Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V2 Assiaya, Chapter 17

"To Secretary of Defense Charles Robinson, I have assembled a Task Force regarding the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) issue on Alagore. As you heard, during the Battle of the Hiplose Forest, two of our soldiers were wounded in a recent "friendly" artillery fire. The coordinates provided were incorrect, resulting in a saturation bombardment near our recon teams.

As you already know, we cannot utilize traditional communications and navigation doctrine. Our junior and non-commissioned officers have done an excellent job improvising around the issue, using digital markers and small UAVs to calculate distance for fire support. However, I do not need to explain the limits of the makeshift tactic. We have only been operating in Alagore for two weeks, but need to move the infrastructure there as soon as our foothold is secured. This is tolerable if we remain in a defensive position, which the enemy is forcing us into; if we wish to go on the offensive, we will need our infantry to provide position coordinates for proper fire support.

Assuming Colonel Hackett can hold the city of Salva will give our rear forces time to properly set up for the long term. Combat resources will remain the primary focus to maintain our foothold, but I am preparing this new geology survey task force to address this issue. Major General Taylor Webster (4thID) informed me that they do not believe they will have the area secured to begin construction of an airfield based on the intensity of the enemy attacks and unexpected demand on resources for the defense of Salva, the situation around the dwarf borrian (Vagahm), and the northern printer.

I am directing my Terrestrial Operations Command to lead the task force and work closely with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Because creating an airfield at this moment will force us to survey on the ground, something our troops have not done since the Second World War (Context: Without satellite and/or aircraft support). We have contracted with private companies experienced in landscape surveys to begin a crash-course training for our task force. Hopefully, by the time this course is complete, the situation around Salva will have improved, allowing us to work on the greater area. - Major General Harris, Space Command

March 13th, 2069 (Military Calendar)

Yuplenia Mountain Range, Verliance Aristocracy

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

Benjamin Ford handed an MRE to a group of former prisoners. While the prisoners maintained order, the situation was stressful, as they had been freed from Orlatus Airport and were taking their first breather.

The Unity had caught them with their pants down, and the only reason they had made it out of the trap was the foresight to have Combat Fire Team-Ghost provide a rear guard. This allowed the Comanche and Redcoats to escape while the enemy was regrouping. It was the first time the Americans had faced the Unity. While they escaped, it was clear that they were more advanced than the Verliance Aristocracy.

While handing an MRE to a Nagal militiaman, Ford spoke to him before walking away. The Sergeant couldn't understand the man, but he could tell the human was thankful for the meal. He then prepared to hand over another MRE to a guardian; however, he noticed someone was trying to get his attention.

Looking toward his right, Ford noticed that it was the dual-eyed girl named Assiaya. She stood about chest height, holding out her hand as if she wanted something. She was still wearing the olive-green men's T-shirt that covered her entire body and the basic body armor that Ryder had made her wear.