Priority: Alnus Town

--DS-20B landing pads, Fort Alnus--

It's early morning when they land at For Alnus. There is a medical team waiting to provide immediate help to those who need it before transferring them to the newly built hospital in the fort. Stepping off the DS-20B, Ava heads straight for the HQ building for a debriefing of the mission. She is not in a good mood right now to talk to any of her soldier, which makes them worry.

"That could've been us, the GIA F-ed up again. The commander is right to be angry" Jimmy comes up to Ashley from the direction of the DS-20Bs that were carrying the civilians.

"She's also worrying for her mom. I bet there's a lot on her mind right now" Ashley shakes her head in sorrow and continues "Knowing her, she would want some time alone so we'll give her that. Let help these people and head back to the barrack, we'll hear more when she comes back from the debrief".

While the 5th SIF is away on the mission, Chris has been assigned to be the platoon's logistic officer. This means that his task now is to provide or obtain everything the platoon needs to complete their missions. He prefers to be out on the field with the team but also understands that his task is extremely important to the unit which decides the success or failure, even the survival of the platoon.

"Commander..." Chris run up to Ava salutes and wants to inform her of his new task himself but dropped mid-sentence by Ava's quick salute and cold attitude.

René and the commander of 2nd SIF are already in the briefing room waiting when Ava walks in. She walks to the seat next to them and nods as a greeting. René taps his hand on Ava's shoulder knowing she's more upset than he is given her past missions.

Not long after, General Nguyen enters the room and behind him is Rory which confuses everyone. The commanders stand at attention.

"At ease commanders, I'm sure that you are aware of what happened to the 22nd SIF and you are probably wondering why didn't our drone see the ambush" General Nguyen invite Rory to come forward "Miss Rory here has a theory".

"They're using the skin of the wild boars, which is very common and can be bread easily on this land. Their skin allows them to hide from predators with special vision like the wyverns and the Flame Dragon that you killed, apparently, it also hides the Imperials from your…" Rory looks over to the General and continues the sentence "…Ca-me-ra?".

General Nguyen nods and then turns to the commanders "How they knew we can see them and that we were coming we do not know. However, we believe that they must have mistaken our planes with the dragons and wyverns. The reason that they only set a trap at the Delta compound is that it is the closest compound to our position and they did not expect us to be able to hit all compounds at once. It also shows that they suspect that we have their people and we proved them right".

After the debrief, General Nguyen order the 3 platoons to take the day off and wait for their next mission. Ava is about to leave the room but was called back by the General.

"Commander, Miss Rory…" General Nguyen says but is interrupted by Rory.

"Just Rory is ok General" Rory says

"Rory, Lelei and Tuka requested that we allow them to harvest the scales of the dead wyverns that we piled up waiting for disposal. Clearly the scales are worth a lot to them but we have no use for, since your unit brought them back it is reasonable that you help them with this task" General Nguyen says.

"Gladly General, who's Tuka though?" Ava confuses.

"That blond elven girl that you rescued from a well according to your report. Her name is Tuka Luna Mareau" General Nguyen says "She's also 165 years old".

"Right" Ava replies not knowing what to say "Come on Rory let go get the others and harvest your scales".

--War Hall, Sedera--

The War Hall is where the generals of the Empire gather to discuss their strategy whenever there's a war. Because the Empire is vast so orders and reports take days, weeks or even months to reach their destination. For this very reason, they have to try to anticipate the enemy's moves and plan ahead. The threat that they sent to the UNE was part of their strategy to buy the time they need.

Emperor Molt is sitting on his chair watching the general planning their strategy for the war.

"We have enough men for 20 legions my lord, training them is ongoing and they should be able to fight should we need them to. More are joining out of fear, your plan of spreading news of the monster from the other world works" a lower-ranking general report to Tiberius.

"How are our crossbow and magic arrow productions?" Tiberius asks.

"As planned my lords, we are working the slaves day and night" another General reports.

"Work them harder, bring in more slaves. Take slaves from the low-class noble families if you have to" Tiberius orders.

"Yes my lord" the general leaves to carry out his order.

A messenger enters and kneels in front of Tiberius and the other generals.

"My lord, the other worlders attacked Iunia prison as you anticipated. The ambush worked and manage to kill all the attackers but there were only 20 of them while we lost hundreds" the messenger report to Tiberius.

"Good, this will show Falmart that the other worlders are mortals and they can be killed. It also proves that I was right, that they would not attack" Tiberius says in a calm cold voice "Spread the news, let every village, every city, every corner of the empire know of this victory".

After the messenger left, 3 other messengers rushed in.

"My lords, the other worlders attacked our camps and killed all our men. They have taken 17 slaves that was brought back from the other side of the gate" one of the messengers report.

"It seems like I have underestimated their capabilities. It is noo matter, we now know they'll do anything to get their people back and that's a weakness we can exploit" Tiberius says "Bring the other worlder slaves from the mines back to Sedera, and send a messenger to them. If they use their magic on the capital their people will die too".

Emperor Molt stands up from his seat and walks towards the large map of Falmart on the floor, there are purple flags indicating Imperial Army and blue flags on top of Alnus Hill indicating the UNE. He stands on top of a castle in the Elbe Kingdom and points at his feet.

"I want these cowards punished for their betrayal" Molt looks direct at Tiberius eyes.

"My Emperor, if we send our legions to crush them then our defenses will be weakened" Tiberius replies.

"Send 3 legions and a messenger to Mudwan Kingom. Tell their new puppet king to rally the rest of the loyal kingdoms and wage war on Elbe and Alguna. Promise them lands, slaves and glory" Molt say in his usual calm voice.

"It shall be done my Emperor" Tiberius replies and bows.

While the generals return to discuss their strategy, Molt just stands there and stares at the blue flag over Alnus Hill. Nobody knows what is on his mind.

--Alnus refugee camp, outside of Fort Alnus--

The UNE put some prefabricated huts for the refugee to stay temporary until proper housing could be built. The huts look simple outside but they have everything a normal house would have except for a replicator, and they actually look nice and cozy.

Rory, Tuka and Lelei are staying in the same hut and have agreed to take care of Lucas while Ava is out on her missions.

Ava carrying a big bag of wyvern scales walking along with Rory, Tuka, Lelei, Lucas and a few other members of the 5th SIF each also carrying a bag.

"Sooo…how are you girls planning to trade these?" David asks while turning off his TAC temporarily, which makes him almost fall because of the heavy bag "Woa these things are heavy".

"You're just weak, watch me" Rob replies while also turning off his TAC and also making him lose the balance and almost fall "holy molly".

"Ha! Told ya" David laughs.

"Knock it off you two before you break your backs and I have to write a report about that while getting yelled at by General Nguyen" Ava jokingly says while Ashely just shakes her head in amusement.

"We can trade these for a good price at Italica" Lelei says "It's the biggest trade hub of the Empire, connecting many trade routes in this region".

"I have never been in a human city before, this should be exciting!" Tuka jumps up while the 5th SIF members are amazing at how strong she is for her slim figure.

"Can I come with you please please" Lucas pulls Ava's hand.

"Alright, alright, I'll have to get permission first but where is this city?" Ava asks.

"It just pass the river where the people from Coda were going. It should take less than a day with your horseless, floating wagons" Rory replies.

"They're called vehicles" Ava corrects as they approach the hut "Leave these here for now, I'll go ask for permission and if it goes well they'll leave tomorrow".

The camp is about 200 meters away from the East wall of Fort Alnus. The current population is only over 30 refugees, which make of 7 families and a 9 refugees who don't have anyone with them. The UNE is currently building 16 houses, a marketplace, and a tavern just like Coda village.

The buildings are made of bricks and cement, it is not as good as UNE standard houses but it offers better housing and lowers to almost none maintaining cost. The houses are 8x8 meters (26x26 feet), 2 stories, have 4 bedrooms, 1 kitchen, 2 toilets/showers, a living room and a small storage. All buildings will be connected to water lines and solar panels for energy. The highly advanced solar tech allows these panels to store enough energy for a few days after only 1 sunny day, the energy will be used for cooking, heating and lighting.

The girls are sitting on a rock formation looking at the UNE construction drones and vehicles busily working all automated.

"Hey Lelei" Rory says still watching the drones at work "what do you think of all this?"

"What do you mean?" Lelei confuses.

"The UNE, what they can do" Rory replies

"All my life I study magic, I spent a long time in Rondel and witness incredible display or magic by master mages and archmages but never had I seen anything like this" Lelei looks over to Rory "If researcher mages are here, I doubt they could even know where to begin to study these people. I mean horseless floating metal wagon, powerful armors and these, I don't even know what are these called" Lelei points at the drones.

"And their weapons, assault rifles as they called it" Tuka adds "They are more powerful than even elvan bows"

"I saw it too, those weapons could penetrate the Flame Dragon's scale with ease" Rory says "Even I would have a hard time breaking its scale with my halberd. And Ashley said it's the standard weapon for their soldier".

"Then there is those…tang?" Lelei says

"I think they're called tank" Rory corrects

"Yeah, it takes out a large chunk of the Flame Dragon every time it fires and then it killed the dragon with ease" Lelei remembers the battle with the Flame Dragon.

"I've been wondering what else they're capable of. If the assault rifle is just a basic weapon for their soldiers then by Emroy what else do they have?" Rory asks.

Hearing that question hits Lelei in a sense. Up to this point, she has never wondered what the UNE is capable of beyond anything she has already seen. Rondel is Falmart's wealth of knowledge and the smartest people in all Falmart live and studies there, but the things that these people can do is far beyond any understanding.

Tuka tab the shoulders of Rory and Lelei "Hey it's Commander Ava"

"How is it going Commander Ava?" Rory turns and asks.

"All good, General Nguyen authorized our mission to Italica. We're going to try to get them to side with us while you girls trade your scales" Ava replies then notices that Lucas is not with them "Where's Lucas?"

"He's playing with the kids you brought back on the field" Tuka say pointing to where the kids are.

Lucas are playing with the other kids and he seems to be having fun. Seeing that make Ava feels a sense of relief and happy for him.

"You girls help me take care of him ok?" Ava says with a smile

"Don't worry Commander, we will keep the prince safe" Rory says

"Prince?" Ava baffled.

"You didn't know? He's Lucas Pulvita, Prince of the Pritia Kingdom. The Empire invaded the kingdom a year ago, Lucas family was slaughtered and he was awarded to the general that died at the Battle of Alnus Hill" Rory explains.

"Poor kid, must have been tough for him" Ava glad that she found Lucas and brought him back so he can be safe now "Alright you girls enjoy the rest of the evening and get some rest. We're moving out at 800 sharp in the morning"

Rory and Tuka look at each other confused so Lelei explains "It's the time of the day. Each day for the UNE has 24 hours from 000 to 2400. So 800 is morning, we can see it on a…thing…in our hut".

"It's a 'clock'" Ava corrects ''And don't be late".

--Oval room, Presidential complex, in the middle of the Pacific, Earth--

"We saved 17 but lost 20 in the process? This is a disaster General, unacceptable!" President Liam frustrated at the report.

"The enemy seem to be adapting very quick sir. We have underestimated them" Commander in Chief Jake replies

"How are our best equipped, best trained soldiers killed by an enemy who use sword and arrow?" President Liam looks straight at the eye of CIC Jake.

"The rear-guards with SAT8 support were able to pin them down for a while but there almost 5 thousand enemies all firing magical arrows caused them had to fell back into the compound and call for reinforcement. However, the enemy set off explosives and collapse the compound before our rapid response force could arrive" Jake explains.

"Why were there no air support for them?" Liam asks.

"Standard protocols when SIF operating deep in enemy territory is no air support on the mission area to avoid alarming the enemy. Instead, air support will be sent from the nearest base or ship when they called, but the SF-40 could not make it in time despite our fast reaction" CIC Jake explains.

Liam slam his hand on the table "Those protocols are for enemies with advanced detection technology! This enemy would probably think our planes are some weird big birds. What are they training in the academy these days huh?"

"I want a report from General Nguyen and I want whoever planned the operation revaluated or fired" Liam try to calm down "What's the status of the fleet?"

"They'll be there tomorrow sir, their sensors are picking up some strange reading but they can't tell what it is until they are in the system" CIC Jake reports.

"I want a god damn capital ship over the sky of their capital, either they return our people or we will glass their cities to hell" President Liam says

"But sir there will be hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians killed. It would make us look bad to the rest of the galaxy, not to mention it would be political suicide for you" CIC Jake try to convince the president to not go through with it.

"I know that, but the enemy doesn't. Of course, we're not going to glass their city, but hopefully, we can scare them enough to surrender" President Liam replies "Go make it happen and let me know if something new comes up".

When President Liam saw the death of the entire 22nd SIF platoon, he knew that it is going to be a big headache. As a seasonal politician and soldier, he always prepares for the worst-case scenario, yet it is still a disappointment. He turns his chair and stares out into the ocean while trying to figure out a way to fix this political problem.

--Italica--

Pian and Grey are standing on the wall of Italica looking at the camp of the bandits surrounding the city. These bandits are ex-Imperial soldiers and survivors of the Battle of Alnus Hill, there are 70 000 of them surrounding the city. They started the siege soon after Pina's raiders arrive and they have been fighting constantly for 2 days.

Italica has one of the strongest garrisons in the region but most of the garrison was either sent through the gate with its Count or died at Alnus Hill, which leaves the city with only over a hundred militia. If not for the arrival of the Rose Order, the city would've fallen.

"I don't think we can last another attack Grey. There were 2000 knights with us when we first arrived, now there's only over 500 left" Pina says "A lot of them are wounded or exhausted, where is our foot knights army?"

"No matter what we will hold the line your highness" Grey put his hand on Pina's shoulder "We will follow you through hell and back. We will protect you to the last knight and our names shall live forever in the songs and tales".

Pina turns to Grey trying to hold in her tears "Thank you for teaching me, thanks for everything".

The past few days bring Pina to realize the reality of the battlefield. Seeing so many of her knights fall in battle, some quick, some suffer makes her realize that the stories speak of glory in battle but often they leave out the suffering and the horrors.

Pina prays to Emroy that the rest of her knights arrive to save the city from slaughter and she, her knights from a fate worse than death.