Ad Astra - The Alagore War

AA V4 Salva, Chapter 17

"To the grand Crusaders of the Katra, I am your Grand General Dulok Jijdon. As you know, the five nations of Cordinlane fought for the scraps while the rest of Alagore lived in prosperity. And yet, we left the darkness and emerged into the light.

Since the the founding of our Unity, each one of us knew we had a purpose. The five nations of Cordinlane - under the guidance of the Katra we came together, putting aside our differences and built the greatest nation Alagore has ever seen!

With out prosperity, our enlightenment, you Crusaders have successfully spread across our Moon, bringing the Katra teachings to all corners of those who wish to dwell in the dark. We have brought light, prosperity, knowledge, and salvation to all. Take heart that with all of your sacrifice, Unity has saved millions to the true path to enlightenment.

There are those who have resisted, a test of your constitution. Faulter not, that those who CHOOSE to remain on the old path is not your devotions ill but theirs. Continue the march, continue the battle, and the day will come when you will lay down your weapons forever. The day will come when all of Alagore, not just our Unity will live in prosperity. No more starvation. No more poor. No more division.

Many believe the false Mother, Tekali have summoned the Altaerrie. They are no threat. Demons from another world, only serving to be a final test against our will. Embrace this final test. Our Unity shall endure, and once we crush these humans from another world, our destiny will be complete. And only then, the Gods will arrive and will finally be equal. Now fight!"

April 18th, 2069 (Military Calendar)
Hiplose Woods, Former Confederacy of Daru'uie
Nevali Region, Aldrida, Alagore

*****

Standing amid the ashes of the supply base, Lord Kallem Verliance surveyed the devastation. The recently built warehouses lay in ruins, their contents obliterated. Twisted remnants of vehicles, barely recognizable, held little value even as scrap.

This scene had become all too familiar. The Altaerrie's relentless attacks on their supply lines had wreaked havoc, and even Unity struggled to counter these Minutemen.

"My Lord," Oralit'ee said, approaching. "We've gathered the survivors. They all tell the same story."

"Altaerrie missiles?" Kallem asked.

"That's what they claim."

Kallem turned to the skeletal remains of a giant amplifier tower, its upper half obliterated, the orb shattered across the outpost. The pattern was routine: small-scale infantry strikes crippled defenses, followed by long-range artillery with uncanny precision.

What puzzled him was the timing. Why had the Altaerrie only now unleashed these tactics after a protracted siege? Field Marshal Verlcon Korva theorized coordination between the long-range strikes and ground operatives, a strategy that emerged only after the Minutemen breached their blockade.

"Do any survivors know how this happened?" Kallem asked.

"I'm sorry, my Lord," Oralit'ee replied. "My forces will continue hunting the Minutemen."

The idea of retribution pleased Kallem, but he knew it was futile. By the time Oralit'ee's J'avais clan located the Altaerrie staging ground, the battle for Salva would likely be decided—either an Aristocracy victory or a forced retreat. Diverting manpower now risked weakening their defenses, especially with the upcoming operation demanding every available soldier.