Another Worldly Summons

Chapter 4: Prelude to Fire (V2)

Qua-Toyne International Airport

At the colossal airport in Rodenius, a one-of-a-kind facility boasting airstrips and runways each spanning over a kilometer, its construction was largely influenced by the planned railway system centered in Qua-Toyne, or so it appeared.

However, concealed beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary airport lay its secondary purpose—a covert military base. The facility was equipped with hidden weapon emplacements and surface-to-air missile systems (SAMs). Regularly, C-130 Hercules aircraft would land at the airport under the cover of darkness to deliver supplies, departing before the morning light revealed their activities. This clandestine operation was a critical component of ASEAN's preparations for any potential shift of geopolitical status of rodenius that might threatened their territories and interest.
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Inside the meeting room of the international airport, an assembly of figures stood out conspicuously in what should have been a civilian infrastructure. Among them were military officials, representing the diverse branches of the Southeast Asian military. Their presence in this civilian setting hinted a rather deeper and more complex situation that was unfolding behind the scenes.

An official in the dimly lit room addressed the gathering, the projector revealing a tense situation on the border. The screen displayed numerous tents within one of several large Laurian camps near the border. Siege weapons were set up, cavalry patrols were in motion, and Laurian wyverns made increasingly dangerous maneuvers within Qua-Toyne's airspace.

"Lauria, as reported by Qua-Toyne, is presently amassing troops on the border," the official informed the room. "It appears they have sufficient troops and logistics to make a move at any given moment." The tension in the room was tangibly heavy as everyone absorbed this alarming information.

"Do we have directives on how to respond?." The military officer inquired about the directives for dealing with Lauria.

"We currently lack clear directives on how to deal with Lauria," the speaker acknowledged in response to the military officer's question. He cast a brief sidelong glance at the screen displaying the Laurian encampment.

"At this point," he continued, "if we fail to establish proper negotiations with Lauria, it's likely that we will receive immediate reinforcements to stall their invasion. After all, we have already invested significantly in this region, and unless we can secure a compromise." The room remained tense as they contemplated the gravity of the situation.

"Like what?," Asked by officer

"Maybe we should aim for half of Qua-Toyne as ours, leaving the south to them. However, I doubt ASEAN will allow any compromise when it comes to territory in Qua-Toyne. They'd likely prefer to maintain the status quo rather than dividing and governing chunks of territory. The anti-imperialist and anti-colonialist groups would immediately protest if they heard we were taking pieces of Qua-Toyne like it's Poland'd in another world," he explained to them. They nodded and agreed with his assessment.

Given that the majority of countries in the region had been former colonies of imperialist powers, their reluctance and potential heavy repulsion to support any form of invasion or colonization was understandable. The people in Southeast Asia were already struggling with rationing, skyrocketing inflation, and rising prices after being cut off from Earth and finding themselves in an unknown new world. With their new neighboring countries were stuck in a medieval era and had little to offer to help improve their struggling economies. The mere suggestion of invading and colonizing another country would only add fuel to the fire of their already volatile situation.

"It does seem that we'll have to intervene to protect Qua-Toyne. Compromising on territory isn't an option. Now, the remaining question is when we'll be mobilized," pondered the people in the room. Moving an army, especially one that far away from their nations, was no small feat. The challenges of maintenance, resupply, and adapting to a different environment in this relatively undeveloped backwater civilization presented significant logistical issues.