This first part of Interlude chapter mainly focuses on everything about the offensive preparations, other military actions at that time and what the other characters on the UEMF side are up too.

Also the map of Falmart from the Gate wikia and the one I'm using on this one (made from imagination and my distorted memory of the said map) is different.

'Yeah.' - Thoughts

"Yeah." - Normal

"Yeah." - Latin or whatever the local language is

Deym - Stressed word #1

Shit - Stressed word #2

Crap - Stressed word #3

This border above symbolizes my general lack of knowledge on writing lemons. Anyways, it basically cuts or changes the scene that is happening in the same exact location.

*Badadumtss* - Sound/Noise

*Example - The word's meaning is on the glossary at the end. I will compile them all after this fic is finished.

XXXX

"The roar of German tanks lives on!"

- Generalfeldmarschall Heinz Guderian during Operation Desert Storm after the victory at the Battle of 73 Easting

"Democracy slowly fades and fails once the people has too much freedom and have free access to undesirable and dangerous ideologies. We have no choice but to execute extreme measures."

- Elite General Davis during the Great Purge

XXXX

March 5, 2109 Hours, North of Fort Italica

"See anything at your direction?" Linus asked to two of his soldiers assigned to scout north of the fort for any possible incursions by the Saderians, either scouts or actual legions.

"Nein, clear on mine."

"I don't see anything at my direction either."

"I see, just keep it up, it won't be the long before the food arrives." Linus lets his slung binoculars hang on his neck and took a drink from his canteen. The cold liquid shivered his throat and stomach. He could use some damn warm coffee.

"Just out of curiosity sir, why are we scouting here in the north instead of the south-east? Isn't that where we are attacking?" The first soldier asked.

"Can't answer that, it's high up your pay grade. Besides, if you have knowledge of history, you can think what's the reason behind." Linus replied, chuckling.

"Well that's unfortunate..."

"Sure it is man." The second soldier laughed at his comrade who gave a friendly punch to his shoulder only to be disturbed by a sudden arrival of a truck.

"Speaking of food..." Linus said as an Opel Blitz parks nearby and its driver yells at them.

"Hey assholes your meals are here! Help me bring them to your camp or else they'll get cold!" Linus and the two soldiers rushed to the back of the truck to carry containers of warm field rations and water.

"About time! Our stomachs are complaining already!" The first soldier yelled back, taking two food containers.

"The cooks have better not cooked another dull meal. The last time it happened everyone just ate the damn soup in one go." The second soldier mumbled as he lifted a water container.

While the two soldiers deliver the field rations to their camp, Linus stayed behind to chat with the driver for a while.

"Any news from the base?" He asked.

"Nothing new." The driver said, pushing a pot towards Linus. "Other than the man himself leading the advance to the north."

Linus looked at him in surprise. "Really?"

"Well that's what the rumors said from what I heard. Can't really say if they're true or not. Also be careful with the pot, it's freaking hot." Linus nodded and took the pot to the camp. As he walk to the camp, the soldiers for the next shift came to relieve them.

"Don't forget to leave some for us later!" One of them yelled.

"Hahaha! We will!" Linus shouted back.

XXXX

Fort Italica, Command Tent

"There are no enemy bases between Italica and the Isara coastal town?" Heinz questioned as he looked at the map laid down on the table. The generalmajor nodded, giving the generalfeldmarschall photos of the route as well as the said town taken by reconnaissance drones.

"Ja, not even an outpost, there is only a small village aligned with Italica, so our advance towards Isara won't be delayed. There is also no large enemy forces in the town aside from local militia."

"I see, it'll be a quick one zen. Vat about zee next town to zee north of it?" The other general opened a folder and read its contents.

"The next one, which is a city named Hispalis, is a naval base of the Saderians. Based on the aerial recon information we've already got, this one has a large garrison force defending it. The city is a fortress one, so we will have to surround and siege it. There is also a small naval presence in the docks, which are mostly small wooden crafts."

"I see, vee vould be forced into urban fighting on zis one. It seems zat zee Saderians are on zee defensive vile zey gazer more forces. No vonder viy zere aren't any enemy movement in zee north too." Heinz observed. Seeing the thickness of the walls, he will have to bring in the heavy tanks and a certain artillery. He also might have to ask Jackson for air support regarding the port.

"Get Davis on zee line." Heinz said to the radio operator. "And scout zee area on and around zee port." He ordered to the drone operators. After a few seconds the radio operator handed the field marshal the radio.

"Davis, I'm requesting zee recently arrived Russian artillery unit as well as more pioneers for zee rapid construction of helipads as I need air support to destroy zee naval forces in Hispalis port and for CAS." Heinz requisitioned at the radio.

"I figured that much, so I've already sent the engineers earlier. I'll notify Jackson about the air support. They'll be ready to fly there. And you're asking for those Buratinos?"

"Ja, creating a hole on zee walls might cost me some precious time."

"Alright... Okay, I just checked the recon images and I found it reasonable. I hope you enjoy burning those Saderans. I'll send them away, is that all?"

"Vee vill Davis, and ja, zat is all. Zank you." Heinz returned the radio to the operator and turns back to the major general.

"With zee problems solved, we can proceed." Heinz began, taking a pencil and he started drawing out the plan. "Zee first phase involves zee first force under ours, rushing towards Isara before moving towards sieging and capturing Hispalis, with the air support mainly focused on destroying the enemy fleet." He explained before turning his attention to the north-east of Italica.

"But before zee first force advances to zee port cities, zee second force, vich Davis vill lead, vill move north-east from here to zee town of Cortona and its nearby fortress at zee mouth of Borsano Valley on zee Dumas Mountain Range to fool zee Saderians into zinking zat is our main attack. After zee capture of zee said towns, zee two forces vill halt to resupply before zee next phase." The field marshal ended. "In case zee towns have a... Slave market, our forces vould coordinate vith zee USMP." Heinz added. The major general nodded in understanding as he analyzed the plan.

"Pretty good plan I would say. It's also good news Davis is going back to the front again."

"Ja. Zough it vould be really considered a good plan if ve're fighting an enemy of equal technology and strength, not some medieval empire." Heinz pointed out.

"What about the city of Rondel to the northwest?"

"Plans changed, Davis now opted for diplomacy, but special forces vould still be deployed to eliminate any mages joining zee Saderan ranks."

"I see, makes this war shorter then."

"I hope so."

"What about the Japanese? Will some of their forces participate?"

"Of course. Vith no doubt, zey'll be forced to be under Davis' command."

"Very unfortunate." Heinz chuckles at his subordinate.

"Indeed." The field marshal agreed, pouring in coffee into his mug. "Zee second phase vould be mostly likely sieging zee next cities."

XXXX

In a forest somewhere west of Italica

Matteo gives Dash her canteen recently filled with warm water with a wink. Rolling her eyes, she stuck out her tongue, making the teen chuckle at her before she sipped the heated liquid, warming up her cold stomach. Her lover meanwhile, prepared their entree, a beef stew, using a saucepan and a portable stove.

"Just a few minutes and the food is almost done." Matteo announced as he passed two stainless food containers to Dash alongside a two pairs of eating utensils. After the ration is heated, Matteo poured in the food onto their respective containers.

"Let it cool first, unless you want a burnt tongue." Matteo advised as he turned off the stove.

"Sheeshhh, I know that." Dash retorted, rolling her eyes as she put down her container. "So what's the plan?"

"We'll provide aerial overwatch and sniper fire while the SAS team move into the town of Iluro to raid the place where the slaves are held in. The town's garrison is not really a threat, we and they can deal with them swiftly in case the mission goes to shit." Matteo explained while stirring his meal. "Them SAS would arrive soon after scouting a nearby place."

"So our usual task?"

"Yup, just like in Youjo Senki but with wings, and we're here mainly to observe the performance of the new guy."

"And then after this, the second phase?"

"Yes, that one would be harder though since it targets locations deep inside Saderan Empire." Replied Matteo as he inspected their food. "I guess it's now cool enough to eat it."

Dash smiled joyfully, she quickly delve into her meal. Matteo decides to watch her eat until she stopped to look at his stare.

"Whut?" She asked with her mouth full.

"Dashie..." Dash narrowed her eyes at him on her nickname. "Swallow your food first..."

She did as he told before asking again.

"What is it?"

"I know you're hungry, but don't eat too fast. And your mouth, there are some bits of food left around it for god sakes." Matteo snickered before eating while an embarrassed Dash hastily wiped her mouth.

"Can't believe I have to also babysit you."

"Shut up."

"Aww, is my buttercup not in mood for jokes?"

"Talk one more time or I'll kick your dick."

"You can't do that."

"And why not?"

"Because obvious reasons."

"Good point."

The two chuckle at each other as they went on to eat their supper in silence under a bright full moon illuminating the dark sky.

XXXX

2135 Hours, Fort Davis, Officer's Lounge

"So they're still at it?" Davis said aloud with a hint of amusement, puffing out smoke from his cigar as he showed the article from a broadsheet about a recent conflict in the Caucasus region between two countries to Jackson, who is sitting across the room eating his sandwich.

"Yeah, I've heard about it. It started with a skirmish between local police forces in the disputed territory and it now turned into an artillery bombardment contest, resulting in five dead and a number of wounded, mostly civilians." The admiral explained. "The Russians stepped in and demanded a ceasefire between the two. So far, the two haven't reined in."

Davis chuckled as he put away the newspaper to the coffee table in front of him then tapping his cigar above the ashtray. "Typical."

Moving on from the conflict in Caucasus, Davis went on to change topic. "How's the cleanup in Venezuela? And the Japanese western and southern offensives?"

"The Brazilians, Guyanese and Free Venezuelans are still working on counter-insurgency operations against the socialist hardliners still holding out in the jungles. The Japanese southern force is done, they are now on occupation duty since there are no Saderian forces south of us especially near the Elbian border. The western force meanwhile is still advancing, one enemy fort in the area is destroyed. Good thing we let and forced them to temporarily abandon that rule." Jackson answered before eating the last bit of sandwich. "Oh yeah. Speaking of offensives, you're going to lead one, right? Towards the Cortona town?"

"Correct."

"Are you going to be in the front line are at the front line?" The admiral questioned, drinking his glass of water.

"The former one." Davis answered, putting away his almost depleted cigarette on the ashtray. "For the usual morale reasons and to see how the Japanese fight since I attached a unit of theirs to the second force."

"Alright." Jackson went to lay down a recently made map on the table. "Anyway, here's the satellite map of the area around Alnus all the way to the area around the Saderan capital. Taken a while ago, the guys at IMCHS and the satellite are still working on imaging the rest of the continent and this world. The intelligence guys marked all the towns and cities."

Davis moved forward from his slouched sitting position to see the map.

"Hmm, this is very helpful for Matteo and his rescue and slave trade disruption operation.."

"Speaking of Matteo, where is he now?"

"Him and Dash are in this town to the west of Italica called Iluro as we speak to lead and oversee a raid as well as to check the performance of a new recruit in the SAS."

"He really does take competency seriously like you."

"Of course he does. The boy understands its absolute necessity. He is still learning after all." An officer enters the room and salutes the two other officers.

"General Davis, here is the report regarding poverty rates of every state and domestic immigration." The officer said as he placed down a folder on the coffee table. Davis nodded and thanked the man who quickly left the room.

"Now let me see more bad news and clusterfuckery. Fucking hell... Good thing Matteo executed every single one of those political undesirables and plebs as much as I dislike to agree with his methods." The elite general grumbled, begrudgingly grabbing the folder to read its contents. Jackson cannot not laugh at that, much to Davis' mood.

"Jesus Christ Jack could you not?"

"My bad Davis, my bad."

XXXX

Overlooking Iluro

"Path is clear, no guards around, move in Alpha Team." Matteo radioed to the captain of the team as he and Dash check the surrounding roads and pathways for enemy patrols while the special forces team infiltrate the target building.

"Roger that Rainbow One, we're going in." The captain replied before he and his team silently entered the building.

"Clear on your side?" Matteo asked to his girlfriend.

"Yeah, no hostiles." Dash replied with disappointment. "Seems a boring walk in a park..."

Matteo flew next to her nudging her shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll get some real action soon."

"There better be action later, because we've got a job to do." Dash replied to his assurance, with a certain emphasis on the word 'job'. Matteo smirked and grabbed her ass, making her squeal and glared at him.

"Pervert!" Dash retaliated and punched his shoulder.

Matteo shrugged off her attack and kept his smirk. "Likewise Dash."

And then, his earpiece buzzed.

"Rainbow One we've secured the civvies, requesting exfil. There are around a dozen of them, three of them is ours. Splitting the team to deal with the slave traders and to gather intel."

"Copy that Alpha Team, calling for exfil now." Matteo radioed Fort Davis for the helicopters while Dash returned her sights on the town.

"Hope it goes smoothly for the other teams." Dash whistled.

"Yeah I hope so as well."

"And I need compensation for that ass grabbing."

"No worries, you'll get them. Hell, maybe you'll get them right now." Matteo grinned as he flew very slowly towards her back. Dash of course, noticed this and pointed warningly at him.

"Don't you dare rub your dick between my asscheeks!" The AEG stopped and belly laughed, making her pout and punched him lightly, this time at the stomach.

XXXX

New Coda Village, Garrison Building, Canteen Area

Colonel Martin munched his last meatball before proceeding to eat the spaghetti itself. After the team went on to their own separate ways after their participation in the exchange program has ended, Colonel Martin has been assigned to be the night shift for the New Coda Village, which he found rather boring at first, he immediately appreciated it since his close proximity to the base makes it easier for some of his former squadmates to visit him.

"Hey Martin." Bane called as he sat next to him putting down a bowl of salad.

"Hello Bane. Nice meal you've got there." Martin observed jokingly.

"Oh fuck off man, I'm going for a change for this one time." Bane gave the British the finger who chuckled in response.

"Where are the others?"

"Aleksei is assigned to a Russian unit that is going to participate on the attack to the north, he said that they're currently on a live fire exercise. Unfortunately, he ain't gonna have his sniper rifle. Archibald is at one of those watchtowers back at the southern part of the base." Bane told the colonel before taking a spoonful of his meal. "And Henry is at Fort Italica helping in the building of the new base there."

"I see. Seems that Archie got lucky. How about you?"

"Yeah, he is lucky. I'm assigned to guard the armories."

"That doesn't sound bad."

"Yeah, but it's boring as fuck. You're lucky that you don't have to stand for hours, you can walk around patrolling the settlement alongside the USMP and have some fresh air too."

"Hard to disagree with that."

"I think I should ask for a transfer."

"Hah, good luck with that."

XXXX

0013 Hours, Office of Elite General

"Successful operation I presume?" Davis questioned while crossing out the names of recently rescued individuals from the missing people list.

"Yep, we got a lot of our people back, but there are still more missing." Matteo replied. "Forty three more need to find, and a lot more places to look at... They are probably moved deep into the interior of the empire."

"Your special forces would find them soon enough before the offensive. Anyway, here is a map you'll definitely need for that." Davis tossed a certain rolled map to the AEG. "The IMCHS finished the map earlier, they also took the liberty to mark all towns and cities that we have explored and found."

"Why thank you old man." A swear and a groan came out of the elite general's mouth as Matteo took a look at the map. "This is brilliant, very useful. Pass my complements to the intelligence guys."

"Alright, I will. Good luck on the second phase of your operation later."

"Thanks for the inspirational words magic man." Davis slowly closes his eyes and rests his head on the desk. "And by the way, any news from the outside?

Davis took out a newspaper and passed it to Matteo.

"There's a conflict in Caucases, I wonder why. The rest of the news are in there so just read it, now shut up and get the fuck out if you don't need anything else." Matteo simply stayed silent suppressing the urge to laugh and left the office, leaving the old guard in peace.

As Matteo exited the old man's office, he was met by Dash waving a letter at him with a suspicious mischievous smile. Narrowing his eyes at her, he spoke.

"Hey there Dash, what's in that envelope?"

"See it for yourself." She replied, giving him the envelope. After taking it the envelope from her hands, he pulled the letter from inside and opened it. Before he could finish reading the entire piece, he sighed and groaned, making Dash giggle at him.

"Awww whyyy at this time..." Matteo cried out softly. Dash laughs at him, much to his dismay. "Why does she have to visit us at this time?"

Soothing her boyfriend, she held both of his hands while looking at him. "Oh come on, you'll love it. Besides, it has been a while since we all three hang out."

"Yes yes, I know, b–"

Dash placed her finger on his mouth. "No buts! We are going to the lake I told you days ago."

Having no choice, Matteo sighed and nodded.

"Fineee, I agree, just for her okay?"

Dash chirped in happiness and hugged him tightly.

"Thank chuu~ I'll take care of her while you're out on the operation." She said as she poked his nose. "But make sure you wrap it up quickly."

Matteo smiled and hugged her back. "Of course, we'll wrap up this op in no time."

"Good, now go onto preparing the next phase while I leave to meet her." The two exchanged a short yet passionate kiss. As Dash is about to leave, Matteo held her hand.

"Maybe you can meet her later, how about you stay and join me for a drink at least for a while?" The AEG proposed.

"Oohh~ Is Matteo-kun being a bit naughty tonight?~" Dash teased, quickly pressing her body against his.

"S-shut up. It just a chit-chat ya know." Matteo stammered. Eventually she pulled away with her usual smirk.

"Hahaha, such a dork." She giggled, poking the young man's nose. Matteo huffed but smiled as they went to their office which was just next to Davis' office.

XXXX

Input Password.

...

Access Granted.

Accessing File...

Operation Reaper

Operation to rescue all one hundred captured civilians during the 'Ginza Gate Incident' as well as to disrupt the slave trade.

Phase one focuses on infiltrating Saderan towns and cities with slave markets and brothels near the UEMF's current sphere of influence.

Phase two turns to those towns and cities that are outside of the current sphere of influence.

All civilians and any slaves present during the infiltration must be rescued.

Operation Reaper must be completed a week before the start of [Redacted].