Gate: War Of Two Worlds

After a short alteration at the south gate, the city guards agreed to let the strangers through the gate. All three JTLV drives inside the city walls, barely fitting. What seems to be the leadership of this city, standing by the gate talking to a lady called Princess Piña Co Lada. She was the one who opened the door right into the Major, knocking him over. If it wasn't for his helmet he probably would have gotten a concussion. That Princess has apologized over and over and over.

"I am so sorry for before." Pina say, nearly like she is begging for him not to get angry.

Rory jump into the conversation. "Don't worry Princess, he probably deserves it." Having her hand to her side. But then she gives her a death glare, implying not to dare to do anything again.

The Princess will look confused by Rory off comment. Seeing that clear warning, she looks away knowing that fighting these people is clearly off the table.

"Rory..." Sharpe will say as he has his hand on his forehead. "Be nice but... yeah... Someone somewhere would agree with that..." He finishes thinking on a past memory.

Rory will just giggle at him and fist bump Alicia as she thought all of this was just funny. Lelei just stands there just confused about everything that just happen.

Major Sharpe will point to his team that is standing with him. "This is Rory Mercury, Lelei La Lalen , Sergeant Alicia Moore and Sergeant Major Randy Dodson."

He then points to himself. "My name is Major Sharpe, I am the Commanding officer of this unit."

"Sharpe, everyone here knows who I am. I am the Apostle of Emory after all." Rory comments but was very surprised and pleased that he included her into the introduction.

This other brown hair women, wearing the same armor as this princess will then speak. Her face shows that she looks very confused by the situation. "What bring you all here, to Italica?"

"Shopping, right sir?" Randy will say to Sharpe.

Sharpe answer Randy question. "Yup, the ladies here wanted to go shopping so we are here. Bad timing on our part it seems."

"Yeah, we are under attack by bandits... wait, you came all this way just to trade?" Pina will suddenly ask. Out of all the things he could say, that was seemed to be the most unlikely.

"Yes mam." Sharpe responds, in his usual regimental tone. "Is there a place we can park our vehicles?"

That is when Lelei speaks up. "Yes, we have goods we wanted to trade. Also, these Americans wanted to learn more about our world, this is the closest place of culture for them."

"Vehicles... Americans...?" Pina ask herself; these are words she have never heard of before. She looks to her side and see the three green wagons. They are self-propelled wagons, they must be these 'vehicles' he is talking about. Amazing, no horses needed.

"Ahhh yeah, Hamilton." Pina suddenly says, looking to her.

"O yes, you can... 'park'... those wagons at the market square. There should be enough room there." Hamilton answers. She then looks at the metal wagons and then back to Sharpe and Rory. "Do... do they need any food?"

There will a small chuckle from them, thinking what she said was funny.

"No, they do not eat food." Lelei responds, being the only one who didn't chuckle.

"OK, can we leave Princess?" Sharpe ask, looking directly at her.

"Ahhh ... yes." She will say.

He nods at the approval to come inside. He and the other three will start heading towards their 'vehicles'.

"Alicia, tell Command that we are entering Italica." Sharpe tells Alicia as they walks away.

***

As they walk away, Pina will take a deep breath and lean against the wall. "Well that was a near disaster."

"Actually I thought you handled that very well." Grey says as he walks up to her.

"Really? The first contact we had with those 'Americans' was me hurting their leader." Pinia comments.

"It seems like they understood the mistake, and they don't seem to be worried of us." Grey responds. "I think they mean what they said, coming here to trade."

"It might be because Rory is on their side." Hamilton adds. "Why in the world would she do such a thing?"

That is when Grey will right up to Pina and speak quitter. "Did you see who was in those wagons."

Pina will glare at him. "No I did not. I was a little busy preventing a war."

"Take a look." Grey comments.

Pina will sign and then forces herself to look over to the vehicles. In one of the vehicles she will see this other girl, sitting in one of the chairs. "So, its some child. Why is that so shocking to you after today?"

"I am not completely sure, but I believe that might be Princess Selina of the Edras Kingdom." Grey will say, thinking. It might be a guess however Grey doesn't just state something unless he knows for sure.

Pina looks again and her eyes will widen after coming to the same realization. "Wait... of the Edras Kingdom? We conquered them already and their nobles agreed to be our vassal. She should be on her way to the Capital city as a gift to my stupid brother right now, why would she be with them?"

"I do not know but while they are here, we should try and find out. Maybe they have formed a secret alliance." Grey responds. "Until then, it will be wise to keep this to ourselves."

Pina will begin to have a headache. The situation has completely fallen apart. "We can't deal with them right now; we have to focus on the bandits. After that we can worry about these 'Americans' and find out the truth."

***

Selina is sitting in the back seat of the command JLTV, right next to Rory. On the drive here, only taking about seven hours to get here. She has been watching more of those shows Sharpe had on his tablet devise. Right now, her personal favorite has been the Transformers show, mainly because he loves it so much and that was the first thing they did together.

Once they got to the city, she has been very worried about the Empire army. The memories of being forced into slavery by those legionnaires and the long it took to this land. The only source of comfort right now is they these people she is with wont allow them to take her.

"It is ok Selina." Rory say to her, noticing how nervous she is. "If anyone lays a figure on you, I will cut them down."

As they drive through the city, they will see the townsfolk all looking at them, wondering who they are and what they are in. They all seem dirty and scared to death. They also seem to not know what to make of the Americans.

"Alright people, lets get to the market. Remember though, we are here as guest, but they are still the enemy. Do not engage unless engaged yourself. Stay out of trouble and no one goes alone." Major Sharpe tells his men over the radio. "Charles and Randy, once we get to the market, team meeting."

Once he is down talking over the radio, he will lean back into the vehicle to face the girls. "Selina, as long as we are here, I want you to stay close. Got it. I don't want you going out alone here, stay close to me or Rory."

She will smile, feeling far more comfortable and safer now. "Yes sir."

She will see him smile back but then they will hear Alicia speak out load.

"O god, this place reminds me of an HBO show. This place is disgusting." She speaks out load, looking out the window. When they get to the marketplace, they will see normal market things like food, drinks, tool, etc. But they will also see men and women of all ages as slaves, standing on tables or locked in cages.

"Look at that though. Those ones over there are not Human." Steele comments. "That looks like a cat and that looks like... well I don't know. That's a bunny? They have bunnies?"

Selina can feel this horrific feeling coming from inside the Americans in the vehicle. "Is this really not normal were you come from Sharpe?"

He will take a deep breath hearing the question. "Not in my country, well not in most countries. Our world banished slavery about hundred and fifty to two hundred years ago. But there are still some bad places who try to do it. We try to stop them though."

Alicia speaks up afterwards. "We ended slavery a few hundred years ago, starting with the British Empire. It took nearly a hundred years and lots of wars but most of the world has banned it." She will think for a second. "So yeah, on our world we do not like the subject."

"Wait, if you are the dominate power of your world, why don't you just force everyone to stop." Lelei asks.

"Because there are billions of people on our world. And while we are the dominant power, we also cant be in every city everywhere. That would spark another world war. We do try though, we just finished a war a few years ago fighting ISIS. Most groups who practice the idea of slavery are more like rouge groups with a strong local control, not a nation." Sharpe explains like he has had some first hand experience in what he just said.

The driver, Staff Sergeant Steele will add to the conversation. "Sir, weren't you Mexico fighting human traffickers?"

He looks over to Steele but remaining quiet, not pleased by the question. He then just point out the front window. "Park there."

"What is Mex..." Selina was about to say before feeling a hand on her right shoulder. She will turn around and see that it is Rory. She will look at her confused by see her shake her head, placing a figure on her lips telling her to be quiet. Clearly Rory did not want her to continue the subject.

***

The Vehicles roll up into the market place and stop. Everyone will then get out and begin to setting up camp.

Both Second Lieutenant Charles Johnson and Major Sergeant Randy Dodson will walk up to him, reporting for the team meeting.

Charles will take a glance around. "So what is the plan?"

"We hold up here with them." Sharpe says.

"Sir, why didn't we just turn around? Why are we involved?" Randy will ask, confused on why he getting us involved.

"Because our mission is here. Also, and more important there is a large enemy force out there. If we were attacked, there would be no way we would survive. Truth is, this was the safest option." Sharpe explains.

"On top of that this is a big PR mission. The brass wants us to help people in need." Charles will add. "But, what do we do?"

"I don't know yet. I need more information. Lieutenant take control of the convoy. Keep everyone here and safe and be ready to pull out if we need to. Sergeant Major, were going to go check out the east gate and figure out the situation. Take Jerry, Andrew and Lelei. We go out in five." Sharpe orders them.

Both of them will salute and head off, carrying out their assignments. That is when Lelei walks up.

He will look over to his left and see her. "What's up? I take it you overheard our little meeting?"

"Yes, I was just coming over to see if I could provide any help." Lelei asks. "I see you want me to come along though? What could provide your soldiers couldn't?"

"Your ability to pay attention to details. I notice that back at the gate, you already know a lot about us. And you know how to explain things that to others very well. You have proven yourself in my eyes but I can't force you, I should of ask you first."

She thinks on what he said and then smile. She enjoys feeling valued on their team. With all their power and advance weapons, that she can be a useful. "I would be honored to help."