NationStates Jolt Archive

Meldovan Satellite Channel

"Protests have begun in several cities all over the country. It appears that the National Progressive Front (Socialist Party) and the Worker's Party (Communist) have united to force the current government, led by President Nicolae Ceacusi, member of the Capitalist National Party, out of the government."

"It has been reported that over a million persons are marching on the streets of the capital, Buchachic. A three day general strike has been ordered by both parties for the next three days. It is believed that over 80% of the businesses in Meldova will close down, obeying this order."

"Hundreds of thousands of people have gathered just a few hundred feet from the Presidential Complex in the capital city. They demand that the President acced to their demands of resigning and allowing free elections to take place."

"The people of Meldova are very tired of the continued 'social Darwinism' policies of the government and demand a radical change in the way the country is controlled."

"In the second largest city, Merka, approximately 900,000 people have flooded into the streets."

"Government security forces have taken up positions and are fully armed. Several army units have refused to go against the protestors and have remained in their barracks."

"The country has almost totally shut down. Even the two government newspapers, Meldova Today and the Meldova Times, have shut down due to their workers refusing to work. The one national television station ran by the government has also shut down."

"National Public Radio has also shortened their schedule from broadcasting twenty four hours a day to only four hours a day."

"We do not expect the government to be able to withstand these continued protests in almost every city and village in the country. With pratically everything shut down... we do not know how long they can hold."

http://www.timisoara.com/timisoara/rev/np/idec891.JPG

Protesters in the capital city.

Meldova Satellite Channel - Five Hours Later

"We have just received word of a massacre in Merka."

"It appears that the security forces have fired on the crowd of prostesters as they approached the downtown area where all the government offices are located."

"Protesters appear to be locked into some sort of combat at the moment. We are not sure exactly what is happening except that there is somesort of fighting going on in the city."

Pause...

"We have a video ready of the initial massacre."

The screen fades to black for a few moments before being replaced by a camera mounted on somesort of building. The camera is just above a main street where thousands and thousands of protesters can be seen.

Suddenly, one of the men of the security forces shoots into the crowd. The crowd becomes silent for a moment, then the other security forces begin shooting into the crowd.

Several tanks parked on the sides of the street begin shooting machinegun fire into the crowd.

This goes on for a few moments when suddenly there is a voice heard in the near background and the camera goes dead.

The video returns to the announcer.

"Several soldiers had tried to seize the camera and videotapes from our crew on stop of the Bank of Meldova central building. Somehow, they were able to keep this video."

"Our hearts stand by with the protesters."

Meldovan Satellite Channel - The Next Day

"The second day of the general strike and protests."

"Just two hours ago, the President came out onto the balcony in the Presidential Complex in the capital city."

"Just two minutes after being to read his speech, the hundreds of thousands of protesters began to 'boo' the President and throw stuff at him."

"He soon left. Twenty minutes later, his Presidential Helicopter lifted off from the top of the complex. It was reported that he had left in the direction of the military barracks just outside Buchachic."

"We have received more news from the massacre in Merka."

"Approximately 3,450 protesters were killed in just eight minutes of firing into the unarmed crowd. Another 12,450 have been wounded. Several thousand have flocked to the hospitals, but the few hospitals that continue to operate have been garrisoned with security forces and they are arresting the wounded after they have been treated."

Eight hours later...

"This is extraordinary!"

"We have just gotten word that the protesters in the capital have stormed into the Presidential Complex!"

"The security forces have refused to fire on the protesters who quickly seized the palace."

"We are also getting word that several government officials have been executed. They were still in the complex at the time. We have no word on where the President is at currently."

The United People's States of Perfect China will give full support to the new Communist goverment once the evil capitalists are overthrown and we will aid the new Communist State in rebuilding the nation.


http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:e6ffnG-cETQC:cookministries.ibelieve.com/uploads/47/3610.jpg
President Mao Nah Tan
The United People’s States of Perfect China

Federal Republic News Network:

"Unconfirmed reports tonight that the 221st Ranger Battalion has been moved from its base in Syracuse to a position on the coast of nation of Meldova by use of airlift. President de los Santos has expressed outrage that instead of using an election to change peacefully the government socialists and communists would impose their will upon the whole nation even if there are those who disagree with them. Secretary of State Joseph Cortilliari has announced that President Nicolae Ceacusi may if he wish to seek asylum in the Federal Republic until the situation in Meldova returns to normal."

Meldovan Coast:

The C-130H transports were grouped into 5 groups of 6 each carrying 30 Rangers in full paratrooper gear. The 221st Ranger Battalion was a veteran combat unit and had been dubbed "Red Boots". It was a nickname attributed to the fact they had marched all over communist insurgents in NYNJ durning the nations two civil wars and were now on their way to assist a capitalist government attempt to maintain control of the situation and pacifiy the populace quickly.

Of course pacification of the populace was the first step. Afterwards President de los Santos would want to make it so that this would never happen again. Of course other steps would need to be taken once the 221st was on the ground they would attempt to make contact with loyal government forces, and President Ceacusi. From their billions of dollars of aid would be sent to assist the capitalist. Of course this was suppose to be done quietly. At least at first it was anyway. Already the cat was out of the bag in the Federal Republic about the deployment of troops and it was only a matter of time before someone admitted the fact.

National Public Radio - Day 2

"We have received an audio tape from the President. Here it is."

The national anthem plays. As it fades out, the President begins to speak...

"People of Meldova, this is President Ceacusi."

"I wish to let all loyal Meldovans know that I am still alive and that I am still in control. I will not leave you, Meldovans to return to the Communist rule that we despised just a short twelve years ago."

"I will fight until my dieing breath to restore order to Meldova."

"I call upon all Meldovans to resist these few socialist and communist agitators. They will return us to doom. We must not let that happen."

"In order to keep us from falling back into that black hole which is Communism, I have ordered a state of emergency. This means that the valiant armed forces of our country can order temporary curfews and whatever else it takes to restore this country to order."

"I also call upon all democracies of the world to unite and assist us in destroying these few insurgents. We must unite in order to save the world and millions of people from Communism."

"Join us in our valiant struggle for freedom!"

The national annthem plays once again after the short message...


Outside the NPR Building

The huge crowds of people, after hearing that the radio station had just broadcasted a message from the President, get angry. They demand that the radio station be surrendered to the control of the people.

Security forces deployed to defend the radio station get scared and are freightened for their safety. As their nerves frey, they get trigger happy and begin to shoot into the crowd.

The crowd, falling dead to the ground, charge toward the building. The people, not afraid of dieing, break through the gates and begin fighting the few security guards. Those who shot at the crowd are beaten to death. Those that surrender without firing a shot are treated as heroes and allowed to leave peacefully after giving up their military papers and guns.

Within thirty minutes, the building is under the peoples control and the last media outlet of the government has been seized.

We'd do something, but we don't want to risk war.

[Now, how would one go about contacting the revolutionaries?]

[Now, how would one go about contacting the revolutionaries?]

OOC: Best way is to try and smuggle someone into the country or speak to one of the embassies of Meldova abroad. You never know where their loyalties lie.

And someone could use the same methods to contact the Government?

And someone could use the same methods to contact the Government?

OOC: Yes.

Meldovan Countryside-

The 900 soldiers of the 221st Ranger Battalion parachuted into the night country side about 70 miles to the north of the Meldovan Capital. They were there to judge several factors. One of which being if the revolution was widespread outside of the capital or not. If it was, just how widespread. Before any large move could be made to contain the problem they had to first guage how bad it was. In charge of the 221st was Colonel Gary Stevens a senior military offical and a decroated officer who had seen fighting on about 25% of the world(as big as NS is that is a hell of a lot).

Beneth his command were four companies of 225 soldiers broken up each into five platoons each platoon having 3 squads and 1 mortar squad. Of course that was on paper, and with paradrops it was never that easy. It was an accurate description to call lines of soldiers in a paradrops sticks. Falling down from the heavens they were sticks in the wind which carried them to and fro and either near or far from their designated point. The first casuaties came as soldiers landed in trees and when cutting themselves down fell breaking a limb or hurting themselves in other ways. It would take several days before the entire unit could be assembled rightly however before that even happened one company of troops, B Company had already had orders. B Company and its Platoons were to fan out moving toward the direction of the capital slowly. Any person they came in contact with they were not suppose to fire on, but make an attempt at communication to see what was going on in the nation. It was an attempt to guage the situation first hand.

Offical Announcement:

"As the press already has announced the Federal Republic of New York and New Jersey has deployed the 221st Ranger Battalion in its entirety to the nation of Meldova in an attempt to restore order to the nation. Unconfirmed reports of shooting civilians have been recieved and as a just and right minded nation we go to see that these reports are true or not. If they are then action will be taken to quell the violence through any means."

President Gregory de los Santos
Federal Republic of New York and New Jersey

Ceacusi, your time is up! Bow before the will of the People and flee your country.

Along Highway 92, the main highway to Merka from the capital

The driver of the military truck sighed softly. He had been driving the truck for hours now. He came to an inch of being beaten to death when civilians tried to storm the truck. He had managed to drive off quick enough before he was caught by the unruly crowd in the capital.

The soldier next to him, sitting in the passanger seat of the truck, looked quiet awake and ready to keep up the fight for the President.

"Hey, you drive now. I'm tired." said Lieutenant Causi, the driver.

The other man nodded, "Okay." he said. "Pull over to the side here, I'll take over."

The driver obeyed and pulled over. He got out of the truck and went around to the passenger side as the other man went to the drivers side. Just about as he was to get into the truck, Causi saw several people walking in the fields nearby the highway.

As the men approached the highway, Causi saw that they were wearing somesort of uniforms. The uniforms were not Meldovan, which freightened him. What was happening? Were these militiamen from the opposition parties?

Causi grabbed at his AK-47, and pointed it toward the soldiers who were approaching.

"Halt!" he shouted.

Meldovan Satellite Channel

"We have just received a report from one of reporters in the field..."

"It appears... that Ceacusi has been captured by army units that have joined the people."

"Apparently, the President had fled to the Ceacusi International Airport in the capital city. When the airport had been encircled by protesters, the President fled to the military barracks on the outskirts of the capital."

"He was at the barracks until last night. This morning, most of the army units at the base joined the people's revolution. There was a brief fight at the barracks before the few soldiers that had stayed loyal to Ceacusi were killed. He was then captured."

"Communist Party Leader Pikov Krachin has announced that Ceacusi will be brought to trial in front of the People's Revolutionary Court, which he had announced the formation of just hours earlier."

"Long live the Revolution!"

OOC:*gumbles* I was gonna use that post to jump in with my forces but I take it I'm getting ignored?

OOC:*gumbles* I was gonna use that post to jump in with my forces but I take it I'm getting ignored?

OOC: Eh? You're not getting ignored?

Those 'troops' in the fields are supposed to be yours...

OOC: Oh lol okay my mistake.

IC:
Captain Marcus Nelson Smith moved his right hand up to the rest of the Platoon as he heard the halt command come from the truck. Standing up slowly from the wheat field. The three squads came to a halt and stood up slowly as well. They werent dressed as milita but professional soldiers. The flag of the Federal Republic of New York and New Jersey on their uniforms not that of milita or of the nations military. Calling out to the man pointing the Ak-47 Captain Smith lowered his right hand slowly.

"Lower your weapons, I'm Captain Smith of New York and New Jersey's Army. Who are you and why are you on this road? And can you tell us just what the hell is going on in this country?"

The rest of the Platoon began to move once more no one training their guns onto the truck but keeping an eye on the armmed men just incase anyway. They moved into a protective formation staying off the highway and sticking to the nearby fields for cover.

"Put your weapons down!" shouted Causi.

By this time, the other man came over and stood beside Causi. The other man looked out onto the field, squinting to see who was out there before raising his gun at the NYNJ soldiers.

"Drop your weapons or we will fire." shouted the other man.

"Drop your weapons or we will fire." shouted the other man

"How about you drop YOUR weapons, your surrounded by three squads of soldiers and quite frankly no communist is stupid enough to think that three red bastards can take on thirty six. So drop the Aks and lets see your hands."

The truck was surrounded save for the highway itself which was clear of soldiers. No one had however yet to raise their rifle on the NYNJ side of the arguement. Even Captain Smith had his M-4 Rifle across his chest. The rest of the platoon however was getting alittle edgy the squad leaders looking toward Captain Smith waiting, silently pleading for him to give the order for them to raise their rifles. But Smith wasnt a fool if they were part of the unrulely mob they would have shot at them on sight. NYNJ not exactly being communist friendly in the eyes of the world.

OOC: err..

1) There are only two soldiers.
2) The soldiers are not part of the revolution. They fight for the President.
3) They are wearing uniforms of the government.
4) They're driving a government army truck...

So... You may want to change your last post... :)

OOC:-
1)Ack misread, okay 2
2)My guys dont know that they are still probing to see how far the revolution has spread. For all my guys know most of the military is siding with the revolution.
3)Learning from past mistakes in the field my people will treat anyone pointing a gun at them as hostile wearing gov uniform or not.
4)Refer to 3

Continue?

The two soldiers looked around the field before dropping their AK-47's.

"We are not Communists!" shouted Causi. "We support the President!"

Captain Smith slowly moved ahead and onto the highway itself. The M4 still slung across his chest he moved his right hand out toward the soldier that did most of the talking. "I've already introduced myself and who I am. Care to answer my questions?"

The three squads went into a more relaxed mood before they fanned out once more and went hidden into the wheat field setting up a defensive perimeter around the truck. Anything coming up the road or down the road that seemed remotely hostile was going to be in for a rude surprise as the M203 SAWs enjoyed the kill zone they had. While setting up 1st Squads radio operator recieved a message that all platoons in the Battalion were getting from the modified C-130H transport used to relay information from NYNJ military command to the field.

"Any and all communist forces are to be engaged on sight. The entirety of the 221st Battalion is to move on the Capital city as fast as possible and engage the enemy. Communist forces have reportedly captured the President. It is likely repeat, it is highly likely they will execute the President of the nation. Any unit which comes across information pretaining to where the President of Meldova is,is to report it immediately to its Company Commander." The radio died down and Marcus grumbled alittle, looking back over toward where the sound came from before looking back over toward the two soldiers.

Lieutenant Causi eyed the Captain for a moment before nodding slowly.

"I am Lieutenant Causi. This is Private Konic," pointing to the other man. "What do you wish? Why are you here?" asks Causi.

Causi glances toward the field once more before turning back to Marcus.

When the message came through about the President, Causi looked sad.

"That can is not true... That cannot be..." Causi said quietly.

On the Highway
"We're here under orders to guage the situation and then make a report back home to see just how many more of us are suppose to come over. We're here to help reinstall the rightful government to power. Consider us your new best friends....I'm sorry to hear about your President, but you as you've heard we've got orders. We're gonna press onto the capital. How many people are in the capital? How's the morale of the military? Do you know of any whole army units that stayed loyal?"

Captain Smith pulled out his standard issue GPS location device and turned it on. The screen came to life and Smith grumbled abit as it waited to load up the information from one of the passing government spy sats. "This thing always has to load....okay look here is where we are..."Putting a finger on the platoon he didnt even wait for the two to answer his other questions before he breezed ahead once more..."Our Battalion HQ has set up farther down the road, you would have ran smack dab into them to if you didnt spot us first. "

In the air some distance away from Meldova(about 15-20 miles over international airspace

The C-130H which was used to relay orders from NYNJ also acted as a moblie radio transmitter. It sent a second signal this one designed to go over the radiowaves to a targeted nation. It was known as Voice of the Republic. The current message of Voice of the Republic was rather simple and it repeated over and over again until operations could get themselves into full swing.

The Federal Republic of New York and New Jersey is a friend of the Meldovan people. We can not sit by and see as unruley mobs trash a government that was democratic. We have sent in soldiers to assist the government restore itself once more. Democracy will prevail, your homes, what you have earned will be yours to have. The communists will only seek to take that and make it someone elses. Stand up and ensure that the communists do not spread outward. Already soldiers from NYNJ are in Meldova and will provide assistance to all those in the nation who need help.

Causi sighed.

"I'm glad that we have friends, but it is a lost cause. The capital is totally under control of the Communists. The few remaining pockets of resistance are based around the main government buildings... but they will not last long."

"The majority of the people have risen up against the President." Causi said, taking in a deep breath of the cold night air. "It is no use. Now that the President has been captured... any remaining units will switch sides."

Meldovan Satellite Television

"By order of the Communist Party leader, the former President has been placed on trial. We will bring you live coverage of the trial."

The screen switches to a camera inside of a small room somewhere in Meldova. The President and his wife sit at one side of the table, a 'defense lawyer' sits next to them and at the other side is the judge and several guards.

Highway 92
Captain Smith sighed alittle, this was gonna take some getting at he'd seen this kind of situation arise in other nations before, it was gonna be difficult to get their morale back."Listen Lieutenant, there are about 900 of us in country, we can send a report and have an additional 12,000 join us. Granted it will all be light infantry paratroopers but hey its better than nothing right? It'll take sometime but we can also get heavy armor on the ground ,but we'll need help of the military. Now if you feel this is a lost cause well I wont blame you. If you dont want to fight then I suggest you take this truck go collect your families and drive them to our battalion HQ, I'm pretty sure we'll be taking in refugees."

Huntington Strategic Airbase,Long Island,New York,
It wasnt designed to be a massive strike but a quick tactical strike. The 4 B-58M Convair Hustlers rolled down the runway carrying 6 GBU-12 GPS guided bombs they would travel at Mach 2.14 before reaching their targets in Meldova. The GPS guided bombs were going to knock out the satellite television station and radio stations in the Meldovan Capital. This was of course if nothing managed to scramble against them.

After the paradrops earlier on in the affair it was rumored that the Meldovan air force would be on the ground until the communists could actually figure out how to use the planes. AAA and SAMs were the main threat but it was unsure of just how thick the AAA and SAM cover was in the Meldovan capital. This was suppose to be a test run to seen the coverage of SAMs and AAA not to mention to carry out the first mission. Of course it would take sometime before those bombers would arrive doing Mach 2.14 though it would only be 4 hours.

Highway 92

"12,000 men against millions of Meldovans... You'll be slaughtered. I suggest you and your men leave now. This is a matter for the Meldovan people to fix. You coming here to assist the government will just be seen as further fuel to go against the government and everyone who supports it." says Causi, as he bends down to pick up his AK-47. The Private did the same.

Military Matters

The Meldovan air defense systems seems to be operating as always. Radar stations continue to function. Most of the regular armed forces, including air force, navy, army, air defense, have all joined the revolutionaries.

The main force that currently opposes the revolutionaries are the security forces and a few army soldiers who have continued to side with the government.

Highway 92

"This whole country cant be to pleased with the fact they're going to lose everything they own to the state...but oh well...we're going to make our report. We strongly advise you get as many people who want to leave the country out of the country. If its one thing I know about these state runned governments is that they're brutal when it comes to crushing opposition." Those were Captain Smith's last words to the two men as he moved down off of Highway 92 and toward Squad 1s radio operator. Taking up the radio he sent his report back to the Battalion HQ. Colonel Steven sighed slightly as he heard the report. Similar reports were made from the other units of B Company.

"Alright gents lets pack our bags and get the hell out of here." The 900 man Battalion would began its march quickly toward the direction of the coast.

It was sometime before Captain Smith's platoon was seen moving toward the direction of the ocean as well. It was time to get the hell out of dodge.

International Airspace

The C-130H kept broading Voice of the Republic however the message after the first one changed. "Any people who wish to leave Meldova for their own safety no matter the reason are free to do so. We ask that you proceed toward the coast. UNARMMED. We stress UNARMMED. If you wish to leave Meldova we will attempt to get as many people out as possible. We promise safe passage to the Federal Republic of New York and New Jersey and from there you may go anywhere you wish to."

Red Slam Flight

They didnt get very far into Meldovan Airspace before they turned back and around receiving orders to return back to base, they would not waste the ordenance on knocking out the commucations. They would save it for another time. The B-58 Convair Hustlers, moving as fast as possible to leave Meldovan Airspace and get back over International Waters.

Wasp class Amphibious Marine Transport "Ranger One"

Sitting about 40 miles from the Meldovan Coast was the lone Wasp class LHD. The SH-43 Sea Knights waiting for the go word to start picking up Rangers and Civilians the transport had a skeleton crew. They always carried a skeleton crew because they never knew if they would be required to bring on refugees and need more space. Only 100 marines were onboard the Wasp to offer protection from boarding but it wasnt thought that anyone would try to board the vessel.

OOC: Would I still be able to send in some people here?

NYNJ, Need some help. Gradenk can assist you.

Perhaps a joint operation...to allow both of our contries to get back on a proper footing. Tg me or reply to this thread.

Regards,
Gradenk.

OOC: Okay, first, before I post anything more here.. I want to make sure that you understand that in the end Meldova will be Communist... The old government isn't going to come back.

IC:

Highway 92

Causi and the private got into their truck after Smith left them.

"We will return to the capital." ordered Causi.

The private nodded and turned the truck around and started off back toward the capital.

Several minutes later, there was several short bursts of AK-47 fire in the near distance.

Port Meldova

Several of the rich families in the country had tried to escape to Port Meldova only to be arrested by the Revolutionary Forces that had setup there.

Other areas that gave a possible escape to those wishing to escape, such as airports, ports, and the such have all been taken control of.

Meldovan Satellite Channel

The trial continued for around twenty five minutes before it was concluded when the judge passed down the sentence...

"You are hereby guilty of the crimes. You will be executed for them."

The guards behind the judge went forward, grabbed the president and his wife and dragged them out of the room with them kicking and screaming.

The picture faded and returned to the announcer.

"The execution of the former President and his wife will be conducted at exactly 11:00 AM. The Meldovan Satellite Channel will bring you live coverage from their execution."

Port Meldova
Boy it would be a surprise for the communist forces. The first elements had reached the outskirts of the port town at around 7:45 in the morning. Company D had arrived in force with its three platoons. Setting up mortars just outside of the town they waited before Company C caught up with them. Majors Neil Damsky and Douglas Schmidt kneeled with binoculars trained on the port town and waited as several of the rich families were arrested. They would try to do some good in this forsaken land by rescuing as many people as possible. Companies A and B were trailing about a day out moving as quick as possible toward the Meldovan Port Town.

Plans for evacuation were already drawn up and they included holding onto the town for several days to allow as many people to evacuate as possible before the situation became to hostile. However upon seeing the revolutionaries in the city Majors Schmidt and Damsky came to a conclusion that they would give the revolutionaries a chance to leave the city before any fighting would start. The six platoons spread out slowly fanning out onto the sides of roads into and out of the port town. A lone messagner with a white flag was sent forward into the town.

A Private, by the name of Thomas Bonilla. A white flag in his right hand held upward the M4 rifle slinged forward on his bodice he grumbled lightly to himself as he moved ahead. He had "volunteered" for this assignment and he had a few quams about being the poor messenager. He didnt trust communist few people in NYNJ did. Being on foreign soil made things even worse but oh well.

Port Meldova

The city is full of people on the streets, celebrating the fall of the old government. A lot of people with guns and other weaponry and quite common place as many of the bases of the former security forces had come under control of the people and the weapons were distributed to the people.

As the private continues his journey into the city, people start to crowd around him. They are unsure who he is or what he is doing here. Then, suddenly, several men in army uniforms who are armed burst through the crowd and over to the private.

They aim their guns at him.

"Who are you?" one of the men ask. The people mostly back away as the armed men question the fellow.

Port Meldova

The Private stopped and looked around slowly lowering his left hand and then his right hand slowly the white flag still held infront of him though.

"I'm Private Thomas Bonilla, of the nation of New York and New Jersey. I'm here to offer a term of evacuation peacefully without violence. Under several terms. One we are allowed to transit through the port, and two we're allowed to take the people you have wrongly imprisoned. Basically,we've been watching the town for sometime and have seen some people trying to flee be arrested. We offer to take any refugees or those political dissedents you wish to get rid of with us."

On the outskirts of the port town the Rangers cut visable telephone lines trying to keep them from calling in support should the situation go south.

Port Meldova

The man laughed.

"We do not have anyone to evacuate. Do these people look like they want to be evacuated?" the soldier says, pointing to the huge crowd around him. "I doubt that the government has even authorized your entrance into the country."

The soldier nodded to his fellow comrades who went over to the Private and grabbed his armed, shoulders, whatever they could.

"Bring him to our headquaters."

"I'm to report back to my forces...now we've seen several people at the docks be arrested and frankly its either we go peacefully with those people or we go and do something we dont want to. Now my Commander isnt gonna like me not returning back to make a report. So..if you dont mind I'll just be on my way."

Private Bonilla attempted to break the hold he was in, all of this under the eyes of the Majors Damsky and Schmidt. The two majors grumbling back and forth to each other with Damsky starting..."Looks like they're capturing the Private..."

"Yeah...he wants to get out of there though..looks like he's trying to fight it...we should move in you know and clear the town if they take him..."

"No lets wait...if they take him we'll know we're they're keeping prisoners...we can conduct a raid tonight into the town..."

"Thats pretty risky you know."

"I know, but hey its better than cutting loose a mortar barrage now and taking out everyone in the square including the Private."

"I see your point. One of us should tell Battalion HQ of the situation though."

The grumbling contined on for a few more moments the two majors keeping their binoculars trained on the situation going on in the port town.

Port Meldova

When the people saw that the man was trying to get away joined in with the soldiers. They assisted the soldiers in subduing the man, and not always through 'peaceful' means. Several times he was kicked, or attempted to be kicked, and punched by the crowd.

Meldovan Satellite Channel

...10:58AM...

"The execution of the former President is scheduled to go ahead in just two or three minutes."

With that, the picture faded to the area just in front of the Palace Complex. The President and his wife had been tied to several wooden 'sticks' that were about their height.

Several feet away were six soldiers in newly made uniforms, holding AK-47's.

"Aim!" shouted a man from behind the view of the camera. Suddenly, the camera panned to the man and it was the leader of the Communist party, now President of the republic.

The soldiers quickly aimed, three soldiers to the former President and three to the wife.

The new President looked down at his watch. ..11:00AM...

"Fire!" he shouted.

Suddenly, the soldiers emptied several rounds into the bodies of the former President and his wife. The camera took several close ups of the bodies before turning around and showing the crowd, happy and shouting in support of the new Communist President.

Outskirts of Port Meldova
"Damnit, listen Neil we gotta do something, I'm not gonna let one of my people get manhandled like that. We all remember what happened in Iesus Christi and Diwaniyah right?" Major Schmidt looked over toward his long time friend who nodded his head with a slight sigh as he lowered his binoculars.

"Alright, lets get the Platoon commanders together and formulate a plan." The 10 Captains met with the Majors Damsky and Schmidt after several minutes a map placed on the grass Major Damsky pointed toward several objectives, one of which included taking the port itself. Two platoons were being assigned this task, while other two Platoons were ordered to hold the roads into and out of the Meldovan Port. The other 6 Platoons had orders to encircle the town and push forward. Of course this task would be further simplified once Companies A and B caught up. For now though the 449 men of Companies C and D would have to deal with the situation the best they could.

Each captain with his own seperate orders relayed the command back to their squad leaders who grumbled lightly to themselves at the prospect of house to house fighting. It was not a pleasent prospect but Port Meldova seemed about moderate in size. A Battalion with some effort could take the town, but they werent a full Battalion, they were two companies supported by multiple 82mm mortars.

"Begin Phase One"

The mortars on the outskirts of the city, 20 in all began their openning salvo as smoke rounds were let loose into the air in an attempt to obscure the vision of those looking toward the outskirts of the town. Several smoke rounds would even fall close to where Private Bonilla would be in an attempt to disperse the crowd and the revolutionaries as well.

Port Meldova a few moments before Phase One

Private Bonilla was not going down without a fight and just as how people kicked and punched at him he lefted his own booted leg and kicked back. He was not one to give up easy and he would be damned if he was going to be a prisoner in a communist nation. Horror stories of POW mistreatment ran rampant in the FRA ranks and it was not a pleasent thing to think about. There were very few civilized nations left in the world who would treat prisoners well, and even fewer were communist in orgin.

Battalion HQ-Moving toward Port Meldova at a quick pace
"Colonel, Major Damsky and Major Schmidt have both reported in, they're moving in on Port Meldova. The messenger they've sent in has been captured and they want to extract him and take the town. They're requesting support from Ranger One."

Colonel Stevens nodded his head slightly toward the news of the assault and looked back over toward his radio operator. "Okay, contact Ranger One and have them deploy their two Sea Cobra's to give our people some cover. Then contact Companies C 'n' D and order them to press on with their assault and not let up until we arrive. Assure them we'll relieve them once we're there and they'll be able to pull back and lick their wounds."

Port Meldova

After landing a kick into the NYNJ soldier, Lieutenant Khomskov was kicked back by the NYNJ soldier. Khomskov became enraged as the kick had hurt him. Quickly, he aimed his gun at the NYNJ soldier and let out a full burst of fire from his AK-47 into the NYNJ soldier's chest.

When the crowd became aware of what happened, they slowly backed away from the NYNJ soldier, but Khomskov stayed where he was, pointing his gun at the NYNJ soldier (though he probably is dead). The soldier who had spoken to the NYNJ first quickly came over to Khomskov and grabbed Khomskov's gun.

"How dare you shoot him! He was supposed to be brought ALIVE to headquarters!" shouted the soldier..

Port Meldova
The gunfire had come before the first smoke rounds even landed, Private Bonilla slumping down slowly the rounds at close range did him in rather quickly. The white flag he held in his right hand falling down toward the ground. By now the first of the smoke shells from the mortars would be falling. The 8 platoons of assaulting troops numbering 288 combat personnel in all began their quick dash toward the first buildings on the outskirts of town. The battle for the Meldovan port was about to begin.

Majors Damsky and Schmidt were still on the outskirts of the town keeping their radio operators close by they would be directing the fighting in the town the best they could and would offer any support requested by the soldiers. If it were up to Damsky they would just level the town completely but they didnt know of Bonilla's fate, the sound of Ak-47 fire had been heard just as the first shells were launched.

FRNV Ranger One, International Waters
The Amphibious Carrier had her 2 AH-1W Super Cobras on the deck waiting to escort the extraction force but now a another mission had been brought up. The two helicopters lifting up from the deck they began to move low on the surface of the water toward the direction of Meldovan Port. It wouldnt take them much time before they reached the battle which by that time would have become slow street to street sweeps of buildings and so on.

Port Meldova

As the smoke shells began falling around the square, the people started to run for cover. Several were wounded, but many were able to get away and into the cover of nearby houses and shops. The people had lost a little of their spirit, but were still prepared to defend their city from anyone who tried to enter it. Many civilians still had guns and other weapons. The soldiers were mainly armed with AK-47's and AK-74's and RPG-7's.

Two Story House - Western Port Meldova

"Look!!" shouted Sargeant Moloshilov.

The other six soldiers that were in the room looked out the window and saw the hundreds of men running toward the city from the barren lands just outside the city.

"They've got the same uniform of the guy that walked in a little while ago... Wait until they are within fifteen feet and then fire..."

They watched quietly, aiming their AK-47's at the incoming soldiers.

...twenty....eighteen....sixteen....

Moloshilov fired. The other six soldiers started firing from the Moroshilov's window or other windows overlooking the advancing NYNJ soldiers, taking the cue from their commander.

Western Port Meldova
It would be rather difficult for both sides as no one had a real advantage over the other. The Rangers had experiance, training, and leadership, while the people holding the town had larger numbers and a defensivable position. 3 Platoons from Company D was making the assault on the western part of the port town, the other 5 platoons were concentrated on the southern part of Meldova while the two platoons assigned to hold the roads into and out of the Port town were located in the north.

As the gunfire erupted from the windows several soldiers dropped dead from being hit with rounds at close range. It definately wasnt the best way to start the fighting. Captain Johnson of Baker Platoon, Company D held onto his helmet as bullet fire wizzed by his head and the heads of the soldiers under his command. Turning his head to the side he looked back toward a corporal who had also hit the deck only a few feet away from him. On his back was an M78 Law Anti Tank Weapon."Corporal take out that position!"

The corporal moved quickly as the rest of Johnsons Platoon began to return fire upon the house where the shots were coming from. The corporal quickly letting off the M78 rocket without much aim he didnt want to expose himself for to long.

Outskirts of Meldova

"Mortar teams, switch over to the evil stuff. Lets see if we cant lighten the burden on those poor SOBs." Major Damsky ordered the line of 82s as they switched from the smoke rounds over toward the HE rounds. Targeting the same general areas as before with slight variations and targeting of houses where suspected people were the mortars were generally kept well away from where NYNJ soldiers were actually fighting for the time being.

Western Port Meldova

The LAW hit the building, but due to the poor targetting of the corporal, had only damaged the top left corner of the building before ricocheting off and exploded just a few feet away.

The occupants of the building stopped firing just for a few seconds, amazed that they were still okay. Quickly, they began firing again, but were now aiming at the commander and the corporal with the LAW.

P. Meldova

There was several casulities as fragments killed people who were still on the street or near windows. But the majority remained safe.

Soldiers now were preparing to defend the city from the enemy, having been really alerted to the incoming enemy troops by the firing on the western edge of the city.

Western P. Meldova
They all wore combat BDUs whic were nearly identical to prevent snipers from picking off individuals with a high rank. Of course that didnt keep the Captain nor the rest of his Platoon from being shot at, of course with the fire mostly focused on the corporal with the LAW it was rather easy for several others to use M203 grenade launchers attached to the M16A2 assault rifiles they carried against the house.

However the poor corporal would become another KIA as they made sure to get him before he could reload another rocket into the M78.

Southern Meldova
The shooting had caused the entirety of the Platoon to take their advance slower than what it had orginally been. Movement in the windows was immediately shot upon several times by multiple soldiers. The commanders on the Southern Front were determined not to make this like what was happening on the western side of the town.

Approaching P Meldova by air
The 2 AH-1W Cobra Gunships kept 50 feet above the ocean surface and stopped about 2 miles away from where the town was on the water. Of course using the imaging systems mounted on the AH-1W it was clearly visable that all was quiet too quiet. However their orders were to assit in the clearing out of town, and there was literally no better way to demolish some buildings than to unleash the 30mm Hydra rockets on the four pods each AH-1W was carrying.

Of course they would need the go code before they could start firing any of the rocket pods each holding 36 rockets or the 30mm cannon mounted under the chin of the silent attack bird.

Western Port Meldova

Within three or four minutes, all resistance from the building is finished, though it appears that one of the men were able to escape.

Southern Meldova

No resistance as of yet. Several civilians have come to the windows to see the NYNJ troops only to get shot.

Western P Meldova

As the shooting stopped the lead platoon of the three on the western front moved ahead and began to climb into the broken out windows of the house they had just shot up.Using it for cover they did a through search before they advanced toward the door where the revolutionaries had escaped from. They would hold right there for the time being watching and waiting. The two other platoons would move around the sides of the house in wide arcs out making sure the flanks were protected.

Southern P Meldova

"Hold your fire!Hold your fire damnit!" Came the call across the southern front by all the squad leaders. The sound of gunfire from both fronts died down. It was an eerie quiet to say the least. The salvo of mortar shells having died down sometime ago. The southern flank wasnt up and moving quick like the western flank had done. They were moving cautiously and tactically forward. Any movement in a window was quickly delt with still though, they werent risking being ambushed and they didnt have time to make sure that they werent shooting unarmmed civilians.

2 miles out from Port Meldova

The AH-1W Super Cobras tilted forward once more going from hover to forward flight heading over toward the town. When they reached over head they did a quick arc over the town and passed over the western front before turning around once more. Lessons learned from the past meant the AH-1Ws would keep moving in random manuvers to keep from getting to heavily bogged down from the ground fire. They were still unsure of what they would target as they waited for their orders from the forward observer attached with the Battalion.

Outskirts of Port Meldova

Majors Damsky and Schmidt watched the progress of the assault with mixed feelings. Looking over toward one another they plotted where Ranger One would be at the moment. Damsky spoke up looking over toward the other Major.

"You know it's possible for Ranger One to deploy the Amphibious APCs from where its at...they would take four hours to get here, and we could evac like that..or better yet the LCAC..."

"The AAVs would need to make several trips though and the LCAC I really dont want to bring into a hostile warzone right now...so the helicopters are a faster option and more safer for the guys that go last."

"Yeah but we need to clear the town before we can get the choppers to the clearing without them getting shot at. And even if we called them down now, frankly, we have wounded and KIA, not to mention a soldier still in that town. We cant leave without him."

"Yeah your right. We could do both. There are about 100 marines on Ranger One. That would bring us to about 500...when the rest of the Battalion arrives we'll be in a better position to figure out what to do."

"I dont want to call the Marines in unless we're in a real cluster fvck."

After a moment of thought the two nodded in agreement that the Marines would be the last resort.

"You know...this will teach us not to leave the JSFs home next time..."

It wasnt thought that the Rangers would see much combat by themselves. The JSFs were left at home to free up space for wounded, and refugees of which only the former appeared to be happening. So while the Wasp carried 12 CH-46 Sea Knights and 24 CH-53 Sea Stallions, they had no JSFs. Niether was a fan of the alternative aircraft the Wasp did have however. The 4 AV-6B Harriers, which were not at all mentioned in the conversation.