Chapter 8

January 30th, 2043Washington D.C.

"Secretary Keller, Vice President Richardson," President Woods stated as both the Vice President and Secretary of Defense walked inside his office. "I assume you have me an update on the situation beyond the two gates?"

"Yes sir Mr. President." Secretary Keller responded. "Our assets through both gates have established a presence and secured their positions. I've commissioned an additional ten thousand marines and a destroyer squadron to the San Fransisco gate and twenty thousand Army to the Manhattan gate. Nothing will be coming in or out without our authorization."

"Very good. The more we have these gates secured the more we can rest easy." President Woods stated. "What other news you have?"

"We'll sir, we acquired some new knowledge on where these two gates lead to. The one at San Fransisco leads to two separate main continents with several islands chains surrounding them. We believe the attackers of San Fransisco originate from the eastern continent. Also, a squadron sent by the USS Enterprise flew far north and found a larger continent. Upon investigating, they picked up several friendly transponders from our forces sent through the Manhattan gate. This proves that both gates lead to the same world, but at different locations."

"Interesting," President Woods stated. "Does this mean that we'll have naval power available to support our boys in the larger continent when the time comes?"

"Eventually sir, given enough time we can get naval assets to support our forces in the larger continent. Though I suggest we focus them around the smaller continents first and establish a safe naval route between them. Also, we've made some adjustments to the overall assembly of the MOB on the other side of the San Fransisco gate. We've decided to assemble a rocket launch platform in the near future for the launching of satellites to provided full surveillance coverage of this "

"Understood. More intel we have the better. Vice President Richardson, how have the damn Nazis and Commies responded to these occurrences?"

"Mr. President sir, we've gotten public responses from Germany, France, and the USSR. They're demanding that our forces pull out and we destroy the gates or they'll declare war as a response to our opportunistic approach to new untouched resource deposits. Though we've received no public response from either China or Italy. Knowing them and their political agenda they're most likely cooking up a scheme to use these gates against us or for their own benefits."

"That's definitely going to be a concern to our interests with these gates." The president turned from the Vice President to the Secretary of Defense. "Secretary Keller, I want the Navy and Air Force dispatched to increase security within our Atlantic and Pacific territories. Contact Britain, Japan, Korean, Australia, anyone on our side to help buff up our defenses in case the Commies or Axis try anything."

"Consider it done sir."

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January 31st, 2043Falmart, Serda

"My lord, I bring regrettable news." Marcus, the emperor's retainer and Internal Minister of the Empire said before Emperor Molt Sol Augustus. "The Allied Army sent to attack the enemy at Alnus Hill has been defeated. All kings except for Duran were killed in battle, and the remaining forces are retreating back to their respective kingdoms or have disbanded into banditry."

"So Duran survived?" Molt asked rather surprised as he expected all kings to perish. Perhaps the lion was lucky or had the blessing of the gods on his side. "Very well then. Their losses should make up the difference and make them not so much of a threat to us anymore."

"My lord, the enemy still occupies the gate however." Marcus stated. "What should our next course of action be at this time?"

"Send out parties of our army across the landscape between the capital and Alnus Hill. Raid every village by slaughtering their livestock, burning their crops, and poisoning their wells or sources of water. That should slow our enemy down and prevent them from using our own resources against us."

"A scorched earth policy?" Marcus asked with noticeable concern that the choices of the emperor. "I fear such a course of action would only spell greater disaster in the upcoming future."

"How do?"

"I don't wish to alarm you, but there are rumors from the senate that several members are organizing and plotting to overthrow you."

"Ha! The imbeciles." Emperor Molt cursed. "If such rumors are true I'll be sure to know of it, and be one step ahead of them. I will not tolerate such treason from the senate. If any such members ARE plotting against my rule than be it so they are executed for their crimes against the throne."

"Father!" A feminine voice called out as the throne room doors boomed open and a lone figure entered. Princess Piña Co Lada, princess of the Saderan Empire and daughter of Emperor Molt Sol Augustus.

"Ah, Piña my daughter. To what matters bring you before me today?" The emperor asked as his daughter bowed before him.

"Father, I heard of what happened at Alnus Hill. How the Allied Armies were defeated and King Duran was forced to retreat with what forces he had left. How does the Empire expect to counter such a threat that even the Allied Armies were no match for?"

"Princess," Marcus began speaking to try and calm the princess. "I assure you we're working day and night to formulate a plan of counter-attack against this invading army. We just need more time for —,"

"Time for what?" Princess Piña interrupted the retainer. "Half of our armies are gone and the enemy is soon to be marching towards the capital! Time is not such a valuable resource we have much of! It is time we take action before the enemy arrives at our front gates!"

"Piña!" The emperor shouted which silenced his daughter in her brief rant. "I understand and share your views, believe me I do. But we know too little of our foes to act upon them. We'll only send more troops to their graves by taking action immediately. However..."

"Perhaps I have an assignment for your Rose-Order if Knights. I'm aware you've wanted the opportunity to test out your prowess in an actual scenario."

Piña's interest was peaked as she listened in on her father's suggestion.

"Take your knights, and ride to Alnus Hill to scout it out. After doing so, return and report back your findings to us so we may better assess what our enemy is."

"Yes father. I will not disappoint you."

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January 31st, 2043Itera, Ruka

"Sire, it is done." Emperor Yoshii Yoringa's advocate informed as he stepped forward beside the emperor's throne in the throne room.

"Grand Admiral Zou Zan has returned, and delivered us an update on the capabilities of our opponent." The emperor did not speak a word in return but nodded, signaling for his advocate to continue speaking. "The enemy's first reaction was through the use of which were capable of both killing all wyverns before attacking the ships. The enemy warships soon eventually arrived and began attacking from the horizon with super accurate mortar based weaponry. It has come to our attention that our current tactics will be ineffective against our new foe, and a change of doctrine and tactics will be required to have any fighting chance."