NationStates Jolt Archive

[Prologue]

Camera strobes flashed, like so much lightening in the dark of the early evening sky. Arrayed before a podium and within the hallowed grounds, so sacred to the Haruspex, a vision of doom spread forth for as far as the eye could see. Jumbo trinitron screens projected the image of a woman, in her early thirties. Surrounded by officers and cleric's, adorned in a uniform as well. As black as the armor that shown upon the troops facing. Stepping forward, allowing the microphones and the televisions to capture before preparation need be made. Loyal soldiers, crusaders for our cause and goal. The time nears, our neighbors grow weary, and our long enemy is awake once more. The word of our progress shall reach many, and they will know we are prepared. We are coming, like the storm, and there will be no mercy to the fallen weak.

No applause, just silence as Fayh, Empress of the Principality stood there, under the glare of a light. The words came forth, as she pumped her arms and delivered action with each spoken word. To the tune of the band soon playing, she and her command staff took to standing while the parade began. This display and her speech had been made for the cameras, for the satellites in orbit, and for those who might be listening. She wanted them to hear, to see, to witness the rebirth of the fascist nation of the Haruspex. To allow them warning, allow them, the free world, a sight of the future to come.

Row after row of Haruspex armor, glistening ebony against the lights. Thundering upon the road, the vibration made one shake back and forth as the behemoths of tread and wheel rolled slowly past. Commanders in the cupolas visible, arms outward, right hand in a fist gesture of salute. S-80U Main Battle Tanks, that was the class that was presented here. Following behind, armored personnel carriers of the HIA 80-AT type, HIA 70-AT and others. Rank and file soldiers followed, entire legions of ground infantry in unison, goose stepping boots revebrated as a solid thumping sound, as the soldiers with heads turned to the right, HIA-971 rifles upon shoulder. Thousands of them, marching twenty across in legions of four hundred apiece. Each spaced by a senior officer of the Prata-Khan rank. This was the display for the world.

The beginning had come and while the military parade continued on, it was distraction, while other units already moving way towards the border of their age old nemesis, the Cussians. War was hoped for and the actions to come, would make it so.

[Chapter 1]

Venenum,
Haruspex Border city nearest Cussian line..0300
Below ground.

Kenyet Abera watched the landscape of the border through the eyes of cameras, scanning it for threats. Down below him on other levels, six thousand troops awaited to disembark, their rifles cleaned and being re cleaned to pass the time. Practice sword fights carried out, hand to hand combat training and religious duties carried out as days would pass into weeks. Soon enough they would stream out from the dummy buildings by the border, in armored vehicles and what not, minutes after the elite airborne units had captured the enemy held passes. From there, his troops would setup and begin artillery strikes at targets further within Cussian territory.

He was old. Approaching the upper thirties, a member of the Ka'et warrior caste. Honored many times for service, and of equivalent to a general in any other army. Commanding close to twenty five thousand soldiers. His aides were a woman, and another man. Both were well trained, the woman a member of the Dalharil d' Olath Vlos , as the man was that of Dalharuk d' Olath Vlos. Or in the translated tongue, Daughter of Dark Blood, and Son of Dark Blood.

Upon receiving word from the element of command that the Cussian's and their potential allies were to be given no quarter, the warriors had gone on alert and begun to ready for the inevitable conflict destined to come forth. They would arrive soon..and when they did..the war would be their honor.

[Chapter 2]

Kenyet Abera slowly made his way down the surface level corridor, to the elevator that would descend through rock and steel to the underground docking area. It was here that beneath the stone and earth, beneath layers of lead, steel and iron, a thousand kilometers of road could be viewed. On that road, soldiers stretched as far as his eyes could see. There was no end, just a sea of black hard armor, turrets and what not. There were more then just a few thousand, or tens of thousands, no this was the push of the century. War of millions about to breach the borderlands between Haruspex and Beautancus.

Shake of head slowly, looking upon the force from above, and then to the boot steps that sounded the arrival of none other then Siet-Khan Yaris. He was younger then Abera, but had already been shown his place in the pit of trial, after attempting early on to usurp command from it's rightful owner. A nasty scar split the left eyelids upper and lower and looked as if it would never heal fully. It was nothing personal at the time and still wasnt, his second had taken to his place and had yet the nerve to challenge again. Which meant he could be trained in all the things Abera knew. The guttural tongue that is native Haru spilled forth, common was for foreigners.Ussta drada, dos ph' al. Vel'bol zhah l' bel'la d'lil tangi?

Yaris grinned wickedly, then turned and made nod of head to walk towards the steps leading down. A small area had been converted into a dojo like area, though there were no mats. Just stains of blood and the occasional broken shard of tooth. Agony screamed in the walls of this place and surrounding the steps, breaking off for Yaris and himself, a dozen soldiers of the Renor Xukuth were present. They wore battle fatigues, though no weaponry.

Once Yaris and Abera had arrived, two went into the ring while Yaris spoke. Ussta drada, dos ph' al. Vel'bol zhah l' bel'la d'lil tangi? Abera nodded again as the battle commenced. The short blades, about the size of a tanto were wielded in the left hand. The Ji, a sub officer that he was not aware of swung about in a cross slice maneuver, a common mistake. Going for a killing blow at the start. The upset that brought cheers, was the block by the Kenyet and twist of the offending arm, thus throwing the officer's body to the ground. Soon cries for blood erupted on either side's comrades, as booted feet came up with a back flip and impacted into the Kenyet's jaw, sending the man reeling backwards, bloody at the mouth.

Rage over took the Kenyet and this mistake proved fatal as the Ji sidestepped the charge, wrapping arms about the man's neck and with split second approval from Abera's, made twisting motion that resulted in an audible bone snapping sound. The lifeless body of Kenyet Hua fell to the ground and Ji Kos raised the blade above head in horizontal position.

[Chapter 3]

The trip to the Hall of Justice and Order within the city of Hades, wasn't an exceptionally long one. A straight shot as it were from landing pad of the docks to that of the restricted zone of the massive building's heliports. Within the center of all the city state itself, no other building, not even the protectorate wall, stood higher then it. Gun turrets, both on said building and the wall, other various buildings numbered in the thousands. All pointed away, and out towards the hostile world about them. A marvelous thing to consider as the Osprey climbed from the lower city docks towards it's destination.

It's cargo, General Kaorin, not a woman to be trifled with and whom also served as a representative to the world on occasion. Those with her, personal guards. A matter of trying importance, continuation of their livelihood without inference by the UN. The plans for the Haruspex could indeed become reality if they struck quickly, catching the world off guard. Musings really as thoughts strayed towards the United Nations. When they werent busy pointing fingers at each other, they were involving themselves in business that did not concern them. The latest bit, being the advanced weapons design and whom it was sold to. Every nation had their trademarks, their national export no? Fools!

A light grumble on that note as the aircraft settled slowly upon touch down. Green light flickered on as the co-pilot turned round his head and bared the sleek helmet and visor. The face could not be seen, indeed the uniform worn matched the hue of the helm. The diagonal iron cross emblem of their flag upon shoulder. Your cleared for departure Sir. A stiff response noted, and she slowly arose, making way towards the entry hatch, following behind one of her armed guards. All of them wore the standard black dress formals, silver rope at right shoulder and berets atop heads. Firm grips upon the MP7A1 Submachine guns. Duck of head and the first guard was out and standing to the left, Kaorin made way to the surface of the pad, first guard once more taking the lead while the Osprey powered down, rotors slowing to a stop.

Awaiting at the beset of two titanium alloy doors, and a full garrison of the Empire's finest troops behind that, the Advisor to the Empress stood in formal garb also. A thin case held by gloved hand, bow of head some as Kaorin came closer. The Empress and the Executives await you General Kaorin. They are most curious as to your successes, and of what information you bring as per the United Nations.

Weary nod given to the smaller man, younger, probably straight from the seed corps no doubt. Approaching the double doors, the bar code inked upon the retina itself was scanned by the access point after keying in her security identity code. Mild case of blue spots seen after that, though Kaorin shook it off and stepped through the opening doors. Her own guard would stay behind, while those within would remain lining the wall and path towards the central area of the complex. This is where the higher ranked leaders and so forth came to, a code black command structure.

Cautiously making way in, salutes given to those who outranked her. Executives always did. The Empress of course saluted, she'd have been shot without questions being asked had she not. Executives, Empress, Honored Lords of this Land, I have met with the UN delegates and those who voiced their complaints, and found them to be weak and easily distracted with shiny objects and worthless signed pentions that we've little interest in fullfilling. On a side note, Project Pantheon is almost operational. The Cussian military will be in shock at the strike, and will no doubt attempt a counter-attack at which point, we will need to be ready for it.

General Kaorin, your words bring a smile to my face and no doubt a pleased feeling to the Executive Order. You will be given a months time to complete what is necessary. We will stall any interruption by the United Nations to allow your commanders time to do what they must. The Empress held true to an Asian heritage, and stood beside a throne of simple polished, curved metal. It held no ornate design and looked as the rest of the building did, unitarian.

The woman's outfit was that of a white gown, with sleeves. A pendent upon forehead, and necklace of platinum. The executives also wore white, though in the manner of three piece suits, while the military commanders like herself wore a simple and well tailored formal dress uniform.

Salute given and she strolled from the throne room, heading back down the long hallway that exited the command structure and to the heliport once more. There was work to be done, and an enemy to face again, once more.

[ Chapter 4 ]

Unlike many nations within the world at large, those citizens of The Principality crossed the barrier of immorality and grand indoctrination on a fanatical level. Not only did the empire of The Haruspex deliver on the ideas of such, but the proof was undeniable on the levels of the zealot might that if decided by the Empress, could be wielded with terrible results.

The recent move to stray from any and all contact with United Nation sources, created a large business entry point for them. With proper trade now established between pariah nations, technology for biological supplies. It was clear that the Haruspex thought nothing of plunging the rest of Europa into Armageddon

As one of the military commanders present during the brief meeting with General Kaorin, Commander Ferin listened attentively to the talk of an unknown project and in particular noted the behavior presented by the military officer. That he knew her, was also surprising, he had not expected her, a traditionalist to be the founder of this incursion design.

The so-called defense forces were more on the offensive then any one military in the world. The rumor of using uncivilized weapons also proliferated about many of the independent nations and their unwillingness to cross The Principality. A pause of inner workings to think on the current movements ahead for them all, they had to be very vigilant. It was safe to assume that Cussian spies had infiltrated the dominion of The Principality. Further security measures would need to be put in place.

Project Pantheon.. As such was at last stated, Ferin made mental notes to keep such in track, the recorded information as apart of a file to be sent towards the Triumvirate for dissecting. His presence was merely uniform for their Executive Order. By appearing in person, the Empire was assured of their continued supply of weapons and biotechnologies, while such worked hand in hand for the supply of high grade medical equipment and products to the peoples of the Haruspex.

Hands clasped each other behind back as he stepped forward and towards the Empress, performing a fluid salute with right arm outstretched forward, hand curled into fist before those in white as well as those in the dark black uniforms after the other military officer had left. I would assume that you wished of me to wait until General Kaorin had left?

A momentary pause and then the Empress, spoke. That is correct Commander Ferin. I want our security forces on high alert because of our proximity to the border. Tilt of his head, this was an order to be expected and relished. You and your house of Olath Orn shall be working in tandem with the general. Anything you require shall be made available. I want enemy spies found and executed. A faint dip of head, he bowed politely before excusing self and heading back towards quarters.

The Tagnik Zun ever unmoving beside the junctions in the walls, and their faces unseen because of the polished opaque visor of helmet. This unnerved him slightly. The Tagnik Zun were the Empress's personal guard and they numbered in the millions. They held no sworn oath to any lord, no power of command other then that of the Empress. For a force he could not monitor as a security officer, it made him commit a light quiver of lower lip and momentary chew of such by teeth before heading for the military heliport's to meet up with his old friend and now partner Kaorin.

[ Chapter 5 ]

Siet-Khan Druist snapped to attention just within the command post hatch leading down and into the very depths of the underground section of the Anathan stretch, a system of tunnels next to a river dam construction project and what not to the south and away from the city of Venenum. A more recent construction, it's entire purpose was that of military research and development. What prying eyes could not see from above and around, was free to build in earnest. The General appeared to be stressed, as was the case most of the time when returning from the Hall of Justice and Order.

He quickly moved to one side and spoke towards Kaorin as offering over a small electronic notepad, signifying the progress so far. Sir, we've acquired another twelve legions of troops, armor and pilots. They should be readied and standing for inspection by 0400 hours. A pause and then as the double doors opened to reveal one of several security centers, all focused on Project Pantheon. Also sir, the orders of targeting have come through from the Executive Order as to where and when.

Kaorin nodded her head faintly, things were going quite well, though the nagging feeling of something not being quite right still bothered, or rather chewed at her brain. A glance at the nearest image projector of another research project. Several researchers and scientists in class A NBC suits moved about the area, while a dozen or so technicians in white bunny suits labored on various sections of the aircraft in it's test phase. A so called stealth fighter that would give them a hard edge in the skies when it was ready. Supposedly. She didn't think much of the fighter pilots, preferring ground soldiers.

A disaster in the early stages of development had never made it to the Executive Order's ears, but it had come close. An earlier operation by code of Helius had annihilated a small colony just along the old border itself. Criminals had been blamed, so at the moment all was well.

Siet-Khan, have the security channels ready for hard encryption. We will transmit when our forces are at full capacity and ready to be green lighted. Alert all commanders of this and notify the Executives as well. A nod from Druist as he went about his duties, pda in hand, heading towards the communique station for transmitting of authentication transmit codes via the secured network in orbit under the guise of several communication and or civilian satellites. Heavy traffic soon flowed from the command center, to various ground commanders, the flight base commanders and the sea groups currently awaiting orders at Perya Naval base on the eastern coast of Haruspex.

Within minutes of receiving their respective commands, those that observed the Haru would notice a sudden flurry of activity from an overwhelming number of sources. Reserve units being called from stations at the east to the western front, dispersed along the atypical defensive points of the old border. Principality naval vessels steamed from safe harbors to a gathering point just before international waters. The naval force for one comprised of the 1st Navy. Premiere warships, elite crews and primarily a carrier strike force complimented by missile cruisers, anti-submarine vessels, submarines, destroyers, and several of the battleships of the line.

[ Chapter 6 ]

In underground release points around Venenum, whose city was actually a facade of a massive checkpoint in which vehicles and troops would disperse from towards the border, ground commanders passed orders of " At Ready " to their subordinates. Air groups meanwhile were on high alert as pilots from all over were called back to duty. A high increase in the number of airborne refueling tankers and electronic warfare aircraft could be seen just by the casual observer.

During all of this, the parades continued, the vehement speeches by the Empress. Promising a new destiny, a searing fire that would sweep the enemy away, and that purity of the Haruspex would ensure prosperity of law and order. That the economic collapse twenty years ago, was not their own fault. No, it had been result of the United Nation's interference, and embargo's. That they would live beyond those petty actions, that the time had come, a call for the heroes of the Haruspex to arise and claim the banner of destiny in the name of the Empress and the blessed peoples of the Haru.

This venomous speech craft came forth across the airwaves, through the televisions, and upon the internet of a technologically capable people. Not only did the Haru get exposed to this on a daily basis, but those in close proximity of region. In had long been standard practice by the Haru to indoctrinate their youth to the ways of their government. It showed more now then ever, as the Haruspex came out of their shell of isolationist shell. Youth corps, they were on every street corner, usually accompanied by one or more of the Olath Orn, the Haru equivalent of the Gestapo. It was the nature of this arrangement that should scare other regions. When the Haru invaded a region, the first to be targeted were the younger generation, for they had more open minds. Twist the youth to your means and the elders will either be forced to follow or bled at the blade of the zealot youth.

It was mainly why the Haruspex and the Cussians could never see eye to eye. Differing idealogical faiths kept them truly apart, despite the nature of their close lines. Nearly a blood feud every war had been. It fueled their desires of hate, rage, vengeance, there could be no peace while the two remained apart. No mercy to be spared between wild dogs over the meat.

Machina Haruspex’s had not gone unnoticed in other parts of the region. The footage of the rallies held by the Empress of Machina Haruspex had been closely studied by the Tagmatine Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Foreign Broadcasting and Propaganda Section, and the findings and summations had then been passed onto the Minister of Foreign Affairs himself who had, in turn, laid them before the Holy Emperor himself. The Imperial Cabinet, the council of the most important Ministers in the Greater Holy Empire had been called together in order to discuss the findings and debate on what to do, in order to counter whatever threat the Haru posed to Tagmatium, its southern neighbour.

The meeting, as usual, was held deep within the bowels of the Imperial Palace Complex, a labyrinthine mish-mash of buildings, some dating from the foundation of the Greater Holy Empire over a thousand years ago, others from within the last ten years. It was the heart of the administration of Tagmatium, as well as the Holy Emperor’s official residence within the capital, Tagmatica. The various ministries also had offices in the Complex, but there wasn’t enough room for the entirety of these organisations to maintain their headquarters there, so they also had buildings scattered across the metropolitan area of the Imperial capital.

The room itself was large and dominated by a long hardwood table, which had place markers denoting where the various ministers, officials and representatives would sit. However, most had attended enough meetings in this room, or one of the many like it, to know where they sat. One side of the room was dominated by a large plasma screen, which was currently showing excerpts from the Empress of Haruspex’s speech, along with subtitles, as the majority of those attending would not be able to understand the guttural, barbaric language of the heathen northerners.

Commodus James, the elderly Holy Emperor, sat at the head of the table. He had a reputation of being cold and distant, and rarely appeared publicly, preferring to remain aloof from the day-to-day running of the nation, although he ruled with an iron fist.

“Well?”

“We ought to take pre-emptive action! Strike before these barbarians have amassed their forces, and remove that harlot from power!” The High Chancellor, a man prone to outbursts before he’d fully grasped the situation, if he ever did, almost shouted.

“Would anyone wish to enlighten High Chancellor Ford as to why this would be currently impossible?”

“It would be impossible because Machina Haruspex is currently very militarily strong, as well as having an iron grip on a virtually brain-washed populace,” said the Foreign Minister, Eugenius Wilson, speaking as much to the High Chancellor as to the others in the room. “If we attempted to attack now, we’d probably find ourselves beaten back. On top of this, they are a nation with no qualms against using weapons of mass destruction against civilians in other nations. As you can imagine, there is no way that we’d want to go toe-to-toe with Haruspex at this point in time, especially as a large part of our armed forces are still in Adaptus, following the Civil War there. If we were going to strike against them, we would have to canvass our allies, to see if there was any support amongst them and then act according.”

“Minister Wilson is correct in his assessment of the situation facing us,” said the Holy Emperor. “If we attempt any unilateral action, then we have a monumental task facing us. Alone, I doubt we can attempt anything against our northern neighbours. Which is why, for the moment, we will just be monitoring them. Mr. Fry, I want more agents active on the northern border.”

Andronicus Fry was the Head of the Tagmatine Intelligence Network, the spies of the Greater Holy Empire. He was a pallid, thin man with a rasping voice who reminded those who met him of a vulture or some nocturnal scavenger. “Of course, your majesty. I already have agents working with the tribes on the borders. I shall see that more emphasis is placed on gathering information from across the border.”

“Wouldn’t it be wise to strengthen our northern border defences as well?” asked the Minister of War.

“That would be prudent, Minister Kontarian,” replied the Holy Emperor. The Minister of War nodded and noted it down on a notepad. Commodus then looked down at the notes in front of him. “That’s everything covered, I will now call this meeting to an end.”

0700, July 13th Year of Her Majesty, 2007.
Aboard the naval flagship, Endar Spire.
1st Naval Task force
Two hundred nautical miles from the naval yard and seaport of Perya.

Vice Lord Harket ascended the stairs to the command deck from the lower helm stations and saluted before speaking. Sir, we have reached the gathering stage and await command orders to deploy the fleet. Fleet Lord Nekai nodded slowly, hands clasping each other behind back as considering then with a shrug of shoulders turned and viewed the imagery of the surrounding sea-scape and the ships positioned so.

Forty vessels comprising all of the 1st Naval task force were present. Of those, twelve were battleship class vessels, the majority were destroyer's, frigates, dreadnoughts, submarines and carriers as well as logistical vessels. Troop ships from the 808th Legion were to arrive in a matter of days, carrying thirty thousand Tagnik Zun for sea invasion to coincide with the ground based incursion. Returning attention to his XO, Harket, he nodded as speaking. Deploy the fleet, launch patrol aircraft and relay to Sea Command that we are in position and awaiting further orders.

Carrier based VTOL's and snub fighters launched into the air. They would be complimented by the 4th Naval carrier force due within the hour. The main focus of the navy was to implement a blitzkrieg of bombing runs, and critical strikes of land based aircraft bases and defensive positions. Furthermore, to add to their own sea legionnaires, 3rd Naval Force would bring troop transports and cruisers. More along the lines of the transports however, supplementing an additional landing force of twenty thousand legionnaires. These were regular troops, of the Olath Shar House, to add to the Tagnik Zun elites.

Nekai had little doubt that if battle came, they would give as good as they received. So close to the barrier, the great border of the sea from the second great war. The Principality had been rather cautious about exerting it's considerable military might so close to that border before, but not now. Now they knew what the other had or was forming. Such could not be allowed within the domain. Even Nekai personally felt this way, the backlashing sting of the old United Nations was still quite fresh in the mind. If the any of the nations neighboring the homelands managed to strike an alliance and emerge into the world of Europa as a more powerful force, then the Haru would be next on their agenda.

A tilt of head to watch the officers directing juniors and seamen to the task at hand. They were highly exposed this far out towards the barrier, there were other nations that didn't like having their backyard suddenly become a massing stage ground, much less a war zone. Nekai chuckled, to bad for them he thought as the first of the carrier based snub fighters launched itself into the air, followed by another and another and so on.

Contrary to the statement to the world about the S-90 MBT being put into production this month, the vehicle had been in assembly and regimented nearly seven months prior. While the model that would be sold to the market of Europa came equipped with a 125mm cannon, the Haru military version had a 148mm cannon. Nearly double the warhead of the commercially sold model. This was incase anyone who bought their product, attempted to use it against them. The wild card would be theirs.

Sengar d'isto Durat of the 3rd Sargtlin Velven House Legion, viewed the massive column of armor from the position of his cupola. In seven months of high capacity production, nearly twenty thousand S-90's had been produced and shipped to the secret staging facilities. More conventional and known units like the S-80U, S-64's, HIA SPAA23's, HIA SA-15 AMV's, HIA SA-13 AMV's, and HIA AAT-3's. Durat was especially glad to know that the AAT-3's were with his column. Enemy infantry in any age, were a difficult obstacle. Having a popgun light tank designed to go after infantry, light armor as well as low flying aerocraft such as helio's, made him feel just a bit better.

Despite having the SPAA23'S and SA-13's along. Those would be for the more deadly threat. Bombers and high speed aerocraft that the AAT-3 couldnt hope to catch on even a bad day.

Behind they, and and in front of them. Row, upon row of the armored personnel carriers. These would be amongst the first vehicles to make the often kamikaze dash into the border. Later they would be agitators of the enemy supply lines and what not. Mostly AT-80A's, 70's, and 60B's. Mobility and firepower added to the blitzkrieg offensives preferred by the Haru military. It was terrifically effective, as shown in the past.

A long time friend and respected Prata-Khan by the name of Ga'Ron matched the pace, just a bit over four meters away, forming another column. G'Ron was of the 809th Tagnik Zun Armored. Heavily modified S-80U's in tiger striped orange and yellow. Following, waves of the light but reliable HIA-39 ARV's, ARA-2's, and tens of thousands of infantry marching in their more then obvious chemical/NBC Hazmat combat suits. The distinquishing factor, ever Tagnik Zun legionnaire wore this outfit. Even armored or aircrews, though the latter wore a more slimmed down version then that of the standard infantry. RW-1's were being carried, as well as the HIA 9M-Jackals. If the anti-aircraft vehicles couldnt hit their mark, then the man portables would fill the heavens.

It seemed unbelievable to Durat, that so many would be involved. This great push. An army the size of some nations here in Europa, about the take off the kid gloves, unsheathe the sabers, and lunge for glory. Overhead, hanging from metal walkways were the banners of the empire. As well as countdown clocks. The hours creeping down, soon the red light would become green and the flood would begin.