Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V3 Vagahm, Chapter 5

"To everyone on this mail chain, confirm your messages. I thought the FBI plant within the Gaia Salvation Front said that the organization agreed to accept full responsibility for the Colorado attack. Why is it a stupid channel IronTruth video going viral saying they have an inside source that the organization had nothing to do with the attack?

The President wants to know what is the plan to contain this leak. We cannot let the most extraordinary discovery in human history to be made public through a plant. I would like to add that if we went public after the first contact, as I recommend, we wouldn't be in this situation.

Regardless, the DOJ needs to tighten up its security to prevent this from happening again. The White House wants a detailed report on how our PIs will address this issue and how to contain the story. What about the feed channels we operate to redirect attention to the fake eco-terrorist story?" - Counselor to the President Robert Murry

March, 18th, 2068 (military calendar)

Hiplose Woods, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

With Comanche navigating through the thick forest, Benjamin Ford followed Ivy's makeshift dirt path, which their engineers had created. This allowed the Rangers to reach the front line quickly. However, the rain had made driving the elevated road troublesome.

As the Sergeant drove through the muddy trail, he noticed a black tree scorched from what he couldn't tell, only that a significant battle had happened because of the dysfunctional terrain. The signs of battle were everywhere.

"It looks like the Rangers gave them hell," Higgins said.

"Maybe," Ford said. "From what I understand, this engagement happened two days ago, and we have only gone this far. And from what I hear over the radio, there is a major engagement up ahead, so that isn't far."

"The Vampires are extremely territorial," Fraeya said. "Not as expansionist as the humans and kiriyaks but are aggressive when provoked if someone invades their lands, they take it personally."

"Hey," Ford said. "They attacked first."

"I have no love for them," Fraeya said. "They took my father and betrayed the Coalition to save themselves. I dream of your people burning their country to the ground."

"I guess the saying is true," Higgins said. "Who has the most beautiful flower has the sharpest thorn."

As they passed the previous days' environmental scares of battle, it was clear to Ford that the Americans won whatever nameless battle was waged here. It was clear that the enemy was determined not to give up. When Ryder was taken, Colonel Hackett ordered an assault into this forest. While the intention was to create a corridor for a Quick Reaction Force to sneak behind enemy lines and rescue the missing Minutemen and British teams, the primary objective was to push the enemy as far away from Salva as possible.

The operation succeeded initially; however, the enemy refused to route. The Verliance Aristocracy Order—which, according to Natilite, is like an Army Brigade—put up a brave fight until they received reinforcements.

Army intelligence had limited information on the size of these reinforcements. All they knew was that they were sizeable enough that the enemy could recapture multiple fortifications within the forest and recapture the momentum. This was why Colonel Hackett deployed the Minutemen to help Ivy and the Rangers. Buy time to allow for an orderly withdrawal back to Salva.