Chapter 193: War

Chapter 193 : War

Noah followed the steady stream of students moving through the military training camp toward the main hall. The summons had arrived without explanation, only an order requiring every designated training group to assemble immediately.

By the time he left his quarters, the walkways between the barracks were already crowded, and instructors stationed at intersections were directing everyone toward the same building.

Students from several years were mixed together in the crowd. Noah recognized many from his own year, but older students wearing the insignias of advanced training groups were present as well.

The camp rarely gathered so many students unless something affected several training units at once, and the presence of additional military personnel around the hall made the summons even more unusual.

Noah spotted Daniel, Claire, and Ethan near one of the entrances. Daniel noticed him approaching and immediately raised a hand.

"There you are. Please tell me you heard something useful on the way here, because Claire has already rejected every explanation I’ve come up with."

Claire crossed her arms.

"Your explanations included a surprise planetary deployment and a fifty-kilometer run before lunch. Neither one was based on anything except your imagination."

"I said they were possibilities. I didn’t say I had evidence."

Ethan looked toward Noah.

"Did your summons contain anything besides the time and location? Ours didn’t explain why the entire camp was being gathered."

"No. Mine only ordered me to report here. Garran hasn’t mentioned anything about a new mission either."

Daniel sighed.

"Then we’re all equally uninformed. I was hoping being an Aelwyn would occasionally come with advance notice about the dangerous things we’re about to be dragged into."

Claire glanced through the entrance.

"There are senior Imperial officers inside. I recognized two insignias from an earlier deployment briefing, and several of the officers aren’t normally stationed here."

Daniel’s amusement faded.

"You’re certain they’re Imperial command?"

"I wouldn’t bring it up if I wasn’t."

Ethan looked past them toward the hall.

"Then I think we can finally abandon the running theory."

Daniel gave him a wounded look.

"I already admitted it was unlikely."

Claire shook her head.

"If Imperial command traveled here specifically to watch you run, you probably committed a crime without telling us."

Daniel laughed as they entered.

"At least that would give me an explanation for the summons."

The main hall had been constructed for large military briefings, and nearly every section was filling. Rows of seats covered the lower floor while elevated sections along the walls held additional students. Instructors moved through the aisles directing people toward open seats and keeping the central passages clear.

Noah and the others found places halfway from the raised platform. Several senior officers stood at the front alongside camp instructors. Some were familiar, while others wore insignias Noah had never encountered before.

The atmosphere gradually changed as the students noticed them. Conversations continued, although the volume steadily dropped.

Daniel leaned toward the others.

"I officially withdraw every harmless theory I had. Nobody brings this many senior officers together to announce an ordinary training exercise."

Ethan nodded toward the platform.

"I’ve never seen this many different training groups assembled in one place either. Whatever they’re announcing probably involves everyone here."

Daniel glanced toward Claire.

"You see? Ethan can speculate without assuming we’re about to die."

Claire smiled faintly.

"I never said we were about to die. I said the officers make this look too serious."

Several minutes later, one of the senior officers stepped forward. The remaining conversations faded as instructors motioned for silence, and the officer waited until the hall had settled before speaking.

"You have been called here because the Empire’s current military situation has created an opportunity for field experience."

Noah focused fully on him.

"The Empire is presently engaged in a large-scale war against another galactic power. Our opponent is the Astragoth Empire."

The reaction inside the hall was immediate. Students straightened in their seats, and quiet conversations started before quickly fading again.

Noah had heard the name before during discussions concerning major powers beyond Imperial territory. He knew the Astragoths were considered a genuine rival to the Empire, but he had never studied them in detail.

Daniel lowered his voice.

"That is definitely not the announcement I expected."

Claire kept watching the officer.

"I don’t think anyone came here expecting to hear that students might be involved in a galactic war."

The officer continued.

"This conflict involves multiple planets, planetary lords, and civilizations operating across separate battlefields. The Astragoth Empire possesses the military power required to wage war across numerous worlds simultaneously."

Noah understood why students from several years had been summoned. Their operations on Edras had involved large armies and multiple planetary gods working in different sectors. This war expanded the same basic idea across many planets.

"Imperial command has authorized this training camp to deploy students into selected areas of the conflict."

This time, the murmuring spread throughout the hall.

Daniel turned toward Noah.

"Did he actually say they’re deploying us into the war?"

Ethan responded while keeping his attention on the front.

"He said selected areas. Imperial command obviously isn’t going to drop trainees into the middle of whatever front has the heaviest fighting."

Daniel looked at him.

"I still wanted confirmation before I started planning how to survive this."

Claire leaned forward.

"He’s giving you the confirmation now. Listen."

The officer raised one hand, bringing the hall back under control.

"You will not be entering a simulation. Students selected for deployment will enter active war zones under Imperial military supervision. Assignments will be based on your present capabilities, and Imperial forces will already be operating in the regions where you are sent."

His gaze swept across the students.

"You are not being sent to direct this war or replace veteran planetary lords. Your purpose is to contribute to specific operations while gaining experience in warfare conducted on a large scale."

Noah understood the reasoning. The camp could organize exercises involving thousands of soldiers, but every participant still operated within a planned training environment. A genuine enemy would not cooperate with instructors or stop because a lesson had reached its intended conclusion.

The officer turned toward the projection behind him.

"Before assignments are discussed, you need a basic understanding of the enemy."

An image appeared on the screen.

The creature possessed a long serpentine body covered in thick scales. Its general shape resembled an enormous snake, although its body was far heavier and more muscular. The broad head and thick torso gave Noah the impression of something built to smash through obstacles rather than move around them.

"The primary species of the Astragoth Empire is the Astragoth. They are a monster-like serpentine species whose bodies vary greatly in size. Even smaller individuals possess considerable physical strength."

A second image appeared beside the first, showing an Astragoth several times larger.

"The most important battlefield principle concerning them is straightforward. As an Astragoth grows larger, its physical strength, durability, and destructive capability also increase."

Students throughout the hall began taking notes.

"If you encounter one significantly larger than the others around it, adjust your response. Weapons or tactics that work against a smaller Astragoth may not produce the same result against a larger one."

Daniel stared at the projection.

"That’s an unpleasantly simple rule. Bigger snake, bigger problem."

Ethan studied the difference between the two creatures.

"At least nobody can claim they misunderstood the warning when something that enormous appears."

Claire narrowed her eyes.

"I want to know what the military considers small. If their smaller individuals are already dangerous to trained soldiers, then something several times larger could require entirely different weapons."

Daniel glanced at her.

"You have a talent for taking a bad situation and making assumptionsin making it worse."

"I’m trying to understand what we’re expected to fight."

"You’re succeeding. I now understand that I want several hundred meters between me and anything on that screen."

The projection changed to footage of Astragoths fighting. One drove its body directly into a formation, scattering soldiers and equipment. Another wrapped itself around a fortified position and tightened until sections began collapsing.

"Astragoths rely heavily on their own bodies during combat. Their serpentine forms allow them to constrict targets, crush enemies beneath their weight, ram through formations, and destroy defensive positions through direct physical force."

Another image showed projectiles striking thick scales.

"Their scales provide natural protection, and larger Astragoths can endure considerably greater punishment. If one reaches your position, physical strength alone can make it extremely difficult to stop."

Daniel watched the footage carefully.

"So the obvious answer is to kill them before they get close."

Claire nodded.

"That works until you’re defending something you can’t abandon. If the assignment is protecting a fixed position, we need enough firepower to stop them instead of relying on distance."

Ethan added, "We also need to know their speed. Something enormous is dangerous already. If it can cross open ground quickly, defensive planning becomes much harder."

Daniel looked back toward the projection.

"I’m adding that to the list of questions I want answered before anyone sends me through a portal."

The Astragoths immediately reminded Noah of his recent thoughts about Eldrath.

Rourke’s civilization had developed through martial strength, allowing individuals to reach levels ordinary goblins could not match. Eldrath had followed a technological path. Its goblins remained physically weak, but firearms, organization, communications, vehicles, industrial production, and coordinated firepower allowed them to fight enemies who were individually stronger.

The Astragoths represented another approach. Their own bodies provided their battlefield strength.

A goblin caught in close combat with one of them would face a severe disadvantage. Eldrath would need to keep the creatures at range whenever possible.

Rifles might work against smaller Astragoths if their scales could be penetrated reliably. Machine guns could concentrate sustained fire against tougher targets, while RPGs and artillery might be required against larger ones.

Armored vehicles could provide heavier weapons and protection, and aircraft might attack without allowing the Astragoths to close the distance.

Noah refused to assume any of those weapons would automatically succeed. He did not know how durable the larger creatures were, and the briefing had already established that size increased their ability to withstand damage.

The projection changed again.

"Students assigned to the war will be permitted to deploy military forces from their own planetary civilizations."

The announcement immediately stirred the hall.

Daniel leaned back.

"Now we’ve reached the part that’s going to keep half this camp awake tonight."

Claire glanced at him.

"Were you expecting Imperial soldiers to fight while we watched?"

"I was hoping there might be an educational observation position somewhere very far from the front."

Ethan smiled.

"Your dedication to field experience continues to impress me."

Daniel ignored him.

"I’m serious. Choosing to enter the battlefield ourselves is one decision. Choosing how many soldiers from our planets come with us means we’re responsible for the consequences."

Claire’s expression became more serious.

"Anyone who treats this like a camp exercise could lose a large part of their military."

The officer continued.

"Your forces will operate alongside Imperial units in assigned areas. You may reinforce defensive positions, support offensives, protect important locations, or assist planetary lords already deployed in the region."

His voice became firmer.

"You must decide how much manpower and equipment you are prepared to commit. This is a real war. Soldiers can die, units can be destroyed, and equipment can be lost. A reckless decision can result in the destruction of your entire deployed force."

The hall quieted.

"The Empire will take extensive measures to protect students during deployment. Those measures do not guarantee the survival of the soldiers serving under you."

Claire lowered her voice.

"That means everyone has to decide what their civilization can realistically afford to lose."

Daniel nodded.

"Sending the largest army possible might look impressive until you return home without half of it."

Ethan turned toward Noah.

"Eldrath has a much larger population than most student planets. Would a major loss be easier for you to replace?"

"The population would recover the numbers eventually, but soldiers need training, officers, weapons, vehicles, and experienced commanders. Replacing people doesn’t instantly rebuild an army."

Daniel nodded.

"Exactly. A large population helps, but it doesn’t magically replace trained units."

The officer continued explaining that deployed artillery, armored vehicles, aircraft, transports, and other equipment could also be destroyed. Noah mentally reviewed Eldrath’s military forces as he listened.

The goblins possessed rifles, machine guns, RPGs, artillery, trucks, armored vehicles, airships, aircraft, radios, and the logistical organization required to support large formations.

Noah had many possible deployments available, although choosing one before receiving his actual assignment would accomplish nothing.

The projection shifted to a map containing multiple worlds.

"Planetary gods cannot prepare for future warfare through controlled exercises alone. As you advance, you may participate in conflicts involving numerous planets, planetary lords, and civilizations operating across different fronts."

The officer gestured toward the map.

"This deployment will allow you to experience that environment while veteran Imperial commanders remain responsible for the larger operation. Carry out your assigned mission, follow the chain of command, observe how large-scale campaigns are coordinated, and learn how different planetary forces operate within the same theater."

Noah studied the map.

Karthis had shown that technology and organized warfare could allow physically weaker goblins to defeat stronger enemies. The Astragoths would test that principle against creatures built around overwhelming physical power. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

Noah wanted to know whether rifle rounds could penetrate their scales, whether machine guns could stop a charge, how RPGs and artillery performed against larger individuals, and whether armored vehicles could survive if an Astragoth reached them. He also wanted to see how aircraft performed in a battlefield where the enemy’s full capabilities remained unknown.

The officer eventually moved into the final part of the briefing.

"You will not deploy immediately. Imperial command is still finalizing student assignments. Before deployment, you will receive detailed information concerning your destination, battlefield conditions, expected Astragoth forces, and the Imperial units operating in your area."

Daniel relaxed slightly.

"Good. I was starting to wonder whether they planned to march us straight from this hall into a portal."

Claire looked at him.

"You would complain even if they gave you three days."

"Of course. Proper preparation includes discovering everything you forgot before departure."

Ethan glanced at him.

"You mean food."

"Food is logistics, and every competent commander respects logistics."

Claire laughed.

"I doubt Imperial command will delay an offensive because you forgot your snacks."

The officer’s final warning quickly returned everyone’s attention to the platform.

"Successful training exercises do not give you permission to ignore experienced commanders. The Astragoth Empire is a genuine rival power. Follow the officers responsible for your sector and remain within your assigned mission. Reckless action can cost thousands of lives from your civilization."

Noah understood the warning clearly. He had no reason to rush into danger simply to prove what Eldrath could accomplish.

The officer stepped back.

"Prepare your civilizations for possible deployment. Individual and group briefings will begin once Imperial command finalizes your assignments."

The hall quickly filled with conversation as students began leaving.

Daniel turned toward Noah.

"Now that we know our own forces are coming, what are you thinking of sending?"

"I have several possibilities, but I’m waiting for the assignment. Infantry with heavy support could work for a defensive position. A mobile force built around vehicles would fit a campaign that requires constant movement. Aircraft could be useful too, but I want information about the battlefield before committing them."

Claire nodded as they moved toward the aisle.

"If we’re holding prepared positions, artillery could be extremely useful. If we have to keep moving, bringing too many heavy units might create problems."

Ethan joined them.

"And we still need Astragoth speed. If something the size of a building can move quickly, every plan based on keeping distance changes immediately."

Daniel looked between them.

"So we’re collecting information before deciding exactly how worried we should be."

Claire smiled.

"You can worry now. The rest of us are deciding what information we need."

"I can worry and prepare at the same time. I’ve had plenty of practice."

They joined the flow of students leaving the hall.

Noah’s thoughts remained on Eldrath as they returned to the wider roads of the military training camp. Karthis had already shown what technology, numbers, communication, and organization could accomplish against physically stronger opponents.

The Astragoths would provide a harsher test.

Noah still did not know how many soldiers he would deploy or which weapons would prove effective against the enormous serpentine creatures. The coming briefings would give him the information needed to choose his forces, and the battlefield would eventually answer the questions that remained.

Eldrath’s next deployment would place its soldiers inside a genuine galactic war, fighting an enemy whose greatest advantage came from overwhelming physical strength.