Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V3 Vagahm, Chapter 1

"To the Speaker of the House and Oval Office, I have finished preparing an outline of the tasks below. With the discovery at Mount Olympus on Mars, it has shaken many elements of the government. This discovery has proven to be challenging to handle in an ever-changing world.

The CIA recently reported that the Indians and Russians know we have discovered something on Mars; however, we still do not know exactly what we found. Outside of our core USAM allies, only the French knew of the facility. With resources suddenly diverted to the dormant volcano, we expect the other Great Powers to monitor the situation carefully.

We continue to tell the story of how NASA-JAXA discovered a rich vein of lithium that the general public has bought. As long as we maintain a minimal presence, focusing on mining rather than the military, the cover story should hold long enough for the topic to fade from the public square; however, that raises the issue of deploying additional military forces.

This brings me to the primary issue. The alien construct identified as Akuma has proven to be a threat. A second expedition team was deployed into the facility, encountered two machine warriors, and was forced to retreat. It is clear that these robots are protecting the facility.

I propose to hold off on additional teams until a primary base can be established at the entrance. We still need to determine whether there is a connection among the three worlds (Earth, Mars, and Alagore). I spoke with the newly appointed NASA director, Lauren Grace, who said we are children playing with a nuclear bomb and should be careful.

However, the head of Space Command, USSF Major General Harris. Believed the potential wealth of technological knowledge could be gained from this facility, based on the defenses. From his reports from Alagore, the enemy has proven more advanced than they expected." - Counselor to the President Robert Murry

March 16th, 2069 (military calendar)

Palonpulas, The Unity of Cordinlane

The Valley of Beginnings, Cordinlane, Alagore

*****

It was another bright day over the beautiful city of Palonpulas, with sunlight reflecting from the dew of the morning rain. Councilman Orthrendia Isorkoia of the Xarok Higher Chiefdom had a clear view of the plaza below, where a large crowd gathered for the common mini-festivals.

The people were routine, to the extent that they almost acted like a mob rather than a civil gathering, which was typical of such festivals. Only a few guards were needed to maintain order, as the people were only spiritually involved in seeing the execution. Everyone knew not to interfere in the affairs of the Temple of Enlightenment.

A dozen prisoners from Aldrida were escorted out of a prison carriage by the Temple elite guards. Many were Lats from Hispana, others Noble Elves from Thali'ean, and others from the resistance of fallen kingdoms. In front of them was the High Priestess from the Temple of Enlightenment, leading this festival and wearing the standard uniform: a long gray dress with blue lining around the collar and the lower half of the sleeves. Around the waist was this brown leather band.

Seeing the Temple's involvement made Orc Councilmen chuckle. The Unity had been waging this war for nearly two decades—all to erase the false Goddess Tekali's influence on Alagore. Step by step, the people's armies had dismantled and erased the Temple of Astral Emilinya's presence. Every empire, every city, every village—nowhere was left untouched.