NationStates Jolt Archive

On Tango Island, the former monarchy was meeting at the place the federal government gave to the old royal family. Here, they were meeting on how to regain the power they have lost after the populace revolt that ousted them from power. The Queen was sitting in on a meeting of monarchists who are willing to lay it on the line to restore her to the throne. Her daughter, Crown Princess Melissa Hapsburg, was talking from the notes she prepared.

"Ok, we do have loyalists inside the federal capitol building. We also still have support with the military. They have vowed to assist us whenever we decide the time is right to make our move."

"Your highness. We can't fully rely on them. We don't know if there are double agents or not. Operational security is of the utmost. If we fail here, we are toast."

"Listen Lord McMichael." The queen interjected, "You are to be incharge of the Tiara Island operation. You have your loyalists there and they will do their jobs. We are not going to fail as other operations that have failed before. This time we will succeed because we'll take all the Islands simultaneously. We'll capture the head of the islands as well as that damn President Wilson. They are all responsible for us losing power. Not to mention the wetch, former President Rice. Now she's a czar. Betraying all she fought for."

"Majesty, her numbers are still up. Apparently the people don't think she is since she hasn't tried to turn this place into a monarchy. I don't think he'll get involved directly but I'm sure his wife will not tolerate us doing what we are going to do."

"She won't do anything." Melissa stated. "We don't think so anyway. That'll hurt her relationship with her husband and I don't think she'll jeapordize that love for this fight."

"Highness, your underestimating her ideals. She'll fight alright. All she has to do is get on a plane and fly over here. Our biggest hurdle will be the Navy. We have a few ships but if we don't take most of the fleet, we're sunk. No pun intended. We have to deal with the navy if we to have any hope of winning. This is going to be bloody.

==========================================================================

On the Campaign Trail, President Wilson was out of the capitol touring the country. He is gathering support for the upcoming election. An important one since it is the 2nd Presidential Election in the country.

Dancer 1 pulled up to the terminal in Tiara City and exited the plane. He received thunderous applause as he walks down the stairs. He shook hands with the dignateries that came to meet him and then he proceeded to his car and off to the hotel he goes.

===========================================================================

In the skies, a plane carrying Lord McMichael and other passangers landed a few hours later and they proceeded to his apartment that he secured. He got back to his apartment and placed a call to his contact in the military that the orders were given. The time to take down the government is at hand.

All over the islands, the other conspirators in the overthrow began to make preperations for their assension to the governor's houses and for the Queen's return to the throne.

OOC: tag.

Lord McMichael was agitated as he watched the proceedings of the nomination convention.

"Is everything set?" he asked one of his aide.

"Yes my Lord. Everything is in readiness. We'll capture the President and force him to relinquish control of the government to her majesty the queen."

"You better capture the President because if he escapse, everything will be in ruin. You and I both know what will happen too if he does escape."

"Yes my Lord."

On Tango Island, the Queen was boarding a private Jet that was relinquished so that she can arrive back at Waltz City in style.

On the other islands, people were moving into place to strike when the order was given. This was going to be the quickest take over of power in history.

===============================================================================

President Wilson entered the convention center where he was to make his nomination speech. He walked down the hallway towards the podium when all of a sudden a large explosion rocked the hall. His security immediately tossed him to the ground and covered him up. seconds after the explosion, gunfire rippled over the area.

"Alright! Nobody moves or the next bomb takes out this whole complex." shouted one of the gunmen.

Down the hall, some of his men rushed to get to the President. The guards already had guns drawn and were running the President out the back door. A gunfight ensues with a couple of guards getting killed. Outside though was a different story.

The monarchist forces had quickly stormed the government building there and has taken over the island's legislature building. Tanks were in the streets and the Airport was cut off. The President managed to get to his car but it was too late. A chopper appeared over the horizon and pointed his missiles at the limo. President Wilson had no choice but to surrender. He was immediately taken into custody and hauled off to the airport to be presented to the Queen.

On the other islands, the operation went just as it did on Tiara Island. When the Queen arrived at Waltz Island Airport she was treated to a royal welcome by those that took the airport. The ceremony was complete when a limo came up bearing the royal seal. She nodded approvingly and got in to be joined by her military commander who had the latest news.

============================================================================

This is a Formal Dances News Network update!

A little while ago, a bomb went off at the convention center where President Eric Wilson was supposed to give his nomination speech. The President was not hurt in the explosion however, he was later taken into custody by agents of Queen Hapsburg. The Queen has launched her attempt to retake control of the Government and has quickly succeded in doing so. We do have reports however of an armed resistance that has now quickly sprung up.

Out at sea, the Formal Dances Navy has been reported seen firing on eachother. We now have confirmation that several ships have fled the Islands for Safe Harbor. What the harbor is remains a mystery.

A state of emergency has also been issued by the Queen and we'll have more on this as they come in.

============================================================================

Out at sea, Admiral Halsey was beside himself. He counted up the ships that he had and realized that he had a full fledged fleet at his disposal. Four Hundred ships ranging from Carriers to corvettes to destroyers and submarines. He quickly fled when he realized what was happening and took his fleet with him.

"Admiral, where shall we go from here?"

"Set a course for Derscon. Hopefully they'll see our plight and allow us a safe harbor till we can take stalk in what we have. If they don't, I know of an island around here that is deserted. We can reform there and maybe make way for an airfield for planes that are sure to follow."

"Yes Admiral." Captain Richardson said.

The fleet set course for Derscon.

===============================================================================

In Derscon, Czarina Katherine Andropov watched in horror as the events unfolded before her eyes. Her 2 kids were also watching in fascination as was her husband.

When she saw the footage, she had to turn her face away from the TV screen. Tears were rolling down her cheek. She whispered to her husband, "I got to do something but I don't know what. Alexei, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the military come here. They know I'm here so this would be a logical place for them to come."

The limo pulled up the old Palace and the guards opened the door and saluted. The queen walked out wearing her royal purple dress and her crown and proceeded up to the building in ceremonious fashion.

She entered the building and smiled. She looked around and realized that something still haven't been changed. She nodded at that and proceeded to the old throne room.

The cameras were now following her on her walk to the throne room. Her guards kept their sabers drawn as they walked with her. Soon, they arrived and two of the guards that were posted by the door opened the door for her majesty and saluted. Ignoring them, she walked down the red carpet to her chair.

The room hasn't been in use for the past couple of years due to the war and then the democracy that took power. She noticed that it hasn't been dusted but made an allowance do to the circumstances surrounding it. Music was playing as some of her most loyal subjects bowed as she walked past them. She turned and curtsied to them and sat down on the throne. The Crowd erupted into cheers.

"As the new head of government and head of state for Formal Dances, I am going to offer a general pardon for those that'll toss down their weapons and join me in creating a better future of our beloved people. The old corrupt democracy is now gone though elements remain and they are still continueing to fight us. They will be defeated. They have already suffered their first major defeat when their President, Eric Wilson, was taken into custody. They will not succeed in unsitting me and their revolt will be destroyed."

The crowd erupted into cheers again.

===============================================================================

Out on Tiara Island, President Wilson was being forced to board a plane that'll take him back to the capitol to be presented before the Queen. All of a sudden, a group of people, armed with guns, stormed the plane and took down the guards in a hurry. They still got the President aboard the small jet and managed to get to the runway though under heavy fire. Planes came in and dropped some ordinance on the firing positions, the rebel air force has engaged the monarchs troops. The leer took off and under a squadron escort, proceeded out of FD airspace. Monarchist planes pursued and engaged them. In the ensuing 5 minute engagement, 6 Escort planes were shot down and the monarchists lost 3 planes buyt the plane and escorts escaped.

"Mr. President, where would you like to go?"

"Set a course for one of our allies. Pick one, I don't care. Also see what forces have remained loyal to Democracy. We're going to need as accurate number as possible."

"Yes sir."

He left to carry out the instructions. The plane and escorts changed course and headed for Dersconi Airspace.

==============================================================================

Back in her office, Queen Hapsburg's head of security walked in with the latest news. "We have a problem." he said without preamble.

"Whats that." She replied tertly. She doesn't like it when things go wrong.

"Apparently, a group of armed personel stormed the departure of the plane that was going to take former President Wilson back here. We lost 5 guards to their one and they managed to take him and the plane. We also lost 4 additional troops when a bomb fell on a gun that was targeting the plane."

"Any idea who those people are?"

"No clue ma'am. There was no I.D. on the body."

"Pursue him and I don't care what it takes."

"Already being taken care of ma'am."

"Good! No mistakes!!"

===========================================================================

The Formal Dances 3rd Fleet, loyal to the monarchy now after a quick fight, received orders to pursue the fleeing plane. Carrier planes launched and changed course to the last known heading of the plane in question.

"Colonel Tavington"

"Yes, Majesty?"

"I want you to take over complete conrol of Ridgian involvement in FD. I am neutral. Kathy is a friend, yet my cousins are Habsburgs."

"I shall have fun sir"

Antonette shook his head and hung upt he phone.


ooc- thats all for now., Going away on Tuesday for 6 days

Bwlch George, although he went by David Arnold under his cover identity, glanced down over the airfield from where he was working in the control tower. The president had just been taken in an apparent rescue. When he got a chance to report home, that would certainly be interesting. The queen and the president were both loose and both manuevering for power. Privately, George was becoming convinced the queen was going to win, though he tried not to make assumptions.

George did nothing but observe. That was all her was here for, intelligence gathering. His government was thoroughly neutral and had no intention of helping either side, even covertly, at least not yet.

On the radars of the escort planes, the spotted the 3rd Fleet's carrier wing.

We have a problem here. Bogeys coming in at 5 o'clock.

Roger that Escort 7. Peel off and engage with escorts 8-12 and 19-24. Rest of escorts continue to head towards the 7th fleet. We'll need that protection.

The planes peeled off as the small Presidential plane and remaing escorts continued on their heading.

Within 10 minutes, missiles were launched from eachother's planes. Escorts and Monarcist planes tumbled from the sky. The dog fight lasted another 15 minutes as the planes closed in and then dogged it with their cannons. All 12 Escort planes were downed while the monarchists lost 36. By the time the dogfight was over, the Presidential plane and escorts were well ahead.

Lt. Commander Robertson of the monarchist was not happy about it. His orders were to force the plane back but thanks to the delaying tactics of these 12 fighters, held him up from pursuing. He made it back to the carrier and reported.

============================================================================================

Admiral Halsey was in his Ready Room and he was suddenly paged to the bridge. He walked out onto the bustling bridge that was full of cheers.

"What is going on here." He asked in a stern voice.

"Admiral. We have a plane on radar with 12 planes around it. It is President Wilson's plane sir. He managed to escape and is now enroute."

"Can the plane land on our deck?" he asked with a touch of concern.

"Yes it can sir. We designed them so that they can actually land on our deck using the same arrestor gear that our carrier planes do. It'll be a tricky landing sir but it can be done."

"Very well. Get that plane down and prepare a welcoming party."

"Yes sir."

Within the hour, everything was set. The escort planes landed on the deck first and were cleared before the President's plane landed. Within minutes, the plane was safely on the deck. The plane was moved to a holding area and the door opened up to reveal President Wilson.

He climbed out of the aircraft using the built in ladder and shook hands with Admiral Halsey.

===============================================================================================

Back at Waltz City, Queen Hapsburg was walking around the palace. She was refamiliarizing the layout since its been awhile. She smiled because she recognized that only a few things have changed.

She began to concern herself with the armed insurrection that has flared up already. Though she was walking around the palace, her chief of security was with her.

"Your majesty. Though you are now safely here at Waltz City, we still have to deal with these armed crooks."

"Then deal with it. Use whatever means possible. If towns have to be destroyed then do it. I am going to secure myself here and no one is going to unseat me ever again."

"Yes ma'am. We'll do all that we can. So far, it is only centered on Tiara, Cocktail, and Pearl Islands."

"Not surprising. That was where the last uprising started. They'll start there again and move towards the other islands. I'm sure that the other islands, including this one, also have armed rebels but they are lying lower so not to draw attention to themselves."

"Yes ma'am. Its going to be hard to draw them out so we are treading carefully there so not to ruffle anyone's feathers."

"Good. Send a messege to all nations that we are open for business and that they are welcome to come back."

"Yes ma'am!" With that, he walked away and the Queen made her way back to her throne room.

Royal Bedroom, Kremlin Palace, Derscon

Alexei pulled Katherine in close to his chest and whispered to her.

"The decision is yours, and yours alone, Kathy. I will not stop you. However, politically, Derscon cannot get involved, for the....obvious reason." He kissed her on her cheek and rubbed her shoulders a little. "I will not offer advice, I will not command. This is something you must choose for yourself." Alexei knew that isn't what she wanted to hear, but it was the best advice. Also, this distanced Alexei from any action taken by Katherine. It was a skillful political move, but at the same time, genuine advice.

However, it was not something Alexei wanted to do. He motioned his ten year old daughter, Lauren Katherine Andropov (name her mother's choosing) and his eight year old son, Xavier Alexeinovich Andropov (name his father's choosing) off to their rooms, which they did obediently and without question. They knew Alexei was caring, but they also knew not to disobey.
=================================
Dersconi Naval Command, Dersconi Sea

ATLANTIS HEADQUARTERS, 200 METRES BELOW THE SEA SURFACE

"Damnit!" Marko Herkjyavich, CINCNAV, shouted. "This won't turn out well. Once Formal Dances ships enter Dersconi waters, that will force Dersconi involvement in the war."

"Not necessarily," Yuriy Vladimirovich Kartanov, the navy's chief political officer (read as: the officer everyone hates). "If we send naval troops to the conflict, then we will force involvement. However, Admiral Haisley and his fleet is on the "VIP" list, and is welcome to come, as long as he calls ahead, or some special situation prevents us from allowing his entry."

"Ah, good point." Herkjyavich got on the secure comm channel and sent a RTFN-class communication via secure fiberoptic cable the Praetorian Islands Command Center, as well as Kremlin Palace, which was no doubtibly updated already by NMCC.

FROM: NAVAL COMMAND
TO: PRAETORIAN ISLANDS COMMAND CENTRE; KREMLIN PALACE; NMCC

Admiral Haisley of the Formal Dances' Third Fleet is requesting safe harbor in Derscon. However, he is persued by monarchist naval vessals. In the intrests of Dersconi political neutrality, but still honoring our esteemed "VIP" list, I have allowed Haisley to enter Dersconi waters. I have sent Coast Guard escorts to lead the fleet to the holding docks in the Paetorian Island Inner Islands coded sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen.

I have issued the following rules of engagement:

Dersconi Naval vessals mobilized, which is all of Third Fleet, are to maintain a stance of DEFCON-II. However, should any vessal fire INTO Dersconi territory, or fire at the ships, that fleet will be destroyed, ensuring there are absolutely no surviving ships or personnel. Otherwise, they are not to interfere with the naval battle. Admiral Haisley's ships are on their own until they enter Dersconi waters, in which case they are under Dersconi protection. The Coast Guard Heavy Battle Fleet has been ordered mobilized, should a problem arise.

::SIGNED::
Marko Herkjyavich
Commander in Chief of the Dersconi IMperial Navy

A copy of the Dersconi ROE were sent to both FD fleets -- the monarachist and Haisley's, as to ensure where Derscon stood at the moment, knowing that whoever was stupid enough to tickle the dragon would find a very angry dragon devouring them until not even atoms were left.

It's been done before.

Royal Bedroom, Kremlin Palace, Derscon

Alexei pulled Katherine in close to his chest and whispered to her.

"The decision is yours, and yours alone, Kathy. I will not stop you. However, politically, Derscon cannot get involved, for the....obvious reason." He kissed her on her cheek and rubbed her shoulders a little. "I will not offer advice, I will not command. This is something you must choose for yourself." Alexei knew that isn't what she wanted to hear, but it was the best advice. Also, this distanced Alexei from any action taken by Katherine. It was a skillful political move, but at the same time, genuine advice.

However, it was not something Alexei wanted to do. He motioned his ten year old daughter, Lauren Katherine Andropov (name her mother's choosing) and his eight year old son, Xavier Alexeinovich Andropov (name his father's choosing) off to their rooms, which they did obediently and without question. They knew Alexei was caring, but they also knew not to disobey.

Katherine kissed her kids good night and sat there as they were escorted out of the room. She stared at the Television and contemplated what to do. It wasn't easy for her to decide but in the end she decided to what was best, not for her but for her nation of origin.

She left the room before Alexei got back and proceeded to the bedroom and hastely packed up a suitcase of normal Formal Dancian clothing and another bag that was designed for other things.

Her aide Melissa assisted her down the stairs with said suitcases and proceeded to leave the building. They headed down to the airfield where the plane was waiting to take her to where the fleet was going to dock. She boarded the plane and it took off.

After a few hours, the plane landed on Island 17 and she debarked the plane and went immediately towards Naval Command HQ with her guards and aide trailing her.

She stared at the board and saw that Admiral Halsey's flagship just docked and she went immediately towards it.

Dersconi Naval Command, Dersconi Sea

ATLANTIS HEADQUARTERS, 200 METRES BELOW THE SEA SURFACE

"Damnit!" Marko Herkjyavich, CINCNAV, shouted. "This won't turn out well. Once Formal Dances ships enter Dersconi waters, that will force Dersconi involvement in the war."

"Not necessarily," Yuriy Vladimirovich Kartanov, the navy's chief political officer (read as: the officer everyone hates). "If we send naval troops to the conflict, then we will force involvement. However, Admiral Haisley and his fleet is on the "VIP" list, and is welcome to come, as long as he calls ahead, or some special situation prevents us from allowing his entry."

"Ah, good point." Herkjyavich got on the secure comm channel and sent a RTFN-class communication via secure fiberoptic cable the Praetorian Islands Command Center, as well as Kremlin Palace, which was no doubtibly updated already by NMCC.



A copy of the Dersconi ROE were sent to both FD fleets -- the monarachist and Haisley's, as to ensure where Derscon stood at the moment, knowing that whoever was stupid enough to tickle the dragon would find a very angry dragon devouring them until not even atoms were left.

It's been done before.

Admiral Halsey was beside himself. He received the orders to head for three islands and divided his force up accordingly. He himself took it upon himself to head towards one of the islands.

After awhile, they docked at the proper island and he found that Czarina Katherine Andropov was waiting at the dock. After the stairs was connected with the ship, Kathy, Melissa, and guards boarded the ship and returned the salute of the Admiral and the captain.

"Your majesty. It is an honor to see you again. To bad it is under these circumstances."

"Agreed Admiral. Lets go to your war room so we can discuss our plans. I take it that you have a map of what is currently going on?"

"Yes ma'am. Follow me." He led her down to the war room where 5 FD Guards where already standing guard.

============================================================================

The Monarchist Fleet commander wasn't happy. His pray sought safe sanctuary. He immediately radioed to Fleet Command for instructions. The instructions came back but not what he anticipated. Soon, the fleet turned around and headed back to Formal Dancian waters.

============================================================================

Queen Hapsburg wasn't very happy that not only did the President got away, he got away twice and that a loyalist fleet also got away. However, she really can't punish anyone because it really wasnt anyone's fault. Tactics is everything in war and the enemy had better tactics this time. Elsewhere though was another matter. A couple of loyalist cells have been broken and the people in them executed.

The Queen nodded at the report and saw to some other details and then proceeded to her old bedroom.

OOC: Heh heh, Naval Command isn't on the Praetorian Islands. It's in the center of the Dersconi Sea -- on the sea floor, I might add. However, there are tunnels, elevators, etc, that will get you there. ISland 17 happens to have one. However, getting past the Marine guards might be a bit tough.

Unless, of course....
======================================
Island Seventeen

In the center of the island is where the Praetorian Islands Command Center is located, which looked like a massive piece of white, shiny quartz. In fact, it was armored glass over mirrors. It gave an interesting visual affect, as well as preventing lasers from doing anything. What the hell, nothing wrong with security AND style.

Out of the PICC, four Dersconi Marines emerged. All were captains, and all were carrying the XM29, which marked them as either special forces or elite guardsmen. As they were Marines, it was probably both.

They walked up to the place where they would board Halsey's flagship and shouted up to the deck.

"Permission to come aboard, sir! I have a message to the Czarina and Admiral Halsey from Marko Herkjyavich! I am to deliver it personally!"

Island Seventeen

In the center of the island is where the Praetorian Islands Command Center is located, which looked like a massive piece of white, shiny quartz. In fact, it was armored glass over mirrors. It gave an interesting visual affect, as well as preventing lasers from doing anything. What the hell, nothing wrong with security AND style.

Out of the PICC, four Dersconi Marines emerged. All were captains, and all were carrying the XM29, which marked them as either special forces or elite guardsmen. As they were Marines, it was probably both.

They walked up to the place where they would board Halsey's flagship and shouted up to the deck.

"Permission to come aboard, sir! I have a message to the Czarina and Admiral Halsey from Marko Herkjyavich! I am to deliver it personally!"

The executive officer sighed when he heard that someone wanted aboard. "Permission granted." he said.

A security officer met him and escorted him to the executive officer. "I am the executive officer. Czarina Andropov and Admiral Halsey are currently in the warroom with President Wilson planning a counter offensive against Queen Hapsburg. They have asked that they not be disturbed. Now I need a reason for disturbing them.

==========================================================

Back in the capitol, Queen Hapsburg was putting the finishing touches on redoing her government. She is still having to fight the rebellion that has sprung up.

Out on Tiara Island, the rebels have managed to secure a section of the Island and some of the Wilson Administration officials have fled there to assist in taking out Queen Hapsburg.

On Diamond and Salsa Islands, the rebels are raking havic on the supply lines for the monarchy's troops.

This is causing some sleepless for her and when she isn't sleeping right, no one is safe.

The four Marine Captains of the Elite Guards unit (handpicked Marine unit, one of the best in Derscon) saluted the executive officer and handed over the letter. The more decorated one of the four, the one with the Lutherian Cross and the Imperial Cross of the Divine (Dersconi equivalient of the Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor, respectively) began to speak.

"Well, sir, we were ordered to hand-deliver this message to the Czarina and the Admiral, but if necessary, I guess I can tell you. The letter is basically a request to come to dinner and permission to enter Dersconi Naval Command, as well as use all of its recourses to devise a plan. Trust me, sir, there's so much stuff down there that even I don't know what's down there, and I'm the Chief Security Officer!" He smiled and motioned at the letter. The Marine who was currently speaking was actually a Major General, however he chose to wear the captain shoulder boards so the other Marines wouldn't feel so intimidated.

"Handwritten by Marko Rekjyavich, the commander in chief of the Dersconi Imperial Navy, sir." They stood waiting for the executive officer to do something.

The four Marine Captains of the Elite Guards unit (handpicked Marine unit, one of the best in Derscon) saluted the executive officer and handed over the letter. The more decorated one of the four, the one with the Lutherian Cross and the Imperial Cross of the Divine (Dersconi equivalient of the Navy Cross and the Medal of Honor, respectively) began to speak.

"Well, sir, we were ordered to hand-deliver this message to the Czarina and the Admiral, but if necessary, I guess I can tell you. The letter is basically a request to come to dinner and permission to enter Dersconi Naval Command, as well as use all of its recourses to devise a plan. Trust me, sir, there's so much stuff down there that even I don't know what's down there, and I'm the Chief Security Officer!" He smiled and motioned at the letter. The Marine who was currently speaking was actually a Major General, however he chose to wear the captain shoulder boards so the other Marines wouldn't feel so intimidated.

"Handwritten by Marko Rekjyavich, the commander in chief of the Dersconi Imperial Navy, sir." They stood waiting for the executive officer to do something.

The executive officer looked at the envelope. After giving this person the once over, he nodded more to himself than the guest.

"If you'll follow me please, I'll escort you there myself." He turned to Lt Commander Barkley. "You have the bridge."

After he received a nod, he escorted the guests down a deck and walked down the hall. After about a minute or two, they arrived at the situation room that was being guarded by 5 Ship security members and 3 guys in black wearing shades.

"Its alright gentlemen, they are our guests. They have a messege for her majesty and the admiral. The 3 black dressed men got up and looked them over coldly.

"Very well but one of us will enter as well to make sure no funny business occurs."

"Fine by me. I"m just escorting them. Please let us in." The guy that spoke opened the door and motioned for them to enter first.

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Admiral Halsey shouted.

"Sir, they are from the Dersconi military and they have a messege for you and her majesty, Czarina Katherine Andropov." The exec stated as if he were in a royal court and not a stateroom of a FD military vessel.

Kathy shook her head in amusement. "Allow me to introduce Admiral Halsey, Captain Johnson, and President Eric Wilson. Gentlemen please be seated."

The exec handed the messege to Kathy. "Thank you Commander. Your dismissed."

Admiral Halsey fidgeted some but didn't say anything. The Captain just nodded to the exec. He saluted and walked out of the room. Kathy then opened up the letter and laughed alittle. "Leave it to Marko to know everything." She passed the letter around to everyone else and they nodded in agreement.

"Captain, please tell Admiral Herkjyavich that we will gladly join him for dinner. Tell him that it will of course be me and Admiral Halsey as well as President Wilson will be there." She looked at the Captain. I'm sorry for excluding you Captain but in this case, it really does need to be who I just mentioned."

"I understand the game of politics your majesty. I take no offense."

She turned back to the guards, "Well gentlemen, there you have it. Do we come now or when?"

The four Marines sat at attention the entire time.

"Well, Your Majesty," the Captain/Major General replied. "You may come now, if you wish. Otherwise, I will be staying outside. We have orders not to return without you and the Admiral."

The four Marines sat at attention the entire time.

"Well, Your Majesty," the Captain/Major General replied. "You may come now, if you wish. Otherwise, I will be staying outside. We have orders not to return without you and the Admiral."

"And as I am saying, President Wilson will aslo accompany us." She got up and stared at them. President Wilson and Admiral Halsey both got up as well.

"Captain, return to the bridge and continue with normal ship duties." Admiral Halsey stated before anyone else can speak.

Kathy looked at the Captain. "Lead on Captain. We don't want to keep the Admiral waiting now do we?"

"And as I am saying, President Wilson will aslo accompany us." She got up and stared at them. President Wilson and Admiral Halsey both got up as well.

"Captain, return to the bridge and continue with normal ship duties." Admiral Halsey stated before anyone else can speak.

Kathy looked at the Captain. "Lead on Captain. We don't want to keep the Admiral waiting now do we?"

The Marines jumped up to attention and saluted. THe chief Captain held up a hand, though. "Please excuse me, though, I need to change this false shoulder board so I can get back into my headquarters." The "captain" took off the captain shoulder boards and replaced them with the boards of a Major General, as well as put on the gold braiding for under the shoulder boards. He turned back to the escortees. "Unfortunately, I don't get a cape unless I become a full General." He smiled and motioned them to follow.

"Please, follow me."

The Major General led Wilson, Halsey, and Andropov out of the ship and into the Praetorian Islands Command Center. After navigating through some large hallways, they walked over to an elevator.

"This way. It's a long trip down. Don't worry, the pressure problem is dealt with. You won't feel a thing." When they loaded up into the elevator, they went down about fifteen stories before it opened and they were a good one hundred and fifty feet from the surface. It seemed just like a regular bunker.

The party was led down the main hallway to the first lock chamber. The Major General slid his ID card through the slot to the side and a voiceprint scanner popped out of the wall.

"Major General Boris Vladimirovich Ulyanov, Commander, Royal Marines Elite Guardsmen."

"Voiceprint accepted," was the robotic sound from the scanner. "You may continue, General Ulyanov." At that sound, the massive blast doors in front of them slowly opened to expose two armored clear-material doors. Armored as it would withstand everything short of a fifty calibre round. If you looked through it, you could see the blast doors on either side were about two feet thick, and the inner doors were about one foot thick. When the blast doors went up, the inner doors opened to the side, and the party went forward into the lock chamber. The Major General typed in a few commands at the computer terminal, and the doors they just came through shut and sealed again, and the blast doors opposite the path they just came through opened.

"Oh my God," one of the Marines said. This particular Marine was never down here before. Before them was an enclosed passageway made entirely of reinforced plexiglass, with a metal walkway in the middle. Through the plexiglass one could see the Dersconi Sea.

"Hey! There's that damn swordfish!" One of the Marines cried. "I've been trying to catch him for two weeks now!"

"Watch yourself, Marine!" The Major General retorted.

"Oh, sorry, sir."

The Major General and the Marines continued walking through the tunnel. If you looked up, you could see Halsey's fleet floating in the water, as well as the other Praetorian Islands. If you looked to either side, you could see some more of the tunnels they were walking through, except some were big enough to fit a boomer in. They were for transporting nuclear submarines into the docks that were built under the surface of the Islands as to protect them from snooping satellites.

"Well, sir, is that the SS Hermes?" One of the Marines asked.

"Yes, it is. Why?"

"I served on that, sir. I was just wondering." The Major General nodded as they continued their journey down the tunnel.

"Is that....?" The Marine who hasn't been down here before's voice trailed off as he looked below him. When everyone else did the same, they stopped walking to admire the genius of Dersconi Military Engineering.

"That, my friends," the Major General started. "Is the home base of ATLANTIS. Those domes down there contain the very heart of Derscon's Navy. THat big one in the center is ATLANTIS ONE. That's the command center, and that's where we're going."

"What are those smaller domes there?" the land-based Marine asked.

"Those are missile silos. They fill the Dersconi territorial waters, and are connected to ATLANTIS. Some are full-fledged ICBM's. Some are SFLBMs -- that's Sea Floor Launched Ballistic Missiles. That's for ships that happen to tread too close to Derscon, and we don't like them. Some are like submarine missiles, designed to destroy a ship right above or near them. Those are kept further out. Those domes over there, near the islands themselves --" the General stopped to point at the pentagon-like shapes. "Those are antiballistic missile laser weapons. Self-explanitory. We have staged over a thousand invasion excersises -- not a single one has managed to land troops on Dersconi mainland soil. Obviously, some of the outer islands were lost, but all of them are equipped with self-targeting devices. If an Island is taken, all of the assets allocated to it fire on itself. Basically, it self-destructs. Anyways, enough sharing of national secrets for one day, let's move on."

The Party continued on, looking outside at the passing sharks, swordfish, and the occasional submarine, until they finally reached the end of the tunnel, which was another elevator.

"PLease, step in." When they all did so, the Major General hit the button to go down to the sea floor.

As they went down, they all could look outside into the sea. They saw much of the same thing as they did in the tunnel above, but it was a very new experience, so it was awe-inspiring. Looking down, one could truely appreciate how freakin' HUGE the command domes were. The command dome was larger than the surface island they just came from.

Eventually, the glass gave way to something solid -- no one mentioned what it was, and it wasn't important. They went down for another thirty seconds until finally they hit bottom, and the *ding!* of the elevator doors opening was heard.

The Major General led them through a maze of passageways until finally getting to the center of the command dome. The sliding doors opened for them, and the Major General walked in.

"Welcome to Atlantis, surface-dwellers," came a voice from nowhere in particular -- the room was so dark, you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. The doors behind them shut, and the security door went down in front of the door.

Suddenly, the lights flashed on, and after about five seconds for everyone's eyes to ajust, they looked around. It looked exactly like the Jedi Council room in the Star Wars movies, only instead of a stone in the middle, it was a holoprojector. Currently, there was nothing on it. A single figure in a black cloak was seen standing opposite them.

"This is the Atlantis Temple," the cloaked figure was saying. "Each seat represents each commander of the armada." What he was reffering to is that each Dersconi Fleet had five seats -- one for the fleet commander, and four more for the subfleet commanders. So overall, there were twenty-six seats -- one more for the CINCNAV.

"Marines, dismissed." The Marines saluted and walked out of the room. The cloaked figure approached them. When he got close, he bowed to Czarina Andropov and nodded to Admiral Halsey. The cloaked figure then took off the cloak to show a uniform that looked like it weighed ten pounds with all the medals on it.

"Good evening, Czarina Andropov, President Wilson, Admiral Halsey. I am Marko Rekjyavich, commander in chief of the Dersconi Imperial Navy. You now see where all of our official work gets done. However, this is a horrible atmosphere for a relaxed conversation. This way, please!" Marko led them out the other way to a small dining room. Standing there were the four Special Praetorian Guards, which meant only one thing....

"Katherine!" Czar Alexei Alexandrovich Andropov XIV walked over and embraced her. "Marko here invited me to dinner here, so I figured I wouldn't miss an oppertunity for free food." He smiled and stepped back. He nodded to President Wilson.

"Wilson, it would be good to see you again, except for the reasons that Marko had the chance to invite you in the first place." He turned to Admiral Halsey. "Admiral, I don't believe we've ever met, but I've heard many a good word about you. Glad to have you here. Well, again, slighty glad, considering the circumstances."

"Ah, true," Marko Herkjyavich interjected. "But as we stand here and talk, the food grows cold! Come, sit!"

"Leave it to you not to pass up free food my love." Kathy said to Alexei.

Eric took that moment to step up. "Your majesty, it is an honor to meet you again. I am sadden that we had to meet under these conditions. I feel like an outlaw trying to fight for his life. Infact, I am an outlaw fighting for my life."

"Mr. President, the only outlaw is Queen Hapsburg and she'll get her justice when we get her into our hands." Admiral Halsey stated matter of factly. "Your majesty, it is an honor to meet you at last. I've heard good words about you as well."

"Calm yourself Admiral. This is not a good place to get emotional about monarchies." Wilson stated with a chuckle. He turned to Alexei. "Sir, I do wish we were here under better circumstances but that is life. The thing is to make the best of any situation. The rebellion will succeed to overthrow the monarchy. I also like to thank you Admiral for letting us use this fine facility to plan a counter offensive."

"People, the admiral is right about the food. No need for it to get cold you know. Besides that I am also hungry."

Before anyone can say anything, she moved towards the table and motioned for everyone to sit.

"People, the admiral is right about the food. No need for it to get cold you know. Besides that I am also hungry."

Before anyone can say anything, she moved towards the table and motioned for everyone to sit.

Alexei chuckled. "She's a smart one, that girl. I say we listen to the lady." Just then, Prince John arrived with two bottles of Napoleon Cognac Reserve.

"Sorry I'm late! We ran into some traffic. A school of cat fish clogged up the submarine tunnel. Had to chase it out with a pack of rotweiler fish." He kept a straight face with the joke, as it was very corny, and set down the bottles of wine on the table.

The table was actually a hexagon, so everyone got their own side. Alexei sat to the right of Katherine, with Prince John to his right, then Herkjyavich, then Admiral Halsey, then Eric, and coming back to Katherine again.

"Now, I know this is heresey to speak of," Marko began. "But when you are down here surrounded by fish, you grow tired of it. So, I ordered in some of the finest turkey in Derscon. Pricey, yes, but it's for a good cause."

"So THAT's where that one trillion dollars in government waste goes to," Alexei remarked. Marko glared at him.

"A turkey doesn't cost one trillion dollars, Your Majesty."

"Good point," the Prince said. "But I bet that dress does," the Prince chided, pointing to Katherine's dress as the serving plates of turkey, stuffing, chived mashed potatoes, and a large bowl of gravy came out. (The wine glasses were already there) "You really should just take it off and--" Alexei took his elbow and smashed it into Prince John's ribs, making the Prince's eyes nearly pop out of his head.

"Well, serve yourself," Marko said, after letting out a chuckle. No one bothered to hold themselves back -- it was technically informal. "There's plenty of food, and Alexei and John will probably eat all of it." Prince John shruged.

"So?"

"Now, I know this is heresey to speak of," Marko began. "But when you are down here surrounded by fish, you grow tired of it. So, I ordered in some of the finest turkey in Derscon. Pricey, yes, but it's for a good cause."

"So THAT's where that one trillion dollars in government waste goes to," Alexei remarked. Marko glared at him.

"A turkey doesn't cost one trillion dollars, Your Majesty."

"Good point," the Prince said. "But I bet that dress does," the Prince chided, pointing to Katherine's dress as the serving plates of turkey, stuffing, chived mashed potatoes, and a large bowl of gravy came out. (The wine glasses were already there) "You really should just take it off and--" Alexei took his elbow and smashed it into Prince John's ribs, making the Prince's eyes nearly pop out of his head.

"Well, serve yourself," Marko said, after letting out a chuckle. No one bothered to hold themselves back -- it was technically informal. "There's plenty of food, and Alexei and John will probably eat all of it." Prince John shruged.

"So?"

Kathy giggled at Prince John's abruptly aborted statement and gave a wink to Alexei. Halsey was about to jump out of his chair but thought better of it. It wasn't his place and military training states when things are said between high mucky mucks in other lands, STAY SILENT. Eric shook his head over the childish display.

They got their food and sat back down.

"Admiral, I know of a couple of other fleets that have managed to escape Formal Dances and are now "independent." I need away of communicating with those fleets so that we can prepare for a comprehensive sea launched invasion." Admiral Halsey stated without pre-amble.

"Admiral, please. Let us enjoy a pleasant dinner without bringing the war to these people." Eric stated nonchalantly.

"My apologies but we have a couple billion people under her yoke and we need to bring the nation back to freedom that we all have fought for."

"Bill, that hasn't been lost on me." Kathy said interrupting. "We do need to set plans for a counter attack and since we have 2 admirals, a Czar and Czarina, and a president sitting here, this is a good time to talk minor strategy. The Major strategy can be discussed later."

"But ma'am..."

Kathy stared at him and Wilson intervened. "Kathy is right. Minor strategy only."

"Yes sir." he said but was not happy about it.

"Pardon the admiral but he's itching to get back home." Kathy explained. "I know I am but thats mostly because of friends and family." She stabbed at her turkey. "And Prince John, don't ever have those thoughts around me please or I'll just toss this mashed potato at you the next time."

Kathy giggled at Prince John's abruptly aborted statement and gave a wink to Alexei. Halsey was about to jump out of his chair but thought better of it. It wasn't his place and military training states when things are said between high mucky mucks in other lands, STAY SILENT. Eric shook his head over the childish display.

They got their food and sat back down.

"Admiral, I know of a couple of other fleets that have managed to escape Formal Dances and are now "independent." I need away of communicating with those fleets so that we can prepare for a comprehensive sea launched invasion." Admiral Halsey stated without pre-amble.

"Admiral, please. Let us enjoy a pleasant dinner without bringing the war to these people." Eric stated nonchalantly.

"My apologies but we have a couple billion people under her yoke and we need to bring the nation back to freedom that we all have fought for."

"Bill, that hasn't been lost on me." Kathy said interrupting. "We do need to set plans for a counter attack and since we have 2 admirals, a Czar and Czarina, and a president sitting here, this is a good time to talk minor strategy. The Major strategy can be discussed later."

"But ma'am..."

Kathy stared at him and Wilson intervened. "Kathy is right. Minor strategy only."

"Yes sir." he said but was not happy about it.

"Pardon the admiral but he's itching to get back home." Kathy explained. "I know I am but thats mostly because of friends and family." She stabbed at her turkey. "And Prince John, don't ever have those thoughts around me please or I'll just toss this mashed potato at you the next time."

Prince John's eyes lit up. "These mashed potatoes are quite excellent, I think. I'd be delighted if you tossed them my way."

"I agree with Eric, here," Alexei said. "Minor strategy for right now. My main concern is getting this fleet right here," he said, pointing to a few turkey slices floating in gravy. "To it's destination point, my stomach."

"Simply," Herkjyavich remarked. "You divide the fleet up---" as he said this, he cut his own turkey up. "Load the cargo--" he mixed some stuffing up with the turkey. "And send it full speed to the mouth of the -- in your case -- bottomless pit." After Marko Herkjavich said that, he ate what was on his fork. "That seems to be the best plan of attack from my perspective. Don't you agree, Admiral Halsey? You're on the water more than I am now. I figured we'd need some field experience."

Prince John's eyes lit up. "These mashed potatoes are quite excellent, I think. I'd be delighted if you tossed them my way."

"I agree with Eric, here," Alexei said. "Minor strategy for right now. My main concern is getting this fleet right here," he said, pointing to a few turkey slices floating in gravy. "To it's destination point, my stomach."

"Simply," Herkjyavich remarked. "You divide the fleet up---" as he said this, he cut his own turkey up. "Load the cargo--" he mixed some stuffing up with the turkey. "And send it full speed to the mouth of the -- in your case -- bottomless pit." After Marko Herkjavich said that, he ate what was on his fork. "That seems to be the best plan of attack from my perspective. Don't you agree, Admiral Halsey? You're on the water more than I am now. I figured we'd need some field experience."

Kathy felt like the whole world was closing in on her. She watched the whole display and shook her head.

"Admiral, I've been eating since the day I was born. As has you. Don't tell me you forgotten how to eat. As for field experience, I have participated in many actions against our enemies. The best thing I can see to do first is to strike at Tiara Island. We already know of a Democratic stronghold there that has been secured. The remenants of Wilson's administration are in Jarsa City."

Kathy's face came up then. "That's my hometown."

"Yes ma'am. And it is right on the sea too. They monarchists have tried three different ways of driving them off but have yet to succeed. They are entrenched but now they are starting to run out of things. We can supply them but it'll be tricky. I think the best bet is to secure the island then we can plot the next move."

==========================================================

While they were discussing what to do, the Queen was in a strategy session of her own regarding Tiara Island.

"We need to take the entire island if we have any hope of securing ourselves in power."

"I agree your majesty. We cannot directly attack Jarsa. We have to be careful on how we do this though. The reason being is that it is the home of Katherine Rice Andropov. If we do more than necessary, the people will turn on us in a hurry. Moreso actually since we already have some uprisings."

"Continue to search for those cells. We need to make sure that we can eliminate it this time."

"Yes ma'am.

"Now back to this. What are you doing now to force those traitors from their positions?"

"We have tossed up a blockade around Tiara Island. Nothing is getting in and nothing is getting out except for what we allow. They will starve soon and thus they'll have to take drastic action."

"Its that drastic action I'm worried about. Luckily, we have full control over the TV and radio networks now so that'll work in our favor."

"However, not all of them. Jarsa is still in operation and we're having a hard time knocking it off the air. Not to mention, foreign networks are broadcasting this whole affair. We can't touch those otherwise, we will get more trouble than these rebels."

"Any word on what that rebel fleet is doing?"

"None ma'am. We do know that they have entered Dersconi waters but that is about it."

"That means, the rebels are trying to get help from them. If Derscon doesn't join, I think their hero Kathy will with or without her husband's permission."

"If she does your majesty, you'll be in trouble. She knows some of these islands quite well and that can spell trouble."

"Make sure that her fleet doesn't get within striking distance of Tiara Island."

"Yes ma'am."

The queen waved her hand and he left to carry out the orders.

Kathy felt like the whole world was closing in on her. She watched the whole display and shook her head.

"Admiral, I've been eating since the day I was born. As has you. Don't tell me you forgotten how to eat. As for field experience, I have participated in many actions against our enemies. The best thing I can see to do first is to strike at Tiara Island. We already know of a Democratic stronghold there that has been secured. The remenants of Wilson's administration are in Jarsa City."

Kathy's face came up then. "That's my hometown."

"Yes ma'am. And it is right on the sea too. They monarchists have tried three different ways of driving them off but have yet to succeed. They are entrenched but now they are starting to run out of things. We can supply them but it'll be tricky. I think the best bet is to secure the island then we can plot the next move."

Alexei, John, and Marko just looked on at the FDians. Marko shook his head and leaned over to John and Alexei. "These people have no sense of humor, do they." John nodded.

"I agree with you. However, you have to remember, they're in a state of civil war, so humor is probably the last thing they're concerned about." Alexei nodded as a response and turned to the rest of the group.

"Well, I must say that you will be doing this without Derscon's help. I would support you, as you, Katherine, are my wife, and the government that signed on to Greater Prussia. However, it would be a bad decision to deploy the Imperial Armies to fight a monarchist rebellion, for the obvious reasons.

"Derscon will offer you shelter, but that is all. We will not deploy forces out into Formal Dances."

"Well, I must say that you will be doing this without Derscon's help. I would support you, as you, Katherine, are my wife, and the government that signed on to Greater Prussia. However, it would be a bad decision to deploy the Imperial Armies to fight a monarchist rebellion, for the obvious reasons.

"Derscon will offer you shelter, but that is all. We will not deploy forces out into Formal Dances."

Admiral Halsey fidgeted in his seat when Czar Andropov said this. Eric just nodded. "We understand why you can't Alexei. It wouldn't look to good considering who we are fighting. We are grateful though that you can offer us shelter. That is why we are here. We needed a safe harbor to see what we have and to see how we can strike back."

Kathy listened to the engage and put her fingers to her head. She then took a deep breath and faced her husband.

"Alexei, I love you. However, I am going to go back to Formal Dances and assist them in retaking my homeland. You can't do anything but nothing stated that I can't either. It is my home nation and I must help those in defending it."

Admiral Halsey's eyes bulged out of his head when Kathy stated that she was going back. "But your majesty, your married to the Czar! That is going to be a conflict of interest."

"No it won't." Eric chimed in. "The people still respect her. If she comes back and it gets around, the Queen is going to have even more trouble on her hands. Its a political move. It will undermind the monarchy and at the sametime, bolster our morale that has been lacking lately."

"Eric is right Bill. If we're going to win this, your going to need not just full military support but the backing of the people. Right now, the Queen is on the offensive and we're on the defensive. The people are listening to her right now because she is the only one talking. When I make my return, I'm going on national TV to announce that I'm back. The people will respond against the Queen. I am still popular if what Eric has told me is correct. If they see me on the streets of Formal Dances, the Queen's popularity is going to plummet. That is going to make things difficult for her because we'll get more recruits."

"Yes ma'am." Halsey said resigningly. "I'm just afraid that your going to get hurt in this fight and that wouldn't look to good either."

"Admiral, I nearly died in the first civil war because I was reckles. I'm not as reckles as I was back then and have learned a thing or two about military tactics inbetween time. You let me worry about me and you just worry about the Monarchist Navy."

"Yes ma'am." He replied.

She then turned back to her husband. "I guess its no use telling you not to worry about me so I'm not even going to bother with it. Take care of the kids for me Alexei. Give them the attention they deserve."

Alexei nodded. "I figured as much. I am sending a squad of the Praesillei Dei with you for your own personal defense, that is as much out-of-Dersconi-territory you're going to get." He motioned toward the door, and one of the SPG opened it, letting in twenty of the Praesillei Dei, fully armed and armored.

"They will be going with you. You don't have a choice in the matter," Alexei said with a half-smile. "I know I can't stop you from going, so I might as well send people to make sure you don't get or get yourself killed." He then communicated to Eric Wilson via telepathy, one of the many gifts in the Andropov bloodline.

Eric, this is Alexei. I am communicating to you via telepathy. I am doing this to warn you: Do not let Katherine die. I am placing her saftey in your hands. If she dies, I will have your head separated from your body and presented to me on a pike. Do not think this is a hyperbole -- I will send my guards to decapitate you and place your head on a pike and deliver it to me if Katherine dies. Failure is not an option. Do I make myself clear?

Alexei nodded. "I figured as much. I am sending a squad of the Praesillei Dei with you for your own personal defense, that is as much out-of-Dersconi-territory you're going to get." He motioned toward the door, and one of the SPG opened it, letting in twenty of the Praesillei Dei, fully armed and armored.

"They will be going with you. You don't have a choice in the matter," Alexei said with a half-smile. "I know I can't stop you from going, so I might as well send people to make sure you don't get or get yourself killed." He then communicated to Eric Wilson via telepathy, one of the many gifts in the Andropov bloodline.

Eric, this is Alexei. I am communicating to you via telepathy. I am doing this to warn you: Do not let Katherine die. I am placing her saftey in your hands. If she dies, I will have your head separated from your body and presented to me on a pike. Do not think this is a hyperbole -- I will send my guards to decapitate you and place your head on a pike and deliver it to me if Katherine dies. Failure is not an option. Do I make myself clear?

Kathy blushed as the guards came in. "I guess I really have no choice but to have them with me. Ok fine. However, they will follow my orders and be damned with tradition. Reason being that it is my nation that we are traveling too and the rules will change. They will be entering into a different culture than they are used too and therefor, will need to rely on my expertise with the culture. Well mine and President Wilson's."

President Wilson looked at Alexei and nodded. "She'll be safe. She is intelligent but I'll make sure she will stay safe."

Kathy realized that Alexei communicated telepathicly and shook her head.

Admiral Halsey looked at the guards. "While they are on my ship, they will not walk around armed even if they are with Czarina Andropov. It is my ship and things will be runned my way."

President Wilson shook his head at Halsey's insubordination though in some regards, it is his ship and thus his rules even though he has someone that outranks him on his ship.

Kathy blushed as the guards came in. "I guess I really have no choice but to have them with me. Ok fine. However, they will follow my orders and be damned with tradition. Reason being that it is my nation that we are traveling too and the rules will change. They will be entering into a different culture than they are used too and therefor, will need to rely on my expertise with the culture. Well mine and President Wilson's."

"That is fine. However, don't do anything stupid. The guards are there to protect you, and since the formation of the Praesillei Dei, there has never been a death of someone who they were supposed to protect.

President Wilson looked at Alexei and nodded. "She'll be safe. She is intelligent but I'll make sure she will stay safe."

Kathy realized that Alexei communicated telepathicly and shook her head.

Alexei ignored Kathy's headshake and nodded. to Eric. "Good."

Admiral Halsey looked at the guards. "While they are on my ship, they will not walk around armed even if they are with Czarina Andropov. It is my ship and things will be runned my way."

President Wilson shook his head at Halsey's insubordination though in some regards, it is his ship and thus his rules even though he has someone that outranks him on his ship.

Alexei glared at Halsey. "You, obviously, don't trust me very much. Is it simply your arrogance, or is it because of your blind following to some propoganda shouting how all monarchies are evil? Or is it both?"

"That is fine. However, don't do anything stupid. The guards are there to protect you, and since the formation of the Praesillei Dei, there has never been a death of someone who they were supposed to protect.

"Don't worry. I'll be fine sweetheart. You just take care of the kids ok? I will also write to you whenever I can." she said.

Alexei ignored Kathy's headshake and nodded. to Eric. "Good."

Eric just nodded.

Alexei glared at Halsey. "You, obviously, don't trust me very much. Is it simply your arrogance, or is it because of your blind following to some propoganda shouting how all monarchies are evil? Or is it both?"

"Of course I don't trust you." Halsey said bluntly. "The reason I don't trust you is that I don't know you at all. Being a monarch has nothing to do with it. I've served the Monarch prior to the civil war that ousted her the first time. I know the autrocities she has committed and I vowed that I will do my best to make sure that doesn't happen again. You also have nothing to fear on my ship. The only things that can happen is a submarine assault on the fleet, and that isn't likely to affect our ship, an all out air assault, or a full fleet engagement. Not much for armed guards to deal with. Also, I have Secret Service agents as well as my own ship security forces. I also know that the crew supports Czarina Andropov as well and will lay down their lives for her as well as for Wilson. She has more guards than you can shake a stick at. So why are you balking about them not being able to walk around armed when infact that I have Secret Service Agents as well as my own security force? I will compromise though. When we go to battlestations, I'll allow them to be armed but not before."

"Don't worry. I'll be fine sweetheart. You just take care of the kids ok? I will also write to you whenever I can." she said.

Alexei nodded. "Okay, then. I will do that."

"Of course I don't trust you." Halsey said bluntly. "The reason I don't trust you is that I don't know you at all. Being a monarch has nothing to do with it. I've served the Monarch prior to the civil war that ousted her the first time. I know the autrocities she has committed and I vowed that I will do my best to make sure that doesn't happen again. You also have nothing to fear on my ship. The only things that can happen is a submarine assault on the fleet, and that isn't likely to affect our ship, an all out air assault, or a full fleet engagement. Not much for armed guards to deal with. Also, I have Secret Service agents as well as my own ship security forces. I also know that the crew supports Czarina Andropov as well and will lay down their lives for her as well as for Wilson. She has more guards than you can shake a stick at. So why are you balking about them not being able to walk around armed when infact that I have Secret Service Agents as well as my own security force? I will compromise though. When we go to battlestations, I'll allow them to be armed but not before."

Alexei smiled and shook his head. "Admiral Halsey, I was testing you. I know I have nothing to fear from your crew. I wanted to see how you would react.

"The guards will go unarmed, but not unarmored. However, they will be allowed to store their weapons in their rooms. I'm sure this is acceptable terms to you."

Alexei nodded. "Okay, then. I will do that."

"Thank you Alexei." She said.

Alexei smiled and shook his head. "Admiral Halsey, I was testing you. I know I have nothing to fear from your crew. I wanted to see how you would react.

"The guards will go unarmed, but not unarmored. However, they will be allowed to store their weapons in their rooms. I'm sure this is acceptable terms to you."

Admiral Halsey stared at him. The one thing Halsey hated more than anything else in the world was tests. He managed to control himself before speaking again. "That'll be fine." He said.

"Great. Now that is settled. What is for desert?" Kathy stated as she looked around the table.

"Thank you Alexei." She said.

Admiral Halsey stared at him. The one thing Halsey hated more than anything else in the world was tests. He managed to control himself before speaking again. "That'll be fine." He said.

"Great. Now that is settled. What is for desert?" Kathy stated as she looked around the table.

Thank you God, Prince John thought to himself. He turned to Marko and nodded, and Marko stood up and walked to the kitchen to rally the cooks. When he returned, the head chef brought back something very simple -- apple pie a la mode.

"It is a simple pleasure," Marko said. "But regardless, a pleasure. I hope you don't mind the chocolate fudge ice cream over the pie -- we're different down here under the sea." He grinned as he picked up his fork and stabbed at the apple pie.

Thank you God, Prince John thought to himself. He turned to Marko and nodded, and Marko stood up and walked to the kitchen to rally the cooks. When he returned, the head chef brought back something very simple -- apple pie a la mode.

"It is a simple pleasure," Marko said. "But regardless, a pleasure. I hope you don't mind the chocolate fudge ice cream over the pie -- we're different down here under the sea." He grinned as he picked up his fork and stabbed at the apple pie.

"Its no problem at all. Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream just happens to be my favorite flavor of Ice Cream." Kathy said as she began to eat.

Eric was looking around as he ate. "This is a grand military command center Alexei. Anyway, that I can scam the plans off of you?" He said chuckling. "On second thought, no. Congress would never approve of such a plan. Not after this war anyway."

"Your right that they won't. They just assume to spend the money on other programs that'll hurt the economy than on one that'll help defend their country."

"Good point your majesty."

"Thank you Eric." Kathy said. She leaned over to Alexei. "He is right about Congress scolding him and blasting it. Though I think defensively it'll help, Congress will never approve of it."

Eric looked around again. "I hate to say this but we really do need to get down to business. We have a nation to take back and I want to get it done as soon as possible."

"Its no problem at all. Chocolate Fudge Ice Cream just happens to be my favorite flavor of Ice Cream." Kathy said as she began to eat.

"Second favourite, here," Alexei stated. "Moose Tracks happens to be my favourite."

Eric was looking around as he ate. "This is a grand military command center Alexei. Anyway, that I can scam the plans off of you?" He said chuckling. "On second thought, no. Congress would never approve of such a plan. Not after this war anyway."

"Even if your congress would approve of such a plan," Alexei started. "I would never give you the plans!" Alexei grinned has he polished off his pie a la mode. "Technically, under Dersconi law, ATLANITS is what's known as a 'shoot-down program.' That means any unauthorized persons who know about it are shot down." He chuckled. "Technically, you're unauthorized, but I'll make an exception." He winked at the group of Formal Dancians.

"Your right that they won't. They just assume to spend the money on other programs that'll hurt the economy than on one that'll help defend their country."

"Good point your majesty."

"Thank you Eric." Kathy said. She leaned over to Alexei. "He is right about Congress scolding him and blasting it. Though I think defensively it'll help, Congress will never approve of it."

"And that," Alexei continued. "Is why Derscon got rid of the Republic about two thousand years ago. The Republic body was a corrupted mass that were 'enlightened' as to how to achieve world peace. They learned that peace was a lie when a Sith-led army decided that Derscon looked like prime real estate. That was when Ivan Andropov the Great, founder of Derscon, as we now call him, rallied the Dersconis against the Sith and then against the Republic. The Monarchy has held strong ever since."

"Well," Prince John interjected. "Minus the Romanov's, but they were overthrown easily."

"True."

Eric looked around again. "I hate to say this but we really do need to get down to business. We have a nation to take back and I want to get it done as soon as possible."

When everyone was done with their dessert, the chef took the plates away, and Alexei stood up and led them into the Council Room. Marko took his seat, Alexei took Fleet Admiral Zimmerov's, Prince John took Fleet Admiral Spruance's seat, and the Dersconi's let the FDians take their own seats around the Council room.

"Second favourite, here," Alexei stated. "Moose Tracks happens to be my favourite."

Kathy smiled when he mentioned that. "I know its your favorite Alexei. I had served at your birthday party last year." she said giggling.

"Even if your congress would approve of such a plan," Alexei started. "I would never give you the plans!" Alexei grinned has he polished off his pie a la mode. "Technically, under Dersconi law, ATLANITS is what's known as a 'shoot-down program.' That means any unauthorized persons who know about it are shot down." He chuckled. "Technically, you're unauthorized, but I'll make an exception." He winked at the group of Formal Dancians.

Halsey had to laugh at that. "I'm glad swe are an exception sir." he said laughing. "Besides that, I know how important it is to keep a secret. Don't worry about us sir. We know full well how to keep a secret. No one will know about this joint from us."

"And that," Alexei continued. "Is why Derscon got rid of the Republic about two thousand years ago. The Republic body was a corrupted mass that were 'enlightened' as to how to achieve world peace. They learned that peace was a lie when a Sith-led army decided that Derscon looked like prime real estate. That was when Ivan Andropov the Great, founder of Derscon, as we now call him, rallied the Dersconis against the Sith and then against the Republic. The Monarchy has held strong ever since."


"Well," Prince John interjected. "Minus the Romanov's, but they were overthrown easily."

"True."[/quote]

"That's an interesting history." Eric said. "Of course you already know most of our history anyway so its only proper that we learn some of yours."

When everyone was done with their dessert, the chef took the plates away, and Alexei stood up and led them into the Council Room. Marko took his seat, Alexei took Fleet Admiral Zimmerov's, Prince John took Fleet Admiral Spruance's seat, and the Dersconi's let the FDians take their own seats around the Council room.

Kathy walked towards the holoprojector as Bill and Eric haggled over where to strike first. Kathy called up the map of Formal Dances.

"Before we start fighting over where to hit first, is there any way we can see what areas we hold and what areas they hold? I refuge to believe that Jarsa is the only major city we hold." Kathy asked.

That brought both Halsey and Wilson up short because they both forgot the first rule of war, use as accurate intelligence as you can.

Kathy smiled when he mentioned that. "I know its your favorite Alexei. I had served at your birthday party last year." she said giggling.

"I had a birthday party?" Alexei asked himself. John chuckled.

"Yeah, you sure did! You must really have liked that vodka!"

Halsey had to laugh at that. "I'm glad swe are an exception sir." he said laughing. "Besides that, I know how important it is to keep a secret. Don't worry about us sir. We know full well how to keep a secret. No one will know about this joint from us."

Marko nodded. "THat's good! ATLANTIS loses much of its effectiveness without surprise."

[quote"That's an interesting history." Eric said. "Of course you already know most of our history anyway so its only proper that we learn some of yours."

Alexei nodded. "Most of the history books simply begin with the Sith invasion and Andropov's establishment of the monarchy. Very few books are left describing the Old Republic.

Kathy walked towards the holoprojector as Bill and Eric haggled over where to strike first. Kathy called up the map of Formal Dances.

"Before we start fighting over where to hit first, is there any way we can see what areas we hold and what areas they hold? I refuge to believe that Jarsa is the only major city we hold." Kathy asked.

That brought both Halsey and Wilson up short because they both forgot the first rule of war, use as accurate intelligence as you can.

"Hold on." The voice came from Marko, who was at the main terminal. After plugging a few commands, the map expanded to cover Formal Dances and the entire surrounding area. The Formal Dances' fleets all showed up as red, until a few more commands were given, in which all fleets loyal to the democracy turned green. The holomap was then given volume as to show submarines. John turned to Halsey and Eric.

"Don't ask how we get this information. No, it doesn't all come from satellites."

"Alexei!" Marko called from the console.

"Yes, Marko?"

"Can the satellites pick out individual troops?" Alexei thought for a moment before turning to Eric.

"Have either party recieved new uniforms?"

Tag!

"I don't know your majest!" Eric stated. "We left in such a rush that we don't know the ground situation that well. I do know that some areas are still held by loyal forces to democracy but that is all I know."

Kathy stared out over the map. "Well this is very interesting. I take it you have spies within Formal Dances. That doesn't concern me at the moment though."

That brought a glare from Halsey. He hates spies but he held his tongue. "From what I can see is that the areas around Jarsa City on Tiara is firmly in our hands." He quickly looked over the map. "HA! I didn't think Admiral Dornetz was a fool. He left 100 Ships near your border sir." He goes back to Tiara Island. "We can hit along the Southern Coast. Its prime amphib territory. The problem is, they know it too. So, we'll move along towards the western coastline. Its abit rocky but not to rocky for the marines."

"Bill, I see that the 1st fleet is near Pearl Island. Our forces there hold a larger chunk of land. I'm sure that with the proper air cover, we can take the island as a whole?"

"So we can. The first fleet is lead by Admiral Nimitz. He's a great Admiral and knows what needs to be done."

"Very well. I'm giving you a direct order to order the 1st fleet to fully engage and to take Pearl. Your fleet is going to mobalize and take Tiara Island. If we can take both Islands, we can go after Tuxedo Island from two sides and not just use the fleet. Also, both islands could be used for air support for the loyalists on other islands. Once we take those two Islands, we can form a better tactical plan."

"Yes sir. We do need to find a way though to isolate Waltz Island. If we can Isolate Queen Hapsburg from the rest of the people, we might be able to end this sooner. Since 1st, 5th, and 7th fleets, judging by the board, our ours, we can prepare for a massive assault. The problems I forsee is in the air, on the ground, and at sea. We need to establish Air supremacy over our targets and secure the seas. If we fail at either one of those, our counter attacks won't do us much good. If they spot this fleet coming, they'll launch everything they have. They cannot afford to have us set foot on any of these Islands. It is almost assured they know that we are here, thanks to that blasted 3rd fleet, and they must know that Czarina Andropov is coming back. They won't allow that without a fight."

Eric and Kathy looked at eachother. "This isn't going to be easy!" Eric told Kathy.

"War never is Eric but it has to be done." She faced Halsey. "Can our carrier planes beat them off?"

"Yes ma'am they can. It won't be easy but yes they can. Our planes out number those that can be brought to bear and still return home even after an aerial assault. Once the planes are engaged, I am suggesting that those ships that have missiles on board use them to bombard the shore while the rest of the ships move into position for a shore bombardment to cover the landings."

"Agreed. Once the Marines are on the ground, they should link up with the loyalists at Jarsa then move together towards Tiara City. While they are doing that, our forces with the 1st should land and take back Pearl. A two prong attack like this should distract the Queen for awhile since she'll have to move the assets to counter the invasion."

"Thats a pain to do." Kathy stated with a chuckle.

"Does this plan meet with approval?" Halsey asked Eric.

"Yes it does Admiral. Not bad. Not bad at all."

"Thank you sir." He turned to the Dersconians. "Though I know you can't participate, I would like your opinions too. Maybe you see something that we dont."

Kathy stared out over the map. "Well this is very interesting. I take it you have spies within Formal Dances. That doesn't concern me at the moment though."

"Spies?" Marko looked up. "Even if we did, A) I wouldn't know, and B) All of this information is electronic.

That brought a glare from Halsey. He hates spies but he held his tongue. "From what I can see is that the areas around Jarsa City on Tiara is firmly in our hands." He quickly looked over the map. "HA! I didn't think Admiral Dornetz was a fool. He left 100 Ships near your border sir." He goes back to Tiara Island. "We can hit along the Southern Coast. Its prime amphib territory. The problem is, they know it too. So, we'll move along towards the western coastline. Its abit rocky but not to rocky for the marines."

Marko expanded the map to show the Dersconi coastline as well. "Ah, so he did." Alexei nodded at the map.

"Marko, activate the weaponry on Atlanits. I want every single ship in that fleet on the bottom of the ocean. If they run, send the air force after them and bomb them. A two-tonner should show them we mean business. Maybe even a thermonuclear bomb?"

"Bill, I see that the 1st fleet is near Pearl Island. Our forces there hold a larger chunk of land. I'm sure that with the proper air cover, we can take the island as a whole?"

"So we can. The first fleet is lead by Admiral Nimitz. He's a great Admiral and knows what needs to be done."

"Very well. I'm giving you a direct order to order the 1st fleet to fully engage and to take Pearl. Your fleet is going to mobalize and take Tiara Island. If we can take both Islands, we can go after Tuxedo Island from two sides and not just use the fleet. Also, both islands could be used for air support for the loyalists on other islands. Once we take those two Islands, we can form a better tactical plan."

"Yes sir. We do need to find a way though to isolate Waltz Island. If we can Isolate Queen Hapsburg from the rest of the people, we might be able to end this sooner. Since 1st, 5th, and 7th fleets, judging by the board, our ours, we can prepare for a massive assault. The problems I forsee is in the air, on the ground, and at sea. We need to establish Air supremacy over our targets and secure the seas. If we fail at either one of those, our counter attacks won't do us much good. If they spot this fleet coming, they'll launch everything they have. They cannot afford to have us set foot on any of these Islands. It is almost assured they know that we are here, thanks to that blasted 3rd fleet, and they must know that Czarina Andropov is coming back. They won't allow that without a fight."

Alexei smirked. "Or will they? They know that I am a very...let's say militant leader, quick to war. I am not so sure they would risk the full might of Derscon coming down on them. They not only have only part of the military under their control, but their military is not nearly as advanced as Derscon's. They wouldn't stand a chance if we entered, and you'd be a fool not to know this. I have a feeling they wouldn't risk harming Katherine."

Eric and Kathy looked at eachother. "This isn't going to be easy!" Eric told Kathy.

"War never is Eric but it has to be done." She faced Halsey. "Can our carrier planes beat them off?"

"Yes ma'am they can. It won't be easy but yes they can. Our planes out number those that can be brought to bear and still return home even after an aerial assault. Once the planes are engaged, I am suggesting that those ships that have missiles on board use them to bombard the shore while the rest of the ships move into position for a shore bombardment to cover the landings."

"Agreed. Once the Marines are on the ground, they should link up with the loyalists at Jarsa then move together towards Tiara City. While they are doing that, our forces with the 1st should land and take back Pearl. A two prong attack like this should distract the Queen for awhile since she'll have to move the assets to counter the invasion."

"Thats a pain to do." Kathy stated with a chuckle.

"Does this plan meet with approval?" Halsey asked Eric.

"Yes it does Admiral. Not bad. Not bad at all."

"Thank you sir." He turned to the Dersconians. "Though I know you can't participate, I would like your opinions too. Maybe you see something that we dont."

Alexei sighed. "A civil war is the toughest of wars to be fought from both a pshycological standpoint and a tactical one. Unlike in a real war, where you can initiate total war, as Derscon does, and ahniallate your opponents, in a civil war, one must remember that it is your nation, and you have to rebuild it afterwards. My first thoughts were to immediately destroy the capitol building as to kill the Queen and her advisors and dishearten the leadership. However, this would probably not be the best course of action, because of the reprecussions after the war. However, keep that in the back of your head. You may need it if the path becomes a bit too rocky.

"Also, I would suggest adding a third prong to your assault, where is up to you, as I do not know the terrain well."

"Spies?" Marko looked up. "Even if we did, A) I wouldn't know, and B) All of this information is electronic.

Eric shook his head as Kathy stared at Marko. Admiral Halsey was just beside himself when Marko said what he just said. "And we can barely keep idiots away from our coastline. That is amazing." he stated.

Marko expanded the map to show the Dersconi coastline as well. "Ah, so he did." Alexei nodded at the map.

"Marko, activate the weaponry on Atlanits. I want every single ship in that fleet on the bottom of the ocean. If they run, send the air force after them and bomb them. A two-tonner should show them we mean business. Maybe even a thermonuclear bomb?"

"No nukes please. We still have to travel though that area and I don't want my people exposed to Radiation. That isnt healthy. I don't want my troops sick. Not healthy to a successful war if troops get sick. Especially an entire fleet." Halsey replied. "I think a few well placed missiles should do the trick."

Alexei smirked. "Or will they? They know that I am a very...let's say militant leader, quick to war. I am not so sure they would risk the full might of Derscon coming down on them. They not only have only part of the military under their control, but their military is not nearly as advanced as Derscon's. They wouldn't stand a chance if we entered, and you'd be a fool not to know this. I have a feeling they wouldn't risk harming Katherine."

"Alexei, they know the type of morale the loyalists will have if she sets foot on FDian soil. They would probably consider it a risk. Besides that, they won't harm her anyway because if the people found she was captured or killed, the people themselves would destroy her. Kathy is that well respected."

"And if she was killed Alexei, I have a SSBN with my fleet. I won't hesitate to take out Waltz City myself."

"Not without authorization Admiral. You don't have that authority and you know it."

"Well it is the thought that counts sir."

"Good point." Eric said chuckling.

Alexei sighed. "A civil war is the toughest of wars to be fought from both a pshycological standpoint and a tactical one. Unlike in a real war, where you can initiate total war, as Derscon does, and ahniallate your opponents, in a civil war, one must remember that it is your nation, and you have to rebuild it afterwards. My first thoughts were to immediately destroy the capitol building as to kill the Queen and her advisors and dishearten the leadership. However, this would probably not be the best course of action, because of the reprecussions after the war. However, keep that in the back of your head. You may need it if the path becomes a bit too rocky.

"Also, I would suggest adding a third prong to your assault, where is up to you, as I do not know the terrain well."

"The problem with a third Prong your Majesty is the fact that we don't want to force a Navy showdown till we're ready. Its bad enough that we are concentrating our navy for the operations at Pearl and Tiara. Our other fleet is going to be used for protection of both forces. No. We'll stick to the two prong attack for now. When we secure Pearl and Tiara and move on to Tuxedo, then we can prepare for another massive assault like this. Not to mention, if that third prong fails, we'll be up a creek without a paddle and I'm not about to risk what resources we have. They have the advantage for now. We need to gain the advantage before we try something that risky." Halsey replied.

"Alexei, the throne room is actually below ground. I was there once when I was 7. The queen isn't going to take chances and I'm sure there's air cover around there to make sure that doesn't happen." Kathy replied.

"Not to mention the anti-missile batteries in and around the capitol." Eric stated.

"That too." Kathy said. "I do think that we have a workable plan now. All we need to do now is to take care of those ships parked outside the border then all ass to begin the liberation."

"No nukes please. We still have to travel though that area and I don't want my people exposed to Radiation. That isnt healthy. I don't want my troops sick. Not healthy to a successful war if troops get sick. Especially an entire fleet." Halsey replied. "I think a few well placed missiles should do the trick."

Alexei smirked. "It was a joke. Obviously, I wouldn't use nuclear weapons unless they decided to attack mainland Derscon directly, or launched them at Derscon. That is our policy, after all."

Alexei, they know the type of morale the loyalists will have if she sets foot on FDian soil. They would probably consider it a risk. Besides that, they won't harm her anyway because if the people found she was captured or killed, the people themselves would destroy her. Kathy is that well respected."

"And if she was killed Alexei, I have an SSBN with my fleet. I won't hesitate to take out Waltz City myself."

"Not without authorization Admiral. You don't have that authority and you know it."

"Well it is the thought that counts sir."

"Good point." Eric said chuckling.

"Only one boomer?" Marko said. "That's a suprisingly low number."

"Besides," Alexei continued. "Halsey might not have authorization, but I do. Not for his submarine, but for the fifteen of the Bermuda Delta Class missile submarines currently out in the ocean, heading for Formal Dances at this very moment." When Eric looked at him with a glare Alexei couldn't quite make out, he continued. "Don't worry, I don't intend on launching. Besides, they won't be able to detect them, they're travelling under the sea floor through ATLANTIS. Remember, the Dersconi waters aren't the ONLY place ATLANTIS exists. On that topic, I shall say no more."

"Well, it looks like the Royalists are in quite a perdiciment, then," Prince John said. "They can't touch Katherine, or everyone hates the Queen. However, if Katherine lands on Formal Dances, everyone will hate the Queen." John chuckled. "Doesn't seem to work out very well for the Royalists, does it?"

"The problem with a third Prong your Majesty is the fact that we don't want to force a Navy showdown till we're ready. Its bad enough that we are concentrating our navy for the operations at Pearl and Tiara. Our other fleet is going to be used for protection of both forces. No. We'll stick to the two prong attack for now. When we secure Pearl and Tiara and move on to Tuxedo, then we can prepare for another massive assault like this. Not to mention, if that third prong fails, we'll be up a creek without a paddle and I'm not about to risk what resources we have. They have the advantage for now. We need to gain the advantage before we try something that risky." Halsey replied.

Marko thought for a moment before flipping the map to globe view. It then showed the projectories of Dersconi attack satellites, as well as the positioning of the seven Orbital Defense Grids, massive military space stations that have the firepower to destroy a small nation. Granted, a very, very small nation, but regardless, it packs heat. A lot of it.

"We can give you support," Marko started. "However, the space stuff is out of my juristiction, so at the moment, it would be up to Alexei.

"However, here is my suggestion. It would involve placing your fleets at risk, however. You would need to draw their fleet out into the open, and then run away." Halsey clearly didn't like the idea of running away, as seen on his face, but Marko continued. "You'd need to run away in case something goes either wrong or too right, and one of your own ships is damaged.

"What I'm getting at is that we can jam their electronic systems, making first their communication systems unusable. After that, using either a few attack satellites or an ODG, we can send down an EMP to effectively destroy any electronic system that it strikes. It has a nasty side affect with water, though -- it gets bigger. So, you'll need your fleets to be a long ways away. Just a suggestion." Alexei shook his head.

"No. They would know it would be us attacking. I can't risk that."

"Alexei, the throne room is actually below ground. I was there once when I was 7. The queen isn't going to take chances and I'm sure there's air cover around there to make sure that doesn't happen." Kathy replied.

"Not to mention the anti-missile batteries in and around the capitol." Eric stated.

Alexei smirked. "And? A well-placed bunker-buster can clear a path for a decent sized weapon. Might take two, depending." Unless, or course he didn't add. It is as secure as the Dersconi NMCC. However, that's unlikely.

"That too." Kathy said. "I do think that we have a workable plan now. All we need to do now is to take care of those ships parked outside the border then all as to begin the liberation."

Marko saluted the group. "Done." He then walked out into his office, leaving the group in the Council Room. John walked over to the command console and switched the holomap to outside Dersconi waters. He smirked as he sat back down.

"Might as well watch the show."

OOC: Attack comes in next post.

Alexei smirked. "It was a joke. Obviously, I wouldn't use nuclear weapons unless they decided to attack mainland Derscon directly, or launched them at Derscon. That is our policy, after all."

"Thank God. As for nukes, we don't have that many on the islands. I sometimes wonder if that was a good move or a bad one. Alwell. Hopefully Hapsburg isn't that stupid to find out."

"Only one boomer?" Marko said. "That's a suprisingly low number."

Halsey only smiled. "I said one with MY fleet. I didn't say the whole fleet." he stated with a chuckle. I'm not even going to tell you how many boomers we have."

"Besides," Alexei continued. "Halsey might not have authorization, but I do. Not for his submarine, but for the fifteen of the Bermuda Delta Class missile submarines currently out in the ocean, heading for Formal Dances at this very moment." When Eric looked at him with a glare Alexei couldn't quite make out, he continued. "Don't worry, I don't intend on launching. Besides, they won't be able to detect them, they're travelling under the sea floor through ATLANTIS. Remember, the Dersconi waters aren't the ONLY place ATLANTIS exists. On that topic, I shall say no more."

"Your Majesty. I will say this that if the Queen's navy catches any Dersconi Submarine, that sub won't be around long enough to report it. That is technically invading the territorial waters of a soveriegn nation. You have already pledged neutrality in this war and if one of your subs does get sunk, don't blame it on the Monarchists.

"As for ATLANTIS, I don't care where it runs. However, if it does breach our territorial waters, as I believe it does, it violates our national security.

"Well, it looks like the Royalists are in quite a perdiciment, then," Prince John said. "They can't touch Katherine, or everyone hates the Queen. However, if Katherine lands on Formal Dances, everyone will hate the Queen." John chuckled. "Doesn't seem to work out very well for the Royalists, does it?"

"Gotta love how this political game is going to be played." Kathy stated with a sly smile. "The Queen isn't going to know what hit her when I make my presence known back in Formal Dances.

Marko thought for a moment before flipping the map to globe view. It then showed the projectories of Dersconi attack satellites, as well as the positioning of the seven Orbital Defense Grids, massive military space stations that have the firepower to destroy a small nation. Granted, a very, very small nation, but regardless, it packs heat. A lot of it.

"We can give you support," Marko started. "However, the space stuff is out of my juristiction, so at the moment, it would be up to Alexei.

"However, here is my suggestion. It would involve placing your fleets at risk, however. You would need to draw their fleet out into the open, and then run away." Halsey clearly didn't like the idea of running away, as seen on his face, but Marko continued. "You'd need to run away in case something goes either wrong or too right, and one of your own ships is damaged.

"What I'm getting at is that we can jam their electronic systems, making first their communication systems unusable. After that, using either a few attack satellites or an ODG, we can send down an EMP to effectively destroy any electronic system that it strikes. It has a nasty side affect with water, though -- it gets bigger. So, you'll need your fleets to be a long ways away. Just a suggestion." Alexei shook his head.

"No. They would know it would be us attacking. I can't risk that."

"Your damn straight she'll know who did the attacking. That'll cause her to be able to unite the people against us because we have involved a 3rd party. The political repercussions would be off the charts and I won't risk that. Its one thing to supply troops and equipment. Its another to physically attack someone from space." Eric stated with conviction. "No I won't risk the whole war on that."

Alexei smirked. "And? A well-placed bunker-buster can clear a path for a decent sized weapon. Might take two, depending." Unless, or course he didn't add. It is as secure as the Dersconi NMCC. However, that's unlikely.

"Alexei! I do need a place to sleep. I don't want to waste tax payers money in building a new place for the President to live. No! We'll take the place by force of arms. Might have to redecorate but that's cheaper than rebuilding. Now what about that fleet."

Marko saluted the group. "Done." He then walked out into his office, leaving the group in the Council Room. John walked over to the command console and switched the holomap to outside Dersconi waters. He smirked as he sat back down.

"Might as well watch the show."

OOC: Attack comes in next post.

Kathy, Eric and Bill took seats near the holoprojector to watch the fireworks.

Halsey only smiled. "I said one with MY fleet. I didn't say the whole fleet." he stated with a chuckle. I'm not even going to tell you how many boomers we have."

"I know what you said," Marko replied. "And my answer still stands."

"Your Majesty. I will say this that if the Queen's navy catches any Dersconi Submarine, that sub won't be around long enough to report it. That is technically invading the territorial waters of a soveriegn nation. You have already pledged neutrality in this war and if one of your subs does get sunk, don't blame it on the Monarchists.

it was again Marko doing the responding. "No, we're not that dumb. We won't get within ten miles of your territorial waters -- it doesn't have to."

"As for ATLANTIS, I don't care where it runs. However, if it does breach our territorial waters, as I believe it does, it violates our national security.

Alexei had a sly smile. "You want to know the great thing? It doesn't."

"Gotta love how this political game is going to be played." Kathy stated with a sly smile. "The Queen isn't going to know what hit her when I make my presence known back in Formal Dances.

"She will, actually," Prince John responded. "However, the initial shock of the punch to the gut will take awhile to recover from."

"Your damn straight she'll know who did the attacking. That'll cause her to be able to unite the people against us because we have involved a 3rd party. The political repercussions would be off the charts and I won't risk that. Its one thing to supply troops and equipment. Its another to physically attack someone from space." Eric stated with conviction. "No I won't risk the whole war on that."

"Which is why I'm not ordering it," Alexei retorted plainly.

"Alexei! I do need a place to sleep. I don't want to waste tax payers money in building a new place for the President to live. No! We'll take the place by force of arms. Might have to redecorate but that's cheaper than rebuilding. Now what about that fleet."

"Last resort suggestion, Eric," Alexei said. "I didn't say you had to."
=================================
Dersconi Sea

0100 HOURS

It was quiet in the sea, regardless of the tension of one hundred hostile vessals sitting right outside the territorial waters. A flock of seagulls were doing some night fishing, and were bunched up in the water.

-- -- -- --
ATLANTIS TUNNEL NETWORK

Ten Pisces class submergable battleships were moving through the tunnel networks in various places, as well as fifteen Iceberg-class nuclear attack submarines.

Eventually, they all exited the tunnels at various places, some in the middle of the ocean, some from under the Praetorian Islands. All were running on their CAT propulsion systems. They had designated target zones, and they were heading in that direction. They knew when to fire, too.

At 0110 hours, the Pisces and Iceberg's were in position.
-- -- -- --
DERSCONI SEA FLOOR

Scattered about the Dersconi Sea were countless missile silos, either belonging to ICBMs or SFLBMs or SFLGMs. At exactly 0114 Hours, a combined total of one hundred silo doors opened, either belonging to Sea Floor Launched Ballistic Missiles or Sea Floor Launched Guided Missiles.
-- -- -- --
PISCES AND ICEBERGS

At 0114-30 hours, the missile and torpedo doors were opened, and the Pisces began their ascent to the surface.
===================
Atlantis Command Center

0115 HOURS

The digital display on the wall clock was about to end.

00:03....00:02....00:01....00:00.

The clock on the wall began to beep as the group watched the holopanel. However, when the clock started beeping, life-feed satellite imagry popped up on the massive wall screen, as to give a live picture of the destruction of the FD Royalist fleet.
===================
Dersconi Sea

The seagulls that gathered at the surface immediately dissipated as the massive disturbance in the water reached them. Two seconds later, one hundred missiles shot out of the Dersconi sea, directed at the FD fleets.

Outside the Dersconi Sea, the fifteen Iceberg fast attack submarines all launched their six bow MARK 55 torpedos, flipped of their CAT system, and scattered.

The Pisces Submergable battleships immediately surfaced broadside to the FD fleets and fired off their guns once they came out of the water. A converted IOWA-class battleship to submerge, it was a creative design of the Pschycotic Pschycos engineers.

The numbers were clearly in favour of the Royalist Formal Dances fleet: one hundred ships versus twenty five Dersconi Imperial Navy ships. Sure, Derscon had better ships, but quanity has a quality all in its own.

However, the FD fleet also had one hundred missiles coming at them, as well as ninety torpedos, plus the numerous shells from the Pisces guns.

Sure, the Royalist FD fleet had numbers, but the Dersconi assault had everything else.

On board those hundred ships, there was very little time to react. They detected the launches but before they had time to react, they were getting bombarded all-around.

There wasn't time to even get a messege off. People dove overboard to escape the carnage. In the end, all 100 ships were sunk with a little over 2,000 survivors from those that actually made it overboard.

==========================================================

Back down in ATLANTIS, Halsey had to admire the way everything worked. He put on a sly smile as he watched the ships being destroyed with no ships surviving the onslaught.

"Now I don't want to sound picky, but who is going to pick up the survivors. Those people aren't stupid. I can almost guaruntee that there are going to be survivors. If there are, I want them interrigated but not tortured." Eric stated after watching the carnage. "They have already been put through enough. Don't add to it."

Kathy just had a knot in her stomach. She has seen combat before but nothing to the slaughter she had just witnessed.

==========================================================

Back on Waltz Island, the Queen was getting impatient with the apparent lack of progress at retaking Tiara and Pearl Islands. She decided that it was time to send in the marines to oust them. The marines were dispatched to the areas that they still held to make preperations for an all out assault on both islands.

Council Room

"Ah. Well, you see," Marko started. "We normally let them die, to send a message. However, if you wish to interrogate them, I will order the Pisces to pick them up."

On that order, the people were picked up, and taken to Island 18, where they were thrown in detention cells, guarded by Dersconi Marines.

"Well, then," Marko stated after terminating the comm. "THey are all in detention cells on Island 18. That should do it for them." Prince John looked at Alexei, who was still staring at the live feed screen, with a very cold look. When Prince John inquired as to what he was doing, the voice he used was equally cold and detached.

"I was thinking," was the reply. "The mission was technically a success, however, there were too many survivors." Just then, a beep came from the comm.

"Alexei," the computer said. "This is Field Marshal Wellesley. We have reports of troops concentrating positions around Tiara and Pearl Islands. Can't get a good friend-or-foe designator. However, it looks as if they're foe. No promises."

"OKay, Arthur. THanks."

"It's my job." With that, the comm was terminated, and Alexei turned back to the FDians.

"Well, I suppose the Queen is impatient."

Council Room

"Ah. Well, you see," Marko started. "We normally let them die, to send a message. However, if you wish to interrogate them, I will order the Pisces to pick them up."

On that order, the people were picked up, and taken to Island 18, where they were thrown in detention cells, guarded by Dersconi Marines.

"Well, then," Marko stated after terminating the comm. "THey are all in detention cells on Island 18. That should do it for them." Prince John looked at Alexei, who was still staring at the live feed screen, with a very cold look. When Prince John inquired as to what he was doing, the voice he used was equally cold and detached.

"Thank you sir." Halsey stated. "I will have my people interrogate them. Maybe we can get a few converts to our side. In this fight, we're going to need all the help we can get.

"I was thinking," was the reply. "The mission was technically a success, however, there were too many survivors." Just then, a beep came from the comm.

"Alexei," the computer said. "This is Field Marshal Wellesley. We have reports of troops concentrating positions around Tiara and Pearl Islands. Can't get a good friend-or-foe designator. However, it looks as if they're foe. No promises."

"OKay, Arthur. THanks."

"It's my job." With that, the comm was terminated, and Alexei turned back to the FDians.

"Well, I suppose the Queen is impatient."

Kathy snorted. "She's always impatient. However in this case, I can understand why though. She knows that if she doesn't fully control Pearl AND Tiara, it provides an opening for those that are still fighting her. If she takes it and takes out our forces in the process, then the other fighters will know its hopeless."

"However, what forces is she using?" Admiral Halsey asked.

"I bet you she is using some of the Tango Island Guard forces. Tango is her strong hold so those would be the most loyal to her. They are also some of the best fighters in Formal Dances. No one wants to go up against them. However, the Tiara Guard is also good so this is going to be interesting. However, we have better marines with us via the FD 1st Marine detachment. That is the landing force we're going to use to take back Tiara Island." Eric stated. "Don't look so surprised Admiral. I know what units are out and about. I better do at anyrate!" He said laughing.

==========================================================

Back at Waltz City, no one has yet heard from the fleet that was demolished. The queen heard a rumor that it was the rebel navy that did it. Catching them of guard.

"This is most troubling!" She said at a cabinet meeting. "We can only assume that the loyalist forces are making their move towards Tiara Island."

"Your Majesty. Why don't we strike now. We have the capacity to do so."

"Secretary, if we strike now and they hold our attack, we'll be left in a pickle when that rebel fleet actually does make an appearance because it'll bring fresh troops to the battle."

"We might have to take that risk."

"I have to agree with him unfortunately your majesty. This is a very grave situation. If we attack and win, the rebellion will be crushed. If we attack and lose, the rebellion continues and we have to rethink our strategy. If the rebel forces land, we may have to leave Tiara Island and think of something else. I say we just attack. The forces are inplace though the reserve units aren't."

"The decision is mine alone to make and I'm making it. Attack! That is all." The Queen stood up and swirled her robes around her as she walked out of the room.

Moments later, the defense minister issued the Queen's edict.

To: Guard Forces
From: Queen Hapsburg

Attack fortified positions and bring
Tiara Island into the Monarchy

Signed,
Secrety North
Defense Minister

When the order was received, the first cannons fired onto the 1st line of defenses. The battle for Tiara Island has begun.

Council Room, ATLANTIS Control

"Sir," Marko said after returning. "It's Wellesley again."

"Put him on."

"Sir," the speakers sounded. It was the Field Marshal.

"Yes, Arthur?"

"Put the live feed onto Tiara Island, as well as the holoprojector." Marko did so, and they all saw the Royalist forces firing.

"They've started," Alexei breathed.

Kathy shook her head. "She must've been prepared to launch this offensive. That means we really don't have time for idle chit chat any longer."

"Your right Kathy. I say we all get going. We have got to move fast and get our forces there to do a flank against the enemy. That'll by us time and maybe victory."

"The fleet can sail in 3 hours Mr. President." Halsey stated. "However, I don't want Czarina Andropov giving orders."

"Enough Admiral before I relieve you." Eric said before anyone else can. "If I give her the authority to give orders, you're only response will be 'Yes Ma'am' and follow it! CLEAR?"

"Yes sir."

"Good."

He turned back to everyone else. "My apologies for his outbursts. He's on pins and needles and is restless. ANd I'm sure he's been suffering from lack of sleep as well." He said with a chuckle.

Kathy turned to her husband. "Alexei, I must go now. We all must go. I really don't want to leave you but this is my country and I must help my homeland reachieve the freedoms we fought hard to secure." She stared at him. "I love you Alexei!"

Kathy shook her head. "She must've been prepared to launch this offensive. That means we really don't have time for idle chit chat any longer."

"Your right Kathy. I say we all get going. We have got to move fast and get our forces there to do a flank against the enemy. That'll by us time and maybe victory."

"The fleet can sail in 3 hours Mr. President." Halsey stated. "However, I don't want Czarina Andropov giving orders."

"Enough Admiral before I relieve you." Eric said before anyone else can. "If I give her the authority to give orders, you're only response will be 'Yes Ma'am' and follow it! CLEAR?"

"Yes sir."

"Good."

He turned back to everyone else. "My apologies for his outbursts. He's on pins and needles and is restless. ANd I'm sure he's been suffering from lack of sleep as well." He said with a chuckle.

"No apology necessary," Marko said. "An Admiral is protective of his fleet. I'd make you apologize if Halsey didn't say that."

Kathy turned to her husband. "Alexei, I must go now. We all must go. I really don't want to leave you but this is my country and I must help my homeland reachieve the freedoms we fought hard to secure." She stared at him. "I love you Alexei!"

Alexei embraced Katherine for a long moment. "I love you too. Come back in one piece," he said as he let go, a weak smile on his face. "That's an order."

"Now," Marko spoke again. "Take the emergency exit," he said as a blast door opened. "It will take you to the maglev subway train that connects Atlantis with everything. Go. Now."

"No apology necessary," Marko said. "An Admiral is protective of his fleet. I'd make you apologize if Halsey didn't say that."



Alexei embraced Katherine for a long moment. "I love you too. Come back in one piece," he said as he let go, a weak smile on his face. "That's an order."

"Now," Marko spoke again. "Take the emergency exit," he said as a blast door opened. "It will take you to the maglev subway train that connects Atlantis with everything. Go. Now."

At his urging, the Formal Dancians left through the blast doors and took the subway train to where they needed to go. They got off and made their way back to the ship.

Once their, they boarded the ship. Ship's security officers took the guards and Kathy to their rooms while President Wilson and Admiral Halsey moved to the bridge. Orders were quickly given and the fleet begins the departing proceedures. Three hours later, the fleet forms up and departs for Formal Dances' Tiara Island.

==========================================================

On Tiara Island, General Marshal was beginning to get very tired of these petty assed assaults by the Monarchists forces when a heavy artillery barrage took place.

"This is troops. Prepare to defend yourselves."

On the outskirts of Carsonville, the Queen's forces began to make headway. They have started their assault on the right hand side of the island to better divide the loyalist forces. Over infront of Jarsa City, General Smits was preparing for an all out defense of this section of the Island.

"We must hold out. We have no choice. The fate of the nation rests on it."

"Sir, we'll do the best we can. They are serious this time."

"They've been serious the last two times but they didn't have the troops to do it. Apparently they do now. The best we can do is hope for re-enforcements to show up."

Two days later, the monarchists have managed to push loyalists back to the outskirts of Jarsa City. The fighting has gotten fiercer as both sides continue to dig in.

On board the loyalist flagship, Kathy Andropov was stretched out on the bed. She was reading a book when a knock came.

"Enter" she said in response to it.

President Wilson then entered. "Hello Kathy."

"Hey Eric." she replied. "What can I do for you?" she asked as she sat up and closed her book.

"As you know, we are about to go into combat." Kathy nodded and prodded Eric to continue. "As a Formal Dancian by birth, you have just as much stake in this. As President, I can confer ranks onto people. How would you like your old rank of General back?"

Kathy stared at him. "You want to give me the rank of general?"

"Yes I do. That way, you can effectively lead the counter offensive to retake Tiara Island and to move on towards Waltz City. Having the Rank of General will also help the image that this war affects all of us. It could also rally others to our side."

Kathy had to think about that for a minute. "I'll do this on one condition. I want full authority to command whatever military units necessary to get the job done."

"That was the idea Kathy. This is your fight just as much as mine. You'll have full authority as a full general to do what you can to help us defeat the monarachists that are in power."

Kathy nodded. "Then I accept."

"Good. I have a uniform waiting for you outside." He opened the door and took the uniform from the attache that was waiting outside. "I'll let you change. We're about ready to begin our operations and I need your presence on the bridge."

Kathy nodded. Eric then left and Kathy changed into the uniform. When she finished, she left her room and proceeded up to the bridge.

Admiral Halsey glared at her but said nothing.

"Admiral, we are now in full flight range."

"Good bring the fleet to battlestations. Prepare for an alpha strike. We're going to do this properly."

"Yes sir."

Moments later, klaxons sounded all over the fleet. The counter attack was about to begin.

Out on Tiara Island, the attack was going as planned until 3 tanks exploded. A missile from a cruiser landed right in the middle of the counter attack. Not only did 3 tanks go up but approximately 50 additional soldiers perished.

Planes tookoff to meet the enemy air force and a dogfight insued. It was vicious and planes of both sides slipped through to attack their intended targets.

Ships were destroyed as well as more planes and ground targets where destroyed. Within a couple of hours, the air fight was over. Planes were lost on both sides of the action.

Meanwhile, as the air battle was going on, the loyalist navy opens up on the shore using their mainguns. The shore bombardment lasted for a couple of hours. Eric and Kathy both watched the action from the bridge of the flagship. When they felt it safe, they boarded a plane to head to Jarsa City. An hour later, under heavy escort, they landed at the barely functional airport.

When they landed, people came out to cheer their arrival. Kathy was overcomed with the whole scene as the limo drove away to the command center of Jarsa City.

==========================================================

In the capitol of Waltz Island, Queen Hapsburg was not a happy lady. "How did our air attack fail? We had suprior numbers."

"Yes ma'am, I know. However, they used Stealth Aircraft and lowflying surface to surface missiles. Not to mention the tactics that they used.... I think the air fleet came from Halsey's fleet. They are natorious for fighting through any situation even if out numbered. We lost just as many planes to those ships as we did to the dogfight itself. Now we have reports of landings on Tiara Island."

"Any reports on Pearl yet?"

"No nothing yet. We've dispatched a squad of ships to help in its defense. Don't know how much good it'll do."

"They better perform Robert North or you will no longer have a job. Do I make my self clear?"

"Yes ma'am." He quickly leaves the office to make sure that the defense plans for Pearl are carried out. He also issues orders to the troops on Tiara to do what is necessary to drive the loyalists back into the see.

==========================================================

This is a Jarsa City News Alert:

Earlier today, both President Eric Wilson and Czarina Katherine Andropov have both returned to Tiara Island today. Czarina Andropov, seen here getting off the plane, was wearing the military uniform of the Tiara Island Guard. Rumor has it that President Wilson bestowed upon her the field rank of General and command of the Ground forces here on Tiara island.

As for the fight, it is still very tense but due to reports of an amphibious landings conducted by the Marines, the attack by the monarch has slowed considerably and a resounding counter attack has commenced. This is still new information and we'll have more on this as events warrent.

In related news, The Jarsa Broadcasting Station has reported that they'll be sending field reporters to various units to cover our forces military actions as the drive to Tiara City begins.

This has been a Jarsa City News Alert

With the arrival of re-enforcements for the loyalists, the fighting on Tiara Island began to turn against the Monarchists.

In the air however, it was still a see-saw battle as air re-enforcements arrived for the monarchists. No one has achieved air supremecy.

Out at sea, the loyalist navy began to tighten the noose around Tiara Island and have managed to secure the waters around 3/4ths of the island.

The ground war was a different issue. The loyalists began to push back the tide of the Monarchist Army and the fighting has now penetrated into monarchist held territory. The town of Carsonville quickly fell to the loyalists to the rousing cheers of the population. The City of Allentown was alot tougher to crack but it too fell to the loyalists which was followed by Georgetown.

These were the three border cities that were well defended but due to the combined might of the marines and army, they fell and thus paved the way for the loyalists to begin to assault deeper into Monarchist held territory.

Kathy was sped quickly to Allentown. She was carrying a briefcase in the car that laid the plans for the attack that was going to be launched from these three cities. She has now been on the island for a week now and progress was already being made. The details of the attack plan have been kept secret but required that these three cities fall so that they can spread out the island defenses. Couple that with naval air attacks and shore bombardment, the island should fall within a month. No plan however, details the unexpected.

==========================================================

Out on Pearl Island, the 2nd loyalist fleet's air force, managed to get through to Pearl Harbor and catches a few ships in the harbor. The naval vessels opened up with a quick barrage of guns and missiles to soften the area for the Marines. A couple of hours later, the marines landed on the beaches and began to fight their way up. The loyalists already there, attacks them from the left flank and this clears the way as the Monarchists fall back to Pearl Harbor an inch at a time.

On the West side of the island, the loyalists have managed to secure most of that portion of the island and began to drive the rest of the enemy back towards Pearl Harbor.

On Pearl, the loyalists have the monarchists out manned but the monarchists are fighting tenaciously and will not give up without a fight.

In the air, the loyalists have also established air superiority though it continously gets challenged by nearby island fighter groups. So far, the loyalists have beaten them back but they know they can't keep this up for long.

==========================================================

In Waltz City, the Queen was beside herself. She couldn't believe the fact that both Tiara and Pearl have been invaded and looks to be on the verge of falling. She knew the fighting will be fierce on both islands and even knew she might lose there but it doesn't make her any happier.

After a quick strategy session, it has been decided to somehow evacuate the monarchists on Pearl Island towards Tuxedo Island and begin to make a stand there.

"Your majesty, Tuxedo isn't the only island next on the hit list. They can go from Tiara to Salsa and move on to Prom or they can move to Tuxedo and then to Diamond. Those two islands give them the ability to become a tad more flexible and gives us headaches."

"I understand that Interior Minister. However, Tuxedo is the fastest way here to Waltz Island. They'll take the quickest route possible."

"Or they'll make us believe they'll be taking the fastest route possible. They could just cut off Tuxedo Island and procede to here through other islands. They aren't stupid. We have to look at possible invasion routes. I highly urge this course ma'am." The Defense Minister interjected. "Because if we don't and they cut us off at the knees, we'll be screwed and there is nothing we'll be able to do about it."

"Oh very well...But I still want those forces moved to Tuxedo Island. As they are doing that, we'll continue to investigate their next move."

==========================================================

In Allentown, Tiara Island, Kathy arrived at the forward Army HQ and the Jarsa Press team that was their broadcasted her arrival. She nodded to them as she walks passed and entered the General's HeadQuaters building.

Out in Allentown, Katherine Rice was briefing the generals on what was to come.

"People, this is going to be a very deadly engagement. However, if this succeeds, we'll be able to spearhead an attack on Tiara City. Once the City is captured, this'll allow us to take down the rest of the island and destroy the rest of the Monarchists defenses."

"Ma'am, if this fails, we could also be tossed back towards Jarsa and we'll be right back to square one. The air war going on now is still stalemated with neither side getting the upper hand. However, most of the Monarchist airfields are starting to be knocked out and that'll help us get the upper hand."

"Your also forgetting that the air war is starting to turn against the monarchists. Word of Katherine's arrival has already spread throughout the nation. We are receiving underground reports that air units aren't even flying anymore and we have also received reports of some bases that where in monarchist hands are now in our hands. Don't know how accurate those are but there you have it." President Wilson chimed in.

"On top of that, Tiara Island is our key. If we take it, we'll have our staunchest supporters. Not to mention if and when Pearl falls, we'll be able to use those islands as staging points for further operations.

"Now back to the attack. General Sherman, your forces will move from Carsonville and move east towards Riverton. Once you Reach Riverton, you'll wait for further orders.

"General Vandergrift. You'll drive right up the middle towards Guardian City. That is five miles away from the city. Follow whatever plans you decide however, Riverton must be ours if we're going to take Tiara City.

"General McCoy, You'll move westward and move to the west side of the city. Your target town is Fredericksburg. Once you all achieve your target cities, I'll move HQ to Riverton and from there, we'll launch a three pronged offensive right into Tiara City. Is that clear?"

"Yes Ma'am." They all chorused.

"Alright then. Lets move out."

The meeting broke up and she slumped back into her chair. The captain of her guard looked at her with concerned from the other side of the room. "Don't worry Captain! I'm fine." The captain just nodded as Kathy moved to the communications area. The second phase of the operation is about to begin.

==========================================================

Out on Pearl, the fighting was getting fiercer. The loyalist Army was hacking up the monarchist forces and driving them back towards Pearl Harbor. The loyalist fleet incharge of the operation swept aside what little forces where at sea and now controls the area.

On land, the monarchists were desperately trying to form a defensive line to hold back the loyal assault forces.

General Montgomery was beside himself. The reports that the loyalists were closing on the city as fast as they were astounded him. "Its those damn civilians." He shouted to no one.

He left his office to issue orders to keep civilians off the streets unless they were medical or fire personel. He also issued orders for the troops to prepare for street to street fighting. He is hoping that this'll cause so many casualties that, even if the loyalists take the city, it won't be considered a victory.

==========================================================

In Waltz City, Robert North was facing the Queen. The fighting on Pearl wasn't going well and neither was the fighting on Tiara Island. The Queen was none to pleased with his performance and he wasn't to thrilled about this meeting.

"You've failed in wiping the loyalists at Pearl Robert!"

"Yes ma'am. Their fleet was more powerful than I realized and the loyalists have us out manned on the island. I have received a report though that General Montgomery is pledging a street to street fight to the last man."

"That isn't going to turn them back and you know it. You failed to keep them off the island of Pearl as well as Tiara and now it looks like that they will most definitely take both islands. You are incompetent Mr. Secretary and that incompetence has cost us greatly."

A lump rose in his throat as he tried to answer. "Your majesty! When your dealing with a civil war, you'll have those islands that are fiercly loyal to one side or the other. That is the case here."

"I don't care! You failed me." She motioned to a guard. "Remove him from my sight and toss him into the dungeon. He is to only receive bread and water. Keep that up till I decide what to do with him. When your done with that, till Mr. Paulson that I want to see him."

The guard nodded and two of them removed North from the Queen's sight.

With everyone in position, Kathy braces herself for what was to come. She is still in the communications building with the go order in her hands from President Wilson. She takes a deep couple of breaths to regain her composer and then transmits the attack order.

Upon receiving the attack order, all three prongs of the attack commenced firing and operations to achieve thier target objectives.

The fighing became fierce as the loyalists creeped towards their objectives.

==========================================================

Out at Pearl, the fighting reached a fevered pitch as the loyalists reached the outskirts of Pearl Harbor.

General Montgomery was not happy that they managed to get there in the 3 weeks since the fighting started. He quickly organized the defenses and the fighting was getting tiresome. He is now subjected to not only daily attacks by landbased and carrier based aircraft, but by missile and shore bombardment attacks by the Loyalist Navy.

As the loyalists slowly moved inward, they were cheered on by the populace to kick out the monarchy from their island.

==========================================================

The Queen was furious at the reports out of Pearl. The loyalists troops have managed to hit the outskirts of the city and are driving inward at a faster clip than anticipated. In a hastily arrainged strategy session, it was reached that they should quickly abandon Pearl and move whatever they can towards Prom Island. The Queen however overrode them by saying that those troops will slow down the advance long enough to move additional troops to Prom Island as well as to Salsa Island.

"WHat about Tuxedo your majesty?"

"It is defended already. If they want to make a try for it, they can but they will fail."

"Not if they launch a two prong attack from both Tiara and Pearl."

"That can't be helped. If they do, we'll move in on them through Salsa and Prom Island."

The other members of the Cabinet slowly nodded their heads at that. They know they can't attack Tiara and Pearl from Tuxedo but they can from associate islands if they struck at Tuxedo. The question is, what will the enemy's next move be.

On the third day of the drive to their target destinations, the armies of the loyalist forces punched through the defensive perimeter near one of the objective cities. The fighting was brutal with some of it going hand to hand. The name of the city that has now been penetrated is Riverton, the key objective to the whole operation.

Kathy Andropov watched the attack from her HQ in Allentown. When word of the attack taking place at Riverton, her eyes went wide with surprise. "I didn't expect to get to Riverton first." she said.

On the other two fronts, the fighting is getting stiffer as the fighting reaches Guardian City and Fredericksburg. Both sides are continuously pounding on one another trying to break eachother's lines. The front near these two cities have effectively stalled because of the stiff resistance.

General Vandergrift recognized that his front has stalled and radioed back to HQ.

This is General Vandergrift. We have encountered stiff resistance and the attack has stalled. Requesting air support to break their lines.

"How many planes can we spare to assist them?" Kathy asked General Marshal.

"I think we can spare a fighter group to assist them. Our other air assets are keeping the enemy planes from trying to get to our forces but one fighter group can be used to knock a hole into the enemy defensive positions."

"Make it so General!"

The order was quickly issued. Fighter Group 1, Tiara Island's best fighter group, received the order and immediately headed for the target area. Upon reaching missile range, they targeted the coordinates that they were given and a wave of missiles slammed hard into the monarchist lines near Guardian City.

When the barrage stopped, Vandergrift launched a new assault. The enemy, stunned by the sudden missile barrage were quickly pushed back towards the city. Some of the forces entered the city and began to set up for street to street fighting.

Vandergrift looked at the renewed sense of morale as his forces began to hit the outskirts of the city.

Near Fredericksburg, the story was much the same except that an air group wasn't necessary. General McCoy had more tanks at his disposal than the other two fronts. He mustered his tanks and issued the order for an armored assault. The tanks immediately went into action and in less than four hours, secured the area and led the assualt into Fredericksburg.

When the attacks got going again, Kathy left the communication's tent with the Captain of her guard and went to her tent to lie down.

==========================================================

In Tiara City, Lord McMichael was watching the unfolding battle. He realizes that he needs a mircale to withstand this onslaught. His forces are getting battered and some of the military units have fled the scene of battle and retired from the field.

General Barbar was in his office waiting for his orders on what to do now.

"General, prepare this city for a massive ground assualt. I want all hospitols place on alert for casualties. The rebels are now fiv miles from the outskirts of this city and I bet you that they're going to start hitting strategic targets inside this city. Our forces on the other side of the island are pinned down and cut off thanks to that marine contengent and from rebel sympathizers that are helping them."

"My lord, I don't have to remind you that our air cover is now done to nothing thanks to their airforce and shore bombardments and missile attacks. They mostly control the skies over us and are only challenged by air forces from Salsa and Tuxedo Islands."

"I know that General. Prepare for street to street fighting. Don't surrender and don't retreat. Those are your orders General Barbar. Carry them out."

"Yes sir." He left the Lord's office with a salute and a bow and went to carry out his orders.
==========================================================

On Pearl Island, the orders to withdraw were received with mixed feelings. The rebel troops are on the outskirts of the city and have started to shoot their way into the city. The fighting is already intense and the troops didn't want to pull back to a better location.

General Montgomery had no compunctions on what to do. He received his orders from the Queen and that was that. He quickly ordered all available forces not currently engaged to move across the bridges that connect Pearl to Prom. The forces quickly began to retreat. However, he was directed not to detonate all the bridges. He frowned at that order but it was being carried out as he collected his things. After a few hours, he was on Prom Island.

The loyalists began to break through the defensive lines of the monarchist forces. The fighting went street to street as both sides continued to keep up a relentless assualt. Both sides are taking heavy casualties. On the left side of the city, the Pearl Guard's 1st suddenly broke through the lines and breached the center of the city. They immediately began to attack from behind and before long, Pearl Harbor fell to the Loyalist forces. Pearl became the first Island to be liberated from the Monarchists.

==========================================================

In Waltz City, the news of the fall of Pearl Island hit the cabinet hard. They knew it was coming but they didn't expect it to be this soon. The evacuation was half way done when the center was breached. Half the remaining forces managed to get to Prom Island and only a few of the bridges were destroyed. This left the rebels with the perfect opportunity to invade Prom Island and to move inward. Fighters were dispatched to knock out the bridges leading to Prom Island but the Regular Air Wing managed to keep them from doing so and a couple of air bases were severely damaged in the process.

"Now we have to plot our next move. Prom and Tuxedo are left open to them. Salsa seems to be safe for now but that is liable to change within the next few days."

"Those rebels are sure taking their time with Tiara Island." a cabinet member piped up.

"That's because its the loyalist stronghold. They are gathering their forces and preparing an all out strike at Tiara City. It is a perfect set up. I'm sure that they have notified the rebel cells inside the city to either lay low or attack from behind. I bet on attack from behind. That way, they take the city that much faster and can secure the rest of the island."

"We should've evacuated the island as well." Crown Princess Melissa stated. "We could've saved all of those forces for the defese of Tux and Salsa."

"We couldn't even if we wanted too. The Marines they landed managed to cut off the escape routes to Salsa and the main assault force of theirs would knock out what ever forces tried to leave towards Tux. I have heard that some already did leave the Island on their own accord and that is confirmed."

The queen sat in silence. "Prepare for a defense of Tux, Salsa and Prom. We need to buy time so that we can beef up our defenses here on Waltz Island."

"It isn't going to be easy for them to attack all three islands at once. I am betting that they'll hit Tux and Prom or Tux and Salsa. Either way, one island is going to be left out of the picture. Their air forces can pin down all three islands and if the population gets angry enough, take matters into their own hands."

"Prepare for all possibilities. I leave this up to your descretion General Lee. You are obligated to defend the crown at all costs."

"Yes ma'am" He saluted and left to carry out the orders.

==========================================================

On Tiara Island, it was a different story. When word reached the island that Pearl Island fell to the loyalists, there was silence followed by cheers. Kathy was ousted out of bed by the cheers as her captain came in with the news. Kathy smiled softly. "Good. One is down. One more to go." She got out of bed and puts on the blouse of her fatigues. She then proceeds to the comm tent to get the words.

"This is great news. This will bolster our defenses. If you excuse me."

She left the celebration and went to a computer terminal and sat down.

To: My husband
From: Kathy

My beloved. The fighting is ferocious.
Thousands have lost their lives and this is only step one
in route to taking back my country.
The campaign is going well in case you haven't
been following the news.

To let you know, Pearl did fall to our forces.
I can't tell you what is coming next because this ins't a secured line.
I can tell you is that I miss you greatly and I hope that the kids are doing well

Love,

Czarina Kathy Andropov

She sent the messege and she looked around. Her guards were doing their duty of protecting her. She stood up and rejoined the celebration.

To: My husband
From: Kathy

My beloved. The fighting is ferocious.
Thousands have lost their lives and this is only step one
in route to taking back my country.
The campaign is going well in case you haven't
been following the news.

To let you know, Pearl did fall to our forces.
I can't tell you what is coming next because this ins't a secured line.
I can tell you is that I miss you greatly and I hope that the kids are doing well

Love,

Czarina Kathy Andropov

She sent the messege and she looked around. Her guards were doing their duty of protecting her. She stood up and rejoined the celebration.

Dear Kathy,

I'm sorry, but I will have to make this quick. I'm heading out on another trip,
and I just got back from one, so I'm not in the greatest of mental conditions
at the moment!

The kids are doing fine. Lauren brought home a straight A report card, and she
told me to tell you that she misses you. Xavier is always asking 'where's mommy."

Other than that, there's not much to say. I'm glad your safe -- stay that way,
please! God be with you and your subordinates, and tell Wilson I said hi.

With much love,

Alexei

OOC: Crap post, but my brain is still on the trip back from AP Hill, and it won't get back until Sunday, which is when I leave for Hilton Head.

Kathy received the messege and smiled. At that point, General Marshal came up next to her.

"Ma'am. The forces are now in position for the final assault on Tiara City. They are awaiting your orders ma'am."

She looks up at him. "This is going to be the bloodiest fight to date. I really hate seeing this done to our nation but we need to make sure that she is tossed out of power." She said as she walked over to the map. "Air units in place?"

"Yes ma'am. They have their target lists and our cannons are ready to begin to pound the Monarchist positions. We are going to do all we can to cut down on civilians."

"What about the resist fighters inside the city. What have they been told to do?"

"They will keep their heads down until called for. They have their guns by their sides and will attack the enemies rear if necessary."

"Good." She walks over to the radio officer and Marshal is behind her.

"Ma'am it is now or never. The weather is perfect for our campaign and its going to be a few days before the city falls."

"I know General." She staired at the map board and nodded. "Attack"

"Its a go!" Marshal said. Radio operators immediately issued the orders and the cannons let loose on fortified positions. Planes that are in the air fired at enemy communications centers. The troops on the ground began to press forward from their positions in Riverton, Guardian City and Fredericksburg.

The fighting is fierce as all three prongs of the attack continued in towards the city. The fighting is now 2.5 miles outside the city outskirts.

==========================================================

Inside the city, Lord McMichael isn't having a good time. Air Raid sirens are constently going off as both Carrier and land based air craft begin to wreck havic on the lines of supply and communications centers. The monarchist forces are doing their best not to get killed by the air raids so that they can do their best to throw back the invading Loyalist army. The government sector is rocked heavily as the Island's government building receives a near miss by a bomb but still damages the east wing of the building.

"That was way to close." he said as he stayed in his bunker.

"Yes sir. Sir? You and I both know that this is now pretty much hopeless. Our army can't handle this relentless pounding. We have to do something."

"General, the army will fight or I'll have them executed. Your choice."

"Yes sir." He issues the order to fight on and utters a prayer for those that have already died and will die.

==========================================================

Back at the capitol, the Queen was not very happy at all that Tiara is on the verge of falling.

"WE GOT TO STOP THEM AT TIARA!" she was screaming.

"Ma'am we can launch an attack from Salsa Island but then We have to watch out for a possible counter attack by the units that aren't engaging at Tiara City. Rumor has it that they are being redeployed near the beachest to prevent us from doing anything. Not to mention the marines that came with their fleet that attacked Tiara are doing their best to keep our forces from moving to re-enforce Tiara City."

"THAT ISN"T WHAT I WANT TO HEAR"

"Mother please calm down. We have to face it that those on Pearl and Tiara are not as loyal to us as they should be. The closer they get to Tango and here, the fighting will be very stiff and victory can still be ours. Tiara is now lost as the capitlol is poised to fall so now we have to prepare our defenses on Salsa and Prom. I have a feeling that is where the enemy si going to attack next."

"Your daughter is right ma'am. They have to almost go Island by island if they want to subdue us otherwise, we'll be at this all over again. They know what islands are likely to resist us and who'll resist them. They'll send smaller forces to the ones that oppose us and directly attack those that oppose them."

The queen glared at her New Secretary of Defense but said nothing for a few minutes. "You are, of course, correct in that assessment. We'll begin to devise a more comprehensive defensive strategy and figure out a way to put them back onto the defensive." She stood up and everyone else bowed as she and her daughter walked out of the room.

==========================================================

Kathy decided to move up with the troops as they are now on the outskirts of the city. The fighting has become more intense and she had to fire off several rounds at enemy positions.

"Eric send a messege to the resistance that now is a good time to hit them in the rear." she said into her radio.

Yes ma'am. I shall issue the orders at once!

The fighting up at the front was fully engaged now as the armor group from Fredericksburg. General McCoy was on the command tank as they punched themselves an opening and managed to set up a partial encirclement of enemy troops.

Inside the city, the rebels left their holding areas and began to take shots at the monarchist forces. They're orders were to cause mayhem behind the lines but to leave the capitol district alone. They understood the reasons for that and they went about their orders.

The fighting inside Tiara City is now in full swing. The loyalist forces have penetrated the first line of defenses and are now working on the second one. When they make it past that, they'll be inside the city and massive street to street fighting.

Kathy is now directing the attack right from the front lines with her guards ever near by. She is listening in to the radio as reports of attacks continue to cram the airwaves.

In the air, the loyal air force has bombed many enemy positions and communications centers. Surface to air missiles have been challenging them but now the S.A.M.s are being hunted down.

Inside the city, the rebels are doing their jobs in causing mayheim behind the lines. Needed forces that were supposed to go to the front have been held back because of the rebels moves in the city itself.

==========================================================

Lord McMichael sees that his lines are crumbling. His generals are now in an emergency meeting to discuss the next line of defense. The meeting is heated and tempers have been flying.

"Sir, we only have 2 options. Pull our troops into the city itself and fight it out street to street and house to house. The other option is the most drastic of them all. That is surrendering."

"NO! We won't surrender."

"Sir, we're going to surrender anyway when they hit this place."

"Make sure they don't."

"Then shall I order the withdraw of our 2nd line of defenses back into the city and fight in urban warfare?"

"That is our only option General?"

"Yes since you have refused surrender."

"Verry well. Issue the recall order and pull our forces into the city. Maybe that'll keep the air attacks at bay. Guided weapons aren't perfect."

"Hasn't stopped them yet but the order shall be issued sir."

"This concludes this meeting."

The meeting broke up and General Rommel goes to his command post and issues the general retreat order. When he issued the orders he sits back in his chair as another shell hits nearby. He realizes that the end is near. He calls for the staff members that he trusts to meet him in that office.

OUt on the perimeter, the order was received and the troops fell back into the city.

==========================================================

Kathy was listening to the radio when she heard that the enemy is starting to fall back.

"This is good General Marshal. Very good news indeed."

"Unfortunately that means we'll have to fight street to street more than likely. The third prong though probably could penetrate the city center without to much trouble." He picks up the phone. "General McCoy? General Marshal. I want you to detail 1 Regiment of infantry and a tank division to the Center Prong of this attack. yes I know but if we concentrat on the right and center, they won't expect an attack on the left. I also want you to move some towards the right. Leave one tank division and an infantry division for that assault. You'll hook back inward and rejoin when the attack goes off. Good. Out."

"Well that should draw their notice when the troops start shifting right."

"They better fall for it General. If not, many good men and women will get killed and we'll have that much of a tougher time taking down the city."

"I know. That's what worries me everytime I get into a firefight."

The troops moved into position. Recon flights showed that the enemy was taking the bait. A few hours later, General Marshal was smiling. "They took the bait. The oldest trick in the book and they took the bait." He picked up the phone again. "Orange. I say again. Orange!"

All at once a heavy cannon barrage fell on the whole left side of the city. McCoy's tanks leapt forward and charged into the city. The infantry troops was behind the tanks. General McCoy and other forces did an obliqu turn and went right into the city.

On the other fronts, Similar charges were taking place but not at the same pace. With the left side of the city exposed, the resistance that was there was quickly overrrunned. The fighting the was fierce but the combined might of the massive armor assault was no match. Most of the city was quickly conquered.

==========================================================

Lord McMichael was stunned. He never expected to be played like this but he was. He stared at the combat map with Colonel Davidson.

"We're getting slaughtered Colonel."

"I warned you what was going to happen. General Rommel told you what was going to happen. You didn't believe him and you issued those orders. Now sir, we are under a massive assault and now shifting forces is out of the question. With what we have now, we have 60% of the city still in our hands but that is decreasing rapidly."

"Do what you can. Now where is Rommel. I ordered him to....."

He never had time to finish his statement as a flashbang grenade went off as Rommel and 15 of his soldiers came storming in. "Your no longer in charge Lord McMichael. You forced me to do this. I didn't want too. I am loyal to this country and sir, you have just harmed our country. Your under arrest."

The Colonel went for his gun but a guard shot him before he could do anything. In less than a minute the shooting stopped. General Rommel looks at McMichael. "Its over. Issue the surrender NOW!"

McMichael nodded.

==========================================================

"Ma'am, we are receiving a radio transmission from a General Rommel. He is requesting a cease fire so you and President Wilson can talk to him."

"Grant it." That didn't come for Kathy but by Wilson. "I want to meet him."

Fifteen minutes later, the guns fell silent. An escort took Andropov and Wilson to where Rommel was waiting. After 3 hours of talking, the Battle of Tiara Island came to an end. Rommel has agreed loyality to Democracy and will be the new Executive Officer to Marshal. The troops that want to join will be allowed to join in the island's defenses or be transfered to other units for further combat against the monarchy.

==========================================================

In Waltz City, the Queen threw a lamp that shattered when she heard that Tiara Island fell to the loyalist forces. Now she has a choice to make. Where to make her next stand. Her cabinet awaited her orders but she just turned around and walked out in silence.

Kathy was enjoying the party that was taking place inside the governor's mansion. Governor Samantha Robertson arrived from Jarsa yesterday and is hosting the party. Medals were handed out and everyone was happy that the mission was a complete success.

Over on Pearl Island, a similar party was taken place and full communications has been achieved between both islands. The next day, the generals met in the Tiara War Room in connection to the Pearl War room planning their next offensive.

"General, with both islands now fully in our hands, we have several different options that we can choose from."

"Yes ma'am. I know." General Marshal replied. "I was thinking that we launch a diversionary strike at Tuxedo from both islands. That'll make it pretty convincing that we are trying to take the island away. When they move to counter our forces, we strike at Salsa and Prom with both armies from Pearl and Tiara. We'll have to strike fast and hard."

"Sir, the armor needs time to recover. If you want the full armor to be brought to bare, your going to have to give us a couple of weeks. I can give you half the barrels now but the rest will not be ready till then."

"I understand your reasoning so you'll have your two weeks. Besides that, we'll need Tux to be fully involved before we launch our blitz across both islands. General Jumper, how's the air strength?"

"Ready for action sir. Our bomber strength is down but now that the Jarsa factories are getting production up, we should have more bombers soon. The fighters are ready to go on the offensive again. We can deal a heavy air to ground pounding of their forces. Their anti-air strength is strong though so it'll be tough."

"Very well. Admiral Halsey?"

"The navy is ready to do whatever you need doing. Though the strait isn't fully secured, we can slip in patrol boats to cause havic among them and we have done this. The carriers are ready to go and the fighters are primed. Carrier strength is down 5% but that can be overcomed by the battleships gun strength. Gun range is limited but they can still cause damage within their gun range. The cruisers can still lob missiles but they are now going to conserve those because they are starting to run out."

"Very good. We'll begin this operation at once. General Vandergrift, I'm placing you incharge of the Tuxedo operation from Tiara. General Eisenhower will lead the assault from Pearl. Patton, your going to be incharge of the Salsa operation. General Smits will lead the Prom Island attack. Halsey, your fleet is going to do all it can to keep Salsa and Tuxedo occupied. Admiral Nimitz will take care of Salsa Island. Any questions people?"

When none was offered, the meeting broke up. Kathy made her way towards her room in the mansion and sat on the bed. The fighting was going to get worse and she knew it but she knows that this has got to be done.

==========================================================

Out on Salsa Island, General Cornwalis received orders to defend the island at cost. He began to move forces towards the bridge and beach heads. Other units were dispatched towards towns and the capitol was locked down tight.

He planned meticulously for the coming storm. He sighed as he looked over the preparations. He knows that the enemy was determined and when fighting a determined foe, the fighting is always more dangerous.

The air force has been kept close to home so that he still has an air force in which to defend the islands. The planes are on hair trigger alert so that they aren't caught on the ground when the war comes to Salsa Island.

==========================================================

General Montgomery was stuck on Prom island. He was no longer in command except of what forces managed to escape with him to the Island of Prom.

General Alexander was incharge of Prom Island and he placed his forces near the border to try and stem the tide of the loyalist attack. Montgomery protested because he knows what the enemy is capable of but he got overriden.

"Fool" he muttered as he prepared his positions. Airplanes roared over head and he can still see the air forces engaging one another but not as bad as it once was over Pearl Island. Now the enemy fleet had a port to repair their ships and to bring in supplies.

==========================================================

Back at the capitol, the war department was in turmoil. They are coming up with contingency plans to halt the loyalist onslaught then redefining them then scrapping them altogether. There were just so many possibilities that it was impossible to plan for everyone.

"I thought that they would already have plans in place to deal with such things." Queen Hapsburg stated.

"The only plans we saw was stemming from Tango Island. No one figured on someone doing what we did. Unfortunately, they probably did and didn't keep the plans here. That is probably why they were stubbornly trying to regain all of Tiara. Now they have a base to launch whatever warplans they do have. Meanwhile, we're coming up with a defensive plan."

"Keep it Secretary. They better not breach through towards Cocktail. If they do, you'll join North. Understand me?"

"Y-Y-Yes ma'am"

"Good" She left the room leaving a shaking Defense Secretary behind her.

General Smits was overlooking the beach head leading over to Prom Island. He had the new updated battle plan in hand now and he tends to carry them out. Some of the information is sketchy however and that worries him some.

General Vandergrift though was ready to go. His forces moved into position to strike at Tuxedo island. He peared through binoculars and nodded. "Radio! Get on the line to Artillery. They are cleared to fire on the beach heads. We need cover fire as we launch our attack."

"Very well sir." He did as instructed and a couple of seconds later, the first shells fell on the beaches. During the bombardment, boats that were secured for the operation, were loaded up with as many soldiers as they can carry. A pontoon bridge will be used to move the artillery onto the island once the beach heads are secured. During the early part of this invasion, fighters were also involved and more air to air combat ensued. Planes dropped from the sky making it hazardess for those on the ground.

The boats then left the shores for Tuxedo Island.

From Pearl Island, the same thing was happening. Eisenhower launched his though he was in the process of getting a pontoon bridge built to replace the bridges that were destroyed early on to prevent a quick invasion of the island.

The fighting was intense on the beaches but the monarchists were slowly pushed backward.

==========================================================

General Lee was back in Tie City watching the battle unfold. He knows that he has to deal with the invasion but now he has to split his forces as word reaches him of the invasion from Pearl Island.

"We have to figure out away to stem the tide of this invasion."

"Sir, this could only be a diversionary tactic. Our air force is only reporting scattered air attacks. From the ground, apparently there are few tanks that have managed to get onto the island."

"And it could be an elaborate roge to lure us into a false sense of security. Not to mention, they can still take out what tanks we have here too. Remember that we are not full front line combat troops. They have withdrawn them to more strategic islands. Now I want you to divide up the people we have to counter this and your incharge of the Pearl Front. I'll take the Tiara front and hopefully we can drive them back to their appropriate islands."

"Yes sir."

With that, they left the planning center to take up the duties of defending the island from the loyalists.

==========================================================

Two weeks later, General Patton looked over his forces. He nodded in satisfaction as the forces are now ready for the coming offensive on Salsa Island.

He looked around the table at all the commanders that are taking part. "You all know the battle plan. We also know that no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy. However, the plan for taking the beaches and establishing a beachead is essential to this operation. If we fail to do this then our cause will be severly hampered. I expect each and everyone of you to do your duty. Do what is required and we shall succeed. The operation commenses in one hour. DISMISSED!"

With those words, the commanders went to their perspective commands. This invasion isn't going to be a straight on invasion but a hook invasion. The reason for this is clear. To draw the enemy into many areas at once. With the combined effort of the naval guns and the air force, this is a very sound plan.

After the hour was up, naval guns opened up on the island defenses. The boats taking over the troops and equipment were ready to release the invasion forces onto the island. After two hours, the boats then launched and the invasion of Salsa Island was underway.

==========================================================

General Cornwallis quickly received word when the first bombs and shells landed on the city. He put the report on his desk and stood up.

"This is endgame gentlemen. The enemy is at the gates of the island and that is where they will be defeated. They have to take this island town by town because we will not surrender it."

The people cheered as they heard the roar of the planes taking off to combat the foe.

OOC: Sorry for my long absense with this thread but Life has a way of preventing someone from being here. I'll post more sometime later tonight.

The fighting on Tuxedo Island is getting fiercer as both sides continued to hammer away at eachother. Though the loyalist forces have the upper hand, they aren't advancing at a rapid clip. The Monarchist forces are doing their best to keep them from the heart of the island and are succeeding at it.

==========================================================

Over on Salsa Island, General Patton launched an all out blitz once his forces got ashore. This offensive drove the enemy towards the Salsaton, the capitol.

"Sir, we are making headway towards Salsaton. The enemy however is entrenching themselves in major artery towns that is preventing us from penetrating into this Island's heart."

"I hate holding positions. The object of war is to attack thy foe and eliminate them. Have the 1st Division move over towards Lancaster and the 5th ID to York. Have the other divisions begin to move onto other cities. When York and Lancaster falls then we can concentrate on the ehemy and surround them at Cleveland then we'll begin to move onto Salsaton and take it."

"Very Well sir. Sir? What about the 2nd ID assault on Topekaville? They are requesting support. They ran into a strong detachment of soldiers and is having a hard time punching through."

General Patton grumbled at that. "Get artillery on it. If that doesn't work, use the Air Force. That is why we have them. To support us."

"Yes sir."

Artillery was moved towards the 2nd ID position and opened up on the enemy

==========================================================

General Cornwallis was beside himself. The shore defenses were totally destroyed and the the loyalist forces have now entrenched themselves on the beach and are now in the process of taking the outer defenses.

"We have to stem the tide somehow people. Any suggestions?"

"Well sir, the Queen did say by any means necessary. We could begin to decimate the towns they have already taken over."

"I want to win this war but leave the nation as intacked as possible."

"At this rate sir, that isn't going to happen."

"Your pretty much right unfortunately." He sighed as he watched the combat map. "Our air forces are pretty thinned out too."

"So has their's General."

"However, they pretty much control the skies over half the island and slowly taking control over the rest. Our forces are now receiving bomb loads more frequently than they used too."

To underscore his words, a bomb exploded a block from the capitol buidling. Lord Armstrong, the Governor of the Island, jumped. "General, I want you to do all you can to knock down those planes." He said for the first time. He was being smart and letting the military run the fighting with little input from him.

"We are trying sir but they have a bit more planes flying in this area. The Other Islands are doing all they can to assist us."

"Then why aren't we succeeding?"

"Because of their anti-air defenses. Their pilots are well trained and know how to evade our missiles. We can evade theirs too but they just aren't as well trained. Most of our pilots are young and haven't seen combat. Half of their pilots served in the 1st Civil War and thus have experience in combat."

He wasn't happy about it but the Governor could only nod. "Very well. Just do what you can."

With that, he left the room to attend to business. General Cornwallis moved assets up to Cleveland. It is the biggest weapons manufacturing town in the nation. He looks at the map trying to figure out the next move of his opponet.

==========================================================

On Pearl Island, the attack forces that drove Montgomery from the island secured both bridges that leads to Prom Island. Though Montgomery's forces tried to retake it and destroy the bridges, they were defeated. Montgomery then entrenched himself in Hapsburgtown. This was where his command HQ was re-established. He then fanned out his forces in such a way as to defend his HQ as well as the island. He knows full well that their army is strong. Now that they have new recruits and replenished supplies, they will be difficult to stop.

General Alexander was making moves himself. Half of his forces were sent to Jewlery City, Rubyville, and Laceton. These are the three major cities that lead to Prom City, the capitol of the Island. He also has a deep and hidden secret. That was one reason why he didn't want Montgomery near the capitol.

The loyalist forces at the bridge opened up their artillery barrage to pin down the enemy forces. When it started, the infantry began to move over the bridges and began to move onto the island of Prom. What armor they did have was used to spearhead the assault.

Montgomery quickly got word and began to launch his counter attack near the town of Verona.

==========================================================

Kathy was listening to the reports as they began to come in. She wasn't happy about what she was hearing on Tuxedo but knows that it was only a diversionary assault. Then the reports from Salsa and Prom Islands and the news began to cheer her up. The fighting was beginning to go well with General Patton making huge progress early on in the Salsa Campaign.

She went to her tent and stared at the picture of her family back in Derscon. "I'll be back soon my loves." she whispered. She then prayed and went to sleep.

Governor Wilson was watching the events unfold from Featherston City, the capitol of the Earth Colony of Corneliu.

He was contemplating on what to do about their interests in the city when word came of Tiara Island's fall as well as Pearl.

"Looks like democracy is gaining the upper hand." he said to his staff that was with him.

"Apparently so sir but this is only going to get tougher for them."

"Jessica, your my Minister of State here, can we legally do anything that doesn't require authorization from Liberty City?"

"Not much we really can do sir. The only authorization we have is to defend ourselves. Since none of our people that we know of are in harms way, we really can't send our forces to them. Anything else will have to go through the home office."

He stared off into space thinking. "Very well. The best we can do is watch I guess. What is our councilor staff in Tiara City looking like?"

"From the reports I have gathered, the councilor has been accorded full diplomatic rights and has been recognized as the Ambassador to the legitament Government. Our primary Ambassador to Waltz City was not in the capitol when the fighting started and he has not returned yet. He's here in the capitol though."

"Keep me posted Jessica."

"Yes sir."

Wilson stared at the fighting going on in Formal Dances.

The diversionary attack on Tuxedo Island is doing what it was designed to do. It is holding down valuable enemy troops that could've been used to help defeat the loyalist forces elsewhere.

On the Vandergrift Front, the troops under his command slowly moved up and captured the towns of Rolex City and Veronaville. Barkersburg was next on the agenda and the fighting is fierce.

On the Eisenhower Front, Carsonville fell quickly to the loyalist forces and the army began a two prong assault leading up to Darson City and Jacksonville.

Both sides are taking casualties. The Monarchist forces have now fully entrenched themselves outside of Tuxedo City and have all approaches under their guns. How effective it will be remains to be seen. So far though, the monarchists are holding their own as the loyalists are only making minimal gains.

==========================================================

On Salsa Island, things were beginning to go Patton's way.

The enemy near Lancaster was beginning to fall back towards the city as the 1st ID continued to make its way Northeast. General Varseck, upon noticing their strategy, began to make preparations for a street to street fight in Lancaster.

The 5th ID was not having as easy a time as the 1st ID was. The 6th ID was fighing for every inch of space but they were not holding any positions. They were constently on the move, driving the enemy back. The Battle of York was only a few days away and they knew it. They also knew that it won't be an easy fight.

Outside of Topekaville, the 2nd ID finally punched through and entered the town. The fighting got very intense as they approached the inner portion of the city. However, the town's defenses were overruned and the enemy fled to join the defenses near Cleveland.

Patton was smiling as the reports came to him. He nodded to his staff as he began to prepare for the full scale attack towards Cleveland.

==========================================================

General Cornwallis was not in such a good mood. When word reached him of the fall of Topekaville, he snapped a pencil in two.

"Now we'll have to begin the defense of Cleveland." he said to his staff that was there. "The minute York and Lancaster fall, they will have no towns between them and Cleveland. All measures for their defense must be made."

"Sir, are we talking about a no surrender no retreat order for Cleveland?" asked a young captain.

"Yes we are. Cleveland cannot fall to the loyalists. If they do, they'll turn its production capacity against us. Cleveland manufactures tanks, bullets and airplanes. Can you imagine the time we'll have if they take the city and repair it?"

No one had a comback answer. "We must do what we can to slow down their advances to Lancaster and York. Orders were already issued for street to street fighting. I just hope that the commanders carry them out."

Lord Armstrong stared at the map and shook his head. "Everything we have worked so hard for is coming apart. If Cleveland falls, there will be nothing left to stop them from launching an attack here against us."

"That is why we are going to defend Cleveland to the last man if possible. The troops here are also ready for said combat."

Lord Armstrong didn't look convinced.

==========================================================

On Prom Island, the town of Verona became a killing field. Montgomery's attack drove Smits's forces back but not far enough. The original landing forces rallied back and began to drive on Verona again. General Smits then made landfall and took up the charge against it.

Other military units then began to split into attacking groups and began a systematic attack on smaller towns to build a perimeter for a major operation on this side of the island.

==========================================================

General Montgomery was pleased to see the enemy being driven back but it was short lived. When he saw that the enemy was counter-counter attacking, he quickly ordered a stand your ground order. He saw that Verona was their target destination and it made tactical sense. Take the major town near the sea and then begin to launch a massive offensive. He also realized that Hapsbergtown would be vulnerable from that spot. He has no reason to believe that they know his HQ was there but he wasn't taking chances. He orders a detachment outside the city to help defend it incase they do break through and he has to flee in a hurry.

==========================================================

Kathy meanwhile was watching the reports and decided to move her HQ to Salsa Island. She did this over everyone's objection because she wanted to be near the front lines. She promised them that she wasn't taking command of the operation and that she has full faith in General Patton. She wants to see for herself what is going on there.

She arrives on Salsa Island and then gets a complete escort towards General Patton's HQ.

Patton was keeping an eye on the attacking forces when Katherine appeared. Patton saluted her and she returned it.

"Good to see you again General." she said. "How is the battle going?"

"Well ma'am, the fighting is picking up near Lancaster and York. I have a feeling that they'll fight street to street to try to slow us down. I have ordered re-enforcements to the cities so that we can take them quicker. Topekaville has fallen and the 2nd ID is now waiting on orders."

Kathy nodded at the assessment. "Very good General. Any idea when we can launch our attack on Cleveland?"

"None ma'am. We need York and Lancaster for that. As soon as those two cities fall, then we can prep for Cleveland. However, I will say that the Battle of Cleveland will be very fierce and bloody because there will be nothing behind it to keep us from moving to Salsaton."

Kathy smiled.

==========================================================

General Cornwallis wasn't smiling at all. The fighing near Lancaster has now moved into the streets and neither side is giving ground. The casualties there continued to mount and he is on the verge of abandoning the city to free up the troops for the defense of Salsaton or Cleveland. York was another matter. The front there has stalled five miles outside the city. The defenders are giving as much as they are taking but Cornwallis knows that soon they'll call for air support and when it arrives, they'll be inside the city. No sooner did that thought occur to him, a report came in that they were under a heavy air bombardment. He cursed as he read that they were retreating into the city.

==========================================================

General Patton put his hands into the air upon word of the retreat. "We have them now. Now we can punch into the city and finally clear them out."

Kathy wasn't to sure and she mentioned as such. "Relax, ma'am. I know that in war, things can go wrong. In this case though, we have the upper hand. The other islands are now weary of attacking our air forces. They know they leave their islands vulnerable if they do. Ever since the opening phases of this war though, the air forces on both sides have been relatively quiet. I can't help but wonder if their forces are waiting for us to get closer to Waltz Island before pouncing."

"That could be general. Keep up the good work." She left the general's presence and went to her new quarters.

==========================================================

On Prom Island, General Smits was overlooking reports. The battle near Verona is going on just as predicted. It is now just inside the city and the defenders are doing all that they can to keep them out of the center. Other forces began to form a perimeter. The perimeter was nearly completed now as small towns were taken over.

General Smits was already preparing for his next move towards Hapsebergtown. It was the Island's 3rd major city and if that fell, it would cause headaches, not only throughout the island but in Waltz City too since it was named after the monarch.

==========================================================

In Hapsebergtown, General Montgomery was not happy. He sees that Verona is on the verge of falling and that a perimeter was being established. The rest of his forces were called up from behind him to re-enforce his position. He knows that if the loyalists attack here, he doesn't stand a chance of surviving.

General Alexander was also watching the battle from the capitol. He nodded at the defensive measures taken up by Montgomery. "Say what you will about him, he does know how to set up a perimeter of his own. To bad he's facing overwhelming odds."

He sketched out a memo and sent it up to the Rubyville commander. With this memo, he knows that he will not survive the wrath of the Queen if she ever found out. Most of his trusted military commanders know of the plan and they pledged to assist in carrying it out. His other commanders don't know and they never will. All he has to do is sit back and wait.

President Wilson was also watching the fighting but not at the front as Kathy was doing but from Tiara City, the loyalist capitol of Formal Dances.

He was in the governor's office receiving news reports from the front lines of combat. He looked pain as he read of the latest casualty information that was coming in from Salsa Island.

"General Patton better know what he's doing otherwise, I'm going to sack him and replace him with someone else who does."

"Relax sir. He knows what he is doing and Czarina Andropov has full faith in him. According to this, they have just punched into York and are now driving them out of there towards Cleveland and Salsaton. It won't be long till we take the island."

"Then what? We'll have a massive fight on Tango Island. The navy is preparing for that fight. That's going to be the bloodiest fight short of the battle for Waltz City."

"Sir, your right it will be bloody but we have no choice in the matter. If we want to win this fight, we're going to have to prosecute this all the way to Tango and Waltz Islands."

"Your right..." at that moment, a new messege came in from Salsa Island. The attack at York was concluded.

==========================================================

General Patton whooped for joy when word reached him that York was finally captured.

"Finally. now we can prepare to engage them at Cleveland. We'll have to go through that city before we can make a move on Salsaton."

"What about making a two prong attack on both place?" Kathy asked.

"Too risky. I want to make sure we have hurt them badly and have eliminated the enemy behind us before moving on Salsaton. The Monarchial forces are tough in Cleveland and I don't want them on my flank whatsoever. They need to be eliminated. If we don't then we open ourselves up to a flank attack that could disrupt us from retaking this island."

"Very well General. You are the officer on the spot and I trust your judgement."

He bowed to her and the preparations were made to attack Cleveland.

==========================================================

General Cornwallis was now in a bind. He could order an all out defense of Cleveland or he could order it defended by its remaining defenders and stay behind to engage in an all out defense of Salsaton.

He looked over the map again and began to issue orders to those inside the city that they must do everything they can to defend it against the loyalist assault. Inside Salsaton, the monarch's forces began to prepare the city for street to street fighting.

==========================================================

On Prom Island, the fighting near Verona is not going well for the monarchists. They have been pushed back towards the outskirts of town and General Montgomery was getting ready to defend it street to street when a shell came crashing in from behind his lines.

"What the hell?" He shouted at the top of his lungs as several more shells came slamming in and around his headquarters. "Who is shelling us here? They're forces aren't close enough to Hapsburgtown."

"Sir, that didn't come from the loyalists. That came from behind us. It came from the direction of Jewlrey City sir. Sir? It looks like it came from our own side?!!"

"General Alexander wouldn't do such a thing. He knows the if he is caught, he'd be executed."

"Its the truth sir."

To punctuate that, another shell came crashing into the city. "Sir we have just received reports from Laceton and Rubyville. The forces there havemoved up towards us. Apparently the capitol is now already in Alexander's hands sir."

"Great now I have a war on to fronts to fight myself."

==========================================================

General Alexander realized he caught Montgomery with his pants down and he shook his head. "Idiot" he muttered. "Always prepare for the unexpected."

He smiles at the progress his troops quickly made against Montgomery's forces. All the monarchists have been rounded up and tossed into the prisons. All that remains now is to take down Montgomery's forces and the liberation of Prom Island will be complete.

==========================================================

On Tuxedo, both sides are fighting a stalemated assault as neither side is losing or gaining ground. The generals on both sides know that this is a side show and are playing the part by firing a few rounds here and there and trying to make advances but both sides can't penetrate the defensive lines of eachother.

==========================================================

Back in Waltz City, the Queen is having an emotional fit as she realized that Alexander dooped her and has attacked Montgomery's forces in conjunction with the attack by the loyalist forces.

"Apparenlty he planned for everything. He even arrested those that he knew where pro-monarchist and fooled them too. Once he did that, there is nothing we can do. We could appeal to the rest of the troops but that may not be totally effective."

"Why not? They are the crown's troops and they will follow the monarchy."

"Ma'am. Right now, they are under Alexander's control. They have been following his orders from the start and those loyal to us have been tossed in prison. He screened them carefully. He's good."

"This is getting to be a disaster." she hollard.

"Mother please." Melissa soothed. "Nothing is going to be solved with you going into a fit."

"Ma'am, we need to deploy the navy towards Cocktail Island and begin to dig in around our strong holds. Forget the minor islands. We have to defend Tango, Waltz, Cocktail and Swing Islands. Those are our strong holds. Homecoming and Ballroom Islands are an even split. We have to win the population over."

"Your not doing a good job of that Minister Paulson. In fact, you've failed worse than Mr. North's debacle." She raised her hands and her guards approached. "Toss him in with North. I'll deal with it later."

With that, Paulson was hauled out of his chair and dragged out of the room pleading his case. No one said a word and the meeting broke up with nothing being done about the defenses of the remaining islands.

Patton's army is storming itself towards Cleveland. They overwhelmed the outside city defenders and now the air campaign against the city has commenced.

"Tell the air corp that I want the industries damaged but not destroyed. I want to repair them as quickly as possible but we can't do that if they are destroyed."

"Yes general. I'll get right on it." Lt. Groves stated. He got on the radio to the Air bases to relay the orders.

==========================================================

Inside Cleveland, Colonel Davidson was hunkered down inside his bunker and trying to run an effective defense of the City.

"I don't know what he is waiting for. He should've came into the city already." his aide was saying.

"With the defenses we have, that would've been suicide. No, he's going to hit us hard with the air force and shell us first then he'll come blasting through here. And the sad part is, we can't stop him without support from the capitol units."

"Then why are we still fighting to defend the city?"

"This is war. If their commander makes a mistake, we might be able to capitalize on it and drive them back. That'll set their efforts back for awhile. That might also drive up the remaining capitol units to finish them off. You never can tell."

At that point, two more bombs hit the city and they ducked under the desks.

==========================================================

On Prime Island, General Alexander has moved his headquarters to the outskirts of Rubyville. Alexander received a report that Hapsebergtpwn is now under a full scale artillery assault and he orders the full scale attack.

Once the order was received, the so called monarchist forces attacked Montgomery's forces from his rear but they quickly stiffen up and turned the outskirts into a bloodbath as they made Alexander's forces pay for the ground they are taking.

==========================================================

In Hapsebergtown, Montgomery is not a happy man. He curses as each shell lands and watches the map as his aides place new arrows placing the advancement of not only Smits's forces but those of Alexanders as well.

"This is not good sir."

"No its not Sargent."

"What now?"

"We fight until they penetrate the city. When they do...." he just shrugged, "I do not know."

The sargenetn looked at him and said nothing.

==========================================================

Queen Hapseburg is not happy with the war reports. With here new Secretary of War, a new plan is being drafted up for the defense of their strong holds.

"Ma'am, I know you don't want to do this, but we do have to write off Salsa and Prom Islands. They are now to deeply entrenched by rebel forces. Tux we have a shot but now..... we could very well lose it now that they might be able to divert forces. With Salsa about to fall, we will not be able to get those forces off of Tuxedo Island."

The Queen glares at him but says nothing. "We'll do what we can for all of the islands we are fighting on. Right now, eliminate their navy."

"I'll do the best I can but they have friendly ports that are not under our guns to repair and resupply. Their channel ships are doing a good job of interdiction but we can use ours to the same effect."

"Do it." She then twirls her gown and leaves him to carry out the instructions.

At Cleveland, Patton was getting impatient as his armor massed for the final push into the city. When he felt ready and that everyone was in position, he gave the go order and the tanks rumbled forward towards the town.

==========================================================

On the outskirts of Cleveland, the Monarchist tanks were prepared for this but not for the sheer number of them.The attack commenced at dawn and in an hour, the outskirts of the city were penetrated.

==========================================================

Patton saw that the line buckled and the troops withdrew into the now bomb damaged city. He scowled for now they are forcing him to go inside the city and fight door to door. He got the infantry infront of him and using the tanks as support, began to move block by block routing the enemy.

Patton closed his eyes as he knows that civilians are also getting killed but there is nothing he can do about it.

==========================================================

On Prom Island, Alexander and Smits began to gain the upper hand over Montgomery. Hapseburgtown is now within reach of Smits but Alexander is still a ways off. General Smits can see the outskirts of the town and he uses the tanks and mobile units he has to attack it and to secure the perimeter to make sure that no one gets out.

==========================================================

Montgomery was very silent as word reached his ear that the outskirts were getting attacked. He looked over at his aides and commanders.

"Well it looks like we have lost Prom Island." he said softly. "We have two options. Option 1 is that we continue on this hopeless fight for this city and hope they make a mistake and we can escape and Option 2 is that we surrender this city and give up the island in return."

"Sir, Option 1 will please Her Majesty but will not do the civilians any good if we fight it out street to street. They are finding that out up in Cleveland. I say we go with option 2. They'll treat us better if we do."

"They'll kill us anyway. In their eyes we are traitors."

"If they felt that, they would've just carpet bombed the whole city and they haven't done that. Sir, surrender will save us and the city!"

The debate raged on for another hour before Montgomery brought it to an end. "The fight is done people. Eric? Get on the line to Smits and tell him to cease-fire. We'll surrender."

==========================================================

In Tiara City, President Wilson was in a meeting when General Arnold came in with the news. "People, this makes the 3rd Island we have liberated from the Monarchists and if our information is right, Salsa is not to far behind. We'll have a defense perimeter, save Tuxedo Island, to begin our operations into the very heart of the Queen's support net. Our casualties have been high but they'll get higher still as we attack her strongholds."

==========================================================

Czarina Rice was in the back of the lines as to not interfere with Patton's plans and rejoiced when she heard about Prom Island falling to the loyalist forces. "This is a great day Melissa. A great day."

"Yes ma'am. Hopefully we'll be celebrating inside the palace with our friends and allies and we can put an end to the madness."

"I wish it can be that simple Mel. However, this is going to get bloodier."

At that moment, another memo came over. Cleveland has surrendered.

==========================================================

In Cleveland, Patton moved briskly and methodically. As he did so, the Colonel incharge of the city, had enough and called for a general cease-fire. When the guns settled down, he met with General Patton and after three hours, Cleveland was declared liberated.

==========================================================

Back at the capital, the Secretary of Defense laid in a pool of blood as the Queen executed him right on the spot. He didn't have the luxary of joining Paulson and North in the dungeon.

In the capital, the underground network was also receiving good news and made plans to make life difficult for the monarchy.