Prologue

The metal that made up the great wall had shrunk extensively. The cold and dimming of the nuclear fusion reactor in the frontier outpost had caused the wall to loosen up its iron grip on the borders. This wall split Canada, now known as zone five in half. One half serving as a frontier vassal state for the empire, the other half serving as a spearhead for Eurasian operations.

The Empire had never been able to reclaim the other half since it was heavily enforced with mines, defensive positions and countless of Eurasian grunts. Add to that the fact that the land was infertile and inhospitable without a generator. It seemed pointless to waste lives over such land so the Empire satisfied itself with its current grip and build a great iron wall around the Eurasian occupied zone.

***

"Another day, another limb", Ava joked whilst observing the white snowy wasteland that expanded itself endlessly. The only place where there was a sign of civilization left in this cold desert, was the iron wall and its small encampment. Most of the guards had gone home due to heavy weather. After all, it was not like Eurasia would see benefits in attacking during this kind of weather and season. The snow was too deep to move in heavy equipment and the supply lines, already thinned by constant neglect, were few and far away from the wall's gates.

Liam smirked, "Another limb? You shouldn't say such things, Ava, you know how the corp thinks about us joking around all day", he answered.

Ava laughed at Liam's sarcasm. "Oh, and what is he going to do then? Cut off my arm? It's about to fall off already if this keeps up!"

It had been rough for the settlement these past few months. Winter had slowly settled in and everyone knew what that meant. It was going to get cold, very cold.

The rattling and creaking of the exterior furnace had always annoyed the guards on the walls. It seemed as if only the upper branches were allowed to enjoy the comforts of fusion energy.

"If only this furnace would've been made for more than one person…", Ava said as she loaded up the old machine with coal.

"You know how things have been Ava, another important imperial nitwit got killed in action outside of the wall. They're always suspicious of Eurasian activity. Especially since we're literally at the border. It's strange, isn't it? We're so close to enemy territories but we never see them coming it seems like they're always…"

"One step ahead?", Ava added.

"Yes, that's right…", Liam closed the furnace's lid and helped Ava clean up the coal chunks.

"Anyway, it's my turn to go up in the tower.", Liam sighed as he knew how damn cold it could get up there. He put on his second coat after leaving the furnace house since he knew there wouldn't be any warmth up there and started making his way up to the tower.

***

Cold feet made their imprint on the endless snowfields as a man made his way through the unforgiving cold.

His breath heavy and his clothes torn apart by the harsh winds.

"Is that… an enemy? Ava do you copy me?", Liam spoke into his walkie-talkie as he saw the strange figure approaching the gates.

What is this guy doing in the middle of nowhere? Doesn't he know we don't allow refugees during winter? Liam thought as he waited for Ava to answer his call.

"Copy that Liam, can you describe his appearance for me? HQ has warned us for Eurasian spies, look for any insignia and report back, over."

Liam took out his goggles and inspected the figure. The figure was equipped with a shattered MCS harness and looked like a walking corpse straight out of an old horror movie.

"Ava, he looks like a soldier but I can't identify any insignia on his MCS, over."

Dammit, why would he even leave insignia on his MCS? Maybe he really is a spy trying to kill us all. Why isn't he signalling that he wants to enter? Liam thought as he tried to catch the man's attention by lighting up a blue flare and throwing it near the gates.

The flare took some time to hit the ground as it flew past 50 meters of wall. It eventually hit the ground but the wind quickly blew the blue smoke away and the flare seized producing smoke.

"Real nice Liam, you've just wasted a flare. Mister first-contact my ass. The corp's gonna like this one for sure"

How am I supposed to contact him? Fuck. Liam changed his frequency to HQ's and waited for someone to answer his call at HQ.

"This is corporal Johnson, are there any problems up on the wall?", Johnson's tone certainly didn't hide his annoyance of having to deal with these 'guard issues' once again.

"Sir, yes. I mean, we have a man who's approaching the main gate and he doesn't answer our calls."

"Bullshit, that's impossible. Have you been drinking again during duty, private? I'll gladly take that booze away from you if that's the case.", Johnson said amused, thinking about a newly acquired cold drink that would ease his endless boredom.

"No, sir, you really need to come.", Liam replied in a serious tone.

It better be something important, Johnson took out his coat and left the officer barracks, slamming the door shut behind him. He took a cig from his chest pocket and lit it up.

Those damn recruits and their fantasies about war, I swear to God, if Liam pulls another prank on me I'm sending him to the coal mines.

"Where is he?", Johnson asked as he entered the furnace house were Ava was noting down Liam's observations.

"From what Liam is telling my corp, he seems like a middle-aged man from Eurasian descend. We were not able to identify any insignia on his uniform. He's equipped with a damaged MCS. I may be wrong but the MCS seems like a standard imperial one issued to this zone's military."

The corp extinguished his cig in a nearby ashtray and left the room without any remarks. Ava frowned, this man…

Johnson made his way up to the guard tower were Liam was stationed and asked for his binoculars.

"Sir, you see? This is serious. He doesn't look like your standard refugee."

The figure lifted his head, scars were scattered around his face. He lifted his left arm and showed a red badge.

Johnson zoomed in with his binoculars to get a clearer picture of the badge.

Johnson gasped, "You have to be shitting me, it's one of those hounds!".

"What are you talking about sir?"

"Fool, let him in immediately or they'll hang us both!"

Liam was shocked at the sudden change of heart in the corp.

"Are you deaf private Liam? Open the fucking gate and give this man a place to rest!", Johnson jeered. He kept his eyes on the man as Liam made his way down and activated the gate's levers.

The giant doors slowly opened and the man started slowly made his way towards the gate.

"A fucking bloodhound, can you believe that George? We're in for a ride!", Johnson cheered as he explained the situation to the encampment's supervising officer.

"Now? In this season? What is he thinking? I knew the upper brass were moving some forces around the walls but what is a valuable asset like him hanging around in this wasteland?", Lieutenant George said as he took a sip from his coffee.

"Alright John, get this man here as soon as possible. I need to know what the guys above are up to this time around…"

"Sure thing George, give me a minute and I'll have him in your office."

The man stopped upon seeing the guards and their corporal.

"Come closer, I need to identify that badge one last time.", John shouted. The man started walking again, slowly approaching John.

"Here it is", the man said, his voice hoarse. The corporal could clearly see the condition the man was in. He was malnourished, his armor had been badly damaged and fragment scars decorated his face and arms. He had countless bullet wounds near his abdomen, it was a wonder that he made it here alive.

Liam gasped, "Jesus, what happened out there? Are the Eurasian really using those prototype snow mechs for scouting? How did you-".

John glared at Liam, "now is not the time for chit-chat private, get back to the tower. There may be more following this guy."

John took off the man's dog tag, "Officer Moritz Antonius bluthund 11th spec ops division, that's you, right?"

The man now identified as Moritz nodded and walked towards the furnace house.

"Hey! Wait a minute, I still need to check that badge, it may be a fraud!", Johnson yelled. Moritz ignored his pleas and continued walking.

"Liam, help Ava with that intel! Move it!"

Upon opening the door leading to the furnace room, Moritz saw a man dressed in officer attire sitting in one of the few stairs scattered around the room. He was sipping coffee and gestured for Moritz to come closer and sit down.

"George, didn't you want to meet him in your office?"

"It's sir now John, we've got a visitor…"

"Sir…"

"I'm in need of transport, one that can bring me all the way to the capitol.", Moritz said whilst looking at George.

Moritz turned around and met John's eyes. "I've come back from death, to serve his excellence once more."

The walky-talky sprung back to life. "Sir, we've identified the stranger. The sample we took from the badge matches the molecular structure of a bluthund badge and there was an agent who had gone missing a few weeks back. I'll need some time to ask for more intel from the imperial database but everything points to him being the real deal.

"Well then officer Moritz, I'll make sure you'll get the first ride to the capitol. Make yourself at home."

***

Eric nervously paced around the room, "Leo, are you sure about this? I mean, getting into Imperial territories is one thing but sending intel back to Eurasia is a whole other level! Have you gone mad?"

"You know I can't deny this job Eric, I need to see her and besides since I'm a private, I got the short end of the straw."

It was obvious that general von Loden wouldn't believe their story. How could two soldiers be alive after having stayed two full days in the neutral zone? He demoted Eric for losing all of his men and discharged Lev from the levy program for 'cowardice'. Lev had to take this job in order to fulfil his last year.

"Maria has been sending me encrypted messages lately, she knows what the upper Imperials are up to and I think she wants to help us."

"You've gone mad after all! Leo, she's an imperial! She's part of the upper nobles, heck, she's a member of the emperor's right hand! Why would she throw away such a valuable position just so she could help an old acquaintance? This mission alone is pure suicide, they just want to clean mistakes like us Lev, we should've deserted instead of reporting to that wretch of a general. Cowardice, huh, can you believe it?"

"I know… but I need to see her, I need to know if she's in for this and I believe I have a fair chance of completing this mission."

"Madness…"

Lev opened the door, his back towards Leo. "I need to report myself in two hours Eric, best of luck to you. I hope you finally get out of this mess. Enjoy your life, Eric, take care of your wife."

"Leo… I.."

Lev had already left.

"We're assigning you to zone five private Leonard Errand Vandersteen, you're to infiltrate the capitol and send back vital military data through provided encrypted channels. By signing this document, you acknowledge that you will receive full citizenship and extra benefits upon completing this task. In theory, you would need to serve your final six months in the ground forces but this task can shorten that length. If you fail to complete this mission, there won't be an evacuation plan set up, you'll most likely get apprehended by Imperial counterintelligence officers and executed for espionage."

Lev signed the documents. "I acknowledge. What identity am I taking for this mission?".

"Moritz. Moritz Antonius. We recently discovered his hideout near zone five's borders and took his equipment and executed him and his comrades a few days ago. The empire hasn't yet confirmed his death and reported him as missing. You��ll have to cross the wasteland between the landing zone and the walls yourself as we don't have any supply lines in place and no way of bringing out heavy transport vehicles."

"Alright, when do I leave?"

"Right away Leonard, please dress up, we'll implant a universal language chip shortly before departure."

"What about facial recognition?", Lev said as he looked at the women noting down his info.

"Don't worry about that, Moritz was known to have many face implants, we'll just adjust that bluthund badge to match your DNA."

Lev closed his eyes, Maria, this will be my last mission. Let's end this for once and for all.