Gate: War Of Two Worlds

--- Fort Alnus, Alnus Command ---

A few hours later at the Command Center of Fort Alnus of the NATO Expeditionary Force

Major General Stanford is sitting in his chair that is in his staff meeting room.

He is not alone, there being three other officers in this meeting, Colonel Thomas Anderson and Colonel Harold Kurt. Both of them are in charge of their respected rapid responses forces. The other will be Colonel John Yang, the head of the Ranger Vanguard teams.

Currently Anderson is the head of our airborne forces, all units from the 101st Air Assault Division. He can currently field a full infantry company and close air support with his helicopters wherever our field teams need it. He is a level head Colonel, prefer seeing the big picture and is careful to use his forces.

Colonel Kurt from the 1st Cavalry Division on the other hand has been inching to get into the fight. His aggressiveness is a good thing but in this unknown alien world it also could become a curse. The current strategy is to wage a limited scale war, focusing our attacks.

Yang was part of the second wave during the Battle of Aluns Hill, his Rangers helped achieve the great success in taking the hill. It was his idea to divide his Rangers into recon teams and begin exploring this world. Besides sending basic soldiers out there, have highly trained soldiers that are able to adapt to 'any' situation.

"As you know, we got a SOS from Vanguard-7. Their mission is in the memo that was sent out, read it if you have not. The basic point is that they say they are under siege at the city called Italica and are requesting support." Stanford will say.

"What is the full situation there?" Kurt will ask.

"Major Sharpe dose not fully know enemy strength. Apparently right when they got there, the city was just attacked. He is afraid to take his unit outside the city wall without known the enemy makeup." Stanford explains.

Kurt leans back thinking. "Arent Rangers supposed to be fearless? Our weapons should be able to overcome anything they have to throw."

Yang looks to him and speak up. "Stupidity is not the Ranger way. For all he knows they might have five thousand hors.e.m.e.n. One good ambush and everyone is dead."

"Colonel Yang is correct, we still don't know much about these people. This mission will be to reinforce our forces on the field, provide any support that is needed." Stanford said.

Everyone nods and then again Kurt speaks. "My forces are ready to go. When they see our tanks roll up should scare them away."

"Not good enough." Anderson responds. "The memo made it clear time is not on our side."

"Agreed. Anderson, send out a company out to reinforce the defense of Italica. I want you to take personal command." Stanford orders. He then looks to Kurt. "Place your teams on standby just in case. First sign of trouble deploys your forces."

Everyone will nod and go on to carry out their orders.

***

--- Italica ---

For the past few hours, the Rangers of Vanguard-7 would be helping the townsfolk get ready for the coming battle. They would be helping built makeshift barricades and other types of defenses. None of them would be in great quality but they would be the best they could do.

This would annoy the nobles and that young Knight, seeing these 'Americans' getting dirty and interacting with the peasants. It is clearly showing a big difference between the two groups.

Major Sharpe fill his team of the new plan. Sergeant Alicia Moore, the team radio operator contacted Fort Alnus for help. Her responsibility is to coordinate the airborne unit from the 101st Air Assault Division.

That is when that old Knight from before will walk up to Major Sharpe. "Hello there Major Sharpe, I don't believe we have properly interduce each other."

Sharpe is currently helping down below, helping the villagers set up the wagons into a defense line around the gate.

Sharpe will wipe off the sweat from his forehead and look at him. He will look skeptical but will nod. "Ok."

"My name is Grey Co Aldo of the Rose-Order of Knights. I am the second in command here." He says. "Mind if I offer you a drink?"

Sharpe agrees to his offer. He could clearly see this man is trying to figure him out. Honestly, he wants to figure this man out to.

Both of them will walk over to a nearby table. Grey will have two mugs of water in them.

Sharpe will take it, give it a quick sniff and take a sip. "That taste... good. So, what is up... Grey was it?"

Grey will take a drink from the mug and then looks at him. "I take it you are the leader of your unit. I figured it would be good for us to have a short chat, before the battle."

"Make since to me. I actually have some questions." Sharpe state.

Grey will nod. "To the point. Ok, I also wanted to say thank you for inspiring the people."

This will take Sharpe by surprise; he never expected a 'thank you' by any of these nobles or knights. "None needed."

"I mean it, the situation here become dire, but they seem to believe they will actually survive the next day. But why are you doing it?" He will ask Sharpe, trying to figure out his motivation.

"We are stuck here to, either fight or die." Sharpe explains, trying to be careful one what he says and doesn't say.

"You could have turned around or left right when you learned of the situation. But you stayed." Grey asks again.

Grey will then look over and see that young girl that has been traveling with them. "You have three of our people traveling with you. Especially Rory Mercury. Somehow you were able to convince her to be on your side."

Grey will take another drink. "Both the magic user and that young girl are following you."

Sharpe will be looking at him, putting together what he just said. "First, Rory Mercury and Lelei Lalena chose to come with us. They wanted to hang around us after the fight with the Flame Dragon. They can leave anytime they wish. What point are you making?"

Grey thinks on what Sharpe just said, it being very interesting. Clearly Rory see something in these people for her to decide to help them. It is very well known she doesn't like to work for a Kingdom, preferring to freelance herself.

"I know you are here looking to recruit people to your side. Not in means of war but in popular support." Grey states.

Sharpe looks at him, thinking. "Maybe. I am just looking out for my people."

"I believe that, but I have fought many wars, been in many battles. We are from two different worlds, yet the warrior spirit appears to be the same. Your eyes betray your motives Sir Sharpe. Your helping because you want to help. That is why you are helping those two girls, that is why you are here." Grey will say, finishing his long through.

"I don't think your highness will like you having this conversation. I do what I can when I can. Genocide is not something we like where I am from. We came to learn about this town and trade, all that is true. But I know I can help." Sharpe says. He wouldn't really know how to reply, just said what was the first think on his mind.

"I think we both know someone status on the battlefield is meaningless." Grey will respond. "So, I understand the magic user and Rory. But why do you bring along the young girl? You both seem attached to each other. I take it you helped her in some manor?"

Grey would partly know the answer to his question. Before he thought he knew who that girl is and is more interested in digging for more information.

Sharpe would have a hard time forming a response. It already has been a long day. There was this big urge in his heart, forcing him to intervene when he saw that. "Well, we ran into these slavers transporting her. Short answer is, I freed her. No child should be a slave for anyone p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e. Until I find someone who can take care of her, i guess I'm acting as a guardian. " He will say.

Grey will think on that he said and nod. "Interesting."

That is when a Charles voice come out of the Sharpe radio. "Sir, can you come to CP. Over."

Grey will look at that devise with great interest. A human voice came out of that black box. "What is that?"

Sharpe presses a small box on his vest, that controls his headphone and replies. "Roger." He then looks to Grey. "I got to go, but this is a radio. It allows us to talk to each other in long distances. Interesting chat, should do it again." And then he will leave.

Grey will finish his water and then head towards Pina is, thinking.

***

Pina is in the main court room of the city palace. She will be frustrated of the situation.

"I can't believe I am allowing the enemy to give orders. And what was this talk about common folk? They are peasants, nothing more." Pina says as she complains, thinking on that motivational speech Sharpe gave.

Grey walks into the room.

"I agree Princess, what he said and did was very disrespectful. Once the battle is over, we should capture them all and show them who is in charge." Hamilton will add, agreeing with her.

"That won't be a good idea." Grey will say.

Both women will look at him.

"Speak Grey, give some wisdom." Pina will ask, desperate for his opinion.

"These 'Americans' are very different. We need to be very careful with them. Right now, they are willing to help us, and he said his people are coming tomorrow." Grey says.

"How though? They only just got here unless they are a scout force." Pina asks.

Grey listen and thinks. "However though, that man is a warrior. He is not here with ill intent. He could be a great enemy or ally."

And right then they will hear the city bells ring. They are the city warning bells, that means the outlaws are back.

***

Sharpe gets back to his vehicles, where his team will now be. Most of them have been helping around but since it got late, they came back here. Mainly for safety reasons.

Alicia walks up. "Sir, so what is the plan."

Everyone will look at him. "I been thinking about it. We know they are coming to the east gate but there is a chance they will attack the south gate to, to prevent escape. We are splitting up into two teams."

"Is that wise sir?" Second Lieutenant Charles ask.

"Can't be helped. Selina and Lelei I want you to stay here with the vehicles. Johnson and William stay here to. This is our fallback position, if the city going to fall, we get the hell out of here. Take our bets." Sharpe explains in his command but confident voice.

"Everyone else will go to the east gate. We hold as long as we can. When the airborne gets here, we'll coordinate our support." Sharpe continues.

Everyone will nod their heads after hearing the orders and then get go get ready for the battle. Selina will walk up and smile. She has his helmet in her hands and then hold it up to him.

He smiles at her and take it. "Thank you."

"Good luck and be safe sir." Selina says in a soft voice. She definitely looks nervous.

He will but on his helmet and smile. "Thank you. And no worry kid, this is nothing compare to one of my missions in the Philippines."

He then looks down at her and see she has no idea what place he is talking about. "Never mind".

That is when they all will hear the bells ring. At the gate, there will be smoke and flames.

"EVERYONE THIS IS IT!" Randy begins to yell, gathering everyone.

That is when Rory will start laughing and then burst out of their minicamp, rushing to the east gate.