Justin took a few minutes to review his notes. Eric sat with Michael. They stood around a map.

"No. We can’t bring Ricky and the team to Dresken. Do you know what would happen if that redneck got a hold of some dwarves?" Eric groaned.

"Milano has enough of a headache as it is, telling them not to charge the capital themselves."

Michael tapped the map. "Look, we need eyes on the ground inside the compound. We don’t know who or what is waiting for us. If we charge in blindly, soldiers die needlessly."

Eric sighed. "I know. Two things can be true, though. Having Ricky and the team go in there could be a disaster. Those guys are already unhinged as it is. Remember when Echo found out there were cat girls? It would be like that, but worse."

Justin looked up from his notes, an eyebrow arched. "Didn’t you end up marrying one?"

Michael laughed, patting Justin on the back. "Good one, kid. Hey, Dryer, I like this guy. We’re keeping him, right?"

"Fuck off. When Justin and I are in the briefing, continue making a list of who should come with us to Dresken. We will start rolling out for the compound in three weeks, so we need to get prepared now."

Michael nodded, and Eric turned to Justin. "Are you ready?"

Justin sighed, putting away his notes. "Yes. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be."

"Good. Let’s go."

Eric and Justin walked down the hall to the command room. Inside, the two Generals waited. Milano sat at the front of the long table, with Miher directly to his right. Justin walked in, standing at attention.

"First Lieutenant Justin Hewitt reporting as requested."

Milano nodded. He glanced at Eric, who stood off to the side, trying not to laugh. Milano ignored him and gestured to the intelligence section. "Sit down, Hewitt."

"Yes, sir."

Justin sat down and looked up at the two Generals. Sweat began collecting on his forehead.

"First, I need you to calm down," Milano said as he folded his arms across the desk. "You will face no repercussions for your involvement in the military actions of the Cartharic Empire. As far as we are aware, your presence in Cartharic wasn’t one of a willing nature where all the facts were at your disposal."

Justin exhaled sharply, looking down at his hands.

"Sir, I don’t know if I can agree to that. Soldiers of 6-8 died due to my involvement with Cartharic."

Milano shook his head. "That is incorrect. While it is true that the siege was put in place because of your knowledge, there were no combat losses when you were still in the position of Hero for the Empire."

"Really?"

Milano nodded. "Our combat losses only came after the first missile barrages started. From what I was told, you were under detention at that moment in time. Furthermore, your logic prevented Austin from being struck by the Brios cannons."

"Yes, sir. Thank you."

Milano smiled wryly. "Don’t thank me yet. I am placing you directly under Master Sergeant Eric Dryer. You will work closely with him to formulate a plan to infiltrate and take command of Dresken. I don’t think you are aware that Master Sergeant Dryer is here at work more than he is at home. You may want to visit Vargas stores for energy drinks."

Eric groaned inwardly, staring at Milano. "You know I’m right here, right? Goddamn dinosaur. He said that on purpose."

Milano ignored Eric and slid a paper over to Justin.

"Lieutenant Hewitt, I also brought you here because I want to know more about the Empire’s rank structure. How many leaders do they have? Are they centrally located? We are aware that the main head of power is Mithrael, but are there Generals? Advisors? Can they be targeted outside of the capital?"

Justin looked down at the paper, then back up at Milano.

"Sir, the Empire chain of command roughly mirrors our own. From what Erica told me, approximately one hundred years ago, Mithrael summoned another hero from Earth. He began to change the ranks of the Empire to match that of the United States Army."

Milano and Miher took notes, and Eric’s eyes narrowed. "The kid may not know it, but that is important to know. It seems Mithrael has been summoning people here for a long time."

"As far as I am aware, there are four Generals that hold the majority of the power in the Cartharic Empire. I was never invited to their households, but I do know they do not live in the castle. They appear to live somewhere in the merchant sector of Brishan City."

"The merchant sector?"

"Yes, sir. There are four sections of Brishan City. The slums that are near the gates, a residential district, the merchant district, and then the royal district."

Milano sat back in his chair. He shared a look with Miher before turning back to Justin.

"Continue."

"Yes, sir."

The four Generals are named Hoaz, Heque, Loath, and Greq. Hoaz and Heque control the operational planning and logistics, while Loath and Greq are in charge of troop movement and ground forces. Mithrael gives an order, and the Generals implement it."

Milano finished taking his notes and looked up at Eric. "Dryer, get with Mia and Erica by tomorrow. I want to know if we can target these generals."

"Yes, sir."

Milano then turned back to Justin.

"You are now restated as an officer of the United States Army. You now fall back under the jurisdiction of the UCMJ and are subject to all regulations that fall under it. Your direct supervisor will be Master Sergeant Dryer. Any questions?"

"No, Sir."

"Good. Take the rest of the day off to get your affairs in order. Tomorrow, you will show up for first formation at 0600."

"Yes, sir."

"Dismissed."

Justin left the room, and Milano looked at Eric. "What do you think?"

"I think he has promise. He was nervous to come before you, but he shows grit."

Milano nodded.

"Have you determined who will go to Dresken yet?"

"Not yet. Michael and I will be working on it. The rotation at Esponia will change over soon. I am thinking Hammond will go take that over, and I will take some tanks from Fox and Charlie."

"Do it. Let me know when you have an OPORD."

"Roger."

Eric left to go back to his office. He found Michael slumped across the desk, facetiming with Ayeolla. "No, babe, I’m sorry. I can’t be home for dinner. Eric has me looking at this stu-"

The young man’s words cut off as he looked up. He paled as he saw Eric standing there with his arms crossed.

"I gotta go. The grim reaper of time off is back."

Eric chuckled as he sat down. "Ah, to be young again."

"You’re only three years older than me, fucker."

Eric shrugged. "Three years is a lot of time in Military years. I might as well be your grandfather."

"Speaking of family, since Mia is the king’s niece, and I am married to the princess, doesn’t that make us cousins?"

Eric pulled out his knife, cleaning the tips of his fingernails. "If you ever call me ’cousin", I will throw you off the balcony at the castle."

Michael opened his mouth to respond, but the ground started shaking. Both men looked at each other, sharing a sigh.

"And things were so peaceful." Eric grumbled as he looked outside. Near the edge of the forest, a shimmering circle of blue light appeared. It grew larger, as tall as the HQ building. Eric looked through it in resignation, noticing an earth city behind it. Cars traveled on the road, and Eric watched as the vehicles began stopping. It was too late for some. Engines roared as portions of the road phased into Brishan, and Eric sighed when a large, brick structure appeared through the portal.

He turned to Michael and shook his head.

"Well, at least we have a jail now." He said, the wrinkles on his forehead seeming to grow.

"Any station on net, any station on net, be advised that grid square 1KA43 is now occupied by a jail from Earth. Do not use Road two to get to Riemskin. Use either roads three or four."

Eric stood up, groaning as he stretched.

"Come on Michael. Let’s go see what this jail has in store for us."

The two men left the office and left HQ. As he got closer to the jail, Milano called. "I know I don’t have to say this, but do not let the prisoners out of their cell. Ask the officers there if they need additional help. We can hire V E.T.S. to assist them if they do."

"Yes sir." 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Eric lead the way with Michael to the jail. The structure was nothing more than a red brick building with a small fence of barbed wire surrounding it. As Eric and Micheal walked up, Eric groaned.

"Great."