Gate: War Of Two Worlds

Sharpe is currently at his desk, catching up on some office work. None of his wound he received while being a prisoner were serious, mostly just superficial wounds. Being in Special Forces, you are trained to have high endurance. Still though, it is not fun to allow you to get your a.s.s kicked. Politics.

Thankfully most of his work was already done, thanks to First Lieutenant Sarah Rose. Since becoming an officer ten years ago, one of the most infuriating part of my job is doing the bureaucrat side of the job. He usually pushed that work off as long as he can.

Since being assigned to the Ranger unit Vanguard-7, she has been a massive help in that department. Transferring to the Rangers was not a easy adjustment for him. Her going above and helping out has made it far easier than I originally expected.

That is when he hears footsteps come into his office. It will be Lieutenant Rose. "Hello Rose, enjoying the morning?"

"Hello Sir. I am having a good morning. I do wishing though I had that second cup of coffee." She says with her usual smile. "I have these report requests for you."

"More? He says after hearing that, getting a little annoyed on how many reports the brass has been wanting. It does make since for most of these requests. Most of them are related to the Battle of Italica, the only other major engagement since we invaded. Truth is, the Pentagon has no idea who the enemy is and how they fight. There wasn't a class at West Point teaching how to fight dragons, elves, defend against magic and slay Roman soldiers.

The United States spends about eight hundred billion dollars a year, training soldiers, learning and adapting to what our enemies are doing. Building super complex systems to prepare for the next war and right now, our best sources are fantasy books, films and other shows. Most of our GPS weapons are nearly worthless on this world. We have found some workarounds like using drones for localize GPS service or painting a target with a laser. But both are only so effective.

"Yeah. They want all the information possible." She says to his question. "If you don't like it, you could have let the city fall." Based on the short time she has known him, she fully knows that he would never let that happen, not willing anyway.

He will take the paperwork from her and then begins review them. "What is this?"

She leans over, seeing what he is looking at. "That is a memo for tomorrow training."

He will skim the memo. The subject will be about ancient Earth warfare. A few experts from America and Europe will be coming here to help train our officers how they fought back in the day. It looks like it will be a two-day event. The training is a great idea, but this is going to push other work back, more personal work.

"Hmm... Sarah, mind doing me a favor?" He says as he puts down the paperwork. That is when he will see her smile and roll her eyes.

"I was wondering when you were going to ask." She says.

That will confuse him. "I take it I ask for a lot of favors from you?"

She nods her head. She doesn't seem angry or distress by his consent favors. "I have a jar of favors in my quarters." She will sit down on the spare chair. "I'm joking by the way. What's the favor?"

He did not realize that he has been dumping personal work on one of his officers. "Never mind."

"O no, I got it. It's no burden sir. That is my job." Sarah says with a smile.

Sharpe nods and then pull out a notepad. "There some items I need ordered from Earth." After saying that he will think on that for a second. "It is still wired saying that."

"Yeah, astronauts will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on education and years of training, just hopping to get that small chance to go into space. And here we are." He says chuckling at that wired fact.

She takes the notepad after he hands it to her. Looking over it, she notices most of the items on the list are for Vanguard-7 three newest members, Rory, Lelei and Selina, mostly for Lelei and Selina.

After reading the list, she glances back at him. "This list is bad."

"Why is that?" Sharpe ask, confused.

"Question, why do you want these?" Sarah asks him in a curious tone. She could figure out why he wants the items on his list, but she wants him to say it. It's good to make guys say what there feeling.

Sharpe leans back into his chair. It is far easier say what's on my mind while on the field. Rory and Lelei have been a great help. They don't have to be here or help my team."

Sarah slightly nods her head, understand where he is come from. His record is heavily classified, there's a lot of rumors about his record though. He already has shown to have a lot of combat experience, one of the few within the 75th Rangers. It is adorable to see him open up his heart, she wonders why most of the time he barriers deep inside him.

"I get it, it's just that your list sucks. To start with know nothing about fashion." She smiles at him after saying that. "Don't worry, I will fix it. And these books? I know you like history and science, but don't you think this is a little much for Lelei?"

"I don't, she is very smart. In the past few weeks, she has a good grasp of how our technology and society works." He says back to her.

Sarah has only been able to spend a little time with Lelei but in that short period of time, she also has been impressed on her intelligence. "Your right, give it enough time and she will be the smartest person on this planet. I am surprise you didn't put an astronomy book on this list. You love space, I can see you two talking about that for hours."

After hearing her say that last part about space, he will shake his head. "Negative. It was decided by the State Department not to share major life altering technology and ideas."

"So... Star Trek rules?"

Sarah will be referring to the popular show Star Trek, a science fiction that takes place in space in the future. In that show, the Federation is banned from sharing technology to less advanced species. The theory is that less advanced species don't have the proper knowledge, experience and mindset to use advance technology responsibility. They believe the cultures will fall apart if they advance to quickly. It is like giving a nuke to a three-year-old on a cultural level.

'Yes, Star Trek rules." Sharpe says, agreeing with the example. "But the Orville is another great example."

"God I love that show. Seven season and still going strong. Anyway, I always thought that was a stupid rule but... it dose make more since now." She says, thinking deeply on the subject. Rules like that might of prevent a lot of bloodshed in our planet history. Hindsight is a bitch.

It sounds so innocent to share our understanding of the universe, even the right moral thing to do but it could highly damage the culture of this world. For most of Human history, we thought the Earth was flat. Even though the world only accepted the idea the Earth is round only about five hundred years ago. We don't want to radically change everything they know too quickly.

It is just like teaching a man how to fish example. There is value in learning knowledge and ideas on your own. You value it, you take ownership of it. The big question here is when so you help and when do we step aside.

Truth be told, everything about the Gate has radically changed our own science and place in the universe. While it is unlikely, this point it probably would surprise us if the sun revolves around there planet.

"I take it that is why you ask me to get the residents forms?" She asks him.

He nods his head. "Yeah. I want to see if I can get them under some kind of legal status under our government. Make this a bit more official. Make sure we honor our arrangements."

"So, what about Selina?" She asks. When asking that question, Sarah would have this big grin on her face, clearly enjoying some thought.

"What about her?" Sharpe asks, showing how he can be thick headed.

"I understand Rory and Lelei but she is just a kid." She points out, trying to let him figure out her question.

"I know, what's why." Sharpe responds.

Sarah crosses her legs, getting more comfortable in the chair. "Then why not just leave her here at Alnus Hill, at the community."

After hearing that, he becomes a little bit discomfortable. Sarah would notice that, seeing he gets nervous on the domestic parts of life. It would be the responsible thing to do but Sharpe doesn't want to do that for some reason.

"I been considering that." Sharpe says, not in a confident tone.

She would interject after he said that. "It probably is, but I don't think she will like it."

"Why do you say that then. She deserves a good life, be free to live her life. Grow up safe." Sharpe says to her.

"She adores you." Sarah says bluntly. She will let that statement sink in a little before continuing. "And I am not the only one who thinks that. She wants to be around you and I know you want to too. Never underestimate the knight in shinny armor fantasy." She finishes with a big smile.

"But..."

She spans her fingers when he said but. Up until now she has been nice, loving and positively but her attitude would get serious. "Sir, with all do respect. Just accept it. I know you want to. I know you haven't talk to god in a while, it is not my place to know why but let it go."

She did not what to push anymore, seeing that she made him see her point and didn't want to cross any red lines. When he first came to this unit, he almost never smiled. it seemed like he just went through a bad divorce or something dramatic intense, but he was just was distant. Since Selina came into all of our lives, he seems happier.

To Sharpe surprise, he is not used to seeing her with a backbone. He would respect that about her and even liked it. She must have seen his christen neckless in her drew before or something like that. He will nod, in agreement.

He will lean forward, picking up that wooden figure that's on his desk. "Selina got me this back in Italica. I think his name is Kaeso Sura."

Sarah will grab it to analyze it closer. Her expression will show how impress the quality it is. "Who is he?"

"I think he is a general from a thousand of years ago or something. Apparently, he saved this land from demons or some army of monsters. She was inspired by my Prime toy on my dashboard." Sharpe says, remembering the memory.

"See Major. That's how she sees you. I know how girls think. trust me I am one." When she is done with the figure, she will put it back on his desk.

If he is going to keep the three around, he's going to start training them how to use our equipment and our ways. As he thinks about that, he hears Sarah mumbling about the list that he gave her. Clearly, she does not like his ideas of gifts, probably a good idea. He never been good at getting people gifts.

Before she speaks, he would stop her. "Don't need to hear it, do what you think is best. But for Lelei, add a driving permit. She seems old enough and it will be good for her to learn."

After writing that addon down, she will stand up. "Will do, don't worry sir, I got this. It is all on your card anyway so all good." Once she stood up, he will stand in attention and salute. Once acknowledged, she will begin to leave.

He nods after what she said and then realize what she just said. "Wait what!?" By the time he realizes, she would already walked out the door. "God dammit. That explains a lot"

Sharpe would consider that a nice break but time to get back to work. It looks like more exploration missions would be happening.

***

By the recent built airfield at Alnus Hill, both Selina and Lelei are sitting on a patch of grass by a fence. Watching the recently arrived 'aeroplanes' be set up. There will be all different kinds of them.

"What do you think that one is?" Selina asks, pointing to a large one that is being built.

Lelei was able to acquire a few small guidebooks with some information on NATO equipment. She flips through the pages, looking for a picture that looks like that object. After finding it, she looks back up verifying that they are the same. "A cargo plane, C-130 I believe. It is like a flying wagon."

"Wow... do you think we would ever invent things like that?" Selina asks, impressed by the flying machines.

"If the Americans never arrived, I don't think so." Lelei answers in her usual academic tone.

Being surprised by that answer, Selina looks at her. 'Why do you think that? They surely did."

Lelei closes the book and thinks of her reply. "From what I understand, they don't have flying beasts on their world. There was no flying animal big enough to domestic, so they had to invent one. We have that option already so we probably would have limited our imagination based on."

After saying that, she will think about how to follow up her points. "But now we can see what alternatives ideas there are and maybe someday we could. It won't be in our lifetime though."

Selina will be quiet after that, thinking on what Lelei said. "ahhh..."

They both watch as they see the soldiers off load their flying machines off trucks and put them in their new homes called hangers.

"What is your favorite one so far?" Selina bluntly asks, getting bored of the recent quietness.

Lelei will look up from her book and analyze the many different aircraft. Most of them will be American, she can tell by the simplest on each plane. The next largest force would be from Japan with one or two from other nations. After a few minutes, she points to one. "I think I heard one of them call that an Eagle. It looks like it means business, whatever its dose."

Selina nods her head in agreement. "I like that one over there. It looks very scary. The teeth painted on the front of its noise and that really big gun under that."

Lelei will quickly look through her book until she found that Selina was pointing at. "They call it a A-10 Warthog. It fly's close to the ground and destroys enemy armor."

"Cool." Selina says after eating some Earth Candy.

After a while, Lelei looks over to Selina and asks her a question. "I don't believe I know where you were boring."

The question would sound a bit forced but Selina was fine by it. She grown to like Lelei, being someone she could walk up to and ask question on what's happening. "I was born in Edras." She says in an uncomfortable tone.

The Edras Kingdom lays far in the west. For generations the Empire has been trying to conquer that land and failed multiple times. That was until recently when the Empire Legions massacred the main Edras Army. Rumor has it that many of the nobles were bribed to switch their allegiance to the Empire. They sold out the royal family and the location of their army. It is believed all the royal family were killed after the battle.

"I am sorry." Lelei says to her. Their lands were devastated after the massacre. Today that Kingdom is just a vassal of its formal glory.

However though, this is a normal story. Edras is only the latest kingdom to fall to the Empire. At least until now.

The conversation would be interpreted by a pair of planes about to take off. Both of them will look at them and see two of these Eagles taking off. A loud crackling sound will follow the two planes as they go into the air. The takeoff will impress both of them.

That is when they will see Rory and someone else walk up with her.

"Hi Rory! Who is your friend?" Selina asks after waving her hand at them.

Rory walks up, waving back at her little friend. "She, she is one of my underlings, o how did they say it... 'back in the day?'." They will all chuckle at the strange sayings they have back on Earth.

"You can call me Myuute." After introducing herself, she will extend her hand for a handshake.

Both Selina and Lelei will accept her handshake.

Lelei notices the military police bag around her arm. "I see they let you become a Police Officer."

Before Myuute could respond to the question Rory will jump in. "Just recently. No one going to ruin this town under our watch!"

"Yup, I'm going to do my part. I think I could put my magic and abilities to good use here." Myuute will add to what Rory said.

"Yeah, when I'm out with Sharpe's team, she is going to represent me here. Someone I can trust." Said Rory, showing her confidence in her siren friend.

That is when a helicopter will fly over them, heading to the airfield to land.

The three will notice Myuute a little nervous after seeing that. Rory will assure her, letting her know she dose not have to be scared of them anymore.

"I can't believe they have such strong flying beasts." Said Myuute. Unlike the other three girls, she is still not use to them. She has been on the receiving end of their war machines a couple of times now.

Lelei stands up from the ground. "Those flying beasts are called 'helocopter'. They are not their strongest flying machine. Those are, the 'aeroplanes'."

That is when Selina will hold out a small bag of candy. "Would you like some Double Ms? They are very tasty."

"Selina, they are called M and Ms." Lelei would correct her.

"But there are two Ms though, that just sounds boring." Selina will say, determine to stick with her new name. "Double Ms just sounds better."

After the Siren takes some M&Ms, she will notice both Lelei and Selina don't have MP bags like Rory dose. "Wait, if your Rory friends, why don't you have MP badges? Didn't they offer them to you?" That would just confuse her since she was the enemy not too long ago and they gave me one. Why not their friends?

"They said I am not old enough." Selina replied bluntly.

"They said the same to me. They have age restriction laws and we are technically to young. They don't consider it ethical to allow children into the military." Lelei goes on to explain.

That seems to confuse Myuute a little bit. She has been working, studing, adventuring since a young age. Probably same with these three girls to. "But I thought they were about freedom? That doesn't make since."

"That's what I said but they are set in their ways." Said Rory, freely expressing her opinion.

"Actually, they don't consider someone as an a.d.u.l.t until the age of eighteen. Until that age, you have restrictions on what you can do my their parents. They see children as someone who needs to be protected, raised and educated from the brutality of life." Lelei says in response to Myuute question.

Selina will chime in after eating some more M&Ms. "Yeah, you can't get married before that age, can't get employment and you can't fight."

"Why do they do that?" Myuute asks, wanting to understand their strange culture.

Both Lelei and Selina will both look at each other and shrug their shoulders, not knowing how to answer that question.

Seeing how they couldn't figure it out, Rory places her hand on her hid and roll her eyes. "Guys, it actually makes since. There is value in protecting children. Trust me, I have constantly learned many things over the centuries. Lelei, imagine if you could spend twenty years just studying magic without worrying of anything else?"

Lelei looks to Rory and think on that question. "Hmm... that would be amazing. I would be able to learn and accomplish so much."

The other magic user, Myuute would commit to what Lelei just said. "Yeah, my abilities probably would be twice as good. Maybe they do know what they are doing."

"That is how they been able to create these amazing tools like those flying machines."

"Maybe we would create such customs when we become that powerful." Selina adds.

"Maybe." Myuute says back to Selina. "Anyway, Rory we should get going. I really wanted to see those flag raise."

"Flag raising?" Selina asks, interested in that subject.

"Yeah, apparently a few more countries arrived yesterday. It is their custom for each nation to host their flags side by side. It sounds very interesting and she wanted to see it." Rory says to Selina.

Rory continue on that thought. "I think there are ten countries, maybe more." She says, thinking on the number.

"Wow, that is a lot. We better hurry, I want to see them." Before leaving, Myuute look to the two girls. "You two want to come with us?"

"Sure, I want to see their flags. It sounds like each flag has a story behind it. I think that's pretty neat." Says Selina.

They all will head out, heading towards the Gate to witness the new flag raising.