NationStates Jolt Archive

1700 Hours, Spartan Naval Yard, Reformed Sparta

Dictator Manolis Kratevatis overlooked the loading and arming of his nation's glorious battlefleet. His country relied heavily upon missile ships, having no aircraft carriers, nor any immediate plans to build them. His nation traditionally relied more upn its armies than navy, but these modern times required a powerful naval presence as well. Fortunately, the network of client states provided much needed capital for the Spartan military machine. While the Heliots in the client states were tied to the land and provided nearly half their produce to feed the Spartan populace, Periokoi, or free city dwellers, provided most of the capital as they engaged in all manner of business. The Spartans themselves, well, they were forbidden b law from any pursuit other than that of a military nature. Spartan citizens were also forbidden to accumulate wealth, the standard trade unit of a Spartan was the bar of iron, commonly referred to as the Heel.

As he watched silently, the battlefleet continued its preperations. Across the naval yard, a sextuplet of smaller, slender, and more shapely craft slipped their moorings and, forming a single line slid out of the harbor. Once clear of the harbor bouys the men on the decks of the ships disappeared below, and so too did the ships. Each slowly slipping beneath the waves, leaving only a rippling wake to mark their passage, and soon, even that disappeared.

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2355 hours, 2 days later, 7 miles off the Coast of 23Eris

The captain of the lead submarine checked the horizon with his periscope, they dared not activate their radar or sonar, for fear that the emissions from the ships might be detected and reveal their presence. Seeing no enemy shipping in the immediate area, the captain nodded silently to his first mate, sweat forming on his forehead.

Six darkened shapes broke the surface of the ocean, looking almost like a group of whales having come up for air all at once. While it was impossible to see the outline of the buildings, the glow of the lights from the industrial city of Discordia were visible as a lighter colored haze on the western horizon.

The captain watched the interior clock as the seconds ticked slowly upwards and minute piled on top of minute. They had been surfaced now for almost two minutes and there was still thirty seconds left to the appointed time. The captain had never ben so nervous as he was at that very moment, his face was bathed in sweat as was that of every man on the boat. Everyone seemed to be affected by the same nervous excitement, finally a chance to strike back at the nation that had humiliated them! Five seconds left, four, three, two, one, launch. The captain nodded again and the mate turned his key at the same instant as the captain, the hull shuddered as ten long range cruise missiles leapt from the launch tubes one after another. The launch seemed to drag on for hours, though it took less than a minute for all the missiles to clear. Immediatly the captain ordered the ship to dive and turn for the open sea.

Above the water, sixty cruise missiles, preprogrammed for targets revealed by Spartan spies and hacked satellite feeds sped for their destination.

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OOC: Your turn Eris

Discordia, 23Eris

Alarms rang out across the docks and the military installations around Discordia as the missiles were detected. Though they flew low, the Spartans had miscalculated the effectiveness of 23Eris' radar defense network. Already men scrambled to the anti-missile batteries and began to launch missiles as soon as they could, others raced for cover in the hardened shelters. Commander Ericksson, roused from his sleep, threw together a shirt, pants, and hat and ran for his office to take command of the situation.

At sea, the missles made slight course adjustments, ignorant of the alarm their mere presence had caused, or of the missiles that streaked up into the sky to bring them down. Nearly two dozen fell to the anti-missile batteries, and another ten two point-defense guns. The rest wreaked havoc across the city.

Three rained bomblets over the Discordian International Airport, a non-military airbase, and another left a rather large crater in the Erisian Air Service's Danteri Base's main runway. Many of the rest struck warehouses full of equipment and supplies, much of which was earmarked for Danteri should that conflict rear up once more. A single misile penetrated deep into one of the valuable Erisian troop ships, exploding it in a burst that illuminated the entire shipyard. Two other ships were hulled and sank in the shallow waters, still tied to their moorings. Cluster bombs released by another missile rained across the barracks of the base, blowing through the thin metal roof of the buildings and killing those unfortunate enough not to have made it to safety. Four of the warheads hit the large fuel depot at the same instant, obliterating the stockpiled fuel and causing heavy damage to a naval fuel refinery located nearby. The concussive waves from this explosion shattered glass of several buildings in downtown Discordia, which injured several hundreds of civilians. The last two missiles also found their targets, one, headed for the drydocks where the ENS Kallisti, the nation's first aircraft carrier, was currently under construction and was a mere one month from launch. The warhead blasted through the hull and detonated inside the unfinished ship. The resulting explosion blew partly back out the hole through which the warhead had penetrated, but mainly shot upwards, exploding and tearing off nearly half of the carrier's runway. The last of the missles was programmed to seek out what Spartan intel had determined were the offices of the Naval Yard's commander. Spartan intel was again proven correct when the missile completely obliterated the building and decapitated the leadership of the naval yard at the same time, adding to the confusion and panic and reducing the effectivity of any damage control response.

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0700 hours, Morning After the Attack, Situation Room, Kallisti City, 23Eris

"I want to know who in the hell was responsible for this attack! Was it those Kraven or Zukariaan or whoever the hell they are now, people?" Prime Minister Hekatos raged.

"We don't have any information ma'am. We're still trying to rescue survivors and contain the fires. Once we manage to do that, we'll start looking for evidence as to who did this." Admiral Weber responded.

"I want to know soon Admiral, but I don't want to hinder any search and rescue operations you have ongoing, just, do your best. As for the fleet, what are you doing with them?"

"We've deployed all anti-submarine vessels, including the pegasus class hydrofoils, all unarmed vessels and other ships are making for Kallisti City, we have stronger anti-air defenses around the capital." the Admiral explained.

"So what are the losses, and the net effect of this attack?"

"Estimates are early you understand, but we believe it to be in the area of four or five hundred dead and at leat a thousand injured, as well as about one to two hundred civilian casualties and another three hundred injured. The actual numbers are likely to increase over the next few days. We lost two corvettes temporarily, they will be raised an repaired within the week. the transport vessel Athena is a complete loss. We'll be scavaging what we can from her and then scrapping the rest. The carrier Kallisti suffered moderate damage. We don't believe it is as severe as we originally thought. The landing deck was ripped off, but that is easily replaced, and most of the blast went upward throuh the deck, minimizing internal damage." The admiral answered, wearily. "The airfields will be repaired soon. The airforce has bomb disposal teams clearing the runway of Discordia International, and the EAS Field should be repaired within an hour. The bad news is the fuel depot. We lost nearly 35% of all our stored fuel for the navy and the damage to the refinery has taken it offline for the next few weeks. That cuts our military fuel refining capacity by almost 75%. We'll have to purchase most of the military's fuel for the time being, and that means heavy expenses."

"Damn, the beancounters will hate this. Parliament should be an easy sell for emergency funding though." the Prime Minister said, leaning back in her chair for a moment. "All right Admiral, you have the lead on this one. Find out who did this and why. Work up some plans on how we can quickly either reinforce our positions in Danteri if this was a pre-emptive strike by Zukariaa, or to bring the First Mechanized home if we need her.

"That brings me to you General Thomson. How is the training of our new divisons going?"

"Very well Ma'am. We've nearly completed our military reorginization and as you know, we've begun changing some unit designations. The newly rechristened First Armored recieved the Leopard IIs and the Second Armored has the T-80s. Our new Air Cavalry Division is training in Nor-Ton and should be ready for deployment within two weeks. We also have two new reserve Infantry Divisions training and at your suggestion, we have begun the formation of a seperate detached company of special forces soldiers."

"Very good, you gentlemen are dismissed. I have to prepare a statement." After the men left the room, Prime Minister Hekatos buried her once lovely face in her hands and worked to fight back the tears. She had fought so hard for a free homeland and had promised the people a small military. She had even begun dismantling the leftover war machine after the revolution, now this. She had since reverse her position and was close to trebling the army from its size at the end of her first year as prime minister. The navy too was growing as was the air force. She despised the channeling of funds to the military when it could be spent on medical care or education, but she had to defend her people as well. With a heavy sigh she pulled out a pad of paper and began to write.

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Televised Address
Prime Minister Althea Hekatos, 23Eris

Greetings people of The Free Lands of the 23rd Eris. I stand before you today to tell you of a terrible atrocity that has befallen our fair lands. Last night, an unknown force launched a series of missile attacks against one of our naval bases. The cowardly foes struck without warning and destroyed or damaged much of the naval yard in Discordia. Estimates of the cost of the damage begin as high as 700 million in damages. The true cost however cannot be measured in Chaos and Cents. The true cost is the hundred of people who were killed, some in the military, and some civilian, and the thousands more injured. Their loss will not go unavenged, this I swear to all of you today on the name of the goddess herself. Our forces will root out the assialants, and we will bring them to justice, where they will answer for their crimes.
Search and rescue operations are ongoing, and we ask for your patience and prayers for those who have family in the area that came under attack. No expense will be spared to find and save as many people as we can in the aftermath of the attack.
I wish to remind you all of how only two years ago we triumphed in a war that brought to us our freedom. Freedom that was won at a terrible price. We will not allow ourselves to be subjucated again by any nation, whether by force of arms or through threats, intimidation, or fear of arms. We are a proud and strong people and we will face down any who assault us and we will triumph.
To the attackers I have this to say, we will discover your identity and when we do, you will face the full wrath of our might.
Good bye, and goddess bless.--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Unified Danteri Government has condemned this attack, and has issued an appology to 23Eris, saying that it cannot help with anything but words, as the Loyalists and Rebels, while now unified, are now at war with Zukariaa and its Kraven support.
As for moral support though, they're right behind you. Militarily though, they're sending nothing.

Command Bunker, Reformed Sparta

Kratevatis laughed as he read the reports of the devestation his nation's attack had caused, and laughed again as he watched the televised footage of the foolish woman declaring that they would punish those responsible. The Erisians, he was sure, were no match for his forces. For now though, there was nothing to do but wait until the next phase of his plan went into effect.

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Supertanker Joliet, a few miles from the 23Eris Coast

The first warning of the attack came from the explosion just behind the bow of the ship. The detonation tore a gaping hole in the outer hull and caused a break in the inner hull as well. Fortunately for the ship, the tanker was heavily compartmentalized, even as oil gushed into the sea and the compartment filled with water, the ship managed to stay afloat.

It was then that the second and third torpedoes hit. The second struck amidships, ripping easily through both hulls and venting the second and largest compartment on the starboard side to the sea. The last torpedo hit in the rear, destroying one propellor and ripping the rudders from the vessel.

With the ship taking on water and listing heavily, the captain gave the order to abandon ship. Unfortunately none noticed the shape breaking the surface of the water, or the armed men climbing onto the deck. The submarine moved to the life boats and the survivors of the tanker clamored for rescue. Their words were instead met by the sound of gunfire and the feel of metal ripping through their bodies. In a few minutes, all the suvivors had been massacred.

The submarine submerged quickly and slipped back out to sea, its mission complete.

The Government of 23Eris appreciates the suport of the Danteri Government and people and, whil it has declared neutrality in the renewal of hostilities will continue to offer aid to the populace of Danteri as well as the sale and loan of weapons for the Danteri Armed Forces.

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Erisian News Agency

The destruction of the Supertanker has begun an environmental crisis of epic proportions spilling an estimated 73.2 million gallons of oil off the coast of the nation. Environmental and Naval ships are cooperating to contain the spill and it appears that most of the oil will be contained within the next few days.

Investigations into the cruise missile strike against the city of Discordia are underway and remnants of the missiles are being examined for clues as to their origin.

Initial reports indicat that the rifle rounds discovered on the life boats from the sunken supertanker appear to match those used by Kraven Military forces. Naval investigators refuse to confirm these reports, but speculation is high that this might have been a pre-emptive Zukariaan attack.

Prime Minister hekatos has called for calm and to allow investigations to run their course before action is taken.

Headquarters Bunker, New Sparta

"So they still won't bite yet?" Kratevatis mused to himself, running his fingers over his mouth as he thought. After several minutes he smiled and spoke to the empty room in which he sat. "Perhaps we need to, up the pressure on our Erisian friends."

Having spoken, Kratevatis reached for his secure phone and called one of his generals to the office. A new plan had formed in his mind and now was the time to implement it.

Situation Room, Kallisti City, 23Eris

"The situation in Danteri is mostly the same as before Ma'am. The Danteri continue their assault and are being slaughtered despite the weapons we've provided. Oh and we have rumors and some satellite intel that Zukariaa intends to deploy its Corporate Police units." the Defense Minister Helen Markham announced.

"Damn, will our armor piercing rounds stop them?"

"Unknown. We don't have any Kraven armor to test our rounds against. I believe it might work, it is a depleted uranium penetrator. Should penetrate at least a few inches of armor." General Thomson stated.

"Can we give the Danteri some artillery? Armor or not, it won't stop a 150mm round." Markham asked.

"We'll we have our defenses pretty well beefed up at this point. Anything that attacks us will take a beating. Our positions have been heavily reinforced, and with the concentration of ground attack aircraft. That is, if anyone attacks us."

"What about the refugees, how are they doing?"

"Well, we just leased 25 jet airliners, we'll be remoing most of the standard seating to increase carrying capacity to 500 passengers and cargo. Twenty planes will make 2 flights per day with the other 5 down for maintenance on any given day. That's in addition to our military airlift capacity. We're already deploying the 2nd Infantry Division and returning planes are full of refugees seeking asylum. Figure we can move about 20,000 people per day via the air. Of course, that is going to cost us a ton of Chaos and the economy is already strained with our military buildup." reported the Defense Minister.

Prime Minister Hekatos sighed and nodded. "We'll keep up the rate for the next few days, then I want it reduced to one flight per day per plane. I want the navy to take on as many refugees as she can carry as well on their way back to Discordia. Lets get as many of these people to safety as we can, while we can." PM Hekatos then looked over her briefing file. "What about these Montenegrans or whatever they call themselves?"

"They seem to be aiding the Danteri. They haven't confronted or contacted our forces in any way."

"Good, let's keep it that way. And the New-Lexingtonians?"

"They seem to be rounding up Danteri leaders. They're probably making a territory grab of their own. Taking a lead from the Zukariaans I'd say." replied Thomson.

"Well, we'll condemn their actions, I don't want to war with them if we don't have too. We've got enough on our hands."

"By the way Ma'am," Foreign Minister Chilkevich interrupted. "You might be interested to know that Reformed Sparta has been involving itself diplomatically in the Eonopolis matter."

"How so?"

"Calling on other nations to cease attacks to prevent the loss of life."

"How unlike Sparta." Hekatos muttered.

"True, I believe its a ruse to try and gain some international respectability as a dove. We all know the truth, that doesn't mean the world can see it."

"Hrm, if we could revel something of their own repressive methods at home it might show the world what Sparta is truly like."

"Possibly, but why jostle a beehive? We don't need to put ourselves back in Sparta's crosshairs. They've already reformed some of their previous alliances. We don't need an additional military burden."

"I agree." replied Hekatos, "We'll keep an eye on them but not challenge them diplomatically. We'll lay low so to speak. Especially as we're tied up in this Danteri/Zukariaan conflict."

-ENN News 7PM Edition!-

Today's big stories:

23Eris announces it has begun construction of a new space center ner the city of Skripto in the province of Ignotius. The new space center has not yet been named, but it is scheduled to be completed within the next two years. Mission Control located in St. Tibbs will remain in operation and will be expanded at the same time.

Danteri refugees continue to arrive in 23Eris, mainly in the region of pinea. The populatations of the cities of Topanga and Mal have seen the largest influx of Danteri, with as much as 25% of the populations of both cities now being Danteri nationals. Despite a temporary dropoff in refugees during the brief interim in which it looked as if Danteri might achieve peace, the recent outbreak of war between Danteri and Zukariaa has once again increased the stream of refugees to a flood. Large numbers of these refugees have come to 23Eris seeking asylum and an escape from the violence. One group has petitioned the government for a right to early citizenship. It is believe the government is generally favorable to such an idea, but has yet to formulate an official response.

The Erisian Defense Force, the Army of 23Eris, has unveiled plans for its new 'Modern Soldier' project.

View jumps to that of an EDF Major

"The individual infantryman will be equipped with a bullet-proof vest, nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection, night vision equipment, digital navigation and communication, tactical speech and data communication and a new range of weapons. We will begin phasing out the old AK-74, though that will likely remain the standard weapon for the reserves for the near future. New weapons will include: Dynamit Nobel Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank rocket launcher with Dynarange computing sight, Heckler & Koch rifle mounted AG36 40mm grenade launcher, Heckler & Koch 5.56mm MG4 light machine gun, which will use current 23Eris calibre ammunition, and Heckler & Koch MP7 personal defence weapon. Additional sights include the Victronix Vector IV target acquisition and laser range finding binoculars, Zeiss handheld thermal sights, and the Zeiss AN/PAS-13(V) lightweight thermal camera weapon sight."

Return to Reporter standing in front of a platoon of EDF Troops in training

For the time being only 1000 of these kits have been ordered. Enough to equip the EDF Special Forces Regiment who will also be the testers of much of this new technology. The military plans to order an additional fifty thousand next year to begin equipping the active units of 23Eris, if trials prove to be successful.

OOC: Made with the aid of 23Eris

The ruler of Reformed Sparta, Dictator Kratevatis looked over the reports with some concern. Spies reported that the Zukariaans and Erisisans had not come to blows yet, though they were close to doing so. Now the damnable Erisians were building a space center? Such pretentiousness could not go unpunished. Within moments the orders for another strike were drawn up. This time, they would level that damn space launch center and show the people of that filthy beggar nation just how vulnerable they truly were.

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City of Mal, 23Eris

Spartan insurgents, disguised as Danteri refugees began to circulate rumors that many of those who had fled here might be forced to retun to Danteri. Men and women worried that they might be shipped back and forcibly conscripted began to protest against a plan that didn't exist. The Spartan insurgents began agitation for better jobs, housing, and education as well. With the sheer number of Danteri people, it would truly take time to equitably incorporate them into the nation, but the panicky, frightened, and angry among the refugees did not care. By the weeks end, small scale rioting was occuring in the province of Pinea, resorting in a call up of the local Erisian Guard to restore some semblance of order.

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23Eris Territorial Waters, 4 NM Miles from the Coast of Skripto

The four submarines that had crept so close to the Erisian shorline rose to periscope depth, one after another, each making a quick scan of the horizon after having listened for hours on sonar to be sure the area was clear of shipping. Fortunately and unfortunately, it was a night of a new moon, giving very little light with which to see any ships that might be lurking nearby.

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Above the Submarines, SH-60B, Tailfin

The hovering SH-60B was too high to be seen via the periscopes of the Submarines, and could not see the sleek outlines of the thin metal shafts as they protruded from the water, but the line of passive sonarbouys they had been laying could. The whole area aorund Skripto was under heavy security after the announcement of the development of the Space Center. The announcement had been made with an ulterior motive. To lure someone into an attack on the facility, and hopefully shed light on the assailants.
"Three contacts so far Jim. All creeping southeast towards Skripto."
"Like mice to cheese."
"Damn we got a fourth! Contact is medium on Buoy #22"
"By the goddess, we're getting crowded down there. How's Barnacle-1?"
"They're in hover near contact designated Charlie-2. I'm reading hull popping noises, contacts are coming shallow."
"Tell Barnacle 1 and 2 to arm torpedoes. If those things break the surface we are to fire." Changing over frequency the commander of the Helicopter radioed back to his ship. "Tailfin to Sandshark, We have four contacts coming shallow. Five hundred, repeat five-zero-zero yards from your position bearing 336 degrees, repeat three-three-six."

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Inside the Submarines

"This will be another deadly strike against the wimpering dogs of Eris." The Captain informed his first officer.
"Indeed it will sir. Those anarchic bastards will never dream of space again. Instead they will cower from our might and beg us to show mercy on them."
"And we of course, will have none." The captain replied with a sadistic grin. "Prepare the launch tubes. Surface!"

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Tailfin

"They're coming up!"
"Weapons live! Barnacle-1 and 2 you are cleared to fire!"
"Locked onto target Oscar-1. Weapons free! Climb!" the excited weapons officer yelled into the microphone. Beneath the helicopter a single torpedo released, plunging head first into the water where its motor kicked in and its seeker head began to ping for its target."

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Oscar-1

"Torpedo in the water!" Screamed the sonarman of Oscar-1, whose captain had moments ago been discussing the destruction of the Erisians.
"Full speed ahead! Left full flank! And for god's sake, fire those missiles while we can!"
"Sir we can't fire them at flank speed they're only rated for-"
"I DON'T CARE! FIRE THEM!"

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The Engagement

Oscar-1 broke the surface as her engines clawed their way towards flank speed and engaged in a tight turn which tipped the boat at a 20 degree angle. The torpedo that made them lurch so, was only a few hundred meters behind, and having acquired the fat submarine was closing the distance fast. A single missile lept from the launch tubes of Oscar-1, its exhaust burning a trail through the night sky and illuminating the hovering helicopter. As the next missile attempted to launch, the seawater breaking over the bowroced the missile, causing it to lurch against the launch tube just as it began to come free. The missile broke in half, igniting instantly and blasting a huge hole through the bow of the submarine. The forward torpedo room was flooded instantly, but the sea wall held, preventing the flooding from reaching the rest of the ship which lost power almost instantaneously. The closing torpedo then struck directly aft of the ship, lifting the propellor section clean out of the water. The two aft-most compartments filled rapidly, killing those who survived the explosion almost instantly. The rest of the ship tipped upside down, and the top, now the bottom, lurched quickly beneath the waves and sank towards the bottom. Unfortunately for the crew in the middle section of the submarine, those water-tight bulkheads held, and with no hope of rescue, a grim fate awaited them.

The other submarines fared no better. Only the fourth contact managed to fire more than one missile before being struck with a torpedo. Amazingly, it did not sink but managed to creep away badly damaged while the Erisian ships and helicopters buzzed around on the surface seeking its destruction. The five total missiles never even came close to damaging the space center. They were intercepted well before they could come close to damaging the infant structures.

News Conference, Prime Minister's Residence, Kallisti City, 23Eris

"Today we have all seen the shocking footage taken from Danteri, and only hours ago, our own experts have verified the film as authentic. Also divers have examined the wreckage of submarines that fired on our space center in Skirpto. Those vessels too, though sailing without markings were of Spartan make.

This unprovoked agression by the nation of Reformed Sparta can not and shall not go unanswered. One hour ago in an emergency closed sesion with Parliament, I recieved the mandate to declare and send our country to war with the nation of Reformed Sparta.

Today I have ordered the Kallisti, our nation's first aircraft carrier to sail from port. Though she is not 100 percent operable, she is more than capable of making our presence felt wherever she may go. I am also calling for the creation of four new divisons to be added to the Erisian Defense Force.

To Zukariaa, we offer our apologies for accusing you, unjustly, of attacks on our people and we hope that relations between our great nations can one day improve. However we recognize that Zukariaa still illegitimately holds large portions under its control and has subjucated thousands, perhaps millions of innocents under its oppressive boot. While we do not wish for war with Zukariaa, we will continue to support our friends in the legitimate government of Danteri.

We extend our thanks to the valiant troops of Danteri without whose aid the identity of these attackers might have gone unknown, plunging our nation into war with the state of Zukariaa. We recognize that Danteri is locked into a desperate struggle with the Zukariaans, trying to drive the Zukariaan government from the shores of Danteri. While we must look after the needs of the peoples of 23Eris first, we cannot abandon an ally as valiant as the Danteri people.

The divisions currently deployed in Danteri will remain. Territory under the protection of 23Eris in southaven will be expanded and any incursions into this territory by any third party intending to seize the land for themselves or to cause injury to the Danteri people will not be tolerated. In addition, we will continue to allow and support those in Danteri who seek refuge in our nation. Our borders will never be closed to any who need our aid or who seek a better life.

In order to aid the Danteri government in its time of crisis, Parliament has authorized a three billion dollar subsidy and the donation of 55 F-16 aircraft which had been scheduled for retirement at year's end as well as munitions and small arms.

May the goddess bless our people and those of our allies and friends."
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The carrier battle group formed up within one day and sailed southwards out of Goddess' Bay to the open sea. The surface ships were escorted by a dozen diesel electric submarines that had already been at sea and were racing to patrol stations ahead of the emerging aircraft carrier.

In Discordia and the damaged naval yard, a second, smalle fleet was forming. It consisted of transport ships of all kinds and a few anti-submarine escorts. Thousands of Erisian troops arrived at the city every hour from bases in the southwest. Soon, the entire second armored divison would be loaded and ready to emabark for Sparta.

Command Bunker, Sparta, Reformed Sparta

"Damn!" roared Kratevatis as he watched the footage of his soldier being tortured and revealing his identity for the world to see. His plan had been nearly perfect. The Erisians and Zukariaans seemed sure to begin warring with one another, now this fool hadn't avoided capture and talked! Now the Erisians knew it was his nation and had declared war. Already his spied told him their fleet was on the move, though he did not know the destination with any certainty. The city of sparta was about 25 miles inland from the coast, along the river Eurotas, so the mouth of the river would be a logical place for an attack. Indeed he had already begun plans for fortifiaction of the town of Gytheion the capital's seaport.

Battalions of troops were being called up and sent to forward positions around the country, his people would show these 'Erisians' that Sparta could not and would not be defeated.

0300 Hours, Reformed Sparta

High flying radar jamming planes had been scrambling the Spartan radar systems for the past fifteen minutes. The Erisians knew that they had to work fast, as it wouldn't be long before the Spartan radar systems burned through the jamming.

Behind the jamming craft, low flying SU-33 aircraft skimmed over the trees and hills flying as quickly as they could to thier target. As they closed withing fifty nautical miles of their target, the trio of aircraft popped up and engaged their own seek and destroy radars. Each found their target, a single Spartan AWACS aircraft escoprted by two Mig-29 Aircraft. The Erisian planes each fired off a pair of AIM-54 Phoenix missiles before switching off their radars and engaging afterburners for a quick trip home.

As more Spartan radars lit up searching for these planes, another group of fighters escorting the Jammers began launching off anti-radar missiles.

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0310, Off the Coast of Reformed Sparta

The Erisian fleet began firing its missiles. Hundreds of Tomahawk land attack missiles as well as SS-N-26 Land Attack variant cruise missiles left the ships of the fleet on their way to targets within the nation of Sparta.

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0320, Tainaron Peninsula, Reformed Sparta
Twenty large tranport planes, escorted by fighters launched from the Kallisti and led by radar jamming planes made their way over the peninsula. Doors on the transports swung open and moments later, hundreds of parachutists began plunging from the aircraft before opening their chutes and gliding gracefully to the ground below. Their task was to seize key points on the penisula and clear landing zones for the main force that would follow behind at dawn.

Reformed Sparta

The ferocity and suddenness of the 23Eris attacks on Sparta was a rude shock to those who had led the government into this confrontation. The sudden los of the nation's sole AWACS aircraft and its two escorts was a catastrophe for the Spartan airforce. In vain, ground units began to light up their radar, revealing their positions to the circling Erisian planes who were waiting for this moment. Dozens more Spartan radars were obliterated by the missiles that sought them out, doing irreparable harm to the air defenses of the country.

On Spartan airfields, aircraft were loaded with fuel and missiles and geared for launch, and about two dozen actually made it into the air; then the cruise missiles arrived. Armed with mini-bomblets many of the aircraft on the ground were struck, expolding with their weapons and fuel, adding to the devestation. Runways were littered with small craters and in several cases, small unexploded bombs that waited to be disturbed where they would explode, killing those who tried to remove them. Still other missiles hit Spartan weapons depots, gun emplacements, and fuel storage areas, all detected from satellite photographs. The devestation was nearly complete. In less than an hour Sparta's military might and effectiveness was heavily damaged.

On the peninsula the Erisian troops met little resistance and were able to seize key bridges and other points before the Spartan's could organize an effective response. Only in the city of Tainaron itself, occupied by a small brigade of infantry, did the Spartan's resist.

The ships landing the second armored division hit the beaches precisely five minutes before the sun broke free from the horizon. The first two brigades neaded north to secure the beachheads, while two battalions of the third brigade moved south to surround the city of Tainaron.

A battalion of engineers quickly began work on the Tainaron airfield located 1 mile outside the city limits, securing the position and effecting what repairs were needed to get the base up and running. Within three hours, the airfield was operational ad less than an hour after that, the first planes began to land.

In the north of the Peninsula, the Erisian advance moved quickly over the secured chokepoints and by the end of the day, the town of Teuthrone had fallen and Oitylos was surrounded, just behind the Erisian lines which halted their advance for the evening.

All across Sparta, the air attacks continued, blasting bridges in rear areas and attacking columns of vehicles moving along roads and trains that were heading for the frontlines. Only the cities of Sparta were spared from attack.

On the peninsula, the stubborn city of Tainaron continued to hold out. The Major commanding the unit inside refusing to surrender and the Erisians unwilling to advance into the city.

Kratevatis slammed his fist down on his desk in frustration. The constant aerial attacks had crippled his ability to send orders to his troops in the field, and now the Erisians had a viable beach head and had seized most of the Tainaron peninsula.

Kratevatis' troops had been setting up temporary broadcast antennae near the capital, but they never lasted long. So far the record was seventeen minutes and fifty-four seconds. 'Surely the Erisians would run out of missiles and bombs soon?' he fumed to himself, preparing the next set of orders he would broadcast while he still had an operating transmitter.

A half an hour later, the latest Spartan transmitter was up and broadcasting orders to Spartan units across the country. Soon, troops began to move southwards, looking to contain the Erisian landing.

In Tyros, the Spartan fleet began to fire up their boilers, building up steam for a showdown with the Erisian fleet.

OOC: Yes, Sparta and I work much of this stuff out in advance so no, its not godmod

IC: Throughout the next day, transport planes arrived one after another, disembarking hundreds of troops at a time. Within eight hours, the entirity of the 2nd Infantry divison had arrived in Sparta, though without it's usual compliment of heavy equipment. That would be arriving the next day via transport ship.

No sooner had the second landed, organized and begun to deploy than elements of the 1st Air Cavalry divison began to arrive. The Tainaron peninsula was secure, save for the city of Tainaron itself which was cut off from supplies and would surely in a matter of days, fall to the forces surrounding it,

In the north, the 2nd Armored Division began to advance once more. Finally the troops there began to meet real resistance on the part of the Spartans. The 106th Armored Brigade encountered a Spartan armored unit and began to engage. The Spartan unit was well equipped, but timely aerial support tipped the tide in favor of the Erisian unit. Despite the loss of ten T-80s of the 106th, the Spartan unit suffered four times that number of tanks crippled or destroyed and was forced into a full scale retreat.

On the western side of the Peninsula, the city of Oitylos capitulated, surrendering the few sqads of Spartan soldiers within to the surrounding Erisian units.

The Armored Brigades on the western end of the peninsula began to move east following the fall of Oitylos, and were being replaced i forward positions by the men of the 2nd Infantry who worked to build tough defensive positions that would completely secure the Erisian hold on the peninsula.

The advance in the east continued northwards. Soon the armored units would be completely free of the hilly terrain and onto the grasslands that held the port city of Gytheion, which was linked to the city of Sparta via the river Eurotas. Capturing Gytheion would cut off Sparta's capital from the sea, crippling Sparta's supply efforts, and give the Erisians a true deep water port which would make their own supply efforts easier.

Outskirts of Gytherion

Corporal Tibalinos ducked behind his makeshift shelter as the Erisian jets screamed overhead. He cursed the inneffectivenss of his own countries airforce and the inability of their SAM defenses to stop these aerial attacks. On the ground he knew his fellow Spartans were every bit a match for the Erisian troops, possibly even better than they were. They were certainly more highly trained, though more of the troops of 23Eris had actual combat experience.
As the bombs rained down behind his position he screamed a curse into the ground he huddled against. He could hear in the distance as his hearing cleared, the rumble of enemy armored units approaching. He checked his rifle and lifeted his head from the dirt mound in front of him to see. There ahead and to his right, a trio of T-80s advancing. He moved into a crouch and dashed wildly for a barnhouse that still stood after the bombing. Behind he could hear the mad rat-tat-tat of a machinegun, but whether it sought his death or someone elses he did not know or care.
The rumble grew louder, there wasn't anything he could do, he only had his rifle. It couldn't pierce the thick armpored hide of those behemoths, and where was the rest of his platoon? Had they been kille dby the bombing? They had been ordered to secure this farm and await reinforcements that would arrive shortly. That had been three hours ago with no sign of relief. He peered around the corner of the barn and could see the metallic monsters moving forward, overrunning what was left of the Spartan defensive position. Those Erisian bombs had fallen accurately, right into the trenches, killing his comrades with a brutal effeciency that impressed even this Spartan.
It seemed pointless to fight now. His unit was destroyed, Reinforcements were not coming, yet he was a Spartan, born an bred for war and would not submit to the conquest of an inferior nation. He checked himself once more and took a deep breath, what he was about to do was foolish and would probably avail him nothing, but he had to try.
With a wild scream, Tibalinos ran from behind the barn to the wrecked trench. He could see clutched in the dead hand of his former friend a Spartan anti-tank rocket. The Erisian tanks had already passed the trench, they never saw him, though the infantry following at a distance did. He could hear the rounds zinging off the ground and zipping past him as he ran. He simply dropped his rifle and dove at the last moment for the weapon, securing it and coming up ina roll. Someone must have warned the tanks, for one began to turn in his direction its turrent swinging ahead of the rest of its body.
Tibalinos ignored the threat and came up on one knee, the rocket launcher over a shoulder as he took aim at one of the rolling monsters. He felt a sudden sharp pain in his left side, like the stinging of a large bee, but he ignored it. Then another and another jolt of pain hit him. He suddenly felt weak, tired and his vision began to blur. With a growl of frustration he checked his aim again, then depressed the trigger on the weapon. Two more rounds stuck him in the back just after he fired. The tank tried to move, tried to run from the slow moving missile, but at this short range there was nothing it could do.
As Tibalinos' vision began to darke he could see the explosion as his missile struck the vehicle and the sudden eruption of flame that consumed the crew inside, destroying any life in the metal mass. With a smile on his face he looked up as he fell onto his back, and looked up to see the faces of four Erisian troops who had come to gloat over his fall. With his dying breath he managed a weak, "For Sparta" releasing his grip on the primed grenade he held weakly in his left hand.

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Command Bunker, Sparta, Reformed Sparta

"Sir, our armored units are being massacred. We can't even engage the damned Erisians armor without their thrice damned airplanes come and blow the hell out of our best vehicles," complained General Kotsupolos.

"Well then find a way to stop their airforce!" Screamed Dictator Kratevatis in a rage. "I ordered you not to retreat! To hold the city of Gytherion at all costs! And then, then what do you do? YOU FALL BACK!"

"Sir, I only ordered the retreat becuse our units were overextended and in danger of being surrounded or overrun."

"I don't care about those damn units being overrun! Do you realize what this means politically? No one will come to our aid? How can they now? Our most important port has fallen. The enemy is less than 25 miles from the capital! This is your damn fault you fool!"

"My fault?" The general asked, shocked and starting to fel his own anger buring. "How are you accuse me of this fiasco. You foolishly started this war! You risked everything on teh chance that the Erisians would be stupid enough to begin a war with the Zukariaans. You underestimated their leader, woman though she is, throughout this entire matter!"

"How dare you accuse me? I am your commander! You will do as I order, now I want a full scale counter attack on the Erisians to begin immediatly!"

"With what? Half-organized infantry? We have no intact armored units and our artillery is savaged the moment it begins firing. I believe the only reason this bunker hasn't been destroyed yet is because it is underneath our capital and the Erisians have so far refrained from attacking urban areas."

"Then they are fools, and so too general are you." snarled Kratevatis. "You will order the attack or I will have you shot."

Kotsupolis glared at the Dictator for a moment then saluted sharply before storming out.

Across the Spartan lines, units gathered in the darkness of night, desperately trying to reform and hold together, and now, preparing for a suicidal attack against the Erisian armored spearhead.

Meanwhile, the Spartan fleet put to sea.

High up in a stationary orbit over the nation of Reformed Sparta, Looking Glass-1, one of a now dozen spy satellites in operation by 23Eris noted the departure of the Spartan fleet from Tyros. Data on the composition, heading, and speed was sent digially to the military intelligence units operating the satellite. Within minutes this news was sent via secure transmission to the Erisian fleet admiral.

Knowing the Spartan fleet was less than a days travel away, the Admiral suspended offensive air operations over Spatan territory and rearmed the planes for air-to-ar and air-to-ship operations. The submarines that escorted the fleet were redeployed well outside the perimiter to hunt down and destroy any Spartan submarines that might approach.

The Kallisti and its escorts set up a defensive perimiter. The close escorts set up a screen about 5NM from the carrier, while the outer screen was almost 25NM large.

Meanwhile, the Unconditional, one of two Kirov class battlecruisers operating in the Erisian navy formed up about 1NM from the carrier. She would provide close air defense for the Erisian flagship.

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On land, the Erisians acepted thesurrender of Gytheion and began to dig in a few miles north of the city. The tanks and soldiers had strecthed their supply lines to the lmit and would need to wait for the resupply vechicles to catch up before making the push on Sparta. With the bridges over the Eurotas river blown, Eastern Sparta was effectively cut off from the Erisian advance on the west bank, allowing the invading troops to post only a light screen of pickets on the right flank which was secured by the river.

The left flank was unsecured by any such geographic aid, and with the extent of the advance, the Erisian line was stretched thin and had gaping holes in some areas. Still, as long as they held the initiative and Sparta remained too disorganized to attack, the enemy could not exploit this weakness.

The Land War in Sparta

The remnants of three Spartan divisions were all that stood between the damnable Erisians and the Capital. A reserve division was stationed in Sparta itself, but its troops were untried, untested and could surely ot stand up to the Erisians in an open battle.

The commanders of these divisions tried to make sense of their orders, attacK? Attack with what? Still, they were Spartan and they would obey thier leaders.

Two hours before dawn, the Spartan units began to advance. While many quickly encountered alert resistance from the invaders, others found the lighly defended gaps in the Erisian lines. A platoon of Spartan troops broke through and ambushed a supply convoy bringing fuel and ammunition to the Erisian units. The convoy was quiickly surrounded and after destroying the lead and rear vehicles, the rest were offered a chance to surrender or be killed. The Erisians chose surrender.

The prisoners, 14 men and 3 women were quickly brought behind the Spartan lines and rushed back to the capital. There, they would be tortured for information and held as hostages against the Erisian advance.

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The War at Sea

If the war on land was proving to be a disaster for the Spartans, the war at sea was even worse. Three submarines had been destroyed by the Erisian sub-hunter Kilos and another two damaged. The surface fleet had come under continual heavy aerial attack which ravaged the ships. Though they anti-air and missile defense took a slight toll on the attacking warplanes, the Spartan fleet suffered disproportionate losses. By mid-morning, the fleet was down to half strength and was just now reaching missile range.

The remaining ships began to shoot off their missiles at the Erisians who of course responded in kind. In minutes over three hundred missiles were zipping through the air at supersonic speeds.

Most of the initial Spartan missile volley was intercepted before it came near the Erisian fleet. A few stray missiles snuck past and all but one, which destroyed an Erisian corvette were struck down by Erisian CIWS equipment.

While the Kallisti continued to race westward, the Unconditional and other Erisian vessel contined to close with the Spartans, firing off volley after volley of missiles, determined to destroy the Spartan fleet once and for all.

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1st Air Cavalry HQ, Sparta

Lieutenant General Amanda Lillis barked out orders into her phone. Spartan units had counterattacked this morning and nearly cut off the 2nd Armored. Her unit was driving hard to cut off and destroy those Spartan units that had broken through the lines.

She could hear the roar of attack helicopters through the fabric roof of her command tent as they streamed by overhead, heading for a front that no longer existed. Now rather, the battle had become a series of mixed engagements. All over the line, her troops were pushing the Spartans back and it would only be a matter of time till they broke. She felt confident enough now to release the brigade she had held in reserve. Those men and women loaded up into their transport choppers, the large chinook helicopters warming up behind them, carrying the heavy equipment that would accompany the unit. Their objective was to capture a vital section of the major highway that connected Sparta to Gytheion. If they could hold that, they could cut off the retreating Spartan units and pin them between the units advancing from the south, and the airborne brigade.

War at Sea

The fire from the Erisian warships was too much for the Spartan fleet. Their ships, smaller, older, and less equipped to fight a modern naval battle was simply overwhelmed. They died though like true Spartan heroes. Not a single ship surrendered to the enemy. Those vessels which survived the counterattack, out of missiles and knowing they would be destroyed long befor etheir guns would be useful, simply scuttled themselves to prevent capture, many of the crew killing themselves rather than fall into the hands of their hated enemy. Some of the more rational Spartans did however manage to climb onboard life-boats, where they awaited rescue from the Erisian navy.

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War on Land

General Kotsupolis sat in his command vehicle, glaring down at the map which detailed the current situation. He had divisions across Sparta that hadn't been committed yet to battle, but with the transportation network under serious attack, he couldn't bring them to the front in time to help. He ordered them to try, to abandon anything that would slow them down, but still, their movements were too slow.

Gods damn Kratevatis. That fool had overruled his plan to defend the shores of Sparta, making the same mistake as the Germans did when the allies invaded France. Instead of stationing powerful armored units near the beaches, they were far inland unable to react quickly. The Erisians like the allies in that war used their air supremacy to devestate the transportation and communications networks, paralyzing the Spartan reaction.

Kotsupolis cursed again under his breath. He knew what needed to be done. He had learned of the utter defeat of the Spartan Navy, the destruction of the air force had been completed long before. Though it still had someplanes, they refused to take to the skies, what was the point? They would be flying blinded, without any guidance from the ground. To launch them was pointless. The army though, it still survived, barely. Kotsupolis began to signal unit commanders who he knew would support him preparing to remove Kratevatis from power and save his nation.

Unfortunately for Kotsupolis, the Erisians had been monitoring radio communications, and knew the Spartans had been trying to coordinate an effort to stop their advance. The Erisian air force had begun to concentrate on eliminating communications points, further crippling the enemy to ensure no other counterattack like the one this morning could occur. A circling Erisian jet launched a missile at the coordinates reported to him before returning to base. The missile ran fast and true, Kotsupolis, in his command vehicle, with no radar to warn him of the attack never even had time to scream before he and his vehicle were utterly consumed in a terrible fireball.

For now, the slaughter would continue.

Counterattack!

With the counterattack blunted, the Erisians began to drive northward once again. The 2nd Armored was in the vanguard, its T-80s crushing the opposition and the Erisian's vaunted airpower oblitering Spartan hardpoints, leaving little for the ground forces to do but mop up resistance.

Spartan troops though proud and fiercly loyal to their country began to surrender in droves. What could they do otherwise? It was either surrender or simply be wiped out from the air before they could even attack an Erisian soldier. The plan of attack worked as well as Lieutenant General Lillis had hoped. The retreating Spartan units had encountered the 1st Air Cavalry and had been unable to break through that stubborn unit. Trapped between them and the 2nd Armored, they simply gave up or died where they stood.

By nightfall over 30,000 Spartan soldiers from a confusing mix of shattered units surrendered to the troops of 23Eris.

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Erisian Special Forces

With Spartan radar systems down, the Special Forces units were free to insert themselves wherever they wished around the country. The commanders of 23Eris forces had decided they would be best used to further disrupt Spartan support operations. Further crippling the Spartan war machine. Armed with electronic intelligence as to the location of a major Spartan HQ under the mountains near Pellana, the Special forces were airdropped in under the cover of darkness. They brought no heavy equipment with them, this was to be a quick strike and their orders were to destroy the HQ and capture as many high profile Spartan leaders as they could.

Only a handful of the troops had been injured during the insertion, mostly minor injuries to legs that would prevent them from moving quickly. These men were left behind to defend the extraction point while the rest pressed ahead with the mission. Within an hour they reached the outskirts of the facility. The surface structure was surrounded by high electrical fencing and complete with guard towers. The fencing was not lit for fear of attracting attention from Erisian bombers. Special forces units surrounded the permiter and silenced sniper rifles began to do their work. The men in the towers were silenced quickly and efficiently.
The special forces then moved in. Using special non-conductive tools they easily put holes in the fencing and slipped through. Guard patrols were eliminated using special silenced submachine guns or knives and within a minute, the surface was secure. While a pair of squads began to tackle the main entrance to the facility, another squad infiltrated the ventilation system, using it to penetrate deep into the facility.
This latter squad made their way to the power room of the facility, blowing the generators and cutting all power to the complex. Spartan troops, ill-equipped to fight in near pitch black conditions, lacking the modern sighting equpiment of the Erisians, panicked and were cut down in droves.
The entire operation lasted less than three hours including travel time. In the end there had been 3 Erisian spec ops soldiers killed and 14 injured. The in turn captured nearly a dozen high ranking Spartan leaders and recovered several high value intelligence documents, including codes for the Spartan encryption system.

Having had a temporary transmitter set up, Kratevatis began to broadcast video of the Erisian captives taken during the counterattack. All were dressed in their uniforms, though the soldiers were battered and bruised. All appeared to have been tortured to some extent.The camera slowly panned over them as Kratevatis spoke.

"We Spartans will never surrender to the fools of 23Eris. We are a valiant and glorious nation that will never know defeat! The pathertic armies of the Erisian will cease their advances and withdraw their forces from our nation or we will execute all prisoners taken in this conflict." As the camera began to pan across the female prisoners, one a rather attractive young brunette wearing a corporals insignia, Kratevatis' voice continued, "Some I will take a rather personal interest in, as I am sure many of my men will as well. You have twenty-four hours!" The young woman in the video showed no raction to the words, simply staring blankly ahead before the transmission ended.

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"We can not allow this," General Zorbas stated. "The Erisians will not be deterred by the torture of a few of their soldiers by a madman. We have lost this war because we underestimated the effect of their air power. We must make peace!"

"How? Kratevatis will never allow it!" argued General Sabakis.

"I have a plan." replied the first general. "You see, the 57th reserve infantry stationed in Sparta is one of my divisions. Do nothing, in less than 12 hours, we will have peace."

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It had started as a rumor, coupists had seized the dictatorial palace and taken Kratevatis into custody. The men of the 57th, hearing these rumors and led by a cadre of officers and men personally loyal to General Zorbas marced into the city, engaging the Dictator's personal guard, the infantrymen being told the guard had turned traitor.

The battle itself took less than an hour. Kratevatis had died in his office, gun in hand an dshouting for the death of the traitors. Less than fifteen minutes later, Zorbas announced that Kratevatis had been killed in an attempted coup and that he had taken control of the government until order could be restored. He also asked for an immediate truce with the Erisians to be followed by peace talks and offered an immediate release of all Erisian prisoners.

Sparta - The Surrender

Two hours after the announcement made by the new Spartan leadership, the guns, tanks, and planes of the Erisians fell silent. In a field seperating units of the two armies, a trio of Erisian helicopters landed. Earlier several platoons of special ops forces had been deployed to the area to provide additional cover for the general.

Across the field, three Spartans and about a dozen other people advanced. The others were blindfolded and handcuffed and advanced in front of two armed Spartan guards. The whole group was led by a rather tall elderly man in a beige trenchcoat wearing teh insignia of a general in the Spartan Army.

Walking ou two meet him were Erisian General Lillis and two of the Special Forces operatives. The goups met and Lillis offered her hand to the Spartan who reluctantly took it. 'He must be infuriated at having been beaten by a woman,' Lillis thought, with a slightly smug grin as she looked up at the taller man.

"We have brought the prisoners as we agreed." The Spartan stated matter-of-factly, then turning to his guards barked out an order to remove the blindfolds and release them. Looking back to General Lillis he added, "I assure you, none of my men harmed the prisoners, though I am sorry to say they did not fare as well under the care of Kratevatis."

"I thank you for their release General." Lillis answered, nodding to her men to escort the prisoners back to her lines. The Spartan general also dismissed his troops, leaving the two Generals in between the warring parties to discuss the terms of peace.

"What terms do you offer general?" asked the Spartan, shuffling uncomfortably. He was not used to being forced to ask such a question.

"We demand an immediate surrender of all your armed forces. All aircraft will fly to designated airfirelds where they will be confiscated by my forces, all suviving naval units will return to port for inspection, and all submarines will be turned over to my nation. All armed forces currently engaged on the front lines with Erisian troops will lay down arms and surender themselves within 24 hours. You will allow us free range to inspect any and all facilities we wish within your nation for evidence of development of weapons of mass destruction, and if such evidence is found, to close, permanently any such installations.

"Lastly, and this condiion is laid upon me by my superiors, you will immediatly recognize 23Eris, sign a non-aggression pact, and agree to pay an indemnity of 100 billion dollars to repair damage done by your unprovoked attacks on my country."

The Spartan clenched his jaw and balled is fists in anger but in the end all he could do was nod meekly and agree to the terms. His nation could not win and further loss of life was utterly pointless. "Agreed, but you will recognize my government. The new government of Sparta, that of Zorbas, Tyrant of Reformed Sparta."

"Agreed," replied Lillis. Her own government had given her the power to make and agree to terms, so long as the war ended quickly and without further pointless loss of life. Also, war was expensive and with all the aid being sent to Danteri and the refugees pouring in from that nation, the budget was already stretched. A quick peace here, would ease the financial burdens of her nation.

A week after the truce had been agreed to, representatives from both nations sat down to sign the formal peace agreement. The Spartans swallowed their pride and agreed to each of the conditions for peace demanded by the Erisians, though the Spartan navy scuttled the last of its submarines, leaving only is patrol boats, which were quickly returned, to fall into Erisian hands. The Spartan airforce was dismantled, the remining planes being flown to 23Eris and there awaited a final judgement on their fate.

Inspections of various sites around Reformed Sparta began, and though the Erisians found and destroyed several tons of the precursors for chemical weapons, it is likely more were hidden away.

Sparta recognized the right of 23Eris to exist, agreed to the non-agression pact with their former colony, and made plans to pay the 100 billion indemnity.

Satisfied with the results, the Erisians began to withdraw troops within weeks of the final treaty. Of course the treaty had not demanded a change in the governance of Sparta, and now that Kratevatis had gone, Zorbas had come to fill his shoes.

Zorbas made his first major public speech not long after the finalizing of the treaty. "Fellow Spartans, we were betrayed. Our former leader, the Dictator Kratevatis sought to glorify himself and not our nation. His foolishness and pride led us into a defeat which has tarnished our national pride and our glory.

I promise you, the people of Sparta, I promise you all that I shall not repeat the mistakes of Kratevatis. Under my rule, the rule of Tyrant Zorbas, Sparta will once again rise to the greatness that has for centuries marked our people. For Sparta!"