NationStates Jolt Archive

.:Two Miles South of Kajiraki:.
The Kaukolastan Battleship Tanager sat in the calm blue water, its anchor set. The great trimaran ship glistened in the brilliant sun and reflection from the water. Produced only two years before, the ship nonetheless bore scars of battle, multiple portions of the hull had been rebuffed and polished, and there was still portions where the welds were different materials. The ship was in top shape, but it had obviously seen battle. There were several sets of guns, elevated to different degrees. The fore battery was a triple set of sixteen inch guns, with a flanking set of matching batteries set back and to either side, with an elevated 18.1 dual battery behind and above them. Behind this was the missile arrays and CIWS systems, with the superstructure rising through the middle, a large imposing tower with multiple decks and sections. Radar and sattelite comms dominated every surface, except for the windows. On a lower portion of the superstructure, a VTOL was nested in a tight dual heliport, with the other port empty. On either side, three light eight inch guns sat at the ready. Behind the tower was another set of missile arrays and an aft battery modelled on the fore. On the sweeping external hulls and the connectors, more SAM and CIWS sat, while the marks of torpedo tubes marked the waterlines. Advanced sonar equipment hung below, and there was a thick torpedo belt to armor the ship. A set of ten props drove it forward, while eight nuclear reactors powered it, their waste heat vented under the "wings" of the trimaran.

As it sat, the deck was decorated with hundreds of Marines and Sailors, all dressed in full Class A uniforms. The Sailors wore their white uniforms with tie and cap, pistols on the hip, while the Marines were in their black regalia, visor, vest, and blood striped pants, ceremonial rifles at ready. The Naval officers wore tan uniforms, with a visored cap. Their rank insignia shone, and they stood with their men. The Marine officers stood likewise, their uniforms matching their charges, but with cords, gold stripes, and a high frequency rapier swung from the hip opposite the pistol. At the back of the formation, Admiral Grav stood in a pure white uniform, epaullettes on the shoulders. His beltbuckle glistened silver, and his white cap with translucent sky blue visor rested over his gray hair. Beside him stood Director Kerrik, in his custom tailored suit. Around his suit was the ISA overcoat, which flowed down to his polished shoes. Kerrik wore no cap, but had a pair of sunglasses on his face. Behind them stood the ISA contigent, the officers dressed like Kerrik in black suits and glasses, while the Operatives wore a blue/black uniform, jackboots, hawk-billed cap, and a leather strap running from shoulder to hip, left to right. Every single person stood at the ready, and the tremendous ship was crewed by another shift.

Tokyo
The aged man handed Katsumoto the cloth wraped saya, and bowed. The 30 year old Samurai pulled away the cloth gently, and cerimoniously removed the blade from its cassing. He admired it, the expertly made katana reflecting the light in the room. "It is perfect, you honor your familly name well." The swordsmith had made katanas and wazikashis for the Empire his entire life. The man's great grandfather, and had been in Katsumoto's familly for four generations.

The older man bowed deeply. "It is my honor, sir." He left quietly, and Katsumoto replaced the sword in its scabbard, and placed it on a table. It was at that time that three younger ladies entered his room.

"It is time, sir," the lead of the group said, bowing.
_____

The Tanager

The first sound of recognition that they were there was the wail of two jet engines. The two F-2 fighters, first off the line, shot overhead, and as the neared the center of the ship, split at an upward angle, after burnings blazing. In the distance, a helicopter came towards the ship. It was painted glossy black, with a white nose and tail, and red tinted windows. The flag of Kajiraki was seen on either door of the UH-60K as it came in for landing.

It touched down gently on the deck, and the side door opened, seven men stepping out. Suprisingly to the men, they were dressed in ancient armor of the Samurai, kabutos hung behind the back and mempos hung around the neck. One of the seven wore what could only be described as a great coat over his armor, but just as the others, his two blades were still seen.

Behind them, a women stepped off. She, however, was not dressed in the traditional wear of teh nation, but a very formal suit. She held her dark black hair down as she exited the helicopter, and the group began walking towards Grav and Kerrik. She moved infront of the seven, and bowed deeply to the two, her outstretched arms holding the katana.

The bosun's pipe squealed, and an officer called out, "Attention on deck!" There was a loud thunk as hundreds of booted feet clicked together in unison. "We are honored to have you aboard our ship, Madam. And we thank you for this." Grav stated, taking the katana. They returned her bow, Kerrik removing his dark glasses in respect. "If your men so wish, a tour could be arranged for any of you with a naval inclination?"

OOC: Not really up on honor code, so I'm winging it.

"Im sure they would enjoy that very much." She turned, and spoke to one of the armor clad men. He nooded in reply, and spoke some more. She turned back to Grav, and spoke again. "They will follow your men."

"Commander Cliser, show these men the ship."

"Yes, sir!"

Grav bowed to the woman again, "Madam, I am Admiral Charles Grav, and this is Director Anderas Kerrik." Kerrik nodded respectfully.

"At your service, Ma'am. Welcome aboard." He glanced around. "I apologize that we couldn't receive you in the archipelago, but we're under some undo circumstances right now."

The Empress returned the bow. "I understand fully admiral, my Supreme Chancellor made me aware of the situation. I am sorry for your President's condition. Maybe after our meeting, a small unit of our defense force will be able to offer assistance."

http://www.happywhisper.com/woman/0210/images/0210b.jpg

"We appreciate your concern, Madam. Would you care to come inside my office?" Grav asked.

Meanwhile, the Naval Commander was showing off his pride and joy, the 18.1 inch cannon on the fore and aft batteries, to his guests.

Ryoko nodded. "Yes, that would be a good idea."

Meanwhile, the Samurai admired the large gun mounted on the front of the ship.

They stepped through the door into the superstrucure, and behind them, the enlisted and officers returned to ease and broke to their tasks. They walked past several control rooms and observation decks, the air-conditioned air whistling past. They entered an elevator and rose up. Exitting, they passed the bridge and TACCON, entering Grav's office. It faced the front of the ship, overlooking the fore battery. His desk faced away from the window, and there were several old oak chairs. The walls were decorated with naval pictures, and one small picture sat above the rest, with the Admiral and a bunch of young children aboard a sailboat.

Grav motioned for the Empress to sit before he did, giving her the choice of chairs.

Outside, the tour was moving out, along the wing, to the port hull and the radar array out on the end.

The Empress took a seat facing the window, looking out over the serene waters towards her land. "This is truely a magnificent ship you have here," she commented, settling into the chair.

"I thank you, Madam." Grav stated. "I truly hope to never have to use it, but for what it is meant to do, it does well... and once again, let me thank you for your incredible gift. I only wish I had something to offer in return, but all I possess on this ship is polish, oil, fuel, and ammunition. Unless you would like one of my pictures?" he motioned to the many naval art drawings, ranging from archaic to modern.

Ryoko giggled slightly. "No it is ok. I believe you will be able to return the favor at a later time. But on with buisness. What do you, and your government, have in mind?"

"Well, obviously, a placement of embassies. Since we are located so close to each other, trade relations would seem highly beneficial, and we believe in maintaining close ties to all our allies. We would be honored to consider you an ally."

Kerrik took over the discussion, "Madam, what the Admiral will not mention is our suspicion that some outside force is after the entire Pacific. It is our desire to stop that force. And the best way to do that is as a whole. I would like to see the entire region allied, working together. That is a pipe dream, but what allies we can forge, we can increase all of our chances."

The Empress nodded, and thought for a moment. She rubbed her soft chin, and then spoke. "Embassies, yes, I would think so. I will set aside 15 acres of land in Tokyo near the Imperial Palace. Also, I will form a diplomatic corp to send to an embassy in your nation." She paused, and thought some more.

"I also agree that trade will be most important. At the moment, our main industry is arm manufacturing. Maybe sales of equipment for lower cost, and sharing of our technological means."

She then listend to the other man speak, and nodded. "Fully agreed. We need to keep those with hostile intent out of our region. For too long, wars have ravaged the Pacific area of the world. Our military is small, and desgined to be defensive, however. What are your plans for this?"

"Well, we have some projects under way, still theoretical and classified in nature, that might give us a last ditch effort, and others that simply seek to upgrade our capabilities. The ship you sit in is such, and the next several will leap past this. We would be willing to share our research into certain technologies to give you a leg up. Some of these are pebble bed technology and satellite capabilities."

Grav took back over, "Our nature as of now is merely a friendly hand and the desire for mutual advancement, but as the Director mentioned, it is always good to have friends in harsh times."

Kerrik took back the conversation. "We, too, will set aside some land in the Capital."

"Agreed. We have three fairly secretive projects underway right now, and one or two more open projects. However, we will gladly share some of our technologies with you, such as the mercury rifle and some of the avionics used on our F-2."

"Mercury rifle?" Kerrik asked, curious.

A menacing, frightening, shadowy TAG... more interesting weapons!

Even more OOC: That's right, friends... all of you, join together...

(And should he see this) Master, it's working...

Joke IC: He shivered a little. "I think I felt a menacing presence." :lol:

Real IC: "I think that we have much to offer each other."

"Yes, the mercury rifle. We developed a rifle which can fire a bolt of solid mercury at extremely high velocites. The density of the bolt can be adjusted so that it reliquifies on impact, shatters, or stays in its solid state. Even if the user of the rifle doesn't get a kill shot, they are still faced with the nasty side effects of mercury poisoning. However, thats all I can explain, I'm sure my scientists will be able to explain more of how it workds, should you choose to visit us."

"Very interesting." Grav mused. "Obviously, we are on the same page here. How stands your Navy? Pardon me for asking, but as you can tell, it is my area of interest." he shrugged and motioned to the room.

"I'm afraid to say our navy is less than what one would hope it to be. Thrity or so hydrofoil patrol boats, a few older frigates, and some diesel elctric subs. However, ww do have plans for upgrading, as our navy is our first line of defense, being an island nation.

Grav nodded eagerly. "Then perhaps that is where I can help the most in our alliance. I would welcome your engineers to a dock tour on Isis or near the Capital. We would also be willing to share our vessels for relatively cheaply. Obviously, we can't just give them, as they cost." he motioned apologetically. "I'm rambling again, aren't I? You know, I was once a young man, and I could focus, but I think age is catching me."

Kerrik smiled a little. "When it does catch you, Admiral, you're going to punch it back down."

"It sounds excellent, I will alert those responsible in my nation for this. And with age comes great wisdom," she finsihed, smiling.

"Try telling that to anxious grand kids." he grinned. "But thank you."

Kerrik asked, "Is there anything else you wish to bring up?"

Empress Ryoko thought for a moment, seeming to contemplate the room. "Nothing that I can think of, you?" she asked.

OOC: Get ready for one helluva fly over...

Grav looked at Kerrik, who nodded. "Well, I feel that you should know this. We've begun construction on an abnormal type of anti-aircraft artillery. I can't go into detail... partly because I don't understand, partly because its classified Code Omega. This weapon will smack apart any airborn incursions over our land. We really aren't quite sure of the max range on it yet, because of its experimental nature, but you may be in range. If you are, we obviously will consult with you about it, as it would effect your airspace."