Disclaimer: I don't own Gate–Jietai Kare no Chi nite, Kaku Tatakeri, Dungeons & Dragons, or Forgotten Realms but to their respective owners. On an added note, to all readers, this is a work of fiction and should entirely be considered in that context. Thanks, and enjoy the read. Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Chapter 3: Return to Sender, Part One

Three days. It has been three days since Thay's unofficial expeditionary force of over 5,000 men, along with several hundred gnolls and blood orcs, have gone through the mysterious gate that appeared within the vicinity of the Thaymount, and there has been no word from them ever since. Wizards trying to scry for their whereabouts have been met with failure. Divination magic as it seems can't pierce through the mystic veil of the portal. This has made Dmitra Flass worried.

"Anything?" expectantly inquired the lady Tharchion to the army's head diviner.

Unlike many wizards and nobles in Thay who follow the prescribed tradition of shaving their heads bare, Dmitra only 'half' subscribes to it by having one side of her head shaved while intricate tattoo designs cover that side instead of hair. Not like the fellow wizard she is inquiring with, where in his completely bald head is covered with twists and swirls of tattoos. His fellow wizards who specialize in divination sorcery were gathered within a tent, having just finished their magical session. Their shaking heads and doubting faces only confirmed the Head Diviner's answer to the lady tharchion.

"No your, Grace." the Head Diviner replied, referring to her by her honorary title of First Princess of Thay due to her diplomatic capacity, when in reality she is just another civil leader to one of Thay's more import Tharchs or 'provinces'. "No matter how good our divinations are, we can't seem to penetrate through the curtain of the gate's magic. It is simply too powerful for anyone of us here present."

"No need to apologize. I thank you all for your efforts. I shall covey this with Zulkir Nevron." She gave them a smile before they left the tent, leaving her to her private musings.

She did take it upon herself to authorize such a venture on short notice without the approval of the rest of the Tharchions and Zulkirs, perhaps a grave oversight on her part. But she needed Nevron's appeasement and thus his cooperation with regards with the gate. As a wizard herself, she believes such things should be studied as a collective by the rest of the Red Wizards. Especially of the ramifications that would entail when such a thing as a magical gate is involved. The gate could lead to new opportunities or serve as a doorway for an impending invasion. No one knows why such a thing appeared here in the middle of Thay or where it might lead to. Again divination magic did not reveal anything significant other than it obviously radiated very strong conjuration magic. And the gods seem silent as well to the auguries of the clerics present. And thus the advance force was sent, a risky gambit she knows but it is too late for second-guessing. She could only pray to the gods that they would return, and with news of what lies beyond.

The remaining Thayvian force, numbering 5,000, have set camp some distance away from the gate, to allow some space in order not be caught off-guard should anything other than their army emerges out. A number of spotters along with mages–who mentally control golems that have been set up as sentries by the portal's entrance–keep a constant vigilance for any signs of movement within the gate's dark confines.

It is night, and a number of large campfires dotted the encampment to provide light and warmth to the Thayvians troops and their nonhuman conscripts, for the Thaymount becomes bitterly cold during nights. Several wooden holders with everburning torches are erected around the gate for the benefit of the watchers to see better for any discernable changes or activity.

A gnoll bowman growled, its hyena head jutting to the air, sniffing at an unfamiliar scent. It is coming from gate. The canine-headed humanoid turns toward it and lets its dark eyes peer into the dark void within it.

"Me see sam thing" it yapped. Unlike humans, gnolls have keen senses and can see well in the dark. And when it saw strange heat signatures within the gate, its agitation brought the attention of its fellow human spotter nearby.

"Is it our army?" asked the Thayvian soldier of Rashemi decent while trying to pinpoint the gnoll's findings with little luck due to lack of special ocular capabilities for his part.

Unknown to many in Faerun not everyone in Thay is a Red Wizard, nor all come from the Mulan stock. A sizable number of the population are Rashemi. They are a dusky-skinned and a hardy kind of people and unlike their northerner cousins that are at odds with Thay, they have accepted their virtual subjugation after centuries of Mulan rule. But not like slaves, which Thay has in abundance, they are considered Thayvian citizens, second-class at best, but citizens nonetheless. They occupy many skills and professions which a lot of the Mulan Thayvians find demeaning or beneath them but are necessary in running a powerhouse like Thay. A majority of Thay's troops are Rashemi, and they take great pride in their duty, for the service and glory of the country which they consider their motherland.

The gnoll shook its head in response to the spotter's query. "No! Naat ouar armee. But straanj wagons. No hors pool. Maebee majik."

The Rashemi soldier frowned. He might as well be talking to a dog. But from what he can get from its crude Common Tongue, something other than their army is about to emerge out of the gate.

"Inform the commanders!" he shouted, relaying the call from one spotter to the other until it reaches to the main army. "Possible unknown enemies approaching from within the gate!"

Meanwhile, within the dark tunnel of the gate a convoy of military vehicles is pressing on though it with caution. At the lead of the column are three FV101 "Scorpion Tanks", their caterpillar tracks noisily making squeaking sounds while treading through the dimly-lit passageway, while a few similarly tracked M113A2 armored personnel carriers followed behind. The rest of the file composed of utility vehicles–jeeps and trucks filled with Philippine troops and equipment. All in all, the entire group is comprised of the 1st Scout Ranger Company, with elements of the Mechanized Infantry Division.

The force is being led by Lieutenant Colonel James Tecson, a veteran of many encounters with both leftist and Muslim rebels during the nineties up to the most recent which occurred a few years ago, the infamous Zamboanga City Siege, involving then a Muslim faction that thought to have come to good terms with government but then turned sour after feeling shammed and left out with the new peace deal with their brother faction–the BMRF. Highly decorated, Colonel Tecson has been dubbed as a fierce warrior and survivor by his enemies, having slain so many of them single handedly as well as surviving for days behind enemy lines, armed with only his wits. The renowned Scout Ranger leader sat at the front passenger side of the Humvee–which is located at the middle of the vehicle column. He is silently recalling the meeting he had with the Secretary of National Defense before this military operation went underway.

"Operation Pathfinder?"

"Yes, Lieutenant Colonel Tecson, the President has approved and has given his blessings over this operation to you. You're to lead a force of two-hundred men, not including several armored vehicles, through the Quezon Gate and try to establish a foothold on the other side. Once setup, you're 1st Scout Ranger Company is to conduct reconnaissance missions and gather much needed intelligence of the areas over there."

"Sir, I understand that we need to gather information here, but shouldn't we just wait for the Americans? They will be arriving here very soon."

"I know what you're getting at, Colonel, but this operation is highly confidential. Only the President and a select few under him know of this. Hopefully, the media hasn't gotten hold of this, yet."

"With all due respect, sir. Why all the secrecy?"

"It is the President's wish that we, the Philippines, try to stake a claim on the territory beyond, before anyone else, especially the American's, do so first."

"A bit ambitious aren't we here, Mr. Secretary. Never in the history of our country have we ever dreamed of territorial expansionism. Even with our disputes over the Kalayaan Group of Islands, and with Sabah, we have only gone so far as to rightfully claim them in spirit only."

"The more reason we should, Colonel. After all, it is within our very own soil. If there is anyone who has any right to the gate, and what it offers, it is us. Yes, we may not have the full capability at the present. But already, many concessioners from various industries around the world, even governments, are lining up in the hopes of getting a piece of the action here over the gate. With the monies and resources that are sure to pour in, the Philippines for the first time in history would become truly prosperous and great! Once that is achieved, we may eventually call the shots. At least, make things favorable to us."

Colonel Tecson shook his head. While he understands what is at stake here, he thinks the government is getting ahead of itself. For him politics and the greater good could never meet at the middle, especially with the lives of many Filipinos are at risk as long as the gate exists. He personally believes it should be destroyed or closed. Or at very least contained, and he hates to admit it but the Philippines cannot handle it alone. Not at the present anyway. There is also another matter that greatly concerns him.

"Mister Secretary. I don't think two-hundred men are enough for what the President wants us to do. Not with what we are up against. A scouting force, maybe. But to something of this magnitude we need at least 2,000."

It is the Defense Secretary's turn to shake his head.

"With the present political climate, we can't spare that many troops right now. The Americans are bound to arrive in three days. Hold your position until then. If things get out hand, improvise. That is what you Scout Rangers are good at, isn't it not? Are there any other questions you would like to bring up before you are dismissed?"

"Yes, sir. I do. With all due respect. Are you really sending us like lambs to the slaughter here, sir?

"No, Colonel Tecson. In behalf of the President, I'm telling you to do a job, and you will do it no matter what."

"Really sir? Because all I see here is a very flawed and rushed plan. I will not jeopardize the lives of my men all because for the staking of a claim on totally uncharted waters!"

"This is not Mamasapano, Colonel! We've learned so much from that incident. Thus the armor and heavy equipment we are sending to make such an instance would not occur again."

"Not like Mamasapano, but it could be worst. Please, Mister Secretary, tell the President to forgo this mission. Let us all wait for the Americans to arrive and assist us."

The Defense Secretary sighed. "I was hoping it would not come to this, but you leave me no choice. If you won't do this mission we other candidates waiting that might do so, younger and less stubborn, unlike you. Don't look surprised; you're not only one we considered in undertaking this mission. Would you rather entrust the lives of your men to someone less seasoned and capable? Do you, Lieutenant Colonel?"

"No sir. I wouldn't." he grimly answered.

"Then do your job, Colonel Tecson. Make sure many would return to their families and love ones. That and do this great service for your county. Are we clear?"

A radio message from the lead CRV brings Col. Tecson back to the situationer at hand.

"This is Alpha One to Gold, we're about to emerge out of the tunnel, over?"

"Roger that Alpha One, continue to proceed with caution. Keep us posted, over? Tecson responded through his radio mic.

"Roger Gold, that's a solid copy."

The lead Scorpion Tank, designated as Alpha One, eventually emerges out of the other side of the gate to be greeted with a darkened night sky and barren landscape for miles around. It stops, with its rear just inches away from the gate's opening, preventing the rest of the convey to proceed without Alpha One moving any further, or by going around the lead Scorpion Tank, for the gate is wide enough to allow two large vehicles to move abreast. The reconnaissance vehicle's gun turret slowly swivels from side to side allowing the gunner to view the surroundings outside through the tank's built-in image intensification sights, perfect for the night condition that is present.

"This Alpha One to Gold, we have emerged out of the gate, I repeat, we have emerge out of the gate. Possible enemy contacts sighted two klicks dead ahead. Estimated numbers – seven battalions strong. Shit!"

"What is it, Alpha One?!" exclaimed Col. Tecson to the two-way mic while trying to muster a cool demeanor. The convoy has not fully gotten out of the gate yet and all hell is about to breaks loose. In addition to the frantic cursing coming from the crew of Alpha One he could hear the sounds of loud banging of metal in the background as if their tank was being pounded by strong hard blows.

"Enemy has engaged us…Something like the Hulk is thrashing our vehicle!"

Colonel Tecson could not make out what Alpha One was trying to say. Panic of the unknown has probably gripped those men he thought. No doubt they have encountered some kind of monstrosity from the other side, and is threatening to jeopardize the entire mission. They have to push forward!

"Alpha One, get on the move on! You're holding down the entire column!"

"But, sir! This thing-"

"I don't care if you have run it over! Push forward! NOW! That's an order!"

"ROGER GOLD!"

Alpha One eventually moved, ignoring its monstrous assailant and allowing the rest of the convoy to proceed out into the open. They are greeted however by other hulking figures resembling the one that attacked Alpha One–half-naked giants whose bodies are made of solid stone. The things tried chasing after the emerging vehicles; those they caught up with were subjected to powerful blows from their stony fists, denting even the sturdiest of vehicles.

"This is Gold to all units! Once out of the gate, engage hostiles at will! I repeat, once out of the gate, engage hostile at will!"

It was chaos when Tecson's Humvee came out of the gate. The colonel saw many of the vehicles were in jumbled disarray, a few trying to avoid the stony goliaths. The rangers, with their distinctive red berets, were disembarking out of the APCs and trying to draw attention of the monsters away from the vehicles.

"Let them have it!"

They hailed the things with bullets from their assault rifles; unfortunately it had little effect on the monsters' hard rock bodies.

"Our weapons seem to have no effect on them!"

Their tactic however worked as the hulking brutes focused on them instead of the vehicles. An RPG man got a clear shot on one of the things.

This must be how Rambo feels, he amusingly mulled, smiling and having a great feel for the weapon in his possession–an Airtronic USA RPG-7 or the American version of the ever popular Russian rocket propelled grenade launcher. Flipping the safety off, he then pulls the trigger, sending the RPG round dead smack on the stone monster exploding on impact an engulfing it in a fireball. When the flames receded, the creature had a large hole on its belly. It lurches, trying to maintain its balance with some difficulty.

"Use your grenades and RPGs!" called out a squad leader to his fellow rangers. They much oblige to the order.

"Granada!" shouted one ranger as he tosses his M67 at the crippled monster. Others followed. The grenade blasts disorients, even damaging it a little, long enough for the two RPG hits to finish it off, crumbling into rubble as it falls. The rangers were exuberant at this as they shouted triumphantly.

"Don't celebrate yet men, there are still a couple of them left!" reminded their squad commander.

The other squads were not faring well. One of the stone giant's eyes glowed and flashed, subjecting its attackers to a strange force that affects and slows their motor skills.

"What's…happening? Can't…move…well…"

These rangers were in trouble. With their movement greatly hampered they were practically sitting ducks for the stone creature while it began swatting them like flies with its bludgeoning fists, sending them flying and broken left and right. Colonel Tecson saw this and gave the order to assist.

"Help those men up, and withdraw!" he ordered from the window of his Humvee to any and all who could hear him. He then brought up his microphone to issue orders to the Scorpion tanks. "Alpha One, Two, and Three! When friendlies are in the clear, bring the hammer down on those SOBs!"

"Roger, Gold!" replied the tank commanders, almost in unison.

By this time the rest of the vehicles were out of the gate and have spread out, at the same time avoiding the slower moving stone giants that went after them. More rangers from the trucks got off and fanned out in the hopes of not being caught in a bunch when attacked, while providing suppression fire to keep the monsters busy and distracted. The FV101s were now in a better position to deal with the enemies. They attacked from three different directions, catching the stonemen in a crossfire with their 76mm cannons. A stone monster's upper body was sheared off after receiving continuous tank fire. The other one was soon dispatched as well.

"Give me a sitrap!" called the scout ranger colonel, while directing the men to form a defensive line facing towards the suspected enemy positions. "And get those damn fires out!" He was referring to the torches setup around the area.

He scanned where the enemy is, their campfires giving away their positions. Seven battalions strong, 5,000 versus their measly 200. Even with their tanks and armored vehicles it won't be easy fight. The Philippine Army has been known to engage against enemies that outnumber them three to one at most, but against five-thousand?

"Sir! We can't seem to put them out!" reported a ranger, pointing out the torches.

"What do you mean?" asked Colonel Tecson, half puzzled.

"The torches, they just won't go off, sir. Also, the flames, they don't burn. It's so strange."

Magic. It is the only thing that came to mind. It has been a major topic of late, in the news and social media, of forces that modern logic could not explain or quantify, long after the first gate appeared in Japan. Even the gate here itself along with creatures that attack the capital three days ago, they all defy normal reasoning. But they are here, they exist, and so they are considered, for all intents and purposes, as facts! But it does not take a genius figure how put out something like magical light.

"If they don't burn then they could be covered or hidden at least?"

"I think so, sir"

"Then do it then. The less lights around here, the harder it is for the enemy to see us."

"Yes, sir!" They hastily went about doing what they were told to.

"Get everyone to setup their night vision equipment!" the Colonel ordered around, hoping at least it would give them some advantage in a possible night battle to come.

Dmitra's attention was brought to a commotion stirring outside of the tent. She discerns the word 'enemy' being uttered and knew that what she feared has finally arrived. The lady tharchion hastily strode out of the tenet and was greeted with the hustle and bustling of troops moving to their designated positions, in preparation for an imminent battle. She accosts a passing soldier, to glean the details out of him.

"What is happening?"

"Your Grace. An unknown force has come out of the gate. We are being prepared to meet them out."

"What of the army we sent forth? Have they returned?"

"Forgive me your Grace. I really don't know." The soldier bowed his head in apprehension, fearing that he might have displeased the tharchion.

"Forget it. Carry on!"

The soldier pounded his fist to his breastplate in salute before he left, somewhat relieved that he was dismissed without fuss.

Dmitra went to the command tent in search for the army's main commander, General Vlahdmeer. Finding him not there, she was directed to his present location at the frontline of the assembling troops. She found the General atop his mount already. Alongside of him is his adjutant, Borriz. Both are Rashemi of course, Vlahdmeer being the tactician, calm but commanding; while Borriz is a bear of man in all respects, a person of action and straightforward. They are presently receiving reports from all fronts of the army, from the war wizards at the rear to the spotters closest to the gate.

"Ah, your Grace, I've sent someone to fetch you. It's good you're finally here." spoke Vlahdmeer upon seeing Dmitra joining them. The lady tharchion got to the point.

"What is the situation, General?" she asked him.

"Our spotters saw them emerging out of the gate, your Grace. Shortly afterwards the unknown force engaged with the stone golems posted at the gate's entrance. There were loud noises and sparkling lights the likes no one has heard or seen before. A little while later, the mages controlling the golems lost contact with their constructs. Apparently the golems were defeated. " the general paused. Dmitra urged him to continue.

"Go on."

"The unknown force seems to be setting up a defensive position around the gate, and have not moved since. They number about two-hundred your Grace."

"Just two-hundred?" She can't believe it herself. For them to defeat golems they might be a force to be reckoned with.

"Probably scouts!" interjected Borriz in a boisterous tone, not bothering in properly addressing the lady tharchion, princess or not. "I say we rush in and crushed them, and secure the gate once more!"

"I agree with the loutish Rashemi. After all, by my right that gate belongs to me, for it appeared within the lands I hold."

"Zulkir Nevron." gasped Dmitra.

A man of advanced years but still exhibiting some hale, joined the assembled leaders. Accompany him were two unusual beings that only could generally be described as devilish. One is woman of dark angelic beauty, sporting a pair of blackish feathered wings on her back; while the other is truly monstrous to behold, for it has the appearance of giant insect standing upright on two spindly yet sturdy reptilian-like legs and wields a wicked polearm on its bony hands and arms. The soldiers gave the trio a wide berth, for they were in the presence of the Zulkir of Conjuration, one who is said to prefer the company of fiends than that of his own.

"Dmitra, I demand that you deal with this matter in the most expedient manner the soonest. Otherwise, I will have to take matters into my own hands. After all, I and my infernal and abyssal servants are more than capable of handling this situation than entrusting it to likes of you and your pansies from Eltabbar."

Borriz growled at this while gripping hard the haft of his great double-head axe. Vlahdmeer discreetly gestured to him to stay his rising temper. Dmitra retorted.

"Don't be a fool, Nevron! We need to deal with this threat together!"

A messenger suddenly interrupts the tirade among those present, delivering his report to General Vlahdmeer.

"Sir! The Centaur Cavalry is now ready and awaiting for your orders, General."

Vlahdmeer turns to Dmitra.

"Your Grace, if I may, let us send out the cavalry to test these invaders, so that we may further learn of their capabilities."

Dmitra angrily stared at Nevron's smirking face for a few moments before turning to her General.

"Make it so then."

The general nodded, turns back to the waiting messenger to issue his order.

"Send them out!"

Back at the gate, Lt. Col. Tecson's group have entrenched themselves around the portal, with most of them facing towards the huge enemy army. With little cover, the rangers were force to take on prone positions up front, while the Scorpion Tanks and APCs will be providing long range fire support behind them. They had their night vision goggles and equipment on, making the night almost as discernable as daytime for them.

"This is Alpha One to Gold. Enemy is on the move. They're sending what appears to be a cavalry force. My God. Do you see what I'm seeing?"

Tecson could see what they are so agitated about through his night vision binoculars–horses which are not horses at all but a hybrid of both man and steed. Centaurs. They are popularly well known in classic literature, but to see them in the flesh is can be awing to say the least. Now they are to do battle with these mythical creatures.

Like gnolls, many centaurs are native to Thay, and also get to serve in their armies. They do so with great pride and distinction, serving as a special cavalry force by allowing themselves to be ridden by riders into a fight. Such is the case with these centaurs that the Philippine Scout Rangers are about to face. Each has mounted rider armed and skilled with a bow on horseback, while there centaur mounts carries lances which they intend to use in a charge.

The centaur cavalry was moving at a steady pace which would gradually pick up speed as they close in for the rangers. They show no signs of letting up, as expected of them. To them, the Philippine troops are the invaders in this world, and they will do everything to foil their designs upon it. But for many of the soldiers present this is sort of a payback for the slaughter of many innocents committed by these monsters. Either way, both groups are fighting for what they believe in and ready to lay do their lives for those beliefs. The Thayvian mobile force was about 1,500 meters when Colonel Tecson gave the order for the Scorpions to initiate the bombardment.

"Alpha One to Three! Let them have it, NOW!"

"Roger! Alpha One, firing!"

The lead Scorpion fired its 76mm first, followed by the two others. Two shots were off, one hitting far behind the enemy cavalry while the other a few meters before it, both causing no casualties. The third HE shell however broke off a section of the row of centaurs and their riders with an explosion, sending them flying and in pieces. This rattled the cavalry force for a few precious moments, enough for the gunners of the tanks to make target correction with their primary guns. The next volley of shells was more accurate this time, delivering devastating results.

"They're using some kind of powerful magic!" said a centaur while dirt rained on him from an impact blast several yards from he stood, killing more of his fellows and their riders.

"Don't mind it!" answered his rider, a pretty Thayvian woman who is part of the ones leading this cavalry. "Everyone, CHARGE! For the Glory of Thay!" she cried out, managing to regain some order from the disarrayed mobile troops and having them flow her into a charge toward the ensconced enemy. Many of those who survived the barrage soon followed and shouted at the top of their voices, their war cries sending out an ominous drone into the battlefield as they charged forward.

"Steady men! Wait for my signal! Steady…" Colonel Tecson looked to his men, all in crouching positions and at the ready with their weapons aimed at the fast approaching enemy. When the charging force was within five-hundred meters from them, he gave the order.

"Weapons Free!"

A wide line of muzzle blasts from so many assault rifles, flashed like sparkling firecrackers sending a storm of bullets toward the centaur force. One by one the enemy bended and fell some much like a wicker from the hail of high velocity projectiles. These were soon followed with heavy machinegun fire and mortar bombardment from the supporting M113A2s.

Few of the centaurback riders manage to let loose a few arrows but they did little to damage the smaller yet highly superior enemy group. Eventually the five-hundred strong Thayvian Centaur Cavalry was all but wiped out.

"CEASE FIRE! CEASE FIRE!" ordered Tecson to his men, while spying on his binoculars. The few stragglers appear to be returning to their main camp. This exercise has been nothing short but a complete, initial victory for the Philippine Scout Rangers, but it is only a matter time before the rest of the enemy decides to make its move. Overall, two rangers are severely injured by the stone creatures earlier and needs immediate medical attention; while two others got hit from stray arrows but appear to be in no danger. By securing this side of the Quezon Gate, and initially establishing a foothold, Operation Pathfinder could be considered, so far, a success.

The leaders of the main Thayvian force looked in astonishment as the battle that transpired between the two opposing groups. Never have they seen such kind of magic used before, and at such magnitude, by such an army that it almost rivaled in what the Red Wizards would use. Even at the relatively safe distance of their camp from the raging battle, they could tell that the centaur cavalry was being overwhelmed. Among the regular troops and lower tiered wizards talks of apprehension was spreading over the battle's dreadful outcome.

"Are those magic missiles? There are so many. Are they all spellcasters?" a young mage spoke his mind.

"They also seem be in command of so many fireballs, and at a fast pace too. I can't cast that many at such speeds." another wizard joined in in wonderment.

Their words, and others, reached Dmitra's ears and she did not like the effect it was having to the bulk of the army. They had to move fast and be decisive. Perhaps a full out assault is in order. But up against such display of 'magical' firepower, they cannot hope to escape with considerable losses.

"I must say," Nevron started. "Now is the time we use the same tactics that were implemented when we took the Wizards' Reach."

Vlahdmeer frowned at this mention but sees it as one that would ensure certain victory.

"You speak of using fire elementals then, Zulkir?" It was a statement, not a question from the Rashemi General.

"That among other things." The old conjurer's smirk broadened into an evil smile. He turns to Dmitra, waiting for her input. The lady tharchion and Zulkir of Illusion sighed.

"Very well. Let us show these invaders what Thayvians and Red Wizards are capable of."

Glossary:

CRV – Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle. In this case the FV101 "Scorpion Tank"

M67–U.S. standard issue fragmentation grenade