Chapter 1

January 1st, 1900

Jemcaster, United Provinces of Sartoma

The loud irritating ringing of a telephone going off interrupted the sleeping Chancellor and his wife as they both groaned in annoyance. Having been asleep after last night and woken up well early into morning. Looking to his side, Chancellor Sperl noticed the hands on his clock indicating past four o'clock in the morning.

"Darling...what is the meaning of this?" His wife spoke up and sat up beside him as he reached over and answered the phone.

"Hello?" He said in the most mellow voice he has ever made from how tired he was, having only received about three hours of sleep and now being rudely interrupted by an unscheduled phone call.

"Sir, this is General Schwarzkopf speaking to you." The voice on the other side responded. General Schwarzkopf was the General of the Air Force, second in command beneath the Chancellor who was declared as General of the Armies, having the highest rank available in the armed forces,

"General Schwarzkopf, you better right now have a good explanation for waking me at this hour, because I didn't request for an early wake up call. Especially from you."

"My apologies sir but the situation we're in is indeed dire. We're in need of your presence within the Fortress immediately."

"The situation is dire? What is it? What's happened?"

"We're unsure, but it's best you come and all will hopefully make better sense than on the phone. Some of the stuff we've found is still hard to believe."

"Very well, I'll be on my way...as soon as possible." Sperl let off a loud yawn before hanging up the phone and using the spin dial to make another call.

"Honey, what's going on?" His wife asked him still half asleep like him as he finished dialing and awaited a response.

"Something's come up. I didn't get much but I'm needed at the Fortress right now, so I'll be out this morning."

A while later, the phone was picked up on the other side as a feminine voice came through. "Hello you reached the Grand Mansion Administration Desk, how can I help you?"

"Clara, this is Chancellor Sperl calling. I need you to call and get my car ready and outside waiting for me posthaste."

"Of course sir. I'll call and make sure your vehicle is awaiting pickup for you. Estimate in about five minutes until vehicle is ready for you."

"Very good, thank you Clara." He hung up the phone and stood up from the bed, heading for the closet and removing his nightwear. Swapping them out for his public attire before stepping back out and making for the door to his bedroom. By the time he was leaving, his wife had passed back onto a slumbering state, falling asleep for much needed shuteye while Sperl was out heading elsewhere in the early morning.

Outside, the city of Jemcaster was quiet. Not too quite as the city itself wasn't really dead. Especially during this hour in the morning. While the sun has yet to come out, there was some activity on the streets and sidewalks with some bystanders going out for an early morning stroll, or local police patrolling as normal to apprehend any troublemakers trying to use the dark as cover for their malevolent schemes. A few cars and trucks drove down the streets transporting supplies to various shops and businesses within the city.

Just outside the Grand Mansion Gardens was the Chancellor's personal vehicle used for getting around locally. His sedan was a matte black color and was his go to for traveling around the city. His destination being the Fortress which was local within the city.

Popping open the right side passenger door, the Chancellor stepped inside before shutting the door behind him.

"Where to sir?" The driver inside asked as the Chancellor made himself comfortable.

"To the Fortress, posthaste."

"Yes sir. On our way now."

The sedan drove out from the Grand Mansion campus and pulled out onto the streets. At this early in the morning, traffic was't much of an issue as almost everyone was still asleep in their residential areas. Still there was the occasional car driving about on the street.

The Fortress was one of the most important structures within the city, both politically and militarily. It served as the official HQ building for the armed forces, with three main wings split up for the Army, Air Force, and Navy. All three wings were waving the Sartoma Golden Cross flag with the flag of their respective branch flying underneath.

Reaching their destination, the large structure came into view surrounded by a chain link fence with barbed wire keeping trespassers out of the area, with the only access point being a checkpoint with several armed guards posted within towers.

"Halt!" One of the guards standing at the checkpoint shouted as the sedan pulled up to a stop. "Identification."

Rolling down his window, Chancellor Sperl revealed his face looking at the guard dead in the eye. Immediately the guard stood at attention and saluted. "Go on ahead sir." The sedan pulled forward and crossed into the campus of the Fortress.

Stepping outside, the Chancellor made his way into the building where several personnel and staff were walking throughout carrying papers and documents to various offices. This building was always active day and night, but how active it was currently was a bit concerning. Something traumatic must have occurred to rouse this.

Staff passing by turned and saluted the Chancellor as he made his way to the receptionist desk where a woman was typing something out on a type writer.

"Where's General Schwarzkopf?"

"Chancellor Sperl, the General is waiting for you in the war room with several other officers. The situation right now is urgent."

The chancellor nodded and departed for the war room on the opposite side of the building. The war room was used during times of war or crisis where information fed from various theaters were funneled here to provide awareness of the current conflict to all high ranking officers for effectively mobilizing and positioning troops.

Approaching a set of doors labeled WAR ROOM above, two guards stood at attention and saluted as he approached. They eased themselves and opened the door for him as he walked in, the doors being shut behind him.

The war room was very spacious with several small tables with chairs and lamps set up around the perimeter and a massive table in the very center holding a map of the world and the various territories labeled within. Several blue markers were set up indicating the positioning and garrisoning of all active military assets. At present everything was back in the homeland since there was no active conflict they were involved in and all naval assets had been briefly recalled for quick maintenance.

Standing within the room were General Schwarzkopf of the Air Force, General Riemann of the Army, Admiral Rudel of the Navy, and several four star or three star generals and admirals who were present during the meeting. They all paused what they were doing to acknowledge the entrance of their leader as he approached the table.

"What's going on? Why was I summoned this early in the morning? Are we attacked, or what?"

"Not exactly sir," General Schwarzkopf responded. "We're not sure what's going on but these reports have been coming from our northern border patrols and posts." He held out a document filled with various papers containing reports from the border up north.

Taking the document, Sperl opened the contents and began reading the papers from several reports with results that started to make very little sense.

12:05 — Occurrence of unknown disturbance

12:07 — Stretch of water appears along border

12:08 — Noticeable lack of Principality patrols

12:09 — No Principality border outposts

12:45 — Encounter with unknown wildlife

01:30 — Identification of unknown settlement

02:45 — Scout plane flys over unknown land

03:30 — Identify multiple unknown structures

03:45 — Interception by dangerous wildlife

"The hell is all this?" Sperl responded as he read through the papers. "There shouldn't be a river at our northern border. General Riemann, get me in contact with the commanders posted on the border."

"I already telephoned them sir. They've all confirmed the same thing. There is now a river at our northern border. Our scout plane is returning and should have pictures to further confirm the findings at our border."

"I need some coffee." Sperl sighed as he approached one of the smaller tables with a hot kettle and several mugs set up with bowls of white and brown sugar cubes and pitchers of cream, milk, and honey.

He picked one of the porcelain cups and poured hot black coffee from the kettle. He then picked two white sugar cubes and dropped them in his drink, followed by pouring a small amount of cream from one of the pitchers. He then grabbed a nearby silver spoon and began stirring the contents together, helping them blend before he finished and tapped the spoon on the rim of his cup.

He then returned to the large table while taking a quick sip from his warm drink, hoping the caffeine would help him focus with the little sleep he got.

"You telephoned them already, and they all said the same thing?"

"Yes sir. I phoned all of them and they reported the same encounters. Either they've all gone insane, which is highly unlikely, or there is an actual river that has somehow manifested itself without warning. There is also no sign of Principality guards on site across from them. Their outposts and fences are no longer present on the landmass up north. Border patrols encountered some sort of creature that crossed the river towards their side and attacked them, and our scout plane we sent reported the same encounter after they identified several signs of civilization across the border. But none of it resembled Principality infrastructure."

"I see. General Schwarzkopf, where are we with that plane returning back to base. I wanna see these photos it captured as soon as they're ready."

"It should be landing back at Volkshire Airfield within the hour. Until then I've issued the sortie for a squadron of fighters to fly in and conduct more reconnaissance. All airfields have been set to alert status and are conducting constant air patrols over the country."

_________________________________________

January 1st, 1900

Volkshire, United Provinces of Sartoma

The airfield within the city of Volkshire was abuzz with activity as a single prop driven plane approached the runway and touched down on the asphalt and concrete.

The P-08 Sparrow was a small double seater aircraft with a pilot and observer who operated the onboard radio. The aircraft used straight high wings for lift with a wing span of twelve and a half meters, a length of eight meters, and a height of two meters. Powered by a four cylinder air-cooled engine providing sixty nine horsepower, the plane could achieve a maximum speed of one hundred and fifty six kilometers per hour and a service ceiling of five thousand meters.

As the aircraft was landing, twelve jet powered fighters were taxiing out of their hangers and waiting for the smaller prop plane to taxi off the runway.

The J-03 Falcon was a single seater aircraft designed as a jet powered fighter for air dominance and support. The aircraft used tapered low wings for lift with a wing span of fourteen meters, a length of twelve meters, and a height of three and a half meters. Powered by a centrifugal compressor turbojet engine, the plane could achieve a maximum speed of over a thousand kilometers per hour and a service ceiling of fourteen thousand meters. In terms of armaments, the plane carried four 15mm machine guns in it's nose with a firing rate of a thousand rounds per minute each. It also had mounts under it's wings for the added option of eight 120mm rockets or two 1000lb bombs.

These jets had neither of those two armaments as they settled only for their machine guns. The scout plane began it's taxi off the runway, giving space for the jets as they began taxing forward. Their internal fuselage intakes underneath the cockpit pulling in oxygen while huge amounts of fumes and exhaust exited from the nozzle at the tail.

"Tower this Buzzer Squadron reporting in and requesting final permission for takeoff."

"Acknowledged Buzzer, the runway is all clear. Permission is granted."

"Copy that tower, proceeding with takeoff now. All of Buzzer, link up with me in echelon formation once we're airborne."

"Right behind you boss."

"Understood, wilco."

The lead fighter powered up it's internal engine and disengaged it's parking break as it thundered down the runway to gain enough speed for takeoff. The next two fighters behind it accelerated next followed by the next two and then the next two until all jets were either in the air or moving down the runway.

Within about a minute, all twelve jets had sortied and were making their way north, forming up into formation on the way as they climbed above the cloud layer at ten thousand meters and proceeded at eight hundred kilometers per hour. The border was about two hundred kilometers from the airfield so the flight would take approximately fifteen minutes of travel.

During the flight, they came across several more jets on patrol flying at the same height as them, as well as prop driven fighters flying at five thousand meters below them. All airbases were on high alert and scrambling fighters close to the northern border.

Fifteen minutes later they flew across the border as the sun was beginning to slowly rise over the horizon, identifying the river they received early reports about cutting across the land where the United Provinces and Principality neighbored each other. No sign of familiar infrastructure or garrisons on the northern end of the river.

"That should not be there." Someone said over the squadron radio as they flew over and proceeded north over the unknown territory.

"Last time we flew close to the border, there was no river cutting between us and the Principality."

"Where did it come from? Was that thing dug up over night?"

"Everyone stay focused. The scout plane reported they encountered some sort of large flying wildlife that tried to attack them. I don't know how accurate that is, but be on your guard. I don't want to get caught up in any surprises."

The plane remained flying in formation before they encountered something about ten minutes later.

"Captain, got visual on something at ten o'clock on the surface near the coast. Looks like a structure of sorts. Possible civilization."

"I see is lieutenant. Buzzer Squadron, reduce to two thousand meters altitude, I wanna get a better look at this structure."

"Yes sir, we're right behind you."

The jets angled downwards while leaning left and adjusting to the northwest, diving to reduce altitude towards the structure they found. At about three thousand meters, the planes pulled up and began to level out at around two thousand as they continued straight towards the coast. Closing in on the structure, they were able to identify walls, towers, and a massive city surrounding it.

"Wow. Now that's definitely a palace of some sort."

"Sir, I'm tracking multiple roadways leading out of the city and reaching for smaller inhabited areas. This is not Principality infrastructure."

"Confirmed, no signs of significant industrialization. This all looks...ancient."

"If this ain't the Principality, where are they and who's in their place?"

The captain leading the squadron was looking out at the structure before he noticed multiple odd shapes approaching from it. They rapidly began to grow in detail, sporting wings that were flapping as they approached. "Direct front! Unidentified contacts approaching!"

The other pilots noticed too as twenty five unknown contacts were approaching the jets from the palace. They all sported flapping wings and behaved biologically rather than mechanically like a fixed wing aircraft.

The objects grew larger in size quickly, growing into things that resembled large reptiles with massive webbed wings sprouting from their bodies. The creatures snarled at the the approaching jets and they opened their jaws and began building up flaming hot balls of fire.

"All aircraft break formation, immediately!"

Shouting and responding on instinct, the twelve jets broke off and scattered just as several balls of fire were shot at them from the reptilian creatures. They all pulled out in opposite directions before coming back around to pass by the winged reptiles that just tried to blast them out of the sky.

"Captain! Are we clear to engage?"

"Affirmative! Return fire immediately once you get a shot! Whatever they are they're hostile!"

The twelve jet turned to reengage and line up their gunsights on the winged lizards. The captain was the one to shoot first as he lined up the sights on one of the creatures and squeezed the trigger for two seconds. The four machine guns roared to life as they unleashed a barrage of 15x100mm rounds towards the creature, cutting it apart.

As he turned to engage another one, the first plummeted from the sky as it was killed off, followed by a second that was met with the same fate.

The jets proved to be to fast and agile for the creatures to effectively follow and track as they flew in to attack and then flew out at high speed to shake off any pursuers. The fireballs the creatures shot at the planes were too slow and inaccurate against them as the pilots would immediately identify and dodge each attack with a few quick maneuvers.

Three more creatures were shot down leaving only twenty left trying to face off against the jet powered aircraft that outperformed them with ease.

It would appear that the creatures realized their rapid losses and broke away from the fight in retreat. Not before one of the jets crossed paths with one of them and flew by. Looking up, the pilot had clear visibility on it's back and noticed what appeared to be someone riding on top of it looking back at him with a mixed face of awe and horror.

"Captain, there's people riding those things! I just flew past one and spotted someone on it's back!"

"They're pulling out sir! Should we pursue and finished them off?"

"Negative, do not pursue. All of Buzzer return back to base immediately. We're done here."

Pulling away as well, the jets turned back around and flew south towards the border to return home. Behind them, the twenty surviving creatures and their riders returned back to the palace structure, landing at designated towers after what was a humiliating defeat.

_________________________________________

January 1st, 1900

Northern Border, United Provinces of Sartoma

Down at the border, the guards stationed a garrisons were on edge and weary over what's been occurring. Encounters from creatures crossing over the mysterious river, to no sign of any Principality forces on the opposite end.

One of the biggest questions going around was 'Where did this river come from?'.

A few brave men had ventured down to investigate and marched along the shore on their end of this new body of water.

One courageous man stepped forward with his boots touching the water and reached down, cupping the water flowing through it into his hand and bringing it up to his mouth, only to spit it out immediately after.

"My god! It's salt water!"

"I don't think that's normal." Another voice called out from up the shore where more soldiers were watching and keeping a eye out for their occupied comrade. The United Provinces Army uniform was a field gray tunic and trousers with black boots and dark grey helmet. A black belt wrapped around the soldier's mid section holding ammo pouches for their weapons and a holster for their sidearms, as well as a few grenades they could throw at the enemy to kill them while in cover. Along their shoulders and collar were patches indicating their service rank, while their helmet was marked with what unit they were assigned to. These men were all marked with the 5th Infantry Division as part of the northern border patrol. Standard issue in armaments was the M10A1 semi-automatic carbine. The carbine used a gas-operated, rotating bolt action firing seventy rounds per minute with a fifteen round box magazine carrying 8x35mm rimless cartridges. Another variant used by squad leaders was the M10A2 which was capable of selective-fire at eight hundred rounds per minute in full-auto mode.

"I'm no expert in rivers, but I'm sure the water should be fresh. Not salty."

"Exactly! Everything about this river makes no sense!" The soldier down at the river retreated back to his fellow men. "First it appears out of nowhere in the middle of the night and now it's contents are salty."

"And where the hell are the Principality soldiers? Shouldn't they have been guarding their posts on the border?"

"Further more, where are the Principality posts? They all just upped and vanished out of thin air."

"Hey, we got movement across the other side!" Someone shouted as they all unshouldered their weapons and aimed them across the body of water, fearing another attack by one of those creatures.

Instead however they saw no creature. But spotted what looked like a train of three wagons pulled by two horses each. They were made entirely of wood and had woven covers over them protecting the passengers and cargo aboard as they pulled towards a shallow part of the river and attempted to cross over.

The soldiers immediately saw this and would not allow it as no one was supposed to cross the border without authorization from border authorities.

"Halt! Halt! Stop immediately!" The squad leader shouted as he caught the attention of the wagon occupants.

"You're in violation of the Border Agreement Policy! No man is allow passage without official permission and recognition from border authorities!"

"Border Agreement Policy?" The man driving the lead wagon asked confusingly as the soldiers approached the train. "What are you men on about? We're coming on our own volition to settle in the Frontier Colonies."

"Frontier Colonies? You must be mistaken," The squad leader called out in response. "This area is under the control of the United Provinces of Sartoma! This is no frontier of colonies or whatever!"

"What —, what...are you men bandits? Have the colonies rebelled against the crown? Who are you men?" The driver was starting to get uncomfortable as he looked at the soldiers in confusion as they surrounded the train.

"Sir, I need you to step down from the wagon immediately."

"No! I will take no such orders from strange men I know nothing about!"

"Sir, it is required that your comply with us for your own good! Step down from the wagon immediately!"

"No I will not! We came traveling for days on end to settle in the frontier and buy land! I will take no orders from —," The driver didn't finish his sentence as the squad leader aimed his carbine down and fired off a shot. The weapon let off a loud crack as a single bullet struck the sand below and a brass casing clattered against the ground. The horses pulling the wagon were thrown into a panic as the driver was startled and nearly fell off his seat from the loud gunshot.

"That was your final warning! Get down from the wagon and hands above your head!"

"Alright! Alright!" The driver complied as he stepped down fearfully and held his hands up.

"Father, what's going on?" The another drive from the mid wagon came forward and asked as the soldiers trained their guns on him.

"You, stay where you are! Hands above your head now!"

The other drive stopped where he was in shock, but complied anyway as he held both his hands above his head.

"Search them."

Two corporals among the soldiers stepped forward and began patting down both men individually. They both turned out clean as the soldiers stepped back and redrew their weapons. The passengers on the train had begun peaking their heads out as they observed the whole scene as the squad leader began speaking with their drivers again.

"Now then, who exactly are you and what were you doing trying to cross the river?"

"I am Asghar Zareii, and this is my son with me, Behnam Zareii. We came seeking to settle on the frontier lands amongst the colonies. It's supposed to be across this river on these lands. Who are you to have any authorit —," The man was silenced as the squad leader gripped his weapon in annoyance.

"Mr. Zareii, again you must be mistaken. There are no colonies or frontier on these lands. This territory belongs to the United Provinces of Sartoma and we serve in it's defense. Now, where did you come from...Mr. Zareii?"

"From —, from the Brathorn Imperium! We came from the Brathorn Imperium."

Instead of asking another question immediately after, the squad leader looked back to his men who shrugged. Not knowing what the man was talking about.

"The Brathorn Imperium? Where does this Imperium exist exactly?"

"They're across the river from us, shouldn't you know that already? They're the ones who initiated the expansion into these lands about two decades ago. How do you not know this?"

Everyone was confused as the squad leader just sighed and pulled out a small note book and mechanical ink pen.

"Alright Mr. Zareii, this is how things are gonna work. I'm gonna ask you some questions and you're gonna answer them all with honesty. That sound alright to you?"