In an army encampment twenty kilometers away from the portal where first contact was made, a soldier finally found his way to what was left of his forces.

“Colonel Johnson!” The survivor that practically spat in Jean’s face and somehow managed to survive it was almost in tears as he found his commanding officer.

Colonel Johnson sighed. The battle at the portal was definitely not going into history as a victory. Two regiments were wasted. The casualties were in the thousands. The only reason he was still wearing his uniform was because the military needed someone with experience with these intruders to pass down the experience.

He didn't say a word.

The survivor continued.

“Colonel! You won’t believe what I saw back there! All those roman...things are dead!”

His voice was filled with anger, not excitement.

“Yes.” Johnson replied quietly. It has been hours since that happened. U.S. satellites weren’t as good as Purifier observers, but they weren’t for show either.

“That woman could’ve saved us all! She took down all those romans with the snap of a finger! Who even is her?”

Colonel Johnson glanced at the survivor. The low-level foot soldiers didn't have a single clue about the Voyagers sent to protect them. They knew about the Protector Corps and the threat these portals pose, but that was about it.

“That is above your paygrade, soldier.”

The survivor suddenly snapped. He grabbed onto his helmet and slammed it into the ground.

“My entire platoon was wiped out, god damn it! Don’t talk to me about paygrades!”

Two guards walked in. Regardless of what happened or what they thought about the colonel, rules should always be enforced. What happened to the survivor didn't justify his actions.

The colonel sighed and waved his hand.

“You are tired. You should get some rest.”

Without waiting for the survivors’ complaints, the two guards escorted him out.

As he was finally left alone, Colonel Johnson reached inside his pocket and took out a cigarette. As he lit it up, his hands were shaking like hell. The simple act took him at least six tries.

The romans were powerful, but they weren’t what truly frightened him.

What truly frightened him was the Voyager and her attitude.

The Voyager had an army that was obviously superior than the forces of Earth. From what the satellite showed, she herself possessed immense supernatural prowess. But instead of using that army and that power to protect the people they were supposedly sent to protect, the Voyager sat back and used two entire regiments of unprepared, human soldiers to test the water.

Simple as that.

Right now, the Voyager was setting up her forces, ready to hold the gate. Information came in from all over the world, suggesting that her comrades were planning the same. Even now, shipload after shipload of her machines were delivered to across all seven continents. The local forces were completely excluded from the defenses.

One wrong move, and Earth would be involved in a full out war between two powerful factions with the actual occupants of this planet outside the contest. Their fate would reside on the decision of the side that won.

The Voyager forces were very advanced and plentiful, but the mysterious nature of the Romans also disturbed Johnson. He didn't know which side would win, but the one thing for sure was that Earth and the human race would pay a grave price for it. By the time victory was achieved, how much of Earth and its population would be left?

He finished cigarette after cigarette. His minds lost in thoughts.

Suddenly, Johnson found himself wandering about a simple question: Why were they even involved in this war? The human beings never wanted war. They never desired it, and they weren’t ready for one of this scale. Yet, the choice was robbed from them.

The answer was as simple as the question. They were involved in this war because they chose a side, and that side has a powerful enemy. These Romans, they were after the Protector Corps. Their dimension and Earth were simply in their way because they pledged to the Protectors.

But what if that was no longer true? Would the Romans still come after them if their loyalty was no longer with the Protector Corps? Was a faction that couldn’t even protect them deserving of their loyalty?

That day, Colonel Johnson thought about a lot of things.

---

“Mr. President, I was told that you were asking about how your government can help in this conflict.”

The U.S.N.A. government obviously wasn’t too satisfied with getting kicked out of the battle to protect their world. Shortly after the takeover, Jean received a demand from the President for conversation. Jean decided to skype him. She didn't have time to return to the White House and have a face to face conversation.

“Yes, Miss Turner. It is our responsibility. It just doesn’t feel right if we sit this one out and let you and your comrades do all the work.”

“In that case, I know just the right way for you and your people.” Jean smiled politely. “I am sending you a list of resources that will be critical to our defenses. Please have as much of them delivered to me as possible.”

The President wasn’t expecting this. He subtly glanced at someone or something beside him, likely checking for their opinions.

“Of course, Miss Turner, but I was wondering if we can help in a more...direct way.”

Jean rose her eyebrows.

“You are asking if you can send in direct military support to hold the portal.”

“That...that is correct.”

“With all due respect, Mr. President, your forces are unfit against these intruding forces. I believe the initial battle with the Roman vanguards has proven that.”

“Yes, but according to my military analysts, with sufficient support and a modification of tactics, along with some experience, our forces can qualify the task.”

The entire U.S.N.A. government desperately wanted to insert themselves into this battle. They knew it would come at a heavy cost. A small detachment of vanguards took down two full regiments and squads of armor. What would come through the portals would only be more deadly. Casualties would be off the roof. Regiments would be thrown into the meat grinder, with only bodies coming out.

But at the same time, the government couldn’t just rely on the Voyagers and hope they could hold the line. As far as they knew, the Voyagers were only here by mission. They had no tie to Earth. If they were suddenly ordered to leave or be moved elsewhere, then what? Earth would be left by itself in front of an overwhelming enemy.

Plus, even if Earth survived this one, and then what? The government’s forces would have had no experience earned in dealing with interdimensional foes in this conflict. It has already been proven that the Protector Corps couldn’t keep everyone safe. If Earth wanted to protect itself, it had to have its own sword, and war was the perfect forge.

Both the government and the military has decided to use this chance to enhance the troops. Plus, with the Voyagers present, it was unlikely their failure would lead to complete defeat and destruction.

Yet Jean had no intention to be a babysitter.

“Tempting. I admire the courage of you and your people.” Jean shook her head. “But I am afraid it will be better if me and my forces handle this by ourselves.”

On a broader scale, having a few thousand men into the mix could never hurt, but Jean had her own style. She treated battles like games of chess and units as chess pieces. Sometimes, her commands could be brutal. She was confident her mechanical armies would carry out every single one of her orders without fear or doubt. If she commanded a squad to hold the line while others fall back to safety, they would. If she commanded a squad to ignore their surrounded comrades and carry out a separate order, she could expect them to do just that without hesitance.

Human beings were a bit more complicated. No matter how highly trained they were, their emotions make them difficult to control. The last thing she needed would be an army of humans messing up her battle plan.

The President hoped to give an edge to his government using this opportunity, but she wasn’t sent here to improve them. She was sent here to protect them. She didn't care if she was teaching them fish or straight up stuffing their mouths with cooked salmon. So what if they starve to death after she leaves?

The President obviously had something more to say, but Jean quickly excused herself and ended the call. She was confident that despite her rejection, the government would still send over the resources she requested. After all, their survival depended on her decision. To reject her request would be to piss off the only hope they had.

Jean has sent out ships to the other planets for mining, but traveling, mining, and manufacturing all took time. As of the moment, Jean planned on setting up some more centers of manufacturing on Earth and using resources from Earth to build more Wardens and Purifiers and add to her army.

She turned to another set of hologram projections. On it were six different screens, each with one white-armored Warden Command Unit in the center.

“Creator, Asia detachment is in position. Setting up fortifications now. Estimated time until completion is 30 minutes.”

“Creator, Europe detachment is in position. Fortifications are already in place. Ready to repel hostiles.”

“Creator, Africa detachment is in position. Setting up fortifications now. Estimated time to completion is 25 minutes.”

“Creator, South America detachment is in position. Fortifications are already in place. Ready to repel hostiles.”

“Creator, Antarctica detachment is in position. Fortifications are already in place. Ready to repel hostiles.”

“Creator, Australia detachment is in position. Setting up fortifications now. Estimated time to completion is 10 minutes.”

“Very well.” Jean tapped a few keys. “I have sent over the updated algorithm on countering these hostiles. Download them into every unit and adjust the fortification accordingly.”

“As you wish, creator.”

As Jean turned off the communication, the portal a short distance away suddenly started mutating. Void energy exploded countless times around the portal every second, ripping apart everything around the portal. With one final burst, the portal expanded by nearly ten times. Warden units in the way of the expansion were pushed to the side by an invisible force.

And then, everything froze.

Jean slowly walked toward the portal. Behind her, a squad of tall constructs marched slowly. Their giant blades and large shields shined under the sun. They were Kashank Guardians, beings with a CAS of 150 specialized on defense. As of the moment, Jean no longer had rapid zerg regeneration. She was the perfect example of a glass cannon, and glass cannons needed protection.

As she moved, she tapped her comm once again.

“Send in a detachment of reserves to my area.”

The expansion of the portals could only mean one thing: the Romans on the other side were getting ready for the formal invasion. If the portal before the transformation could only let a few dozen men pass through at once, then the new one could let entire cohorts across. Legions could come through and overwhelm the defenders much more quickly.

Some of the Warden defenses were disturbed by the change in size as well. It would take time for adjustments to be made and reserves to be deployed, which was why Jean wished to buy some time.

She quietly reached out to the portal. All things can die, including interdimensional gateways. She didn't think she could kill the portal by herself, but she hoped she could at least delay it.

Black energy poured into the gateway. For a moment, the portal started corroding. Its structures were getting more and more unstable. But at the same time, more and more energy came in from the other side and stabilized everything. As Jean damaged, the other energy healed. By doing so, the other side of the portal combated against Jean’s effort.

The tug of war went on for another minute. The entire time, the volatile nature of the portal made sure not a single soul could get across safely. In the end, Jean failed to eliminate the portal, but her goal was successful.

Above her, five yellow and purple Purifier Capitalguards have jumped in. Tens of thousands of warping light beams sent an army of Swordsguards onto the ground. All of them had their runes activated. Rune blades and rune blasts capable of blasting holes through armored vehicles could be unleashed on command.

Beside the Capitalguards, 800 Cruiseguards dashed across. The Cruiseguards and the Capitalguards nearly covered the skies, blocking out the sun.

Jean was ready to crush anyone that comes across the portal. She quietly retreated to the rear of the defenses. She had no intention of being in the middle of the firefight.

And then, just as Jean’s units were perfectly prepared, the portal shrank and returned to its normal size.

At the same time, Jean’s comm rang again.

“Creator, we are under attack. Over 4,000 mounted hostiles have came across the portal and overwhelmed our forces. Estimations suggest the existing forces will be defeated within five minutes. Reinforcement is advised.”

Jean glanced at the source of the voice. It was from a Warden Command Unit in charge of defending a portal on the other side of the continent.

This was a simple diversion, but in a situation where she had no information on the army deployment of the hostiles, it worked like magic.