CHAPTER 626: CHAPTER 301: BATTLE FOR ANTONOV AIRPORT

At this moment.

Within the plot.

Each Federation’s troops see a different opening CG.

For example, on the Free Star Cluster Federation’s side, they have randomly assumed the identity of the Ukraine Federation, so the troops see the opening CG in the mess hall.

The mess hall appears dim, and the television in the center flashes news clips.

Scenes of Russian Federation troops gathering are shown, diplomatic efforts have failed, and the United States intelligence warns of ’imminent war’.

The soldiers of the Free Star Cluster Federation, currently embodied by Ukrainian soldiers, look up at the news.

Afterwards.

The control of these Ukraine Federation soldiers’ bodies is taken over by the soldiers of the Free Star Cluster Federation.

A mission briefing (voice) echoes in their ears:

[The armored units of the Russian Federation from the north are rapidly advancing towards Kyiv, aiming to capture the capital and destroy our command system.]

[Your mission is: at all costs, stop the enemy, and buy time for reinforcements and defense preparation by the regular army.]

As the voice fades.

The soldiers of the Free Star Cluster Federation hear a ’zzz---’ of static, and the TV has lost signal with only a snow screen flickering.

Clearly.

Communication here has been disrupted by the Russian Federation.

However, being well-trained soldiers, the Free Star Cluster Federation’s soldiers do not panic.

Instead, they quickly find their respective teams by the names above their heads.

This setup clearly allows them to improvise, rather than strictly following Earth’s rules.

Once the Free Star Cluster soldiers have quickly found their teams and regrouped, the officers in the unit head to a temporarily set up conference room for a meeting.

At this moment.

Inside the conference room.

The Free Star Cluster’s assault brigade commander, Mo’er Ellison, has gathered a lot of data, hangs up a map on the board, and says:

"According to the intelligence gathered and the plot hints."

"The Antonov Airport, where we are, will be one of the attack points of the Russian Federation; the opposing troops have gathered in Belarus."

"Antonov Airport is a dual-use airport for both military and civilian purposes."

"It can accommodate large transport aircraft."

"So once this location is captured, the Russian Federation will continuously deliver supplies, personnel, and equipment."

"Directly threatening the safety of the capital Kyiv."

Staring at the map.

Many officers of the Free Star Cluster Federation fall deep in thought.

Kyiv, the capital of the Ukraine Federation, although far from Russia, is very close to Belarus, and the intelligence indicates that Russian troops have gathered there.

So the distance from the Belarus border to Kyiv is not far on the map.

The assault brigade commander of the Free Star Cluster, Mo’er Ellison, speaks:

"Share your thoughts."

"We currently have 300 troops and some armored vehicles. How should we defend?"

Hearing the numbers, the Free Star Cluster Federation officers widen their eyes:

"300 people?"

"Where did everyone else go?"

"Our brigade shouldn’t just have this many."

"Probably assigned elsewhere."

"hiss—"

"The Ukraine Federation’s arrangement is so casual?"

"Only 300 people for such a strategic location?"

Some officers pondered:

"Probably not."

"There should be intelligence, but it’s probably not taken seriously."

"After all, this place is very close to Kyiv. Even with intelligence indicating a Russian Federation attack, generally, no one would care too much."

"If they’re already attacking here, what’s the difference from losing the country?"

As the words fall, others agree.

Indeed.

If such a location this close to the capital is attacked, the fall of the capital wouldn’t be far off. If the capital is at risk of falling, keeping watch overnight becomes meaningless.

The brigade commander of the Free Star Cluster, Mo’er Ellison, says:

"There is intelligence indeed."

"Not only from the United States but also from internal Ukraine Federation bankers who received news from the Russian Federation."

"Reportedly, they plan to attack Antonov Airport tomorrow."

Upon hearing this.

Other officers of the Free Star Cluster show bizarre expressions.

What the heck?

They received tomorrow’s attack intelligence a day early?

Isn’t this too easy?

Knowing about the attack tomorrow, how come there are just this few people?

These Free Star Cluster Federation officers are bewildered for a moment.

Is this war transparent?

They even know the timing of the attack tomorrow.

But seeing the pre-hostility state of this airport, clearly, they haven’t taken such intelligence seriously at all.

It’s unclear how strong the Russian Federation’s attack will be.

A staff officer pondered for a bit and spoke:

"I think sending for reinforcements is better."

"Given the importance of this airport, if the Russian Federation seeks capture, they surely won’t send few people. We cannot hold with these 300."

Upon hearing this.

The others nod in agreement, but some are concerned:

"Can we successfully call for reinforcements?"

"Can the plot be altered freely?"

Considering their past experiences with game plots, everything is preset, so can they actually summon reinforcements?

The staff officer scratches his head:

"Probably, right?"

"Polestar Games claims the most realistic plot, no?"

"If following reality, as long as the stakes are clearly explained, they should persuade the Ukrainian Federation’s senior officials?"

"Look at the map."

The staff officer looks at the map and says:

"The Russian Federation’s objective seems to be to enter the Ukraine Federation swiftly through Belarus and quickly occupy the Antonov Airport, 10 kilometers outside of Kyiv."