"Scarlet... Scarlet..." A quiet voice called out to the young corporal.

She jerked her head around in all directions to locate the source of the voice, but all she could see was darkness. The voice sounded familiar,

"You are one of us now..."

The voice echoed through the darkness, filling Scarlet with unease. She struggles to identify the speaker and what she wants with her.

"Who are you?!" Scarlet demanded.

Gradually, a figure materialised before her, bathed in a soft, ethereal blue glow.

Scarlet's heart skipped as a mysterious being appeared before her. The woman with whitish-blue hair and crimson-red eyes was the one she had seen in her haunting visions. The figure emanated a sense of wisdom and otherworldly power; the glowing blue aura can be seen floating.

"You are one of us now," the woman repeated, her voice conversing with seriousness and reassurance. "You possess the strength within you that transcends the boundaries of both worlds."

Scarlet's mind raced, trying to comprehend the cryptic message. She had always felt a connection to something greater, an unexplainable force that guided her actions as she entered this world. Now, she faced this mysterious presence,

"What do you mean?" Scarlet inquired cautiously, her voice a blend of curiosity and suspicion.

The woman extends a hand towards Scarlet, but her gaze remains unwavering. "You have been chosen, Scarlet. The destiny of Valkyria rests upon your shoulders and your team..."

"I... I don't understand," Scarlet stammered.

The woman smiled gently, her blue aura flickering in response to Scarlet's uncertainty. "Embrace your destiny, Scarlet, and unlock the full potential of your abilities. Save Valkyria... Save Europa..."

Suddenly, the world surrounding Scarlet began to collapse, as if reality itself was folding in on her. She felt a surge of fear and confusion, desperately trying to grasp onto something tangible amid the chaos.

"No! Wait! What do you mean?" Scarlet cried out, her voice echoing into the void.

But the woman's figure started to fade, her ghostly presence diminishing with each passing moment. As the darkness closed in, Scarlet's mind raced with unanswered questions. She felt a profound sense of loss as if something crucial had slipped through her fingers.

Just as she thought she would be consumed by the darkness, a familiar voice pierced through the void.

"Scarlet! Wake up!"

Scarlet's eyes fluttered open, her vision slowly adjusting to the bright light of the sun; she was back in the husky. Tej stood by her side; concern etched on his face.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.

Scarlet took a moment to collect herself, her mind still reeling from the encounter. She breathed deeply, pushing aside the remnants of the dream, or was it something more?

"I... I'm fine," Scarlet responded, her voice carrying a mix of confusion and awe. "I just had the strangest dream. It felt so real."

Tej placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright, Mac? You collapse in the middle of the meeting; good thing the husky is nearby. And... Jesus...."

"What?... What's wrong?"

Tej hesitated for a moment before speaking; his voice filled with a mix of astonishment and concern. "Your eyes, Scarlet. They were glowing...red. It was like nothing I'd ever seen before. Your hair is also turning blue for a bit."

Scarlet's hand instinctively went to her face, feeling her own eyes and hair for any abnormality. However, they felt the same as always. She couldn't make sense of what Tej had witnessed or what it could mean.

"I... I don't understand," Scarlet murmured, her voice filled with uncertainty. "What's happening to me?"

Tej gently squeezed her shoulder, "Whatever it is, We'll figure it out, Mac. We always do."

Scarlet nodded, "Yeah..."

***

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Alistair remained in the conference with the Federation commanders, his mind preoccupied with the events unfolding within his squad. Confusion mingled with a sense of urgency as he sought to understand the weird circumstances surrounding Scarlet's collapse. And with his troops being transported to this new world of Valkiryia.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Alistair remained in the conference with the Federation commanders, his mind preoccupied with the events unfolding within his squad. Confusion mingled with a sense of urgency as he sought to understand the weird circumstances surrounding Scarlet's collapse and the strange occurrences Tej had witnessed and with his troops being transported to this new world of Valkiryia.

Why is this happening? Who is causing this?

Alistair can think of all the possibilities, but his thoughts are interrupted as a red-haired woman appears.

"Minerva," Claude spoke up.

"That's 'Lieutenant Victor' to you, Claude. Don't you get smart with me because we share the same rank? I've got seniority. So who is this person you got here?"

"This is Lieutenant Alistair Marsden. He and his team helped us with our defence against the imperial forces."

"And who exactly are these people?" Minerva questioned, her eyes roaming across their faces. Her tone sounded like she wasn't impressed at all by the presence of the lieutenant. Alistair could only assume the redhead was Minerva Victor. According to his counterpart, she's a hot-tempered, no-nonsense kind of woman, but he can see that she's young despite her rough and cold demeanour.

Alistair looked at the red-haired woman who had just entered the room with a mix of surprise and curiosity. He recognized her as Lieutenant Minerva, a seasoned and respected member of the Federation's military.

"Lieutenant Victor,"

Alistair stood his ground, meeting Lieutenant Minerva's gaze with unwavering composure. Despite her direct and forceful manner, he sensed a shared sense of duty and purpose within her.

"Lieutenant Victor, my name is Lieutenant Alistair Marsden. 40 Commando, K Company." He saluted.

Minerva cautiously eyes Alistair with suspicion. "40 Commando? Is this some sort of a joke?"

"I assure you, Lieutenant, this is no joke," Alistair replied, maintaining his composure. "My team and I were on patrol in the Middle East...."

"Ma'am, I don't know how to explain this but, I believe it would be better for me to explain this in private. Perhaps after this briefing,"

"I am not leaving here until I have an explanation." She turned to Claude with a stern frown. "You too, Claude."

Claude was visibly stunned by Minerva's sudden outburst. He looked at Alistair and his squad, unsure whether he should intervene.

Alistair sighs as he looks back at Minerva, "Due to all respect, I need to talk to you and you're superior in private. This is not a matter for a public audience. The less ears, the better. We'll leave my men here for the time being."

Minerva's expression remained unchanged. However, she can feel a sense of urgency and determination from Alistair. "Very well... Lieutenant."

***

After the briefing, Alistair and the rest of his team were escorted to a separate room, where a man wearing a blue trench coat was waiting for them.

"Lieutenant, My name is Lieutenant Commander Ranulf Forester,"

"Ranulf?" Alistair said in confusion.

"Yes, that's my name," Ranulf replied, his voice calm and steady. "It's not every day you hear a name like that, isn't it? So, let's talk, lieutenant."

"I guess there's no way of saying this nicely," Alistair begins. "We're not from around here."

"Not from around here? Where are you from then?"

"Sir, with all due respect, I would like to ask for your secrecy about what we're going to say."

"Very well, then. Go on."

"We're from another world, sir. A different Earth than yours."

The words hung in the air, a strange yet surreal sense of reality. Ranulf was visibly stunned, his expression shifting from one of disbelief to one of intrigue.

"Another world? Are you serious?"

"As serious as I can be, sir," Alistair replied.

Ranulf shook his head in bewilderment, his mind reeling from the implications. "How is this even possible? And why are you here?"

Alistair sighed, "I can't tell you the specifics, sir. But all I can say is that we were transported here through some kind of portal."

The commander gave and slight chuckle, "Why would I believe such a thing? You may look different but we going to need more proof..."

Alistair reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone and turned it on. "Maybe this will help, sir."

"What is that?"

"Sir, this is a smartphone. It's a device used for many things," Alistair began, explaining how a phone works.

He showed Ranulf the different functions of the smartphone, the different types of applications and the internet. The commander was astonished at the sight.

"Amazing, I can't believe such a device exists."

"Indeed, and if you don't mind, I'll be taking this back."

"Yes, yes. I think that's enough proof for now," Ranulf said, still in awe at the smartphone's capabilities. "I... need time to process this, Claude you can take them back with you."

"Yes sir!" he saluted.

"Thank you, sir," Alistair said, turning off the phone and placing it back into his pocket before taking his leave with his team.

David quietly sighed in relief as the two exchanged a shake of hands, worrying about the worst possible scenario that could happen. His mind was running in circling thoughts about how the commander would react if he were to be told that his team was transported from another world. He glances at Sergent Thomson who was also sharing the same concerns.

"What a bloody relief." The sergeant whispered.

David nodded in agreement, "Yeah, the last thing we need is an armed response. I'm just glad they believed us,".

Alistair glanced at his comrades, noticing the concern on their faces as they were being escorted back to the campsite. He reassured them, "Don't worry, I think things will be alright. But I can't say for certain."

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Commander Ranulf Forester's thoughts raced, processing the new information and the implications. If what Alistair and his comrades said was true, then it would mean that other worlds were real. Other Earths, with other peoples, other technologies, other cultures. The possibilities were endless, and the potential ramifications were mind-boggling.

However, a darker possibility came to Ranulf's mind, and it caused a shiver to run down his spine. Could there be other threats, other dangers? Other enemies? He didn't know the answer to that, but he had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that they were in for a bumpy ride. Their technology is more advanced than ours, Ranulf thought. If only they could get their hands on it.

He looked at Minerva who had been quiet during the whole exchange. Her eyes were narrowed as if trying to comprehend everything.

"So, what do you think, Lieutenant Victor?" Ranulf asked.

Minerva let out a sigh, her voice betraying a mix of frustration and confusion. "I'm not sure what to think. This is all just so...weird."

"I can't imagine how you all must be feeling right now. It's certainly a lot to take in."

"That's an understatement." Minerva scoffed.

Ranulf couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle. "Well, we'll just have to keep an eye on them. See how they handle themselves."

"You think they are a threat? I don't know about you, Commander, but I don't trust them."

"I wouldn't say that, Minerva. But they could be an asset to us. With their advanced technology and knowledge, we could use them." He turns to Minerva, "We need to report this to command."

Minerva sighed, "I'm not sure what to think about them. What if they refused? You think they'll join us?"

"I can't say, but they are stranded here. And with their technology, it's only a matter of time before the empire finds them. We have no choice but to accept them, Lieutenant. It either they stay with us or the empire..."

Minerva's face grew grim as she considered the implications. If the Federation didn't accept the team, they would be at the hands of the Imperial forces, who were merciless. They could potentially gain access to their technology and use it against the Federation.

"Fine, I'll let them stay. But, if they betray us, I'll kill them myself." Minerva huffed.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that, Minerva. Now, go report this to command,"

Minerva nods and follows Ranulf as they make their way towards the communications centre.

***

Back at the camp, Kai was keeping her eyes on the two soldiers like hawks. She didn't know whether to trust them or not. Her body was tense, ready to defend herself if needed.

She glances at Tej who is also keeping an eye on the rest of Squad E, a look of apprehension and caution on his face.

"I don't like this," Kai whispered. "I don't trust them."

"Relax, Kai. They seem like they are on our side." Raz spoke up, trying to ease her.

Kai shakes her head, "I don't know, Raz. We can't be too careful."

"Yeah, I get what you're saying, but we can't just jump to conclusions. We should give them the benefit of the doubt." He paused, giving a soft smile. "Besides, we don't know what these, 'Marines' are like. Maybe they are different from us."

Kai sighs, "I suppose you're right. But still, I don't like it. We don't know anything about them. They could be a threat."

Raz shrugged, "I guess we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?"

"I hope so," Kai responded, her eyes still fixed on the two soldiers. She felt a surge of anger well up inside her, and she clenched her fist.