Shambled (Aldnoah Zero X Nihonkoku Shoukan) [Abandoned]

Chapter 1: New World, New War

Forward Base Alpha

At the ruins of the former Lourian fort, dozens of towering Kataphrakts stood motionless. Tents were being laid out, walls were being repaired, and tons of equipment was being installed. The Mustang Brigade had taken up position, garrisoning the fallen fort. More auxiliary units were being sent, along with additional personnel, as the return of combined arms tactics against technologically inferior foes became increasingly necessary.

In their headquarters, Lt. Marito was reading through documents, his eyes widening slightly. With him were Inaho, his sister Yuki, Rayet, Calm, and other core members of their combat unit, who had been with them since they discovered Deucalion on Tanegashima. Across the tactical table stood several new faces, part of the reinforcements.

"So, as Interim Ruler of Emergency Military Government, General Vasily Petrov has declared several honorary awards and promotions," a captain, her voice sharp and commanding, announced to the room. "Lt. Marito is to receive a triple promotion to Colonel and is now the commanding officer of this unit. Ensign Kaizuka Inaho is promoted to Warrant Officer. Additional reinforcements include the 285th Motor Rifle Battalion, 72nd Logistics Support Unit, 629th and 113th Mechanized Battalions, and the 437th, 104th, 99th, and 15th Infantry Battalions. Lastly, the 502nd Training Kataphrakt Group from Far Eastern Federal University are slated for integration on Colonel Marito unit. Thus, Mustang Brigade will be rebranded as the 1st Tactical Assault 'Mustang' Division."

"This is unexpected," Marito muttered, looking at the documents in disbelief. "Too hasty, I believe."

"We're in chronic shortages of experienced officers in Primorsky Krai," Masha Rubanov explained. "Half of the officers have only been in service for two months, fast-tracked from classrooms. Most of the seasoned officers were deployed worldwide as the Martians invaded. A third of them have died, mostly in the fighting in Beijing and Tokyo, or haven't returned, even with the effective ceasefire between Earth and Mars."

"And you?" Marito asked.

"I am Staff Sergeant Masha Rubanov of the 72nd Logistics Support Unit. Nice to meet you, Colonel," she replied, snapping to attention.

"We've got a lot of units," Marito said, scanning the paper. "But..." He trailed off, murmuring in a low tone.

"But, sir?" Masha inquired.

"Undermanned," Marito uttered. "4,000 men for a division? To be fair, we have an additional 36 Kataphrakts. Even if they're trainers, they’re good as force multipliers. I can't really complain since our core unit consists of trainers to begin with." He contemplated for a moment. "But what can I do? This is all I can get," Marito said with a shrug.

"Yes, but we're recognizing that additional units are expected to arrive and be integrated into the Mustang Division," Masha responded. "A mass reservist mobilization has already been passed, but the focus is on securing our borders and monitoring for any disturbances. Our Ternaysky District, which connects to this unknown land of Louria, is the current concern. However, many back in Vladivostok are speculating of potential foreign landing operations on our shores. The Pacific Fleet Vladivostok and the remnants of Kuril DesRon are currently preparing for sorties and systematic rotations to ease the burden on our ground forces, with support from aerial surveillance and patrols from the Air Force. While our region hasn’t been a hotspot and has never been attacked by the Martians as they've focused on major cities, which resulted we're relatively safe but not fully geared for total defense," she explained to Marito.

"What do you think, Inaho?" Marito asked, turning to him, their eyes meeting—Inaho's cybernetic eye crossing paths with Marito's gaze.

"We have a larger unit now, which broadens our tactical freedom," Inaho began, choosing his words carefully. "As Staff Sergeant Masha mentioned, until things calm down back home, we can't expect additional reinforcements since they're stretched thin. However, there's only a narrow stretch of land here. If we entrench properly, no land invasion will be able to pass us. The remaining challenges are in the air and at sea."