Near the eastern coast of Crescere was the Echo Fleet of the United Navy. It was composed of two massive warships, the UNS Guardian of the High Seas and the UNS Trinity of Solace.
One was an amphibious transport dock carrying three companies worth of Marines and military vehicles, while the other was a modernized battleship brimming with weapons of freedom.
Inside the UNS Trinity of Solace was Fleet Admiral Abraham Shepherd, the highest of command within the United Navy.
He stood inside the bridge of the warship, quietly observing the vast horizon of the foreign world before him. A calm expression was plastered on his face, though on the inside, things were different.
'I can't believe I'm actually commanding a battleship.' Such a thought flooded his head as his heart steadily beat with a tinge of excitement.
Every man wanted to command a battleship of their own and hear that 16-inch barrel rumble with a deafening sound. Obviously, he wasn't any different.
Abraham patiently waited to hear the signal to start firing whatever the battleship had. Though… It might take some time before he could hear it from the communication operators.
"Sir, we only have 5 hours left before the official start of the operation." An intelligence officer aloofly reported to the Fleet Admiral.
Abraham nodded at his report and continued gazing at the calm seas. It was the best day for the operation as the seas were easy to sail upon. It also wasn't stormy which would hinder the troops on the ground.
"Have you received intel from the Forward Operating Base?" Abraham turned his jet-black eyes towards the intelligence officer beside him and inquired.
"Yes, we have gotten intelligence from the FOB in the eastern grassland. Do you want the summary, Fleet Admiral?" The intelligence officer asked.
"No need. Just give me the intelligence report." Abraham shook his head and rejected the intelligence officer. He didn't find the need for it to be summarized.
After all, it's not like time was running against them.
"Affirmative, Sir. Here's the file regarding the intelligence report sent by the Forward Operating Base." The intelligence officer nodded in understanding and gave the file about the recently-gained intel.
Abraham accepted it and the intelligence officer backed away as he read through the file. Inside were the recent discoveries made by the reconnaissance task force.
It was a set of intriguing information, to say the least.
'Hmm… I underestimated the magibeasts.' Abraham thought while he squinted his eyes in scrutiny. It was problematic for them to act strange but in such a maddening manner?
There was an obvious variable hidden deep inside the Crescere. And until they discovered that variable, the northern operation would probably be halted.
'The northern operation might go off schedule. But I guess we can send reinforcements once we handle things on our side.' Abraham wasn't against the postponing of the northern operation.
It would be better to tread carefully in the midst of this foreign world. After all, this was reality, far from a game on a computer.
"I hope things won't become even more complicated." He muttered under his breath while watching the blue waves of the high seas.
Variables were unavoidable as nothing would ever go truly to plan in reality. Adaptations were required for a plan to be ironically solid.
Though… There were times when variables didn't matter.
"Oh, well… It's not something that a gun can't fix. Gunpowder, shells, and explosions will probably handle any variables in the operation." The edges of his lips rose as his confidence set ablaze.
Meanwhile, in the blue skies above the eastern grassland were a group of Black Hawks flying through the air. They were the reconnaissance task force sent to investigate the magibeasts dwelling in the eastern grassland.
At the moment, they were following a herd of magibeasts running deeper into the eastern grassland. They observed it through the monitor screen and sent the data footage to the Forward Operating Base.
"How far are we from the FOB?" The aviation officer asked one of his personnel aboard the Black Hawk.
"We're about 25 clicks from the Forward Operating Base, Sir." The personnel responded, making the aviation officer nod.
The officer then turned his attention to the herd of magibeasts who were obviously heading somewhere. It seems that it wouldn't take long before they find the nest of these magibeasts.
"Sir, a large gathering has been spotted 3 clicks ahead." The radar operator in the Black Hawk reported. The aviation officer raised an eyebrow and saw the increasing numbers.
"It seems that it didn't take long. We have finally discovered their nest." The officer smiled as their reconnaissance was about to reach its end.
"Maintain 1 click distance from the gathering and observe them." He ordered the pilot who calmly nodded. Most of the Black Hawks in the group also followed suit.
Deep within the eastern grassland was a small valley with a lake at its center. Amidst the valley was none other than the magibeasts numbering over a thousand. This place was their nest, the breeding ground of their species.
When the reconnaissance task force discovered the small valley. They immediately sent its location to the data link as the prime target for the upcoming operation.
After spending half an hour observing and watching every move of the massive herd, the Black Hawks returned to the Forward Operating Base with all the information they needed.
Back to the eastern coast of Crescere, the Echo Fleet was merely a kilometer away from the coastal ridges. Inside the bridge of the UNS Trinity of Solace, a communication operator reported the forwarded schedule of the operation.
"Sir, the eastern operation has been scheduled an hour earlier. The nest of the magibeasts has been discovered. It seems to be the only nest in the region."
As Abraham heard the news, his eyebrows rose as he couldn't believe what he was hearing. Though, obviously, the operation was about to start.
"Has the order been confirmed?" Abraham questioned the communication operator. The operator nodded and swiftly responded.
"Estimated time for operation to commence is ten minutes."
Hearing the words of the communication operator, Abraham nodded in understanding and immediately ordered his naval personnel to prepare for the upcoming action.
"Get to your battle stations." Following his orders, the naval personnel quickly moved and sirens began to echo throughout the battleship.
"Send these orders to fire control, have them turn the guns to the designated tango," Abraham ordered the turrets to be prepared in their firing position.
"Orders sent, Sir!" One of the communication operators on the bridge responded.
"Fire control has received orders and is turning the guns to the designated tango." With the confirmation of his order, Abraham threw another one.
"Good, have the Combat Information Center get the tomahawks armed and ready. I don't want them to be delayed. They will be the first salvo of the operation."
The communication operators nodded upon hearing his orders and contacted the Combat Information Center. It didn't take long for the results to come.
"Combat Information Center has the tomahawks armed and ready, Sir."
"Great, then get ready." Abraham could already smell the scent of freedom in the air. It was finally time for the UNS Trinity of Solace to unveil its firepower.