Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V2 Assiaya, Chapter 6

"Colonel Hackett, it is a warm welcome to meet once again. If you do not recall, we were part of the same USAM training exercise in Australia in 2062.

I am thrilled that your Minutemen are thriving in this new conflict, as you modeled them off my Royal Special Commandos. Typical Yanks take what we created and claim it as their own idea. Regardless, His Majesty is ready to face these lollipops in battle.

With all things considered, I heard what happened to one of your Combat Fire Teams, Comanche. I have a team on a training recon mission in the field. My Redcoats RSC team will redeploy and rendezvous with your Minutemen rescue teams. In addition, I will send my teams to fill in the ranks you had to abandon until the operation is complete." – Colonel Cooper Weston

March 10th, 2069 (Military Calendar)

Hiplose Forest, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

The Templar, Natilite, looked out through the camouflage netting of the tent, staring toward the highway to Salva. Hundreds of Aristocracy and other allied City-State soldiers were on the march.

"It looks like a battalion's strength," Forest said as he looked through his DMR scope.

"And we almost got caught with our pants down," Higgins said.

"It is why I wear a skirt."

Natilite saw the two men slowly look toward her before looking at each other. She could only giggle, enjoying toying with them. For energetic people, she found that they got shy quickly with a bit of pushback.

"I don't know how to respond," Higgins said.

"Oh... I do," Wallace said cheekily.

She rolled her eyes and slightly giggled. "That is why it is wise not to." She then looked back toward the marching section; she understood how correct Charlie Higgins was.

Comanche was driving directly into the Aristocracy section and had only noticed them after launching one of their drones. This allowed them to drive off the road and set up camouflage tents to hide. So far, it had worked, as the enemy continued marching toward their objective.

"This is taking way too long," Natilite mumbled.

"Don't worry," Forest said.

She looked at the Staff Sergeant with confusion. Their leader had been taken, and they were stuck until the enemy convoy passed.

"How could you not be worried?"

"Simple," Forest said. "Cannot worry about what you cannot control."

"Tell that to Gonzales," Higgins said. "He is still punishing himself."

Taking a deep breath, the Templar turned and saw the Filipino member of Comanche, Marcos Gonzales. It amazed her that the Altaerrie were one species; they had far more diverse pigments than usual. While this was common in Alagore, it was not to this degree. From what her new comrades said, the United States was a settler nation where people from all corners of the world had migrated to their country.

"Excuse me, gentlemen."

Natilite stood but still needed to lower her profile because of the net. She slowly walked toward the team medic and kneeled by his side. She could see he still blamed himself for losing their captain under his watch. It was a feeling she could relate to.