A New Dawn (Strict RP; Invite-Only) [Archive]

Rukemia

31-12-2003, 02:16

The Emperor's Palace, Mercia

"Sir, you've got nothing to worry about, this won't be any different from the hundreds of other public briefings you've made, the Rukemian people just want to see their Emperor come out of his palace and speak of the war in Ferrussia himself is all.", said Lakato Vaul, the Emperor's advisor and right-hand man.

"I don't know Lakato, something just doesn't feel right about this, it's almost like something is telling me that I'm in...some sort of danger..", said the Emperor as he looked at himself in the mirror and adjusted his suit tie. Lakato rolled his eyes away from the Emperor's view, When in the hell is this old bat going to shut-up about his god damn butterflies! If he's not out there on time there could be some serious problems, I'd better do something..., he thought to himself silently.

"Why, that's understandable Emperor Jon, it's been what....13 years since your last appearance in public? You're just nervous, that's all, would you like some club soda to settle your stomach?" asked Lakato through gritted teeth.

"Why, how thoughtful of you Lakato, go fetch me some if you don't mind. Oh, and don't forget to put exactly three ice cubes in it, just how I like it!", said the Emperor while stile adjusting his suit in the mirror of his office.

"No problem, Emperor. I'll get it right away!", said Lakato suppressing the anger that he had kept locked away for so many years. Lakato thought silently to himself once again, I'm nothing but a god damn servant in this place, but not for long, after tonight he'll see....they'll all see. That son of a bitch is going down, and when he does go down, I'll be there to take his place and start my own dynasty a new rule! The Vauls will be in power once again! Now where in the hell is that club soda?

-------------------------------
Outside of the Emperor's Palace

A lone, black van pulled up and parked some 50 odd feet in front of the emperor's palace. The three occupants inside wore all black and hid their faces with black ski-masks. The inside of the van was illuminated with a bluish light coming from the mulitple surveillance screens, showing every movement within the palace, wired into the vans interior. The three men surveyed and listened, the entire palace was bugged, they heard every conversation that took place within the inside. Once they learned of the Emperor agreeing to hold the "public briefing" from one of the mics inside the palace, they all nodded and began the second part of their operation.

One of the men in the van contacted the Drakonian Agents that would go through with the elimination of the Emperor and his High Council, he called the agent via cellphone and held a phony conversation with him. To anyone else they would've seemed to be talking of sports and news, but in reality they discussed a plan that would forever change the future of Rukemia. Andrew Miller, the name of the man who spoke to the Drakonian Agent, gave the agent the time, the place, and the targets that he should look for when the time was right and he was given the signal to eliminate the Emperor. It would be done in public, the Emperor's entire Council along with himself would be executed, live in front of over 1 billion watching Rukemian citizens. A change in government would be announced, along with an end to the war with Ferrussia, the mastermind behind the plan itself, Lakato Vaul, the Emperor's longtime advisor, would be announced the new leader of Rukemia and from the on out a democratic government would be inforced and placed in power of Rukemia.

It was messy and seemingly flawless, but it was a plan. More than 85% of the Rukemian Military had swayed in favor of Lakato when told about the plan, the remaining 15% was the Royal Rukemian Guard, organized by Emperor Herasi Jon himself and undoubtly loyal to him to the end. The Royal Guard and the Melkorian Garrisons were the only two things standing in the way of Rukemia's political makeover, but with outside help, these two obstacles could be eliminated, just as the Emperor would be.

31-12-2003, 04:44

"General Ragger, how is Admiral Jackson's mission going?" Riyth had his back to Ragger. It had been some hours since the combined fleets had moved out, and now all the premier had to do was wait for something to happen - his sources had told him he would know when everything went down.

"Jackson reports the seas are a bit violent, but nothing the ships can't handle. Even if they can't the Red Dragon carriers will be able to tough it out, but that's only a worst case scenario," Bill Ragger was a bit worried. His country had been in a somewhat shifting position. Having not really solidifed a stance in the black and white evil vs. good debate, they mainly followed allies and helped where they could. They had an extremely well trained and reformed military, and were self-sufficient on most issues. Instead, Nankin entered the world forum as a strong ally, and a good one at that.

"Something is not right, is it, Bill?" Riyth looked distressed, the lights of Farbanti illuminated the ground beneath the, for lack of a better world, palace that he inhabited and ran the country from.

"To be honest, I'm not sure, sir. Something is going to go down. What that is exactly, we can only guess. All we know is that a high ranking Fyreheartian official contacted our security forces, telling us to get ready and to keep it quiet. I think something gigantic is going to happen, but we are ready, I'm sure of it."

"Let us hope so, general, Nankin's lands have never been breached, and I shall not let that happen under my tenure. Bill, flip on the TV. Let's see what's happening in that public address over in Rukemia," he turned around and picked up a glass of vodka as General Ragger reached up high to turn on the large television mounted on the wall. And with that, Riyth collapsed into his statesman chair exhausted, awaiting this event.

Drakonian Imperium

31-12-2003, 15:54

1811 Zulu
Drakonian Intelligence Agency Heaquarters
Drakonia, Drakonian Imperium
Near Augustus

"How do they know," the Director of the Drakonian Intelligence Agency (more commonly called the DIA) roared, referring to nation of Nankin. The Director was not exactly what you would call happy about the fact that Nankin knew about the Fyreheartian Rebellion.

"We not exactly sure, sir," the Director's aide sputtered. "We think the rebels asked them for help."

"Help!?" The Director's face was still contorted in anger. "They weren't supposed to ask anyone for help until the blackout was over. They might as well called up Hurst, Melkor, Bob, and Matti Iesus and told them everything was going down in Fyreheart."

"Well...uh." To say that the Director's Aide did not know what to say was...well true, very true.

"How long until the storm hits it's worst," the Director asked angrily collapsing into his chair in acceptance of the situation.

"A couple of hours, sir." The know knew what to say.

"Then we'll have to work damage control till then." The statement really didn't need to be said, both knew it immediately once the news had arrived. "Tell Nankin to back off until we give the word."

"Yes, sir." The Aide started to leave.

"And make sure this all stays under wraps until the rebels make their announcement tomorrow." From then on everything the Director said was mumbling to himself, because his Aide had left. "Only Menelmacar and we were suppose to know about this until it happen, everything now is in jeopardy." There was a loud sigh as the Director waited. All he could do now was wait.

Drakonian Imperium

31-12-2003, 16:37

1813 Zulu
Drako International Airport
Drako Throne, Drakonian Imperium
Military Zone

"Where are they," one of the Praetorian Guard commandoes said, searching the skies for something.

"They'll be here," Colonel Aaron Panthera spoke suddenly, coming up behind the Guardsman. The Colonel found the soldiers response quite entertaining. Watching the man spin around, snap to attention, and then salute did definitely brighten Aaron Panthera's day.

"Sir," the man spoke crisply and loudly, like a new recruit during Basic Training. "They're thirteen minutes late, sir."

The Colonel stared down the commando under his command. "Actually." The Colonel checked the Guardsman's rank. "Luietenant. The Menelmacari will be early if they arrive now. They're not suppose to arrive until fifteen after the hour."

"Yes, Sir." The soldier stayed at attention until the Colonel moved on.

Pleased, by the whole show, the Colonel waited until he was out of side of the Luietenant until he resumed his own searching of the sky for the Menelmacari Dropships. They'll be here, he told himself, knowing they would.

I've never ridden a dropship, his mind added idly.

31-12-2003, 20:19

The sun was breaking through the clouds out in the middle of the ocean. The edge of Haven was a calm place, and the admiral was walking the deck of Perestroika, binoculars in hand. They had strict orders to hold here, and had a reaffirmation of that by a quick FLASH traffic message originating in Drakonia. Like they need to wave us off. He had very explicit orders anyway, hold here until Fyreheart made their move. Although offers had been made, no air operations could be used offensively because of the region itself - the admiral did not feel like sending a flight of F-62s to breach Arda airspace...not yet, at least. Behind him an E-2C hit the second cable and came to a screeching halt goddamn airplanes.

31-12-2003, 20:21

[double]

Rukemia

04-01-2004, 18:12

.

Outside of The Emperor's Palace

"Are we on? Ok....This is Reporter John Bailen from Channel 9 News in Mercia, Rukemia's top news agency for national news. I'm standing here outside of our Emperor's luxurious palace here in the middle of Mercia, just hours ago we recieved word that the Emperor himself will be delivering a public briefing concerning the war in Ferrussia, some anaylists anticipate that the Emperor will announce a new phase in the war, meaning that a possible ground war could soon be underway. But, of course, these are only guesses as to what our Emperor will say in his briefing, we'd also like to mention that this will be the first time the Emperor has publically spoken to his people since The Coalition Wars.....wait here he comes now! Get the camera on him!"

*The camera scene akwardly cuts to Emperor Jon who makes his way towards the gates of his palace where a podium has been placed for his briefing, behind him is his personal advisor and assistant Lakato Vaul, both are dressed in formal wear*

As the Emperor walked down the red carpet that had been put over the paved path to the gates, he turns his head slightly and says to his advisor, "Now, Lakato, I know my eyes sometimes get the best of me in my old age, but is that my council up there near the gates?"

Lakato smirked, "Why yes, sir. I believe that is your council, what a pleasant surprise! They must've taken it upon themselves to show up and listen to your speech!"

"Yes...I suppose, but doesn't it seem risky to you that we should all be in one place at one time....if I didn't know better I'd suspect-", Lakato cut him off.

"Don't worry, everything is perfectly safe, you've got your Royal Guard all around you! What could possibly go wrong? Just deliver your speech and be confident, the people need you!"

The Emperor didn't have anytime to respond, he had reached the podium, everyone grew quiet as he looked around at his audience, a sea of media and reporters. He looked to his left and to his right, on either side of him were his council members, all 12 had arrived and they were all seated and looking rather comfortable. He turned back to his audience, "Good evening, People of Rukemia, I have taken it upon myself to.....", he went into his speech, discussing plans for the sailors in Ferrussian waters and so on. But even though the Emperor's voice was amplified by atleast 12 microphones, his assitant Lakato heard not a word he said. He was too anxious to pay attention to what was going on, he stood behind the Emperor with his hands behind his back, bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet every once and awhile. In his right hand he held a very small game-buzzer like device, it was shaped like a pen top and at the very end of it was red button, without anyone noticing he creeped his thumb down the end of the device and pushed the button in. Giving the signal that it was time for the showdown to the three men in the black van some 50 odd feet away.

A buzzer like noise goes off in the van, telling the three men inside that it is time to contact the Drakonian Agents, letting them know that the time is right to set the fireworks off.

Again without anyone noticing, the Emperor's assistant Lakato Vaul slowly began to backpace towards the palace, until he was out of the view of cameras, when the coast was clear he broke out into a full sprint towards the palace, I'm getting the hell out of here, I wouldn't want to be around for this! Heh, but when it's all over I'll be in charge, that stupid, old fogey celtzer drinking, son of a bitch is going down!", all these thoughts raced through Lakato's mine as he ran for safety and dove into the shrubbery of the Palace garden.

Now all there was left to do was to wait, the Drakonian Agents knew what to do, now all they had to do was carry it out.

Gothenburg-Franc

05-01-2004, 09:00

Thousands of miles away, Gothenburg-Franc soliders formerly fighting under the Imperialist banner of ICON, stared numbly at the ground. Abandoned by their allies, attacked by civillians, and bombed into the ground by every single anti-Imperial nation in the war-zone, the soldiers of Gothenburg-Franc were speechless with the utter frustration of thier position. All transmissions to Nathan Hurst and his cabinet had gone unanswered, the Fyreheart which had so inspired the development of Gothenburg-Franc, did not exist anymore. It appeared that the only ones who had ever believed in ICON were the men who now were wondering how they would ever get home.

Fyreheart

07-01-2004, 10:10

Robert Davis grimly looked out the window...waiting. An aide entered and saluted. "Sir, I have urgent news."

"What's that?"

"Admiral Moore has engaged the Hurst loyalists at the Bosporus."

Davis shot out of his chair. "Then we can wait no longer. Contact the Drakonian agents. Tell them we need to go immediately. The attack begins in two hours."

Drakonian Imperium

08-01-2004, 01:40

The smell in the air was one that would change a nation. The smell of rain. The sky had darkened, with the sun having disappeared below the clouds and the horizon. Now the world seemed closed in and muggy. The smell of coming rain was on the air.

Then the first drop fell from the dark clouds above and splashed onto the hard pavement of Pagania. It wasn't long before more drops of rain, too had fallen. Soon, the rain was pouring down in sheets. It seems to be flowing from the sky, itself. It was not small drops either, the rain that fell from the sky was Monsoon rain. Massive globules of waters seemed flow from the clouds above.

The few cars that were out on the streets, quickly lost their interest in daring fate, as visiblity was quickly diminishing.

Across the capital of Fyreheart, some were preparing to dare the storm. In an old apartment building across from an old bar, the group of Drakonian Intelligence Agents were preparing to move.

One of the men looked at the clock, in the room as a bolt of lightning flashed outside. "9:49 PM," it read.

"It's time to move," the man noted, and then each of the Agent piled out of the room.

The time had come for liberation.

The storm only built up steam, lightning flashing along the numerous lightning rods of skycrapers. The whole sky seemed to rage with the torrents of rain and deadly blades of lightning.

Drakonian Imperium

08-01-2004, 02:43

In the nation of Rukemia, a rebellion was beginning as well. In the tall buildings across from where the Emperor was giving his speech, there were men moving.

The Drakonian Intelligence Agency (DIA), had paid off or silently killed the Rukemia security guarding the buildings. Now they were ready to move, but the Drakonians were not alone on this mission. The Mornahossë of Menelmacar were supporting them. It would be the Mornahossë would make the actual arrest.

Michael Talden, commanding DIA officer walked silently to a window and looked out onto the assembled populace and the Emperor a bit of a distance away, giving his speech, his voice booming into the building.

"These Rukemians are a bit bloodthirsty," Talden commented to the Mornahossë Commander and his Second-In-Command.

Talden's Second-In-Command, was André Chretien smiled. "Still annoyed about them want us to assassinate the Emperor and his Council," the younger man questioned.

"Yes," Talden stated promptly and frankly. He continued to look out the window, waiting for the signal.

One of the Drakonian Intelligence Agents approached the group. "Sir, the Rukemians have signalled us," the man reported.

For a second, Talden did not react at all. He simply remained looking out the window. André tensed, noticably, waiting for his commander to respond. Finally, Talden turned taking the radio from the Agent, but first he spoke crisply and clearly to the Mornahossë. "Do it, take those bastards alive." The Elf turned and was gone.

Lifting the radio to his mouth Talden gave the order to attack. "Snipers, take them down."

Seconds later, the Mornahossë opened up on the Royal Rukemian Guard. The plan from there was simple. With the Royal Rukemian Guard being killed left and right by the Menelmacari sniper rifles, the Mornahossë strike teams would sweep in and capture the Emperor and his Council.

The trap was sprung.

09-01-2004, 06:29

Riyth looked on horrified - yet strangely unsuprised - as cameras covering the speech in Rukemia darted left and and right. Gunfire could be heard over the nervous reporter who was now out of sight - replaced by the walls of the forum the speech was being held in. A guard turned to fire...only to be struck in the neck, sending blood splattering over the lense of the camera blotting out the image in a sea of red.

Lavenrunz

09-01-2004, 10:47

Baron Shein was lighting his tenth cigarette of the day when an aide knocked on the door. "Come." the Baron said. He was looking over the reports from the inquiry and hoped this was important.
"Menelmacar and the Drakonian Imperium are supporting a coup d'etat in Rukemia. Here's the information. It's confirmed by a listening post sub, the Wittemberg." the aide said.
Baron Shein twitched. "Damn. Any media getting hold of it?"
"Since the Emperor was going to make a public appearance, I think it's rather inevitable, Excellency."
"Don't mention this to anyone." Shein said sternly, staring at the aide. "If this got out, it could be of benefit to the cause of Count Mirbach."
The aide bowed, beads of sweat on his temples, and fled.
Shein stared for a while as a cylinder of ash lengthened from his cigarette.

Menelmacar

09-01-2004, 11:40

Menelmacari Imperial Gravitic Cruiser Din'Sûl (Silent Wind)
Off the Rukemian Coast

Cáno Idhrinidiel nos Fithurin, Eighth Menelmacari Imperial Mornahossë Assault Group, watched on three different HV's and on satellite monitors simultaneously as the public appearance... er, broke down.

On buildings all around the square in front of the palace, Mornahossë snipers had been placed; moving slowly and carefully under cover of their active camouflage, they had been undetected. And now Rukemian Royal Guard soldiers were being cut down as the gravbolter rifles of the snipers tore through their ranks.

"And...three, two, one... now," she mused to herself; squinting carefully at the holo-images, and only because she knew precisely where to look - having devised the plan - she could see 'snakes' of ghostly figures, seeming almost like heat-phantoms, moving across the lawns of the palace towards the building, unnoticed by just about anyone in the chaos of death from the shadows.

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)
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Drakonian Imperium

09-01-2004, 17:44

2003 Zulu
Drakonian Intelligence Agency Headquarters
Drakonia, Drakonian Imperium
Near Augustus

"Sir, it's confirmed." The Aide to the Director of the Drakonian Intelligence Agency (DIA) approached the man standing at the back and highest point in the Situation Room and defacto Command Center of the Headquarters of the DIA.

"All contact with Fyreheart has been severed," the Director turned to his Aide.

Where they stood they could see the whole room before them. It was huge and spread out a like a National Space Program's Control Room. Banks of computers were spread in broken semi-circles and looked upon a series of massive monitors. On those moniters were different news programs reporting around the world or satellite video feeds from Intelligence Operations around the world.

"Yes, Sir," the Director's Aide confirmed. "All communication is impossible. Hard lines, cell phones, and every video and radio channel is either cut or full of static. We couldn't get through on anything. And the weather even seems to be preventing direct LASER communications."

"Then there is no way to contact anyone in Fyreheart," the Director asked, surprisingly calm for news that should have shocked him to the core.

"Short of actually going there," the Aide spoke. "None."

The Director turned back to watch the monitors. One was now displaying a map of the world, different nations highlighted to show where Intelligence Operations were underway. Fyreheart and Rukemia were both hightlighted.

"Then it has begun," the Director spoke clearly. "It has begun."

There was a moment of silence between the two men as they both looked across the active Command Center.

"Sir, there is one other thing," the Aide again grabbed the Director's attention. "Apparently, Lavenrunz knows that we are behind the attack in Rukemia."

Now the Aide had the full attention of the Director of the DIA. "Which faction?"

"We think the Loyalists, sir." That did seem to alleviate some of the Director's fear.

"No one else?" The Director did still seem fearful.

"No, Sir. No one," the response was quick and knowledgable. "For now the world only knows that something has happened in Rukemia, but not who has done it."

"Let us hope it stays that way," the Director said more to himself than anyone else, adding more silently. "Let us hope it stays that way."

Glorious Humanity

09-01-2004, 18:42

OOC: Tag so I can find this later.

Rukemia

09-01-2004, 23:40

The Royal Rukemian Guards that surrounded the outer edges of the crowd around the emperor now fired sporadically and inaccurately at the tops of the buildings where the shots were believed to be coming from. They had been caught completely off guard and were armed with only their traditional rifles, which were for more of show than for battle. 12 guards had already fallen leaving 18 to protect the Emperor and the council surrounding him.

One guard briefly stopped firing and turned around to his comrades to issue a order, "Get the Emperor and The Council back inside the palace! Now!", he motioned towards the palace and then turned around back to the buildings only to be greeted with a bullet to the head. 8 guards fell back to the podium, following their fallen superiors orders and ran through the screaming and confused crowd and towards the Emperor. They found him cowering behind the same podium that he had once stood tall and proud at, having no time to point out the irony, one of the guards roughly grabbed the Emperor by the arm and pulled him up.

"It's ok sir, we've got everything under---", the guard was silence by a bullet which pierced his helmet and went completely through the other side. The Emperor stood there shocked, too frozen to wipe the young guard's blood from his eyes and mouth. Another guard swore loudly and quickly took the other's place, grabbing the Emperor and guiding him towards the palace gates. The four guards that hadn't been sniped off had managed to round up the council members who had been hiding as well, and escort them too the palace gates. Once inside the gates they found cover, the guards shoved the Emperor and his council behind the palace walls which bullets now zipped over.

"Are you ok, sir?", one of the guards asked.

The emperor didn't answer, he only stared at the guard blankly through bloody eyes.

"Shit, somebody call for back-up!", ordered one of the guards. The three other guards took out there radios and turned them on, only to recieve no signal whatsoever.

"What the hell? The radios are busted, sir!", the guards look bewilderly at each other until it began to sink it, they'd realised that they had to have been set-up, there was no way that Rukemian Intelligence would let this go under their noses unless they were in on it. None of them bothered to explain what was going on to the council members or the emperor, they only told them to get down and attempted to guide them roughly once again towards the palace.

In all the chaos the guards had forgotten about Lakato, the Emperor's advisoor, who now watched all the action silently from inside the palace shrubbery. He watched as the Emperor and his council were pathetically guided towards the palace by guards who were all mowed down within minutes, leaving the Emperor and Council alone and unprotected. They all stood there stupidly as if awaiting death.

"Kill them! Mow them down damn it! What the hell is going on?", Lakato whispered to himself, questioning why the Council or the Emperor hadn't simply been killed like all the rest. Now all that was left was a hysterical crowd and a few cameras still rolling, the crowd, oddly enough hadn't been that effected by all the shots.

Ferrussia

10-01-2004, 07:41

(tag) - may be entering the RP, depends on several things with the Fyreheart-Ferrussian war.

Isla de Penguinata

10-01-2004, 20:50

Somewhere in Pagania

Anne was sitting at her cluttered desk. Electronics were laying all over her apartment, and it was a mess. She was the typical hacker chick. Her hair was tied in a bun in the back, her brown hair messy and unkempt. Her eyes were bright green and shaped like tear drops.

She looked at one of the four monitors she had set up. She was an operative working for the Penguinatan Intelligence Directive, which was a large, massive organization specifically used for the purpose of collecting intel. She switched it to television mode, and watched the Rukemian president. Seconds later she heard shots ringing out, and guards collapsing all over the place. The camera she was watching from happened to be the same one that Riyth was watching, and she saw blood spatter all over the camera, and winced. The rain grew outside as it poured harder. Lightning and thunder made a constant melody through the night.

<<-114155FG1GVV166->>
SEC811 TRANSMIS0N1
T: SFCHNL551
F: FAA2225

Alert. Operations detected in Fyreheart and Rukemia. Do not act yet. Seeking transmission to Drakonian Imperium.

<<---CLOSED--->>

Anne took a drink of her coffee and turned on the music. Headbanging delight...She then did background checks to make sure the message was sent to the right place. After that, she sent a message to the Drakonian government..

<<-FF551AA0991->>
SEC11 TRANSMIS0N1
T: DR4K0N1
F: -------------

Alert to Drakonian Imperium. Secret operative in Pagania. I am working under the Penguinatan government, and I am seeking information. I have been stationed here for the past two years, awaiting some kind of action to take place. I have figured out that the happenings in Rukemia are probably at the fault of your special ops forces, and I'm not stupid. I know what's about to go down. I've got sleeper cells distributed throughout the city. Requesting permission to alert them awake. We will assist in any operations necessary.

<<---CLOSED--->>

OOC: All transmissions are top-secret and virtually inpenetrable.

Drakonian Imperium

11-01-2004, 21:35

2011 Zulu
Former Drakonian Embassy
Pagania, Fyreheart
Outside Compound

As the massive sheets of rain beat down on the capital of Fyreheart and much of the country, lightning shattered the darkness cutting down into city like the blade of the Grim Reaper, himself. Someone whose work would be quite busy, yet the Grim Reaper would not be the one dealing death on this night, even if he was the one left to clean up the bodies.

http://www.rainfloweressence.com/graphics/thunderstorm.jpg

A series of three black SUVs pulled up in front of the abandon compound that had once been the Embassy of the Drakonian Imperium. Along the white stucco perimeter wall there a slight circular lightened area that had once been home to the seal of the Drakonia that was all that hinted at what once the Anglo-Romanic Buildings in the embassadorial compound once were. The empty compound had been secretly abandoned after the arrest of the Ferrussian Ambassador and the staff of the Ferrussian Embassy. Now this Embassy would once again see use.

The Drakonian Intelligence Agents piled out of the SUVs, some quickly moving into the compound while other spread out along the streets and dissappeared in the rain. A small knot moved from the middle SUV and moved inward toward the Embassy, talking amid the storm.

"Okay," the leader of the group stated loudly over the pouring rain. "You all know your assignments." He turned to one of the other agents. "Jones, join up with the Rebels attacking the government facilities, military bases, and such in the capital. Coordinate with them."

Continuing to the next Intelligence Agent, he quickly issued orders as the last one organized his team and left. "Benny, meet up with the Rebels in control of Power and that have taken down the grid. Make sure it stays down, all of it."

The group had now entered the former Embassy Compound and were quickly moving toward the main building. "George, contact the Rebels teams that have jammed communications. Work to make sure those in control of the TV and Radio Stations that are flooding all the channels with static, keep that up. We don't want their generators to give out. Also make sure the other teams have cut all the hard lines and disabled the cell towers."

With a dismissive gesture the last of the agents slip off. Another group of black SUVs had arrived out front and was spilling out more Drakonian Intelligence Agents, as the other DIA teams were driving off in the first group.

The former Drakonian Embassy was to be where the Drakonian Intelligence would help coordinate the Rebellion within Fyreheart. A country that for now, was almost completely cut off from the world. All communication was either jammed or cut-off entirely, Power was out throughout much of the nation, and it seemed as if no one knew what was happening. That was the way it seemed.

As the Drakonians Reappropriation their former Embassy the first flashes of light and sounds of fighting split the storming skyline. In the distance amid the sound of rain, gunfire and explosions could be heard.

Rebellion had begun.

Drakonian Imperium

11-01-2004, 22:33

2015 Zulu
Drakonian Intelligence Agency Headquarters
Drakonia, Drakonian Imperium
Near Augustus

"Contact with IdP Intel," someone shouted above the low buzz of conversation in the Situation Room of the DIA Headquarters.

The Situation Room, which was really the defacto Command Center of the DIA Headquarters, was layed out like a Space Program's Control Room. There were three semi-circles banks of computers that look out upon a series of large monitors with various information from around the world displayed on them.

At the back and highest point in the room the director of the DIA, pricked his ears at the Intelligence Agents report. "What do they want," he called across the room.

"Looks like one of their agents got a message off to us before all the communications went down," the Intelligence Officer called back across the room. "Their offering to assist us."

"Contact their national intelligence," the Director returned. "Since there is no way in hell, we could get through to anyone in Fyreheart with the jamming up."

"What do you want me to tell them," came the response yelled across the room.

"Tell, them their support will be much appreciated." And that was that.

12-01-2004, 01:39

"General, all communications into and out of Fyreheart have ceased."

"Our embassy..cut off?"

"Yes, general. Shall I give the go for Operation Rigid Ice?" That plan was a complicated one and relied on several strokes of luck. 2 Special Operations Groups would streak in under radar nets during the night and drop a couple hundred men that would then get to the embassy either by air or land - the outcome depending on how hostile the country was. The plan had only been used once before, and it was in Fyreheart that it had happened. The plan was a mild success, having only been impeded by rogue Rukemian agents - not this time.

"It's a go, have the 2 SOGs link up on the Perestroika. Admiral Jackson will have his men provide cover. As far as they know, we're still friendly untis. Prepare the men at once."

12-01-2004, 01:39

Gothenburg-Franc

12-01-2004, 03:13

To Prime Minister Nathan Hurst, glorious leader of Fyreheart:

We are all still unaware sir, as to the state of affairs in your government. We have heard multiple rumors of revolution. Our Army de Expedition was forced to surrender to the Copiosian Army outside of Odesa due to the lack of Fyreheartian suport in ICON's war. We were outnumbered, outgunned. Your nation is also not supplying us anymore. Our men need food, medical supplies, and uniforms. Also transportation home. We are wondering why you can not complete the tasks you agreed to do in the ICON Charter. The nation of Gothenburg-Franc can not stand alone much longer.

We need explanations, sir. Any transmissions from the Fyreheartian Government will be most appreciated. Be frank with us Prime Minister Hurst. If you should need Gothenburg-Franc peacekeepers to be deployed your nation, just ask. You can always count on us, sir. We are ICON.

Sincerely,

The Directorate of Gothenburg-Franc

Isla de Penguinata

13-01-2004, 01:09

As soon as Anne sent the message, the power went out. "SON OF A BITCH!" She had almost finished uploading a file to her floppy disk. She tried the phone, it was dead. She then picked up her cell phone. It too, was dead. "Damnit," she said under her breath. By this time she had figured out that the Drakonians had cut off all communications, but had also disabled her ability to contact sleeper cells. She looked out the large window as the rain poured in sheets and a lightning strike went across the sky. A resounding boom rattled the window. She cursed under her breath again, and grabbed the car keys. She also carried down a large crate, obviously filled with explosives and guns. She ran outside after locking the door and opened the back of the 2002 Honda Passport. She lifted the crate in, and slammed the door.

She hopped into the driver's seat, soaking wet. Cursing under her breath even more, she started the vehicle. Into the night she drove, hoping to contact her sleeper cells before the night was over.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Arundemont, Isla de Penguinata
Penguinatan Intelligence Directive

Ben Harold looked up from his desk. He was the Director of the PID, and had just received a transmission through his fax machine. He read it carefully, and pondered. As soon as he picked up the phone, he received another transmission from Drakonia. He immediately understood, and tried to call Anne. "Son of a bitch!" He realized that they had most likely shut down all communications in order to make sure it was a swift rebellion. Instead, he called the Sosgordin Palace in Elandor, the capital of Isla de Penguinata. Princess Arvanel decided to keep the PID headquarters in Arundemont, with a major satellite branch in Elandor.

"Your Majesty, this is Director Ben Howard of the PID..Yes....Ah, thank you...I was calling about a transmission I have received from our ally Drakonia. Apparently Secret Agent Gothen has contacted them offering assistance. They must have shut down all communications in Fyreheart, because they sent the transmission here. I'm requesting that we send in the 1st Special Forces Division......Yes....Thank you m'Lady...You too."

He hung up the phone and immediately sent an order to the Defense Department. The 1st Special Forces Division would be deployed overnight, but they would not get near Fyreheart until Anne Gothen was available for contact.

1st Special Forces Division
300 soldiers armed with a Heckler & Kotch MP5, 12-Gauge Shotgun, M14 Sniper Rifle, Colt .45 pistol, and an M203 Grenade Launcher.
10 Mark V Special Operations Craft
10 Pave Low IIIs
25 Blackhawks

OOC: Each SF squad has 15 people. Everyone in the squad contains a pistol and MP5 by default. However, at least 5 have a 12-Gauge, 6 have a sniper rifle, and 4 have a grenade launcher. :)

Drakonian Imperium

13-01-2004, 02:56

http://207.44.246.95/118/74/upload/p125.jpg

Lightning danced across the sky, sounding forth in another thunderous burst of thunder. The electrified bolts seem as though they were a company of professional ballet dancers doing a Salsa across a theater stage. Flashes of light in the sky were mirrored by the explosions of Civil War on the ground. The sound of gunfire was thundered out by the roar sky.

Even with the rebellion below, it seemed as though the storm dominate all. The thuds of explosions were drowned away by the echoing blast of thunder. The pouring rains seemed to come down in sheets seem to oppress the people of Fyreheart more than the leadership of the Dictator. A Dictator who's oppression would last seemingly as long as the raging storm.

War was upon Fyreheart, a storm of freedom.

Ferrussia

13-01-2004, 06:51

Ferrussian Department of Intelligence Headquarters
Somewhere near Cherkasy

"Will someone tell me what the h*** is going on!?" shouted the Deputy Director of the Department of Intelligence (DDDI). "I need a status report, NOW!"

The DDDI was not too keen on waking the Director (DDI) at three in the morning, and he needed to know how big this really was. He anxiously sipped at his coffee, looking around the massive "nerve center" of the FDI, whose screens were currently showing various maps and diagrams of Fyreheartian assets. Why did this have to happen NOW?

"There's nothing coming in or out of Fyreheart," reported an intel officer. "It's like they've been cut off from the world. There's a heavy storm in the area, but there's no way it could have caused such a sweeping denial of communications."

"We have lots of unconfirmed reports coming from IdP networks and a few from... the Drakonian Imperium, that there's some kind of coup or war going on," chimed in another. "At first we thought it might be chatter about the Fyreheartian war, but now it looks like the command structure in Fyreheart seems to be falling apart, and the Fyreheartian 4th Fleet was saying something about a revolution."

"Any guarantees?" questioned the DDDI.

"You know we never hav-"

"You know what I mean," he said.

"We're certain something is going down in Fyreheart, sir, and that it's big, whatever the heck it is."

"Can we contact our intel sources in Fyreheart?"

"No - we might be able to, if we had gotten some sattelites for sattelite phones u-"

The DDDI looked sternly at the senior officer. "This isn't the time to mourn your pet projects, okay? Now, do we have the dossiers on our top guesses for a coup?"

"Yessir," began a junior staffer. A face flashed onto one of the main screens. "We've got one Major General Robert Hessinger, commander of the 12th Airborne Division, and born in the southern area of Fyreheart. Likely candidate, has a bit of influence in the army, wife killed by unknown assailants, and has been quietly making noise about Hurst. He's also got some connections in IdP, and if they're the ones behind this - and I think they are - that would certainly put him pretty high on the food chain down there. However, we're not sure of his stance on Ferrussia; he could fall on either side of the fence."

"Sounds plausible," said the DDDI. "Continue."

"General Robert Davis," the staffer said, as another face flashed onto the screen. "Several unconfirmed reports have placed him in key military installations outside of his command. This could indicate that he's rallying troops or something along those lines. He's quitely objected to Hurst's imperialist policies - you can't make a lot of noise about Hurst without getting arrested and, well, we don't know what happens to all of them - but he's been awfully close to running into Hurst's bad side. He's got more influence than Hessigner, but its entirely possible that Hessinger is just acting as IdP's mouthpiece, so Hessinger could still be the potentiate. Again, we're not sure on his stance with us, but being an anti-imperialist, he may at least have some... sympathy for us, I suppose."

"Anything else?" asked the DDDI.

"Well, I - well, I won't waste your time, sir."

"What is it?" the DDDI asked.

"I - um, well, I had a theory, but some of my superiors don't quite agree with me," he shot a look at one of the senior officers.

"Go ahead," said the DDDI. "I don't mind."

"Admiral Moore, the Commanding Officer of the Fyreheartian 4th fleet, is the kind of man that hates to lose a fight, and if this thing is being co-operated from the inside, he might be the kind of man to head it up and see it through. He's honorable and moral, objective, even, so they know that they could trust him. Even if he didn't start this, I think he could be Fyreheart's next leader."

"I'll look into it," said the DDDI. "What's your name?"

"Stepan, sir. Stepan Yeversky."

"Thank you, Mr. Yeversky. Now, can someone get me an analysis on the strategic threat posed by the possible coup? And get me the DDI on the phone."

This is gonna be one h*** of a day.

Fyreheart

13-01-2004, 07:54

...

Scandavian States

13-01-2004, 22:19

The Emperor was just going over the tape from the Rukemian address with the heads of his intelligence services when the Director of the Special Collection Service's cell phone rang, "I thought I told you to hold all of my-" garbled chatter could be heard through the receiver, "What do you mean everything's down? I thought the backup was-" more chatter still, "Okay, so that's up and we have a message. Okay. Okay."

Sven Jorgenssen, the aforementioned head of the SCS, turned to the assembled group, "We just got a message from the Fyreheart embassy that all of the main communications are down and that there's one hell of a storm going on. Apparently it started around the same time as this," he indicated the paused tape of the mayhem in Rukemia, "and they've just got the generator running and their Sirius gear transmitting. I'll give you all one guess as to what I'm thinking."

Every Head of Service knew what he was thinking but they were all hesitant to say it. Finally Skye MacLeod, head of the Internal Security Service, spoke up, her Scottish brogue taking over her normal clear speech, "Aye, I ken exactly what yer thinkin', and yer bleedin' mad. If Ole Melkor Unhinged's got a lick of sense, it's already his worst nightmare. How else do ye explain the garrisoons?"

The Emperor thought he knew what they were talking about, "A coup can't be the worst the worst that he's thought up, because if it is then he's not half as clever as he thinks he is."

Everyone one of the senior spooks looked at him with a newfound respect, even if he was only half right. Domingo Chavez, Director of the External Security Service was the one to tell the Emperor exactly what they were thinking, "You're right, sir, it's not the worst he's dreamed up. A man in his position has probably thought up of a lot worse situations. No, what Skye is talking about is multiple, synchronized coups within Arda and I'm inclined to agree with Sven, I think that's exactly what is happening."

Alexander nodded in understanding, "Okay, so we know what's happening, and I can guess that this isn't just a Rukemia and Fyreheart show. The fact that they're in close proximity to Melkor and communications are down in Fyreheart rule that out. So the question is who?"

"The Drakonian Imperium," it was Skye again, "There've been murmurs from them before about Fyreheart's new imperialistic tendencies and their new location. You have to figure that they'd also be smart enough to capitalize on the discord in Rukemia to deflect suspicions. I suggest we send off a message to them asking to join in on their little Ardan adventure, when they answer back we'll know one way or they other if they're it."

Emperor Alexander I Larsen just nodded his assent.

Fyreheart

16-01-2004, 14:27

Rebel Base 12-Z
Pagania

"Davis, it's time."

General Davis looked at his aide. "Very well. Give the signal."

Aide Halloway walked over to the transmitter. "General, I just want to say it's a pleaure to serve with you sir."

"Halloway, we're not dead yet son. Now move."

Halloway picked up the transmitter and tuned it to the specially set rebel frequency of 4523.76MhZ. Davis and him had worked for hours to ensure that that one frequency was open and cut off from the rest of the communications network. Even so, traffic on it was limited to urgent status or above, and reports of victory.

"This is Nest. Eggs can be laid. Repeat, eggs can be laid..."

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

The skies over major cities

The 12th Airborn heard the code over the deafening thunder around them. Without a spoken word, they set out to join together with the other rbel controlled squadrons. The rebels had made sure that most of the patrols over the major cities in Fyreheart were anti-Hurst forces. Taking out the few that weren't was an easy task.

After brief air fighting, the air squadrons set out for the task that would either set them free, or bring the wrath of Melkor down upon them all: The elimination of the Melkorian garrisons in Fyreheart.

It took the F-101s 23 minutes to reach the locations, and they let loose with all 6 of their Harpoons each, and let loose with their plasma cannons.. Bases exploded into fiery graves below. The action was repeated at four other military bases, 2 in Pagania, 1 in Serpintia City, and one in Amethyst. Other targets included Hursts summer home, the capital building, and Fyreheartian High Command. They had caught everyone completely off guard, and all missions had been succesful.

The F-101s returned to bases to refuel and rearm for the coming battle with Melkor.

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

Fort Waterside
Fyreheartian Naval Command Center

Subcommander Jones stepped off the laddder from changing the emergency lighting. "That's a helluva storm we've got out there, eh Hobbart?"

Commander Hobbart smiled. "Yeah, and it's only just beginning."

Jones turned toward the next row of emergency lights, and heard the last thing he would ever hear. A bullet aimed at his head.

Hobbart dragged Joneses 200 pound frame into a nearby closet and shut the door. Heading for the computer, he grabbed an oxygen mask along the way and put it on. He sat down and initialized the virus he had planted days earlier to sabotage the air ventilators and make them pump nerve gas into the rooms instead. He finished the sequence and activated the virus. He heard a hissing sound, and smiled. It wouldn't be long now.

Hobbart heard shouting, and coughing from down the hall. The other officers in the base running for the exits. They would never leave, as he had magnetically sealed the doors with the virus. He heard gunshots as they desperately tried to get out. Finally heard heard bodies fall, and silence.

10 minutes passed, then 25, then 30. Satisfied that the men were all dead, Hobbart shut the system down, and rebooted. The systems autowipe feature eliminated the virus and all was returned to normal. Stepping out into the hall, Hobbart saw dozens of bodies on the floor. He felt satisfied, as he knew the same thing was happening at dozens of other installations around Fyreheart. He walked over to the main radio and tuned it to the clear frequency.

"Nest, this is Eagle 3. Eggs have hatched at Waterside..."

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

It happened, and it happened fast. Runners in Pagania, Serpintia City, Amethyst, and Waterside spread the news that the battle had begun. Rebel ground divisions had begun fighting Hursts forces in all four cities, and even everyday citizens were joining in, armed with surplus M-16's from the Fyreheartian military. Women were ready to care for the injured, and children were watching each other. All of them knew how grave the situation was, and all of them knew that the day must be won.

Fyreheart was once again ravaged by a bloody civil war.

Fyreheart

16-01-2004, 14:28

Rebel Base Alpha Nine
Serpintia City

Twelve hours had passed since Operation Nest began, and Hessinger was pacing his ass off. He hadn't heard a thing in over 4 hours, but he was in semi-good spirits, as the last rebel transmission had indicated that the battle was going in their favor.

He paced and he paced. All the while taking in the scenery. The old Fyreheartian flag hung on the wall. The original flag, with the Pentacle proudly stitched in the center. Not the new Hurst Imperial flag. The TV cameras in front of it, ready to broadcast their plea for help to the world. He hoped it would make a fitting backdrop for the world to see. Hell, he hoped the world believed him. Or even cared.

His thoughts were interrupted by a runner crashing through the door.

"General Hessinger, we've done it! We've captured Pagania!"

Hessinger almost couldn't believe it. He embraced the man in joy and stepped back. "How goes the other cities?"

"From what little I've heard, well sir. We are taking ground."

Hessinger smiled. "Now for the fatal blow Private. Ready the system."

"Yes sir!"

Hessinger walked over to the radio and put out a transmission on the rebel channel. "Nest. This is Mother Hen. Crack the eggs, repeat, crack the eggs."

"Roger that Mother Hen. Eggs cracked in 2 minutes. May the gods smile on us."

Hessinger walked over to the set and stood there, waiting once more. Waiting for the communications block to lift and their message sent to the world. The signal they were using would forcibly interrupt ever station, every channel, every broadcast for hundreds of miles. Including their enemies, so time was of the essence.

Two minutes later, the private signaled him that they were live on the air.

Hessinger cleared his throat.

"Citizens of the world, and of the nation of Fyreheart. I am General Robert Hessinger of the Fyreheartian military. By now, most of the world should be aware that all communication ceased in Fyreheart more than 16 hours ago. The reason for this, is a organized, and calculated rebellion against the dictator of this country, Nathan Hurst, and the alliance he has made with the brutal nations of Arda."

"We yearn to be be free of Hurst and Arda. We will fight to our deaths for that freedom. But, we need help. We have Hursts forces on the run at this time, but we are far outnumbered by the forces of Arda. We call on your support now. Please, free peoples of the world help us in our time of trouble. Help me bring Fyreheart back in line with our former leader, Amethyst Fyreheart's vision of peace and prosperity. I cite todays UN ranking report, where Melkor Unchained is ranked 447th in the world out of 100,000+ nations for stupidest citizens! We must break free of the chains of imperialism and return to a free way of living for all! For a long time now, atrocities beyond belief have been committed in Fyreheart. I beg you, help me. Help me set these people free from this tyrannical dictator. Long live Fyreheart, and long live Freedom!"

Hessinger ceased transmission.

The Private looked at him. "So...what now sir?"

Hessinger looked him square in the eye.

"We pray."

Drakonian Imperium

16-01-2004, 14:55

{Official International Broadcast from the Praetorship of the Drakonian Imperium}

The official seal of Drakonia appeared on a black background. Then it was gone, in the seal's place was the ornate Anglo-Romanic architecture of the Grand Praetorian Palace's Broadcast Studio. Two flags of the Imperium hung on the wall; The Black, Red and White of the Drakonian Flag seeming ever it's resolute and powerful self.

Augustus Drake, Praetor of the Imperium, walks calmly to the podium set up between the flags. "People of Drakonia, People of the Emirates, People of Fyreheart, and People of the World. The nation of Fyreheart, the ally of Drakonia, suffers under the rulership of a corrupt and evil dictator. One Nathan Hurst, who has slaughtered and massacred many.

"We have remained silent and inactive for our part to our ally. Our only action that of putting the nation of Fyreheart under review in the United Emirates. But, we plan to act. It is our duty to the people of Fyreheart to fight this scourge they are rebelling against.

"It is said that:

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do nothing.

"We will sit idly by, any longer! We will act, for justice, for liberty, and for freedom!

"I call on the United Emirate and the free peoples of the world to aid the People of Fyreheart and the People of Drakonia in this struggle. Now is the time to act. We must free the nation of Fyreheart from the evil of Hurst.

"As the Battle Cry of the Emirates, Blood and Honor!"

The Praetor his face firm, his stance unyielding disappeared from the broadcast. The seal of Drakonia was again visible and then the broadcast was over.

Drakonian Imperium

16-01-2004, 15:20

1206 Zulu
Grand Praetorian Palace
Drako Throne, Drakonian Imperium
Royal Suite

"What have I done?" Praetor Augustus Drake, ruler of the Imperium, did not look like he had when he had made the broadcast. He looked as though he had not slept in ages, and it was true that he had not. Even his wife, Queen Jolené Sutherland, had not been able to help him, which was unusual.

He had collapse in one of the chairs in their bedroom, and had promptly begun brooding as soon as the broadcast was sent. Jolené had known this would happen, and was now attempting to coax the man to take a nap, but he wouldn't budge. Only she and sleep could help him now.

It was hard to say who looked worse. Augustus who looked to be suffering for his nation, or Jolené who looked to be suffering for her husband's pain.

"You did what you had too," She attempted to confort him, walking over to where he sat and setting her hand on his shoulder. "You did your duty." Her usual tact with that word was lost in her concern for her husband.

"Duty," Augustus spat and shrugged his shoulder. "I hate that word."

Duty, had haunted Augustus all his life. When he was selected for the Praetorship, it was duty that had forced him to take it. That duty had nearly ended his engagement to Jolené.

"It is the curse of my life," he stated, angrily.

"May you live in interesting times," Jolené quipped, softening him a little. "That is the curse of your life, that Ancient Chinese Curse."

She again put her hand on his shoulder, this time he did not resist. He knew it was futile. "Interesting times." Augustus ran the words over in his mouth. "These are certainly that." And with that the anger and concern, drifted back, and was no longer so important.

"What's done, is done," She said, knowing his thoughts. "Come to bed."

Augustus broke at her voice as always. Finally, Augustus rested. His actions had dared Melkor himself. That would not be taken lightly, but at least finally resting would help him feel better. He had done his duty.

Britmattia

16-01-2004, 15:21

<RBMI Broadcast Reviewal Section, Lloyd Island.>
The Drakonian emblem faded to black on the huge viewscreen and silence echoed in the cavern. The short, coal-black woman who'd been seated slightly to it's right stood up and spoke "That was recieved five minutes ago sir. We flagged it immediately to CentGov, as per standing orders."
A sound like autumn leaves being crushed resounded in the vast space and the woman's superior replied,
<Thissss isss...hmm. I won't assssk for any polissssy briefingss yet. There'sss really nothing for me to sssay. The King will make a decisssion. Sssend all our information on Fyreheart to hisss govt log. And information on thissss Hessssinger asss well. Man hassss a name like a Wohlsssstani, that'sss worrying. But yesss. I think I sssshhall pay a vissssit to hisss Majesty.>
The crushed leaves sound came again, and gold flashed in the darkness of the cavern. A taloned hand the size of a horse tapped a button inset to the wall gently. The cavern wall cracked open and K'neanalk flung his body into the sunshine, tumbling off into space before a steady beating off wings lifted him to glide height. The head of the Royal Britmattian Military Intelligence service bugled once, and glid toward his King..

Britmattian Government Broadcast

*the Fyreheart and Drakonian broadcasts are played immediately beforehand*

A darkhaired young man, who looks like he's just gotten several surprises at once and been dragged out of bed to boot, steps up onto a podium. The wall behind him has a massive impression of the ContraRaven symbol of central govt embossed on it. He leans onto the podium and calmly begins to address his subjects.
"I'm standing here today, after watching what we've just seen, stunned. Stunned that this world, which our ancestors travelled to in centuries past, is still afflicted with the disease which killed our home world. Greed, Cruelty and Oppression. I, as King, find it abhorrent that not all citizens enjoy our freedom from these ills. So, I'm going to ask you, my people, to aide me in combatting them. I will be committing as much military force as we can spare to the cause of Fyreheart's liberation from the oppressive criminals currently in power. I need your backing. Our allies need your backing. The Fyreheartians need your backing. Will you give it?" With this he stares directly at the camera till the picture fades.

Drakonian Imperium

16-01-2004, 20:54

1211 Zulu
Drakonian Intelligence Agency Headquarters
Drakonia, Drakonian Imperium
Near Augustus

"The international response is slow, but it seems positive," the Deputy Director of the Drakonian Intelligence Agency (DIA) spoke. The man stood beside the Director of the DIA at the far back and highest point in the Situation Room of the DIA Headquarters.

Around the room dozens of Intelligence Analysts and Officers were working at computers or rifling through papers. Activity had only increase as the conflicts developed around the world.

"Good, hopefully others will act as we are," the Director said, his eyes search the room. "Has the fleet begun redeploying."

"Yeah, our forces our on the move. Advance military units are pretty much on the move also. They were just waiting for the order to move." The information did not surprise the Director.

"And the situation in Fyreheart," the Director asked.

"Rebels have confirmed control of the capital," the Deputy Director was looking down at a Computer Tablet, which displayed the latest information on the conflict. "Praetorian Guard and Mornahossë teams were dropshipped in secretly and successfully and have taken control of both feilds of Hurst's 500 ICBMs. All 1000 missiles are under our command. Team are working to disable launch capabilities now."

"Good, then it is proceeding as planned," the Director's voice was calm as usual as he spoke. "But that will change."

Gothenburg-Franc

16-01-2004, 21:18

To Prime Minister Hurst or anyone in charge of the ICON government,

We finally understand sir, why you have not responded. We know your nation is locked in civil war. The rebels and thier allies broadcast images daily. While the ICON war effort in Ferussia has broken down, we have recieved positive news that six of the Gothenburg-Franc Corps sent there may return home soon. Also, we have currently mobilized the rest of the Imperial Army de Gothenburg-Franc to come to your assistance. XI to XX Corps are prepared to embark to your glorious nation should you require our aid. We believe in ICON. We need it to be saved. And we will save it ourselves should you require it. Do not fail our nation. We have put so much into your regime, your nation cannot collapse now. ICON is an ideal for us all. If you request our assistance you will have it.

The Directorate of Gothenburg-Franc

The Imperial Army Palace at Bercy was in a flurry of activity. Regiment after regiment of Gothenburg-Franc soldiers marched to and from supply depots,armories, and parade grounds. Marshals donned thier customary white gloves and helicopters stirred the air. Inspections were held and brass bands blared. Flowers were thrown to soldiers as they marched through the elaborate boulevards of the Industrial capitol. The Premier himself traveled to Bercy to see the Imperial Army. Sadly, missing were the standards from over half the Army's Corps. Some of them were being held captive in Ferussia. Others were locked into combat in Skibereen. But the units which remained reflected the joy, the martial spirit. ICON offered so much to the people. The Army especially. And now it would be they who would save it. It looked as if Gothenburg-Franc was going to war again.

Scandavian States

16-01-2004, 22:07

..::Encrypted Message(256Kb)::..
To: Drakonian Imperium
From: Imperium of Scandavian States
Subject: Assistance

Unfortunately we are currently locked into a cleanup operation in the North American State of Alabama. Also unfortunately this means that most of our special operations component is currently busy and although it is possible to recall them, it would take at least 36 hours for them to come home to rearm and resupply. What we do have available is five paramilitary teams under the direction of one of our intelligence services, they are trained for missions that are not normally undertaken by military specops units because of the extremely high likelyhood of capture and/or death. If their assistance is needed, all that needs to be done is for us to be given a what, where, and if who necessary a who.

Menelmacar

17-01-2004, 01:46

OOC: It's not *my* Alabama, that's for sure.

~Siri

Glorious Humanity

17-01-2004, 02:31

Click.

Frank Pierce once again wielded the remote that shut the television off. Everyone turned their seats back to face the Council table.

"Alright then," President Albert said. "Options?"

"We go for it, of course," General of the Army Herbert Ablegard spoke up immediately. "Most of our army is home, our air force is prepped, hell we even got most of the navy around. We can put a decent amount of firepower into this."

"And run headlong into the superior Arda technology," Frank Pierce, Minister of International Relations, countered. "Even with everybody home, we aren't in a position to pick a huge fight."

"Drakonia's into it," Ablegard pointed out. "If they can handle it so can we."

Pierce shook his head. "They also have twice our population."

"Enough, both of you," Albert cut off further debate. "Flo, Allean, how true is what Herb's saying?"

Florence Washington of the Air Force answered first. "About a quarter of our planes are grounded for renovations and routine maitenance. A lot of our pilots are on leave too. I'd say we can muster half our air force and put them in the skies right now. We'd want to keep most home of course, and transporting a huge air wing would be hard. Plus, according to what we know Fyreheart's air force is mostly in rebel hands, so they already have good air cover. I'd say we should field five hundred planes, tops."

"Allean?" Albert turned to Allean Hanoway, his General of the Navy.

"The Humanity and the Sealord supercarriers are both home, but their crews are on shore leave and they're being maitenanced. I'd recommend they stay there," she answered. "Both of them have been out for quite a while. They need the checkups. I'd say keep their escort fleets home too. Let's not split those up."

"So no navy?" Albert asked.

"Hardly," she grinned. "We just put the GHS DeepShark to sea for her maiden voyage. She's one of those new Predator 2 subs, with the anti-air capability. We've already got fourteen of them in the water, and I can give you nine more that aren't doing anything but cruising at the moment. Add in ten of the original Preds and we might have something here."

"Alright, that's something," Albert agreed.

"And ground troops," Ablegard chimed in. "Give me a way to get them from here to there, and I can give you ten thousand fighting men and a few hundred vehicles easy."

"Not bad," Albert nodded. "This is starting to come together."

"We're still outstripped in tech," Pierce noted. "We need something that can even the playing field."

Ablegard suddenly grinned. "I think I've got just the thing. We've never deployed them in force, but there's always a first time for everything..."

Everyone looked at him curiously, then Albert grasped what he was getting at. "The Psi Corp?"

"I just got a new report on training and advancements," Ablegard said. "We're up to a thousand trained psionics of both types. If they can do even half of what we think they can, they'll be able to even the score nicely."

"Call them up," Albert replied. "I'll do the message rounds."

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

-Encrypted Transmission-

TO: Drakonian Imperium
FROM: President Albert
RE: Support

We are willing to support the liberation of Fyreheart, and can contribute troops and supplies. We have no means of directly contacting the Fyreheart rebels though, so we need information, most notably where are we needed and when should we move?

Scandavian States

17-01-2004, 03:13

OOC: You're right, but there seem to be an abundance on North Americas.

17-01-2004, 04:55

"Go"

(600 tactical miles off the northern coast of Nankin)

On that mark orders were relayed all over Nankin and outiside the borders to listening points/relay stations. Admiral Jackson had the combined 1-4th fleets under his command and they had been waiting at their rendezvous point for several days - but now it was go time. The skies in the distance were an ominous black, a fitting symbol of the past events. Jackson had his orders, and the fleet pushed on at full speed towards Fyreheart - a little less than a 12 hour endeavor.

Jackson picked up his binoculars and looked over the flight deck which was now teeming with activity. 4 CSAs had just been sent up along with a compliment of F-62s and F/A-18s to provide cover. 10 P-7s were out a couple miles in front of the fleet providing ASW cover; other than that people were silent. They knew they had a big hurdle to cross, and talking about it would only highten their tension.

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

(North Point, Nankin)

The dry docks had bee empty for days, it was the activity behind them that caused commotion. 2 Special Operations Groups had been put on stand-by a day before and were now being given the go. Their mission was ismple - fly in and secure the Nankinese embassy in Fyreheart. This detachment of 500 men total - all extremely well trained and battle proven - would hopefully make quick work of their objective under friendly skies. ETA: 5 hours.

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

(Tactical Air Wing #4)

Commander Bilsky had just gotten the order and had sent a KC-10 refueler up minutes afterwards. Taxiing down to the runway were 10 Su-37 Superflankers which would provide some cover...cover for something.

"What's going on, commander?"

"Orders from Farbanti, we're being drafted to provide air support. The pilots and myself have only been told that we will be escorting -141s, their destination is Fyreheart."

"But that's our all-"

"Yes, I know, turn on the TV...see if there's anything you can find..."

Something was amiss, and if they were being called out to help it means the 75th Light Infantry Division was on the move. 10,000 men plus a wing of Spookies and Apaches..what the hell was going on?. ETA: 6 hours.

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

(Farbanti, Nankin)

"How are our people responding, general?"

"Excellently, sir. Response times that are coming in are above par. They all know something is going on..possibly something long overdue. All we can do now is wait, though," Ragger knew he had just been rephrasing what he had told Premier Riyth days before, but hearing it again eased him. He was still young for his job, but not mentally immature..he just needed guidance. But now was not the time. The generals had been given complete control over what would probably become a huge entanglement - so much the better that Riyth realized his inadequacy.

"Protect the homeland, general. The enemy has never set foot on our land - see to it nothing from this breaks that pattern. Are the rest of the fleets close?" Riyth knew nothing would happen...but just to make sure...

Lavenrunz

17-01-2004, 06:33

~Encrypted Message to his Majesty the Praetor~
It is of the greatest importance that you or someone close to you speaks with myself and my advisors at the earliest opportunity regarding the current crisis in Fyreheart.
Empress Aurora von Sachshausen
~end message~

Ferrussia

17-01-2004, 06:35

Kiev, Ferrussia

It didn't take long after the FDI briefing to decide what to do. They could not afford to put their support behind this coup. Not yet.

Fyreheart, historically, was a land of half-mustered wars. A failed civil war, a failed incursion into Ferrussia, and now this. What was to become of this, no one could know, but Fyreheart did not have a sound track record on these sorts of things.

Still reeling from what was originally thought to be a threat on her very existence, now just thought an oddity and a nuisance, Ferrussia could not throw herself blindly behind a cause which was as of yet unproven and uncertain. There had to be substance, there had to be some sort of assurance that this would not be a simple pain in Hurst's side - potentially one which would bring Hurst's vengeance to bear on those who had supported the rebellion, if failed.

And so it was that Ferrussia had no choice. They could not support this rebellion - not openly, anyways. There were always ways to get at things without tipping your hand, an art which seemed to have been lost on many these days. Ferrussia had to resort to going under the table on this one - there was far too much at stake.

The announcement was made. The people of Ferrussia and the world soon knew that Ferrussia was "awaiting confirmations" and "would not take immediate actions," but behind the scenes it was still quite complex. There were many divided opinions, many concerns at stake.

As far as the rest of the world was concerned, Ferrussia was sitting this one out. The reality of that statement, however, was yet to be decided.

Omz222

17-01-2004, 08:15

As the Ferrussian authorities silently appears to be neutral, the Omzian government didn't have so much words. There's also a great division inside the Omzian government about whether to support the rebellion in Fyreheart for the sake of liberty and for the Fyreheartian people, or be neutral in a "military" sense since Omz222 doesn't really want many "complications" over the future. The Omzian authorities simply disliked Hurst's regime -- from betraying their old "RGGA" allies, to brutalizing its own people. The Omzian government also quietly supported the rebels in Fyreheart, since their goal appears to be liberating Fyreheart from Hurst, plus that they were against him. Against was the key word.

The Omzians were already having strained relations with Hurst the day one he turned imperial and somehow, nuts. With the attempted invasion of one of Omz222's close ally, it simply outraged the Omzian government. The Omzian Security Bureau (OSDD) already has informed about the rebellion ever since that cut of all forms of communications between Fyreheart and the world, since it is already obvious that the rebels have mde themselves known. With no Melkorian response, and also th "concidence" of having an attempted assassination of the Rukemian emperor, the OSDD simply wondered more about this topic. Should they participate?

Even though the Omzian government quietly supported the rebellion diplomatically -- although it could be seen as nertual in many cases -- they were also worried about the how reliable is the rebels. Clearly, they are headed by a military head, and the military head is a major figure in the Fyreheartian government. Could it just be a military coup under the name and banner of the FIght for Frredom? Could the rebels just be another group whose goal is to seek power? It still remains unclear to the Omzians. With their Drakonian Imperium friends already backing the rebellion, the Omzians t least has some hope in this.

Having fought with Fyreheart side-by-side, having fought against The Old Ways in the Amethyst Fyreheart era, Omzian Democratic Federal Republic is simple going to quietly sit out. It is just a failure of the government, some critics alled, while some also called the decision "wise". Nonetheless, the government is still thinking it over -- much like how an Omzian 12th grade student brainstorms feverishly about how he or she should write the required essay in the yearly Federal Exam.

17-01-2004, 19:03

The choppers were about to go feet-dry in a couple minutes. They had flown through the dead of night, having refueled halfway with a daring mid flight refueling using only night vision. One of the Ah-6s had almost been damaged, but quick thinking from the pilot made sure nothing bad happened - a scrape in the nose was a welcome relief instead of a bird englufed in flames.

The -6s dove low as the first light of dawn was starting to break. Usually the Pave Lows aren't flown during the day, but this was deemed a friendly country. The gunners in the -53s powered up their miniguns and had their night vision on - they were ready but not expecting any resistance. The course choosen by the pilots was one through hills and a small mountain range, looping around and then into the capitol city where they would land (by force if they had to) on top of the embassy and drop off the troops.

"Flogger 1 is feet-dry," came the first calls. The troops in the back were ready, they had the fast-ropes set up and ready to drop out the back. The -6s flew faster, father ahead, and lower than the Pave Lows, for unlike the big birds they were easier to see on radar. They fiented right as the -53s banked left and dove - hopefully the distraction would work. All that was left to do now was wait, as over the distant horizon a soldier in the back of the tail helicopter saw dozens of ships far off on the horizon.

Isla de Penguinata

18-01-2004, 22:28

Anne was driving her passport as the sun began to crack across the horizon, last night's storm only stopping for a while. The sky was a deep, dark gray off to the West, and the wind was blowing rather hard. She took a turn as an entourage of ten cars followed. They called themselves the Penguinatan Assitance for Resistance Front (PARF), and they were the sleeper cells. Anne drove into an isolated field a few miles North of Pagania, and tried her cell phone again. A small signal was breaking through, which was good news. Communications would be fully returned soon.

The PARF, which consisted of about 35 members, decided to load up in the field. They discussed with each other plans and supposed places to meet in the event of a crisis. Anne then gathered them around.

"Today we are gathered here for a very good reason. The Fyreheartian people have decided it is time to overthrow the tyrant named Nathan Hurst. I don't know what HQ is saying, but they know how I am. They know I'll be damned if I don't put my foot in all this. And they know that time is short. My guess is that they are readying support for us, but I'm not too sure. In fac--" She was cut short by the ringing of her cell phone. She picked it up and answered. "Yes...EXCELLENT!...Pagania...Drakonian Embassy..No, no, we're going to the Drakonian Embassy..I don't give a damn how dangerous it is...Well you listen Director, I've got 34 people out here armed and ready to go, and I'll be damned if we sit here and wait..I'm outside of Pagania...I will not hold my position, but you can hold yours." She hung up the phone. "Okay people, we've got a division of about 1500 special ops troops comin to help us out. If they don't meet us at the Drakonian Embassy, they're screwed. Now let's move out." And with that, the group left in ten minutes, and drove on a lonely highway back to Pagania. It was getting darker, hopefully not an omen of the day ahead.

Melkor Unchained

19-01-2004, 02:27

Radek Antares, the Imperial War-Hero and acting Field Marshal of the Fyreheart garrison, had not been idle despite outward appearances. His intelligence sources had thus far been conducting their operations quietly and out of sight, and Antares felt they had a reasonably good grasp of the situation, though the extent of his knowledge was yet to be tested.

When Fyreheart's F-101's rolled in to attack, they met an army that was prepared. They stood in formation, rocket soldiers at the ready with their AA missiles. Flechette cannons were manned, and what little fighter cover they had was scrambled. 3 squadrons were mustered on average from each base to fend off the attack. Most of the garrisons were moving out of the bases as the fighters came in, both in an attempt to engage rebel forces, and to mitigate the damage done to the bases.

Back at home, the 1st through 5th Fleets, already waiting outside Angband, turned south and began moving towards Fyreheart and Rukemia. With them travelled the infamous Black Skyfurnaces of Morgoth, the Dor Daedoloth at the fore under a massive, thick cloud of sensor-distoring black smoke. If anyone was to gague the strength of the the force Morgoth sent from Thangorodrim, they'd have to do it via low level recon or from the ground, as the fume travelled with his armies.

Transports were beleived to be present, though their number and position in the fleets could not be discerned yet. It seemed that Morgoth was fortifying his garrisons with troops that could not be used for the conflict with Tor Yvresse.

The Uruks were coming.

In rukemia, a different scene was unfolding. Several Sable Fist operatives were present at the Emperor's speech--as a formality if nothing else. Tensions among the citizens had rised notably, and Morgoth's as-yet unseen black ops were on the scene to observe, and possibly to intervene. As the first shots rang out, their worst fears were confirmed. Forsaking the Rukemian Emperor, the agents drew back and attempted to exit the crowd by whatever means necessary. Some had gotten word out to operatives in the surrounding streets.

Black Ops Captain Aros Antanamir frantically attempted to contact the Rukemian Palace, and tell them what they knew. Some building nearby would have to be blocked quickly if the snipers were to be caught. They could not act to seize them without Rukemia's blessing.

[ooc: I had to take some liberties in getting involved with this SL, since I wasnt informed of it earlier. But suffice to say I've probably got a lot more intel on the ground in Rukemia and Fyreheart than any of you do... so it stands to reason I'd be aware of some sort of stirrings. Unless intercepted, my gravships will arrive on the scene by the time I get off work tomorrow. The garrison will fight in their defense, but nothing else at this point.]

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

Menelmacar

19-01-2004, 07:09

OOC: Eh... it's not much fun if you know everything before it happens. Just my thoughts.

~Siri

Melkor Unchained

19-01-2004, 07:30

OOC: Eh... it's not much fun if you know everything before it happens. Just my thoughts.

~Siri

[ooc: I was left out of this for far too long as it is. I told you I took liberties, because frankly someone should have god damn well told me about this before, and everyone knows it. Fyreheart and Rukemia are both in my region, not yours. They're probationary Ardans, particularly Fyreheart.

The Emperor of Rukemia was shot at and no one told me! My garrison in Fyreheart was attacked an no one told me! In order to get involved at this point, I was forced to cut some corners. So sue me]

Menelmacar

19-01-2004, 07:34

Menelmacar

19-01-2004, 07:41

Melkor Unchained

19-01-2004, 07:58

It was too late; the Mornahossë were already inside the palace. They swept through, their active-camo systems operating; the system tended to lag at high speeds of motion, but they didn't mind much, for in this situation it added to the psychological effect rather than detracted. Any who might otherwise resist were facing, to their knowledge, not soldiers, but rather humanoid heat-wraiths, rippling silhouettes that raised weapons and let fly bolts of starfire, that drew phantom blades and brought them down in lethal arcs, separating limbs from torsos and letting internals flop out messily onto the floor. None who were unarmed, were harmed by the interlopers.

There was some return fire in panic, and the phantoms did seem to be solid as bullets ricocheted from glancing hits on the armor, and on one occasion one of them went down with a cry, to be aided by another. All in all, though, the operation was a clean one, and finally the Mornahossë reached the room where hid the Emperor and the members of the Council... the commanding officer of the squad seemed to ripple into existence as he entered the room; tall, graceful, imposing in his distinctive shimmer-black Menelmacari galvorn armor, levelling his equally-black-bladed sword at the Emperor's throat. Other Mornahossë shimmered into view around him as they deactivated their camouflage. The commander spoke.

"I'm afraid you're under arrest, in the name of the free people of Rukemia."

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!

OOC: May seem over the top at first glance; was cleared in principle by Rukemia, who essentially asked for the emperor and council to be arrested quickly and relatively cleanly.

Aros cursed and stowed his datapad. The situation was completely screwed up. Someone had gotten in, and by studying thier movements, the men of the Sable Fist feared the worst. Aros slowly started to realize that today was the day for which he had been trained extensively for years. Born and bred to counteract the elite agents of the enemy, he began to fear he was up against the Mornahossë. He didnt know how it would turn out, but he'd see to it that his men would do their damndest. He gave the signal, and temas began to enter nearby buildings to seek out the snipers. The ground temas kept behind cover and watched the Palace for anyone trying to leave. The crowd by this point had been mostly dispersed, and the men simply awaited the arrival of Melkor's garrisons to back them up. For now, though, they couldnt move under the omniscent view of the enemy snipers.

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

Ferrussia

19-01-2004, 08:57

1st Special Deployments Squadron
500 nm off the northeast coast of Fyreheart

The timing was convenient - FDI had gotten a handle on the situation just as the 1st SD squad came into deployment range of the Fyreheartian coast. Within an hour, the 6th Special Deployment Company was ready to hitch their ride to the Fyreheartian mainland. The 10 EA-24Gs took off from the Piotr Hotamel-class amphibious assault ship loaded with external feul tanks, and the 6th SD Company - about 150 men in total - was on its way. They were expected to arrive in about 4 hours, given that they had to fly as close to the ocean as possible to avoid detection, and this slowed down the insertion process considerably.

Officially Ferrussia was still steering clear of this conflict, so the 6th was to keep as low a profile as possible. One of the primary objectives was to establish contact with the rebel forces (the true nature of their rebellion was still a question mark on the FDI's mind, but it was decided that their intentions were most likely for the better), and so they were landing near one of the confirmed 'friendly' areas - namely Pagania. They would by no means be taking a straight shot there, however. Given the importance of appearing to stay out of this, all easily identifiable logos or Ferrussian flags had been removed from their uniforms for the time being.

And so, as the helicopters swiftly slid over the seemingly endless miles of deep blue ocean, the men of the 6th Special Operations Company kept only one thing on their minds: don't get caught. Commanders made their last efforts to coordinate their plans - after they reached Fyreheart, radio contact would be both prohibited and likely impossible. The platoons would be splitting up - a large force would be too easy to pick out among the jungles and forest.

(OOC: Sorry about the lack of solid information - I've got little time and just wanted to get the jist of what I'm doing across.)

Wretchengard

19-01-2004, 08:58

*TAG, IC post pending*

Scandavian States

19-01-2004, 17:52

Scandavian States

19-01-2004, 18:17

A lone MC-216 Ranger flew in the inky blackness of the night, its box wing design and flat, stubby, square tail giving it an unearthly look. Inside the aircraft were one hundred of the best-trained men and women the Scandavian Imperium offered, but unlike most such people they were very distinct in their look. All were at least seven feet tall and a good three hundred pounds of solid muscle and the men had shaven heads while the women had topknots. Their combat uniforms were distinctly Scandavian but were not in a pattern publicly advertised as being on any similar uniforms, the uniforms also lacked any kind markings or manufacturer tags. They were assassins, they were spies, they were the guardians of the Imperium's greatest secrets, and they were about to attempt one of the most dangerous blackops in Scandavian history.

When the jump light turned yellow the jumpmaster's low and gravelly voice called out, "Five minutes, stand up and check up. Fix any faulty gear if you have the time, if you don't that's too bad."

At the five-minute mark the jump light turned green and the cargo door lowered. The commandos poured out of the aircraft at ten thousand feet and deployed their parafoils almost instantly, thus beginning the one hundred mile glide into Fyreheartian territory. When they landed, it was near a set of apartments near the Scandavian embassy that was rented out by the embassy for any tourists without accommodations. They divided into small groups, found the hidden keys for their apartments, and began a period of laying low until they received orders through their super-encrypted communications sets.

OOC: If there are any questions, let me know. Also, unless you have a good reason for knowing about the Special Collection Service, much less what they do, you don't know this happened.

Drakonian Imperium

20-01-2004, 19:48

In the nation of Rukemia, events were proceeding badly. Most of the DIA team had abandon the buildings and moved to the Beta Location, some distance away, but not all. As the Melkorian forces moved into the buildings they were met by automatic weapons fire from the remaining Drakonian Intelligence Agency Agents.

Second-In-Command of the Rukemia division, André Chretien was one of those agents. "Positions compromised," he called into his scrambled communication's headset. "All units prepare to pull out." The message was not just directed at the Drakonians, but also the Mornahossë Snipers.

A great distance away, the overall commander of operations in Rukemia, Michael Talden swore. He knew better to respond.

Back near the palace, the Drakonian Intelligence Agents were fighting a losing battle. Automatic rifles spouted bullets as the Agents pulled back, providing partial cover for the Menelmacari special forces.

"What I wouldn't give for the Praetorian Guard right about now," André muttered to one of the Elves, as he arrived on the ground floor of one of the buildings and into a firefight.

There was an explosion as someone tossed a grenade.

OOC: Just a friendly reminder, from your friendly neighborhood liberator. I find it mildly amusing that it is the Game Mods themselves that are violating the Code of Conduct that I set in place, but only mildly. For all those who forgot (or didn't read it in the first place):

Code of Conduct This is an Invite-Only Thread, to get invited, post in the OOC Thread (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=109657).
All OOC content is to be posted on the OOC Thread (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=109657) and not in this thread.
All Claims of Godmodding are to be taken up on the OOC Thread (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=109657) and not in this thread.
No spamming, flaming, or hijacking will be tolerated and nations that do will be ignored.

Rukemia

20-01-2004, 23:15

...

Rukemia

20-01-2004, 23:16

...

Rukemia

20-01-2004, 23:16

...

Rukemia

20-01-2004, 23:21

Lakato Vaul, soon to be president of Rukemia, hesitated before he would come out from the palace shubbery that he was taking cover behind. There had been enough bloodshed in the past 30 minutes to make him more than weary of stepping out into the open, whether friend or foe was out there, he'd have to save his glorious planned speech for later. He had hoped that the Emperor and Council would've been killed in front of the all those cameras for everyone to witness, but apparently the captors disagreed, because they dragged them inside the palace rather than shooting them dead as he had wished. It was better than nothing he supposed, he peeped over the top of the bush he was in to see what was going on. The street parallel to the palace that had once been filled with people was now completely empty, with the exception of a few strangely dressed men, he figured they were agents.

Are they Drakonian? Damn, I can't tell from this distance and I certainly can't take any chances.

He ducked back down into the cover of the bushes and slowly crept around the palace walls until he reached the other side. He found a window and hastily opened it, finding to his surprise that the alarm had not been set, he climbed into the window and landed akwardly on the wooden floor of the Emperor's study. He straightened himself out, wiping the dust off of his suit, and then walked over to the study doors, opened them, and continued walking down the large palace hall. He was headed for the ballroom, where he suspected the Emperor and Council where being held captive. Sure enough, when he reached the ballroom doors they had already been opened and soft shuffling could be heard inside, he smirked slightly and walked inside. The first things his eyes met were the eyes of the Emperor, who, from what Lakato could tell, appeared to be outraged by the whole situation. The Emperor and Council were all seated and completely quiet, it was evident that others who could not be seen were inside the room, where and who was not.

"Well, good job gentlemen!", said Lakato, "You'll all be payed handsomely for your deeds today, you have helped my country greatly. As for these fools, you may do with them as you please, you can even keep them prisoners in your own country or countries if you'd like. They are no longer any use to Rukemia.", Lakato gave a rather corny two thumbs up all around the room and then turned and left, he'd have to announce to the people what was going on.

He walked down a second hall until he reached the brandish steps that lead to the main office of the palace, his main office. He jogged up the steps and opened up the door to the office, he paused to breath in the air, it smelled so sweet, it smelled like power. He whistled as he walked over to the plasma television that was built into the wall, he turned it on and set the frequency level to "all visual", which would block out all other transmission indefinately and force Rukemian citizens to view the main office and whoever was in it. Like a wave in the ocean his face spread throughout Rukemia, from the huge screens in the mega-cities of Rikrit and Kentsburg, to the mountain-city of Mekka, all eyes in Rukemia were on Lakato Vaul, as he prepared to deliver the speech that would change this nation forever. There seemed to be a break in time all around the nation as Rukemian citizens stopped what they were doing and watched the broadcast.

He took in a deep breath.

"People of Rukemia, you all probably recognize me as the Emperor's former assitant, the man who seemed to have no will and did the Emperor's every wish. But today, today I stand before you as a renewed man, a man of freedom! For on this day our Empire will become more glorious than it ever has before, I announce to you that this day and henceforth Rukemia will be free! No longer will be restricted by the chains of Arda nor shall we bend to the will of that tyrant that you all called your Emperor. I, Lakato Vaul IV will become the President of the new democracy that is Rukemia and just as my great-grandfather did so many years before me, I will drive the Melkorian soldiers out of this great land and back into the foul region they came from! With the help of new found allies, we cannot lose, we will not lose and your freedom is guaranteed! So celebrate on this day, rejoice! You're free! Elections will be held, votes will be counted, rights will be given, the dictatorship is dead! Power to the People!"

The billions of Rukemians watching the broadcast broke out into thunderous cheers all around the nation. For so long had each and everyone of them waited for this moment, and now it had finally come, they, the people would finally make their own decisions. No longer would they have to live a certain way, they could choose their own paths and make thier own decisions, and this realisation was enough to make random celebrations of the new freedom last several hours into the night and well after the broadcast had went off. A fabulous display of fireworks went off above the many cities of Rukemia as people celebrated on the land below. A chant of "freedom" sprung nationwide revealing the happiness of the people.

Not all the events in Rukemia were so happy though, however, several small secluded battles raged throughout the nation as Rukemian soldiers raided the bases and HQ of the Royal Guard, crippling them greatly. The fighting resulted in heavy casualties on both sides of the fighting compared to the expectations, but the Guard wasn't believed to be completely destroyed, several remnants of their formal selves are said to be active and in hiding.

All that was left to do was defeat the Melkorians, a plan for which was still on the drawing boards of several congregating Rukemian Generals. The enemy was completely surrounded in this scenario and undoubtly knew of the leadership change. The generals had millions of troops at their disposal, but wanted to do this as smoothly as possible without a tremendous loss of life.

Drakonian Imperium

21-01-2004, 00:38

1235 Zulu
Drakonian Intelligence Agency Headquarters
Drakonia, Drakonian Imperium
Near Augustus

The Rukemia broadcast disappeared from one of the giant monitors in the Situation Room of the DIA Headquarters.

"Does that confirm it, then," the Deputy Director asked. The man stood beside the Director of the DIA at the far back and highest point in the defacto command center.

"Not until the Mornahossë and our people report in." The Director's answer made everything clear. "For now we can only guess at what is transpiring in Rukemia, satellites won't make another pass till tomorrow morning, but we have other sources."

"Then we wait," the question was rhetorical, yet the Director answered it. "Then we wait." Both men continued to watch the information flowing in and being displayed on the massive series of monitors at the other end of the room.

21-01-2004, 03:59

The Pave Lows broke into flights of 4 as they rotated over the four corners of the Nankinese embassy in Fyreheart. The men in the back fast-roped out of the helicopters as the mini-guns spun around in anticipation of an attack that would probably never come. Soon enough, the first SOG was on the ground - 250 men breaking off into 4 large platoons and securing their respective area of land around the embassy. The second SOG was dropped off right on top of the embassy and went to work securing the windows and interior perimeter of the building. A CSA was now operating close to the coast with a fighter escort of 6 F-62s - this multipurpose aircraft would provide refueling for the helicopters that were now circling high over the city. The Pave Lows flew back to the fleet as the Ah-6s stayed behind...

Melkor Unchained

21-01-2004, 04:48

"Strike. Now," Alkanphel ordered the Warlords. "I've seen this speech and they intend to attack our garrisons. We've ground Rukemia to dust before and its well within our power to do it again."

Althalon lifted a brow. "These rebellions are ridiculous. Hallmarks of weakness, they are. So far Fyreheart's rebels haven't threatened us openly, though we suspect they've fired on our garrisons there. In Rukemia..." he trailed off, scrolling through his datapad. "We have some 85,000 total personnel there on a rotating basis. Military personnel, of course... not including diplomatic corps. We've got a lot more in Fyreheart, of course. We plan on withdrawing them, maybe dropping them off in Rukemia on their way back. Anfauglith still has camps of Uruks all over it, and still many more underground. We've easily got enough mobilized to obliterate them both."

Marcus Garrand leaned forward and stroked his beard. "Our economy will take a hit from this, no doubt. Investments will drop, thats for sure. We may still have a few manufacturing contracts with one or both of them. It's plainly clear that the situation is unsalvagable, so I say we tell them both to get fucked. We launch an offensive big enough to beat them back, meet up with whats left of our men, and initiate a scorched earth policy." His eyes flashed. Garrand was the man who deployed the Dor Daedoloth and the other great Furnaces south to the area. By now they were about to reach Fyreheart.

Alkanphel nodded. "Deploy more men to the Rukemian front, we need to get them out too. If the situation goes terminal, we can make their victory sting. Melkor has already counted both nations out of Arda, and has no hope for either of their return."

So far silent, for a change, Foreign Minister Reaven leaned forward. Boldly, he offered his analysis. "Tell they Fyreheart rebels that we've come around to get our garrisons out and punish Hurst for his obvious incompetence. We'll direct the Furnaces to strongholds still loyal to Hurst and obliterate them for the gratification of their rebels. Once we hook up with the garrispn..." he trailed off. He leaned back and shrugs. "Who knows?"

Alkanphel grinned wickedly. "I knew there was some reason we kept you around."

***
Incoming broadband transmission from Imperial Sky Marshal Falastur, acting commander of the Armada.:

'People of Fyreheart, we demand that you spare our garrisons, as your strength is too great for us and Hurst to fight. Hurst has shown us his weakness, and even if he were to return to power, he would not be welcome in our alliance. In return for sparing our garrisons, we are prepared to order strikes on Hurst's existing strongholds. Allow us to extract our men, and you'll be rewarded with instant victory. Stand in our way, and face the wrath of the Sky Furnace.'

***

The announcement came as the gravships slowed significantly before reachinga hostile position around Fyreheart. For now, they stood back, awaitng a response. They could not wait long, however, for they were needed in Rukemia. Aboard the Dor Daedoloth, the men examined the far away coastline with trepidation. Not many of them had much of an idea about what was going on.

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

Fyreheart

21-01-2004, 07:44

Davis, Hessinger, and the rebel council sat there listening the the message, stunned.

'People of Fyreheart, we demand that you spare our garrisons, as your strength is too great for us and Hurst to fight. Hurst has shown us his weakness, and even if he were to return to power, he would not be welcome in our alliance. In return for sparing our garrisons, we are prepared to order strikes on Hurst's existing strongholds. Allow us to extract our men, and you'll be rewarded with instant victory. Stand in our way, and face the wrath of the Sky Furnace.'

"Too great for them to fight? Do they think we're stupid?" Davis was widejawed.

Hessinger spoke wioth a serious tone. "Robert, they are toying with us. They could easily obliterate this rebellion if they wanted to. They havn't, which means we have the upper hand on something. The fact that Fyreheart hasn't been obliterated by their damned sky furnaces tells us that."

Davis nodded. "So people? What do we do? Do we allow a potentially lethal nation over our airspace? Or do we deny him his demand?"

Discussion raged for about 15 minutes. Finally, the majority won.

Melkor, though we are at odds over what your true intentions may be, we feel we have no other option but to let you claim your garrisons. Know that an attack was made on them on the night of the birth of this rebellion, by Nathan Hursts forces. Some are believed to be dead, but of this we cannot be certain. We have proof it was not us who attacked them if you require it. We only ask that upon entering our airspace, you disarm your sky furnaces completely, and proceed directly to the location, pick up your men, and leave. While we do not entirely trust you, we wish no quarrel with you.

Davis looked at his team. "You did plant the files?"

They nodded, and Jassort spoke. "Last night, we had an operative do it. Plans, layout, plan of attack, the works."

Davis nodded back. "Good. Have yur men take to the skies with three squadrons of F-101s. Watch every move they make, but do not fire unless provoked, clear?

Jassort nodded, saluted, and left.

Hessinger looked at Davis. "Well, I guess we'll find out if old Melkor has any honor eh?"

Melkor Unchained

21-01-2004, 08:04

Falastur stood at the prow of the Dor Daedoloth with his hands clasped behind his back, resplendant in his black and silver dress uniform. He tapped his fingers on his forearm anxiously, as he felt the massive ship lurch forawrd underneath. The Furnaces were deactivated, and the blast shields deployed. PD systems remained online and fighter escort was still out in force as the five fleets breached the Fyreheartian coastline.

The Sky Marshal pondered the implications of the rebels' message. They seemed pretty well off--more or less confident of themselves overall. Turning, he strode back towards the engines of the ship, though they were still some 2 kilometers off. He continued his reverie. Not another soul was to be seen atop the ship for at least a hundred yards in any direction--the men learned long ago not to disturb the Sky Marshal on his constitutionals. He went over the transmission again, in his head. He sensed fear. The rebels blamed Hurst for the attack on the Imperium's garrisons. Falastur postulated that the claim was a fabrication, as Hurst would have had little to gain from destroying his garrisons that early. Had the attack occured now, he might have beleived them given the transmission... but it still didn't fit.

He straightened his collar and stepped into a lift, pressing the button that sent him to his office. He had another transmission to send.

***
Return Transmission from Sky Marshal Falastur:

"If this is the case, Hurst cannot be allowed to go unpunished. I would like to make an example of what happens to people who attack my troops. This day I must see Hurst punished, for we will not abide this wanton aggression. I ask only that we be allowed to detach one fleet to pursue and nullify his assets.

Surely you understand. If you had sent eighy-five thousand men to defend an ally, and he endeavored to destroy them, you wouldn't be too happy with it either. I want Hurst's head."

He clicked the machine off and sat back with a sigh. A tricky gamble, yes, as it would make his situation with the rebels more tense. But then, what did they expect to accomplish with this displacement of blame? Did the rebels think that Falastur would allow Hurst to go unpunished for it?

Time would tell.

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

Lavenrunz

21-01-2004, 17:46

Count Mirbach sat in the Chancery contemplating a note from the Empress.
...therefore We urge you to seek if not a diplomatic solution then a military one to the crisis current in Fyreheart.
That the Empress was very clever was in no doubt in his mind. He resisted a temptation to over-analyze the message. Nevertheless, one thing was clear. The Empress was recommending ignoring entirely the situation with the Reich and Chimaea from a military standpoint if She was considering sending troops to aid the Drakonian Imperium.
Von Hentzau had painted a rather impressive set of figures for the current status of the military. The expeditionary force to Iraqstan was hardly going to weaken another larger one to Fyreheart, but in order to effectively oppose Ardan forces they would need to requisition the several hundred transports of the merchant marine and air units. With the Empress' permission he had instructed von Hentzau to begin calling up reserves and merchant transport.
Two corps of the First Army, special operations and a marine division pulled from the Iraqstan operation would do for ground forces.
Five carrier groups would do for surface fleet, and two submarine squadrons.
For air, she recommended immediately beginning movements of planes from the Third Combat Air Wing to the Imperium itself so that they would be close enough to provide support.

This was all very well, but Mirbach had a very important letter to write.

To His Excellency Kay Reaven

In light of our hopes of reaching some mutual understanding, I was hoping it would be possible to avoid unecessary effusion of blood and to find a diplomatic solution vis a vis Fyreheart/Rukmenia. Though passions have reached a boiling point, surely negotiation is still possible.
You will be aware that we have had ties since the reign of Empress Joanna with the Drakonian Imperium and that we should be obliged to support them unless some diplomatic answer is found to this situation.

warmest regards
Count Joachim von Mirbach
Chancellor of Lavenrunz

Melkor Unchained

21-01-2004, 19:01

Reaven laughed gently as he read the communique, then tossed it on his desk with a sigh. He rubbed his temple. Unfortunately, it would seem that Mirbach had waited entirely too long to plea for peace. With five fleets over Fyreheart, Imperial commanders beleived it was only a matter of time before Hurst started shooting at them--for real this time.

Still, it was wasa good move on Mirbach's part, and this realization did not escape Reaven as he pondered his response. He squinted aat the paper and noticed that Mirbach mentioned the Drakonian Imperium. He furrowed his brow. His hand flew to a console, where he punched up a hololink to Warlord Althalon.

An ethereal manifestation of the Warlord appeared on his desk, showing his head and shoulders. Konrad appeared vagelu surprised. "Yes?"

Reaven reached out and grabbed the paper from its resting place midway across his desk. He held it up. "I just got a letter from Count Mirbach, asking us te resolve the disputes in Fyreheart and Rukemia peacefully."

Althalon snorted. "Too late for that. Maybe if he'd have gotten to us before we deployed it would have been possible. We all know the Dark Lord doesnt take kindly to reversing deployments. It's one of the single most blatant displays of weakness one can engage in. Out of the question."

Reaven bowed his head. "This I know," he replied. "But Mirbach mentioned something about "the Drakonian Imperium" and sid they'd hasten to his aid if attaked. What does that tell you?"

Althalong paused. "Well its nice that they decided to tell us who's aiding the rebellion. But we fear there are Mornahossë on the ground in Rukemia as well. There seems to be an outpouring of international support."

Reaven appeared shocked. "Mornahossë? How do we know this?"

Althalon sighed. "Our operatives in Rukemia reported seeing a team of very fast, nearly invisible foes storming their Emperor's palace. The fighting style employed is remarkably similar to what we know of the Mornahossë. We're not a hundred percent sure, but if you ask me its a slam dunk."

Reaven slid back into his chair and pondered, stroking his chin in thought. "So Menelmacar and the Drakonian Imperium are helping two Ardans rebel and probably leave our alliance?"

Althalong nodded. "We hadnt heard anything of the Drakonian Imperium since you mentioned this. I'll contack Alkanphel later today and see if we cant arrange some sort of.." he snorted. "'friendly' little getting to know you session using our black ops in Drakonia. I fear the situation has progresed entirely too far to reverse either rebellion, but we can make them pay for what they've done. Agents in Menelmacar are on alert of course*, but we're waiting to know its them for sure before making any kind of move. "

Reaven saluted to the man and finished. "Alright. I'll compose my response now. Thanks for the help." He clicked off the hololink and began writing his reply:

"Count Mirbach, I regret to inform you that your plea for peace has come much too late to serve your intended purpose of ending these 'hositilities' without bloodshed. Apparently no one has realized yet that we generally make up our minds by the time we deploy: by the time our task force leaves our borders, we won't be turning back. Nonetheless, a bloodless operation is still possible, as all we're interested in is getting our garrisons out of Fyreheart and Rukemia. Rukemia's insurgents have spoken pretty loudly of their desire to fight against and ultimately destroy the Imperium, so as you can guess we'll be treating them as hostile entities.

At any rate, even if I wanted a peaceful solution to this, it's impossible. Our Fyreheart garrison has already been fired on, and we're not about to let the deaths of our men go unpunished. While I respect your plight, I'm sorry that we cannot comply. Surely you see where I'm coming from."

Jay Reaven
Foreign Minister of the Imperium
First Speaker of the Imperial Dominion

[ooc: *--if they're still there. I remember in some SL a while back I had a small amounf ot Haradrim/Easterling special ops in Menelmacar, but it may have been a one time deal. It's Siri's call, ultimately. But, if they're still there, the teams will start... ah.. 'going off' if its discovered that Siri is behind this.]

Drakonian Imperium

22-01-2004, 02:43

1401 Zulu
West of Fairport Harbor
Northern Coast, Fyreheart
Drakonian Landing Zone

http://www.news.navy.mil/management/photodb/thumbnails/thumb_030128-N-9182V-500.jpg

Over the horizon, ships appeared. The first elements of the Drakonian fleet had arrived. Moving forward the battleship, ISD Glorious, led Task Force Beginning forward, slicing through the waves. Behind it the mass of ships moved quickly toward the northern coast of Fyreheart.

Among those ships were a small pack of Carriers. Largest and leader of this group is the massive super carrier, IDS Wyrm, flanked by the light carriers, IDS Anubis and IDS Hippogryph. With them were a large group of Amphibious Assault Ships or Helicopter Carriers as they were nicknamed. There were five, the IDS Amphibian, IDS Sea Striker, IDS Medford, IDS Astoria[i], and the IDS [i]Legion. On their decks the first wave of transport helicopters prepared to take of; From their bowels Air-Cussioned Landing Craft launched for war.

http://www.news.navy.mil/management/photodb/thumbnails/thumb_031215-N-0111R-006.jpghttp://www.news.navy.mil/management/photodb/thumbnails/thumb_030916-N-4008C-512.jpg

The first patrol aircraft made their final passes and were soon replaced. Helicopters lifted into the air, and more patrols were launched. Attack Helicopters took the lead, buzzing the beach and pressing inland. Jush seconds later, Combat Assault Transport Helicopters deployed their teams of Marines, which quickly secured a perimeter around the beach. Then the larger Helicopter Transports landed as the first Amphibious Assault Vehicles landed.

http://www.news.navy.mil/management/photodb/thumbnails/thumb_030918-N-0401E-005.jpg

Just minutes later the Landing Craft made their landings, spilling troops and equipment onto the shore. The first wave quickly dissappeared inland as the perimeter grew and soon the second wave was landing.

http://www.news.navy.mil/management/photodb/thumbnails/thumb_030622-N-9109V-003.jpg

The first units of the famous 1st Expeditionary and the 13th Armored Legions had arrived in Fyreheart. The Drakonians had arrived.

Drakonian Imperium

22-01-2004, 02:50

Forces of Melkor,

As we appear allied in the destruction of the corrupt government of the despot Nathan Hurst, and in that man's destruction as well. We politely ask that you not deploy the main elements of your fleet into Fyreheart. As this might confuse combat operations, somewhat.

We simply ask that you evacuate your garrisons, for the safety of your troops and return home. We will deal with treacherous and evil Hurst. You can be assured he will not escape justice.

For the safety of your troops and for the sake of peace, we ask only these things. We do not wish for misunderstandings, only for peace.

Drakonian Diplomatic Corps.
located in Drako Throne,
capital of the Grand Dominion of Drakonian Imperium

Lavenrunz

22-01-2004, 03:05

With fanfare and fluorish, the Radetsky March played at many a wharf and pier as the soldiers and vehicles of the Imperial First Army marched into their ships.
From airports too heavy Galaxy and C-130 transports were filled up with light infantry and para-commandos.
At the main naval harbour in Zwoll, soldiers glanced at a small group of brass who were watching them. Recognizing Prince von Seydlitz, a number of them gave him a cheer. They knew things would go well with him in charge.
General von Hentzau and General von Baden both offered their hands. "Good fortune, your Serenity." said Von Hentzau.
"Thank you." Von Seydlitz said, bowing to the Minister of War. "With soldiers like these, and some of the best trained officers in the world, I can hardly go wrong."
"There is to be a negotiated peace ideally," continued von Hentzau, "But of course do not rely upon that. Our trust and confidence is placed in you--and that of Her Majesty."
"Of course." von Seydlitz said, closing his eyes and bowing slightly to indicate that it would be impossible to disobey the wishes of the Monarch.

Placed on the Empress' desk...
Expeditionary Force to Rukemia

First Lavenrunzian Army: Field Marshal Prince von Seydlitz (180,000 troops)
Army units: (12,000 troops)
Para-Commando Brigade
Duke of Zwoll's Own Lancers
32nd Imperial Engineers
5th Army Aviation Regiment
2nd Logistics Brigade
4th Military Police Regiment

I Tank Corps: Lieutenant-General von Mesmer (70,000 troops)
- 7th Imperial Engineers
- 9th Artillery Brigade
- 3rd Imperial Armored Division
- 1st Guards Division
- 5th Imperial Armored Division

IInd Corps: Lieutenant-General Kleburg (50,000 troops)
- 14th Artillery Brigade
- 80th Imperial Engineers
- 25th Infantry Division
- 4th Mechanized Division
- 11th Mechanized Division

III Corps: Lieutenant-General Hausmann (48,000 troops)
- 1st Artillery Brigade
- 24th Imperial Engineers
- 2nd Imperial Armored Division
- 7th Mechanized Division
- 9th Mechanized Division

Atlantic Fleet (Admiral Tachteburg)

10 carrier groups (10 Lost Vegas class carriers, 20 anti-ship cruisers, 30 destroyers, 40 frigates, 10 submarines, 20 support ships)
3 submarine squadrons (18 SSNs)
1 minehunter squadron (12 minehunters)
Roughly 800 combat aircraft

First Combat Air Wing
2 Ground Attack Squadrons
4 Long Range Attack Squadrons
6 Fighter-Bomber Squadrons
(216 combat aircraft)

imported_Sentient Peoples

22-01-2004, 03:27

High over HA Observation Satellites wheeled into place over the gathering concentrations of forces, lidar tagging each unit, of each force, assigning it numbers and letters.

Then the drive fields began to blaze, and the satellites held their ground, their orbit ceasing.

They would watch.

Melkor Unchained

22-01-2004, 07:40

Reaven appeared once more on diplomatic feeds via a video relay to Lavenrunz, using whatever channel his counterparts had designated for incoming Imperial transmissions. He seemed displeased.

"Interesting how you do not deign to respond to our missive, yet instantly deployed your troops. Interesting also how you seem to fail to grasp the difference between defending an ally, and defending an ally who's instigating a rebellion in another country. If the Drakonian soldiers are to aid the rebels--as it seems you implied-- then I put it to them to consider the consequences of their actions. It is not your responsibility to support their offensives, if all you have is a mutual defense pact. If it is your responsibility, then I'd say the two of you are more or less one nation. Quite contemptable."

He drummed his fingers on his desk and his eyes scanned the ceiling absently for a moment. He looked back to the camera and continued. "At any rate, we're not here to quash the rebellions. We do not beleive that is a viable option at this point, and Rukemia and Fyreheart were more or less deadweight in Arda anyway. If they want to run to Menelmacar, its no skin off my nose. We're here to get our men out and if that is what you're trying to interefere with, you deserve every bit of Melkor's wrath that you're gonna get. On the off chance that your task fore actually shows up before we've left the country, I suggest you don't fire at us."

--Jay Reaven
[ooc: Ok, Fyre and Rukemia drop me a TG about where your gravships are, etc etc and let me know if I ever gave you schematics for them. In short, I'm going to be launching special ops forays on the ground to destroy the records for your ships, destroy the schematics, and the ships themselves eventually. So you'll also be needing to tell me in what cities your Intel offices are located, your military facilities, gravship moorings, and so on and so forth]

Glorious Humanity

22-01-2004, 07:50

1725 ZULU (5:25 PM)
GHS Hunter, approaching the northern coast of Fyreheart.

Captain Oliver Kelsing was enjoying some much needed rest when there was a knock on the door of his quarters. He sighed and got up. "Enter!"

A young lieutenant opened the door. "You asked to be notified when we reached Fyreheart, sir. The taskforce is slowing down per your orders."

"Thank you, Lieutenant. Dismissed." Kelsing stood up and put on his uniform, then headed forward.

The GHS Hunter was a Predator class submarine, and the flagship for Glorious Humanity's taskforce to Fyreheart. She and four other Predators had been racing for the coastline ahead of the rest of the force for two days, in order to be in position to observe what was going on. The other sixteen submarines and two destroyers of the taskforce were escorting the transports carrying the bulk of the ground force Glorious Humanity was sending to Fyreheart. Onboard the forward submarines were several small teams of Psi Corp personnel, telepaths and telekinetics. They would be scouting in an unusual, invisble manner for anything that might give the landing forces trouble.

All the officers on duty saluted as the Captain came on the bridge. "Captain on the bridge!" the first officer announced.

"I have the conn," Kelsing announced.

"Captain has the conn, aye," the first officer saluted again, and moved to one side.

"Are the other scouts ready?" Kelsing inquired of Mitchell Leonard, the Hunter's telepath. Besides the special teams that were on board the ships, each submarine had it's own telepath and a pack of telekinetics onboard all the time. The telepath's job was to communicate mentally with other ships in the fleet, and much faster and more reliable (or so Kelsing was told) means of communication.

"Yes sir," Leonard replied. "The other telepaths just checked in."

"Good." Kelsing turned to the navigation officer. "Bring us up to periscope depth. And wake up the telepaths, tell them to do whatever they do."

A chorus of "Aye"s sounded around the bridge, and the ship tilted up, heading from her cruising depth of fifty meters up to the surface.

"Periscope depth, sir," the navigator answered after a moment.

"Good. Up periscope." Kelsing took the handles of the periscope and looked around at the ocean. "Sonar, any contacts."

"A few sir, configuration profiles are Drakonian," the sonarman answered.

"I can live with Drakonians around us," Kelsing answered, still looking. The seas seemed to be more or less clear. "Down periscope."

"Shall we hail the Drakonian ships, sir?" the communications officer asked.

"Why not? They're probably already seen us, might as well say hi before the surface sailors start getting antsy about having subs nearby." Kelsing stepped over to the communications console. "Send this message."

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

FROM: Captain Oliver Kelsing, GHS Hunter
TO: Drakonian Fleet
RE: Greetings

We've come ahead of the rest of our ships to scout and see what's what over here. The rest of the GH taskforce is a few hours behind us, they should arrive sometime tomorrow. Anything happening that we should know about?

Lavenrunz

22-01-2004, 07:54

Count Mirbach smoldered with fury. "Insulting bastards." he said, crushing the transmission paper in his fist. For a moment he was tempted just to give the go ahead order. Contemptible? Let them see their nonhuman scum trampled underfoot...
He calmed himself with an effort.

To His Excellency Kay Reaven

Unfortunately, it seems that our original message to you was lost.
Your language nonwithstanding, our only intention is to assure that your withdrawal is peaceful and that the materiel withdrawn is entirely your own. We do not have aggressive intent save in one regard: to support our allies.

Count Mirbach
Chancellor

Scandavian States

22-01-2004, 16:44

1500 Miles From Melkorian Gravfleets
1023 Local

The Defense Fleets had been at sea for a long time, at the end of their deployment cycle they had recieved orders to return home to take on special armaments and then deploy to Fyreheart to help the rebellion succeed. Their primary order was to take out any hostile Ardan Gravships should it come to that.

"Sir, we've reached the fifteen hundred mile mark, what are your orders?" Captain Li asked.

"Split the 1st and 2nd Fleet left and right about one hundred miles and another five hundred miles forward. I want our fleets to match them move for move, but don't get any closer than the thousand mile mark. Also, have the battleships load the specials, I want to be able to defend the fleets if those damn gravships get too close."

..::Encrypted Message(4096Kb)::..
From: Admiral Jorgenssen, Scandavian COMDEFFLT
To: Drakonian Taskforce
Subject: In Theatre

Not long ago we recieved orders to deploy to Fyreheart to interdict any Gravships or surface ships hostile to the rebellion. We were given special weapons to help with that and we were told you know what that ordinance is. If at any time you feel the rebellion is at threat by Ardan Gravships, then relay a strike order and we'll bring them down.
..::End Message::..

22-01-2004, 17:20

The Fleet set sail.

Well, perhaps not sail, per se. More of set skim.

Ten Confederate-class Battlecruisers and one hundred Diabolic-class gunboats left their ports along the southern coast of Arda within minutes of each other.

Over head swarmed a combat air patrol of Diablo Aerospace fighters, their over lapping drive fields making a hard count next to impossible.

Higher over head, the Main Fleet orbited, poised to near instant readiness should it be needed.

Under the waves, Anarctic-class submarines speared outward.

110 warships, lifted out of the water on hydrofoils, skimmed southwards at fifty knots.

Lavenrunz was coming to interfere in Lord Melkor's business. And that, interference with the Grand Ally, could not be permitted.

And so, the Fleet advanced.

At home, it was a different story. The Ground Force could not be maintained at near instant readiness. But the Missile Force could, and was. Both got ready.

Drakonian Imperium

22-01-2004, 17:43

1745 Zulu
Fyreheart Territorial Waters
Northern Coast, Fyreheart
Task Force Beginning

"Sir," one of the officials on the massive battleship, IDS Glorious, called his commanders' attention. "We've got sub-surface contacts, appear to be standard submarines. Not transmitting IFF...wait, they've just contacts us. Their Glorius Humanity ships, message coming through."

Both the ship's Captain and the Commodore Darren Stark, the man in command of the Task Force, rushed over and read the message. The Commodore, a very thin man, straightened. "Respond, with all relavent information and tell them to spread out. I don't one that Ardan fleet able to attack the entire allied fleet in one move."

There were two quick "yes, sirs," as the Captain and Officer confirmed the order. Both men quickly carried out the order.

Then there was another "Sir." The Officer again caught his comanders' attention. "We've got Scandavian State fleet moving into position. They have transmitted that they have something they referred to as special ordinance." The Commodore knew what this meant. "They are ready to use said ordinance at your command."

For a second no one said anything, waiting for the Commodore's response. They knew when something was up. "Confirm that," was all he said. "Also, send an encrypted flash message to Admiral Kraken, informing him of everything that is relevent." The Commodored added, "He should be here soon." Speaking more to himself, than anyone else.

The Commodore left the Officer's station and walked to the windows on the ship's bridge that looked out over the waves and out onto the coast of Fyreheart. Already, a makeshift dock had been constructed and the first of the Military Transports were unloading their heavy weapons. War had come to Fyreheart and it seemed there was no way to avert the continued escalation of the conflict.

Drakonian Imperium

23-01-2004, 00:49

1801 Zulu
Near Athame
River of Fyre, Fyreheart
Drakonian Base of Operations

General Kaeso Falco looked out on the soldiers that were hard at work erecting the future Drakonian Base of Operations. Much of the current base consisted of a seized municipal airport, which was being modified to fit the needs of the Drakonian and Lavenrunzian aircraft that would soon be flying in.

The Airport's runway was being lengthened and much of it was being enlarged to accompidate the mass of aircraft that it would soon service. Meanwhile much of the surrounding buildings were either being torn down or used for the base. Prefabricated buildings, brought with the 1st Expeditionary Legion, which were quickly being erected. Those civilians that owned the building had been fully compensated for their loss and would regain their property at which time the Imperial forces left Fyreheart.

An outer perimeter was quickly being constructed and already there were various sections of trenchs or barbed-wire fence, as well as several Gatling Gun Emplacements and Missile Defense Turrets. Vehicles were rushing around on perimeter patrol, there was also much of the Legion spread out in the area preparing to began the operations against Hurst.

The 13th Armored Legion was supervising the landings. For which they had built a prefabricated dock and were unloading the rest of the 1st Expeditionary and much of the rest of the 13th's forces.

Soon much of both Legion would be landed, then the battle against the Hurst Loyalists would begin. The General looked forward to it.

Fyreheart

23-01-2004, 04:42

Fyreheartian Intelligence
Waterside

Hurst looked at the tactical overview and spew out a long string of curses.

"They are over running our positions everywhere!" He looked at his cabinet. "How the hell didn't we know about this?"

Foder looked blank. "Nathan, we've confirmed Drakonian and assorted Emirate involvement. The rebels have international backing."

Hurst cursed again. "I've got five fleets of Melkorian gravs out there, and I can't even contact them because these bastards jammed the Imperial frequencies!" He looked at the room. "I want the damned frequencies OPEN, ASAP! Do whatever it takes."

Foder walked over to the display. "Nathan, we've confirmed two rebel bases in Pagania, I suggest we strike them now, and strike them hard."

"Hurst nodded. "Launch Plan Suffrage."

Five warheads armed with VX gas exploded out of the silos headed for the rebel installations near the former Fyreheartian High Command.

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

Rebel installations in Pagania

"...okay. So the force team has checked in with Command, they're positioned inside the grav yards, ready to strike on our orders. Also, Hessinger has radioed to tell us to - "

Lieutenant Briggs was stopped as proximity sirens sounded. Men rushed to their stations. Briggs calmly strode to the center of the room. "What is it, and how many?"

Colonel Sanders {{OOC: Never post when you're hungry}} looked at the display, and looked at Briggs. "Warheads sir, chemical. And we have no air cover to stop them..."

Briggs ran to the comm. All hands, evacuate, repeat, evacuate! This is not a drill! He ran back to the station. "Everyone out! Radio the grav strike team; tell them to go, now! Sanders, how's it look?"

Sanders looked at Briggs and gave him a slight shake of the head. Briggs turned to the window and stared as the warheads crashed into the room.

The last thing Briggs saw was the two DIA agents saluting the rebellion flag.

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

Rebellion strike teams (Fyre Elite Guard)
Gravship yards
Waterside

Hessinger listened to the transmission with a sick feeling. When it went dead, he looked at the men.

"No matter what just happened there, we have a job to do. Waterside is Hurst’s hometown, and we face the strongest resistance here. People are counting on us. We can grieve later."

The team nodded, and took position in the bushes and assorted brush around the yard.

Hessinger radioed the 4th airborne, and told them they were ready to go. Ten minutes later, the planes could be heard inbound, and two minutes after that, the grav yard was a mess of destruction by harpoon missiles.

The 200 man rebel forces emerged from cover with a vengeance, shooting any and all Hurst loyalists that they saw. Fighting for every inch of ground, they finally made their way halfway to the grav fleets, and were bombarded by RPG fire.

Hessinger yelled above the chaos. "Scramble!"

The team split off in three directions, two groups heading towards the grav fleets, while one split towards the intelligence headquarters across the street.

Hessinger ordered RPG fire, and it came. Rebel fire bogged down the Hurst loyalists and contained them long enough for the first group to hit the fleet closest to them. They forced the hatches open and stormed the empty crafts, 90 men apiece. As the ships were currently grounded, there was no crew to fight. The rebels spread out and took up position. It would be a long day and a half until the rebel division in Waterside Heights could get there to take out the main Hurst forces.

Hessinger sent a transmission to the Melkorian flagship.
Melkor, we have taken control of the Hurst grav shipyards. We do not plan to use them on you. We seized them so Hurst would not use them against you if you try to hunt him down. This will save you from undue hassle, and save Fyreheart from further damage and destruction. Note that you will be unable to reply to this message for approximately 30 hours as we are jamming communications in the area to prevent Hurst from calling for backup. In 50 or so hours, our reinforcements will be here to secure these yards, and the jam will be lifted. Hessinger out.

Having wiped out half of Hursts squadron of 400 soldiers, the elite guard had captured the graveyards, taking losses of 27 dead and 16 wounded. The gravs were under rebel control, for now...

Fyreheart

23-01-2004, 04:42

Fyreheart

23-01-2004, 04:46

23-01-2004, 05:33

The Fleet felt, though its multitude of sensors, the ships oncoming towards the homeland.

Towards the Allies. Towards the Lands Which Must Be Defended.

And so, it spread out, battle groups separating into a line.

As they skimmed across the waves, the line grew broader, until it formed a cordon 200 nautical miles in length.

Anything that want to come through, must pass through the Fleet.

Each battle group had one of the battle cruisers, and ten gunboats. As the distances grew, it became apparent that each group was guarded by ten squadrons of six fighters each.

Weapons were primed, but the Fleet would not fire first.

Of course... to interfere in the Situation... intruders would have to fire on the Fleet.

Because it was now in the way, blocking the path.

Melkor Unchained

23-01-2004, 06:56

The roundup of the Imperial garrisons was going smoothly and quickly, thus far. Most garrisons had been stationed on the coasts, as they were there for Fyreheart's protection. This made for any easy pickup at the north coast, where the transports turned around and headed back to the Imperium, loaded with troops and equpiment. What was left of the fleets pushed south, towards Waterside.

After an analysis of the situation, Falastur deemd Hurst's men were worthless and all too likely doomed to failure. His men appered to be caught unawares, and were slaughtered by the rebels. Nonetheless, he perceived that the rebels endeavored to seize the gravships for use in their new state [obviously], and it was a foregone conclusion that Morgoth would not let them have his ships. They must now either be captured or destroyed, and the Fleets received orders from Angband that told them not to bother returning home unless they had rendered all of the enemy gravships unusable. Weapons were armed. The crews initiated emergency procedures once they were close enough to strike at the gravships, and the massive metal behemoths shifted their position in the air, pointing their weapons at the Fyreheartian gravships. Falastur came to Hessinger via a tightbeam transmission for his ultimatum, smugly oblivious of the radio jamming.

"Hessinger, now the time must come for you to make a difficult choice. The Imperium will not allow rebel states to posess gravship technology unless they swear fealty to the Dark Lord.

Should you decline this, a second offer will be made: You will immediately provide for the return of all provided gravship schematics and surrender your existing gravships to us, and destroy any ships currently under construction. You may do what you wish with your country after we depart, but the gravships cannot be yours if you're to leave Arda.

Should you wish to stay, you may swear fealty to Morgoth and keep them. You have two hours to respond."

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

Gothenburg-Franc

23-01-2004, 07:00

Five Imperial Corps of Gothenburg-Franc were fully equipped to go to Fyreheart in a matter of hours. Black uniforms were perfectly pressed, jack boots glistened in the morning sun. All that was needed to go to war was the permission of Nathan Hurst. The Marshalate and Directory were in agreement. The Imperial Alliance was going to be saved. The nation of Fyreheart was being bombarded with letters, telegrams, transmissions all in the attempt to reach the Imperial Government.

Glorious Humanity

23-01-2004, 08:00

0600 ZULU (6 AM)
GHS Hunter, cruising at fifty meters depth along Fyreheart's north coast

"Captain, transmission from Naval Command. Normal lines." The comms officer spoke. He ripped off a sheet of paper from the printer and held it up for Captain Kelsing to take.

The Captain took the paper with a sigh of relief. As reliable as psychic communications were, he wasn't entirely comfortable with having Leonard relay everything. He quickly read it, and whistled softly.

"Navigator, bring us up to the surface. Comm, prepare to uplink to SUBNET."

"Aye," they both answered.

There was a few seconds of rising up, then everyone felt the ship begin to rock as it surfaced and was being pushed by the waves. Underwater things tend to be calm, but on the surface waves continue to roll like they always have. To submariners used to calm, it was a little disconcerting.

"We are on the surface, Captain," the navigator said unnecessarily.

"Uplink array is rising," the comms man said. Outside, a tall silvery antenna was rising from the sub's conn tower. Then, several smaller tubes unfolded from the sides. The end result looked like an old UHF antenna, but the signal it picked up was much, much stronger.

"We are uplinked," the comms man said. "Receiving now." Out in space, a SUBNET satelliete had just started transmitting the message to the ship. SUBNET was the GH Navy's Submarine Satelliete Network, three satellietes whose sole and only purpose was to aid in communication between the vast Glorious Humanity submersible force and Naval Command.

Captain Kelsing read over his comm man's shoulder as the message appeared. The first thing up was word about the Lost Americans blockade. "Oh crap... has our strike force already made it though?"

"They're through sir. Arrived about 0400, three clicks west," Leonard chimed in. "The other telepaths confirmed with me that they've begun unloading."

"Well, that's good. I think," Kelsing nodded. "Unless someone breaks the blockade though, going home's going to be interesting."

"Someone like that?" the comms man pointed at the next part of the message that had just appeared. This part talked about the Lavenrunzian fleet.

Kelsing read it and whistled. "Damn, our friends with the funny accents aren't screwing around. Yeah, yeah that should break it alright. Into about a million pieces." He grinned.

"There's more sir," the comm man pointed. They were reading the next part when a scream came from aft.

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

Aft section of the GHS Hunter, crew quarters

Isolda Hilmar was deep in the psychic trance. She, along with four others, were all seated in chairs, their eyes closed and bodies as still as death as their minds ranged out, probing the surrounding area for anything.

I am getting nothing unusual. There any many people moving around, but not much killing at this time, Howard Johnson, the team leader for this group of telepaths, spoke in all their minds. Continue- AAAUUGGGHHHH!!

The sudden blast of death rolled over them, at the same moment as Hurst's rockets struck the rebel base. Isolda's eyes flew open, a vocal scream produced by her throat as the feeling of all those deaths hit her like a thousand tons of bricks. Her concentration shattered, and she fell forward out of her chair, both hands clutching her head, pulling at her lustrous raven black hair as she struggled to banish what she had just felt from her mind. Those screams of death kept repeating though, over and over, a cacophony of horror that not even all of Isolda's training could block out.

She was vaguely aware of other people rushing into the room, of people shouting things to each other. Strong arms lifted her and carried her somewhere. Where, she didn't know. As she was carried out of the room, she lost conciousness.

Scandavian States

23-01-2004, 15:48

"Sir, unidentified gravships forming a picket line in front of the Fyreheart coast." Captain Li called out.

"Class?" Question Admiral Jorgenssen.

"Looks like ten large cruisers, call them battlecruisers, and about one hundred gunboats." Li answered.

Admiral Jorgenssen smirked, Melkor's five fleets would have been challenging indeed but this was just pitiful. "Get our intercepters into the air and have them establish a one hundred mile perimeter around the fleets, anything breaches it and it dies. Second, get a hard lock on those gravships and hold it for five seconds, I want to see how jump their Admiral is."

Rukemia

24-01-2004, 00:09

...

Rukemia

24-01-2004, 00:11

Presidential Palace, Mercia

The entire "team" had been assembled, all those who had been involved the most with the coup that had occured just hours ago now sat in the same very room that would once have been occupied by the Emperor's Council. Among them was of course the President, Lakato Vaul, the newly appointed Vice President, Adrian Tate and the man behind the elimination of the Royal Guard, General Victor Riko. They all sat at a round, marble, table which was now littered with maps and documents. Along each of the four walls there stood two Rukemian soldiers, each armed with a standard M-16, outside the room were many more soldiers and a few political figures all waiting to hear what the plan was. All of the men were silent now, they had gone through the best possible ways to topple the Melkorian bases that were still in Rukemia and had chosen the one that would probably produce the least casualties. The General reared back in his chair...

"Well we've been discussing this for damn near 4 hours, I said it once and I'll say it again, if my men could take out the Royal Guard within 8 hours, they can handle these Melkorian sons of bitches in no time. Order for their camps to be bombed to hell just as you both suggested and I'll handle the rest. We've got complete control over the nation now, we should take them now before they strike us first!"

"Yes, yes, yes. While blowing up things does sound fun, we need to know if they'll surrender before we just march in a fight a fight without reason. If they surrender we'll escort them to shore and allow for them to be taken back to their nation by mutual ships, if they don't, then we go with plan B, which is apparently the general's preference.", replied the Vice President smugly.

"Yes, their bases should definately be contacted, we should let them know if a surrender to Rukemia is not made, then they will be ultimately destroyed, there is no way they can prevail in this situation. I think everyone here understands what will be carried out, now, General, you should contact the Airforce immediately and make them aware of our plans, put them on stand-by if you will. Adrian and I will announce what's going on to the parliament outside.", the President nodded first and the General and then at the Vice President as he got up from his chair and exited the dimly lit room. He entered the "waiting room" where the soon to be Parliament of Rukemia were waiting along with several troops, he explained to them what had been discussed and what was going to happen, the majority agreed with the plan. Soon after he had congregated with the parliament, the president ordered for a transmission to be sent to all known Melkorian bases.

TO: Melkorian Garrissons
FROM: Rukemian Command
SUBJECT: Surrender.

The newly free Rukemian Empire, under the leadership of President Lakato Vaul, hereby orders you to officially to surrender to the Empire. If this is done, your life will be spared and you will be allowed safe passage to your homeland, if you refuse, you will all ultimately die. You have 2 hours to reach your decision.

MESSAGE END

The message was terse, very terse, the military waited anxiously for a response.

Glorious Humanity

24-01-2004, 01:01

GHS Hunter
Twenty minutes after the VX attack

"It got all of them. Every bloody one of them," Patrick Livingston, the ship's doctor, was saying to Captain Kelsing. The doctor had just finished his examination of the telepaths, who ranged from dizzy and nauseated to comatose. "Something just washed over and BAM! They all got knocked out cold. They'll recover I think, but it will be a few hours. I just wish I knew what hit them." The two of them, along with the comms officer and Leonard, the communication telepath, were all in the ship's ward room, seated around the white table in it. There was a pot of tea sitting in the center of the table, and each man had an untouched cup of the steaming drink in front of him.

"It was the gas attack," Leonard spoke up. "The psychic backlash of all those deaths at once hurt them."

"Then how come you're fine?" Kelsing asked, a little sourly. He was getting really tired of all this new stuff that had ways to break that he didn't know about.

"Because I was not scanning Fyreheart at the time," Leonard answered. "My mind was effectively closed, thus it did not hit me as hard. I still felt it mind you, and I had some disorientation for a few minutes, but the fact that I wasn't 'open' protected me. The telepaths who were scanning Fyreheart were wide open as their minds searched, thus they got the blast of all those deaths full force."

"Great. They will get better though, right?" Kelsing inquired.

"They will become lucid again after a while, yes," Leonard replied. "I can't say anything for their mental health though."

"How the heck are they going to be any good to us if they keel over every time someone dies?" This was Jason Kelso, the comms officer. "I mean, this is a warzone. People are going to be dying frequently."

"It was not the death itself, but the nature and quantity of the death," Leonard explained. "You know how VX and other nerve gasses kill. It is a horrible way to die. Also, most of two whole bases were annihilated this way at once. That is why the psychics reacted so violently to this incident."

"'Incident'," Kelsing snorted. "I love that. 'Incident'. It was a goddamned atrocity. I can't really blame your people for freaking out over it." SUBNET had relayed the information about the attack a few minutes after it had happened, and Kelsing had at least a vague idea about what had happened in Fyreheart. "So what can we do?"

"Nothing," Leonard replied. "We have to give them time to recover. The other communicators on the other ships and in the landing force reported that their scanners were similiarly affected. Until everyone is back on their feet, we're going to have much less intel."

"We'll make do," Kelsing said. "Alright then, let's tell Naval Command what happened. Then let's get back to our jobs. That will be all."

The meeting adjourned.

Rukemia

24-01-2004, 05:36

Suddenly and without warning a massive moblisation of troops all around Rukemia began. Millions of troops and tanks on Rukemia's inland moved about into defensive positions, rumbling through the cities and haulting the busy traffic. Out in the seas of Rukemia, Gravships began to creep out of there ports and into Rukemian waterspace, all of the 15 fleets moved ominously and with little notice 150 miles out into the distance. Heavily defended, Murkin Island was put on red alert as missile installations were set-up to the west of the Rukemian coast.

Coastal defenses and batteries were being prepped as though something was about to happen and indeed something was...

Lavenrunz

24-01-2004, 06:46

To the Governments of Rukemia and Fyreheart: To all forces in the area.

The intention of Melkor's forces are clearly to evacuate their garrisons and materiel. They have no other purpose in the area, we are assured. To attack them is folly.
The purpose of Lavenrunz in the area is merely to assist in this withdrawal and support the independance of these nations. We will look with grave disapproval upon any forces which prevent a peaceful negotiation and withdrawal and will side against any aggressor.
Furthermore, any forces which attempt to prevent the passage of the Empire of Lavenrunz's expeditionary force in the area will be regarded with hostility.

Count Joachim von Mirbach
Chancellor

Glorious Humanity

24-01-2004, 07:08

TO: Count Mirbach
FROM: Allean Hanoway, General of the Navy, Federation of Glorious Humanity
RE: Your message

We too see nothing to shoot at at the moment. Our ships in the area have informed us that no one is displaying hostile behavior at this time. We will not fire unless we are fired upon first.

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

Council Room
10:00 PM local time

"What the heck are they threatening us for?" General Herbert Ablegard, supreme commander of the Army, demanded. "Aren't we supposed to be friends with that crew?" Ablegard was in his fifties, and like many men that age had developed a sizable paunch. His hair and moustache were both dark brown, the result of frequent coloring treatments to stave off the gray his age was bringing him. His hazel eyes were always sharp. He tended to be the most outspoken of the General Staff.

"Yes, yes we are," Allean Hanoway nodded. She was a petite woman in her late twenties, the youngest member of the General Staff. Her blonde hair was customarily tied back into a ponytail, and her green eyes were currently locked with Ablegard's. "That," she added with a pointed glance at the empty chair where President Albert normally sat, "is why our glorious leader is currently in Lavenrunz. To make sure we stay friends."

"I don't think it was intended as a threat," Minister of International Relations Frank Pierce spoke up. His hair was black, and he was clean-shaven. He was in his forties, and like Ablegard soft living was beginning to show on him. He was striving valiantly to fight old age with lots of exercise though. In Council meetings when Albert wasn't present Pierce usually unofficially chaired. His brown eyes were also on Ablegard. "It was just a warning. Something on the order of 'Nobody's shot. Nobody should.'"

"Warning nothing," Ablegard growled. "First they elect that crazy bastard Chancellor, then he goes around saying he'll shoot anybody who dares do anything. We outta tell him to shove that warning right up his-"

"Enough, Herb!" Pierce cut him off. "Albert's over there trying to seal any and all rifts between both nations. Let's not make new ones while he's away."

"I already answered anyway," Hanoway said. "I told him we were not going to fire unless fired on first."

"There you go," Pierce again cut off Ablegard's response. "Discussion over. What else have we got to talk about?"

Melkor Unchained

25-01-2004, 01:44

Presidential Palace, Mercia
TO: Melkorian Garrissons
FROM: Rukemian Command
SUBJECT: Surrender.

The newly free Rukemian Empire, under the leadership of President Lakato Vaul, hereby orders you to officially to surrender to the Empire. If this is done, your life will be spared and you will be allowed safe passage to your homeland, if you refuse, you will all ultimately die. You have 2 hours to reach your decision.

MESSAGE END

The message was terse, very terse, the military waited anxiously for a response.

"Learn your place. Melkor is your Lord. His garrisons do not surrender to you.

Rukemia is not in a position to bargain with us. If you have a working neuron in your brain you will remember tat we have razed your cities to the ground before, and are by now more than capable of doing it again. You are fools to think we won't step to the plate and put you in your place, should it come to that.

We will not surrender to you, but by that same token we won't shoot at you unless you shoot at us. This announcement is coming altogether too quickly for us to completely uproot in the time desired. We'll just wait for our gravs to get here. If you want to start shooting and begin anew a war with Lord Melkor's Imperium, be our guest. Even if you kill us, we'll die with the knowledge that your great grandsons will work the Forges of Morgoth.

Remember that you're in Arda. You dont want to see us march our troops overland.

Rukemia

25-01-2004, 02:08

"Learn your place. Melkor is your Lord. His garrisons do not surrender to you.

Rukemia is not in a position to bargain with us. If you have a working neuron in your brain you will remember tat we have razed your cities to the ground before, and are by now more than capable of doing it again. You are fools to think we won't step to the plate and put you in your place, should it come to that.

We will not surrender to you, but by that same token we won't shoot at you unless you shoot at us. This announcement is coming altogether too quickly for us to completely uproot in the time desired. We'll just wait for our gravs to get here. If you want to start shooting and begin anew a war with Lord Melkor's Imperium, be our guest. Even if you kill us, we'll die with the knowledge that your great grandsons will work the Forges of Morgoth.

Remember that you're in Arda. You dont want to see us march our troops overland.

Rukemian Military Command Center, Mercia

General Roko had just finished reading the last transmission sent by the Melkorians, he quickly grew angry after seeing how much disrespect the Melkorians had shown in it. He paced in his private quarters and steamed with frustration, the one thing that he hated the most in this world was disrespect and the Melkorians had given it to him and his countrymen in the highest form. He stormed out of his quarters and into the communication center, he quickly ordered for a message to be sent back to the Melkorian bases, this time it wasn't from Rukemian Command but from the General himself.

TO: Melkorian Garrissons
FROM: General Victor Roko
SUBJECT: ...

In your last transmission you all spoke with such confidence, as if things were the way they were almost a century ago. Rukemia has grown into a strong, powerful nation and will not be shaken by the likes of you, or the likes of anyone for that matter, we are unshakable. You were cowards to invade us when we were vunerable so many years ago and you are fools now to think that we still remain in the same state. If neccasary we would all die in the name of our country and for the sake of our freedom, keep that in mind. We are willing to let you leave in your gravships all in one piece, but try anything and you will all die in vain. Leave our nation quickly and never return, and if you dare do, you will never leave the Empire alive.

Rukemians would happily commit suicide before submitting to Melkor and work in his shameful mines.

MESSAGE END

Melkor Unchained

25-01-2004, 02:35

Gothenburg-Franc

25-01-2004, 03:02

To: The Great Lord Melkor

From: The Directory and Marshalate of Gothenburg-Franc

Our nation is most pleased to humbly make your most magnicifent aquaintence Lord Melkor.

We are formally opening up diplomatic relations to express our sympathy at the unfortunate rebellion of your nations against the common good.

Gothenburg-Franc lost heavily relying on the nation of Fyreheart. Going to war for the ICON Alliance, we were forced to surrender our main field army when both Fyreheart and Rukemia abandoned the war effort. Now with revolutionaries threatening the existance of both ICON and in fact the existence of the Fyreheartian Government, we have reason to believe that Prime Minister Hurst needs our assistance. We are willing to embark the five corps Army of the Chalons and the five corps Army of the Vendee to Fyreheart in an effort to stabalize, if you will, the society.

We come to you, knowing that you are a most powerful, ruling nation with garrisons in Fyreheart. We need to be provided with maps and information and most importantly your most gracious permission, before we embark on this great endeavor to save imperialism once and for all.

So we ask of you, will you help us? Will you sponsor our endeavor? We hope to establish relations with your great nation, and make the world a better place for us all.

The Directory and Marshalate of Gothenburg-Franc

Rukemia

25-01-2004, 03:54

Leave? Thats what we're trying to do. Come now, it will only be a matter of days before we're all out of here. We're making our preparations to depart. Seems our expieriment with you in Arda failed after all. You were the only Ardan state to fall against the coalition, and hence the weakest. If you wish to run to the Menelmacari bloc, fine: we don't need to kind of weaking pukes that would run to them anyhow.

You have fun with this new government. Have fun kissing Lady Sirithil's ass you pathetic scumsuckers.

TO: Melkorian Garrissons
FROM: General Roko
SUBJECT:...

Call us what you will, but anything is better than continuing to be the mindless slaves of Arda that we once were. Your alliance has been nothing but a deathtrap for Rukemia since the very start, over 1 million Rukemian lives have been lost since Herasi sealed the deal. We saw the table and we played our cards, so we made the smarter move. Staying under your allegiance would've only led to our destruction, but you'll see soon enough what'll become of Arda, your reign of power will not last long.

Now I think that you can all kindly pack your bags and leave.

MESSAGE END

Drakonian Imperium

26-01-2004, 01:00

2423 Zulu
Task Force Stormfront
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
IDS Ascendency

The huge hull of the goliath warship dipped slight in the stormy night waters as the two Drakonian Naval Task Forces moved toward Fyreheart. They had only just missed the window to get past the blockade and only because of the mighty monsoon storm that now raged the seas near Fyreheart. This was infact the same tropical storm that had raged through Fyreheart just two days ago. It had been named Venus by Drakonian Meteorologists, and was the storm of change that had swept rebellion into Fyreheart.

On the bridge of the flagship, that massive battleship Ascendency, Admiral Ares Kraken, commander of the entire fleet, looked out over the waves. He stood tall, with the rigidness of command.

Nearby an Officer chattered over the airwaves. "Lost American Blockade, Lost American Blockade, this is Drakonian Fleet. You are ordered allow us to pass and rendezvous with the rest of our forces. Repeat, Lost American Blockade, we will be passing through to rendezvous with our forces near Fyreheart. Respond, over."

The Captain of the massive battleship joined the Admiral where he stood. "You want us to just keep going?"

"That was the order, Captain." The Admiral's response was terse and cold, as usual.

"We're to just sail right by them." The Captain continued to push.

There was only the nod of the Admiral's head in reply this time.

The Captain frowned. "Are you a gambling man, Admiral?"

One of the Admiral's eyebrows raised for a second, but quickly it dropped again. There was no response to this question. "Press on, Captain," was all he said, cold as ever.

The Captain turned and left the Admiral, mumbling about games of Chicken.

The two Task Forces, that made up the final elements of the Fleet, pressed on toward the Lost American blockade.

Glorious Humanity

26-01-2004, 02:36

GH base in Fyreheart, on the east bank of the River of Fyre
0814 Zulu (8:14 AM)

He couldn't feel her.

For Larry Soros, the fact that he couldn't feel the brush of Isolda's mind was all the confirmation he needed that she was in trouble. And when she was in trouble, he was in trouble.

Larry was the kind of person whose face was easy to forget to everyone but his close friends and his love. He was physically fit, with dirty blonde hair and gray eyes that Isolda had told him were "bedroom eyes". Larry swore she did it just to make him blush. The uniform he wore was standard Psi Corp, gray pants and shirt, with the Glorious Humanity flag stitched on the right shoulder and a gold emblem depicting a person with their arms stretched out above them over the breast pocket. The emblem designated Larry as a telekinetic. The telepaths had a different emblem. Stiched on the left side of the shirt opposite the emblem were two lines of text, reading "Psi Corps" and "Larry Soros". Psi Corp personell didn't have military ranks; their special abilities gave them all the rank they needed.

Larry had an idea what was wrong with Isolda. He'd heard about the VX strike, and had seen most of the telepaths in the landing group as they were hustled to the hastily erected medical tent. When Isolda had not touched him for a few hours, he was sure she was down too. Though Larry wasn't a telepath, he could hear Isolda, and thus when she was awake she made a point of brushing his mind with hers every couple hours just to assure him that she was fine.

"Soros! Back on track!" That was Matthew Holdon, the leader of Larry's telekinetic group. Most of the soldiers and fighting vehicles were ashore, so the transports were sending boatloads of supplies now. Currently, the telekinetics were offloading supplies from the launches. Larry snapped back to reality and refocused on his job, which currently was moving a stack of crates containing food to the supply tents being thrown up all over the base. He just wished he could find out if Isolda was going to be okay.

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

GHS Hunter
0830 Zulu

"We can't keep them on here," Captain Kelsing was saying. "We should send them off, and get people who are awake." Kelsing and Leonard were talking in the wardroom when First Officer Jackson Jones entered.

"You wanted to see me Captain?" he said, saluting.

"Yeah," Kelsing nodded. "I'm going to get some sleep. You're going to have the conn. Contact the destroyer Fist of Man and ask them to send a boat out to us. Two of our psychics are back on their feet, but the rest are out and probably will be for a while. I can't have them taking up bunk space, so we're going to send them ashore and getting some of the landing force's recovered telepaths. That'll put most of the psychic scanning on the ships, but I've been told that won't affect their ability to gather intel for us."

"Aye Captain," Jones saluted again.

Lavenrunz

26-01-2004, 06:28

Count Mirbach was vastly amused. He stood in the warmly lit Chancellor's office reading the latest reports.
General von Hentzau stood by the window. Even standing so casually, she was so beautiful it made his heart ache. Ah, to be one of the locks of hair curling around her shell like ear...
"So Rukemia is openly defying Melkor, in spite of rather reasonable demands..." he mused. "And after our declaration too. This makes things easy for me. But then, I knew it would."
She turned her soft green eyes on him and said, "They don't really need our involvement directly, you know."
Mirbach waved that away.

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

Driving rain kept the Lavenrunzian expeditionary fleet a fair distance from the coast of the Drakonian Imperium where they still were, and a fair distance from ship to ship. Waves dark as pitch rolled over the bows of destroyers and frigates; water washed over the windows of bridges.
Admiral Tachteberg was busy making sure there were no accidents, and was finding it was making his stomach acid with anxiety. There had been an incident during the Knootian war, barely mentioned, where an admiral commanding a carrier group had smashed into a frigate in rough seas crossing the Atlantic. The admiral had been cashiered for negligence because he failed to put up spotter planes.
And here he was, in charge of hundreds of ships.

The worst off were the thousands of soldiers in the bowels of the transport ships. Few had been at sea longer than the ferrying across the Katarza Strait to Ienotheisa, and were retching, miserable and crowding the heads belowdecks. Because of the rough seas and bad weather, they were unable to come abovedecks for fresh air. The officers were barely better off, most crowded into staterooms unless they were battalion commanders or higher.

Melkor Unchained

26-01-2004, 08:14

The Warlords convened. Lord Melkor, flanked by his Balrogs, dominated the room sitting grimly atop his throne. Before him sat his Warlords. For the moment, the Dark Lord was quiet, listening to his minions discuss the situation. He had already perceived a great deal about Rukemia and Fyreheart's plans, and his spies had done nothing but confirm his premonitions. His eyes trailed across the room and down tot he men, and he stirred.

Alkanphel bowed slightly to his Master, and continued. "The Drakonian Imperium has mobilized, along with the Fleets from Lavenrunz. The situation is escalating. Soon, what's left of Hurst's government will fall, as the attacking forces will have nowhere to go but Fyreheart. We're judging that most of the unrest in Rukemia will be over once we get out of there."

The Easterling Warlord Konrad Althalon lifted his head. "I wouldn't put it past them to pursue us, after what Garrand here is going to do to them," he said with a nod to his colleague. A grim chuckle could be heard rumbling through the room, as Morgoth had found that amusing.

The Dark Lord shifted his weight, and leaned forward slightly. His scarred, twisted face could be seen in the firelight as he peered at the men. "Rukemia probably doesn't know what he's up against. Our orcs in the Ered Gorgoroth are more numerous now than ever. Still they spread beneath the earth. We've still got 6 Fleets on the home front, so I say let them come."

Marcus Garrand cleared his throat. "That's the aim of my operation, My Lord. I'll see to it that neither Rukemia nor Fyreheart have in their service a single gravship by the time this is done."

Alkanphel nodded, and said with a sigh. "They have forsaken the rule of the strong, and instead decide to run crying back from whence they came. Pity." He lifted his head and peered at the other men. His eyes flashed. "They are no longer worthy of our gifts."

The room rumbled again as Morgoth laughed.

****
Around this time, three of the fleets split off and headed further south ane east to Rukemia. Men began filing slowly back to their stations, their brief leisure now over. The Second and Fifth Fleets closed quickly on Waterside. By now, transports that had reached the Imperium were being fueled up to return and pick up the Rukemia garrison. Borders were closed, and the military was put on full alert. The 3 Fleets moored at Udûn commenced drilling, as the other three over Ali'Staan readied their weapons and moved towards the borders.

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

Drakonian Imperium

26-01-2004, 14:46

Top Secret Communiqué

[Channel: Open - Transmitting]
[Encryption: Active - Polymorphic]

TO: The Directory and Marshalate of Gothenburg-Franc
FROM: Praetor Augustus Drake, of Drakonia
SUBJECT: Future Relations

It has come to our attention that your nation is attempting to send forces to the support of one Nathan Hurst, deposed dictator of Fyreheart. We cannot allow you to proceed with that course of action.

Nathan Hurst, murderer of his own citizens, tyrant of horrible corruption and evil, is no longer the dictator of Fyreheart. His own citizens have freed themselves and will bring him to justice. Hurst has fallen, ICON has fallen, but Imperialism is not dead.

There are still those who use imperialistic policies to bring Justice, Freedom, Liberty, and an end to the evils of genocide, slavery, oppression, and corruption in all it's forms. We are the United Emirates. The Imperium has offered in our past dealing a place in the United Emirates for Gothenburg-Franc. We have seen your loyalty toward the nation of Fyreheart, now show it by forsake he who soils the name of that nation. If your honorable nation will forsake Hurst and ICON, we will welcome you to the ranks of our alliance.

Hurst's ICON is gone, and it will not rise from the ashes of his failure. Failure to your nation, failure to his people, and failure to the world. The Dark Lord Melkor, himself, has seen this and his forces are now removing their garrisons and preparing to leave for Angband.

We know of the Gothenburg-Franc honor and loyalty from our knowledge of your nation. Your troops fought bravely against overwhelming odds, even when your ally, Hurst, abandoned them.

We do not wish a conflict between our two nations, yet we will not allow Hurst's crimes to continue or go unpunished. His time of evil has ended.

We will trust in your decision and hope not to meet your troops on the field of battle.

[Encryption: Deactivated]
[Channel: Closed]

Drakonian Imperium

26-01-2004, 15:20

0845 Zulu
Bloody Bay Military Base
Tobago, Drakonian Imperium
Base Airstrip

"Here's a little song I wrote. You might want to sing it note for note. Don't worry, be happy." The radio blared the music as the flight of transport jets made their final pre-flight checks.

The sun was rose up from the horizen, shedding morning's light across the tropical island base. The crisp morning air was filled with the rumbling of jet engines. The flight of jet started slowly to roll down the tarmac, as the a couple of squadrons of jet fighters began their own pre-flight preparation.

http://deploymentlink.osd.mil/news/dquarterly/spring02/images/c17_pg15.jpg

"In every life we have some trouble, but when you worry you make it double. Don't worry, be happy."

The flight leader smiled as he listened, but as the massive jet under his piloting started it's movement forward he called over the radio. "Okay, boys cut the music till we're in the air. Calypso Squadron, we're cleared for take off."

The cargo jets rolled forward, followed by a pair of tankers. "Whiskey and Tango Squadrons we'll see you in the air. Crude Air Group, follow us up." There was acknowledgement from the two fighter squadrons and then the tankers and then massive jet aircraft were taking off.

Soon the entire group was in the air and heading toward Fyreheart.

And the radio was blaring Bobby McFerrin again. "Ain't got no place to lay your head, somebody came and took your bed. Don't worry, be happy."

Drakonian Imperium

26-01-2004, 15:38

Emirate News Network

ENN Logo flashes while a Loud Booming Voice says, "Reporting live is Brian Logan from Fyreheart, with the Horrible Discovery of a Mass Grave."

A very young report appears designed in combat fatigues and wearing a UN Blue combat helmet with the word, "Press" on it. Behind him, is a dirty looking hill flanked by a tangled twisted forest. A forest that seems to seep the dark mood in the air.

The reporter starts in solemn tones. "Late last night Drakonian scouts patrols, of the 1st Expeditionary Legion, made a discovery they had desperately hoped they would not find. The Drakonian patrols had been acting on local civilian intelligence hunting for the reported Mass Graves of Hurst's regime. Unfortunately, at a place they named Skullcap, they found them.

"Eyewitnesses stated it coldly. 'There were ten graves, eight that had been covered over recently and two that had not. Of the two uncovered graves, one was empty and the other it appeared they had started to cover, but had abandoned as the thunderstorms came in. We found anywhere from one hundred to one hundred and fifty bodies in each. Most having been gunned down and dropped in these hell holes.' Chilling words."

"The finding of such horrendous sights was anticipated and immediately forensic teams and local police, which are cooperating with the rebellion and Pro-Emirate forces, were called in. Those mentioned groups are now attempting to identify the victims of Hurst's brutality. Not every corpse will be identified, but all will be given the proper burial they are entitled.

"This has only strengthened the resolve of the Drakonian forces in region and the 1st Expeditionary Legion almost immediately have struck out against the nearby Hurst Loyalist Detention Center where the corpses in the Mass Graves are most likely to have originated. The commander of the 1st Expeditionary Legion, General Richard Lippert, stated icely, 'This atrocity will not go unpunished. We're to hunt down the criminal Hurst, for his crimes against humanity, and that's what we're going to do.'"

"This is Brian Logan, reporting live from Fyreheart."

The screen again changes to the ENN Logo and the Loud Booming Voice is heard again saying, "This has been an ENN News Bulletin."

Drakonian Imperium

27-01-2004, 00:32

Emirate News Network

Story Excerpts

"...As the main Drakonian offensive against the remnants of Hurst Loyalists in Fyreheart, the grisley discovery of several Mass Graves were made. This only strengthened the Drakonian resolve and shortly thereafter the 1st Expeditionary Legion dispatch units to capture a Loyalist Detention Center where the victims of the atrocity were thought to have originated...."

"...Drakonian forces suspect that the facility mainly houses political prisoners arrested during Hurst's tyrany...."

"...Mainline armor elements of the 13th Armored Legion were spotted moving west along the coast, from the main landing area for the Drakonian forces at the mouth of the River of Fyre. Although, no official statement has been made by the commander of either the 13th Armored Legion or the Drakonian forces in Fyreheart, it is likely their target is the coastal city of Fairport Harbor...."

"...Despite tension no neither Ardan or Emirate forces have fired on each other and remain at what some have termed a 'Cease Fire', although Drakonian official still venemetly claim that they are not the enemy of Arda or Melkor and still remain at peace with those powers...."

"...The situation is tense and while at any moment the conflict may erupt into full-scale war, the possibility of a peaceful resolution remains, as both sides wait for the other to make the first shot...."

Full Story (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=109656) / Latest Developments (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2651683)

Drakonian Imperium

27-01-2004, 00:50

Drakonian Imperium

27-01-2004, 02:01

0955 Zulu
Grand Praetorian Palace
Drako Throne, Drakonian Imperium
Praetor's Study

Augustus Drake, Praetor of Drakonia, had just shut his eyes to rest for a second when Nathan Lamb his cheif advisor spoke. "You better read this," the man's voice was hard, something that snapped Augustus' eyes open.

More bad news. There was no need to read it to know what it meant, Nathan Lamb's voice had told him everything. "What is it," Augustus asked, mildly annoyed to have been woken was his...eye resting.

"It's from Ferrussia." Nathan handed him the documents and he read them.

"Those...." His response was not something any man would have been proud to have said fo them. "And I just...those..." He was quickly stricken speechless, his rage leaving him shaken. It was several minutes before he spoke again. "Honor, Loyalty. They're as bad as Hurst himself."

"You should be glad that message was sent via the encrypted channels," Nathan stated.

Augustus continued to sputter. He'd made a royal fool of himself. He had not known it at the time, but he'd been insulting the Ferrussians. Why hadn't he known. He should have known! Still it appeared the Ferrussians themselves had not found out till just recently.

"I think it is time our offer to Gothenburg-Franc expired. They are ICON to the core, it appears. Corrupt and truly evil," Augustus' words were ice. "Maybe they shall be next."

Omz222

27-01-2004, 04:54

Omzian Talamon News Network Excerpt -- A Division of Omzian State Broadcasting Inc.

"...improper procedures, treachery, as ruled by the jury panel and the judge panel.

On another news topic, as part of the Drakonian Imperium operation against the imperalistic Hurst regime in Fyreheart, Drakonian scout patrols of the Drakonian First Expeditionary Legion, has uncovered a massive collection of graves -- 10 to be exact -- with hundreds of bodies of political prisoners buried, mostly shot and buried. These victims are believed as the political victims of Hurst's opressive regime. This has uncovered more evidences of Hurst's brutality against its people, and the crimes against humanity, plus violation of basic human rights. The commander of the particular Drakonian legion, general Lippert, vowed that they will 'hunt down the criminal Hurst, for his crimes against humanity'.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has not officially made any formal comments about this as of right now, but a senior federal officer has commented this news as 'a key evidence against Nathan Hurst, for his brutalization of his fellow people, and for the damage he has inflicted on his own country.' The Omzian President also made his own comment, stating 'Hurst is a disgrace among the Fyreheartian people. A traitor against his own people, a traitor against his fellow allies -- such as us, for that matter -- this leader, one who is unfit for governing any nation or group, must be hunted down and punished. The abandoning of Hurst's so-called ICON alliance is also a sign of his weakness in leadership, and through his team of firing squads and secret police, he prevented his people from revolting through massacres and mass executions. But now, the brave and glorious Fyreheartian people is rising up against this traitor, and it seems much like a success.'

The Omzian President did not comment on the Rukemian revolution in the latest comment.

Now onto other news, Reddana Corporation..."

Gothenburg-Franc

27-01-2004, 05:11

To: The Drakonian Imperium

From: The Directory and Marshalate of Gothenburg-Franc

Our nation is still reeling with the shock of the atrocities commited both in Ferussia by our Army de Expedition and in Fyreheart under Prime Minister Hurst. Apparently our Army in Ferussia was taking its orders directly from Fyreheart. Also the Army de Expedition came directly from Skibereen where it was attacked by civilians non-stop. We are investigating the matter to the best of our abilities, let us assure you. We hope this does not intefere with the greater contact between our two nations.

In fact, we have shown much interest in your transmission. We thank you for the great compliments you have paid our men and we thank you for the interest and honor you show to our nation. For twenty-two hours, we debated the contents of your transmission in the Directory. The Marshalate also was presented with your transmission. We are in full agreement. We wish to join the United Emirates and become a prosperous member. Unfortunatley Hurst still has our nation in quite a bind. Most of our people were subjected to ICON propoganda, both from Fyreheart and ourselves. We simply cannot abandon another government who helped to develop our nation to rebels without facing poular radical revolt ourselves. We wish to establish permenant diplomatic realtions with your nation, the Great Drakonian Imperium, but there is much we need to resolve before becoming a full memeber of the emirates. We hope you can see our unfortunate situation. Once again, we are reviewing situations in Ferussia. Sadly but gratefully, it does not appear to be systematic killings, only rouge commanders, panic, and ICON directives. We only wish to avoid further bloodshed there and elsewhere. Until then, we awit Melkorian contact. We will give him two days. Then the fleet must set sail. Believe us, it is the only way.

Lavenrunz

27-01-2004, 05:13

"Tales from the Vienna Woods" played in the Opal Ballroom in the Autumn Palace, and dancers were delightedly waltzing on the marble floor. Count Mirbach, who rarely danced, was the subject of speculating eyes as he stood with some others near a window and conversed. Outside, the snow blew in fierce contrast to the warmth and brightness inside.
The young Empress was laughing at something her partner said, bringing a smile to the Chancellor's crooked mouth, when Colonel Wittgenstein came in and whispered in the War Minister's ear. Baroness Hentzau smiled warmly at the Chancellor and said, "We should talk alone."
He nodded, and they walked discreetly away where she whispered, "The Drakonian Imperium is landing in Fyreheart."
He took a sudden breath. "Then there is no clear violation of our terms..."
It was enormous, what was before him, but he would not back away.
"Move to support them there." he said. "Tell Tachteberg and von Seydlitz that they are to lend whatever assistance our allies require."

Lavenrunz

27-01-2004, 06:01

The rain was still coming down hard when the Imperial Lavenrunzian Expeditionary Force swept out to sea towards Fyreheart.
Acres of metal drove out into the waves, which roared over the bows of the ships and in great wakes past the carriers. Like hounds before the hunters, the submarine squadrons roamed the deeps ahead and to the flanks, while the transports and amphibious ships moved in squadrons shepherded by destroyers and frigates.

From the Drakonian Imperium, squadrons of air transport, escorted by long range attack fighters, were taking to the air, their drones filling the sky.

From the reaches of space, ISA satellites in position searched out potential hostile formations while their defending battle platforms bristled readiness.

In Lavenrunz, all Imperial Rocket Corps bases were put on Third Degree Alert.

Glorious Humanity

27-01-2004, 09:38

GH Base
1210 Zulu (12:10 PM)

The launches from the Fist of Man were the first to make use of the piers Glorious Humanity had built in the River of Fyre. With the base in order, the soldiers had constructed two long wooden piers which were now floating in the water, anchored firmly to the shoreline. This allowed the last of the supply boats to sail up the river and offload their cargoes right at the base, rather than landing at the beach, where the supplies then had to be transferred to either trucks or telekinetic control and lugged the two miles inland to the base. This was convenient for the supply boats, and vitally important for the Fist of Man's launches, since they were carrying something a lot more important than crates of food and ammunition.

A dozen medical personnel including two of the five military doctors at the base were waiting by the piers when the first launch pulled up. Onboard were the psychics from the ships, the telepaths who did not seem to be able to wake up. They were quickly transferred from the boats onto stretchers, carried by grunts who double-timed it to the medical tent. Extra tents were set up to expand the field hospital to accomodate the new people, and the doctors immediately began checking the new patients over.

Larry Soros was on break when he heard that the injured from the ships were on shore. He immediately went to the medical tent to see if the feeling that had been eating at him all day was right, praying it was wrong. But his gut hadn't lied.

Isolda was laying on one of the beds in the back of the main tent, still in her uniform. In sleep she looked very peaceful, not showing any signs of the massive mindblast that had laid her low. Her raven-black hair spilled out around her on the pillow, framing a face that always made Larry's heart skip a beat. A doctor was currently bent over her, checking her eyes with a penlight. The emerald green pupils were unresponsive. Larry approached the bed quietly, a lump in his throat.

The doctor, a middle-aged man with a short beard, looked up as Larry approached. He took in the telekinetic's uniform and nodded. "Come to visit your comrade?"

Larry just managed to nod. "Yes."

"Well, right now none of the new patients are available for visiting, and I doubt they will be for a while yet. None of them are exactly talkative."

"Would it be alright if I brought in a chair and sat with her?" Larry asked.

"Hmmm," the doctor paused, then nodded slightly. "Alright, but not now. You may come sit with her once we're through checking her over."

Larry nodded and left the tent. He suddenly had a powerful urge to hit something, and he looked appraisingly at the walls of the soldiers' sleeping tents. It wouldn't be that hard to blow them over... then the moment passed, and he numbly went back to his duties.

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

In the Command Tent, Colonel Abraham Abrams was poring over a large map of Fyreheart, marking things with a black pen. Abrams was an older man, pushing fifty, but still plenty spry enough for field commands. There was talk of him retiring to a desk job in a year or two, although Abrams really didn't want to do that. He liked being in the field with his men.

The tent he was standing in was truly impressive, were it not for the canvas walls and obvious modular nature of everything, one entering might think they had stepped into a permanent command center. Folding tables full of computer equipment being manned by various soldiers lined the side walls, while the back was given over to a bank of radio equipment manned by two operators, the base's insurance if something happened to their communicator psychics. The telepaths themselves were standing in one corner, next to the equipment, conversing quietly. The base had three on station at all times, just to be extra sure. The big table Abrams was standing over was in the center of the tent, and a number of uniformed officers were wandering around examining things and taking dispatches delivered by messengers that were almost constantly coming and going. Most reports that weren't urgent were being delivered by messenger. With a good three-quarters of the telepaths already knocked out, Abrams was being extremely careful with the ones still on their feet.

"Sir!" Abrams looked up to see a messenger, a Corporal, standing in front of the table. "The last of the injured are on shore. All our supplies are here too. We're ready to move."

"Good, son." The Colonel had been waiting for that. "Return to your post and get your squad ready, we'll be moving out soon."

"Sir, yes sir!" The Corporal saluted, and after Abrams returned the gesture he left. Abrams stood up straight. "Lieutenant Grant, over here."

The Lieutenant in question was immediately at the Colonel's side. Abrams turned to face him. "Spread the word around, we move in two hours."

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

1410 Zulu

Leaving a couple thousand soldiers and half their tanks to hold base camp, the Glorious Humanity force moved out. Eight thousand infantry, divided into four groups, each with five tanks and two Longbow attack helicopters per infantry division to provide support. The Longbows had made the trip across the ocean in the transports, and for the moment they were all the air support Glorious Humanity had. Also, a hundred telekinetics and two telepaths went with each division, the rest stayed at base.

Virtually everyone who moved out had seen what had happened to the psychics. They were ready to make Hurst pay.

27-01-2004, 16:51

The Fleet reacted to the oncoming forces.

Gathering together, engines idling, their greater speed and manueverability allowed the Fleet to carry out its orders.

The ships moved into position. One ship positioned itself before each of the heads of the oncoming vessel groups, battle groups ready to engage if it became required.

They moved with them, their interior position and high speed allowing them to stay in front of the oncoming ships. Directly infront.

And a single message speared out. Until Lord Melkor has finished his activities within Arda, any attempt to enter Ardan Waters by non-Ardan Forces will be construed as a hostile act. Until such time, discontinue forward movement, or risk severe consequences.

Aerospace fighters swept down out of the heavens, swooping low over the waves between the ships, and if one was looking very closely, one might have seen small objects hitting the water underneath them.

And then, of one had the proper sensors, it would quickly be obvious that the Fleet's emission signature had increased substantially. Weapons were now hot, particle cannons and gauss cannons charging. Point Defense Lasers at the ready. Missile launchers actively seeking targets.

Above the nation, more fighters launched. Missile groups came online, and the strategic defense net activated.

The Fleet was ready. The Land That Must Be Protected was ready. Now it remained to be seen if the Interlopers were ready for war.

Drakonian Imperium

27-01-2004, 20:57

1445 Zulu
Task Force Stormfront
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
IDS Ascendency

"There not going to move, sir." The report of the Captain of the fleet flagship, was not unexpected to Admiral Ares Kraken. This was exactly what he had expected.

"Increase speed to full," the Admiral ordered, still standing at the front of the bridge of the massive battleship, IDS Ascendency. "Continue on course."

"But, Sir," the Captain objected, quite earnestly and loudly. "We'll--"

"Ram, them?" A cruel smile crept across the Admiral's face. "Exactly, my plan." There was a long cold silence.

That silence was broken by a surprised voice. "Sub-surface ships reporting small contacts in the water. Possibly mines," an Officer yelled alarmed. "Their dead ahead!"

The Admiral stood straight, again looking out on the raging seas. Rain had begun to pour down in sheets and there were now flashes of lightning from the oppression dark thunderheads above. The sky seemed a black fluffy sheet of terror. And it rained, and lightning burst, and the Admiral said one word, "Attack."

That was the end of it. The Captain knew his duty. He turned gestured to the Officer in charge of Communications and said, "Do it."

The Officer went immediately to work. "Lost American Blockade, Lost American Blockade, this is Drakonian Fleet. You have commit an act of agression against the United Emirates, you are ordered to surrender immediately and leave the area. Repeat, Over. Lost American Blockade, you have committed an act of agression again the combined Drakonian/Lavenrunzian Fleet. You are ordered to immediately leave the area. Consider yourselves served."

The Officer straightened. "It's done, Sir."

There was a nod from the ship's Captain. "Issue the engagement message and then proceed with battle plan."

Seconds later another message from broadcast throughout the Drakonian and Lavenrunzian fleets and to the world. It was six words. "Bravo Angel Dingo Angel Sierra Sierra." The message was repeated twice.

Drakonian Imperium

27-01-2004, 21:31

1448 Zulu
Task Force Punishment
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
IDS Wyvern

Even in the stormy sea the massive aircraft carrier, IDS Wyvern barely shifted. The ship was for good reason called a Super Carrier, it was huge. Over a hundred aircraft were secured below it's deck, but not for long.

"Confirmed, Bravo Angel Dingo Angel Sierra Sierra. That's the attack order." The Officer's voice never wavered. He went about his work as did the rest of the crew. They all knew what was to come and were ready. They would do their duty.

The Wyvern was flagship to the second Task Force under the command of Admiral Ares Kraken. It was the force that had met him on the way to Fyreheart. They had sailed the rest of the way close together, but as they neared the blockade had moved apart.

Commodore Alexis Stone, knew her duty. "Launch all Fighter, Interceptor, and Fighter-Bomber Squadrons. Signal the Dragon and Chimera to do the same."

The ship's Air Wing Commander protested. "In this weather--"

"Launch your planes," came the order again, this time there was an edge to her voice.

The Air Wing Commander knew not to protest further. "Yes, Si...Ma'am."

In the storming weather the first aircraft were lifted onto the large ship's deck and launched. It had begun.

Lavenrunz

27-01-2004, 22:11

Admiral Tachteberg gave fleet orders.
"Carrier groups Bretwalda, Erlkonig and Mirenburg, supported by submarine squadron Two are to support the Drakonian attack." he commanded. "Admiral Keyslering is senior and will be in command of the operation."

Vice Admiral Keyslering was proud to see all the drill the Atlantic Fleet had been doing paying off in her task force. The three carrier groups, consisting of 3 Lost Vegas class carriers, six Aegis cruisers, twelve destroyers and twelve frigates as well as three SSN submarines pivoted as though by one mind--well, not as neatly as that but still it looked wonderful in the command and intelligence center--and moved towards the Lost Americans task force following data given by ISA satellite.

Young men and women were eager for what was ahead. The politics, the ideologies were far from their minds. This was what they had trained for. Many glanced at a photograph of the Empress attached to their panel for luck, and felt a gladness in their hearts. The Flight and Squadron leaders had once been like them, and were now veterans of the Channel Islands and Ienotheisa.
Swept winged Wachtmeister Air Superiority Fighters, long sleek Feuerkatz Fighter Bombers, tubby LM-74 electronic countermeasures planes all began to take to the air in spite of the rain. Their lights flashed in the mist and the fog, and their roaring rivalled the thunder.
Mjolnir and Seehund missile racks' clamshell doors swung open, and the launchers, connected with satellite aiming arrays, launching with a whoosh of flame and smoke that filled the decks of the destroyers and cruisers with steam, howling towards the Lost American's fleet.
Deep below, the submarine squadron swept forward like hunting leopards, running as silently as they could.

Lavenrunz

27-01-2004, 22:12

Melkor Unchained

28-01-2004, 00:33

Melkor Unchained

28-01-2004, 00:34

Reaven heaved a sigh. Seems like some people were getting restless.

Lavenrunz in particular was being needlessly agressive, and they were deploying far too quickly. He stuggled to wrap his mind around the fact that Lavenrunz was openly supporting an Anti-Ardan coup, while simultaneously accepting the Imperium's overtures to send an envoy to the country. He scowled. It didn't matter.

***
"Alright, you stump-humping hotheads, listen up. And listen good, goddamn it. Lord Melkor is conducting operations in Rukemia and Fyreheart that none of you want to f*ck with, trust me. Lavenrunz, I'd suggest anchoring that pretty little fleet of yours and holding off until we're done, or we'll send every last one of your crewmen to Davey Jones, I swear to god. I'm getting sick of all these idiots thinking they can stick their nose into Arda with impunity, and in the event that anyone else tries a landing, they'll get screwed.

And as far as the Drakonian Imperium is concerned; you damn sluts are already treading on incredibly thin ice. Now you know as well as I that we're not holding out much hope for Hurst and his cronies, but somehow you managed to get to Fyreheart before we could do anything about it [ooc: in reality, I blame this on the fact that I wasnt freaking told about this until far too late *scowls*]. All I ask is that you allow my gravships to leave the country before conducting any more offensive maneuvers. We're dangerously close to saying 'to hell with you all' and invading both nations, just to keep the lot of you out.

Now, whether we do decide to do this or not is still very much in your control. Pray you don't slip up and piss me off again."

Jay Reaven
Foreign Minister of the Imperium
First Speaker of the Imperial Dominion

28-01-2004, 00:47

The Fleet knew what it was doing. But now the Interlopers had opened fire, and planes were being launched against the Fleet. The Interlopers had become the Enemy.

The Diablo aerospace fighters lept ahead, performance unhindered by the massive storm, drive fields blazing the color of blood in the tar black sky. Already airborne, they pounced on the launching fighters like tigers, autocannon raving and kinetic missiles leaving streaks of light behind their energy state bodies. Some were, of course, lost to anti-air fire from the enemy fleet, but there were enough in the front waves to engage even still.

Before the Fleet, the small submarinal robots just delivered, broke apart, seperating into four pieces, and spread their monofilament nets between them. The wall of monofilament swept forward before the Fleet, dicing everything it incountered as closed with the enemy with a combined velocity of 100 knots. The drive fields incasing the monafilament made a sound like ripping fabric as the massive wall swung though the sea, from a depth of twenty meters to a depth of 100.

Above the surface, in the swirling winds, lasers and countermissiles flashed to intercept the incoming, but the storm degraded radar performance. Not much, but enough. Four missiles broke through and tore a Diabolic to shreds, its burning hulk left adrift in the night as the Fleet began to move forward. Two more of the Diabolics were complete disabled, and another hit, weapons wiped away. The seven operational gunboats closed up on the battlecruiser as the charged ahead, skimming the sea at 70 knots. Three more broke off from near by battle groups from bring the engaging group to full strength once more, though they were out of contact range, at the moment, as their hulls glowed the color of the sunset with the hydrorapier field piercing the waves.

The Battlecruiser, BC7 began to pump out gauss shells, four every five seconds, targeted on the superstructures of the Enemy vessels. The Fleet's Seventh Battle Group began to close with the Enemy, as two long range missiles roared from verticle launch tubes, jamming equipment blazing, generating false radar signatures as they closed, smashing through the waves at nearly 5000 kilometers per hour, seeking heads searching for the center of the enemy vessels, tracking in on the AEGIS radar emissions. Their special conventional explosives contained nearly a kiloton of blasting power between them. Two more roared into existance behind those, hungry for self immolation. But the Enemy, it should look as if each wave contained nearly thirty missiles. It was just over two hours until they had the range for their primary weapons.

Under the sea, submarines advanced behind their guardian net, ready to engage anything that slipped through it, blinded to the presence of the enemy before them, but mostly able to detect anything that slipped past.

OCC: If you have specific questions about how this post applies to you, ask on IRC. I'm not going to post numbers in public.

Edit completed.

imported_Kalessin

28-01-2004, 00:49

[tag]

Dread Lady Nathicana

28-01-2004, 12:51

<<Broadband transmission to those forces involved in particular>>

This is a most distressing development, and truth, I find myself wondering why I have agreed to this in the first place, however ...

I have had brief diplomatic contact with several of the participants, and am publicly offering an opportunity for you all to sit down, and discuss this problem. Talks can only be for the benefit of all, I would think, and a bit of diplomacy in such situations is never amiss. As a neutral party with nothing to gain from this but the satisfaction of seeing honorable nations come together to solve their issues, I would be willing to help mediate such talks.

Do we have any takers?

--Nathicana D'Aquisto, Dread Lady of the Dominion

<<end transmission>>

Lavenrunz

28-01-2004, 14:05

Count Mirbach looked coldly at the message. "This man is trying to provoke us. He's a fool."
Von Hentzau looked at him. "What do you want me to do?"
"Put all forces on full readiness alert." a sneer came to him. "This swaggering lot of monstrosities are not long for this earth."

Glorious Humanity

28-01-2004, 15:06

Council Room
1500 Zulu (3:00 PM)

This is a most distressing development, and truth, I find myself wondering why I have agreed to this in the first place, however ...

I have had brief diplomatic contact with several of the participants, and am publicly offering an opportunity for you all to sit down, and discuss this problem. Talks can only be for the benefit of all, I would think, and a bit of diplomacy in such situations is never amiss. As a neutral party with nothing to gain from this but the satisfaction of seeing honorable nations come together to solve their issues, I would be willing to help mediate such talks.

Do we have any takers?

--Nathicana D'Aquisto, Dread Lady of the Dominion

Pierce looked up at the people around the table. All the Generals, as well as Harold Fox, the Director of Military Intelligence, were there.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this message comes to us from the Dread Lady Nathicana-"

"Nice name," Ablegard quipped.

"-who apparantly wants everybody to sit down and talk," Pierce finished his sentence, ignoring Ablegard's quip. "She seems to be hoping we can avoid shooting."

"Too late," General Hanoway set her own piece of paper on the table. "This was sent via SUBNET five minutes ago. Drakonia and Lavenrunz are trading fire with the Lost Americans blockade."

"And us?" Pierce asked.

"Kelsing's sub force is moving towards the battle," she answered. "I told him to use his own discretion regarding attacks." Hanoway, like most of them, had been getting very little sleep recently. Her normally neat blonde ponytail was a little frayed, and her eyes were tired.

"So we may already be in the shooting part of this," Pierce nodded.

"They have orders not to shoot unless fired at first, or if the Drakonians or Lavenrunzians call for assistance," she answered.

"Why the hell did you do that?" Ablegard demanded. "They're enemies now. They stated that they'd kill anybody trying to get through, and now they're shooting at our allies. This is pretty cut-and-dried. Besides, just approaching will probably be provocation enough. They'll turn and shoot, and we'll shoot back. Then we're in."

"Yes, I know," she sighed.

"Well, I'm going to tell this Dread Lady we're interested," Pierce answered. "The rest of you do your military things."

The meeting adjourned.

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

TO: Nathicana D'Aquisto, Dread Lady of the Dominion
FROM: Frank Pierce, Minister of International Relations, Federation of Glorious Humanity
RE: Peace talks

You have a taker. Though I fear that your request comes too late to prevent one big battle, perhaps if we all sit down and talk we can prevent more. The Federation of Glorious Humanity is willing to look at a peaceful solution.

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

GHS Hunter
At the same time

"We're approaching the LA fleet," Sonarman First Class Phillip Winters said over the comm system connecting the sonar room to the bridge. "They aren't acting like they've seen us yet."

The Hunter, as well as the nine other Predator class boats and the ten Predator 2s, were slowly approaching the Lost Americans fleet, doing about nine knots. At that speed the Predators were all but silent to any passive sonar looking for them, and their reactors weren't putting out enough heat to register on thermal scanners. To make the task of anyone trying to locate them even harder, the attack subs were cruising just above the thermocline, the isothermal layer where warmer surface water met colder deep water. Active sonar systems would have a hell of a time making heads or tails of anything there, as signals would get jumbled by the water and make locks hard.

"Roger," Captain Kelsing said in response to the message. "Helm, all stop. Telepath, relay the all stop to all the ships."

There was a chorus of affirmatives. The Glorious Humanity subs cut their engines down to nothing and drifted, about a hundred yards from the nearest Lost Americans vessels.

"Any action yet?" Kelsing asked.

"No sir, looks like they're all looking at Drakonia and Lavenrunz," Winters answered.

"Well, let's wake 'em up. Get fire solutions on the nearest vessels, and then lash the hell out of them. Telepath, tell the rest of our ships to do the same," Kelsing ordered. Maybe if the LA ships realized they were about to get hit from two sides they'd back down yet.

"Aye skipper," everyone who was ordered acknowledged. The weapons station began plotting how best to kill the ships, while the sonarman readied the active sonar, the stuff that made the infamous "pings" of movie fame. Sonar "lashing" was a tactic designed to aggravate and demoralize enemy ships. The subs would use their active sonar to ping the enemy rapidly. The pings were loud and would reverberate through the enemy hulls, telling everyone that heard them that a submarine was in position to kill them.

"Sonar ready," Winters said over the comm.

"The other ships are ready," Leonard said from behind Kelsing.

"Lash 'em!" Kelsing ordered.

PING! PINGPINGPINGPINGPINGPINGPINGPINGPINGPINGPING! All the submarines began lashing at once.

Melkor Unchained

28-01-2004, 16:29

Public diplomatic transmission to all parties
Re: Peace talks

"Somehow I get the distinct impression that no one has been listening to a word we've said regarding the situation. I beleive Drakonia and Lavenrunz are forgetting that I'll give them what htey want... if the bloody wait for it. This is an Ardan issue, and I have yet to see one rebel legitimately contact another nation for support. Since none of them have, to my knowldge, it makes any interference on their behalf completely illegitimate.

Furthermore, Melkor cannot abide attack on his strongholds overseas. We're not too excitied about about losing all sorts of capital/lives/assets/ships etc over what amounts to little more than a spat over an Ardan rebellion. Preposterous.

If Drakonia and his cronies don't want to go through the Imperium to acheive their goals, they'll listen to what I have to say at these talks. War can be avoided yet, but since other parties seem to be ordering tactical advances in the meantime--instead of standing down-- tactical strikes will be ordered on any attacking forces until they too agree to the talks and stand down.

However, it must be stressed that the peace talks do not concern the rebels in any fashion, and they are considered a different matter. As long as Rukemia's rebels remain openly hostile twoards me, I'm afraid the Imperium will have to secure its assets there, especially in the meantime. Since I wont be destroying, damaging or capturing any Lavenrunz/Drakonian interets in this process, this should not be a problem, I don't beleive.

Honestly, folks: come to your senses already. This is not how you want this situation to go down if you can avoid it. And you can. See to it that you make the right choice here."

--Jay Reaven

Rukemia

28-01-2004, 16:47

Rukemian Seas, 120 miles out

The atmosphere was tense inside the hulls of the gigantic gravships that hovered high above the waters of Rukemia. For the men and women that dwelled inside them knew that these days and hours might be their last, as Melkorian gravships approached Rukemia. Even though the grav-fleets orders were as as simple as to carefully watch the Melkorians and make sure nothing strange was attempted, the sailors couldn't help but feel that a battle was about to insue no matter what they did. As the Melkorians inched onward on the high-definition radar screens of the Rukemian gravships, all the vessels in the area were put on high alert and defense mechanisms were activated.

Admiral Jackson began to speak to the sailors over the netcom:

"Now this can go either two ways, we can keep our cool, let them pick up their soldiers and allow them to leave; or, one of you can get trigger happy and f*ck it up for all of us. In the event that this happens, remember that you will die in honor and for your country!"

The men and women aboard the gravships looked at each other and shook their heads, their Admiral had basically just told them that if something were to go wrong, they would all die. It wasn't very encouraging, but either way they stook to their orders and stayed in position as the Melkorians approached further.

A transmission was sent to their fleets:

"You are now entering Rukemian waters, if you fire period, you will be fired upon. You must stick to a strict path that we will guide you on towards the inland, if you break away, you will be fired upon. You follow every instruction that Admiral Jackson instructs, if you do not, you will be fired upon. Are we cleared?"

They waited for a response.

29-01-2004, 03:23

The Fleet was of course, not at all surprised by the offer of the Dread Lady Nathicana, and a response should be offered. She was know for her ways of promoting peace, and it would be wise to take her up on the offer, even if she was allied with the Old Enemy. The Confederacy is willing to cease fire in the event of a cease fire. We do not wish conflict. These nations insistance on interfering in Lord Melkor's business is what has prompted this conflict. If they wish it to end, they need only to refrain from interfering. Some one will be sent to a conference on our behalf, if that is what is needed. CLA. There, that was taken care of.

And now... WHAT IN THE HELL? The noise was unexpected, as was its origin. Submarines. Their presence and actions indicated enemy contacts, presumably from the force already in Arda. The noise in the bowels of the ship tore at sailors' eardrums, but hulls were insulated to prevent that. And there was a surefire way to stop these attacks.

The Fleet Reserve, maintaining the blockade still, activated its hydrorapier drives, and sprang out of the water. Though only moving slowly, it eliminated the sound. And the threat of individual torpedos, though mass torpedos could damage the drives.

Diablos quickly began scanning the water, magnetic scanners and density change scanners working overtime. Marking suspected positions into FleetNet, they continued their search, as the submarines remaining with the Surface Vessels began to glide smoothly up from the depths of the sea. Scan results indicated the subs were most likely just above the upper thermal differentiation layer, as they would have to be above it based on sound wave analysis and their lack of presence anywhere else.

Then, with great care, a single kinetic torpedo was readied for firing at each suspected location, of which there were 37 possibles. But first, there was something else to try. BC-3 dropped its buoy into the water, and resonance waves speared out on the frequency of uraniums vibration, powerful enough to reach for about five nautical miles. It would force the uranium atoms in fission reactors into a standard alignment, crystalizing it, for the briefest of moments, but enough to through the reactors off. In theory. It had never been tested, after all. But the shotgun approach would remain available to them if this failed.

The Fleet waited to see what would happen, as BG-7, BG-9, and BG-4 continued to close with the oncoming Lavenrunzian and Drakonian battle groups, their fighters roaring on ahead, though they had only fired on Lavenrunzian vessels and aircraft, as they were the only ones to fire so far. Target lock was as sure as it could be in this storm from Hell, though.

Rukemia

29-01-2004, 04:17

...

Rukemia

29-01-2004, 04:17

Lakato Vaul paced his presidential office and spoke aloud to a man seated in front of his desk typing up his every word into a notebook. He was issuing an official request of military and or economic/finanicial help from the United Emirates, an alliance that if anything, he could rely on in the event of war.

TO: United Emirates Alliance Nations
FROM: The Eternal Empire of Rukemia
SUBJECT: Requesting help...

It is with the upmost respect and honor that the Empire of Rukemia turns to your alliance for assistance in our quest for freedom. While the intentions of Melkor at the moment seem nonagressive, our intelligence has reason to believe that Melkor poses an iminate danger to our Empire, a danger that we fear we cannot abolish on our own. That is why we request help from your alliance in the event that war breaks out between the Empire and the horrid nation of Melkor. As we speak they emproach our waters to retrieve the men within their garrissons stationed here, so please make your decision hastily, time is running out.

MESSAGE END

Lavenrunz

29-01-2004, 05:11

To the crew of the Potsdorf, it was like an incoming nova. A frantic series of confusing signals had bewildered the Aegis system and then somehow
most of the missiles had disappeared. The autocannons swung into action, pounding the air with projectiles, brass drumming the deck, but only one missile was hit, and even then
the aftermath of impact send a wave of heat and fragments over the starboard of the other cruiser in the group, Astra. Klaxons were going off and crews on deck blinded, burned and dying even
as the other missile ripped through the lower decks of the Potsdorf.
Violently rocked as by the hand of a giant, the ship began to wallow like a wounded metal beast, and began to die beside its wounded twin.

The submarine hunting pack had spread out. Their plans had been set, there were no communications. People spoke in whispers aboard.
Suddenly, there was noise. Rapid motion in their general direction.
Aboard the Jormundgand they heard a sudden sound of metal screaming and for a moment human screams, water roaring and explosion. Silence.
Captain-Lieutenant Felix Krebs stood looking calm, though in truth he suspected that one of the subs--God, there came that awful series of sounds again, two!--of their subs had been
torn up by the robot nets he had been briefed on. Still, they couldn't get all of them...
Ping, ping, ping! The sonar officer gave him a confirmation. They were approaching the enemy fleet!
"Let's make this count." he said quietly. Six tubes could be fired at once.
Two were launched to each diablo, streaking through the water...they would impact in five, four, three, two...
The other two submarines remaining had begun to dive, to seek safety below so they could try to sneak up again...

In the air

Intel had messed up. They were outnumbered, and taken by surprise in the air. Commander Katerina von Hohenloe swore to herself as she found her squadron of Wachtmeisters being hit above and below by the aerospace fighters attacking them.
To hell with them. To hell with anything but acquiring targets and taking names. The remaining planes scattered and moved up high like a flock of falcons to regroup.
She had one of them in her crosshairs though and launched two of her missiles to buy the others some time. They went off at a terrific rate, spreading smoke and fire behind them.
Her incoming radar sent her a frantic warning, and she flipped the plane as an enemy missile streaked towards her. The plane was rocked back and forth, and she found the cockpit filling with smoke.
Before she lost too much altitude she closed her eyes and pushed the eject button.

The second wave of missiles were launched from the destroyers.

The ECM planes, flying above, had somehow been missed by the initial attack. They now began to send a wave of radar confusion of their own down to the enemy battlegroup.

Glorious Humanity

29-01-2004, 06:05

GHS Hunter

"Sir, the ships we were pinging just... lifted off," Winters said, listening in disbelief. "They're not in the water anymore."

"The hell?" Kelsing shut the intercom off, he was in sonar a second later. "What do you mean-"

"Wait... skipper, I have subsurface contacts. Enemy subs. And I think they've got us," Winters said.

"Damn," Kelsing shook his head. As he returned to the bridge the intercom suddenly went off.

"Conn, Engineering." It was Chief Engineer Gerald Olsen.

Kelsing hit the button to answer. "Conn, aye. What's going on?"

"Something just happened to the reactor," Olsen reported. "It went nuts for a moment."

"It's not working?" Kelsing had a sinking feeling.

"No, it's okay now," Olsen replied. "Just hiccuped for a second."

"Whew. Good. Conn out." Kelsing put the receiver down.

"I am getting reports from Shark and Kraken," Leonard said. "Their reactors have shut down and they are switching to emergency battery power. I'm also getting malfunction reports from several subs."

"Tell the two without reactors to back off until they have them back," Kelsing said. "And tell everyone to dive. We're going below thermocline. If there are subs out there I want to deal with where it's just sub versus sub. Navigator, fifteen degrees down-angle on the diving planes. One third speed. Let's get lower."

"Aye," the navigator acknowledged.

The submarines were now playing a game of underwater tag. Nobody had fired yet, and Kelsing was loathe to fire now, before he knew how many he was really up against. No telling what other surprises the enemy had hiding.

The GH subs quickly moved below the thermocline. Below it, surface or air sensors trying to find them would have almost no luck at all. Of course, the subs were blind to surface movements as well, but Kelsing was willing to trade his own sight to take the surface ships' away. Down here, their only enemies that could threaten them would be the other subs.

"Start pinging as soon as we're under," he told sonar. "Make sure there aren't any nasty surprises waiting for us."

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

GH base camp

Larry had been sitting by Isolda's bed for hours, lost in his own private hell. Isolda had not shown any signs of waking, in fact only the faint rise and fall of her chest indicated that she was alive. Larry was holding her hand, and trying not to let himself buckle under the wave of depression and hopeless feelings rolling over him.

Larry and Isolda had met in the space colony of Lagrange 4, when the two of them had journeyed there as part of a space training program put on by the colony' government. To this day, Larry didn't know what exactly had drawn Isolda to him, she'd certainly had no lack of interested men. But they'd started dating, first as friends, then after they returned to Glorious Humanity, as serious lovers. Isolda had gone back to her training to develop her telepathic abilities, and at her urging Larry had taken the Extrasensory Potential Tests, a battery of different tests designed to find Psi Corp potential in people. Much to his surprise, and Isolda's delight, Larry had tested positive as a telekinetic, although he wasn't very strong.

His training had taken a few months, and this was his first field assignment. It was Isolda's too, actually. They'd been together a year and a half now, and Larry was starting to think about making it permanent. But now Isolda was in a coma, and Larry was seeing their dreams tumbling down.

29-01-2004, 06:31

The Fleet was winning, perhaps. It was hard to tell. Diablos were being blown out the sky, but the enemy was falling at nearly twice as great a rate.

Explosions lit the night sky, overwhelming the brilliance of even the drive fields. Autocannon raving, a Diablo diving to strafe one of the big carriers, took a missile in its tail, flipping it over, drive field out, in towards the massive vessel...

Still two hours away from their most effective range, the Fleet's Battle Group Seven took yet another salvo of enemy missiles. Only one Diabolic was lost in a rush of flame this time, caught between missiles above and torpedos below. The other two took their hits, and though their speed dropped slighty, they seemed undamaged to an outside observer...

BC-7 spat yet another four of its massive missiles at the enemy, trying to blow a clear shot to the carriers...

Under the sea the two silent warriors of the Fleet began to track the enemy submarine down, slight growling noises accompanying their movements. Both were loaded and ready....

Back at the blockade line, the submarinal warriors began to lock each enemy as it passed through the thermal barrier. Twenty kinetic torpedos roared out against suspected targets, whether true or false...

Launchers began to reload...

Glorious Humanity

29-01-2004, 06:58

GHS Hunter

"Incoming torpedoes! They were waiting for us!" Winters shouted.

"Evade! Broadcast evade!" Kelsing ordered.

The GH subs scattered like a school of fish, engines doing turns for about twenty knots each. The Saleon, a Predator class, wasn't fast enough. A torpedo bored into her hull amidship and tore a large hole. Fortunately it hit the most armored part of the ship, otherwise the Saleon would've been sinking. At that spot the sub's emergency batteries formed an extra layer of armor. The outer hull and the starboard battery banks were annihilated, but the inner hull held. Saleon turned and began to limp away.

The Kraken and Shark, another Predator and a Predator 2, respectively, were still arguing with their reactors, and they weren't able to get up to speed fast enough. Torpedoes lanced into their baffles, and tore their screws to shreds, as well as destroying the lighter back armor. The reactor spaces flooded almost immediately, and although closed bulkheads forward prevented the entire ships from flooding, with their engine rooms gone they were dead in the water and couldn't get away. With a negative bouyancy, they started to sink.

All this was reported to Kelsing, who could only cross himself and pray there'd be a chance to rescue the crews of the sinking ships later. Saleon was ordered out of the fight.

"Alright, let's hit back! Pair off and fight!" Kelsing ordered. The Predators and Predator 2s began pairing off, two subs pinging the same way to get a bearing on a target more accurately. Then, Mark 48 torpedoes launched in retaliation, two per targeted sub to make it harder for them to dodge.

29-01-2004, 15:31

Post Deleted.

Wretchengard

29-01-2004, 19:51

Foreign invaders,
Just what do you think you are doing, coming into Ardan waters with malicious intent? I fail to see how any of this concerns you. This is an internal matter for the Arda Alliance to resolve amongst itself. Lord Melkor is merely attempting to procure his rightful assets, and does not appear to be preventing the nations of Rukemia or Fyreheart from leaving the alliance if that is their wish. We are better off without them, if they are so weak. I bid you let him take what is his without anymore trouble, for I should hate to have to get involved in this affair. Think on this.

Bradley Steelblood
Overlord of Wretchengard

* * *

The Overlord brooded silently after delivering the message. He turned to regard Warlord Baldur Grimwald.

"Milord?" the Warlord acknowledged. "What is your bidding?"

"They won't listen," he growled. "They never do. Curse them for the thrice bedamned meddlers that they are!"

The Warlord waited as the big ruler got over his uncharacteristic outburst.

"We must be ready to do battle," the Overlord continued, more calmly. "I want Sky Command ready at the drop of a hat. We may need to put our new playthings to the test before this incident is through. Order the 1st, 2nd and 4th Armadas to move out into international waters. They will not move to engage until fired upon or until Melkor calls for our assistance."

"It shall be done, milord," the Warlord said with a bow, and walked out of the throne room.

"Good," the master of Wretchengard muttered to no one in particular as the Warlord left.

Drakonian Imperium

30-01-2004, 01:23

1501 Zulu
Task Force Punishment
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
Hot Zone

To say that all hell broke loose would be an under statement. The storm was nothing compared to the fury that the sudden battle broke forth. From the air the Lost American aircraft suddenly pounced upon the aircraft launching from the Carrier Battle Group. The war had come, and had come with fury.

The first aircraft off the carriers immediate broke their patrol formations and evaded the incoming attacks. Yet, even then there were casualties. A fighter dipped low along the waves to dodge low below the incoming attackers and was swallowed by wave. It did not resurface. Another pair was consumed in the fusillade of fire from the attackers. Several more were blown from the sky as they launched off the decks of their Carriers. Out of all the aircraft that were felled by the axes of the enemy only two parachutes opened after the ejection of the doomed pilots, and one was put to torch in the crossfire that had suddenly erupted.

Waves lifted up and broke on the hulls of the Drakonian warships and with their storming rage came the counterattack. The 30mm Gatling Gun Turrets that were standard point-defense and short-range anti-air defenses let fly their own fire, filling the air between them and their targets. Short and Mid-Range Anti-Air Missile Batteries spun and loosed their own self-propelled projectiles on the enemy.

The skies were not just filled with the pouring of rain and the crackling of lightning or the darkness of raging thunderclouds, now it was joined with the fire and brimstone of warfare. Fires that consumes their targets and brimstone that filled the skies with tumultuous explosions. And through it all the courage flyers of Drakonia still were catapulted from the flight decks of the three Carriers.

Drakonian Imperium

30-01-2004, 01:23

1505 Zulu
Task Force Stormfront
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
Hot Zone

With fury the two fleets were joined. The Lost American fleet had leapt forward with surprising speed that had brought quickly to the lead elements of the United Emirate forces in the area, Task Force Stormfront. The forces had engaged immediately.

The first casualty was the destroyer, IDS Topaz, consumed in the sudden melee only two anti-ship missiles launched from it's deck before it succumbed. The deck was torn to pieces by the Lost American spear thrust. A final dramatic explosion finished the warship off and only debris was left in the rolling waves.

Soon there were other casualties. The IDS Hunting Knife a frigate was hit along the water line and sank within minutes. Next to fall was the IDS Chaos a Cruiser, it was able to launch a final barrage of missiles before the attack from the Lost American Battlecruiser's attack tore apart the foredeck. The Destroyer, IDS King, took a hit as it emptied all of it's missile tubes. Another burst hit one of the launching missiles and there was fiery blossoming blast as the first missiles explosion detonated another.

The dagger point of Task Force, the massive battleship, IDS Ascendancy, was not immune to the attack. Several of the many laser bursts dug into the armored front of the goliath ship. The damage was of little consequence to huge heavily armored vessel. On it's hull as it's short-range missile launchers sent out their killer armaments, the two forward triple-barreled cannons swung around to the oncoming attackers. The three barrels of the front 18-Inch Guns fired into the advancing Lost Americans. Seconds later, that burst was followed by a burst from the three even larger barrels of the battleship's 20-Inch Guns. The terrify blasts were thrown into the onslaught of the battle with impunity.

Drakonian Imperium

30-01-2004, 01:24

1509 Zulu
Below Task Force Stormfront
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
IDS Elemental

“Confirmed engagement,” the Communication’s Officer stated. “There shooting at each other up there.”

Across the room, the Officer in charge of Sensor was slumped over his station. He was perplexed at what he was seeing. “Sir,” the man added in. “There something odd closing in on us. I can’t get any reading past the Lost American fleet. It’s almost as if they is a wall out there, Sir. I can’t figure out what I’m seeing.”

The Captain and First Officer’s heads both turned. “What,” the First Officer asked.

“Sir, you’d better see this,” was all the Sensor Officer could say.

Both the Captain and First Officer were at the man’s station looking over his shoulder. There was a long silence, before anyone spoke.

It was the First Officer who figured it out. “It a net,” he said suddenly. “We saw something like this on the Flashfire, when were on maneuvers in the Mediterranean, but I’d bet that’s not a normal fishing net.”

The Captain thought it over, for only a second. Then he had his decision. “Dive,” he ordered. “Signal the others as to what the hell that is and get us below it.” For a second the other Officers just stood looking at the information displayed at the station. “Do it,” the Captain ordered and they rushed to work.

“Rig for dive,” came the repeated commanded from the First Officer as he called it over the attack submarines’ intercom. “Dive, dive, dive!”

The deck tilted, as the Communication’s Officer informed the other sub-surface ships of the situation. The man was suddenly cut off as he threw the communication’s headset from his head. “Someone lashing,” he informed the crew.

“Did you inform the other subs,” the Captain asked.

“I am not sure, Sir.”

The attack submarine dived deep into the great ocean.

Drakonian Imperium

30-01-2004, 01:26

1515 Zulu
Grand Praetorian Palace
Drako Throne, Drakonian Imperium
War Room

The room was oddly quiet, especially considering that just minutes before the argument could be heard throughout much of this wing of the Grand Praetorian Palace. Now the only sound in the room was that of Emirate New Network (ENN) broadcast that played on a monitor in the corner of the room.

"...Reports of resurgence in the narcotics trade has Drakonian officials worried. Today Senator Krista Lyons stated those concerns, saying...."

In the center of the large room, there was a massive ornate conference table which has a large flat video monitor inlayed along it's center. A monitor which now displayed a map of Arda, zoomed in on the nations of Fyreheart and Rukemia. Troop and ship deployments from half a dozen different nations were visible, including the clashing Emirate/Ardan fleets.

Leaning over that table was the Praetor of the Imperium, Augustus Drake, brooding. He stared intently at that map, as if by looking at it, he could will it to change. Change it did not.

"...Meanwhile, the lull in combat in Al Anbar was broken when a suicide bomber detonated his car full of explosives at a military checkpoint in Halab. Six Drakonian soldiers and two Syrian civilians were killed; another civilian and three soldiers were wounded in the attack...."

There were others around the table. One was the Commanding General of the Imperial Drakonian Armed Forces, Derek Long. Derek was not a tall man, but neither was he short, or small for that matter. Derek was a large man, yet you could see that calculating and intelligent mind was behind his ever vigilant eyes. He looked a bit out of place in his uniform, his belly thrust out, his muscled armed crossed over his chest. Standing straight he looked out across the map.

Across the table from Derek Long was the man in charge of the entire Imperial Drakonian Navy, Grand Admiral Li Zahn. An Asian man, the Admiral was neither large nor tall and rarely spoke. But when he spoke people listened, because he always knew what he was talking about.

"...In related news, the first military casualties of the Rebellion in Fyreheart were reported today as well as the first open fighting between Drakonian forces and Loyalists to the former dictatorship. The 13th Armored Legion fought a long and drawn out battle up the coast to the city of Fairport Harbor. Resistance was severe and there are reports of heavy casualties on both sides. At last report the fighting continues as the Legion presses on toward the port city...."

Also around the table was Diana Minerva, Director of the Drakonian Diplomatic Corps. She took tall, but resigned. Next to her was Senate Speaker Tomas Bennett. His face was unreadable.

"...Tensions remain in the region between Ardan and Pro-Emirate forces and at any moment--"

The reporter stopped for a second, and several heads in the room turned.

"--I am sorry, I've just been informed that apparently there has been an incident between the Lost American Blockade force and the Drakonian fleet...."

General Long swore, loudly. "How in all of Hades did they find out--"

"...We've received word from independent sources that there have been severe casualties on both sides, with the sinking of several Drakonian warships. We're not..."

"Shut that off," the General snapped, and one of the Praetorian Guards in the room clicked the monitor off. "So much for keeping off the new--"

"Enough!" All eyes shot to the doorway where there stood Queen of Trinidad, Jolené Sutherland. Her voice was loud, yelling, and seemed about to crack. "Enough! There has been enough suffering! Too much for our people, too much for our soldiers. This must end now...." She broke, but my now Augustus had come to where she had stumbled into the room. No one knew how long she had stood at the door listening to arguments or the depressing news, all knew something was wrong.

"Ma'am--" The General started concern evident in his voice, but Augustus cut him off.

"You heard your Queen," he commanded loudly and sternly. "End the conflict, now! Offer peace." His wife had made up a mind that knew not what to do, as it seemed everything was tumbling down. Augustus caught hold of her as she started to break down. "Now leave us," was his final command. "And do it."

There was no argument. They all left, the General intercepting a Praetorian Guard Officer on his way into the room, bringing the message from the Dread Lady Nathicana, turning the man around, and marching him out of the room.

Something was obviously troubling Jolené. Augustus had never seen her this upset.

Jolené started to sob and Augustus guided her to the window seat where they sat down. "Now," Augustus spoke softly. "What is wrong?"

She sputtered. "I...we...the people...too much suffering, too much death," she broke down crying again, her head fell back to his shoulder.

He cradled her for a second before he spoke again. "What's really wrong," he pried, speaking softly and comfortingly. He had been worried about what could happen to his nation, if he went to worry with Arda. It had been tearing him apart with concern. Now, it was gone. Thrust aside with concern about his wife. "What's really wrong," he whispered, again.

It took her a while, but she finally responded. Her voice took a while to recover. Tears streamed down here face. "I'm...."

{To be Continued (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=120729)…}

30-01-2004, 06:32

The Fleet moved to engage the Drakonian forces, and quickly found itself involved with the Enemy group known as 'Stormfront.' The range was much too short for proper combat techniques, and volleys of hypervelocity missiles and shells speared outward as they closed, on occassion, a sinlge box launcher on a single target as the range dropped below a nautical mile.

The Fleet was a fury of flame as missiles exploded amongst it, lasers picking off what they could. And then...

The Fleet entered its most effective range. The Battlecruiser and its five remaining companion Diabolics fired their turret mounted particle cannons as one at the Enemy's battleship. Lightning flashed in both directions along the ionization trail left by the blue-white pulses of energy. And then, from the Battlecruisers broadsides, in direction contravention of all modern naval thought, eight more particle cannons roared as the two forces interpenetrated. Autocannons on the decks roared defiance...

And the particle cannons fired again....

In the skies above the group the Enemy knew as 'Punishment,' where there had once been 90 Diablos, there were now considerbly less. Even FleetNet wasn't sure. And then, those same powerful missiles that had ravaged the cruisers of Lavenrunz came streaking in, launched from the third engaging battlegroup, still well over the horizon. Consumed as they were in combat, on rare occasions, one of the Diablos managed to salvo a missile or two at the ships below, hoping to slow the magnitude of fire that was perferating both sides' airborne warriors...

Below the surface, kinetic torpedos speared out at diving submarines avoiding the net, the water flow and the noise of an emergency dive making them painfully obvious. Two torpedos raced towards each target as fast as they could be fired.

And the blockade line, the outnumbered submarines back tracked the incoming torpedos, and began unleashing their return fury, two kinetic torpedos on each target, of ten targets. Decoys bubbled and hissed, drawing attention from the subs. And all but one escaped without damage. The last was rattled like a tin can but an explosion too close to the aft end of its hydrorapier-s field, and its movement speed dropped, yet it did not move to disengage...

Glorious Humanity

30-01-2004, 07:01

GHS Hunter

"Skipper, we didn't get a single kill," sonar reported. "All targets still- wait! More fish in the water."

"Evade!" Captain Kelsing ordered.

Once again the GH subs scattered. All of them were able to move now, and they knew how fast the torpedoes could go. The sub's launched their own decoys and countermeasures, and evaded successfully. None were hit by the second volley.

"Skipper, we have more fire solutions," the weapons officer said. "We can try again."

Kelsing shook his head. They were already down three subs, two sunk and one limping away. Glorious Humanity had walked right into a trap. Kelsing made the choice to save his men.

"Broadcast," he told the telepath. "All remaining GH subs break contact and head back to the coast."

Leonard nodded and went into his trance. The first officer stared at Kelsing.

"What? Just leave? Like that?" he demanded.

"Yes. Just leave. Like that," Kelsing faced his subordinate cooly. "We have no intel, we are in a bad position, and we've already had two subs sunk. Those are unacceptable losses. We are going to back off and figure out what the hell to do next."

The GH subs turned around, set a heading for the Fyreheart coast, and headed away. On the bottom, the Kraken and Shark came to rest heavily, their downward movement stopped by the ocean floor. Their air systems had been heavily damaged, but were still marginally functional. They still had radios, and the Kraken's telepath was concious. All these communicators began calling for help. They had maybe a couple days of air at most.

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

Council Room

"Don't these guys ever get tired of waving their dicks around?" General Ablegard growled. The group had just finished reading the message from Wretchengard.

"Apparantly not." For once, Pierce was agreeing with Abelgard. These condescending, snooty demands were grating on everyone's nerves. "I'm going to compose a nice reply."

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

TO: Wretchengard
FROM: Glorious Humanity
RE: Message

We are not interfering with "Lord" Melkor's business. We are here at the request of the new Fyreheart government. We are not stopping "Lord" Melkor from taking his troops and leaving. Glorious Humanity's soldiers have been ordered not to fire on Melkorian vessels or troops. We are also preparing to attend peace talks regarding this incident. You have stated that you are not going to fight the new Fyreheart government. Therefore you should stop looking for fights with other nations. Nobody is stopping "Lord" Melkor from completing his business, because the sooner he completes his business, the sooner we can complete ours.

So, in summation: please desist from this saber-rattling. We all want to finish this as soon as possible.

Frank Pierce
Minister of International Relations
Federation of Glorious Humanity

Wretchengard

30-01-2004, 11:20

I'm not looking for a fight. If I were "looking for a fight," I would have announced my intentions with missiles rather than words. We have made no hostile moves here. I am merely showing my support for my ally as he moves to take back what is rightfully his. If you are not going to interfere, then I suggest that you then keep your mouth shut and keep out of the way. Then you can pursue whatever foolish business it is you need to conduct with this new Fyreheart government of rabble.

Bradley Steelblood
Overlord of Wretchengard

* * *

The three armadas cruised out into international waters, moving towards Rukemian waters. When they got near, they would stop and remain in international waters until ordered to engage or leave.

Lavenrunz

30-01-2004, 13:42

A Diablo came screaming out of the sky towards carrier Erlkoenig, and warning systems went berserk. With a whoosh of smoke and fire, a Vanir ground to air missile went up to intercept and broke the injured plane into flaming wreckage. Autocannons thundered but still debris smashed down onto the broad deck of the carrier.
"Fire on deck!" announced a ground crew chief. Vehicles rushed out with firefighting equipment.
Bitter smoke obscured the task force; helicopters were moving out to sea to search for those who had ejected from their planes, or to assist those who were evacuating the sinking cruiser. The other was still ablaze, hors de combat. But the tactical systems on all active ships were reporting incoming missiles and torpedos. With bursts of silver glinting in the pall of smoke, chaff exploded from the surface ships, while countermeasures whirled out in the water below the surface.
The weapons officers on the ships, including the two remaining cruisers, fired their next barrage of missiles, nearly sixty five missiles howling off towards the Lost American Fleet.
"Incoming, incoming!" babbled the sonar officer of the Orion, a missile frigate.
Two of the torpedos snaked through the water and slammed into it below decks. Tons of water began rushing into the ship, crippling it and yawning it onto its side. A collective moan of panic erupted. Water rushed like a vehement enemy through the engine rooms and the rest of the decks, disorienting and dooming the men and women there, who drowned in between the layers of metal.
Lieutenant-Commander Wolzogen led a counterattack of the fighters in a staggered formation. Missiles streaking out and autocannons blazing, the Wachtmeisters and Feuerkatzen did their best to buy some time for more planes to get into the air.
The remaining submarines moved to engage, the growling giving away their enemies. Torpedos hurtled towards their targets.
Shell casings and ashes--and blood on several ships--littered the decks.
From the flagship, the Admiral received a singular report: a cease fire had apparently been generally accepted.
"There's a report of a Wretchengard fleet moving towards Rukemia as well." her N-2 said.
"Hm. Let them. Stand to General Quarters but send this transmission to the Lost Americans' Fleet--and confirm it with our allies of the Imperium and of Glorious Humanity."

~Transmission~
Cease Fire as begun by the Dread Lady Nathicana is being accepted by the Empire of Lavenrunz. Query: have you accepted it as well? If so, suggest that we both search for casualties and propose that we exchange any survivors of either side.
Admiral Keyserling
Lavenrunzian Task Force
~End Transmission~

30-01-2004, 16:10

The 2nd, 4th & 9th Gravfleets slip quietly from port in Tol-in-Gaurhoth, & under strict radio silence make their way to Rukemian shores.

No messages or announcements are forthcoming from Barad-dûr.

Scandavian States

30-01-2004, 16:49

Drakonian Imperium

30-01-2004, 20:19

1509 Zulu
Below Task Force Stormfront
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
IDS Triggerfish

"Sir," the Sensor Officer was irate. "That sonar barrier is closing...300 kilometers...290 kilometers!"

"Are the torpedoes armed," the Captain asked, quickly.

"Armed, Sir," came quick tense reply.

The small Alpha-Class Fast Attack Submarine was very alert, above them a battle had begun. And now there sonar was having major problems, or so they thought. It appeared as if there was a wall out there or something else like...a net. No one knew what to do.

"Fire, two," the Captain ordered.

"Two Away," the Weapon's Officer confirmed, as torpedoes shot away from the submarine and toward whatever it was that was coming toward them.

"200 Kilometers!"

The torpedoes approached the barrier quickly.

"Contact! By Jupiter!" The Weapon's Officer was shocked. "One pass right threw, I can't tell what in all of Hades happened to the other."

The Captain was perplexed, as was everyone else and that only made matter worse. The tension on the submarine quickly rose.

"100 Kilometers!"

"Sir," the First Officer suddenly spoke. "We're getting a message from the Elemental...wait...damn, lost." There was a second of silence. "I think they want us to dive."

"75 Kilometers!"

"Fire the other Torpedoes," the Captain ordered finally snapping from his shock and confusion. "Rig for dive, and then dive." The crew immediately went to work.

"50 Kilometers!" But, it was too late.

"All Hands! Brace for Impact," the Captain yelled realizing his mistake.

"Torpedoes away," the Weapon's Officer called out at the last second. There was a deafening series of explosions almost immediately, the submarine shook violently as if it was being torn apart.

The Captain sighed. "Oh, damn--"

Dread Lady Nathicana

31-01-2004, 08:19

It had been decided that the best way to handle the talks was via teleconferencing. The proper arrangements had been made, and carried out. Soon, the representatives from the Imperium, Lavenrunz, Glorious Humanity, and Lost Americans had ‘gathered’ to discuss the possibility for a peaceable solution to the current Fyreheart debacle.

Chancellor von Mirbach of Lavenrunz is wearing his full dress uniform and his blue eyes look very alert on the screen. "I would like to thank the Dread Lady for hosting this on our behalf."

Nathicana D’Aquisto, Dread Lady of the Dominion, nods in recognition, her demeanor serious but calm. What can be seen of her attire is a militaristic

Lord Alkanphel of the Imperium nods and says nothing for the moment. His gaze seems to pierce the soul, even over a screen such as this. He searches each delegate's face closely, judging their emotions.

Jaxom de Saint-Exuprey, of Lost Americans nods, his imposing figure diminished on screen in his red white and black. "Yes, the Dread Lady's work for peace is to be commended."

Minister Pierce of Glorious Humanity is wearing an expensive-looking black suit, and is leaning casually back in his chair, although his eyes betray that he's not as relaxed as he appears.

Alkanphel looks down and writes something on a notepad. His shoulder can be seen jerking slightly as he does. He wears his trademark white suit & Black ascot, the Chronos insignia hanging from his chest.

"I am of course flattered by your kind words, however, we are not here to praise me. We are here to discuss what possible solutions you may have for this situation," Nathi says with a smile. "Now, if I may?"

Jaxom nods, making a 'go ahead' gesture just visible on screen.

Alkanphel's eyes flash as he regards Minister Pierce, studying him with particular interest. every subtlety that can be gleaned from his demeanor is taken an noted extensively in the Warlord's complex mind. As Nathi speaks, his gaze fixes on her. "Indeed."

Pierce says nothing, just listening for the moment too. He's doing his own examinations of everyone, since these are all people he's never spoken two before, and three of the representatives are from nations his own has never had any relations with before.

"It is my understanding, thus far, that the situation stands thus; The Imperium would like to withdraw their forces. Lavenrunz is here in support of their ally, Drakonia, who is here to support their allies in Fyreheart who have been going through a period of unrest. Lost Americans are here in support of the Imperium, looking after regional and alliance interests. Does that properly sum up?"

Pierce nods. "Basically. Glorious Humanity is here in support of Drakonia as well."

Jaxom makes a short choppy nod of agreement with the Dread Lady's assessment.

"Well, there is a certain difficulty here. Her Majesty supports the aims of Lord Melkor's Dominion--" here Count Mirbach bows in the direction of the image of Alkphanel. "--but the actions of the Drakonian Imperium leave much to be desired in this case."

Alkanphel bows his head slightly in acknowledgement. "Indeed. Of particular concern to me is that they chose to do this before de-mobilization. The UE is still largely mobilized, unless I'm mistaken."

"We didn't come here to pick a fight with Melkor," Pierce notes. "We have no quarrel with the Dominion, and we too would like to see them get their people out."
Jaxom listens and watches silently. He just wanted to make sure than the cease fire hammered out on the fly by the officers on the scene didn't break down. His goal was to prevent further loss of resources over a misunderstanding.

"I understand that concern, of course." Mirbach nods sagely. "It is a matter of sovereignty. We would feel the same way. Unfortunately, the forces of Glorious Humanity and Lavenrunz were placed at a disadvantage by misinformation. Now: do you accept that we will be aiding Fyreheart directly following your withdrawal?"

Jaxom nods in answer to Mirbach's question, but remained willing to let Lord Alkanphel speak for the Ardan Combined Forces.

Nathicana looks expectantly towards Alkanphel, awaiting his response to Chancellor Mirbach. Alkanphel nods a bit. "Indeed we dont mind, and I know ultimately that's why you're here."

Jaxom speaks up. "Our fleet was simply deployed to help try and prevent an early arrival from creating chaos from too many militaries in the same place." He chuckles to himself. "It didn't work, obviously."

Count Mirbach smiles pleasantly. "No. Lord Alkphanel: will you give us some idea of when the withdrawals will be completed by?"

Alkanphel sighs heavily. "We have three fleets over Rukemia at the moment, which should be done with any extraction in the coming days, or maybe weeks. Our Fyreheart garrisons are almost completely gone. We'll be done there in a few days."

There is a flash of blue fabric and pale skin on screen as Senior Offical de Saint-Exuprey accepts a glass of an amber colored liquid from someone whose face is unseen.

Mirbachnods. "Thank you, Lord Alkphanel. Now: there will be no objection to the passage of Lavenrunzian and Glorious Human arms and materiel into Fyreheart?"

Jaxom nods. "Once Imperium forces have returned home, so will the Confederacy's fleet. You may pass freely then."

Alkanphel shakes his head. "No objection. If Fyreheart thinks it’s a good idea to leave, then we will be rid of their inept administration and blundering, ponderous politics. Hurst let his citizens slip too far from him."

Count Mirbach nods gravely. "You are wise, then, not to waste efforts on those who are not grateful to you."

Nathicana smiles, nodding. So far things seemed to be proceeding better than she'd hoped. Alkanphel nods as well. "Indeed. Arda has not risen to its Zenith by wasting its efforts on half-wits and ingrates."

Pierce nods quietly.

"What sovereignty does Arda claim over Fyreheart currently?" Mirbach queries.

Alkanphel 's eyes flash and he grins. "They have not yet withdrawn from the Arda Alliance."

Jaxom drains his glass, and mutes his pickup to speak to someone off screen, who takes the empty glass.

"I see. Then why is your withdrawal a necessity?" the Chancellor says.

"So you're waiting for the paperwork," Pierce notes.

Alkanphel chuckles. "Lord Melkor is a very paranoid individual. He believes all the pieces are in place for another ill-conceived attempt to overthrow the Imperium. While the garrisons are still abroad, it remains possible that they could be attacked by a rebel faction, which would draw us into a war." He holds up a finger. "A war, for once, that we don't want." Jaxom nods vigorously in agreement.

Mirbach follows up with another question. "Then allow me to ask again: what is Fyreheart's current treaty with Arda--and on what basis does it exist?"

"Revolution seems to be a popular past time these days," Pierce says with a wry grin.

Alkanphel sighs again. "Well, Arda doesn't exactly have a charter. So long as you're a member state, you're more or less subject to Melkor's will. No treaty exists, only a pledge."

"I see. What are they pledged to do, to provide, at present?"

Jaxom speaks up again. "The Alliance is more of an Oath of Fealty to Lord Melkor. We support the Imperium, and in turn, it backs us."

Alkanphel bows his head at Jaxom. "Indeed. This is how we've grown so strong."

"Ah, I see." Count Mirbach replies. "Well, gentlemen: Her Majesty has instructed me to, if you are so accommodating as you have been, be prepared to halt our expedition until you are ready to withdraw. However, we have a great many troops on our ships. I would like to find a place nearby to weigh anchor if that is acceptable."

"The Naval port at Saint Exuprey is currently open." Alkanphel snickers at the irony, but says nothing. Pierce grins as well, also not missing it.

Alkanphel nods in approval, after some thought. "A good gesture. It shows the people of Lavenrunz and most importantly the Empress that we wish no harm to come to you. Instead, we wish only that these operations be carried out in accordance with Lord Melkor's wishes."

"Splendid!" exclaims Count Mirbach. "Her Majesty will be pleased to hear of this. I am most grateful."

Nathicana smiles pleasantly. "Are there any other points that need clarifying or addressed?"

Jaxom smiles, and shifts his gaze to Pierce. "I am given to understand that you have disabled submarines near the blockade line. Do you need assistance with them?"

Mirbach does not smile, though he does inside. A sharp little jab, Herr de Saint-Exuprey...

"I was just about to bring that up," Pierce answers, looking at Jaxom. "During the... unfortunate altercation between our fleets, two Glorious Humanity submarines were sunk. Their radios are still working, and we've received SOS messages indicating some of the crews are still alive. We've got the means to rescue them, but they are sunk almost directly under your fleet."

"That shouldn't be a problem. Some of our own vessels have been damaged as well, and that will require us to withdraw them and rearrange the blockade line. It will be arranged so
your submarines are no longer under the Fleet."

"Excellent," Pierce smiles. "Well, that's the only point Glorious Humanity had to bring up. I've got nothing more to add at this time."

"Anyone else?" Nathicana asks the group. Jaxom shakes his head, sipping his drink. Alkanphel shakes his head. "I've merely been saying what Reaven has been....attempting to say for some time now."

Jaxom chuckles softly at Alkanphel's diplomatic spin on Reaven's acerbic tongue.

Count Mirbach smiles. "Perhaps it is miscommunication, but we have until recently received nothing we could call diplomatic transmissions."

Nathicana nods, making a placating gesture towards Alkanphel and Mirbach. "Be that as it may, it would seem you have all accomplished what this meeting was intended to, yes? There is no need to bring back up what has gone before, so long as you can all work together to proceed along the paths you have laid out."

"Her Majesty's Government is entirely satisfied." Count Mirbach replies.

Pierce laughs. "Reaven does have an interesting manner about him. I kind of find his directness refreshing."

Alkanphel laughs slightly. Reaven's voice can be heard shouting some various obscenities in the background. Alkanphel snickered at Mirbach and winked. "He's overjoyed by your comments, Count Mirbach."

Pierce also nods. "Glorious Humanity has all that we came for here."

Jaxom smiles. "The Confederacy never wished conflict. We now have peace. That was our goal."

"What of Drakonia? Will they too follow suit? Surely Melkor will not take kindly to their armies roving Ardan land."

Nathicana puts a hand to her lips, stifling a grin. "I congratulate you all for your success. I have to say, I expected no less from such as yourselves. As for Drakonia - Chancellor, your thoughts?"

"Well...I would like to suggest that the Drakonian Imperium should remain out of this region for the time being." said Count Mirbach, pursing his lips and shaking his head. Alkanphel smiles contentedly at that. He knew Mirbach would come around.

"The Drakonians will be dealt with if they do not comply." Jaxom says, severely, his tone leaving no doubt as to how the dealing will be done.

"Perhaps more to the point, Chancellor - If Drakonia does not choose to withdraw, will you feel yourselves compelled to go to their aid?"

"I would insist that they withdraw. If they did not, I would do more than insist." he replies gravely.

Nathicana arches a brow at that rather unexpected response, looking to the others to gauge theirs.

Alkanphel nods. He's obviously more than satisfied with the situation, and his demeanor seems to lessen.

"Glorious Humanity won't help them," Pierce said. "The Captain of our sub fleet sent a message home to tell us what was going on." He grins slyly at Alkanphel. "Captain Kelsing's message could've given Reaven a run for his money. He said in no uncertain terms that he was not leading his subs into another trap."

Jaxom smiles. "It would be a pleasure to work with Lavenrunz in that matter, should it arise, as we have seen your skills in these matters." Count Mirbach bows to Saint-Exuprey.

"Then, if your courses are set, and found to be equitable to all, I would suggest this meeting has served it's purpose, and given the amicable nature this has taken, I see no need to involve myself in further discussion on the issue," Nathicana says, smiling with perhaps a touch of mischief in her eyes.

"Very well, Dread Lady. Thank you for your assistance in helping us all to see reason in this matter."

Alkanphel 's gaze slips to Nathi and he grins. "Indeed."

"Thank you, Lady Nathicana." said Mirbach warmly. "And my Lords, Herr Minister, my gratitude to you as well."

"Thank you all for your efforts here. This is your accomplishment, not mine," Nathi says, inclining her head in acknowledgement.

Mirbach nods pleasantly and ends the transmission.

Alkanphel quickly mutes his input as Reaven shouts something about the Dread Lady into the mic. He straightens his ascot and leans to one side, where unseen by everyone else, his hand reaches out and plants a firm backhand on the Foreign Minister. He then stands and bows. "Very well then. If all has been discussed here that needs to be discussed, I will adjourn."

Jaxom nods pleasantly. "Good day." He kills the outward transmission, waiting to see who signs off last.

Pierce says his goodbyes to everyone and ends his transmission as well, before he cracks up laughing.

Alkanphel turns the vid off and shouts Reaven out of his office.

Nathicana smiles broadly, for a number of reasons. She waits til all have disconnected, then shuts hers down as well. "Excellent. Most excellent."

Rukemia

31-01-2004, 15:16

Onboard the Mercia, Supreme Battleship

The Melkorians had yet to respond to the Rukemian transmissions and it was becoming doubtful that they ever would. Rukemia had 10 grav-fleets within striking distance of the Melkorians, making for a sizeable deterent if anything was tried. The radio silence was raising the Rukemian's fear that talks might turn into war, but just as they thought tensions couldn't rise any higher, another Ardan fleet was spotted heading towards Rukemian grav-fleet positions.

The grav-fleets were already anxious and were prepared to fire on the unannounced blips heading towards them on radar. Their orders were to do the exact opposite, however, which greatly confused them. Admiral Jackson had given orders to move towards the ships while holding fire, but still maintaing radio silence. 5 grav-fleets moved outwards towards the ships, leaving 5 fleets left to fend off Melkor should war come, but soon the reason for this would become very clear.

A deal had been made, one that the sailors were ignorant of, all they had to do was follow orders and everything would be fine, or so they were told.

Scandavian States

31-01-2004, 15:34

About 1,000 miles away from engagement

"Admiral, the Lost Americans have closed with and engaged the Drakonians." Flag Captain Li reported.
"Thank you, Skipper." Admiral Jorgenssen only needed a second to think. "You've got tracking on those LA battleships?"
Captain Li didn't look happy, "Yes sir, but it's only iffy through this storm."
"It doesn't matter, the Drakonian's IFF is encoded into the missile's don't shoot software. Besides, that storm will cover the descent of the missiles, so even if they detect them they won't know who they're headed for. Kill the battleships and distract the gunships."
"Yes, sir." Li answered and relayed the order.
The one hundred cruisers from both fleets expended all of their Fasthawk cruise missiles. The missiles themselves flew a ballistic arc and when they reached the top of it, began falling almost vertically on top of the LA ships, where they would penetrate into the ships themselves and then explode, assuming they weren't intercepted first. The missiles worked as programmed by the manufacturer and didn't even begin targeting until they broke through the clouds, that little feature was designed to give as little time as possible for the target to react. And finally, one last little hitch was thrown in, every fourth missile had an EMP warhead attached, enough of them could overpower even the most hardened targets.

OOC: Just a couple of notes. Each gunboat had two missiles launched at it to distract their point defenses, I don't honestly expect anything to happen to them, and I wouldn't care if you blamed the storm for screwing something up. The battleships on the other hand... Well, I'd be royally pissed if they came out of having 12,000 missiles launched at them unscathed unless there are some really damn good reasons (Yes, multiple). One last thing, those Fasthawk cruise missiles will be traveling at Mach 12 when they break through the clouds.

OOC2: Melkor, I originally posted this yesterday but the server ate it, but I had the forethought to save it before it did. Further, any attack against my ships will be considered an act of war. Finally, I anticipated you trying something stupid, so my battleships's guns are loaded with tacnuc shells, I wouldn't propose pushing your luck. That of course doesn't even include the fact that my missiles would go through Steel armour like butter. And just to make something perfectly clear, Drak doesn't speak for me. Nathi failed to invite a diplomat to speak at these cease-fire talks, thus you can blame her for this incident.

Melkor Unchained

31-01-2004, 16:11

Rukemia

31-01-2004, 16:26

[ooc: ten fleets? I doubt it. Only only built you a few gravships, maybe a fleet total. Is there a thread/group of theads where you announced building more, hmm?][/quote]

OOC: Yes, but gravships have been put into massive production since then and it has been quite a while since you gave me those first few gravships. From my nation's viewpoint it's been about 35-40 years since that time, giving me plenty of time to replace my standard navy with a gravship one. I don't know how many gravships are in a average Melkorian fleet, but a Rukemian fleet consists of anywhere to 10-15 gravships, which is relatively small.

Melkor Unchained

31-01-2004, 16:31

[ooc: ten fleets? I doubt it. Only only built you a few gravships, maybe a fleet total. Is there a thread/group of theads where you announced building more, hmm?]

OOC: Yes, but gravships have been put into massive production since then and it has been quite a while since you gave me those first few gravships. From my nation's viewpoint it's been about 35-40 years since that time, giving me plenty of time to replace my standard navy with a gravship one. I don't know how many gravships are in a average Melkorian fleet, but a Rukemian fleet consists of anywhere to 10-15 gravships, which is relatively small.[/quote]

[ooc: 10-15 ships.. I guess that's not too bad. But next time post new fleet constrction announcements :wink: ]

Rukemia

31-01-2004, 16:34

[ooc: 10-15 ships.. I guess that's not too bad. But next time post new fleet constrction announcements :wink: ][/quote]

OOC: I did a while ago, but I believe the threads been deleted...

31-01-2004, 17:14

At length had Sauron's ships made their way into Rukemian waters, having made an effort to avoid any hotbeds of activity. Lost American naval assets in the area had been of no consequence; after all, the Confederates were allied with Mordor through the Ardan Alliance.

But now they had reached journey's end & their route was to become less scenic. Certainly the Rukemian vessels that had came out to meet them were not greeted with a vision of beauty, for the ships of Lord Sauron's gravfleets were monstrous, baroquely forged abominations; decorated from bow to stern with rusted meathooks that dangled from rustling chains, & spiked railings bearing all manner of obscene trophies. Leering gargoyles & skull-like visages peered out from hulls daubed with acrance symbols & encrusted with blasphemous runes, their plating subsumed with writhing, twisting things that if observed carefully for a time appeared to resolve themselves into ghostly faces- screaming in pain.

There was no outward sign of any crewmen on the sufrace of the ships; cables spilling across the decks would spark sporadically whilst rusted cogs & wheels moved around jerkily in stuttering motions- seemingly of their own accord. Fleshy looking tubes pulsed erratically from time to time, ichorous black fluids pumping through them, appearing as being veins & giving the vessels the appearance of things alive.

These lurking horrors could only be glimpsed by the eye alone, however, the imposing vessels half hidden by a choking smog that issued forth from the chaotically arranged smokestacks & viper's nest of twisting pipes that spilled over their decks, constantly belching smoke, fire & noxious fumes into the air.

Yet though they drew ever nearer to the more numerous gravships of the Rukemian armada the daemonic maws of their gun barrels remained at rest, & though their missile tubes were primed they did not move to attain target locks....

Communications are opened with the Rukemian flagship, much to the surprise of the "enemy" commander. An oriental-looking gentleman (evidently of Variag descent), nearing the end of middle-age, appears onscreen, his expression jovial.

"I am High Admiral Cos Fulgrim, commanding Battlegroup Angmar."

He offers a grin, teeth filed into neat points bearly visible beneath a greying mustache.

"We're here to help."

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

Sauron the Deceiver
Lord of Abomination
http://www.theargonath.cc/characters/sauron/pictures/sauron2.jpg
~Dark Lord of Mordor, First Among Maiar, Lieutenant of Morgoth~
_________________________________________________

Rukemia

31-01-2004, 17:37

Admiral Jackson liked to keep his facial expressions stiff and grim, to make it seem to his inferiors as though he had no emotion and was prepared for anything. But he couldn't help but crack a slight grin when he heard the words that came out of the stout man's mouth who was on his personal plasma screen. He was in his private quarters onboard the Mercia when he had recieved the transmission, he had quickly stood at attention thinking it was his Commander until he saw the man who had appeared on the screen.

The smile that spread slightly across Admiral Jackson's face swiftly dissappeared as he realised that it was there and quickly caught himself. There was an akward moment of silence as Admiral Jackson stood at somewhat attention and stared the Sauron Admiral in the eye. Realising to himself that he was stalling, The Admiral did a short bow and said,

"The Empire welcomes your assistance, I was made aware of your nation's support only but a few hours ago. I advise that you join within our fleet ranks so that we may act as one against Melkor. Please give me your thoughts on this."

31-01-2004, 17:53

The Fleet reacted in shock to the titanic salvo. Vessels and aerospace fighters breaking off their attacks and combats in accordance with the cease fire suddenly felt their organic components freeze with fear.

But this is why the Fleet EI existed. To make up for these times. And the EI automatically engaged. First, the Fleet in Low Orbit saw the missiles first. Its defenses were designed to deal with that massive assault, but it was not headed for them. But their defenses spoke anyway. Lasers ripped down into the atmosphere as the missiles attempted to skim over the storm. Hundreds of them fell away, ripped apart by the lasers or by their own debris. Then defense satellites, maintaining defensive stationary positions over the Confederacy engaged as the missiles and the Fleet orbited beyond range of each other. Thousands of missiles fell to defenses designed to stop an assault a hundred times heavier. The aerospace fighters were next, diving hard into the atmosphere in pursuit, autocannons raving, they physically slammed some of the missiles apart, and some Diablos fell in the process. And then, when the missiles began their final descent, tracking times over a thousand miles had given the targeted ships themselves a hard lock on those missiles which remained.

One Diabolic was hit, superstructure vaporized, and three Confederates suffered minor damage, with some impairment of combat ability. Such slow missiles, from so far away, had stood no chance against the basically intact point defenses of four layers of weapons systems.

The cease fire violated in a such a massive way, the Fleet pondered a way to respond as capacitors began to recharge.

OOC: SS: You have surface vessels, right?

31-01-2004, 18:45

"The Empire welcomes your assistance, I was made aware of your nation's support only but a few hours ago. I advise that you join within our fleet ranks so that we may act as one against Melkor. Please give me your thoughts on this."

"I quite agree, Mr-" The older man's eyes dart to the side, glancing at something off-screen. "...Jackson."

He leans forward, then, intent, evidently not wishing to waste any time. It is understandable, given the situation one would assume his homeland would find itself in shortly.

"I recommend that we move at once against Morgoth's 1st through 5th Fleets, off Fyreheart, whilst all our strength is gathered together like this for a decisive hammerblow- the cost will be high, but we have the tactical advantage, for the fleets of the Enemy are hampered by their need to escort transports & guard support vessels."

The Admiral leans back, his expression grim.

"Intelligence suggests that all Morgoth's Sky Furnaces are gathered to the armada off Fyreheart- daunting targets. Yet to have the opportunity to knock them out all in one engagement..."

He trails off, picking up his previous sentence again.

"Our ships are lesser in number than yours, but we have twice to three times the number of vessels on a fleet-to-fleet basis. Therefore I shall divide Angmar into its component formations & we will form a comined Mordor-Rukemian armada- the 9th & 4th will take the flanks & my 2nd the rear."

He quickly looks over some papers sitting before him, before nodding to himself confidently & raising his eyes to the camera again.

"I don't know if you have any jurisdiction over the army, Admiral, but it might also be a good idea to move against the Enemy's garrisons on land as soon as possible."

He gives another smile, looking slightly harried this time as he keeps on glancing to items off-screen, & addresses Jackson more casually, from one Admiral to another.

"Of course if you have anything to add then I am perfectly willing to listen to you, but this is one occasion where I would be forced to advise haste- time is of the essence, I'm sure you would agree."

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

Sauron the Deceiver
Lord of Abomination
http://www.theargonath.cc/characters/sauron/pictures/sauron2.jpg
~Dark Lord of Mordor, First Among Maiar, Lieutenant of Morgoth~
_________________________________________________

Lavenrunz

31-01-2004, 21:08

Admiral Tachteberg was in conference with Admiral Keyserling.
"What did they say about joint search and rescue?"
"They said nothing." Keyserling was exhausted from having directed her own search and rescue and firefighting missions for the last several hours.
"They're discourteous bastards. Well, nothing another few kicks in the teeth won't cure at some point."the Admiral commented darkly. "I'm dispatch carrier group Carlsbad to assist you now that the expeditionary force is out of the woods..." he paused. "Admiral: I do not blame you. We were failed by our allies and you took the brunt. You took it on the chin and did well."
"Thank you."
"Someone has violated the ceasefire, by the way--but stay out of the area, rejoin us as quickly as you can."
"I will, Excellency." she tried not to rub her eyes during the televideo conference but could not avoid a yawn.
Tachteberg saluted her, though it was odd to salute a screen, and she returned it.

The expeditionary force moved towards the Lost American coast and into the harbour they had been provided. In spite of the courtesy, vigilance was maintained. The only respite to the troops inside the amphibious and merchant marine ships was that they were not on the high seas anymore. Shifts began to permit units to the top decks for fresh air and exercise. The ships were all cleaned and weapon maintenance was done top to bottom. Now that they were in calmer waters, the refuelling vessels moved to link up with warships to fill them up.

Lavenrunz

31-01-2004, 21:09

Dread Lady Nathicana

31-01-2004, 21:52

<clip>
OOC2: And just to make something perfectly clear, Drak doesn't speak for me. Nathi failed to invite a diplomat to speak at these cease-fire talks, thus you can blame her for this incident.

ooc: I failed nothing. The invitation was to all. If you did not choose to participate, that is your problem. I'll note Drakonia ignored it as well. Those who were willing to talk, were there, and arrangements were made. Your failure to pay attention and respond are not my problems. And, now that what -was- my concern has been remedied, I have no further part in this. Enjoy. *grins*

Rukemia

31-01-2004, 22:18

Admiral Jackson gave a nod after each one of the Sauron Admiral's statements, he completely agreed with what he had heard so far. The Rukemian flagship which the Admiral was in, The Mercia, however, would stay in a defending position off the Rukemian coasts. Admiral looked at the ground briefly, as if thinking of anything else he could add, reached a conclusion and faced upward towards the screen again.

"I think that'll do it Admiral Cos Fulgim, sounds like a good enough plan. My fleets are ready to move out when yours are. I should go ahead and tell you now that I have no power, or say-so whatsoever in the Army-branch of the military. But what I can do, however is contact officials back in Rukemia, and advise them to strike his garrissons. But, chances are Admiral, that an attack has already begun."

The Admiral was right, an attack had indeed already began on Melkorian positions within Rukemia. As the Admiral spoke, hundreds of kinetic missiles broke away from their launching pads, soared through the air and smacked into Melkorian bases. It came out of nowhere, a full blown attack had grown from absolutely nothing. The garrissons were being fired upon from every angle, from the skies above, B-2 Bombers 2,000 lb bombs on the bases, shattering the ground beneath them and causing siesmic booms to be heard around the cities they were stationed outside of. Rukemian soldiers waited anxiously for the bombings and launchings to stop so they could charge in and kill whoever was left. All hell had broken loose.

OOC: Sorry for the vagueness, will get more specific later on.

31-01-2004, 23:27

The Fleet moved slowly, readjusting its formation slowly. The Second and Third Battle Groups drew out of the area where the submarine conflict had taken place, and the Seventh, Fourth, and Ninth drew back in their formations, battered and battleweary.

The Fleet's total losses had been slightly than expected, with fifteen Diabolics out of commission or destroyed, another ten damaged to varying degrees. Four of the Battlecruisers had taken damage to varying degrees as well, along with three submarines. 82 Diablos had been heavily damaged or destroyed, with another thirty suffering combat ability impairing damage. No pilot survival beacons blinked in the waves, and so, no action was taken to retrieve them, and the Fleet, as was policy, remained silent.

As the Lavenrunzian fleet advanced towards the Naval Port at Saint Exuprey, the damaged ships, some still smoking, though none actively burning, joined with them, nearby, within visual range at last as they drew away from the storm. And unlike the decks of the Lavenrunzian vessels, where sailors could be seen hard at work, the low, squat forms of the Confederacy ships had no people visible, nor even any windows, as they powered forward, creeping along at the same pace as the Lavenrunzians. Once the Lavenrunzians crossed into the Confederacy controlled waters, the defense grid would more than suffice to stop any trickery.

Lavenrunzian Admiral, I apologize for the Fleet's lack of response. In any potentially hostile situation, the Fleet is not permitted to contact potential Enemy forces. We would be happy to assist in rescue operation if requested or required, but we do not believe any of our pilots to have survived, and we have recovered all of our Fleet personnel that we could find. If we can be of further assistance, contact the Government directly to get a faster response. SO de Saint-Exuprey.

Six Battlegroups patrolled where there were once ten, as Command and FleetNet consulted on what to do about the newest Enemy.

Melkor Unchained

31-01-2004, 23:32

[ooc:... bad move :evil:

An extensive IC asswhooping is forthcoming. I told you to leave the garrisons alone]

31-01-2004, 23:47

((OOC: So I assume our combined armada is now moving out to engage the Imperium's 1st through 5th, Rukemia?))

Melkor Unchained

01-02-2004, 00:09

The Imperial Commodores instantly ordered their crews to action. They had certainly not been idle, most were already at their post. Weapons were loaded and missile tubes primed.

As the massive black ships cut through the Rukemian sky, they belched even more swiriling black fumes into the sky as they redlined their engines to their respective Destinations. The Third and Fifth fleets broke rank with the Sky Furnaces Dor Daedoloth, Hithlum, and Charcaroth and headed towards Mercia. The earth beneath the ships glowed orange even from a great distance as the Furnaces were stoked. The Dor Daedoloth's massive rail drivers were prepped for fire and crews started searching for targets while they loading process was underway.

Immediately, these two fleets unleashed a frightening salvo os missiles aimed at Rukemian airbases in the area and specifically around Mercia. The ships didn't fire all at once, but rather in a staggered formation, waves of twenty or so heavy missiles launched about every 90 seconds, and so fired for about five minutes.

AA frigates rushed to the perimeter of the fleet formation, which was quite well spread out. Gunships were launched from the bays of several cruisers and carriers, streaking low and fast over the Rukemian countryside, their guns prodding grimly ahead of them. Alert, they searched for incoming fighters.

The other Fleet made for New Freeport, with Skyfurnaces Gorgoroth and Orodruin. This Fleet along with Sky Furnace escort, was on AA and SAM duty, it seemed. Meticulously targetting all known Rukemian SAMs within a reasonable striking distance were launched upon, anywhere from 2 to 5 medium missiles streaking towards their designated targets. Gunship escort was likewise launhed and deployed in a nearly identical fashion to its Mercia-bound counterparts. No detail was overlooked in the deployment. Satellites in orbit linked up with the Furnace crews, ready to relay pertinent Rukemian troop positions and other military intel to them.

The crews suspected all along that Rukemia would do something like this. They were not surprised at all. The garrisons were now a hopeless cause, they reasoned. What few troops remained on the ground continued to fight, but they were not many.

From Dor Daedoloth came a reply to Rukemia's unprovoked, ill-conceived attack. Morgoth himself ordered all kinetic tubes cleared: their targetting systems had been studying Rukemai's military installations for weeks, and the silo Overlords were confident that their selecion of targets was ideal. Aiming for a high body count, a total of just under a thousand missiles launched....

...in the first salvo. Aimed at troop barracks, refineries, power stations, and airfields, the kinetic missile strike would pave the way for a rather effortless land invasion of Rukemia.

And this time, the Uruks would be marching overland. Their number would be greater than they had been in any conflict yet on the Planet, and their wrath terrible. Already the orc-infested mountain ranges had spilled forth their orcs and wargs, screaming wildly and advancing towards Rukemia in great number, Wyverns darted from the grim precipices of the Ered Gorgoroth, their screams echoing hauntingly through the land.

In Angband, a massive assault force of Uruk-Hai, Trolls, Men, Orcs, Uruks*, Wargs, and Dragons poured from its massive iron gates, likewise pushing towards Rukemia.

The rebels had fallen into a trap. Morgoth clearly had the army ready much beforehand.

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

[*--yes, I have "Uruks" and "Uruk-Hai listed separately. In order to bolster this troops' number, he's using the Black Uruks in addition to the Uruk-Hai conceived by Saruman [which are better :P]]

Rukemia

01-02-2004, 05:34

...

Rukemia

01-02-2004, 05:34

OOC: Sauron, yes, my fleets are headed off with yours. Melkor, check TGs.

Presgreif

01-02-2004, 07:51

tag

01-02-2004, 15:56

OOC: So are we heading to intercept at New Freeport or Mercia?

Drakonian Imperium

02-02-2004, 00:13

2325 Zulu
Task Force Stormfront
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
Hot Zone

Silently, the Drakonian Task Force withdrew.

They knew only one thing. They had been betrayed. At any moment the attack was expected, from anyone.

And so, they only moved out of the engagement range. Recovery vessels remained rescueing the survivors of the battle. Those vessels that were damaged seriously in the attack were moved into position with the transports and supply ships. The fleet reformed a safe distance from the blockade, watched the Lavenrunzian force moved off, and waited.

No contact was made with anyone, not even with Drakonia's allies.

Drakonian Imperium

02-02-2004, 00:13

2327 Zulu
Near Athame
River of Fyre, Fyreheart
Drakonian Base of Operations

The situation on the mainland was much the same. Drakonian forces disengaged, and began the process of entrenching themselves. The final debarkations were made from the landing positions at the mouth of the River of Fyre and the ships moved off, wary of allied forces. Ironicly, the ships rejoined Task Force Beginning, which held it position inside the blockade.

The last of 13th Armored Legion were moving to their rallying point just outside Fairport Harbor and setting up defensive positions, preparing for the onslaught. Meanwhile, the last of the 1st Expeditionary Legion were quickly moving to their positions near Athame. They too were digging in, a defensive perimeter having been set up and being patrolled.

They waited....

Drakonian Imperium

02-02-2004, 00:22

Emirate News Network

ENN Logo flashes while a Loud Booming Voice says, "Reporting live is Candace Locke at the Grand Capitol Building, on the sudden events of apparent Terrorist Attacks in Drakonia."

A beautiful blond woman appears wearing a crisp suit and red blouse, behind her is the massive structure of the Grand Capitol Building, the Anglo-Romanic Architecture strongly visible throughout the structure. "Several hours ago, there was an attempted on the life of the Speaker to the Imperial Senate, after he left the Grand Praetorian Palace.

"The Speaker was driving to the Grand Capitol Building stopped at a stoplight, when a large van jumped the light and rammed the limousine. Seconds later the driving fled the vehicle, just before the carbomb was detonated. The speaker was reported killed in the attack, but government officials have not yet confirmed his death. Fortunately, police captured the two men who instigated the terrorist attack. Apparently, the two men were foreigners although police have neither released their names or nationalities.

"There has also been reports of an break in at the Ziggurat Nuclear Power Complex and something happening at the Grand Praetorian Palace, but nothing has been confirmed and strangely officials could not be reached for comment. There have been further rumors that the Senate is discussing succession from the United Emirates. The effects this could have on the alliance are unknown.

"Meanwhile just after the Speaker's death, Drakonian Embassies around the world were closed, Military Bases on foreign soil were locked down, all outgoing and incoming flights in the nation were cancelled, coastal and border patrols were doubled, and all international communication, both military and civilian, has stopped. There has also been an increase Praetorian and Senatorial Guard pressence in the capital. As of yet there has been no foreign response and again, officials could not be reached for comment.

"What has prompted this sudden and massive change in foreign policy is entirely unknown. We will keep you our viewer's upraised as this situation develops. This is Candace Locke reporting from the Grand Capitol Building, in Drako Throne."

The screen again changes to the ENN Logo and the Loud Booming Voice is heard again saying, "This has been an ENN News Bulletin."

Drakonian Imperium

02-02-2004, 00:26

2327 Zulu
Grand Praetorian Palace
Drako Throne, Drakonian Imperium
Conference Room

Something had happened. Everyone in the palace knew it, but few knew exactly what had happened.

The two men met in one of the Conference Rooms in the palace, somewhere where they could talk. This room, like any other in the ancient palace was ornate and luxurious. Meant for meetings with foriegn or local officials, but this was not what the room what would be used for today.

General Derek Long, Commanding General of the Imperial Drakonian Armed Forces, was the first to talk. "The situation?"

"Unchanged," Nathan Lamb, cheif advisor and more importantly friend to the Praetor, stated flatly.

An eyebrow raised slightly. "So?" Derek pried for more information.

"Stable, for now, but their still worried," the Nathan replied.

Derek Long was still not satisfied, his eyebrow raising higher. "And--"

For once the cheif advisor did not know what he should say. The skilled man almost stammered. "Well..."

It didn't need any more explanation. "That bad?"

Nathan avoided the question, by asking another. "Wouldn't you be?"

"I suppose," the reply was as expected.

Now it was the cheif advisor's turn for questions. "Nathicana, Lavenrunz, Glorious Humanity?"

"Our people are still trying to get a transcript." The General confirmed Nathan's suspicions, they didn't know. "Their fleet pulled into an Ardan harbor, apparently under Mirbach's order."

"Mirbach," Nathan spat. "He would be involved, but we already knew this. I need more information...the...their paranoid. We don't know who to trust."

The General thought things over. "It appears Scandavian States will support us, they were deliberately excluded as well. Many of our allies in the Emirates will likely support us as well."

"Your still slurring that word," Nathan Lamb observed. "Your starting to distrust everything as much as I do." Nathan was a skeptic, and having some of your most trusted allies betray you only makes thing worse. Not that, that particular bit of knowledge had been proven yet.

The General was simply calculating, but with that came a grip on reality. With what Drakonian Intelligence was telling them, it was easy to be paranoid. "Tersanctus wouldn't betray us."

"From what I hear our friend, Edmund, hasn't been himself, lately." And Nathan was paranoid. "I wouldn't count on them. I'm was planning on taking a trip out there, but I'll have to postpone it now."

"Take it," the General ordered. "We can hold the fort, here."

"You'll need to," Nathan snickered. "Once Melkor's finished having his way with the allies in Fyreheart, he'll be coming here to finish the job." There was a second of thought. "Okay I'll go. It will probably be safer anyway. Melkor's likely to attack here first, before he crosses the Golanus Mountains."

And the conversation was over.

OOC: Just another reminder. I would appeciate it if you showed me the courtesy and respect to follow this (from the beginning of the thread):

Code of Conduct This is an Invite-Only Thread, to get invited, post in the OOC Thread (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=109657).
All OOC content is to be posted on the OOC Thread (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=109657) and not in this thread.
All Claims of Godmodding are to be taken up on the OOC Thread (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=109657) and not in this thread.
No spamming, flaming, or hijacking will be tolerated and nations that do will be ignored.

Thank you.

Glorious Humanity

02-02-2004, 01:09

GHS Fist of Man, approaching rescue site
2100 Zulu (9:00 PM)

The sun had set, most of the seabirds seeking rest, the ocean settling down from it's highest point. Captain Frederick Lewis stood on the bridge of the Fist of Man, watching his bridge crew work. They were moving quickly and efficiently, talking only when necessary, the rest of the time focusing on their tasks. Had this ship not had a mission, the crew would be more relaxed, chatting amongst themselves as they went about their duties, periodically getting up from their chairs to stretch, and other signs of a bored bunch of people. Right now though, lives rode on their efficiency, so they were delivering their best.

"One mile to target," the radar man spoke. The target was the sunken GHS Kraken. The Fist of Man was zeroing in on it, guided by sonar from the two subs moving along below the waves and the Kraken's emergency broadcasts.

"Is Ranger ready?" Captain Lewis asked, referring to the Fist of Man's Deep Sea Rescue Vehicle, or DSRV for short. The DSRV was a mini submarine that could attach itself to the escape hatches of Glorious Humanity submarines and extract the crews. Theoretically it could also link up with submarines from other nations to save allied crews, but this had never been tested. Idly, Captain Lewis wondered if it would be. The Lavenrunzians had been conducting their own search and rescue for their survivors, and although they hadn't asked for any help yet, Fleet Command had told Lewis to be ready just in case.

"We're on site, supposedly right above them," the radar man said, interrupting Lewis' thoughts.

"Comm, radio Ranger, make sure they're ready to launch," Lewis ordered.

"Aye Captain," the comms man said something into the mic on his radio headset, then listened to the reply in his headphones. Then he gave a thumbs up to Lewis. "They're ready to roll."

"Then let's launch 'em!" Lewis ordered.

Out on the deck, the launch order was given over the PA system. Lewis watched men scurry around making final preparations. The oblong steel minisub was swung out on it's loading crane until it hung over the port side of the ship. Then it was lowered by a steel cable into the water. The Fist of Man listed slightly as the sub was swung out to hang off the side, then rocked back to normal as the ocean took on the sub's weight. The cable released, and the sub was left floating on it's own.

In the sub's control room, Lieutenant Jeremiah Loring activated his little ship's eletric motor, then flooded the ballast tanks. In addition to the Lieutenant were a couple medical corpsmen riding in the passenger section, who would do some preliminary checks of the crews. The sub began to dive, expertly guided by her veteran driver.

On the Fist of Man's bridge, Captain Lewis told the comm man to send a message down to the sunken ships, and tell them rescue was coming. Fist of Man had a communicator telepath like all Glorious Humanity ships, but he was napping and Lewis didn't see any reason to wake him. With all the talking that had been necessary in the past few days, most of the communicators were running short of sleep.

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

GH Base in Fyreheart
Same time

"Larry? Larry you gotta get some sleep." It was Jonathan Fletcher, one of the telepaths. He'd come in to check on his comrades, and found Larry Soros still up, sitting by Isolda's bed and holding her hand.

"I'm not tired," Larry replied quietly, not looking up.

"Yeah, but regulations say you have to sleep sooner or later," Jonathan answered. Larry knew he was right. According to regulations, all Psi Corp personnell had to get a minimum of eight hours sleep every twenty-four hours, in order to stay at peak efficiency, the only exception to the rule being in extreme circumstances such as prolonged combat. Larry thought that was stupid, he didn't feel tired. The soldiers out patrolling the base perimeter needed rest more than he did.

"I'm not tired, and I'm not going yet," he said.

"You have to. Orders are orders," Jonathan told him.

"What's the commander going to do, throw me in lockup?" Larry asked him, looking up with a smirk. "You know Abrams has been letting us off easy. I can get away with breaking the rules once, and I don't want to leave her alone."

"That's what's bothering you?" Jonathan asked. "Tell you what, I'm not due to officially go on duty for another three hours, and I just got off my sleep cycle." Jonathan was night shift, so he had different hours he was supposed to be in bed. Larry didn't know how he managed it, he himself could never sleep during the day. "I'll keep an eye on her for you," Jonathan continued.

Larry considered that. He knew Jonathan would, Isolda had been his friend for even longer than she and Larry had been together. Jonathan and Isolda went back years, and Larry knew his friend was just as concerned as he was. "Fine. I'll go to bed. But if anything changes, you come and get me, right?"

"I'll do even better," Jonathan grinned. "If she wakes up, I'll yell in your head."

"Good."

"Sleep well Larry."

"Thanks." Larry left the medical tent and headed to the one where he slept. To his surprise, he turned out to be more tired than he had felt, and only a couple minutes after he'd crawled into his sleeping bag he was fast asleep.

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

"They did what?" Frank Pierce asked with a trace of disbelief in his voice.

"The Drakonian embassy has closed itself off to communication," Lacey Millhouse, the Deputy Minister of International Relations, told him. "They're refusing to talk to us, and we think their diplomats might be preparing to leave." The two were in Pierce's office.

"Christ," Pierce muttered. He then addressed Millhouse again. "Well fine, we'll sidestep the embassy and talk to Drakonia itself. Can we get ahold of someone in their government?"

"They aren't answering either," Millhouse replied. "I sent a message a little while ago, still haven't heard anything back."

"Christ on a stick," Pierce growled. He tossed a stapled pack of papers on the desk, indicating that she should read it. "This just was forwarded to me from the General Staff."

Lacey picked it up and read it. It was a report from spy satellietes over Fyreheart. The report said the Drakonians were pulling back from the fighting and fortifying their bases. "Oh dear..."

"What are they expecting to happen? Who are they expecting to be attacked by?" Pierce shook his head.

Millhouse had already put it together. "Us."

"WHAT?"

"We and the Lavenrunzians disengaged from the sea battle to talk things out," Lacey explained. "Drakonia kept fighting, even after the cease-fire was agreed on. They didn't attend the peace conference, and now they are refusing to talk to us and digging in everywhere. They expect to fight their own allies."

"Those trigger-happy idiots!" Pierce exploded. "We're trying to keep this from becoming an even bigger mess! Goddamn..." Pierce could rant when he wanted to, Millhouse knew. She patiently waited while her boss spit out swearwords for a minute or so.

"Well, I guess there's nothing we can do," he finally said. "We'll wait and see if they answer your message. Albert stuck me with playing President until he gets back, so I can't stick with this. Therefore, I need you to keep track of it for me."

"Will do," Millhouse answered. She stood up and turned to leave.

"Hey, sorry about blowing up," Pierce suddenly said as she was almost out the door. She turned around and looked at him with a wry smile.

"It's alright," she told him. "I felt like saying some of the same words after I figured out what was going on." Then she left.

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

Millhouse's message to the Drakonians read:

TO: Drakonian Diplomatic Corps
FROM: Lacey Millhouse, Deputy Minister of International Relations, Federation of Glorious Humanity
RE: Happenings

We are wondering what is going on. Your embassy in our country has clammed up and isn't saying anything. Given our current cooperation in Fyreheart, your diplomats' sudden unwillingness to talk is disturbing. We get nervous when our friends suddenly won't talk to us, particularly friends like Drakonia. Please inform us of what is happening.

Lavenrunz

02-02-2004, 10:31

A single manila envelope was mailed to the Drakonian Imperium's embassy in Hofburg, Lavenrunz, by the Foreign Ministry of the Empire. Inside was a transcript of a transmission of orders relayed to a combined force of Menelmacari and Drakonian special forces.
A note was written on it.

We should probably talk.
Count Mirbach.

Wretchengard

02-02-2004, 10:58

Overlord Bradley Steelblood was not pleased. A ceasefire between his allies and the other side had been achieved, and breached by other parties because the enemy were incapable of simple communication with each other, it would seem. With the following attacks carried out by the Rukemian upstarts against Melkor's garrisons, all hell was breaking loose. Now he found himself deep below Blackstone Palace, in the war room, giving his direct orders to three of the nations top ranking officers. Warlord Baldur Grimwald stood off to the side in the war room, ready to assume command once the Overlord turned over control of the operation to him. Each officer bowed before the face of their Overlord. Even through a screen, his cold gaze was unnerving.

"I trust you are all aware of what has happened," he stated, rather than asked. If the men were not competant enough to stay informed, they would never have climbed the ladder to the positions they now held.

"Melkor's wrath will be swift and terrible," he continued. "He will undoubtedly lay waste to all opposition in Rukemia, that much is certain. We will assist him."

The Overlord then began to address the individual commanders, beginning with High Admiral Ammarcus Dolmont. The aging man had served in the Crimson Navy for nearly 40 years, and had always proved himself to be a reliable commander.

"Admiral Dolmont," the Overlord addressed him. "The Armadas are to see battle, but we must coordinate with the Imperium's fleets on this so as not to get in the way. Contact the Imperial Fleet at once and then move in to strike. Furthermore, we have been contacted by the 13 Clans with a request that we transport a number of their magi to the theater. Upon their arrival, direct them to board the gravships. When it is safe enough to do so, send them down in a dropship on Rukemian soil. Apparently they are able to open up a portal of some kind to transport their forces there. See that my will is done."

The High Admiral thrust his left fist up in the traditional Wretchan salute, and immediately began to carry out his orders. The ruler of the Eternal Dominion next addressed Sky Marshall Morduk Tur-Garad of Sky Command. The man was tall and lean, with greying hair and a hawk-like nose. His piercing black eyes were hidden behind a pair of aviators.

"It will be necessary to use our might in the skies to strike at Rukemia, Marshall Tur-Garad," the Overlord said to the aging airman. "We need aircraft ready to fly as soon as possible, enough to soften their defences and help speed Melkor's victory. Long range bombers and escort, as many as you believe are required. If his sky furnaces beat us there and Rukemia is rubble, they can always be redirected against the enemy fleets. Get them in the air, quickly."

The Sky Marshall gave his salute and departed, relaying the Overlord's orders and setting Sky Command into motion. Another screen winked off, and the Overlord addressed the last commander, Grand Marshall Rath Ebongore of the Dread Legions, a somewhat tall middle-aged officer built like a brick shithouse. His green eyes peered at his sovereign from beneath bushy eyebrows.

"And lastly, Marshall Ebongore," the master of Wretchengard spoke. "As you are well aware, Melkor's ground forces are very impressive alone, and he likely will not need any assistance in the ground war at all. While it is unclear as to whether or not the Dread Legions will be needed in this dispute, we will be ready regardless. We'll need about 25,000 infantry ready to board the boats to fight and die at a moments notice. More for armour, artillery and the Doomguard, if there is need. I trust you can accomplish this?"

"Yes, milord," the legionnaire replied. "We will eagerly await for the command to do battle."

"Good," Steelblood said. Ebongore saluted, and his screen too went black.

"It has begun," he murmured, then walked to find a chair. It was going to be a long day...

Tersanctus

02-02-2004, 12:08

OOC: Some of this post might fall under peoples definition of "Godmodding" But its only between Main Characters, their is some divine energy in Edmund, and they have proven some of his abilities work in real life, such as a particle moving from one point in time and space to another without moving between the sapce theirin. Besides its just a story, Im not going to say the Edmunds will alone caused all of Melkors Orcs to fall dead, as that would be truly Godmodding. Besides, the Christians said that Jesus could walk on water, and noone wants to argue with that :wink: .

Kungshao, thousands of miles away in Sanctus, overheard the Conversation between Lamb and Long, or rather he heard their thoughts. Edmund Dantes's body, which was now the shell for Kungshao, the Dragon-God of War began to break down, or rather Kungshao forced a singularity to traverse the pattern of his molecules, from his current point in time and space, to the very room in which they both spoke.

In a brilliant display of energy and Vapor, Edmund's profile was brilliantly lit and the light faded just as quickly, as he completely materialized in front of them.

In awe, and quite Dumbfounded, they both stared at him, until finally General Long, stammered out: "E-E-Edmund?"

His eyes fell upon the General.

"No, Derek." Kungshao's raspy voice coming through along with Edmunds, yet the tone was soft and full of compassion at the same time.

"The Edmund you knew,...is no more. I am Kungshao, returned.".

"My apologies to your people for not taking an interest in the situation sooner, my return is due partly to the horrors upon your land, the fire of man, and the release of so many souls into the next realm...."

"Regardless, the immedeate situation calls for my attention."

Vegana

02-02-2004, 17:51

In the Space high above The Reich the StreiteKräfte divided itself moving apart to make it a harder target. A third separated further apart from the rest and assumed battle formation, they were moving away to a new destination.

The Great StreiteKräfte, financed by the whole Reich, built with engineers from Vegana, Santa Barbara and many other glorious nations, prepared for action. The third that was separated from the greater Fleet contained only a few troop transporters, the main body was made out of warships. It slowly broke away and steered towards Arda, moving with both grace and the image of devastating power. Large cruisers and battleships were flanked by smaller destroyers in defensive pattern Omega. A few David’s needle could be seen within the groups, but not many, this armada wasn’t going for a hunting mission, and it seemed to focus on the enormous firepower it would present.

On deck Fleet Admiral Stojanovic looked out over the armada moving forward, everyone in its designated position. He never grew tired of seeing the big ships moving. He remembered his grandfathers stories about navy operation and the grand Carriers protected by sleek destroyers, frigates and submarines. The submarines packing like wolves, spreading out in defensive circles to protect the mass. Seagulls flying around the ships hoping for some scraps or leftovers. Nowadays there were still equivalents to submarines spreading around the Space armada but the seagulls were gone. Stojanovic watched the Great black hull of one of the battleships, looking like a porcupine with antennas and muzzles protruding from the hull. He sighed both in we and frustration, he might never get to experience the feeling of a navy fleet going out to battle, but The Reich had dug pretty deep in its combined coffer to afford all this and he knew that the whole fleet was state of the art despite its crude forms and great bulky hulls. Someone or something was going to be destroyed, and he was the conductor of that great destruction and he was watching his instruments attuning to play that ancient concerto in total accordance.

Drakonian Imperium

03-02-2004, 15:20

2331 Zulu
Grand Praetorian Palace
Drako Throne, Drakonian Imperium
Conference Room

"Umm...uh...." The calculating General Derek Long, commander of the Imperial Drakonian Armed Forces, stammered.

Nathan Lamb, who had started to turn to leave, was also surprised. He had frozen watching what he thought he saw.

The General Long leaned over a little toward Nathan. "You see that," the General asked quietly.

"I think," Nathan replied a bit unsure.

There was a long moment of silence as all three people looked at each other. Finally, Derek Long again spoke. "So much for you going to Tersanctus," he snickered at Nathan.

"Uh, yeah," was all Nathan could say in reply.

"Well." The General said accepting the situation. "What do you think, hologram or some form of teleportation?"

"This isn't Space Balls," Nathan snapped back. "He didn't just arrive at Ludicious Speed."

"Actually, if he did just arrive from Tersanctus, I would say he would have to have travelled at Ludicious Speed," the General joked back, smirking broadly.

Nathan stared blankly back at the General. Apparently, he did not think the joke was funny. "Oh come off it. We just had a man, who happens to be the leader of Tersanctus, appear in this room thousands of miles from where he should be, and he just said he was a God."

General Derek Long looked from Nathan to Edmund then back again several times before his gaze finally ended on Edmund. "Excuse me, you just said you were?" His voice was very patronizing.

OOC: I have continued the story I started in my "Only the Bad News (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2665964#2665964)" post (see previous page). You can find out, what in the world is going on in Drakonia, here (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=120729).

Drakonian Imperium

03-02-2004, 15:23

0811 Zulu
Debris Feild
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
Search and Rescue Group

A pair of helicopters flew above the surfaced of the calmed oceans. Below, them a trio of zodiacs skimmed the waves, dodging bits of debris from the battle. The storm had passed and the sun shown down, but that did not lighten anyone's mood.

"Rescue Angel One, to Rescue Golf One. We're going to take another pass of that last patch of debris, maybe we missed something. Over."

They has stopped finding survivors hours ago, but they not stopped looking.

"Roger, Rescue Angels. Good luck."

The helicopters broke off turning in a slow arc and heading back toward the last grid they had searched. The zodiacs continued on.

The cockpit's of the helicopters were tense. "Remember to stay sharp, Rescue Angel Two. We could be attacked at any time."

There was a crackle on the radio. "So the rumors are true then, Rufus?"

"Yeah command thinks, we're being play--" The pilot stopped mid-sentence. "Wait, think I got something. Off to the left." Both helicopters slowed. The first swooped lower starting a turn.

The other helicopter made a pass and then turned. "I saw it," the radio replied. "Doesn't look good though.

Below among the chunks of metal and other debris there floated a dark shape. "Oh G--" What was left of what had once been a sailor was not pretty. The top half of his burnt corpse floated in the water.

"That one of ours," the other helicopter's pilot asked.

"Hades, if I know." The first helicopter hovered for a second longer. "Better pick hi--it up anyway. Relay to the zodiacs." Both resumed their search.

"Roger," the radio crackled. "I'm glad that's their job."

The helicopter flew off over the debris. "So am I. Now let's get to ours and rescue some survivors."

Drakonian Imperium

03-02-2004, 15:23

0814 Zulu
Ocean Floor
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
IDS Elemental

"Flood Torpedo Tube One," the Captain ordered.

"Aye, Sir," came the confirmation.

"Sonar, are you sure this is where it is," the Captain asked, thinking everything over.

"Probably," the Sensor Officer confirmed. "At least I think so this time, but it's odd."

That got the Captain full attention. "Odd?"

"Uh, yes, Sir." The Officer seems to be a bit baffled. "Contact, I am getting is spread all over the place. It almost impossible to tell it from the topography."

"Well." The Captain look out across the bridge. "We'll never know until we look. Open Torpedo Tube One. Let's take a look." There was a confirmation from the Weapon's Officer. Another head spun around, waiting for orders and the Captain nodded his head in confirmation.

Outside the submarine, a object slowly made it's way out of Torpedo Tube One. It was an unmanned mini-submarine, specificly designed for deep water observation. Lights came on and the submarine made a silent arc toward the ocean floor. It's lights fell along the twists remains of the IDS Triggerfish. The Alpha-Class Submarine was not recongnizable. Ripped chunks of hull were twisted, torn, shredded, and all over the place.

"Hades," someone said on the bridge as the images were relayed to a monitor.

The Captain waited a second, watching the submersibles cameras roam over the wreck. "Mark it's location, and let's get the Rover back. No one survived that." The last sentence did not need to be said.

04-02-2004, 03:01

I stand behind the Nation of Drakonian Imperium, as I am an UE Member.

I am also to give the support of naval and marines to Drakonian, by Dispatching my 2nd (and one of two) fleets consisting of 22 War Ships, 8 Transports, and 4 Subs. I also dispatch the 73rd Balkan Marines and the 77th Balkan Specialist to assist as well, only about 2,500 Forces total in this grouping. Balkan Air Force has dispatched 12 Planes to go on with the outdated planes on the Orel Class Carrier. Furthur groups that may be deployed are the 1st Balkan Infantry and the 33rd Blockade Runners. (Infantry is roughly 7,500 and Blockade runners are only 7 that deliever supplies and small amounts of man-power) Ships Used are as Listed:

1 Orel Ul'yanovsk Class Supercarrier (My Flag Ship)
8 Whidbey Island Class Dock Landing Ship (Transport)
As much info has been given that is allowed by the Balkan Government.

It was at dawn that Admiral Joseph Rollings was issued to help the UE, he quickly readied his ships and supplies and began to sail under protection from subs and destroyers. The Marines seemed jumpy, as they should be, for most it was their first assignment, for some vetreans though it was going to be their last.

Balkan General Xaril C. Clast was in charge of the marines, commonly an Army General he was unsure of how to deal with the Marines, he wondered about the fact that only 2,500 Forces where going and that bleak estimates of only 1,230 would survive and only 600 or so would make it out unwounded, Blockade Runners were hoping to place down somewhere around 100 Marines at top later that night, of course due to events the size was reduced to 30 ideally and a week worth of supplies and ammuntion instead of the month that was supposed to be landed.

Tersanctus

04-02-2004, 06:19

Edmund's eyes filled with fire, literally. Moving through his eyes like smoke, it was almost like cream when first poured into coffee.

The came a low Grumbling, a deep resonating bass that casued the Very ground to shake slightly.

Kungshaos voice came through ultimate clarity.

"Take care in your tones with me General Lippert. I do not suffer fools gladly, even if they are the Children of my Brother. Now do not make me repeat this again...."

"KUNGSHAO!" He roared.

"I am the Dragon-God of Tersanctus, Returned. I am an Ancient Deity prescribed to the Art of War. Those whom follow me, Rule the Waves, Skies, and Land."

"Now.....let us discuss this situation, shall we?"

Fyreheart

04-02-2004, 06:43

Bah! The forums are finally working for me!

I'll try and get something together by tomorrow. I just got home and I'm beat. I apologize for this delay guys.

Drakonian Imperium

04-02-2004, 07:38

2333 Zulu
Grand Praetorian Palace
Drako Throne, Drakonian Imperium
Conference Room

"Yep, that Edmund," Derek said in an aside to Nathan. "Shall we assume he's a hologram."

Nathan nodded slightly. "Yeah, Photons and Forcefeild," he added.

Just then Diana entered the room. Casually, looked to each person, eyes not even stopping at Edmund. "Ah, Executer. I didn't know you were flying out. It's a good thing your here."

She stared Nathan and Derek. "We must stop this insanity now and reopen our foriegn relations. The world is going nuts trying to figure out what in Hades is going on here."

General Long forgot all about Kungshao in Edmund's body. "We can't do that, yet. We do and we can kiss this nation good bye, when Melkor comes calling. He'll strike as soon as it's clear what is going down over here."

Now Nathan piped in. "That is if it isn't him in the first place. Him, CoVar, some rough who's got in for us, random Terrorists. It could be anyone. We simply don't know, yet."

Diana wasn't ready to give up, yet. "We shouldn't be making these decisions. The Queen--"

"Is crying over the body of her husband," Derek cut in coldly. He turned to the Conference Table in the room turning back as he leaned against it. "Face it, we're in charge until she is able to be."

Tersanctus

04-02-2004, 12:23

Edmund blinked,...he was'nt used to mortals taking his prescence so lightly. Than when Diana came in and simply addressed him as his Shell body, he became even more speechless.

"Is crying over the body of her husband," said Derek Long.

Edmunds memories came to the surface, mixing in with Kungshao's own.

Tears came rushing to his eyes, bitter, aching tears His human side was undeniably releasing its sorrow.

Than Kungshao/Edmund together released a deafening scream, a howl of sheer Misery No mere human could have released this shreik. The room did invariably begin to shake. And Edmund collapsed to his knees.

"Diana, do not lie to me.....what has happened to Augustus, WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FRIEND?!" He roared out.

And than he looked at Nathan Lamb and, Derek Long.

"AND HOW DARE YOU TWO EVEN DOUGHT THE RESILIANCY OF DRAKONIA FOR ONE SECOND! When the Darkness comes, and the time too stand and fight comes, you bicker amongst yourselves, and state that your great nation, founded upon the blood of our peoples, is 'as good as gone'?!"

"I wish Augustus could hear you say that now, Mortals...."

"By the blood of fallen, and the might of the Templar, Drakonia's fate shall not be too simply vanish into the night, a forgotten memory. Drakonia and Tersanctus, sister nations concieved in might and liberty, shall make there stand, whosoever has stained the blood of our Family, our friends, have erred greatly this night, for they know not whom they have angered. I AM KUNGSHAO! And my wrath shall be swift, my Vengeance, Terrible! Brothers, what say you?"

Drakonian Imperium

04-02-2004, 14:50

2335 Zulu
Grand Praetorian Palace
Drako Throne, Drakonian Imperium
Conference Room

Nathan looked to Derek, the General shrugged. It was Diana who spoke first. "Executor, there's been an incident (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=120729). We assumed you knew." And she told him.

Glorious Humanity

05-02-2004, 02:27

0000 Zulu (Midnight)
GHS Fist of Man, holding position near the northern Fyreheart coast

Captain Lewis was tired. He needed sleep, lots of sleep. He needed a decent meal, he'd been subsisting on cold sandwiches and coffee for the last two days. He needed new bridge officers, the ones currently on duty had been up as long as he had. The tension of the rescue ops had worn everyone down. Still, the crew went about their duties robotically.

"Incoming transmission," his comms man spoke up. Christ, guy even sounds wiped, Lewis thought. "It's the Ranger," the comms man continued, unaware of what his captain was thinking. "She's coming back up, another load."

"Good. Same place as before." Lewis looked out the window at the deck. The rescue ops were finally almost finished. The Kraken had been unloaded easily enough, but a complication with the Shark had delayed her rescue. The Shark had landed on the wrong side, and her escape hatch was blocked. They almost hadn't been able to rescue her crew, something that still stuck in Lewis' craw. When they got home, he was recommending that modifications be made so that attack subs had more than one escape hatch. Fortunately, after several tense minutes the sub had rolled a little on the sea floor, enough to expose the escape hatch and allow the Ranger to get her people out. According to the DSRV, there was only one load left.

Ranger emerged off the port bow, the moonlight briefly making it glisten as a break in the overcast let some pale light through. A ladder was thrown down, and from his vantage point Lewis could see the crew climbing up onto the deck. Even from here he could see the survivors shivering, from cold or shock he didn't know. Probably some of both.

He yawned. God he was tired. He wouldn't last another twenty minutes. Looking around, he could see his crew wouldn't either. The stress had tired them much worse than usual. Lewis walked over the comm station and hit the button for the ship's interal PA system.

"Lieutenant Manning to the bridge, please."

Two minutes later the Lieutenant in question was there, and looking far too awake and chipper to the captain. Leroy Manning was a fast-rising star on Lewis' ship. Well liked by everyone, he made an excellent second. The only thing keeping him from being First Officer was the lack of proper rank, and Lewis intended to get him promoted when they got home.

"You wanted to see me, skipper?" he asked, tossing a salute off.

"Yeah." Lewis returned the salute. "You have the bridge. Bring up the next bridge shift and oversee the last load of passengers. Ranger's got to make one more run before we've got everybody from the sunken ships. I and the current bridge shift are going to get some rest. Don't wake me unless it's an emergency."

"Aye skipper!" Manning saluted again. Then he smiled. "If you don't mind a personal observation, Captain, you look like you should've been in bed a couple hours ago."

Lewis chuckled. "I feel that way too. Have fun." He turned and left the bridge as Manning began giving the necessary orders to change shifts. He headed straight for his personal quarters, not taking any side trips. He just barely stayed awake long enough to change out of his uniform, then collapsed on his bed, out cold in seconds.

Wretchengard

05-02-2004, 09:46

The 1st, 2nd and 4th Armadas of Wretchengard's Crimson Navy-which had sat in international waters so peacefully-began to move. The fleet moved up and inwards, moving into Rukemian waters and up the southeastern coast. One would suspect that it was headed for New Freeport, but what it would do when it got there was anyone's guess.

At the same time, gravitic aircraft lifted off the ground in Wretchengard and rose into the air. One 6 craft flight of WSB-03 Phantom-class stealth bombers went up first, followed by one squadron of WSF-03 Nightmare-class stealth fighters. The gravitic aircraft climbed high into the sky and made their way towards Rukemian airspace. Shortly thereafter, more and more craft took to the air, including WF-12 Wraith-class air superiority fighters, WF-10 Wyvern-class fighter/bombers, WB-16 Seraph-class heavy bombers, and WI-6 Warlock-class interceptors. This rather inconspicuous horde of planes also made for the Rukemian border, trailing behind the near-invisible vanguard that would deal the first blow...

OOC:
Naval Fleet consists of:
- unknown at this time. I'm at home right now recovering from surgery and the files with my Armadas are at my room at university, so I may not be able to do much more RPing with the fleet until I get back there. I can say that each Armada consists of 40 warships, except the 1st, which has 41 (40 plus flagship Behemoth).

Air fleet consists of:
(each squadron is 12 aircraft)
- 1/2 squadron WSB-03 Phantom-class stealth bombers
- 1 squadron WSF-03 Nightmare-class stealth fighters
- 4 squadrons WF-12 Wraith-class air superiority fighters
- 7 squadrons WF-10 Wyvern-class fighter/bombers
- 3 squadrons WI-6 Warlock-class interceptors
- 3 squadrons WB-16 Seraph-class heavy bombers

High Orcs

05-02-2004, 10:56

Within the region of Arda, high atop one of the largest mountains was the Stonehedge-like ritual ground known as "The Dark Circle." Built and maintained by the Dark Circle clan, a clan of Orcs specializing in wizardry and sorcery of ancient and forgotten magicks, the hollowed ground played an instrumental part in the entire clan's function. Off on a nearby hill, a Shrine to the Red God Lopnel stood with massive amounts of Paladins, Clerics, and Knights of the Red Blade Clan in deep prayer.

THe clouds gathered, a storm war brewing, fueled by intense magicks. The strong ritual grounds, one of the most intense in all of Arda, perhaps the world, were being harnessed as a few hundred Dark Circle clansmen huddled around the grounds, kneeling down, and began their incantation.

Dorin the Darkweaver, High Wizard of the Dark Circle Clan, presided over the ritual. The Temporal magicks had not been attempted to reach such a cause as they had, but once the Wretchen Gravship fleets were to arrive, the High Orcs would garner quite the surprise for their enemies. It would take hours and hours on end to complete the ritual preparation, so they made sure to start before the fleets ever left. For now, the Dark Circle pulsated as it tapped into Arda's vein of magic, something that had been unused for a long, long time.

Lavenrunz

05-02-2004, 18:07

Hewn Bay, Lost Americans

Admiral Tachteberg had returned from visiting the infirmiries on one of the hospital ships with Admiral Keyserling, and then from a meeting with Prince von Seydlitz about the state of the troops, and was looking forward to a hot shower and a decent meal when he received a transmission from the Chief of Staff of the Navy. It had been decoded but he doubted this action would be secret for long...

To Admiral Tachteberg, commanding the Expeditionary Force to Fyreheart.
You are commanded in Her Majesty's Name to convey your expeditionary force in all due haste to the Imperial Province of Surya, where you will assist Prince von Seydlitz in acclimatizing forces for action in North Star. All personnel and materiel are to leave as soon as possible.

Admiral von Schoenburg
Chief of the Imperial Naval Staff.
He took a deep breath. He realized he would be forgoing that hot shower. Immediately meant immediately.
But you don't simply move two hundred ships out of anchor in a tranquil bay 'immediately'. It meant that he and his staff had a lot of work to do though.

Rukemia

08-02-2004, 18:45

So it had begun, the first shots that would start a war of a nationwide scale had been fired, and in a random fashion. Orcish armies were rapidly approaching the boundaries of the Empire, but defenses had long since been standing and no one was allowed to be caught off guard. The border aligned with the land of Melkor was heavily defended and inbetween the border and the defenses stood plenty of natural obstacles. The invading armies would have to get through the Mekka mountain ranges if they intended to penetrate through Rukemia, and the landscape there was horribly dangerous. Blizzards ravaged the mountains this time of year and temperatures were known to sink as low as -140 degrees, behind the ranges were close to 1.5 million troops heavily armed and spread throughout the terrain in thick metallic bunkers. The bunkers were snowcapped and invisible both to the eye and most therma-radars because of the extreme cold.

To the sides of the bunkers deep beneath the snow-covered ground was an intricate network of tunnels, all of which had been suggested by Melkor himself during the coalition wars. Inside the tunnels were thousands of tanks and infantry support vehicles, all of which were completely concealed and in positions to ready themselves for battle when neccasary. At the end of each tunnel was a camaflouged opening that could be opened with the simple touch of a button, allowing the tanks and ISVs inside to rush out onto the battlefield, if, there ever was to be one.

To top off the defenses, thousands of monsterous cannons had been placed in a wavering motion, scattered throughout the bunkers and nestled beneath the ground so that only their cannons and not their bases shown. These humongous machines contained a mixed array of chemical and biological elements mixed in such a way that when fired that they send huge gasesous balls of disease and death towards whatever the target may be. On impact these green diseas ridden orbs explode and send a wave of death within a 100 meter range, the exact kill radius being any living thing within a 500 ft. range. The effects of the orbs which the cannons fired varied, depending how close the target is to it when it explodes, when close enough the chemical agents within the orbs will actually consume an entire body, eating its targets alive.

Aside from the afore mentioned there was a various amount of conventional weapons as well, conventional missile pads and the like.

The kinetic missile strike that had been fired upon Rukemia from Melkorian Grav-fleets had done it's fair share of damage, knocking out power to several Army Barracks and killing over 25,000 soldiers, another 50,000 civilians were killed and a large amount of casualties followed. With this first strike there began a huge evacuation of all major Rukemian cities, civilians were guided into underground tunnel networks while Rukemian troops stayed to defend their cities if need be. The casualties from these attacks were much smaller than they could've been, seeing as the missile defenses on Murkin Island had taken out a large portion of the projectiles fired. A response to these attacks was quick, as remaining gravships fired upon the approaching Melkorian fleets with everything they had, kinetic missiles as well as fletchette cannons roared above the serene night air and headed towards the undersides of the opposing gravships. The main targets were the two sky furnaces which were no doubt heading towards Rukemian cities. Murkin Island defenses launched over 2,000 Tomahawk cruise missiles all programmed to skim slightly above the water and when in range to hit their target, swirve up and smack into the undersides of the gravships. 1,000 were launched at each grav-fleet in hopes of slowing their progress.

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

Top Secret IC:

While chaos began to unfold in the land of Rukemia, the leaders of the Empire secretly took haven in the nuetral nation of Emina, planning their flight several weeks before. All future operations would be launched from this area and from now on all orders would be given from this standpoint. The president found it to risky to remain in the nation at the time, and felt the he and his cabinet would be safer in the domain of an uninvolved nation.

Melkor Unchained

08-02-2004, 21:01

The orcs laughed off the freezing conditions--indeed they had travelled south to get to Rukemia to the first place, as Angband itself was quite easily in the Artic circle. Cold was their schtick.

They washed over the massive Rukemian mountian ranges, endeavoring to force themselves into the openings and caves in the sides of the mountains, indiscriminantly killing whoever they came across [save other orcs, of course]. Many of them noticed some sort of chemical weapon being used against them, and genreally those who saw it didn't live to see much else. Their numbers were affected little, as the attack was too little too late. Most made their way into the mountains with ease--as mountains were often their home back in Dor Daedoloth.

The gravships fired ruthlessly on their Rukemian counterparts, having been instructed by their master to not leave the country until every last one of them had been destroyed. Careful not to engage Lord Sauron's ships, hundreds and hundreds of massive gauss shells streaked from the fleets to their Rukemian attackers--trusing in their strength in numbers and superious craftsmanship to better their foes. Following the artillery was a wave of area EMP charges, flung at the Rukemian gravs in staggering force. Missile salvos were then launched--it was clear that the crews had this attack carefully planned out days in advance. 270 ship-to-ship missiles streaked through the air towards the heavier Rukemian ships.

As the furnaces advanced on Mercia and New Freeport, Rukemian kinetc missile strikes slammed into the fleets' formations, bringing several of the monstrous ships crashing to the earth. Several Missile frigates were brought down, along with a battlecruiser. One Destroyer took moderate damage and proceeded at a slowed pace.

Fighter escort fanned out and engaged enemy airfields before they could launch their ships, strafing runways and bombing them ruthlessly. Systematically the ventral facing guns of the Grav-fleets began to engage any visible land defenses, particularly SAMs and Patriot sites. Gunship escort rotated their bombing systems out, their grim explosives primed. Flying low over the ground, they systematically launched their munitions into nearby deployment caves, the shrapnel crumbling the rock and sealing the entrances in most cases, making it impossible for Rukemian troops to issue forth to combat them.

On the ground, the second army from Angband wheeled to the south, trusting in the strength of the orcs to subdue their enemy long enough to allow the coalition force to find an easier passage. Soon they would breach the Rukemian border.

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

Wretchengard

08-02-2004, 22:35

The Wretchan grav fleet (which in truth only consisted of six frigates) made its way to the ritual ground known as "the Dark Circle".

"I don't like this," an officer onboard the command ship commented. "Gives me the heebie jeebies..."

"It doesn't matter if you like it or not," growled Commodore Marcus Terone, fleet commander and son of the famous High Admiral Terone who had perished at the Battle of the Bay. "These orders came straight from the top. We will hold our position here, send down a dropship to get the magi when they are ready."

The dropship descended and landed on even ground as close as it could find to the magi without disturbing their ritual. Then it waited...

* * * * *

The vanguard of Wretchengard's air fleet sailed over the Rukemian border and kept on going. They had not met any opposition so far, and hopefully it would stay that way. Their target was the city of Rikrit, and as they approached, the bombers prepared to make attack runs and release their payload, with priority targets including any defensive sites (SAM, anti-aircraft guns, cannons, etc), military bases or bunkers (particularly air bases), and power plants. The stealth fighters were equipped to defend the bombers, but had some air-to-surface munitions as well. If the stealth craft were successful, the rest of the air fleet trailing behind them would finish the job a lot quicker...

* * * * *

Elsewhere, the 1st, 2nd, and 4th Armadas were still on the move. New Freeport was their eventual destination, and they had received no opposition as of yet, although that would soon change. They had but one thing to do before they got to New Freeport...

"Rukemian Flagship Mercia, this is Admiral N'rahl of the Crimson Navy speaking. You are ordered to stand down your weapons and surrender or face termination."

The Rukemians had left their flagship alone off the coast to stand guard, and it would need to be taken out before the Crimson Navy could attack New Freeport without opposition. Melkor wanted Rukemia's gravs destroyed, but the Overlord had made it clear that he would be much happier if Rukemia's flagship could be captured intact rather than shot out of the sky. Admiral N'rahl doubted that they would surrender that easily, but it was worth a try.

The fleet moved into long distance missile range of the flagship, and every ship capable of firing off long range missiles began acquiring targeting locks on the flagship. If Mercia did not surrender, it would soon be plummeting from the sky with a number of holes in its hull...

Rukemia

09-02-2004, 02:56

The Mekka Mountains continued to recieve heavy poundings from the chemical cannons despite the orcs apparent immunity to the harsh conditions. Shell after shell was loaded and eventually hurled towards orcish positions within the mountain ranges. The explosions ravaged the already fragile landscape, causing several avalanches consisting of fatal mixes of rock and hard dried snow. Several underground passages had been sealed shut, destroying several dozen tanks and killing hundreds of men, but the Rukemians had been prepared for this, so with every opening that was managed to be closed, another makeshift one, behind and to the side of the original one would be opened, allowing for whatever equipment and troops that survived the bombings to still enter the battlefield. It was becoming more and more evident that the border defenses might prove ineffecient in their task of keeping the invading forces out of Rukemian lands. Once the orcish armies had reached a certain point within the mountain range, hundreds of sorties were called in from Rukemian troops, in hopes of softening up what was to come. 200 ground-based Eurofighters left their underground runways and took to the skies towards their targets, the armies of Melkor.

The pilots pulled the planes up as high as they could without completely depriving themselves of oxygen and flew high above Rukemian troop positions and into the Mekka Mountains where they pinpointed enemy troop lines. The most valuable targets were selected and from a maximum range of 35 miles each fighter launched a total of 8 missiles, most aimed at large concentrations of orcs, others at any vehicles which carried supplies and even more were fired at any vulnerable positions within the mountains that would cause heavy delays, such as iced bridges and the bases of fragile rock on which the orcs traveled across. Once all of the ordinance had been released, the pilots looped and headed back towards their base to refill, reload and soon return. The sorties, if anything would slow down the armie's advance, and perhaps give the border defenses more time to soften them up, or possibly cripple them.

Hundreds of miles away in the city of Rikrit, the evacuation of the city was almost complete, but as always stragglers remained behind refusing to leave their homes. Other than those few stragglers the huge city had been filled with defenses, troops aligned the streets as well as huge vehicles and tanks that patrolled the area regularly. The atmosphere was tense, mainly because all there knew that war was coming, everything came with a price and this was one they had to pay. It wasn't long before enemy aircraft were spotted on the screens of radars stationed outside of the city peremiters. No questions were asked and no communication was established, only huge amounts of missiles did the talking. Over 700 AA Kinetic Missiles were fired at the targets, which were anywhere from 100-150 miles away. After this tremendous volley, over 500 sidewinder missiles were hurled at the enemy aircraft, all intended to bring them down. Back in the city of Rikrit huge six-wheeled armoured vehicles began to creep out of the city boundaries, atop them sat laser turrets capable of rapidly firing and possessing enough heat to melt and go through titanium. These vehicles were means of close-range defense from aircraft, if the border defenses allowed the aircraft to get that far.

Yet in another sector of Rukemia, in the Eastern region where New Freeport was located, turmoil was insuing. Chaos broke out in the harbor town of New Freeport as civilians panicked on hearing the news of approaching Sky Furnaces. The same Sky Furnaces that had ravaged the original city of Freeport to the ground so many years ago. The army in this sector could not contain them and since this was this case, were ordered to ignore them and continue setting up defenses. Armoured troops marched through the city pushing civilians out of the way and heading towards their posts. Laser Turrets were manned and heated in prepartion for firing. It would be sometime before the fight would reach them however, because the defenses on Murkin Island were still running strong, despite the pounding they had recieved, before the communication sent to the Rukemian flagship could even be answered, close to 800 sea-skimming cruise missiles departed from the tiny island and headed towards the undersides of the enemy gravships. Giving the Rukemian grav-fleets to double this answer with a wave of 400 missile-rods and 200 Kinetic missiles all aimed at the enemy gravships most sensitive parts.

Admiral Jackson could not bring himself to reply, he had been as stupid enough to trust an Ardan with his fleet and because of him several thousand young men would die in vein on this day. The grav-fleets that had traveled with those of Lord Sauron were caught off guard, and defenses could not be activated properly, causing the worst scenario possible to unfold as gauss shells pounded into the backs and sides of Rukemian gravships creating a fiery ball of flames in between the Sauron fleets. Those few battleships and cruisers that remained fired back at the Melkorians around them in confusion, launching 250 Kinetic Missiles and letting their fletchette cannons loose on anyone they considered the enemy. All in all, of the five fleets there only remained a combined force of two, which were surrounded and cut-off.

120 Military Aircraft had been destroyed from the Melkorian missile attack, the casualties remained low mainly because of decoys that were put in place of the real craft. The majority of fighter craft had been moved to underground locations weeks prior in preparation for invasion.

Wretchengard

09-02-2004, 11:21

OOC: My armadas that are attacking Mercia are wet water ships, not gravships. Or were you referring to Melkor's ships?

Also, are your anti-air defenses attacking the stealth craft of my air fleet, or the rest of the fleet that's coming up behind them?

Tersanctus

09-02-2004, 15:59

Edmund simply collapsed as he heard the news, Dragon-God or not, he still had human limitations. And Augustus was a dear friend that Edmunds self wouldnt let go of. Kungshao wasa finding it hard to maintain control, he was even pushed back a little...strange.

"Derek, Nathan, help me up." Edmund sobbed.

He looked at the Diplomatic Director. "Diana,....how is he?"

09-02-2004, 20:00

The seventy-five gravships of the Rukemian contribution to the so-called Combined Fleet were, to put it mildly, in a dilly of a pickle.

As soon as Melkor's 3rd & 5th fleets & their attendant Sky Furnaces over Mercia opened up on them & they began to struggle to return fire, their fine new friends from Arda turned on them with a savagery unequalled in the war thus far.

A hail of bullets & tracer rounds rake across the skies whilst air defence missiles streak out of the cloying smog shrouding Sauron's monstrous ships to annihilate the Rukemian ships' air cover- sitting ducks before the guns of their "allies"; whilst on the Rukemians' flanks the ships of the 9th & 4th Gravfleets unleash an intense fusilade of fire into the sides of their erstwhile allies at point blank range. Alongside hypersonic kinetic spears that come screaming in from the fleets' mighty railguns come devestating "Eviscerator" & conventional shells from the barells of the larger cannons & fast-firing DU slugs designed to chew up the frame, armour-plating & body of a vessel from the lesser gunnery.

All pound the Rukemian ships relentlessly.

Fulgrim's 2nd, meanwhile, which had been gradually dropping back from its designated position to yet further behind the rest of the armada, commences pouring fire into the rear of the Rukemian formation, the greatest threat to them coming in the form of the medium-range ballistic missile barrage which smashes into their engines & weak aft sections with devestating effect.

Missiles are launched in waves- faster, smaller ones coming with the first wave, equipped with thermobaric warheads to punch into the ships' hulls & then devestate their interiors & kill crewmembers en masse. The larger & more conventional missiles with the most impressive payloads come in behind them, just fast enough that they will be coming slamming into the enemy ships right as what point defence systems the Rukemians' are able to bring to bear are busily engaged with the first wave of smaller, faster missiles.

In amongst both waves is a large scattering of much smaller missiles no more powerful than your average shoulder-launched rocket, designed to distract point defence systems & confuse sensors etc. They do pose one very real physical danger to the Rukemian navy, however, in that upon detonation they gush out powerful ultrasonic waves that assail the personnel of the ships they strike; capable of causing anything from brain damage to bleeding from the ears to a slight headache depending on the person in question's distance from the point of impact.

The High Admiral does not bother to re-open communications with Jackson, but in any case the message to the Rukemians- hemmed in, pounded head-on by Melkor's fleets & devestated at close ranges at their flanks & at their rear by their "allies"- is quite clear.

Only a fool puts his trust in the Deceiver.

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

Sauron the Deceiver
Lord of Abomination
http://www.theargonath.cc/characters/sauron/pictures/sauron2.jpg
~Dark Lord of Mordor, First Among Maiar, Lieutenant of Morgoth~
_________________________________________________

OOC:

FYI, Eviscerator Shells are very large, seemingly conventional shells shot out at low velocity. Once clear of their gun barrells their own propellant ignites & they drive on into their targets.

Their component pieces are an armour-piercing tip & a mass reactive detonator. A great increase in local mass triggers the detonators, so once the armour-piercing frontal section of the shells punches them into their targets they blow them apart from the inside, causing a pretty critical amount of damage &, if the shell has struck where their is hull-plating or something similar, they literally crack open armour.

Wretchengard

10-02-2004, 08:58

OOC:
Naval Forces:
1st Armada:
- Flagship Behemoth (fruggin' big battleship)
- 2 aircraft carriers
- 6 battleships
- 10 heavy missile cruisers
- 4 missile cruisers
- 10 frigates
- 8 destroyers

2nd Armada:
- 4 battleships
- 2 aircraft carriers
- 6 heavy missile cruisers
- 6 missile cruisers
- 10 frigates
- 12 destroyers

4th Armada:
- 2 heavy missile cruisers
- 4 missile cruisers
- 8 frigates
- 10 destroyers
- 16 fast attack craft

Air fleet consists of:
(each squadron is 12 aircraft)
- 1/2 squadron WSB-03 Phantom-class stealth bombers
- 1 squadron WSF-03 Nightmare-class stealth fighters
- 4 squadrons WF-12 Wraith-class air superiority fighters
- 7 squadrons WF-10 Wyvern-class fighter/bombers
- 3 squadrons WI-6 Warlock-class interceptors
- 3 squadrons WB-16 Seraph-class heavy bombers

So now you know what you're fighting at least. :p

IC:
Admiral N'rahl was not particularly surprised by the prompt attack by the Mercia, but he was surprised by the island defense. The instant hostile actions were detected, every vessel with long range missiles began to fire at will on the Mercia.

The Armadas of the Crimson Navy managed to fire off nearly 600 long range missiles at the flagship Mercia before the enemy missiles came streaming in. Anti-missile defenses and countermeasures sprang to life, spraying fire each missile that home in. The fleet handles the first wave of missiles well, shooting down many missiles and losing only a handful of ships. The second wave, however, overwhelmed their defenses in some points. A number of ships had burst into flames and were sinking; some had large enough holes in the hull that they were already nearly sunk. Most of the ships were able to take at least one missile without too much damage, particularly the rugged battleships and the massive carriers. The flagship Behemoth had suffered no damage to its performance, yet it had taken at least two missile strikes.

The fleet would continue to press the attack. If they could break the defenders here, New Freeport would be theirs. The aircraft carriers began launching their aircraft as quick as they were able, for those planes were needed to take out the island defenses. The majority of the fleet continued to advance on Mercia, with the fastest craft taking the lead. The remaining fast attack craft, destroyers and frigates pulled ahead and began to close; the cruisers and battleships followed behind, and the aircraft carriers kept their distance. They had no close range weapons, so they were better off hanging back. The battleships targeted the island with their coilguns as they approached, and the sound of their great ordnance firing boomed like the hammer of the Almighty himself. Behemoth's mighty 20 inch cannons were particularly to be feared... (OOC: I'm not sure if the island is within range of the cannons yet or not, so it's your call...)

Naval losses: 6 fast attack craft sunk/sinking; 5 destroyers sunk/sinking, 2 disabled; 5 frigates sunk/sinking, 3 damaged; 1 cruiser sunk/sinking, 2 damaged; 1 heavy cruiser sunk/sinking; 2 battleships damaged.

* * * *

The Rukemian defense did not notice Sky Command's stealthy little vanguard, but it sure as hell noticed the swarm of craft coming up behind. Luckily the gravitic air fleet had some time to evade, as they were still about 150 miles and closing from Rikrit. The craft deployed their countermeasures and attempted some tricky maneuvers to try and evade the incoming missile attack. The all-important heavy bombers and their interceptor escorts hung back, perfectly willing to let the rest of the fleet take the brunt of the attack. The kinetic missiles came in first, hard and fast. Because of the speed a kinetic missile needs to have to be effective, it was hard for them to match the maneuvering of the Wretchan craft. Several craft didn't move fast enough and exploded into flaming balls of wreckage. The sheer number of the missiles made it difficult for the fighters to avoid. Some would dodge one missile only to end up in the path of another. More explosions lit the sky. The airfleet continued on, and then the second wave came at them: sidewinder missiles, slower than the kinetic missiles but much more maneuverable and able to home in on their targets. Here the fighters used their speed to try and evade, outrunning the missiles that came after them, as well as countermeasures to confuse the missile sensors. A number of craft were too slow, and the missiles plowed into them. The sky was alive with flame as Wretchan pilots burned alive in plummeting aircraft. With the last wave of missiles endured, the remains of the Wretchan airfleet continued onward. It remained to be seen if they would have enough firepower to complete their objectives, but dammit they would try.

It was time for the stealth craft to make themselves known. With Rukemia's defensive positions revealed by their missile attacks, the vanguard had their targets. Bombs fell from the heavens, bombarding anti-air defenses. The stealth bombers would continue until they had dropped their entire payloads. The stealth fighters targeted defensive positions with precision strikes, using the air-to-surface missiles they carried. They too would fire all of their ground-attack missiles on the enemy before withdrawal was an option.

Meanwhile at the airfields just outside of Vhaldruin, more gravitic craft took to the air and followed in the direction the original airfleet had taken. If the Rukemians wanted to play hardball, Sky Command was game...

Aircraft losses: 23 fighters downed, 36 fighter/bombers downed, 10 heavy bombers downed, 5 interceptors downed

Drakonian Imperium

10-02-2004, 15:53

0945 Zulu
Small Town
Mekka Mountains, Rukemia
Insurgency Training Area

The compound was small and non-descript. It just looked like a standard automobile garage. Cars were up on lifts, and mechanics would have been hard at work, but the evacuation had emptied the small town as everyone fled from the area that shortly would become occupied. Almost everyone. In the basement of the building it was another story. Rukemian Civilians and Military personell rushed around as Drakonian Intelligence Agents helped coorinate the operations across the nation.

"We'll want to finish up minefeilds here and here, to herd the Orcs toward this area." A man gestured to areas on a map spread out on a desk.

Despite appearances, the Drakonians had had a backup plan in place in Rukemia. Rukemia was supposed to be the simple insurrection, yet instead everything had turn to be opposite. The Ardans had abandoned Fyreheart to focus on Rukemia's destruction, and now there was war. This was where contingency planning came into play.

The Drakonians had been secretly training, the Insurgency. Basicly, the Insurgency would be a civilian militia, trained in the arts of guerrila warfare. They were being prepared in secret for two reasons, the first had been to counteract any attempt of the old Rukemia government to reseize the country, and second, to make any Ardan invasion a living hell. Coordinating with the Rukemia militias and military the Drakonian were now preparing to fight a guerrila war. They would make Arda pay with blood for every foot they gained.

As the first air raid alarms sounded signaling the Ardan approach the basement of the garage emptied. Everyone scattering into the tunnel networks that had been dug. The command center would be moved, to a more rear position.

All that was left were empty crates, which had held vintage soviet weaponry. All had been smuggled into the country after being bought from nations that had an excess in stock. AK-47s, RPG-7s, and some other equipment, including grenades and a mass of ammunition had been handed out to the remaining local populace and militia.

The fighting would soon be here.

Vegana

10-02-2004, 21:08

Captain Seamus and Seaman Staines looked down on Arda deep below them. Mostly the ground was covered by mist and fumes but here and there they could catch a glimpse of rocks and deserts. Seamus nudged Staines in the side with his elbow.

"Is this what we came to defend? Where's the lush forests and the creeks and running waters?"

Staines looked down with sad eyes. "Damn, what have they done here? Is this the Bisonic plateau we glassed all those years ago? What kind of people lives down there?"

"Dumsnut! This is Arda, they live mostly underground, like in Whispering Voices you know. " Seamus sighed and watched the ground beneath them again. It sure wasn't a pretty sight

Rukemia

11-02-2004, 03:47

Outskirts of Rikrit, around 50 miles from urban area

The defensive missile silos stationed all around the city were hit hard as undetected aircraft dropped bomb after bomb onto their positions, sometimes wiping out the missile cache next to the silos out entirely. The explosions shook the ground violently, causing minor quakes that reached as far as the city of Rikrit itself, off-setting soldiers steps as they marched about the industrial areas. The silos were wide spread however and not compact, meaning that they were seperated by several miles, but there were enough of them to still pack quite a punch against enemy aircraft. In between the border from which the aircraft came and the city to which they were headed were several dozen relatively small (100,000-400,000) towns and villages, from which the silos recieved their ammunition to reload and continue firing rapidly into the sky towards their enemies. 89 out of some 400 missile bases were either destroyed, or damaged to the point where they could no longer fire.

As the enemy stealth fighters began to close in, missile silos prepared to return the favor as their radars picked up traces of the stealth aircraft now that they were in close enough range. Traces were enough, though, to fire somewhat precisely and accurately upon the previously unseen aircraft in the skies, another tremendous volley of 900 Kinetic Missile soared from the bases and through the air, 400 aimed at whatever traces of stealth aircraft could be seen, the rest at the already detected craft further behind. Those who operated the silos hoped to overwhelm the enemy with numbers, which in this war would be a tactic used on all versions of the battlefield...

Rukemian Waters, 70 miles from New Freeport

Hundreds of missiles had been launched, all of which were aimed at the Mercia, the flagship of the entire fleet and the largest gravship of them all. If it had not been for the vessels surrounding the vessels, the flagship would've been completely overworked and decimated within in minutes from the oncoming reign of missiles from the bowels of enemy fleets. The 1st-5th fleets(75 ships), the last left of the Rukemian Navy, braced for impact and activated every defense mechanism they had as the missiles closed in. If this was going to be their last battle, then they refused to go down without giving their enemies a hell of a fight. As many of the missiles were shot down from a far distance using long range fletchette cannons, which under normal circumstances would be used for offensive measures. The cannon orbs slammed head to head with the missiles, in most cases causing them to prematurely explode, littering the ocean below in shredded metal and debris.

The missiles that got through the cannon barrier put the gravships in a rather hairy situation, before most gun railings could be activated it was already to late. Most missiles smacked into the fronts and sides of the frigates and cruisers which spearheaded the fleets, making them moan and groan as they teetered in midair and eventually fell out of the sky and plummeted into the ocean. Thousands of young men and women remained trapped beneath their metal shells as the heat from the explosions had sealed off escape pods, they died a most painful death, that of suffocation but all in the name of their freedom and country. A mighty battleship was brought down to the ocean floor as well, taking several hits in its command center and even more in its sides. All in all casualties were high, 9 frigates destroyed, 8 Cruisers destroyed, 4 Destroyers destroyed, 1 Battleship destroyed. All gravships that remained afloat and still had some ability to fire were not considered casualties, as any ship could be of use in what might be this final battle of the Rukemian seas.

A counterattack was launched, the Rukemian gravships held their defensive positions and fired another volley, though not as large as the last one, of Kinetic Missiles. The missiles zoomed out of their ports and straight forward towards their enemies, blue flames erupting from their exhaust as they shot towards enemy fleets. A little over 300 were fired and the gravships were left in silence to reload.

Another strike was ordered from Murkin Island, power in numbers was again the tactic as 600 sea-skimming cruise missiles were launched once again, soaring over the island and eventually dipping down to a height of around 20 ft. above sea level as the jetted towards Wretchan fleets aimed at their sides and fronts, the most likely places for a ship to sink from impact.

For the first time in the sea theatre of the war aviation was put into use as 200 F-16s launched from the mainland, in 10 by 10 formation until all 200 were in the air. The aircraft flew with a since of urgency towards the battlesite in the sea and once in range grouped themselves into elements of 5. Targets were selected, mainly the largest of the Wretchan fleets, those that were suspected to be flagships, or ships that might hold the admiral. Once targets were located and confirmed, the pilots swooped down and let their ordinance go, a huge payload of anti-ship missiles, all with warheads light enough to travel a long distance, but deliver a decent blow. The fighters fired these weapons into the thick of the Wretchan fleet aiming for maximum success and the most carnage they could obtain. From around 50 miles out the fighters fired in all over 800 missiles at the enemy ships, again believing strength and power in numbers.

They pulled up veered to either the left or right and sped off towards the mainland, there they would land and another cycle of fighters would be launched, all presumably to the same target. This war was getting bloody and fast, but if this is how the Ardans wanted, this is how they would get it.

OOC: Yea, Murkin Island is pretty much out of range from cannon fire, most of the Islands defences are located deep in the heart of it and not on the coasts.

IC:

The remnants of those fleets that had traveled with Sauron's had been completely destroyed, the last attack they had launched against Melkorian forces were their last, as their ships crept slowly to the bottom of the ocean. Their losses blamed solely on their immense confusion as to why they had been fired upon in the first place.

11-02-2004, 04:58

A group of islands in the south atlantic. The unremarkable home of 1.5 billion people.

50 billion in US funds had just arrived by aircraft, sealing the deal with the government hiring them.

The Legion had a commission once again.

Troops began to move from bases, towards the massive transports that would convey them.

Aircraft began to fuel.

Submarines slipped into the water, seeking their way towards the target.

Their targets were to the North.

Many would have called this a suicide mission. But the Mercenary State of the Falkenberg Legion took money to die.

11-02-2004, 05:05

The Fleet was encountering difficulties. It had been surged unexpectedly to create the blockade, and the human crew was beginning to run short on consumables.

This created a problem, for if the crew was not fit, the efficiency of the Fleet would suffer.

Four of the Battle Groups of the Fleet had to be recalled. Those ships with enough consumables remaining were scarcely more than two battle groups. If air support was needed, it would also be flown in from the Land Which Must Be Protected.

And so, 10 submarines, 2 battlecruisers, 21 gunboats, and 12 fighters patrolled where once there had been many times that.

Overhead, the Fleet's attention turned outwards. Ships would be prepared. Conflict out of Earth Orbit seemed more likely with every message coming in.

Besides, Lord Melkor's need for support on Earth was drawing to a close. It was in space he would need it next, according the FleetNet.

And so, the Fleet prepared.

Tersanctus

11-02-2004, 05:17

OOC: Sorry Melkor...I need to give you an excuse.

IC:

The Tersanctan Templar Commandant Fernan Gonsalas was in an offshore Island with no links too Tersanctus. The funding that paid for this place went strictly through offshore accounts, also with no links too Tersanctus, only agents that held Citizenship in other Countries deposited monies in those accounts.

And the Secret Airfield was also done through foreign countries, no paperwork, no questions asked. It was nice too have some Rebels as friends.

And the Stealth Bombers had been bought from some outside Countries, also nice too have some friends in High Places.

And the Computer Techies were just College Graduates from other countries who wanted a shitload of Money for their skill, no questions asked. It was nice to have high friends in low places.

The squadron of Bombers prepared too leave....the pilots ex-Intelligence, and Pilots, also from foreign countries, who just wanted a nice nest-egg for a single mission. No questions asked.

They took off at the highest ceiling possible, with a payload of Nuclear Missiles. Nothing Huge, they were less powerful than the ones used in World War II, but they could vaporize a few city blocks no problem.

And the target was a perfect spot. The Mekka Mountains in Rukemia, no known Civilian Populations, a few military bases, and a large contingency of crossing Orcs. They might be immune to cold, and certain Viral Chemicals, But Nuclear Warheads, would be another matter.

They left, slicing through the night sky the stealth design making them Virtually invisible. They arrived some hours later, having traveled at Mach 3.

The radars showed Sky Furnaces in the distance, back on the Island, an Encrypted Transmission was sent to Rukemia.

[code:1:ab54518fc0]Any military forces friendly too this country in the Mekka Mountains, seek refuge NOW. This is your first and last warning. Get inside any shelters designed to withstand a nuclear blast. Leave any equipment behind, Save yourselves.[/code:1:ab54518fc0]

With that, the bombers moved into high gear, the TDS revealing the landscape below in green computerized detail. The Mekka mountains, full spread was there target.

The squadron of 15 planes fired their payload of 16 B61's, 16 B83's, 16 AGM-129 ACM's, and 16 AGM-131 SRAM 2's, each. The mountains would never be the same again......

Wretchengard

12-02-2004, 03:28

In the skies near/above Rikrit:

There weren't many stealth craft; only 6 Phantom stealth bombers and 12 Nightmare stealth fighters had made up the vanguard of the Wretchan airfleet. It was overkill. The swarm of missiles completely overwhelmed them, destroying them all.

But they had served their purpose.

With the defenders' fire concentrated on the stealth craft that had taken them by surprise, the rest of the airfleet had time to reach Rikrit. Now the bombardment would begin in earnest. The remaining 26 Seraph heavy bombers made attack runs, dropping bombs on the missile silos. The 48 Wyvern fighter/bombers remaining began their attack runs as well. Although they couldn't match the payloads of the mighty Seraph bombers, they were a fair bit quicker. They were targeting the missile silos as well, for the airfleet couldn't complete its mission if they were being blown to pieces all the time. The 31 remaining Warlock interceptors circled the skies, ready to take down any enemy aircraft that might appear. 25 Wraith fighters remained. With no enemy aircraft to engage, they joined in on the ground attack. They launched what few air-to-surface missiles they carried, then began to strafe unarmoured gun placements and soldiers on the ground.

The airfleet would continue these tactics until all opposition was crushed. Victory seemed to be within their grasp...

Off Rukemia's eastern coast, nearing New Freeport:

Wretchan aircraft began to fill the skies as they took off from the carriers to engage their Rukemian counterparts. There was a total of 100 gravitic aircraft per aircraft carrier, 50 Wraith fighters and 50 Wyvern fighter/bombers.

They did not get in the sky quick enough to stop the Rukemian fleet's counterattack. Between the enemy fleet's missiles, the island defenses and this newest strike from the enemy aircraft, the fleet was taking a hell of a pounding. Every gun with any ability at all of shooting down missiles was utilized, and anti-missile defenses were going nuts. There were just too many.

The Behemoth shook as it took a hit.

"Damage?!" Admiral N'rahl roared.

"We've lost some portside guns," an officer replied.

N'rahl wasn't concerned. As long as Behemoth had its big coilguns and missile launchers, it would remain an effective war machine. His fleet however, had suffered a beating. 10 destroyers were going down, including the 2 that had been disabled in the previous strike; 9 frigates were out of the fight, including the 3 that were damaged earlier; 3 missile cruisers were destroyed, 1 sitting with extensive engine damage; 5 heavy missile cruisers were sunk or sinking; one carrier had been hit and was going down with half of its aircraft still onboard; the 2 battleships that had been damaged before were sinking; and lastly, 4 more fast attack craft had gone down. The casualties taken so far were worrying, and N'rahl began to wonder if his ships could fight against both the gravships and the island at once.

"Send out a message to our allies," he ordered. "With the rest of Rukemia's gravships destroyed, I'm sure Melkor will want to see the rest destroyed as well. Surely either his ships or Sauron's will aid us."

Then the remnants of the Wretchan fleet launched its counterattack. While they had much fewer ships than they had arrived with, the good news was that they were close enough now to use their intermediate-range missiles as well as the long range. The battleships' fearsome coilguns might also be of some help, as they were coming into range. N'rahl had decided that the fleet posed the greatest threat; the Murkin island defenses would have to be taken out later.

The fleet prepared another missile strike against the Rukemian gravs, firing over 300 more long-range missiles and an additional 200 or so intermediate-ranged missiles. In addition, the fore coilguns on the battleships took aim at the enemy fleet and opened fire. With 8 battleships, each with 6 main cannons placed at the fore (3 more aft), that made 48 16 inch coilguns firing on the gravship fleet. And then there was the Behemoth. The great battleships boasted two huge 20 inch coilguns mounted on the fore, as well as twelve 16 inch coilguns (6 fore, 6 aft). All of Behemoth's front cannons opened fire, and the thundering of the great cannons could be heard for miles and miles.
(OOC: the massive cannons, while powerful, lack accuracy. Keep that in mind when posting losses.)

The Wretchan aircraft that had managed to get in the air so far also began to attack. Of a total of 350 aircraft that survived the missile attack, 280 were in the air. The 160 Wraith air-superiority fighters began to engage the Rukemian aircraft with air-to-air missiles. They would do so until all enemy aircraft were destroyed. The Wyvern fighter/bombers targeted the Rukemian gravships, launching missile after missile into their hulls, trying to strike grav drives and bring the big vessels down. Their priority targets were missile cruisers, battleships and the Mercia.

The battle for the coast raged on...

Treznor

12-02-2004, 04:09

In responses to instructions from the Emperor, the growing military arm of the Empire of Treznor begins to mobilise. Defenses are tested and shored up, while land, air and sea units begin regular patrols. All leave is cancelled and citizens are urged to stock their shelves in preparation of possible seige or even invasion.

At the highest levels of government, ministers and officers alike wonder at the absence of the Emperor during the effort to put the nation on a war setting. Quiet mutterings take place in secret meetings, but no one moves just yet. The Emperor has ordered the Empire to be on alert, and they will obey. And they wonder what will come next.

Drakonian Imperium

12-02-2004, 04:28

1120 Zulu
Task Force Stormfront
Lost American Blockade, International Waters
Hot Zone

The fleet advanced through the debris of sunken ships, through the former blockade line, and on to the Fyreheart coast. The transports, troop ships, and cargo freighters moved up and it would be quite shortly that more Drakonian troops arrived to end the corruption and evil of the fallen government of Nathan Hurst.

It was suspected that Melkor's evacuation would be done soon be completed and Fyreheart would be free of Ardan oversight and oppression. Soon the nation would once again be a peaceful democracy.

Warships, began their patrols of the area.

Drakonian Imperium

12-02-2004, 04:58

2341 Zulu
Grand Praetorian Palace
Drako Throne, Drakonian Imperium
Conference Room

Edmund simply collapsed as he heard the news, Dragon-God or not, he still had human limitations. And Augustus was a dear friend that Edmunds self wouldnt let go of. Kungshao wasa finding it hard to maintain control, he was even pushed back a little...strange.

"Derek, Nathan, help me up." Edmund sobbed.

He looked at the Diplomatic Director. "Diana,....how is he?"

Both me help the Executor of Tersanctus to a seat.

By that time the General was finished with the conversation. "This is not the time to be talking of events out of our control."

Surprisingly, it was Diana who was next to join the arguement. "We must return to the international scene. Look what is going on in Arda, and Mars, and Io. We cannot cast aside the international community.

"This will come out sometime. We all know this event cannot be hidden. It's better on our own terms and by our own hand. Not to mention the national support the Praetorship will have when the public knows what has transpired."

The speech was the final word. General Derek Long let out a long sigh, signalling his submission. Nathan Lamb did not respond immediately. Finally, did. "Make the necessary preparations." He sighed as well. "I guess I won't be taking that diplomatic trip to Tersanctus." He walked out the Conference Room. General Long gave a knod to the Executor and then he too left.

Diana sighed as well. "I suppose we should go down to see them now." She guided Edmund Dantes out of the room.

Glorious Humanity

12-02-2004, 06:54

0700 Zulu (7 AM)
Council Room

"The Drakonians are landing more people," Ablegard reported to the Council. Present were Minister Pierce, as well as Generals Hanoway and Washington, and Director Fox of Military Intelligence. Fox had just given Ablegard the report he was reciting. "A whole shitload of boats and people."

"Okay, they're bringing more in," Hanoway shrugged. "So?"

"So we should be reinforcing our own positions," Ablegard answered. "We do have people out there already, and there's no telling what the Drakonians will do." Ablegard had assumed the worst, that Drakonia was getting ready to wage war on its allies.

"Why?" Pierce asked. Pierce favored the more moderate idea that Drakonia was simply protecting itself from an imagined attack, and would unwind soon enough. "Why not just pack up and get the hell out of there? Our part's done."

"Not hardly," Ablegard answered. "We've still got a new government to help build. We should be seeing this through, prove we don't run like some people." His veiled reference to Lavenrunz's departure from the war was not lost on the others.

"General Ablegard, lay off already," Pierce said. "They had to break, they've got their own troubles. We shouldn't look down on them for wanting to put their own house in order."

"Thank God you're not in the military," Ablegard growled.

"Indeed," Pierce shot back. "I'm too smart to be a soldier."

"Quit it, both of you," General Hanoway cut them off before they could really get into the argument. "This isn't helping. The President is in Lavenrunz making friends. We're not leaving Fyreheart. End of story." The petite woman had a remarkably commanding voice when she wanted to use it. They were all reminded again why the General of the Navy had risen so high so young. "Now," she continued. "What do we propose to send?"

"If I can get the transports," Ablegard said, still glaring at Pierce. "The Army can deploy another thirty thousand soldiers and a few hundred vehicles to Fyreheart over the next two weeks. That should be enough to ensure we don't have any trouble."

"I'll sweeten that," Hanoway told him. "In addition to transports, I'll throw in the supercarriers Humanity and Sealord under Admiral Brighton, along with twenty or so tin cans for escort duty. Say fifteen destroyers, a couple frigates, and three cruisers. That's not a match for the fleets everyone else was fielding, but it should be enough to sit and look pretty off the coast. The carriers will be able to give your people some air support too."

"If you can provide decks, I can add something too," Washington, the Air Force General, got involved. "I'll throw in a couple hundred TAF fighters. If Ablegard's people can get an airbase of some kind, I can give you even more fighters, and some bombers too."

"You'll get your base," Ablegard promised her. "I'll send materials along with the first shipment of the new troops. We'll build you an airbase."

"Once the fleets have arrived, we can have the destroyers and frigates escort the transports back and forth," Hanoway said then.

"Alright then," Pierce took control of the meeting again. "Meanwhile I'll keep trying to figure out what the hell Drakonia is doing while you soldiers do your jobs, and Director Fox tries to get secrets to tell us." There were nods around the table.

Melkor Unchained

12-02-2004, 08:00

For the first time that Commodore Castamir could remeber, his fleets were actually close enough to a kinetic launch to do something about it. Given the nature of the missiles, it was nigh on impossible to shoot them down once they'd acheived their target speeds. These, however, were launched more or less in front of them, and wouldn't yet strike for some time. Precision lasers pierced through the sky by the dozens as the gravships shifted position slightly, climbing in the air, aft-first [as most of the Point Defgnese systems were there].

They shot some hundreds down--mostly the Kinetic AA's aimed at their air support from afar. The launch pads of these missiles were then systematically targetted, and fired upon by long range gravitic missiles.

The Freeport Fleets climbed steadily higher as they neared New Freeport, and commenced shelling strategic positions in and around the city as their firing arc widened over the city. Air defenses were top priority, and sensors plotted and picked out--to the best of their ability--loaded missile silos, and ordered strikes on them as well, trusting in the power and speed of heavy EMP warheads from the battleships to disable their launch and guidance systems.

The Mercia Fleets [the First through Third] continued their grim advance, the eerie black shroud of the First Fleet clouding the sky ever more as it grew greater. Smoke poured from the rumbling engines as They redlined towards the city, keeping the pressure on with neatly planned waves of Ship-to-ship missile strikes with what weapons remained undamaged. A number of Frigates fell from the sky, their flaming metal hulls screaming towards the ground and impacting finally with tremednous force, levelling structures and utterly destroying roads as they went down over the countryside. A battlecruiser steadily lost altitude, its engines flaming. An Air Destroyer listed heavily and still more frigates hobbled behind, mostly in the 2nd Fleet, which had sustained the brunt of the enemy attack.

Fighters broke fromt he First fleet as news of bombers reached their ears--the first aircraft beleived to have been launched by their foes thus far. 3 Squadrons of fighters streaked high into the sky after them, and descended upon the hapless bombers and fired their missiles at them in force, hoping to take them down before they could launch.

Some streaked to intercept what had been launched, targetting primarily any missiles which were aimed to impede the main army fron Angband. EMP charges from interceptors sped at the missiles, causing a good number of them to fall harmlessly from the sky. THe charges aimed at the Mekka mountains were largely allowed to fall where they may, trusing in their power to do more damage to the Rukemians than to the orc-armies on the range. [ooc: Rukemia: your mountains, your call. I'll post losses appropriate to what sort of damage is done]

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

Rukemia

13-02-2004, 03:14

...

Rukemia

13-02-2004, 03:14

Mekka Mountains, Rukemia

The mountainous landscape rapidly crumbled as blast after blast eroded the rocks and snow that had once sat peacefully atop the mountain range. Such vibration in short periods of time caused severe avalanches, rugged trails that orcs climbed about completely gave in, falling deep into the crevices of the mountain, where death was certain. The air above the mountains grew thick with the chemical gases that were constantly being launched in between them at enemies of Rukemia who traveled inside them. It was estimated that the mountains would be have to be abandoned for years before they would be able to sustain any form of life again. Above the peaks of the mountains a bright sun poked out of an otherwise green sky and shown brightly on the enemy troops. Rukemian troops stationed about 25 miles south of the mountain ranges had recieved little news as to whether there constant poundings of chemical cannons and bombings had been doing their intended purposes. They could only continue to dish out what they had with a unrelenting intensity, keeping the thought that they were protecting their homelands in their minds.

After several more hours of shelling, a telegram came in to the main base of the troops stationed outside the mountain range, who it was from was uncertain, but they apparently considered themselves friendly with the Rukemian cause. The telegram advised for 1.5 million Rukemians to take cover and hinted towards the use of nuclear weapons, unsure of what was about to happen the Rukemians heeded the advice, already in thick metal bunkers capable of withstanding a nuclear blast in their current positions. The troops hunkered down but still remained alert, ever-watching in suspicion of a trick that might unfoil, all the while the shellings continued, no matter what was about to happen the shelling was ordered to continue commencing.

Rukemian radars kept a close eye on the skies and sure enough several unidentified aircraft appeared on radar, from their size and speed they appeared to be out of range from Rukemian troops to do any damage towards them, but just in case, silos locked onto their positions and aimed for firing out of pure safety procedures. The aircraft were allowed to continue their current path as long as they didn't get to close to the bunker formations. They flew high above the orcish troops below, continuing their same formation, and then without warning, an unatural bellow was heard throughout the mountains and several miles outward. Several bright lights flashed over the mountains making them practically invisible to any who were watching them. Then it came, a tremendous, fiery wind blew huge chunks of mountain rock everywhere, including the direction of troop bunkers, several Rukemians were killed as rocks rolled over their bunkers, crushing many who were inside too death and disabling a number of cannons.

But none could've been hit harder than those within the mountains themselves, for what seemed like an eternity this unatural wind blew until finally it came at rest, and the decimation of the mountains could be seen with a naked eye. The once beautiful snowcapped mountains that were trademarks of Rukemian's wall to the rest of the world were virtually gone, the blast had eroded the rock so severly that it had acted as a giant sanding paper and cut the mountains down almost to a hilly rockland. The snow within a wide radius had been completely evaporated and the rockland smoldered and steamed as if it were cooking. The fallout was of a wide scale and gas mask were donned among Rukemian ranks, specialty filters were activated within the intricate tunnels that ran through Rukemia's underground to prevent any radiation from spreading throughout the country via the tunnels.

The mountain-city of Mekka, some 80 miles away were alerted of the blast and the soldiers that protected that city rushed cooperative civilians underground into the filtered tunnels safe from radiation. Troops there as well grasped thier gasmasks and put them on, fearful of strong winds bringing radiation their way.

The aftermath of the blasts destroyed 75% of the mountain range, most of which were crawling with the armies of Arda and rabid orcs. The commander of the 1.5 million troops who defended the border from these blood fiends was questionable in his decision to let this happen, he thought perhaps that Rukemian's could've done this on their own and the destruction of a natural national monument wouldnt've been neccasary, but whatever his thoughts were it was too late now.

From the Rukemian's view there was no way anyone could've survived that blast, already casualties were flooding in on the side of Rukemia, thousands injured, hundreds killed. Material damage was in the millions, all these things were small in stature though compared to the destruction that reaked upon the infamous Mekka mountains that day, it would take, perhaps millions of years for them to return and this was of course, if God permitted it.

It seemed as though the war had temporarily ended in this section of Rukemia, with a virtually unpassable steaming, nuclear wasteland left in place of the once beautiful mountains, it was soon known that this war would leave many consequences, nothing came for free...

OOC: I'll post damages and responses to all other attacks in a bit, just wanted to get the emphasis on the damage of the mountains...

13-02-2004, 04:30

Having been at sea for two days, the Fleet of the Falkenberg Legion was drawing close to the South of Arda. Seventy-five massive freighters and twenty five warships sailed forward, but even the two supercarriers were dwarfed by the freighters, half again their size.

The freighters, armed, as had been revealed in previous conflicts, readied their forward railguns. And then, 175 massive shells roared outward towards the remaining Lost Americans blockade forces.

It was only twenty more miles to the coast of Rukemia. A third of an hour. The massive formation began to break up, headed for unembattled parts of the long Rukemian coastline.

13-02-2004, 18:53

High Admiral Fulgrim was most pleased- the Rukemians had been utterly annihilated; the strategy of the Voice had worked perfectly. He had not lost a single one of ships- indeed, the inept Rukemian commanders had not even ordered an attack upon them. Only the barest handful of personnel had been lost (as a result of the unfortunate accidents suffered by any military undertaking an operation of such scale) .

His fleets did not join Melkor's in the push on to Mercia. The role of His Lordship in this conflict would lose its special significance from here on in- Mordor had already done enough to secure itself a slice of the pie in effectively taking the Rukemian Navy out of the war. To needlessly endanger its forces in further operations when news from abroad seemed to indicate that Arda was in a precarious position elsewhere would be foolish in the extreme.

Presently Sauron's forces set about securing the spoils of war that were due to them- taking survivors of the massacre prisoner & setting about salvaging what they could of the seventy five Rukemian gravships that had been brought down.

Arsenal ships & other craft attached to the armada capable of long-range tactical missile delivery launched acts of random violence against areas throughout Rukemia from time to time, striking at train stations, airports, docks, public transport terminuses, built-up residential & commercial districts etc. in "out of the way" Rukemian towns & cities that would otherwise likely have been unaffected by the fighting of the war, as well as at roads & such coming out of Mercia, New Freeport & other greatly afflicted areas of the country, which would no doubt be thick with civilians in the process of evacuating. Secondary targets were more remote known military outposts & government buildings throughout the country that had thus far been left alone by the Ardans, in light of their strategic & geographic irrelevancy.

Though tactically irrelevant, Fulgrim's strikes would make sure that the war was seen to affect citizens in all corners of the nation, & give the people of Rukemia the impression that no-where was safe.

Terror was as much a weapon of the Enemy as Deceit, after all.

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

Sauron the Deceiver
Lord of Abomination
http://www.theargonath.cc/characters/sauron/pictures/sauron2.jpg
~Dark Lord of Mordor, First Among Maiar, Lieutenant of Morgoth~
_________________________________________

14-02-2004, 20:02

The Fleet had watched the oncoming mercenary ships, but had not considered them a threat. The naval vessels were too few in number, and it would take time to launch the aircraft needed to pose a threat. Transports were not supposed to be armed.

But then the massive salvo came, and the point defenses spun awake. But it was too late. The Battle Groups were wiped from the ocean in a blaze of wreckage, which was soon obliterated at the reactors blew. A fusion bomb swallowed the deployed surface Fleet.

Nothing was in position to respond, and it would be too late by the time anything could. FleetNet watched helplessly as enemy aircraft launched, and the massive force ground on.

Rukemia

15-02-2004, 04:07

ooc: I just wrote a huge ass post and the god damn forum ate it...I'll try to type another one up as soon as possible

Rukemia

15-02-2004, 17:12

Outskirt of Rikrit, Battle for Air Supremacy

Hell continued to reign from the skies, as Wretchan bombers dropped their ordinance onto defensive missile silos, desroying both the pads themselves and the ammunition storages. The explosions turned the missile pads into little more than scrap metal, killing all those inside the control labs. The strafings didn't harm much, almost all missile depots ran underground and surfaced briefly to quickly reload any silos in waiting. Several civilians were killed though, and a few misplaced military and civilian vehicles were destroyed, besides that casualties were minimum. The story was diferent for the silos though, the number of those that had been taken out were staggering, another 75 vulnerable silos had fallen victim to the Wretchan bombing raids, giving the Wretchans that much more of an advantage on their enproachment to Rikrit.

This advantage was short-lived, however, as 85 Eurofighters lifted off from underground runways near Rikrit and entered the enraged skies heading full speed towards Wretchan bombers and fighters. Once in range to fire (35 miles), they broke off into elements of five and began coordinating with the missile silos on the ground. Then in an amazing display of joint-effort, a huge wave of death was delivered from both the silos and the Eurofighters. Simultaneous with their defensive counterparts on the ground, the Eurofighters launched 6 of their 8 air-to-air missiles at the Wretchan aircraft, all aimed at specific targets, mainly those that posed the most threats, which were the Heavy Bombers and Bombers. While this barrage went on in the sky, the remaining 196 missile silos on the ground fired 3 missiles each in rapid motion, each seperated by a little over half a mile and traveling upwards to hit their designated targets, mainly the interceptors and bombers. The grand total of missiles used this huge assault reached over 1,000, the largest number to be used yet.

Shortly after the Eurofighters had fired their ordinance, they continued at Mach 2 speeds towards the enemy airfleet, intending to take apart their remaining enemies in the art known as dogfighting. The Rukemian pilots were well skilled in this area, and felt they had the upperhand after the last huge wave of missiles that had been aimed at their enemies. None the less, they went into the fray of battle with cannons armed and two missiles left, never underestimating the remainder of their airborne counterparts.

Battle of New Freeport Bay

The 53 Rukemian gravships that remained were temporarily overwhelmed by the numbers of missiles being hurled at them, but certainly not defeated at this point. Yet again the ships took the defensive, readying any gun that had a targetting ability and putting them up for the task of bringing down the missiles heading their way. The noise was almost unbearable, as every cannon, railgun and EMP scatterer was activated in the defense of the fleet, creating a chorus of death and destruction that could be heard as far as Murkin Island. Even with the gravships dedication of every available gun to bring down the waves of missiles that their enemies pitted against them, a number of them still got through. The majority of missiles smacked into the front hulls of the protective barrier of frigates on the exterior of the fleet, breaking through shields and burning the crews inside alive as flames erupted from the blast and swept through the gravships interior. Eight frigates were the first to fall, plummeting with a trail of smoke gallowing behind them, headfirst into the ocean. The destroyers were next to feel the attack, as another four of them met their resting places in the ocean, and finally the larger ships recieved the pounding, most of them were able to take more than a few hits, but there were always those that took more, with two cruisers falling to the ocean and one battleship erupting in flames.

Shells from the Belemoth flew widely into and around the ring of battleships that sacrificed themselves for the Mercia, the largest Rukemian gravship, and the one that had been dishing out the most missiles and missile rods thus far. Few shells hit their targets, but the ones that did left their mark as they disabled engines and shut down several gun ports on the sides of the battleships. This was not enough to render them useless though, as they still possessed the ability to fire on the Wretchans. The 38 ships that remained, defended their homeland's feverishly, launching another 150 Kinetic missiles, in three waves of 50 as well as 400 missile rods all aimed at the Wretchan ships, the majority aimed at their flagship, the Belemoth. Fletchette cannons and conventional missile pods took on the task of taking out the harassing Wretchan aircraft, locking onto targets and sending waves of missiles hurling at them as well as cannon shells.

Another 200 F-16s left their underground runways, much in the same fashion that they had left before, but this time with a group of 50 Eurofighters to the rear, headed out towards the naval battle. Their targets were primarily the Wretchan aircraft that bombed Rukemian naval positions, and secondly the Wretchan ships themselves. They flew towards their Wretchan counterparts, and at 30 miles out launched 4 air-to-air missiles of their 8 missiles at those enemy fighters that were airborne, totaling 1,000 missiles (roughly 4 missiles to each enemy fighter). The missiles spun and wavered until they reached their targets, making it difficult for defensive guns to pinpoint them and take them down.

Shortly after this huge assortment of missiles were launched, the 250 fighters broke off into elements of 10 and dipped down towards the ocean, letting loose another two anti-ship missiles each totaling 500 missiles, which traveled in much of the same way as their air-to-air counterparts did. The fighter elements veered upward after firing their missiles and headed for the remaining Wretchan pilots, still having two missiles each to fire, they readied their cannons and prepared to eliminate their enemies.

In random places all around the countryside, foriegn missiles from an unidentified enemy fleet were being shot down, the majority be laser and the minority by other missiles. Few survived long enough to get to their targets, whatever they were, and the ones that did manage to explode killed relatively few civilians, casualites numbering around 200. The majority of citizens within major cities and towns had been moved deep underground, into safe bunkers where they would stay until the war's end. Those missiles that were aimed at trainstations, residential areas, etc. did their fare share of damage, but resulted in few casualties and many within these areas had long since been evacuated.

OOC: Before I respond to you, Melkor, I need to know where exactly your gravships are, and who your fighters are firing upon, once that's all cleared up I'll write up a reply.

Melkor Unchained

15-02-2004, 20:22

[ooc: I think there's some confusion here as to where my gravships are. I moved them in from the north, overland. You seem to be describing the battle as taking place over water, which it isn't. To the immediate northwest of New Freeport I've got one fleet, advancing quickly towards the city. There are two Furnaces with it.

The other two are heading towards Mercia from the northeast. There are three furnaces.

My fighters are currently engaging any air cover that would try to interpose itself beween my fleets and their target. I have around 200 aircraft with the two fleets heading towards Merica, and about 150 for the one to New Freeport.

All active artillery batteries are firing actively on ground fortifications--particularly missile silos and airbases in the fleets' path. ]

Scandavian States

15-02-2004, 23:51

Captain Li was handed a transcript of a transmission from Fleet Command and his eyes widened, "Admiral Jorgenssen, we have orders to pull the fleet out. We're to repair and rearm, then we'll recieve orders for regional patrol and defense."

"Very well, send a message to all allies that we are forced to pull out due to circumstances beyond our control. Our mission here is complete." Jorgenssen answered.

OOC: Sorry guys, I wouldn't be pulling out if it weren't a Defense Fleet that I'd deployed, but I did and because of a threat to an alliance and regional ally I've got to redeploy the fleet.

Rukemia

16-02-2004, 02:49

...

Rukemia

16-02-2004, 02:49

OOC: Ok, I thought you were traveling through the sea along with Wretchengard, since this is the case, my ground defences technically haven't fired anything yet at are your fleets traveling to Mercia and New Freeport. So I'm going to post as if you had first entered Rukemian territory and my missile silos have opened fire.

IC:
Battle of New Freeport

The huge, lurking Melkorian gravships had been the first to open fire, as waves of missiles streamed over the Rukemian countryside and smacked into defensive missile silos and few large cargo planes carrying weapons that remained above the surface. Casualties were heavy as 140 missile silos were knocked out, mainly those that stood the closest to the gravships were the ones hit. They found themselves vulnerable as they lay out in the open fields of the Rukemian landscape, and were the first to fall victim to the war in this sector. Some 65 cargo planes had been destroyed as well, most carrying weapons and ammunition, those that weren't were little more than empty cannon fodder to buy the defences more time. No fighters/bombers were taken out in the strike, all those that had remained above the surface had been destroyed in the first wave of missiles which started the war some time ago. For the most part surface airbases remained empty, shells of former fighters and bombers littered their paved runways while fully functional aircraft remained below the ground, numbering within the thousands all throughout Rukemia's tunnel network.

The surviving missile silos response was swift and accurate, a joint-strike of kinetic and conventional missiles left the silos and swirved throughout the countryside, skimming over treetops and grass until they eventually rose up and slammed into their target's fronts and undersides, aiming to hit them in parts which if disabled would render them useless. Huge artillery cannons, similar to those that defended the Mekka mountains, joined in the strike, firing devastating shell after shell at the enemy gravships, which landed in and around the enemy fleet positions. A total of 1,100 missiles were launched, in steady waves of 200 until the last wave, which consisted of 100, 600 being kinetic the other 500 being conventional.

Within minutes of the strike 40 B-52 were airborne, along with 75 F-16s, their targets were preassigned and they flew unfaded towards the action. From a long range standpoint of 50 miles, the B-52s let loose 30 anti-ship missiles each, which dived stiffly towards the ground until they reached a reasonably low level and rushed towards the Melkorian fleets, their targets on the gravship's frame were much the same as the kinetic/conventional missiles which had already been fired. With the B-52s having let loose their munitions, they circled around and headed back towards their bases to reload and come back again. The 75 F-16s stayed airborne however and continued on their steady pace towards the enemy gravships. From 35 miles out they fired all of their eight anti-ship missiles and veered upward somersaulting and returning to base as well...

Battle of Mercia

To the east of the gravfleet that was heading towards New Freeport, a similar battle was ensuing. The Melkorians again, like their western counterparts had fired the first shots, knocking out some 175 missile silos and 45 military cargo planes. The casualties were lesser in this area than they could've been because of the hilly landscape, giving the missile silos somewhat of an advantage as they were built in between hard to reach places surrounded by rock and hill. More than 1,000 missile silos stood between the gravships and their desired destination, each launched 3 missiles in a rapid motion as a response, most aimed at the huge Sky Furnaces which stood out on radar and obviously posed the biggest threat. The waves and waves of missiles soared towards their enemies, in hopes of taking out the fleet's essentials before they could do any real damage. No aircraft particpated in the strike yet, that would be saved for when the fleet's enproached further.

Drakonian Imperium

16-02-2004, 05:09

Emirate News Network

ENN Logo flashes while a Loud Booming Voice says, "Reporting live is Candace Locke at the Grand Capitol Building, on the sudden information released about the Assassination Attempts in Drakonia."

A beautiful blond woman appears wearing a crisp suit and red blouse, behind her is the massive structure of the Grand Capitol Building, the Anglo-Romanic Architecture strongly visible throughout the structure. Surprisingly she did not even introduce herself or her surround she simply jumped into the broadcast. "Cheif Advisor Nathan Lamb announced today, during a press conference, that there was an assassination attempt on the Praetor and Queen. Both were shot by what the Advisor called a foriegn diplomat. They are listed in critical condition and it is uncertain if their condition will improve.

"The Advisor would not release the identity of the assassin or any other information about the attempt.

"In other news the Imperium has decided as reopened diplomatic channels and ended international travel restrictions. Most Drakonian Foriegn Embassies have reopened as well. Although, the recent stepped up border and coastal patrols have continued.

"This is Candace Locke reporting live from the Grand Capitol Building, in Drako Throne."

The screen again changes to the ENN Logo and the Loud Booming Voice is heard again saying, "This has been an ENN News Bulletin."

17-02-2004, 05:36

The massive transports hit the beach. Extendable keels retracted, they hit the beaches and other soft landing zones at nearly five knots. Not fast. But the ships were huge.

The massive doors began to grind open, as planes launched from the carriers.

As point defenses came online, pointed in the direction of the New Freeport bound gravfleet, the troops began to debark across a twenty mile beach head.

The Arsenal ships opened fire. Massive Vertical Launch Batteries spat fire towards the Melkorian gravships. Each of the missiles spawned, at a rate of thirty a second, contained a warhead of a twentieth of a kiloton in power, packed behind an armor peircing nosecone.

Firing continued for ten seconds, as the last planes of the first wave launched. They wheeled about in the sky, and kicked in the afterburners, charging after the missiles.

Melkor Unchained

17-02-2004, 07:43

[ooc: post pending. it will be very long: I'm about 1/3 done]

Melkor Unchained

28-02-2004, 05:50

Warlord Garrand stood in the war room deep in Morgoth's fortress of Utumno, ordering the fleets around via a giant holographic display. He highlighted each ship with a device on his finger, which formed a box around them as he grouped the fleets to what he had beleived to be the most effective battle fromations given the incoming attacks, and their environment. He ordered the Third and Fifth to increase speed and altitude, and to train and fire all ventral guns on silos in the cracks and crevasses of the Rukemian countryside. As their firing vector widened over the landscape, they would be able to circumvent the rough terrain for a good distance with their ongoing strikes.

However, he had to also consolidate against the upcoming attack. Gunship escort pulled in and their outboard weapons stowed to make room for the PD arrays that slid into place a moment later over the previously retracted bays. Garrand knew that the only way to stop the kinetics was to swat them from the sky before they could complete their circle of the earth. Many of the gunships and interceptors, he found, were in an apt position to intercept this launch ere it should pose too much of a threat. However, he recognized he lacked the air cover necessary to quell this threat, as the sheer number of missiles launched far exceeded his fighter and gunship support capacity. Satellite linkups were initiated, and launch vectors observed by the gravs on the ground were relayed to anti-missile sats over the region, which took turns systematically picking through what they could, focusing as best they could on the missiles which hadn't already accellerated to a speed beyond even their reckoning. Garrand was pleased with the results. Reports indicated a 55% success rate with the satellites and a 24% success rate with the fighter intervention after the first few minutes, which altogether meant that for one reason or another, nearly 200 of the kinetic missiles would not reach the ships, either destroyed orotherwise compromised.

He assumed, naturally, that most of them were aimed for the Sky Furnaces, which he grouped seperately and ordered to detach from the main body of the ascending fleets, with token escort from the AA Flak frigates of the Third Fleet and a few squadrons of gunships. The Dor Daedoloth, the Hithlum, and the Carcharoth broke formation promptly and descended quickly, nestling themselves as close they could to the surrounding foothills and mountains, using the terrain as cover. With any luck, a number of missiles would plow harmlessly into the countryside, and what did hit would strike at the top of the ships as opposed to the bottom.

Garrand trusted in the strength of his ships' hulls to withstand the barrage of conventional missiles, and prepared for his counterattack as the missiles started coming in. One, then two Heavy missile frigates dropped off the scope, and another destroyer was listing heavily, smoke pouring from its decks. A handful of other small assorted supply frigates and Flak frigates descended to the ground slowly, clearly losing altitude. One cruiser was nearly out of the fight altogether, most of its weapons systems damaged beyond repair. More pricks of light could be seen on the hulls of the Imperial gravs as they continued to take their licks.

A notification came up on his Command Simulation: an ethereal image of an Easterling Lieutenant appeared in the corner of the Warlord's display. He spoke slowly. "Lord Garrand, Melkor has ordered a full-scale kinetic strike on key facilities in Rukemia. Advise your men. Launch is to commence in 5 minutes time. Coordinates for the strikes will be uploaded to your CS and to FleetComm in the field. Don't waste your munitions on those targets."

Garrand nodded to the man. "Understood." The image disappeared, and the Warlord went back to his work, ordering his fleets around with haste, but also great care and calculation. He was certainly good at what he did. Sure enough, a moment later a number of flashing target icons appeared on his display. He found that Morgoth had chosen to mostly concentrate his attacks on the Rukemian missile silos, which the massive barrage targetted without exception. Quickly, he ordered the Second and Fifth Fleets to pull out of Fyreheart and pushed them south to the theater post-haste. He glanced to his left and watched as the Silo Grid light up. Firing commenced in tandem from Silos in the North and South of the country, and small red lights blinked amid the hologram as each respective silo fired. Systematically, every tube in the country would be launched over the course of the next few hours, the overall ICKM missile count being just shy of three thousand.

He turned away from this image as the Rukemian kinetics connected with the Sky Furnaces and the mountains around them. He watched in horror as a blast furnace was breached on the Carcharoth, and the ship burst into flame. What little altitude it had it quickly lost, slamming into the side of a mountain with a mighty boom, as the crew scrambled to shut down the reactors. Another blast furnace was breached shortly thereafter, and the ship was compromised beyond repair. It rolled down the mounatinside, carving a swath into the mountain with its hull as the sides came apart, emptying the contents of the twisted furnaces out onto the countryside and searing the landscape and any nearby structures horribly.

He muttered a curse to himself in the Black Speech, and punched up the damages to his other ships. Three of the flak frigates had gone down, and it looked like another Air Destroyer was about to follow suit. Damage tot eh other furnaces had been relatively minimal, though the Dor Deadoloth had suffered more than one glancing blow, saved only perhaps by the strange smog which surrounded it. The Hithlum had been the only ship of the three to sucessfully cover itself with the terrain, and was largely unharmed save for a peppering from the Rukemian's conventional missiles--which in most cases did little more than perforate external crewmen and compromise shipshide AA defenses.

THe Warlord scowled. He'd seen nothing of Rukemian air defense thus far, and judged that it was either destroyed utterly [unlikely], or being held in reserve for some sort of major attack. He couldnt understand why there had been so few fighter engagements. Surely the Rukemians would not simply allow the Impeium to dominate the air, even though Melkor and Sauron had effectively trashed the Rukemian gravships. Given the nature and circumstances of the deployment, it would have been impractical to deploy the fleets with a large contingent of Imperium based combat aircraft. Now, however, their devices had been sufficiently revealed, and it was time to deploy. Hastily, he composed his orders to Airstrip Overlords across the country:

[code:1:66c50f6176]"Attention all Airfield Overlords, this is Warlord Marus Garrand, coming to you from Utumno. Operation: Atrocity is a go. Mobilize all air assets and send them to their designated sorties.[/code:1:66c50f6176]

The command was terse, but Garrand had already thoroughly breifed his officers: the men knew what do do. Sure enough, within minutes, border patrols sped towards Rukemia and additional air cover on the land was mustered. Blips appeared all over the Imperium as squadron after squadron of attack craft rose into the air, bound for Rukemia. Some were light bombers, but most were fightercraft.

As soon as he could gather sufficient numbers of fighters, he would open up yet another front for the Rukemian Air war--likely supplimented by the main push by the Angband army, which was rapidly closing on the border, thankful that Morgoth had the foresight to march them away from the Mekka Mountains.

Garrand then turned his attention to New Freeport. The nuke attack on the Mekka moutains was largely beyond his jusridiction, aside from the few craft that were still harrying the bombers. He'd let Alkanphel handle that mess on the ground [re: there will be a separte post regarding the ground push].

He continued to watch, and prepare. He knew something was coming, but didn't know quite what it was. Rukemian reistance so far had been far too light for him to simply rest on his laurels. This battle wasn't over by a damn sight.

[Mekka Mountains post coming up]

Melkor, Lord of Darkness
He who Arises in Might
Emperor Eternal of the Imperial Dominion of Melkor Unchained, Lord and Master of Arda
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/melkor.jpg

Wretchengard

28-02-2004, 07:44

[IC post forthcoming. I apologize for taking so long.]

Fyreheart

01-03-2004, 07:06

General Hessingers team opened the gravship hatches and opened fire.

The scene immediately turned into a war zone. Hessingers men were completely outnumbered, but they were the Fyre Elite Guard, and had training that put the normal soldiers to shame.

For three hours, bullets flew. Men died, and they died well. Hessingers men made Hursts forces fight for every inch of ground.

When Hursts forces were within 50 feet, Hessingers men started to retreat like mad. They took off and ran, literally abandoning their posts.

Hessinger sent an encrypted message to the Melkorian gravships above.

Get out of range of those gravships if you want to live.

Hessingers finger hovered above the detonator wired to the gravships, waiting for the Melkorians to leave...

Melkor Unchained

01-03-2004, 07:28

...and leave they did. What token presence remained in Fyreheart turned south towards Rukemia at once.* Crewmen scrambled back to the relative safety of their ships inner corridors, sheltered now by meters upon meters of solid metal, which seperated them from the battle outside. The fleets began to ascend rapidly, as the Commodores began to perceive Hessinger's plan. Nonetheless, ventral guns remained trained intently on the Fyreheart gravs, as the Captains and Fleet Commodores of the Imperial armadas took nothing for face value.

[this is a bit of a time dilation, I thought Fyre was leaving NS and as such did this a while ago, so it wont change the Rukemia war at all, seeing as the fleets are already there.]

Fyreheart

01-03-2004, 14:54

Hessinger surveyed the battlefield. 13 men were still attempting to get out of the cover they had dug themselves in.

"Dammit."

He simply could not wait any longer. Hursts men were almost 2/3 of the way across, and if they got any further, he couldn't assure victory. He looked up and smiled as he noticed the melkorian ventral guns were still aimed at the area.

Those bastards don't trust anyone, do they?

He began to weep as he pressed the detonator, for his own brother was among those 13 men. His tears were short-lived however, as the ground began to rumble. Hessinger snapped back to reality.

"Everyone move! NOW!"

The men picked up their guns and ran for their loves. It reminded Hessinger of the battle they had had with the French many years ago.

They had won that battle.

Gravships were exploding left and right, with Hursts men hopelessly caught in the middle. What men did find a way through the flames, were immediately taken out by Hessingers snipers on the surrounding buildings.

Remarkable displays of light and fire lit up the evening sky. Citizens were coming from the surrounding area to see the beautiful display, and erupted into cheers when they saw it was Hessingers men and not Hursts that had survived.

For seventeen hours, the yards burned, and Hessingers men and the civilians celebrated.. It was like the first ever Amethyst Day that Hessinger could remember. His head looked up to the clouds, and he began circling around, taking in all that was around him.

We won old friend. We won...

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

Hurst was in the middle of a breakdown. He just could not believe what had happened. His country was in ruins, as was his reputation.

He continued to feel the rumble of the exploding gravships.

He looked at Foder.

"I can still salvage this. Come with me."

Hurst and Foder walked down the hall to the elevator in silence. They waited for the cat to arrive and got inside, with Hurst pressing the button to send the car to the basement.

Foder looked puzzled. "Where are we headed Nathan?"

"You'll see General. You'll see."

Five minutes later, they had ridden all the way to the basement of Fyreheartian High Command. Hurst and Foder stepped out of the elevator and walked down a long, narrow hallway. Foder began to hear distant screams. Uneasily walking, they became louder and louder. Hurst began to have a sickeningly smuggish grin on his face.

The screams grew louder and louder still until they reached an incredibly solid steel double-door, and Foder could tell people were being tortured on the other side of it. Hurst took out a passcard and swiped it through the reader.

Foders stomach flipped when the door opened. Inside was a scene so bloody it made him want to hurl. Body parts everywhere, severed heads sitting on the floor or impaled with poles. Men strapped to tables, being tortured with various cutting instruments.

Foder walked past a man that had no ears.

What has this man done to my country?

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

The strike team deployed to FHC was almost ready. General Roberts gave his last orders.

"Don't get dead."

The 348 man team set out to capture Nathan Hurst.

Fyreheart

04-03-2004, 06:14

Hurst and Foder walked through the various rooms, and Foder grew more disgusted with each passing moment.

Hurst looked at him curiously. "You look sick, Matthew."

Foder tried his best to keep his composure. "I'm okay Nathan, I think I'm catching the flu that's been going around."

"Ah. Well if you want to leave, just let me know."

"I will," Foder responded.

Yeah, right. And when I turn around you'll shoot me in the back...

Foder kept his hand tightly gripped on his gun as they continued walking past rooms with screams coming out of them.

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

Roberts team silently slipped across the lawn of Fyreheartian High Command under the cover of the dark night sky. Eliminating the outer guards, the entry was simple, as the outer area was virtually unguarded.

Hessinger looked at Lt. Briggs. "I don't like this..."

Briggs nodded. "It's too easy. We've probably got a hell of a lot of resistance inside. Stay sharp."

The team began entering the building and silently split apart, their target known, and their mission just.

Isla de Penguinata

05-03-2004, 05:27

After reviewing the latest reports from Fyreheart and Rukemia, President Voltaire was becoming increasingly interested in the situation. He knew that several decades ago a special ops unit had been placed in Fyreheart, but contact was lost over the years of anarchy and civil war. However, after order was restored, Voltaire discussed his interest in the Fyreheartian-Rukemian situation, and just recently began receiving long-awaited reports.

After observing how battles were commencing in Rukemia, he looked at Fyreheart's latest reports. He found a very weak and fragile nation, falling to pieces as a powerful dictator attempted to hold his grasp upon a nation of suffering people. Voltaire then came up with an idea, reached across his desk, and called his Defense Minister. After a few moments of brief conversation, Voltaire hung up and sat at his desk, waiting eagerly. He received a call back within five minutes, and answered.

"President Voltaire's office...yes...Actually, I did....No, no...Would that be possible?...They'll be ready now? Are you sure?...Well that's excellent!...Okay, I'll call a meeting now."

--------------------------------------
4 hours later..

The large room was filled with the Presidential Cabinet. It was rather dark, with a few lights shining out of the ceiling. The large round table with a holographic projector in the center was in the room with fourteen chairs surrouding it. One for each member of the Cabinet and three for the heads of all three military departments. The President walked in the room fashionably late, and sat down. "Okay, people, let's get to business. Each of you should have a large folder in front of you, and in it there is information about why we are here." The sound of folders opening and pages turning is heard for a few minutes until Minister Van Buren of the Defense Ministry spoke up. "I have permission to hold the floor first, and I must insist that we should have intervened sooner, but progress was slowed with our military. Fyreheart is in chaos, and the rebels are struggling to throw Hurst out. We've got a chance to help them in this fight. You may ask why it is of interest to us...I will only say that Fyreheart has done too much to help our nation of the past to not aid them now, and I refuse to sit here and not take action when the opportunity is wide open. The Navy is already prepared, as are several divisions of the Army, while the Air Force is mobilizing now..Admiral Portman, I'll let you have the floor." The Admiral, an aging man in his mid-50s with short gray hair and a charm that few could understand, spoke confidently. "Yes, I have already ordered the 2nd Offensive Fleet to prepare to ship out within a week, and they have said they will be fully ready. Fuel is coming within the next two days, so that won't be a problem at all. The Navy is ready, sir." The President nodded, and looked at the General of the Army. "Gen. Carterson, what say you?" The General, who was rather young, in his early-40s, spoke confidently, exposing his true charisma that was usually hidden behind the shy eyes and timid smile. "Yes, I have prepared 2 Stryker Divisions and 1 Infantry Division. I have instructed them to gear up and prepare to move out within the week, and already supplies are being rushed to Arundemont Army Base. I think we should be ready within four days.." All eyes turned to the Air Force General, whose name was Hatfield. "Well, the Air Force is ready to go, all we need is fuel, which should arrive with the naval fuel shipment within the next 48 hours. So if you all say it's ok, we can send support to Fyreheartian rebels in about a week.."

Silence engulfed the table. Mostly everyone agreed, and finally the President spoke. "Any objections?" A resounding "no" was heard. The President smiled happily. "Well, I suppose it's done then...order the Armed Forces to prepare for movement in a week."
------------------------------------------------

Public Statement from Arundemont

During the recent Fyreheart-Rukemia incident, the government of the United Republic has been investigating the situation extensively. After a meeting was held by the Cabinet, it was decided that aid, in the form of military help, shall be sent to Fyreheartian rebels to help their cause in overthrowing Nathan Hurst. Defenses on the home front have been prepared, and we are ready for any attack, from air or sea. Below are the forces being moved:

1st Stryker Division
50,000 soldiers armed with M16s and M40 Fragmentation grenades.
400 M1A2 Abrams tanks
300 M60 Patton tanks
350 Paladins
200 MRLS's
350 AAAVs
80 Apache Attack Helicopters
100 Black Hawk Attack Helicopters

2nd Stryker Division
50,000 soldiers armed with M16s and M40 Fragmentation grenades.
400 M1A2 Abrams tanks
300 M60 Patton tanks
350 Paladins
200 MRLS's
350 AAAVs
80 Apache Attack Helicopters
100 Black Hawk Attack Helicopters

1st Infantry Division
20,000 soldiers armed w/ M16s and M4s and M40 frag grenades
250 M1A2 Abrams
150 M60 Patton tanks
250 Paladins
300 MRLS's
200 AAAVs
100 Commanche Attack Helicopters
100 Black Hawk Attack Helicopters

1st Fighter Wing
20 F-22 Raptors
20 F/A-18 Hornets
20 A-10 Warthogs
20 F-117 Nighthawks
20 F-16 Eagles

1st Bomber Wing
20 B-2 Bombers
20 B-1B Bombers
20 B-3 Bombers
20 B-52 Bombers

4th Air Support Wing
15 E-3 AWACs
15 E-8 JSTARS
400 C-130 transports
15 KC-130 refuelers
15 P-3 surveillance aircraft

2nd Offensive Naval Fleet
1 Nimitz class Carrier-URSS Arnuld-50 F/A-18s and 30 F-16s, 5 Apaches
15 Ticonderoga Class Guided Missile Cruisers
10 Arleigh Burke Class guided missile AEGIS Destroyers
10 Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigates--3 Sea King Helicopters
10 Iowa Class Battleships
10 SSN Los Angeles class Submarines
5 SSGN Ohio class Submarines

Rukemia

06-03-2004, 00:43

The feeling on the battlefield that seperated Rukemia's cities from the approaching forces of Morgoth was uneasy, but there was a brief pause in the fighting every few hours, but these breaks were only brought upon for the defending silos to load and reload. Not much of Rukemia's beautiful landscape of rolling hills and grass meadows was left unscathed, the grass was burnt from gravship exhaust, and the hills split open from the enemy vessels that plummeted into them. The damage accumulated from the war in the small towns that dotted the area easily reached into the billions, in some cases the entire town itself would be destroyed, the result of multiple enemy missile targetting, whether misguided or intentional was unknown. Civilian women and children could only duck and cower in fear from the explosions that rocked the bomb proof tunnels in which they were placed by the Rukemian Guard for safety. But for those who remained within the towns, refusing to leave even when they were told of the danger of staying, these people were undoubtly doomed.

Mothers wept knowing that their sons were out there fighting a war that, as far as they knew, could still be lost. But even through all of this sorrow and sadness that seemed to ravage all areas of the Empire, gleams of happiness still shown. Several eye-witness reports of a Sky-Furnace that was taken down by Rukemian missile silos caused a major boost in morale among both troops and civilians, the news quickly swept nationwide, with promises of pictures of the fallen vessel in due time. These reports of the downed Sky-Furnace helped Rukemian civilians to put faith in those fighting for them, knowing that they were somewhat successful in hindering the armies of Morgoth.

The cheerfulness associated with military figures was soon taken away, however, as sattelite photos and data relayed back information that thousands of what appeared to be either ICBMs or ICKMs were streaming through space and heading towards Rukemian missile silos and depots. To add to this the number of the missiles were simply overwhelming, computer caculations showed that as many as three thousand were making there way towards Rukemian airspace. The scene in Rukemian Missile control centers was hectic, all though a move like this from Melkor had been anticipated, it had not been expected to be of this caliber. Almost immediately after spotting the missiles, they were laser pinpointed by sattelites and their positions sent back to earth where they entered the programming of missile defence systems. Once the data from the sattelites was recieved and coordinates were clear, 2,000 ABM(Anti-Ballistic Missiles) were launched from Rukemian soil and shot upward simultaneously from all over Rukemia. Once at an high enough altitude they broke from the earth's orbit and twisted and turned towards the ICKMs, hitting their targets with a 85% success rate before they even broke into Rukemian airspace. Another 800 followed close behind the already detonated ABM's and closed in on their targets as well, with the accuracy rate being much the same. This left some 1,000 ICKM's to break through Rukemian airspace and flail downwards towards missile positions and depots. The threat of the onslaught of ICKMs was further reduced though as thousands of conventional missiles were hurled towards the ever-approaching ballistic missiles, it was a last ditch effor to take out as many of these things as possible, because the people on the ground were well aware of what kind of damage they were capable of doing.

This last manuever took down 45% of the some 1,000 that could be identified, bringing down the total number of missiles down to around 600 and at their present altitude and speed they were pretty much incapable of being shot down. The remaining missiles zipped through the air and slammed into Rukemian missile silos, severely crippling Rukemia's defence against the approaching ships in this theater. The effectiveness percentage was brought down to 35%, as well over half of the missile silos and many of the depots had been completely destroyed, leaving only scattered metal and hulls of their former bases. The effects of the explosions were in such a widespread area that some of the landscape was permanetly ruined from the blasts. Mangled bodies and body parts lay sprawled out around many of the blast sites, creating a gruesome display of literally blood and guts. The shockwave of the blasts could be felt throughout the Empire as the ground shook violently and rumbled deeply.

The missile silos response was limited but swift, 400 Kinetic missiles were quickly launched in spirts of two towards the Melkorian gravships, most like their predecessors were aimed for the underbellies of the ships, which was believed to be the weakest parts.

Upon recieving information of several Ardan Bombers being launched and heading towards Rukemian troop positions, some 400 F-15s and 450 Eurofighters were made airborne and streamed towards their targets, missiles warmed and ready to fire. The enemy aircraft were picked up on radar shortly and a heavy barrage of missiles were fired in sequences of three and in total numbering somewhere around 2,500, their targets were expected to be brought down swiftly and with a vengeance.

Meanwhile in the neutral nation of Emina, the leaders of Rukemia conversed feverishy as they discussed strategies of how to defeat the Ardan menace that was invading from all sides of their homeland. Already propoganda was being produced with haste, as patriotic Presidential speeches could be heard throughout Rukemia, often President Lakato would encourage everyone to fight for their freedom and declare their independence from Arda...these propoganda messages further enriched Rukemia's fighting spirit...

Isla de Penguinata

06-03-2004, 23:41

The flapping Penguinatan flag in the warm spring breeze under the bright sun on the URSS Arnuld a mile off the coast of Arundemont in Arundemont Bay was saluted as Admiral Portman walked past it. He narrowed his small eyes to see if the person he saw on the ships deck was who he wanted to see. The young man turned, and saluted the Admiral. "Reporting for supply shipment, sir." The Admiral ended his salute and nodded. "I presume you brought the Air Force shipment as well?" The young man nodded. "Yes, sir. What would you like us to do with that portion, sir?" The Admiral looked to the dock while saying "I suppose you ought to take it to shore. If anyone asks, say you're looking for Lt. General Ferndon..He should be able to tell you were to send the rest of the shipment." He replied "yes sir" and walked off to inform his crew, which was waiting about 30 feet away. They got to work immediately.
--------------------------------------------------------------

Inside the Strategic Command Headquarters of Arundemont Army Base, officials were discussing with each other tactics and manuevers. Finally, Army General Carterson called all in the room to listen. "As you all know, we are pulling out tomorrow. I need everything to be perfect, and I want to make sure that we've got everything prepared. The 1st Infantry Division will be paradropped in Fyreheart, but the other 2 Stryker Divisions are going by ship, defended by the 2nd Offensive Fleet, which will position itself off the coast of Fyreheart once unloading has finished. The Air Force will be providing cover for our boys, in the event we get in a little snag. Resistance is expected to minimal, as Hurst is hiding in his little cave, waiting for his imminent collapse. I need all of you making sure that the Army is combat-ready, and nag the Air Force and Navy commanders a bit. Now get to work!"
-------------------------------------------------------------

General Hatfield was seated in his office in Arundemont when he received a knock on his door. He sighed and tiredly said, "Yes?" The door opened and a group of three men entered the room. They saluted, waiting for a return, which came. "Have a seat, gentlemen. What brings you here?" "We have been instructed to inform you that all three Wings are ready to go, sir. The fuel shipment has just arrived. We should be ready for takeoff tomorrow morning, 0600 hours, sir." The General nodded his approval. "Thank you, and have a good day." They filed out of the room, and Hatfield took a sip from his water glass. As he put it back down on the desk, the roar of an F-22 taking off erupted behind him, rattling the building. And so it begins...

Melkor Unchained

07-03-2004, 00:36

Isla de Penguinata, know this:

Any incursion on Ardan soil will be met with the full force of the Arda Allaince so long as Fyreheart remains a member. They have not yet formally withdrawn, and I suggest they do so effective immediately or your landing will have dire consequences.

Lord Alkanphel
High Warlord of Lord Melkor's Imperium, First Counselor to Melkor Himself
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~darion.c.smith/alkanphel1.jpg

Fyreheart

07-03-2004, 22:22

Fyreheart

08-03-2004, 04:25

Roberts team was the first one inside the compound.

"Everyone, fan out. Get to cover!"

The first squad laid down a barrage of cover fire as Hursts men that guarded Fyreheartian High Command fought desperately to hold their positions. The second squad rushed to try and grab a foothold. They didn't have much luck. The third squad rushed through the door, stepping over the bodies, and leveled Hursts men with a few rounds of RPG fire.

When the first level had been cleared, the rest of the team entered the building and began a systematic search of the first floor. Finding nothing of importance, they shot out the elevator controls to avoid being ambushed and proceeded to the stairwells. They met little to no resistance in the stairwells themselves, but when they opened the other floors, they were detained by machine gun fire.

Briggs team was going the opposite direction, and proceeded to head to the basement. Meeting heavy resistance, they dug themselves in and began using RPG's to take out the defense points.

Briggs looked grim as members of his team lay dying around him. Then, for some reason, the same thought started repeating in his mind.

They say a dream takes only a second or so. And yet in that second, a man can live a lifetime. He can suffer and die, and who's to say which is the greater reality?

Briggs took his M-101 and started firing with precise aim at anything with the Hurst emblem on it.

I'll be damned if this dream dies...

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

Hurst looked up as he felt the room shake around him. Foder stood as well, and paled a bit. He looked at Hurst.

"They're here, Nathan." He was surprisingly calm.

Hurst, however, was frantic. "Come on! I've got a helicopter on the roof!" He began running towards the elevator, wildly pushing the button. "Why won't this thing work!?!" He began hitting the doors and trying to force them open to no avail.

Foder drew his gun and aimed it at Hursts head. He called out with a somber voice. "Nathan..."

Hurst turned around and stopped dead in his tracks. Foder took a step closer.

"You're not going anywhere."

Glorious Humanity

08-03-2004, 08:13

Bridge of GHS Humanity
Approaching the Fyreheart coast
1800 hours (7:00 PM)

Fleet Admiral James R. Brighton swirled the coffee in his mug and looked at it with some distaste. It was typical Navy brew, powerful enough to eat through metal, and normally he'd have welcomed the caffeine blast. However, he'd already drunk half a pot of the stuff since there was nothing else to drink and he was thirsty. He'd been told that caffeine made one thirstier, though, so he might be defeating the point.

Oh well. He drained his mug, then looked around the bridge. He'd been lucky to get his old veterans on this assignment, about half of them had been up to draw new posts. The current bridge staff had served under Brighton for years, had been with him during the standoff with the FKC, and had participated in a hundred little skirmishes and battles as the Humanity criss-crossed the globe on various missions. They were solid and dependable, and that was what he was going to need.

"Sir," the radioman broke into his thoughts. "Transmission from GHS Hunter, she just surfaced about two miles away." He waited while the message slowly appeared on his screen. Brighton read over the man's shoulder. The Humanity had a telepath onboard, like all ships now, but Brighton was old fashioned. He didn't trust all the mind-bending hokey that was being hailed as the future of military communication. Fortunately, Captain Kelsing on the Hunter knew this, the two men went back a while. Brighton was glad Kelsing was in this force, the man was damn good.

TO: GHS HUMANITY
FROM: GHS HUNTER
RE: WELCOME TO THE PARTY

GOOD TO SEE MORE OF OUR FLAGS AROUND HERE. LOST THREE SUBS, ONE DOWN, TWO SUNK. CREWS SAVED FROM SUNK. BIG MESS, LONG STORY, TELL LATER. GOT ANY GROUND?

Brighton winced. Kelsing was three subs down and wanted to know if there were any reinforcements for the ground troops in Fyreheart. There were of course; Brighton's battlegroup was escorting transports carrying the first batch. When all the reinforcements had made it, there would be forty thousand soldiers in Fyreheart, as well as several hundred armored vehicles and aircraft. A decent force, though not nearly as big as what some of the nations involved were fielding. Brighton didn't understand the point of the vast armies being sent by other nations, but hey, every bit of cannon fodder helped. Gave the real soldiers a chance to show off.

"Send a message back," he instructed the radioman. "Tell him we've got troops, ships, and planes."

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

GH base camp
Same time

It was like a switch being turned on.

All at once, Isolda Hilmar's mind went from inactive to awakening. Her comatose thoughts began moving again, and her dormant mind was suddenly functional. It took her several moments to reach full conciousness, and then her eyes opened.

The first thing she perceived was white, a vast expanse of it. Slowly her vision focused, and she could make out detail and texture. It was canvas, a tent's roof. Turning her head slightly, she saw a number of beds, almost all occupied. That was when her newly restored sense of touch informed her that she was laying on her back, on something soft. A mattress. She was laying in a bed, covered with a light blanket. She wasn't in her uniform anymore, instead she'd been stripped to her undergarments, and a number of electrodes were taped all over her body. A needle in her arm was feeding something into her, probably fluid of some kind.

How long have I been out?

She tried to remember what had happened before she was knocked out, but it was a blur. The nerve gas attack, the blast in her mind, the collapse... obviously she wasn't on a submarine anymore, that much was clear. She was on land. But where?

As she turned her head from side to side, she became aware of a new feeling. Warmth, in her left hand. She focused on her hand and discovered it was being held by another. Her eyes moved up the arm to see who was keeping her company.

I should've known. A broad smile split her face. Larry was asleep in his chair next to her bed, his head leaned back, lightly snoring. He was going to get a serious crick in his neck if he stayed in that position.

"Larry..." she said softly, her voice cracking a little. She swallowed several times to rehydrate her mouth, then tried again. "Larry, wake up."

He twitched slightly, then opened his eyes, pulling his head back to a straight up position. "Huh? Ow, goddamn..." Apparantly he'd already been napping long enough for the crick to set in. Rubbing his neck with his free hand, he looked around for the voice that had roused him.

Isolda suppressed a giggle. "Over here." Her lover's head snapped around and he stared at her with eyes like saucers. His mouth opened and closed with no sound coming out save for sudden heavy breathing. The crick seemed to be forgotten.

"You- you're awake," he finally managed.

"Of course I am," she answered, looking at him quizzically. "How long have I been asleep?"

"Asleep? You've been in a coma!" Larry was still staring at her in shock. "As for how long... God, I dunno. Days, maybe a week."

A week? That long? In a coma? No wonder Larry was startled. Isolda thought for a moment about how he must have been feeling, staring at her, waiting for her to come back... or go forever. How long had he been keeping up this vigil? The circles under his eyes and his general haggard appearance suggested quite a while. Isolda bit her lip as she lightly probed his mind, and was hit with a wash of emotions, feelings, and memories. In the space of a few seconds she absorbed what had happened in the past few days.

"Oh Larry..." she whispered softly, tears springing to her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"Not your fault," he said quietly. "I'm just glad you're back."

Isla de Penguinata

10-03-2004, 05:04

The golden light of a rising sun in the early morning touched every object in the Presidential Office. Having been remodeled after the 2nd Civil War, it was the focal point of Penguinatan technological breakthroughs. The carpeting was that of typical office buildings, cheap and uncomfortable, but very professional and blue. On the far side of the rectangular room of painted white walls, there was a huge cherrywood desk on which a modern table lamp was placed, as well as a flatscreen plasma monitor to the left of the observer at which the President held video conferences, or simply just got on the computer with his wireless keyboard. Several bookcases were lined against the wall, as well as a post-modern looking glass table in the center with The Penguin Standard (a national magazine) placed casually on it.

The door handle shook as someone attempted to unlock it. In walked a man of dignity and pride, and he immediately turned on the coffee pot and filled it. Amir Voltaire, President of Isla de Penguinata, seated himself at his desk shortly thereafter, and read the front page. The first thing he saw was the headline: "MELKOR THREATENS 'DIRE CONSEQUENCES'". He narrowed his eyes viciously, and phoned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "Yes..Lisa del Santiagos, please...Martha, if you don't recognize my voice by now then you should be suspened," he said playfully. "Alright..I'll wait." A few moments went by and the voice of a confident, fiercely independent woman came through. "Oh, hello Lisa. I was just wondering why you hadn't told me about this Melkor release...ah..of course...Well, next time make sure I find out before anyone else, understood?...It's ok..just don't allow it to happen again..Yes, definately...Put out a release that we will not falter in our mission to provide help to our friends and establish Good, with a capital g, in this world...Did you get all that?...Okay, thank you Lisa...Alrighty...Goodbye!" He hung up the phone, and immediately called a meeting with his top generals.
---------------------------------
3 hours later...

Penguinatan Military Command Headquarters (PENCOM)
Arundemont, U.R.I.P.

The room was dimly lit, as if it were a cafe more than anything. The large rectangular black table in the center was covered in neatly stacked piles of papers and had water glasses on it. Voltaire interrupted a rather tense argument. "Okay, gentlemen, I think it's quite clear that Arda is not going to like a new anti-Ardan presence in the region. Should that deter us from doing what we've got to do? I think it was known when the ships took off yesterday that our boys were heading into a hellish hole. We've done all we can to prepare them for the worst. I must admit that our technology level is not at the same level as some combatants in the area. However, our only objective in Fyreheart is to maintain order in rebel-controlled areas, depose of the current dictator, and send a quarter of those forces to Rukemia. Either that, or we can fall back to Plan B..." Glances were exchanged between the top military officials of PENCOM. Finally, one of them spoke up. "Mr. President, what exactly is Plan B?" The President smiled and continued. "Plan B is to confuse the hell out of the enemy. I prefer the term dizzify. You'd call it tactical manuevering. Send our fleets all over the place in between Fyreheart and Rukemia, while dropping off loads of troops to embark in tiny missions, meet up at one point, and eventually have our army divided between both nations. Or if you would like to split the fleet..but even I don't like that idea. The whole time our aircraft could be hitting targets and defending the Fleet..That's just the rough idea as of now..it can of course be modified as time goes on..." He waited for comments. "Well, sir, I must say that I love that plan, and it sounds brilliant to me." This started new conversation in the room, and more heated discussion..
-----------------------------------

Penguinatan Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Despite the recent threats made by a member of the Arda Alliance, the United Republic of Isla de Penguinata remains staunch in its goal to support and defend our allies. We will not falter in our attempts to bring Good and stability to this corrupt and rigid world. Isla de Penguinata heeds the threat of Melkor and takes it seriously, but what was meant as a deterrence will only further motivate our soldiers to fight for what in the end will be perceived as a fight for the freedom of billions.

Isla de Penguinata

10-03-2004, 05:04

NationStates Jolt Archive

A New Dawn (Strict RP; Invite-Only)