Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V4 Salva, Chapter 5

"Lieutenant General Sherman gave a surprised speech to the cadets at West Point yesterday. While the event was scheduled, he was invited because of the General Task Force in research of unorthodox warfare. He believed that the Pentagon had developed a tradition of using the military as a hammer against a rock, a nail, a bug, paper, and everything else, while avoiding more suitable options.

The Task Force looks at examples such as the Vietnam War, War on Terror, and the Cartel War, where the military was used, but the wars were lost or struggled to bring a clean victory. The idea was for his Task Force to enable the military to broaden its thinking about how to approach nontraditional warfare and to find strategies that might be more likely to win a conflict than hard firepower.

As part of the Speech, Lieutenant General Sherman said, "During the 2nd Punic War, the Romans followed tradition by marching into battle because winning a battle meant winning a war. As we know, this philosophy led to multiple critical and unnecessary defeats. It wasn't until Scipio Africanus that we understood why we fight battles. We do not fight battles because it is part of war; we fight battles to manipulate the geopolitical situation for future victory."

The General then cited Scipio's campaigns in Spain, which led to undermining Hannibal's campaign in southern Italy. That it isn't enough to engage the enemy; the battle must lead to a larger objective.

While the statement was expected by many, it left many puzzled toward the end of the speech.

"You will be the generation that defines our future. This will be your moment. We describe ourselves as the land of the free, God's country, but what have we done to deserve such a title? Many would cite the World Wars and the defeat of communism during the Cold War. Others might cite our technological innovation, as we were first to the moon and beyond. All good examples in their own right. But, if we look into our souls, is it enough? I believe your generation and the battles to come will answer that question once and for all. Destiny is in your hands; it is up to you to grab it."

Many consider the speech powerful, definitely looking inward rather than to expected talking points; others were left confused. The General surprisingly left before the Q&A, stating that he had to return to his recently new post in Colorado, which last most established the VII Corps that deals with Astralis warfare." – Inide News

April 7th, 2069 (military calendar)

Hiplose Forest, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

Staring into the wilderness, Benjamin Ford carefully studied the terrain, using his thermal scope to check for hostiles or dangerous predators. The land was rocky, with a ravine stretching toward Comanche's intended path. To the left, a ridgeline sloped down with a lone tree halfway along its descent.

"I doubt anyone is nearby," Ar'lya said.

Ford glanced at the Farian woman sitting on a boulder, watching Comanche climb the ridge. "How can you tell?" he asked.

"I can hear wildlife," she replied. "I don't care what world you come from—Altaerrie or Unity—civilized folks all have one thing in common: your machines are annoyingly loud."