It all started from the sky, as it often does these days. On the horizon, a formation of C-17 transport planes slowly appeared, each carrying elite paratroopers ready to land on the shores of Papua New Guinea. This was not a combat raid — at least, not a real one. The 'Talisman Sabre' exercises in 2025 became the largest in history: not only in the number of participants but in symbolic significance. Battalion commander Major Sarah Leyden watched the tactical map monitor. Her unit consisted of 200 well-trained soldiers prepared for a multi-domain operation. This time, the scenario involved capturing a beachhead, establishing a defensive line, and repelling the 'aggressor,' a role played by Canadian allies. But this military performance contained a real sense of unease. Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, Chinese reconnaissance ships drifted. Though their mission was officially declared observational, no one believed they were just watching. 'Every move we make now writes history,' Sarah told her deputy. Between blank rounds and briefings, between marches and cyber simulations, soldiers were learning the new language of war: hybrid, informational, and highly technological. From drones deployed over mangrove swamps came data relayed to the floating command center. The strikes seemed aimed not at enemies, but at the barriers between nations and systems. In a nearby camp, Captain Jonathan Lau from Singapore wrote in his journal: 'The battle for tomorrow begins with understanding — who is our friend, who is our ally, and who might become something else at any moment.' At a closed briefing, command warned: China is increasing surveillance, and any mistake could spark an international incident. A radar glitch, a stray drone — and a training mission becomes a catastrophe. But everything was going according to plan. For now. On the fourth day, the 'captured' airfield was symbolically 'liberated.' Journalists wrote about the coordination, the show of strength. But in the evening, on the seashore, commanders from different countries sat by the fire talking about something else: families, children, peace. Because even in exercises, a soldier’s true purpose is not victory — but the prevention of war.