Dimensional Travels: World at War-Chapter 53: Political endeavors (1)

While Eric was securing the Vegas strip, Milano sat at his desk staring at a letter. The Battalion leaders had gone to their various residences for the day, while the commander sat staring at multiple documents grimly. Heuitt stood off to the side, noticing the conundrum his commander faced.

"Well sir, at least it is never boring." Heuitt said before walking out.

Milano grumbled to himself as he thought of what to do next. The Reimskin nobles were inviting him to a political seminar. He knew it would happen eventually, but he didn’t like it. He is a Lieutenant Colonel, not a general. He shouldn’t be in high level meetings, but...

He looked outside, watching soldiers running down the road. "I might as well be a general at this point." He thought with a sigh. The battalion was now spread out across an area the size of Texas, with Fob’s being set up in multiple geographical areas. He had always thought it would be cool to promote to a general. He looked at the sizable stack of paperwork and thought back to his meetings this morning, he realized he hated it.

He read the letter again.

"So this royal conclave is in three days." He said out loud to an empty room. "And Dryer isn’t here, so I can’t just send him. It will have to be Heuitt and I. Oh, Heuitt isn’t going to like that." He said with a self depreciating smile. The hair on the back of his neck raised as he gave the invitation another read. "We have to do this right. We can’t afford a war on two fronts."

"So much to do, so little time." Milano got up from his seat and turned off the lights. "Oh well, I will bring Heuitt and the XO."

Milano and a small convoy left for Riemskin the day before the conclave was due to start. Heuitt grumbled in the seat next to him, glowering as he pouted inwardly. Milano had been shocked at the sight. A forty year old man shouldn’t pout, but here he was watching one do so in real time.

"Would you get a grip?" Milano hissed as they were within an hour of arrival. "We need to be at the top of our game."

Heuitt sighed as he looked out the window. "I know sir. It’s just so alien to think we went from ’fight this empire and you can live’, to ’protect both worlds now’. "

Milano nodded. "I know what you mean, but we have to do what we’ve always been doing. Push forward and carry on."

Milano once more found himself in front of Liron.

"Gentlemen, I hope you are well. I have been tasked once more to ensure your stay is to your liking." Milano shook hands with Liron as they were brought to a hotel. Milano looked up at it in awe. It was almost the size of the royal castle, and just as opulent. If the hotel was back on earth, he could only dream of staying at a place like this.

They were showed to their rooms, and Milano reclined in a chair in the office. His room was larger than an Earth house, and it felt uncomfortable. It was as if the reimskin alliance was flexing their status to him by having him stay in a larger than life room.

"Sir, the otherworlders have arrived at the hotel." A servant said to a man sitting at his desk. He was currently sifting through financial reports as his thoughts were interrupted. He looked up at the servant and nodded.

"Thank you Jeffrey. Inform me of any and all actions they do."

The servant bowed. "As you wish."

The man smiled as he got up from his desk. He looked out towards the main strip, his eyes finding the black monstrosity parked in a field.

"You shall be unfettered no more." He said before turning back to his desk. "Someone just has to...

Guide you."

In the morning, Milano was awoken by a knock on the door.

"Lieutenant Colonel Milano?" A gentle voice called as the door was opened. "My name is Riara." A woman dressed in a maid outfit said as she stood a few feet away from the door. "I have been assigned to offer you pleasantries and assist you in any way during your stay. Is there anything you require before you prepare for the conclave?"

Milano stared at the lady as he got out of bed. "If the guys saw this, they would go ballistic." He thought as he addressed the maid. "No, I have nothing that comes to mind at this hour, thank you." Riara nodded with a smile as she curtsied. "Very well. Breakfast will arrive in approximately thirty minutes, and a carriage will take you to the conclave in approximately two hours." She said while gesturing to a bell. "If you require anything of me, ring this bell. I will arrive posthaste."

After dressing and eating, Milano stood in front of a mirror. His dress blues sharp and attention gathering as he reviewed every angle to make sure everything was in order. He exhaled sharply as he tried to ignore the maids in the bedroom cleaning and waiting for him. They had offered to help him dress, and he had to politely decline. That meant one thing to him:

He was being watched. It was no small coincidence that all his maids were young and attractive. He began to connect the dots after being woken up. The political posturing was already being done.

The games had already begun.

At the conclave, Milano and Heuitt arrived with a small gathering of guards. The carriage they had taken looked more like a small SUV than a traditional horse drawn carriage. Milano had spoken briefly to the driver about it, but the driver was tight lipped. The only information he could gather:

They had been building these for roughly one year.

Once at their seats, Milano looked around the table. It seemed the conclave would be smaller than he thought. There were fifteen seats, of which twelve were occupied. The royal family’s spots were the only chairs not taken. Sitting next to where Milano assumed was Ayeolla’s chair would be was a man who locked eyes with Milano. There was a slight sense of hostility to the man, and Milano couldn’t tell why. He had never seen the man in his life.

Remory, Lilith, and Ayeolla then walked in the door. "Rise for the king!" A guard standing by the doors called, and those in the room did so.

"Sit." The king commanded as he and his family took their seats. He then turned to Liron, who was standing behind him, gesturing for him to speak.

"As you wish, Sire." Liron responded.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, as you know, certain activities have taken place over the last month, and due to that our kingdom is expanding at a level we have not seen pre-war. Today, we will discuss the next measures to take regarding each item of expansion, while justifying assets, man power, and litigating logistics."

Liron then turned towards Milano and Heuitt.

"These men are in charge of the otherworld battalion that has been so key in repelling the empire forces whom have broached our borders. Allow me to introduce Lieutenant Colonel Milano, and Command Sergeant Major Heuitt."

A slight pause followed as both Milano and Heuitt addressed the room while standing.

"Thank you for having us." Milano addressed the crowd. "We look forward to working with you."

After taking their seats again, Liron continued. "By your leave, your majesty."

Remory looked around the room and gestured to the table. "The floor is open. Speak freely."

The man next to Ayeolla looked briefly at Milano before turning to the king.

"Permission to speak, your majesty?"

Remory nodded curtly. "Granted."

The man stood up, pacing the table. "Ladies and Gentlemen, when have we ever relied on outside help?" He began, his eyes narrowing as he matched the gazes of each man or woman at the table.

"In our hour of need, these men dropped into our lands, and repelled a force we could not contend with. They even destroyed multiple Brios weapons."

And yet...

You wish to chain them." His voice echoed coldly.

"They do not ask for more, they do not kick us out, and ask for nothing more than assistance with man power. They even gave us control of the encampments." He turned towards the man sitting to the right of the queen. "Sire, I vote to aid the battalion with their requests. It is as you said to me the other day. We cannot win this without them."

The room sat still, tension showing on each face as the verbal slap in their faces had them reeling. The man whom had been addressed as anti-otherworlder let out an exasperated sigh. With slight irritation, he turned to the king.

"Your majesty, permission to speak as well?"