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, 2069 (military calendar)

Hiplose Woods, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

As Comanche navigated the thick forest, Benjamin Ford followed their escort's makeshift dirt path, which the Rangers' engineers had created. The route allowed the Rangers to reach the front line quickly. However, the recent rain had made driving the elevated road troublesome.

As the Sergeant drove along the muddy trail, he noticed a blackened tree, scorched by something he couldn't determine. He knew a significant battle had occurred here—the signs of combat were everywhere.

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

"Maybe," Ford replied. "From what I understand, this engagement happened two days ago, and we've only made it this far. And from what I'm hearing over the radio, there's a major engagement up ahead, so yeah... it isn't far."

"The Vampires are extremely territorial," Fraeya said. "Not as expansionist as the humans and kiriyaks, but they 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 replied. "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 day's environmental scars of battle, it was clear to Ford that the Americans had won whatever nameless conflict had been waged here. Yet it was evident the enemy was determined not to surrender. When Ryder was taken, Colonel Hackett had 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 rout. The Verliance Aristocracy Order—which, according to Natilite, was like an Army Brigade—had 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 sizable enough for the enemy to recapture multiple fortifications within the forest and regain momentum. This was why Colonel Hackett had deployed the Minutemen to help the soldiers and the Rangers—buy time to allow for an orderly withdrawal back to Salva.