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 adjustments provided were incorrect, resulting in a saturation bombardment close to 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 on Alagore for two weeks but need to move 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 set up a long-term situation properly. 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, working closely with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Because creating an airfield at this moment, we will be forced 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 with experience in landscape surveys to begin a crash course training 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, 2068 (Military Calendar)

Yuplenia Mountain Range, Verliance Aristocracy

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

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

The Unity caught them with their pants down, and the only reason they made it out of their trap was the foresight of having 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 that the Americans faced 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, the human, 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-eye girl named Assiaya. She stood about chest height, holding 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 made her wear.