NationStates Jolt Archive

((Born of this thread http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=377624&page=1&pp=15 this is The Estenlands' invasion of the newly established Lavragerian Republic, and will focus on the fighting that is actually going on in the field. The other thread contains background and on-going diplomacy et cetera. I'm afraid this will be a pretty long post, but I've missed a lot!))

Lavragerian troops in the border areas continued their arduous routine of constant re-deployment, setting up camps that to most, well, wouldn't have looked like camps, they were so simple. Squads of infantry, anti-tank teams, and air-defence units wandered back and forth for weeks before the expected assault, making no pretence at being a regular or modern army. They had no comprehensive radar grid to direct their deployments, nor to give them away or tie them down. They just moved in hopes of avoiding surprise strikes upon themselves and, if they were lucky -as was the case with that Mirage they were all talking about- perhaps surprising an enemy force. These were hardy nomads by blood and even by experience, having known urban life for a few years at most, and well did they remember saddle-borne days of exploration, labour, and plunder on the damp, chilly flats of Lavrageria.

But they'd never experienced anything like this as it befel their infant democracy tonight. While many noticed nothing unusual about the evening, others were overflown by swarms of Estenlandic aircraft headed north. Here and there 7.62mm and 14.5mm machineguns rattled out hopeful bursts of tracer fire as thunderous entities raced overhead, and some 23mm guns joined the spitting match while here and there just a few Russian Strela and Igla missiles raced after targets sometimes unseen to the naked eyes of the earth-bound defenders. These border guards gave nothing that would seriously hamper the wider scale of the all out air attack. Likewise, the little airbase at Itageria (Gomel/Homyel), would be strictly limited in its active defiance. A few hand-cranked sirens called out only when the alert could already hear the rushing of aircraft, or worse of their weaponry, and up went more of the same machinegun fire, this time joined by a few 100mm anti-aircraft guns, a couple of small batteries sharing one modest search radar while the rest fired on optics and guesswork, often responding only after the eruption of a bomb told them that aircraft must be near by. Across the whole southern city of above quarter of a million, only a few dozen heavy guns, a handfull of man-portable SAMs, and some scores of machineguns tried to bring down or ward off the attacking planes. They'd be lucky to make any impression, in truth, but the Lavragerians couldn't just throw themselves into bomb craters and hope that it'd all work out.

Soon, what radar the southern city had would have been picked out and disabled by enemy anti-radar missiles, it was assumed, and then it would be daylight before anyone could shoot on something better than a hope or a guess. On Itageria's airstrip, Lieutenant (he was exceptionally proud of that slightly over-ambitious commission) Gutin was still walking around his adored Delfin jet, patting its nose and whispering admiringly about the adventures they'd have, as he had in the past with his stout pony, when the siren reported the fall of the first bombs not far away. He was the only pilot in the Committee of People's Flying Forces to get his plane off the ground in the southern defence sector. He barely made it, fragments of bombs showering the strip behind him even as he powered along it. Once up, he didn't have it much better, being limited in his nightfighting abilities compared to the radar-laden enemies he was presumably facing. An all seeing person might have noticed Gutin rattling off some light machinegun fire and loosing unguided rockets, presumably towards where he hoped to find a gathering of hostile aircraft, but that was his lot, the sum total of Lavragerian airforce reaction in the south. Nobody else made it off the ground, though what remained to be blown up amounted to just a few more training aircraft and decrepit light transports.

The best Lavrageria had to fly was further north, and able to follow the Drapoel jets into the sky just moments after hearing of attacks to the south, of which most would likely not live to hear the destructive scale. While the Aidarov government had accommodated two dozen Fishbed-type fighters from the north Korean republic, and more than that number of pilots, stationing them all in the central and northern bases at Ulanger, Hia'Itakchi, Vargery and Hiagery, the native airforce itself had little to go on. Once the Drapoel and -if they chose to scramble- Russian jets had taken off, just over a dozen MiG-23U two-seater jets rumbled into the fight, 23mm gunpacks and IR-guided AAMs armed. Aware that the fast and nimble Drapoel Fishbeds were going to close with the enemy and attempt to tangle at close quarters, and that the Russians would presumably try to disrupt the enemy and draw their attentions from longer range, the few Lavragerian jets tried to assemble for high speed attacking swoops against enemy aircraft committed to attacking runs on ground forces and installations. On the one hand it seemed a balanced and deep system, but on the other it was little practiced and facing awful numeric odds.

What seemed more important to the Lavragerian command was that preparation for the ground war go ahead. Bombings were the signal for soldiers and partisans to make ready, to go to their deep swamp and forest positions where they'd spent weeks stockpiling munitions and tools (food supplies were a minor concern to the Lavragerians so long as they had the skills and tools to hunt and to forage in the nation's vast wilderness- if it worked against the Wehrmacht, Aidarov was sure that it'd work better still against these Tsarist swine!

Border troops facing ground attacks did so in isolated pockets, most giving a volley of well-aimed sniper shots or mercenary-taught hail of machinegun fire before running frantically away -across traditional trails or recently prepared tiny causeways in what was otherwise the Pripet Marshes, quite content to let any vehicles that followed bog themselves down for the mercy of anti-tank missile teams in foxholes or guns half entrenched (and liable to rust before long). Infantry who gave chase would be subject to a second string of sniper or machinegun fire. If these little squads weren't pursued, however, they were quite able to live off the land in the traditional fashion and to come at the enemy from behind, or at his supply line, or even back across his borders, for which the recently nomadic peoples had little respect.

Still, daybreak would almost certainly reveal an awful price for the Republic's geographical proximity to such a tyrant as the Tsar and his twisted Gallic counterpart. What foreign media teams survived the night in the capital would be able to see the ruin of French missiles struck into a city of 1.4million people, almost all of whom had been sleeping in their cheaply and hurridly erected shanty town dwellings when the explosions and fires started.


((So, this is a load of specifics just for those who want facts and figures, it won't be interesting, so feel free to skim! There are in total five operational air bases of any note in Lavrageria, with the west of the country being almost totally undeveloped. Programmes to develop infrastructure were put on hold by the threat of war, worsening the barbarian problem that the Estenlands cites as its reason for threatening war in the first place ( ;) had to get that dig in). The bases are at:
*Itageria (Homyel/Gomel)- furnished with minimal aircraft and defences and presumably trashed as expected during the first strike
*Ulanger (Mogilev/Mahilyow)- the capital, which is of course defended by a greater concentration of AAA and light SAMs, and has slightly better radar coverage, especially in the southern and western approaches (the assumption is that an attack won't come from the east since another air base and... Russia get in the way. The air base will have had about 12 Drapoel fighters, probably about a quarter to half of the Russian planes in country, possibly some Hindustani assets, and native aircraft in the form of a few light transports, some unarmed elemental trainers and lightly armed jet trainer/attackers, and half a dozen MiG-23 Flogger.
*Hia'Itakchi (Minsk)- as a town of over half a million, this place's air base has moderately dense AAA and some light SAM protection, and its airbase contains a pair of MiG-23 as well as light aircraft, probably 4 Drapoel fighters, possibly a couple of Russian assets and potentially a couple of Hindustani.
*Vargery (Drsha/Orsha)- one of only two cities over a million people (counting all the massive surrounding slum-like sprawl and shanty towns), this is directly north of Ulanger's air base, so should get significant warning and will send what little it has to join the fight over the capital. Here will be about four MiG-23, probably 4-8 Drapoel MiG-21s, possibly a few Hindustanis, and most probably a portion of the Russian assets, as it is near the border. Its air defences are again AAA and a handful of light SAMs
*Hiagery (Vitebsk/Vitsyebsk)- as the most distant city of any real significance in size, this got a last-ditch airbase near the Russian border, potentially in range of Russian-based SAMs and certainly of aircraft. It would presumably get the most warning of something afoot, and knowing in advance to expect air attack at any moment, would probably have chance to scramble what it has. Here would be more of the same basic air defences, presumably 4-8 Drapoel fighters and a few Russians, two Lavragerian MiG-23s, and a higher than usual concentration of training/ground attack aircraft and light transports.
All in all, probably less than 100 interceptors from all involved nations stationed at four of five air bases.))

At Petit Schronnbrunn the Royal Dauphin Corps was ready for action. Every day was now used for grueling training, under the increasingly knowledgable eyes of the Dauphin. Morale was high, the men sang as they marched.

The Mirage-2000s were on general alert, ready to take off at a moments notice (having their upgrades completed), bombs already couched in posistion; and the Abrams were revved up and ready to go.

All they waited for now was the word from the Tsar to move, and sieze glory.

________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, on board the Roi de Soleil crusing the Black Sea along Estenlands the Marquis d'Harcour watched as the missles set off heat blooms in Ulanger. They had hit, but the damage in that haphazard city was not what the Marquis had hoped for.

"By God, they shall be brought to heel. Rig for launch!" bells went off again, the light went out and red lights came on.

"Targets: hit what we think is the power facility, hit what we think (all they saw was a collection of stramge buildings) is the hospital, fire the rest randomly...so as long as they hit some portion of the city." Technicians rushed to his orders, and before long a High Definition picture of a battered Ulanger came up of the screen...

The picture was lit again with red lights, and the Lt. Commander turned to the Marquis. "My lord, we have recieved the second set of launch codes from Versailles. Shall we launch?"

"Go now, use the previous payload, bring up launch on screen two." The Marquis gripped the rail.

The alarms got louder for a few minutes, then changed tone, then stopped. The second night of the invasion, another eight massiveFury V missles leapt up from the Battleship, each one trailing a fire-cloud. They were fitted with the combustability-contact warheads again, only this time they sped into either housing blocks or the aforementioned power or possible governmental zones. The goal was clear: wreak havoc and destroy Lavragerias morale.

In the dead of the night, the Russian pilots awaited the order from above. Would they stand and fight, or flee like cowards before the imperialist dogs?

<DRAMATIC PAUSE>

And then it came. In Putin’s own words, “Send them to hell.”
And so they did. All Russian jets (numbers in previous post, Mig-29s, Mig-23s, and Su-50s) jetted off of their runways, dashing into the night sky.
Avees “Hawkeye” Baradai, a grizzled Arab man whose face bore both many scars and a black eyepatch, finished zipping on his flightsuit. His face bore a grim smile, which it always did during battle. The grim satisfaction was a result of the fact that he thirsted to eliminate the foes of Russia, but could not feel true joy when his and his comrades’ lives were at risk.
And with these thoughts, Hawkeye jumped into his unmarked Mig-29. Its sleek body drove across the runway, and joined the others in the sky. All over Lavrageria, Russian planes fought with their Lavragerian allies, attempting to disrupt Estenlandian formations with long range strikes, although they did often engage in close range, due to the dual nature of the Mig-29. Mig-23s and Su-50s attempted to distance themselves in order to gain long rage shots.
Hawkeye spotted a small group of Estenlandian planes attacking a Lavragerian plane.
“Disruption assault on that squadron.”, said Hawkeye.
He squeezed off a few heat seeking missiles into a squadron of Estenland jets. His squadron followed, and a barrage was launched against the Estenlanders, as was done all over this small nation whose importance on the world scale had burst into prominence.

A transport, French (that had come with the fleet to Sebastopol) steamed out of the harbor, and made for the Battlegroup of the Estenlandian coast.
It carried, covertly of course, numbers of Fury V LRM's, which it intended to resupply the Roi de Soleil with. It was estimated, the Battleship having just launched a second wave of the great cigar shaped missles at Ulanger, that another launch would be possible at midnight. Crews on board the Cherbourg Class Battleship worked like ants to prepare, in the C&C they calibrated the satellite link to select new targets.

Meanwhile, the French very soon found out they had multiple boogeys (sorry is mispelled, ya know what I mean) literally appearing left and right over combatted Lavrageria airspace . Immediatley French Field HQ in Petit Schronnbrunn relayed the imformation to the Estenlandian High Command, hooking them up with a live link and sending technical support to help their Estenlandian brothers cope with the downpour of readouts.

To prevent the Estenlandian Air Force from becoming frazzled (if such a thing was possible) from this strage intervention, the Mariage-2000's launched from Petit Schronnbrunn. They flew in delta formation (at the last minute having swapped their ground assualt equipment to aerial combat) and climbed to maximum altitude, moving into Lavragerian airspace. Like a silver arrow they shot into Estenlands support...Migs would find battling the Ordu du Saint-Espirit, in their Mirage-2000's, invigorating to say the least. So, in formation they moved to cover their ally. As soon as they crossed the border the went weapons hot, and now were on the hunt.

French HQ in Petit Schronbrunn therefore decided to pound the Lavragerians with their devastating misslery on the ground, and use their small (but elite) aeronautical detachment to support Estenlandian Operations.

To prevent the Estenlandian Air Force from becoming frazzled (if such a thing was possible) from this strage intervention, the Mariage-2000's launched from Petit Schronnbrunn. They flew in delta formation (at the last minute having swapped their ground assualt equipment to aerial combat) and climbed to maximum altitude, moving into Lavragerian airspace. Like a silver arrow they shot into Estenlands support...Migs would find battling the Ordu du Saint-Espirit, in their Mirage-2000's, invigorating to say the least. So, in formation they moved to cover their ally. As soon as they crossed the border the went weapons hot, and now were on the hunt.



OOC: And which version of the Mirage 2000 woudl that be then? the French don't actually use a multirole version of the mirage 2000 isntead sticking to the airdefence C/Fs, nuclear Ns and strike Ds, they did cosnider adopting the -5mk2 or -9 but decided the rafale would make a better option Although the Ds and Ns can carry magic 2 for self defense.
I hate beign nit picky but i really have a thing for the Mirage 2k.


IC: The reverberating boom of a bomb striking the village hall echoed through Morgan's head as he trained his handycam over the devastion caused, journalism wasn't really his strong point but his rather crappy fottage helped earn a few extra pounds at the end of the day. he didn't even have ethical issues this time as there had been noone in the village as the raid struck, not that anyone in the outside world needed to know that.
he ahd been hoping for soem nice fottage of a mirage pulling out of its attack run but it seemed that the frogs were being shy this evening.

((Hey. Yah, Restoration Frances elite fighter is the Dassualt-Rafale C, but this affair was not deemed important enough to endanger any --yet--. I am speaking of the Dassualt-Mirage 2000 F models. It is this model that was sent as part of the Royal Dauphin to Estenlands to fight. They have been jerry rigged to have some ground attack capability (as was seen in the recon debacle earlier) but nevertheless their purpose in Estenlands in air to air combat (which is what, after all, what the Ordu du Saint-Espirit "Knights of the sky" would prefer). The is a full wing of the D model in the OSE in France, FYI. BTW, since the Mirages are fighting in a aero-war manner, they would not have dropped any bombs. If I may suggest, you would be much better served recording the missle attack the French are launching against Ulanger. There has been one strike yielded, one on the way, and they are preparing for more. See these posts, the missles are basically fire-bombs, so Ulanger will be the ideal spot for photo journalism ;) If you need any more info, Id be happy to provide ((I, incidentally, prefer the Rafales C myself, sweet planes)). ))

OOC:
You may notice that my RP focuses more or less directly on Derek Morgan and since he was out in the back woods trainign the locals he couldn't exactly zip back into town.
I never stated it was french bomb and Morgan doesn't exactly have up to the minute detailed intel on anyone's deployments.

Basically i reconed that the village would be just about big enough to look worthwhile on some Air planner's map so it received some FAB-250/500 loving, although if estenalnds was feelign nasty i could reworking so that a ZAB250 was used or even a thermobaric weapon...

((Okie doke, no probs. For myself I was just curious to see the damage the French are doing from the other point of the barrel so to speak. Your sure you couldnt find some sympathetic Strndothian lurking about the alleys of Ulanger, tis, or twas, the capital after all.))

OOC: Oh i might find one ;)

Sir Reginald, with a flurry of activity gets the report, "They are doing what?"
"Milord, the French fighters have taken off and entered enemy airspace."
Condmeningn eyes are shot at Reginald from all over the room. It was of widely held opinion that the French couldn't operate in a meaningful wartime situation, this was yet another proof.
"Call the Dauphin," he spat, glaring at Jillesepone, "And explain to him that he was given a direct order to stay out of the conflict until ordered to enter it. He is now disobeying that order. Disobediance of a direct order is considered treason in this country. The Tsar is right now being informed of his actions If his fighters do not immedieately withdraw, action may be taken to correct this faux paus........remind the Dauphin that he is risking arrest."
The Dauphiness nodded, her face red with shame and her hands shaking with rage.

OOC- I am going to consider that all elements were engaged during the first phase of the attack. That would mean that your 100 fighters nationwide is being angaged by my 500 first wave. I am going to consider that you had some major heroics on your side, and even with some of your planes getting destroyed on the ground, you took out an astonishing 200 attacking planes!!!!! I presume that your entire force would be destroyed, including the majority of your AA capabilities, because my first wave is centered entirely on taking air superiority. But, please post your own losses.
If there is anything left, the second wave, consisting of another 500 fresh fighters and 250 bombers, would pretty much bomb everything into the stone age that was left.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

OOC: Since you haven't deployed your top-of-the-line fighters, (You said you haven't deemed the situation "important" enough for Rafael use.) and I have<Mig-29M>, I'm guessing my small force of Mig-29M's have a slight edge. Right? Of course, the Mig-23s and Sus have little chance, unless they are in numbers. Oh, and can the Estenlands give the reaction to the barrage of missiles unleashed by seven Mig-29s and five Mig-23s on a squad of Estenland planes.
Hawkeye glared at his onboard HUD. He was so busy blasting away at Estenlanders that he hadn't noticed the upcoming Mirages. He did a barrel roll to avoid incoming fire, and quickly dashed forward, flanked by three Mig-29s and ten Mig-23s , preparing for an old fashioned dogfight.
"Squadron, we have French bogies incoming. All units, place the French as high priority. The Lavragerians can hold their own against the Estenlanders, but those Mirages are another beast entirely."
OOC: Hey, want to have a one-on-one dogfight between "Hawkeye" and the top pilot of your Mirage squadron?

OOC: Estenlands, can you RP the specific incident I mentioned earlier? Just respond to the specifc maneuver by hawkeye, so we can have some back-and-forth battle. I realize we'll lose the air war; I just want to RP it.

((The following information is only known between France and Estenlands, assume highest priorty secrecy))

The French Aircraft, being informed on the order to withdraw, would do so. But not before the muttering of the pilots.

The Dauphin, it seems, due to a recent attack of the vapors (and then subesquently placed on tranquilizers) was not able to be informed of the situation, and therefore could not halt it.

He is still for the moment incapacitated, thus leaving all French military forces under the command of the Marquis d'Harcor, who well understood the laying orders. In a few days he would, according to his physicians, be at his full capacities again.

The Problem, it seem, lay in some roundy pilots, the sons who constituted the flower of noble youth. Orders were mistaken, and the flight approval was given. Luckily, they had only crossed the border at the time of the sigal.

Until then, the French forces will be in no posistion to do anything other than the steady bombardment they have engaging in. Of course, the troops are still at full readniess, in case of attack at their fort.

((Dam it, huh? not another French defeat--I just want to remind you all it isnt one!!!!In the meantime, as the war goes on, you all have given your military numbers, I ought to do the same, if just for the record! BTW AC, sorry about missing the dog fight, but there will undoubtedly be many more, and better situations))

French Royal Army
This is the heart of the French Armed Forces. Made exclusivley of mercenary forces, who hold oaths and life-contracts solely to Louis XX. It is a disparate group, reflecting the finest warriors the world has to offer in service to the King. The Royal Army is, quite literally, why Louis is without a doubt secure on his throne.

[Note on uniforms, all soldiers wear tephlon plated steel tricorner hats, colors that mach tho their Regimental Uniform--each uniform being unique to suit the character of the unit--, as shown by [] ]
Swiss Bodyguards- 900
-The Kings bodyguards, the finest soldierly of Switzerland.
(3) Swiss Regiments- 7000 each [red, black, and gold]
-Swiss heavy infantry. Soul of the Royal Army.
Basque Brigade- 900 [black and green]
-Most ruthless unit in Royal Army, they are a showpiece.
Flanders Regiment- 2400 [blue]
-Functions as State Police in Northern France. Mixed Mercencery Unit.
(2) Sikh Corps- 3500 each [black and tan]
-Tough Sikhs, serve a versatile medium infantry, noted for their resilience.
Shirpa Corps- 2510 [black and red]
-Mountaineers, brutal and capable of winning a goal quickly.
(3) Korean Divisions- 12000 each [yellow and black]
-The spine of the Royal Army, incredible heavy infantry.
Czech Regiment- 1800 [butternut and blue]
-Tough Czechs, serve as urban warfare experts, light infantry.
Turkish Division- 12000 [white]
- Turk heavy infantry, along with Korean Divisions spine of Royal Army.
Burgundy Regiment- 1700 [green and blue]
-Functions as State Police in Southern France. Mixed Mercenary Unit.
Strasbourg Guard- 1890 [red and green]
-Serve as kind of a pan-France motorized police force, based in The Aresenal at Strasbourg.
(4) Artillery Batallions- 700 each [black]
Field artillery. France has standard amounts of howitzers, missles batteries, mortars and such as in IRL. The numbers forwarded by CIA, just dont have the site handy. By the way, France is a nuclear power, and a moderate one, just FYI.


[B]French Guards
The French Guards are Divisions made up of Frenchmen. The enlisted men are
mostly there on reward of the Kings Bounty (with service done, more than enough to live on), with a few being conscripted (roughy 70/30). They are reliable, if only because of their Prussian training (institued by M. de Saint-Germain, Minister of War). Each formation of company and above is commanded by an aristocratic officer, who has life and death power over his men, and whose orders are to be carried out without question. NCO's are on a better pay plan with more benefits (plus many are ex-cons, grizzled tough types) and generally carry out their duties of discipling the men and ensuring coordination admirably. Division breakdowns, as opposed to Royal Army, are standard. Advantageous because in case of emergency numbers can be brought up quickly by conscription.

[All uniforms are blue and white, standard helmets]

1st French Guard Division- 12000
-Heavy Infantry
2nd French Guard Division- 12000
-Heavy Infantry
3rd French Guard Division- 12000
-Heavy Infantry
4th French Guard Division- 12000
-Heavy Infantry
5th French Guard Division- 12000
-Medium Infantry
6th French Guard Division- 12000
-Medium Infantry
7th French Guard Division- 12000
-Medium Infantry
8th French Guard Division- 12000
-Light Infantry
9th French Guard Division- 12000
-Light Infantry
10th French Guard Division- 12000
-Light Infantry
11th French Guard Division- 12000
-Light Infantry
12th French Guard Division- 12000
-Field Artillery

*Note the Royal Dauphin Corps serving in Estenlands is made up of:
the 3rd, the 6th, and the 10th, with two companies of the 12th with artillery. As well as naval elements and elements of the OSE 3rd Wing)

**Notice there are not support posistions in the French Military. All support comes from the:

Royal Auxiliary
A cartel of noble run corporations that provide the King with engineers, cooks, mechanics, etc..., for the purpose of fulfilling those needs in the military. Their overall numbers depend on the strategic shey ituation, and as the Kings needs: right now are around 40,000. All "Auxiliaries" are basically civilians placed into a military setting, although some are veterans. They are armed only with light arms, and are by no means soldiers. They have the advantage of giving the King yet more control of the functions of the military, as he could technically 'cut off' any unit that disobeys.
They run the gambit from low to high level operations, indeed a supporting efforts from bridge-building to Satellite maintainance.

Ordu du Saint-Espirit (Royal Air Force}
This elite Order only takes sons of the highest nobility. They are 'Knights of the Sky' and have that mentality.

(6) Wings Mirage 2000 C-F Fighter Bombers
- 72 craft per Wing.
(3) Groups Dassualt Rafale-C Air Superiority Fighter
- 25 per Group.

Order of the Golden Fleece (Armored Cavalry)
Still an elite order, but for the sons of lower nobility.

(9) Brigades
Per Brigade:
35 Cheval Tanks (like mod. German Leopard)
70 Armored Vehicles
15 Support Vehicles

Royal Navy
(4) Cherbourg Class Battleships: ((Stats on Progressive Restoration))
Mark II- Louis-Auguste
Mark I-Roi de Soleil
Strasbourg
Louis XIV
(9) Marseilles Class Light Cruisers
(17) Brest Class Frigates

*Note there are no submarines in the French fleet. As gentlemen, they would naturally object to the ethic of slithering away under the water. As well, Aircraft carriers would have been a huge expenditure. Rather, especially in the case of the Cherbourg Class, AA power and sub hunt/defense ability has been integrated into the surface ships. Jets will find them very responsive, and for subs they have one of the best seek/destroy processes in the world.

10,000 Royal Marines

((So, that is my military! Hope I didnt hog to much, but I though people should know how France stands.))

OOC-Um.....I am just assuming the entirety of the battle in my aforementioned post. So as to your post, the French fighters are immediately withdrawing, before even getting into range. As for the Estenlandian fighters, I'll post something, but I can't RP every battle, this is one huge conflict.

IC-Captain Roberta Schultz, commander of one of the many Phase One squadrons over Lavrageria. She comes up on one of the enemy elements over the interior of the country. She knows that she has a slight technological advantage over the enemy in her Quinntonian F-18A, but close just to make it interesting. Just as she comes in close, 12 separate volleys come from the enemy element, at her 35 planes. She calls for evasive action, and then returns fire, "they got the drop on us," 5 of her squadron go down on that first volley. "UNLEASH HELL!" she yells as the rest of her squadron turns and engages the Migs, firing off some of their air-to-air complements as she radios in that she has engaged.

Since this is one of the largest groupings of fighters outside of the main battle to be found, back-up is ordered in, and 20 more fighters start screaming forward, ETA 2 mins.
(This is the beauty of completely outnumbering the enemy)

Two more of her squadron get blown out of the sky as she turns to angage the leader, flanked by two wingmen on either side, the five of them take aim, their objective to destroy this one darting MiG.


King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

The fleet of five ships: The Cherbourg Clas Battleship, its Brest Class Frigate escorts, and the supply ship, made only ten knots down the coast of Estenlands.

After a long day of work, crews were able to restock the Roi de Soleil with additional Fury V LRM's.

Continuing with the target pattern selected earlier (firing at any building that looked slightly governmental or electrical, and pelting the remaing six-per-cycle in the cities areas of density) in a Versailles strategy room, the battleship continued its cycle of bombardment.

In Versailles, His Most Christian Majesties government decided that the capitualtion of Ulanger was a critical nessecity, as it represented Republican Lavrageria. The approval was given for a sustained bombardment of Ulanger by LRM's fitted with combustable-contact payloads.

The Marquis would give his assent, the launch codes were confirmed. The alarms rang, and another eight Fury V's were sent of their way to the Republics capital.

((This would make a total of 24 combustability-contact missles launched at Ulanger from the Roi de Soleil))

(OOC: I know, it's just that I feel at least one air battle should be RPed. Sorry to bother. I think the area has currently fifteen Mig-29s, five Mig-23s, and ten Sus of various type in the area. Correct me if I'm wrong.)
"Hawkeye" swooped around nervously, trying to get out of the enemy path. Seeing as most enemy fighters were located in this area, he called in all reinforcements. ETA for most was ten minutes, though the closer ones came in almost immediately.
"We shall make our last stand here...", he gritted his teeth, knowing his time was near. He sped his jet forward, and dived down to lose the incoming F-18s. No such luck. Maneuever after maneuver, like in some bizzare dance, he attempted to avoid them. Hawkeye attempted to use a sharp right turn, followed by a quick volley, but although he did squeeze a missile off, he was not sure if it hit. Why? Two F-18s managed to intercedpt him, and unleash pure hell onto his side. His eyes shut, ready for death....But...
Another Mig-29 barreled in front of the various missiles, and used himself as a shield. The first, and definitely not last Russian casualty had ocurred.
His Mig limping, he sped off back towards Russia, looking upon his brave allies. Lavragerians, Russians, and so many others...Fighting for the freedom of a nation....
And losing.
CASUALTIES:
34/35 Mig-29 destroyed, 1 escaped with severe damage (want to keep the character)
20/20 Mig-23s destroyed, .
20/20 Sus
Twenty pilots did manage to parachute out, though it remains to be seen if they get captured or not...

(OOC: Would it be alright if I attempted an assasination or kidnapping on Jillespon? Her child could unify France and Ukraine, which in the long term would be a disaster..)

((I think the alliance is bigger than the marriage. If Jillesopone was knocked off, theyd just find another suitable pair, and pull some dynastic tricks. There governments are just too similar. That said, I quail to think what would happen when Wingert found out something happened to his daughter.))

((Yeah, but once the kid grows up, that means French-Ukrainian unification. That is extremely worrisome for the region.))

((Oh no, it wouldnt be unification in that sense. More like just having the same House. The child (if a boy) will become the next Tsar, but a Bourbon/Wingert, while the Dauphin will go on to become Louis XXI. There is never a 'national merger' in dynastic relations, just the linking of houses used to expand the mutual power base.))

<QUOTE>Sir Reginald steps forward and begins to give the sit-rep. "We have called up the first tier of reserves and they are holding the strategic areas of defence to the south and interior of the nation, their numbers are about 400,000 in total, breaking into 20 Divisions of Light Infantry. We have also moved a major portion of our attack helicopter force into the Southern mountain ranges in case of counter-attack, we will be able to use these forces to form counter-attacks throughout the nation, much like during the revolution."

He pauses for a second and then continues, "We have deployed Most of our armour along the northern frontier, with 20 Heavy Armoured Divisions, each with 600-800 pieces of armour and containing 400,000 troops; 8 Fully Mechanised Divisions, with 200-400 pieces of armour per and containing 160,000 troops; 8 Light Infantry Divisions, containing 0-200 pieces of armour and with 160,000 men; 4 Engineering Divisions with 100-300 pieces of armour and containing 80,000 troops; finally with 2 Elite Airborne Divisions, with 600-800 attack helicopters attached per and the ability to airdrop up to 1500 troops each every 12 hours. This brings our northern forces to a total of 840,000 troops, with the exception of the Airborne, who are still deployed in the Crimea, with the understanding that they can be moved into position in under six hours if the order is so given. This also means that our minimum amount of armour (tanks) that are deployed is brought to 14,000. This number can be brought up to our maximum in a war-time economy that would be 22,000. With French support we can bring up to that number in two to six months, depending on the foreign market, but with 20 billion in French support, it shouldn't be a problem. Also, I know that Your Majesty is concerned with keeping that amount of Reserves in the field, but the support thing holds true here as well."

“This means the remainder of our professional army, 5 Heavy Armoured Divisions, with 600-800 armoured pieces and containing 100,000 troops; 2 Fully Mechanised Divisions with 200-400 armoured pieces and containing 40,000 troops; 2 Light Infantry Divisions containing 40,000 troops, 1 Engineering Division with 100-3000 pieces of armour containing 20,000 troops. That puts 200,000 troops and a minimum of 3500 pieces of armour along our Eastern frontier.” Sir Reginald steps back. <QUOTE>
-Just FYI from page 8 of the other thread-


OOC-I send in 500 modern fighters with well-trained pilots and you only lose 44/75? That is only 59% of total forces, with my aforementioned losses; I was thinking that you would be fighting to the last. I was also considering that if 100 of the posted fighters you said you had in the area fought right to the death, that I would have 200 losses, if not I will have to recap, with such a low amount, considering you were outnumbered 5 to 1 in the first hour, and then almost 10 to 1 after that, I will say that I had 2 losses to every one you had. So, 88. I will also do the same for everyone else who posts air losses.

IC-You will find major opposition, trying to get you to stay in Lavrageria, but once across the border, no one will follow.
And, King Wingert I will send an official missive that any planes coming into Lavragerian or Ukrainian air space from Russia will be considered a Russian attack and a declaration of war.


At this time, the invading army breaks into two groups, Group A-The Tigers and Group B-The Sun Group, as homage to our allies.

Group A- Is charged with maintaining the southern frontier of the nation and slowly moving forward and is the larger of the two;
10 Heavy Armoured Divisions
4 Fully Mechanised Divisions
2 Engineering Divisions
6 Light Infantry Divisions
This has a minimum tank complement of 7,000 and consists of 440,000 troops.

Group B- Is charged with driving to the eastern part of the nation and then as fast as is safely possible, pushing up along the eastern border, cutting off the flow of traffic to the shared Russian/Lavragerian border. This will set the framework for the pacification of the rest of the nation.

10 Heavy Armoured Divisions
4 Fully Mechanised divisions
2 Light Infantry Divisions
2 Engineering Divisions
This has a mimimum tank complement of 7,000 and consists of 360,000 troops.


I should also say that after the initial air campaign, I will be running 1,000 regular air strikes per day against previously painted targets and an additional 200 per day earmarked for whatever unforeseen problems may need to be bombed into extinction that day.
(I am basing that number, 1,000 upon what was flown in Iraq at the height of the war. And that country was many times larger and had six times the population of Lavrageria, most anylists believe that it will require 350,000 to pacify Iraq, instead of the 120,000 they now currently have. I am invading this much smaller nation with a much larger force)

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

The hotchpotch command hubs of the Committee of People's Flying Forces resembled the floor of a primitive stock exchange under fire as inexperienced officers and secretaries tried to pick one radio transmission from another and to relate them to unreliable radar information. The former was less Lavragerian by the minute, the latter providing more information than comprehensible one minute and then going blank the next. Some stations were still set to Russian or Drapoel frequencies as required by pre-war operation of the multi-ethnic forces on hand, and while a few Lavragerians spoke Russian, almost none spoke Korean. Before he walked out of the door at the Ulanger Central Flying Command, the War and Security Executive's Defence Minister Kastus Vorobei gathered that eight of Lavrageria's Floggers had been out of contact almost since the first attacking waves reached the Vargery-Hia'Itachi line, and that most of the remaining combat aircraft were generally having a rough time of it.

He'd expected as much to come, but rather believed it'd take longer. No sooner at Vorobei left the facility than he heard its southern extremes erupt in a foutnain of timber, steel, and flame, and the Minister was glad to be Lavragerian and prepared to sacrifice his air of official dignity for a scramble across a muddy field and away towards safety.

By morning, Vorobei, like most high-ranking government and military officials, was in hiding with, in his case, some members of the People's Democratic Police of the Republic, as the often called Republican Guard was otherwise known. Others had made do with partisan hideouts. The nation's fighters had been destroyed down to the last four MiG-23s, some of which were damaged in combat or else bogged-down on landing in fields or shattered facilities. Most of its training and light attack aircraft had been destroyed, too, usually on the ground or in trying to shield the escape of others like them, or of transport aircraft headed north or to the Russian border. The Republic wanted to keep what few ground attack, and transport aircraft it had for the resistance to come, and its trainers so that some day, when the invaders' guts hung from Lavrageria's trees, the air force would be ready for rebirth. The capital city's morning was similar to that of the air force. The strike had come so quickly that foreign journalists covering the Republic's establishment and troubles and the threat of war had no time to think about packing up and leaving. Some foreigners were dead, the quickly spreading fires, falling masonry, and flying shrapnel failing to discriminate. Others remained to document the missile and aerial attacks upon the bustling capital. Hundred, maybe thousands of civilians were already dead, thousands more homeless and struggling to contain fires and tend the injured. Nobody was thinking about giving in, yet. If anyone (and it was unlikely) had previously wanted to give-up his freedom, culture, and opportunity to serve some foreign king, he was now dead or distracted by pulling his family from a blaze or burying his friends. Or by buying, looting, or stealing back his hunting rifle...

The last running television station in Lavrageria greeted the morning with an address by President Larionko Aidarov, the nation's first elected leader. He told his people -in a reportedly live broadcast- that the fight for freedom was just begining, and that he was about to leave for the developed world. Promising to gather great armies of tanks and planes, he said that he would return to furnish with medals and refrigerators, washing machines, video recorders, and all the other mod-cons denied them all those who would have joined to fight the tyrants and their devilish workers. Quite how many Lavragerians dared to huddle around their street's only television set was not clear. Still, at that very moment, Aidarov himself was airborne on an old transport aircraft approaching the Russian border at low altitude, asking -like several other Lavragerian aircraft through the morning and the night before- to be given permission to land in Russia's relative safety. The President's 'live' address was, of course, recorded, Larionko not keen on the idea of being bombed in some studio.

Upon monitering the broadcast of the so-called president of Lavregeria, it was decided that a cut-off-the-head manovuer was to be attempted, over 100 planes already in the air were sent racing along the Lavragerian/Russian border looking for anything that might look like a transport plane or passenger unit, basically anything that he might be using to get away. On the ground, the Army Group B was forcing its way along that same border, and was taking control of all border crossings that it found, using extreme force where necessary. (I am assuming that he is leaving in the morning after the initial attack, meaning that the ground invasion would just now be taking place-correct me if I'm wrong)

It was hoped that his transport could be engaged and destroyed; leaving the nation without its figurehead, but it was already known that real military power was in other hands, so this would not stop the conflict.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

OOC-Holy Crap!!!

IC-Quinntonia stands ready to offer significant humanitarian aid and support for the civilians afflicted in this conflict, and has pledged 1 billion Quinntonian dollars (USD) to be used in aid efforts.

Quinntonian Prime Minister, Jesse Obed, still in Britian for his NATO conference denounced the actions of the Estenlands, though was careful not to side with the Lavragerians, as the Holy Lugaeu is becoming more and more popular in Quinntonia due to thier strong Christian faith and support of the church. Though most Quinntonian were Lutherans, (65%) they still had some affinity for anyone who openly professed faith, especially in light of QNN impartial news braodcasting which gave equel coverage to the Lavragerian invasion and also unearthed some documentaries outlining their cannibalistic tendencies, so with that, though they are seen as being invaded by a more powerful nieghbour; but they were seen as pagan barbarians anyway.
This, and the images of Lavragerians crucifying criminals sent angry ripples throughout the strongly Christian country, especially in light of the thousands that have been crucified by the hated Dra-pol; in full sight of Hamhung, martyrs all.

There have been protests in Washington DC (Domini Christi) supporting both the Lavragerians and for Quinntonia to stay completely out of the conflict.

Based on the mixed signals from his electorate, and the fact that Prime Minister Jesse Obed himself could not seem to find a clear teaching either way in the Holy Scriptures, he was unsure of what to do. So, since his gut told him to support the Lavragerians, he allowed the maximum aid allowable by law without authorisation of Parlaiment or the Council, and then put the decision of what to do to the highest authority in the land, The Council of Bishops.

A representative of the Council, Bishop Robert Schultz IV was quoted as saying, "Though Estenlands is represemtinmg itself as a Christian brother, we must make sure that they are not just using faith as a justification for its actions. And, we must keep in mind that some of the worst people in history were men of faith. Though we are aware that it seems that Lavrageria attacked first, and we are aware that France seems to be taking a small part in the conflict, we must be absolutely certain before we act. The Council is launching a full investigation into the matter, and welcome all sodes to voice their opinions, before the Council takes that information and parys on it to achiev a decision. We urge every Quinntonian citesen to pray for an end to conflict. Thank you, and God Bless."

The Quinntonian government also asks if their humanitarian aid can be distributed through Russia, and implored Russia to open its border to refugees, that will no doubt be pouring out of the nation of Lavrageria soon.

WWJD
Amen.

OOC:
1000 strike sorties per day is msot defiantly pushign things.

In Iraq that level of activity seriously over strained allied command and control assets. Preplotted fixed strikes might be doable at t aht sort of tempo but the speculative cab ranking of the actual ground war simply wouldn't be possible unless you have serious numbers of FAC aircraft and AWACs and full western levels of C2/C3 capability (which the soveit union even at it's best never had).

of course in these cases the smaller target coutnry actually makes thigns more difficult as you simply don't have the room to play with.


An actual IC psot from the city is due eventually (once i get home from work).

OOC:
1000 strike sorties per day is msot defiantly pushign things.

In Iraq that level of activity seriously over strained allied command and control assets. Preplotted fixed strikes might be doable at t aht sort of tempo but the speculative cab ranking of the actual ground war simply wouldn't be possible unless you have serious numbers of FAC aircraft and AWACs and full western levels of C2/C3 capability (which the soveit union even at it's best never had).

of course in these cases the smaller target coutnry actually makes thigns more difficult as you simply don't have the room to play with.


An actual IC psot from the city is due eventually (once i get home from work).


Do you think so? The only reason I even chose that number is that the US had far less planes commited to Iraq, and I figured that such a number would indicate the severity and massivity of the continueing strikes. I would be willing to do half that, as I seriously assume that even that much is going to level pretty much everything in the country in a matter of weeks. Please, keep me honest, I am not trying to Godmodd, here, just have an RP, I may get numbers off, just let me know.
King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

The Roi de Soleil and her battlegroup continued the slow back and forth sailing off the coast of Lavrageria. In the C&C of the Battleship, the Marquis d'Harcour studied the live satellite feed of Ulanger. After a total of 24 missles launched at the cesspool, in batches of eight, substanitive damage had been achieved, but by no means a knockout blow.

Versailles had been watching live to, and issued fresh orders to the Marquis:

Step up bombardment. Ulanger must be levelled by the Tsars arrival. Increase by 100%. Louis Rex

That night, then, the Battleship put on a special show. Although eight Fury V LRM's went up their sleigh as usual, their combustability-contact payload was switched back to a HE tip, another eight were brought up at the same time with adapted warheads.

They were tipped, not without heroics from French engineers, with a FAB capsule. Simply standard combustability-contact packages were not doing enough damage. Ergo, the HE's would cause panic, and the FAB's were designed to take out several blocks at a time, all oxygen being sucked back to the core in clouds of fire.

Tonight, random targets were fed into the computer only, which searched for the areas of highest density. After tonight, Ulanger would be considerabley less dense.

Follwing the screams of the alarms, a full 16 Fury V 's shot into the sky, making a bee-line to Ulanger, and to the breaking of the Republic.

Do you think so? The only reason I even chose that number is that the US had far less planes commited to Iraq, and I figured that such a number would indicate the severity and massivity of the continueing strikes. I would be willing to do half that, as I seriously assume that even that much is going to level pretty much everything in the country in a matter of weeks. Please, keep me honest, I am not trying to Godmodd, here, just have an RP, I may get numbers off, just let me know.
King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

To be honest you really won't need that amount of airpower, i would assume that Lavrageria has less in the way of armor than Iraq and after the first day or so a large number of CAS and TCT tasked aircraft returned home with full weapons loads and the in the Balkans sortie rates often dropped as low as 50per day... on guess i woudl say drop to 300 or so but if you want to stick with 500 thats fine but you might have trouble finding targets.

IC:
Trevor Gillingham was cursing his luck. After his group of mercs came across the BBC film crew (from BBC 4, sent to make a documentary about the nomads and thier nose flutes or something) he, mainly because he was the most british, got pciked by morgan to escort the film crew back to the capital, he had spent the first night huddled in a hotel basement with the rest of the various foreign journalists as the various crisue missiles laid waste to much of the city, then spent the next morning keeping the film crew out of trouble as they went around taking note of the damage done by inceindury warheads and filming various peices about the human suffering. At least he had managed to scournge up a set of helments and flak jackets for the crew and gotten some local muscle to help keep thigns goign smoothly.

Turning from his thoughts to watching his charges he heard the distinctive roar of an incoming cruise missile.

"Incoming!" he yelled as he and his help knocked the crew from thier feet as a missile flew straight into a dense housing scheme. instead of the usual loud boom of an He warhead or even the fury of an fire bomb thier was a load roar and a bright yellow fireball erupted opve rthe houses.

"feck feck feck feck feck!" he swore as he allowed the journalist to her feet, "did you get that on camera?"

"yeah, why? What the feck was that?" replied the cameraman.
"That my freind was an imperfectly detonated Fuel Air Explosive, if it had detonated properly that city block woudln't be there and we might well have been a bunch of crsipy critters. You had better get that film back to londom, the BBC just got themselves thier very own warcrime footage".

OOC: FAE have a very bad habit of not working properly as the russians found out in chetchnia, they require the air fuel mix to be perfect and in a city that can be very very difficult to achieve. Hence why the USA no longer really uses except in the form of small tactical thermobaric weapons. Uisng them agaisnt civilian targets is generally cosnidered a bit of a no no in the west as the russians foudn out when they used soem agaisnt Grozny.

OOC-A bit of a no-no...maybe..but war crimes? But that would mean the west ignored the war crimes of Russia and stood by and did nothing....that couldn't be the case. LOL! Remember the funny thing about war crimes, they only apply when you want then to. Like, the 12 gauge shotgun... it is technically prohibited by the Geneva Convention.
King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

((Precisely, Estenlands---whats the difference between a swamp and a wetland? Why, the latter is an ecological preserve while the fomrer is a disease pool. Patoto, Patato. Besides, most of Western complaints came from France, and now that she is what she was meant to be again, no more complaints are to be heard. Ergo, the rubbilization of Ulanger continues. I like the statement, anyway: Democracies perish in the face of glorious Monarchy. And Stran, of course they are not that accurate in detonation, but the ones that get through and the overall effect of the explosions make for a morale breaking combination. Quel Dommage! lol))

The Marquis, who had secretly been drinking from his flask ((the problem with a commissioned officer corps, they are there because of their blood, not ability, but suits me!)) leered at the uplink screen as he watched the firebombs --even though only 3 went off at maximum yield-- and let out a big whoop, turning on the ships PA system:

"Now hear this. Now hear this. All hands, this is Marquis d'Harcor, today marks a glorious day for France and her Most Christian King! ::Video of the solid hits was piped round the ship:: VIVAT REX! Come on, lads, lets give those pagan SOBS another round! General quarters!

His face still a leer, but contented one, he ploped down into his leather command chair. Taking off his massive Admirals hat, feathers and all, he folded his hands.

"Monsieur Caldon, prepare another full spread of Fury V's : half HE, and half FAB." While everybody sped about their tasks, he took another swig, and lit a cigarette.

For the fourth time in two days, the C&C went red as the launch was prepared. Alarms sounded, the bells echoing far into the sea. This live-fire 'exercise' was fast making the crew of the Roi de Soleil the most hard core in the French fleet.

Then, surely to the dismay of Lavragerian Ulanger, another full spread of 16 Fury V LRM's leapt up one at a time from the Battleship. One at a time they peeled off into the sky, the noise defeaning. 6 carried the standard HE payload, and 6 carried some more of those damnable FABs. As each one sped away, the crew would yell out "God save the King!", as they waived their hats in circles.

Army Group B, under the command of Sir Wingert's younger daughter, Princess Adrienna, has successfully driven forward along the Russian/Lavragerian border and is now digging in, with the copious amounts of AA and SAM batteries being deployed along that frontier, to both protect the troops there, and offer major resistance to anything coming from Russia.
They are destroying any tagest of opprotunity, and turning back any refuggees heading for Russia right now, but that may change. The nomads, the ?Galhaktahans? (spelling?) are all considered priority targets and egnaged at every opprotunity, pushing them towards the interior. They are considered most dangerous to continueing peace in the region and are to be pacified at whatever the cost. Their hit and run tactics are finding little help when faced with the over two mile ranges of the Estenlandian MBTs. This, coupled with the vicious pounding that any troop concentrations over 25 men are recieving, along with support from the numerous attack helicopters, harrying those troops concentrations and tracking the roaming bands. This may seem harsh, but flyovers and cursory inspections are done to all nomads the Estenlandian forces come across, and if the show any offensive capability beyond a bow and arrow, it is removed, forcibly, if need be.

Army Group A, under the direct command of King Wingert I, is doing much the same doctrine of combat, niether group has faced much resistance as of yet, the Lavragerian defenders either fleeing into the countryside or in complete disarray, and whatever is loft being devastated by the constant bombardment from the air. After both the eastern and southern frontiers are secured, the Army Group A will push north along the entire front, being supported when need be by armour from the east. Major citites are to be kept under bombardment, but are of no great priority in the essense of capturing cities, though those communities and cities that are captured, are quickly converted into local bases and fortified for use in the occupation as fortresses.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

As the war raged, a French envoy from his Versailles office would give a news conference. Press corps of every variety were present, journalists and their cameras from RNN (Royal News Network-French State Television), ESN (Estenlandian News Services), QNN (Quintonnian News Network), the BBC and Fox News plus the AP as a whole.

The television would first focus on the gilt Roccocco theme of the room, before focusing in at the great mahogany desk, wherin a Cardinal sat.

Louis Rohan, Grand Almoner of France.

"Good evening. Today, the war in the East continues. A war that is engaged in to cripple the forces of paganism and lascivious government, forces that have ravaged Lavrageria for time uncounted. His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX wishes a quick end to the war, but not until Lavrageria is placed properly under Estenlandian guardianship. The Tsars rightful claim, and the protection of his citizens, were the only reasons for this action. I speak to you, the Western powers, among your number France's dear friend Hudecia, as people who understand the danger of barbarism, you have fought it in Dra-pol, and God Almighty surely stood by Quintonnia's righteous actions on that troubled pennensula. We in Europe face such a problem now. The Holy Leauge, with the blessings of both His Holiness John Paul III and the Patriarch of Constantinople, has confronted this problem, determined to bring both the light of Christ and the beneficent succour of a King...a Tsar, to heal Lavrageria. Those in the far away West must understand that Europe, for so long plauged by indecision and secularism, has become unstable...Lavrageria is a symptom of this, a malignant one. With the Grace of God, we will bring Lavrageria out of chaos, and into the healing hands of God annoited Tsar, Wingert I, and the light of the Gospels and of Christ will bring Lavrageria to Salvation. May God Bless you all, and May God continue to shine His Blessings on the Kingdom of France. Vivat Rex in Aeternum, Amen."

A BBC reporter on hand was of course bound to ask, "If the sole aim is to create stability, first of all, why is invasion necessarry given that Lavrageria had just months previously created its first functioning government and begun quite visibly to crack-down on... chaotic elements, and secondly, what purpose do the indiscriminate attacks on centres of population serve to this end? I try to ask as an impartial journalist rather than as a person who fears several of her colleagues killed in such strikes." In Britain, footage from the conference would be aired above a scrolling initial estimate of casualties in the attacks, and at times audio recordings from the conference would play over footage of death and destruction, shot with the help of people like Gillingham.

What diplomatic channels remained between London and Paris would concurrently be buzzing with the British government's criticisms, warnings, and requests along the, "what in the world do you think you're playing at?" line, as PM Bull faced rapidly mounting public and ministerial pressure to take direct action, and saw less and less possibilities by which to avoid it.

As cameras flashed, Grand Almoner Rohan turned to the reporter and made a quizzical face.

"For myself, sir, I do not count any nation which Crucifies its subjects and wherein those who dwell commit cannibalism as stable."

His face then turned to an expression of odd warmth. "To your second question, I pray the war ends swiftly, and for that to happen all that need be done is for Lavrageria to accept its rightful Estenlandian chaperones. It is war, I remind you, and in war much must be done to limit overall deaths while achieving a speedy victory. I believe your own nation, Britain, killed untold numbers of French civilians in World War Two with their bombs, and we did not protest it then. There is no alternative to victory, and to not achieve it only surrenders Lavrageria to the hands of rabid horseman infatuated by some bizarre communist agenda." He smiled in with powdered wig and more lightly powdered face contrasting with the Cardinals suit.

"Next Question."

Channels from Versailles to London, of which there were more than a few, would be very busy indeed. Versailles would inform the British, to whom they had no ill will whatsover, that there were no alternatives. Lavrageria had to be acted on, or a entire regional war could have erupted. The British, says a source close to Louis XX, might have a chance after the fighting dies down to send in "Advisors." The French were playing at nothing, but reminded White Hall of their responsibility to Christendom, and to the Vatican, and to the Holy Leauge. Lavrageria could not go on like it was, and no one else could remedy the situation, so the Holy Leauge did. Downing Street would get messages that the French wanted amicable relations with the UK, and was willing to make public overtures of cordialality, but the British had simply no right to interfer. Versailles did promise a short war, as to not prolong criticism on anybodys part. And by the way things were going, the War would be over in weeks, the Tsar himself raced into the heart of Lavrageria.

OOC-A bit of a no-no...maybe..but war crimes? But that would mean the west ignored the war crimes of Russia and stood by and did nothing....that couldn't be the case. LOL! Remember the funny thing about war crimes, they only apply when you want then to. Like, the 12 gauge shotgun... it is technically prohibited by the Geneva Convention.
King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.
OOC:
Perfectly true but would a BBC arts reporter actually care? i would expect her report to be full of words like genocide and warcrimes. And its not as if the british press is terribly fond of the french at the best of times.
As i have said my Rps generally are based around the views and imediate situations of the individual mercs so you have to allow me a bit of license ;) (hence why the rest of the city was ignored in that post, i can't really accept damage on Lavrageria's behalf).
Now if only TBF would let me use one of the BBC's main war corespondents...


IC:
After the Esties or the Frogs had started lobbing FAEs around Gillingham had decided it was time to get out of dodge. He had been forced to make it clear to the BBC crew in the strongest terms that the agressors were clearly intent on killing everything within the capitol, including foreign journalists. Anyway he knew a nice spot in the hills outside the city where they could get a good view over the city and proabably get some possibly prize winning footage.

In the end it was the promise of good footage that got them moving and after a hour or so's drive in a battered UAZ they found themselves in a nice abandoned chalet (of Dacha) ove rlookign the city.

(Well, Strath, you can take control of one of the British-based independents, if you like. How about one of ITN's? Then you can be as sensationalist as you like ;) (well, about fifty thousand times more objective than would be allowable if anyone let you get hold of Fox, but still, compared to the beeb...))

To be prefectly fair, everytime there is a break in the missile attacks, its not as if the Estenlandian Air Force is idly sitting by, doing nothing, we are probably carpet-bombimg the area pretty heavily from our bombers, with our fighters engeging anything that can shoot more than 350m into the air. Just wanted to be afir about representing the wide-spread destruction going on, not that it is any worse than things that have happened in Europe over the last century, but not for awhile.

One of the Estenlandian News Reporters, standing with her Kargat political officer sitting nearby, stood and asked, "Is it surprising to you that while Bonstock was united against for atrocities against its enemies, the west stood by and did nothing, even offered to support the Lavragerians, as they time and again proved inneffective in contolling the cannabalistic, warlike and by some reports Satan-worshipping nomads? And also, is there any truth in reports that the nomads have taken Quinntonian and British hostages, to be executed unless those nations intervene on the terrorists behalf?"

OOC-Lavrageria, could you outline some of the resistance I am facing, otherwise I must assume that my army is slowly, but steadily moving north, and encountering small pockest of partisan and geurrilla resistance, which, though they are tough, are being destroyed, one by one, as the painfully slow and almost Borg-like systematic advance continues through the nation. This would probably mean that the majority of armed elements are running in front of the advance, and being further and further pushed into the interior, north and west, all the while continually harried by air strikes and choppers as detailed in above posts. Correct me if I'm wrong, perhaps this is leading into one final, massive battle with a combined force of all the defenders of the nation, as I back them into a corner? The only thing is, I need to calculate losses, and what were you air losses?
King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

"Hello, Lay Minister and Reporter Travis Boussian, QNN, though I doubt the validity of the idea of Lavragerian nomads participating in Satanic Cults, I do question have a question, what interest does France have in Lavrageria? Is the reports that you have supplies 40 billion QD/USD to King Wingert true? Are we to actually beleive that you have no imerial ambitions, that you are doing this for "the greater good' and "for the stabilisation of Europe?"

The next question is from Fox news, "Joy-Lynne Olson, reporter Fox News, this is a question about France's internal policies, is it true that only the catholic Church is legal in France, making other Christian Churches, such as the Reformed, Evengalical or even the Lutheran denominations subject to oppression and banned from public worship? And as a paragon of the Christian faith, how many illegitemate children has Louis XX fathered? And how does his queen feel about that?" the questions were posed with the nervous reporter clutching her cross and tears welling in her eyes.

WWJD
Amen.

OOC:
Personally i woudl imagine your armed force are apparently bulldozing everything in its path with the vast majority of the partisans hiding deep in the various woods, forrests, mountains and swamps(all place enither your infatry or armour will want to go) waiting for you to simply bypass them.

As for air support, unless your planes are flying very low and slow youa re goignt o ahve problems hitting anything smaller than a tank even with a FAC operater on the ground, helos are a different matter. Area attacks are still of course possible.


IC:

While the events in Lavrageria are of very little import to the people of Strathdonia as whole they have served to give preachers and ministers a perfect example of why catholisism and coptism are wrong and evil, to Quote one Rev John Tutu.

"The papists and copts use thier faith merely as banner by which to advance thier evil schemes. They profess to have nothing but the goals of christ in thier hearts but seek to unleash nothing but violence of the worst kind against the people of Lavrageria!
Some of the popualtion of Lavrageria may indeed be pagans but if anything that is due the work of others who sought to deny them the knowledge of chirsts love! Being a pagan is no sin if no one has ever taken steps to show you the light the truth and the way but Heresey is the most terrible of sins that man can commit against god and his son! to misuse gods word in such a way is to attempt to misuse god himself! As such this is the surest way to eternal damanation! Beware those who claim god gives them the right to opress others for they speak nothing but the devils own lies!"

OOC Strathdonia is a rabidly protestant and while most people don't hate catholics they tend to regaurd them as being a little simple minded..

OOC-No, I should clearthat up right now, I am not by-passing anyone. We ARE going into those forests, we ARE going into the alleys of the city, we ARE taking great pains to destroy resistance wherever it is found. ALL civilians and seeming civilians are seacrched, and their villages, communites, etc. are strip[ped of anything better than a bow and arrow for hunting purposes. Any and all resistance is met by lethal force.
If a small group of forest if found to have partisans inside, and they are too well hidden or fortified to root out, we will simply bomb and napalm the forest unitl it all has been burned to the ground. The same goes for any who offer resistance, we are fighting in the way the Russians fought during WWII in defdnse of some of this same ground, just in reverse. Those who choose to be disarmed and offer no resistance are treated reasonably well, medical care is provided, and food is made available, but offer even the slightest resistnace, and you will be killed, and we will destroy a whole forest just to get at you.
BTW, even if you offer no reisitance and are found with heavy weapons, you are arrested, as is any military and/or nomads that surrender, and they are slowly moved back from the front. They are also treated reasonably well. The Estenlanders are brutal in combat, but fair with civilians, Wingert sees them all as his subjects anyway.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

The ESN Reporter would of course get the first response.

"How true, Madame, it only shows the Wests tendency to exploit their capitalistic goals when possible, and protest them when they are not."

He raised his voice a wee bit "Where were all these concerned entities when Lavragerian savages were tearing across the border, stealing the flower of Estenlands youth for the cooking pot!"

He sat back "I say again, Lavragerias paganism borders on the Satanic. For any of you who doubt that, simply look at the scattered crucifixions that dot that hellish lands domain. And I say again, The Holy Leauge is righting this wrong with all possible speed."

"Ivona, thank you for reminding me. Latest Intelligence reports that wild nomads, in a demonic ecstasy, are kidnapping and molesting any forigners they run across, I have been told they have a 'taste' for Quinntonians. But do not fear, they shall all be pacified ere long!"

"And from the wreckage we have come across, it seems to early to say for sure yet, but we have a likely scenario that the Lavragerian regime was being abetted by foreign elements. The MIGs used in their air defence would seem to corolate with Dra-pol standards. We say this to assure Quinntonia that there is no Imperialism taking place here. No, under the auspices of the Holy Leauge, and by blood, His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX is bound to His Imperial Highness the Tsar. The Holy Leauge is doing its job in bringing the sacred and the stable to this wretchid land."

He crossed his hands on his desk. "As for you rather boorish questions about the Kingdoms religious state. France is a Catholic country, I need say no more, except to refer you to the Edict of Nantes.(Theres posts on the religious situation, basically Catholicism is all powerful, but other Christian denominations can meet in the privacy of their home, in groups no larger than the family. Jews can have public worship, everything else is banned.)
His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX is the proud father of four princes, and will soon be a grandfather by his dear daughter and law Jillesopone and the Dauphin."

He stood. "I thank you all for your time, and remind you of the nessicity of these actions. If the West, from Quinntonia to Britain to Hudecia, have any further questions on the current operations of the Holy Leauge, I invite them to speak to M. de Vergennes (Minister of State to His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX), who will alleviate their concerns ::He smiled:: I am sure with a good lunch, and better conversation. Now, if you will excuse me, it is time for Mass. Vivat Rex!"

As he was walking out, one RNN reported shouted "How do your respond to Strathdonian Bishop Tutu, who claimed the Holy Catholic Church is the devils toy?"

"If he were in France, I think we could work his negative feelings out of him. However, since he does not have the Elan to lodge reasonable complaints, tell him to get stuffed." He continued on his way out.

(Well, I'm fairly sure that my few posts thus far gave a fairly good idea of what happened to the token air force, and to what the troops in the border areas were doing, but it won't hurt to carry on...)

Had President Aidarov been aware of how close he came to being intercepted before reaching Russian airspace, he would have wondered at the speed by which his foe received the broadcast, determined it to be recorded, assumed his intent, and dispatched interceptors, knowing him to be moving by air rather than land. Apparently, the attackers had more than just firepower and industrial muscle going for them. But Lavrageria too had been underestimated, at least, that was what his Defence Minister, Vorobei, felt.

The southern borderlands, and indeed from there almost as far north as Hia'Itakchi in the centre, and not much shorter on each flank, represented the scene of the closest thing to a decisive battle that the Republic intended to fight. For these were the Pripet Marshes, the greatest swamps in all Europe. Forested thickly and unceasing in undeveloped Lavrageria until the Belarusian Ridge (where upon the Republic was attempting to establish a token defensive line for the more populace north, with anti-tank guns liable to draw much air attack), they were traditionally home to less romantic clans. That is to say, the sort of people who trudged about in swamps and forests, looking for game and forage, and ambushing adventurers rather than riding thousands of horses in great raids, although of course there were some exceptions, as seen in the sole raid into the Estenlands. While the Estenlandic side of the marshes had surely seen decades of drainage to enable urbanisation and industrialisation, or even simple agriculture, Lavrageria hadn't been given chance to attempt such projects. The land was wild as it had been in the stone age, and it was almost a wonder that nobody ever saw dinosaurs stamping about the place. Resistance was spread beyond the very border areas, with guerrilla forces established in the near two hundred thousand acres of the primeval Belovezhskaya Forest that lay on the Lavragerian side of the Polish border.
As Estenlandic forces rolled into Lavrageria, they took on the task of subduing more than two hundred thousand square kilometres of under-developed land, tens of thousands of which were swamp and forest crawling with tens of thousands of partisans, who, by and large unlike many initial resistance movements, had spent weeks in peace sharing knowledge, training, stockpiling arms, and setting-up workshops and self-sustained communities without worry of attack.
The Republic wanted (short of an enemy climb-down) little more than for the attackers to pursue their partisans. It was hard to attack an armoured division with nothing bigger than an AT-4 and a 23mm cannon, but when two dozen men and a tank charged into the swamp, they were throwing themselves upon the mercies of an indifferent mother nature and an absolutely incencesed people just years out of the dark ages.
Some miles into Lavrageria, an enemy column moved along the only thing close to navigable in the area, a slightly raised, well, line of mud through shallows growing with tall reeds as far as the eye could see. Word of their approach was relayed back from man to man amongst the defenders, who had previously been pulling up said reeds to get at their nutritious roots for a much needed snack. There was a slight drissle of rain, but nothing unusual as the Estenlanders rumbled through, possibly using this path because it was impossible for the army to stay together on highways that simply didn't exist, or possibly thinking themselves in pursuit of somebody who'd taken a pot-shot at them earlier in the day. Either way, the alien hum of their engines was nothing compared to the auditory disruption caused when the lead vehicle inevitibly ran over the anti-tank mine laid for the invaders. Dirt, metal, and smoke rushed into the air, and bodies could be seen cast easily fifteen foot skywards with it as the Republic killed perhaps its first armoured vehicle since the war began. With debris still falling and ears still ringing in the column, reeds parted behind the formation, and a rocket propelled grenade shot from the roadside into the rear of the last vehicle, appearing to disable that, too, as the attacker dove back into the tall plants and made away. From some distance on the same side of the road, a PK-type machinegun opened up, spraying long bursts of fire into the middle of the enemy column as soldiers dismounted to pursue their attacker, and were cut down in numbers. From the opposite side of the road, hand grenades began to loop onto vehicle roofs and into trucks as armoured vehicles attempted to direct fire towards the machinegun site opposite, but its operators were already moving, splashing back through the marsh towards woodland as grenades exploded left and right. The soldiers could not go backwards or forwards in vehicles, and sitting still meant giving obvious, stationary targets for more grenades and shots coming from hundreds of square metres of thick reeds on all sides -no one knew where to fire back, and hundreds of rounds were expended without hitting anything more than an unlucky water fowl. Their vehicles stuck between burned out hulks fore and aft, and with marshland on either side, some would try to dismount, and would have their heads shot clean through by deadly-accurate snipers hundreds of metres away. One vehicle crewman almost escaped the scene, only to be grasped by a leathery hand reaching from the reeds to drag him down, holding him under the shallow water until he ceased to struggle, the barrel-chested Lavragerian standing over him bellowing curses and taunts to the last kick as he felt suddenly empowered after waiting in fear for so long.
By the time any air support arrived at this particular scene -for it was being repeated across the enemy advance's extent- the attackers would have melted away, often looting enemy vehicles and bodies for weapons and -more importantly- explosives, leaving the enemy to guess at whether their thousands or millions of dollars worth of ordnance had felled any of the defenders. That was the least of the aircrew's worries when their responding helicopters came frequently under 14.5mm and 23mm AAA fire from just a few hundred yards, usually unable to identify a small gun such as these hidden in reeds or trees until it decided to open fire and cut a gunship in half. Such helicopters would have been excellent in wiping-out Lavragerian tank platoons from afar, but since they didn't exist, gunship support was just barreling into the hornet's nest. Still, at least the enemies didn't have to worry about similar air support for the defenders. If any of Lavrageria's light attackers escaped, they lacked the range to help in the south, as well as the numbers to be a widespread problem, and the command infrastructure to learn of isolated contacts in real time. No one would be sure for a time whether anything of the sort had made it into Russia, or whether the Russians would then allow it to operate from their territory, or ground it until the war was out.
On the diplomatic front, Lavragerian diplomats abroad would be responding to Franco-Esten allegations by maintaining that their government had done nothing wrong. It was cracking-down hard on raiding tribes, as testified to by the executed criminals on display. It was the nation's right to practice capital punishment in a world where many of the offended nations did exactly the same. It was the people's right to worship as they saw fit, or indeed to not do so at all. Lavrageria was not the wrong party, nor even the lesser of two evils, they maintained, it was 100% innocent and suffering nothing short of genocidal assault by two dictatorships bent on destroying both democracy and the Lavragerian race. One spokesman in Russia said that the Lavragerian people would, "fight to their last bullet and then turn the enemy's weapons against them, and would fight after that with their bare hands and teeth if the free world would stand by." Meanwhile, the death count in Ulanger had reached well into the thousands, and more and more Lavragerians simply packed up and went back to the wilds, all but the young children being familiar with a simpler life, though they had wanted to give it up.

((OOC: Estenlands, so if you're checking every person, I'm assuming the invasion is both painstakingly slow and painstakingly thorough. I don't know what Lavrageria is planning for the cities, but I'm guessing the fighting in the streets is going to be quite brutal. Oh, and rather if we kept anything not directly related to the war on the previous thread, like Lavrageria said. Elkazor, sorry I panicked about French Ukrainian unification, it's just that I was reminded about an incident in history I just read about, where through a strange twist of hereditary fate, the only blood relative of the Spanish throne was a French king. Both nations seemed to posed to unify; of course the rest of Europe panicked and quickly put a halt to it. Oh, and I don't recall who it was, but someone did call Fox news sensationalist, with someone else mentioning their reporter "Clutching a cross", which I think is a bit over the top. You may think they’re biased, but come on. Oh, and Lavrageria, what is your countrie's main religion? Accusations have been flying wildly, so it would be nice for some definition. And are the accusations of cannibalism propaganda, or true? ))
Somewhere near the Lavragerian Estenlands border...
It had been easy enough to sneak by. It was winter, there was the chaos of war, and the fact that most of Lavrageria was still essentially a wild land. No matter how advanced the Estenlandian force was, the chances of them spotting a team of five men in snow camo trekking through the Lavragerian landscape were incredibly slim.
(They look like these fellows, except obviously their camo is for the snow http://www.gamecritics.com/feature/preview/mgs3/image03.jpg) It was not to their fault; their war machine was quite impressive. But every war machine had a few cracks...
Kadishev, the leader of the Spetsnaz unit trudged along in the snow. He looked at his tired comrades, all of whom were armed with fairly modern gear. They chose not to use the most advanced models, as they were often too unreliable for the extreme environments this team, and because Kadishev tended to be a little wary of digital things. He wanted to work with thins he could feel, touch, smell…The rattle of a machinegun was what made him feel alive, not the clicks of a keyboard…Luckily for Kadishev, Moscow cared little about what tools he used, as long as he got the job done.
How long? How long will an archaic turtle like me last? Soon the digital age will encompass all of these new fellows, the young ones…
Kadishev laughed at himself, ”Enough philosophizing, you old fool. Time to get to business…Neri, get your goddeamned scope out. According to intelligence reports, there should be a small supply outpost near here…”
Neri, a young man whose eyes had somehow retained their innocent joy, despite the harshness of a soldier’s life, glared through his battered binoculars. He grinned to indicate that he had found the target, but after realizing there was no way in hell his comrades could see through his mask, he indicated his discovery by a thumbs up. Kadishev sighed at the unnatural cheeriness of his comrade, and then indicated for the team to surround the enemy outpost.
It was a shabby structure, obviously makeshift and temporary. Few soldiers resided there, and about four were visible. It was a backwater supply station, but it would suit its purpose. The team surrounded the outpost by encircling the high, rocky ground around the outpost, which made the base right in the center of a small valley. The valley’s climate was slightly warmer, as indicated by the melting snow there, which was the most likely reason it was chosen as a location.
Four members of the team unhooked the sniper rifles (painted white of course), and aimed them at the four enemy soldiers they saw patrolling their base. Another armed a modified RPG launcher, which carried grenades full of highly concentrated White Phosphorous. With a hand signal from Kadishev, the snipers fired simultaneously. Without even checking if their targets were hit (they were professionals; they weren’t paid to miss. Either way, element of surprise would have been lost, so it was futile to continue sniping), they each readied the enhanced AK-47s and fired rapidly into the base. The soldier with the White Phosphorous RPG launched off shell after shell, attempting to raze the outpost with the vicious flames unleashed by the White Phosphorous. The bright flashes that accompanied White Phosphorous rounds went off, and fires raged throughout the food station. The tents were, as most tents, easily flammable, and were quickly consumed by the flames. Screaming "Esties" ran out, covered in flames, and Kadishev shot a few, to spare them the suffering of burning alive. Just as soon as they had come, they began to sprint away, attempting to gain cover in the mountains as to avoid detection. Hopefully, the element of surprise and panic, and the fact that such a minor post would not likely warrant much attention. Kadishev doubted if the Tsar would even care over such a small impact.
But the soldiers would. Over time, with more and more of these attacks happening in what was supposedly “conquered” territory, even the most iron willed of soldiers would begin to feel fear and paranoia begin prickling up his back, like a snake that hid in the grass, giving only slight hints to its existence, before it struck…

**********************************************************
The air control towers beckoned for the arrival of the Lavragerian Prime Minister's aircraft. The plane was given full military escort, as would be done to any foreign leader. The remaining Lavragerian planes were allowed to fly into Russia, but due to the necessity of public appearances, were grounded in Russia. The onboard phone of Aidarov's plane rang, and his assistants told him it was the Russian president.
"Mr. Aidarov, welcome to Russia. Do not worry, as long as this conflict continues, we will offer you asylum. Land the plane, and allow our pilots to step in. They shall pilot the aircraft to my secret residence, where will discuss matters too sensitive to be mentioned over the phone. I shall send diplomatic feelers to the Strathdonians as well, requesting they send their leader as well."
**********************************************************
The Boss slammed her fist onto the table when the report came in.
"They did WHAT?"
A shivering aide repeated the information he was delivering to The Boss, lead commander of the Russian military.
"The Estenlanders have occupied the border, ma'am. We can't get supplies through."
"Hmmm...Tell those arrogant thugs that they're considered a threat to our national sovereignty if they don't get within out of a one mile radius on our border. Also, inform them that their seal of the border is not welcome, since it's...eh...Damn, I need an excuse..."
The aide turned around when he heard the footsteps of a fat man, with a bulging stomache but thin and lanky arms/legs. His head barely stuck out of the fat flesh, bearing small, flashing spectacles, a maniacal grin, and a stunningly orange and thick mustache.
The Boss glared at this newcomer, her soldier senses going crazy at the appearance of this bizzare man.
"I am Oswald.", he said, in an incredibly obnoxious and eccentric accent. He pulled out a black star badge that bore his face, name, and the words "Secretary of the Economy".
"I was hired by Putin only days ago. He sent me here to help you out on the most important part of warfare---economics. Now, you need an excuse to re-open the border? Simple. Simply claim that the local economy is incredibly reliant on the Lavragerian-Russian trade. Now, is there anything else?"
"No.", said The Boss, irritated and dismayed that Putin had hired such a clown. Still, his advice was sound...
Oswald bounced off, humming the tune to "Everybody, Everybody..."
EDIT: Estenlands, I changed the casualty rates. I just guessed that since you said ETA for reinforcements was two minutes, you were planning to Rp it. Sorry, I'm still working this thing out. I left one survivor since, well, I want to keep the "Hawkeye alive.

(I was going to answer here, but it dragged on a bit, so for a response, look to the other thread, where I will shortly be going in to detail. Thanks.)

The Roi de Soleil would launch one final spread of Fury-V LRM's, tipped with FAB warheads at Ulanger.

The fleet was sailing of Estenlands still. Marquis d'Harcour had just reviewed footage of the latest attacks. The missle strikes, coupled with Estenlandian heavy bombing, had turned Ulanger to rubble. Its denizens were fleeing to points unkown. The Republican stronghold had cracked, it seemed. Kudos to them all! But, to be sure of the matter, one final attack would be launched.

Following the deployment of a final sixteen missle sortie, the Fleet pulled further off shore, but remained in close proximity to Estenlands.
________________________________________________________________

In Petit Schronnbrunn, the Dauphin de France had recovered his full capacities. He would have an advisory counsel with his Staff, and the Estenlandian attaches. French Satellite photos revealed fresh layouts of insurgent attack scenes against Estenlandian columns, which had radioed in the hostile fire, and that would be shared with Estenlands.

The Royal Dauphin Corps had been training hard. They ran courses and conducted live fire exercises in sturdy Petit Schronnbrunn, under the watchful eyes of the RA Korean detachment. The Abrams Tanks, with Estenlandian crews, trained in movements with their French counterparts.
(French Guards use M-16 equivalents, Royal Army uses M-14 equivalents)
They had trained using their artillery as well, barraging mock strongpoints and then assualting them. All in all, they were tough, and trained to excel in combat. The Mirage-2000 ODE detachment had been flying formations, and conducting assualts on mock targets as well. The Fortress was on guard, with the Dauphin overseeing all the activity.

OOC:
Estenlands as Am said your advance is goign to be painfully slow and your troops will hate it, either your armour will be forced into terrain that will cause them huge problems or your infantry will be largely unsuported...
Elkazor: i still don't get why you don't just use the perfectly good french equipment (in many cases better than the yank equivelent) but it upto you, maybe the cream of your arms industry fled when you broke up the many european joint arms companies). I belive the fire arms youa r elookign for are the FAMAS and the MAS49 but your way works just as well.


IC: As switched on as the Estie officer might have been there was little he could do to avoid his current predicament. The switch back trail through the woods was the only route that could even been imagined as being passible to his column and try as he might to encourage his infantry to sweep forward and clear the way none of them ever ventured that far infront, the cosntant sniper fire and radom silent diasppearances of the socuts had seen to that.
Despite the sniper fire there had been nothing more than the odd RPG attack so it appeared they might get through relatively unscathed.

However Derek Morgan didn't see things that way...
He watched carefully as the lead tank came abresset of his hidden mark and with 3 squeezes of the clacker the tank was lfited up and sideways as the alrge C4 charge detonated under its left track ripping a huge crater in the trail. this was the signal for soem of the lcoals to begin blasting machine gun and rifle fire into the column from thier psotions above the front left had side of the column. The fire was week enough that soem of estie infantry could manage to give prusuit as the locals began falling back.
Grinning, Morgan watched as the engineers of the column went forward to check for any other surpises, they woudl find a few apparently badly planted toe poppers, bar mines and claymores, nothign too terrible but stuff that woudl take time to clear.
Now it was his turn. lookign through the periscope of his firing post he jammed his finger down on the firing trigger and soem distance away an At3 jumped out of its luanhc rail and roars straight into the back of the command tank, the HEAT warhead slashing right through the weeker rear armour and staight into engine comaprantment (if you have arena i woudl imagien to have it runed off so as to protect the rest of your convoy), as the first missile impacted morgan quickly slected his other launcher and fire it into one of the accomapanying IFVs, the other 3 missile teams copied him with 4 of the 6 missiles hitting thier marks. the remaining esties began to pump what fire they had into the hillside catching a few of the waiting locals with the wave of fire. Morgan slowly crawled from hsi psotion as rifle bullets and cannon fire whipped through the air above him, getting into soem dead group he stodd up and with the rest of the locals simply withdrew over the ridge line above them.
"Bosshog this is black roy 1, whe have hellos inbound." came a report from one of his spotters.
"Copy that Black roy 1. Black roy 6 did you get that?"
"This is black roy 6 we got it we have the raptors in sight and are engaging".

Due to the rough terrain the Estie helos were some what restricted in thier appraoch vectors and ran straight into a barrage of Blowpipe and strela SAMs, the masses of coutner meausres spewed by the Estie Hinds did soem good agaisnt the Strelas with a number going wide but agaisnt the comand giuded blowpipes there was nothing they could do and soon all three helicopters were burning wrecks.

OOC: i assume you soemthing approaching RL ukrainian equipment (T-72s/80s, BMP1 and 2s, Mi-24 Hinds) and your forces still use the often very effective helicopter tactics (the 3 ship formation).

OOC-No, I rarely use Ukrainian armaments, as my people fought a 50 year very bloody revolution against the Russians, and want to distance themselves as much as possible from their oppressors.

I think I have posted a few times how slow and painstaking the advance was going, before I was just told a few times that it would be*shock* slow and painstaking! LOL!

I really don't think you guys understand who you are dealing with. These are not lowly motivated Americans or something. These are a people who fought a war for generations. As for dealing with the nomads, these are also a people descended from the most feared nomadic tribes in Europe.

As for the opening the borders thing, you are just ignored if any requests come through, and all traffic is continued to be stopped.

The terrain is being a little exaggerated, though some of the toughest terrain in Europe exists here, it is not as if it covers all, or even a majority of the country, I have friends that lived in Ukraine for several months, and they all say the same things about Belarus and Ukraine, pretty flat.

But, for the terrain being used by the defenders, maybe an illustration is in order.

IC- After several incursions into the wetlands had failed, and the supporting choppers had come under increasingly bold attacks, and this had to stop. So, King Wingert himself ordered that Project Lake of Fire take place. Fist, the wetland area was surrounded, then, choppers were flown over the area, non-attack varieties, though armed for defence, and were fitted with extremely high decibel speakers, and in Lavragerian, it was broadcast, and on every radio frequency available, that the attack on this area was soon to begin in earnest, and any non-combatants were welcome to leave or surrender to the troops waiting outside.

This goes on for 24 hrs straight, and while the broadcasts are being made, huge pipelines are brought in, with massive tankers pumping old gasoline, diesel, used oil, and other major flammable liquids by the thousands of litres into the boggy waters, all the while having attacks being pushed into the area on all sides, taking the battle into the interior, then, after it becomes clear that this are will not fall easily, the soldiers pull out, and set fire to the entire area, and start to push their attacks with massive napalm bombing. After the entire area is one fire (It is only surface gasoline, etc. It won't blow up or anything, if you think so, you watch too many movies, but it will sustain a massive burn in even the wettest environment), then the entire area, which has been systematically gridded, is carpet bombed, covering every inch with high yield fragmentation bombs. If anyone is left alive, they will be subject to the attacks that will take place after the fires burn down.

As for sneaking past our border in small groups of well-trained soldiers, which is very plausible, but just won't happen without high amounts of training, and never in high amounts. But, some interaction at that level is unavoidable.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

OOC:
I will admit i misread your posts a bit and got a bit mixed up by the right wing flankers.

Troops are troops, it doesn't matter if you are a 6ft tall highlander whose entire extended family has fought in the biggest battles of the past 300years or if you are an italian american or even chinese at the end of the day soldiers are soldiers and theya ren't happy when they don't ahve support (and your guys are obviosuly used to having tanks around).
And since you don't use soviet equipment what on earth do you use? the only exact equipment i have seen is a F/A-18A and to be honest the only armoured vehciles that coudl be produced in the amounts you require are soviet.

i appologise if that maybe sounds a bit agressive but i am genuinely interested but in the end it doesn't really amtter for anything but flavour as not even abrams and chalenger 2s can take AT3s to the rear armour.

oh and btw that is a very nasty but nice move in the wetlands, just a shame it renders french sats a bit useless over much of the country ;)

now if some could find a decent terrain map of the area (all i can find are the usual vague geopiltocal maps).

IC:
Gillingham wasn't the only member of Morgan's group to have picked up a reporter, Issa Georgeson (a 6'3" african) had managed to get hold of ITN's Neil Connery before the reporter and his team rushed head long into the dangerzone. After muhc shouting and the odd punch backed up by the stream of refugees from the south and thier stories the news team was persaded to turn back north, not without getting some disturbing of injured refugees and the palls of smoke that hang on the horizon, images that were quickly spread to various news services keen to get thier hands on the latest sensational footage.

OOC: Woah, woah. I've been assuming that the war is only a couple of days old, at most. If the Estenlanders have managed to move right beyond the Pripet Marshes that means they've reached RL Minsk and such. I'm assuming that they're only a few miles into Lavrageria, and as such still deep inside the swamplands and primeval forest. It is mostly flat land, there, but it's damn near all trees and watery reeds... certainly almost everywhere that resistance is coming it is that type of terrain. None of it has been cleared by generations of urbanisation and industrialisation that, in this reality, simply never happened. So far as I'm concerned, the Estenlanders are still being pulled apart in the initial assault for which they seem to have no real plan.
And if the Ukraine has completely replaced its significant military stockpiles in a decade or so, it must be even worse off financially than I thought.

(Lowly motivated Americans? What gives you that idea? Anway, my Spetsnaz team did not sneak over the Estenlands border. They attacked in one of the more isolated areas in what would be part of the supply chain of the war machine, the back. It was a few miles north of the Estenlands border. And no troops have moved in since the blockade, because we don't want to risk footage of soldiers getting caught on our border. I sent these guys over in a previous post, just as soon as the war began. And by the way, I'm not doubting the motivation and skill of your troops in any way. My airforces got flattened (Your high aerial casualties shouldn't really be coming from any heroics on our side, as you said, since only the Russians seemed to be sending anything modern. They probably came from the AA emplacements, which Lavrageria did note were heavy.) Nice idea with the lake fire as well.

((Strath---the Abrams were a wedding gift from the Tsar, to the Dauphin. France uses, proudly and rightfully so, its own weapons. I dont think there ever were European joint-stock weapons companies in European MW, so assume all French military material is of course French---with the aforementioned exception of the Abrams gift, no small present.))

As the Royal Dauphin Corps in Petit Schronnbrunn girded itself for war in the north of Estenlands, and as the battlegroup launched its final (but all FAB) LRM missle sortie against Ulanger from the Black Sea, a war effort was taking place in Sebastopol that was surely as vital (if not moreso) than the formers.

Following months of activity by French industrialists, a massive factory complex had been completed in Sebastopol, aptly named Royale Ltd..
The proximity of the complex to the docks had ennabled easy deployment of French goods. The proximity also allowed for a steady influx of French material. Now, the square mile(s) large complex began to puff out of its great smokestacks.

Aristocrats, those in charge of French companies, had looked on the war as an excellent investment, and as a way to carry His Most Christian Majesties favor. Using free (save the cost of food) peasantry from Estenlands, kindly provided by the Tsar, the French rapidly built the complex and staffed it, the Estenlandian peasantry toiling away under the eyes of their French managers.

Now, for the first time, output had reached 100%. Munitions were produced, oil was processed into petrol, and chemicals were turned out at lighting speed. Indeed, Royale Ltd. was the showpiece of Frano-Esten economic alliance, the first of hopefully many such Industrial complexes to dot the Tsars domains.

A product the joint-company produced, and that would be sent by train in thousands of liters to the front lines, was the chemical Agent Rouge. A stronger version of Agent Orange (the American defoliant in the Vietnam War), the highly toxic Agent Rouge stripped the leaves off of trees, and killed any sort of vegetation. This is something French HQ in Petit Schronnbrunn had thought about before the war, seeing as their satellites would be useless in the Lavragerias mostly primeval landscape. Big cautions signs were taped to the drums, as they were sped north to the Tsars Airforce with directions on use.

Other than that vital substance,Royale Ltd. continued to turn out shells and gasoline, with a limited supply of mechanical parts, to aid the war effort.

The Dauphin, in the north with his eager-for-battle Corps, would make sure the Complex (by talking with a few of its noble proprieitors) was at 120% capacity, before looking north and eagerly watching the lights of war, telling his men and his psyche to prepare for the day when the Tsar told his valiant French Allies "Attack!".

OOC- I'm sorry, I got my geography mixed up, I guess, you can ignore that then, I am assuming that right now, I am occuppying about the first 50-75 miles of the southern frontier, with a 50 mile swath being occupied along the western border. I am now slowly moving into the interior from the south. Where do you justify me getting torn apart? How do you say that I have no plan? I have done everything step-by-step, phase by phase, just how it should go, you realise that I am not going to broadcast my next move every time right? For the Lake of Fire thing, maybe that will illustrate what you are up against.
I will also accept that I will be using derivatives that are equivelent to Russian types, except fpr the Air Force and Navy, which are Quinntonian. As for not having cleared the entire nation, c'mon. Let's remember, that over 80% of the forest in Europe was cleared by 1500, it is not as if as soon as the first factory was built, then everyone started cutting down trees. Let us also remember, that you have a population of 10 million, that you have claimed, so, claiming that just a few years ago, you had that many in your tiny nation trying to subsist on hunting/gathering is fairly unreal. You have probably had to have at least a majority that were tied to the land as substinance farmers at the very least.
Also, the reason I am surprised that you would post that I am getting torn apart, BTW, is that besides stuff that is happening far beyond the front, the only troop activity that you have posted is retreats.

IC-The Agent Rogue was taken with much thanks, and is being readied for use in some of the most dense forests, to be tied to tha massive forest fires that were already being started everywhere along the two fronts, and within the occupied area, destroying any natural cover, and having the dual puropse that it can be used as new farmland when the invasion is complete.


King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

(OOC: Just using this as to introduce the 200 GRU I sent in, plus suggest some tactics.)
The GRU agents, about twenty of them(of the two hundred in the country), were hastily attempting to train a team of Lavragerian guerrilas in the art of urban warfare.

"Now, I believe you have all proven your effectiveness against the enemy when battling in the wilderness. However, due to the fact that urban life is fairly new to this region, I'll try to instruct you on some tactics. First of all, this will be your best friend."

The GRU agent pulled a makeshift lopsided device, which looked like a horribly made box. Some of the Lavragerians who were gathered around laughed at the device.

"I know we aren't the most advanced nation, but come on! A box? We're gonna fight with a box? Stupid Russians."

"This is an IED. Improvised Explosive Device. Extremely deadly in urban environments. Disguise it as anything, leave it on a street, and when an enemy vehicle drives by...use some sort of remote...And boom. No more Estenlander. This'll be effective at first, since we'll have the element of surprise, and it's unlikely the Estenlanders have armored most of their vehicles, since that would only be costly and harmful in a swampy environment."

"Ah...But how do we make those IEDs?"

"Simple. You get any explosives, preferably plastic, hide them in something, and attach something that'll trigger 'em off if signaled. A cell phone works well. However, let's move onto another tactic. The enemy is most vulnerable when he thinks he is invulnerable."

"What the hell does that mean?"

"When the enemy occupise a building, he'll think that the area is secure and conquered. That'll lull them into a sense of security, which means it's unlikely they'll put heavy armor on every building they occupy. Also, a vast number of forces will reside in these buildings. So to take advantage of that, we need...car bombs. Cement trucks can load a lot, and usually work best. However, anything that can pack a lot of explosives, and is farily innocuous can be used. In fact, after the first few car bombs, the enemy will wince at the casualties and pay closer attention. Then we go to two methods: Soft targets, which are lightly guarded but still full of enemy forces, and unconventional "moving bombs." A particularly effective unconventional moving bomb, one which I personally felt the damage of in the Afghanistan campaign, is a camel bomb. You strap pouches on a camel, fill 'em with explosives, and send them somewhere where no one will suspect 'em. Viola."

The Lavragerians were quick and eager learners, hungering for ways to defeat their blasted foes.
_________________________________________________________________

Kadishev and his Spetsnaz team, after returning from enemy held territory, marched into a camp, weary but victorious. After resting, they attempted to contact the Sthrathdonians, realizing that for the operation they had in mind, regular Lavragerian grunts weren't going to cut it.

OOC: Well, really I just wanted to emphasise the fact that the Lavragerians aren't just being run around and lead to their deaths en masse, and and in fact have tactics and means to inflict major damage before the Estenlanders ever get past the vast Pripet Marshes... and then there's the rivers, notably the Pripet, which is (variably) in the 50km range from the border. Note that what few bridges existed over that have been mined or structurally weakened in advance, and of course guarded by small forces prepared to bring them down if engineering teams check ahead of armour columns, or to bring them down under the enemy if not. If the armoured advance has just stormed ahead full force, I assume one of those two things would be achieved, though a more cautious approach might allow for commando type actions attempting to save the bridges from destruction. Later will come rivers like the Neman and Berezina, in the last stages before the cities are hit (though remember that one city is closer to the border, at Homyel'/Gomel/Itageria, which I assume you'll want to work on first).

Sorry, it's just that I was sort of thinking to see each stage of the war carried out, and the moods and conditions that will change with it. Thus far Lavragerians in the fight had started to move from ignorant fear to a slightly empowered determination after their first defensive strikes drew some blood, but that's before they advance has almost inevitibly over-taken them and left them to fight behind the lines, and before any symbolic cities have fallen.

As for population, well, the Glakatahn may have been pre-industrial, but they certainly mastered large scale domestication of animals, and many of the roving clans move with vast herds of livestock off which they live in the plains and low hills, roaming thousands of square kilometres to feed them. I assume that population growth was one of the factors that triggered the recent, sudden decision to settle down. The southern population has always been sparser and based on hunting and gathering (and some plundering), while the cities have only taken up static farming in recent years and are surely significant net importers of food- they could have been buying Estenlandic grain by the thousands of tonnes had things been different, but probably buy mostly Russian or something, instead, which is partly why they lacked capital to invest in further industrialisation. Of course, part of the next phases I'd imagined saw thousands of refugees going back to the land after their towns were bombarded, and causing a humanitarian crisis as they realise that their baby boom of recent years and abandonment of roaving livestock means that they can't find food enough. I'm just a slowcoach, I'm afraid :)


***

On the ground in southern Lavrageria, hundreds of partisans had been killed or horribly injured after getting caught up in fires and mass bombings. The worst of it was when men in shock from a near-by air burst found themselves conscious but unable to flee in time as flames approached. At least the enemy were by their little targetted approach killing more abandoned wounded than they would likely be able to capture.
Others were on their feet and fighting despite none-stop ringing in their ears or blackened hands and faces from close encounters with flames and smoke. The assault was begining to take a significant psychological tole on many southern fighters, but even widespread bombings were struggling to seriously impact upon the quantative strength of the disperate force. Fires too could make a serious impression and certainly meant horrible trouble for anybody idle enough to get caught near such a major enemy operation, but usually the partisans were miles away by the time anything got going, and fires didn't last long where oil didn't reach in large quantities, the environment being damp as can be, by and large. Still, it would be nice if a camera crew could get a glimpse at this, and while that was less likely than was the case in cities, there was no way that such massive fires could be hidden from the over-flying satellites of the world. Every major power would be now be quite aware of the indescriminate scale of the Estenlandic-French destruction of Lavrageria.

Mostly, partisans continued only to make extremely small attacks on outlying enemy forces before fleeing in hopes of drawing out the sort of smaller forces that could be destroyed by a handful of waiting comrades. Some officers were considering the possibility of halting oil-burning attacks in the water-logged regions by building small earthwork dams against which the oil would halt. It seemed a low-tech and effective means of shutting the flow out of important places, though it was fairly hard work and involved taking whole teams or partisans out at night to dump earth and such. In truth, most commanders didn't want to limit the destruction too much, because they wanted the enemy to burn all of their fuel now, so the long slog north would leave them low on it and forces prone to being broken up, "Like the southern [Drapoel] Assault Divisions cut off during the last Korean War" said one relatively well read Colonel with a, "Big Book of War" tucked under his arm.

The war raged in Lavrageria. From the staunchly fortressed Palace of Petit Schronnbrunn, the Dauphin looked at the lights of war in the north. What a divine nature there was about the use of such power! French Satellite photos revealed that Ulanger was devastated, more akin to a slag heep than the capital of a burgeoning democracy. The Sacre-2 Satellites could not get any information, let alone reliable information, from the burning and war frought swamps. They did move over northern Lavrageria, and began compiling targeting profiles of Itageria. The Royal Dauphin Corps spent the time in grueling training exercises. Drilled by harsh trainers from the Korean Royal Army detachment, the army shaped up, becoming leaner. The ODSE Mirage-2000 force flew training exercises, and flew patrols over Estenlands with their counterparts, the IAF (Im assuming Estenlands AF would be called Imperial Air Force).

However, the Engineers of the Royal Auxiliary had not just spent the time training. There was now an extensive rail network between Estenlandian High Command in Kiev, French High Command in Petit Schronnbrunn, and the massivley growing industrial city of Sebastopol. As well, the elements of the Auxiliary had been working in sinc with Estenlandian Civil Authorities, determined to bring Estenlandian road networks to even greater efficency, moving supplies, men, and material from south to north.

Sebastopol was quickly becoming its own story. Fueled by French capital and Estenlandian labor, the harbor city was warping with the ever growing conglomoration that was Royal Ltd.. Short rail roads ran from the docks to the factories. French ships coming into Sebastopol had been on the rise ever since the signing of the Holy Leauge, but now the port was choked with them. Coming from France in the west they came bearing parts and equipment. From Marimaia, French tankers came bearing oil and ships came laden with rubber and minerals. And all these shipments and resources came through Royale Ltd., which could now function successfully, indeed as their motto proclaimed, "Victuallers in the Extraordinary to the Tsars."

The sprawling complex admittedly produced only material to aid the war effort right now. Tanks, Armored Vehicles, chemicals, shells, parts, equipment, clothing--all were produced for the war. But one day, after the Tsar had bested the heretics in the north, he would have a new industrial base.

The Estenlandian advance was slowly making progress, with teams of commandoes and guerillas moving out in strength, going deep into enemy territory to secure crossings and creating some massive sabatoge efforts, as the crack guerrilas, trained by the most hardened revolutionaries, in fact, many of them veterans of the revolution, perform psychologically demaging combat upon the Lavragerian defenders, with following groups of enemy troops, and killing them silently, one by one. Or planting bombs in safehouses and hideouts that were never meant to be discovered. Even slipping into swamps where geurrillas and mercs were living, and going into their camps and slitting the throats of every second person as they slept, so that when they woke up, all the gaurds and every second man was dead, having a devastating effect on their morale.

AS for people getting trapped behind enemy lines, that would probably not happen very often, but with an advance this size, it is inevitable that it would happen once in awhile, they will find the first advance zone crawling with troops, and eventually they will be found and offered surrender, if they refse, well, you know.

As for the massive herds that are being found alonf the advance, tehy are being confiscated completely, and sguttled back to Estenlands, where they are being redistributed among the people in the occupied area.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

(OOC: This is big, so I'll post a link here. All of you should probably check it out, especially the Estenlands. Explanation is over there. http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=388432)

At the gargantuan Tsars Field, only just outside Sebastopol, French versions of the "Hercules" transport began to land. They came in groups of 20, and two groups touched down each hour.

Row after row of lots were made available for the transports, where groups of French Royal Auxiliaries set to work with the mechanics, and prep teams did drills.

Secret Estenlandian sources would know that the transports would continue to drone in until a full 300 planes landed, 2/3 of the Ordu du Saint Espirits transport force.

As the waves of planes continued to drone in, trains from Royale Ltd. in Sebastopol came by the hundreds, dropping off heaps of supplies and material. Before long, the wearhouses were brimming over, and still supplies continued to flow in. Security was of course high. Within hours, the field was abuzz with activity.

French satellites continued to strain, photos and live feeds of Northern Lavrageria rolled in. The atmosphere of Tsars Field was jubiliant. The open display of French power incredible. The men hooted and waved as the transports landed, the pilots saluting.

All over the field, Fleur-de-lys banners snapped in the wind.

The French transport planes had finished landing. Tsars field was choked with the shape of the "Herecules"-like perpellered fixwings of the French ODSE.

Yet even as all 300 planes had touched down, the activity didint cease. Supplies continued to be brought in around the clock fromRoyale Ltd.
And Auxliairy Engineers and servicemen made sure the planes mechanics were functioning 100%, and at any time the sound of and engine working out could be heard.

The French Naval Squadren also was beginning to come back closer to the Estenlandian coast after its manuevers in the Black Sea.

OOC-I smell a build-up.
WWJD
Amen.

Tsar Wingert has ordered the planes that are now left on patrol, blakeining the skies over Lavrageria, to begin flying exclusively payloads of Agent Rouge over the tiny nation, this will take up the slack, seeing as how the massive air capaign has left little in the country to bomb anymore, but at the outset of the war, 1000 missions per day were ordered flown. Now, almost 900 of those missions will be to distribute the Agent Rouge, starting in the north of the nation and working their way down, the condition of the forests in Lavrageria will be precarious at best in less than a week.

The advance of the army groups continues foward with its slash and burn philosophy, and have encountered small pockets of resistance throughout, though any major enough troops concentraions to engage on a larger scale or by air have continually evaded the invasion force, mostly by moving further and further into the interior.

It is noted that the two Divisions of The Elite Airborne that are posted on the Crimea, the most elite (with the 1 Division of Marines) of the Tsarist army, are suddenly drilling over and over with repect to sudden boarding of planes, also notably drilling in the usage of the massive French transport force that is now present as well as their own.

Sir Reginald, from Supreme Imperial Command, has also ordered that the Dauphin Brigade be moved away from the Russian border, noting that the French are itching for a fight and worried that they will cross the border to help insugents in Russia. They are to be mobilised and transported to Sevestapol.



King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

The order had been given, and the Royal Dauphin Corps, armor and all, began to pile onto trains; heading south, to Sebastopol.

A small garrison of 4000 soldiers were left behind at Petit Schronnbrunn, to man the Headquarters. The Dauphin, Charles-Louis-Xavier, dressed in his uniform of a Merechal de France, led the massive movement south.

French troops would begin arriving in about fouteen hours in the Crimean city of Sebastopol. Who knew when they would stop. The Royal Dauphin Corps (excluding the soldiers left behind) included 31,000 soldiers of the French Guards, and a detachment of the Royal Army in the form of 1000 2nd Korean Divison heavy infantry. As well, there were 800 M-1 Abrams tanks, staffed by French commanders and crewed by the Estenlandian mechanical corps. Air support came in the form of 39 Mirage-2000. Once the entire force was in Sebastopol, there was to be a vast military parade.

Meanwhile, the Royal Auxiliary had the ODSE transports humming. They drilled with Estenlandian Commandos, showing them the fine abilities of the French aircraft.

And off the coast of Estenlands, the Royal Naval Squadre, was in launch formation again. Each minute saw gigantic amounts of new information about the tactical situation in Northn Lavrageria, Satellites perspirated.

((I apologize for my long absence. Preperation for finals. I'm sure you have all experienced the horror.Anyway, I have little time to do anything, except make this small post. So, here goes.))

Kadishev sat on the ground, cross legged, while he wrapped a bandage around his wound.

Damned Estie choppers...

He could do little as he waited for his men to report back to him. He'd sent them out to speak to some of the Lavragerian and Sthrathdonian, (and if they still could be found, Hindustani) commanders, hoping to initiate some joint operation. Currently, although their forces were fighting with skill and bravery, none of the allies could make a serious dent in the Estenlands advance. Only cooperation could bring that.

The advance is still plugging along, now having pacified and occupied the strip of land in the south from the southern border and eastern border to the cities of Pruzhany, Bereza, Hantsavichy, Starobin, Aktsyabrski, Svyetlahorsk, Zhlobin, Ragachow, Bylkhaw, Mahilyow, Talachyri, Novalukoml, Vitsyebsk, and Polatsk.

These cities are being turned into the front line, as it were, with strikes for the time being happening in the areas around them.

The Pinsk Marshes have been turned into a massive fiery hell, with anything that isn't burning being totally sorrounded by troops and destroying the last vestiges of resistance that were found behind the front lines.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

The first elements of theRoyal Dauphin began to arrive in Sebastopol. Huge trains brought the army and its armor south, while the attack helicopters and Mirages had flown down to meet them.

Cranes helped ease the M-1 Abrams off of their cars on the train. The massive conglomeration of Tsars field took up eipc purportians. At the aierodome, French Transport planes drilled and were stored. Next to the marshes, the Estenlandian Paratroopers engaged in exercises. Tents sprang up in the field like plants, as the French troops continued to arrive. From the Inudstrial Complex of Royal Ltd. in the city proper, supplies were delievered on a 24/7 scale.

When all the troops had arrived by the end of night, the following day there would be a splendid military review. French State TV crews would be there, documenting the massive deployment of French arms. What followed was not unlike the French military procedure, called a 'pleasure camp'. The Dauphin would watch the review with his now bulgingly-pregnent wife, Grand Duchess Jillesopone. The troops marched with a spring in their step, snapping to salute as one. Regimental evolutions were peformed in sinc, to the sound of fife and drum. At the end of the parade, the Dauphin would review the troops on horseback with the Estenlandian General Sir Reginald.

Supplies continued to accrue from Royal Ltd.. Execercises were conducted around the clock. And the Royal Auxiliary continued to maintain the excellence of the mechanized elements of the French force. The news back in France would show a majestic Dauphin with pregnent wife, adorned with medals and ribbons, and with Bourbon superiority crownng him like a laurel.

In Lavrageria's south, the criminal tactics of the invaders, draining though they must have been on the attackers' resources, and the expected weight of their advance meant that the most concentrated period of partisan army resistance was coming to an end in the Pripet Marshes and surrounding woodlands as the enemy approached southern towns and villages. The enemy's carpet bombing and burning policies hadn't been nearly as effective as they might have hoped in what was far from the tiny country it seemed to be considered. Across tens of thousands of square kilometres, defenders were often able to escape enemy operations, and as the attackers fanned out to surround suspected strongholds they often found their dispersing forces in fact surrounded in limited places. Lavragerians only became more adept at this modern fighting as time went on, and former farmers, shepherds, and fledgling labourers began to learn the skills of their warrior-extract NCOs and huntsmen sharp shooters. Emancipated slaves fought perhaps the hardest of all, some having come straight from the captivity of settling ex-Glakatahn clans into the volunteer defence forces, desperately keen to defend what they'd so recently been allowed to taste in freedom.
Estenlandic special forces too were far from having it all their way. Certainly a great many of the hurridly raised militia, most having had only a few weeks or months of training and but days of experience, would prove suitable victims to the commandos roving inside guerrilla country, but woe betide the special forces team that chanced to approach the operational area of a force containing fighters of direct warrior or hunter extraction. No doubt Strathdonian and such mercs attached to successful fighting communities in the southern wilds would become accustomed to waking up with another few bloodied trophies hanging near by in the temporary settlements. Some would almost make sport of betting on how long it would take a particular 'recently-settled' Glakatahn man to come back with a disembodied Ukrainian head and items of Estenlandic special forces attire or equipment after having set him off, quite possibly armed only with a knife, on the trail of a suspected unit.

But for all of these instances of great skill and admirable bravery and determination, it was overly ambitious to hope that the wilds could halt such a large enemy forever. Certainly a great many burning vehicles littered the borderlands by the time Itageria (Homyel/Gomel) was assaulted by ground forces, but the fact remained that... well, Itageria was being assaulted by ground forces. Partisan operation continued across the south, but fighters numbered now in the thousands rather than tens of thousands. This did at least mean that many of the less effective recruits were dead, deserted, or captured (though the latter figure was probably in not more than the few hundreds), while the more expert warriors moved now in smaller groups, lived in the best-hid bases, and had more space in which to range.

Around Itageria there would be found scores of tent-based communities and shanty-towns more basic than even those that once constituded much of the city itself. These were cityfolk who'd fled in the face of aerial assault, and found that they hadn't the means to go much further. Hunger, though not yet out-right famine, had set in, and sickness was slowly on the rise. Amongst the huddled masses were many resisters, but also a majority of civilians who hadn't anything with which to fight, and were concerned mainly with keeping themselves and their families alive in the face of indescriminate bombing, worsening food shortages, and on-coming enemy troops about which they knew relatively little. Many were old people and mothers with their children, doing their best to shield the youngsters and to apper unafraid, though it was doubtful that they were fooling anyone.

Whenever the Estenlanders moved beyond the refugees and into Itageria, once a low-rise town of poor construction and home to 270,000 people, they would find a settlement that had not well coped with physical attack. Buildings weren't much better than shacks, some of wood, others loose stone, more of mud brick or other extremely poor quality masonry, and some of old iron and scrap. There were a few factories, most at least damaged by bombing if not totally flattened, and just a couple of larger government buildings scarcely in better order. Most dwelings were on the ground floor only. Some had small cellars, and in several districts a second floor was common. Only really the government buildings had three or occasionally more, and they tended to be located in the heart of the sad town.

Itageria's core defence consisted of four hundred and ten or so members of the Committee of People's Ground Forces armed and ready for a major sniper battle and a spot of grenade-heavy ambush. The narrow streets didn't provide many high-rises from which to shoot, but enough to make a go of it, and they restricted vehicle movement seriously. It was also possible from one street to cast a grenade into the next, over the little buildings, without being seen- many streets were lined by terrace-type structures that allowed almost no direct access from one to the next except at far-flung junctions. It wasn't a good example of town planning, but really, who expected grouchy nomads to build Rome on the first attempt? In fact, one in the know may recall Larionko Aidarov ordering that construction continue in the embarrasing fashion of the early days, even weeks before the invasion, knowing full well that it did not lend itself to the future development of a prosperous society, but was likely to be equally frustrating to the attacker. The little streets would see a man (or woman- Aidarov had been a big supporter of female empancipation, knowing that he needed the workforce, and that it would play well for potentially sympathetic foreigners looking for a way to paint his republic as a progressive victim of backwards a monarchy) idling along, seperated from enemy units -should the enter the city- by a row of little houses and businesses, only to fling an explosive from his jacket, sending it into the next street without warning to explode near the enemy, only for him to either vanish through an uncomfortably narrow and littered alley or a concealed inner door in a building leading from one street to the next, or to simply act like he was as suprised as everyone else when the device blew-up in the next street.

Again, few optimists believed that Itageria could stop an army, but the Republicans would be damned if the enemy would make one significant step through Lavrageria's landscape without getting a kick in the face. They'd get tired or run out of fuel and funds, or someone powerful would come and help, eventually, so the optimists instead told themselves and their comrades.

Somewhere, Prime Minister Ivan Gukov was lamenting his status as a presidential puppet and the passing into obscurity of his ideas, from market socialism to... putting up a blooming big fence to keep the Glakatahn from wrecking the republic... are attacking anybody else and getting the republic into trouble. He'd sigh if he had the energy.

QUOTE-Estenlandic special forces too were far from having it all their way. Certainly a great many of the hurridly raised militia, most having had only a few weeks or months of training and but days of experience, would prove suitable victims to the commandos roving inside guerrilla country, but woe betide the special forces team that chanced to approach the operational area of a force containing fighters of direct warrior or hunter extraction. No doubt Strathdonian and such mercs attached to successful fighting communities in the southern wilds would become accustomed to waking up with another few bloodied trophies hanging near by in the temporary settlements. Some would almost make sport of betting on how long it would take a particular 'recently-settled' Glakatahn man to come back with a disembodied Ukrainian head and items of Estenlandic special forces attire or equipment after having set him off, quite possibly armed only with a knife, on the trail of a suspected unit. -QUOTE

OOC-C,mon. It's not like I am getting my special forces off teh street. I realsie that there is a warrior tradition there, but it no stonger than the decades of guerrilla and commando fighting that formed my nation.


IC-Itageria was soon becoming sorrounded by the attacking forces. The refugges outside were being pacified as they were being searched thoroughly and then moved back from the city proper. Scanning the city, the field command realised that it was going to be no easy task to take the city proper by ground, especially after they moved a few platoons into the city that were quickly pinned down by snipers and grenades. Even the few streets large enough to allow some armour through just becaome death traps for the unlucky troops ordered in. So, they ordered a total of three more platoons(120) in, supported by many tanks that continually bombarded the city from over a mile away, and attack helicopters that started peppering the buildings that were being used as fortresses with rockets and twin Vulcans that were capable of thousands upon thousands of rounds per minute.

While this was going on, air strikes by bombers were being prepped, but bombers were tied up somewhat with defoilating the northen counrtry.

So, heavy equiptment was brought in, bulldozers, CATs, front-end loaders, etc., all armoured for use in the Egineering Divisions, and were brought to bear on the city, after one more thing. The city was set on fire. The bulldozers first piled the shacks that had been constructed outside the city into the outer streets, and then lit them up. The 6 platoons (240) now commited were ordered to maintain positions and keep fighting, even as the buildings around them started to burn, they kept fighting, supported by choppers, but basically left on their own. Many of the loose stone buildings and mud ones would not burn in of themselves, however, each contained enough inside them that was flammable to make them pretty inhospitable. The tanks were relentless, in contanstly bombarding the burning city, until the flames eventaully started to die down and the troops that managed to escape (80) were allowed to retreat and be placed under medical care for smoke inhalation and burns.
Then, the city was subjected to massive carpet-bombing, leaving little of the charred stone and mud huts left standing.
They were replaced by another 4 platoons(160) that began to move into the city and engege anyone left alive. Right behind this force is the Engineers that began to flatten what little was left alive, in a few days the town would be a plain of stone.

The refugges all the while would be given medical care food, and be pumped for information about the movements of partisans in the area. Any who reists are arrested and moved by train to the detention centers in northern Ukraine.


Also, in Sevastapol, the Two Divisions of Elite Airborne in their entirety are on 20 mins. deployment notice, presumably to support in case of Russian incursion. These airborne, numbering 40,000 troops, are the most elite and crack troops in his Imperial Majesty's service.


King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

OOC: Lavrageria, Strathdonia...I've already asked twice if you'd be interested in a joint operation with my Spetsnaz. Are ya in or not?

Two GRU agents lay on the roof of one of the many shacks in the city. One held a scope, observing the road below them, while the other held a cell phone, ready to trigger the IEDs. A task force of five Ukrainians armed with assault rifles cautiously started scanning the street for foes.


Come on...Just a little closer...

The soldiers noticed the camouflaged GRU agent, and yelled to his comrades.

"Oh sh*t! NOW!"

The bullets began flying, and one of them struck the GRU agent in the arm, causing him to drop his scope. The other GRU agent dialed the phone and...BLAM! The fiery explosion tossed aside the Ukrainians like rag dolls, leaving those not immediately killed by the blast to slowly perish from shrapnel wounds.

The other GRU agent pulled down the agent with a shrapnel wound, and helped him walk.

"Hey man, the Lavs have got a med center nearby."

"Ugghh...Too...late..."

"What?"

The wounded agent pointed to the sky, and the other looked up. Vast shells of artillery headed straight towards them.

"AHHHHHHH!!!!"

The blast shredded them apart, and the city began to burn to the ground.

A strange quiet descended over Tsars Field.

The transports were running flawlessly. Only guards and Auxiliaries strode about the Airport, doing final inspections. Crates of supplies, in ready-to-go packing, dotted the field in clusters. The vast and orderly forest of tents that housed the Royal Dauphin Corps stretched on one side of the vast runways, next to the barracks of the Estenlandian Trooper Divisions.

That night, no more drills could be heard. They were ready. The Corps, by order of the Dauphin, had been put on immediate notice. Therefore, that night, with the atmosphere of the fall before the plunge, there was almost a quiet festivity.

Bonfires dotted the camp. Soliders, of the rank and file, young Frenchmen doing thier service to King and country, danced country dances with charming Estenlandian Peasant girls. The music consisted only of a fiddle and a flute, and a drum but the music was deep, and as the couples danced like life amid the shadows, doom was heard in the distance. Thus the somber festival continued, punctuated only with carpe diem laughter here and there.

Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Marie-Therese, fine food and a ration of wine was given to the soldiers that night, and all recieved a mark of honor, to be worn on thier uniforms. The poignent carnival ended at a little past midnight, the solders being eager to savor every moment of it.

The Dauphin himself spent the night in vigil with his wife Grand Duchess Jillesopone at the Chapel. As was required for members of the Royal Family, the elaborate ceremony of the Extreme Unction and Absolution was held for the Dauphin. So the shape of a husband and wife in prayer, the former in a glowingly dashing uniform replete with sword and golden spurs, the latter fressed in a simple white gowl with viel, would been seen until the dawn.

In the morning, as Aurora touched the wings of French 'Herculeic' transport armada, a vast rumble could be heard. Like the quaking of a mountain, or the rush of the sea: It was the Engines revving up.

((OOC: Poor Elkazor. I think he's done almost ten of these filler posts, as his troops have nothing to do.))

OOC:
soory AC things have been a bit interesting in RL and i haven't really had a hcnace to catch with things i should hoepfully get somethign tonight...
and of course i would be interested in a joint operation.

OOC-Actually, the last several posts have been to show the massive mobilization for this.

IC-Sir Reginald, awake early today, having just a spot of vodka in his coffee, orders the attack. All over the Crimea, hundreds of transport planes are revved up, the first elements of two Elite Airborne Divisions are loaded into them, and they are seen taking off and heading north, under heavy, heavy air cover from the Imperial Air Force. Hundreds of stand-by pilots are also standing by to take over for the next flight when these pilots return.
King Wingert I smiles at the news that this phase of the invasion is coming. Knowing his history, he realizes that an airdrop of this size has not been attempted since Normandy, and this time with far more troops and equipment, air support and less capable air defenses.

The air drop will happen in and around the city of Maladzyechna, 60 kms down the main road to Minsk. With the help of the massive French transport fleet, we will be able to drop 3,000 troops in the first drop. And reinforce that position with an additional 3,000 every eight hours following. That would place 40,000 Elite Airborne crack troops on the ground in 112 hrs, 14 air drops total, just over 4 and a quarter days. At that point, the Royal Dauphin Division would be brought into pre-arranged secured areas that have been turned into make-shift air strips, at which time, the Dauphin himself will take official command of the combined Estenlandian/French force and pacify the northern part of the nation, which now explains why the air force had been concentrating so very much of the Agent Rouge in the northern parts of the nation. This group would be called Army Group D- for the Dauphin.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

OOC:
soory AC things have been a bit interesting in RL and i haven't really had a hcnace to catch with things i should hoepfully get somethign tonight...
and of course i would be interested in a joint operation.
OOC:That's all right. We've got to think of something really devastating, and clever to halt the advance...Hell, don't the Lavragerians have those SA anti-air missile launchers I sent them? Those were top-of-the-line.

((Gives the Tsar a nods of thanks, excellent vindication.))

As each transport carrying the brave paratroopers north lifted off the tarmack of Tsars Field, a Priest blessed it and gave it a splash of Holy Water. The Royal Dauphin Corps was preparing for thier move into combat, after the the elite storm troopers had landed. Dress uniforms were being replaced with the sturdy field uniforms and kevlar breast plates.

Children in Eastenlands would no doubt marvel at the planes which 'blacked out the sun'. Truly, a larger far more sturdy operation than Normandy. Actually, the French found the reversal of fortunes fortuitous.

The French Battlegroup off Estenlands was wired in with the landing teams. Ergo, the Royal Navy was prepared to send showers of cruise missles down on any targets the Airborne troopers called in.

Operation "Fin d'Guerre", as it was called, would crush those damned barbos once and for all! The Royal Auxiliary had outfitted every paratrooper with an uplink and communications kit, so they were wired in to HQ (The Royal Dauphin was equipped similarly). Vast high definition screens displayed the situation real time at Command, and air superiority was indubitable.

A knife was being stabbed into the heart of Lavrageria, while her extremities withered and burned in flame.

((Well, at least the Lavragerian Republic will still exist in History books, although only British ones probably))

((OOC: I wouldn't count Lavrageria out quite yet. What was that line? Oh yes...<Thick Scottish Accent> FRREEEEDDDDOMMM!))

As the huge Hercules transports filled the night sky, every GRU agent still alive unleashed pure hell upon them. One hundred and ninety eight of them, pulled out SA-18s (Cutting edge anti-air missiles, in a close third place behind the Chinese QW-1) and started blasting into the air. The heat seeking missiles locked onto their targets, and hopefully at least some of the transports would be downed before allowing their foot soldiers to land.

Meanwhile, the ten of the Spetsnaz fired into the air with heavy AA machine guns, aiming at the paratroopers, shredding them apart. The other five sniped at those who had landed, making sure that if the French and the Esties wanted Lavrageria, well, it wasn't going to come cheap.

While fighting, the Russians yelled frantically at the Lavragerians and the Strathdonians, urging them to fire away with their SA-18s, and to generally do everything possible to stop the assault.

OOC-So, we have been flying 1000 missions a day into this nation, and NOW you start shooting back. I was assuming that every mission was taking some AA fire, but meh.

IC-As a few transports do come crashing down, the massive escort of fighters, specially equipped for the purpose of engaging ground targets, with napalm and large blast radius fragmetation missiles, capable of inflicting damage over 30m on the ground, begin to do their job, they are in numbers reminiscent of the first day of attacks, and continue to bring the pain.
They are also heavily coordinated with the large force of heavy attack helicopters in Lavrageria that have been pulled in from the Southern mountains in Ukraine to help with this particular mssion, engaging small resistance pockets that are too tiny and mobile for the jets.
But this, and copious amounts of missile chaff and other anti-AA technologies are diplayed in full force, though casualties are much higher than initially expected. But then again, that was why the Elite Airborne was going in before the Dauphin Division, if they kept up at this rate, the Dauphin Division should be able to waltz in.
One thing is definately becoming obvious, this was an endgame manuveur, and the enemy knew it.

King Wingert I of The Village of farrah.

In the southern Lavragerian forests, scarred as they were, resistance continued. A pair of enthused young recruits, until days ago low-level labourers in a tiny southern town training part time to fight the coming invasion and before that part of an essentially untouchable mule class in a minor Glakatahn clan, had tried to ambush a small convoy, placing a claymore-type explosive improvised from a 100mm artillery shell. One was holding a less than reliable detonator in shaking hands and the other aiming a bolt-action rifle at the trail along which three or four vehicles were supposed to be approaching. Then they were both under fire, one dead in seconds, the second running for his life and flumbling for his revolver after dropping the detonator, only to be shot in the head a few dozen metres away. They didn't really have any chance of combatting elite special forces sent to root-out partisans behind the Estenlandic advance.

Kovan Vink had seen most of the contact. Some may have faulted him for allowing his comrades to fall, but Vink didn't let other people's concerns bother him unless they adversly influenced his prey. Vink was a hunter. He'd been sat absolutely motionless for seventeen hours, cradling his old rifle. In recent years he'd become acustomed to sitting like this for as long as near two days, wrapped in his warm camoflauge and furs, as he waited for a suitable animal to approach. It was often necessary since Lavrageria's population explosion of the last generation or two, which had seen the beginings of a decline in game as a good portion of ten million people had for a time tried to live entirely off the natural land. A crack followed the fall of the second militiaman, sending one of the Estenlandic elite to the cold wet earth. After just a single shot had reported, the remaining soldiers couldn't tell from which direction they were being attacked. A second made it more clear, but also reduced their numbers one more. The following attempt to flush-out Vink resulted in absolutely nothing, though later investigation would indicate that the first fallen militiaman had been relieved of his arms and other useful items.

Special forces in the modern sense continued to clearly best the modestly trained militias and the regulars drawn from ordinary circles, but they were experienced and well trained. The Lavragerian huntsmen and warriors grew up doing almost exactly what they were doing today, in these lands, on top of centuries of tradition and experience. They could traverse staggering distances as if they moved by leaping through the branches, could hide from view just yards from their foe, and track enemies for miles. Hunters tended to be adept at going out after isolated special forces teams and ambushing them, engaging in sniper duels, and the like, but sometimes lacked the tactical awareness of the warriors who'd often had to learn to think in extra dimensions, considering their enemy's schemes and intentions as well as simply his habits. Still, with thousands of Glakatahn still riding free in the west and casualties slowly mounting amongst those loyal to the republic, the weight of damage that the skilled warriors could do to the enemy remained limited, even waned further. In effect, the most effective Lavragerian fighters in the south were tied to countering Estenlandic special forces, meaning that they were no longer able to lead destructive raids and ambushes as they had on the first day or so of the invasion, leaving the regular enemy forces with increasingly limited opposition as they fought the regular and militia forces scattered about.

Itageria (Homyel')

Though the southern wilds saw great restriction to their resistance activities, there was little danger of them ending in the near future. In the first really major town assaulted, however, things were much worse. Over quarter of a million inhabitants once, thousands had been killed in initial strikes, tens of thousands had scattered around the city, dozens of them being killed as the enemy rolled through, but still more than a hundred thousand had remained when the assault moved in with force. With just four hundred-odd hard core fighters present (most of the able bodied having left to fight in the south or fallen-back to the major cities north), the fightback was limited from the start. By the same token, the bombardment of the sprawl was highly inefficient in terms of picking out four-hundred people amongst some four hundred times that total. It reflected on the horrible rate of civilian casualties that the indescriminate bombardment managed initially to kill over eighty of the fighters. One wondered, would eighty time four hundred prove an accurate estimate of civilian casualties? Certainly the streets were clogged with thousands of dead and dying, children and the weak or injured frequently trampled under foot as crowds tried to escape the flames consuming narrow streets built with little appreciation for urban hazards such as fire and siege. Usually such a situation would have merited picking up tents and walking away. Lavragerians had almost no effective emergency services, certainly not any able to organise under heavy fire. Satellites would observe another glowing patch of Lavragerian territory as Itageria burned.

South of Hia'Itakchi (Minsk)

The regular CPGF (Committe of People's Ground Forces) and CPADF (Committee of People's Air Defence Forces) south of the closest thing pre-republican Lavrageria had to a capital, Hia'Itakchi, joined with Russian personnel in loosing everything possible against the air assault. Perhaps their MANPADS would lack the ceiling to seriously impact on the assault, or perhaps they would surprise the attackers with their number and quality, and make a disaster of the assault. Either way, Lavrageria's primary air defence was provided by AAA and machineguns, cheap and simple enough to have been in manufacture for months, and in the case of the lighter weapons, even long-familiar to Glakatahn peoples. AAA was often positioned to defend perceived corridors towards major cities such as Hia'Itakchi, an ancient site for inter-clan diplomacy and trade, where tatty old bazaars mingled with perhaps the second greatest architectural developments of the Republic (after Ulanger- not that either are impressive cities internationally).
The defence near little Maladzyechna was not especially great, but getting there did mean flying over tens of miles of pretty heavy flak, mainly from 100mm guns. Defences had no doubt suffered through the course of the air war, but where radar had been picked out and... picked off, batteries simply fired optically, slaved to other batteries or borrowed their data, or fired just to put the enemy off or make him take unwise evasive action so that SAMs may have some chance of picking him off. Helicopters were a prime target, because, well, because SA-18s and heavy machineguns were ideal for engaging them, while high-flying, fast-moving fighters were best... run away from. Lavragerian SA-18s were generally deployed -out here at least- by men on horseback, who would loose a missile at a passing gunship and then try to get the heck away from the contact point before retaliation could be brought to bear on the specific, unpredicatble location. It wouldn't always work, one supposed. Sometimes a SAM team would pop up to take a shot at a target of opportunity, only to realise that supporting aircraft were already chancing to swoop in, meaning a probable end to the team's war.
When parachutes began to fall, Maladzyechna's defenders were a pretty isolated lot. They were few, and set-up largely to ward-off Glakatahn activity from the west. This meant that they were at least reasonably armed, and for fighting unarmoured forces, too, be they Glakatahn hordes or foreign paratroopers. 7.62mm, 14.5mm, and 23mm machineguns around Maladzyechna -a settlement essentially established as a reservation for a minor Glakatahn clan only recently convinced to urbanise at all- were quite plentiful relative to the scant few score of the defenders' numbers, as the republic was keen to bestow force multiplication upon its frontiersmen facing the still active clans of the far west without wasting significant manpower. Mechanisation was almost nil, with the settlement relying mainly on the animals brought by the urbanising clan, but the defenders were at least warned when their communications officers were raised by Hia'Itakchi's defenders just minutes before the aircraft appeared. A good number of machineguns would fire on the descending attackers, and a handful of expert marksmen dispersed on horseback in a wide perimiter beyond the town, planning to put landing forces under at least some fire from all sides. That said, even the first wave -if it landed even close to intact- would already outnumber the local defence forces. Militiamen were alerted in the surrounding countryside, having remained here despite southern fighting, because A) they know their own ground, and B) they simply have animals and crops to tend, and vital war-industry infrastructure jobs to work, but they numbered in the hundreds rather than thousands, and tended to be armed with bolt action rifles and sub-machineguns, where the regulars in the town had light mortars, machineguns and AK-47s and the like.
Horse teams readied to pull 14.5mm machineguns and twin-23mm cannon to face whatever open ground the paratroops used as primary landing areas, hoping to cut them down in large numbers to even the odds early on.

Hia'Itakchi (Minsk)

General Tumin Kalmakoff was somewhat torn by requests for immediate aid to the north. He had significant forces at his disposal, including some of the Republic's better mechanised units, which were dispersed around the sprawling low-rise city of above two thirds of a million residents (OOC: a surprisingly effective way of hiding things, as the Americans found out when they couldnt' find an entire Iraqi armoured brigade simply because its units were spread out in an urban setting, and it was only by sheer luck that they stumbled into it from behind, as I recal- though that doesn't say much for Iraqi intel, either, that isn't really the point). But no, "no" he said. "We must hold on- it could easily be a trap to draw us out prematurely. We must let the enemy play his hand, we will send reinforcements later... perhaps tomorrow, perhaps the next night... tell Maladzyechna that they must hold-out. Later we will come and push the enemies into the Viliya and destroy them." His tone maintained a practiced evenness that made it hard to tell with how much confidence he made that last assertion.

French technicians would be linking Estenlandian Fighter/Bomber Command with live satellite feeds of the situation. Resistance pockets would heat up, and then be tagged by C&C for destruction.

The French Mirages, formerly restricted, flew hand in hand with their Estenlandian counterparts. High altitude precision bombing runs and low altitude scatter bomb drops were their role. Of course, thier numbers were insignificant compared to the Tsars.

And the Transports were not helpless. All had been heavily modified by French Engineers, and carried tougher armor and state of the art defense mechanisms. That, and thier clouds of fighter support, would entail relativley few losses.

Royale Ltd. was desperatley pumping out the needed supplies. French ships waited in line at the harbor of Sebastopol, and the docks swarmed. The lines were stable, however, and the Tsars Bourbon ally had been keeping the massive war effort supplied handily.

In other news, M. de Germain, Minister of War to His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX, announced the departure of the 1st and 7th Divisions of the French Guards for Estenlands. As well, Louis XX's government has given the approval of a military increase. Another three divisions of French Guards are to be raised, the Royal Army has contracted the services of another Swiss Regiment, and the Order of the Golden Fleece will be enlarged by a Battalion (this has more to do with idle nobles than specific need).

So in France the Champs des Mars was again prepped for recruitment. At this time, with the Bounty generous and the French military at a watershed, recruitment was predicted to be sufficent to fulfill all the required posisitons.
France waited anxiously for news of the epic battle taking place, French PR had announced it as "Operation Fin d'Guerre."

With the Lavragerians throwing whatever they could at the incoming attack, this was expected, but not at nearly this level of intensity. So, in order that the schedule for the drop not be slowed one bit, the entirety of the Tsars Long-Range Bomber Fleet (250) is also mobilised and sent to the Crimea to take part in the air-drop. This means that carpet-bombing will take a back saet for now, but, that was not seen as being too detremental to the war effort at this time.
The civilian casualty reports started to pour in from the engagements and are regarded with little interest, the idea being that those that fall will serve as a message to the people that the strength of the Tsar is nothing to contend with.
King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah,

((OOC: Estenlands, I assumed that the Lavs have been firing off the AA for quite a while now, but my GRU and Spetsnaz have been busy with land operations. Still, no matter how much technology you have to counter the AA, with the sheer amount of missiles and bullets being launched, I'd say casualties aren't gonna be pretty. Especially since I've got snipers and machine gun fire spraying at the paratroopers. Mind you, my outlook isn't so pleasant either; looks like Lavrageria's gonna be an Estenlands province...))

Kadishev swore violently as he saw five GRU officers blasted apart by an Estenlands missile. They seemed to be having an initial effect on the transports, sending a few unlucky Estenlander troops to their doom, but the counterattack was brutal. Lead and missiles filled the night sky, hoping to find a target. The Russians tried desperately to aid their Lavragerian comrades in battle, but the sheer numbers of the enemy, and their advanced systems, prevented them from making much of a dent. The Russian forces were mainly unharmed, since they were spread out across many battle groups, but the endless array of munitions that poured upon them constantly did manage to strike an unlucky few.

"Damn it...Looks like the only way we'll win is we'll do what the Afghans did to us...But hell, that took years... I can't let Mary wait that long..."

CASUALTY RATES:
150/200 GRU Remaining
13/15 Spetsnaz

OOC- I am considering the the actual parachutists will take the worst of it, and I am replacing the transports that I lose with far more than I will lose, I was planning on posting my losses for this particular operation after the landing area was finally secured and Minsk was coming under fire.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

(OOC: This isn't much of a post, but I have already started to work on another. You've probably noticed that mine don't come too often, but they will keep coming, and I appreciate the patience.)

Lavragerians, where they have any available resources of the type, tend to be espically quick to address Russian casualties, possibly out of duty of orders from Aidarov, or possibly because they equate the Russian help to the first days of Republic. The days when lonely wanderers settled-down for the first time and found that they had neighbours who would help them to build homes and livelihoods. It was quite possible that some settled Lavragerians were starting to identify quite strongly with Russia as a statist manifestation of their new-found sense of community. Wounded Russians not immediately receiving aid from their comrades would find themselves carted off on animal-skin stretchers and daubed in all manner of traditional curatives, some of which were surely utter hokum, while -just maybe- others were the sort of miracle cure that drew scientists and big drugs companies into the world's under-developed tribal lands in search of the next big natural thing.

There were also leeches and hot sticks, of course, and bile-rousing alcoholic beverages made with the milk of something and the seeds of something else.

((OOC: Damn, this doesn't look like we'll be able to win this, does it? Unless I fully commit, but that'll give the damned insurgents in my country free reign. Well, if things don't improve, I think I'll have to make a deal with the devil...Dammit, where's that international do-gooder, the US, when you need'em?))
Kadishev spat out the bizarre concoctions of the Lavragerian "medic" (One would call him a witch doctor, but it was important to be polite with your allies), swearing violently.

"Look, I appreciate the help, but I doubt you'll cure my arm wound with some damned voodoo. Here, try this."

He tossed the Lavragerian medic a Russian knock off of a potent American anti-bacterial drug.

"I'll get my men to send you some more. It'll help with most infections."

The Russians were, in general, very pleased with the Lavragerian aid, although some it might have been a little bizarre. They mourned the fact that more couldn't be done, but such was the game of politics.

A few days in, the massive landing force was busy securing the various pre-arranged areas for future landing strips for the Dauphins and setting up an HQ that could be used to coordinate attacks with the other Army Groups. There was also a force of nearly 3,000 Elite troops that were moving on Minsk in force in order to probe their defences and start to bring pressure on its defenders, they were ordered not to directly move on the city, but to begin to attack outlying defences, with top priority given to the AA sites and other air defence systems.
These troops were a wonder tp behold, large groups moving in fluid precision, with cold determination that made the other Army Groups look like teddy bears. They knew their job, and did it well. These were the cream of the crop, the Tsars trump card, and they moved almost robotically over the terrain, with its foilage almost completely destroyed by Agent Rouge, and met any opposition with deadly force. Civilians were told to continue moving north towards the border, or south towards the incoming invasion forces, wheere they would be given medical aid, food and shelter. Those that did not comply were forcibbly removed from the immediate area, clearing a 50 kms swath around the main landing sights.
However, there were mistakes made, as some platoons got dropped in the wrong places, in a few cases right into eenemy stongholds, where the few that survived the landing immendiately had to fight for their lives. Air support would be brought in to help, but they were basically on their own unless they made it to a safe area where they could be picked up by helicopter, which the Lavragerian defenders were not likely to let them do.

It was amasing just how many of the civilians were gladly? surrendering themselves, most because of massive need for food and medical attention, but others, just because they were tired of fighting anymore what seemed like an inevitable outcome. With the policies of confiscating the herds and weapons of any civilians they came across, alnong with the massive fires and usage of Agent Rouge, and the blocking off of any more Russian aid through the border, the food situation was getting deperate in Lavrageria.
And, those who surrendered were allowed to eat their fill and not get shot at.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

In Sebastopol, the Rayal Dauphin Corps was getting prepped for their landing.

The troops were anxious, but tenacious. All had been issued full combat uniforms, night vision and kevlar vests included. The Royal Auxiliary was feverishly working on the transports every time a run was done. Some were being lost, but the vast majority just suffered from a few bullet holes and service damage. Supply convoys zipped around the Tarmack. Amrs and Material never stopped arriving from Royale Ltd. in the city proper.

But the Dauphin held himself proud. As he went about the camp, the men snapped to. Very shortly, the Dauphin would take his army in.

Every now and then the roar of a Fury V missle was heard, no doubt being brought to bear on the resistance in the North.

Camera crews followed the Dauphin around. After all, France was watching, and dynasty was no longer a dream.

With the full Estenlandian attacking force habing landed, and some small amounts of attacks coming in against Minsk, and their Air defences being all but destroyed at this piont. The landed force has secured the area and set up makeshift tarmacs in order for the Dauphin Divisions to land in the area, and their forces are being loaded onto the planes and is heading to this are as fast as possible. A great priority is being set on attacking from the ground the air defenses throughout this area, especially the great concentration around Minsk. Great loudspeakers have been set up and pamphlets are being dropped into the city, telling the civilian population to move out of the city, and head south, where they can surrender to the incoming forces and gain medical attention and food/shelter. They also remind the defenders of the city that even their government has escaped the country and left them to die.
The previous 3,000 troops that have been keeping pressure on Minsk and its air defenses are joined in force by the mass of the rest of the Airborne. This is coupled with the massive bombardment from the air by jet fighter and attack helicopter.

Losses-Of the 40,000 Elite Airborne that have been brought to bear on this area, 30,000 survived and were dropped in the proper place, 2,500 were dropped out of the zone and are trapped in enemy hotzones. The other 7,500 were dead, some from the planes that were destroyed coming in, and the rest, as they parachuted in were shot and came as slowly falling corpses to the ground.

Of that amount, 15,000 troops were now being brought to bear on Minsk. The other 15,000 are patrolling the area and making sure that it is secure. The troops were conspicious in that they did not have any armour, though they did have motorcycles, dune buggies, etc. They also make major use of hand-held missiles and LAW rockets to soften up armoured foes. There are also small pieces of artillary that have been parachuted in with the troops that are all moved into the front line area, about 2,000 pieces that are now raining sown on Minsk.

These troops, unlike the other Estenlandian troops, do not take prisoners, however, they still disarm, by force if necessary any civilian people that they come across, and then escort them to the southern frontier of the landing area and piont them towards the other Army Groups. They cannot offer medical aid, except in extreme circumstances as they have limited supplies.


And through all of this, the Dauphins come. As sson as the Dauphin himself lands, he takes personal command of the Airborn Divisions and the attack on Minsk.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

OOC: again my appologies, thigns have a bait of getting in the way ie working springing lovely new stuff and nature handing you a nice snotty cold... (which reminds me, time for some more lemsip). Now bar Morgan turning into a games character (think the master cheif or serious sam) it looks like he will have to be looking for a way out, the GRU spetnaz might just provide that.

Incidentially this RP has given me some nice inspiration for OFP missions...
And just to clarify Morgan a few others are about the only actual strathdonians amoungst the mercs the vast majority are likely to be a mix of brits, germans, various africans and the odd Roycelandian, there might even the odd french republican. Some of then (ie Morgan) are very very good professional soldiers who have fought just about everywhere at some point and could given even the SAS a run for thier money (some of them might even be ex SAS) while the others a mix of wanabes, burnt out old veterns and just plain pyskopaths who like killing, most of them will however be dead by now.

IC:

Morgan huddled in the small depression as the rain splashed down, causing him to get wet even under his gortex rain cape and jacket. he stared through the perescope of an AT-3 firing post, the missiles were long since expended but the periscope still remained a useful tool and who knew what sort of fun he could have with the post's signal generator.

Strainign to see through the rain, even with the 3.5 power magnifcation he caught a glimpse of the estie sappers as they came forward to inspect the rather crudely placed IEDs and booby traps in front of thier unit's path of advance. As Morgan had expected they were accompanied by a group of regualr troops, the esties obviously having learned the hard way what happened when you sent the engineers out unsupported.
As the sappers got to work removing the obvious traps and searching for the rather less obvious ones that were bound to accompaying them (much as i would love to spring a bouncing betty i will assume your sappers know thier job), Morgan gently pressed the transmit button on his radio three times.

Some distance away Gillingham (having rejoined the main mercenery group after ditching his news team on the local authorities) jumped up as he heard the 3 clicks on his radio, yellign to his team he pulled the cover off a 81mm mortar and with his team banged off 5 roudns before quickly strippign the peice down and lashing to a team of ponys and bugging out.

The instantly recognisable whistle of an incoming mortar round sent the esties running for cover, one of them accidentally setting off a small toe poper that ripped half his leg off.
5 High explosive rounds rained in with a series of crumping explosions showering the estie postion with flame and death and fillign to air with smoke.
Rising from thier hiding places Morgan and his small team began firing at the shocked sappers and riflemen picking off a few of them before laucnhing smoke grendades and retreating them selves.

Later Moragn's small company regrouped itself, today had been sucessful but in the scheme of thigns it made little difference, the estie noose was closing fast, serval times it had taken frantic fighting to deal with marauding estie pioneer teams (morgan's view, he belives that if you have more than 200 spec ops total then they aren't that special) who ahd gotten a little too close for comfort. The men were gettign tired and fed up and already a few of the less dedicated mercs had assumed thier "foreign journalist" IDs and tried to surrender (most likely getten beaten toa pulp thanks to the ITN news pcitures and anti Estenlandian/french attitude of thier reporting, that is those that weren't shot outright).
The scetchy news of landings to the north certainly didn't help matters. But Morgan had a plan, it wasn't the best plan and it would probably mean the death of most of those involved but it offered just about the only way out of the situation. Now if only he coudlg et incomtanct with those russians.

OOC: i actually have a few plans but they are all equally desperate...
before i go any further i just need to know if, while totally respecting any NPC's srict neutrality it woudl be possible for forces to exit via an NPC border, liekly strait into the arms of the local police and then to jail for a while, kind of like spec ops extraction plans (bravo two zero and the jordanian border, falkland islands and chile etc).

After months of pax et otium, the Royal Dauphin Corps swung into action. French State Television would film the massive silver 'Hecule' transports lift like a silver arrow into the blue beyond . Priests doused the outgoing soldiers with Holy Water, and the Church had issued the soldiers Rosary Beads and Regimental Crucifixes. The film of the gallant French soldiery being launched into the sky would no doubt be shown on the evening news.

The landing process for the Royal Dauphin would be considerabley easier than thier Estenlandian brother's had been. One after another, the Transports landed and dislodged the strikingly equipped French troops, with thick vests of kevlar and teched up versions of the M-16. Fleets of Attack helicopters flew North, under French Command and attached to the Royal Dauphin. Like birds of prey they swooped arund the periphery of the landing zone, killing anything that was not friendly. After some hours, the Transport carrying the Dauphin Charles arrived. He had given up his dress uniform for a combat uniform as well, but the epilettes remained. He stood proud, and the men perked up with pride whenever he walked by.

"Damn it, man, get that Transports cargo secured! Heave to!" The Dauphin shouted as he inspected the landing. M-1 Abrams Tanks were rolled off the transports, and organized into their Battalions. Royal Auxiliary Engineers immediatey go to work helping the Estenlandians make the field permenant, as well as digging trenches and fortifying this vital landing area. Under the Dauphins orders, the field is to be renamed Ft. Necessity. Barracks were built, as well as supply dumps, while planes contiued to land. Its location in the heart of Lavrageria insured that it would be key in cutting the barbos lines of communication. It would be at least twelve hours before the French troops finished landing, with all their tanks, vehicles, and supplies. After that, operation "Fin d'Guerre" would be well underway. Additionally, the two divisions of French Guards dispatched from France would arrive ere long, and the troops would go north to join thier countrymen.

In his makeshift Command Bunker, the Dauphin looked over readouts of the situation. Estenlandian attaches stood by.

"Gentlemen, please, be seated." The Dauphin led the seating, and the generals lit up their tobacco. The table shook with the continued landings, and the noise of soldiers marching and crates being opened was deafining.

"In twelve hours, I will take the majority of my Force, and drive to whats left of Ulanger (Mahilyow). This will be followed by one last, massive, aerial sortie. We will take whats left of the capital. At the same time, we will reinforce the Estenlandian posistions in Hia'Itachki (Minsk), and will continue smashing that cesspool apart." He pointed to the map. Driving his blade into the landing base, Ft. Necessity. "We leave men to hold the center, here. In one fell swoop, gentlemen, we will cut those bastards in half." He pointed to Estenlandian Army Groups A, B and C. "Then, once we have cut their lines, all groups converge. In one massive stroke, we will brake them on all fronts, and at once make thier only avenue of resistance to flee into unsecured areas, of no real importance. These rebels can be dealt with by air power. Gentlemen, I give you 'Fin d'Guerre.'"

The was clapping. The Dauphin then stood, and the Generals rose and snapped to attention. "I expect your men to be ready in twelve hours." The Dauphin checked his golden watch, and took a but of snuff. "Dismissed."

And so it was that the Kingdom of France, as represented by her golden child the Dauphin Charles-Louis-Xavier, entered the war with some muscle. 32,000 French Infantry landed. They were supported by no less than 400 M-1 Abrams tanks, and 300 Apache Style Attack Helicopter. Two Divisions were also have reported to have just entered the Black Sea, and were expected at Fort Necessity in some 48 hours, on rush delivery as it were. This would bring the Royal Dauphin Corps to 60,000 men.

As the French Army began to congeal, and the fort began to take shape, and indeed as the planes continued to drone in, the Royal Navy Battlegroup would lauch two more spreads (32) FAB tipped Fury V LRMs at Ulanger. To make the message clear, no doubt, as the city had already been flattened. Follwing the Royal Navies final bombardment of Ulanger, they would turn all their energies to Hia'Itachki. Wave after wave of Fury V's, with both HE and FAB settings, would be launched into the heart of Lavragerias remaining city. ODSE Mirage-2000's, all 39, would conduct high level bombing strikes of the city, guided as the LRMs by French Satellites. All this happened while the Dauphin prepared.

In twelve hours, the exertion would begin in earnest.

OOC: again my appologies, thigns have a bait of getting in the way ie working springing lovely new stuff and nature handing you a nice snotty cold... (which reminds me, time for some more lemsip). Now bar Morgan turning into a games character (think the master cheif or serious sam) it looks like he will have to be looking for a way out, the GRU spetnaz might just provide that.

OOC: i actually have a few plans but they are all equally desperate...
before i go any further i just need to know if, while totally respecting any NPC's srict neutrality it woudl be possible for forces to exit via an NPC border, liekly strait into the arms of the local police and then to jail for a while, kind of like spec ops extraction plans (bravo two zero and the jordanian border, falkland islands and chile etc).
OOC: I shall have no problem helping you get out, and if you can pass by the Estenlanders, you can pass freely through the Russian border. However, would it be possible that you stay, so we can pull of one last strike? Those Estenlanders have to have an Achilles heel...Sooner or later, supplies are going to be a huge problem...

(I just want to say, can we not move on too fast between my responsive posts... on checking in to see if I needed to add anything to the post I was writing off-line I couldn't help worrying that Hia'Itakchi (Minsk) was about to be surrounded in an operation said to take days to even deploy fully, before its thousands of defenders could even react. The Lavragerians aren't all just sitting and waiting for someone to come and fight them. The central command structure has suffered, but was never that strong anyway, and generals in the field still have most of their own regular assets available. I don't think it has gone too far, yet, I just wanted to urge a little caution in that respect.
This will look like an extremely long post, but there have been a good few between my contributions, so I think it's proper.)

This really did appear to be something resembling an end-game situation. Many partisans would certainly refuse to accept defeat even decades after annexation, if that were to come, and would fight a fairly high intensity war for at least a few years before resorting to more low-key terror-type tactics in the event of national collapse. But the republic's official forces would probably not survive more than a few great engagements, especially as air superiority leaned more and more heavily against the defence and its tired AAA and decimated SAM grids. Hopes of operating limited aircraft capacities in later stages had faded when Moscow decided it best to keep Lavragerian aircraft in Russia grounded, and Estenlandic air assaults focused on the north, weeding-out the handful of attack planes and helicopters that had retreated there after the first day's heavy air to air combat. That the Koreans weren't being allowed to send more aircrews through Russia pretty well finished any ideas on the value of continuing to defend airbases, so at least some manpower and air defences had been freed-up to scatter around the northern half of Lavrageria, and most had ended up aroung Hia'Itakchi (Minsk), Ulanger (Mahilyow/Mogilev), and Vargery (Orsha/Drsha). From Russia, President Larionko Aidarov urged his generals, deputies, and his comrades the people to fight on, and to recognise and adapt to the severity of their situation.

They were, "...fighting for everything that any just battle had ever been fought for" he said. "For all of our lives, all of our loves, and all of our liberties." Total war must be realised. Lavrageria had over two million able bodied males between the ages of fifteen and forty nine, and Aidarov seemed to be calling them all to rise up in defence of all they had and hoped. There weren't guns enough for them all, but thousands none the less took up slings, blades, old bows, single-shot and bolt-action rifles, molotov cocktails, rusty old revolvers, and prepared to defend the towns they'd so recently built with their own hands.

Most didn't know for what they were signing up when they responded to roving recruitment officers and accepted an armband with traditional characters sewn into it. Aidarov, meanwhile, was pleading with Russian officials to supply more small arms. RPG-7s... even older RPG-2s, AK-47s, semi-automatic SKS rifles, hand grenades, 7.62x25mm, 7.62x39mm, 7.62x54mm ammunition, anything at all, the Lavragerians would take it. They would accept significant debt to Russia if needs be -undesirable as it may be, this was, to the people, a matter of death or taxes, and they'd take the taxes relatively gladly. Workshops cointinued to press-out the local PPSh-variant sub-machineguns smiliar to those turned out in besiged Stalingrad during the big war, and the longer fighting went on without massive material aid, the more the enemies would find that defenders were armed almost exclusively with these incredibly cheap, simple, reliable, but somewhat under-powered and short-range sub-machineguns. Not much good on open ground, but proficient elsewhere.

As paratroopers landed in the north and armour pressed through the south, Lavrageria's home guard-type ranks swelled into hundreds of thousands, and, under so much stress, the rarely-updated Prime Minister Gukov began, like Hitler in his bunker (without the genocide and moustache) to see these new formations as army divisions, creating in him an other worldly state of serenity as he saw army groups springing up left and right. In truth they were utterly imobile forces no more able to react to enemy movements than the Volkstrum had been to cut-off and repel the Red Army in 1945, but at least the likes of Defence Minister Vorobei recognised this. The new units might reach seven figures in strength, but they would never match enemy movments- they would have the pace of battle dictated to them by the invaders, and merely fight where and when the enemy chose to attack them. Their counter-offensive potential was nought outside of Gukov's optimistic imagination.

They would fight, though. These people had forged a national identity with their own sweat and blood. They'd done it in this very generation. Father and son stood side by side in the home guard units, which yet lacked even an official designation, and prepared to defend the homes they'd all -almost without exception- built with their own bare hands and honest toil. Most remembered what it was like before, roaming endlessely back and forth across the cold, wet flats and marshes. Many had even grown up in slavery, and just recently voted in the nation's first ever election. Aidarov was the first elected leader that a one amongst them had ever known. It was hard to imagine a people more likely to resist than could be found in Lavrageria Retpvblika.

And they would continue to die by the thousand as bombs and shells fell on them without direct reply.

The Lavragerian people, by and large, were naive. They were hardy, no doubt, and many had seen wars of incredibly ferocity fought without remorse, but these had been tribal confrontations with a few hundred combatants, a one-off slaughter, and a taking of slaves. The sort of thing that the Republic had put a stop to. They'd always been able to fight back, either with rifles, knives, and teeth, or by simply declaring republic and promoting unity. Until their specific town was under fire, they rarely appreciated the impossibility of their hitting back at artillery and bombers. Equally, though, the Tsar was naive if he believed that the sort of Shock and Awe tactics coined by the British (if perhaps learned from the Germans) and later embraced by some in the Quinntonian camp would actually live up to their hype. The bomber would always get through, especially over Lavrageria's primarily low-level air defences, but its devistation would be physical, not the mental sort required to break the easily explained fighting spirit of the Republicans.

Civilians were bombed. Home guard volunteers were bombed. They -eventually- would realise that they could not hit back. They could not do much about the war, and so they would carry on. They would find a way. Ruined homes in Itageria already were scrawled with the chalk and etchings of ex-homeowners telling their friends and familes where to find them. "Mum, gone to aunt Aglaya's. Love, Ivan & Maria" read the single standing wall of one former family home. People really appreciated that the government was trying to help. Armbands did nobody practical good, but they created a visible government presence in the home guard units, and seemed to inject their wearers with a sense of responsibility. Volunteer defenders began to organise sort of small-scale public works to distribute what little food was still being made available. This wouldn't have happened in the only other life that any Lavragerian knew. Only republic could achieve this.

It wasn't enough to prevent the onset of near-famine in the displaced communities beyond easy government access.

By and large, the sense of siege and the increasing hardship felt by one and all alike as shortages began to become common place strengthened the already greater than ordinary sense of community amongst the newly settled Lavragerian public, and the enemy would be greeted at the very best by cold shoulders when making any sort of approach to their victims. There was thus far evident no sign of the people's spirit being broken by bullying, and the sort of psychological warfare decades since proven ineffective. For the enemy, going out alone or in small groups, especially at night, in occupied territory would mean a high chance of having one's throat cut. Government attempts to distribute food were met calmly, and locals tended to volunteer to help in the fair dispersal of produce. It would take much more than a few days or a couple of weeks before most Lavragerians in free districts started to go seriously hungry. Those facing disruption could plainly see that it was owing to their attackers, and did not take kindly to being generously offered their scraps, as many saw it. Some would take any food offered, generally without the customary thanks, while others would, at least initially, go hungry or continue increasingly fruitless efforts to forage or otherwise acquire their own food.

Hi'Itakchi (Minsk)

General Kalmakoff had waited some thirty six hours after word of significant landings to his north, learning that they were being followed by still more. Reports indicated heavy resistance by the local defence forces failing after dealing significant damage, and the General eventually realised that the drive from north -though far short of Hia'Itakchi as yet- comblined with the northern assemblings meant that he had to act now to stand a chance of breaking the invasion's back.

"Technicals, cavalry, trucks, and get those anti-tank platforms back into cover!" Tumin Kalmakoff growled, sweeping his finger back and forth across a very over-simplistic plan of the impossibly chaotic city.
It was still dark when the Hia'Itackhi mobile forces began to pull-out, leaving the city's defence to remaining air defence units and over twenty thousand home guard volunteers, many of whom were newly signed-up and as yet expected to provide their own arms until the armouries and, more disturbingly, the 'reclamation squads' could catch-up. These squads were tasked with recovering what they could from the fallen and, where necessary, refurbishing it for re-issue.
The city's "mobile" forces got their capability from soft-skin trucks -mostly Russian- vans, cars, pick-ups and such, often with machineguns and light-mortars slapped aboard, and a great many horses. These -like the ancient Celts- the Lavragerians intended to ride to the enemy's location or their own chosen site of battle before dismounting to fight- they were no longer cavalry fighters like the Glakatahn.
Around eight thousand regular troops set out from the giant low-rise city, leaving behind the lights of several fires burning almost out of control, a few score vehicles and a couple of hundred horses being the core of their transport. They headed north, between Maladzyechna and Barysaw, while a handful of other riders had taken an almost equally dangerous path to the west- into the unpredictable Kiba Morgan's Lodoz Clan territory. Efforts were made to contact partisans north of the Viliya, telling them to prepare all available force to defend against any enemy attempt on crossing the river, though it was doubtful that the few hundred fighters scattered across the far north would be able to contribute much of significance.
Kalmakoff's hope was to surprise the enemy on open ground by moving his middling force from its dispersion in Hia'Itakchi, at night, with just a few tens of kilometres of land believed to seperate them at the outset.

His men were mostly regulars trained since the establishment of republic many months prior to invasion, and came from a range of backgrounds. Ex warriors and hunters and the like had generally been given roles as snipers and NCOs, while the rest of the men were like any other developing nation's regular military, but with a more than usually clear and heart-felt cause driving them. Most had AKs and similar quality weapons, and there were machineguns, RPGs, infantry mortars, and MANPADS, meaning that the force would be somewhat exposed to air attack, which was unavoidable. They simply hoped to fall upon the enemy at or barely before daybreak and close quickly with them. Perhaps it was not a pretty strategy, but it was all that Hia'Itakchi had, save the street-fighting of besieged militiamen.

The general hoped that Kiba Morgan's men would choose an opportunistic strike at the foreigners, as his messengers begged of them, tempted by the bounty of their weaponry and the chance of getting away without blame in light of the coinciding Republican attack. A couple of thousand extra warriors coming from the west would be timely indeed. But then, equally, they may simply have killed the diplomats, or taken them as slaves, and it would be a time before Kalmakoff could know.

His little division began to run into enemy units barely two dozen kilometres north of Minsk and just before first light, which could not come too soon for the men fighting with precious little light amplification technology. Several thousand horsemen were by then dismounted and simply running into the areas occupied by the enemy, arriving in an uneaven line that would probably leave the battle a scene of complete disorder by dawn, with both sides finding frontal forces over-lapped.

Moscow
In exile, Lavragerian Republicans were doing what they could to encourage international action against Paris and Kiev. Any and all footage and other evidence was collected and pushed to any media outlet that would have it. Europe's finest primeval forest was being destroyed- rare species wiped out by chemical warfare and carpet bombing. Millions faced the prospect of famine if they chose to resist in the name of democracy. Tens of thousands of civilians had been killed, certainly, and some estimates already claimed six figure fatalities in the Estenlandic-French bombardment of civilian targets. Equally, the fact that people were still fighting was emphasised where ever possible- it was said that scores of invading vehicles had been destroyed and thousands of soldiers killed, and that almost no part of the nation was now not engaged in the resistance.

Meanwhile, Aidarov was making various business transactions and opening bank accounts left and right. He was even trying to buy majority shares in various small to middling Russian companies, usually in construction and industrial sectors, and almost certainly using state funds to give him a leg-up.

(Heh, I note that by tomorrow Lavrageria's listed population will be large enough for me to have a custom title, I think. However, whether it will actually get to be "Retpvblika" is another matter. I was going to add more on Ulanger, but this is just getting so drawn out as I find more and more areas to address, so I'll leave it for next time.)

((Ahh, I smell a battle! I was thinking maybe I could fight an Ancien Regime style war, my fav, with fife and drum and columns advancing and performing evolutions. "Fix Bayonets"! I am going to try and incorporate a few aspects tho, as much as I can without committing suicide. I will post more in a bit, I am trying not to rush this unfairly, and I know the Tsars doing the same.))

President Aidarov,
I've been sending you all the arms since before the war. Nonetheles, all the arms you want, all the arms you shall get. Our arms dealers struggle to slip by the Estenlandic forces, just to get you the weaponry needed. We cannot send any airplanes, or allow yours to lift off, for we cannot risk a war with Wingert. I...hate that man, and would enjoy seeing his head burst like a watermelon, but...no. I cannot have war with that nation. The Koreans are now free to pass, as the Quinntonians seem to have little interest in this war. However, getting them across shall be a problem. I suggest smuggling them through the sea, or neutral nations. Rememer this, sir. We shall not allow your nation to fall to this barbaric tyranny. Let every Lavragerian rise to defend his homeland, and may they someday know that Russia has stood behind their quest for freedom.
Vladimir Putin

Also, let it be of note that while alone, the Russian army will be destroyed by Wingert's hordes, if you could persuade a powerful ally to aid us...You shall have our support.

Advertisement on Russian Television:
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OOC: Just informing y'all, the "Red Square" thread is not dead. I just updated. Sorry for the delay, but I had other priorities.

Let's see, the Army Group that Princess Adreinna is commanding is basically holding its position on the Russian/Lavragerian border, effectively blocking that route, and are busilly building a highly protected set of train-tracks that will be used to ferry troops quickly and cheaply up and down that border. She is spending most of her time pacifying the population under her control, and though she was not getting the sense that she was popular, she was seriously affecting their ability to make war, taking their weapons, destroyong their fortifications, arresting and executing resistors, and confiscating any and all foodstuffs will do that. She has also been charged with distributing the arms supplies to the Tsarists in Russia, which has now descenmded into complete anarchy, with a full civil war going on, and thus pretty much taking it out of the equasion.
King Wingert's Army Group is continually advancing, however slowly, and , is also pacifying the population. He is also taking on the large job of caring for the refugees that are surrendering to him, and moving POWs into their prisons.
Sir Reginald is continuing to conduct the massive air campaign against the Lavragerian defenders, and is fairly pleased with the paratroops operation, and the successful landing of the Dauphin. All the nobility in Estenlands, and indeed all the people are watching the Dauphin Division, as the mark of nobility is understood in the Eastern tradition as military prowess, and this will prove whether the French were worthy allies or the fops most took them for.
Sir Reginald is also keeping up internal defenses and overseeing, though the secret police, the Kargat, to the internal security of the nation while in this difficult time. Rationing of all critical resources has been implemented among the civilian populations, and the work of supplying the massive military in the field is falling on them. This has led to some grumbling among the paesants, but they work anyway, partly out of fear of the very active Kargat, and partly out of national pride, it took them fifty years to fight the Soviets out of Ukraine, and so, they were used to disciplining themselves for the greater good.
The Reservists, now on internal security and border patrol, are everywhere, making themselves useful in every way possible, and are ofetn the subject of public relations stories and such.

OOC-I am leaving it up to Elkazor to RP the Dauphins and their crack troop allies.
Also, I hope no one is confusing my Special Ops. troops with my Elite Airnorne troops. My elite troops reciev all the best in training and equiptment, and are paid a lot better, because their job is a lot harder. They also have intensive physical requirements and are picked from throughout the military. However, the Special Ops. forces, which comprise of maybe 2,500 troops at any given time are my Commandoe units that are used in "dirty" and "black" ops and are are full of people who have to undergo vast "psychological" training as well as being trained in the best techniques of the worlds secial units, we have gleaned away trainers from the Canadian/Hudecian Mowhawks, Quinntonian/USA Navy Seals, TBF SAS, as well as the the Quinntonian CIA, Mi-6, ex-KGB, etc. You get the picture. These guys get all the super scary training and have all probably seen action many times in the sorrounding nations, including Russia and Lavrageria. Those are the guys in the Pripet Marshes.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

Feverish construction continued at Ft. Necessity, as planes came in by waves. A series of defense works like trenches, machine gun nests, and redoubts had been dug and put together. Wells were being sunk to contain oil. The runways and tarmack were under demented labor, being made stronger and more durable, able to take more planes. The Royal Auxiliary, 8000 total having been dropped in with the Royal Dauphin, were coping admirably with the incredible challenges. Pre-fabricated barracks were being thrown up, along with pre-fab hospitals. Artillery posistions were being arranged, and barbed wire was set up constantly. And most importantly, entrenched halls were excavated to be used as supply dumps, and ammunition magazines. Howitzers being moved into place and planes coming and going could be seen, and entrenchments spread out like a maze.

News began to trickle into the Dauphins new HQ. A detachment of Estenlandian Paratroopers to the North, had come under attack by regular forces, moreover a sizable number. The Lavs were apparently trying to bushwack the bushwackers, and slip through the net.

The Dauphin, now alone, looked over the situation. "Operation Fin d'Guerre" must continue on schedule, this damned inconvienience could change that. From early reports, they were not old men and boys, but a ragged force, a force nonetheless. He shuffled some papers. In the end, he decided to take the initiative.

Calling his General Staff together, he made a slight change to the plan. Instead of going to Ulanger with the majority of the force on schedule, the Dauphin would take men north and prevent the Estenlandian detachment from being flanked immediatley. Then, at 1200 the next day, with the arrival of additional French forces, a second group would proceed to Ulanger under the command of General Petrovnich. Thus "Operation Fin d'Guerre" would proceed on schedule, even if a change had to be made. They would cut Lavragerias communication lines in half, and create multiple fronts that would cripple the barbos.

Dismissing his Generals, he had the Trumpeter sound the assembly.

He would head North to deal with the insurgent force with 28,000 soldiers of the French Guard, and 900 crack soldiers of the Korean Heavy Infantry of the Royal Army. With 140 Abrams Tanks (the rest hand not landed yet) and 300 Armored vehicles to provide armored cavalry, and the entirity of French Attack Helicopters to fly cover, he was secure in his decision. (A few M-1 Abrams variants, converted into Flame-throwers, will arrive in the last transport of troops and material from Sebastopol. Mind you, supplies will be flown in 24/7 to Fort Necessity at all times. Oil in tankers, and supplies in transports.)

4000 French Guards would hold the Fort, along with 15000 Estenlandian Paratroopers. When the rest of the French troops, tanks, vehicles, and supplies had landed on the morrow, then a force would stirke out and cut Ulanger off, sealing Lavragerias silence.

But now, to the revelies of trumpets, the Dauphin set off with his army. He would head north, to battle. As the Army left the defensive works, Priests blessed them, absolving them en masse.

Columns of tanks rumbled, and lines of troops marched. The French soldiers were finely equipped, with com link equipment, heavy Kevlar vests, camoflage uniforms and reinforced boots and helmets. Each had a little golden Fleur-de-lys as a mark of honor from the Queen, and wore it proudly. Some troops sang as they marched. The Dauphin was in his own tank, and as he sat atop it and drove down the ranks, the men cheered. Signals were sent to the Tsars HQ at Army Group A, informing him of the maneuver and telling him that "Operation Fin d'Guerre" is proceeding on schedule.

The Dauphin hoped to defeat the regular force threatening his lines, and then swing around to attack Hi'Itakchi with the Estenlandian forces. He knew in his mind he was fighting for the principles of King and Church, against a group of paganic wastrels, and that the reputation of Frances prowess rested on his shoulders.

As the Dauphin waved his sword in circles and the men cheered, His Higness would yell out "Give em hell lads!" and the men would explode and resoundingly boom "VIVAT REX."

And so le Grand Armee, under the banner of the House of Bourbon, moved North from Ft. Necessity. They were moving like an arrow, strait into the Lavragerian army. The earth shook as it moved, and the sky was blocked out by helicopters.
________________________________________________________________
While the noise of war raged in the North, in Sebastopol the sounds were of Industry. Royale Ltd. had become a massive conglomeration. Material was shipped to Tsars Field, and to points North to support the war effort. From all over the Tsars realm, serfs were shipped by plane, train, and automobile to the Factories of Sebastopol. Gangantuan centralization policies limited future potential, but provided easy access to transportation, and allowed for a slavish output of goods. Teams of peasants marched in columns to their shifts: processing oil, turning out ammunition, and generally doing grueling grunt work on an assembly line. Unless you were one of the lucky ones in the coal teams. Aside from the Industrial Complex's prolific output, pre-packaged goods arrived straight from French ships and were dispatched into Estenlands.

Vast fleets of those French ships arrived day and night, bringing Estenlands the supplies she needed to continue such a massive war effort.

And all over the countryside of Estenlands, French advisors instructed work crews, and helped the Tsars subjects build a total war infrastructure. The peasants were dumb, but tough and eager to learn. The beauty of the project was that after the wars end, the Industry could be turned to commercial use. The Tsar would have yet another gift from His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX, who was already very happy with the massive volume of trade between the two Absolutist nations, Defenders of the Holy Leauge and indeed brothers.

French aristocrats would be happy to see the final conquest of Lavrageria, which would cement a fat return on their martial investments. The oppurtunities there seemed open and lucrative, and the French would help their Estenlandian brothers colonize and exploit their new subjects.

The Tsar has ordered that the massive stockpiles of waepons, most outdated, but well-cared for, be gathered together and presented as a massive gift to the Romonov claimant to the title Tsar.
King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

Moscow

Defence Minister Kastus Vorobei was not in the country, he was in Lavrageria, directing operations and fighting with his men. Still, that aside, here he stood, in conversation with President Larionko Aidarov. He was trying to explain to the first man ever elected to lead the Lavragerian people that this wasn't entirely an opportunity for profit and power-grabbing. Things were actually pretty bad back home.

"Enough is enough, let us just get this over with!"
"Comrade President, respectfully, we can not turn-off the resistance. Issuing a surrender order will at best cease official Committee activity, but I wouldn't be surprised if even the contracted men -and some of the Generals- simply joined the partisans... and for their part, they [the partisans] would pay no regard expect perhaps to feel betrayed. If I may say, sir, you have more respect than any man in our people's long history, more than Morgan's ancestors, you should not destroy that so casually!"
"Ah..." said the President a little scornfully, "but, for all intents and purposes, they are still going to win."
"Victory is nothing without progress!" Exclaimed Vorobei, visibly swelling about his already barrel-like chest and shoulders as he expulsed the patriotic remark. The President let-out another disapproving sound.
"Even now Kalmakoff's forces engage the enemy in force! While Ulanger burns and Hia'Itakchi prepares for her last stand, what of Vargery [Orsha]? What of Hiagery [Vitsyebsk]?" The Defence Minister was close to losing his cool, noticing that the President had actually turned on the television and was hardly paying attention.
"They are close to the border, north of the hell at Ulanger, one protected by the Dnyapro, the other at least requiring the Byarezina to be negotiated some time before its assault. Sir, if you must encourage something short of continued nation-wide resistance, at least let me pull what I can muster back to these cities and north over the Dzvina! North we even have the sort of hills denied our defenders elsewhere!"
"I like this Crazy Ivan." Muttered Aidarov, penning a note for one of his financial managers.

Eastern Lavrageria

Vorobei had left with a sort of half approval on withdrawing a significant portion of Lavrageria's defence forces back to a sliver of relatively defencible terrain near the Russian border. The north eastern corner beyond the Dzvina [Zapadnaya Dvina] and a stretch down from west of Hiagery to the Dnyapro just west of Vargery, and from there along that river's eastern banks towards suffering Ulanger would become a new stronghold of sorts, stopping probably south of Ulanger and extending east into Lavrageria's buldge into Russia near Krychaw. Ridges, low hills, many lakes, and the best of what remained of Lavragerian industry and infrastructure and its air defences could be found here, along with a considerable portion of the Republic's regular forces. Kastus had been slightly confused by passing comments he'd heard on enemy blockading of supplies across the border, since he'd crossed the border himself several times, always under the protection of a majority of Lavrageria's regular forces, yet to have been engaged seriously far north of ruined Itageria.

Before full mobilisation for war began, 68,743 heads had been counted in the Committee of People's Ground Forces, plus 11,804 personnel in the Committee of People's Air Defence Forces and an official 14,907 members of the Committee of People's Flying Forces, who, in the absence of nearly enough aircraft, had mainly, one presumes, being sitting about accounting for most of the government's waste. Most of the fliers were dead, in Russia, or replacing the CPADF's massive casualties as sustained in standing against major air attacks on the Republic's cities. This meant that the Air Defence forces still actually had many thousands of available hands at least vagualy acquainted with their limited equipment and reasonably well drilled in military practice. The CPGF -for all intents and purposes the Lavragerian Army- could count the 743 as good as gone on the first day at the border where they over-saw local milita defences, and its 8,000 now engaged north of Hia'Itakchi [Minsk]. Of the other 60,000, a couple of thousand had been killed, wounded, or captured in fighting in the south and near the northern landings, but most casualities in these cases as yet had been partisans and militia forces (or civilians), and a few thousand more were randomly dispersed amongst the civilian casualties sustained in bombing of towns and cities across the nation, with a good many being simply missing in action as cities burned in chaos.

That clearly left thousands of primarily Russian-armed, moderately well trained (the CPGF's pre-mobilisation strength was 72% conscript, 16% professional on contracts from 5-12 years, and 12% professional on 1-2 year contracts- some of the latter, obviously not too keen on fighting, had since vanished in the disorder and were probably now trying to make a living in the anarchic west or else had fled across one border or another) soldiers still standing. The problem was that they were not all in one place, some were under heavy bombardment from the air, and few had entirely reliable communications linking them to the rest, especially since the air strikes began. Then there were the home guard volunteers of the north-east and the partisans of that region. Hiagery [Vitsyebsk] counted 345,000 residents at the time of the election not so many months ago, and Vargery [Orsha] 1.2million, making it the nation's second largest city. Other towns like Polatsk and Krychaw, along with rural villages, industrail parks and military bases with permanent dwellings, and refugess, especially from Vargery, put a good two million people in the region apparently selected for a last stand. Accounting for their casualties and their prior contribution to the Republican forces, meant that somewhere between sixty and eighty thousand locals were ready and able to take up arms on a defensive footing, or would be once the volunteer forces re-organised their efforts to recruit. Arm bands were being handed out left and right, crowds were -inticed by promises of ration hand-outs- treated to lectures on how to make and use a molotov cocktail, strip an AK-47, lay a basic urban or semi-urban ambush, and so on.

Here and there village and city squares were filled out by teenagers and middle aged men as well as the more strong, some receiving a Kalashnikov, others an RPG-2 or 7 as the arms were shunted across the border, often by hand or horse as well as by truck. There were a couple of accidents here or there as a semi-skilled instructor demonstrated completely the wrong way to use a grenade with allies and civilians around, but the people watched intently and took their arms usually only a little less keenly than their bread.

A foreign news camera, its intrepid crew holding on in the slightly less afflicted border areas, most of their team probably based in Russia, greeted figures arriving along a dirt road from the east, asking them all for comment in hopes of a good soundbite.

"This garden is our home, dear, and I got nowhere else to go... so bring it on" said one relatively tall (the Lavragerians were generally stocky rather than lofty), none the less thick-bodied man in a pale greatcoat and huge military peaked cap bearing the faded outline of a traditional military crest upon it as he drove a piece of deadwood into the grass at the roadside. Not many people knew what Kastus Vorobei looked like, and certainly didn't think to look for the Defence Minister crossing the Russian border into Lavrageria with an assault rifle under his arm, his golden crests, badges, and medals sold in Moscow for cash to buy arms already handed to his comrades.

The desperate hope was that Tumin Kalmakoff could hold and distract the enemy long enough in the west and at Hia'Itakchi that other units may be brought east. How many would make it was anyone's guess as hopeful attempts at communication went out, often on horseback. While it seemed that the French were being drawn in by the romantic prospect of a pitched battle that they might actually win, it remained to be seen exactly how the Estenlandic forces would behave in the south. Generally, it was believed that the big ugly forces from the Ukraine would not move quickly enough in force to cut off significant forces, and that the significant battle near Hia'Itakchi would draw air support, since it threatened a whole chunk of the enemy's strategy and the Tsar's best men. Commanders tried to tell themselves, and any foreign counterparts, that this meant that the Lavragerians were still in control of the horrid situation and able to impress direction upon the enemy, but it was hard to tell how many really felt that they were running on external chance alone.

Back in Moscow, Aidarov was tracing invisible lines through a map of his homeland, splitting her into three imagined parts.

(I haven't said too much about the action north of Minsk, because I think that I should leave it up to the opponents to first respond as eight thousand regulars on trucks, pick-ups, and horses come barreling out of the city to engage advance enemy units in a melee a few miles north of the city. Of course it's a delaying action that seems to be working on the French and can't fail to distract the northern enemy, but how the southern Estenlandic forces react having just come out of the worst of the partisan fighting and more or less over-run Itageria I don't know.
Partisan action continues wherever there are enemy forces, and a handful of resisters remain in Itageria's rubble, but that's about all that's going on in the southern quarter to a third or so of the nation, on our part.
Some time after the pre-dawn charge north of Minsk/Hia'Itakchi, other units (mostly in the west anyway, of course) begin to trickle towards the described border areas north of Itageria's level, but some units receive word far earlier/later than others, owing to poor communications since the air strikes.)

North of Minsk had seen some tough fighting, a regular Lavragerian Army had seemed to materialize out of thin air. Estenlandian Paratroopers, attacked in their Northern posistions, moved South in good order, shortening and solidifying their encrachment into Hi'Itakchi. The move, however, was coordinated with the Dauphin.

Into the gap came the Prince of France, with a crack, fast moving army. He intended to place the Lavs between the hammer, himself, and the anvil, the Tsar's Paratroopers who were in dug in, consolidated, and as tough as hell.

Le Grande Armee now approached the enemy posistions, Hi'Itakchi glowed in the west, kindled by the light of the setting sun and Holy Leauge munitions. Gunfire could be heard, the rumble of artillery could be felt.

The Dauphin was still riding on his M1 Abrams, scanning the horizon with his binoculars. He took a deep breath, in his other hand he held his rosary beads, the movement of his fingers showing he had just finished a prayer.

"You Royal Highness" said Colonel Kim, the Dauphins second in command and commander of the Royal Army Korean Detachment, a top notch soldier "the time is now." He bowed as he finished speaking.

The Dauphins eyes were glassy as he looked north, and saw the smoke of war rising. "Disband the line of march, prepare your charge, Colonel."

The Grand Armee had moved north like lightning, riding on waves of courage. The Lavs certainly new they were coming, but strategists agreed they did not have the ability to determine their specific location, there was every chance they might catch Kalmikoff unawares. But now, now was the moment of gloire. He could feel it pulse though him, that sweet irrepressible emotion. The Dauphin took a deep breath, as Colonel Kim left to organize the attack. Already, the Apache attack helicopters zipped overhead, like the cavalry of old attacking first, to soften up the enemy. Within minutes, the fire of their rockets (and a few chrashing) could be heard.

The Dauphin nodded to his bugeler, dressed in the livery of King Louis himself. "Fix Bayonets, form lines, armor prepare to charge!"

On loudspeakers, the trumpet blared the commands. No doubt the Lavs
would hear this revelry, telling them they were no longer fighting Estenlandians, but the Dauphin Charles-Louis-Xavier himself, Cour de Lion, and in his veins flowed the same blood as Charlemagne. Rising into the late afternoon the sweet notes thundered, seeming to reach to heavan, asking Gods vigilance.

The French Guards had disbanded the line of march, and now formed into their attack companies. The Abrams tanks rolled to the front of the formation, like the knights of old preapring a glorious charge. The Dauphins tank (which was signifigant modified, with vast all around armor improvements --it was otherwise nondescript) rolled into the central posistion, as the French Camera crews wept with pride.

Never, since the days of power, had France such a son as this. Braver than Napolean, better born than most alive today. All the world would be piped film of this, the Dauphins wife must be swelling with pride.

The Dauphin stood atop the turret of the tank, holding his sword high. He would need no megaphone for this address. "Frenchmen! Now is the hour when your King calls you to duty, and God grants you eternity! In death or in victory, you shall gain immortality! St.Louis watches over you, the Virgin watches over your families, and all the world watches us! Onward, for France, onward, for OUR KING!" The men cheered so loud it shook the earth as the howitzers, most were crying with joy. The Dauphin swept his sword towards the enemy ground. "CHARGE!"

Trumpets blared, and the tanks lurched forth. The Abrams would fall upon the Lavragerias, machine guns blazing, some stopping to take a cannon shot, but all in one long deadly line. All the while trumpets blared. Behind the Abrams came armored transports, supporting the Knights as it were.

They would be followed by the French Guards. Dressed in Kevlar body armor, and armed with bayonetted M-16s, they sang as they charged: 28,000 strong. They themselves were led by 900 screaming Korean Heavy Infantry.

And so the glory of France charged in precise abandon, guns blazing, helicopter supported and tank augmented, strait into the heart of democracy.

________________________________________________________________
Meanwhile, the rest of the French troops had landed in Ft. Necessity, which was now resembling a true, massive fortification. Its runways were strong, and it bristled with defences.

Tanker planes came in now, dropping oil into the Forts wells. But the standard Transport Plane continued to bring the other 'life bloods' to these executuioners of "Fin d'Guerre".

And so, right as the Dauphin was making contact with Kalmikoff, a force of 10,000 Estenlandian Papatroopers and twice the number of French Guards, under the Command of General Petrovnich was sent East towards Ulanger. Their only mission: Cut the communication lines, and await the Tsars final surge. They would not have to lay siege to Ulanger, as the Royal Navy Squadren resumed its bombarment of the unfortunate city with FAB tipped Fury V LRM's, at this point targetting anything left standing, with the intent of finally killing the terminally ill city. Missle strikes would be launched continuosly, until the city was broken and capitulent. It was also thought as a good example, to level the capital of Republican Lavrageria. The troops would simply occupy the plains between Ft. Necessity and unfortunate Ulanger. Then, with the Dauphins impending victory in the North, the Holy Leauge will have severed the Lavragerian lines of communication, a victory more important than any single engagement upon the fiel.

Ft.Necessity had a garrison therefore of about 20,000 (counting Engineers etc.), their mission: to hold the center.

France watched anxiously, its heart in Lavrageria.

((::Takes a good, large shot of Cogniac.:: Ahh. The stars must be lucky for such an epic, small scale, battle. Some questions have arise as to Frances supply abilities, and of her overall economy...These will be adressed in a day or sooner, on AMWs Oil thread. But, nevertheless, the French and Estenlandians have some great photo ops right now.))

OCC: Sorry for my inaction in this area of the world as of late.

IC:

The commander of the Lavragerian mission sits in a bomb crater north of Minsk, now stripped of his UAZ by attack helicopters. The commander's particular crater, on the edge of a grove of trees, has been reinforced with a few mounds of snow and sandbags, with some evergreen branches thrown here and there to give it a more natural look.

The Estenlandian paratroopers had probably already run into two of those under his command, charged with directing a ZPU-23-2 section that would have certainly responded to the first sightings of parachutes in the sky.

An SPG-9 position is to his left, and there are probably a few AT-3s around someplace. Five of the mission are known to be either killed or captured, having been right on the border when the attack started, as well as at least six air crew, on Li-2s and other light transports when the attack started. The wreckage of an Mi-4, hit by a MATRA missile while conducting gunship missions, sits in the snow not far away.


The last remaining foreign ministry-operated aircraft are concentrated around Minsk, and fly the occasional sortie against whatever target presents itself, using SPG-9 RRs, 12.7mm machine guns, bombs, air-dropped molotov cocktails, Ak-47s, and whatever other weapons are readily accessable.

In fact, let us join the aircrew of a particular An-14 on such a mission...

Flying low and fast, or about as fast as the little Antonov could plod along, with four fuselage-mounted SPG-9 rifles and two 50kg bombs in the cargo compartment. The pilot and copilot/gunner navigate by familiar landmarks, turning towards the west at a certain rock, east at a certain tree, until they reach the mission area.

Hopefully, their very low altitude would keep the aircraft hidden from SAMs and allow it to sneak up on the target.

The copilot watches through a thermal imaging sight, equipment ripped off a T-62 that causes the plane to tip to one side, and soon enough something shows up, probably enemy troops.

"I see targets," yells the copilot to the flight engineer and loadmaster in the cargo compartment.
"What?"
"I see targets! High Explosive!"

The flight engineer gets ready to reload the SPG-9s while the loadmaster starts lowering the cargo door. The Antonov nears the throng of troops, hopefully unnoticed. Their purposes would probably be aided by the presence of an Li-2 in the area. This particular aircraft has proven a difficult nut to crack, equipped with flares, chaff, and amazing good luck, which is sure to run out soon. But with rocket pods and AT-3s that make it look semi-modern, the aircraft can be a major nuisance, if not an outright threat.

While the Clod approaches, the Li-2 is on an attack run, seemingly against troops armed with little in the way of anti-aircraft weaponry, probably a patrol or reconaissance group. After all the folding fin rockets are expended, half of them probably not even reaching their useful range, much less exploding, the loadmaster and flight engineer take to the door-mounted MGs, and spray the land below with 12.7mm rounds, probably ineffectual due to the aircraft's constant zigzagging and manouvering to make itself a 'harder target' for SAMs. The radio operator fires off the occasional clip from his Ak while the Lizunov circles, waiting until something threatens it or it runs low on fuel.

OOC:
Estenlands: its Morgans own personal veiw that if there are more than 200-300 hundred then they can't possibly be all that good, you simply haven't doen enough to weed out the grunters :)

Oh and Elkazor nromally i would have to point out the Dauphins rather stupid mistake by means of a .338Lapua but i'll let it go this once
IC:

Morgan's small company was gradually making its way eastward aiding LAvy postions where and when they could and fighting a couple of small and generally inconclusive skirmishes with various different Estie forward elements.
Eventually they were nearing thier goal, the sector that thier Lavragerian contacts had indentified as playing host to the russian spetnaz units.

Kadishev spat out the vodka he had taken to using to clear up his throat.

"Ah, the Strathdonians are here? And they want...Yes. That should work incredibly well. I've been waiting for some action, and my Spetsnaz are wasted doing minor guerrila work. Thirteen of them, including me, shall help this Morgen fellow out. It'll be interesting to meet one of the Strathdonians; I've heard a lot about them. Nice to work with professionals, for once. The Lavs have heart, but that's no substitute for training."

His men armed themselves for the "operation", and Kadishev walked out of his tent, his scarred, sarcastic face with black hair (well, with a slight patch of gray that Kadishev refused to admit was there) grinning with grim satisfaction.

It'll be nice to give those bastard Estenlanders something to talk about...

((Im going to wait for Lavrageria to respond to my charge before I post anything else, same goes for damage...assume the Franco-Estenlandian Force is striking east to Ulanger-under-fire, their mission to cut to comm lines in prep for the final assault.))

OOC-Quick few notes. Firstly, though I undertsand that small groups COULD sneak across the Russian border, I have blockaded it, with the largest of the three army groups and the larger part of of my armour. I have posted again and again about this going back several pages, though I was quite willing to RP some stuff like this pages ago, your inactivity in repsonding to the many, many posts about it I think pretty much gives up any major claim to this area.
Second, LRR, Where would this plane have been hiding for the past maybe three weeks of massive ariel bombardment since the beginning of the invasion? Like, maybe there is ONE or even a few planes that have been kept in like, an underground bunker or something, where I haven't found it in the almost 1000 air sorties flown daily over the Lavragerian nation or the hundreds of thousands of troops on the ground, or the massive French sattelite suvelliance. I'm not saying that it can't happen, but I just don't want to suddenly see a new air force pop up from nowhere after almost 2 and a half weeks of complete and unopposed air superiority, just doesn't make much sense.

IC-The air attacks are being brought to bear on every remaining city, with the massive amounts of ordinance, crushing the poorly organised defenmders.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

((OOC: Estenlands, the gift to Romanov was addressed in the other thread. I just don't want to mix things up too much. And I realize the border is well blockaded. Many Russian arms dealers try to get over, nonetheless, and many are undoubtedly horribly beaten and killed. But a few guys can obviously get over.))

OOC-Quick few notes. Firstly, though I undertsand that small groups COULD sneak across the Russian border, I have blockaded it, with the largest of the three army groups and the larger part of of my armour. I have posted again and again about this going back several pages, though I was quite willing to RP some stuff like this pages ago, your inactivity in repsonding to the many, many posts about it I think pretty much gives up any major claim to this area.
Second, LRR, Where would this plane have been hiding for the past maybe three weeks of massive ariel bombardment since the beginning of the invasion? Like, maybe there is ONE or even a few planes that have been kept in like, an underground bunker or something, where I haven't found it in the almost 1000 air sorties flown daily over the Lavragerian nation or the hundreds of thousands of troops on the ground, or the massive French sattelite suvelliance. I'm not saying that it can't happen, but I just don't want to suddenly see a new air force pop up from nowhere after almost 2 and a half weeks of complete and unopposed air superiority, just doesn't make much sense.

IC-The air attacks are being brought to bear on every remaining city, with the massive amounts of ordinance, crushing the poorly organised defenmders.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

Even if you were to have NATO level of intel and air control it woudls till be perfectly feasible to hide large amounts of aircraft, the serbian and iraqi airforces escaped both series of conflicts more or less intact. The reason beign that unless a planes takes off they are very difficult to find (colalition forces are still fidning pretty much intact iraqi fighters hidden all over the place). The reason these aircraft weren't used was because western powers are VERY good at taking out airstrips with tomahawks or other criuse missiles (a tactic you haven't used, you have mentioned bombings IIRC but straight bombs tend not to shut down airstrips for long, you need soemthing like a JP223 or Durandel to tamke a decent go of it, both of which require sucidal tactics to work).
As for LRRs aircraft these would be prefectly capable of operating from just about any stratch of reasonably level ground, and are liekly flying so low as to A: below your radar coverage, B be largely safe from from msot of your fighter's air to air weaponry, IR and radar missiles have huge problems with the interferance caused by ground clutter and radar assited guns are jsut about as useless.

I still think your sortie rates are OTT esspecailly with western aircraft which will be consuming parts, maintaince hours and fuel at stupidly high rates, this is of course leavign aside the the command and control issues i ahve raised pereviously.

Strathdonia, can we get OPERATION: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, started? I mentioned in a previous post how my men were ready and willing to do it.

FECK FECK FECK, jolt just ate my post!!!!
That took me ages.
Oh well 2nd time lucky

First my apologies, work was crap today so i had to rant a bit first.

IC:
Thigns were finally begining to look up for Morgan, the prospect of some decent action was looming and his meetign with the russian officer had gone well. A bloody good soldier Morgan reconed, under other circumstances with a ew drams they would have been best of freinds but as it stood it woudl be interestign working with him.

Walking into the tent, that with it's collection of looted card tables and pocket radios, passed as a command post Morgan bellowed for Ivan his interpreter and now unofficial junior officer.
Racing into the tent, Ivan was not the pale, bookish and shy young langauges graduate who had first landed the job of helping the African and european ruffians coordinate with Lavgraian command rather, the long weeks of harsh conditions and extreme violence had turned him into a hard and agressive young man.

"Whats the hollering about boss? 2 he demanded in an alsmot cocky voice.

"The matter at hand short arse is weither or not you ahve manged to talk the local commander into giving us soem of his oh so precious artillery."

"Its hard to say, he's stalling majorly, he is paranoid about the estie bombers."

"Feck the Estie bombers, haven't you pinted out how good bloody aweful teh estie FAC and TST work is, he could blast away for 5 minutes and still ahev time to bug out. We gave him what was left of the blowpipes, I even gave him my starstreak! What the hell does he want? Fecking patriot batteries!!! Get over there and give him whats left of the booze that might brign him round, and for gawd's sake don't mention the estie counter battery fire!"

"Ok then boss i'll see what i can do give me a few hours!"

"Fine you ahve a few hours, oh and one more thing, are you comming with us?"

"Comming with you boss?"

"Well by now it should be clear that either way the company ain't comming back. If you come with us I will always have a spot open for you in any of my companies as you are a damn fine squaddie, but if you woudl rather stay and try to do more for your motherland i woudls till ahev nothign but respect for you."

"Feck, boss, i've been trying not think about this, i'll give some thought while i sweet talk the commander."

"You do that laddie but hurry up about it we don't have much time."

OOC: You're referring to the Lavragerian artillery, or the Russian?

[Just a reminder to you fellows. 1) Le Grande Armee has attacked General Kalmikoffs army en masse North of Hi'Itakchi. 2) A large Franco-Estenlandian force will have pushed close to Ulanger by now, having set out from Ft. Necessity. Once they reach the outskirts, they will have solidly cut Lav communication lines West and South of Ulanger. Of course, this in large part is depent upon the result of the aforesaid major battle in Hi'Itakchi. Meanhwile, Ft. Necessity is constantly being redoubted and expanded, with better runways and actual supply depots, hospitals and proper barracks. It is defended by trenches, barbed wire, redoubts enlaid with machine gun nests, and batteries of mortars and artillery.]

The West

In Lavrageria's extreme west, much of Brestskaya and Hrodzyenskaya housed four hundred thousand roving Glakatahn, many struggling to maintain their life in the saddle amongst the marshlands and extremely extensive forests and being forced to revert largely to hunter-gatherer ways and to piracy near the Polish and Lithunaian borders. In some parts, Republican partisans hid-out, sometimes venturing out to attack Estenlandic targets in the Pripet Marshes, sometimes clashing with Glakatahn, usually of the Lodoz Clan. The partisans' numbers here were little better than token, and their impact easily dismissed, especially since the Tsar hadn't seemed especially interested in the under-developed, little populated west, which really lacked any serious links with the Republic, beyond ethnicity, anyway.

The South

South eastern Brestskaya and southern Homyel'skaya (Itageria Province) were now free of regular Republican forces and administration, but still contained several thousand partisans fighting a more low-intensity conflict than they had initially.

Itageria (Homyel) had basically fallen, but still contained a handful of underground resistance cells with fighters numbering just a couple of hundred, though several thousand Lavragerian civilians were prepared to support them with shelter and what food they could spare.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/Belarusian_partisan.jpg
A Republican partisan and his family residing in the dug-out that has become their forest home. The fighter's log-book contains note of four enemies killed by his sniper-fire, and hundreds like him plan to run out of pages before they run out of fight

The Centre

Enemy forces could now be seen heading north of Itageria in the east, and now the French were moving even further ahead in the central region, which contained precious few towns -centres of population and resistance- to slow them down before Hia'Itakchi (Minsk), north of which Kalmakoff had begun to engage the Estenlandic paratroopers.

Initially, Kalmakoff was hopefull as his eight thousand men slammed into the light enemy force moving down from Maladzyechna, rifles cracking, mortars popping, and blades flickering against the rising sun. A large quantity of Russian SA-18 missiles raced up to above eleven thousand feet against enemy helicopters and ground attack aircraft and machineguns rattled along with them. The missiles from Moscow were achieving cult status in Lavrageria, which had never seen such effective displays before its regular forces had been taught, during the pre-war mobilisation, to use these systems, the relatively cheap Iglas having displayed an almost one in two chance of taking down fighters, and even one in three when faced with advanced jamming, let alone more common counter measures, so it was not difficult to imagine what dozens of the missiles were doing to much more vulnerable helicopters and attack planes. The air war was by and large working heavily against the Republic, but was by no means one sided, and where a bombing run took out an infantry squad, another rose up from a pool of thousands to take its place, while one doubted if the loss of millions of dollars worth of aircraft was so lightly replaced by the enemy.

The approach of concentrated French armour, on the other hand, was much harder for big units like Kalmakoff's to resist. The speed of the Dauphin's advance through Homel'skaya and southern Minskaya (Hia'Itakchi Province) was largely due to a lack of such organised Republican forces, which had fallen back into the city or begun to disperse and head east in trickles difficult to pin-down from the air, and because the other sort of defenders just didn't bother trying to take-on mass formations of Abrams tanks. Partisans just went back underground and let them go. Now, though, they were popping back up to launch machinegun, sniper, grenade, mine, and rocket attacks against the French line of supply, which, by the time they reached Hia'Itakchi was strung-out over nearly two hundred miles of forest, marsh, fields, and precious few roads or rail links at all, from the Estenlandic border at its nearest point.

When the Dauphin reached the battle north of Hia'Itakchi, the River Byarezina (presumably) running to his east, his impact would be pretty awful. Kalmakoff's men, as we've heard, had been really hopeful as they cut into the enemy, bellowing with a mix of traditional Glakatahn war cries and new-found Republican mantras on a united, democratic subject. They hadn't been much worse armed than the paratroopers, and just a little wanting in training, which they hoped to off-set partly by determination and knowledge of the land, and if anything were likely to be in a better condition of supply if they could keep the Estenlandic forces isolated up here. But when the armour arrived, it placed Kalmakoff in a disasterous position. He had in the mobile infantry force north of the city only RPGs and light guns with which to face tanks, presenting precious little threat to the Abrams' frontal armour as they advanced.

His men would certainly show the French that taking the bayonet to a people who'd known the rocket for only a few years and the machinegun only in moderation was a bloody mistake. French infantry unfortunate enough to reach Lavragerians face to face while they were still alive would soon see their own guts spilling over the new bayonets or traditional knives and swords of the almost unfailingly superior bladesmanship of their Lavragerian rivals, but would probably fall knowing that their enemies were moments away from being blasted apart or run-down by as many tanks as were not yet bogged-down. The General himself was forced to lead a unit in a near suicidal charge into Estenlandic forces when multiple tanks approached his position, seeing it as the only possible way to escape their guns.
Here and there, massive Abrams would become undeniably stuck in the mud, and often would be set-upon by a concentration of Lavragerians desperate not only to claim at least a few tank kills, but more importantly to escape through the armoured line as casualties raced into the hundreds. Some would show that it was possible for an RPG-7 to disable an Abrams tank when, largely by chance or weight of concentrated fire, a warhead struck the tank's vulnerable shoulder above the track, but this would tend to happen only when defenders were lucky enough to be found in strength near an area of soft ground that would disrupt the line. Soon, as Lavragerians realised this sort of weakness, they would seek-out difficult terrain, often abandoning their own light vehicles knowing that they were as good as lost to the enemy's fire, anyway.

Despite these attempts to disrupt the French charge and isolated instances of an enemy soldier being unzipped by a Lavragerian blade, Kalmakoff could see that the battle was not about to end in a Republican victory. Even if his men could get out in large numbers as tanks were lead left and right, flanked, bogged-down, even if their formation was broken-up and proved too simple a tactic this side of the C18th, there was no doubting that a truly significant number of the Republic's regular forces outside the east were to be lost between the French armour and Estenlandic airborne forces, and even with that depressing realisation, there was still the fact that any French tanks that could be escaped or temporarily disabled were still right there in the middle of Lavrageria, miles from its third city, and as such Kalmakoff's hopeful action could not be made to look like a victory by even the best propagandists.

Of course... this did negate the fact that the Tumin Kalmakoff had angrily ordered all of the central Province's remaining anti-tank assets back into hiding in and around the city when his mechanised force set out in the early morning. The French force racing by the largely militia-guarded city to engage in the slaughter of Kalmakoff's eight thousand beyond its northern outskirts now had it's back to scores of anti-tank missile infantry teams, vehicle-mounted missiles and recoilless rifles, and towed light anti-tank guns.

Hia'Itakchi

Life in the city continued on in its chaotic and ancient fashion, though market traders -the city's most identifying feature- were finding business a little slow and stocks generally low. Even large livestock were still being traded, though. The city was in a sort of limbo, just waiting, and getting on with the business of being alive in the meantime.
Colonel Aybars Machul'ski cut a slightly less imposing figure than other successful Lavragerian military officers, but had at least some of the inner qualities of Vorobei and Kalmakoff. He remained in Hia'Itakchi in command of the city's remaining mobile and anti-armour assets, which he had chosen of his own initiative to consolidate into what he called the Minskaya Anti Tank Brigade. He had spent most of his time pacing, since General Kalmakoff had departed, and the last couple of hours receiving human intelligence reports on the approach and passing of the French force. He did not like the lack of news coming back from the General's force.

"Evidently, Tumin is cut-off." He said, calling his superior by his given name as he had taken to doing with men he liked to consider his equal rather than superior.
"He has not the means to fight tanks... We shall have to do it for him."
"But, Colonel, Kalmakoff has taken more than half of all our surface-to-air missiles, can we leave the cover of the city without them and not be destroyed?"
"They love us!" Replied the General to his professional but obviously concerned Lieutenant, "That is why they [the invaders] are here! Besides, there is too much concrete for us to breathe." He said, waving is hand as if to dismiss the urban suffocation.
"Get me volunteers...ah...four hundred, gather all of the large animals from around the city, drive them out to the south east and send the volunteers with them, give them six Iglas, have them go as fast as they can towards the nearest enemy units south of the city. It will be too strange to ignore, an obvious large movement, they will surely straffe it, and they will receive fire in return. They'll have to dedicate some air power to it. They already have the rest of the Republic to worry about, combined, perhaps it will take some pressure off us. Inform the Brigade, we join Kalmakoff as soon as the diversion is away."

It was a very... Lavragerian plan. Machul'ski's Anti Tank Brigade had a few dozen light vehicles scattered around the city, and armed with described anti-tank weapons of Russian, and to a lesser degree Hindustani and mercenary origin. They would soon make the few mile dash from the cover of Hia'Itakchi into the rear of the Dauphin's armoured assault on Kalmakoff, having just a few truck-mounted machineguns and mortars to disrupt any rear-guard before, hopefully, hurling anti-tank guided missiles, recoilless rifle shells, and anti-tank artillery shells into the back of the enemy's armour. This was the last of the central region's mobile strength, and here after remained only partisan and militia forces advised by a precious few regular army soldiers in the city and towns.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/Partisan_in_liberated_MInsk.jpg
Hia'Itakchi's residents seem broken by bombardment and only a handful of hardened soldiers are prepared to fight back! ...along with their high spirited wives, idealistic daughters, and smiling old grenade-cradling mothers of the Republic

The East

Major Antoli Kazlou was less headstrong, less dramatic, and less charismatic than the figureheads in the central region, or the currently whereabouts-unknown Vorobei, who was in fact not far away. Kazlou was indeed nervous about, well, doing much of anything, especially without orders from above. Unfortunately, in all of the chaos of battles, bombings, and retreats, he wasn't getting any orders from above, just suggestions and requests from foreigners.

"Aie, aie, my artillery! I only have eight S-60s, four T-12, and few mortars..." he protested, leaving one to wonder why he had one and a third batteries of 57mm anti-aircraft guns. "And Division took my fire-control radar." The Major grumbled, having seen his truck-mounted fire-control radar requisitioned by more important units replacing losses. Still, his 57mm guns had HE and AP munition in fairly significant quantity, and could between them sustain a rate of fire well above five hundred rounds per minute to a range of several thousand metres, and four moderately effective anti-tank guns able to range above eight kilometres with indirect fire though the quality of Lavragerian gunnery may have been in question, especially as the unit was trained for anti-aircraft fire, primarily. Officers like Kazlou were still suffering the worry of men aware that their nation hadn't had chance to acquire the long-range 130mm counter-battery guns they wanted before war broke-out, but he would eventually be talked-around by Morgan, and lend them use of meagre resources. They would still have to look to more than one small command if they required a greater concentration of firepower than the Major could grant.

Most of the Republic's remaining guns were south of Ulanger between the Dnyapro and Sozh, concentrating fire against enemy forces trying to push into Mahilyowskaya (Ulanger Province) as they squeezed between the two rivers at the border with Homyel'skaya or tried to cross the Dnyapro from the west.

IC:
Morgan's lack of patience was beginning to rub off on Ivan as he worked his magic on the Major.

"Who needs a radar? Morgan, myself and perhaps Gillingham will happily work as spotters for your batteries. Anyway whats wrong with good old firefidner boards and pencils and paper? If you play your cards right I might even be able to get you soem more radios and even a pocket fire calculator." (radios would be easy but persauding Morgan to give up his battered but still perfectly functional PDA would be a bit of minor miracle).

Kadishev strode in to the room where Morgen resided, in a cocky swagger. He smiled the smile of a predator, ready to leap in for the kill.

"Now, I hear you need a calculator. I happen to have quite a few, but they ain't exactly new. Old Soviet sh*t, but you may find it useful."

He tossed into Morgan's hands a battered old Soviet calculator, which was was not very advanced, but sturdy.

OOC:
Morgan's PDA is a bit more than just a calculator its stuffed full with artilelry rnagign programs and even software for setting up long rnage sniepr rifles, it even had a cell phoen and short rnage radio biult in, loosing it is a bit of a loss, but he'll be able to get another one if he gets out alive.
I'm sure he galdly accepts the soviet one to help him call in some very accurate fire (i assume your officers are just as well trained in the fien arc of artillery spotting...)

OOC: I know, it's just that I thought all you needed for the operation was a calculator. So, let's get this operation started?

OOC: just waiting for a few last minute details and checks...
And well Morgan doesn't really need the calculator its more for the arty crews...

OOC-Um, Lav, you may not realise what is happening in and around the Dauphin Division. We know they are far from the Estenlandian borders, that's the whole piont. There are no supply lines, that is why Ft. Necessity is being built with so mnay airstrips and gaurded with 15,000 Elite troops. We are going to supply these troops the same way we got them all here, a constant stream of transports flying in. After al, the Americans did it for Berlin, for a long, long time, and with less resources, and with more people to support.

So, Ft. Neccessity is the only place where supply lines would be soming from, easily protected. However, my air force is taking quite a shellaking, and we may have to re-examine what our air doctrine is.

As for the defenders, how long can defence, even a popular one continue to stand. At last count there was almost 850,000 troops in Lavrageria. Your whole country is only 10 million. I mean, though I may have fudged the numbers on my air force, not intentially, mind you, I was going to just claim major losses, and redistribute my military that way, but even if you are working with only my land forces, something has got to give. Lavrageria has got
Military manpower - fit for military service:
males age 15-49: 2,164,923 (2004 est.)
According to the CIA Factbook- http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/bo.html#Military

Even if you were to increase that by another 1,000,000 people, keeping in mind that means that you are now trying to justify supporting 30% of your population that apparently have nothing better to do but fight a well-trained, well-equipped, well-fed professional military, you would still have a largely unarmed and unfed army that would be getting slauaghtered in droves.
I mean, you have played the warrior society thing up, and I appreciate that, my societ is supposed to be much the same in theory, however, if history has taight us anything, (and I know you are going to site Vietnam, but even they had a large, professional army) it is that a professional army will demolish a non-professional one. I mean, do I agree that partisan and rebel small-action fighting and terrorism could go on for decades, you’re damn right! But, let’s look at the Iraq conflict even, the US army is facing a determined foe, but the foe they are fighting, though they have grown up handling weapons and fighting second nature to them, are dieing in a ten and fifteen to one ratio to the Americans, even when you watch Arabic television.

I guess I am saying that I would like to see some response for the massive troops and equiptement that are being poured in. I have been trying to RP as slow and as cautiously as possible, anticipating major resistance, but at some point I have to think, are we fighting the ubermensch up there?

I absolutely don’t want to get down on you personally, I have very much enjoyed learning anout the nation you have and its culture, it’s just now, I want to destroy it. LOL! No, I am just kidding, perhaps this thread can play out in other ways, perhaps, we can arrange for an integration of your Rping and mine, with you Rping a vassal Tsarist state?


King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

OOC: Damn, there go my ambitions of incorporating Lavrageria into a new USSR...Oops, did I just say that out loud? As for the Iraq ratios, the US's kill ratios are actually much higher. It varies wildly, but for example in Fallujah, U forces lost 30 men, while the Fallujans took about 1,200 casualties. But, the Iraqis don't have Russia behind them...Then again, you have the advantage of not having to worry about "human rights" and silly things like that.

Unless, of course, you suddenly want to find the Viraat launching airstrikes on your government...

No, why care about your subjects? I mean, its not like you're there to do anything for them.

((Ill post a response later tonight, when I get a proper chance to respond))

OOC Post.

All right, well, the supply thing wasn't fully clear, but there's a question about how much that really changes. Transports coming in to land are just begging for miles on their approach to be shot down by a wandering chap with an SA-18, and decent sized modern transports cost tens of millions without all the supplies aboard, so this is fine by us. (Of course they could try paradropping stuff in, instead, but then they're limited by weights and speeds and ceilings, anyway, and we'll just rob half of it when it comes down, and have snipers waiting on the rest, so I don't imagine that'll be happening.)

If the supply lines aren't there, the diversions and other actions will be against the units presumably spread out across occupied territory, now presumably struggling to compete for supplies, unless they're being flown to every bit of tens of thousands of square kilometres, in which case I'm going to have to RP over-running a lot of small airstrips and robbing everything that's going. If that's not the case, then there are supply lines on the ground, and we're back to the start. It that isn't the case either, then you're not occupying 'subdued' territory, and it isn't subdued, and we're just going to fight on forever until your nations collapse or give up.

At one point I was planning to lose reasonably quickly, but that looks an increasingly difficult thing to justify, so I'll go with plan B.

Iraq's no better an example than Vietnam, really, though I don't expect every Joe on the internet to think about this sort of thing :)

For how long can we fight?...

Over the period of 1,418 days of German occupation of Belarus 1,255 partisan detachments were formed and lead military actions in Belarus

Then...

the three years of war on occupied territory of Belarus, partisans and underground resistance fighters killed or incapacitated more than 500,000 Germans. 11,128 German trains, 34 armored battle trains were blown up or derailed by Belarusian partisans. 29 railway stations, 948 Military Headquarters, 18,700 cars and trucks, 819 railway and 4,710 auto bridges were destroyed by Belarusian partisans. The partisan movement was so overwhelming that in 1943-44 there were large regions in occupied Belarus, where Soviet rule was established deep inside the German occupation territory. The fully functioning partisan kolkhozes were farming and growing cattle to support partisans.

And...

Overall 1.3 million Belarusians fought in Red Army which means that the prime military manpower was gone before the partisan groups even got their take.

Of course, the Estenlands and France could always try to simply obliterate the Lavragerians so there's nobody left to fight, and no will... but then, the Germans killed -by older reports- 2.2million in Belarus, and, by newer accounts, 3.65million, so it's hard to beat that in any significant fashion.

But that's not to say that Lavrageria is exactly like Belarus! To be fair, we should at least examine this to see whether there's any justification to putting up a similar fight this time around.

Well, tens of thousands in Belarus welcomed the Germans in order to escape Stalin.
Hm, nobody in Lavrageria welcomes the Tsar to save them from brand-new democracy, relative stability and peace, and a first taste of nationalism.

Belarus was a developing 2nd world nation. Lavrageria is even more primeval and forbidding to the outsider.

The Germans were, relatively speaking, more powerful than the Estenlands.

The background for living and fighting the partisan way is stronger in Lavrageria than it was in Belarus.

All this works even better in Lavrageria's favour.

On the other hand, though, the Estenlands has less other things to worry about, meaning it could arguably concentrate better upon Lavrageria.

Still, as to what has actually happened so far... I see that the enemy has crossed most of Lavrageria's primary natural line of defence in the Pripet Marshes and surrounding woodlands, has knocked-out its tiny airforce (except a few assets hiding in Russia, and a few foreign planes here and there operating by their wits alone), has crippled and essentially taken one of only about half a dozen cities in the nation, shattered one of the big two, preventing it from producing the heavy weapons and supplies needed to consider developing a more like-for-like counter attack, and essentially encircled the third city. The western portion of the nation has effectivelly cut away from Republican control. The last serious forces outside the eastern portion alone are engaged in a life-or-death battle that they look likely to lose. Remaining forces there after are running for their lives into the north eastern and central eastern fraction of the nation. And that is in days or at most weeks.

At the moment though I'm increasingly skeptical about the solidity of enemy tactics in regard to gaining any kind of control in Lavrageria. They may smash state-level organisation of professional defences, but it's hard to see much more being achieved.

Arguable moving on a step, though, considering various options from IC and OOC standpoints, I've thought about playing the international aid angle more seriously, about chucking it in and becoming a subject state (though it'd be hard to justify a lot of the IC element), and about having partisan skirmishes across the border or more likely small teams sent to assassinate this and shoot-down that. Even going to north Korea (or a crooked Russian general) to buy a nuke (but that seemed a bit cheap and as if it might look a bit cry-baby-ish), about running a government in exile and just giving-up and playing very low-level guerrilla resistance and terror long term- Lavragerian terror could be the next big thing until someone recognises our right to liberation or something. Also about just dragging it on and picking at every opportunity to score points until the enemy get sick of it and give-up (but that may end up coming due to OOC player fatigue, which doesn't sound like fun).

There was one other idea, which I've mentioned in private, and which, I think, hasn't been terribly popular. I suppose that I may as well say it, now, and carry on in the short term just to see what develops.

IC--

President Larionko Aidarov had quite significantly developed his charts, his schemes, while in Moscow. He'd also been building up shady contacts and an ill-gotten fortunue. He had Lavragerian officers acting as quartermasters -even as his own nation looted the dead for arms in desperate defence- vanishing small parts of arms shipments meant for the Republic and selling them off to warring factions in Russia, making friends and enemies in the Mafia, the communist movements, the corrupt parts of the government and military. He always tried to make sure that someone else would be the fall guy, both by setting his own countrymen up for it, and by promising to potential whistleblowers and naysayers the sorts of things that only a national leader could. Contracts here, land there (mainly contracts, there probably wasn't going to be a lot of land), not to mention the more general prospect of contacts.

Companies directly or sort-of under his ownership or control were stock-piling materials and equipment, even stealing it, buying it on the cheap, embezzling this and that, and guarding it with sweets and soldiers- Lavragerian soldiers who really, one may have thought, could have had something better to do. Even in the die-hard Republic, some cowards or nearly-but-not-quite pacifists were happy to take a military posting away from the front, no questions asked.

Aidarov was drawing-up a Second Republic. It would lie in the Lavragerian east, where his remaining forces were slowly consolidating. It would certainly have to give-up on Itageria, but Aidarov desperately hoped to keep what remained of Ulanger and Vargery. Hia'Itakchi, even though it was prepared to fight in the long-haul, did not sit in the Second Republic marked on Aidarov's latest draft charts. It was part of the Tsarist Settlement Treaty Territory of Aidarov's Peace... which would probably be re-named, later. Beyond that in the west was Glakatahn Free Territory in western Hrodzyenskaya and Brestskaya. Lavrageria cut in three, with four hundred thousand largely de-horsed Glakatahn in the west, two to two and a half million Republicans in the east, and seven and a half or so million residents of some central territory under Tsarist administration.

Aidarov needed another couple of good blows to be struck to the enemy to make them realise that settling was best, and encouraged his eastern generals to support mercenary and Russian operations, no matter how ambitious.

Unless, of course, you suddenly want to find the Viraat launching airstrikes on your government...

No, why care about your subjects? I mean, its not like you're there to do anything for them.
Now, so you would attack me for incorporating Lavrageria into a free, democratic state, but doing almost nothing when the Estenlands, a brutal dictatorship, tries to take over?

((Now. First of all Absolute Monarchy Does not equal a Brutal Dictatorship. Indeed, the Hapsburgs were ruthless in crushing early anti-semitic and facistic attitudes in late 19th Century Austria. It is perhaps the most 'Enlightened' form of government, based on the best values of Western Civilization. And Lav, the supply planes will be relativley safe, although a few may get smoked. There is a steep descent to the Fort (a large base proper with extended outworks and redoubts) and the surrounding areas have been well cleared and garrisoned. Of course some will get shot down, but well within very nominal range. Supply lines exist extending from Ft. Necessity, like arms, to the force securing the lines to Ulanger, and the the Paratroopers and French in Hi'Itakchi, a relatively short distance. And any time now ::queues the Tsar:: the Estenlandiands should break through the marshes, and link up with Fort Necessity, thus (If the Dauphin can pull it off) securing Operation Fin d'Guerre. Not that it will end the war, but it will have done its job of cutting the Republicans lines of communication west and south of Ulangers rubble, and effictvley gutting the country from a cartographic point of view. Oh, and of course the French Guards use their machine guns first, bayonetting is only for close combat. It would never be used in the 18th line formation style. ))

Le Grand Armee fought tooth and nail North of Hi'Itakchi. The Dauphins armored assault had crashed into the Lavragerian formation, and a pitched battle raged. For as the armor truly engaged, the troops came screaming in behind them.

About 8 tanks had been obliterated in the initial encounter, with as many being mired in the mud and slime. As well, a detachment of 12 tanks and their escorting vehicles had gone too far north, and were cut off, fighting for their lives.

On the Armees Southern flank, an assualt threatened. To deal with it, the Duaphin sent the Royal Army Korean Infantry, crack troops, to deal with the threat. On foot and armed to the teeth they were experienced, and would engage the Lavgerians in the south in a holding action, slowly advancing to maximize enemy casualties: The Royal Army Korean Heavy Infantry would take no prisoners, bayonetting the cut off and the wounded. Their drive against the assualt was aided by attack helicopters, and they were easily dealing with the threat to the flank. For when the battle was over the Dauhphin would move Southeast, then link up with the Estenlandian Paratroopers. The ODSE Mirage group was called in on growing armored units to the West, with napalm strikes: the anti tank threat was out of reach, but hopefully disperseable. A bit North of there, the Dauphin was fighting to win the battle.

The M1 Abrams continued their charge, but were encountering heavy resistance. Therefore they collected themselves, and began unloading on the enemy. As they fought, the French Guards joined the battle en masse, engaging Lavragerian Infantry. The strategy was to cut them in half, and massacre them. South lay the Estenlandian Paratroopers, North was an open and vulnerable retreat.

The Dauphin was fighting in the heat of it, commanding the army from his highly modified tank. His Royal Highess was intent on breaking through using the momentum of armor, attack helicopter, and screaming French soldier. He ordered the tanks and soldiers to continue the advance, and so it ground on. At all points now, the 28,000 French Guards were engaged, and the armor slogged it out.

This was a crucial moment, maintaining the pressure after the charge. The earth shook.

Meanwhile, the Franco Estenlandian force was encountering a bit of resistance in the East. However, the resistance would not deter them much from their task: to simply cut the lines to Ulanger, not invade it. And in the open, with air support, casualties were aceptable. They were not trying to take every spot like the Tsars main armies, but just meander East and cut the communication lines in open ground. The cleaning would come when the link up occured. The Fury V LRM's with FAB tips were still falling in that poor capital, which now was mainly layers of embers after the firestorms.

((Ok, after the pitched battle and Eastern commcut drive congeals, no doubt after your next post Lav, I will post casualties so far. Sorry about the mediocre post, very tired. Ill definetley do more detail tomm))

the three years of war on occupied territory of Belarus, partisans and underground resistance fighters killed or incapacitated more than 500,000 Germans. 11,128 German trains, 34 armored battle trains were blown up or derailed by Belarusian partisans. 29 railway stations, 948 Military Headquarters, 18,700 cars and trucks, 819 railway and 4,710 auto bridges were destroyed by Belarusian partisans. The partisan movement was so overwhelming that in 1943-44 there were large regions in occupied Belarus, where Soviet rule was established deep inside the German occupation territory. The fully functioning partisan kolkhozes were farming and growing cattle to support partisans.


First of all, the technology being brought to bear is quite a bit more advanced than what they were dealing with. Analysts believe that the Germans could have turned the tide of the war in late 1944 with as few as 12 modern jet fighters.
There are very few trains for you to destroy here, and the reason that the trains were so important in Belarus in WWII was that Hitler needed them to move supplies to Russia for his sieges there. I have no need.
You are also dealing with almost twice that manpower. And these aren't people that are just trying to protect the trains; they are systematically pacifying ONLY Lavrageria, with no 1000 mile fronts to worry about.
And the 500,000 troops that were reported, wouldn't have they faced the constant barrage of Red Army attacks the whole time they were in Belarus, meaning that they could never fully commit to pacifying that nation.
And the Red Army having that many Belarusian people in it, is this the same one that Hitler punished to the tune of 40 million casualties? (Though that does include civilian reports and as we find out more, the numbers keep going up) Also, I invaded with a possible amount of tanks numbering in the tens of thousands; Hitler could never bring that to bear.

Also, for the Dauphin, who has those spanky Abrams M1A2 MBTs, let's keep in mind that the pilots are very well trained, and also that these vehicles can engage an enemy at more than two miles away, while moving at 60mph.

Ah C'est Levee. I am getting tired of arguing the points. I can definitely see why you believe in partisan action, and I am quite willing to believe that I will have hundreds of thousands of troops bogged down in Lavrageria for years to come, I just think that no matter how tough my nation was, if the equivalent forces were thrown at me, that's be like 3.5 million troops, I think that even street fighting would just have to collapse in less than two months. However, my history as Rped is that we fought a bloody revolution against Russia for more than 50 years, so yeah; I can appreciate the wanting to keep the partisans going.


<Quote>---At this time, the invading army breaks into two groups, Group A-The Tigers and Group B-The Sun Group, as homage to our allies.

Group A- Is charged with maintaining the southern frontier of the nation and slowly moving forward and is the larger of the two;
10 Heavy Armoured Divisions
4 Fully Mechanized Divisions
2 Engineering Divisions
6 Light Infantry Divisions
This has a minimum tank complement of 7,000 and consists of 440,000 troops.

Group B- Is charged with driving to the eastern part of the nation and then as fast as is safely possible, pushing up along the eastern border, cutting off the flow of traffic to the shared Russian/Lavragerian border. This will set the framework for the pacification of the rest of the nation.

10 Heavy Armoured Divisions
4 Fully Mechanized divisions
2 Light Infantry Divisions
2 Engineering Divisions
This has a minimum tank complement of 7,000 and consists of 360,000 troops.
<Quote>

I should also be noted that at full production, the tank forces could be brought up to their maximums as well, see my other posts for those numbers.

Losses-Air Force-Bombers-28/250
Fighters-485/1000
-Ground Units-Tanks-3,280/18,500
Manpower-Group A-35,000/440,000
Group B-22,000/360,000
Group D-10,000/40,000

I just realized also that some of the confusion was that I hadn’t posted losses, and that kind of made it look as though I felt that I was just barreling through, this should allay any fears of that.

IC-The Tigers, under the direct command of King Wingert, is pushing forward finally at a somewhat higher speed than until now, they were being extremely anal...uh, I mean systematic in their invasion approach, but now that was becoming seen as weakness among the enemy, so they would push harder.
They began to sport a two-pronged approach as two of the nearer stronghold (Please insert the Lavragerian and Belarusian names here so we are on the same page-do you have a good map BTW?) of the enemy, this would come in conjunction with an far more aggressive (more aggressive!?!) stance in regards to capturing lands and people. No more would they try and protect civilians, unless those civilians immediately surrendered.

The Sun Group, Army Group B, would be continuing to hold their positions in the east, with their main objective being to block off this border to munitions supplies, and secondly, to supply the Tsarists across the border with weapons and equipment. They were however, lending their heavy amour to the push from the south. This would add some 4,000 more MBTs to the push from the south, but they are keeping most of their lighter amour and a small contingent of MBTs in order to be able to respond to high intensity attacks.

With this, the inception of the Army Group C, a grouping of 10 Light Infantry Divisions-200,000 troops, being moved into the South Lavragerian areas, in order to take the place of the Army Group A-The Tigers, freeing them up to focus on the acquisition of the rest of the nation, letting the Army Group C worry about occupation and pacification of the southern region, including protecting supply lines and interning prisoners. They are drawn from the Reservist forces that were called up at the inception of the fighting, with the open possibility of more of the troops on the Ukrainian/Russian border being brought in to help with quelling partisan actions, though it is relatively light in that region now. The Reservists, you may remember are all ex-military and though they are arguably less well-motivated than the rest of the professional army, they can do a relatively effective job, though they will not be committed to any major confrontations, if it can be helped.

Army Group C will be placed under the field command of Lord Piotre Woljetski, a reliable, though fairly boring Polish tactician, whose cautious approach to combat makes him ideal for the unique challenges a job like this requires. He is best known for his work as the Master-At-Arms for the revolutionary army, where he kept them smoothly supplied and kept valuable records that were so well organized they are still the benchmark today. A fairly old man, and more bureaucrat and accountant than General, he was pressed back into service and out of retirement for this assignment at the request of King Wingert. He has also written up a document about the full nationalization of the economy to present to Sir Reginald at Supreme HQ, and that study is being debated right now.

King Wingert also implements the second series of rationing of essential materials and foodstuffs, and announced that high schools will be closed until further notice to release the students to the workforce, especially the vitally important Royale, Inc. and other critical industries, which are constantly increasing production.
A second draft of Reservists is debated, and dismissed, but a feasibility study of adding another 20 Divisions of Light Infantry is being conducted with all due haste.


King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

Now, so you would attack me for incorporating Lavrageria into a free, democratic state, but doing almost nothing when the Estenlands, a brutal dictatorship, tries to take over?

OCC: Sorry, I misread. With Sino back in the mix, I don't suspect that the Viraat will be around for much longer, the same for most of my capital navy.

But for the aircraft...they're, like, fifty years old. It wouldn't be very difficult to hide them, and they can take off from pretty much anywhere except for the marshes.

I'm not trying to say that they're making any kind of major impact, if impact at all. I'm just trying to stimulate RP. Shoot them down and its fine. Does anyone actually expect those kinds of aircraft to survive in this kind of situation?

Now I hate to nit-pick, but I don't think the survival of an An-14 Clod and Li-2/C-47 is any more ridiculous than the fielding of an obscene armed force in Lavrageria. But I still can't see why you (Elkazor) would rather operate M1A2s than perfectly good Leclercs. They've got higher velocity main guns first off, and they've also got a good hundred kilometers or so greater range.

OOC-I don't think it is ridiculous, I think we have gone over this a few times, and though, yes, I admit I may have miscalculated on the air force, I trying to make up for that by destroying massive amounts of said air force so that it can pared down to what I hope is more reasonable a level.
Is it incredibly large, yes, but I think I have Rped the reasoning behind it. It was more of a bluff after all, than anything, and we all remember Wingert speculating that he could only field his army for two months before total collapse with the supplies he had then. That was, of course, before the massive cash injection by France to the tune of over 40 billion USD, then the setting up of Ukraine as basically reaping the majority of French government expenses, with a constant caravan of materials and goods coming in by way of ship, train and plane. They are also presumably spending billions and billions more on wartime infrastructure, essentially making Ukraine a "welfare state" for the French government, with which to further their ambitions. I have also tried to Rp within the forces that I laid out at the beginning and RP the financial consequences. I have posted a few times that rations are being implemented, and that civilians are being pressed into heavy industry, I even just closed all the high schools to put the kids there to work, for goodness sake! I am confident that I can keep this amount in the field, I have really thought about this, the only matter is "How long can they be kept there?" I said two months at first, but that was before all of these measures. I am assuming that maybe a month to five weeks has passed already. That puts me in the dangerous position of having the stores that are nationalized more than half depleted, with WAY more tank and fighter casualties than expected. We could very well be seeing King Louis XX turn Ukraine into a kind of indebted vassal soon, as Wingert will have very little means to pay back the massive amounts that have been poured into this conflict.

But, I am going to try and keep the OOC posts to a minimum from here on out, they just tend to confuse things, though some OOC posts I guess are necessary.


King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

Far from the war in the East, in a Rococo chamber of Versailles, His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX was playing piquet with Count Falkenstein, with M. de Vergennes folding his hand, a M. de Turgot, Comptroller-General, reaping in the pot. About fifty liviried servants scurried to make everything was delightful. The twangs of the Clavichord mixed with the sipping of champagne.

Charles-Gravier, le Comte de Vergennes, broke the silence. "Sire, Monsieur Turgot and I were speaking earlier." He placed a portfolio on the table, listing the various French loans to Estenlands. "We believe that with this level of Your Majesties benevolence to Your Brother the Tsar can only last for a definite period of time." At this the King turned to the Minister, interrupted from his cards.

"What on earth are you talking about Vergennes?" mumbled the King, a servant sprinting forward to refill his glass.

"Sire" said M. de Turgot "Royale Ltd., the entity with which Your Majesty supplies His Imperial Highness, in currently accruing a steady rate of debt, not to even mention our concerns that supply them. If these circumstances do not improve within a month or so, Your Most Christian Majesty must be willing to levy a new tax, that the budget is not aversely affected."

The King looked perturbed at this, and Vergennes broke in obsequiously. "Sire, we have endeaved to find a way to reverse Your Majesties direction of investment of Estenlands." An overhead was brought up on a gilded screen, detailing the plan.

"Sire, we can still maximize profit, and indeed enable Your Brother the Tsar to lift His economy out of a war stance, with but a few simple acts. First of all, all Lavragerians will be deported from their homeland, and placed into labor camps. We will train them to work in the factories, freeing the Estenlandian government to use its subjects as colonizers in the conquered lands. We have a eager schedule of strip mining and resource exploitation that in but weeks can guarantee Your Majesty a profit!" The King thought about it for a moment, and smiled. "There it is" grinned Louis. "What say you, Monsieur?" asked His Most Christian Majesty of Count Falkenstein.

The plan was genius, strait from the 18th Century. The Lavragerian body politic would be broken up, and children would be raised without knowledge of their culture. Glaktakhan would be broken into factory workers, soon to loose their Lavragerian Identity. Meanwhile, The Tsar and Sun King would ruthlessly exploit Lavrageria for profit, thus fattening the Royal Pocket books. It was also suggested that Lavrageria be broken up into several smaller provinces, thus destroying the geographic history of the Republic. Indeed, Ulanger had already be immolated, a symbol of democracies future in that near conquered land.

And by one month, palpable victory seemed well within reach.

OOC: Well, the partisans in Belarus didn't have multiple-kilometre-range anti-tank missiles and high-performance surface to air missiles. It is a lot easier to shoot down a plane when you have a modern SAM than it is to blow up an armoured train when you have no missiles at all.
So long as you, as you say, understand the ferocity of the partisan resistance and don't see it in a real-world lets-roll-over-Iraq context, I'm more or less happy. Iraq was prepared for a decade to be easily defeated.
To Elkazor, I still don't see how the planes bringing supplies to the north would be even close to safe, as they're likely going to be in range for a good many kilometres around the landing area, once one is prepared. At the moment, are the northern units not basically without re-supply?

Now, erm, map, yes, let me see. I've just been using one of Belarus, thus far, but I may edit one to specifically represent Lavrageria, soon. I think that I will see how this plays out before putting any time in on it, though. Wait, change of plan, I'm going to make a few classy MS Paint notes on it, and come back in a minute. I meant this to be a more substantial post, but never mind.

Oh, I don't know if anyone's calling the Estenland's level of militarisation totally ridiculous (though I tend to assume that it, especially in light of the war, is going to have a significant impact), it's just a bit questionable as to how suitable primeval Belarus is to massive-scale mobile warfare. Sure it's mostly quite flat, but huge parts of it seriously restrict mobility. RL Belarus has a lot of tanks (thousands, certainly until recently), but I suspect that it is a relic of aggressive Soviet tactics rather than the sort of defensive force suited to Belarus specifically.

((OOC: I'll respond later, here, in the Red Square thing, (Estenlands, get over there!), and in the "grand adventure" soon, but I've got some HW to take care off. Czesc! Ah, and deliciously evil post, Elkazor. Deport the entire country, and put 'em in "re-education camps"? You'd make Hitler blush. Kidding, of course!))

OOC- The troops in question are fully supplied. Ft. Necessity has several huge airstrips now, having been in operation for over a week. I would say the area is secured for about 12 Kilometers outwards from the base, barring a direct enemy assault, which has not materialized. This is acceptable when considering a prop planes descent and assent capabilities. As for high altitude anti aircraft weapons, well, I am bound to take some hits in that regard. Fort Necessity is the hub of 'forward' Holy Leauge activity, well behind enemy lines. But it is a well supplied and defended hub nonetheless.

And once Fin d'Geurre concludes, unless you somehow launch a massive full scale counter attack, I see the lions share of your country behind enemy lines, cut off and illsupplied. I would imagine after loosing so much of your land, Aidarov would be forced to make attemps at a Treaty, of course one granting Estenlands everything it demands.

I mean, unimaginable amounts of ordinace have been used. Ulanger is a ghost town, and once was a thriving capital, speaking in relative terms. A partisan war is only to be expected, surely Aidarov would be eager even to get Orsha and a few kilometers, under Estenlandian chaperons.

Okay, now, here's a map with minor, crappy modification:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/Chivtv/NS1/lavmap2.jpg

Towns that haven't been mentioned by Lavragerian names, for now, are just known by their original names. Some will have local names, but these are rarely recorded and, if the ever are, then they are written in Glakatahn script, so may well just be known to everyone else by Russian names, anyway. They are all minor settlements, usually much smaller than their real-life equivalents. Little more than large villages in most cases, such as the captured Maladzyechna in the north.

The area within the red line I consider to be beyond Republican control and/or under enemy occupation. Partisan operations continue in large parts, and urban resistance movements are beginning in fallen towns like Itageria, but they are independent operations, and the government certainly isn't getting any taxes or industrial output from these areas.

The area west of the lines, excepting around Hia'Itakchi, which is yet to fall, in Hrodzyenskaya and Brestskaya is not under Republican control, either, and contains just a few hundred to, at most, a couple of thousand Republican partisans through its entire extent. It is Glakatahn territory, and is outside the red lines because I did not get the impression that the Estenlands had bothered with the remaining free tribes, as yet. There's less than half a million people there, though figures have never been precise and a minority of refugees have chosen to flee their either to rejoin tribes that will have them (without killing and eating them), or to live with partisans and to help them with hunting and low-level farming while the partisans prepare arms and plans in the event of new enemy operations in the west. The main Glakatahn clan is the Lodoz under Kiba Morgan (no relation to the mercenary!), who, as I'm sure I've said, is totally unhinged. He considers himself another king to rival the likes of the Tsar, though nobody's really sure whether he believes in some sort of deity as may have given him right to rule, or whether maybe he thinks himself a god or such. Nobody knows which way the Lodoz Confederation (as it is sometimes called owing to its subjugation of minor tribes) will swing. Minor tribes tend to affiliate themself with Lodoz in order to avoid getting wiped-out (any tribe that isn't on side is apt to be slain to the last old woman or newborn baby at the drop of a hat), or with the Republic that -until recently- could protect them from Morgan's rages. These tribes currently don't know which way to turn, and, though they have only a few thousand warriors between them, may try to break-out the Republicans at Hia'Itakchi, or else plead for mercy from the Kiba or the Tsar, whoever they think will keep them from being butchered. All in all, there are tens of thousands of warriors, most loyal to Morgan's Lodoz, but they have few of the missile-weapons and such of the Republic. Taking... or influencing the west has the potential to be easier than taking the rest of the nation is proving, provided that it is done wisely.

Hia'Itakchi is cut-off from the rest of the republic in line with the Dauphin's armoured drive, meaning that -as Kalmakoff is undeniably losing the uneaven battle north of the city- it is in an increasingly untennable position. A lot (well, hundreds, so it depends on how you define, 'a lot'!) of troops as snipers, mortar teams, man-portable SAM units, and other light, relatively mobile units are loose in the low hills west of the city, assuming that the enemy will soon encircle the town, and hoping to at least make them fight for that achievment.

The line is fairly modest in its extent because, well, things are terribly clear (hence the map so we can work it out), and I didn't want this to be a, "we bombed you, you're dead!" sort of conflict. It's more, "you bombed us and we really, really disliked it!"

I have uncertainty about the south-east, especially. That will probably need changing quite quickly. Itageria's defenders wanted to hold the river, but weren't sure from which way they'd be attacked. In the end too many of their forces had been pulled-out to stand further north, and they were just pounded into near oblivion, losing tens of thousands of civilian lives. If the enemy have come across the border east of the Sozh, as well, then the north-south red line will be re-drawn west-east quite some way north of Itageria. There's really not much stopping that happening, now.

It doesn't take a genius to work out that most of the Republic's regular forces and entrenched defences concentrated in the east, with cities from Itageria, to Ulanger, to Vargery, to Hiagery to defend. Accounting for not insignificant air-delt casualties, most of them still remain there. One might fault commanders from not punching back west into the French right flank, but with limited mechanisation, no real air support, and Presidential orders to defend the east to the last drop of blood, it was out of the question.

North of the red line between the Dnyapro and the Sozh the enemy face a more serious regular-army attempt to hold them off, and artillery concentrated between the two rivers against the advance. Assuming that the enemy are probably also trying to come up between the Sozh and the Russian border, they're also being met there by some guns and heavier semi-mechanised infantry (you couldn't have waited just another couple of weeks until we started receiving tanks and more aircraft, could you? :) ) with AAA and light SAM support.

The Republic's army intends to contest the crossing of the Byarezina, but due to its extent and the fact of enemy air superiority its forces are light and dispersed, and likely only to delay the inevitible and hopeful of inflicting a little damage in the process. They would most heavily defend an attempt to cross it -or the Viliya- north of where the Estenlandic paras came down, as Aidarov wants to hold Vitsyebskaya for as long as possible, then to fall back behind the Z. Dzvina.

Assuming that the Byarezina is breached from the west, and/or the enemy forces near Itageria cross it from the south or the Dnyapro from the east, any Republicans who can will pull back over the Dnyapro to defend the extreme east of the country, large parts of which have already been ruined by French missiles. Of course, with troops already beyond Itageria east of the Dnyapro, the last natural barrier is gone, and it looks like the Republic will just have to defend north of the Dzvina, along a line of questionable strength down to Vargery, then along the Dnyapro to the southern border of Mahilyowskaya, where they face a pretty serious problem in how to keep-back enemy armour in any major strength. In fact, they 'may', when the Byarezina is crossed, just let the land between Hiagery and Vargey fall, and govern two seperate parts of the Republic linked only through Russia, so that they can try to fend off tanks at river crossings.

Long post with lots of potential question marks, I know, I probably should have done this sooner. Oh well, we live and learn.

Oh, I suppose I could add that, if you look to Maladzyechna and the Viliya north of it, and draw a line along the Viliya as it stretches from red to Lithuanian border, all west of that being Glakatahn territory is probably not internationally recognised as having a legitimate government now that the Republic is out of touch with it, so could be claimed as Tsarist territory, even if it can not yet be administered as such. You can imagine the red line jutting out there instead of going back down through Minskaya and into Brestskaya, if you prefered to see it that way. I'm not sure if that was a more simple or more complicated way of putting it :)

((Good map, BTW. I would agree with it. The Dauphin will settle to properly besiege Hi'Itakchi after the big attack. THere will, as you point out, no doubt be gorwing combat in the East as they drive towards Ulanger. I will do a old fashioned long post tonight, with numbers and dead included.))

OOC: Great. I shall work on Lavragerian casualty estimates after a look back at Est's, but I probably should hold-off an another big post, for a moment :) Erm, if you/Estenlands greatly prefer, I would consider treating the Byarezina crossing fairly lightly rather than making another detailed fight of it, and just playing-out the fall of Kalmakoff's division and the siege of Hia'Itakchi, and then just making passing references to the fighting from the Byarezina to the Dnyapro and such, where the last stages of heavy resistance will come. That is to say, I won't call, "Godmod! if future posts reference units forcing their way across the Byarezina so long as they give me warning about an approach on the mentioned final strongpoints in the far north and/or east. [shutting up]

North of Hi'Itakchi, the Royal Dauphin troops were starting to push the Lavs back, their lines becoming thin.

The Royal Korean Infantry had solidified the South-Eastern front, holding the enemy from a flanking manuever while the Dauphin smashed the center with his armor. And so the battle wore on. The sheer weight of French numbers, the freshness and morale of the troops, and the supporting helicopters began to wear away at Kalmikoff and his men.

In the chaotic center, the French tanks had cut through the resistance, and like a hammer moved on the very heart of Lavragerian posistions, cannons balzing, machine guns rattling. Kalmikoff would not know it, but the Dauphin himself lead the armored assault against the Lavragerian Command posistions, seeking to kill his adversary personally.

The French Guards slowly advanced, divided into attack companies, and their walls of lead wore away at the Lavragerians, who were gradually conceding ground.

Fresh supplies from Ft. Necessity were welcome, wounded troops were taken the battlefield hospitals. Artillery, heavy howitzers, arrived in the Estenlandian formation that was slowly sapping its way into Hi'Itakchi. While the Dauphin wrestled Kalmikoff in the north, the Paratroops would ramp up the barrage, slowly advancing under ground shaking fire.

In the East, General Petrovnich had reached the Byarezina, and found the area beyond it fiercely held. A slow assault would fall on the Lavrageria defenders, aided by the arrival of fresh tanks on the Dauphins Western front. Air assaults, artilley, and armor would weaken the enemy, before the Franco-Estenlandian force slowly ground forward.

Most importantly, the road was clear for the Tsar to move North, and arrive at Fort Necessity, linking the lines of communication and supply.

Casualties:
French Guards: 48,000 total
Wounded- 1980
Dead- 1200
MIA- 430

Korean Royal Infantry: 900 total
Wounded- 35
Dead- 21
MIA- 7

M-1 Abrams Tanks: 400 total
Destroyed- 19
Damaged- 14
MIA- 7

Royal Auxiliary Support Corps: 6000 total
Wounded: N/A
Dead: N/A
MIA: N/A

Well. In the Western regions of Hedzyenskaya and Brestkaya, we do have a significant force, and have been Rping with the understanding that the southern invasion would have moved there too. Understandably, it would be fairly low priority due to less resistance, I guess, so the majority of Army Group A would have been in the red southern areas.

(I'm just =trying to work this out, the map is kind of hard to read)

In the East, I was working under the understanding that the entire Army Group B was driving hard up the Russian/Lavragerian border, we are not even worried about pacifying more than about 50 kms from the border, but I had assumed since there had been little response, (or you had responded using Lavragerian names, and I thought they were somewhere else, who knows?)
that this campaign had been the success story of the thread, keeping in mind that I am not worrying about population centers or facing major defenses, just cutting off that border. And I even think that Russia saw that and recognized the blockade, so maybe we were all a little off.

In fact, the southernmost city, (I can't quite read the name) is it Itergia/Homyel? I believe that is the one that I was bulldozing into the ground, yes? I will accept that I probably have a significant force there. And, we may even be driving hard onto the river defenses, but most of the Army Group B would be simply bypassing that conflict and heading north.

The three more northern cities, I think the furthest northern one you have is RL Polatsk? I would have been that far north by now, but those cities may not have even come under heavy attack. Except maybe by air and with major/minor skirmishing.

This would, I think give us both what we are looking for, I would keep my many-timed RPed blockade, without which, The Dauphin Division would have never been brought in, and you would still have the majority of your stronghold defenders and army groupings intact. We could then RP the subsequent attacks/counter-attacks to/from the northern cities, and everyone would be on the same page.

Would that make everyone here mostly happy?

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

The Russian GRU agents could do little but lead and guide lavragerian units. When faced with infantry, they had a significant chance, as they were better trained than the standard grunt, but their lack of numbers made them only a minor thorn in the Tsar's side. When facing tanks, all they could do was quickly rush onto the field before the battle, sprinkilng it with crudely made IEDS, and raining down RPG fire, hoping that at least one in thousands would cause damage. The Spetsnaz, on the other hand, busily prepared for a joint operation with mercenaries, titled OPERATION: ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT.
OOC: Sounds good, Estenlands. But can you get back to the "Red Square" thread? I don't want to do much more without giving you a chance to respond.

A few kilometers west of Ulanger, four figures emerge from a pile of wreckage on the ground, in reality their An-14 Clod light transport.

Riddled with bullet holes, it is a miracle that they all managed to get out alive. None of the aircrew are armed, except perhaps with a heavier-than-average compass or a few rotten loaves of bread. Dressed up warmly, they make their way back to the city, just in time to watch the Li-2's luck finally run out. Hit by a SAM, the aircraft plummets to the ground. Two parachutes emerge, however, and the four An-14 crew head over towards their direction.

OCC: Sorry for being a bit short with everyone lately.

"Throw women and children into the Volcano!"-Mike Seed

The Quinntonian government is reportedly coming close to a decision on the Lavragerian matter. The Council of Bishops will wait and see how the NATO discussions play out, and then make their recommendation to PM Jesse Obed.

WWJD
Amen.

OOC: sorry for the lack of activity.
Thanks for the map Lavrageria it makes things a little easier for me.

Would it be likely that Morgan is currently in and around Zhlobin? if not where might he actually be (i have always left thigns to be very vague as to his actual location, leavign it as more less about the front line).

::Kicks a BUMP::

((Com'on people, war doesnt just stop, this lag is becoming bothersome, especially with the limies threatening to move in. ::BUMP:: No offense Lavrageria, I know about IRL, its just, well, Im anxious is all ;( ))

((OOC: Well, I'm waiting for Strathdonia to start his operation.))

OOC:
Well my tiem is a bit iffy a tthe moment and i would like to pin down exactly where morgan might actually be before i get things moving.

Elk/Nsten:
Oh and i just woke up to a major issue:
Air lifting 500 Abrams!!!! I know you mentioned new french "hercules style aircraft" but in my mind that means the A400M not the C-17 which would pretty much bankrupt you to aquire in the numbers required (you would be looking at 100 examples or more a number which the US has struggled to reach...) and the loss of any of then would be an incredible blow.

Its a moot point now and doesn't really matter but it is something to think about. A jump from about 8 squadrons of C160/CN235s and 1 of Hercs to about 10 C-17 class aircraft is one hell of a leap, by that standard TBF could afford to put the V-force back into production...

Where is everyone?
I need some responses so that I can post.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

Well, again, I'm waiting for Strathdonia, who is waiting for Lavrageria. Strath, I think you can place Morgen pretty much anywhere. Small teams can fit in even in the most heavily occupied areas.

OOC: well here goes.


IC:
In the gloom of the predawn mists Morgan glanced at his watch as the minute hand slowly crept to the appointed hour. The last of his scouts had reported back an hour ago, confirming that the esties were just about ready to make a push for Zhlobin and were moving most of their reserves up for the attack. Well those reserves were about to see action a bit earlier than planned.

Finally the clock hand swept down on D hour and Morgan picked up his radio and give the signal for the attack to begin.

The 3 clicks over the radio were of a great relief to the Lavragerian artillery and mortar crews finally the waiting was over and they could strike back against the invaders.
With a series of thuds and booms the support units opened up their first shells raining down on the Estenlandian advanced positions.

With the first salvo Morgan’s company, along with several companies of local volunteers jumped out of their trenches and scurried forward and threw themselves on the some what shocked Estie front lines. As they moved forward the artillery shifted its fire, aiming for what few store points, tank parks and command areas the scouts had managed to ID (very very few), as The raiders reached the enemy liens the artillery suddenly shut off and the crews hurriedly began stripping down and moving their equipment.

On encountering the Estie Front line most of the local volunteers made little impact, the brief barrage had done little to shake the more hardened invaders whose automatic fire caused horrendous casualties as the more awake sentries raised the alarm. The locals were quickly bogged down in whatever cover they could find and prayed that the artillery would be able to fire again soon to give them cover to withdraw.

While the locals made little head way, Morgan’s company were a different matter. In truth the artillery and locals had been nothing more than a diversion as the Company split up and headed for weaker points. Moving fast they spent little time attempting to take and hold the estie defensive positions instead skirting them when they could or using grenades to daze the defenders before racing through the positions. What few heavier weapons the mercs had were used to suppress fire positions and operated in teams that covered each other as they moved.

Finally the Lavragerian artillery roared again, giving the locals a chance to fall back and opening the final breach morgan required to finally make a break into enemy rear area.

OOC:
Not the best post in the world but the basic plan is that Morgan’s team are trying (and likely should succeed but with heavy casualties) to break through Estenlands line and into the occupied territory where they will cause much mischief before their time comes.

(Just something from the unimpressed Drapoel perspective in the interim :) ...)

Comrade Major Cheiy, officer in the Banat Combat Corps prior to the reformation of the Red Bamboo and now high ranking commander in the old Banat, has taken a great interest in the Lavragerian war as an example of a small, relatively right-thinking nation being assaulted by larger reactionary powers. His writings represent the only avenue through which Drapoel citizens are informed on the conflict, and treat the contest between attacking and defending forces in a critical fashion according to Kurosite thinking.

Drapoel comrades hear of a war of contrasts, not just in the obvious differences of, as the Major describes, "numeric strength versus weakness, industrial capacity versus incapacity, aggression against resistance, and autocracy and blind obedience versus striving primitive democracy and equality, but in less obvious truths that lie beneath the deceptively void reality of these conditions."

The Banat officer's take on the conflict is far from one of hopeless pesimissm on behalf of the besieged Republic, and undoubtably harkens back to the Crusader Wars in Korea, where the CPRD was assailed by multiple enemies, all with greater economic strength and larger population bases, and yet vanquished their ambitions in regard to the Central Directorature's overthrow. An unpublished fact potentially influencing Cheiy's work is in the loss of a nephew amongst the handful of Drapoel airmen who secretly flew doomed air defence sorties for the Lavragerian Republic on the first day of the invasion.
Penning periodic updates in a matter-of-fact fashion, Cheiy has more recently compiled a larger evaluation including his observations on differing tactics fighting the same war.

"The crusade launched by the Franco-Estenlandic alliance is characterised by grand set pieces and regal arrogance that, given their previously mentioned strengths, may be enough to defeat some foes. This, however, assumes some complicity from their rivals and requires for success that the defenders are too much intimidated or unwise to be capable of coping and of keeping in mind the fundamentals of command in warfare.

"In truth, the Republic's forces have, apparently, co-ordinated a more low-key manner of deception than may be seen in the attackers' grand manoeuvres such as the airborne insertion behind Republican lines. Actually, the notion of Republican lines may be to some degree a deception in itself, as the fight continues behind the enemy advance, and the forces isolated by the Monarchist operation appear as part of a feint to draw the enemy into actually none-vital confrontation, sapping their material resources and wearying their men without offering the chance of decisive victory.
"Elsewhere, though, the attackers have shown less interest in achieving this sort of victory as may be denied them, moving instead to interrupt the defenders' means to affect such denials. This too, however, may be proving ineffective, again owing to the arrogance of the Monarchists and their questionable grasp of the nature either of themselves or their enemy as they attempt the grandiose, in pursuit of a fast, decisive, glorious victory as simply can not be found in the backwaters of Lavrageria. When one considers that the Estenlandic forces in effect attempted to seal the Russian-Lavragerian border over a length of some six hundred miles without the consent of either Lavrageria or Russia, it is not hard to see first why they may fail in the attempt, and second why the exertion may actually damage their war fighting ability more than the defenders'.

"In contrast, the Republicans are masters of terrain, know their own capacities and attempt little beyond them, and -though Kalmakoff's crushing may at first seem to indicate otherwise- this observer feels that they know their enemy. Kalmakoff alone may have acted in some ignorance of his enemy, though in mind of his own self, and as such had no better than an even chance of success as opposed to failure, but he represents merely a commander, not a leader, and the leadership oversaw his action with knowledge of its specific failings."

Cheiy also deals with the earlier publicised equation of the Estenlands' militarisation to that of the CPRD, which he views as an almost entirely false equation.

"The people of the Choson People's Republic understand that they remain under threat after repeated assaults in the Three Day War, the Crusader War, and the enemy reaction to Korean reunification, which left our cities shattered. Their mobilisation is by and for the masses, as comrades to their commanders, unlike the subjugation of the Estenlandic serfs who can be told only of threats from a Russia unable even to govern itself or from a handful of horsemen fought even by the Lavragerian government they are asked to destroy. One struggles to see this lasting through stern challenges or inspiring strength as in Dra-pol and our pursuit of unity and the raising up of all.

"In context, though, the Tsar commands more than four subjects to each Lavragerian, and demands a high level of militarisation from their ranks, this much can not really be disputed. The French have almost six persons to each Lavragerian, and have since the return of the monarchy also increased their militarisation in a fashion that one struggles to imagine being popularly received, but which we assume to be less extreme than recruitment in the Estenlands or in wartime Lavrageria.

"The issue, primarily, is of the outnumbering by Estenlandic forces of Lavragerian forces. The basics of this are fact. The Tsar's regular forces may outnumber the Republic's four fold, but that is not the end of it. The Tsar's forces must deploy tens and even hundreds of miles into unprepared, alien ground, enemy territory. The Lavragerians have mobilised en masse to oppose this deployment.

"Clearly, the Tsar can not have both a massive army and an extended, defencible, deep deployment capability sufficient to support it out of country. We have seen that the Turks to the south, with a large but still much smaller than Estenlandic military, are unable to quickly re-deploy significant parts of it even within their own territory. We have seen the limits of deep deployment within our own land as the People's Army proved able to get only one Assault Division close to the south coast and also quite unable to support it.

"The Tsar will be forced to seek compromise, and though he may try to defeat the Republic in a second campaign after consolidation of gains from the first, Aidarov's agents already range through Russia, Britain, India, and Korea, and while the Tsar must develop infrastructure and take stock of his expenses, the Republic will complete what it has started in diplomacy and mastery of modern warfighting."

Comrade Major Cheiy's reporting expressed just one aspect of Drapoel interest in the conflict, however, as Da'Khiem negotiated for a piece of Aidarov's future arms imports should his Republic survive the conflict. Expecting to compete with the Russians in this regard, the CPRD was also glad to see their chaos continue all the longer, and it wouldn't be all that surprising if rumors began to accuse the Banat of cavorting with Mafia and communist factions inside Russia's vast territory. Expecting at least as much competition from the Igovians, Da'Khiem had instead tried to emphasise co-operation focused on the S-12/NT-6(E) 'MiGgen' joint fighter.

Interesting take, thanx Dra-pol.
Strath, what exactly is the make-up of this attack, numbers, etc. Just so I can get a feel for what I am dealing with, Morgans group has been fairly amorphous up to now.
BTW, where was the attack coming? Did you post that and I am just blind?
King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

(OOC: Mogan could have been near Zhlobin, I suppose. If not then perhaps a little to the north and east, across the Dnyapro where regular forces and local partisans have been trying to slow-down a major part of the Estenlandic advance. He probably wouldn't want to linger around Zhlobin for long after realising that the enemy had moved beyond it on the eastern banks of the Dnyapro and that the Lavragerians aren't putting all they could into preventing a crossing of the Byarezina to the west of him, and I think the French are already pushing over further north. A fellow could get surrounded at Zhlobin after the massively long Byarezina's inevitible breaching.)


If the Estenlandic Army Group B didn't hang around to deal with defences around Itageria and maing use of the Dnyapro and Sozh, instead racing to cover ground in some outlandish hope of closing Lavrageria's near one thousand kilometre border with Russia, it might by now be starting to regret the decision. Fighting for miles rather than dealing with defenders' positions and assets, AGB left much of the considerable Republican assets that vacated Itageria (noting that only a few hundred fighters fell back into the city for a deeper defence) would have been relatively free to fight in the proper Lavragerian fashion, roving about with fast infantry and light mechanisation to disrupt AGB's rear and line of supply. With things like airstrips along the way not receiving the attention they may have deserved, the Republicans were given time enough to put them out of action before they would fall, making airlift even more impractical.
Every mile that AGB advanced left it with more and more partisans and regular forces falling in behind it, more distance from home, and no appreciable means of sustaining itself. Thousands of Republican forces from outside burning Ulanger, Vargery, and elsewhere in the east began to attack Army Group B only as it became significantly strung-out along the border, crashing into it with good human intelligence from local volunteers and leaving the stretched and relatively isolated enemy with no room to manoeuvre unless they were prepared to violate Russian territory. In the relatively well organised east, commanders like Defence Minister Vorobei himself were on hand to make sure that prisoners were at least sometimes taken rather than being butchered by the rage, traditions, or necessities of more desperate and less disciplined resisters to the west. There was purpose to the difference in organisation, of course, as only the eastern forces existed in strength enough for strategic level planning to be of much significance.

North of Hia'Itakchi, the Committee of People's Ground Forces eight thousand troops had been drastically reduced, and Colonel Aybars Machul'ski's attempt to relieve them with an assault on the French rear had run into infantry without having proper dismountable strength itself -most of that being either fighting for its life or waiting for a last ditch defence in and around the city. Machul'ski's Anti-Tank Brigade had fought hard to get through to the enemy armour, and though a few vehicles had dashed through and disabled a number of enemy tanks before accepting their fate, the majority found it too hard going to make use of their potential speed and agility, and, outnumbered, found themselves improperly armed to face a tangle with enemy infantry. Most were killed or else had to accept that it was hopeless and soon turned back towards the city before too much air support could be concentrated against them. Barely half a dozen or so were captured after their vehicles were disabled in isolation and they failed to escape, most having fought to the death in unrealised hope of relief by their comrades. The Colonel was amongst those who escaped, though his truck -improvised with an anti-tank missile pedastel and light armour plating- became bogged-down and was shot to pieces by enemy small-arms, and he and his crew had to run for their lives to be picked-up by vehicles fleeing back to Hia'Itakchi.
General Tumin Kalmakoff was not even that lucky, painfully close though he came. A few dozen of his division's men did manage to disengage and to flee, scattering in all directions and unsure of whether they'd remain free for long, and the General was at the head of a roughly platoon sized detachment which seemed to have broken clear of the enemy armour only to run-into one of the few enemy elements which had become isolated. At first, the General was surprised by what seemed for a moment to be an enemy surrender as an infantryman appered to be giving up his rifle as if unaware, in his isolation, of the general tide of battle, but in another reversal the rest of the enemy line soon caught-up on the scene as the Lavragerians gradually collapsed in on themselves. Two Lavragerians rattling-off rounds from a light-machinegun they carried between them as they scrambled backwards were followed by enemy infantry and armour as they stumbled into Kalmakoff's position opposite the lost enemy pocket, which promptly regained its fighting edge, helping to cut the platoon apart. Seven of the Lavragerians with Kalmakoff were killed before the General ordered his unit to give-up the fight, which even then they were pained to do.
Tumin slowly stood with his magazine-free AK-47 held over his head, upside-down and grasped by the middle with just one hand, a leather-skinned, barrel-chested Lavragerian General exhausted by a longer fight than he'd known as a hit-and-run horseman in his youth. His military uniform was a very simple olive affair topped by an ushanka hat with a crest based on that which appears in the hoist of the Republic's flag, but his fur-lined leather boots were at least of very good quality, and he wore an open-fronted fur vest matted with mud and the blood of both his comrades and enemies. He would be first and foremost keen to secure medical help for the Lavragerians wounded in the immediate fight, and to gain assurances that they would be well treated.
In the wider battle, owing variously to the heavy weapons of the enemy, the lack of friendly field medics, and the sheer determination to fight until the last of their strength, the Lavragerians counted a relatively low 1,700 wounded, some of them though imobile or outright dying were still trying to fire weapons or otherwise support their few standing comrades. 5,200 or so of Kalmakoff's men were, however, already dead. Counting a handful captured and some dozens fleeing the scene, slightly less than a thousand were still really fighting on, in increasingly desperate fashion and in several sections cut-off from the rest. Most were taking what little cover was available, sometimes a mound of earth, sometimes a disabled enemy vehicle, or even a heap of bodies from one side or another.

Word received by Republicans in Russia and the east of Lavrageria indicating the preparation of British forces would have been of little use to Kalmakoff's remaining fighters north of Hia'Itakchi if they'd had any way to hear it.

The General, offering his surrender, regretted nothing. Once the the Estenlandic airborne forces were joined on the opposite side by the Dauphin, he was not in a battle that could be won, nor a situation that could be escaped, but in initiating the engagement he felt that he'd done the proper thing. Until then, most of the resistance had been by amatures fighting defences, allowing the enemy to dictate the pace of the war. At least the battle north of Hia'Itakchi had, for a moment, shown that the Republic was part of the war, too.


The Republic was geared up and beginning to change its part in the war, having lost -as expected- the delaying fight based on small numbers and the terrain of the marshes in the south and the distraction north of Hia'Itakchi [Minsk]. Essentially it has been the plan to disperse and drain the invaders before gathering the forces that have been hidden in urban and sub-urban sprawls in the east to make the going suddenly twice as hard as it previously seemed, and, according to Sun Tzu's ideas, to concentrate generally outnumbered forces to achieve local superiority against the drawn-out Army Group B. Of course the French were coming, but more of the early-stage low-level resistance hoped to slow them down, and more to the point, the enemy couldn't move all of its forces against the regulars in the east without losing the rest of Lavrageria to roving militias and local partisans.

The enemy would realise in the coming moments that he has thus far won Phyrric victories, and still has a much bigger than realised task on his hands, where upon Aidarov intended to offer a halt to it. His quarters in Moscow still nestled under maps and charts depicting a divided land, and with the approach of the British, the President felt much better about sitting at a negotiating table.

OOC:
When i speak of Morgan's company i eman exactly that: 1 company, max strength of about 120men but mroe likely in the 50-75 region.

As for the lcoal support i would estiamte a battalion or 2 (500-1200men) and fire supprot from 4 122mm guns, about 8-12 81mm mortars, same again of 50-61mm mortars, about 8 57mm guns and perhaps 1 or 2 very light rocket launchers.

The actual attack was intially based on striking south east from the outskirts of Zhlobin but based on Lav's psot perhap it might have been heading south e from the top of the pocket.

OOC- The Russian border, at 959 kms. would not yes, be extremely embattled, which is partly the piont, to draw valuable men and resources into a long-term war of attrtion, but, I think I should clarify yet agian what is going on there.
Firstly, it is not as if, I am plunging headlong to the north, the entire piont of Army Group B is to blockade the border. I have commited 360,000 troops to the task, with full air support, hundreds of attached choppers, (which I know you love to shoot down) and thousands of pieces of armour. They were to drive up the border, and then entrench, they are not leaving major supply lines, they are just deploying there, under fire.

And, though I am not quite as thinly deployed as this, that amount of troops could essentially put 375 troops per kilometre along that border. This is no embattled pocket of cut off troops. The style of deployment would be to focus on major patrols, with bases strung together along the entire border. They do not have the imperitive to move and take ground, just sit back and defend, so they have a much more luxurious job than Army Group A or D.

I am still willing, as I have posted before to say that you can still get across the border in very small, non-motorised groups, but anything else will be found, and then confronted. The troops along that border are highly mechanised and can move that entire expanse en masse in less than 12 hours. So, it is npot as though we have troops everywhere, but it is so heavily patrolled and there are such major concentrations of force along the border, atht very little movement goes unchallenged, and they just have to hang on for reinforcements.

IC-Morgon is finding himself breaking through, slowly, coming upon more and more ready defenders, he is continually under fire, and such a major advance is drawing the unwanted attantion of near-by attack helicopters, who are raining bloody vengence down on the group. Tanks are also being readied to be brought to bear, but for the most part, it is an infantry battle.

Morgon, of long experience dealing with Estie ex-military mercs in his line of work, knows that they won't go easy, and they will fight harder just because they know you desperately want something, and that is what they are runnign into here. It is getting messy, as his troops find themselves deeper and deeper behind the front line, doing incredible damage in the process, but now becoming deperately sorrounded, now with armour entering the picture.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

Tsar Wingert, bouyed by the news that Russia has recognised the Romonav Tsar as rightful ruler of a nation that spans the entire Russian side of the Lavragerian border, immediately recognises this new nation and offers them humanitarian and military aid packages.

A new reservist army group is going to be formed, in order to replace reservists that are needed in Ukraine, and a group of Ukrainian reservists, 5 Light Infantry Divisions, (100,000 troops) are being specially trained for civilian pacification and conflict resolution, along with policing, and are being readied to move into Tsarist Russia, if they are requested. They are training alongside a massive amount of police that are being pulled from there positions and will represent a well-trained, loyal and experienced police force for Tsarist Russia, they number at 15,000. Their jobs are being replaced by the Reservists active in Ukraine.

An official ambassador is also being readied to be sent to the Royal court of the new Tsar, with the hope that he will announce an official economic blockade of Lavrageria, effectively cutting off its border, and announcing that it will not allow Quinntonina or TBF troops access to Lavrageria through its soveriegn territory.

Tsar Wingert also announces stricter rationing to support the efforts of their friends in Russia and closes all secondary schools, adding those young people to the work force of Ukriane.


King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

The creation of a Tsarist enclave in Lavrageria is viewed as a great defeat for the forces of democracy in Europe, although it is hoped that a British intervention will force a more acceptable outcome.

In the meantime, however, the Russian companies Kamov and Antonov (I assume that ol' Oleg has moved to Russia under the somewhat oppressive environment in the Ukraine) are contacted concerning production rights for the Ka-26 light utility helicopter and the An-2 and -28 light transports.

The Council of Bishops is making an announcement as top the war in Lavrageria tomorrow in light of the British intervention into the region and the creation of a new Tsarist nation on the Russian side of the border.

Prime Minister Jesse Obed holds a quick press conference from the White Chapel in Washington D.C. (Domini Christi), where he announces that he is going to support the decision of the Council with every resource at his command.

He does however, implore all sides to begin talks immediately, inviting representatives from The British Federation, Lavrageria, Estenlands, Tsarist Russia, Russia and France to come to Washinston for peace talks, to be mediated by him personally. He also hints at huge financial aid packages to all parties involved if a truce can be reached.

At the end of the peace conference, he prays, lowering his head in his wheelchair and says, "Lord God Jesus, I just wish that you would do your will as the Prince of Peace in Europe. Father, I hope that you would just send your angels to protect and serve all of the troops we have in the field there, and that you would work in the hearts and minds of the national leaders involved, to allow them to see the reasons for peace. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen."

He announces a national holiday and day of national prayer, asking that the national church bells do not stop ringing until the announcement of the decision of the Council tommorow. He asks that all the people of Quinntonia bow their heads with prayer and fasting, showing repentence and trying to intercede on the behalf of the many sinners involved in this part of the world, especially those fallen sinful men that are wearing the Quinntonian uniforms.

WWJD
Amen.

((Sorry about my ghastly delay. Ill have something up today, sorry I have a major dealine and out of town thing. Look for something within minutes))

(Casualties listed at bottom)

The Dauphin gazed at the field north of Hi'Itakchi. Devastation. The battle had lasted well over three days, the Lavs had put up a hell of a fight. Days and days the French charged, only to be repelled. But then they broke through. TE DEUM LAUDAMUS!!

After hell, the French Grand Armee overcame those barbo SOBS, taking Kalmikoffs surrender with dignity. Kalmikoff, by order of the Dauphin Charles-Xavier himself, was allowed to keep his sword, and his men flew their colors as they were marched off to brutal forced labor at Ft. Necessity.

The French Army then regrouped, and set up base by the site of the maelstrom. Ft. Necessity recently marched another 5000 French Guards North, allowing the extremely wounded and exhausted a reprieve for some R&R.

And now, the Dauphin, in front of hundreds of cameras stood tall upon his tank, waving high the white fleur-de-lys flag.

"God save King Louis!" roared the Dauphin.

Meanwhile, in Versailles, His Most Christian Louis XX wept with joy. Marie-Therese fainted. That night, to the sound of three choirs, an orchestra of a thousand, and hundreds of kettle drums, the Te Deum was sung. The audience of nobles and royals wept freely, the proud music lifting their hymn to God. As the Grand Almoner of France Cardinal Rohan finished the ceremony with VIVAT REX IN AETERNUM, a week long public hoilday was announced. King Louis had brought a victory home to France, and glory to his family. All of France was joyous.

Statements were put out immediatley, recognizing the validity of the Russian Tsar. Additionally, King Louis offered to send another massive corp of men to Lavrageria, in the hundreds of thousands, to aid the Tsar from Western pretentions. The Quinntonian matter was dismissed, let them try and deploy forces to Lavrageria. By the time they got there, well, the next step could be taken. As for Britain, well, King Louis was in no mood to hear tickety boo from them. Why help? Lavrageria was dead.

Dra-pol was sent a single bottle of the Kings own champagne, as a consolation prize for their sad oratory. On it was "Veni, Vidi, Vici" signed Louis R. (R for rex).

((Well, my my, France had a victory after what...180 something years?))

French Guards Expedition
5100/28000 Killed or Wounded
42/150 M-1 Abrams Tanks Damaged or Destroyed

(OOC: Hm, on a very basic level, I am still a little uneasy about the claimed level of mechanisation. Observing our world, it's easy enough to see that the CPRD is the benchmark for insane militarisation against which all other jingoist whackjobs (no offence ;) ) will be measured. They got one division the sort of distances talked about here after a surprise attack, and everybody else walked and used tunnels. While one can argue that the Estenlands has a good economy and Dra-pol a poor one, it's because of this militarisation that Dra-pol has a poor economy, so that doesn't really hold water. To have hundreds of thousands of men fully mechanised in the eastern Army Group alone, plus hundreds of thousands more, whatever's left defending the home country and protecting the Tsar's dictatorial order, and a massive, modern air force with significant heavy airlift capacities, as well as something of a navy and a nuclear arsenal and deployment capability... doesn't it smell a little like ideal made easy?
On the other hand, the Estenlands does come out of something of a Soviet tradition where in absurdly massive armoured strength was standard (in reality, Belarus alone has thousands of Soviet tanks!), so the figures might be possible, it's just that I struggle to imagine them all being with fuel and repair hundreds of kilometres into hostile territory after days and weeks of action, with an already seriously strained economy behind them.
Well, I'll just play it like we're expecting reasonable shortfalls to become apparent and, and plan to take advantage as people continue turning out vehicles and petrol while they can't even get a second hand Lada or a can of petrol, and men at the front wait longer and longer for resupply. Until then our forces are going to have to slug it out with infantry tactics against mechanised forces surely designed to meet equal Russian mechanisation (that must be something in our favour, anybody, heh? Would the Tsar's mechanisation not include a lot of tanks meant to take on threatening Russian tanks, rather than a rabble that only became a threat months ago? No? Nuts.)


The fall of so much of Russia into despotism was incredibly poorly received by the Lavragerians, and they weren't afraid to show it.

"Who are we? Who are we that can fight two great countries on our own and resist abandonment of democracy while these Russians give it up without any foreign armies?" Cried one old man -Kochan- spitting on the cratered eastern road under his leather-bound feet. "While we stand, Moscow hasn't even the courage to defend Russians from a few bandits?"

While some Lavragerians have been disheartened by the blow, others have been steeled in their independence by the perceived softness of their once respected Russian neighbours. The prospect of British help not getting through has caused a minority of fighters to desert and try to melt back into an increasingly unforgiving civilian life or to escape as refugees into surrounding neutral nations, and convinced others to take matters more directly into their own hands. Near the Estenlandic border, some resisters have almost given up the fight against occupying forces and taken to stock-piling what resources they can in forest and swamp hideaways, others have begun to stake-out the border, considering the possiblity of sneaking in ones and twos into the Estenlandic end of the Pripet Marshes to conduct operations against the enemy at rest.

Further north, Hia'Itakchi stood now surrounded and cut-off, containing well over half a million residents and hundreds if not thousands of fighters including just a small number of professionals under the Major who so narrowly escaped his failed attempt to relieve Kalmakoff. The pace of the Republic's pre-war mobilisation and massive military recruitment drive meant that while there existed hundreds of thousands of fighters it left insufficient time and experience to produce the apropriate officer corps. With General Kalmakoff captured -making him the enemy's highest-ranking Lavragerian prisoner- the Major was the ranking officer in what some called the tribal capital of the old Glakatahn domain.

In the east, Defence Minister Kastus Vorobei had more or less taken charge of the Republic's defence. He sent word to the invaders, telling the French to the west not to approach the river Dnyapro nor the Dzvina in the north, and the Estenlandic forces to halt their attempts to exert control in middle and northern extents of the east. His operations made no effort to contest enemy control in the southern district Homyel'skaya (though partisan resistance in and near Itageria was intense and actively aggressive), nor in the far west or anywhere in the centre until the northern district Vitsyebskaya that was still very much part of the effective Republic.

With the exception of the Hia'Itakchi pocket, all regular Republican forces were now to be found in Vitsyebskaya; and Mahilyowskaya east of the Byarezina, where they were fast falling back towards the Dnyapro. Here, Vorobei had fighting men numbering six figures, and although they were a primarily straight-leg force, their mechanised units were more numerous than had been encountered elsewhere in Lavrageria. They often used civilian off-road vehicles to harry advancing forces with what ATGWs were available- too few, the Republicans all agreed. It worked for Chad, but then the Libyan's air power was never quite like this facing the Republicans, who had always to keep one eye on the sky as they worked, machineguns and MANPADS never far from hand.

These harrying units accounted for a weight of Vorobei's guided anti-tank weapons, but very little of his manpower. This was frequently flinging bigger parts of its weight into enemy positions already on hand. Any attempt to claim a long-sabotaged airstrip or to stop and build another would generally attract well-supported assaults, with significant light artillery and rocketry directed against such a position while large Republican forces moved to intercept any relief or trap. Vorobei's demand that the enemy halt their advances as described was founded in his command of an army that represented most of what the Committee of People's Ground Forces could muster even before fighting began. His men -by and large- had suffered only as much as civilians who'd had to put up with missile strikes. Less, given their previous dispersal. The Defence Minister constantly asserted that, "...as our enemy has seen fit to mechanise forces several times greater than the combined strength of militaries commanded by nations much larger and has attempted primarily to supply them by air, it is impossible to imagine their present advantages lasting more than an insignificant further stretch of time in heavy combat- we must continue to hit their length up and down and to keep them moving until they can move no more."

In truth, though the Lavragerian army was not about to fall down under the same constraints, the army was finding things hard going. They were turning out plenty of bullets and other relatively simple equipment, resigned to doing without serious mechanisation, but replacing even the relatively simple hand-held missiles so liberally loosed against the enemy was a strain on so few production facilities under such pressure.
The nation was suffering greatly with its army. Official estimates released by Aidarov's government in Moscow indicated over one hundred thousand civilian deaths, the single largest cause being French missile attacks on Ulanger. Occupied territories and encircled Hia'Itakchi now saw increasing strain on food supplies as rationing in the city became all the more severe, and in some places partisan groups expected an apropriate share of civilian farms' output. Of course, the President was calling the invasion a humanitarian disaster on an epic scale such as absolutely demanded multi-national intervention -if not in the name of a people's democratic will, which seemed to count for little- then for the sake of hundreds of thousands of innocent lives, "which the attackers in all their decadence and militarism would not be able to prevent even if the will existed in their tryannical hearts".

His efforts were boosted greatly by promising Quinntonian noises, and the address that he called, "greatly welcome in Lavragerian hearts". He now hoped that Vorobei's last move -his 'big resistance'- would bog the attackers down through just the easter period while the Quinntonians prepared to make their weight felt. "We are playing for a draw" Vorobei told his men, "the enemy must play to win before time runs out." To some that sounded dangerously close to a policy of sitting back and trying not to be run-over, but what else was there to do? While there was hope there was no prospect of surrender, and while there were no tanks or planes there was no possibility of counter-offensive beyond the local scale.

Unlike what few Drapoel may have remained in country, the Lavragerians were not much jaded by talk of Quinntonian 'crusades' having never experienced any such meddling as of which people elsewhere sometimes accused the super power, and the announcement of the Quinntonian position was recounted time and again to Republicans, some of whom took to making crosses (representing the Quinntonian flag rather than any faith on their own religiously virgin part) to hopefully wave in lieu of the mass produced flags that didn't exist in war-torn Lavrageria.

((OOC: Lavrageria, Estenlands, you all misunderstand. The Tsar does NOT cut me off from Lavrageria. He operates a swath of land spanning Smolensk, Bryansk, Novogrod, and St. Petersburg, but its a very narrow swath. His nation is inside Russia, and thus we still control vast amounts of area on our side of the Lavragerian border. Also, as the treaty I set out clearly states "All Russian citizens can enter freely through the Tsarist nation", which does not block my continuous shipment of supplies. Besides, I've already TGed the Brits with another point of entry that will prove quite advantageous. I'll tell you about it in your TGs, Lavrageria. And your men shouldn't be so harsh of Russia. What would you do with an incompetent, demoralized army facing against a nutcase who possesses five thermonuclear weapons and a stash of small ones? Let the bastard be for now, is my philosophy.))

((Expansion of casualties at the end of post, have a bit of time now, please consider this post a continuation directly of the last one.))

The Dauphin and his troops dug in where they were. There were now open lines of Holy Leauge Communication between the soldiers besieging Hi'Itakchis outskirts, Ft. Necessity (Which had become a huge base, well defended, and now with the flights coming in unscathed, in large jet liners) and Estenlandian held zones to the south. Operation Fin d'Guerre had achieved its goal, the link had occured and the size of territory captured expanded threefold. French Troops, along with tired Estenlandian Paratroopers, dug in and enjoyed fresh supplies, tending their wounds and building defensive posistions.

The Dauphin had no intent to advance any further, Ulanger was not worth the trouble any longer. He worked now to solidify the lines, and meet with the Tsars Army Group A. Lavragerian soldiers captured were taken to Ft. Necessity, where they were taken back to Estenlands destined for hard labor camps in Crimea and Kiev. Casualties had been high, but they French had redeemed their name, and now had about 50,000 French Guards serving in Lavrageria itself (the rest being stationed in either Sebastopol or Petit Schronnbrunn), and had just been reinforced with another Company of Royal Army Korean Infantry 900 strong.

His Royal Highness Charles-Xavier soaked up the praise, and the news was heard that his wife Grand Archduchess Jillesopone was soon to have child.
The victory for the Holy Leauge and subsequently France was resounding.

In Versailles, the staunch rhythm of the Te Deum had ended, and a series of purposals were presented to His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX.

First of all, M. de Vergennes, Minister of State to Louis XX, had two items on the agenda that sunny morning in the Kings great library. First of all, there was to be an immediate meeting of the Holy Leauge. The reason was to admit two new members with the appropriate honor: The Empire of Rome, and the Realm of His Grace the 'Russian Tsar'. Second of all, M. de Vergennes would gain the Kings assent to send a major delegation to Washington D.C. for the purpose of wrapping up the Lavragerian issue. He would suggest a meeting off all Western Powers in Quinntonnia, in a sort of Congress of Vienna. Frances Metternich, the Comte de Vergennes, would himself go to represent His Majesty Louis XX. The idea would be to agree to spheres of influence, both economic and military (Lavrageria would be a prime example), and give them the tuteledge of the major alliances. Ergo, a formalization of a relationship between the Holy Leauge and NATO.

M. de Saint-Germain, Minister of War, assured His Majesty that if nessicary, a whole new Army could be dispatched to Lavrageria. No action was taken in this regard yet, but Count Falkenstein would be assured that where the Tsars power waned, His Royal Brother would take up the slack. And France was flushed with victory. Trade flourished in Al-Ahzad, and with the entrance of a Reactionary Catholic Emporer in Rome in the form of Caesar Maximus I.

Count Falkenstein would also be presented with economic treatsies. It was the opinion of His Majesties government that a potentially untapped source of wealth in Lavrageria was its people. Copies of "Project Diaspora" wpuld be presented to His Imperial Highness Wingert I. The plan called for evacuating Lavragerias from their native land, dividing them up, and sending them to worksites in Estenlands and France. This would eliminate resistance in Lavrageria itself, and provide lucrative economic boons to Wingert I and Louis XX. Not slavery, simply work oppurtunities. At any rate, it would open up Lavrageria to Frano-Esten Industrial Interests and colonization.

So His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX was flushed with victory. In Paris, in the Place de Louis XV, a massive bronze statue, likening Louis XX to Charlemagne and astride a great stallion was raised. The Te Deum was brilliant, the celebration at the Chapel Royale being piped all over France.
His Majesty Louis XX would sent gifts to the Tsar, and request that perhaps it might be possible to consolidate Leauge gains in Lavrageria, constituting the richest and largest portrion of the land, and allowing the rest to be divided up into several tiny Republics, the leaders chosen by the Tsar.

Casualties:
5100/28000 French Guards Killed or Wounded
42/150 M1 Abrams Tanks Out of Commission
30 Apache Helicopters Downed
180/900 Korean Heavy Infantry killed

(OOC: Ah, I see! Very useful to know. Got the telegram.
And, well, the Lavragerian government -certainly that part of it which is in Moscow- hasn't really changed its pro-Russian stance. It's just that some of the people -especially in light of seriously limited media communication since the bombings began- have reacted defensively. It is owing to the extremely hard situation they face and the general lack of good news springing from their own determined efforts. Anyone seen to be waivering at all tends to be the focus of pent-up frustration at the enemy and the nation's inability to turn them back. From a selfish point of view I may wish that the people would stay as co-operative as the government would like them to, but I think it is only realistic that sometimes the people -with their damnable free will- frustrate us :) Even if it isn't in their best interests in the big picture. Okay, overly-long disclaimer over!)

((OOC: Which is why I recognized the Tsarists, Lav. (Can I call you that? I'm beginning to act more and more like Dubya...) Putin would like nothing more than to crush the arrogant bastard (singe handedly, knowing his past), but the Congress, representing the people, overturned him. I'll post more IC tomorrow when I have time. All sides should however note this map of the Tsarist state. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v232/Futureworldruler/RussiaMapSECRET.jpg And Elkazor, dosth thou wish to continue our grand adventure? Ah, as a final note, I suggest we handle the final diplomatic negotiations vis a vis a chatroom, at a specific time. We would first lay out a long, standard post to show our proposal, and then negotiate in real time, to add to that whole "furious negotiations in a cigar smoke filled room" tone. What do y'all think? (AHHH! More Bushisms. Next I'll be talking in a Texas accent...) ))

Aboard task-force flagship HMS Ocean as aboard other ships of the fleet, Rear Admiral Wolfe could be heard broadcasting news to the thousands of Britons steaming into Russian waters. As Admiral Wolfe spoke from his bridge, below the waves another name that could almost have been hand-picked for the first potentially 'anti-French' operation since the much more distasteful descruction of the French fleet at Oran drilled for the possibility of impending action. Tomahawk missiles were readied to enter HMS Trafalgar's waiting launch tubes as the aggressor's bases in Lavrageria sat comfortably within range.

"...Boys and girls, enjoy... Petrodvorets and try not to muck it up."

The BEF prepared to disembark at the port sitting just outside Tsarist St.Petersburg under strict orders to avoid antagonising any Tsarists they may encounter. It was assumed that significant friendly forces would not be far away, as just a few dozen kilometres down the coast in none-Tsarist territory lay Sosnovy Boy, home to one of the region's primary nuclear facilities. As London co-ordinated the deployment with Moscow, hoping to catch drift of any potential changes ahead of time, 42 and 45 Commando lead the British ashore, hundreds of army infantry soldiers, communications experts, technicians, and more prepared to follow, along with land cruisers, trucks, Warriors, Challengers, and air defences like Starstreak LML and Rapier FSC.

"We'd rather not bother the Tsarists if we don't absolutely have to" explained one officer to his charges, "so we're looking to slog across relatively minor roads until we meet the road out of St.Petersburg where it leaves Tsarist control, then we're straight on down across the European Plain to the Lavragerian border at Vitsyebskaya." he went on, badly mispronouncing the last word. "We're responding on behalf of one democratic government to the request of another, with the premisison of a third... Moscow... so when you see the border approaching, remember, you're doing the right thing and not just what you're told to. Now get your kit and get ashore!"

At about that time the unfamiliar sound of pipes wafted across Russian skies as elements of the Blackwatch assembled at the water's edge, their refrain somewhat stiffled by the grumble of engines all about.

The Russian troops would mobilize, being a mix of veterans from the Tsarist campaign and fresh troops would allow the British to receive an honorable, military welcome, and any supplies needed. They would not aid them in the fight as of yet, as Moscow waited for results of negotiations they hoped would occur tomorrow. Still, supplies would be given, and information as well. The Tsarists would stand down, not eager to tussle with the British. Romanov waited for instructions from Wingert, as his survival relied on the commands of the Ukrainian Tsar.

The Russian troops would mobilize, being a mix of veterans from the Tsarist campaign and fresh troops would allow the British to receive an honorable, military welcome, and any supplies needed. They would not aid them in the fight as of yet, as Moscow waited for results of negotiations they hoped would occur tomorrow. Still, supplies would be given, and information as well. The Tsarists would stand down, not eager to tussle with the British. Romanov waited for instructions from Wingert, as his survival relied on the commands of the Ukrainian Tsar.
((OOC: I dearly apologize for the short post, but I don't have the time for anything lengthy.))

The Quinntonian government requests that the british fleet stay its hand, and allow the 46 day deadline to run down, which will add to the legality of this action.

PS-Please check the other thread as well, both of them kind of run into eachother, the lines are pretty blurred.

WWJD
Amen.

OOC-I thought that the map was slightly different. It looks as though TBF can waltz right up to Lavrageria. The rest of the post still stands.

Tsar Wingert is also sending Count Falknestien, the ambassador to France, to Washington, to engage in peace talks. He does note in a press release that Britian, Lavrageria and Russia have not sent any delegates, so who is really interested in peace.
Also, should British troops attempt to force the Lavragerian border, through Tsarist soveriegn territory, into what is recognised as a Tsarist province, they will find Army Group B more than happy to use its over 350,000 troops to their full effectiveness, and a state of war will exist between TBF and Estenlands. Any and all air-space incursions will also be met and challenged by the Imperial Air Force.

King Wingert I of The Village of Farrah.

Sources close to le Duc de Gras, First Lord of the Admiralty, were just informed that a massive French Fleet set sail from Marseilles, commanded by the Kings third son, the Comte d'Artois.

It was realized that a British presence in the Black Sea could irrevocably cripple French Industrial and Military interests in the Crimea, and Estenlands as a whole.

The Fleet was led by HMCMS Louis-Auguste ((her sister ship, La Reine, was presently due for completion)), the massive MArk II Cherbourg Battleship. She was accompanied by the twain Cherbourg Mark I's Roi de Soleil and the Strasbourg. Escorted by five Marseilles Class Light Cruisers, and seven Brest Class Frigates, this was a fleet of war.

Supported, of course, by a flotilla of supply ships.

They set sail for the North Sea. They made all steam, and the British were warned not to test the patience of His Most Christian Majesty. If the British tried to enter the Lavragerian war immediatley, this fleet would immediatley disable the British Fleet, or so the plan went. Air cover of the fleet was tangible, the Fleet really did not sail too much farther than Ushant ;).

In Lavrageria, the Dauphin packed up his army and moved East to Ft. Necessity. There he would rest for a day, before taking a massive force himself farther East, to meet the British Insurgency.

In France, the call was sent out to raise a new whole 10 Divisions of French Guards, while contracting another Turkish Division for the Royal Army, and enlarging the Burgundy, Strasbourg, and Flanders Guards by the thousands.

For the first time, the Order of the Golden Fleece, the relatively small French Mechanized Cavalry, was enchanced by 5 Battalions, hundred more Cheval tanks were tunred out.

The Ordu du Saint Espirit had been quite large all along, so only a few new groups of elite Dassault Rafale C's and one additional wing of Mirage 2000's were ordered.

To support these new increases, His Most Christian Majesty was forced to level a "War Tax" on his population, in the form of taxes on wine, bread, salt, and petrol. His Majesties subjects were happy to pay right now, France had just scored a brilliant victory. And they knew that Europe would not accept their new King, until a show of force had been made.

Cities began air raid drills, and the countryside repaired roads that might be needed for military use. Various militias sprang up in France (Secretly paid for by the King) Catholic to a man, and led by reactionary Priests. These cliques galvinized the simple folk to gird themselves for a coming war. Crude propiganda was ratcheted out, appealing to a sense of Catholic honor and moral responsibility to Christ and His Lieutenant of Earth, Louis XX.

M. de Vergennes would continue in his desperate appeal to Quinntonnia to resolve what he called "The Partition of Lavrageria", he had arrived in Washington and was relaying to Monsieur Obed his deep wish to end the war, and for NATO to conclude decent terms with the Holy Leauge.

But all that while, the French Fleet sailed for the North Sea. While Estenlands began a blackade of the Bosphorus, the French would deal with the British. War fever swept France, and the calls for recruitment were met by double the amount of eager young men. Portraits of Louis XX were sold like hotcakes, he, after all, seemed to be the man God had chosen to restore the dignity of France.

The French people loved that idea.

(OOC: Estenlands, while TBF is not inside Tsarist territory, he is near it. Do you want them to strike?)
Russia has been unable to send any diplomats until now, because the previous administration's diplomatic core was found to be wholly corrupt and in the pocket of the Russian Mafia, and was shot. However, a retired diplomat, John Buzkovki, a man legendary for winning the entire Roycelandian Empire in a poker game, and then losing it five minutes later, will be sent to Washington D.C. He is a Russian-American, having spent years as the Russian ambassador to the US, and thus bears a mixed Russian-Texan accent. He is known in many circles as a shrewd diplomat and master poker player who never reveals his emotions. The Russian government requests that Estenlands, Tsar Romanov, France, Lavrageria, The British Federation, agree to (along with us) to an immediate three day ceasefire while we can negotiate. Our initial basic proposal is for all nations to agree with the Aidarov plan. We are willing to compromise on that plan and let the Glakhatan as well come under Estenlandian control. Also, we request that the remaining united Lavragerian republic be placed under the protection of British-Russian peacekeeping forces, and that a demilitarized zone be created splitting the new territories. Also, it would be hinted by Buzkovki that Russia and Lavrageria would love to have some foreign investment...One thing Russia will not fold on is the French plan of deporting the citizens of Lavrageria. This is inhumane and cruel, as the people should be allowed to remain in their nation.

((Im afraid that wont go, but dont quote me on that quite yet.I am doing this post as I think Hudecia might be gone for a bit.))

The Holy Leauge has yet to present its terms, terms that include another two members of the Leauge, King Romanov and Caesar Maximus I. I think a discussion and agreement are of course nessicary, but British Russian peacekeepers are not acceptabe at all, neither is a unified Republic.

His Majesty has suggested multiple, independant, and demilitarized Republics for Lavrageria outside of Estenlandian hegemony. That is by far the best option.

But all that goes if Britain enters the war. If she does, she gets entry through Russia, ergo you enter the war on her side. I think your country can not afford total war at this time.

The Holy Leauge stands united, and by the Grace of God, Jesus, and all the Saints, Christendom will prevail.

Following an emergency meeting of the cabinate and a secure call over a few hundred miles, Governor of Gibraltar Commander-in-Chief Sir Adam Scarf appeared before the BBC to declare his mandate to oversee (or co-operate with) the closure of the Strait of Gibraltar to any French or Estenlandic traffic.

Rabat was advised of the operation and the sailing of further British surface assets to, "back-up measures already in place" which existed unmentioned in the form of cutting-edge Astute Class SSN HMS Artful and Swiftsure Class HMS Superb. Though the Trafalgars and Astutes were meant to be replaced by Astutes, the first three of the new class had come into service alongside all of their predecessors which had been refitted and kept on in light of the French restoration. It didn't seem that after less than fifty years of freedom from their domination that Morocco would seriously object to the curtailing of renewed monarchist rampaging on the part of the French. And besides, British nuclear submarines -cruise missile and ballistic- had been off her waters for days at least, so that was that, for now.

PM Bull later appeared to state that he realised what a big step it was to block all French and Estenlandic shipping through the Strait, but that it had been made necessary only by the provocations of those nations' governments and military regimes, and would end just as soon as the government was satisfied that hostile intention towards Britain and the free world was abandoned. Threats, he said, would be contained.

Nobody was quite sure whether the French were coming or going. Seemingly interchangable references to the Black Sea and the rather distant North Sea and the possibility of sailing from the Mediterranean port of Marsailles to the latter body had London a tad confused, but either way, the belligerent navies would be staying contained as could be without sinking them, again.

Next on the agenda was renewed contact with the United Elias government as PM Bull tried to revitalise an offer once made to him with regards to putting down the yapping French issue once and for all. This matter, however, didn't make the News at 10.

Washington, meanwhile, was notified of the landing of British peacekeepers in Russia -on democratic territory- and of their approach to the Lavragerian border. London did not intend to let the aggressors dictate the pace of the crisis, and would have its hand ready come negotiations. Foreign Minister Sir Charlton Burrows was prepared to head to Washington for negotiations, though London would make no promises on the depth or length of its participation while the aggressors in Lavrageria continued to play at brinkmanship by attempting to send forces towards British territory, "We thank them for the offer of new artificial reefs, but are quite capable of making our own" said one back bench MP.

The Civil Service worked hard, as ever, over a couple of drinks and cigars.
"They're getting all Catholic, again."
"Eh, Catholics always lose, I don't know why they're doing that. Next we'll be, 'pagans worshipping at Mosques' for meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury."

((Sorry about the confusion, The Grand Fleet aforescribed is going to the North Sea, the Estenlandian Navy will be securing the Black Sea. My apolgies for the awkward post))

The Grand Fleet was just passing Corsica on its route through the Straits of Gibraltar, and north to the North Sea.

Versailles sent a clear message to Britain, for a spectacularly rare occasion, His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX appeared live on French State Television, bedecked in full regalia.

"God defend the right. Frenchman, the road we have valiantly taken in service to God and Mother Church, to defend the values which made this realm shine for milennia, now leads to war. As I speak to you, my son the Comte d'Artois sails south with a fleet of war. Bound for the North Sea, they have been denied passage of the Straits of Gibraltar. He has my assent to, if he is not allowed passage, initiate hostilies against the British forces, and storm the Rock of Gibraltar. The British, our ancient oppressors, now again try take what St. Joan of Arc righteously denied them. In their attempted colonization of Lavrageria, apart from NATO, they show complete disregard for International Law, pursuing a strange and nefarious agenda. The closing of the Strait of Gibraltar is a clear act of war. I urge you, loyal subjects, to be strong in times ahead. Recall the deads of your ancestors, who drove back the barbarians and restored His Holiness the Pope to Rome. In these times ahead, your sons and daughters will be called upon to stand and fight, we will raise an army that would make Charlelagme proud. Pray, pray for the deliverance of France, and for the Heavenly Kingdom that no bellidgerant can transgress. God save us all."

Royal Army agents were on ten minutes notice to form press gangs, and rapidly raise the strength of the French Military. AA grids all over France were activated, and even Paris, City of Lights, was quiet and hushed. The Royal Auxiliary Special Weapons Division began protocals to make all of Frances weaponry active if need be. His Most Christian Majesty spent the night alone and in vigil at the Chapel Royale, wearing his golden spurs and holding Charlemagnes sword to his chest in fervent prayer.

The Quinntonian nation has been a flurry of activity, as they are now recieving diplomats from France, Estenlands and Russia, just waiting for TBF, our gracious allies and the oppressed Lavragerians.

All through the nation, amasingly fast preperations for war are taking place, with the first two phases of reserves given 5 days notice to report to their stations, and the rest of the military ammassing a large force on the Eastern Coastline. Luckiy, in the narrowly averted "war" for Bonstock, Quinntonina had built up supplies and war-time fuels that were inteded to carry it through a long-term war with the former world-class power of Bonstock. Since Bonstock suddenly collapsed under the wieght of the multi-national forces, Quinntonia has been left with massive war-time supplies, and nothing to do with them. An engaged war in Europe would be just the thing, thus, they perhaps represent a highly advanatgeous position in regards to supply.

The Atlantic Fleet is being called into the Northern Sector and is now massing in and around New York. This is less the majority of the anti-sub choppers and AEGIS Destroyers that were now patrolling a "no mans zone" off the Quinntonina shore. A large force is being put together on land, and for an air attack, with troop transports being pulled in from the South Pacific Fleet to be used in an eventual campaign. However, the North Pacific Fleet will find that it is not being pulled, and will be reinforced with some major air power in Somao and Hawaii, as well as putting them on full alert, in case of any funny business in that volatile sector.

The skies above the Atlantic seem to be filled with a constant flow of fighters and fueling planes, along with more long-range types, all headed for German air bases, they will provide the oomph for any campaign in Europe.

Prime Minster Jesse Obed agian calls for cooler heads to prevail, and asks that everyone involved enforces a three-day cease-fire that will allow negotiations to happen.

OOC-Let's wait for TBF and Lavrageria to repond before we go any further with this.

WWJD
Amen.

President Putin, a not-so-rare occurrence, was once again adressing the people of Russia directly, and again he bore the same black trenchcoat, boots, and the scarf that seemed permanently fused to his neck. A black marble podium stood mightily in front of him, as he addressed not only his people, but the world, and as the new Russian flag whipped around wildly in the air.

"My fellow Russians, we stand at a crisis of unmitigated proportions. The nation of Lavrageria, as we all know, has been invaded by the combined forces of France and the Estenlands, and now it appears that the British will get involved as well. The world hangs in the balance, as a three way war may soon explode onto the scene, with an anti-Lavragerian coalition, a pro-Lavragerian one, and the Quinntonians who will try to enforce peace. Right now, Russian forces are all ordered not to engage any enemies, and we urge other countries to call a ceasefire as well. Please listen all rational peoples; do not allow the warmomgerers in your country to plunge our world into another world war. Do not let Lavrageria become the Archduke Ferdinand of our time. And now, let us all pray for peace to come to our world."

In the diplomatic conference in Washington, John Buzkovki desperately drawled on.

“Now listen here, fellas! We don’t need no dubya dubya fo’! (Translation:WW4) Let’s all come here to a peaceful solution. Now, we ain’t gonna be flexible when it comes ter a united Lavragerian Republic. Them fellers deserve their own country, ain’t that right? Now, Wingert gets most of the country, and the remaining Lavragerian Republic ain’t gonna be a threat! C’mon, they ain’t gonna attack ya, and the Russian peacekeepers will make sure no rowdy Lavs get inta Tsarist turf. And fine, we’ll agree to not havin’ Brit peacekeepers. The Tsar gets his land, the Lavs keep their country, everybody gets out fairly well, no? Now, let’s get some barbeque goin’. I’m hungry.”
(OOC: I’ll deal with Romanov in the other thread.)

Across the Igovian Soviet Commonwealth, Local Senates have made the European conflict a secondary issue after prime local concerns, and the matter is rising. Initial national opinion remains morally behind the Lavragerians and supportive of much speculated-on Hindustani assistance to same. Though the Commonwealth is not an ally of Lavrageria in any official sense and certainly does not have the warmest of relations with the likes of Quinntonia, it is undeniable that a while a stay of execution on representative democracy and capitalism would represent a degree of stagnation, a victory for monarchist imperialists would be severe regression on an international scale. More to the point, a threat to Russia is a threat to the painfully slow process of healing relations between the great powers of India and Russia, and it appears that Igovian help in reviving the Russian military will be increased and funding meant for the space programme temporarily restrained in the interim. Beddgelen engineers are keen to help Russia get its S-400 Triumf missile defences to a condition respectable operational coverage at least around the west's heavily populated and strategic/industrial areas so as to limit the nuclear threat posed.

Thus far all that Portmeirion has set in stone is the fact that, "The Igovian Soviet Commonwealth will not tollerate the commencement of a nuclear conflict, and will act to quickly remove all elements of such government as initiates that manner of exchange, whichever it be."

The Russian economy and military hummed along, with the industries slowly recovering and the military drastically improving. The Igovian technology and training was showing, as the forces actually began to slowly resemble something more than a bunch of drunks with guns. The missile defenses were a top priority of course, and would be increased around St. Peterbsurg and Bryansk, where it was believed the Tsar held his nuclear arsenal, as well as near the western border.

((Sure thing. And for the record, I am decidedly pro-talks. Three days sits quite well with me.))

((OOC: Two things. One, why is it that I suggest a ceasefire three times, but people only react when Quinn suggests it? Poor Russia, stuck in perpetual state of near collapse, thus being ignored by all...Two, how does France view my newest demands? Basically, I pulled out the thing about British peacekeepers, but I still stand by the idea of a unified Lavragerian republic. The Tsar will have most of the country, but the remaining part should be allowed to remain one nation. It's not like they will ever pose a threat to the Tsar.))

((OOC: Two things. One, why is it that I suggest a ceasefire three times, but people only react when Quinn suggests it? Poor Russia, stuck in perpetual state of near collapse, thus being ignored by all...Two, how does France view my newest demands? Basically, I pulled out the thing about British peacekeepers, but I still stand by the idea of a unified Lavragerian republic. The Tsar will have most of the country, but the remaining part should be allowed to remain one nation. It's not like they will ever pose a threat to the Tsar.))


It is just my lot in life when it comes to playing the US/Quinntonia. I tend to have a little bit of hustle to back my muscle. Not that I really want to use it that much, I mean, I stayed back and hoped that everything would just settel itslef, it was just that with nukes going off and TBF, my NATO alloes are getting involved are getting involved, it comes time to step in, whether I want to or not.

Oh, and FYI, I did get the idea from you, thanx.
WWJD
Amen.

IC:

Morgan slamed himself to the ground as the a shreiking high velocity round flew over head and exploded somewhere behind them.

Bugger! he hadn't though the tankers would be this awake or that the esties would risk brining them in so close to thier infantry, at least the mist was holding for now, rendering the helos somewhat less deadly.

getting up from his postion he scuttled forward diving behind a dry stoen wall as machinegun fire from the tanks chased after him. Assesing his situation he saw a grining Gillingham rise up behind the tank and let fly with an RPG round.

With a plume of smoke the tank died a firey death, the crew struggled to escape but were cut down by Morgan's rifle.

Teaming up with Gillingham, Morgan managed to rally a few other mercs and the odd extremely lucky local and ventually pushed forward to the first rally point.

There were depressingly few of them left, maybe 20-30 of them all tired and battered. Ammo and weapons weren't a problem as battlefeild pickup had been plentiful but the rapidly lifting mist was, now that they were out of contact of the front line they were far mroe exposed to estie armor and helos and needed to find soem kind of cover soon.

in the back ground they could hear the front line battle running down as the last few locals made it back to thier lines under a wall of smoke and those few foolhardy estie's who had left thier lines and cased after them finally realised they were largely alone.

OOC:
Eventually the mercs will be whittled to about 8-10 of them including Morgan, Gillingham and perhaps Ivan. hopefully one of the Estenlandian officers will relaise that pusing tanks and mechanised forces after so small a force would be wasteful and hamper the main attack and thus either send a reserve company or a small spec ops team after them. Helos might be involved but be prepared for someone geting very lucky witha 40mm grenade.

I had origianally intended the actual story telling to be better but alas I fear that migth be beyond my abilities.

Oh and although this coems after all the quintonian anouncements etc i think time wise it might still be before them, if not it doesn't matter, grunts on the ground tend not to hear that sort of thing.

OOC-Are we still waiting for Lavrageria to repsond?
WWJD
Amen.

OOC: Yup. Let's insult him/her behind their back! HA! "Lavrageria's mom's so fat..."

So, should we go ahead with peace talks without him? I don't think that is very fair, but we have been waiting for almost a week for any reponse. Should we maybe put a cap on the reponse time? Like, it is Feb. 18/05 today, should we wait until Feb 25/05 and the just go ahead? There is a lot of people just left haningin here, and everyone elese has posted that they are willing to sit down for peace talks. I think France/Estenlands would agree to the cease-fire, but only if Lavrageria is willing to do it, for obvious reasons. What doead everyone think?
WWJD
Amen.

(Sorry that I've been gone for a while, again, but Lavragerian RPs have always been slow paced. I didn't think that it'd matter so much if I were Belarus, because... who cares about Belarus? My, I was mistaken!

I still do not know long term whether I will keep RPing here after this is all settled- I was sort of planning to leave once a few RPs had been had, but am not sure if I should stay and RP some effort to create a global movement out of the Lavragerian independence cause after whatever settlement is reached. This post has been worked on over time while I was away, so I'm sorry if it looks like a step back at first. I wanted to cover the whole situation in Lavrageria as a result of the conflict, partly so the outside world knows what to react to, if anything.)

Itageria, Homyel'skaya

Once home to two hundred and seventy thousand citizens of the Lavragerian Republic, Itageria's low-rise jungle had been shattered by foreign shells and bombs and its population decimated. Hundreds had been killed outright and in fires that spread quickly through the rush-built structures that -in the face of desperate war planning- had been erected on a pitiful budget. Thousands had left long before to join the armed forces, and most of these had been deployed further north where they now prepared to back Minister Vorobei's defiant insistance that the invaders come to a halt. Thousands more left much more recently as their homes burned and enemy tanks approached, and since had struggled to find food, especially since the collapse of Republican administration following the invasion.

Nobody was sure of how many remained, and the attackers didn't yet seem to be paying them much regard. Survivors huddled together in hospitals, government buildings, warehouses, and what small apartment complexes remained. It was from atop one of these -a three story structure already crumbling in parts and home to several hundred Republicans though designed for a hundred and twenty- that students from the destroyed local highschool unfurled a giant banner over twenty foot high and fifty-odd wide, made-up to resemble a ballot paper as used in the nation's first ever election just months before the Franco-Estenlandic invasion. The fields -Aidarov, and local names that never stood a chance nationally- added the Tsar's name, which was neighboured by a big red tick, and the "Signature (optional)" field, which many Lavragerians filled-out with pride, bore the French king's name in child-like scrawl. Other students below took photographs of the display, some to be smuggled out, others posted around the town and perhaps the rest of occupied -and free- Lavrageria.

Russia

Across the vast Estenlandic-Russian border and on the shores of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, small numbers of Lavragerians who'd left their home -in some cases long ago, only to have sympathies reignited by democratisation and atrocity-laden war- went about the risky business of trying to sneak into the Estenlands. Some of them had long since become Russian nationals, others had false documents, and more simply planned to slip in unnoticed, perhaps amongst the fishing boats off shore. Republican officials in Russia were hinting at the need for fast-tracked nationalisation of countrymen wishing to travel abroad, often hoping that Moscow could help Lavragerian agents -and volunteers- get Kazakhstani, Uzbekistani, or other CIS nationality.

In the Caucasus Mountains of Russia (including Cechnya) and Georgia, Aidarov's horded millions were sponsoring ex-patriot communities and war victim rehabilitation centres, officially. The President would be happy to direct a few thousand dollars or potential post-war development contracts to Russian officials or authorities treating his arguable abuse of power and foreign territory with too much suspicion. Aside from the sites to which these descriptions did actually apply, funds were going into totally undisclosed parts of the Caucasus and other remote regions around Russia's perimiter. Lavragerians, and perhaps even a minority of foreigners determined to spread -or protect- democracy or the Lavragerian nation, trained no less intensely than those soldiers still in Lavrageria, or zealots preparing for a holy war.

If corruption had left by the back door with the Mafia, it had come back in the front door with Aidarov, who was doing everything he could to expand his wealth. Trying to snatch what custom existed in the closing gap between what the mob left and the government had not yet attended to he looked to involve himself in drugs and other smuggling between Western Europe, Russia, Dra-pol (having been alerted to that regime's line in hush hush illegalities) and perhaps the crooked elements of the exiled Kanendru monarchy. He took a special interest in the vast, almost unpopulated Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's far east, left in abject poverty after the Soviet collapse and remote and huge enough to get away with almost anything. Aidarov's agents took to the thriving trade in illegal caviar, getting involved in literally tons of the stuff. Where a quantity of caviar sold in Moscow for, say, sixty dollars, or for even more in still more developed parts of Asia and Europe, poachers and merchants in Kamchatka -unless there was a staggering economic turn around- might take ten dollars. Aidarov offered them twelve... fifteen... twenty if pushed, and sold it through Republican sympathisers for at or sometimes a little below the usual price in the rich cities. He sent Lavragerian hunters and warriors to Kamchatka in small numbers, tasking them with hunting down and slaughtering gangsters who tried to under-cut the Lavragerians, muscle them out, or otherwise detract from Aidarov's profits. He needed more cash to invest further in emerging energy concerns in that part of the world. Again he was prepared to bribe and assassinate his way into companies and contracts.

Clearly, Larionko Aidarov was of the opinion that the ends -freedom and democracy for Lavrageria, officially, independence and Aidarov for Lavrageria actually- justified the means -bribes, smuggling, poaching, assassinations, and time may tell what else.

Overtly, however, a dirty, tired, trembling Prime Minister Ivan Gukov was pressed into service keeping up the expected pleas for aid, diplomatic extensions, political condemnations, and the delivery of casualty reports and various horror stories to the world's press, while Aidarov put his lieutenants in charge of the shifty side of things and stated his wish to travel to Washington to negotiate an end to his nation's destruction.

In Lavrageria herself, Vorobei's forces -tens of thousands strong- were still fighting tooth and nail in the east, meeting any enemy advance with as much force as they could muster at every village or small town along the way. Every settlement -such meaningful things to the recently nomadic Lavragerians- was defended with furious determination in the east, where most of them lay, Vorobei repeatedly quoting Sun Tzu to his comrades. Perhaps the momentum was with the enemy, but Lavrageria could still force him to throw it into the least favourable manner of seeking victory: by sieging towns and cities. Their walls were not so effective as in Sun Tzu's day, but defiant democrats held on to the belief that the principles stood the same.

(OOC: Lavrageria, are you agreeing to the ceasefire? And what is your position on peace talks? I'll add some more here later.)

OOC: The Pacific Lotus would be very willing to help Aidarov if he'd like some strong allies in South America, maybe even an extra refuge in case of trouble.

RAF Nimrods continued to scan the Med in search of hostile missile submarines while the Navy moved to block exit from that sea. RAF patrols over the Channel remained frequent and heavy, discouraging French transit of that water way, which may be taken as a direct threat to the British fleet deployed to the Baltic. Paris would understand that leaving the Med from its southern ports or heading east from its Atlantic ports would constitute little short of a declaration of war, and, as PM Bull frequently stated, Anglo-French wars had a habit of finding in favour of the former amongs the two participants regardless of the odds.

The Prime Minister openly dismissed French threats on the Rock, stating in no uncertain terms that, "If we shall lose Gibraltar, by God, the French shall lose Guiana to our near-by NATO allies, New Caledonia too, and let us not pretend that Paris' access to the East is something they stand in a position to protect. If Gibralatar is assailed, it will mean the complete shut-down of the French economy. They will not attack! To do so would depose the king in a peasant's revolt in face of famine. It is so."

London remained open to participation in Washington-based talks, but did not step-down defensive fleet and aircraft movements, nor the advance of its expeditionary forces through Russian territory and with Russian permission.

All eyes in France were turned towards Royal News Network, as a stunned populace learned that Louis XX would make the second public speech in three days, something no French King had ever done.

His appearence would come at the end of three days of 'truce', during which no state had sued for peace and the British continued their threats. The cameras focused in on the Throne Room, wherein sat the Estates General assembled, His Most Christian Majesty sat in his canopied throne, and wore a solemn face.

"God defend the Right. Due to the continued bellidgerance of the British, and their total disregard for International Law, I declare that unless the following conditions are met within twenty four hours, a State of War will exist between the The British Federation and the Kingdom of France:

1- Withdraw completely from the Mediterranian Ocean, abandoning all bases in that region, and foreswearing never to encroach upon that sea again. This includes Gibraltar, which shall be surrendered forthwith to me.

2- Return all Wanted French currently residing under Bulls protection to the Bastille, to be done forthwith.

3- Disband the representitive government of The Federation, and return Elizabeth III to her ancestral rights and privelidges.

4- Recognize a unified and independant Ireland, Catholic and sovereign.

You have twenty four hours to comply. At the end of that time, I will judge your wretchid land and deliever the justice you so crave by the Hand of God Himself. Frenchman, to arms! God protect us!"

France then went from a state of alert, to a state of war. The Press Gangs were sent out, thousands of young men were rounded up and brutally forced into the French Guard, their training immediate and ruthless. The goals were complete mobilization. The reserves were called up, and all over France the sounds of soldiers marching could be heard. The Royal Army Generals were given defacto control of every kilometer in France, under His Most Christian Majesty. By Royal Writ a State of Martial Law was imposed in France, as the civilians prepared for a bloody war.

The Fleet near Gibraltar, under the command of the Comte d'Artois, Prince of the Blood, went from cruise formations and formed a line of battle. The massive fleet of war began to plot fire solutions, and Mirages and Rafales were seen flying a fighter umbrella over the fleet. The ODSE was scrambled on the mainland, and AA Command went weapons hot.

Massive Amphibious drills began off the coast of Marseilles, and the Militias (Cathoic and Monarchist to a man) roamed the streets of Paris and the country to shore up support for the war.

Any revolution would be crushed by force, Louis XX was a much harder man than Louis XVI, and had no qualms about liquiding thousands to retain his rights.

As well, the British were asked to leave their Embassy in Paris at once, needless to say at the point of a bayonet. The French Ambassidor to London had already returned to Versailles, and M. de Vergennes was returning home after a pathetic visit in Washington D.C.

Louis XX phoned his brother the Tsar, and informed him of the situation and his intention to level British Democracy, no matter the cost. The Dauphin was to return from combat in Estenlands with the Korean Royal Army detachment at once, the detachment of French Guards would continue to fight in Lavrageria under the Tsars direct command. Tsar Romanov was called by Louis himself. Louis relayed to Romanov that if France went to war with England, it would be very diserable if King Ivan could begin a full war against Russia. Caesar Maximus was called, and informed of the impending war as well.

And last but not least, Royce I was given a call by Louis, who apologized for the coming bloodbath and only asked that Roycelandia would remain nuetral, and ask Quinntonnia to do the same.

OOC-I am assuming that Lavrageria must not have understood what we were asking him to post. I am not prepared to think that he would have ignored the peace talks in his post, he must not have done a very thorough reading of that has come before. Let us still step back, and assume that we are still in the three day truce, I will personally TG Lavrageria, and explain the situation to him, before that happens, let's not have WWIII break out.

IC-If that is ignored, the Quinntonian repsonse would be, we will liberate Lavrageria and forcibly put a Quinntonian-favorable government in place. If, as seems to be the case, ANY should stand in our way, the liberaration of Lavrageria will begin with a full invasion by Quinntonia of France, followed by the bringinign of the Mediterrainian under NATO control, and a full invasion of Estenlands. The Quinntonian people are willing to do that.

However, should TBF enter Lavrageria without support of its allies and render the cease-fire null and void by its actions, it would find economic sanctions brought to bear against it. That should have the disaterous consequences on TBF that it is willing to subject the French people to.

I dfo not want to play the heavy, but let us end this international pissing contest and ask what Lavrageria is willing to do. Then, we can work out a meaningful peace.

WWJD
Amen.

((Of course, Lavrageria is the key issue. However, British Democracy and French Monarchy needs be resolved. Already, they -and me, true- have begun escalations that must lead to war. I am fighting to preserve the Ancien Regime in France vis a vis Europe in toto, and Britain is opposed to those efforts and can hinder them. If Quinntonnia wishes to enter the war on TBFs side, oh well. I shant win, of course, but I will burn Europe to ahses before I give into weak kneed leftists, as Louis would say. Remember, France was liberated from the NAZIs, Quinntonnia and TBF will find the French tenacious since they are preserving themselves, and you will have to slog from one city to another in blood. Louis will care less, and will always remain open to a full nuclear option. If NATO wishes to bring the Bourbons down and incite another Revolution, it will cost them millions of lives, soldiers and civilians. I have the resources of a population of 60 million, and all of them will fight to the death, if they simply have no other choice in my policed monarchy. To conclude, I will either have Britains obsequience, or her vassalage: the terms stand and so does the ultimatums time limit, IC at least. As a last thought, it took France hundreds of years to drive the British off their soil, and though countless lives were shed, the end result was a strengthened French Monarchy. Perhaps the maxim "What does not kill you makes you stronger" is appropros.))

OOC:
Seriously i doubt any modern people could ever stand up as fantically as you presume.
of course you can try and police them but that requires huge resources which willd etract from your fighting capability, your nation is probabaly already some what close to the edge of colapse and any sustained military action woudl ttoally wreck it.
Of course it is upto you to play it as you will but royalist conscript armies tend not to be terribly good when things start going wrong.

As for conscripting huge numbers of young men, it is a bit pointless as the lossing side would have thier warfighting capability compeltely destroyed before you could give them even basic training.

As for nukes it would be entirely in character, historically NATO plans for preventing Armageddon in the event of WW3 involved trying to prevent france launching as soon as soviet troops touched thier soil, which in the best case scenario was at day 7 and worst case at day 5.

IC:
(finally official Strathdonian wor don this thread)
In light of the increaseing tensions threating Our good freind and Ally The United Kingdom of Great Britian, the Strathdonian govenrment have offered men and equipment to help defend the head of the Commonwealth from the delusions of the Papist Scum.

As such Several divsions of infantry have been made available as well as 1 regiment of Air defence Missiles (OK so TBF already has ASTER-30 making my few PAC-3s and rapier batteires a but redundant but every little helps).

President Aidarov has already stated his intention to attend peace talks. Having said that Ivan Gukov is to remain in charge of the government's day to day operation while Kastus Vorobei marshals the Republic's official defence forces, Larionko is set to depart for participation in such talks.

In Lavrageria, Vorobei's forces in the east maintain their control over the area planned for lasting republic no matter what, and the likes of Army Group B continue to be savaged by large Republican forces who have them pinned up against the Russian border with British troops approaching from the other side, and who have taken to laying mines behind the enemy and around an area of the near thousand kilometre line that they have chosen to attack, choosing to pin-down and assail relief forces that respond to such probing attacks. The Republican armies have begun to press captured vehicles back into service along side their own pick-up trucks and to make heavy use of captured weapons. Vorobei, out in the middle of a fight for national life and in danger of being isolated and put to the slaughter, has taken no heed of ceasefire in the east, which he has orders to control.

Beyond the eastern section, regular army forces and other elements under Vorobei's control have ceased action as the hold-out districts alone are consolidated and no effort at counter-attack beyond them is made against French or Estenlandic forces. Likewise, no break-out of Hia'Itakchi has been attempted, though the city's condition grows worse by the day. Essentially, cease-fire is recognised by government forces everywhere but Vitsyebskaya and most of Mahilyowskaya, where Vorobei's forces perceive themselves to be actively violated by the enemy incursion and are fighting a virile defence.

However, partisan and guerrilla fighters scattered throughout Lavrageria are generally no longer in direct contact with the Republican authorities, and many continue to operate, usually in ignorance but perhaps sometimes in outright defiance of any ceasefire that does not see their situation as a people under occupation change.

PM Gukov has stated that, "the Lavragerian position is that the illegal invaders of our Republic have given no cause for ceasefire and offer nothing in return for our courageous lions sparing the lambs they send against us... they will surely be glad that we do not yet attempt to break-out from Hia'Itakchi nor to counter attack out of the north and east!"

The Prime Minister has also spoken often on the prospect of a French declaration of war against the British, describing their chances of victory as extremely poor. "The British have better planes, more ships, and a better army even before the French started to follow the childish laws of quantity over quality. The only advantage that the spoiled king holds is in the size of his army- which he can not get to Britain without defeating the Royal Navy and Air Force; which he can not do! If it comes to war in the west, the Dauphin will have to abandon Lavrageria only to see his men become discontented by defeats in the skies and on the seas before they turn against him and restore the Republic yet again. We encourage it! Britain alone would win, with NATO and the British Commonwealth [sic] sure to fall against the aggressors this will be a sudden turn-around in our fortunes, indeed!"

Aidarov might not use all of the inflated references to his ill-equipped soldiers as lions and the like, but as he made his way to Washington he was prepared to talk about the absurdity of the enemy's situation. Choosing to treat the potential backing of the British and related powers as a rock-steady given and to dismiss one aide's mention of Czechoslokavia he was resolved to get Lavrageria a deal much, much better than the likes of the French monarch may have wished for it, and to keep the little Republic arguably above its station and far from sidelined as might easily have become the case. He thought that perhaps this was the French hope by their attempt to shift the focus west, and this went some way to explaining the stubborn attitude Vorobei was allowed to take on the issue of ceasefire. He was also planning to follow a lead Gukov was taking in talking-up the Strathdonian government's position, relating that nation with his own in terms of the plucky little underdog in the right. Electorates in big powerful countries had a soft spot for such things, he rather hoped...

The Hindustani military, devoid of any serious force projection capability, is unable to help England and sort of glad to be out of the line of fire at the same time.

Of course, French victory is viewed as, well, unlikely, given the fact that a good deal of the French military is fighting in Lavrageria, Quinntonia will be dragged in, and England is viewed as being in a generally better position.

In Lavrageria, the hundred or so personnel from Hindustan collect themselves. With 81 of that number now dead on the battlefield, many killed during the first hours of the fighting thanks to their stations right on the border, or shot down in their transports, the remaining 20 or so trickle into Lithuania.

In two Lithuanian army trucks, they are chauffeured to a ship headed to England. On the way, they sing 'Junco Partner,' one of the more popular songs in Hindustan.

"Down the road came a junco partner, For he was loaded as can be. He was knocked out, knocked out loaded. He was a’wobblin’ all over the street! Singing 6 months ain’t no sentence. And one year ain’t no time. I was born in angola, Serving 14 to 99."

Happy to be out of Lavrageria, they reflect on the losses and minor victories here and there while on the way to the Baltic ports.

With the happy news of President Aidarov's arrival, the Quinntonian government begins talks immediately.

The position of the Quinntonian government has already been stated. If fighting continues in this region, seeing as how there has already been one nuclear detonation and that it looks as if a major war could erupt in Europe at any time, Quinntonia is prepared to force a pro-Quinntonian situation of peace. This would include a full invasion of disputed areas, and the placing of a NATO approved Viceroy as the head of an interim government while a new government is formed. It is reminded to President Aidarov that the new government should this occur, will not include him.

The proposal that Quinntonia puts forth then, is that
i) TBF will not enter Lavragerian soil
ii) All partise will recognise President Aidarov's republican government
iii) This government will make up the north-eastern quarter of Lavrageria and have population of 3 million people.
iv) President Aidarov's new government will recieve military and economic help from the NATO powers. This will include 4 billion Quinntonian dollars for reconstruction, as well as a humanitarian aid package that includes civilian workers paid for by NATO.
v) No TBF troops will enter that nation for a period of no less than three years. However, other NATO troops can and will be in the area to support and train republican troops.
vi) This new nation will be recognised as a NATO protectorate, meaning that it is in full military dependence on NATO and NATO will engage any attacks upon its people or threats against its soveriegnty as if they were attacks upon NATO soil itself.
vii) The rest of the nation of Lavrageria, making up three quarters of the land with a population of almost 7 million people, will come under the administartion of the Estenlandian government of Tsar Wingert I.
viii) This new national entity will also be recognised by all parties.
ix) French and TBF fleets in the Medditerianian/ off Gibralter will immediately stand down and allow full naval and civilian shipping movement through there without incedent. In return, France will agree to recognise TBF's lawful claim on Ireland and Gibralter. TBF will agree to recognise Louis XX as the lawful governor and ruler of France.
x) It will be understood that any threats against the soveriegnty of Russia will be met with NATO force in return, Tsarist Russia will be recognised by all parties.


It is asked if this can be agreed to, and if there needs to be anything added or taken out.

WWJD
Amen.

His Most Christian Majesty is delighted by the offer of Quinntonnia, and is gratefully prepared to intiate a truce: indeed, a full non agression treaty.

It is His Majesties greatest hope that M. de Vergennes will again be able to travel to Washington D.C., there to meet with the NATO powers and conclude treaties of Amity abroad, and a solution to the Lavragerian issue that is fair to all parties involved.

Of course, these conditions depend upon Britains willingness to step down from the brink of war. That said, Louis XX is fully prepared to acknowledge Ireland and Gibraltar as British possessions, and wishes to remind the West he wanted peace from the beginning.

His Majesty Louis XX eagerly awaits news of tranquility, and fearfully dreads notions of an impending war, however much he is compelled to come to the succour of France.

Though Count Falkenstien expresses concerns over the NATO involvement in the new republic, Tsar Wingert deems this as acceptable.

The cease-fire is trying to be enforced in Lavrageria, but where there is fighting going on against Estenlandian positions, they are being returned in kind, without mercy.

Pictures and video of the many breaches of good faith being brought against the Imperial Army by the rogue Lavragerian nation are presented in Washington, and Count Falkenstaien complains bitterly that President Aidarov is trying to retard the peace process.

"Many times we have brought before the west images, well-documented, of unwarranted attacks against civilians and breaches of trust, and still you support the rogue terrorist Aidarov! We had to move against them to safegaurd and protect our people and cur the threat to our soveriegnty. Now, we come to the table of peace and you still make us out to be the agrressor. Quinntonia is asked what would its response be if 3,000 troops from Hudecia or Mexico were to invade and attack civilian targets, whether or not the government claimed to have prior knowledge?! Would you sit back and allow the attacks to continue, coming at their liesure? Or would you defend your borders with a counter-strike? If that were to happen to you, would you be this rabid in defending the agressors 'rights'?"

Tsar Wingert I

Larionko Aidarov arrived in Washington a physical presence not easily dismissed. He did not look so weather-beaten as some of his Lavragerian contemporaries -men like still fighting Minister Vorobei, captured General Kalmakoff, or isolated Colonel Machul'ski- but maintained at least some of their imposing hardness about his appearance.
He could not quite be called a handsome man, but his face bore some of the classical characteristics: a proud, straight nose; strong jaw, though it came to something of a point; and piercing eyes, though some thought them a little on the small side. The President kept a small, greying moustache. He was prematurely balding but wore it fairly well without trying to disguise the fact, and he was decked-out in a well made designer suit.

...that last point was true at least when he'd stepped on to the plane from Russia, observers were fairly sure! This was made remarkable only when he set foot in Quinntonia. Aidarov turned-up with his feet wrapped in traditional hand-crafted leather shoes and what might almost be described as stockings were they not also of leather and hide. His loose trousers were largely hidden by these and by the Glakatahn tunic he wore, which could be found somewhat resembling a caftan of good cutting and fine decoration. On his head was a Lavragerian hat adapted generations ago by plains people copying both the ushanka and the Astrakhan at once.

Aidarov brought with him ornately mounted portrait photographs depicting scenes from the war: the student banner protests that were a parody depicting for the French and Estenlandic monarchies' a part in the Lavragerian election that brought him to power, the fixed gazes of defiant Republican fighters from the oldest men to teenage girls, and the ruin of cities chalked with messages from friends and family members dislodged by indiscriminate bombing. These and Aidarov's other things were carried for him by, "apolitical aides to the government and the office of President" all of whom were painted bright green and dressed-up in scarlet robes! "This is how His Most Christian Majesty and the Count's master see our people!" Larionko said, adopting a light-hearted and loud theatrical mannerism spread thin over scathing hostility, "Through the green haze of envy and in rivers of their own blood... or from the fires of Hell! Ha-ha!" he laughed, firmly slapping the back of whatever poor soul happened to be stood closest at that moment.

When the Quinntonian government began to state its position, threatening the possibility of Aidarov's removal from power, the President almost exploded, drawing himself up in readiness for a grand outburst, and was only relaxed a little by the following demand that his government be recognised... and given hefty aid. Larionko hadn't said anything about the matter himself, but back in Lavrageria a session of Parliament was convening at a secret location with the intention of setting in stone the Republic's only ever election and creating Aidarov lifetime chief of state. Sorry, with the intention of discussing that proposition.

Eventually, having heard all the points forwarded and allowed the aggressors to speak, the President gave his reaction, moving quickly and firmly through his reply to each item put.

"The British will enter Lavragerian soil at Lavragerian discretion.
"My government is the democratic will of the Lavragerian people, and I have no interest in anybody else's opinion on that issue.
"As many Lavragerians as wish to live under said government will be accepted by it: Lavragerians do not turn-out their own. It is true that the actively protected portion of northern and eastern Lavrageria is thought presently to contain little in excess of three million persons, though this says nothing of the unbeaten half million in the city of Hia'Itakchi (nor of course of the free people of occupied Lavrageria).
"Lavrageria will certainly welcome international aid, which surely should at least match the value of aid given by France to the illegal actions of the Estenlandic nation.
"The Republic will accept and co-operate with NATO forces on its soil, their presence to be terminated at the discretion of the Lavragerian people's government, or by their own will. Again, the Lavragerian people and their government will decide who they will and will not host in their homeland.
"The Lavragerian government is appreciative of NATO's suggested preparedness to treat its territorial integrity as sacred, though it is so not without disappointment that such readiness appears only after our land's carving by ruthless aggressors. It must be noted that never will Lavrageria surrender herself to total dependence upon another entity, and will always look to her own defence in addition to any support, welcome though it may be.
"It is already the case that a large portion of Lavragerian soil is under foreign administration. We recognise this and expect that such administration look to the needs of the native people.
"Recognising the Republican and occupied borders as apparently agreed already by all parties means recognising the break between Republican authority and those Lavragerians under occupation themselves choosing to shirk recognition of authority weilded by occupying powers. This we are prepared to do in legal though not spiritual and such other terms, for we can not regulate emotions by rule of law.
"On the matters of dispute between France and the United Kingdom and of Russia's internal disputes, I can not pretend that Lavrageria has right to make demands, without stooping to the hypocritical imperialist standards of the aggressing powers in our unfortunate situation, though it surprises me to hear Ireland spoken of as though under British occupation: a development that I must have missed in my condition of siege, for it was my understanding that most of the island of Ireland was a nation unto itself. A minor matter of semantics, I expect.

"As President of the Lavragerian Republic I can commit my government to points two; three; four, though maintaining that the aggressor Estenlands gain a better deal through French aid; the second part of point five; point six, so long as it does not violate the Lavragerian right to maintain a popular defence force; the geographical aspect of point seven, though I insist that refugees already moving on the edge of Republican territory be allowed to finish their journey, which has been interrupted by fighting there, and I must make some remonstration on behalf of the encircled defenders of Hia'Itakchi, who will surely not march into captivity or occupation while their fighters remain unbeaten on the field of battle- to expect this of them would harken back to the disasterious Treaty of Versailles that expected the same of the German people and lead to catastrophy. I also conceed to point eight pending resolution of these matters attached to the previous point; I will accept point nine so far as it concerns land-locked Lavrageria, officially recognising the French government, little respect though I have for it personally; finally, my Republic shall recognise Tsarist Russia provided that Moscow maintains the same position, and Lavragerian recognition of the enclave may be terminated in conjunction with any such termination by Moscow."

In short, Aidarov was at least close to agreeable on most of the treaty's points, but was not moved to surrender national rights within his enclave on top of having agreed to give up the lion's share of his nation. As he saw it, pending British input, he could still have Army Group B cut to pieces from all sides and then counter-attack with British and other foreign support, drawing the war out beyond the Estenland's ability to maintain such massive deployments and mobility. Whether or not the British were prepared to fight a total war against the Tsar through Lavrageria, Aidarov believed that he could still at least ruin the monarchist's party if his enclave was not respected as a proper nation state with control of its own small territory.

At any moment, news of Aidarov's confirmation as life-time chief of state could spread beyond Lavrageria, taking with it PM Gukov's oath of allegiance to the leader... and his gasp-raising speech on the strength of Larionko's Lodoz Clan blood, as finally explained the presence in the national flag's hoist of symbolism most usually associated with Kiba Morgan's Glakatahn confederacy. One might almost be forgiven for thinking, as news filtered outwards, that Aidarov was being created king of Lavrageria on strength of an act of Parliament on one hand and a claim to nobel blood -all be it of an atheistic and oft-called barbarian race- on the other.

The proposal that Quinntonia puts forth then, is that

i) TBF will not enter Lavragerian soil
Lavrageria-Not Agreed
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-?
Russia-?

ii) All partise will recognise President Aidarov's republican government
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenland/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-?

iii) This government will make up the north-eastern quarter of Lavrageria and have population of 3 million people.
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenland/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-?

iv) President Aidarov's new government will recieve military and economic help from the NATO powers. This will include 4 billion Quinntonian dollars for reconstruction, as well as a humanitarian aid package that includes civilian workers paid for by NATO.
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenland/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-?

v) No TBF troops will enter that nation for a period of no less than three years. However, other NATO troops can and will be in the area to support and train republican troops.
Lavrageria-only agree to the second statement
France/Estenland/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed to the second statement
Russia-?

vi) This new nation will be recognised as a NATO protectorate, meaning that it is in full military dependence on NATO and NATO will engage any attacks upon its people or threats against its soveriegnty as if they were attacks upon NATO soil itself.
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenland/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-?

vii) The rest of the nation of Lavrageria, making up three quarters of the land with a population of almost 7 million people, will come under the administartion of the Estenlandian government of Tsar Wingert I.
Lavrageria-Legally Agreed-Encircled defenders and refugees
France/Estenland/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed-Encircled defenders and refugees
Russia-?

viii) This new national entity will also be recognised by all parties.
Lavrageria Agreed pending matters as to piont VII
France/EstenlandTsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-?
Russia-?

ix) French and TBF fleets in the Medditerianian/ off Gibralter will immediately stand down and allow full naval and civilian shipping movement through there without incedent. In return, France will agree to recognise TBF's lawful claim on Ireland and Gibralter. TBF will agree to recognise Louis XX as the lawful governor and ruler of France.
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenland/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-?

x) It will be understood that any threats against the soveriegnty of Russia will be met with NATO force in return, Tsarist Russia will be recognised by all parties.
France/Estenland/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-?
Russia-?


Thus stands the negotiations.
AMMENDMENT 1-1
--------------------------
I)Will Estenlands/France concede to allow refugees moving towards the new Republican nation of Lavrageria to continue peacefully, provided that they show that they are unarmed?

II)Will Estenlands/France concede to allow the defenders of Hia'Itakchi to leave that city, unmolested but unarmed and make their way, with all due haste, to the nearest border of Republican Lavrageria?

III)If both point above are conceded, will Republican Lavrageria concede on the points concerning TBF troops presenses?



And, what say everyone else?


OOC-I just included Tsarist Russia in with Estenlands/France on every piont because I assume now that he is a vassal, he will tow the line for Wingert.
Russia, will you wiegh in?



WWJD
Amen.

Versailles, at this point, was very eager to avoid a World War and settle the demmed Lav issues.

Therefore, His Majesties Government (anticipating Wingerts assent) agrees unconditionally to stipulations 1 and 2 on the Amendment list.

However, TBF must agree to recognize the legitimacy of Louis XX's Government and cease the Blockade of Gibraltar at once. Every French Concession (which Louis is willing to acquiesce to quite liberally) hinges on Bulls willingness to step down from his hawkish posistion.

After all, Louis saw Lavrageria as 'liberated', any further blood shed would only lead to a growing chance of world war.

Count Falkenstien, covering his mouth to stifle a laugh when the so-called President entered the room dressed in his ridiculous costume, all the while recieving the reports from the Kargat about the moves towards dictatorship that this "Republican" was taking, finally got to stare him in the eye.

Count Falkenstien, veteran of the revolution, holder of the most important post in the Imperial government outside the Royal Family, glowered at the idiocy that was before him.

Standing an incredibly short, by Estenlandian standards, 5'10", but with a barrel chest and a stocky build tht leant him the outward physique of a bodybuilder, sat, in the confortable Quinntonian chair, sorrounded by his aides, dressed in deep black, a holdover to the night missions he would lead against the Soviets. He wore a sword usually strapped to his back, long and heavy, with enough wieght to cleave this "President" in two, now leaning against his chair. Also, shining, silver bracers on his massive forearms, matched to the silver breastplate that bore his family crest, the black dragon, and sprouting a long, black cloak. His face had a hideous scar running along its left side, a tank shell that had come too close, and that explained the loss of his eye, now covered with an eyepatch, the only adornment on his bald head.

But, he was no fool, he knew that stakes here, and though the defenders at that godforsaken city should be purged in the flame, he would gladly accept the ammendment that would end this war.

However, he wanted two things for his people, first, how is one to know if they are not armed? And what is to be done if they are found to be armed?
Second, What is to be done if another unprovoked attack comes from across the border, like the one that precipitated this conflict? Will NATO intervene on our behalf then, and bring them to justice?

Tsar Wingert I

Deputy Prime Minister Alice Meadows cut a decidedly less dramatic figure for her short, slightly frumpy self, in spite of the best efforts of her large bifocals and daring juxtaposition of grey and a totally different shade of grey in a fetching blouse, jacket, and knee-length skirt.

Britain, she explained, squinting at papers authorising her to go so far and no further, say this and not that, was largely able to agree with and support President Aidarov and his pioneering democratic government in Lavrageria. Most of the points that he accepted, so could she.

More importantly, Britain was prepared to recognise the new French government, some years after the fact of its creation, apparently content that a point had been made by years of distance from such an important and close neighbour. In truth, Bull was quite irate about the fact, and it was well that the PM himself did not attend the Washington conference. He hated the idea that France's usurpers were being given recognition after threatening nuclear war- he felt as if he were giving in to terrorism, "It's like the IRA all over again! We could kill every one of these bastards, but because they might get some of us, too, we have to put away our swords! Bah!" he ranted, a good three thousand miles away- just barely enough to keep him from being over-heard!

Meadows was not slow to pick-up on Aidarov's points about Ireland, laughing and stating several times that he was quite correct. London made no claims over the Irish Republic's seventy thousand square kilometres and its four million souls. Northern Ireland, however, wasn't even an issue, as the idea of anyone not recognising it as part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland would mark them out as far too stupid to hold office in any nation. Still, Britain appreciated that the French king had caught on, and that he was bang up to date about the last three hundred years of Gibraltar's history, too.

On the slightly contentious issue of British forces -presently in Russia- and that of Lavragerians isolated by fighting and wishing to rejoin the reconstituted Republic, the Deputy PM proposed another potential solution for consideration.

"The British expedition" she started, "has been deployed with the best of intentions and at the request of a fellow democratic authority. It is suggested to me that a small contingent of that deployment's strength could be employed in the rapid extraction of Lavragerians from territory due to be surrendered to Tsarist authority. I am told -though I must admit to some ignorance of military... hardware..." she laughed, "...that light trucks and land cruisers could be detatched to pick-up some of those trapped and to escort them -assuring their own protection while preventing them from taking advantage by engaging Franco-Estenlandic forces at rest- back to the east. Such an operation would bring soft-skin vehicles and light defensive weapons into Lavrageria for a limited period of time only... Challenger tanks and British Apache gunships, for example, would remain outside Lavrageria."

Next she went on to maritime concerns, saying, "The blockade of the Gibraltar Strait will be lifted immediately that the Governor and the Admiralty have confirmation of a stand-down of French fleets... I have the authority to state that, following such a stand-down, Paris shall be signaled that British attack submarines have received new orders, making safe transit of the strait again a possibility.

"We must ask, however, that French warships ensure the smoot application of this process by not attempting to transit through the Strait in the hours and days following this agreement, for such may easily be interperated as an abuse of faith. We intend the arrangement to allow the speedy restoration of commercial shipping through this vital sea lane."

(Oh, I should probably add something for Strathdonia! But I am in a hurry to get away- let it be said that Britain is thankful, and expects that the Strathdonian forces may stand-down pending the confirmation of peace terms. If these do not come to pass, the UK will seek to deploy at least one of the offered formations and the air defence unit to Gibraltar.)

(OOC: I promise to weigh in Thursday afternoon, Western Pacific US time. I apologize for the delay; my mom's graduation from college ate up my day.

Versailles agreed to the British provision, providing that starting in 72 hours (during which time the British would have time enough to adequatley examine Gibraltar) Gibraltar would again be open to Royal Navy traffic.

In the mean time the fleet of war sailed back to Marseilles, not having to defend His Majesties honor that day. Martial Law was rescended, and France gave a sigh of relief. Louis beamed for hours, content that he had stood toe to toe with the limies, and in the end had won their recognition.

Due to M. de Vergennes current assignment in Rome, the King sent his fourth son, the Duc de Aquitane, to represent His Most Christian Majesty in Washington D.C.. Versailles was eager to sign the treaties, and end this counfounded war. With Ahzad bustling and the need for maritime cordiality, Louis XX had no choice but to sue for peace. He did enjoy being a King, alive, after all.

Still, domestically, the whole crisis had boosted Louis popularity. He had apparently been victorious, and now France was firmly behind him, all notions of modernity faded away when confronted with the golden crucifix and radiant crown.

I edited the above post to reflect TBF's input.

I am also sensing that TBF troops may be a deal-braeker, due to raw nerves.
I have 20,000 troops in Republican Russia right now that could take over the proposed duties of the TBF expidition, would that be acceptable?

WWJD
Amen.

The Texan-Russian, John Buzkovski, diplomat dispatched to Washington said,

"Well, I agree ter all dese terms, but I suggest a few minah edits. First, how 'bout we use a combination of a Russian-Quinntonian force to provide peacekeepin' in Lavrageria? Second, if Lavrageria is receiving an aid package, we would like to suggest that our country, which has been devastated by wah as well, get some of dem duckets. Yeah, and I also propose all for all leaders involved to get together for a barbeque, to umm...reduce tensions. Yeah."

Secretly, Aidarov was being warned over his illegal activities in the Caucasus mountains. While his fights with the Mafia would be tolerated, and encouraged, drug smuggling and his tightening grip would not. All support would be lost from Moscow if he intended to make himself a dictator or a drug lord.

On a more lighthearted note, Putin laughed hysterically when he saw the clothing of the Lavragerian President on television. In fact, his laughter was so intense that several aides tried to rush him to the hospital, which led to a wild spat of rumors claiming Putin's demise. Of course, his "recovery" from the bout of laughter quickly quelled most of these rumors.

That Aidarov was attracting more looks than his bright green aides pleased the President.

He was fairly keen to conclude discussions, officially because he feared for the condition of his countryfolk encircled in Hia'Itakchi without supply.

"I do not presently see why the fact of a British intervention to escort Republicans to the east should be a bone of contention. They are presently on our border and mechanised sufficiently to be of service: why another NATO member would be prefered is beyond me."

Aidarov did not himself see the issue as a deal breaker, but felt more comfortable with the idea of limiting direct Quinntonian military intervention, especially since he had heard their talk of overthrowing his leadership if it suited them. He would pursue the British option until somebody absolutely killed it. He wasn't going to go so far as to voice the reason for his preference, as the prospect of financial aid was too important to pass-up. He wanted to make Lavrageria's free republic a new Isreal, defeating the numeric odds with Quinntonian financial backing, drawing support as an island of democratic principle in a sea of Tsarists.

In a magnificent uniform of a Colonel of the Swiss Bodyguard, Prince of the Blood le Duc de Aquitane stepped of the Airbus at Dulles International Airport.

He was taken to the Negotiations, were he began with the French Agenda: Immediate Ratification of the Quinntonnian Peace plan and the re-opening of Gibraltar to all French maritime traffic.

He was keen to get the Lavragerian situation organized, and get the signings underway.

Washington

The Deputy Prime Minister was rather bound to continue the push for acceptance of British forces in Lavrageria, choosing to drive home the need for a jolly good reason to keep them out. The British government had just been jostled into recognising a militant dictatorship in place of a long-standing democracy with which it happened to have important and generally friendly relations, and wasn't always going to bend idly in the wind blown by either counter-democratic leaders or by equal partners in NATO. What grounds did anyone else have for keeping the British out and letting the Russians or Quinntonians in? What was their agenda as would be served by doing so? They would have to come out with it, or be responsible for creating a serious diplomatic incident.

Meadows didn't seemed much moved to talk about the Strait of Gibraltar while other parties were sitting on some unexpressed grudge against the United Kingdom.

London

"...I'm sorry, I still don't see why everybody's so keen to keep our troops out. Especially since nobody seems to mind our NATO allies moving in for the long-haul."

"Mh, yes." Chimed-in the Diplomatic Service's most familiar big-shot, Sir Humphry. "I can see why the Lavragerians want us in... we were amongst the first to openly defend him [Aidarov]..."

"Democracy." Interrupted the PM.

"...yes, to defend democracy, of course." Sir Humphry corrected himself, turning down another helping of Kamchatkan caviar and welcoming instead one of the more expensive vodkas. "Ah, especially given the Quinntonian's preparedness to do away with him...er..."

"...Democracy."

"...Yes, in Lavrageria, if they didn't get peace on their terms. But, erm, why everyone else is set against it..." He trailed off, eying a newly arrived trolley laden with unusual foods.

"Well..." Said Bull, brandishing a hunk of something's leg, "As you say, we stepped forward to defend democracy in Lavrageria while the French and whosits tried to destroy it." He went on, slowly and through a mouthfull of cooked meat; forgetting what we were calling that bit with the Crimea in it, these days and -even after Sir Humphry's correct pronunciation- speaking of Lavrajeria as opposed to geria. "The Roycelandians are far enough away not to care, the Hudecians... who knows if they even have an agenda anymore, but the Quinntonians, well, do they? In this context?"

The assembled politicians and civil servants exchanged quiet glances for a moment, before Sir Charlton Burrows, Foreign Minister, finally spoke up.

"We're not seriously suggesting, are we, that the Quinntonians, our allies, are..." he found that he couldn't quite come to voice the words, 'in league' and took a moment before finishing his sentence, "...soft on the totalitarians, just because they might bring Christianity to the pagan Lavragerians? And that Louis and the Tsar are actively aware of it?"

More silence and uncomfortable shifting until the arrival of extra dessert.


Gibraltar

...Strong in freedom, truth and justice, let this be our song:
Gibraltar, Gibraltar, the rock on which I stand,
May you be forever free, Gibraltar! Gibraltar! My own land.

The anthem faded as ceremony finally wound-down with the passing of newly arrived troops into their new base, but flags continued to show for a good time after. The Royal Gibraltar Regiment had received a serious upgrade, putting the territory back into a state more familiar before the unit's creation when Gibraltar still relied entirely on regulars from the distant British mainland.

The restoration of cold war era troop strength at the Rock was treated with mild curiosity by the usual defenders: Europe's few hundred free-living monkeys, who watched the beginning of an upgrade to their domain's military capabilities. Land reclamation projects were about to be stepped-up and the territory's airfield was in for improvement. Both the Gibraltar Socialist Labour Party and Gibraltar Social-Democrats were in for probably rather lengthier consultation on the issue of how far defences could be upgraded without having a negative impact on the presently super-loyal populace and the significant nature reserve of the little place: it wouldn't do to upset the monkeys, since their continued residence was traditionally viewed in the same frame as that of certain ravens back in London.

Governor of Gibraltar Commander-in-Chief Sir Adam Scarf has lately assured Madrid as to the defensive nature of the works. The Governor has explained that Gibraltar's development shall not make it a platform intended for the support of large offensive ground forces or even strike forces such as may require a counter-weight on the Spanish part, rather that it is intended as a response to the changing international climate and its unfortunate shift against stability and security. It is not a reflection on a specifically Iberian circumstance, but part of a global security policy, which has also seen the foundation of the NATO and will also witness the continuation of British bases in Germany having before the invasion of Lavrageria seemed likely to close for good.

The diplomat at Washington, John Buzkovski, commented furiously after listening to the British.

"I mean no harm ter our British friends, but they ain't the first fellas on the block to defend Lavragerian democracy. Who supplied weapons to the Lavragerians? Who sent their special forces to die? Who has been Lavrageria's most staunch ally? That's right, Russia. Now, Russia personally doesn't mind the presence of British peacekeepers, but as it appears to be a deal breaker, why don't we just use Russian ones, gosh durn it!"

Additionally, two clauses were submitted to the Quinntonian peace treaty.

The one from the Russian government stipulated that economic aid be provided to Russia, that peacekeepers be Russian, and that Lavragerian conquered citizens be given equal treatment with Estenlandian ones.

The Tsarist government of Russia added a clause demanding economic investment in their nation.

The British representative hadn't even recognised that the Russian Tsarists were a factor in these discussions, and did not hide her nation's disinterest in the faction. Britain saw absolutely no reason to fund an unpopular military junta, or to discuss aid to such in a meeting about an entirely different country... unless the truth of this meeting was nothing more than a platform for totalitarian or theocratic expansionism.

Meadows hadn't said anything to imply that the Russians weren't quick to help Lavrageria, and didn't really know how to deal with the odd Buzkovski's outburst, so just tried to shake it off and continue with the issues. The whole point of her last contribution had been to express the absurdity -in the context of all commonly shared knowledge- of the British factor being held up as a deal breaker. It was potentially -for all Britain was being allowed to know- a matter of serious importance beyond Lavrageria. Why was Britain being delt with in such a fashion, and, in light of the various possible and unexpressed reasons from childishness to conspiracy, why should Britain be expected to disclose anything or to bow in return when asked to recognise this or decide not to sink that...

Britain did support the notion of fair treatment for Lavragerians, however. Meadows actually expressed the opinion that it would be ideal if Lavragerians under occupation enjoy rights more in line they had chosen in their nation's democratic election, rather than being dragged down to the level of Estenlandic peasants, but was still generally supportive of the standard proposed by the Russians.

As to Russian aid, well, the UK was prepared to keep up small-scale aid payments into certain areas of Russian life, and was always happy to see British charities working in the aftermath of disasters such as caused by Russia's recent unrest, but felt that Russia was a big enough nation with enough educated people to help itself out of poverty without western crutches.

(OOC: I may have been a bit rash, but it seemed to me like you were trying to prop yourself up as Lavrageria's sole defender. As for aid, I need to clarify, as it falls into two categories: General aid for war ravaged areas, (especially the Bryansk Nuclear Disaster) and encouragement of private investment in the Russian economy.)

OOC-How many troops are en route to Lavragerai, TBF?

IC-Also, in Laugue with the Tsarsists!? My goodness. If that were the case, why would I be doing so much to try and end the war.

In an act of good faith, I am willing to renounce my offer to put Quinntonian troops into the area, using those troops to meet up with my gracious and trusting allies, the British, to put those troops that I offered under TBF command. These troops will stand at the border and be prepared to swoop in and defend the various refugees and the defenders in the embattled city of Hia'Itakchi should they be molested by the Royalists.

Then comes the question, who should protect and transport the groups? Will Russia, or more to the piont, can Russia, move these people in a peacekeeping capacity? You would need, I think an effective, mechanised fighting force of approx 20,000 I think, I would be willing to also move troops in to fill in the defensive gaps that such a massive undertaking will place on that embattled nation.

OOC-And my goodness, am I being accused of complicity! I'm aghast! Absolutely not! I am just trying to force a peace, and make sure that no great European wars break out. UK is my very close ally!

WWJD
Amen.

OOC: Most of these forces would come from the Russian Western Border, so the Quinntonians/British can fill up the gaps there, and possibly could supply some of the vehicles, as most are fairly beaten up.

Count Falkenstien is, quite frankly, bewildered by the TBF's seeming imperitive to get into Lavrageria. He realises that the combined French/Estenlandian troops amassed at the Russian border will not allow such an armed mass of foreign troops to pass without incident, and he feared what that might be. Or more, what that might lead to, the devastation of his homeland, untold millions of deaths, would Wingert unleash nuclear hell? That would not do, war with the west had to be avoided at all costs, but the Holy League could not let TBF troops march victorious into Lavrageria, it would be a powerful political victory. Yes, it was unavoidable, there would be war should the British attempt to cross the front.

Count Falkenstien announced that any ammendments for aid to any nation other than Republican Lavrageria would be rejected outright. However, he also announced that, should TBF agree to stay out of the region of Lavrageria for one year starting at the signing of this treaty, they should be allowed in, as all NATO troops will be, to defend whatever western interests that they may have with the commoner Aidarov.

He also announced that any vassaled subject of the Tsar would be required to uphold the same laws, no more, no less. Any more would be decided by the new government in Tsarist Lavrageria, but the rights and responsibilities of the subjects in Lavrageria will never differ from any other Tsarist holding. The local ruler will only have power over civil matters that require regional sypathies, and would be unwise to make without understanding the unique charcter of the region. So, all the basic systems of law, like criminal codes, suzerainty, etc. will be the same for all. However, minor things may vary, and I don't want to be accused of not living up to the spirit of the treaty. These minor things will be nothing more than the differences in city bylaws from place to place, because some bylaws would not make sense in other regions/cities.

Estenlands is willing and ready to sign, and I beleive that France is as well, we are only looking for an end to this conflict, and while we banter over international egos, young men and women die! Please help me, stop the bloodshed being perpetrated on both sides. In the name of Almighty God, I beg of you all to silence the hawks in your administartions, and allow this process to speed up!

The defenders of the embattled city are sorrounded and starving. The fighting continues in spite of all of our efforts to impose a cease-fire, refugees are cut off from their escape routes, please allow these travsties to come to an end. And in TBF uninvolvement is what is required to do that, then allow them to come to the table and make that concession volountarily, to show the international community that they are unwilling to let Europe plunge into war again. WE are willing to allow Russian peacekeepers, which has been agreed to by Russia, into Lavrageria in order to do the same jobs that you ask to do. If your intent is really not militaristic and aggressive, what will it matter if you stay out of the nation and remain at the border, backed with your fundamentalist allies, ready to come to the gallant rescue should the infamous Tsraists do anything unbecoming men of honor?

Tsar Wingert I

Upon hearing many complaints, all requests for aid have been withdrawn by the Russian Republic and Tsarist Russia, although desperate pleas for help from Russian babushkas who survived the Bryansk nuclear disaster will continue to circulate on all major television networks.

Larionko Aidarov gritted his teeth as he began to realise that British concerns must have a motivation, and he tried to work it out with some possible success, much to his worry.

Eventually he resolves to speak, making a point to rise from his seat as he does so.

The President, tired of the monarchists getting so much their way without deserving a bit of it, tries to raise a few conventiently forgotten matters.

"There are Lavragerians isolated in Hia'Itakchi, yes. We should like them to be escorted out, both for their own protection and that of the invading armies, yes. But there are also Estenlandic troops flung up into my Republic, with tens of thousands of regular, commando, and partisan fighters on one side and a modern British force on the other, not to mention Russia her good self.

"Does the Tsar not want back his divisions, or is he content to curse his own Varus years from now, 'give me back my Army Group B!' lost as if to the Teutoburg Forest? Would he like to see them withdraw under fire, through fresh minefields, blasted by cruise missiles, or like dignified soldiers responding to the civilised agreement of equal leaderships?"

Aidarov had read of Hamhung, had seen the crosses carried by his nation's rapists mirrored in this host nation, had heard short remarks from the Quinntonian government with regard to his possible overthrow. He had not heard a single argument for the exclusion of British forces, and he certainly did not appreciate the continued presence within his territory of Tsarist pawns, especially as it was hardly being addressed.

"Army Group B will withdraw south, not west under protection of troops provided by any or all of the parties Russia, Britain, and Quinntonia. Mentioned Republicans at Hia'Itakchi will evacuate under protection of British and Russian and perhaps Quinntonian troops. The fighting of our nation's armies in Lavrageria shall finally end."

Aidarov remained standing for a moment after sealing his lips, and, with his head held up high, slowly turned his eyes across the assembly.

Back in Moscow, Gukov and the President's lieutenants of all descriptions were trying subtly to give Russia the impression that Lavrageria wouldn't need to look to other sources of support if problems could be resolved and support found from as many legitimate sources as possible. Quinntonia, Britain, Russia...

OOC-Please, can we not just get this over with?

IC-The Quinntonian government, seeing as things we meeting a stumblimg block, offered, "Perhaps, if there could be some actual enforcement of the ceas-fire, we could see that ALL military forces could withdraw beyond the agreed upon borders, Republican defenders withdrawing into the agreed to borders and Royalist invaders withdrawing into their posrtion as well. However, Lavragerian and Estenlandian forces are continuing to prove troublesome in stopping the fighting, which is why a peace-keeping force was suggested. Perhaps we can ask Roycelandia to provide the forces? Then, a Roycelandian/Russian complement, with British/Quinntonian reinfocements at the border could oversee the withdrawl? That would alleviate the unfouinded and irrational fears that Republican Lavrageria seems to have about Quinntonian intentions, seeing as how we would not be putting forces into the area, and also quelling the same fears that the Royalists have about British troops, which are, in the opinion of this government, equally unfounded. We will send an official missive to Royce I regarding this immediately. Would that be amicable?

In regards to the accusations being whipered about Quinntonian intent about all of this, we are shocked! We are willing to volountarilly keep troops out of the nation, we have started the peace process, and now we offer to allow that we will amend the treaty so that Quinntonian troops will have all the restrictions of TBF troops in regards to the agreement. WE will not move troops in for 1-3 years, depending on how that is taken, if TBF also volounteers. This agreement not to move troops in, however will be seen as null and void should Estenlands or any of its allies begin to move militarilly to compramise the soveriengty of Republican Lavrageria.


WWJD
Amen.

((How long is this pissing contest going to go on, ad nauseam? Lets all get our little voices in D.C., and get a handle on this treaty/ies before another war explodes in Lavrageria!))

Monsigneur le Duc de Aquitane tapped his fingers upon the oaken desk at the Washington "Concords."

"Britain said they would open Gibraltar to French civilian traffic, yet now they fortify Gibraltar more and try to intimidate the Iberians! And when are French warships to be allowed through the Straits again, Mr. Bull?"

He gathered himself, dusting his powdered face with a kerchief. "With all due respect, Monsieur Obed" said le Duc, turning to the fore panel whereat sat the Prime Minister "I say Quinntonnia must force Britain to the negotiation table, or all your benevolence and care will soon devolve into another limie power grab."

Taking some time for the hub bub to die down, he continued "His Majesty Louis XX was asked to stand down at the Straits, and ask his brother, my uncle, Tsar Wingert to discontinue the Lavragerian offensive! Have not these things been done, nay, overly done? Have not France and Estenalnds acquiesced to Quinntonnias will? Only now it seems we have done so for the sole purpose of being the butt of Mr. Bulls ambitions. Monsieur Obed, this is disgusting! Quinntonnia must enforce an immediate ceasefire for all parties in Lavrageria, and halt TBF's advance 'of humanity' before Mr. Bulls desires take him all the demmed way to Kiev!"

At this point le Duc had made his oritorical skills known, obviously a gift from his auagust father. "I close by saying that His Majesty is desperate for peace, but I ask the Honorable Mr. Obed not to turn His Majesties olive branh into a limie whipping stick. Mr. Obed, you at this moment have a oppurtunity to salvage and fortfiy a pan-Western peace. For the sake of God Almighty, will you not follow your course?"

PM Jesse Obed leaned forward towards the microphone while sitting in his wheelchair and said, "Monsueir, it is imperitive that you realise that you and Estenlands are at this table only at my grace. The British Federation is a NATO/WEC member and staunch ally, and their rights will be defended as such. If war should break out, and it is the Quinntonian hope that this never happens, it will see Quinntonia standing alongside their ally, the English. I will never force them to do anything that their electorate would not have them do.
That being said, Quinntonia continues to implore PM Bull to show himself a leader and allow the gracious transport of the French through Gibralter, AT THE CONCLUSION OF THIS TREATY. The preparations that are being made in that outpost are not offensive, but defensive in nature, and with a French Fleet sitting off their shores threatening war, I would say that they are wise in doing so, and fully within their rights.
The French government is asked to show the patience and grace of, well, of a King, and allow these negotiations to take their due course."
WWJD
Amen.

The proposal that Quinntonia puts forth then, is that

i) TBF will not enter Lavragerian soil
Lavrageria-Not Agreed
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Not Agreed
Russia-Agreed

ii) All parties will recognise President Aidarov's republican government
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-Agreed

iii) This government will make up the north-eastern quarter of Lavrageria and have population of 3 million people.
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-Agreed

iv) President Aidarov's new government will receive military and economic help from the NATO powers. This will include 4 billion Quinntonian dollars for reconstruction, as well as a humanitarian aid package that includes civilian workers paid for by NATO.
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-Agreed

v) No TBF troops will enter that nation for a period of no less than three years. However, other NATO troops can and will be in the area to support and train republican troops.
Lavrageria-only agree to the second statement
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed to the second statement
Russia-Agreed

vi) This new nation will be recognised as a NATO protectorate, meaning that it is in full military dependence on NATO and NATO will engage any attacks upon its people or threats against its sovereignty as if they were attacks upon NATO soil itself.
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-Agreed

vii) The rest of the nation of Lavrageria, making up three quarters of the land with a population of almost 7 million people, will come under the administration of the Estenlandian government of Tsar Wingert I.
Lavrageria-Legally Agreed-Encircled defenders and refugees
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed-Encircled defenders and refugees
Russia-Agreed

viii) This new national entity will also be recognised by all parties.
Lavrageria Agreed pending matters as to point VII
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-Agreed

ix) French and TBF fleets in the Mediterranean/ off Gibraltar will immediately stand down and allow (within 72 hours after the signing of this document) full naval and civilian shipping movement through there without incident. In return, France will agree to recognise TBF's lawful claim on Ireland and Gibraltar. TBF will agree to recognise Louis XX as the lawful governor and ruler of France.
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenland/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-Agreed

x) It will be understood that any threats against the sovereignty of Russia will be met with NATO force in return; Tsarist Russia will be recognised by all parties.
Lavrageria-Agreed
France/Estenland/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-Agreed
Russia-Agreed



AMMENDMENT 1-1
---------------------------------------------------------------

I) Will Estenlands/France concede to allow refugees moving towards the new Republican nation of Lavrageria to continue peacefully, provided that they show that they are unarmed?
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-N/A
Russia-N/A
LavrageriaN/A

II) Will Estenlands/France concede to allow the defenders of Hia'Itakchi to leave that city, unmolested but unarmed and make their way, with all due haste, to the nearest border of Republican Lavrageria?
Lavrageria-N/A
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-N/A
Russia-N/A


III) If both point above are conceded, will Republican Lavrageria concede on the points concerning TBF troops presences?
Lavrageria-?
France/Estenlands/Tsarist Russia-Agreed
TBF-?
Russia-Agreed

AMMENDMENT 1-2

I) Point (ix) has been amended to include a 72 hour stand-down time for the TBF Fleet.


AMMENDMENT 2-1

I) Peacekeepers of a foreign nation(This will be amended to include the name of the foreign nation/nations) will enter Lavragerian territory and see to the organisation and implementation of the movement of the fore-mentioned Hia'Itakchi Republican defenders, and all Republican refugees groups currently moving towards the new Republican Lavragerian State. In return, all troops/POWs of Royalist allegiance will be allowed to return to Tsarist Lavrageria unmolested.

II) All Tsarist Lavragerian citizens will enjoy the same rights and protections under Estenlandian law as any other Estenlandian citizen.




This is the agreement as it stands, it seems as though the only things left to decide is whether or not TBF will volountarily stay out of Lavrageria, and what make-up the peacekeepers will be. If these issues are worked out to everyone's satisfaction, we seem to have a deal.

As for the peacekeepers, we now have a full Russian force that is readying itself at the border. And, I have just been infromed that Royce I is willing to make available a 25,000 man force for this operation to be carried out under the command of Roycelandian officers with Russian help.

WWJD
Amen.

The Congress has agreed to all points, and is ready to sign the document. Twenty thousand mechanized forces ready themselves on the border to move into Lavrageria, and all of Russia breathes a sigh of relief, happy that the threat of nuclear war has seemingly evaporated. Ads, like this one, continue to flood foreign TV.

"Please, help our three eyed children! They starve! And they are sooo hungry...Only five cents a day can help our children!"

The Congress has agreed to all points, and is ready to sign the document. Twenty thousand mechanized forces ready themselves on the border to move into Lavrageria, and all of Russia breathes a sigh of relief, happy that the threat of nuclear war has seemingly evaporated. Ads, like this one, continue to flood foreign TV.

"Please, help our three eyed children! They starve! And they are sooo hungry...Only five cents a day can help our children!"


BTW, it can be assumed that Quinntonian military vehicles and fuel and food and other supplies a needed are being leant to the Russians.
WWJD
Amen.

Meanwhile, in what can only be described as unprecedented, the Imperial Roycelandian Government has confirmed that it will be contributing 25,000 Peacekeeping Troops (not all combat troops, obviously) to the Cease-Fire and relocation efforts.

His Imperial Majesty Emperor Royce I, at the request of the Quinntonians, has personally authorised the deployment of the Imperial Guard, as well as over 500 metric tonnes of food and humanitarian aid goods, to the region.

As part of a NATO peacekeeping force, the Imperial Guard will be authorised to intervene in cease-fire breaches and so on- so don't think anyone can commit genocide whilst we stand by and watch, because it isn't going to happen.

Having said that, the Roycelandian deployment is not permanent, and will be part of a larger peacekeeping force in the region, to ensure this conflict is resolved peaceably and without too much bloodshed...

Russian troops await the Lavragerian and Estenlandian OKs, ready to move in.

So, The Roycelandians are on the way, with 25,000 troops that could be sent into the nation. The Russians now have 20,000 troops ready. The Quinntonian now have 20,000 troops standing at the border with the TBF troop, who we don't know how many there are.

All we need for this thing to be signed and go off like a well-oiled machine, is for TBF and Lavrageria to agree to the new proposal.

Quinntonia and TBF will be standing by to intervene, but only if the Roycelandiands ask fot help. When they get here, command over the multi-national group will be given over to the Roycelandian commander. Already, Quinntonia is willing to submit its troops to TBF control, should they agree to the idea, and Russia will submit to Roycelandian command. So, all that would need to be done, is to have TBF submit to Roycelandian command.

WWJD
Amen.

His Most Christian Majesty was again thankful for the sagacious yet valiant actions of His Imperial Highness Emporer Royce I.

"With the Roycelandian patriots now joining the cause of peace, tis only a matter of time before serenity prevails and all may sit and enjoy the fruits of cooperation" said Louis XX as his drunk body was hauled off in a golden wheelbarrow towards the Royal Bedroom.

The Duc de Aquitance, Prince of the Blood in Washington D.C., hailed the gesture as one of the noblest political actions in the history of diplomacy itself.

Not to throw a monkey wrench into the proceedings, but we would feel more secure if it was a Russian-led force. Lavrageria is in our own backyard, after all, and it seems more proper that a local entity lead the mission.

Not to throw a monkey wrench into the proceedings, but we would feel more secure if it was a Russian-led force. Lavrageria is in our own backyard, after all, and it seems more proper that a local entity lead the mission.


The reason that we are asking for command to be given to Roycelandia, is that they should be seen as having nothing to gain from taking advantage of the situation. Russia is the next door nieghbour, which is why they should definately comrise the force, but, you tend to have a reputation for corruption, poverty, and poorly trained and equipped troops. This is not helped by the fcat that you requested and recieved hundreds of Quinntonian military vehicles and APCs so that you could actually perform this operation.

That being said, Quinntonia's motives have been called into question, and not wanting to let the least suspicion linger, they have volountarilly stepped aside to allow less "tainted" troops in. It is also hoped that TBF will take the example of Quinntonia and volountarilly stay outside the region of Lavrageria.

The only two hold-outs on this plan is Republican Lavrageria and TBF, if they will come on board, this thread may be over, or at least now take the place of a diplomatic and discussion board about regional issues.

WWJD
Amen.

British nerves are slightly soothed by the introduction of a Roycelandian element (in spite of some movements in the UK opposed to Roycelandian imperialism in Africa). This is due to its addressing of one amongst a pair of issues causing concern in the UK.

That is the parallel that has been drawn between Korea and Lavrageria, where in one case the Quinntonians have lead negotiation that sees a democracy headed by atheists carved-up by its attackers, while the other sees a promise to defend to the last man a possession (taken from an atheistic leadership) headed by elements of the clergy. The Roycelandian disinterest in religious agendas sits well with Britain under Bull, with its strong disassociation between (not unpopular) church and state.

The government remains uneasy when trying to understand quite simply why so many other nations are gladly welcomed into Lavrageria by other involved factions, while the UK's involvement continues to be a bone of contention. Surely others attending the Washington conference can not fail to see London's concern here- Lavrageria may not be of strategic importance to the UK, but what does this treatment mean in strategic terms? Is the UK next on the Royalist hit-list?

The Deputy PM has given Britain's agreement to keep combat troops out of Lavrageria if military and humanitarian liason teams may be permitted into Aidarov's republic without causing further contention from other factions. London would also like to negotiate a short term lease of some sort allowing a small British reaction force to remain in western Russia for the immediate future- until such time as the Lavragerians are confident and capable in their own defence. It is hoped that Moscow may be agreeable on seeing that a British presence -even if only a few hundred to a couple of thousand persons strong- would also buffer Russia against aggression until its own military re-building programmes are properly under way.

This would also prevent the need for Bull's government to turn the troops around without their having done anything, while keeping heavy combat assets out of sensitive Lavrageria.

The Strait of Gibraltar meanwhile is fully open to civilian traffic once again, though British submarines remain in the area to watch against aggressive French fleet movements coming without prior warning to the UK government.

(The British force on the Lavragerian border includes less than three thousand Royal Marines and Army soldiers, though it is an extremely well equipped and mechanised force beyond normal British proportions. How many men did you chaps think the UK could deploy over seas on short notice?)

OOC-OK, that is great news, though I think you still may be posing a problem with continuing to insist on moving military forces into Republican Lavrageria. I hope no one would stop any humanitarian aid, no matter what nation provides it, but I think that since Roycelandia and Russia are bringing in a combined force of 45,000 troops, what reason strategically could you need to enter the nation that you could not serve from right where you are?

As for the idea of a semi-permanent base in Russia, I think that it is a fantastic idea! With Russias permission, I think every NATO member involved could probably afford to post the same amount of men at a base as you have here. That would make a 12,000 man deterrant that could be deployed in defense of Russia or Republican Lavrageria. That would be a fighting force from Roycelandia, TBF, Quinntonia and Russia. The question of command comes up, but that would allow us to share this burden uquelly. A show of unity and whatnot.

So, in closing, can we get the Royalists to agree to let any and all humanitarian aid into Republican Lavrageria? You know, provided that they do not represent a TBF military force?

And still, what say Lavrageria, it would makes things much easier if you just agreed to not have any TBF military elements in your nation for the period of 1 year, unless there is a significant threat to your soveriegnty. Considering that you will have 45,000 foriegn peace-keepers to defend you for that year, with 3,000 TBF troops and 20,000 Quinntonians ready to come in from the Eastern portion of the Lavragerian region, all under a centralised command, that of Roycelandia. So, a total of 68,000 NATo and Russian troops ready to rush to defend you, as well as the promise inherent in the above agreement that total war would exist in your defense, of all these involved nations. If you agree, we can finally be done with this.



IC-Quinntonia is sending an official complaint to the office of PM Bull, asking why these spurilous accusations have begun to surface against the motives of the Quinntonian people, and if this represents their governments low, low opinion of our nation at large? Has Quinntonia ever done or said anything to make one think that we would not be the staunchest allies of TBF in their time of need? What reason would they have to support Tsarist occupation of any part of Lavrageria, except that we see that this war could envelop both of our continents and cost many millions of lives, and we would take a stand to make sure that does not happen?

This comes in with a formal request to begin a dialogue to start some kind of joint military NATO venture for training and combination of rapid deployment.

WWJD
Amen.

The Russian government believes that the creation of a multinational base in the region is a fantastic idea, but we do have one caveat. If such a large force were to remain in Russia, it will have to be under Russian command. The Lavragerian force may be commanded by Roycelandians, but such a large, independent force will cause the populace to be unnerved with worries about a loss of sovereignty.

The French Government, as represented by the Duc de Aquitane in Washington D.C., gives its anabashed support to the ongoing plan.

That is to say it approves without condition the idea of humanitarian aid into the Republic of Lavrageria, that body which is to be vouchsafed by NATO. Roycelandia is the subject of unending praise, Royce I becoming somewhat of a 'popular liberal' in Paris itself.

His Most Christian Majesty is most eager to move forward with the peace plans, in that spirit giving his support to the idea of a NATOnic force in Russia.

As well, due to the advice of M. de Vergennes, that masterful continental realist, His Majesty Louis XX dispatched 'friendship feelers' to the Kremlin, eager to sign a series of full non-agression pacts and even more eagerly seeking to tap into the rich, and growing, Russian Oil market.

So, just so we can stop being muddied on the finer details, all we need to get this whole thing done is a YES or NO from either or both parties. (Lavrageria and TBF)

So, please include that word, in bold, with no confusion in the next post.

If NO, then the peace process has hit a roadblock and I don't know where to go from there. If YES, let us start RPing the historic signing and get on with the business at hand.

Also, now that the Straight of Gibralter is re-opened, though it looks as though French ships will have to make sure to broadcast their fleet movements out into the Atlantic from now on, what is the French reaction, are they standing down their fleet?

WWJD
Amen.

OOC-

The massive Fleet of War which was marshalled in the event of a seizure of Gibraltar has long been since disbanded, indeed from the beginning of the peace options, and returned to Marseilles.

Now that I have demonstrated my intent to leave Gibraltar, indefinitley, as a British possession, I will not at all 'broadcast' my Naval movements should they have to pass through the Straits. That is no kind of condition, submitting French interests to NATO hehemony.

That said, again, that war fleet has long since gone home. I do reserve the right, after the conclsuion of treaties, to use it to send military ships through. However, I as has been stated, I relinquish any and all rights to Gibraltar.

I only ask for passage thereof now, for all French ships. ((Of course, this implies a pan-Euro peace, which I think we all hope for. If war ever rose up, the British have every right to close Gibraltar. But if we assume 'peace' exists, they must allow free navigation of the straits---International Precendence of 'closing straights' was made apparent by Bonstock, as was the reaction to their closing or charging of it.))

YES (OOC: Just to make my stance on the treaty clear.)

Versailles continued to send peace feelers to the Kremlin. Apart from the forthcoming Treaty of Lavrageria, Louis XX wanted to sign a Non-Agression and Commercial Treaty with President Putin, eager to put the turbulent past behind them, and happy to facilitate amity between Russia and her Tsarist neighbors.

In Lavrageria, the Royal Dauphin Corps began to the long process of getting prepared for redeployment. The total number of French troops in Lavrageria/Estenlands, around 70,000, would be modified. The Royal Dauphin Corps itself, 50,000 French Guards troops, 300 M-1 Abrams Tanks, and 170 Apache Attack Helicopters would be slowly marched to Sebastopol for transport to Corsica...the Dauphin himself would return to victorious celebrations in France.

Twenty thousand French troops would remain behind. 8,000 would garrison Camp Necessity, 2,000 would garrison Petit Schonbrunn in Northern Estenlands, and 10,000 would secure the massive Industrial Complex which was Royale Ltd.

It was trusted the Tsar would not mind, and a situation requiring His Majesties attention was fast arising in Tord. The French were not evacuating, and if the tsar needed more men, he had but to ask.

While the commercial treaty will be gladly accepted, a nonagression pact cannot be granted. The Russian people remain wary of the Royalists, and we cannot guarantee peace between our peoples. However, a Nonaggression Resolution can be accepted, which would encourage peace, but not guarantee it.

London is behind most elements of the current peace proposition, but can not see a NATO force submitting to Russian command. Obviously Moscow would need some sort of involvement in multi-national basing on its soil, but it is believed that the Russians will be inclined to agree to some sort of compromise, since the presence of NATO troops may well benefit them, too.

As stated, the Strait of Gibraltar is fully open to civilian traffic, but so soon after French invasion was threatened, the approach of French naval forces will not be met with disinterest by British forces at and near the Rock.

(Just an aside, Elkazor does accept that he's nose-diving the French economy with his absolutely gigantic military spending, which must dwarf all other parts of the budget combined, right? I mean, that force alone would cost probably a couple of percent of GDP if it was sitting at home doing nothing. Other much larger forces, constant multiple international deployments, and battleships of all things... well!)

London is behind most elements of the current peace proposition, but can not see a NATO force submitting to Russian command. Obviously Moscow would need some sort of involvement in multi-national basing on its soil, but it is believed that the Russians will be inclined to agree to some sort of compromise, since the presence of NATO troops may well benefit them, too.

As stated, the Strait of Gibraltar is fully open to civilian traffic, but so soon after French invasion was threatened, the approach of French naval forces will not be met with disinterest by British forces at and near the Rock.

(Just an aside, Elkazor does accept that he's nose-diving the French economy with his absolutely gigantic military spending, which must dwarf all other parts of the budget combined, right? I mean, that force alone would cost probably a couple of percent of GDP if it was sitting at home doing nothing. Other much larger forces, constant multiple international deployments, and battleships of all things... well!)

I don't believe it, he actually posted yet again without saying anything. All we asked was for a YES or a NO.

WWJD Amen.

OOC: Ugh. Next time I'm going to nuke everybody's capital.
What kind of RP is, "YES" or, "NO", especially when it leaves no side with any idea what the others are doing, let alone thinking. Yes, put the NATO force under Russian control even though none of the other NATO members have even begun to address the Russian demand for control? No, don't agree to anything even though most of it has actually already been agreed to? I don't know what you're looking for considering that we know that the British force is still just sitting, not moving, on the border, that... well, we know everything immediate and short term. I have nothing to do, since the British expedition is sitting around waiting to figure-out whether or not there will be a NATO or other security base, so it's nothing to do with Bull... unless everyone else continues to hesitate until London can't stand it anymore and brings-down the monarchists.

((TBF- I agree that the military is, no shit, in a feudal economy the main share of the GDP. Nose Diving is too far. If I had fought you, Quinntonnia, and had the straits shut then yah, Id agree. FYI Im not Estenlands, I dont maintain a massive army. In fact my numbers are cleary posted on Progressive Restoration. Multiple International Engagements? Lavrageria -which Im moving out of in alot of respects- and a 1000 men in Ahzad. And 100% of the French Economy is the in hands of 5% at most of the population. Which is to say 100% of the wealth is in about 1% of the population. I dont have all your social programs, indeed I use regressive tax systems. SO I dont buy a nose diving economy. I have a War Tax to support it, something like 6% Tax on bread, wine, and petrol. Not to even mention the "Kings Tax" where, you guessed it, people pay taxes to make the King himself richer. Now, you say, these factors must make French people hate the system, again I say not. Louis has given them back something they lacked since Napoleon, Pride. Yes, pride in being French, not being called pansies or effete cowards anymore, but by God wearing some armor and kicking some ass. As for the French left, they didnt do too well under King Charles Martel, a.k.a. 'The Hammer" did they? In fact, some damned communists are shaking because right now they know that Franks are coming to straighten them out, and restore God Government. So yah, French people love Louis, because he has made them strong, gallantly and not maliciously like a Hitler. So there it is.))

(I wonder, have you been to France? I didn't see French people hanging their heads in shame. France is infamously proud, and the last thing the French people need is something to make them more arrogant! :)

Think about this for a moment, though. Extra tax on basic essentials... when 95-99% of these basic essentials are being bought by people controlling 1-5% of wealth. That is to say, they can't pay much for it, and there after -with war tax on top- have nothing left to buy anything else, where previously they had disposable income for consumer goods. Apart from not generating much money and pissing people off, that'll surely damage your industry since nobody's buying anything but bread (military and a handful of nobels excepted, and if the people aren't buying consumer goods/services and not providing consumer goods/services exept to a tiny minority, what are they doing? Feudal farming?).

Late C20th France was nothing like inter-war Germany, and a French Hitler wouldn't get more than enough support to make him an opposition or coalition leader... or to lead a minority coup against popular opposition, I'm sure. I mean, I'm not saying that you can't have your government, you already do have it, it just seems that some of the popularity factor might make more sense if France had crashed horribly before the restoration instead of going right from perfectly happy France to regressive France. Hm, oh well, have a go at Asia and we'll settle this the easy way :) )

((Ha, BG. right on several points. Nonetheless, when I took on playing France, I thought I was allowed to create its government and the condition of its population. First and foremost is that the Ancien Regime was reimposed on modern society. So, for example, you have a French 'serf' working at the Renault factory. Renault, owned by a noble, owns the serfs labor. Serfs would make up about 30% or something. Anyway, Im running out of steam, suffice it to say when I took on France I took on that the people would be happy about a restored monarchy, and wanted it over a republic. As for the economic aspects, I confess I dont know how to quite answer your points. I would image the market wouldnt change, except about 5% of the population is buy about 80% of all goods. So the wealth stays in France, in toto, only the people who access it change. Like I said theyre happy in spite of this cause they dig both monarchy and catholicism again.

To your last point, have I been to France. Im French. Happy? Its a socialistic, secular morass, whose culture is falling apart quicker than a Chinese motorcycle. Its the standard 'liberal'/'conservative' divide you will find in the West, and Chirac is a moderate I know I know I know. Still, in my humble opinion, schooled by years of resaerch, France was a real power from 500 to 1789, Napoleon being a quick burst before the long collapse. But then, I look at the Enlightenment as the 'Age of Satan'. Anywho, yah, I doubt Ill even get to make a dif in Asia, your backup Quinntonnia and TBF will no doubt invade me long before I ever think of trying to restore order to poor, oppressed, darling of the West Tord. God forbid the Yanks and Brits should ever let the French move again. Doesnt surpirse me, though, Napoleon (although I dispise his politics) taught Europe a thing or to. At any rate, either France will be what she was meant to be again, or there shall be no more France. Either eay, it shall have ended under the rule of a Capet, a Bourbon, a King.))

(Oh, well, like I say, I don't mean to deny you the use of your nation state in your style or anything. I think that for my own sake I'll just have to vaguely suppose that some sort of none-descript recession or similar disaster took hold before the restoration, with sufficient severity to make the king seem like a desirable figure of strength.)

((Ha, BG. right on several points. Nonetheless, when I took on playing France, I thought I was allowed to create its government and the condition of its population. First and foremost is that the Ancien Regime was reimposed on modern society. So, for example, you have a French 'serf' working at the Renault factory. Renault, owned by a noble, owns the serfs labor. Serfs would make up about 30% or something. Anyway, Im running out of steam, suffice it to say when I took on France I took on that the people would be happy about a restored monarchy, and wanted it over a republic. As for the economic aspects, I confess I dont know how to quite answer your points. I would image the market wouldnt change, except about 5% of the population is buy about 80% of all goods. So the wealth stays in France, in toto, only the people who access it change. Like I said theyre happy in spite of this cause they dig both monarchy and catholicism again.

To your last point, have I been to France. Im French. Happy? Its a socialistic, secular morass, whose culture is falling apart quicker than a Chinese motorcycle. Its the standard 'liberal'/'conservative' divide you will find in the West, and Chirac is a moderate I know I know I know. Still, in my humble opinion, schooled by years of resaerch, France was a real power from 500 to 1789, Napoleon being a quick burst before the long collapse. But then, I look at the Enlightenment as the 'Age of Satan'. Anywho, yah, I doubt Ill even get to make a dif in Asia, your backup Quinntonnia and TBF will no doubt invade me long before I ever think of trying to restore order to poor, oppressed, darling of the West Tord. God forbid the Yanks and Brits should ever let the French move again. Doesnt surpirse me, though, Napoleon (although I dispise his politics) taught Europe a thing or to. At any rate, either France will be what she was meant to be again, or there shall be no more France. Either eay, it shall have ended under the rule of a Capet, a Bourbon, a King.))
(OOC:Well, in France, you may call Chirac a moderate, but we here in the US conservative circles prefer a different name...*cough* pinko commie cheese eating surrender monkey*cough*. Ahem. Anyway, TBF, we would just like to know if you have agreed to the peace treaty itself, and we can settle command issues later.)

(OOC:Well, in France, you may call Chirac a moderate, but we here in the US conservative circles prefer a different name...*cough* pinko commie cheese eating surrender monkey*cough*. Ahem. Anyway, TBF, we would just like to know if you have agreed to the peace treaty itself, and we can settle command issues later.)

That's right, we realise that you are not currently moving into Lavrageria, what everyone is aking for, is a garauntee by your government,
YES, we agree to stay out of Republican Lavrageria with any and all armed forecs
or
NO, we do not agree, and we may at any time enter the Lavragerian republic with armed forces

If you say YES, with the understanding that if any conflict breaks out, the agreement is moot, and you will be able to legally move troops in.

As for the NATO base, it is not even part of this treaty, and needs to be negotiated seperately.

WWJD
Amen.

So, are we just waiting to see if TBF and Lavrageria will sign? Everyone else has already agreed to the treaty right?
Tsar Wingert I.

The Roycelandian Government (which, as most people have correctly long since established, is a polite euphemism for "His Majesty has already made his mind up and this is what's going to happen") has expressed some concerns about a Russian-led peacekeeping force.

"Roycelandia is always happy to contribute to international Humanitarian efforts and peacekeeping, and we're happy to share the command with our Russian friends, - but totally being under their command, I'm afraid, would just cause too many problems from a communications point of view."

"We're also happy to maintain a force in the area, but obviously having 25,000 on a permanent overseas deployment is going to be expensive and unpopular. Once order is restored, we would look at scaling the force back to a level where it's effective but not unwiedly."

Meanwhile, His Majesty is "dumbfounded" that he managed to completely miss the escalation of tension in the Straits of Gibraltar, but dismissed it with "That's what happens when you spend all weekend hunting, drinking, and enjoying pleasurable company..."