"This is pretty sad actually," Aura commented as I walked through the sea of bodies.

"I know what you mean," I replied, trying not to throw up at the sight of thousands of obliterated corpses. "These guys never stood a chance."

I watched as dozens of vultures swooped down to feast on the remains of the deceased.

Over the last couple of days, we repelled multiple attacks from the people of this world. I was surprised that even when it completely obvious we wouldn't be defeated, they still kept coming.

Currently, we were checking the battlefield for any wounded.

"Who would send so many men out to die?" I asked as I checked a body for a pulse.

"I know," Aura answered. "Not only does it amount to so many needless deaths, but it also leaves a country without any form of defense."

"Or it would weaken all the potential enemies of a single country," I suggested.

Neither of us said a word after that. I eventually came across Kurata and Itami examining a crater created by a mortar.

Kurata turned to me. "Hey, find any survivors."

I shook my head. "You?"

"Nothing. Did you hear the report? Intelligence says they lost sixty thousand."

"Plus another sixty thousand in Ginza," Itami spoke as he stood up with a broken bow in his hand. "Two army cores worth of men."

Kurata scratched his head. "Don't tell me you're worried about them."

Itami briefly looked over his shoulder at him. "A hundred and twenty thousand people? Why would they send so many?" He threw the bow in frustration. "What kind of country are we fighting?"

"I was wondering that myself," I commented. "Did you guys know how that the sections of the knights were wearing different kinds of armor?"

They both nodded.

"Do you think it's possible someone could've sent them all here to eliminate the threat of neighboring countries?"

Kurata was surprised by my suggestion. "You don't seriously think someone would do something like that. Do you?"

"It makes sense," Itami said. "How else would you eliminate the threat of your neighbors?"

I picked up a damaged helmet. "Even so, I'm pretty sure we'll encounter them again."

As Itami met with our superior, I decided to meet with our teammates.

First, there was Sergeant First Class Akira Tomita. He works as the JSDF dog handler and skydiving instructor.

Next was Leading Private Daisuke Tozu. The guy has an interest in money management.

Then came Sergeant Wataru Katsumoto. He serves as the .50 caliber machine gunner.

The next Leading Private was named Higashi. I didn't learn much else about him.

Sergeant Shino Kuribayashi was the first female member on the team I met. I could tell she had a short temper and was easily angered. She was also sadistic and enjoyed fighting.

Then there was Master Sergeant Tetsuya Nishina. He has a friendly and laid-back personality.

The third Leading Private was Hayato Sasagawa. He serves the LAV's .50 caliber machine gunner. He is also a photographer.

The fourth Leading Private was named Hitoshi Furuta. He is a pretty passionate chef and wants to experiment with the variety of unknown spices and flavors found in the Special Area.

The Sergeant Major is the oldest among the squad members at the age of 50. His name is Sōichirō Kuwahara. He has a well mannered and serious personality and is regarded as something of a father figure among the squad.

Finally, there was the second female member of our squad; Sergeant First Class Mari Kurokawa. Being a nurse, she mostly talks calmly like a lady, but she can be sharp-tongued when she thinks the situation warrants it.

Overall, these guys were a motley crew if ever I saw one.

"So what's it like being the ambassador for America?" Katsumoto asked me as we waited for Itami to arrive.

I shrugged. "It has its ups and downs. Comes with a LOT of work."

"Sounds boring," Kuribayashi commented.

"You have no idea," I responded. "It's driving me mad."

"That position comes with a lot of responsibility," Kuwahara spoke. "You need to remember not to neglect your duty."

I sighed. "Yeah, I know. Still sucks though."

After about thirty more minutes, Itami finally showed up.

"Fall in," Kuwahara ordered.

After everybody lined up, he saluted Itami.

"3rd Recon Team, ready to go, sir."

"Hey old school," Itami greeted cheerfully, returning the salute. He looked over the team. "How we looking here?"

"Is it me or does he look nervous?" Aura asked.

I looked over at the guy and saw a couple of tiny sweat drops on his forehead.

He's nervous, I answered.

"I knew it."

Itami gave the team a nervous smile. "Uh, thanks for falling in or whatever, I'm lieutenant Itami. Nice to meet you."

He mumbled for a few seconds before continuing.

"Alright, let's get cracking folks."

"You're kidding," I heard Shino speak. "This is the dipshit they sent us?"

Aura and I snickered.

Kuwahara turned to the team. "Mount up!"

Everyone prepped their weapons and boarded the jeeps. I sat in one that contained Itami, Kurata and a few others. I dozed off after about an hour on the road with Kurokawa waking me up a few hours later. We had come to a stop at a small village.

The people there steered clear at first but soon warmed up to us. Using a translation book, we managed to establish a friendship with the inhabitants of what was known as Coda Village.

We moved on soon after.

"Man, it's nice out here," Itami commented as we drove through the land of the other world. "Just like I hoped it would be."

"Oh, come on Lieutenant," Kurata remarked. "We've got beautiful scenery back home. I mean, for me, I was figuring I'd see freakin' dragons flying around. Maybe a fairy or two."

I held back a snort as the driver continued.

"I mean, just look at the towns we've seen. Just boring old humans all over the place. I'm pretty disappointed."

I let out a small chuckle, receiving a small smack to the side from Mari, who was trying hard not to smile.

"Oh yeah, that's right, you got your whole cat-girl thing," Itami replied.

Aura and I struggled to contain our laughter. After calming down, I tuned out the rest of their conversation.

"So, are you enjoying this universe so far?"

It's alright. Pretty interesting so far. What do you think?

"Eh, it's alright. War is not my cup of tea."

Well, I can understand-

At that moment, Itami and Kurata were singing some kind of song. Aura and I help couldn't help but laugh out loud.

By sundown, we were still on the road.

"By the way," Tomita spoke as he looked over his weapon. "What are we doing with gear that's like ancient history? I mean, our vehicles seem modern and up to date don't they?"

"Cost management perhaps?" I suggested.

"He's probably right," Itami commented. "They figure worse case we might have to ditch 'em and run like hell."

"So we were given weapons we can afford to lose," Tomita surmised.

"Besides," Itami continued, "all the new stuff has all that gadgetry that needs G.P.S. No satellites out here so no need for it am I right?"

"We're just bringing along what we need," Kuwahara, who was ready something on paper, added before turning to Kurata. "Kurata, there ought to be a small river coming up here in a little bit, all right? Follow along the banks for a while and we should get a pretty good look at that forest they were telling us about."

"Got it, Top," Kurata replied.

As we followed the river, we all got into a conversation on where to set up camp, that is until we spotted an enormous cloud of smoke in the distance.

We stopped on a small hill a few miles away from the forest which was currently ablaze.

"It's on fire all right," Kurata commented.

"And a big one at that," Aura remarked.

"What the hell could've caused it?" Itami asked.

Kuwahara, who was looking through binoculars, handed them to Itami. "You gotta see this one for yourself, Lieutenant."

We all watched as a giant, fire-breathing dragon flew above the forest.

"Holy shit!" I let out.

"That thing's like King Ghidorah with only one neck," Kuwahara spoke.

"You really are a classic aren't ya?" Itami responded.

"Lieutenant."

We all turned to see Shino approach.

"What would you like us to do sir?"

"Sergeant Kuribayashi," I addressed her, "can you could hold Lieutenant Itami's hand for me? He's looking pretty scared over here."

She turned away. "Never in a million years."

"Is that a no?" Itami asked as Kurata sheepishly laughed.

We were all startled when the dragon let out a mighty roar. Everyone got their weapons ready but the dragon flew off into the distance.

"Guess it's bugging out," Kuwahara surmised.

"So think about it," Itami spoke. "Why would a dragon just burn down an entire forest with nothing else around?"

"Well Lieutenant," Kuribayashi answered, "If you're really that curious about it. I'm sure our new dragon friend would be happy to sit down for a quick interview."

Itami turned to her. "Are you always like this?"

"Don't you guys remember?" I spoke, pointing toward the blazing inferno. "The people back in the village told us there was a small settlement within that forest."

Everyone quickly grew tense.

Itami turned to Kuwahara. "Hey, Top. We're gonna have to wait to set up camp."

"Got it," he answered. "We're back on the move, people!"

We returned to the jeeps as thunder raged and lightning snaked across the sky.

The next day we investigated the burned down village but there was really nothing left but rubble and burned carcasses.

"We need a and over here!" Itami suddenly said as he and Shino looked down a well.

I rushed over to see what they had found and was stunned to see a girl laying at the very bottom.

And his is chapter two of the story. I apologize for the wait.

Today is my 20th birthday, guys.

I hope you enjoyed reading.

This is the EZ-GMR,

logging out.