Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V4 Salva, Chapter 2

"Secretary of Defense Charles Robinson, the recent Unity and Aristocracy assault has been repelled, making this the fifth successful defense of the City-State of Salva. However, I regret to report that our assault had limited success.

Colonel Hackett's Minutemen and USAM Special Forces, assigned to his command, have destroyed many key outposts and observation posts, flushing out the enemy. However, they have failed to find a weak point. Hackett will continue looking for a break and will keep the White House updated on any additional information.

Regarding Salva, the city is holding better than expected. The Minutemen commander's plot to install Princess Assiaya and use her to free the city civilians had bought enough loyalty to justify our control of the city. A few see us as occupiers, but most so far seem to accept the situation.

The city wall had withstood consistent artillery and direct attack from the enemy with minor damage because these blue crystals that have been programmed or enchanted (I have heard both terms be interchanged) add an additional hardness to the concrete. When there was damage, our concrete healed, and using mixtures similar to Roman Concrete (more refined than discovered on Earth) has been helpful. The City Engineer was shocked that we didn't use such properties during the reconstruction of the Salva wall.

The enemy artillery attacks have caused damage within the city. However, 4th ID damage control teams and engineers have responded efficiently. Luckily, our active area defense has proven useful, limiting the amount of collateral and civilian casualties. – Lieutenant General Sherman to The Pentagon

April 6th, 2069 (military calendar)

4th Battalion Aid Station, Salva, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

Thanks to the concrete walls halfway up the giant grain warehouse, Natilite could hear dozens of screams echoing in a way that silenced all other sounds, making her feel deaf. The overwhelming sound, combined with the sharp, iron-heavy smell of blood, made the genetically enhanced Templar feel sick. Still, she forced herself to continue treating every soldier she could—Altaerrie and Salva alike.

The recent attack had nearly breached a section of the wall, resulting in heavy casualties among the Allies. Yet, in the end, they had repelled the enemy. While most of the victorious soldiers went off to celebrate their hard-fought victory, the Templar's duty was not yet finished. She focused all her attention on aiding the wounded.

Carrying a bucket of bloody rags, the Angelic warrior transported it across the room and set it on a blood-smeared wooden table. A pair of furry hands reached out from the other side of the table and took the basket.

Natilite noticed that the hands belonged to a blue-furred, black-and-white-striped female Neko. To her surprise, the woman wore the red-and-white maid uniform commonly seen among Palace staff—like what Assiaya sometimes wore, though without the fashion flair. However, this woman wasn't a Palace maid but a Maidan from the Temple of Brevia. Natilite could only assume the feline and others had been given the uniforms to assist the healers in place of their religious garb.

"Thank you, my lady," Ayaka-Brevia said.

"No, problem," Natilite replied. "You've been wonderful. Is there anything else I can provide?"