Many would note how the U.S. has taken part in oversea's conflict for most of its history. Despite the country's natural geography making it a nightmare to invade, the country spends more on its military than any other country back on Earth. Having the largest airforce with ironically having the U.S. navy having the second largest airforce, the U.S. spends billions developing weapons, warships, and military aircraft. Given its geographic disposition and its military superiority, U.S. back on Earth was the only nation that had the luxury to care about any conflict occurring around the world. Ironically, it's the U.S.'s favorable position in the world and geography back on Earth which makes crafting foreign policy difficult. If there is no one point of concern, its hard to focus foreign policy initiatives. This is true for the American people as well. Although its hard to tell if its difficulty or pure ignorance.
An American president can start a war with almost catastrophic failure without direct consequences on the American homeland. No other country back on Earth had such a convenient and disturbing foreign policy ability. Even in a peaceful world, fueling the military industrial complex was a political necessity. How will this shape the U.S. in a world where wars and conflict are the new normal rather than an uncommon occurrence?
***
Near the border between the subservient Tolerian Kingdom under the Tillerian Empire and the Flenning Kingdom, skirmishes are ensuing and Flenning forts have fallen to Tolerian forces which are marching past the border. As they continue their unimpeded advance further inland of the Flenning Peninsula, a vast number of refugees from towns and villages closer to the border are traveling to the innermost parts of the peninsula to escape the flames and savagery of war. This is further intensified by the Tolerian people's belief in changing the Flenning people's ways of worshipping their pagan god of Mana.
A notable place of worship for many of those in the Kingdom of Flenning is in the prominent town of Flovenguard near the border. It is that town where Tolerian mercenaries and soldiers entered the town which led to the killing and raping of thousands of people, worshipers and many innocent people. Some were not even followers of their god of Mana, however the Tolerian soldiers and mercenaries killed, tortured, and raped the town of Flovenguard without hesitation. Refugees are pouring out from the region near the original place of worship. Where hundreds are fleeing from the violence towards the capital city eastward towards the ocean. However, hundreds more will continue to become victims of the violence and conflict.
***
On a U.S. airforce base in Guam, men and trucks were moving about as deployment towards the peninsula is occurring. A large concentration of U.S. military personnel is now converging on the small island of Guam, preparing to head north towards the three peninsulas currently under attack by subservient Kingdom's under the Tillerian Empire. In a particular area in the airbase, generals were currently discussing the logistics of the wartime operations.
"Once we set up operations in each of the capitals, we must immediately send out marines to the frontline to secure critical positions. The enemy forces have already begun moving past the borders and into their Kingdom's inner lands. We received reports from our intelligence stating that citizens are already being killed in this conflict with thousands becoming victims or refugees." The four-star general Lesly is in charge of this operation, a scale which he has not seen since the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
"General, we are also reporting enemy naval movement advancing eastward closer to the northern tip of the Island of Astra. It seems they intend to cut off supplies and land routes in the peninsula's. While sending off our airforce near the peninsula, we should also reinforce their waters at the same time."
"Right, I want four strike group carriers taking part in this effort. I will send three strike groups north of each peninsula while the fourth will overlook the channel between the Flenning Kingdom and the northern tip of the Astra Kingdom."
This massive war front is bigger than even the ones in Iraq and Afghanistan. The land area to cover is much bigger, and the intelligence framework that the U.S. set up is no longer present. To add, their allies have a smaller army size than the encroaching enemy. The U.S. military has its work cut out for them. Then, a uniformed man in camo rushes into the meeting area of the airbase.
"Chief, I just received a report from our intelligence services. The enemy has an airforce. He walks up to a map posted on a wall of the area. A reported Wyvern airforce along the Flenning and Kleft borders have been reported. They are being used to seize the castles along their borders, rapidly destroying their defenses. Some four castles have already fallen."
The four-star general listened carefully to what the man had to say. He nodded.
"Alright men, change of plans. I want those strike groups there by tomorrow. Move their fleets at maximum speed. I need marines sent to these locations ASAP." The general roughly circles out key areas on the map with a bright red marker. Some are forts while most are local villages that have been identified through their satellite imagery. "Their airforce is crushing their border much faster than I expected. I need Osprey's in the air in 18 hours. Lets get to it."
The generals began to mobilize.
***
Near the pillaged town of Flovenguard that sat near the Flenning border, some villagers and townspeople that were able to escape were resting at an abandoned farmhouse near the outskirts of the region. A group of 15 people were resting at the farmhouse. Six of them were men, five were women, while the rest were in their teens around the ages of 15 to 16. All of them were devout worshipers of their faith while also running shops or storefronts for a living in the town of Flovenguard. The group was much larger, however the group split off to find rest, shelter, and food.
While the parents were resting, some with their heads low, the kids were also resting near a corner of the abandoned farmhouse.
"Hellen, why do you keep looking at the farmhouse?"
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Keith knew Hellen since way back as their stores and homes were right next to each other in Flovenguard. They also went to the grounds of worship together since their coming of age ritual. He knew how Hellen often contemplated about random things.
"This farmhouse reminds me of uncle's farm that is a bit aways from Flovenguard. I hope he's safe. I heard from my parents that his family just had another child, a boy apparently." Keith continued to look at Hellen. He knew how much Flovenguard meant to her as her home. Her tears and screaming after seeing the town up in flames and pillaged didn't stop for nearly half a day before she stopped crying. As he was going to comfort Hellen, he heard a commotion. Slightly after he heard the commotion, he heard the words ring out clearly. "Horsemen! Horsemen! Everybody run!"
Everybody panicked. The group was out in the open as they took refuge in a farm. Other than hiding in the farmhouse, there was nowhere else to really hide. The villagers knew the horsemen were just scouting for food, and they did not want to be here when they came. However, as the lookout continued to run, he was immediately struck down by a sword, falling down immediately, screaming in pain. Another horseman galloped right over the fallen man, one hoof landing right on his head.
The villagers could see the horsemen in the distance already. What they all already knew was that they needed to at least try and run away. If not, what else could they do but beg for their lives. The villagers already knew that the oncoming force is from the Tolerian Kingdom under the Tillerian Empires rule, and it is already well known that they are under orders to "cleanse" those who worship the pagan god of Mana. It is already a given that the women will be raped to death while the men are tortured to death. All will be ripped of anything that holds value.
The horsemen continued towards the farmhouse which had some footmen following shortly after. Some ten to twenty men in total were coming towards the farmhouse.
Soon, screaming and shouting could be heard as Keith took Hellen and started running off to anywhere but there. However, Keith could feel a sharp numbing pain from behind his back. He could only look down to see a spear protruding through his right abdomen. All strength left him as he fell to the floor with Hellen trying to run away, only to be dragged down by a couple of footmen in basic leather armor. Screams and shouting would start ringing out throughout the farm as the soldiers started torturing the men that couldn't escape while the women were being raped half naked on the ground near the farmhouse. It would last for the entire day.
***
Two Osprey's are currently flying at around 280 miles per hour towards their drop area. They are just two of many marine platoons being deployed to an area marked by their company leaders. Their mission is to secure key a key land route to stop the Tolerian advance in the Flenning peninsula. These two platoons numbered roughly 50 in total. They would land, take their designated position, then advance and meet up with other platoon groups to block or take the town of Flovenguard. Their company leader stated that it would approximately take a week or two for the army to advance westward from the east. This is because of logistics and the terrible infrastructure in the peninsula. So for the most part, the marines will be on their own until the army battalion advances from the east.
In one of the Osprey's, the pilot shouted in the cabin. "ETA five minutes! ETA five minutes!" The marines in platoon Alpha began to prepare. After the five minutes passed, the two Osprey's began to slow down and landed close to the designated area they must must first take before advancing towards Flovenguard. The pilots could see a farmhouse in the distance and some failed fields of wheat.
The two Osprey's landed and men started to run out of the Osprey's as the propellers continued to flatten the grass in the surrounding area. Soon, all 48 men were positioned around the Osprey to cover all flanks of the craft. As soon as they verified it was all clear, the Osprey's began to take off again and soon flew out of sight with the sound of propellers still lingering in the area. The platoon leaders gathered the men and started trekking towards the farmhouse in the distance. As this place sat near the town of Flovenguard, command wanted to secure this position first, then proceed to meet up with other platoons in other positions west-wards to at least keep the enemy in Flovenguard. This is because around a quarter to a third of the enemy army is in Flovenguard right now. Command wants to stop their advance. So in addition to the two platoons deployed, a number of other platoons were deployed in the region to eventually meet up at Flovenguard. So first, the two platoons must take their initial designated spot before meeting up. Their company leader marked out a somewhat distance farmhouse from the town to secure, then move onto another point where they will meet up with other platoons.
As the two marine platoons make their way towards the farmhouse, they make note of the commotion occurring near the farmhouse. The platoon leaders spotted around twenty men who are presumed to be from the Tolerian Kingdom. The same kingdom that broke past the Flenning border more than a couple days ago. The two platoon leaders were disgusted by what they saw. The platoon leaders spotted around six horses that were tied to a stable near the farmhouse. Total, they spot 22 men altogether. Some were lazing about, looking through the farmhouse. Another ten were half naked, raping some eight women near the barn. A couple of other soldiers were torturing the men as well, with a couple of bruised bodies nearby.
The platoon leaders surmised that the troops are inarguably Tolerian footmen. Reason being that there should not be any Flenning troops this far westward towards the border. Especially near the town of Flovenguard. Given how lax the footmen are, the two leaders determined that it would be relatively easy to engage them from a distance. However, the leaders had to come to a decisions about the six horses near the farmhouse. Both agreed that the six horses would serve as a way to let the enemy run-away, however they still must deal with the refugees after killing off the Tolerian troops. Given priority to their mission, they will eliminate any horse that attempts to run-off.
As soon, as the two leaders came up with their plan, they put it into action and began an operation to take back the farmhouse. Since the fields are sparse with covering, its likely that they will be discovered or seen. However, they determined that its likely they will be able to get into range before they notice. Furthermore, they don't seem to have firearms, so cover isn't necessary. The only problem would be if they decided to hold the refugees hostage. In that case, it will be more difficult.
The marines nonetheless proceeded to advance towards the farmhouse. As they advanced, they slowly surrounded the farmhouse quietly. Then, once everyone got into position, they spotted their targets and started firing off their shots. The Tolerian soldiers were completely caught off guard, and so were the refugees. The half naked soldiers could only stare before getting shot in the chest or head and subsequently fell lifelessly onto the ground. The women screamed as they covered their heads into the ground.
The only ones left were those in the farmhouse. Both platoons quickly advanced from the fields and onto the farm site. The site became loud as the squads began to secure the horses and the farmhouse.
Two squads prepared to enter the farmhouse. The front leader prepared a flash grenade and threw it into the farmhouse. As soon as they heard it went off, the two squads stormed the farmhouse. They quickly found three men clutching their face in pain and are swiftly detained by three marines from the squad. The rest proceeded to search the rest of the barn. As the squad began to clear it out, another Tolerian soldier was lying in wait with a dagger in hand. He leaps out as one marine was entering the area. However, the marine was able to see him out of the corner of his eye and shot him down. After him, the squad searched the barn for anymore people. They cleared it, and the two platoons finally secured the site position.