The World of Guns: 13th Advance

Tyler and Rey just sat back in shock at that. And blinked.

"What the FUCK are they DOING down there, Bridget? What the HELL?"

She sighed.

"Simple answer? They got cocky. From reviewing how EASILY and RAPIDLY you pierced the lines, Tyler and took the captial? CLASSIC Blitzkrieg. YOUR momentum hasn't STOPPED. THEIRS did."

The soldier groaned as he rubbed his head.

"Those IDIOTS. How many?"

"Player count death toll of the battle is holding at 350,000."

"And how many veterans are left?"

"About 2,500."

"UUUGH. PERFECT. well they're stuck down there. We're NOT turning around for them. we'll just have to make due with the crew we have."

Rey nodded as she looked at the maps.

"And let's be honest. we're not really surprised."

"No we are not. How's the masses taken it, Bridget?"

"Oh they are LIVID! They got to watch your battle for Lisana. a SPLENDID surprise assault by the way."

"We work at it."

"It shows. They saw how YOU fought the battle of Lisana.....and then watched as CAREER SOLDIERS with DECADES of training and experience were pushed back to NEARLY the starting area. And the kicker? These are the SAME NPC levels they STEAMROLLED two weeks ago! Hara is LIVID and yeah. Not been fun."

Tyler nodded.

"Forget the extra shooters, Bridget. If we have to head back down AGAIN, we'll loose the intiative. and then we'd LITERALLY have to recapture the entire floor AGAIN."

Bridget had pain on her face at that.

"The devs were vocal again. They said this is PATHETIC. A TEENAGER of 15 years and a RAGTAG bunch of squadmates have made more progress in their game then ENTIRE LEGIONS OR TRAINED SOLDIERS. They also said the first update will launch tomorrow. and it'll bring a number of fixes and new content to the game."

"Anythign DIRECTLY affecting US?"

"Oddly enough, no. The fixes are for things like invisible NPCs, misfiring shells that had NO REASON TO MISFIRE, and to update the anticheat. For new content, the rumor is new sea based challanges are coming along with a fix on aiming massive battleship turrets. seems the things were off by a degree."

"we'll get full notes right?"

"Absolutely. The devs have made it known the notes will be in black and white as they say."

"It comes on a black and white paper I will be very impressed."

They chuckled at that one before Tyler refocused.

"So we're basically on our own for the forseeable future. and will have to make due with NPC support as the rest of the playerbase is STILL fuckin useless. Makes sense."

Bridget rubbed her forehead in exasperation.

"The latest orders from the brass are for the Allied Players, that's what they're calling them now, to mount a full scale offensive on Tragonia and Huelit respectively within the next 24 hours. If they do not make the deadline, their familes will start paying bills again. Whether or not they have income."

"we're at war. ACT like it."

"exactly. Japan has issued a War Time Law for the game and so their soldiers will be more or less like they were during World War 2."

Tyler smiled.

"And THOSE bastards were MEAN."

"Damn right. Right now, the Rising Sun divison of the Allied Players are currently assaulting another port city en mass. their objective is to secure sea access and ships to assault Huelit from the ocean. I have a request from a Commander Taiso for assistence in the sea assault, Tyler."

He frowned.

"what does he want EXACTLY?"

"YOU to assault the Nazerick fleet from YOUR SIDE of the gate. Basically the attack you had planned but with cooridination from the Japanese forces."

"Get him to send a friend request so we can talk face to face."

"I'll let HER know right now."

Rey smirked.

"Gore."

"Oh come on Rey. Not EVERY girl i meet is going to want to fuck us."

"I love you too."

He got a telegraph from one TaoistMonk42 for a friend request and hit the accept. Then a video chat appeared with a young lady in a black tanktop and jeans appeared. she was Rey's height with long flowing black hair and vivid purple eyes set into a fair face and she was slender. her bust was large and she bowed a little to the Soldier as she spoke in a soft yet firm voice.

"Goreleech-Sama. It is an honor to meet you at last."

Tyler smiled as he dipped his head.

"Appreciated, Taoist. Call me Gore."

"Of course, Tai-cho. We have retaken Port Hanlit and are fortifying as we speak."

"Good. Our battleship is going in for HEAVY repairs and upgrades after that last battle. During which time we're assaulting another port from the land. Comin atchya."

He sent a copy of their maps and Taoist nodded once she saw the notes.

"I see. Our role?"

"Intense battleprep and resupply. Use the time we're putting into our ships to reinforce your own. we're looking at a four day assault one way. Then maybe 6 days on the water before we reach the Blockade fleet. All goes well, we'll be ready for heavy linkup in 16 days."

"Understood. We have secured two frigates, three heavy destroyers, one heavy aircraft carrier, two heavy battleships, one cruiser. we will begin immediate preperations and practice."

"Understood. Bridget."

"Here."

"Have those shooters link up with Taoist's crew. This'll be our ONLY chance to get thinking reinforcements on the floor. If we fuck this up, we're alone up here. And there will NO further attempts nor aid from US to THEM."

The heads nodded and Bridget smirked.

"As we're speaking? I got someone who wants a word with you, Tyler."

"who is it, and WHY did my gut just do a somersault?"

She smirked.

"Next floor is a SNOW floor, right?"

"Oh SHIT."

Rey looked at him in surprise.

"Gore?"

Tyler smirked as he understood who was looking to talk to him.

"Put her on."

A third screen appeared and a blonde haired woman with pale skin and COLD blue eyes was seen. she was tall and slender with a large bust in her black threaded suit and spoke in a HEAVY russian accented breath.

"So, YOU'RE the Legendary Goreleech. The DEMON, of the The World of Guns. I am Balakyia Petrokov. President of Russia. Perhaps....we can come to an agreement."

"will I need a lawyer?"

Rey was SHAKING as Tyler cracked a joke to the leader of Mother Russia herself! Balaykia merely chuckled as she lit a cigar.

"wow. Put some lines on her and give her a white fur coat and we got the Balaykia from Black Lagoon."

Taoist gulped at that one as Rey looked at him like he was insane.

"Gore that's the PRESIDENT OF RUSSIA! Be NICE!"

"It was a complement."

"Oh. Um."

"And I fuck with everybody. Why SHE get special treatment?"

Balaykia chuckled at that as she let out a breath of smoke.

"Most amusing. My proposal, is THIS. If you agree to immigrate to Russia as a citizen and enlist in her military, I will throw the ENTIRETY of the Red Army behind you during your game."

Tyler chuckled as the other three processed THAT one.

"You DO realize we have NO IDEA how long that'll take, right?"

"Da. which is why this is insurance. I TRUST you understand."

"I do. But YOU DON'T. Lady. we're on floor TWO. Out of 175 THUS FAR KNOWN FLOORS. Your guys are GOOD. Trust me I know. BUT. The NPCS will only get tougher. By the time we reach world war 2? we're fighting NEAR PERFECT CLONES of your best spetznez ACROSS THE BOARD for infantry. The very BEST tankers in the world again across the board, and yeah. World War 2, is floor TEN. And we'll be going against the very best soldiers in the world today. LET THAT SINK IN."

The Russian president did and sighed as she saw his point.

"We are STILL hideously ignorant of that world. How are YOU so informed, Tyler the Demon of Berlin? When WE, the very BEST and most INFORMED nations in the world, are NOT?"

"I had an inside man before they went dark. A beta tester/ dataminer. Guy owed me a favor and I had hin dig up as MUCH information as he could on as many floors as he could. I have enough to get us to floor 5. THAT'S IT. After that even I'M blind. And from what i got from the paperwork, floor five is ITALIAN MOUNTAINS. during the bad years."

Rey whistled.

"We'll have fun up there with our planes. Land fighting's gonna be hell."

"I'm more worried about the damned snipers. Those bastards are lethal."

She smiled and Balaykia smiled.

"My offer still stands. You have become VERY popular Tyler. I wonder. Are you SURE you're well protected?"

Tyler chuckled.

"Oh i know for a fact I am not. And if THAT'S the case? I'm kinda curious to see what OTHER offers I'mma be gettin. Anda, WHAT THE HELL do you expect ME to do in YOUR military, Ice eyes?"

The blonde leader chuckled knowingly.

"Why train my men of course. IN THERE. That game has already proven to be a most EFFECTIVE method of training military soldiers and honing combat tactics to the point even those that have never seen a rifle before are able to hold their own beside lifelong soldiers. I think you see the value."

"I do. And REY?"

"SHE also gets the same treatment. As even I know there's no Goreleech without his beloved Regalia."

The lovers whistled at that one.

"THAT was a good one."

"I am MAD I never thought a that one myself."

Bridget gulped.

"Tyler? So you know? Hara can see EVERYTHING. annnnd yeaaah."

Taoist made her presence known now.

"Tai-cho. I will withdraw from this meeting. Not my game, not my table."

"Yeah. what do i call you, Taoist?"

"You may merely call me Tao, Tai-cho. I will have my troops reinforce. Contact when ready to discuss battleplans."

He nodded and the screen went dark leaving two. The soldier then looked at Balaykia.

"Can I think on your offer, Balikya?"

"Absolutely. It is VERY wise to see who else is interested in such a prize. And you ARE at war. And, as a show of good faith and sign of goodwill, know I have my own four daughters joining Tao's forces. Do not fear. They are KGB trained assassins and were also trained in Spetznaz."

Tyler whistled.

"Some SCARY tricks in them fields. Hm. four trained KGB assassins. All beautiful blondes too. I wonder."

He looked at Rey and she was smirking thinly.

"Choose. WISELY."

"I wonder if they could use those skills a theirs, to worm their way into Hara Shipyard and sabotage the fortifications as we're working on this shit? KGB are LEGENDARY infiltraters afterall."

The pink eyed blonde blinked and became thoughtful herself now.

"Mom always bitches about how good they are at it too. But does the system ALLOW tricks like that?"

"They do. As it is a viable military strategy. and since this is only floor two, the idiots would only be more susceptable to tricks like that."

Balaykia chuckled as Tyler looked at the map.

"I see you do think like a war commander. And a VERY shrewd one as well."

"Put the new girls skills to work while ALSO keeping them out of kniving range of ME and the ones I care about. You're not the only one good at this spy shit, Balaykia."

"NO I am NOT. And WELL PLAYED."

"So what's the REAL offer, Baly? YOU got drafted?"

"Alas, no. I have not yet. My REAL offer, is the exact same as the one I made prior. Only with a key to the country. Our laws would not affect you and you would be fully funded in WHATEVER endeavor you seek. So long as you agree to put your talents to work for the Motherland that is. and NEVER pose a threat to her people."

Tyler chuckled.

"Basically defect and be set for life. Again. I'll play the field a bit. See who ELSE is fishing for the next war genius."

"Again. Wisdom. And my daughters will be joining the ranks or your force. Per the goodwill agreement."

"Coolio. They'll be a big help at Stalingrad."

That got a chuckle from the Russian beauty.

"They will indeed. Is that a floor?"

"Actually? The entire Russian front is a series of floors. The War in the Pacific is it's own set, same with north africa. D-Day is a gate to the Eastern Theater, and yeah. Gonna be fun storming that beach."

Rey chuckled.

"I for one wanna see the Mace."

"Atta girl. Those floors are gonna be AWESOME."

Bridget made her presence known again.

"Hara wants to join this comference."

The blonde president appeared and Tyler smirked at her.

"Hey Rey,"

"This is the WEIRDEST blonde threesome we've had in a few days."

"Love you too."

Balaykia chuckled as Hara sighed.

"Idiot. Tyler? So you know? If you take her offer? It'd be considered high treason."

Rey smirked.

"You SURE you wanna play that card, MOM? Cauuuuse I'd go with him."

She slumped at that one as the Russian leader merely enjoyed her cigar while watching the show with evident amusement in her blue eyes. Harah then sighed.

"I'll put a motion into Congress for an offer Tyler to KEEP YOU in American Service. It'll take some time though."

A new message icon appeared and Tyler looked at it curiously.

"Uh-oh. Brace. I'mma about to get very popular."

He hit it and was faced with an older man of Asian decent in formal military wear with a pudgy face and brown eyes. The man spoke in a hard tone at the Soldier.

"I am Ing Ching Nong. Supreme Leader of North Korea. I have an offer for you, Goreleech."

Tyler just busted up laughing.

"Oh this is gonna be a SHITSHOW! I LOVE it! Okay, let's hear it!"

Hara had a new look of horror on her face at this as Balaykia just chuckled.

"This IS amusing. What will you do, Hara? Goreleech has become QUITE the sought after commodity to the world. If you don't wanna lose out you better start the paperwork you Americans love SO much."

Ing read off a paper.

"1st item. You will be expected to train my men in your tactics inside that game. 2nd. You will be given freedom through the country as I myself have. Her people, her resources, her landmarks, EVERYTHING will yours for the use. 3rd item. You will swear absolute fealty to ME. And RENOUNCE those American bastards entirely. 4Th. This offer ALSO extends to your lover Regalia. which includes all promised hereto made offers and freedoms. You have until you exit the game to decide. During your time IN GAME, the very finest soldiers in my military will assist in your efforts. I will need an agreement to a nonaggression pact with my country BEFORE I send my men."

Tyler looked at Rey with a chuckle.

"Get popcorn. This is only going to get more intense."

She was laughing as she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Never thought I'd see THIS one."

A FORTH screen appeared and this time the leader of China appeared and Hara just slumped as she'd have to wait for Congress to convene to even BEGIN debating such an offer. During the meantime, her hands were tied. Then Tyler blinked as he had a thought and looked at the leader of China.

"Apologies for the cut off, but I just had a NASTY thought. Hara."

The US president jumped at that and Balakyia smirked.

"I think I just read your mind, Tyler."

Hara adjusted her collar as the heavy gaze of Goreleech rested on her.

"what is the matter, Tyler?"

"HOW do I KNOW you won't just have me assassinated for CONSIDERING their offers while I'm helpless out there?"

She blinked and Balaykia chuckled.

"A VERY fair question, Hara. If memroy serves, American NEVER negotiates with terrorists, right?"

TYler chuckled.

"And EVERYONE from MY hometown is a LABELED terrorist due to our wars. I forgot you had a loophole. And so did those idiots in Congress."

Ing was quick.

"I will have counterassassains ready to secure your bodies should you agree."

Balaykia nodded.

"As will I. and oddly enough? They're already in place."

The leader of China had a VERY amused smirk on his face as Hara was STILL unable to act without the approval of Congress. He spoke in a clipped manner.

"How unfortunate. The American President so CAGED by the very democracy it claims is free, she is unable to even PUT FORTH a counterbid for the services of Goreleech. Too bad."

The man whose name Tylere did not know yet looked to him now.

"My name is Hing Tong. MY offer on behalf of the People's Republic of China. A mirror of Supreme Leader Ing's, but with the added garauntee of your safety before and adter your exit from the game world."

Tyler looked at him now with a spark in his eyes, which the leader all noticed.

"So far, the choice boils down to MY preference on country ALONE. Since the terms are nearly identical in the places it counts. And if we're talking countries I MOST WANT TO VISIT? It'd be a battle between Russia and China."

Ing smirked.

"If you choose to not take my offer, you will be labeled an enemy of the People."

Balaykia was quick.

"and any move made AGAINST the boy while he is inside the gameworld will be met with retribution, Supreme Leader. Tyler. I will PERSONALLY promise yours, and Reys, and EVERYONE else you have's safety."

Hing smirked.

"As will I. I must admit. I am QUITE enjoying this debacle now."

Tyler smirked.

"Try it from MY END. Three weeks ago i was just out to play a videogame. Now i got world leaders fightin over me and my girlfriend the President's daughter. weird few weeks lemme tell ya."

That got a chuckle from the two as Hara sighed in relief. Then she looked at Tyler.

"Okay. Congress has convened and are ready for the negotations. We'll be joining their videocall.....NOW."

Tyler was then faced with a mass of men and women sitting in rows inside the state house and he looked at a clock and frowned.

"Okay. I can give this mess another half hour. Then we'll need to reschedule for the mornig as I DO have a way to fight. Is this an issue?"

Balaykia smiled.

"Not at all. Is there a SET TIME it is safe to contact you?"

"Hmm. I'll say no. Not really. Hell we could get jumped right now by a sub and never see it coming. That said? The game IS fair on it's pacing. And since...oh."

"Upgrade the spotting and recon capabilities."

"Love you too Rey. If we're out to sea, it'll be safer then usual. So we can reschedule talks then. LIkewise, we'll be rolling out in our tanks for the assault on Hungri in a few hours. That as well will be safe enough for discussions so long as you all remember we're at war."

Hing nodded.

"I understand completely. I too, have lost family to that game. The First Battle of Tragonia. I will have it made clear, Goreleech, i DO NOT blame the commander for the failure of the soldier. And know I approve of the will to make tough choices in battle."

"Appreciated....is it Leader?"

"Hing is fine."

"Yeah i don't really know a lot about current day China."

Ing smirked.

"I will keep this in mind. And agree to the time."

Balaykia nodded.

"As do I."

Hara nodded.

"as do I. Congress however needs to also agree."

The vice president appeared now and looked at the group.

"Can you give an exact timeframe for the talks, Tyler?"

"A few hours. Bridget is keeping an eye on my feed, so when we're set she can send out the invite."

The leaders outside Congress nodded and the VP sighed.

"we have other things that need our attention, Tyler. we need a number."

"What matters? Another debate on who gets to marry WHO? Or how about another screaming match over the deficit and how much the democrats are spending even though you tripled that during the last administration? Looks like ONE country got elminated."

Ing and Hing were laughing at his condescending tone as Balaykia smirked. Hara sighed and the VP had a new strain to him as he spoke.

"If you refuse to so much as HEAR our proposal, Tyler Naamani, we will be forced to declare you an enemy of the state and we will react accordingly. And MArrisa will be included in this mandate."

"Soooo you're answer to my callout...is to ALIENATE me in front of the WORLD? And THAT'S why i FUCKING hate you people. Got your heads so FAR up your asses with self righteous bullshit our country is on the verge of collaspe, riots are commonplace and school shootings are on the rise. You worthless bastards care more about your pocket lining then the issues plaguing our country. so ya know what? GO FUCK YOURSELVES. I am OUT of that shithole you all call a country."

Rey smiled.

"So am I! I HATE the games you people play!"

Tyler then looked at Balaykia.

"Until negotiations are complete, think we can come to the agreement our bodies are Objects of foreign interest?"

The three present leaders busted up laughing at THAT one! Hara had a look of horror on her face at the turnaround and Congress as a whole had a look of outrage on every face as Balakyia recovered.

"Absolutely. I have an Ambassador en route as we speak."

Tyler looked at rhe other leaders.

"No favorites here, but teh KGB are legendary players a this kinda game."

Ing smirked.

"I understand completely."

Hing was still chuckling at the looks of outrage on the member's of Congress' faces.

"As do I. and might I say, VERY WELL PLAYED! Very well!"

"I grew up in that country, Hing. I know ALL their games and just how much they LOVE screwing their own people over. I STILL remember the debacle the pendemic was."

They chuckled at that and Hara was heard.

"Tyler, don't do this. Don't take my daughter from me. Please."

He looked at the near heartbroken mother.

"Get those idiots in that fancy building to listen to ya then, Hara. If they won't, ya got options."

Another round of laughter was heard and Balakyia smirked.

"You clever, CLEVER boy. Is that encouragment for INSURECTION i hear?"

"I prefer coup de ta."

"HA! OOOOH I LOVE the way you think sometimes, Tyler. I REALLY do! And your bodies have been listed as Russian Interest. NAME ONLY. i saw that look, Hing."

"A reflex."

"Ha. we will play game QUITE well, everyone."

Tyler smiled.

"I am STILL taking offers however. Kinda wanna see how far I can take this before I have to make a choice."

The blue eyed Balakyia smirked.

"Take what ya can."

"And give NOTHING back. A pirate's code. Argh dammit. NOW I wanna go ruin some idiot's day and steal their ship. ehhh I'll do it later."

Rey just smiled.

"Idiot."

"Love you too, Rey."

The Vice President of the United States sighed as he looked at Tyler now.

"So you have chosen to defect to a thus far unknown country. And you expect us to BUY your citizenship back?"

"Ya had no problems doing it to the Germans after the second world war. HOW many scientists came from teh camps again?"

That got a sigh and Tyler looked at a clock.

"Alright, times up for this one everyone. I have the thus far offers written down in here. Next meeting will be en route to the assault on Hungri. Any last thoughts, anyone?"

Hing spoke now.

"Should you NOT choose my offer, will you agree to a nonaggression treaty?"

"Hmm. THAT one we'll need to table for the time being. Just because we're still floor 2. And I DON'T really know what that kinda thing would look like."

"That is VERY FAIR. When would a such a conversation be prudent?"

Tyler frowned.

"Hm. There is 175 known floors. I'll say floor 170. By then we'll have an idea if floor 175 is rthe way out, or just wishful thinking. There is the offchance we CAN'T get out PERIOD."

Balakya nodded.

"That is a very fair point, Tyler. So I will make it known my offer will be IF you get out, not WHEN."

Tyler chuckled as he saw a CLEAR push being made by the Russian leader to keep him interested as the other two leaders leapt to add the same line. A round of farewells later the calls ended. Tyler then looked at rey and whistled.

"What rhe FUCK just happened?"

She was in the same boat.

"what the fuck DID just happen, Gore? One minute we're planning our war, next we're negotiating with world leaders to defect. 0 to a 100 REAL fuckin quick."

"You can all come in now."

The humbled remainder of their group walked in and John took a seat across from the mildly dumbfounded Tyler.

"It would seem you have quite the interest surrounding you now, Tyler."

"Yeeeah. I did NOT see that coming. it makes SENSE given the stuff I've done an all, but STILL."

Selena nodded as she looked at him.

"You renounced the United States?"

"I did NOT, CONGRESS renounced ME. I NEVER said those words."

"Huh. which in turn puts pressure on THEM as YOU merely pointed out issues with their system."

"which is a RIGHT given to EVERY AMERICAN. Freedom of Speech. and they BLACKLISTED me over it. In front of the world INCLUDING their enemies. Not to mention the American public."

John frowned now.

"You manipulated them into a corner."

TYler crossed his arms.

"I backed them into a corner ON PURPOSE. As it is i DO NOT TRUST the American goverment, John. PERIOD. I trust Balakyia MORE then i trust them. and I just MET THE LADY."

Neo frowned at that.

"And your reason?"

"She's like ME. Her eyes are the exact same as mine when i got serious. In my hometown, you need to know who to trust at a GLANCE. And who to NEVER turn your back to. Ing is the latter. Balakyia is the former, and Hing is just a businessman. I could tell that much. which in turn means he is able to be trusted more the standard American politican."

Selena lit a cigeratte.

"So in the course of a single conversation, you've basically made ALL OF US untouchable by the powers at play lest they ruin your negotations. AND made sure Congress HAS TO WORK for once to defend itself from the all too true accusations you leveled at them. I've said this before, and I'll say it again. YOU are a SCARY kid."

Tyler smiled as he lit his own cigeratte.

"I know what I want, i know how to get it, and am not afraid to do so. Now. We'll put this one aside for the time being as we got a war on."

John nodded.

"Agreed. even if I DO wish to discuss this in more depth as I feel you may be rushing into something you don't fully understand."

"I'll put that to bed right now. I have NO IDEA WHAT THE FUCK I AM DOING when it comes to the world stage, John. I bullshit my way through like 75% of that one. NOT gonna lie. So, Selena? Next time, YOU'LL join in WITH John."

The actor smiled at this.

"So yuo DO seek aid when in over your head. Most reassuring. You can count on me, Tyler."

Selena chuckled.

"Me too. This is going to be very interesting."

Tyler nodded before he slid the floor one map over.

"Now. The War. we have a chance for reinforcements waiting here. At Hanlit. A Japanese commander by the name of Tao has secured the port and requested our aid. She wants us to attack the blockade fleet from our side while they attack Huelit from theirs. Together we'll break the lines and resecure the capital with a combined assault. Then she wants to combine forces and hit th second floor together."

He explained the meeting with Tao and when he finished Selena nodded.

"If we mess this up, we're on our own. If we succeed, we get some DESPERATELY needed Player support. Tyler. This Tao, can we trust her?"

"Yes. She was calling me Tai-cho the entire time and would NOT meet my gaze. When she DID, sje blushed EVER so slightly. Enough I noticed but just BARELY. She's got a crush. A BIG ONE."

wisp smirked.

"I'll meet with her next time and we'll see. Since I DO speak fluent Japanese."

"Thanks Wisp. Now. we'll get Elizabeth in the slip for her upgrades and work. The tanks."

He tapped Rhino.

"This one's me, Rey, Selena, Wisp, John, and Emma. Rest will split between Big Bertha, the Bis, and the Renault. We'll head to Hungri and secure it. afterwards we'll return here and set sail for the Blockade. Any questions?"

Selena looked at him.

"Our roles in Rhino?"

"Rey on the gun, Selena on driver, I'll be commander, John loader, Wisp and Emma defensive gunners."

The redheaded Emma frowned.

"Why am I included in the command tank, Tyler? Just asking?"

"Because I am still taking offers. And you're from England. Paige, you're irish right?"

The pale skinned beauty smirked.

"I AM actually."

"You'll be rear defensive gunner then. Since I can see these countries using you as a foot in the door to my good graces."

John chuckled.

"As can I. even though I am a US citizen, I am still Austrian Born. VERY clever indeed."

"I am really good at chess. Alright. We got a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it. BREAK."

The friends had breakfast and split to their tasks. Tyler went to Gloria to seduce her into her relationsip bonus AND to get Elizabeth's upgrades underway, Rey and Wisp brought her girls to the garage where they had the tanks outfitted for a long assault, John and Neo worked with Natti and Emma to get their equipment situated while Paige and Avi directed traffic for the massive warship. The friends had everything situated in a mere two hours and Tyler smiled as he settled in the Rhino command seat that had a spotting scope for the main gunner. The tanks were rumbling and ready to move out as he ran down the list of callsigns.

"The St. Chamond's Callsign is Rhino. The Bis is Mallards. Renault is Rabbit. Big Bertha is Big bertha. any questions?"

He got none.

"Alright. MOVE OUT."

The inside of the St. Chamond command hatch was rather cozy with clean views out of some slits in the armor around the tank and a seat that was even better then the one in his monowing. The cavalcade clattered out of the city and along a northern route to the port. Rey smiled as she looked at him.

"So what was Gloria's relationship bonus?"

He chuckled.

"She's left her post to join my battalion....as a commander. She can recruit high level NPCs to crew our vehicles and command them for us when we're busy with other vehicles in the same brigade. even works on ships too."

"Oh that's AWESOME! So what's next on the agenda?"

"It's a four hour ride to Hungri. I'll reopen the line for the talks and offers. And then get a battleplan set for our linkup with Tao."

The heads nodded and he called Bridget who also nodded.

"Sending the links.....NOW."

Balakya appeared nearly instantly and the Russian president chuckled as Tyler did a pan with the spotting scope while keeping one eye on her.

"So you keep your word. 3 hours on the dot. Reassuring."

"How's it on your end?"

She chuckled again.

"The American Congress is in an uproar over you, Tyler. and there are reports of MASS rioting over the infringement of your right to freedom of speech. It seems you accidently hit the button to let the world witness our little discussion. VERY clever."

"LIke I said. I'm good at chess."

"I'm russian."

"Ha."

Hing appeared next and the chinese leader smiled apologetically.

"The link took longer to arrive."

"Ha. I get it."

Ing appeared next and Hara appeared with a sigh.

"Do you have any idea what the hell you just set in motion, Tyler?"

"MAss riots over a corrupt government, incompetent politicans, and the like?"

"Yeah, pretty much."

Tyler chuckled as the feed for congress appeared and the Vice President glared at the smiling soldier.

"we're here. OUR offer. You enlist in the United states military, and we will grant you diplomatic immunity."

Tyler looked at them for a moment.....and tilted his head.

"That's it?"

"That is indeed IT."

"Balakyia has offered me a key to her country, a BLANK CHECK, and freedom from her country's laws. Ing has offered his entire PEOPLE up as well for my amusement and so hasn't Hing. Right now? In terms of mere BENEFITS? America is DEAD LAST. Since they ALSO APPLY TO REY AND everyone else I know."

The Vice President glared at him angrily.

"We are NOT. PAYMENTS."

"eh that's fine."

A fresh icon appeared and he hit the thing to be faced with an elderly lady in a green dress in a sunhat with still bright green eyes. She smiled kindly and spoke in a raspy yet still firm voice.

"It is a pleasure to make your aquaintence, Goreleech. I am Queen Elizabeth the Second. Queen of England. I have my own offer for your services."

"Wow. Sure. MY Elizabeth is better just saying."

The Queen chuckled approvingly.

"As she should be. A PRIME example of British engineering and a FINE flagship. If I may, WHY did you choose her as your battleship?"

"well. she checked off all the boxes we needed in a warship, Your Majesty,"

Balakyia and the other leaders laughed at the use of the honorific and rey leaned in Selena's ear as Hara and Congress FUMED at the show of respect.

"THAT guy is playin them like a fiddle!"

"And oh my god is it funny."

Tyler smiled as he continued.

"we needed armor, SPACE TO BREATHE, firepower, and a ship we kinda knew. Well. That and this ship was in an anime me an Rey liked so yeah."

And like that a sigh was heard from the leaders outside Hing, Balakyia and the Queen. Hing chuckled as it clicked.

"Azur Lane."

"Ah. I see you are also a man of culture."

"Ole Heito will be along ANNNNNY minute with Japan's offer."

"Ha. Sorry, Your Majesty."

"It is QUITE alright, Tyler. And I know you're doing that to pay tribute to her character. NOT me."

"She's a sharp one."

"Lad I been queen for close to 60 years. I'm not stupid."

"HA. NOW ypu remind me a my grandmother. She was a tough old bat."

"Only instead of a wooden spoon I use a frying pan."

"REally? eh. I had you figured for a meat mallet."

"OOOOH. GOOD choice. But I'd kill you."

He whistled and looked at a smiling Emma.

"Yo Queen's a badass."

She chuckled.

"Her MAjesty IS a force of nature."

Queen Elizabeth smiled warmly as she saw the redheaded Actress.

"Ah, little Emma! I head you joined Tyler's squad. Good for you."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

Tyler refocused and so did everyone else. Elizabeth faced him.

"I have the full weight of Paraliment behind me for our negotiations. And know we are open to counter offers as well. But. MY first offer. Is you join my military advisors as I believe you shouldn't have to KEEP fighting if you do not wish to. Once the fate of those inside the gameworld is decided, one way or another, there is going to be QUITE a stir in the world stage from the results. The second piece, your payments. A blank check as you say as again, you have been through so much. And, you will be welcomed into the royal family as MY newest son AND HEIR. As well as that BEAUTIFUL regalia."

Tyler blinked and looked RIGHT at an ALSO stunned Rey.

"HOLY SHIT that is the best offer thus far!"

The blonde nodded wide eyed.

"I'd be a queen. YOU'D get to be a king."

"OOOKAY. Um. This is getting outta hand."

He looked at a chuckling Elizabeth.

"Soooo you'd basically set US up as England's NEXT LEADERS?"

"exactly."

"UMMMM."

He looked at Selena.

"Help?"

The soldier blonde chuckled at that one.

"Okay. Your Majesty? Selena here. Tyler's war advisor and current guardian."

"I hear you and see you, Miss."

"Tyler's only 15. Sooooo, yeah."

"I am aware. which is why he will be added to the immediate succession and instructed on what will be expected of him."

Tyler got jabbed in the knee by a smirking John and the pain shattered the ice on his mind and he began thinking clearly again.

"I owe you a beer, John."

The soldier looked at the Queen.

"If i DIDN'T want to be ruler?"

The Queen chuckled.

"That would be perfectly understandable. You would still be taken into the family AND knighted."

"OOOOOH. So THAT'S your play? Clever, old lady, CLEVER."

Balaykia blinked and so did Hing, Ing, Hara and the members of congress as Tyler's eyes flashed. The Russian president said it.

"Would you mind explaining to we uninformed?"

"She's testing to see if offers of power and fame are enough to sway me. Basically I was just given a worth exam."

Elizabeth chuckled as the rest looked at her in mild surprise.

"I admit. I am found out. And yet? The most SURPRISING piece was how, still in the depths of your shock, you reached to the one you trusted MOST for aid. And one that has more experience as well. THAT is SUCH a relief I cannot put it to words. I lost family and friends at the First Battle of Tragonia you see."

"Ah."

"Indeed. And know ruling was a mere ploy. I HIGHLY doubt you'd be an effective leader in regards to daily beaucracy."

"Yeeeah i HATE red tape with a passion. Sorry. If there's a problem ya fuckin fix it. NOT sit there debating who's GOING to fix it."

He looked RIGHT at the congress screen for that one and then he looked at the Queen.

"Right now, England has the best offer. Since it'd be one hell of a gift to Rey as well."

The blonde smiled.

"I love you too. And being a princess wasn't really a thing for me. Since i more or less WAS already."

"Eh. Fair."

He looked at the leaders as Wisp was heard.

"Hey, Tyler, 9 o clock low."

He brought the longer range spotting scope to the indicated direction and found he was facing out to sea as a large shape was seen in the distance. He sighed.

"That SNEAKY fuck. That's the Indominus. FUCK. He;s TAUNTING us."

He sighed as the rest of the group looked over in utter shock at the main blockage between them and advancing. Then he rubbed his eyes.

"Yup. I'd know that profile. It's basically a bigger Bizmarck. Leave it. Nothing we can do to reach it. And even if we DID have access to our ships, that bastard would flee as we;re firing up the engines."

Paige smirked as she watched the ominous shape moving near the horizon.

"Cocky prick."

Tyler then blinked and swung the scope around to the OPPOSITE side of the tank column and smirked as he saw a telltale dustcloud over some dunes.

"Clever. Contact 3 oclock low, I count 10 tanks! Rey, swap out."

"roger."

"I'll minimize the calls, everyone. We'll be right back after this rampage."

Paige smirked.

"Slick."

He took the 75mm cannon's sights as Rey set their rocket gun to an extra eyelit for shooting. The group got into position as they were fired upon by the ten Mark V NAzerick tanks.

"Aim for the treads. Rabbit, use your mobility to flank em. Mallards, your frontal armor will resist direct hits-"

A mass of deep thunder was heard BEHIND THEM and he sighed as the howling was heard.

"dammit. GO!"

The 18in shells of the Indominus battleship rained down like exploding hail as the tanks weaved among the intense salvo and also had to dodge the incoming fire from the tanks. Tyler growled as he fired the cannon and took out a mark v in one hit while John reloaded.

"we need to get out of range! Zig zag an d call out volleys! We got time before the next salvo!"

the air was heavy from the sounds of thunder as the more agile Razgriz Squad danced around fallign ship's artillery and returned fire on a dwindling line of enemy tanks. Tyler had a look of anger on his face as the Indominus went silent and moved out of sight over the horizon.

"fuckin COWARD. Status!"

"Mallards all green and not a scratch!"

"Rabbits set!"

"Big Bertha's tired but good!"

"Alright. Loot the husks and let's get the fuck out of here."

The friends moved with a purpose before Tyler brought the impressed leader's screens back up with a sigh.

"Sorry about that. DAMMIT. Okay."

He refocused and looked back to sea.

"That bastard will return to deeper water and more secure havens for the time being. THAT was a test of our abilities. And we just got bracketed. Same time, I know what we're getting into. That thing has a maximum range of 15,000 meters for the main batteries and the salvos came every 90 seconds on the dot. OUR salvos are fired in 60 or less. Plus we're a good deal smaller then Indominus so we'll be more mauverable."

Selena frowned.

"she had her starboard to us, Tyler. How do we know it's not her sister ship?"

"Hmm. That's a possibility. A slim one thought. The Sea Wolf is known for....OOOOH. HA. We got baited."

"I THOUGHT that was a little too easy. So what's our play?"

"Stick to the current mission. Nothing we can do without Elizabeth's cannons. But we will step up the schedule. Panzor VOR!"

They chuckled as they tanks moved at a half pace quicker as Tyler looked to the leaders and noted a new screen had appeared. He hit the button and the Emperor of Japan, Heito Histuguya was seen. An older man with brighty brown eyes and greying hair. He bowed deep and Tyler mirrored the gesture and the man spoke in a wizened tone.

"A honor to meet you, RAZGRIZ 1. I am Emperor Heito. and I would offer you a place in MY country for you and those you love."

Tyler smiled widely.

"I'm listening."

The emperor chuckled.

"I am aware of your.....writtings. As I have a copy myself."

"Oh. really?"

"Indeed. And I for one would LOVE to see teh Tale of the Demon made into a mass collaboration between the various studios."

Tyler whistled.

"Okay. You had my curiosity, NOW you have my attention."

Queen Elizabath chuckled.

"Impressive line."

John sighed.

"And here I thought I knew a proper one liner."

Heito chuckled.

"The offer is similar to Queen Elizabeth's in regards to you joined the Imperial family as an heir alongside Regalia. Your friends and comrades would also be provided for so long as you put your immense talents to work for the country of Japan."

Tyler leaned back in the hatch now.

"Japan IS my favorite country for anime and manga alone."

"Don't forget the hentai."

Tyler busted up laughing at HEITO'S chuckle. while everyone else merely groaned. Rey smiled sweetly.

"You as well get the same, Lady Regalia."

"GOOD."

TYler had to wipe a tear from his eye as he recovered with a smile.

"Okay. I love that. Hm."

He looked at the mass of screens.

"As it is, Japan and England have the best offers, Japan has the best touristy shit too and has more of my interest due to my hobbies and curiosities. America and North Korea are tied for last place. Russia and China for second. Even if the terms are nearly identical."

The Vice president of the United States was then heard.

"America does NOT negotiate with terrorists."

"Okay. Sorry Hara. YOU'RE out of the running."

She screamed in denial as he closed the screen for America and Heito chuckled along with the rest of the leaders. Elizabeth nodded approvingly.

"A young man not afraid to break from his heritage. Good. and to be honest those idiots are tiresome."

Tyler looked at the rest of the leaders and Ing of North Korea smirked.

"Remember my warning most carefully."

"Theatening the one you're looking to hire. Not once but TWICE. Yeah not a good image. Sorry!"

The other leaders laughed as he closed the North Korea tab and Queen Elizabeth merely shook her head with a smile.

"You never had any intention of joining EITHER OF THEM, and merely strung them along."

"And made them look like idiots."

Hing lifted an eyebrow with a knowing smirk.

"And MY offer?"

"Is still in play since I AM curious about China. andx it has stuff I'm into. Weird landmarks, cool landmarks, cool places, cool stuff, you get the idea."

Balakyia smirked.

"Stalingrad?"

"And the Kremlin. The world's largest brickwork structure. Plus? Bitch it's RUSSIA."

They chuckled at that and Heito smirked.

"I KNOW what YOU like about Japan."

"A LOT. Bushido."

"YOU would have made a truly TERRIFYING samurai."

"Ha."

Elizabeth smiled.

"England's interests?"

"Jack the ripper's stomping grounds, Stonehenge, SCOTLAND, Ancient Ram Inn, Buckingham Palace, that tunnel Diana died in, an a few more places."

"There is such a wide variety of subjects, topics, and reasons it's not even funny."

Tyler smiled.

"What'll it mostly boil down to is which country has the most to offer me. ASIDE from the intial hire on since this point they'll be more or less the same. and right now the one I am leaning towards the MOST is Japan. Just because of it's everything."

Hing smirked.

"WE have nearly as much as Japan does, Tyler. INCLUDING our own forms of anime and hentai."

Heito was quick.

"JAPAN has the top studios in the MEDIUM. And if you take my offer Tyler? You can BASICALLY dictate what gets made."

"what?"

And like that Tyler AND Rey were lazer focused on Heito's screen and the Emperor smiled.

"Japan may have changed drastically in the years following our defeat in world war 2, but we are STILL an Imperial Country. I AM the Emperor and as such, if you join my house as heir or what have you as we'd need to discuss your role inside it, the studios would be HONORED to fulfill your requests."

"In."

"Same."

Balaykia and Elizabeth cracked up laughing at Rey and Tyler's insync agreement. Hing sighed.

"Well. I will admit i am disappointed in your choice, Tyler,"

"Actually?"

Tyler smiled.

"I have an idea."

"O shit."

"Ha. I signed on with Japan. Yet, I have yet to sign the nonaggression thing. And I think we can come to an arrangement....diplomatically speaking."

Hieto chuckled at that.

"Set yourself up as an Emissary to game and crisises like this?"

"Exactly. Like ir or not something is GOING to happen again. And since WE are the BEST there is at this, it makes sense to keep us around."

Balaykia smiled.

"I have another request Tyler."

"An alliance?"

"exactly. Between Russia and Japan with YOU as the broker."

"Okay. WHY now?"

Hieto smiled.

"I can answer that. Because the world stage is going to be VERRRRY unstable for the time being due to the extreme loss of life from TWOG. So, it makes sense for the players to start making moves."

"Hm. Alright. So Russia and Japan as a rule sign an alliance treaty for an across the board type deal. Nonaggression, resources, backup in case of anything, yadda, yadda, yadda."

Bridget appeared then.

"You're still getting offers, Tyler. And get this: GERMANY and ITALY just entered the fray."

A long, slow smile spread across Tyler's face as he had an idea ad Heito saw it.

"A revival."

"If the world stage is to take a drastic turn like that, why not seek to try to revive one of the most powerful alliances in recent history? evil aside, it DID a tremendous amount a good."

John jumped.

"revive the Nazi party?"

"Right idea wrong faction. I was more thinking the axis. Germany, Italy and Japan with Russia included this time. Putting aside the horrors and other such atrocities, John, there WAS sigificant gains made from their alliance."

Selena frowned.

"And the ultimate goal with this one ISSS?"

Tyler smiled.

"To see if it works."

"Oh my god you're an idiot."

Balaykia just slumped at that one.

"OOOOOH my HEAD is KILLING me. I THOUGHT he had some grand masterful plan in mind."

"I'm fucking with you."

And they looked at him as he crossed his arms.

"first off, I had to do that to you SOMEWHERE. Second. Look at a map. If Germany, italy, Russia and Japan unite under a single banner, the sheer COVERAGE of the new alliance would EASILY dwarf NATO and the United States as a whole."

He looked at Queen Elizabeth.

"And if ENGLAND gets in on this, we have five of the world's most powerful countries working together. Think of what could be accomplished with all those resources pooled into the same goals?"

Hing did and whistled.

"I am IMMENSELY intrigued now. YOU seek to create a new global alliance."

"One built to MY specifications and rules."

Hieto smiled.

"YOU aim HIGH kid. I LIKE it. So. What does YOUR WORLD look like?"

"A baseline across the board. fall below it, and wherever you live as a RULE picks you up and SETS you back on that line. Get too big for your boots and you get chopped back down to size. I am not talking wealth here, however. BELOW THE LINE, yes, I mean wealth. ABOVE IT, i mean attitude. We all get the exact same rights as EVERYONE else. No castes, no favorites, no special treatment beyond what you earn, and NO GOD DAMNED LOPSIDED RULES. I learned a lot from living in America. People there get so freakin butthurt over EVERYTHING it's LITERALLY poisoning everything we enjoy."

Elizabeth frowned.

"Censorship."

"IS ILLEGAL. PERIOD. i DO NOT believe in censorship of ANY kind. From blurring out nudity to bleeping our swears on the radio, it has NO PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY."

Heito smirked.

"I can only imagine your reasons and logic, Tyler. And valid they may be. But we ALL know doing that to get rid of the cenors in anime an hentai."

"Oddly enough? I based that ENTIRE ideal OFF that exact frustration."

"HA!"

Hing smirked.

"China might be.....difficult."

"Which leads to my next point. Control. The rules of Berlin New Hampshire are to be adopted across the board."

they blinked and John looked at him with narrowed eyes.

"That city is an anarchy state, Tyler. YOU know this."

"Actually, John, it's not. There ARE rules even there. And they are FAR simplar. Do NOT do anything to someone you would NOT WANT DONE TO YOURSELF, Do NOT start something you are UNABLE to finish, do NOT bite off then you can chew, PAY YOUR DEBTS, or we will MAKE you. The four golden rules of Berlin. and the ONLY laws in that hell. Retaliation is expected and as such, ACTUAL crime is near nonexistant because EVERYONE WILL FIGHT BACK. If you get attacked, you are ENCOURAGED TO KILL THEM. if ya can't, ya suffer the consquences."

Elizabeth sighed at that.

"As evil and merciless as that town is? It is also a rather shining beacon of both karma and Darwinism. Which brings me to my next question. Religion."

"Yeeeeah they don't get any breaks. If any issues like those sex abuse scandles pop up, their religions gets the shutter. PERIOD. I had many friends raped and tormented by people of the cloth, Your majesty. And let's not forget the crusades and the Dark Ages."

Heito frowned.

"Outlawing religion or is it merely removing their societal leniencies?"

"The second with a bit of a wakeup call. I am an outspoken Atheist and cynic. so."

"Ah."

The two leaders for Germany and italy appeared then on screens and the lady Prime Minster for Germany was nodding slowly as she appeared. Her voice a thoughtful belltone.

"I was listening in to the discussions and so wasn't Romero there. And oddly enough ladies and gentlemen? This ONE conversation through these rather unconventional means and with a TEENAGER of all people, was already more productive then the last few dozen meetings at the United Nations as a WHOLE. This Alliance, I am in agreement. So long as i get an answer to ONE question, Tyler."

"Shoot."

She looked him in the eye.

"Are you a supporter of Adolf Hitler's work?"

"No. Well. the EVIL SIDE I AM NOT."

"explain."

"Before the war, Hitler was nominated for the Noble Peace Prize. And is acreditted for his work in rebuilding Germany after the end of World War 1. He might have been an egomanical tyrant and genocidal maniac, but you CAN'T argue with the results of his PREWAR policies."

John sighed as he looked at the teenager.

"Your ability to see the silver lining in nearly ANYTHING is truly remarkable. Yet, now I have a question."

"Sure."

"Does someone that has committed the evils to the extent Hitler has still deserve the merits and awards from BEFORE his crimes, AFTER they were committed?"

Tyler frowned for a moment.

"I THINK I know what you mean, and I kinda feel like you said that wrong."

"I might have. Your interpretation?"

"Okay. I think he does. Because to merely pay attention to the evil deeds is to ignore the ENTIRE OTHER HALF of the person or event in question. was the person evil? Yes. I do not argue this. Guy was a monster. At the same TIME, this monster is responsible for basically rebuilding an entire country in the span of what? 10 years? Into a global superpower able to go toe to toe with the rest of the world. I believe BOTH sides of the scale are worthy of acknoweldgement. Look at the Ying yang symbol. Would you ignore the white merely because the black is the more reviled? And that sounded more racist then I thought it would."

Selena chuckled as she looked over now.

"Yes it DID sound INCREDIBLY racist. and I see where you're coming from, Tyler. People called YOU a monster. And you are. But there's an entire other side of the Monster everyone knows."

John nodded as he looked Tyler in the eye now.

"To see the entire picture clearly and not allowing your perception to be clouded by the judgements of others is truly a great thing. And a VERY admirable one as well. And the reason you used Hitler as your example?"

"Because he is the easiest example to polarize an entire room."

"And in turn make for the more intense debate. Or, discussion. I may disagree on the grounds such a person is better forgotten, but I DO agree on the grounds it is best to see BOTH sides ofn the scale as you say."

The German Prime Minister nodded sagely as focus returned to her.

"I asked because my cabinent were nervous the alliance had been proposed by a follower of the Fuher. You are not. and that will reassure them."

Tyler smiled.

"Not sure how we got on this subject, but okay. Where do we go from here?"

Hing crossed his arms.

"I have a map in front of me. I am not opposed to the Alliance and in fact wish to join it. What will the Alliance be called, Tyler?"

Tyler smiled.

"That's easy. It'll be Republic of Razgriz."

Rey smirked.

"egocentric PRICK."

The rest of the leaders chuckled at that one as Romero, the leader of Italy, chuckled.

"I'm in. We professionals can handle the paperwork while you handle the game. And we'll adopt the rules of your hometown as well."

Hieto smiled.

"Japan agrees."

Balakyia nodded.

"Russia Agrees."

The leader of Germany, whos name was Helia, nodded.

"Germany agrees."

Queen Elizabeth smiled.

"England Agrees."

Hing smirked.

"China Agrees."

Tyler whistled.

"MAN that went over better an i thought it would. Alright. And leave an open door policy for any further members so long as they agree to adopt the rules. AND abolish any and all forms of Censorship. Oh. And do a reprint of ANY censored material."

Hieto laughed.

"And you want the UNCENSORED versions?"

"we BOTH do."

The heads nodded and the Hieto looked at Tyler.

"We'll finaliaze the Alliance paperwork and negotiations on our end. And we'll have a talk on your roles in our country when you reach the upper floors."

"Sure. Anything else?"

The heads shook and Tyler smiled.

"Alright. I'll get back to it. Later everyone."

The screens died and once they did Tyler pulled his flask and took a VERY long pull before he looked at Selena.

"Soooo I just rewrote the map of the world, in ONE conversation."

John chuckled at that.

"And in so doing, secured your place in the history books. Now tell me this. HOW much did you bullshit there, Tyler?"

"NOt as much as you'd think. I've always been against Censorship in all it's forms for years now. and it had nothing to do with anime or hentai as putting blinders on for ANY reason damages a society more then it helps it. Look at this game for example. Most were HILARIOUSLY ill-prepared fpr such a scenario. And look what happened."

Rey kissed him.

"we're set for life!"

"And we'll get that second season of No Game No Life!"

"And Spice and Wolf!"

"I want a few more series made. and MINE too!"

Selena chuckled.

"The next few years are going to be VERY interesting Tyler. And I got to watch the world's maps get redrawn by the boy I slept with last night. What's next?"

He looked ahead and saw the approaching port of Hungri.

"NOW we ready up to take that port. Alright. All tanks, status."

"Rabbit, still green!"

"Mallards, GREEN."

"Big Bertha, green."

"Alright. Our goal is simple. secure the port and break the fighting spirit of the Nazerick forces. we'll need to resupply at the Allied HQ before we move in. Selena."

"we've contact with the line and they are on standby for refuel and refit."

"Good. The battle will be rather easy compared to taking Lisana."

The tanks rolled along to where another mass of battletanks were waiting with a tanker truck for rolling refuel. Once the fuel tanks and ammo were topped off, Tyler smiled as he swapped out for Rey at the main gun.

"Panzor VOR!"

The force moved to the front of the Allied force and the soldier smiled as he got a look through the scope of the main cannon.

"OOOH this is PERFECT. The defense of Lisana took more resources then we thought. The defensive lines here are paperthin and the men are on the verge of deserting RIGHT NOW. Okay. Aim for the trenches and walk the shells up the lines. Bertha, aim YOUR volleys BEHIND them enemy lines. We'll box em in between exploding hail."

"Loading complete!"

"FIRE!"

The thunder rang out as the mass of shells flew into the now floundering defending Nazerick troops with a second barrage of thunder that came bundled with the screams of the dying and the rain of blood from their bodies. Hungri's defensive lines had clearly been set without clear direction, as seen from the haphazardly dug trenches and badly placed machiengun nests. Tyler smiled as he sent his latest shell carreening into a suspicious looking hump near the rear of the enemy lines and set off their supply of artillery shells. A massive blast tore a hole in the enemy defenses and Tyler chuckled as john slammed the latest 75mm round into the breech.

"These idiots' commander must of died already. They have next to NO direction and NO clear goal here. Move in."

The lines advanced towards the now retreating into the city defenders and Tyler smirked as the next shot took out a rear guard Renault with a direct hit. Rey frowned from her spot in the hatch.

"Hey, Gore? Don't you think it's going a little TOO well?"

"Most likely is. I wouldn't doubt that ship we saw or one of it's fleet are supporting the defenses here. And are just waiting for us to reach a certain prebracketed point in the city. Which is why, we're going so damn slow."

Selena smirked as she mowed down a squad of soldiers with the aft machinegun.

"I was wondering why we were moving slowly. So if that's the case, Tyler, what DO we do?"

"In that scenerio, Selena, we leave the tanks with the allies and go SEAL. You, me, Rey and Wisp go stealth and sneak to the water's edge and commandeer a dingy. Then, we get close where we'll rig a mass of limpet charges to the stern of the ship."

She blinked.

"Under the cover of a mass assault no less. Clever and is TEXTBOOK misdirection."

"And such will be expected. So the plan is to load the dingy with timer charges and send the thing as a kamikaze craft at said hull. While WE swim to the ship."

"Plans on plans on plans. And a backup plan for every step of the way. with the ultimate goal of capturing the vessel."

"Since once we're aboard we've more or less won."

"Exactly."

The tanks moved slowly along the narrow streets firing long reaching volleys in the general direction of the Nazerick retreat and Tyler looked at the remaining shells in reserve.

"Shel count."

"Rabbit at 10."

"Big Bertha at 5 for the 6 pounder. Empty for the machineguns."

"Mallards empty for the main and secondary cannons. Relying on machineguns."

Tyler nodded.

"All tanks drop back for resupply. Let the fresher units take it."

Rey blinked.

"Gore?"

"They're not pulling an ambush, Rey."

"How do ya know?"

"Cause. Look behind us."

She did and chuckled as she saw most of the ground floors of the buildings along the street had been directly hit by tankfire.

"Clever."

"Love you too, Rey."

John looked over from his job as loader.

"I feel uneasy, Tyler."

The Soldier frowned at that one.

"As do I all of a sudden. Be ready to bail out....OOOOH."

He smirked as something dawned on him.

"FULL retreat. Get AWAY from the shore, Razgriz. It's a trap!"

And like that the five tanks threw the pedal to the floor as a mass of heavy thunder was heard ahead from the port. Selena smirked as the first wave of allies were blown away by a surprise barrage from the battleship in the harbor.

"They baited us in for a near UNMISSABLE bracket for that heavy battleship in the harbor. Clever. What do we do?"

"Thinking now."

He opened the map of the city and looked at the surrounding area. Hungri port was built in a crecent shape around the harbor with the dead center of the port having near PERFECT sightlines for a heavy battleship's main batteries to reach all positions of advantage around the port with ease. Tyler frowned as he saw this and looked at Selena.

"We'll retreat for the time being. The way the port is laid out? We'd be in range AND SIGHT of that battleship LONG before we can return fire."

She nodded.

"Understood. HAve we hit a wall?"

"Not a MAJOR one. But yes. Hungri's built around a bowl shape with the harbor dead center. that ship has free range on nearly the entire ridgeline where we'd be able to fire from. Plus the new defensive lines are also in a crescent shape to BOG DOWN OUR ADVANCE to the beach. They're stalling. HARD."

Wisp sighed.

"A heavy reinforcement detachment?"

"Looks like it. Which means, we MIGHT have to abandon this campaign for the moment so we can retrieve Elizabeth and attack from the sea like we did Lisana."

John sat back in his hatch.

"That might be the wisest choice, Tyler. Better to attack from a position of power and certainty then an unnessicarily risky gamble."

The soldier nodded with a frown and Selena saw it.

"You see something else?"

"Just a worry. if we abandon the attack, it'll mark the first assault since the game began that I've failed. Up until this point, I've more or less seemed nigh invincible. You know th addage. Make god bleed and the sharks will come. If we abandon the assault, REGARDLESS OF OUR REASONS, I am worried it'll deal UNTOLD damage to our reputations OUT THERE."

The soldier blonde sighed as she saw his worry.

"NOW you're starting to sound like a general at a war conference with their leader, Tyler. THAT very fear has caused the failures of more campiagns and missions then i can count. Call the retreat to Lisana. fuck what they think and let's do this RIGHT."

Rey whistled.

"Never thought I'd see the day GORE would need to be egged in HIS mindset to USE IT!"

Tyler nodded as he looked at the map.

"Call a retreat. Hmm. I WANT TO, but at the same time, aside from the reason I laid out, I feel like I'm missing something. Something kinda important."

Emma looked at him.

"That ship's ammo?"

He blinked. And looked at the redheaded actress mildly surprised and she chuckled.

"I'm NOT just sitting there killing people you know."

"emma. You're a fucking genius."

She smiled and Rey smirked.

"Bleed the battleship?"

"Yes and no. It's a HALF BLUFF. Think about it. It's a LONE SHIP launching a cover mission in the harbor. The effectiveness of that aside, it's not a good idea. If ANYTHING it's a textbook suicide mission for a single battleship with weak antiair. I THOUGHT it might have reinforcements coming, hence why it was playing defense like that. But, I'll get a better look, but I THINK that's a crippled ship."

Selena blinked.

"Any port in a storm?"

"exactly. It's possible that ship has taken some serious damage and needs to resupply. But, due to the assault on the port, can't until they retake it. So it's trying to bluff us with a seemingly magical battleship appearance. we'd think there's more on the way and rush into a suicide assault. Okay. We'll do recon."

The heads nodded and the friends returned to the Allied lines' tank depot for refuel and resupply. Tyler took out his pair of binoculars and climbed atop a nearby house to look at the still firing battleship in the harbor.

"OOOH she's hurt bad. There's a nasty hole in her bow and she's listing to port. when she fires, she rocks more then usual and from the look of that turret there has only two of her four turrets active. Alright. We'll head to the port with the artillery truck as that cannon has the range we need. We'll drop a few rounds on the thing and that'll sink her. Me, Rey and Selena on the truck. Wisp will divvy tanks and crews."

The heads nodded and Rey smiled.

"Love you too, Gore."

He kissed her lovingly before the deuce and a half artillery truck was retrieved and armed. Tyler got on the powerful 88mm cannon in the reat while Selena and Rey took the cab. Rhino, RAbbit, and MAllard were crewed and refueled before the shipkillers got rolling through the city from the far east and the Soldier smiled as the volleys from the battleship decreased in frequency.

"They're running low on shells. Fact we haven't backed down must be worrying the captain."

Selena had the truck at a low rumble as they rolled along the side street and up the ridge that would give them the angle they'd need to reach the ship.

"That ship sinks we win this battle, Tyler."

"exactly. and then we can get the battleplan for Tao set. The assault on the Blockade Fleet is the next big battle and it'll be a naval battle in it's entirety. And we'll need to pull it off to a T if we're to get ANY reinforcements on this floor."

Neo's voice was heard on the radio.

"What'll our goal for the Blockade fleet be, Tyler? Just sink them all?"

"And try to capture the ones that seem more powerful then the rest. After that we return to lisana for a HEAVY refit, upgrade, and unload of the loot we'll have accumilated. If all goes well, we'll then plan the next few assaults with Tao and her fleet."

They reached the top of the hill and Tyler had the spotting scope up as a clear sightline to the ship was seen.

"Got it. Grid 12 A 44."

He had the long 88mm cannon aimed and bracketed.

"All of you, BACK UP. Rey, Selena, ready the spotting scopes from a clear distance. I'll fire and draw attention. Rest a you pull security and be ready in case it goes sideways."

Rey looked at him shocked.

"YOU are NOT taking a-"

"I love you too, Rey."

She smiled and put her faith in him as she too a spot beside Mallard as Tyler took the lever.

"See ya in hell."

He pulled the lever and the round flew out of the barrel towards the still bellowing battleship as Tyler reloaded the second round with a practiced speed and fired just to the right of the first. WHILE THE FIRST WAS STILL IN THE AIR. And the third was also in the air before the first had time to impact. Then he loaded the fourth and watched as the three shells slammed into the for turret with a near vertical trajectory. They penetrated the armor cleanly before exploding inside the main turret and Tyler smiled as the chain reaction saw the ENTIRE battleship explode with enough force to send up a minor tidal wave and sink nearly instantly.

"BULLSEYE."

Rey glared at him.

"And WHY did you play it up like that?"

"In case it didn't work as planned."

"Ugh. Idiot."

"Love you too. Alright. The ship's sunk. Selena."

"THe Nazerick surrendered and we got the reward already. We'll refill and head out."

"Right."

The commander of that assault was estatic as the squad rolled up and they were awarded a new medal. The Silver Star of Valor medal. Which drove down prices for upgrading naval ships and was awarded for aiding in the securing of TWO naval ports. Once the resupply was complete the friends took their tanks back to lisana. The return trip taking a mere 3 hours and Tyler smiled as he saw the new Elizabeth riding at anchor in the harbor. Her armor had been upgraded along with the installation of two more antiair batteries in the bow and stern and her ammo reserves had been expanded. She was 100 feet longer, 20 feet wider, and even 10 feet taller. As an added sign of WHO she was ad WHO sailed her, the noble warship had been painted JET black with neon red markings along her hull in all the places her armor was thickest as a dare. The soldier smiled as they boarded their ship and no longer felt cramped.

"MUCH better. Alright. We'll report to the war room and plan the next assault."

The war room was laid out with numerous pegboards for maps and intel and 40 chairs in neat rows for leaders to be briefed. Tyler hung the map of the gate region along with the known ship types involved with the blockade and the map of the floor one section of the same sea. Afterwards he used the video call for Tao and the Rising Sun commander appeared with a deep bow.

"Tyler-Sama. An honor to look upon you."

He smiled.

"Thanks Tao. I guess I gotta get to used to that. Okay."

He tapped Hungri port, the formerly red port now bright blue to indicate it was taken.

"The assault on Hungri was a success. We are now planning the attack on the Blockade fleet. Where are you for preperations?"

"Tai-cho. We have a fleet of 25 ships ready to sail RIGHT NOW. All are level 3 with 10 on the cusp of four."

"Types?"

"5 heavy aircraft carriers similar in nature to the Akagi and her sister Kaga. 5 heavy battleships akin to the Fuso. 5 battlecruisers in the same vein of the Ibuki, 5 cruisers in the style of the Aoba, and five destroyers in the vien of the german Garland."

"Hm. That's a REALLY well balanced fleet. All fully crewed?"

"Yes Tai-cho. With all planes fully piloted and supplied as well. We are oversupplied, if anything, Tai-cho."

"Good. The blockade fleet is supposed to be comprised of 15 battleships, 20 cruisers, 10 heavy aircraft carriers, and 30 frigates. Same time, ONE good salvo from Elizabeth would be more then enough to sink five to six ships on impact if we aim right. Of note."

He put an image of the Indominus class battleship they'd encountered on the board with rumored images of it's fleet members.

"THIS is our current obstacle on the floor. The Indominus fleet. We encountered one of the two battleships during our sortie. The goal for the fleet is capture. NOT SINK. So if they appear, switch to cripple shot and tactics. If we secure the fleet and sail them, we get a set bonus that increases speed, defenses, reload speed and even funds recieved from missions completed with them."

Tao nodded resolutely.

"Understood, Sir. We have not encountered these ships nor seen them in our own scouting. They WILL be marked."

"Good. Alright."

He looked at the triple ship wide blockade on the map.

"My idea is an offset pincer. Elizabeth launches a textbook suicide mission HERE."

He tapped a spot of the line defended by two battleships and 10 cruisers.

"We can take out the cruisers in a single pass. Once the alarm is raised and the ships all focus on our seemingly suicidal attack, Rising Sun attacks from HERE."

He pointed at the arche themselves, the portal to the second floor defended by 15 ships.

"We do this right, the force will be completely confused due to the delay between attacks. And since my ship is easily recognized even at a distance, we'll be CERTAIN to draw a LARGE portion of attention. YOUR goal, Tao, is to BREAK THROUGH THE LINE and get behind them here."

He ran a finger in a wide arc through the sea on their side of the gate towards the mark of Elizabeth.

"We'll go for a seamless linkup and mopup operation. we do this right, we can pierce the enemy line like an arrow and then arc that arrow into our next formation. Are you with me so far?"

She nodded with thoughtful eyes and a notepad in hand.

"We are, tai-cho. Perhaps a night assault would be a wiser option?"

Tyler blinked at that one and looked at the map anew.

"If we douse ALL LIGHTS ON OUR SHIP, and keep the engine to a mere rumble, we can EASILY sneak up on them. and since we'd be so damn close, NONE of our shells would miss. Okay. we'll do a combined assault then. JUST before the sun starts to rise. And it rises from HERE."

He tapped the west side of the map.

"And if we ATTACK from that side, if we're stuck there as the sun comes up, the thing will blind them. Double whammy. Since the gate doesn't REEEEALLLY have a size limit we can make it work. How good are your cannoneers?"

"we have been practicing on max range, mid range, and close range barrages, Tyler-Sama. And all crews can hit ten shots out of eleven. The one miss is the odd unaccounted for variable."

"Nice. Pilots?"

"They are confident they could keep up with YOU in the sky, Tai-cho."

"we'll get PLENTY of oppertunities to FIND out, Tao. TRUST ME."

Selena perked up now.

"What's the backup plan if it goes south?"

Tyler sighed.

"If it goes to shit, the plan is to retreat and perserve Razgriz' presence on the second floor. Tao. There will be no second attempt. If we fail here, we are NOT trying again. Are we clear?"

She nodded gravely.

"Perfectly, Tai-cho. We WILL succeed."

"Alright. We'll also be bringing our captured Aircraft carrier, Mobius, for access to our planes and to play meatshield for the Elizabeth. I'll be in the sky for this one. Once attention is drawn to us, empty the flightdecks BEFORE crossing the gate as the planes won't be seen as hostile UNTIL on the floor."

"Understood. All five carriers, Sir?"

"Hmm, 2 at first. With one to serve as midfight resupply and the remaining two as a surprise reserve in the event of partycrasher. You said they were similar to the Akagi and Kaga?"

"I did, Tyler-Sama."

"So we're looking at 60+ planes for a full flight deck per. With about 25 reserve per ship. That by 5 puts our air force at well over 300 planes for a single engagment. Have you upgraded the complement's capacity at all, Tao?"

"we tried, Tyler-Sama, but they are restricted to level 5 and level ten respectively."

"That makes sense. What HAVE you upgraded?"

"Armor, ammo reserves, medical bays, and engines. We learned many lessons during the war, Tai-cho. And know where our own ships are weak."

"Good. We're gonna have a field day during the War in the Pacific."

She smirked.

"will we be on the Axis' side?"

"Umm. THAT I DON'T KNOW."

Tyler tilted his head as he leaned on a wall now.

"As much intel as I got from my guy, it wasn't EVERYTHING. Some things were kept under them kinda wraps. If I had to GUESS, I'd say we'd be given the opportunity to get hired by the faction we wish to join. Like we did when the game began. I mean, it'd make sense."

"I see. I ask as I wish to experience the war my grandfather fought in from his own tunnel, Tai-cho."

"We'll see how it is and go from there. If we're the first...OOOOH."

Tyler blinked then sighed hard as he rubbed his eyes.

"I forgot. Those floors are going to be a SHITSHOW. World War 2 is one of the most mytholicalized conflicts in human history with some of the most legendary factions as well. I can see the player base splitting itself apart from the allure of being a member of the German army, or Imperial Japan's finest or Russia's Reds. Okay. We'll put that one aside for the time being and focus here. Those floors are going to be a BLOODBATH."

Rey sighed.

"By that point, yeah. Idiots."

The soldier nodded and returned to the blockade.

"Okay. So we'll be able to sky 120 planes as an intial sortie. The carriers on the Nazerick side are all similar in style to the USS Lexington. 90 planes for a full deck. So we'll be outnumbered by a 4th. But, if we're more skilled, it shouldn't be an issue."

John frowned.

"Submarines?"

"Are coming, John. But, it's only floor two. They'll most likely appear on the next sea based floor as we'll be higher levels then."

He nodded and Wisp crossed her arms.

"We DO have mines, Tyler."

"we do. But if we drop them and they're not used, they DON'T despawn after a set amount of time."

"Ah. That sucks."

TAo looked at the map now.

"When will the mission be launched, Tyler-Sama?"

"Hm."

He leaned on the wall now.

"Are there any other upgrades to the Elizabeth or Mobius we can make RIGHT NOW we can use?"

Neo looked at a notepad.

"On the Mobius? I saw an upgrade for her 6in guns to full 10inch. 5,000,000 for 24 guns. Elizabeth's bridge can be upgraded with better navigation, gauges, radio, and armor. That'll take 20,000,000."

Tyler looked at the funds for the squad.

"We're currently sitting on 50,000,000 from the heavy assault in Hungri. Hm. A refit of the bridge would take a full day. we COULD use the downtime to assault another port."

Selena smirked.

"If we were to attack another port, Tyler, I'd suggest one to the SOUTH. Right now, the Nazerick chain is COMPLETELY paralyzed from the repeat attacks and seziures."

His eyes lit up and he pegged the current map of the floor on another board and looked at the southern region.

"Harla. This port here."

He tapped a lagoon style harbor. The area being similar in shape to Hungri's crescent but with two forks of land jutting out to create a natural funnel.

"This is a trade city on the coast of Murucin during the early days of the war and was used as a stepping stone for their supplyline. I had INTIALLY planned to attack it after Heulia, but if we take it NOW we might come across an unexpected bonus as the garrison there JUST got resupplied. If we DO attack it, we'll use that destroyer we picked up as we'd need to sink enemy ships too."

Rey pulled their pamphlets of captured ships out and set them on the table before the leader.

"Alright. This one, right? That heavy destroyer?"

"Yup. HMS walker."

Tyler looked at the armament.

"It's only real offering is those torpedo tubes, Rey. the main guns are kinda weak."

She frowned and Wisp chuckled.

"Destroyers hunt submarines, Tyler. NOT ships. That's the cruisers' job."

"OOOOOH."

"rookie."

"I will take THAT ONE outta your ass later."

She chuckled at that dark threat and Tyler looked at their list of ships before he slid the single crusier they had forward.

"HMS Effingham. Arms, 7 seven and a half inch guns. She's got the firepower we'd need to take down enemy ships. But has next to no air defenses."

Tyler nodded.

"Why we'll put work into her. Alright. we'll rename her to RSS Gauld."

Rey chuckled.

"Love you too. So we'll be able to fully man her cannons as she's smaller then the elizabeth. Plus the turrets are rather close together so we can share spotters."

Tyler nodded.

"Alright. we'll take the port while Elizabeth gets her bridge upgraded. Tao."

"Sir."

"Put work into your aircraft carriers during this time period. You said you had ships on the cusp of level 4?"

"I did, Tyler-Sama. Both are battleships however as we used them to assault several coastal towns."

"Hm. Do both then. If you can level up your fleet one more time before we attack the Blockade, the challange will decrease by up to 2 full stars."

"Understood, Sir. We will ready for immediate launch."

"Are those shooters from Hara with you?"

"They arrived and are assisting our training, Tyler-Sama."

"Good. Be interesting to see how they react an all when we're in the same room together. Alright. we'll reconvene after the next attack."

She bowed and the meeting ended. The maps were left p as the friends went to their cruiser for the attack on their THIRD port. Tyler smiling as he took the narrower bridge and Selena the nav table.

"I kinda like sea warfare, Selena."

She chuckled at that one as the engines were powered.

"Me too, Tyler. And we've been moving really fast lately."

"we've the momentum behind us. If we let it die, we'll add weeks to clearing the second floor when we really don't have to."

"I could not agree more, Tyler."

Rey came in then and he kissed her deeply.

"Love you too, Rey."

She smiled and rested her head on his chest.

"I'll call for a solo."

"Sure. Been too long since I had you all to myself."

"That's MY line."

He smiled and held her tightly and leaned in her ear.

"They're not you, Rey. No matter who it is, NO ONE, makes me feel as ALIVE as you do in my arms."

She smiled happily as she held him.

"I'm kinda getting jealous. Seeing you get buried and I have to fight to reach you in the pile."

"Sorry."

"Make it up to me."

He held her tightly and she smiled at the feeling in the motion.

"With extreme interest."

"Yay."

He let her go with a push and a spin that made it seem as if they were dancing.

"I still owe you a proper date, Rey."

"I know. I haven't forgotten either."

selena smiled at the show as the lovers reaffirmed their love.

"Good for you."

Tyler took the wheel and Rey the spotting.

"Alright. Status."

Paige's voice was heard on the radio.

"All cannons womaned, engines purring like kittens, and fully stocked on ammo and food."

"Gauld, MOVE OUT!"

The cruiser left the port as Elizabeth was hauled into her slip for the newest overhaul and Tyler brought up Bridget on the screen. She smiled as he looked at her.

"Status on the player base?"

"They're currently attacking Tragonia and have been for the last 18 hours. I guess the NPCs learn from their failures."

"They do actually. Their AIs are near perfect replicas of human intelligences, so if they lose, they figure out how and adapt."

"Tao's forces are stable and their region of the floor is utterly secure. Emperor Heito has dispatched more Self Defense force to aid his newest prince in his wars. Tao is commander."

"Good. Those shooters from Hara?"

"Have defected to Japan to a woman. Seems your treatment by the U.S government was the final straw for them since you're basically alone up there."

"How bad is it in the States?"

"Well. A revolt is coming. And coming fast. Hara lost her daughter because of the bickering in Congress and is a woman possessed now. She went to the floor and REAMED those idiots for 6 HOURS on how their blindness cost America so much. And she gave them an ultimatium. either start getting shit done, or SHE'LL defect to Japan IN OFFICE. WITH the football. Yeah. They're in full rage mode right now."

TYler smirked.

"Hieto has already offered her asylum if she were to defect."

"Good. and the Alliance?"

"HAs already had more countries join. Greece, Austria, Israel, Mexico, and France had all joined the Razgriz Republic and agreed to the new rules and regulations. Right now, thw world is in a state of flux as your rules are being discussed and the terms debated. Which brings me to my next request. The Prime Minister of Ireland wanted a meeting with you."

"Sure. Patch em in."

A fresh screen showing a slender man with bright red hair and pale skin appeared and Tyler smiled.

"Nice to meetchya. I got a crusier by the wheel, so, we'll work an talk."

The man chuckled in a surprisingly deep voice.

"Ya be a right twit an no mistake. I am Prime Minister Sheamus Mcneil. I've biut a wee question."

"Shoot."

The irish leader looked him dead in the eye.

"what of those that REFUSE to join your little Alliance? Do you have rules for THEM?"

Tyler blinked, and chuckled.

"I KNEW I was forgettin somethin."

"So ya DIDN'T even think a that. I wonder. was it because you forgot to account for that? OR do you expect everyone to just fold like bark?"

"forgot. I only have a war to win."

Sheamus smirked.

"So. Ya be a quick witted lad. What will become of those that DON'T wish to join?"

TYler smiled.

"The Alliance would ask for a nonaggression treaty be signed. If not allies, what about backalley friends?"

"HA! I LOVE the way you said that! That is very fair. A nonaggression treaty ya say?"

"YOU don't pick a fight with us, don;t aid those that do, and we'll do the same. Kinda like how Switzerland was just THERE during World War 2."

"Ha. fair enough. if we refuse THAT too?"

"Well. Just remember the four golden rules. Chief among them for this instance? DON'T START SOMETHING YOU'RE NOT PREPARED TO FINISH."

Sheamus chuckled knowingly at that.

"That is MORE then fair. Alright. I be joining this merry band of idiots. AND adopting the rules."

"Well, good. since it kinda means you can go as many drunken benders as you want."

"Idiot."

"Oi. Am I WRONG?"

Selena pulled her bat and started tapping it pointedly.

"Stop with the DAMN STEREOTYPES ya arrogant jackass."

"Wow, Selena. You really do look sexy with a baseball bat."

"OOOH I am going to BREAK this over you, Tyler...DON'T YOU DARE."

He'd opened his mouth with a twinkle in his eye, only for Selena's ice cold shutdown to cut him off.

"Well, selena? If you WANT to ruin some good wood, sad to say you'll have to wait for the time being. He's MY boyfriend."

Rey's charmingly sweet warning made the soldier chuckle and he looked at a laughing Sheamus.

"Are we good?"

"We are lad. And it looks like YOU'RE in over your head!"

"Oh I'mma walking deadman. Don't worry. It'll be fun."

The screen returned to Bridget and she smiled as he looked at her while Selena and Rey got into deep negotations for the soldier blonde's upcoming dryspell.

"Anything else?"

"Nothing right now. HAve fun."

She smiled and the screen died. Tyler turned back to the wheel and smiled as they cruised towards their port destination while Rey and Selena sealed whatever deal they'd made with a kiss before they retook their positions. The trip to Harla would take 12 striaght hours and put them in the bay at just after dawn. So, Tyler and Rey swapped out for Britbitch222 and Lilyflower22. The pink eyed blonde smiled as Tyler pulled her close in his captain's quarters bed.

"I missed this. Just me an you in bed together."

He kissed her.

"I missed it too. And just noticed it when you said something."

"I guess we were having a LITTLE too much fun."

"I guess so. But, you're MINE."

She smiled at that force and snuggled closer.

"You're MY badass hero! MINE! NO one elses!"

He kissed her lovingly and they settled for the night.

"Good night, Rey. I love you."

"Good night, Gore. I love you too."