Chapter 198: Final Briefing

Chapter 198: Final Briefing

Noah arrived inside the Imperial starfortress through one of its controlled transportation points and immediately noticed how different the structure felt from the military training camp.

The corridors were not built around classrooms, dormitories, or training grounds. Everything he could see served an active military purpose.

Imperial personnel moved through marked passageways in organized groups. Supply carts rolled along designated lanes while soldiers passed through secured doors after identification checks.

Officers carried reports between different sections, and several groups of troops were being directed toward parts of the fortress Noah had never seen before.

He did not try to determine what every corridor or secured section was used for. The starfortress was far larger than the part involved in his mission, and exploring its other functions would not help him prepare for the invasion.

An Imperial soldier was already waiting near the transportation point.

"Lord Noah, the officers responsible for your operation are ready for the final briefing. Please follow me."

Noah followed the soldier through several secured corridors until they reached a briefing room separated from the busier parts of the fortress.

The room was smaller than the halls used for large military meetings. A projection table occupied the center, and several Imperial officers were already positioned around it. The high-ranking officer who had explained Noah’s special assignment stood at the head of the table.

"Take your place. This briefing will cover the final information you need before Eldrath’s invasion force begins transferring into the starfortress."

Noah moved to the open side of the table.

The officer activated the projection, and a planet appeared above the surface.

"This is the target assigned to your operation. Imperial command refers to it as Planet X-317."

Several markers appeared across the projected world.

Noah studied the distribution of the markings before looking back toward the officer.

"How much of Planet X-317 has been surveyed?"

"Enough for Imperial command to approve the operation and select your initial landing area. We have reliable information on the planetary population, the general combat capability of the Astragoths there, and the region where your first force will land."

The projection shifted until multiple populated regions were visible.

"Planet X-317 contains millions of hostile Astragoths."

Noah examined the marked regions more closely.

"Are those millions spread across the planet, or are they organized into a few major concentrations?"

"They are spread across the world. You are not being dropped in front of several million Astragoths gathered into one army."

That distinction changed how Noah viewed the population figure.

Millions of enemies across an entire planet represented a long campaign. Millions concentrated around the first landing zone would make establishing a foothold nearly impossible for the initial force.

The officer changed the display again.

"The Astragoths on Planet X-317 are classified as ordinary by Astragoth standards. Reconnaissance has not identified unusually powerful individuals or elite concentrations around the landing region selected for your force."

Noah looked toward him.

"If the planet contains millions of enemies, why did Imperial command consider it suitable for a trainee invasion?"

"Because total population does not determine combat difficulty by itself."

A second image appeared beside the planet. It showed the body of an Astragoth.

"The local Astragoths follow the same body-cultivation path discussed in your earlier war briefing. Their development focuses on making their bodies larger, stronger, tougher, and more destructive."

The officer indicated several sections of the projected body.

"Their muscles become stronger, their scales become harder, and their physical force increases. They treat their own bodies as their primary weapons."

Noah had already heard the general explanation of Astragoth combat, but the information now applied directly to the enemies his goblins would soon face.

"So the danger on Planet X-317 comes mainly from their numbers and physical strength."

"Those are the two main battlefield concerns identified by reconnaissance."

The projection changed again, this time showing the atmosphere around Planet X-317 and the expected insertion route.

"Reconnaissance has not found a conventional anti-aircraft network on the planet."

Noah looked toward the marked regions below the projected descent route.

"No anti-aircraft guns or missile batteries?"

"Nothing comparable to the conventional anti-aircraft weapons used by technological militaries."

The absence of those weapons explained why Imperial command was willing to use escape pods for the landing. A developed anti-aircraft network could track and attack the pods during descent, turning the insertion into a much more dangerous operation.

The officer continued before Noah could treat the lack of conventional anti-air weapons as complete protection.

"That does not mean your descent will be uncontested."

Noah looked back toward him.

"What can the Astragoths use against the pods?"

"Their physical strength."

Another image appeared. It showed an Astragoth lifting a large rock.

"Some Astragoths are strong enough to throw heavy objects toward descending craft once those craft reach lower altitude. Rocks, broken stone, and other objects large enough to damage a pod can be used if an Astragoth is positioned beneath the descent path."

Noah followed the projected route from the upper atmosphere toward the surface.

"So they cannot build an organized anti-aircraft screen, but individual Astragoths can still attack a pod when it comes close enough."

"That is the correct way to understand the threat."

Noah pointed toward the pod displayed beside the route.

"How much damage can the escape pods survive?"

"They are designed for planetary insertion. They can withstand atmospheric stress, heavy vibration, and a degree of impact damage."

The officer kept the explanation specific.

"They are not indestructible. A sufficiently powerful direct hit can damage a pod or destroy it."

Noah did not need exact armor measurements to understand the consequence.

Some of the goblins might be killed before reaching the landing zone, and some pods might arrive away from their intended positions.

"The landing force needs to be prepared for missing or damaged pods."

"Yes. Your commanders should not build their plan around every pod reaching the exact point assigned to it."

The officer then changed the projection again.

The view moved toward one region of Planet X-317 until a broad elevated area filled the center of the display.

"This is the designated landing zone."

Noah studied the terrain.

The selected area was a large plateau raised above the surrounding lower ground. Several natural approaches led toward the top from different directions, while other sides were much harder to approach directly.

The officer highlighted the routes that reconnaissance had identified.

"Imperial command selected this plateau because it gives your first force a defensible position while the landing is still underway."

Noah traced the marked approaches with his eyes.

"These are the main routes large groups can use to reach the top?"

"Yes. The plateau is not impossible to attack, but the elevation reduces the number of practical approaches."

The officer enlarged the plateau.

"That allows your first units to begin organizing defenses while later escape pods are still descending."

The military value of the position was easy to understand.

The first goblins to reach the surface could not simply wait until every escape pod landed before preparing for contact.

If nearby Astragoths reacted quickly, fighting could begin while a large part of the invasion force was still in the air.

A plateau with limited approaches gave those early units a position they could defend without being surrounded immediately from every direction.

The officer continued.

"The area surrounding the plateau is less heavily populated than several other regions of Planet X-317."

Noah looked toward the larger planetary display.

"But the world still contains millions of Astragoths."

"Yes. As your force expands away from the plateau, more enemy groups can become involved. That is not your first objective."

Noah pointed toward the zones surrounding the landing site.

"How many Astragoths are close enough to interfere with the first landing?"

"We have estimates, but not an exact number I would advise you to treat as reliable."

The officer highlighted several nearby regions.

"You should assume that any group close enough to see the descending pods or notice the activity around the plateau may respond."

"How much time will the first units have before those groups can arrive?"

"That depends on where the Astragoths are when the operation begins. Do not build your plan around a fixed period."

That was enough for Noah to define the requirement.

The first groups on the ground needed to begin organizing the defense immediately. They could not assume they would receive ten quiet minutes, half an hour, or any other guaranteed preparation window.

"The first units should secure the approaches while the rest of the force is still landing."

"That is exactly what Imperial command expects."

Several defensive sectors appeared around the plateau.

"Some units will focus on regrouping. Others need to establish control over these approaches and prevent nearby Astragoths from reaching the landing area."

Noah examined the sectors without trying to assign individual goblin units himself.

That was the responsibility of the commanders who had already been ordered to prepare the landing force.

The officer pointed toward one of the main approaches.

"The machine guns your officers are preparing should be particularly useful here."

"Because the terrain channels attackers toward a smaller number of routes."

"Correct."

The officer enlarged the approach.

"If Astragoths move toward the plateau in groups, sustained machine-gun fire can be concentrated along those routes before they reach the goblin infantry."

That matched the assessment Noah had received from Eldrath’s military leadership.

The machine guns were meant to protect gathering points and support separated groups while the landing force reorganized. The plateau gave those weapons clear areas to cover.

Noah shifted to the next part of the infantry arsenal.

"What about the RPG teams?"

"They provide a heavier portable option when rifle and machine-gun fire is not enough."

The officer did not exaggerate their effectiveness.

"If an individual Astragoth proves too durable for ordinary gunfire, an RPG gives the local commander another weapon to use."

Noah considered the answer alongside the reports from Eldrath.

Rifles would remain the standard weapon of the infantry. Machine guns would provide sustained fire against groups. RPGs would provide greater destructive force against harder individual targets.

He did not need to change that arrangement personally.

His commanders were already responsible for deciding how many of each weapon would be distributed among the landing units.

"Do you have confirmed information on how much fire an ordinary Astragoth can survive?"

"Not enough to give you one answer that applies to every individual."

The officer returned to the Astragoth projection.

"Body cultivation does not produce identical results. Two Astragoths classified within the ordinary range may still differ in size, strength, and durability."

Noah understood the implication.

"The landing force needs several levels of portable firepower because we cannot assume every target will react the same way."

"Yes. Your current preparation matches that requirement."

Noah looked toward the plateau again.

"If ordinary gunfire handles most of them, rifles and machine guns carry the majority of the fighting. If an individual keeps advancing through that fire, the RPG teams provide the heavier response."

"That is a reasonable interpretation of the information we have."

The projection then changed to show the full insertion sequence.

The officer pointed first toward the starfortress.

"Your selected forces will enter the fortress through the transportation system."

The next stage appeared.

"They will board Imperial escape pods inside the fortress."

A route extended toward Planet X-317.

"The pods will descend toward the designated plateau."

The plateau brightened on the display.

"As soon as the first units reach the surface, they begin regrouping and securing the approaches."

The final part of the route appeared.

"Once the plateau is secure enough to receive reinforcements safely, you transfer the transportation connection from the starfortress to Planet X-317."

Noah had already been briefed on that process, so the officer did not repeat the technical explanation from their previous meeting.

This time, the important information was that the operation now had a known planet, a specific landing zone, and a clearly identified enemy threat.

Noah pointed toward the plateau.

"What does Imperial command consider successful completion of the first stage?"

The officer answered without adding unnecessary conditions.

"Land the initial force, regroup the units that reach the surface, secure the main approaches to the plateau, and establish a stable foothold."

He highlighted the plateau again.

"You are not expected to begin expanding across Planet X-317 the moment the first escape pod reaches the ground."

Noah understood the restriction.

The first stage existed to create a secure location from which the larger invasion could continue.

"Expansion begins only after the plateau can receive reinforcements safely."

"Correct. Until then, securing the foothold remains the priority."

One of the other Imperial officers spoke from the opposite side of the table.

"Your commanders should also prepare for pods that do not land exactly where intended."

Noah turned toward him.

"Because of damage during descent?"

"That is one possibility. A pod may be struck, forced away from the ideal route, or reach the surface outside the main landing area."

Noah looked toward the descent map.

"If a pod lands outside the plateau, the troops inside need to reconnect with the nearest friendly group and move toward the designated position."

"Yes. Imperial personnel will handle the descent itself. Your responsibility is making sure the goblins understand what to do after they reach the surface."

That division of responsibility was straightforward.

Noah did not need to learn how the escape pods were piloted or how Imperial personnel calculated their descent.

He needed the goblins prepared for separation.

A damaged pod might land away from the main force. A destroyed pod would never arrive. A group reaching the ground outside the plateau might have to move toward friendly positions while the main landing was already under attack.

The senior officer returned the projection to the full view of Planet X-317.

"There is one final point I want to make clear."

Noah looked toward him.

"Do not let the word ordinary create the wrong impression about these enemies."

The officer pointed toward the marked landing zone.

"An ordinary Astragoth is still physically stronger than an individual goblin. If they reach your infantry in close combat, the goblins lose the advantages provided by range, organization, and concentrated fire."

Noah followed the marked approaches again.

"Then the landing force needs to keep them away from the defensive line."

"Yes."

Noah stated the tactical requirement in concrete terms.

"Machine guns cover the main approaches. Rifle units support those positions. RPG teams engage targets that remain dangerous after ordinary gunfire. The infantry avoids close combat whenever possible."

"That matches the reconnaissance assessment."

The final projection showed Planet X-317 with the selected plateau marked clearly in the center.

Noah now understood exactly how Eldrath’s first planetary invasion would begin.

Millions of Astragoths lived across the world, but the first force would not be fighting the entire planetary population at once. Its immediate enemies would be the groups close enough to notice the landing and reach the plateau.

Those Astragoths had no conventional anti-aircraft guns or missile batteries, but their physical strength still allowed them to threaten descending pods by hurling rocks and other heavy objects.

Once the goblins reached the surface, the plateau gave them a defensible location with a limited number of practical approaches. Rifles, machine guns, and RPG teams could be organized around those routes while later pods continued landing.

The senior officer shut down the secondary displays and left only Planet X-317 and the highlighted plateau visible.

"Your final briefing is complete. Eldrath’s invasion force will begin transferring into the starfortress shortly."

Noah kept his attention on the marked landing zone as he reviewed the first objective.

The goblins had to reach the plateau, regroup while the remaining escape pods descended, secure the approaches, and hold the position until it was safe to transfer the transportation connection onto Planet X-317.

Once that connection was established, Eldrath could begin sending reinforcements directly to the foothold and continue the invasion from the surface.