From the observation tower of the fifth training ground on G-88, I watched my subordinates during the ground training exercise.
The geography was putting the attacking side at a major disadvantage, and the multiple units were finding it difficult to work together.
I clutched the radio in my hand and yelled my orders at Squadron B: “Squadron B! Move forward, now! Squadron C is behind you and waiting for your asses to move!”
It was difficult for Squadron B to advance because the intense suppressing fire from the enemy hiding ahead of them was overwhelming.
Squadron A was attempting a flank attack, but they too had been stopped by a small number of enemy powered suits that were attacking them from either side.
“Commandant, we’ve received a weather report from the carrier ship Siren patrolling offshore,” Elise reported. “Visibility is expected to drop rapidly due to low air pressure. It’s going to be difficult to introduce further ground units or provide landing support...”
I checked the weather radar and quickly realized that Elise was right; there were no viable landing sites.
In the four hours since the operation started, we’ve put about 600 soldiers on the ground. I doubt we can do much more with just landing craft. All I can do now is have them withdraw and pin our hopes on a secondary landing operation.
“End the training exercise,” I ordered. “Let’s say that half of the attacking forces on the ground were killed while withdrawing. Have each unit reorganize with that in mind.”
“Understood.”
I announced the end of the training session over the radio. Then the intense snowstorm rapidly dissipated and rays of sunlight broke through the clouds.
Ursna’s higher mages really are something, I reflected. It’s hard to believe that when 200 of them gather, they can change the weather within a 50-kilometer radius. I’m glad they’re on our side. Without them, we’d never be able to train for an invasion operation in Antarctica.
“Commander, perhaps we should employ the strategy that Kouki improved on in the past?” Elise suggested with her head bowed.
Now that the training was over, she was going back to calling me “Commander” instead of “Commandant.”
Yes, Kouki’s polar region strategy was looking like our most effective option. There was just one problem.
“That strategy involves having our elite forces rush the enemy’s headquarters,” I said. “I realize how effective it could be. We’d be entering the region from outside of the atmosphere using intercontinental ballistic missiles. But to do that, we’d have to fly.”
“That means...”
The only one capable of flying a powered suit with the necessary flight parts installed was Kouki. The rest of us could only hover for a short time, and even that took great effort. I had no idea how much training it would require until we could actually fly.
And based on Miki’s descriptions, there was no way to know how much experience Kouki had amassed before learning the ability himself.
“Training will resume after two hours,” I said. “Until then—”
I was interrupted by the sound of a knock at the door.
Who could that be? We’re in a training facility more than 1,800 kilometers away from Noa Island, so I doubt it’s a visitor.
“Come in,” I said brusquely. “You’d better have a good reason for—”
With my permission, two beautiful women entered the room, both accompanied by guards.