Chapter 206: Opening the Way

Chapter 206: Opening the Way

The approved portal site sat near the center of the plateau, and the second reinforcement wave was ready inside the starfortress. Noah stood beside the transport officer while the launch display showed each pod waiting for release. The pod carrying the transportation device had been placed between two troop pods so it would remain inside the larger formation during descent.

"The equipment pod is secured between the two troop pods," the transport officer said. "The rest of the wave is carrying rifle units, machine-gun crews, ammunition, and medical supplies. Their officers received their assignments before boarding, so they won’t need new orders after they land."

Noah checked the descent sequence. "Keep the equipment pod with those two until the final approach. If the landing controller has to change course, move all three together. I don’t want the device descending alone where the Astragoths can concentrate their throws on it."

"I’ll pass that to the controller. The troop pods can adjust with it without affecting the rest of the wave."

"Then launch."

The first group separated from the starfortress. The second followed several seconds later with the equipment pod in the middle. Once the pods entered their descent, they spread far enough apart that a collision or thrown stone would not threaten several at once. Noah kept the equipment pod selected on the tactical display as the wave approached Planet X-317.

The field commander contacted him when the pods entered the lower atmosphere.

"We have movement east of the perimeter," he said. "Several Astragoths are heading toward the loose stones below our eastern positions. The nearest group has to cross an exposed slope before it reaches them. Another group is farther south and partly hidden behind the bank."

"Can your riflemen stop the nearest group without leaving their positions?"

"Yes. They already have a clear view of the exposed slope. The southern group is harder. We may only see them when they start lifting stones."

"What about the machine gun?"

"I’m leaving it on the eastern approach. If I move the crew south, the main route toward that sector loses its strongest weapon."

"Keep it there. Use the riflemen you already have. Don’t send troops outside the perimeter to chase the throwers."

"Understood. We’ll stop any Astragoth that comes close enough to use the stones and leave the rest outside the line."

The first Astragoth reached a large stone while the pods continued descending. It wrapped its tail around the rock and began lifting it. The eastern riflemen fired as soon as its upper body cleared the slope. Several rounds struck the creature before it could turn toward the pods. It dropped the stone and moved back down the slope.

Farther south, another Astragoth reached a smaller projectile before the goblins gained a clear angle. It lifted the stone and threw toward the descending formation. The projectile passed beneath the nearest pod and landed outside the perimeter.

The southern rifle unit gained a better view when the creature moved toward another stone. Their next volley struck it several times, forcing it away from the exposed position. The Astragoths nearby followed it back down the slope instead of remaining under fire.

The first reinforcement pod crossed the perimeter and landed on the western half of the plateau. Its hatch opened, and the rifle unit inside moved out under the direction of an officer waiting beside the landing marker.

"Western reinforcement?" the waiting officer asked.

"Yes. Full rifle unit with our ammunition."

"Move past the marker and form there. Another pod is coming down behind you, so I need this landing space empty."

The arriving officer looked back at the soldiers still leaving the pod. "I’ll take the first group forward and hold them beyond the marker. We won’t leave for the western line until the rest of the unit is together."

"That’s fine. I only need the pod cleared."

The soldiers moved away from the landing area and reformed once the last riflemen joined them.

A second pod landed farther north. Its troops followed the marked passage toward the northern defenses. More pods descended across the approved landing zones, with each unit moving away from its pod before the next one arrived.

The field commander kept the routes separated. Northern reinforcements used the passage leading toward the depression. Western and eastern units followed different sides of the plateau. Supply teams waited until the nearby troop pods were clear before unloading ammunition.

Machine-gun crews also moved away from the landing zones before joining their assigned rifle units. Officers on the plateau kept them with the formations they were supposed to support instead of allowing the crews to wait at the center.

The equipment pod entered its final approach between the same two troop pods that had accompanied it from the starfortress. The eastern observers continued watching the Astragoths outside the perimeter, but none reached another throwing position before all three pods crossed the defensive line.

The equipment pod landed close to the approved portal site.

Imperial technicians exited first. Goblin personnel assigned to help with unloading followed and opened the secured compartments inside the pod. The transportation device had been divided into several large components for the descent, and the technicians inspected each section before allowing it to be moved.

One of the outer fittings had shifted during landing. The technicians stopped the unloading while they checked the frame around it. After confirming that the frame itself was undamaged, they reset the fitting and inspected the attached connections.

The field commander contacted Noah while the work continued.

"The equipment pod is down. The technicians found one shifted fitting, but they haven’t found any damage to the frame. They’re fixing it before they move that section."

"Is the route from the pod to the portal site still clear?"

"Yes. I moved the new reserve south of the work area. The remaining troop pods are landing farther west and north, so no one needs to cross the technicians’ route."

"Keep it that way. If they need more people to move the components, use troops from the center. Leave the forward units in place."

"I have enough men here. The perimeter won’t lose anyone."

Once the fitting passed inspection, the goblin helpers carried the first component toward the portal site. The technicians positioned the main structure first, then brought the remaining sections into place one at a time. Guards kept supply carriers and newly landed troops outside the work area while assembly continued.

By the time the final reinforcement pod landed, fresh rifle units had reached all three sectors. Northern officers began replacing soldiers who had remained on the line since the previous attack. Western and eastern commanders also received additional troops, while several units stayed near the center as a new reserve.

Noah remained aboard the starfortress while the technicians finished assembling the transportation device.

The transport officer watched the surface reports. "The main frame is connected. They’re checking the controls and power system now. Nothing else was damaged during the landing."

"Let them complete the full inspection," Noah said. "I’ll go down after they confirm the device is ready."

The final report arrived several minutes later.

"The device passed inspection," the transport officer said. "The technicians are ready for activation. They need you on the plateau to establish the connection to Eldrath."

"Prepare my pod. Tell the field commander where I’m landing, but don’t stop troop movements for me. I only need the route to the transportation site kept open."

The transport officer sent the instructions, and Noah left the monitoring room. Once the launch crew completed its checks, his pod separated from the starfortress and began descending toward Planet X-317.

The plateau grew larger on the pod’s display. Escape pods remained scattered across the center, but most of the troops had already moved away from them. Rifle units followed established routes toward the outer defenses, while supply teams carried ammunition toward collection points behind those positions.

Noah’s pod crossed the perimeter without coming under attack and landed near the center of the plateau.

When the hatch opened, the field commander was waiting nearby with two officers.

"The second wave is deployed," the commander said as Noah approached. "Fresh riflemen have reached the northern line, and the officers there are rotating out the wounded and the men who have been holding those positions since the last attack. The western and eastern sectors also have their reinforcements. I have several fresh units forming the new reserve south of the portal site."

Noah looked toward the outer defenses. "What are the observers seeing now?"

"There are still Astragoths north of the depression, but none are moving toward the bend. The eastern group that tried to throw at the pods withdrew after our riflemen hit them. The western observers haven’t seen anything approaching their passage."

"If that changes while we’re opening the portal, keep the forward units at their positions. The center has its own guards and reserve."

"That’s already done. None of the rifle units holding the perimeter have been assigned to protect the portal."

Noah walked with the field commander toward the center of the plateau. Northern replacements moved along one passage while western and eastern formations used separate routes. Supply carriers kept away from the portal site.

Fresh riflemen heading north passed soldiers coming back from the damaged positions. Machine-gun crews moving west and east remained with their assigned units. The portal site itself stayed clear except for technicians, guards, and officers responsible for receiving the formations that would arrive from Eldrath.

The transportation device stood inside the marked area. A senior technician met Noah beside the boundary.

"We completed every check available before activation," the technician said. "The frame is stable, the controls respond correctly, and the power system is ready. Once you establish the connection, we’ll monitor the device from these stations."

"How soon can troops start crossing?"

"Once the portal stabilizes. The equipment can support the transfer. The main limit is the space on this side. If a formation stops after crossing, the next one won’t have enough room to enter."

Noah turned to the field commander. "How are you handling the arrivals?"

"I have officers at three exits. Northern units leave through the northern route. Western and eastern formations use their own exits. Any unit assigned to the reserve moves south. Every formation on Eldrath will have an assignment before it crosses."

"And if you don’t have an assignment ready?"

"That formation remains on Eldrath until its destination is confirmed. Its officer will keep the unit clear of the portal staging area and wait for instructions from the command post."

"Good. Keep the staging area clear at all times. If the arrival routes begin filling, stop the next formation on Eldrath before it enters. Do not allow units to wait around the portal or block the exits."

The field commander called the officers stationed around the site. "When a formation comes through, identify it and move it straight to its assigned route. Machine-gun crews stay with the rifle units they came with. If an officer loses control of his unit after crossing, send that formation to the reserve area until we sort it out. Nobody waits in front of the portal."

The officers confirmed the instructions and returned to their positions.

The technicians completed their final preparations and moved unnecessary personnel for activation outside the boundary. Noah approached the transportation device and focused on Eldrath.

The system activated. Energy formed inside the frame and expanded until an opening appeared.

The image on the other side became clear.

A large assembly area had been prepared on Eldrath. Goblin rifle units stood in organized formations at the front. Machine-gun crews waited beside the units they were assigned to support, while supply personnel and additional troops formed behind them. Officers near the front watched the portal as it stabilized.

The senior technician checked the readings.

"The connection is stable. The frame is holding its output, and the system isn’t showing any faults. You can begin the transfer."

The field commander looked through the portal. "Send the northern replacements first. I want enough fresh riflemen there to finish rotating the men who have been on that line since the last attack. After them, send the western and eastern formations. The next units can join the reserve."

Noah faced the officer leading the first formation on Eldrath.

"Bring your unit through first. You’re going to the northern perimeter. Once you cross, follow the officer waiting at the northern exit and keep moving until the entire formation has cleared this area."

The goblin officer turned toward his soldiers. "Stay in formation through the portal. Nobody stops after crossing. Follow me to the northern route, and don’t leave the column until the commander there receives us."

The first formation advanced.

Goblin riflemen crossed from Eldrath onto Planet X-317 in ordered ranks. Officers waiting on the plateau directed them toward the northern exit. The soldiers kept moving until the last rifleman had cleared the arrival area.

An officer on Eldrath approached before sending the second formation.

"My lord, the western unit is ready behind me, and the eastern formation is next. Do you want a signal before every crossing, or should we continue whenever the area here is clear?"

"Watch the space on this side," Noah replied. "If the previous formation has cleared the boundary, send the next one. If the officers here are still moving soldiers out, keep your men on Eldrath until the route is open."

"I’ll leave enough space between each formation. Western goes next, then eastern. The reserve units will wait until both are through."

The western formation entered Planet X-317 and followed its assigned route. The eastern formation crossed after the arrival area cleared. Their machine-gun crews stayed with them rather than entering separately.

More formations waited on Eldrath, but only those with confirmed assignments moved toward the portal.

Noah looked across the soldiers preparing to cross.

"The troops already here are holding the plateau and all three approaches," he told them. "Your officers have your assignments. Cross with your formation, follow the officer waiting on this side, and move directly to your position. Keep the arrival area clear for the unit behind you."

The leading officer repeated the order to his soldiers and moved forward.

More goblin riflemen crossed through the portal and entered Planet X-317. Noah remained beside the active connection as the army from Eldrath continued arriving on the plateau.