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Crowded yet again into a lecture hall, this time one of the academy’s very largest, you’re sitting half bored along with most of the other cadets as the instructor prattles on about the intricacies of military logistics and the details of campaigns won and lost centuries ago. The history itself isn’t all that unfamiliar to you, that of the second global war during earth’s middle era, a conflict that historians still tediously study and which remains one of the largest wars in human history, only dwarfed in loss of life by the limited nuclear wars of the very late middle era - It is, however, very out of date in terms of military relevance. Planes had only existed for a handful of decades, and mankind hadn’t even achieved the crudest and earliest forays into space yet - What lessons could this possibly teach a spacenoid military?
The instructor, a strict and very prim woman by the name of Naska, standing before the class near the conclusion of the day’s lesson, “...The turn to the south by German forces was, in large part, driven by a desire to secure the oil fields of the southern Caucasus and deny their use to the enemy. These are the very same oil fields which supplied German forces only a few years prior, when both nations were allies and engaging in strategic trade. This was far too late, and the end result was, of course, one of the most famous reversals in military history. Now, Cadet, I’ll open the floor to any of you for this final question: What lesson can be learned from the failures we’ve discussed today? How do battles fought with primitive tanks and propeller driven planes have anything to do with a world of space fleets and particle cannons?”
Vivima raises her hand, eager to speak again after answering many questions earlier. Blare’s hand is up as well, along with a few others.
“Cadet Zabi, Vivima, how do you answer?” Naska questions, a finely maintained eyebrow arching curiously as she looks to the purple haired Zabi girl.
“There’s much to learn from the industrial and logistical failures of the eastern campaign.” Vivima stands before speaking, her voice clear and carrying across the entire class, “The invading army prioritized operational and tactical concerns over the strategic and industrial, rewarding officers who triumphed in battle while brushing logistical duties off onto the less capable. There was little prestige in it. A successful military should be, from the ground up, <span class="mu-i">efficient</span>.”
“Vague.” Naska says disapprovingly, “You can do better than that, cadet. Specifics, please. I’m not looking for a historical treatise, pick what you’d like.”
