Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V4 Salva, Chapter 11

"Prime Minister Mohan Kalita, and the Union Council of Ministers. Last month's report regarding what is going on with the Americans has been confirmed. The Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is confident that the United States are preparing for war.

Our department intercepted a message from the Secretary of Defense, Charles Roberson. He addressed the primary defense corporations and stated that they all should prepare for a rapid procurement of equipment. The focus is a land war. Air assists are being invested at no additional funds in their sea-based navy. To our confusion, we have failed to identify exactly who the American target is.

Area IV has provided a list of proposals for what the Americans might be about to attack.

The Iranian-Russian Alliance space piracy has been gaining heat in recent months and with the incent with a covert attack. However, no one believes the Americans will wage a land war against either nation. When we inquired with the IRA for details, they refused to provide any information as if they knew something.

Some believe the Americans are plotting to intervene in the French (with their Western European League block) and the Turkish Empire over Martian territorial disputes. This could explain the sudden disappearance of the US 4th Infantry Division two months ago. However, this only raises more questions. Why wouldn't the US deploy its specialized unit for this type of campaign, and why would USAM intervene in this conflict?

With the strange sudden obsession with Colorado and the disappearance of US Divisions, everyone in RAW, Area IV, believes the Americans are on the warpath again. As of now, we have no idea who their target is and, more importantly, why?"

April 10th, 2069 (Military Calendar)

Kasin Beach, the former Confederacy of Daru'uie

Great Kasin Lake, Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

Walking on the mossy, wet wooden pathway, Assiaya hid her arms in her oversized military jacket, trying to stay warm from the freezing sea air. It had only been an Alagore Standard Time (AST) week since her last visit, and she hated the cold sea air of this village, regretting her return.

Feeling miserable from the environment and the stress of what happened at Vagahm, the Princess wanted to go home. At first, she was confident that going rogue to follow up on this hidden quest was the right thing, but now that they were here, she felt as if bugs were crawling inside her.

"No, Assiaya," she thought. "Stay strong."

"Maybe Father will have a fire ready," the voice said.

"A fire...," Assiaya imagined a prominent fireplace with hot tea.

After the dual-eyed girl sneezed from the cold, Captain Murphy turned to the dual-eyed girl and asked, "You holding up, kid?"

She looked up at the large man and nodded. While cold, she was warm enough and determined to complete the mission.

"Tough kid," Murphy said. "You don't need to be a macho man, so if you need anything, just ask."

Up ahead, she saw the walls of the fishing village. The protective barrier, built from wood and discarded metal ship hulls, had some sections reinforced with brick, as she recalled from her last visit. Everything about the defense was patchwork, matching the village's interior. The girl never understood why the wall was incomplete, possibly because they failed to finish it or because it was decaying.