Marvel Magic Case Files

Chapter 1586 The Lunar War (Ninety-Eight)

Actions invisible to the average person could only be clearly seen in footage captured by high-speed cameras. The video of Blackcard Burtgan and Maximus was broken down into millions of high-resolution images and displayed on the holographic projection command desk in the General Staff. This document was transmitted to many senior officers along the chain of command and to staff officers in the command departments. Among them, the mage Hamil, as an advisor to the Psionic Academy and Kamar-Taj, also sat in one of the chairs in the General Staff, holding a data tablet and watching the breakdown of the combat video of Blackcard Burtgan and Maximus.

Master Hamil couldn't understand the officers' questions about "fuel efficiency of armored vehicles in low-oxygen, high-altitude environments," "airdrop efficiency of heavy armored units in low-oxygen, high-altitude environments," "firepower efficiency of artillery in oxygen-free environments," or even "emergency measures for airtightness of light infantry combat uniforms in low-oxygen, low-pressure environments."

This is an area beyond the knowledge of the mage Hamil, a realm he couldn't reach. Modern warfare is essentially the art of statistics and economics. The sheer volume of work involved in transporting ammunition, fuel, machine parts, maintenance personnel, and medicine to the moon and the battlefield before unleashing them on the enemy, and even coordinating the takeoff and landing of assault transport ships and shuttle fleets, can be maddening. All pre-war preparations are essentially testing the limits of logistical management capabilities, the limits of economic capacity, and so on. These tasks determine whether the Emperor can unleash a concentrated barrage of firepower on the Inhumans, and each attack on the Inhumans of Attilan costs hundreds of times more than an equivalent attack on Earth.

Although the mage Hamil had managed the life and finances of Kamar-Taj, the numbers involved in the Battle of Attilan were beyond the comprehension of an ordinary person. However, he could barely grasp that the money the Emperor had invested in this battle might have exceeded the total assets of the Stark Group. He could only understand the details exposed in the battle that the Emperor had orchestrated.

The aftershocks of that battle had some impact on the structural integrity of Attilan Fortress.

Fortunately, although the Starfortress was never designed to withstand earthquakes, ensuring its structural integrity was a crucial consideration during the Void Wars. Even though the war between Blackcard Bertgang and Maximus was like dropping a high-explosive bomb inside the Starfortress, this Starfortress, possibly built tens of thousands of years ago, along with its automated control systems and the still-unchanged fire suppression system, maintained its integrity. The staff could still sit in the front-line command post and discuss issues. There were mortal officers in Void combat armor, genetically modified warriors in power armor, and even a majestic Royal Guard clad in resplendent golden armor. While others were discussing issues, the Royal Guard remained silent, his calm eyes scanning the crowd.

The genetically modified warriors remained silent, just as they had been when they were created.

"I want to hear the Kamar-Taj sorcerers' calculations," Lieutenant Nelson said in a dry voice. As part of the standard supplies issued to genetically modified warriors, high-alcohol Balkan Lachia, a brandy made from plums and other fruits, was also the standard drink for their meetings. They couldn't get drunk; this strong liquor only allowed them to barely recall their former lives as mortals. "His Majesty has given the order; we must devise a surprise attack on the portal and completely seal it," Lieutenant Nelson said, pointing towards the battlefield. "Those monsters are endless; we must find the portal as soon as possible, otherwise our logistical support will face immense pressure. I don't want the warriors fighting with only swords and bayonets."

"The portal's location has been locked." The mage Hamil looked at Lieutenant Nelson on the other side of the long table. While the others wore breathing masks to cope with the increasingly thin air of Attilan, Lieutenant Nelson removed his helmet. "Sealing the portal is no simple task; we need the appropriate incantations and mana. We possess this ability, but the veterans of the dimensional rifts who came here have already paid a heavy price for divining the portal's location."

"Then they died a worthy death," Lieutenant Nelson said calmly. "They fulfilled their duty, and that is the greatest honor."

"Don't be so cold-blooded," Master Hamil sighed. "Those veterans have spent over a century learning and fighting. They are Kamar-Taj's greatest asset, and also the Emperor's greatest asset in taking over Kamar-Taj. If He wants to build a psionic governing organization in the future, then these dimensional veterans will be the organization's most solid framework. The value of their lives is far greater than you think."

Lieutenant Nelson nodded noncommittally.

Does Kamar-Taj have the capability to track the locations of Blackcard Burtgan and Maximus?

"No, unless the Emperor himself intervenes. The ability to obtain such information is akin to that of a prophet, and we have neither prophet nor such ability. Intensive surveillance of the Aether Sea may not yield the truth; it could also reveal lies." The mage Hamil looked at the Royal Guard. "Do you have any new information to share, Amon?"

"Focus on the portal first," Amon said succinctly. "Blackcard Burt and Maximus can be followed later."

"Understood." Mage Hamil looked at the mortal officer. "We are currently working with the technicians of the Immortal City to create a 3D model of Attilan Castle to pinpoint the location of the portal. We should be able to obtain the accurate coordinates soon."

"Chief of the Aparisha is currently on a classified mission. He will receive mission instructions once the relevant plans are finalized." Lieutenant Nelson looked at the Royal Guard's Amon. "How many men will the Royal Guard send for this operation? I know His Majesty desires this star fortress, so we cannot simply blow it up. We can only send infantry. I suggest keeping mortal soldiers completely away from this operation. The place we are going to will undoubtedly be heavily guarded, and mortal soldiers will only cause unnecessary casualties."

Amon replied bluntly, "That's for my lord to decide, not for you."

Nixon's adjutant grinned sinisterly, let out a cold laugh, and finally nodded.

"We need to prepare a mobile force. This force must get to the battlefield as quickly as possible when Blackcard Burt and Maximus arrive," he said. "Does the General Staff have any objections to this decision? If not, I'll draw on the hovercraft mobile force that was previously protecting the fire positions for this mission. There's also a reserve force on the Skycarrier, and I think it's time to use that force."

"agree."

"agree."

"Order the Sky Carrier's teleportation equipment to prepare. The Kamar-Taj sorcerers will handle any teleportation interference," said Lieutenant Nelson. "The faster we act, the faster the target will die."

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(End of this chapter)