still red in the cheeks, before Kurokawa pointed at Chief. The girl that had passed out before slowly turned her head to face the man, before she froze in place, her face pale enough that the rose color in her cheeks now stood out like blood on snow, her eyes wide as she stared right into his visor. Her mouth slightly agape, Shino intended to let out a word, but instead simply stared.
Kurokawa looked between her and the Chief twice, before commenting to the Chief, "Apologies... She's usually far more... Talkative."
He nodded. Kurokawa stood up, saluted and cleared her throat, stating, "Anyways, sir... I am Sergeant First Class Mari Kurokawa, medic of HITMAN-3 reconnaissance platoon. May I say, it's good to meet friendly faces on this strange world... Though we admittedly never expected to see futuristic soldiers marching down the road with us... Uhm..." to which the Chief saluted back.
"Master Chief Petty Officer One-One-Seven. Good to meet you properly, Sergeant First Class Kurokawa..." Chief stated, before looking at Shino and tilting his head slightly. The girl eeked out a fairly silent squeak, like a hiccup, while Kurokawa looked to her, sweat beading down her cheek. She blinked twice, then smiled awkwardly and placed a hand on Shino's shoulder.
"This is Sergeant First Class Shino Kuribayashi, sir... She's a bit... Suffocated by the heat," Kurokawa sought an excuse, "She's usually much more respectful than this, believe me..." before she leaned in and whispered to the girl, "Kuribayashi, for the love of... Stand up and salute..." to which the girl still did not respond. Kurokawa sighed deeply, then said, "She's clearly still hurt by the heatstroke, sir."
"I see..." He nodded, then lowered his hand and said, "Good to meet you as well, Sergeant First Class Kuribayashi..." before respectfully leaving the area, Cortana chuckling in his ear. His mind wondered just what was wrong with miss Kuribayashi, while acutely aware that she had pretty much tracked his movement all the way over to the UNSC Marines' hospital beds.
Shino whined, then grabbed Kurokawa by the collar and started wheezing out, "Water... Water...! WATER!" all the while she shook the doctor.
Mari sighed. With friends like this, she thought as she went to pick up some water from the cooler.
She heard Shino hyperventilating again.