--- Mutual Defense Alliance. --- Northern Star Republic
January 22, 2030 Earth date.
Exactly almost 2 months ago, the empire launched a major offensive against the northern alliance. Initially, the empire advanced relentlessly against the first 2 countries bordering the empire, the Kingdom of Louduria and the United Principality of Baston. Unfortunately, the Kingdom of Louduria fell in the third week; now only the United Principality of Baston remains. However, thanks to these new weapons called hand cannons, the alliance is holding back the empire's advances. A new weapon has also just entered operation. Unlike the hand cannon, this weapon is larger and can be carried by ground dragons, a long cannon, its caliber is 90mm, and it has the ability to bring down any living creature that the empire launches against the northern troops. Unfortunately, resources are running out, and the manufacture of these weapons is expensive, so they are currently used only as a complement in battles, which, of course, due to their destructive power, has managed to halt the empire's advances. But a glimmer of hope has arisen along with rumors that the empire is now in another war to the south of the continent, against an unknown force that retaliated against the attack suffered by the empire by opening a portal to its world. The rumors are that they exclusively use a type of hand cannon and gigantic beasts of steel that spew fire, in addition to winged beasts capable of killing ancient dragons.
At this very moment, all the main military leaders of the northern nations are gathered in the war room in the capital of the republic, discussing means of contacting these enemies of the empire so that they can offer support against the empire's forces in the region. The countries that make up the northern region are: the Kingdom of Louduria, the United Principality of Baston, the Republic of the Northern Star, the Kingdom of Serenara, the Principality of Aridian, Aquilonia, the Holy Kingdom of Lumina, the Kingdom of the Rising Sun, the United Kingdom of Verdantis, and the Kingdom of Astrópolis. All the main military leaders are in this meeting representing their nations.
"Should we continue following the plan?" said the general from Lumina.
"I agree," said the general from Aquilonia.
Thus, a small discussion began among those who agreed to contact the humans from this other world or to continue with the original plan.
Gideon stood up from his chair, and as the Prime Minister of the Northern Star Republic, he decided to interrupt this discussion with a solution.
"Let's vote," he said, raising his hand to symbolize the first vote.
"Everyone who raises their hands agrees to contact and seek assistance from these new enemies of the empire." Along with Gideon, 7 people raised their hands.
"The enemy of our enemy is our friend," said the General from Baston.
"Exactly," said Gideon.
"It's decided then. We will contact these humans from another world somehow, and for those who voted against, I understand your apprehension, and I guarantee with my life that I will take full responsibility for my actions."
When the meeting finally ended, Gideon was exhausted. Hours were spent reviewing plans and battle tactics, and then there was this vote. Now he could finally rest. He opened a bottle of wine manufactured by a friend's winery who unfortunately died on the battlefield. He took a generous sip and said, "I hope all of this is worth it."
Sounds of knocking were heard at the door of his office, and unconsciously he said, "Come in."
A soldier in iron armor entered, holding a letter in his hand. Gideon took the letter, thanked the messenger, and dismissed him.
Anxiously, he opened the letter. "Let's see what we have here."
-- Sir Prime Minister, this is the commander on land of the resistance forces of the Kingdom of Louduria speaking. I have found a way to secretly send this letter even with my country under imperial occupation. The news I have to inform you is that all 20 thousand knights in the duchy of Kitonia are leaving their positions and returning to the empire's borders. I believe this may have some connection with the rumors of an invading force to the south of the empire.
Gideon read each word carefully, and all he could feel was hope. The Kitonian cavalry caused the most casualties to the alliance soldiers, and reading that they were leaving back to the empire is excellent news. He needs to confirm this information.
He went to the door of his office and called a guard, "Summon a messenger right away."
"Yes, my lord."
While waiting for the messenger, he wrote a letter to his general in the field to confirm whether the Kitonian cavalry had indeed left. If this were true, it would mean that the empire might gradually be weakening its positions in the North, and he wouldn't let this opportunity pass.
As soon as the messenger arrived, he handed him the letter and instructed him to deliver it to the general in the field.
---
Pedro and Gabriel are standing in front of the commander, they are not alone. At their side, there are 4 more people, all dressed in the standard uniform of the Brazilian army.
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Cadet Gabriel;
Cadet Pedro;
Terrain Operator João Costa;
Field Medic Luana Lopes;
Cpl. Lucas Pereira;
Specialist Marksman Bianca.
"All of you present here," the commander began speaking, he's a man with an appearance of around 50 years old and a grumpy face, "are the last group that will cross the portal with the objective of exploring, gaining the trust of the local population, and primarily recovering the abducted from the 25th of December, 2029." The commander handed out a pair of stapled sheets to each one, "In these documents, you'll find everything you need to know before crossing the portal. If any of you have questions or want to add something, now is the time to speak."
Bianca was the one who broke the silence, "Sir," she began with a commanding and fearless voice, "there are 10 people listed here who are part of our group, right?" she asked, "Correct," replied the commander, "but I believe that's not your only question, is it?"
"No, two people on this list have their names and information classified. Why? I don't want to be annoying or anything, but how can I trust someone whose name I can't even know?"
Pedro heard everything that blonde woman said, he realizes he's still far from having the courage to speak openly like that with any officer.
"Well, you're correct. Unfortunately, you'll only know the names and information of those remaining 2 members in the field, that information is classified and there's a reason for it," he concludes, "if that's all, I'd like to direct you to the infirmary now. You'll all be properly immunized before crossing the anomaly. I'd like to emphasize that these alien invaders, during subsequent examinations, were diagnosed with some diseases similar to ours and others unknown, so be careful when coming into extreme contact with the local population on the other side of the anomaly. Do your work with caution and nothing more, understood?"
"YES, SIR!" they responded.
---
Once everyone left the infirmary, Operator João spoke directly to Pedro and Gabriel.
"So, you two are the cadets who will accompany us, pleasure to meet you. I'm João," he extended his hand to both, who promptly shook it.
"Yes, sir!" replied Pedro.
"No need to be so formal, we're all in the same boat now."
"Yeah, guys, you can count on Auntie here to take care of you," said Luana, who was an extremely beautiful black medic.
"Stop teasing the two, we have a mission to accomplish, so let's quickly head to the courtyard and get into the vehicle," said Bianca.
Cpl. Lucas approached Pedro and Gabriel while the other three were distracted in a light discussion. "You don't need to pay attention to them, they're always like that," he also extended his hand to both, who promptly accepted the handshake. Lucas appeared to be the oldest of the group, around 40 years old.
"Have you served with them before?" Gabriel asked.
"Yeah, we served together for 3 years on a pacification mission in Rio de Janeiro."
"So, you participated in the war against the narco-terrorists?"
Lucas gave a slight smile and replied to Gabriel, "Well, yes, it's something all of us in this group except you two have done, but that's a mission accomplished. Now let's focus on what's ahead."
They finally arrived at the designated vehicle for them, an armored Guarani transport vehicle. "Looks like we've arrived," João said.
The vehicle was in a large logistics convoy containing trucks and various helicopters transported by large logistics trucks.
"This is really impressive!" exclaimed Luana.
"I agree," said Bianca. "Now let's get into the vehicle before it leaves without us."
Everyone then entered the vehicle, and within a few minutes, it started moving with the rest of the convoy. Finally, they crossed the anomaly and felt the sensation of something wet passing through their bodies, yet they remained dry.
"That was strange," said Gabriel as he touched his clothes, still trying to remain dry.
---
Everyone exits the vehicle, and the landscape they see is that of a large military camp. Everywhere they look, there are excavators and backhoes working, small buildings being constructed with the help of enormous 3D printers, and even asphalt roads for the constant flow of materials crossing through the portal.
In the background, they see a Gripen fighter jet taking off from an improvised runway. The Gripen jets were developed to take off from any straight runway.
"It looks like we're back in the game of war," said João.
The group is then taken by an Army MP to the main courtyard for presentation. When they arrive, Sergeant Tiago is already waiting for them, though he is engaged in conversation with other officers and doesn't notice the group's arrival.
"Sir," said the MP. Tiago looks back and sees all six saluting.
"Explorer Group 9 reporting in, sir," said Bianca with a serious tone.
Tiago gives a slight smile and says, "At ease, soldiers. I was wondering when they would release you for field activities."
He looks at Gabriel and Pedro, "You two also came?" He extends his hand to both, and then greets the rest of the group.
"First of all, I want to say that this world is very different from Earth. As you can see, we are at dawn here, and you probably came from a sunset. And it's not just that which is different here. Everything on this planet wants to kill you," Tiago points to a group of dozens of black bags, each containing a fallen Brazilian soldier in battle or due to other things this planet provides.
"No matter the reason, you will always follow my orders. The safety of our group and the camp is the priority. I don't want to have to bury any of you, understood?"
"YES, SIR!"
“Good, as you already know, starting today we'll have the company of 5 combat and reconnaissance androids. They've saved my life dozens of times since I set foot in this place, so I ask that you trust them as if they were flesh and blood.” Tiago turns around and waves his hand as if calling someone, initially nobody understood anything. In a short time, two women in standard army uniforms approach. “They are Thalassa and Selena. You probably wondered who were the two confidential individuals in the documents given to you, and here they are.”
“Sir, with all due respect,” Bianca began, “but who are they?” Before Tiago could respond, a slight breeze passed over Thalassa's hair, revealing she was actually an Elf.
“What the hell is this?” Luana exclaimed, perplexed.
“Sir, don't tell me that they...”
“Yes,” Tiago interrupted, “they are local inhabitants and will help us communicate on the ground with the local population. Miss Thalassa learned our language while she was on Earth.”
“Wait a minute, you mean they were part of that genocidal invasion?”
Bianca and Luana were the most emotionally affected by the situation. Before things got out of control, Alice appeared.
“I know it might be hard for you, but they were deceived into participating in that raid, and of course, that doesn't excuse their actions.”
“Ma'am, I don't understand how you can let them participate in field missions, even if they're just translators. Do you really trust them?”
To everyone's surprise, Thalassa kneels and says, “If you don't want to trust me because of my unfortunate actions, then I ask you to kill me right now.”
Everyone is stunned, except Bianca, who quickly draws a 9mm pistol and points it directly at Thalassa's head.
“Whoa, hold on. We're not taking anyone's life here!” Tiago says, lowering Bianca's weapon. “I understand your hatred for them, but they are now part of our group, and just like the androids, I want you to treat them with respect. And if anything goes out of control, I'll take full responsibility. Now, clear your heads, all of you, because in 3 hours, we'll have our first mission in the field, understood?” Before finishing, Tiago adds, “Cadets Pedro and Gabriel can wait here; I still want to talk to you in private.”