Another Worldly Summons

Chapter 116: Forsakened Fate

Annonrial West-Central Fleet Division
Supercarrier Aviale

On the side of the Annonrial West-Central Fleet Division, one of their behemoths stood tall: a Resov subclass supercarrier of the Annonrial Empire. This massive 300-meter ship was armed with 40 VLS and several dozen 10.5 cm high-angled guns, resembling a hedgehog below the decks. Positioned in front and back of the bridge, these armaments complemented the vessel's strength, which housed 4,000 sailors and 90 aircraft. It was undeniably one of the most powerful carriers in the Annonrial service. On the deck, crews were ramping up activity, sending and receiving aircraft, servicing and warming them up for another sortie. Aboard the bridge, Captain Idelar, a winged folk, stood tall as they surveyed the situation unfolding before them—an unprecedented event: an attack on Philades, to unknown enemy called ASEAN.

As Captain Idelar observed the bustling and frantic activity on the deck and the organized aircraft operations, deep inside he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the unexpected turn of events. The Annonrial Empire had encountered various adversaries in the past, but this encounter with ASEAN seemed different, more coordinated and calculated, destructive and silent as if they were fighting ghosts with unimaginable power. The sheer audacity of attacking Philades, a stronghold of the ASEAN, was a bold move that demanded a well-prepared and decisive response which they didn't have.

"Situation report?" Captain Idelar commanded, their voice carrying a tone of authority. "How are the aircraft of Artiua proceeding?"

He said, Artiua, an amphibious assault ship, was sunk in a forward attempt of their vanguard ordered by Tuskin but was able to deploy a squadron as combat air patrol and perimeter screen formation which are being recalled back to their main line to be recovered by other available carriers; in a sense, one of them are Aviale.

"The 5082nd Fighter Squadron has been successfully recovered, Captain," said his officer, who looked at the situation with interest rather than unease.

"Chief, it appears you're in a rather good mood," Idelar remarked to him, voicing his concerns.

"Sophistry, Captain—who wouldn't? We have the honor of greeting our ancestors—pure and noble blood of Ravernal," his officer replied, worshiping their ancestors borderline like gods. And yes, it was a breakthrough towards ASEAN. They believed that their ancestors were either gearing for war against ASEAN and their allies or already trampling them behind the scenes, thus slowing down their triumphant return.

They owed it to the Annonrials' recognition of the power and threat of ASEAN, so they should be a fairly bit significant pain to their ancestors' technological prowess, or so they thought. With the activation of the Kizeran mystar, the arrival of Latistor, and the unprecedented magical outbursts from orbit and the trembling world, as stated in the prophecy of their return, there were no major headlines of their arrival, which gravely concerned some. But many still thought they were toying with ASEAN, thus taking their time, owing to the sadistic temperament of their ancestors written in books and preached by their emperor. It's not a far-fetched idea that they were taking their time in humiliating their enemies.

But unbeknownst to them, Latistor indeed returned, but as nothing more than a radioactive husk, a shadow of its former glory. It was hounded and controlled by humans of Earth, militarily and economically destroyed. Millions of their people were slowly dying in segregation camps, in radioactive wastelands, or in the ruins of their once prosperous and great cities, starving or fighting against each other. Any little intact cities and settlements were currently being occupied by Earthlings, either by their soldiers or expatriates from ASEAN or allied foreigners who wished to join their ranks, mostly from stranded foreigners in Southeast Asia. And soon, would make up a significant portion of its population as time went by.