Amidst the weakening storm, the Port of Dawn was brimming with activities from the naval personnel scattered throughout several docks. In such docks were various warships of the United Navy anchored, preparing for the upcoming liberation of a colony.
Deep inside the command center of the Port of Dawn, Abraham stood in the strategic command room along with various intelligence officers and radio operators.
A couple of hours had passed since the beginning of Operation Phantom Liberation. Since then, the United Navy has been hearing incoming reports about the operation.
"40% of the island is under the control of the rebels?" Abraham raised an eyebrow as he didn't expect the operation to be extremely swift. At the very least, he thought that there would be some resistance.
But from the looks of it, the rebels and the infiltrators were steamrolling the local military of the colony.
"Under the guidance of our task forces. The rebels managed to free more of their people and many of the armories scattered throughout the island's interior were destroyed. The fortifications of the west have also fallen, and the governor's manor has been captured."
The intelligence officer calmly reported to the fleet admiral.
Understanding the words of the intelligence officer, Abraham was somewhat surprised. It seems that he had underestimated the abilities of his subordinates and overestimated his enemies.
But going through the report, he noticed the governor's manor being captured. The first operation of the Special Vanguard Task Force was also a success. The only thing he hoped was that Laplace would follow through with the plan.
At any rate, Operation Phantom Liberation was in full swing. It was about to reach its last phase, and the United Navy must be there to enact it.
With this in mind, Abraham glanced at Vice Admiral Charlotte who was managing the preparation of the warships.
"Charlotte, when will the preparation be completed?" He calmly inquired about the vice admiral. Charlotte raised his eyebrows and looked at him before responding.
"We need half an hour to set sail. Besides, the storm must further weaken before the fleet heads toward the plantation colony." Charlotte uttered and continued with her job.
The storm was not only problematic for the battleships of Principatus Humanum. It was also troublesome for the warships of the United Navy. While they could sail through the stormy seas, it would cause maintainable problems for the utility personnel.
Many ships would probably spend their time in the docks after, getting repaired from whatever effects the storm brought to them.
"I see… Can we assist the task forces from here?" Abraham wanted to know whether or not they could help their forces deep inside enemy lines.
Vice Admiral Charlotte stopped what she was doing and stared at the fleet admiral for a second. She then nodded to herself and answered his question.
"Yes, we can assist the task forces in the plantation colony. We can send strategic strikes to their location, but only when the designated target is fully confirmed."
She wasn't against assisting their forces. But each strategic strike must be done with care. Otherwise, unneeded casualties would emerge. Collateral damage was the bane of everywhere.
After all, the only thing it did was fuel hate and make the war bloodier than ever before.
"I am in agreement with that." Abraham agreed with the words of the vice admiral. They simply couldn't send out strategic sights to designated targets without various confirmations.
They must lessen the casualties of the war and make sure no civilians would get hurt.
But he understood that such a thing was something complicated to do. And he had no idea how to effectively do it. What's more troublesome was that they would be besieging the town of Servusarator the moment they made their landing.
And who knows whether the colonists inside the town would peacefully surrender or fight to the death. The answer would only emerge once the siege begins.
Until then, he could only uselessly speculate inside his mind.
"Send a transmission to the task forces. Tell them that we can send out strategic strikes during the operation. But only through these specified requirements. I don't want to shoot a missile at some random building because of suspected military occupation."
Abraham uttered to his intelligence officers, who nodded and relayed his orders to the radio operators. It shouldn't take long before the task forces in the field become aware of their capabilities to send out a strategic sight.
"Well, the Alpha Vanguard Task Force and Bravo Vanguard Task Force might need it. Though… I can't say the same for the Special Vanguard Task Force." Abraham muttered under his breath.
With Laplace leading the special task force, it was akin to having a mobile fortress walking beside them. There should be no problems with their operations.
Meanwhile…
In the interior of the plantation colony, Servusarator. The Alpha Vanguard Task Force led by First Lieutenant Campbell was observing an enemy barracks brimming with soldiers.
They were approximately two kilometers from the target and were thinking about whether they should attack the barracks or avoid it.
"There should be over three hundred soldiers in the barracks, Sir." One of the Marines reported with a binocular in his hands.
Beside him was none other than First Lieutenant Campbell, the leader of the Alpha Vanguard Task Force.
He raised his eyebrows after hearing the words of his subordinate. It seems that the numbers manning the barracks were too much than what they could handle.
Even with the help of the Minokins, it would be bloodshed if they dared to raid the barracks.
"It's heavily defended with various guard posts throughout the area. Infiltration will be impossible as they are on high alert. They must have realized the current circumstances of the plantation colony." Campbell muttered under his breath and continued.
"Our enemies are prepared and our only advantage has been lost. With the capture of the governor's manor and the loss of the eastern side of the island, they must fortify themselves for what is to come." What the first lieutenant meant was somewhat obvious.
Trying to raid the barracks was foolish. They would have to halt their advancement and instead focus on the destruction of the Point A fortifications.
"Are you having trouble, Sir Campbell?" A rough voice escaped the darkness as a giant Minokin emerged from it. It was Espada, the Warchief of the Minokin Tribe.
He had been assisting the task force in destroying armories and liberating more of his kind. He thought that it wouldn't take long before they reached the shore, but it seemed that a problem had emerged.
"The barracks before us is heavily fortified. We will be changing our targets." First Lieutenant Campbell didn't hesitate to inform the Minokin. Espada has already proved himself to the task force as a valuable asset.
His knowledge, fighting capabilities, and capabilities as a strategist weren't to be underestimated.
"Even if the barracks are heavily defended, we need to defeat them as they hold most of the weapons other than the town of Servusarator and the western fortification line."
"If we don't take down the barracks, then destroying the armories would be of no use."
While Espada understood that the liberators didn't want to take a risk, it was something they needed to take for victory. If they don't, the battle would be harder and victory would become unattainable.
Hearing the words of the giant Minokin, Campbell was in silence as he understood that it was the truth. The stored armaments of the barracks were enough to rival all of the armories they had destroyed.
In simpler terms, its destruction was vital.
Nonetheless, Campbell didn't want to take unnecessary casualties. Besides, the barracks weren't on their list of targets. The Spear of Longinus should be able to handle it later on.
However, before he could give a response to Espada, a Marine came up with an important report.
"Sir, the command center has sent a transmission." The Marine reported with a serious tone. The first lieutenant raised his eyebrows, wondering what the high command wanted.
On the other hand, Espada felt curious as he wanted to know what this command center was. Perhaps, this must be the place where the leaders of the United Navy were staying.
"What's the transmission?" Campbell questioned, and the Marine swiftly responded.
"Strategic Sierra has been opened by the Fleet Admiral. If we desire to do so, we must confirm the coordinates of the designated tango and send detailed status about it."
When he heard the words of his men. Campbell was somewhat astounded. To think that their Fleet Admiral would open for a strategic strike, but this was a piece of good news.
There was finally a way to defeat the barracks before them.
"Affirmative, contact the command center. Transmit them the coordinates and their detailed status. An incendiary missile should be enough for the target." Campbell ordered his subordinate, who nodded in understanding.
The Marine immediately contacted the command center and sent the exact coordinates of the designated tango. Afterward, the detailed status was sent. It shouldn't take long before a reply comes.
And it did.
Five seconds later, the designated tango was confirmed.
"Sir, Strategic Sierra has been confirmed!" The Marine reported to the first lieutenant. Campbell felt elated inside his heart, while the giant Minokin felt confused as to what they were talking about.
"Sir Campbell, what is this Strategic Sierra all about?" Espada questioned with his rough voice.
Campbell didn't answer and simply pointed at the barracks.
Dozens of seconds passed, and a shooting star appeared out of nowhere. It flew at incredible speeds and landed directly at the barracks.
What followed was the sunrise.