NationStates Jolt Archive

Until mentioned otherwise the proceedings posted here are completely unknown to everyone. I will not accept anyone claiming to know all this without some sort of RP'd background with me. Also this thread will have mostly secreted actions taking place, writing it up on the boards simply because I want too.

Not Intended for Public knowledge but will consider it if discussed properly with me.
Day of Enlightenment - 1 week after Carlos returns from hospital

In the square of enlightenment trumpets sound out with crisp silver voices in the wind one can hear the millions of voices chanting in usion "Heil the Führer! Heil Quil'raya!" over and over as first 12 Special Iraqstani Guard shining regaly in their honour gear plasma rifles splayed accross their chest walk onto the podium in the center they form a straight crisp line and as one raise their arms out before them in salute. Over the crowd one can hear them chant "Heil the Führer! Long Live the Empire!"

Silence reigns as the sight of Carlos dressed in the military uniform of command steps to the podium he looks out over the crowd his handgun clutched in one hand. Raising his arms the crowd roars in delight and then he begins to speak. His words calm the crowd who quieten down to listen to his soft melodious words.

" PURE, enlightened and loyal citizens of the holy empire, I come before you after an intense period of pain and ultimately death. It was in this time due to treacherous acts by the Um Lizaa liberation Front that I was hospitalised, later on an accident occured and the course of events from there took me to the very steps of death! I stood in a field of horror and nightmares waiting for judgement to be passed upon me! Your Führer. Then as if answering my calls at the most direst of times the eternal goddess Lady Sirithil nos Fëanor came to me. She told me that my faith, devotion and loyalty have been seen by her, she answered my calls and told me to spread the word of her majestic power!

I stand now before you alive after dying! I returned to you because I could not die! I became one with the stars and returned I AM REBORN!"

Carlos pauses letting the crowd roar out it's love, respect and loyalties chants of 'Hail the Führer, Long live Sirithil" roar through the square of enlightenment, the crowd as one rises one arm stretched out in salute all the time chanting the same lines over and over.

Waving his hands in a calming manner Carlos regains control of the crowd and continues to speak.

"I see you all proud to be members of the holy empire, proud to be the enlightened and the pure. Pride is a weapon, and our pride in our purity, our enlightenment will take us to the edge of the verminous plague and shine our light into their very hearts!

We will rise up against this vermin we will cleanse these lands of their stench! We will prevail! The voice of the pure shall ring out to the world showering it in the blessed light of the enlightened! Glory to the mother land!


Today is the is the day the um lizaa liberation front, a false name for genocidal terrorists learn that we the pure will not fall to their murder. Join with me in the chant of the enlightened. We will not Fall! We Will not Fall! We Will not Fall!"

Hundreds of thousands of voices roar up with Carlos the crowd standing and saluting their arm stretched out in front of them chanting "We Will not fall!" over and over as Carlos walks off.....

House of Tarkith and Sonya Grib'al 1 day after the führer's speech this is secreted and not public knowledge

The letter arrived without attention, the small yellow letter.... the letter the single tool that easily instils fear into everyone. Monicka stares at the letter shock riding openly on her face "Mum.... Come here please" she whispers barely hearing her daughter Sonya rushes to the door and stares at her daughter. Showing her mother the letter Monicka shudders as the letter leaves her hands.

Her mother looking slightly horrified opens the letter and reads it.....

Residents of house 334A in Um Lizaa shelter 29,

By order of the Führer Carlos Quil'Raya you are here by ordered to pack all possessions into boxes and await arrival of Public Security Service Escort units.

Do not burdeon yourself with valuables or needless items leave all in boxes and take only clothes your items will be returned to you.

The Public Security Service Escort team will arrive 3 hours after this letter is delivered.

Public Security Service cheif Gustov Krikoya

Leaning against the door Sonya whimpers softly as her husband and two sons enter the house as they read the letter little monicka the 15 year old daughter of an um lizaa taxi driver packs her prized possesions, her lucky necklace and her favorite stuffed toy. She packs enough clothes to stay warm and happy during their trip and listens sadly to her mother crying in her father's arms in the room accross from her.

Her brothers Tarrov and Gabrith pack their clothes and favorite action men away both 8 years old they barely understand what is happening.

3 hours later

Monicka sitting in the louge room of the small apartment hear a truck pull up outside, rushing to the window she looks out and watches as 30 trucks roll to a stop and troops pour out gathering up families and single people of the shelter area. Loading them into trucks with nothing more than suitcases full of clothes the trucks roll off..... Footsteps are heard then a sharp crisp knocking sounds from their front door not waiting for an answer the door is suddenly bashed in by 10 Public Security Service officers wielding their weapons threateningly they begin barking orders to the family ordering them to drop all but clothes complying the family is led out of the waiting trucks and forced into the trucks.

Emptying that area of the shelter the trucks drive off in a convoy of military and police escorts destination...unknown.....

The following is publicly released for everyone to know.

Official Government Statement

A camera turns on in the official government statement center where a podium sits with the Iraqstani flag hanging behind it and the words "Heil the Führer" written behind it. Minister Muhammed Saeed al-Sahaf walks up to the podium and nods to the gathered reporters. "Good evening, by authority of the Führer himself it is with great honour that I announce the following things.

Firstly effective immediately the entirety of the motherland is under martial law and a curfew is in place. Threats from the Um Lizaa Liberation Comittee has threatened attacks on the holy land itself. These terrorists are the cause of many deaths in um lizaa and Iraqstan itself and thus will no longer be tolerated. Any citizen found outside their houses after 7pm will be arrested and interrogated under the assumption of terrorist ties.

Secondly an official police and military action will be taken against the liberation comittee these terrorists will finnaly be bought to justice compeltely and utterly there will be no more deaths at the hands of these genocidal maniacs. That will be all."

as one the reporters stand and stretch their hand out infront of them in salute and chant "Heil the Führer! long live the mother land!" Muhammed repeats their actions before turning and leaving the camera replaced by the image of the Iraqstani flag.
http://www.angelfire.lycos.com/la3/lanay/inn.jpg

As said before, this post is unknown to all.

The train jolts Monicka awake and she reaches for her mothers hand "Mother....where are we?" she asks quietly all to aware of the sickly smell of unclean bodies of many people cramped together. The train slowly rocks along it's course to the final destination. "I dont know baby, but sshh we'll soon find out" Monicka's mother soothes softly as she kisses the girl's forehead motherly and squeezes the hand of her husband for reassurance.

The train takes many hours to arrive at it's destination with a jolt and creak the train finnaly arrives outside they hear alarms and voices shouting out orders as the doors to their carriage are opened lights shine in, torches accompanied by giant spotlights on guard towers spray the train with light brighter than anything the people have seen for days blinding them and frightening them. A horde of children begin to cry and wail for their parents who have long since dissapeared from their sides.

Ten guards place a ramp on the carriage containing Monicka and her family and begin ordering people out, in a long line of people she suddenly realises the extra flashes of light are from bolts of lightning in the sky above them, registering finnaly the cracks of thunder now that the train has stopped moving Monicka walks out into the drenching rain and into a torrent of barking dogs, shouting troops and crying children.

Being forced along with her family Monicka yelps quietly as her doll is torn from her hands and crushed into a muddy crumble on the ground behind her. Pushed forward Monicka hears a woman behind her screaming for mercy begging the guards to let her go then suddenly she's running from the guards Monicka watches as the lady dodges guard after guard then a quick shout unleashes a terror Monicka has never witnessed in her life.... Off to the side a guard holding the leash of a barely restrained dog suddenly lets go of the leash and the dog rushes forward intent on capturing the fleeing lady.

Seeing this menance bearing down on her the lady increases her pace hoping to outrun the dog to no avail the dog leaps and knocks the lady to the ground she rolls to her hands and knees still trying to flee the dog whom bites down hard on her arm causing her to collapse and roll onto her back. The dog seeing the weak spots uncovered lunges for her stomach needle sharp teeth tearing the soft flesh of her belly, spilling entrails and blood to the ground and face of the beast.

Weakened by the bite the lady begins to curl into a ball, taking advantage of this the dog lunges for the lady's face tearing strips of flesh off before locking it's jaws around her throat and shaking its head wildly severing arteries, flesh and eventually her head. Barking with manic glee the dogs around this grisly scene strain and drag their guards forward slightly before control is regained the dog in the attack is beaten away from the lady it then turns on the guards who are forced to shoot it in the head the gunshot sounds out throughout in time with a crack of thunder. Monicka watches the scene her face pale with terror flinching with the thunder and gunshot Monicka looks up and spots in the flashing light a giant industrial burning facilitiy rising up out of the darkness looming threateningly in the near distance.

It's smoke stacks billowing clouds of black smoke thickly into the air she spots guards marching around the perimeter of the facility and people wearing white coats walking in and out of the facility. Being snapped back to reality by the blow of a hand to the back of her head Monicka whimpers and calls for her mother once more finding the reassuring hand of her father instead Monicka relaxes slightly. As they are led towards the gates of a facility Monicka hears the cries and beggings of frightened people falling on the deaf ears of the Iraqstani troops.

As they near the gate Monicka slowly makes out words on the gates themselves "Hard Work shall redeem us all" as she reads these words her stomach is filled with dread far worse than anything she has witnessed previously. Walking through the gates Monicka is violently torn from her fathers grip and shoved in the direction of large lines of women heading towards guarded tents and parade grounds. "Papa! Papa! Dont leave me!" Monicka screams in terror as she strains against the guards blocking her way back. Her father screaming for her to be brave is shoved along with her two brothers and disappears into the rain and smoke black night.

Finnaly reaching the tents Monicka numb from the rain and terror of being seperated from her family barely registeres as guards force her into a tent where she is lined up and a photo is taken of her before she is once more pushed out side and led into another tent where horror falls quickly to her. Inside this tent she is forcibly stripped of clothes her young developing body suddenly exposed to these cruel and vicious men as she is dragged away from her clothes. Forced to have one arm covering her teenage breasts and another covering her other private parts she is led into another tent where she is forcibly made to uncover her breasts as that arm is grasped and a tatoo violently and painfully inscribed into her forearm "Did you say good bye to your father and brothers you little whore? They are already in the chambers you know disgusting vermin like you. You wont make it out of here alive you little whore" the man mutters as he inscribes into her arms "Dont listen to him girl he lies." A lady whispers and is slapped into silence by a guard. Looking down once the man has finished oblivious to the fact she is exposing her naked self she wipes the blood away from the tatoo and looks sadly at the ID number inscribed in her arm 4434. Confused as to what this means Monicka yelps in terror as she feels the hands of an Iraqstani guard pressing against her back and breasts as he drags her into another tent where she is made to sit her arms crossed over her chest and her legs tightly squeezed shut.

Behind her a man begins to raggedly cut her hair off shortening it to the length of a boys before pushing her from the seat and into the cold rain once more. Forced to stand in line arms by her side Monicka whimpers to herself as row after row of naked women, and girls of all ages are inspected by Iraqstani officials before being handed a simple gown and directed to their living quarters for what is left of their time. Lucky enough to land in the dormitory that her mother is in Monicka quickly runs to her and wraps herself around her mother seeking the protection that only a mother's arms can give. "Sshh Monicka it's ok, we'll get out of this dont cry baby we are together which is all that matters." Sobbing quietly in her mothers arms Monicka drifts off into a nightmareish sleep.

3 days later

Crushing another rock Monicka's mother pauses as the girl loads a wheelbarrow full of the pebbles and slowly makes her way towards another set of women whom are tasked with crushing the pebbles into smaller gravel who then take it to another spot and dump it simple mind breaking work to destroy the independance and rebel sparks inside these battered...violated women. Watching her daughter quietly Monicka's mother Sonya sobs softly knowing her daughter must live such torment and pain knowing all too well the late night visits by guards dragging the fifteen year old off into darkened room contained more than just interrogations Sonya cries not for her little girl's torment but for the violations her little girl has suffered. "If I but could trade places with her I would ensure she never experianced such treachery again" she whispers as she crushes rock after rock. Behind her a woman screams in agony as she throws down her hammer and climbs franticly towards the top of the pit all around her guards begin shouting orders telling the lady to get back down and pick up her hammer dogs barking. Suddenly like a clap of thunder right beside her ear an officer shoots the fleeing lady in the back of the head the body tumbling back down into the pit to lay festering among the rotted corpses of rats and birds.

"Know this you whores, refusal to work will end in death! You are here for a reason now get back to work!" the officer shouts as he reholsters his gun and walks off. Shuddering in fright Sonya returns to her work as she hears her daughter return from delivering yet another load of pebbles to the other crushing group "Monicka promise me this...make it out of here, survive this nightmare and live! really live my daughter! live a life that none of us here will ever imagine" she whispers to her daughter as she crushes the rocks "Yes mamma" Monicka whispers automaticaly knowing full well the answer to the oft repeated demand by her crazed and frantic mother.....

Public Security Service Special Weapons and Tactics Team 2 outside Villiage of Kalhasa Um Lizaa

A commander stands before a group of 15 men outlying their plan of engagement. As he speaks the team checks their weapons intently the snipers checking their scopes support ensuring they have enough ammo. "Alright people this is do or die, we know they have car bombs but we dont know where. Assume all are terrorists and neutralise with full intent. Any surrenders eliminate immediately they'll either explode or lead snipers to us.

Now you know by now we are not doing this alone another 19 teams with air support are in on this deal and we need to take this cell down hard and fast so lets do this!" getting an acknowledgement from his team the commander grabs his plasma rifle and joins his team at their troop transport. "Load up and lets roll out!" comes the call as the 20 teams of 15 load into transports and begin the short drive to the villiage.

Over head 10 SL-01 Blackwidow assault helicopters are the first thing this villiage of 700 see of any sort of attack the copters target and fire their heavy weapons into central buildings and targets of opportunity leveling buildings and killing people. As the rubble and smoke rained down on shocked pedestrians scores of men rush for buildings disguised as run down ruins and begin arming themselves some take stolen RPGs and a few state of the art anti-air weapons and begin stalking the streets intent on finding the attack copters once more.

Three others head for a group of cars sitting off to the side completely deserted and sitting forbodingly in a parking lot grabbing keys the three start the cars and slowly drive them towards the entrances of town watching for any sign of invading troops. "Take up arms brothers and sisters! The invaders have come! kill them all!" A man yells at the gathering crowds of women and men who begin collecting weapons of all sorts and rushing off to attack. Scores of people fall prey to the deadly guns of the attack helicopters whom having been alerted to the presence of weapons capable of reaching them attack more cautiously.

sparodic gunfire begins to errupt from hardened emplacements inside the city as guards spot the incoming transports a rocket propelled grenade flies out from a hidden sniping shot and impacts against a transport blowing a hole in it and spilling injured and dead soldiers to the ground.

"Unload us here damnit move move move!" shouts one commander as bullets begin to ping off of the hull of his groups transport checking his combat armour is securely attached he orders the troups to dismount and proceed on foot where possible. As the troops spill out of the transport the order is relayed to the rest of the groups and the transports stop and use their long reaching weapons to lay down cover fire as their loads dismount and begin advancing on the town.

The air is filled with bullets as rebels begin firing in earnest hoping to bring down the advancing threats some hit and troops fall their armour working well enough to protect the soldier but leave him stunned for long minutes others open up on the rebel fortifications with their plasma rifles and slowly begin to carve the resistance down. Over head helicopters buzz the villiage launching anti-infantry rockets and explosive bullets into rebel positions and enemy troops.

In a car sitting off to the side a lone rebel hides away waiting for his moment. He spots a transport that hasnt unloaded it's troops yet he grins as his target is identified. As the transport rolls to a stop the rebel sits up starts the car and accelerates towards the targetted vehicle reaching behind him he arms the explosives packed throughout the car and ensures the impact sensors are working correctly aiming for the center of the transport he accelerates once more just as the first troop steps down the ramp the car hits detonating the large amounts of explosives more than enough to level half a palace...... Smoke, dust and bodies are propelled through the air as the rebel takes his life to eliminate an enemy the resulting explosion can be seen inside the city where PSS units battle to keep ahold of their captured territory behind them burning buildings and bleeding bodies give testimate to the hard fight they have fought.

Hours of battle pass and more and more deaths occur eventually the resistance is broken and the rebels turn their guns on themselves leaving behind a hundred or so prisoners and a huge force of PSS troops tending to wounded officers and rounding up prisonders. In the last remaining pockets of violence a commander rushes forward screaming at a man to lower his gun the man complies shouting "I surrender! I surrender! Look I am loyal! Heil the führer! Long Live the hol--" the commander cuts him off by shooting him cleanly in the forehead "Dont ever defile the words of the holy empire..." he mutters and kicks the corpse before moving along.

12 hours laters

The remaining 150 villiagers are rounded up and herded towards an abandoned church capable of holding them the Public Security Service troops bark out orders forcing the people into the mainly wooden church and lock the doors and chain them shut. Outside a high ranking PSS Officer speaks through a megaphone "Citizens of Kalhasa for your cimes against the holy empire and support of terrorism you are here by sentanced to death. May your souls find enlightenment at the end of the trek of purity." nodding to five troops who shoulder heavy packs they step forward and ignite their flame throwers covering the entire church in flames and smoke. Inside the church smoke slowly begins to fill the room causing the people to panick and scream. Pounding on the door they beg for mercy some pleading others shouting fealty and loyalty to the holy empire.... All to no avail the building burns down around then killing all and leaving only ash, charred bones and the stench of burnt flesh.

The official looks around and nods "Mission successfull, clean up crews are authorised to arrive. Wait 12 hours and begin bringing in settlers this part of the land will be cleansed and purified. Good work people you have made the führer proud!"

The PSS soldiers salute their arms outstretched and pick up their wounded and dead comrades and organise themselves into patrol groups and escort units.

Camp 3 deep in Um Lizaa

Monicka has been working tirelessly hoping to gain some medium of clothing ot her than rags and vegetable bags, her friends all have disapepared in the night the camps many thousands now barely 10,000 full most disappearing others dying from diseases. Her mother was dragged away three days before never to return the litttle girl now forced to fend for herself in an existance dependant solely on when the next food shipment will come for them.

With a sharp stabbing jolt to her side Monicka is awoken by the violent kicking of a guard forcing her to curl up in a defensive ball to stop his vicious ministrations from damaging her already torn and battered body the guards no longer use her for pleasure now that she is a mess of blood, infected wounds and blistered skin dragging her out by her hair the guard stands her up "Walk you stupid little slut" he whispers menicingly as he shoves the little girl ahead of her towards a large building industrial coloured and working compeletely.

Once inside Monicka is forced down a flight of stairs a place she's never been before into a large underground bunker complex where more prisoners and victims lay in groups of 10 to 30 huddeled together trying to stay warm the air is surprisingly crisp and cold the faint hum of airconditioning can be heard over the wailing pleas of women and children.

Slapping her accross the shoulders the guard forces her to look forward as he leads her into a large room filled with shining metalic vats and hospital bed. "Up on the bed" is all he says as three doctors walk in and two guards dragging behind them a familiar face "Papa! Papa!" Monicka screams out as she see's her father for the first time in almost a week yelping in pain as her legs are whipped by her guard and hearing the roar of her father telling them not to touch her Monicka closes her eyes and waits for what ever pain she is about to recieve.

Walking slowly over to the little girl the doctors smile and take up a vial full of strange liquid and look at Monicka's father "For your crimes against the empire you are forced to watch the proceedings in here today. First your wife...." signaling outside a hospital bed is rolled in with a barely breathing violently and brutaly beaten, violated and tortured woman on it her eyes barely open not recognising anything. The doctor walks over to her and pulls the cap of the vial off and pours the liquid into the hollow of the womans throat.

A sizzling is heard and the woman struggles her screams nothing more than a faint gurgle as the acid eats it's way through her throat and the table beneath her to slowly burn through the floor. Her body convulses as it tries to get air to her brain which slowly starves after eternaly long minutes of torturous death the woman dies with burn holes in her major organs and her eyes no longer there. "You will tell us where your terrorist cell is working from now or your daughter gets dipped in this stuff" the doctor spits as a guard ties little Monicka to the bed and attaches a winch to the end of it.

"No....oh Monicka I'm so sorry I love you I really do!" her father whispers as she is lifted up and dangeled over the large vat of acid standing up once more Monicka's father stares defiantly at the doctor "I would rather die than betray my people you murdering scum" he spits out before being beaten to the ground by his guards. Looking on sadly the doctor simply shrugs and nods to a guard who slowly begins lowering monicka into the acid feet first. Her screams reach ear splitting levels as her feet and legs are slowly and painfully dissolved away the winch continues to lower her into the acid her pelvis, her identifying woman parts gone, her stomach slowly being eaten away her screams reach new levels and gurgle off into silence as her lungs are dissolved finnaly her head sinks below the acid never to resurface at all. Behind the vat her father sobs loudly his body shaking with grief and pain the doctor smiling with sickening pleasure.

"I do enjoy watching them die like that I really do....." Now tell us where your terrorist friends are and you might just live for another day or so.... he states simply.

"They....I have nothing left you sick bastard... I'd rather die than betray the last of my family" Monicka's father yells as he is dragged off. "Pity, you have to find out that monicka was the last of it.....and now the rest of your family relations will suffer extermination too. I hope that haunts you for eternity." he whispers and Monicka's father crumples into sobs of pure pain as he is dragged off............

[ooc: above post is of course as usual unknown to all ;)[/ooc]

Outside the villiage of Karbalath, Inside Um Lizaa heartlands.

A lone trooper stands guard watching the villiage below, behind him in the distant he hears the faint humming of Iraqstani Aircraft looking up to the night sky he spots the faint black outlines of four Jinkouu Firefighting aircraft (http://rpstudios.ian-justman.com/junk/CGgoods/RPRA-CC02-4.JPG) specially designed for this mission.

Suddenly without warning the planes back towards the villiage and lights appear underneath them as they head lower and lower. Flying overhead the guard watches as the planes make runs over the villiage of five hundred for an hour before banking and flying off once more.

Behind these planes come a squadron of attack aircraft roaring in they unleash their weapons of terror on the helpless villiage blowing buildings and houses to pieces and forcing the villiagers to run out into the night and into the waiting arms of VX and sarin nerve gasses delivered by the firefighting craft.

On his hilltop advantage the guard watches through NV binoculars as villiager after villiager sucumbs to the deadly gasses and falls to the ground twitching and suffocating over head he faintly hears the screeching of jet engines as the 12 aircraft climb to their max altitude and disappear into the night.........

Office of the führer 3:25am,
Sirithilia, Capital of The Holy Empire
Iraqstan

Carlos sits at his desk looking over spy sattelite images of the northern most lands of um lizaa, frowning ever more as the photos show columns of old and new T-62 MBTs, m-60 mounted utility trucks and a suspious collection of vehicles all giving off a menancing and destructive aura.

"Do you have official numbers of these General?" he asks General Car'daa the second in command of Iraqstani Ground Forces "Yes my führer we estimate them to have all 50 of our old T-62s used in the invasion of Iraqstan of which Automagfreek and allies destroyed a fair number, added to that an additional 200 have been found throughout the nothern lands of the technicals there are countless hundreds with high guesses of over 1000. Those cars we suspect to be car bombs.

Official numbers of Um Lizaa Liberation Comittee soldiers is roughly 250,000 that is taking into account the 10,000 we've slaughtered to date if they wanted to my führer they could easily erupt Um Lizaa into a civil war greater than anything we have ever suffered." Nodding silently Carlos looks up emotions drained all except fury and disgust "And these vermin? should they choose to attack us openly would crumble before the forces we have in that land. Order another round up of linked rebel supporters I want these numbers to reflect the many deaths they cause by refusing to surrender." he states simply before dismissing the general.

250,000 fighters, 250 tanks, over 1000 technicals...and no aircraft these rebels have grown in our ignorance of them.... Sitting up he begins writing up the proper mission requests and sends them off to his generals and tactitians to begin planning the proper raids on the northern regions.

As the norm of late, this is pretty much secreted to all except those who I've told can get this info and thank you to Reploid Productions for the image of the jinkouu :P

Special Camp 10,
Outside Military strong point villiage Kasalbuu,
Southern Um Lizaa. 0400 hours



Clad in simple white clothes a line of 2,500 prisoners are led down a winding bunker with room for guards in heavy weapons emplacements incase a riot breaks loose in the walls. Their destiny a large shower block at the bottom of the bunker complex the deepest region of the special camps bunker complex. Above them the distant rumbles of industrial machines can be heard as other camp workers strive to keep an industrial complex working effciently and effectively.

Reaching the entrance to the shower block the automatic doors slide open silently inviting the 2,500 people into it's clean white interior the smell of disinfectants and bleach is strong the camp residents wonder why this shower block has never been used before creeping up into their minds come the stories from people from other camps transfered about hidden death chambers waiting to be used.

Some falter only to be ordered along by guards who point automatic weapons at them entering the chamber they slowly fill it to capacity barely enough room for each person to stand side by side in a shower cubicle stripping off their white gowns the men, women and children begin standing under the shower heads and turning the taps franticaly trying to wash the filth, feces and other violating odours and evidence from their bodies.

Slowly as all the taps are turned on a dull hissing noise is heard instantly quiet reigns in the block... someone cries out "GAS!" and everyone begins running towards the doors which are now locked and refuse to open panicking they start to scream pleading with the guards outside begging them to be let go they look up at the cameras in the roof begging pleading repeating over and over words of praise words of positive light of the führer the holy empire.

Slowly one by one the people sucuumb to the devestating gas suffocating and drowning in their own bile and fluids the survivors that last the longest keep enough wits to attempt to climb to the top of a growing pile of bodies some cover themselves under bodies only to discover a cold floor and a slow painful death.

Quiet once more reigns in the room as the mounds of bodies finnaly stop moving and the whispered prayers silence themselves for eternity slowly the gas settles and begins to disipitate after a few minutes the gas has cleared and with a low rumble the floor slowly rolls away pushing the piles of bodies into a deep pit below the room one after another bodies fall and land in a heap at the bottom once the room is cleared the floor slides back revealing a floor requireing cleaning the doors open and an army of people clad in HAZMAT suites walk in and begin applying cleaning fluids to the floor and walls sterilising the room once more......

Over the course of the day this process is repeated every hour on the hour with a 10 minute pause between actions for cleaning the room slowly the camp begins to thin itself down but is always replaced by new arrivals.

Office of the Führer,
Presidential Palace,
Sirithilia, Capital of The Holy Empire
Iraqstan, 0900 hours

Carlos sits at his desk reading over the battle plans for the coming day a bombing raid on the military positions of the ULC at midday followed by a ground incursion of 5,000 People's militia with tank support the first incursion into northern Um Lizaa since it's invasion many years ago.

A soft knocking comes from his door Carlos looks up annoyed "Enter" he speaks and the door opens admitting his top aide Nataylia Krinkorva "My Führer" she states her arm rising in salute before her "News from the Special Camps, Operation Deep Cleanse has begun as per your orders, estimated numbers are quoted to be on track and efficient. The gas being used apparently works well and the first batch of videos are being transfered over to the main underground installation in the heartlands." Smiling suddenly Carlos stands up and offers the advisor a drink turning back he reveals a broad grin and a twinkle in his eyes.

"My dear Nataylia we are on the path to total victory after today the terrorists will have to re-think their actions. We start the message of their impending doom with the execution of 12 top tier members followed by a ground incursion, this time tomorrow we will own 150kms of Northern Um Lizaa territory!" Natalyia accepts the drink with a smile and sips it "And the camps my führer?" she asks idly. Carlos simply smiles wider "All the better leak rumours out about this to the rebel cells and see if they take this as their time to surrender" Shocked by his lack of compassion or sympathy for the thousands Nataylia simply nods and retreats from the room.

"My boys it's almost your time to die" Carlos whispers to real time images of 12 men clad in prison uniforms and severly beaten. Sitting back he returns to the documents whising he could be there to witness the fire of heaven that would rain down upon these traitors......

As usual behind the scenes and unknown to all this post was ;) there'll be a public one either in a few hours or tomorrow yay!

Square of enlightenment,
Sirithilia, Capital City of The Holy Empire
Iraqstan, 1325 hours

The Square of enlightenment the heart of the Capital city of Iraqstan is alive once more with the pulsing chants of thousands of voices crying out "Glory to the mother land! Heil Quil'raya!" over and over as Carlos walks out ahead of a marched line of 12 people all wearing identicle clothes and the look of subdued prisoners about them.

Carlos takes his place at the podium and begins to speak his voice quieting the roaring crowd.

"Enlightened, pure and honourable people of The Holy Empire, Traiterous leaders of the Um Lizaa Liberation Comittee and citizens of Um Lizaa today marks a triumphant day for the holy empire! Today you witness the first fall of a treacherous and dishonourable organisation! Today you witness the first and only public executions of 12 top tier members of the Um Lizaa Liberation Comittee!"

The crowd roar to their feet chanting endlessly of how much they love their country and their leader Carlos content to listen stands here his arms outstretched his handgun in his left hand as it always is for public speaking. He begins to speak once more again his voice quietens the crowd.

"But it is with regret that I must sentance these people to such a death for they showed true worthyness of re-education and enlightenment but sadly they refused to submit to my rule and were responsible for fourteen different attacks on holy soils.

These twelve will bear testimate to the power of the holy empire! These twelve will be the messengers of doom for the terrorist group hiding behind their lies of rebellion!

Without further delay I formaly announce this execution as begun!"

Stepping down from the podium Carlos marches to the side of the line of soldiers armed with standard assault rifles a custom he has refused to remove from the holy empire and begins the calls. "Take Aim!" he holds his hand outstretched before him in salute to the twelve men and yells out "FIRE!" as one the 12 soldiers open fire with their rifles the crack of gunshots fills the square and surrounding houses with their enlightened yells.

The crowd roars to their feet once more chanting "glory! Glory! Glory to the motherland!" over and over a camera off to the side recording the events and transmitting over an open channel to the ULC zooms in on Carlos who with his sidearm walks up to each shot rebel and shoots them once between the eyes officialy confirming their deaths. Once that's finished he turns to the crowd and raises his arms in triumph. Over the roar of the crowd they hear his words "Those who die for the genocidal cause of these terrorists will suffer no pleasures of heavenly ascension but rather linger in the infernal realms of the dark forest" With those words he salutes the crowd who in turn go silent out of respect and all around the square thousands of hands reach out from the bodies of their owners in salute to Carlos and the holy empire.

Smiling proudly Carlos lowers his arm and walks off disappearing into a sleek black limosuine.

Above post is open to all to comment on as it was an open banded transmission so anyone could intercept and watch it. Military action will follow when I wake up

Um Lizaa Liberation Comittee strong point
Outside the villiage of Kelpetho,
Northern Um Lizaa. 0900 hours

A solitary guard patrols the compound containing 20 heavily rigged car bombs his ak-47 gleams malevonlently in the night time light. In the distance he hears the soft rumble of gun fire marking the evolution of the on going conflict with the Iraqstan regime. Looking up he spots blinking lights in the sky flying towards him shocked he tries to recall if his cause has any aircraft at all. As the planes get nearer he can finnaly hear the sound of their engines the dull throbbing noice associated with Iraqstan's high speed bombers........

Cursing in his native tongue the soldier runs for the compound's communications center hoping to get a warning off as he looks over his shoulder he spots another 4 sets of lights roaring over head each heading towards different destinations reaching for the comm rooms door he opens it to the sound of an explosion and the rumbling growl of a fire storm sweeping his way....

In the compound the cars light up as explosions trigger their own explosives adding their devestation to the already lethal doseage of bombs the fire balls rip into the surrounding buildings and turn a once pristine street and car park into nothing more than a smokeing crater and a memory of a cause.

Military storeage facility AA439,
Villiage of Ilumtra, Northern Um Lizaa

A lone commander stands watching video relays of compounds being destroyed one camera watches a guard desperately try to warn his leaders of the impending attack only to disappear in a blinding flash of light and fire. Slumping slightly the leader turns around and begins issuing orders. "Secure the tank yards get the remaining tanks into the jungles we have to assume this place is next everyone scatter they wont get anymore kills tonight!" getting acknowledgements the commander puts action to words and flees into the surrounding jungle and heads off towards another command facility another tank yard....another means of continuing the war.

Office of the Führer,
Sirithilia Capital of the Holy Empire,
Iraqstan, 1300 hours

Carlos sits reading the reports from both the bomber wings and the recon flights over the targeted areas Confirmation of payload deployment confirmed, targetted areas destroyed, estimated enemy kills 20 car bombs, 50 T-62 Tanks, 230 technicals. Official Body count: excess of 200 enemy deaths. Mission Successful.

Sitting back Carlos sighs and speaks to the general in the office with him "We got some of their stuff but no doubt they got away those jungles are going to be a problem unless we decide to burn them down. But that's a plan we will keep as secondary. For now ground assaults on known enemy positions will begin effective immediately followed by another air strike on hardened facilities and a coastal bombardment of shore line military installations." The General a man of the same age as Carlos wearing many battle decorations nods and salutes "It will be done my Führer" leaving the issue the orders the general leaves Carlos who sinks into his chair and sighs

"I cant beat them father...no matter what I do they always seem to get away...." he mumbles before closing his eyes to contemplate the problems.

Military control zone,
Border of Northern and Southern Um Lizaa,
1700 hours

"That's it men our target is this key weapons manufacturing plant 20 miles into enemy territory remember we will be traveling through jungle and villiages the enemy knows these places do not under estimate them. They will fight and they will fight hard watch out for suspisious civillians loitering near your patrol routes and keep sharp eyes on any cars driving towards you. These scum are not above using suicide tactics to gain a victory remember that and we will pull through." nodding the commander orders the people to move out, picking up his plasma rifle and ensuring his combat armour is attached properly the commander falls into step with the rest of his troops 500 men begin their march backed up by a flight of SL-01 Black widows an 45 SteelViper mk3 tanks.

Crossing the border they travel 3 miles and enter the first of many miles of jungle and swamp land a key feature so close to the border the soldiers spread out and begin a slow advance keeping a close eye on trees capable of hiding enemy snipers.

A lone gunshot cracks out through the night a trooper falls a bullet hole neatly placed between his eyes "Scatter move move move!" a man yells as the troops spring into actions some donning their combat helmets others crouching behind cover as all around them hell opens up and unleashes a torrent of gunfire and mortar explosions. The attack copters useless above are ordered back as the tanks open up with their 20mm recoiless cannons cutting away trees and enemies as the soldiers open fire with their plasma rifles burning away even more.

Suddenly as it began the enemy positions fall back content to retreat and prepare another ambush.... "Ease up men!" the commander shouts as the gunfire finnaly stops and his troops begin to regain their footing "Gather the wounded at the collection point and prepare to advance once more, keep your eyes open that facility is what we need!

Moving back into motion the assault force moves on once more, their target still many miles away.

More to come later

After hours of battles, long marches and short rest breaks the advancing units target is in sight, a small weapons production facility sitting in a cleared out patch of jungle. The silence surrounding the remainders of the force causes an uneasy murmer to swell in their ranks unable to hold down their fright after suffering so many ambushes and so many deaths at the hands of the terrorists they dont know what will happen next.

Shrugging off the queasy feelings the surviving commander orders the troops forward taking the lead to show them bravery and inspire them, unfortunately it has the opposite because from inside the facility an RPG is launched straight at the commander blowing him to bits and showering the troops behind him with blood, body limbs and shrapenal the troops scatter into defensive positions as the remaining 12 tanks open fire on the facility their 150mm cannons launching volley after volley into the building leveling it.

From inside the building rush out a small group of rebel soldiers firing madly and throwing grenades seeing this direct threat the troops stand up and begin firing relentlessly killing man after man and suffering their own losses the air once more fills with the sounds of gunfire, screams of pain and explosions as the battle rages on. High above the SL-01s spot the gunfire and lock in on the threats launching their compliments of missiles and rockets into the enemy ranks decimating them all.

"Car! Car! Car!" a troop shouts and turns his plasma rifle on a speeding car heading straight for the remaining tanks and iraqstani troopers those closest to the soldier turn and open fire their shots missing by the narrowest of margins the car picks up speed once more a man hangs out the window pumping round after round from an AK-47 into the Iraqstani soldiers finnaly the car reaches it's target and suddenly the jungle is lit with the light of a huge explosion which tears into the ranks of Iraqstani forces obliterating all but 2 of the remaining tanks and reducing the remaining 150 soldiers to a pitiful 65 troops all huddeled together picking off the remaining um lizaa rebels.........

With the last rebel fallen the troops slowly creep towards the torn and shattered building inside they hear the crackling of fire and glass breaking cautious for traps and other insidious devices the troops stop short of the building and call for back up which comes in the form of SL-01 Black widow attack choppers which hover above the facility and pour a seemingly unending stream of rockets, missiles and explosive rounds into the building blowing it apart and spreading debris all through the clearing.

A lieutenant stands off to the side a bandage over his right eye and his stomach patched with gauze and bandages calls over a radio man and transmits a simple message.

"This is invasion group 23 reporting from target 12, Target secured and eliminated repeat, Target secured and eliminated. Casualties high requesting immediate reinforcement and medivac of wounded soldiers. Over"

A curt response follows and the troops hunker down and wait for the medivac choppers and the reinforcements....

Official Losses

435 People's Militia troopers
33 SteelViper mk3 Main Battle Tanks

Um Lizaa Losses
720 Roaming sniper/assault units
10 T-62 MBTs
1 Weapons Production Facility.

Reading over the losses the lieutenant shivers in fear and contempt and mutters "We barely won this fight but we have secured more land...."

Office of the Führer
Sirithilia, Capital of The Holy Empire
Iraqstan, 2200hours

Carlos sits reading the list of numbers lost in all the engagements, high numbers of iraqstani deaths mixed with occasionaly low enemy losses and high enemy losses all targeted facilities destroyed and areas around facilities secured for Iraqstani use. Sitting back he sighs and looks over to the general who begins explaining another bombing campaign set to take place three days from now......

Northern Um Lizaa, location unknown
Forward military advance line, 0800 hours

After a nightmareish night of constant streams of attacks the advance force finnaly gets a reprieve from the enemy forces. Setteled into a daisy cutter cleared area they set up a special forces command base and begin digging in for a long and hard campaign.

Defenses are set up, guard towers built machine gun emplacements and automatic weapon systems begin tracking and scanning the surrounding jungle using a variety of infared, telescopic scopes and thermal scanning to maintain a sense of superiority over the enemy troops.

A single chopper begins it's slow descent into the center of the base the gunners eyeing the surrounding jungle cautiously knowing all to well the alarming accuracy of the terrorist anti-air weapons landing it drops off a squad of Special Iraqstani Guard and departs once more carefully flying pre-cleared paths over the jungle. The twelve man squad pick their things up and head towards the command center in the heart of the base below a line of trench defenses and step down into the bunker.

Snapping to attention they wait for the base commander to greet them. Turning around the commander smiles and speaks "Welcome to forward base Sand Dagger gentlemen, some basic rules of the place are required never salute me out in the open as good as our defenses are we still suffer sniper problems and I kind of like my head where it is thank you. Never look at a map of the surrounding area unless your hidden since a map means a unit commander and you'll be dusted off in quick succession. Always keep a sidearm handy we still suffer wave attacks during the night.

We have a firing range set up for all sorts of weapons including plasma rifles but for the majority of your mission you will be using silenced Shriek assault rifles you might not be familiar with their designs so I recommend using the firing ranges with them as much as possible. you are all slated to not go on duty until friday so you have until then to familiarise yourself with the base, your weapons and the people get to know them for when your asleep you will be depending on them to protect you.

Your bunkers are off to the side ensure you are not in open view when heading to them after all your an important team and you most likely will be targetted by snipers and suicide attacks. Stay in the trench paths and bunker halls if you cant use the open ways to get to and from your homes Understood? Good. Dismissed"

The twelve men nod and pick up their things and head to their bunkers unpacking they assort their clothes and personal items into their appropriate places and head to the firing range each discards their plasma rifles for a shriek assault rifle and begin to familiarise them selves with the weapon.

A few hours pass in silence the occasional sharp shriek of an assault rifle firing breaks the silence when suddenly a warning alarm sounds and a set of base defenses open up sending volleys of high velocity bullets and grenades flying into the shadows explosions tear through the trees and brush and suddenly the entire jungle seemingly errupts into gunfire and the dull thunk of mortars being fired. Explosions rain down on the trenches and turret buildings as troops scatter from the bullets some return fire to no avail.

The twelve men snap to action instantly rushing from the firing range they lay down supression fire when needed and take up post in a damaged turret using the machine gun emplacement and their assault rifles they slowly begin picking off advancing enemy units intent on gaining ground in the area.

"Get the home on the horn we've got wave assaults in the south quadrant auto weapons are down suspected line severment by a mortar enganging all we can but dont think we can hold." one of the men shouts as another picks up a radio and begins relaying the infomation.

Behind them come the cresendo of automatic weapons firing as more troops arrive and begin cutting down wave after wave of enemy troops mortars rain down casting their destructive glance over all that get in the way men scream in pain and the enemy begins to advance once more firing relentlessly. Overhead the thrumming of chopper blades is heard and suddenly as if pouncing upon a prey three SL-01 Blackwidows zoom in unloading their rockets and missiles into the enemy ranks cutting them back and forcing more to flee a lone rocket flies out from the jungle catching one of the attack choppers in the tail rudder destroying it the craft falls from the sky it's weapons silent as the soldiers on board try to brace themselves against the impending crash. As if sensing something nobody else can the enemy units in the jungle fire a volley of 5 rockets at the chopper causing it to explode and rain debris down into the jungle and base sparking fires all over.

Suddenly as it began the enemy forces retreat leaving their dead and wounded to rott in the open plains that is the surrounding perimiter of the base. Inside the base a flurry of medics and soldiers begin working on the wounded and bagging the dead the twelve spec forces looks on with an air of dis-interest as they slowly path their own wounds and prepare for an obvious up coming mission.....

Southern Villiage of Karbala,
Newly resetteled.
Southern Um Lizaa, 1300 hours

A lone man sits watching the clock as the time clicks on slowly sitting out of view in an alley way his target is in clear sight the town center and food distribution facility knowing full well his attack is for the town center he smiles evily and whispers "Glory to the free that I will break the backs of these pigs and restore life to my brothers deaths."

An alarm beeps once and he starts the engine of his car reaching behind him he activates the detonators tuned to detect impact of wall against car rolling slowly out of the alley he accelerates sharply towards the town center people fleeing from his path the food distribution facility accross the road freezes in terror as the car drives head long into the wall of the building smashing with such violance that the wall cracks the car jolts for a second before erupting into a fireball of spectacular proportions consuming the wall and crumbling the foundations the explosion rips through building and flesh alike causing a devestation only the mad would find impressive.

Accross the road people begin screaming and running in a mad panic as the building accross from the slowly collapses as a burning husk of a once sturdy design. Springing out from their concealed places Terrorist snipers open fire on the crowds cutting down women and children alike with accurate and decimating bullets. A man runs into the facilitiy a bomb strapped to his back he reaches the food with time to spare and starts spraying a thin film of chemical agent over them spoiling the food. Attaching another three vials to the explosives the man runs into the thickest knot of civillians and presses the detonator limbs and bodies fly this way and that the bomber himself reduced to nothing more than a spray of blood and a puff of green mist which slowly creeps out over the crowd causing them to clutch at their throats and fall over slowly chokcing on their own blood.

With a sharp ring the arriving military forces open up on the terrorist forces blowing large holes in the occupied buildings and mowing down enemy positions troops on either side fall victim to the volley of hot lead and fire as the battle rages on for many minutes an hour passes and the last of the terrorists dies to a concentrated volley of grenades and tank shells,

Another hour passes before the forces secure the area and the fire in the town center is contained a steady line of coroners and doctors arrive at the scene treating those that can be and tagging others for the morgue a commander watches all with an eye towards disgust and finnaly shakes his head "these vermin have no respect for life at all..." he turns away and begins filing a report to Command.

~~~~~

Beginning PIrated transmission
Location: Restricted
Sender: Um lizaa Liberation Comittee

"To the militaristic dogs of the holy empire today the ULC struck proudly into the resetteled villiage of Karbala with stunning might we have ruined your actions in that villiage. We state a simple and total ultimatum cease your imperial actions or we will continue our actions. We find honour in slaughtering the pigs of the holy empire. Your Führer will crumble before the firey might of the ULC!

To the international community we the fighters of justice the slayers of the evil request aide in the form of weapons, food, supplies and medical equipment this war is not for the international community to stick it's nose into it is one we must fight ourselves to win our freedoms. Contact us any way you can for the imperial dogs are hounding our ability to send out messages. We will welcome any weapons and munitions as a step towards total Um Lizaa cleansing."

Transmission Ended

There will be an iraqstani news release on this action soon, so eventually this will be public knowledge.

http://www.angelfire.lycos.com/la3/lanay/inn.jpg
Imperial News Network
Hail the Führer, Long Live the Empire!

Terrorist Attack ruins Karbala

"good evening, this is Sonya Sanchez of Imperial News Network. Earlier today a terrible attack was made against the small viliage of Karbala where Um lizaa Liberation Comittee suicide bombers and snipers opened fire on a crowd of 400 who were waiting for food deliveries at the distribution center.

The attack started with a car bomb being driven into the side of the local town center destoying the building and killing 20 officials inside who were there on official government business with the town military leader. Following quickly on the heels of the car bomb came an intensive and devestating sniper and suicide attack which spread sarin and mustard gas through the small area of the villiage killing all 400 civillians and injuring many military units who arrived on the scene in time to kill all 75 ULC members.

The Führer is yet to comment on this subject but Information Minister Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahaf was quoted as saying 'These continued genocidal acts by the ULC front will further sink their reputation into the ranks of petty murderors and unenlightened vermin throughout the world. Their end is coming as we speak.'

With a growing increase of Military units in Um Lizaa there are wild rumours of a continued military effort in the northern regions which have been for the past thirteen years war torn and hostile to the holy empire. Official military comments on these rumours are that they are false and spread by ULC supporters to deface the Righteous might of the holy empire and it's promise to defend the peoples of Um Lizaa.

In other news Libya has officialy announced it's intentions to join the holy empire's african initiative and an official diplomatic envoy will head out within the week to officialy sign treaties and hand overs of government control.

This has been Sonya Sanchez for Imp(N)News, Accurate news for the enlightened and pure!."

http://www.angelfire.lycos.com/la3/lanay/inn.jpg
Imperial News Network
Hail the Führer, Long Live the Empire!

[OOC: shock horror this is open for international comment as is Um Lizaa's open band transmission in the post before...sorry forgot to mention that I think.]

To: Um lizaa Liberation Comittee

Ladies and gentlemen of the honourable ULC,

The Empire of Treznor is pleased to respond to your request for aide. We can airlift food, medicine and weapons to your location under the guise of civilian traffic. Our relations with Iraqstan are good enough that we feel we can get away with it.

We recognise the plight of the ULC and will support you on the international front once you're ready. For the moment, please accept these supplies as gifts toward future friends and allies.

Devon Treznor
Emperor

---Direct Link to Devon Treznor, Emperor of Treznor.---

Honourable and respected Emperor. You show true grace in your offer, the first stab to the evil rulers of the innocent. Your actions show more honour and more belief in the rights we have to live freely than your friend the Führer.

As such we humbly and gratefully accept your offers. We will attach to this message the co-ordinates to off load the materials. We will seek to repay your gratious and kind actions when we gain our freedom and legitimacy. Until then we eagerly hope our struggle will advance with the support and faith you have given us.

Commander General. Il-Adib Husseih Am'nah.
Supreme Commander of the Um lizaa Liberation Comittee.

---Compiling.....Sending.....Tranmission Terminated.----

To: President Carlos Quil'raya

You may have already intercepted reports that I've agreed to airlift supplies to Um Lizaa rebels in your territories. Let me reassure you that these reports are absolutely accurate. I am receiving drop point coordinates from the rebels and am sending what they need.

Once the rebels are used to receiving quality shipments from me, I will begin adding low-powered transmitters to the supplies, probably hidden in the carbon-fueled fusion generators. I'll task a squadron of stealthed helicopters to follow the transmitters and verify the location of the rebel bases until we have a fair idea of their final locations and patterns of movement. You will then have all the information you need to secure your homeland for good.

I will, naturally, keep you informed at every turn. Please be patient, my friend, and this will all be over soon.

Devon Treznor
Emperor

To: Devon Treznor

My friend, when I first heard those reports I was leaning towards disbelief. Now that I know the truth I am once again grateful for such an ally and friend as you. This action you are undertaking is one that I am willing to accept and embrace for it's simplicity and devious nature will both be lost and burnt upon these terrorist vermin.

Together we should dance upon the burnt corpses of these villians when the time is right my friend a celebration of ultimate victory and subduing of a hostile nation.

When the time comes I will honour you with mighty praise and excellent gifts my friend. I am again in your debt.

~Carlos

Following post contains quasi-graphic violence, if you are easily offended dont read on. the post is also a behind the scenes post.


Interrogation Room,
Execution Camp 2.
Southern Um Lizaa. 2345 hours.

A lone commander sits at a table with a large electrical device near him, looking over his shoulder to the man strapped naked and dripping wet to the metal frame of an old bed he smiles evily. "Now Tarkith tell us where your cell is operating from and you wont havet to endure this anymore." The commander whispers. Looking up defiantly Tarkith spits some of his remaining moisture in the commander's direction "I will never betray my people!" he snarls.

Shrugging softly the commander stands up and walks to the electricution device, adjusting the power output to a tad higher than before he turns the machine on. Currents of pure agony run down the wires into the frame causing the man held there to spasm and twitch in painful agony as he is slowly electrocuted. "Maybe we need to remove more of your disgusting family from this earth eh Krushov? Should we repeat another poor poor monicka? My how she screamed do you remember her screams Tarkith? And your wifes? remember hers? We will torture and violate your sons whilst you watch Krushov, we might even make you take part in their violations. You will break and when you do all that we want to know will be known." Turning the machine off the commander lets Krushov slump against his bonds the metal digging painfully into his shoulders and stomach.

A soft knock is heard from the door "Enter" the commander snaps and two guards lead a small boy barely 8 years old into the room, his face bloodied his arms bound. "Daddy what are they doing to you?" he asks innocently as he is forced to sit at the table and chained to his chair. "My little one, your daddy here is going to witness something which will make him help us. We will stop hurting him if he helps. Tell him that." Turning to his father the little boy looks pleadingly into his eyes. "Help them daddy, please make them stop hurting you." As the boy continues to plead the commander takes out his gun and smiles at Tarkith maliciously.

"Help them Daddy, help them" he repeats the boys pleadings as he puts the gun to the back of the little boy's head and pulls the trigger the shot ringing loudly through the small room. The boy's head erupts like an over-ripe melon spilling fragments of bone, blood and gore over the commander and his guards. Crying out in agony Tarkith looks away as the remains of his boy are kicked closer to him. Reaching out the commander grabs the hair on Tarkith's head violently. "Look at his battered and desecrated self scum, look what you have done to your family. Look good!" the commander spits and stalks back to the device turning the power up a notch he once again resumes electrocuting the poor man.

Twitching and tensing with the pain of electrocution Tarkith is forced to look once more at the crumpled and destroyed body of his son, his mind reeling back to the act taken to deny the boy a chance of living. Am I betraying all that I hold dear by letting this happen? would they kill Gabrith? Thinking softly to himself Tarkith shudders as he realises that their brutality and malicious sense of justice is finnaly breaking his will to survive.

Watching Tarkith absently the Commander once more turns the electrocution device on and grins gleefully as the man twitches and arches his back his mouth working an inaudible scream out. Running the machine for 10 minutes he turns it off and intently takes note of the way the man sags against his restraints his eyes hollow and devoid of life. "So Tarkith will you talk? Tell us what you want to know and all this pain will be over." Stepping towards the man the commander smiles and lifts his chin up. "Just think if you tell us your last son lives, you live and possibly return to your homes." he whispers in the man's ear and walks out leaving the corpse and the tortured man.

Many hours pass and the smell of blood and dirty flesh slowly begins to eat away at Tarkith's mind and stomach knowing he is still being monitored he wets his rapidly drying lips and whispers "Alright...you win....I'll talk." collapsing back against his restraints he hangs his head in defeat and shame and sobs uncontrolably realisation of all he has betrayed sinking in completely.

After another hour of this mental torment the commander returns with two guards who remove Tarkith from the device and tie him to a chair, then picking up the remains of the boy they depart leaving the commander and Tarkith alone. "Now...where do they operate from?" Looking up sadly Tarkith licks his lips. "A small villiage near the heartlands. Il'Masareth. They have weapons there. Grenades, explosives, machine guns it was set up to strike at the heartland capital itself." Drained from the effort Tarkith slumps against his bonds sobbing again.

"Good, I knew you'd come round my dear man." Standing up the commander walks to the door opening it and prepares to leave. "Wait I get to live? My son he lives?" Tarkith asks hopefully his voice cracks with desperation. Chuckling the commander turns and stares at him "My dear Tarkith are you stupid?" is all he asks and walks out.

Once the door is shut and the lock turned Tarkith becomes aware of a faint hissing sound and looks up to see a group of hoses dangling from the roof from them he makes out a cloudy mist slowly filling the room. Screaming obscenities and curses against the treachery handed to him Tarkith slowly suffocates on the toxic gas his skin burning his eyes bleeding. Coughing up blood and the last remaining strength in his lungs Tarkith slumps against the table, dead his last vision of his son's crumpled form and the white hot betrayal of all he held dear.

Il'Masareth,
Central Um Lizaa, Holy Imperial territory.
0400 hours.

"This is it boys, one of the most well put together cells. It's one of the higher ranked cells. Remember that, today we bring down one of if not the largest terrorist cell of the ULC.

They will most likely have explosives and heavy weapons, We are not expecting armour support this close to the capital since it's not in their territory. How ever the risk of armour support IS a threat so we are giving each team an anti-armour support.

Artillery strikes will be first, then an airborne deployment of VX gas followed by us and a tank unit. We are to go in shoot anything alive and burn the villiage to the ground. Air support will follow up with a napalm attack just for good measure." Looking at each officer in the eye the general detailed out the engagement plans and mission objectives.

The group of 12 men standing with him nodded some took down notes, others simply stared at the map with a determination known only to those that lived through the worst of the Iraqstani Battles.

In the distance the rumble of artillery being fired is heard then a whistling sound, seconds later the villiage of 850 erupts into fireballs of explosive doom, houses and buildings crumble and catch fire as the rockets and artillery shells rain down upon the unsuspecting victims of the Iraqstani Advancement.

Seconds after the bombardment has halted the rumble of aircraft is heard mixed in are the soft roars of attack craft pacing the slower tankers carrying the chemical weapon. As they near the villiage the tankers begin spraying the deadly chemical down into the villiage whilst attack craft begin peppering buildings with bullets driving villiager after villiager into the deadly mist wafting through their villiage.

"That's it men, move out!" the general screamed as the planes climb and disappear back into the night below them the distant shouts of men screaming orders the coughing and shrieking of panicked women is heard as people suffocate on the gas and others begin preparing for an assault.

In long columns the stream of People's militia units begin pouring into the villiage hundreds of weapons begin firing their plasma beams cutting down anything that gets in their way. The return volleys from those capable of wearing the HAZMAT suits stolen long ago from the Iraqstanis open fire with AK-47s and AN-94 assault rifles cutting down troopers.

Behind the soldiers roll in the tanks their 150mm cannons opening up devestating an already crumbling villiage their 20mm recoilless cannons pepper the villiages cutting down everything in their way.

Hours rage on as the battle ensues women and children lay bleeding or suffocating in the streets gunfights sporadicaly erupt as less and less people are capable of wageing the defense of this poor villiage. The sun begins to rise and the last of the terrorists fall to the concentrated fire of multiple tank cannon shells and grenades.

"This is land fox to Airial Warden you are go for napalm strike. Repeat napalm strike is a go." A single commander radios as his units pull out leaving a burning and destroyed villiage.

Reaching the safety of the mountains the units turn and watch as dropping from the sky in perfect formation are 3 Starflier attack craft each loaded with firebombs. Strafing the villiage they unleash firey death on anything left alive, in minutes the villiage and surrounding forest is alight with fire burning maliciously in the early morning rays. The villiage a charred and tattered ghost of a once rebellious and deadly foe.

"This is General Krashiv, People's Militia Battalion commander in charge of Heartland Security. Targetted villiage was destroyed. All occupants terminated, official casualtie listings for Friendly forces as follows.

420 Soldiers wounded, 110 killed. 0 Armoured losses. Enemy armour support was not present suspision of combined assault on front lines highly possible. Recommend satscans to be doubled in frontline regions. Succussful killing of 520 Terrorists plus 330 civillians. Mission Status: Successful."

Looking up from his desk the general smiles softly and sends the memo directly to the Führer and returns to studying the latest military positions of his ongoing conflict. "We struck them hard this morning and they will undoubtedly rise up with those upper tier leaders dead." he whispers to nobody as he closes a folder with the words Operation Secondry Victory written accross the front.

[OOC: People that can get this info, have it others well....you know the drill.]

Sirithilia, Capital of the Holy Empire.
Iraqstan, 0900 hours
Operation: Blinding Terror

"This is it then, Assault plan two is in effect. We are to head to the Secondry Square of enlightenment, in this quadrant and eliminate the Führer and his top military units. They took the heads of our brothers all over um lizaa, our families have vanished. Our people are once more completely under their control. Today we remove the scum from our lives." A single man speaks softly to eleven other terrorist cell leaders.

"This assault calls for the use of twelve cells fully operational and without armour support. A total of nine-hundred and fifty troops will die today for our cause. The last fires of a glorious rebellion will be extinguished. Maybe if we remove this dictator the populace will rise up and act in accordance to our freedom chants." Pausing the man looks over the group noting the fire and determination in their eyes each intent to die for a cause they hold dear. Each knowing that after this attack there would be no Um lizaa Liberation Comittee to fight for.

"Is the bomb ready General Kiluth?" The man asks looking at one of the cell leaders. "It is Sir. We could only manage to steal a ten kiloton nuclear warhead from the weapons cache before we were attacked by defensive units. It is because of this attack that we are not fielding one thousand troops for this fight."

Nodding thoughtfully the man smiles "Estimated casuality rate and area of destruction for this sized bomb?" Rummaging through notes the general smiles. "Pressure wave blast radius is expected to be around 1.2km. Radiation wave of lethal dosage 650m. We estimate a total casualty rate of excess of half a million. That does not include our own deaths and that of the Führer."

Nodding the man smiles "An Eye for an Eye it is then, they have slaughtered half a million of our own people we will slaughter theirs. The attack will begin at 1400 hours. Detonation of nuclear warhead will be the top of our priorities. We must not let quil'raya escape. Standard attack initiations as usual, a carbomb into the side of the building followed by sniper and assault waves. Be ready men and be prepared. Today we become martyrs to a cause far greater than our own petty lives. For Freedom!" repeating his chant the eleven other man stand and depart mentaly preparing their briefings for their cells.

Office of the Führer,
Sirithilia, Capital of the Holy Empire.
Iraqstan, 1400 hours the previous day.

"And they managed to escape with a ten kiloton nuclear device my führer, for that I am sorry. They were strongly armed we lost 75 of our own soldiers and three tanks before we managed to kill fifty of them. We have no leads as to where the warhead has gone but there are rumours of it being smuggeled into the capital here.

So it is with heightened threat security that I ask that you postpone your military parade at the secondry square. You are obviously the target." General Mikale Hashiv finishes his report to Carlos and awaits a reply.

"I'm a target eh? Well then we cannot have that....." His eyes glinting thoughtfully Carlos stands up and paces about the room leaving a terrified General to await punishment. Pausing Carlos turns and points his gun at the General's head. "I find your incompetance annoying General. Meet your family on the other side." Pulling the trigger he turns the general's face into a bloody mess. His body propelled backwards the general's last moments of life ebb away all realisation lost all conciousness gone. Walking over to the body Carlos unloads the rest of the clip into the body peppering it with holes and causing blood to leak even faster from the corpse.

Behind him he hears the door open softly the guards looking in to ensure all is right. Seeing only the führer standing they close the door and wait to be summoned. Breathing heavily Carlos looks at the bloodied mess on his floor. "Guards get in here! Clean this mess up and get me my doubles. It's time they put themselves to good use." Opening the door and rushing in the guards retrieve the body with quick calm efficiency that speaks of them knowing this procedure often and leave only a bloodied stain on the floor. A stain the maids will clean tonight.

An hour later a man enters the room looking exactly like Carlos. Sitting at his desk Carlos looks up and smiles. "Excellent you have work to do. Tomorrow you will take my place at the secondry square. This speech you will read." nodding the man takes the offered speech notes and smiles. "I will make them believe it is you my lord." is all he says before leaving.

Tomorrow you will be dead, wether they beleive it or not. I am content to be dead for a few hours.......

Secondry Square of Enlightenment.
Sirithilia, Capital of the Holy Empire.
1400 hours.

"These troops before you my citizens! Are the proud warriors that have cleansed the lands of Um Lizaa of these so called rebels! The terrorist group known simply as the Um lizaa Liberation Comittee are no more! Their bodies have been burnt up in the light of the holy empire! Your enlightenement your Purity has caused these rebels to disintergate!

Today I stand before you proud to announce that a united Um Lizaa, a united Holy Empire once more reigns over the lands we call ours! Together we will dominate all! Feel proud in knowing that you are the PURE!"

Roaring in praise thousands of people stand and salute the führer hands stretch out above their heads in salute. A single chant of "Heil The Führer! Long live the Empire!" ringing out.

Rolling lazily towards the side of the stadium the truck suddenly stops prouing out from it's sides and from cars all around it the people stand off and wait contently. Suddenly screaming down the road comes a van veering sharply it rams straight into the stadium itself detonating seconds after rocking the entire metal construction. In the square people go silent as the explosion drowns out all they hear. Guards snap to action running to points of defensive importance knowing full well an attack is upon them.

"Do not panic people, the troops you see before you will protect you!" Carlos shouts as sporadic gunfire opens up from the troops. In the streets the ULC cells begin attacking the troop hardpoints the truck lazily rolling towards the center of the square. Cars scream past the truck detonating against hardened defensive points killing terrorist and soldier alike. Breaking into the square the gunfight continues this time terrorists opening up on citizens trapping them in the stadium.

Reaching it's destination the Truck stops and it's drivers jump out and grab Carlos. "For the treachery you have paid to Um Lizaa we bring you, to death!" they shout as one man holds a detonater in his hand. "you will die for your crimes Carlos! You will all die!" His voice echoes over the gunshots as the microphones pick up his words the crowd begins to scream and the soldiers turn their guns on the terorrists holding their leader captive.

Sensing the change in atmosphere the terrorists smile and step up to the dias and accept the bullets that burn through them in his last moments of breath one of them presses a button....... With a blinding flash and a roar of expanding gas the truck explodes a shockwave of burning wind, heavy pressure and destruction spreads out from it's center Carlos his two dead captives and everyone else in the vicinity of the blast evaporite in the blinding flash.

As the wave of destruction spreads outwards buildings, cars and people alike are burnt to ashes in seconds and swept away in the shockwave the blast spread out over the entire distric engulfing everyone in burning light and reducing buildings to nothing more than scrap and destruction.

As the wave races towards it's own death it knocks apart all that stands in it's way heading further from it's blast center it weakens and weakens killing people more with flying debris than with fire and heat. Reaching it's maximum reach the wave turns to nothing more than a heavy gust knocking people down and damaging buildings. More are killed by falling debris.

In minutes those that survived the initial blast sucumb to lethal radiation dying painfully rather than quickly, fall out is flung over the area aro und the attacked district people flee into the streets or towards unaffected areas screaming and crying people huddle in their houses their windows shattered from the ground quaking explosion. Looking out of their windows they see a mushroom cloud climbinb towards the heavens and all about them the terror of such destruction rings home.

In his palace many kilomteres away Carlos feels the ground shake and looks up sharply. Running ot the window he looks out and watches the blinding light and following cloud climb to the sky. "In the name of all that is Sirithil.... What have they done!?" he whispers his body numb from the shock of such an attack.

His door slams open and his top military advisors charge in. "My führer one of them speaks breathlessly. We had reports you where at that square! Thank god you were not." Turning to them Carlos looks at them and for the first time in his entire life he looks defeated, withdrawn and subdued. "They....They" is all he manages to speak before collapsing to the floor unconcious. In his mind the image of the blast and cloud sting his eyes and burn his heart.

Calling for help the advisors pick Carlos up and lay him out on a couch. The Palace doctor rushes in and begins administering the correct things required to wake the shattered and saddened Carlos. "My führer wake up, you are ok." is all he says as Carlos regains conciousness.

"Get the people in those areas that will be affected out of there. Set up emergency treatment facilities and get as many medical staff as possible in. Contact the defense units get planes in the area. I dont know what will be working out there the EMP will of done damage too. Ensure that no more attacks will happen. This smells like a last ditch effort but still.

Get the entire military force on alert as many people's militia and public security service troops as possible to the city. Have off shore patrols triple their movements and get those birds in the sky damnit!" one of his advisors shout into a telephone before rushing back to Carlos' side.

"My Führer we will get this under control. You just need to rest for a few hours." He says to Carlos who nods. "Sean, dont tell them I am alive just yet.. Please I need to recover to feel alive before I actually am alive." Carlos whispers before walking out of the room and to his bedroom. Laying down he falls into a shatered and tormented sleep......

No doubt most of the people with satellites will of seen the blast so...yeah, Either way an official statement will be made soon enough. Stay tuned :D

The Empire of Treznor stands with our friend and ally, the Holy Empire of Iraqstan during this time of turmoil and loss. We stand ready to supply troops and medical staff for support, and await word on the fate of your beloved Führer. If his life was taken in the blast, we promise to do everything in our power to bring his murders to justice.

Private message to Carlos Quil'raya:

The Emperor Devon Treznor would extend a personal message to the Führer if he were not presently hospitalised. However, I have standing orders to give any and all aide necessary to Iraqstan in a time of emergency. I judge this to be such a time. Please advise on your status and let us know how we can help.

Benjamin Vitner
Treznor Imperial Minister of Intelligence

We thank the Empire of Treznor for their continued support and offers for supplies and troops. At this moment we do not require military support but do request aide in helping our people evacuate from Sirithilia.

On the subject of murderors they were members of the former Um lizaa Liberation Comittee. As such we will be releasing a tape found by military units in um lizaa depicting the complete end of that terrorist group.

Private message to Benjamin Vitner.

I would like to personaly extend our own sympathies to you on the current state of Emperor Devon Treznor. The state of the Führer is currently unknown but we will release details when we have them.

Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahaf
Iraqstani Information Minister

http://www.angelfire.lycos.com/la3/lanay/inn.jpg
Imperial News Network
Hail the Führer, Long Live the Empire!

A reporter stands to the side of a road full of cars, carts, people and military vehicles. amongst the swarm of cars and people children are seen running to and fro and military units are seen carrying heavy loads to waiting trucks.

"This is Mikael Slatchka for Imp(N)news. I'm standing on one of the few outroads from the capital city where a mass exodus is underway. People fleeing the city after a nuclear warhead was detonated in the little sirithil district. So far casualty reports are in the half a million range with estimates of it rising to at least one million dead.

The surrounding areas affected by the blast, the shockwaves and the resulting EMP blast have reported high injury rates with death rates steadily climbing. Medical officers are working as best as they can taxing already taxed resources to ensure more people survive the ordeal to flee the city.

Acting under direct orders from the Chief Military Advisors and Information Minister Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahaf the Imperial Defense Force is evacuating the city. Fears of more bombs being detonated are high as millions of citizens flee into the streets.

More chilling is the news that Führer quil'raya the glorious ruler of the holy empire was at the center of the blast and is so far an unknown entity. Investigations into his survival or death are currently underway with all official lines remaining silent. Rumours of him being there are frequently peppered with hints at a military rally and it being the target for a shocking terrorist attack.

More chilling is the recording Imp(N)news recieved by the head commander of the now shattered Um lizaa Liberation Comittee. We will be replaying this message shortly after specialist analysts verify it's authenticity. Infact I have just recieved word that they have finished and the tape is about to be played. Stand by."

The camera cuts to the Iraqstani flag with the words "Through acceptance of light will our purity pervail: Carlos Quil'raya. Führer of the Holy Empire of Iraqstan.

Jumping slightly the camera footage is replaced by a grainy recording of a man wearing a former Um Lizaa military uniform. In his hand is a gun and in his eyes a fire that has long since been removed from the eyes of Um Lizaa citizens. Nodding slightly he begins to speak in a soft modulated voice.

"People of the so called Holy Empire of Iraqstan. At the time of this recording the Um Lizaa gold market rose by 12M€. Shortly after that rise the Secondry Square of enlightenment was struck by a nuclear warhead. I the sole commander of the Um lizaa Liberation Comittee do here by accept on behalf of the ULC responsibility for this attack. The target was your imperialistic, evil dog of a leader Carlos Quil'raya.

The attack which had the blindingly terrifying light of nuclear holocaust was acted out under directions from me. I ordered this strike to reveal to you that your so called stable and secure Empire is nothing more than lies and fascist beliefs.

Throughout history Um Lizaa has been oppressed by your so called benevolent leaders. Your führer Carlos is nothing more than a fascist dictator whom takes delight in causing pain and torture to millions of lives in Um Lizaa. For the past few months there has been a war waged in northern and southern um lizaa. A total media blackout has occurred on this matter and even more blacked out and hidden are the rumours of extermination camps and thousands of innocent Um Lizaa citizens being executed because of the actions of the ULC.

I stand testimont to the ULC I declare the rumours of extermination camps of executions to be true! Your Führer has murdered hundreds of thousands of innocent women and children! We struck back at this tragedy with all we could! You must see the evil that ran your country!

I orderd the nuclear strike for too remove this beast this monster from your lives in the hopes that you would rise up and break free of the oppressive and corrupt regime that runs your empire. I sacrificed my own sons in this battle and would gladly sacrifice them once more for freedom.

I urge the citizens of Iraqstan, of it's out lying lands and it's military heads give up this oppressive regime. I die now not for freedom but for a cause that has nothing left to fight with. The blood of the free will drown the evils that rule your empire. My blood will stand testimate to the fact that free people are honourable! That we the people of Um Lizaa are not vermin!"

Looking straight into the camera the man nods and puts the gun in his mouth. Angling the barrel to point to the top of his skull he salutes the camera and pulls the trigger. Slumping to the floor dead the camera covered in blood a single cry is heard before the camera cuts out.

Switching back to the main news desk for Imperial News Network a pasty faced news reader clears his throat and speaks.

"Shocking footage by a terrorist leader whom has seen the end of his burning evils. The accusations of death--" putting his hand to his ear the reporter nods curtly. "On that subject we are now crossing live to the Presidential Palace where information minister Muhammed Saeed Al-sahaf will make an announcement on the occurances."

Once more the camera is replaced by the Iraqstani flag. Sevral minutes pass before the flag is replaced by a podium packed with microphones and the Iraqstani flag splayed proudly behind it. Stepping to the podium Minister Al-Sahaf clears his throat and begins to speak.

"Esteemed reporters, people of the pure lands and enlightened peoples of the empire. Today at 1400 hours the capital of the holy empire, Sirithilia was attacked by terrorists. Using terror actions they successfully detonated a nuclear warhead in the secondry square of enlightenment in little Sirithil.

950 Terrorists were reported to be in the area and we are assuming all 950 are now dead. Among the dead are 1500 People's Militia soldiers who died defending the square. Civillian deaths are now in the million mark with estimates to be rising to 1.2 million before the night is over. There are no communication lines in or out of the area and soldiers are workign tirelessly to clear through debris to uncover any dead.

Reports of the Führer being at the scene of the attack are still unclear but it is possible he might of been.

You have all heard the video recording by Commander General. Il-Adib Husseih Am'nah, Supreme Commander of the Um lizaa Liberation Comittee. After extensive research we have confirmed that he is indeed the true leader of the ULC and that he is infact deceased. His body was found only two hours ago and this footage was released to the press an hour after discovery.

His accusations of extermination camps and hundreds of thousands of innocents executed in Um Lizaa are nothing more than lies meant to defile and lower the reputation of the holy empire in the eyes of the international community. There have never been Extermination Camps in Um Lizaa just as there have never been any executions of innocents.

On the claim that a war has been fought in northern um lizaa... These claims are true we have for months now been trying to quell the terrorist up risings in that troubled country. After many months of operations countless deaths and many setbacks the country of Um Lizaa is now officialy declared stable and free of terrorists.

A new empire has risen from the ashes of a burnt one. Today we are a unified and more enlightened empire than we were yesterday. Our resolve to remain faithful that our führer is alive keeps us from falling down. Our resolve to not give up on a system that so perfectly honours us and enlightens us will be the factor that keeps us running in this troubled time.

I urge the surviving citizens of Sirithilia to escape the radiation and fall out through either fleeing the city or evacuating to the specialised bunker complexes. We have long prepared for such an event and will protect you the people from any backlash this might cause.

If it were nessecary to say it I would but we have no reason to state that we will be pursuing the people responsible for this act against us since they are already dead. Instead we will devote our resources to helping and saving as many lives as possible. We will devote ourselves to finding Carlos to returning him to his rightful place as Führer!

Believe in the powers that hold him to us and believe that our lady eternity will save us from peril. Have faith in Carlos and pray.

Thank you." with that Muhammed steps back and raises his arm before him in salute. "Heil the Führer! Long Live the Empire!" Following suite the reporters salute and repeat his chant before Muhammed turns and walks off the stage.

Flicking back to the news room the reporter smiles slightly. "Clearly the hands of the empire have not faltered in their administration. Our lives will not end due to the terrorist actions of misguided vermin. I for one will not lay down my belief that Carlos is alive. He will return to us to lead us to enlightenment to complete purity! In his life I place my faith! This has been an emergency broadcast by Imperial News Network. Bringing the facts to the enlightened first and accurately!"

http://www.angelfire.lycos.com/la3/lanay/inn.jpg
Imperial News Network
Hail the Führer, Long Live the Empire!

We will stand by our ally in this time of need, and offer as well any forces, humanitarian assistance or aid that you might find yourselves in need of. We grieve for your loss. Those responsible will be brought to justice. This cannot go unanswered. An act of terrorism on this level is unforgiveable, and a crime not only against your people, but against humanity.

Private message to Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahaf

I have every faith in you, as does, I know, Carlos. Know I will support you in any way you need, to the best of my abilities. Please keep me up to date on the current situation. I hope against hope that the Führer will be found, and that all will be well. I regret that I cannot be there to support you as before, however, I have seen you handle yourself in crisis before. I know you'll do an admirable job. His faith in you is well placed.

--Nathicana

As always we are eternaly grateful for the support and assistance our honourable and enlightened allies in Treznor and the dominion offer us. We promise that the responsible have been punished with a sentance to damnation for eternity. Further motions of justice will be taken but for now our main priority is rebuilding and treating affected peoples.

Private Message to Nathicana.

We thank you, and as a sign of trust I want to put forward our information that Carlos is indeed alive. For security reasons he was reported dead until we could find and eliminate all the terrorist cell. We will be releasing official news from him soon. I thank you for your confidence and for the help you gave in the past. Carlos would be grateful to know of the trust and kindness you've shown towards his nation.

~Muhammed.

Hofburg, Lavenrunz

Empress Aurora had been reading her Machievelli carefully. She was sweating and nervous for several nights, pacing and thinking. Ifs and ands, what ifs and what nots...
She had some reports from Baron Shein, compiled from military intelligence, the ISA and from bits and pieces sent by allies. It was still hard to make a decision.
Was this what her mother had had to go through?
But at length she decided it was time to test her powers as monarch.
First of all, she instructed the Chancellor and the Minister of War to make preparations to fulfill Lavenrunz' obligations
to allies and to those promised aid--by preparing the Ienotheisan Fleet and the Atlantic Fleet to send elements to form a task force, temporarily dubbed a special training force.
General Schlabel pointed out that great numbers of supplies and munitions could not be moved without some notice, but that an effort would be made to make it look like some form of commercial traffic.
Secondly: the Imperial Marines--all three divisions--were to take part in this operation.
Thirdly: diplomacy...

~Transmission~
From: Aurora von Konigsmark, Foreign Minister
To: Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahaf
Iraqstani Information Minister
Due to internal difficulties the Empire of Lavenrunz was unable to provide you with assistance.
Now we wish to provide it. We wish to send an expedition which will organize relief of refugees and
of relief supplies. Please let us know if this is possible.
~End Transmission~

Fourthly: the 'special relief mission'.
Aurora would never want it known that she had learned what she knew of war from playing 'Halo' 'World at War' , and 'Reich Strike' on her X-Box.
But she had found out that the games were little different from the versions used for the wargames that the Ministry of War ran.
The special relief mission was to consist of elements of the Para-Commando Brigade, the Imperial Jaeger Regiment and Carrier Group Alfarkoenigin
It was scary but exhilerating. Somewhere, out to sea, huge ships were moving across the sea to rendevous points with supply flotillas. Planes were being fuelled up for long journeys.
Supplies were moving onto rail lines and onto logistics ships. Marines and commandos were being driven to the planes or vessels that would carry them.

~Secure letter, delivered personally by an imperial equerry and opened in private~
To her Excellency Carlotta de Goethe, Admiral of the Home Waters Fleet, Colonel-General of Marines
You are charged with the task of bringing a task force consisting of carrier groups Zwoll, Alfarkoenigin, Meistersinger along with three marine expeditionary squadrons and a submarine squadron
to the relief of the people of Iraqstan. Should any forces interfere with this task, you are directed to regard this as an attack on the sovereignty of the
Teutonic Empire of Lavenrunz. In which case you will be reinforced by carrier groups Mirenburg, Atlach, and Carlsbad.
May God go with you.
Empress Aurora von Sachshausen

[~Transmission~]
From: Aurora von Konigsmark, Foreign Minister
To: Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahaf
Iraqstani Information Minister
Due to internal difficulties the Empire of Lavenrunz was unable to provide you with assistance.
Now we wish to provide it. We wish to send an expedition which will organize relief of refugees and
of relief supplies. Please let us know if this is possible.
~End Transmission~



[~Transmission~]
From: Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahaf, Iraqstani Information Minister
To: Aurora von Konigsmark, Foreign Minister.

I bring greetings and thanks to you from the heart of the Holy Empire. It is with no loss of honour or pride that I accept your offer with open arms and high spirits. We are currently devoting our resources to locating and dealing with dead and injured people and have little to spare for relief operations. Your aid will be greatly remembered for many years to come in Iraqstan.
~End Transmission~

Sitting back Muhammed sighs heavily and looks over his shoulder at Carlos. "It looks like we've got some aid coming in. I hope your ready to be found." Nodding Carlos rolls up his sleeve to show the appropriate cuts and bruises painted on by make up and snickers. "Just as I hope your ready for more speeches and words of faith." Shrugging Muhammed sits back and watches the transmission go out.

Claudia der Waal was actually afraid. She bowed and left the presence of the Empress with a heavy heart. There was no reason on Earth to send such a force for aid relief. Of course, Aurora had called it 'peacekeeping'.
And yet...she felt trapped. If her government pulled this off, it could mean that she would win back her strength in the polls, ride to victory once again, a second chance at government.
But if she failed!
The other terrifying thing was being in the presence of a brilliant mind in the body of a girl barely more than a child. There was something uncanny about it, and as she went past the guards in the Hall of Memories she crossed herself.

It was hard to get such an expedition going without error. The Third Marine Division had been on duty in Ienotheisa for so long that they were not used to moving so much heavy equipment--a serious oversight, one that had admirals making black marks and looking at one another accusingly, had generals making flustered explanations like schoolchildren, pointing fingers. In the end, two senior officers shot themselves and confessed to the error, honour was preserved.
Out to sea, destroyer Gunnar was being refuelled during strong winds. The carrier group was scattered widely during the refuelling and resupply 'exercise' to avoid unecessary risks, but even so an inexperienced deck officer mixed up orders to the refuelling crew, and the pin fell into the sea. The two ships swung together momentarily, and the severed hose fell moments later, draining huge quantities of fuel into the sea before it could be shut off.
Tempers flared. Imperial Marines, tough as they were, soured their quarters aboard ship with their vomit and inevitable fear and boredom.
Others were very cool about it. AWACs flew far out to sea towards Iraqstan. Submarines, from little diesel SSK Niebelung to the hulking nuclear SSN Oldenburg stealthily crept through the ocean, flanking, sometimes dodging under the carrier groups. Most had recently refuelled at SATO bases near the Atlantic.
But ah! Orders were read! And the crews cheered at the news that at last they were going into action. Few had any idea where Iraqstand was. Few cared, as they cheered "God Save the Empress!" At last an end to the tension!

Sitting at his desk in the Command center Major General Muhammed Il-Samar flicks through the latest intel reports and survey messages from assets set to scan Iraqstani controled areas. Reading a statistical report he blinks. "What the..." Picking up his phone he makes a call to the Office of Military Advisory and response.

Aftering minutes of arguing, pulling rank and threatening death General Il-Samar makes it through to the office of the Führer and prepares his report. "My führer. Forgive the intrusion but early warning sattelites have picked up a huge force of ships heading our way. We estimate over one hundred ships all up with a third of them heading the opposite direction."

"Really? I see, thank you General. I might have an idea from who they come from but bring the defense networks up to alert level four and await further orders." Hanging up the phone the General sends out the orders and sits back. All accross the motherland air craft roll onto run ways and prepare for launch should the order be given. Soldiers awaken from sleeps to the sounds of orders being yelled at them from outside their barracks.

Off the coast of Um Lizaa patrol boats recieve orders to increase their patrols and air craft begin flying patrols over the afflicted northern half. Sitting in his office Carlos watches the reports filter in and frowns. "I'll wait and see what this is." He whispers to himself before returning to his work.

"Sheeeyit," Sirithil moaned as she watched the fleet set off for Iraqstan.

"Milady, the Empress has sent us a brief letter explaining that this is a humanitarian mission..." State Prefect Turelio cautioned.

"I'm aware," Sirithil replied softly, "but it may set off a bit of a powder keg here. Everyone and their dog is watching Iraqstan carefully with this recent civil war they had there. A military fleet suddenly showing up... I know Aurora isn't stupid enough to go for an invasion... but not everyone else knows that, and there's a few, especially in the NDA, that will assume otherwise. I won't have a war started over a misunderstanding and a few shiploads of grain, especially between two allies of this Empire."

Serendis nodded. "The man worships you, milady. Perhaps if you contact him directly and counsel him to make an official statement welcoming the fleet, it will smooth things over. I'm sure he will listen."

"Good idea," Sirithil nodded. "And Turelio, you send Aurora a message... tell her she has my support and I congratulate her on her altruism, and also tell her she is free at any time to refuel and resupply Lavenrunzian ships at any of our installations."

"Yes, milady."

"Thank you both... dismissed."

Once alone, she reached for her comm.

x - Lady Sirithil nos Fëanor, Menelmacar
o - Carlos Quil'raya, Iraqstan

I understand there is a Lavenrunzian fleet approaching your coastline. I also understand you have been made aware of the situation, and that it is a humanitarian operation. However, I am worried that some of our mutual allies may not be aware of this, and might assume that war is brewing, especially with the current situation in your realm and the attention being paid to it from abroad.

If you wish my advice, I suggest you make a statement welcoming the Lavenrunzian aid, and thanking them kindly for their friendship and generosity. Such a statement, I'm sure, will caution all watchers that you are aware of the fleet and its intentions, and are in control of the situation, that no military deployments by the NDA and others is necessary.

Sincerely yours,

http://www.weirdozone.0catch.com/projects/nationstates/sirithil/sirithilnosfeanor.gifLady Sirithil nos Fëanor
Elentári of the Eternal Noldorin Empire of Menelmacar
"We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. We will see freedom's victory."
~US President George W. Bush
We Love the Iraqi Information Minister (http://www.welovetheiraqiinformationminister.com)
Clicky-clicky!

Aurora was amazed. "An invasion?" she exclaimed. "For a country the size of Iraqstan? I mean, I know it's a lot of ships, but...three carrier groups can hardly be an invasion--as for the marines, like I'm going to invade a country that big with three marine divisions!"
General Schlabel said intently, "Yes, but now they're worried...they'll be alert."
"I can't imagine they have any idea what I have in mind." she insisted. "Anyway, we do intend to bring them relief, and we will. The easiest, quickest thing is to get the military to do it." she laughed. "Honestly, some people are so suspicious!"
The fact that the Empress said this as she was roller blading around the cabinet table did not inspire Schlabel with confidence, but he paused when she gave him a cold shrewd look--a look full of intelligence and full of the absolute confidence of youth. He shivered.


To my beautiful darling Aunt Siri
Thank you very much for lending my fleet landing places and fueling stations--I know that technically I could have just claimed it from SATO, but it is much nicer to get help from a friend.
The most awful stories about refugees are being told to me by Baron Shein and other people. I think that something has to be done, which is why I am acting so quickly.
Your 'little niece' Aurora


The fleet kept moving towards Iraqstan. ETA: three days.

Sitting at his desk Carlos recieves the comm and rubs his temples annoyedly. Muttering a curse in old Iraqstani (Arabic) he takes up his com.

To: Lady Sirithil nos Fëanor
From: Carlos Quil'Raya.
Subject: Lavenrunzian fleet.

My lady, it is with honour and pleasure that I recieve your advice and do agree with your assertion. In a few minutes I will be addressing the state with exactly this information. I've no intentions of starting a political bush fire just yet with any mutual allies both yours or mine.

I hope this gives some assurance to you since you are undoubtedly concerned with the well being of your followers. Iraqstan has a policiy of never firing the first shot. We act only if aggressively acted against.

I trust this lays to rest fears on all sides of the borders and hope my presence has not sunk in your opinions.

Sincerly yours,

http://www.angelfire.lycos.com/la3/lanay/bogey.jpg
Führer Carlos Quil'Raya
Inherited ruler of Iraqstan
We have Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahaf for an information minister yay!

Public Announcement from the Office of the Führer.

The camera flicks to Carlos sitting at his desk behind him the flag of the empire waves brightly in the wind. Folding his hands atop his desk Carlos looks into the camera his eyes glinting with pride and arrogance.

"Peoples of the Iraqstan, pure and friends of the NDA and others known to be watching Iraqstan. I'm sure you all are aware of the large lavenrunzian fleet heading towards Iraqstan even as I speak. I would lay your fears aside with the following information.

Due to recent climatic attacks against the empire, including the nuclear blast which decimated the capital city The Information Minister, Muhammed Saeed Al-Sahaf accepted aid from the people's of Lavenrunz to set up refugee movement and supply lines in the growing times.

The fleet aproaching us is being met with open arms and friendly skies. We wish not to start a conflict with the lavenrunzian peoples since it is a war we fear we would be hard pressed to succeed in. Let all fears be laid aside with this information and let the lavenrunz people rest easier knowing they need not fear reprisals from Iraqstan OR her allies."

Nodding to the camera Carlos salutes and the camera fades to the Iraqstani flag with the words Truth, purity and enlightenment. The paths of Iraqstan cross these goals with pride.

http://www.angelfire.lycos.com/la3/lanay/inn.jpg

Approaching the fifty mile limit of Iraqstan

"VAMPIRES! MY GOD! THEY'RE ALL AROUND US! GET THE FLAMETHROWER!" screamed the marine corporal in the shadows of berth.
People were scrambling from their racks, cursing, desperate because the weapons were in the armory lockers when a sergeant shouted, "Back in your bunks!"
"But sarge--!"
"NOW!"
"Pieter," a medic was saying to the corporal, who was sitting upright in his bunk, "Damn it, I told you to take the effing pills. They don't make you sleep deeper, they just make you sleep better. Got it?"
Corporal Pieter Bauman grimaced. To the mystification of some of the younger marines, he was now perfectly calm. "I barely remember what I dreamed, doc."
"Take the damn pills or I'll Article 9 you." the medic said with brusque affection.

"So are we invading or what?" demanded Under-Lieutenant the Ritter von Griem, a young pilot. He and some of his flightmates couldn't sleep and were playing cards while Akiko (a hot star from Ravenspire) sang about love in her raw and provocative voice.
"It's not an invasion, it's a peacekeeping mission." said Lieutenant Schweinburg, the flight leader. She was pretending to be in a grumpy mood when in fact she had a pretty good hand.
"What kind of peacekeeping mission do we take three carrier groups on?" von Griem said, raising his eyebrows.
"Hey, General Schlabel, it's too bad they didn't ask you to plan it." scoffed Under-Lieutenant Bruckner, raising his eyes from his hand.
"What?" Griem asked irritably.
"You bring the marines to keep things organized--hell, remember when that earthquake happened a few years ago? What did they do? Called in the marines for disaster relief. And we're going to a foreign country, so we have planes and helicopters and everything we need right here in the fleet. Look, Empress Joanna," here they all crossed themselves without even thinking about it, "Promised aid months ago but it was just a few drops of supplies. The fleet was actually being organized for that then--but there was all this stuff going on. What we're doing now is our actual mission." Schweinburg told Griem. "Now: let's raise the stakes here..."

As the fleet moved towards the fifty mile limit of Iraqstan, Admiral de Goethe had a message sent, notifying the Iraqstani high command of their arrival in local waters. Excitement whipped through those in the force already awake.

SATO Oceanic Support Base, Menelmacar

The 4th Special Operations Airlift Wing was refuelling. They had flown low and swift over Menelmacar, under an ECM protective cloud, their presence known only to a few in the high commands of Lavenrunz and Menelmacar. 'Imperial Medical Corps Support Wing' had been overwritten on them.
A battalion of Para-Commandos and another of Jaegers were busy stretching their legs and fuelling up themselves, not knowing when they would leave, and politely but firmly avoiding the SATO personnel on the base.
Brigadier-General Mondorf, the task force commander, was speaking with his staff and the battalion staffs and with the wing command.
"Now. You understand that units almost identical to this one will be paving the way for us, landing inland and offering assistance on the mainland. Our mission, to the smaller island, will move in only after that practice has been established. Because this is not a mission into openly hostile territory, there will be no jamming, it will be just an old fashioned fly in low and discreet. But once we're in the area, Alfarkoenigin's group will provide us with full support. Evac is by the same planes; refuelling on the way back is to take place by air, so there won't be any reason to stop longer than we have to."
"What if there are more people than the planes can take?" asked the wing commander, Bittrich.
"Then the carrier group will provide means of evacuation." replied Mondorf. "Rules of engagement are: secure personnel in the camp by means necessary, but no firing until fired upon."

"Iraqstan."

"Again?"

"Yep."

"Didn't they just have a civil war and a mass evacuation or something?"

"Yep."

"Shit."

----------------------

Overhead, HA satellites wheeled into stationary monitoring positions. They would watch, as their onboard computers tagged individual components of the situation as worthy of further examination.

All data was forwarded to Intelligence Central.

Reading the message sent to him Carlos chuckles. Clucking at latest intel reports of the ships movements he sighs. "When in doubt send in the marines." He whispers and signs off on the orders to clear areas of the coast lines for landing of supplies and stands up.

Heading towards his rooms he mentally ticks off his recent clothe purchases and discards them. "For this meeting, crisp military." He mutters and walks into his bedroom and sorts out his clothes. A crisp formal military shirt, a green military jacket complete with rank and battle awards.

Green tailored long pants and white gloves. Checking his reflection in the mirror Carlos grins and takes a seat at his private desk and listens to some soothing Iraqstani music as he waits for the forces to arrive.

At sea a single patrol boat sends out a message towards the Carrier groups heading towards it's designated patrol ground a simple inquiry and welcome with a promise of an official welcome by the Führer at the Admiral's conveniance. Falling back slightly the patrol boat, weapons at the ready stands testimony to the heightened state of the nation.

Edited for double posting.

Somebody forget to feed the hamsters, again?

Treznor looks at the number of files in his virtual "Inbox," as compared to the number of files already processed. It's getting toward evening, and there's still a Herculean effort to be made.

Oh well. My own damned fault for haring off all the time. Pity I didn't win the auction, though.

He moves on to the next file, which details NDA and Treznor intelligence on the situation brewing in Iraqstan. He stiffens as he scans through the details of the fleet. Oh my gods, that's a lot of ships. No civilian transports, either. Dammit, Aurora, don't make me do something we'll all regret. Carlos is on edge as it is.

Then he reads on and relaxes. Slightly. All right, Carlos is expecting them. But if I know him, he's still going to be nervous about it. Please, nobody sneeze while they're in Iraqstani waters.

He ponders a moment, then leans forward to issue his orders.

[code:1:0764e28764]Top Priority. Monitor the movements of the Lavenrunz fleet approaching Iraqstan. Watch for any feints. Absolute discretion is required; no maglev craft. As big as this fleet is, it may still be a feint. Coordinate with agents on the ground.[/code:1:0764e28764]

He looks over the report and his instructions a moment longer before sending everything out.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. At least, I hope so.

Admiral de Goethe could faintly hear the sound of "Camptown Races" which the Zwoll's band was playing. Playing well, but she hated the song. Still, to shut them up for that would be rather tyrannical.
Anyway, it was soon drowned out by the sound of engines warming up. On the huge landing platforms of the two carriers nearest Sirithilia, helicopters were loading up with marines, medics and engineers. The amphibious squadron was moving in far closer, right up to the shore to swing open vast clamshell doors and allow landing craft to swarm up to the beach. General Dietrich intended to go in with the first wave. He had decided it would be easiest to coordinate directly with an Iraqstani officer once ashore to avoid problems.
The first of the landing craft, a huge hovercraft, made its landing and the first vehicles began to roll onto the shore.
"Holy Virgin, it's hot here," exclaimed the first Imperial Marine ashore. The reply was barely heard as a flight of helicopters roared inland overhead. The marines began to form up along the beach to shouted orders from corporals and sergeants.

Alfarkoenigin's group, meanwhile, was still heading towards Um Lizaa.

Watching from the beachside villa Carlos smiles and nods to the General beside him. "Looks like a stunning display. Shall we go?" Recieving nothing but a nod Carlos shakes his head ruefully and heads down to where the Limosuine is parked. Once inside he relishes the cool airconditioning for the short trip to the beach.

Rolling to a smart stop the limo shines like a black beacon to all on the beach landing zone. Behind it a truck stops and twenty troops jump from the back and form an honour guard around the limo. One soldier opens the door and out steps first General Ishmael Ins-Samur secondary General in charge followed closely is Carlos.

Squinting behind his sunglasses Carlos nods to the soldier who shuts the door and falls back in line. Walking to the steps down to the beach Carlos clasps his hands behind his back and smiles atthe foot falls behind him, making his way to the landed troops Carlos stands ready off to the side watching the movement of troops and looking around for the person in charge.

A burly man in the field uniform of the Imperial Marines, but with the gold oak leaves and three crowns of a Lieutenant-General approaches along with his staff, and salutes Carlos stiffly, bringing his bootheels together with a sharp click. In perfect tandem, his staff bow.
"General Hans Dietrich, Excellency, of Her Imperial Majesty's Marines. I'm the land commander of the expedition." he says.
Nearby, a beach command center is being set up; tent cloth and sandbags to shield computer screens and radio equipment is being pegged down. Naval and marine personnel are busy at work around it.
All the marines are in tropical camouflage, while the naval personnel are in tropical khakis. There are both male and female present. There is an air of brusque professionalism around the growing mass of people.

Returning the salute quickly and smartly Carlos nods to the staff and extends his hand to the General. "A pleasure to meet you sir. Allow me to introduce to you the man you'll be coordinating with for the majority of your stay. This is General Ishmael Ins-Samur. He has proven to be quite efficient in refugee coordinations during the sturggles we've endured." The general steps forward and Salutes quickly before clearing his throat.

"It is a true pleasure to meet you sir. I hope together we can coordinate and compliment each other perfectly in this mission. I look forward to it." Stepping back the man returns to that of a silent statue. "Tell me General, what are you plans? I must say it's an impressive amount of firepower for refugee assistance."

After greeting his liason politely...
"Well, the answer to that is quite simple. Efficiency." Dietrich says proudly. "The marines will be able to build staging areas for relief in the blink of an eye! The planes will be used for coordination and radio relay. The helicopters--well, their use is obvious. As for the escort vessels--our carriers never sail without escort vessels. Excellency, let me tell you--Lavenrunz does not commit to half measures. Now: may I ask if there are any special considerations that I should know of?"

A C-1 Globemaster flight had left Menelmacar that morning, and now was flying towards Iraqstani airspace, identifying itself as part of the task force, carrying medics and medical supplies, and plotting a course for Sirithilia. There were six planes in the flight.

Nodding Carlos smiles and lets his smile linger for a moment before taking on an air of immense sorrow. "Well as you know, we've recently suffered a tragic nuclear attack and there are some parts of Sirithilia that are still declared radioactive and unsafe for people. We've had problems with the city ever since the attack. Short of evacuating entirely we've managed to build temporary housings along the unaffected sides of the city.

In short if your people are going into the city be sure to have radiation units on hand to check for the levels. The fallout has spread out a fair way so we can never be sure. Other than that there isnt really much I can think of. It'll be fairly obvious where and what requires effort and when."

In an air tower in Iraqstan the planes appear on radar and the people in the tower recieve the signals. Giving them authorised flight paths they return to scanning the skies for other aircraft and possible threats.

tag (I'l read it all later, to mutch atm ;) )

There was cracking of jokes by some, prayers by others, quiet thoughtfulness by the rest of the NBC medical teams in the Globemasters. They had been in some hot spots before; some of the veterans among them had been in the Channel Islands after the bomb had gone off there. Doing their suit checks, oxygen level checks and all their last minute preparations, they said goodbye to rest and calm and prepared to descend into hell.
The planes were careful to arrive at a designated landing zone out of the danger areas for radiation. NBC vehicles began to roll off them, personnel aboard.

Meanwhile...carrier group Alfarkoenigin reached Um Lizaa and began checking signal frequencies. A first class radio operator aboard the carrier itself explained that they had to check for contact purposes, and could they get a log of distress calls that had not been locally responded to?
A C-1 Globemaster flight began its approach simultaneously, explaining intention of landing with medical supplies and food.
At the same time...
another flight came in low like B-52s on a raid, to evade radar sweeps.

Radio operations in Um Lizaa send out the opropriate data some calls for help in villiages along the northern coast lines for the main part the small island seems to be breathing a long deep breath of shock unable to comprehend the things happening about them.

Off the coast patrol boats clear the way of mines and other things for the carrier group. Air craft are diverted from the area to ease some of the strain on other parts. All over the country the clean up is happening but slowly.

From the anti-air frigate Kassel there crackled a signal to the effect that some sealing had cracked, and that one of the engine rooms was flooding.
"Do you require assistance, Kassel?" the deck officer of the Alfarkoenigin asked of the opposite number on the frigate.
There was a hesitation, and a strained voice said, "Please stand by..."
This message was on a direct band, but might have been picked up. However, the carrier group merely sent the message ashore that they were experiencing some delays.
Nevertheless, the marine unit accompanying them moved its landing craft and helicopters shoreward. Colonel Letz was in command over the three thousand marines that were landing. A substantial reserve was held back on the carrier and the helicopter landing craft in the squadron.

The special operations flight went in low past the first of the camps and landed quietly at a small town. The commandos began, in teams of company size, to move on the island camps.
The medical flight landed as well--but not before lowering flaps and allowing a battalion of Para-Commandos to jump from the ramps of the various planes with guidable parachutes.
Keeping signalling to a minimum and on secure bands if at all, the Jaegers and Para-Commandos began to move in small units on their targets.
Major Erica von Fischer, leading one of the companies of Jaegers, found the forests an oddly peaceful interlude--which made her wary. Like savages of older times, they moved by signals, making as little sound as possible, drifting through the trees.
Major the Baron von Wolfmar led his Para-Commando unit, an elite barely known unit called Kobold Company in tandem, and found that they were near enough to the factory to clearly see it...

Walking on a patrol around the perimeter of the factor was a lone guard, his assault rifle slung over his shoulder. In his mouth a cigarette smoulders comfortable as he takes a long pull of the cigarette and wanders back around the edge of the building.

Inside the people work tirelessly, sewing and assembling all sorts of items to be sold to other nations, the lighting is poor but bright and the air is filled with the stench of sweaty bodies and blood.

At another camp the screams of people in terror can be heard in the distance the lighting is bright and the atmosphere high for trouble....

Like a ghost from a bad dream, Sergeant First Class Katzenburg of A Company swept up and slammed a blade into the throat of the guard and a hand over his mouth.
The rest of the Jaegers drifted quietly to key points of the first factory, seeking out sentries. Snipers targetted the towers. Any area with a radio antenna was sought out. Their faces were grim, their movements quick and unhesitating.
Erica von Fischer signalled to a squad leader to cover the road--and sent a heavy weapons squad along with them, just in case.


Wolfmar hesitated only for a moment. Then he ordered Kobold Company to double it, moving through the tall grass like a pack of predators, spreading out so that they could envelope the factory.

With a slight gurgle the stabbed soldier struggles only faintly before life flees his body. Towers are emptied by the snipers and radio communications go down. Inside the buildings civillians dressed in crude clothes huddle in work spots working endlessly or sleeping far from comfortably.

Yet in other rooms women and girls are used as toys by guards brutaly used and discarded as guard after guard has their turn with them. A lone man patrols one of the work floors watching men, women and children sew together clothes and pack them into boxes labeled for countries open to trade with Iraqstan.

On the road a single troop truck rumbles along, the laughter of men inside echoeing softly. In the back twenty soldiers lounge about their guns being used as makeshift staffs in mock sparring matches. Smokes are lit and alcohol freely distrbuted. The driver watches the road intently his passenger watches the sides of the roads reports had come in about the lavenrunz ships they were now somewhat elevated security wise....

Senior Lieutenant Manstein steps out with a group of Jaegers rather casually into the road, and holds up a hand, motioning for the engine to be killed. The Jaegers have their weapons held but look for all the world like a group of sentries. From the woods, however, the rest of the unit was covering the truck with deadly intent....

The others were now in the camp, some climbing up into the towers and doing a visual sweep of the surrounding area. Others moved by the numbers to cover the buildings, waiting for signals to move in.

The doors were light steel, and a safe guess was that they were locked. Erica von Fischer quickly made a decision, and satchel charges were passed out. She received warning of the truck via her earpiece, and ordered the unit near the road to deal with it, and quickly.

Stopping the truck the driver yells out a question which silences the twenty men in the back. One by one they poke their heads out and check what's happening. The drivers passenger hops out, his pistol in plain sight. Walking closer he barks out a request. "What do you want? We've got orders to relieve those at the camp."

The twenty men seeing the exchange climb from the truck weapons now used properly with ammunition loaded in their guns. In the factory a sentry makes his way past a window and stares out into the night idly watching the search lights pass lazily over the ground his mind wandering into the distance.

"Damn." thought the senior lieutenant, and as if in a reflex action, beat his fist against his thigh a couple of times. He smiled as he approached, saying, "Well, we have orders to--"
At that moment, a rocket launcher round slammed into the side of the truck, and the Jaegers in ambush position opened fire. Manstein fired his submachinegun from the hip into the driver.

The satchel charges were set off at the same time.

Proppeling the twenty troopers to the ground from the explosion they react quickly some diving for cover others taking up assault rifles and opening fire. The passenger dives to the ground his pistol in hand firing at the people infront of him. Behind him screams of pain become apparent as his men fall victim to the fire from around them.

At the same time however the steel doors explode open and with reflexes trained to respond the guards inside snap to the guard their guns aimed at the door. In the pleasure rooms guards quickly put their clothes on and take up weapons from the lockers. The factory turns into a mad house as the remaining guards rush about franticly getting to spots to cover the doors.....

Senior Lieutenant Manstein felt rather than heard the pistol, a sense of force passing, a stinging as he dropped to one knee instinctively, and a realization that a bullet had torn open his cheek. The sergeant with him, Vogler, dropped right to the ground, taking out a grenade as she did, timing it and hurling it at the driver.
From the woods, two HK21 machine guns swept the range of the truck, seeking out targets. Senior Sergeant Kammler was grinning. Let the bastards take to the woods: there the Jaegers excelled. Nevertheless, he signalled the rocket troopers and the two grenadiers to fire their heavy weapons into the soldiers deploying for cover. Direct and indirect fire howled and shrieked towards them...

"Go, go!" motioned the squad leaders near the doors. For the Imperial Jaeger, the leopard is the model. Not the most powerful or the most swift, but ready to strike unexpectedly and with concentrated force, then vanishing afterward.
Flash bang grenades were hurled into the doors, to stun and disorient, and immediately following the Jaegers would lunge in and move with deadly intent on anything bearing a weapon.
With a crash, a big corporal called Goetz hurled himself through a window; others do likewise following the grenades' explosions.
Erica von Fischer checked her watch and made a numerical signal report via her RTO.
Near the beach, the reserve helicopter units began to warm up their engines.

"Breaker-One, what is your status, over?"
Lieutenant-Commander Schweinburg spoke into her headset, "Passing over what appears to be a large group of refugees, Vambrace. We're going to send a scout down to check it out. Over."
"Understood, Breaker-One. Over."
Schweinburg swept her Seekonig helicopter in a circle overhead; she could see people like toys moving below in what appeared to be a chaotic manner. Like dozens of other flight commanders she was looking for trouble areas to direct the land units towards. She ordered von Greim to take his See-Fledermauss down to take a closer look. It was a lighter helicopter, normally used for special operations and scouting missions, and carried a sniper as well as a machinegunner.
Von Greim's bird, which had very clearly a blue rampant crowned leopard on the outside, sought out a place where they would not be landing right on anyone, and and descended to earth. The young officer was intensely curious as to what he would see.

Rushing back and forth past the officer are men and women clutching at what ever they can, behind them the sounds of gun fire can be heard. The distant shouts of Iraqstani officers declaring areas off limits and the property of the Führer drift in from the around the landing spot.

Suddenly as one a group of five Iraqstani Guard come into view weapons held ready each soldier kicking down a refugee who's hands are bound. The commander walking forward steps to the first refugee and places his pistol to the head of the poor woman. Shouting into her ear he demands why herself and the others are on sovreign Iraqstani soil.

Weeping the woman answers she was collecting her things and preparing to leave. Shouting for her to be silent the officer slaps her accross the face with his free hand before kicking her to the ground. Kicking her three times he walks over to the young officer and sneers at him. "Can I help you soldier?"

With the concussive thud of the flash bangs and the blinding light of them the guards inside yell and clutch at their eyes, weapons once aimed now gone. The civillians scream in terror and flee to the corners of the rooms as all around troops not affected by the grenades open fire on the door and windows hoping to hit someting other than their own people.

Cowering in a corner a little boy screams for his mother who screeches and is cut down by an Iraqstani trooper taking the initiative and killing the people he thinks are to be rescued. Shouting orders to those that can see they being to open fire on the civillians not caring for their comrades or themselves. Others cover them but the majority are blinded and out of action......

Dragging wounded with them, the Jaegers fall back from the worst of the firing, but it is only temporary, as tear gas grenades are flung in.
"Should've done that before," mutters Erica to herself, cursing the poor intel on the doors. She moves to lead the way into the barracks area, her gas mask in place. Check the corners, check above and below is the drill, but they are grim and determined.

Horrified, under-Lieutenant von Ihengen fires a burst at the soldier who killed the boy. Enraged, his team hurtle into the room, seeking out their targets, screaming like their barbarian ancestors.

Outside, those behind and those in the towers watch for any unexpected reinforcements.

From the beaches, helicopters are lifting off and heading inland towards the camps, small groups of marines aboard each.

Screaming in pain guards fall their guns firing uselessly for seconds before being silenced. As the tear gas flows into the room the troopers begin to cough and stumble to the ground their hands at their throats.

In the back rooms the guards are once more killing women and children a single commander shouts orders to keep fighting. "Dont let them get these animals!" He screams before poking his rifle out the door and spraying fire at the camp residents.

Meanwhile resistance slowly begins to fail entirely some troops throwing their weapons down and surrendering whilst the rest continue to fight... The guard who first started the mass execution falls to the burst of fire shot at him his shots burning into the roof.

"Hande hoch!" von Ihengen screamed.
"Hands up!" roared his sergeant.
Blood was pooling everywhere, the foul stench of death and of weapon discharge filtered by the gas masks.
Erica von Fischer wass grimly horrified by the carnage. It wass like a nightmare. Who would have thought that these filthy bastards would have the prisoners with them at this time?
"Find officers and ncos." she ordered. "And start getting the civilians out of here, to somewhere less chaotic.
To the civilians, the Jaegers are camouflaged and strange, doubtless, their gas masks giving them an apperarance of giant insects.

Peeking out the lone commander see's the majority of his men either dead or surrendered. Grabbing a girl he throws his spent rifle down and takes out his pistol. Picking her up he holds the gun at her head and walks out.

Sneering at the people before him and enjoying the screams of terror by the civillians he stares at the foreign troops and spits out an order. "Drop your weapons and back up or this girls brain becomes an exterior decoration." As he steps through the door way five naked women and three naked girls rush out screaming their bodies showing signs of abuse and rape.

Sneering at them the commander returns his attention to the foreign troops and presses the gun harder against the girl's head.

Erica von Fischer feels the troops around her freeze...
But she is on the Olympic shooting team for Lavenrunz, she is one of the elite. Keeping her weapon steady, she looks at the commander right between the eyes and fires.

OOC: Carlos, could you please post some kind of response to the helicopter pilot situation?

Flinching at the sound the guard jerks his head back and falls to the ground the little girl screaming as she falls with a thud to the floor. Getting to her hands and knees she crawls towards the group of civillians cowering in the corner to escape the violence.

The remaining guards that hadnt surrendered or died watch the proceedings and drop their weapons and raise their hands over their heads. Around them lay bodies pooling in blood and the corpses of men and children of the camps, one thousand five hundred residents roughly two hundred of them have been killed......

Kneeling on the blood stained floor the prisoners cry out pleas of mercy and beg to not be killed especially those that acted in killing civillians during the fight.

At the helicopter landing pad the Iraqstani Guard commander waits patiently for a response knowing full well who the people are and what they are doing having recieved updated information on the situation. Behind him squads of twelve men rush back and fourth gathering up clothes and personal items from residents and throwing them into huge piles in open spaces. Other spaces have huge bon fires of people's possesions slowly burning to ashes as the former owners sit and watch it all happen before them.

"Move these bloody bastards away from the prisoners." said Erica. Her mind was so blood drenched she had an image of locking them all in a warehouse and setting thermite charges around it. Don't go there she thought.
One of the medics, a woman, went to the little girl and put a poncho over her. "It's alright, honey, no one's gonna hurt you anymore..."
"Listen to me carefully." Erica said to the prisoners she could see. "You have to act calmly and do what we say. But we are here to help you and bring you out of here."
The other Jaegers used gestures and where necessary rifle butts to move the guards...

Von Greim found his voice at last and said to the commander, "What are you going to do to these people?"
Over head, the other helicopters were still circling.

Crying softly the little girl wraps her arms around the medic and sobs loudly her body showing all the signs of violence needed. The guards move as directed by the enemy soldiers fear playing openly in their eyes. On soldier protests loudly begging to be let free he rants and begs his voice cracks but he speaks up. "I'm innocent please! Dont kill me. Look I hate quil'raya! Death to Quil'raya! Let me go please." He begs crying all the time.

The rest of the civillians nod some shouting out thank yous and blessings to the soldiers. Others nod mutely and continue to cower in fear others relax slightly.

At the helicopter the commander smiles and looks back at his people. Hearing the pilot's question he chuckles. "We're reclaiming land. These people are living here illegaly. It's no real concern, some minor resistance but all is going well now."

Flicking his hand behind him the commander signals the group to drag the woman off into the trees. PIcking her up they drag her away the woman screaming for mercy, apologising for her crimes....

"Separate that one." orders Erica von Fischer. I'm not doing you a favour, boy. You'll have to talk to the Ministry of Information. "Anyone else? Talk to Lieutenant Mittelschmidt here." she nodded to the unit's intel officer, who was directing a soldier to film everything.
Two of the Jaegers dragged the young soldier away from the others. All, regardless of where they were put, were stripped to their underwear and then bound behind their backs with plastic cuffs.
Erica takes a deep breath and says, "I need all of you prisoners to be ready to move quickly when you are told to. None of you will be left behind, but we will be leaving here soon. Understand?"
It was odd, but one of the chief thoughts on her mind was what a contrast the climate was. She had just been cross country skiing a few weeks ago back home...

Von Greim, as if in a dream, activates his headset by voice. "Commander," he says, pointing his submachinegun at the officer. "These people are brigands and intend to kill and rob these refugees. I am arresting them. Please cover their troops with the helicopters."
Looking at the commander with cold eyes, he says, "Let the woman go."

Crawling after the soldier the guard continues to babble anti-Iraqstani comments and constantly thanking them. The others remain silent, their eyes shooting daggers towards the traitor. A lieutenant snorts with disgust and calls after the man. "To the fires of hell with you scum. You're no better than the filth we guarded." Spitting on the floor he struggles with the cuffs for a moment and sneers at the enemy soldiers.

The civillians slowly begin to quieten and whisper amongst each other their focus now on escaping the nightmare they've been entangled in. Once more thanking their champions the civillians begin gathering children and each other into comforting embraces, their eyes shining for the first time in who knows how long....

Raising an eyebrow at the pilot the commander chuckles softly. "You didnt hear did you? They are breaking laws. She was looting from government property. Look about you pilot, these people are nothing more than squatters and rogues we havent been able to round up. This doesnt concern you." To emphasize the point the woman is dragged into the trees and her screams begin to escelate before the sharp crack of a gunshot echoes through the area.

Shrugging as if to say 'oh well' the commander turns waves his arm slightly and a company of Iraqstani Guard point assault rifles at the pilot. "I think it'd be in your best interests to leave now. This isnt of your concern. There is a refugee group off to the south that needs help getting to the gathering and relief center in the capital. You'd be more needed there than here."

Von Greim listened to orders from his headset, and quietly got back into his helicopter, fuming. He took off and did not look at the ground again.
The flight soon left the area.

Watching the flight leave the commander smirks and returns to his company, waving down the rest of the soldiers in the area. "Clean this place up and prepare it for decontamination." Getting replies the commander turns and watches von greim's chopper fly off. You had balls, son. I wish we could of met at a different time. I'd of tried to recruit you. He thinks to himself and turns to watch his people gather up civillians and march them towards the relocation and relieve facility at the capital.

Taking up his radio he calls in to home base and makes his report. "Area alpha six niner secured, after brief face off with aid troops. Situation resolved. Area ready for decontamination at later date." Getting his reply the commander runs to catch up to his people and head back to the capital city.

The navy helicopters swept in like arriving cavalry to the camp, flying low and swirling dust and leaves in their wake. As soon as the first touched down, Erica was motioning refugees into them. With the refugees filling most of them, half of the Jaegers had to commandeer camp vehicles to move to the landing zone.
An engineer team was busily moving around on the ground the while, picking up things here and there.
"We won't be able to eliminate all traces of evidence," Erica had heard Colonel von Paderborn argue with General Mondorf.
"No," the General had conceded, "But we can pick up all we can of our casings and other material and then fuse as much and wreck as much as we can with thermite."
The prisoners were ordered to kneel in two neat rows, except for the youth who had begged for mercy and a few of the remaining officers.

Doing as ordered the prisoners look about hesitantly, fear riding easily on some of their faces. The civillians how ever, remain deathly quiet their eyes hinting at haunted memories and fears of the noises outside.

Some begin to cry softly, afraid that they are leaving one nightmare for another. The youth who begged for mercy continues to ramble out thanks his eyes glassy with fright and adrenaline.

As the helicopters containing the civilian prisoners, the youth and the two officers flew off, Captain Walch, the senior remaining officer after Erica had left, had the guards kneeling in their rows stay where they were.
When the firing came, it was crossfire--from their own weapons!
The Jaegers gritted their teeth, in fact several didn't even fire in spite of the atrocities they'd seen. Somehow, it was just not in their stomachs to do it, to shoot unarmed people down who'd surrendered. But others did it with vengeance for the suffering they'd seen in their hearts.
God forgive me, thought Walch. Me too.
But he made sure they were all dead anyway.

*************************************************************

Lieutenant von Greim tore his helmet off and stomped into the air crew quarters aboard the Zwoll. Stripping off his jumpsuit and underwear in the changing room he went in under a hot shower and stood as though the scalding would wash away the taint he felt.
The echo of the woman's screams in his head wouldn't go away.

Staring with wide eyes the youthful soldier sits in the helicopter and continues to ramble thanking his captors for sparing him spitting damnations and denouncings of Quil'raya and the officers near him constantly he smiles for the first time in a long time and sits back watching the scenery roll past him.

In the helicopters carrying the civillians the noise is not of mindless babbling but the hushed whispers of excited voices, realisation is slowly dawning on the people that they are being rescued not captured for further tortures. Some are openly crying with joy, others thanking their saviours loudly.

Songs are sparking up and the moral of the people is raising they were being rescued. They were being freed!

The helicopters arrive at last at the little airport. Erica von Fischer checked her watch and sent a set of numerical communications to Alfarkoenigin.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen," said a sergeant, "Let's get onto these planes."
General Mondorf came up with his staff and returned Erica's salute. "Well done, Major." he said brusquely. "Not over yet, of course, but well done."

*************************************************************

To: The Area Commander, Sirithilia
It is of the utmost importance that your troops cooperate with ours in the matter of setting up containment areas for refugees with over 100 rads. The danger of cumulative exposure for non-contaminated people cannot be too highly stressed.

General Hans Dietrich


*************************************************************

About mid afternoon, the first Lavenrunzian armor began to roll onto the beach. Massive Grendel III main battle tanks, boxlike KM-25 infantry fighting vehicles and six wheeled chunky Vogelhund APCs.

Doing as told the civillians begin to load themselves onto the planes, their faces bright and smiling for what seems the first time in many ages. Some thank their saviours heavily.

************************

To: General Hans Dietrich

I concurr with your assesment, it is the utmost importance to keep those unaffected by the radiation as safe and healthy as possible. We will work with your troops to ensure this as well as provide as much support and relief as we can to those suffering radiation exposure.

General Muhammed Il-Samar.

*************************

Sitting at his desk Carlos watches the reports and real time video of the Lavenrunzian armour units deploying and chuckles. "If I were to but slip up, I'd have trouble in my own city all over again." He whispers to himself and signs off on orders for observers to keep close watch on the armour units being deployed.

Dear Fuhrer Carlos

General Dietrich has informed me that conditions in Iraqstan are greatly and continue to improve. At this second stage of the situation, I hope that we can continue to provide your country with what it needs.
In order to be in closer touch, I would like to send a special envoy on behalf of Her Majesty: Count Hohenloe, who is a non-political man but very close to the Imperial Family.
my warmest regards
Count Joachim von Mirbach

Dear Count Mirbach

It would honour the peoples of Iraqstan to recieve such an honoured guest into our country. We too are pleased with the improvements made in Iraqstan of late. It would please me greatly to keep a close touch with lavenrunz and I look forward to recieving Count Hohenloe.

With kind regards.

Führer Carlos Quil'raya.

Count Hohenloe's plane touched down on the tarmac of the capital. When he stepped down onto Iraqstani soil he was revealed to be a craggy faced, intelligent looking man, balding but distinguished, well dressed and with an air of good humor and perception on his face.

Walking out to meet Count Hohenlo Carlos smiles and bows formally when he reaches the man. "welcome to Iraqstan Count Hohenlo, I t rust your stay will be comfortable. I've taken the liberty of organising a palace for your use for your time here." He says as he straights up and extends his hand to the man before him.

Behind Carlos a black limosuine pulls up, and the driver hops out and opens the door to the passenger area. "I do apologise for the heat here, but it's only a small discomfort." Carlos continues apologeticaly and keeps his eyes on the man before him.

Count Hohenloe smiles. "The heat, sir, is a mild discomfort beside your kindness. And I am glad of the opportunity to have met you."
As they walked towards the limousine, he said, "Sir, I am sure that someone as resourceful as yourself believes that in adversity lies opportunity. Her Majesty's Government sees this as an opportunity to forge a new friendship."

Nodding solemnly Carlos opens the limo door and gestures for the count to hop into the car. "Yes, I think it would be a grand opportunity for all parties to forge a new friendship. I must ask though, what is it Lavenrunz is after here in the sun and sand of Iraqstan?" He asks hopping into the car and relishing the cooled interior.

"Gas." said the Count. "And minerals. We want to have a serious crack at refining them. To be blunt, Herr Fuhrer. The idea would be a partnership with yourself and the Imperial Investments Corporation, and both parties could in turn sell interests as needed. Although we are not part of any mutual organization yet, we wanted to remove tariffs and regional taxes between us for this purpose. I have all the facts and figures to brief you with, but this is one of the main points I have been instructed to bring to you.
The second thing is a direct alliance. Iraqstan has enemies, so has Lavenrunz. In a similar fashion, we are proud peoples with warrior traditions. Her Majesty's government has in mind joint exercises, permission to use your ports for refuelling purposes, cross training and sale of weapons between our nations."

Smiling broadly Carlos offers the count a drink from the stocks available. "My, that sounds extreamly enticing. I think we will be able to hash out an agreement with which both nations can feel proud of indeed.

As for the second part, I dont think there will be any problems with that. My people could use a diverse training enviroment." As the limo starts driving the passengers can look out the windows and watch the sprawling city of Sirithilia expand outwards around them, buildings reaching up into the skies the streets busy with commuters, in some areas Public Security Service officers act as guards, in others they patrol the area watching all.

Off in the distance to the right of the limo a huge tower can be seen, partialy completed and stunningly white even at this distance the detail is overwhealming and intricate. Nodding to the tower Carlos smiles "Our latest attempt at engineering inventivness. Once the white tower is complete, Iraqstan will open some of it's secreted capital city to the world. The tower you see will become a pinnacle of tourist trade."

Count Hohenloe nodded. "Oh, yes, Herr Fuhrer, it is most impressive. You rarely see so grand a structure. May I ask what it is for?"

*************************************************************

Erica still couldn't believe her ears.
When she had been debriefed by the Admiral's N-2, staff intelligence, a Ministry of Information official had been there. She had not been able to suppress a certain contempt for the pale bureaucrat, but she was also hearing warning signals going off in her head.
After congratulating her on the mission--for which her commendation must of course remain secret--she discovered that the prisoners were going to be taken to the newly independant province of Ghookilwar--in hte South Pacific, for Heaven's Sake...to a recovery spa for rescued political prisoners. She knew the place they were talking about, and nodded her approval. It was isolated, discreetly luxurious, safe and calming. Though she knew that they would never fully recover in a sense.
"What about Iraqstan?" she had asked.
"Nothing further at this time is to be discussed." said the N-2, glancing at the Ministry Official. "This mission did not exist, Major, do you understand?"

Erica went to check on the girl who had had the gun to her head. The prisoners had been isolated from the rest of the ship, which was amphibious helicopter landing vessel Tyr. Provided with clean clothing, cautiously administered decent food, they had been treated kindly. Then why did she feel so bad? She turned away into one of the heads, and washed her face. In the mirror she saw her face like a strangers. Taking a deep breath, she continued down and spoke to one of the medics, asking if the girl would see her for a moment.

Smiling Carlos stares at the half finished building with open wonderment. "It will become the focal point for Iraqstan's religion. It will be an open building, the place open to all that wish to visit. From around the world. There are many religions in this world as I'm sure you know of. Iraqstan has adopted belief that the great Sirithil is but a goddess among mortals. To her we pay hommage." He whispers respectfully and devotedly.

---------------------------------------------

The girl barely able to understand the changes about her, nods shyly when asked if she would like to see someone. Crossing her legs the little girl sits quietly watching the door wondering who it would be that has come to see her. For the briefest of moments her minds wander back to the nasty men that put things in her, that burnt her and hit her. Scared she whimpers and curls up on her bed waiting for what ever it is that has come for her.

"You're kidding." was the first thing that came to mind, but Count Hohenloe nodded gravely, as though this was a matter which made him feel meditative and profound.
Looking up at the tower, he thought that big as it was, it was dwarfed by two things: the foolishness and vanity of human beings, and the ego of Sirithil nos Feanor.

*************************************************************

Erica walked in and looked at the girl. She felt an unaccountable sadness seeing how frightened she looked, and said, "Hi. I'm sorry to bother you...my name is Erica von Fischer. Do you remember me? I'm the one who led your rescue. What's your name?"

Looking up at the woman the little girl uncurls from her protective ball and shivers. "My... My name is Monika. You saved me from the bad men..." As if drawing strength from her voice Monika falls forward and hugs the woman before her, crying as she does.

Looking up at the woman Monika sniffles slightly and smiles slightly. "Where are we? Those bad men are gone I hope. My mum...." Cutting off the little girl cries again shielding her face in her hands....

Erica hugged the girl gently. She stroked her hair and made soothing noises; she was surprised by how much feeling caming welling up from her; her eyes were hot and stinging with tears, her throat was tight, and some deep part of her felt how right it was to comfort Monika. "Liebchen, those men are all dead. My Jaegers and I sent them to Hell where they belong. And you're going to be looked after. I'm so sorry about your Mama..." she held Monika for a bit and then said quietly, "We're from Lavenrunz. We were sent to rescue you."

Shivering at the thoughts of the men doing what they did to her Monika clings tightly to Erica for a moment. "You knew where we were? Did they die painfully?" She asks innocently, sitting back down on her bed but holding the woman's hand tightly.

"They did awful things to me, I hope you hurt them good." She whispers whilst looking down at her legs, which in places are scarred and bruised beyond belief.

"Monika," Erica hesitated, "I didn't have time. It was kill them quick or risk them killing more of you. Listen...have you got more family or anything?" she still spoke gently. "Someone who will want to know you're safe now?"

Looking up sadly Monika shakes her head. "No, my papa was sent to another camp, so was my brother and my little sister. My gramma an granpa are both dead and my aunties and uncles were being arrested the day I was taken with mamma to that camp."

Crying softly Monkiacovered her face with her free hand and sobbed her poor mind breaking under the pressure and pain she's suffered. "I dont know what I'm going to do..." She sobs and hugs Erica tightly scared once more...

Erika held her tightly and said, "You know what...I was hurt in a battle when I was younger...and I can't have children." she felt tears slipping down her cheeks but she made her voice calm. Her own pain was nothing compared with that of this girl. "I know you don't know me...but would you like maybe to visit me and my family in Lavenrunz?"

Looking up Monika blinks back her tears and looks pleadingly at Erica. "You would do that? You'd take me with you?" She asks pleadingly, her face showing the first signs of hope the little girl had ever felt.

"Oh, I would like that, I hope I can. You'd not leave me would you?" She continues her voice picking up in strength as her hopes rise from the depths of eternal torment...

"No, Monika, I'd never do that." Erika said. "I risked my life to save you." she brushed tears away from the girl. "And I'd do it again."
She found a strange joy rising up in her. "Lavenrunz is a beautiful place, you'll be happy there. Right now, down in the south where my family lives, there's snow everywhere. They're probably having the ice festival right now. Sculptures of birds, and animals and stars and moons...and the moonlight shines on them and there are prizes for the best ones."

Smiling dreamily Monka melts into Erica's arms and holds her tightly. "I've never seen snow. Only sand and water. Is it very cold down there? Can we go see it?" She asks her eyes lighting up at the idea of seeing snow. Are there many kids my age there? I'd like to have friends again..." She whispers softly at the end, suddenly once more remembering the pains of before.

"People are going to ask me what happened to me aint they? I mean.... someone has too. I look like a freak..." She looks up at Erica and shivers before resting her head on the womans shoulder.

Erika nodded. "You'll see the snow. And there are lots of children. Life isn't perfect anywhere, I won't lie to you...but in Lavenrunz you'll be safe. You'll be able to go to school if you want...or have a tutor if you'd rather. A freak? I don't think so...why would you say that?"

Looking sheepishly at the floor Monika lifts up her shirt to reveal a crisscrossing pattern of scars and bruises from shoulder to stomach. Squirming slightly she pulls the legs of her pants up to reveal burn marks and scarns from ankle to groin. "Because of these. There are more down there..... Where they burnt me and bit me." She whispers before crying again as she covers up her scars.

"Kids would think me a freak because of all of those. They'd laugh at me and hate me."

"No, Monika they won't." said Erica firmly. "Do you know what? There are other kids like you in Lavenrunz. Who lost hands and feet to mines and explosives in a war. And anyway...we're going to take you to a doctor who will fix you up." she brushed hair from Monika's face gently. "If you like, that is. Because I like you however you want to be, my brave brave girl."

Smiling Monika buries her face in Erica's shoulder and hugs her tight. "I would like to be normal again. If it means having to go to hospital then I will. I'm not from that place anymore. " She whispers and smiles openly up at the woman who saved her.

---------------------------------------

Rolling to a stop Carlos smiles as the limo pulls up outside a grand palace near the heart of Sirithilia. "I took the liberty of arranging a palace for your use. If you wish to rest have something to eat or just to change clothes before we begin anything else." He speaks softly to the count smiling as the limo driver opens the door and stands silently to attention waiting for his passengers to leave.

Count Hohenloe bowed. "Your Excellency is too kind. I would appreciate the opportunity indeed."
He is also curious to have a look at his surroundings, and a sense of the demeanor of those who serve the dictator...
And to sit in his bath and review material on the economy of Iraqstan before he makes his full spiel.

*************************************************************

The freed prisoners were carefully questioned when they were calm enough to be, as was the young soldiers. Any atrocities were listed and documented during these interviews. The Lavenrunzian intelligence officers were patient, courteous and professional.
The carrier group sailed away, receiving 'unexpected orders' and requirements to return to Lavenrunz immediately.

Smiling Carlos steps to the side. "Take your time Count Hohenloe. I will have an assistant attached to the palace to inform me when you are ready to discuss matters. Until then, please treat the palace as if it were your home. Everything inside it is yours for the duration of your stay. Which I hope will be pleasant." Carlos says a smile glinting in his eyes and his hand extended to shake the Counts.

-------------------------------------------

As each prisoner tells his or hers story, details become grusomely worse and worse, every man and woman and child has known some sort of physical violation at the hands of the Iraqstani troops. The women and young girls tell tales of midnight raids of their beds, the tearing force of the male guards releving themselves with any female within their reach.

The men talk of how they were beaten and burnt constantly some had even had their genitals mutilated in sessions of extreme torture. In each of them sits a fear... a fear of talking to people in a uniform. These people have long learnt to fear a uniform and all that hides beneath it.......