NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC,yes,we certainly might be interested,although were still small ;) ,in fact,Chiang Maï might even be a potential hotpsot,and provide convenient RP explanation for war.

RFLMAO screwy clock

The Shell Syndicate Test Lab
Delton, Gadsan, the Commonwealth

Engineers from Shell and the Westerton Motor-Car Company stood around the dissassembled parts of the Italian tank bickering. They were certainly no closer than they ever had been to a native Iansislean armor design, but the news of a convoy of Walmingtonish armored vehicles sailing for the Indian Ocean was met with enthusiastic nods.

(Um, that's all the IC I can manage right now. It's been darn hectic around here of late...sorry about any RPs (such as the Gallaga one :() that I may be leaving hanging. I should shortly have more time on my hands ;). Yes, I am very interested in this WoS Iansisle / D.K. Hainan situation. Can't wait to see what develops!)

The Shell Syndicate Test Lab
Delton, Gadsan, the Commonwealth

Engineers from Shell and the Westerton Motor-Car Company stood around the dissassembled parts of the Italian tank bickering. They were certainly no closer than they ever had been to a native Iansislean armor design, but the news of a convoy of Walmingtonish armored vehicles sailing for the Indian Ocean was met with enthusiastic nods.

(Um, that's all the IC I can manage right now. It's been darn hectic around here of late...sorry about any RPs (such as the Gallaga one :() that I may be leaving hanging. I should shortly have more time on my hands ;). Yes, I am very interested in this WoS Iansisle / D.K. Hainan situation. Can't wait to see what develops!)

ooc: Fully understood. I haven't contributed to the Gallaga thread for a couple of days myself, though I have no intention of forever abandoning it.

This clock alteration thing is messing with my head anyway.

Bleh.

The possibility of Iansislian industrial muscle getting behind friendly armoured production is an interesting one, I must say. More speed, Frazer, more speed!

..Er..there's..morse code coming from that empty beer can..Jesus Chirst! I'd say I'd had too much, but..that was the only one (Alright, this is a strange tangent, but it's not every day that a can of bitter attempts to make contact)

Your more tech than me! My Military consists of:-

Swordsman Wielding a Boogonian Short Sword
Archers Wielding a Elven Longbow
Knights Wielding a Boogonian Long Sword
Long Riflemen Armed with a Boogonian Bugleneck
Sorceress's That have learnt Basic Spellcasting
Sorcerer's That have learnt Basic Healing Powers
and Battle Commanders which are armed with Gatling Bugleneck, The Great Paladin LongSword, and The Wand of Aurman-Sha.

Our Vehicles include:-

Wooden Charge-Ram, which can Hold up to 20 men, that has Strong Armour but no Weapons

Wooden Tank, which can Hold up to 5 men, has a Powerfull cannon, and Strong Armour

The Army itself is about 55,000.

Nice, maybe PM Mainwaring will invite you to put on a parade or something in coming years (when WoS isn't on the brink of war and such) :wink:

"See men! Your tankettes don't look half bad now, do they?"

That would be nice, but we are also currently fighting a war at the moment, on 3 different fronts!

As it happens, I'm thinking maybe this thread (which has more or less served it's basic purpose as per the first post) might be used to discuss a posssssible WWII tech conflict involving several nations (discussed in brief with Der Kriegsmarine, Iansisle and Hainan via telegram). Presumably -if it goes ahead- Chiang Mai will be interested in proceedings.

Ercolana would be interested as well...if the forum ever gets working right again.

As it happens, I'm thinking maybe this thread (which has more or less served it's basic purpose as per the first post) might be used to discuss a posssssible WWII tech conflict involving several nations (discussed in brief with Der Kriegsmarine, Iansisle and Hainan via telegram). Presumably -if it goes ahead- Chiang Mai will be interested in proceedings.

Ercolana would be interested as well...if the forum ever gets working right again.

Of course. Presumably you're likely to be found standing against the likes of WoS, eh? [looks around for more allies]

I think the forums will be right soon enough.

I think the forums will be right soon enough.

I hope so, I have to keep logging in after every post.

I think the forums will be right soon enough.
were you ever told that you are wildly optimistic? ;)

Nah, but [violet] (indirectly) told me that the forums would be okay within 20 hours of the start of problems this morning. :)

Nah, but [violet] (indirectly) told me that the forums would be okay within 20 hours of the start of problems this morning. :)
"only" about 5 more hours to go :?

The shore at Southend a throng of red and white produced by scores of flags and banners bearing the cross of St.George, Naval Group Ceyloba heaved itself from port this afternoon.

After recent native unrest in the north eastern provinces of Ceyloba, culminating in an unfortunate clash during which two Ceylobans were shot and one soldier hurt, it has been decided to restore civility to the neglected isle.

One small article in the Walmington Standard last week has been picked up on by a few, and some in Walmington suspect that the convoy is in fact in response to new intelligence on Asian militaries, notably that of Hainan. Further, tensions with Germany, and the increased need for co-operation with WoS's pacific ally Iansisle is also cited by some observers as potential motivation for the mission to the east.

Naval Group Ceyloba is comprised of a huge flotilla of merchantmen, purportedly laden with supplies for the army and airforce (probably including the first monoplane fighters to be deployed outside Walmington proper), escorted by the destroyers HMWS Dolly and Ajax of the I Class, Longevity, Infamous, and Constant of II Class, the light cruiser Kenilworth, heavy cruiser Triumphal, as well as two boats of HMuWS fleet (subs), and the group's flagship HMWS Royal Oak of the Iansisle class, aboard which Admiral James Frazer sails.

The holds of many of the cargo vessels contained (unknown to the world excepting perhaps those who may have bothered/managed to infiltrate WoS with a whole mess of spies) a range of armaments.

Eighteen Mono Fighter MkI (never given an official name as such, and sometimes refered to as the Highwayman by those few pilots who actually like them)

6pdr anti-tank guns and field guns

3" anti aircraft guns

Dozens of Special Tankette MkI "Baby Carriages" (think Bren Gun/Universal Carrier)

Twenty four Turtle MkI Marching Tanks

Eighteen Cavalry Cruiser MkII tanks

As well as masses of fuel, munitions, and small arms.

There were also CCMkI, CTMkI/MkIB, CTMkII, Turtles, and STMkI packed away, and intended for Iansisle. Whether or not these old designs would find any favour at all in the Commonwealth was unclear, but Walmington had no further use for them, and perhaps the base concepts could kickstart Iansisle's armour development should they ever need to try.

Less secret were the 2,400 men of the King's Sixth Infantry Regiment, who left port waving to loved ones ashore.
Many would likely make homes in Ceyloba, sending for their family later.

are you gonna post this in the Gallaga thread??

Nah, this is a modern affair. It assumes that Ceyloba ends up Walmingtonian, but stuff continuity- if someone takes Ceyloba in the C18th, so be it, I'll find a way around it :)


Hm, I would make it more clear by posting a date, but I'm not quite sure when the heck WoS exists. 1938? 2003?

Nah, this is a modern affair. It assumes that Ceyloba ends up Walmingtonian, but stuff continuity- if someone takes Ceyloba in the C18th, so be it, I'll find a way around it :)


Hm, I would make it more clear by posting a date, but I'm not quite sure when the heck WoS exists. 1938? 2003?

Ah I see said the blind man. Carry on.

http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/images/g00001/g02408t.jpg

Naval Group Ceyloba pictured leaving Walmingtonian waters

OOC:i'd say youre more 1938 than 2001 WoS ;)

ooc:Hehe, tech wise we certainly are :) but as part of the ANH we sometimes associate with nations using modern and even future tech, so it's all a bit..vague.


As it happens, I'm thinking maybe this thread (which has more or less served it's basic purpose as per the first post) might be used to discuss a posssssible WWII tech conflict involving several nations (discussed in brief with Der Kriegsmarine, Iansisle and Hainan via telegram). Presumably -if it goes ahead- Chiang Mai will be interested in proceedings.

Vollombo, Ceyloba

The King's VIth Regt. were met with similar fanfare to that by which they left Walmington. This time however fewer of the smiles were genuine, while the long faces were just as real as those of the wives waving off husbands in Southend. Many Ceylobans could think of little they wanted less than the sight of more Walmingtonian soldiers coming ashore.

While most of Naval Group Ceyloba's elements josteld for moorings at Vollombo, five merchantmen, the destroyer Ajax and the submarine U#12 slipped on eastwards across the Bay of Bengal, bound for Iansisle via the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea..

Aboard the HNS prowler
Captain Zhou was quickly roused from his sleep by an anxious sailor. The moonlight night had revealed a destroyer heading right for Hainan. He had been told that it appeared there were other ships coming with it- maybe an invasion not form CHina but from a colonial power?

He wasted no time in getting up.

Soon enough, he had shouted "Dive!", the alarms sounded, and the scene was one of sailors quickly rushing into the submarine, with the last one quickly closing the hatch.

"Prepare to fire two torpedoes!", he shouted at the top of his lungs.

The sub turned, and soopn enough, was ready to fire 2 torpedoes into the hapless destroyer's side.

He looked at the destroyer from his periscope. WW1 vintage probably, he thought to himself.


"Fire!"

2 Torpedoes exited the submarine, heading for the Ajax.

The South China Sea- HMWS Ajax

"Damn this..infernal.." muttered a young seaman slapping his hand against an element of the destroyers troublesome radar set.

Lt.Wells commanding the night watch half smiled and shook his head. Seeing his reaction, the youngster grinned, and ventured that "We'd do well to scuttle this old gal when we get there, sir, maybe the Ians can furnish us with a vessel that still works sir!"

Wells' attempt at a reply was rudely halted by the violent bucking of the old destroyer's bulk under the force of a torpedo strike in the middle of her port side.

"Jesus Christ! We're under attack!" no one had time even to shoot the radar operator a disapproving glance for his less than insightful shout as a second explosion aft ripped through the engine room and Ajax took on an alarmingly rapid list to port.

Lt.Wells in his alarm almost ordered someone wake the captain, instead opting to inform someone who wouldn't have been resting yards from the explosions. "For God's sake, send to Frazer; we're under attack..unknown source.. abandoning ship.. for God's sake, abandon ship!"

The rear of the ship was quickly becoming engulfed in flame, and the destroyer's list only worsened.

As dozens of men began to take to lifeboats, and others lept straight down to the dark surface of the South China Sea, an explosion in the boiler room hurled several of them the opposite direction, and Ajax began to vanish.

The submarine captain could hardly have scored more effective hits.

U#12 began to circle the area, as three merchant men moved in to pick up survivors, hoping against hope that who so ever attacked the destroyer was either gone or out of ammunition.

Two of the merchants opted to break for open seas, hoping to be hidden by the Pacific's dimensions as they made for Iansisle.

Captain Zhou watched through his periscope as the Ajax exploded. It sank too rapidly for him to let his men have a look, otherwise he would allow them to take a quick peek, as there did not appear to be any nearby ships posing a threat to the Lurker.

The answer to his puzzlemt as to what the ships were doing here came when he saw the merhcant ships come over to the Ajax to rescue survivors.

He cursed. Loudly. This had been a peaceful convoy, which had probably veered a bit of course and ended up going right for Hainan. He hoped whoevers destroyer it was wouldn't implicate Hainan, but these were Hainanese waters and no other naval power could put subs in the South China Sea.

As soon as the merchants made their hasty retreat, he quickly gave the order to surface. After picking up several crewmen the marchentmen had missed in their haste, he headed for Hainan at flank speed.

Naval Communication Center
Fort Manly, Batam

A young seaman tore the communication intercept off of his machine and hailed a passing officer. "Ensign! New communication! I think it's from that Walmingtonish convoy we saw through here a couple of days ago."

Ensign Jacob Huxelfield, sighing at the distraction ten minutes from the end of his shift, grabbed the sheet of paper and scanned it. "Yep, code doesn't look Iansislean, or that of any other south Asian power. Can we read it?"

"Don't think so, sir," replied the seaman, Hugh Kitterly. "We can send it on to Vollumbo, sir. See what they're up to."

Huxelfield groaned. He'd have to take responsibility, because Second Lieutenant James McNorman wouldn't be on duty for a while yet. "Very well, Seaman. Send it on. And I want a report on our naval capability in this region on my desk first thing tomorrow....er, later today, that is. You know what I mean. Carry on."

Kitterly smiled at his stuttering superior. Idiot. "You can count on me, sir."

(ooc: Have I ever mentioned how cool I think it is that you started referring to me as "the Ians"? I love it! :) )

(ooc: hehe, glad you don't mind :) I'll get back to this thread either to-night or first thing to-morrow morn, depending on when I pass out- I have to go and sigh wistfully/gave longingly now. erm..bye)

107 of the 211 man crew of Ajax (which I keep calling Exeter for some unknown reason. Grr) had been picked up by the merchants, and brief sweeps with searchlights had revieled nothing, before being cancelled by the rescued Lt.Wells. The captain of Ajax could not be found amongst the 107.

Fort Brent, Ceyloba

"Oh dear...oh dear.." muttered the wirey old admiral in an almost Scottish accent.

Hainan he thought. This wasn't expected to kick off so soon.

It was too late for further escorts from Ceyloba to catch the convoy before they were well clear of Hainan waters. It seemed futile to take Naval Group Ceyloba into hostile waters looking for trouble considering how outmatched they'd be.

The admiral brushed back what remained of his white hair.

"Have the rear of the convoy turn back, surely they'll be safe if they make Batam at least. Send Dolly and Infamous to meet them." Sighing and rubbing his brow Frazer went on "Make sure Great Walmington and Iansisle know what's going on. We've been attacked in Hainan territorial waters. Half the convoy's breaking back west, half proceeding without escort."

The throng of assorted deputies hurridly departed, and Admiral James Frazer turned to the window and gazed out into the dawn.

We're doomed. Doomed thought the melodramatic old man.

Naval Communication Center
Fort Manly, Batam

Huxelfield would never get a chance receive his message. The return message from Vollumbo arrived half an hour after the posturing young ensign had left. It was not good news, thought Kitterly as he handed the dispatch to Second Lieutenant James McNorman. A Walmingtonish destroyer had been sunk, its convoy scattered. Similar dispatches had been sent to the regional naval commands at Nusheld, Nashua (near RL Bac Liou) Port Laughlin, Ambil (near R-L Davao), and the Admiralty in Ianapalis.

Kitterly looked up at the lieutenant. “Orders, sir?”

McNorman considered for a second. “Well, we can’t take much action without the proper go-ahead from Ianapalis. They’re headed here, eh? Seaman, have you any idea what ships we have in the area?”

“Yes, sir. The destroyers Tiger, Teucer, and Copplestone are part of the usual Fort Manly garrison. The heavy cruiser Troobodia is with the destroyers Elephant and Diomedes, between Ambil and Palau. Salvador just finished her refit in Harbor City, and escorts are being gathered for a cruise down here. Empire is in Ambil, Patroclus and Thorntree in Port Laughlin. Nusheld - ironically enough - is at Nusheld, along with Oasis, Briareus, and Thesia.”

McNorman raised an eyebrow. “I wasn’t expecting so detailed an answer.”

“I like to keep up on the status of the fleet,” replied Kitterly, smiling.

“Quite, though I’m afraid this is no laughing matter. We don’t have a single capital ship within four thousand miles, and only one heavy cruiser close enough to help. Where is Troobodia heading, anyhow?”

“To Nashua, sir,” came the immediate reply. “To be honest, I think the Admiralty was preparing for some sort of Hainan crisis. They’ve been deploying extra heavy ships to Port Laughlin, Ambil, and here of late. More than could be explained by anti-pirate needs.”

“Well, regardless, I think we shall be needing her. Contact the Admiralty and ask permission to detach her. And wake the Rear Admiral. I fear we shall be needing his authority soon. In the meantime, sally Tiger and Copplestone. Tell the Walmintonians about it, but use an heavily encoded channel. We don’t want the world to know what happened...yet.”

[OOC: mind if i put in a sub on patrol?]
the HSMS Shark was a new ship, a submarine purchased from europe and on her first cruise for the Sanctified Imperial Navy.She had been following, as discretely as possible, and by means of practice for her crew, the convoy when the destroyer was sunk, and had immediately headed away from both Hainan waters and the Walmingtonian ships.The Maï didn't take a submarine's torpedoing abilities very seriously-they were viewed as to slow for the job-and so the doctrine was that submarines should be used to spy upon the adversary and then report via wireless telegraphy, and this was what the Shark did: report a destroyer blowing up in Hainan waters.She had only begun to trail the convoy when that had occured, and had very little details to offer, but that was sufficient to set off a reaction in the Resplendant Court.

(Damn the mutliverse is so confusing, um..I am in Modern Tech or WW2 Tech too here?? In the Gallaga thread I am in the same time line as you but this is different.)

Inhabitants of the Galdanian island of Ulayvov watched as explosions lit up the night sky along the horizon.
---
To see what is happening so close to home, a destroyer with a 124-man crew complement, the Izhiah, has set off from port, saying farewell to the other 3,200 inhabitants of the island.

Great Walmington, WoS

Mainwaring's chest grew tighter as the briefing progressed. He started the morning being told sketchy details about the attack, was interrupted by a report indicating that it appeared Iansisle would be likely to stand by WoS despite the risks, and was now hearing budget and industrial concerns resulting from the frightening potential for wars on two fronts half the world apart.

General Sir Jack Jones broke Mainwaring's silent contemplation "So we all concur? We cut the following projects: the automatic infantry rifle, the 6" mechanised artillery vehicle, the MkIIB bomber, the Royal Tortoise.."
"..and the Tortoise?"

"Good heavens no, prototypes are afield in Norbray, it'd be a waste now, assuming they perform well!"

"What about the..Ian-flyer? I don't suppose we can pursue that any longer?" an unoptimistic Mainwaring ventured. He'd already cooled to the idea of a plane without rotors. Silly idea in the first place!

"Well, Air Marshal Pertwee seemed keen, I think.."

The Air Marshal could be seen nodding slightly, across the table.

"I suppose it'd show the world that we can protect convoys from all the way in the Pacific." the PM muttered. "If we're keeping the Tortoise and.. Mk..III..er.." "Lancer, sir?" "Lancer, very good Jones, and we're going to maintain sealanes to Iansisle, we can supply them what they need to equip their armoured units?"

"Yes sir. I wondered sir, if mister Prime Minister might be aware of any political decision there - that is - do they want to produce their own tanks, or take our cast o.. proven designs?"

Mainwaring shook his head and looked distant.

By the end of the meeting, sweeping cuts had been made in the army and airforce's upcoming projects, with only a precious few surviving as the go ahead was given for further fleet expansion.
The destroyer Quixotic would escort the battleship Queen Mavis to Ceyloba.

"Merry Mave" would actually have to receive the finishing touches to her paintwork, many of her minor interior furnishings, and even wiring as she sailed, and there'd be no time to double check any of her equipment, armaments or other systems.

ooc: erm, I'm not sure.. WoS was supposed to be at this early/mid C20th tech level in the modern era, but as these events unfold, in Der Kriegsmarine's thread Britain and Germany are fighting WWII engagements.
I suppose we'll have to see what everyone thinks, but I don't think we'll want modern tech nations getting involved, as it'll make pretty much everything we do void. Probably. [scratches head] I hope someone else can be more helpfull than I.

ooc: erm, I'm not sure.. WoS was supposed to be at this early/mid C20th tech level in the modern era, but as these events unfold, in Der Kriegsmarine's thread Britain and Germany are fighting WWII engagements.
I suppose we'll have to see what everyone thinks, but I don't think we'll want modern tech nations getting involved, as it'll make pretty much everything we do void. Probably. [scratches head] I hope someone else can be more helpfull than I.

ooc: Its okay I'll just RP with Ercolana.

ooc: The Second Fleet will be stationed in Karachi. Sind I suppose will be split up between the Agrigentians and Ercolanans.

"I suppose this is what we get for thinking the threat was over," sighed Grand Admiral Tri. He was surrounded by the top military men - if not minds - in the Commonwealth. Supreme General Sir Ian O'Bannon - many had called for his resignation after the humiliation at First Augsburg - nodded.

"One might wonder, Sir Richard, what the navy has been doing with the already substantial funds it receives."

"Well, Sir Ian -" started Tri, glaring daggers at his smirking counterpart.

"Gentlemen, please," intoned Lord Michael Javial, the Minister of War, his giant sideburns shaking as he chastised them. "This is no time for interdepartmental rivalries. As you know, relations with Germany, as well as some east Asian powers, have deteriorated severely in the past several months. Our friends, the Walmingtonians, have already been attacked in our very backyard, and are retreating to Batam. It has been that Iansisle is hardly the only power operating in the South China Sea. How we respond to these developments may well determine the future of the Empire and the Commonwealth.

Tri and O'Bannon still glared at each other across the table, but no more words were exchanged. Air Marshall Sir Timothy J. Bates, the head of the Royal Iansislean Flying Corps, rolled his eyes in a holier-than-thou sort of way at the feuding commanders. "What can be done, m'lord?"

Javial turned to Bates with an almost fatherly smile. "I'm glad you asked. For one thing - and I know Sir Ian will chafe at the idea - more money must be given to the navy."

O'Bannon did indeed 'chafe', but withheld an outburst.

" - For another thing, the Army must modernize. As you know, I have already contacted the Walmingtonians about supplying new model armored cars for the Shell Syndicate. I have taken the next step - we have ordered as many, er, 'tanks' as our Atlantic friends can grant us."

His statement was met with stunned silence, as Tri and O'Bannon looked at each other in shock. How was there enough money.

"You see," continued Javial, noticing the shock saturating the room, "Parliament agrees. Iansisle must rise to this threat, or face destruction. We have enough money to start immediate construction of the second pair of Behemoth-class battleships, accelerate production on Tiger and Protector classes, and launch Queen Jessica in two weeks time."

Across the table, three very wide grins started on three very decorated men.

North Karachi
Ercolanan Sind

"Vice Admiral, we are getting reports that a Walmy Ship was sunk, information is limited at best and we are not yet sure the of the cause nor of the culprit.", said the Lieutenant.

"Hmm..these times are very dangerous, perhaps we should speak to our friends in Agrigento, I doubt they will want to get involved, or rather that they can get involved being that they just finished that great war of theirs (Great Azorean War), but I think they will be able to advise us, especially since they have close relations to the Walmys and Islers.", said Admiral Carlos Ribero.

"Yes sir, I will send a dispatch to Troma immediately", replied the Lieutentant.

(ooc: I have been thinking that since Agrigento already had its World War II in the Great Azorean War, they would not want to get involved in this one. Just makes it alot easier for me.)

ooc:Makes sense. Sit it out like Spain. Y'know, only more menacingly, probably. No one's scared of Spain. 'cept maybe Morocco.

ooc:Makes sense. Sit it out like Spain. Y'know, only more menacingly, probably. No one's scared of Spain. 'cept maybe Morocco.

ooc: hehe, yeah, plus I dont have to play two sides in a war that have the SAME EXACT culture. If I had to make up anymore Italian names for ships, or planes, or tanks, or guns, or people I would have shot myself..

(nothing IC of yet, but I just wanted to make sure Ag (and anyone else who is interested) saw this (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1388899#1388899). Come or not, as you wish. It is largely just character building.)

(BTW just to clarify things I am going to RP Agrigento as a modern tech nation in the same timeline. Ercolana exists as a WW2 nation technology wise. Damn this Multiverse!!)

President Mrotsky has pledged to increase military spending.


OOC: Well what else is there to say? Let the arms race begin!

ooc:I'm not sure if I'm going to be posting much/at all until Sunday or Monday. I'm off to London, it seems. Sorry this has perhaps come at a bad time- originally I thought I'd be going late last week. Oh well.

(I might post this evening or even to-morrow morning, but I'm a bit distracted and don't want to go saying (especially) stupid things. No one try to take Ceyloba/Walmington/Iansislian-lands-WoS-might-help-to-defend until I'm back, eh? ;) )


Again, sorry about the poor timing.

OOC:
Well when you get back we can start the arms race.

The North Pacific, Iansisle-bound

The merchant men which had carried on following the attack which claimed Ajax were now entering Iansislian waters. Unescorted, low on fuel after their detour into the central Pacific to avoid Hainan subs, the crews couldn't have been happier to spy land.

The holds of the vessels were jammed full of tankettes, cavalry cruisers, and a handful of marching tank MkI Turtles, and detailed plans there for.

The Walmingtonian ships sailed into Troobodia Bay to the north of Sentry Island, the imposing bluffs of the western island being only a little less meanacing than the large shore batteries of Fort Jackson on the southern Shield.

A few small Iansislean escort crafts were already about in Troobodia Bay, although everyone knew there was really no danger from hostile activity this close to the Commonwealth. Slowly, the merchantmen were lead to MacMillan, Tharia - a primarily military town - where they were met at the docks by large crowds of RIAC officers and men.

The decks of the two huge (by our merchant marine's standards) transports are a hub of activity as men push to get ashore. As he's jostled down the gangway ahead of God knows how many crewmen, captain Clifford Adams' raised voice explains that they've been out of contact with..everyone for much of the post-ambush voyage, and that with the sheer weight of cargo, they've had less space than usual for supplies- rations have been a tad low.

"Two pounder shells in the flour tins!" he jokes, before stepping ashore and properly introducing himself.

"Never been to the Shield before!" Adams' merrily stated, rocking in his heels and craneing his neck about "We've brought you boys tanks!" he went on, very matter of factly.

(The WoS merchant navy is a bit of a rabble, and tends to act as a flame to the moths of the nation's underclasses, drop-outs, and trouble-makers.. the handful of army engineers and technicians who didn't turn back with the surviving escort come ashore looking rather the worse for wear after their stay with the merchants.)

Major Penswick R. Foppleston, a prim and proper eastern Shieldian sniffed airily at the Walmingtonians misidentification of MacMillan for a city of the Shield, but saluted properly none the less.

"We are most honored to be allowed the pleasure of your stay, Captain. Welcome to MacMillian - I assure you, the vital supplies contained therein are most appreciated by His Majesty's government and its armed forces."

Foppleston clapped his hands together behing him, walking with a very straight back towards MacMillan. "Our men have already taken their rations, but I'm sure the cooking staff could fix your people up a decent meal."

Just outside of Troobodia Bay sits the MM Fantasma. Its thin periscope barely penetrating the surface of the wavey water. They had been following the Merchant Vessels for sometime, only breaking for a short period to recharge their batteries.

(hmm...I really should start having shore patrols or something :? Damn submersibles ;) )

EGCS Brown, a four thousand ton merchant man in the employ of the East Gallaga Company slipped past the guns of Fort Jackson, setting out to sea with a slight south-westernly course.

"We'd be jolly glad of some sup, indeed!" Adams loudly stated. He then took a moment to put one of the army engineers in charge of delivering an inventory of the armour in this ..representative sample shipment.

The document long-since compiled by the weary but relatively professional army man detailed a range of recently withdrawn Walmingtonian armour, and a little current hardware.

(there now follows a load of terribly boring stats on aged tanks and tankettes :) )

4x Walmington Cavalry Tank Mk1
(Likely to be scrapped or even used in gunnery practice, so to speak.
Crew-2
Engine-42hp petrol
Combat Weight-2,400kg
Maximum Speed-31mph (road)
Range-70 miles
Height-1.3 meters
Width- 1.72 meters
Length- 2.57 meters
Armour- bolted and welded steel: 4mm to 8mm
Armament- 1x .303 cal. MG.)

4x Walmington Cavalry Tank MkIB
(As previous, but-
Combat Weight- 2,560kg
Maximum Speed-29mph (road)
Armour- bolted and welded steel: 4mm to 9mm
Armament- 1x37mm low velocity gun)

4x Walmington Cavalry Tank MkII
(Being phased out in WoS and replaced with armoured cars.
Crew-2
Engine-90hp petrol
Combat Weight-4,900kg
Maximum Speed- 36mph (road)
Range-121 miles
Height-2.25m
Width-2.1m
Length-3.97m
Armour-bolted and welded steel: 4mm to 15mm
Armament-1x.55cal. Mg, 1x.303 cal. Co-axial MG)


2x Walmington Light Fighting Tank MkI
(Only just phased out, a few still used in driver training.
Crew-3
Engine-115hp petrol
Combat Weight-10,080kg
Maximum Speed-20mph (road)
Range-82 miles
Height-2.04 meters
Width-2.25 meters
Length-4.6 meters
Armour-bolted and welded steel: 6mm to 21mm
Armament-1x 2pdr. (40mm) anti-tank gun, 1x.303cal. co-axial MG)

2x Cavalry Cruiser Tank MkI
(Still used in training, where it will be replaced by the CCMkII once the Lancers are available for front line service.
Crew-6
Engine-145hp petrol
Combat Weight-12,890kg
Maximum Speed- 24mph (road)
Range-140 miles
Height-2.65m
Width-2.49m
Length-5.75m
Armour-bolted and welded steel: 5mm to 15mm
Armament-1x 2pdr (40mm) anti-tank gun, 1x.303cal. co-axial MG, 2x.303cal. MG in two front mounted turrets.

4x Marching Tank MkI “Turtle”
(Still in service (68 ), and used to support infantry advances, and to patrol airbases and such. Fought an action in the last Iansislian civil war.
Crew-3
Engine-90hp petrol
Combat Weight-12,700kg
Maximum Speed- 9mph
Range-91miles
Height-1.9m
Width-2.32m
Length-4.95m
Armour-cast and welded steel, 12mm to 68mm
Armament-1x.55cal machinegun (easily enough exchanged for a .50 or such))

4x Special Tankette “Baby Carriage”
(285+ in service in various marks.
Crew: 2 to 4 (2/3 plus 4/5)
Engine: 90hp petrol
Combat Weight: 4,600kg maximum
Maximum Speed: 32mph
Range: 92.17miles
Height: 1.64m
Width: 2.1m
Length: 3.72m
Armour: 6mm to 11mm steel
Armament: variable- None. Combination of 1 to 3x .303mg / 55” anti-tank rifle. Light mortar. Flame thrower. 2x20mm AA gun. Also adaptable with recovery equipment, bridge laying equipment, extending ladder, mine-clearing gear, et cetera.


http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/GB-Mark3LightTanksAdvancingOnTobruk.jpg
Cavalry Tank MkII (foreground) and Special Tankette "Baby Carriages" (upper left) with infanty on manouvers in Walmingtonian South Africa

http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/GB-CruiserMark1-A9.jpg
CCMkI displaying its intimidating (if dated) armament

http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/GreatBritain/GB-VickersMark1-IonFonosch.jpg
A Light Fighting Tank MkI is inspected just prior to shipment out of Walmington



(These tanks are largely dated by WoS standards, but would be available cheaply, as long as supply lanes can be kept open, and I thought that by offering pretty basic tech I'd leave Iansisle more room to develop its own stuff. If you..er..can't be arsed with that, I'm sure Walmington would be happy to negotiate export of more recent designs- or perhaps co-operation on up-coming projects (your industrial base couldn't hurt))

(well, compared to the S-W Armored Car, they're quite advanced.)

Major Foppleston arched an eyebrow upon recieving the document, nodding to the Walmingtoner. He had already decided he didn't quite like the merchant captain, but the young army man's efficient behavior impressed him.

"Thank you, son. Do join us, won't you?"

He had no real interest in the armored cars - Foppleston was a cavalry man himself, and rather resentful that his unit may be upset by the more modern but less dashing 'tanks'.

A shame he's probably in the worst Walmingtonian company possible with regards to his stance on tanks vs. cavalry. The engineers of course love the process of mechanisation, and the merchants generally speaking, couldn't care less either way.

WoS itself maintains a tiny cavalry force, and refuses to officially accept that it is obsolete- though interestingly enough its rarely deployed, even against small scale Zulu uprisings and the like. Mostly restricted to trotting up and down Great Walmington main roads for the benefit of tourists, and charging up and down Norbray proving grounds for the benefit of stuffy old generals and politicians.

Two of the army engineers though are carrying cavalry dress swords, at least (of the running-through rather than slashing-off sort).
[clutches past]

Sorry, I'm babbling now. Starrrving- so I'm going for a nap.
Yeah, I'll make some sense later.

For now the engineers continue to be wearily professional, and the merchants continue to test the patience of their hosts and the local population, most likely.

(hey if you're sticking around and bored, feel free to start a bar fight or arrest someone or something ;) )

The King's II Cavalry, of which the XVII and XVIII companies were deployed in MacMillan, was one of the most traditional units in the RIAC. Pictures of the unit in action - at Salvador, Augsburg, and countless previous engagments - dotted the wall of their mess hall.

The Walmingtonians were met with a mixture of emotions. The stuffier officers - most of whom, like Foppleston, didn't ride except in parades anymore - met the merchants with not-at-all-conceled contempt, and the engineers with the looks of laid-off employees.

However, some of the roudier Dominion troops - a small group of men from Gadsan were having their evening whiskey rations - met the roudy merchantmen with a little spice of their own. Officers' attempts to calm the situation met with little sucess, until a young Gadsanian private - who couldn't hold his drink well - threw a punch at a Walmintoner. It missed, catching Major Foppleston across the jaw. The pompus major stood bolt upright, his large mustache twitching sligtly and nostrils flairing.

Everyone looked at each other...

"Haha! Can't tank, can't drink, can't even swing right!" one mariner scoffed, breaking the silence after several seconds. "What kind of allies are we keeping these days?"

Oh God thought the first engineer This is the sort of attitude Great Walmington's NOT looking to cultivate. Where's the capta.. Oh God

Captain Adams had wrested a helping of whiskey away from one of the Dominion men spouting some line like "share and share alike, old boy!"

(ooc:I would have written another section on the more professional officers conducting a more proper meeting about the cargo they brought - and that which didn't make it, but I realised that these are all the characters who aren't recovering in Ceyloba, or sleeping at the bottom of the South China Sea :oops: )

(*removes cap*)

"'vously much b'ttr 'uns tens we're!" exclaimed the young private, too drunk to think of - or articulate - a proper insult.

His comrades had jumped up to pull the drunkard back down before Major Foppleston had recovered enought to get the number of the truck that hit him, but now stood behind him, nodding in agreement and flexing their muscles.

Across the room, an almost-sober Gadsanian grabbed at the whiskey. "Oi, you, that's my glog! Go get yer own, 'ear?"

President Mrotsky has assured Iansisle and Walmington that he will not attack.


OOC:
I scrapped 3 older battleships and cancelled the 122,000 tons displacement one, though I can afford maintenance spending half my military budget on the navy.

(I'm glad to hear that, Hainan. Thank you for understanding, and I'm sorry if I came off as a bit abrasive. That wasn't my intention.)

"Don't you know who I am? I'm Captain Clifford Adams, and I demand to have some booze!" he replied, firmly prodding the Gadsanian's chest with his index finger.

"Yeah, we've come all this way to see you boys and been through a battle.." the scornful young mariner slightly inflated the South China Sea attack "..our cap'n wants a drink, and the rest of us.." he looked to a few of his mates "..well we probably wouldn't touch your weak rubbish anyway!"

(A confused sound in the background indicated Adams' uncertainty as to whether he'd just been insulted by his own crewman.)

The engineer (I didn't name him yet, did I? [scratches head]), clutching a bag full of documents by both hands tilted his head slightly towards the nearest Iansislian officers and with some uming and erming suggested that it'd be well to say something decisive, since his merchant navy countrymen were lacking proper military leadership since the tragic events near Hainan. He tried to make a point of the losses, but wasn't sure if sounding so..wet was really the best way to endear himself to old soldiers like these.

may i join in on this RP but kinda stay in the back ground,im using U-Boats and Luftwaffe Aircraft....please confirm me...

(wow...that's a lot of extra posts...)

(wow...that's a lot of extra posts...)

"I don' care if you're the flippin' Queen Mother!" exclaimed the Gadsanian, brushing Adams' finger away. "I earned that bloody drink, and I intend to 'ave it!"

"That will be enough!" exclaimed Foppleston, recovering from the blow at once. "Now see here! You men are to stand down at once, and will all report to my office first thing tomorrow morning! I don't..."

Foppleston recieved the second blow roughly where the first had landed. He spun around - stiff even in falling down - with a clunk.

Slightly before that, a collection of junior - but all rather old - Iansislean cavalry officers had reviewed the Walmingtonian engineer with cold eyes. One, a one-armed lieutenant, indicated his missing left arm.

"I recieved this at Salvador, young man. Don't presume to tell your betters about how terrible a battle you've been through. Why, we survived night-and-day bombardment for nearly one hundred hours, not to mention the ordeal dismounting, the..."

A glass snatched from near-by flew past the lieutenant's head, missing by barely an inch, preceeded half a second by a shout "They're 'avin' their own officers now! Come on, lads! We're missing out!"

The vocal young seaman lead his two mates in a dash forward, but being barely pint-size he was soon wondering what he'd hoped to acomplish, as he lay on his back.

The first engineer, wide eyed, was soon scuttling towards the door with a couple of diminuative technicians, while the remaining engineers shrugged and jumped into the Dominion men, and most of the mariners -daft grins on their faces- piled onto their own officers.

(it seems its not just my connection playing up :) )

A squad of luftwaffe fighter planes flew over WoS the flight commander radioed in"hallo,we got routed by the sea storm,permission to land under white flag,conditions are bad up here!we cannot return in such bad weather,"the radioed hummed and buzzed,the rain was very bad and fog was rolling in,the sea was rough and the skys were deadly at a time like this"hallo!!16 stuka class dive bombers here,8th squadron bremenhaven,please respond"....

"I say!" exclaimed the lieutenant. "Stop it n..." A chair came out of nowhere, crowning him. The drunken Dominioners didn't really care who they were fighting, so long as their fist landed on something.

After a few minutes, the disturbance was noted, and other, more rational and sober Iansislean cavalrymen arrived. The brief fight was broken up, and Walmingtoners and Iansisleans alike carted off to the brig to cool down.

Meanwhile, another, younger lieutenant - and one who had not been at Salvador himself - was asking the Walmingtonish engineer who had reported the fight details of what had happened.

(God damn it! :?)

(I er..hm.. I dunno how to handle the apparent division of Germany, I don't think this sort of thing worked well last time, as I remember it, and WoS, DK, and Iansisle ended up branching off from the quagmire. I didn't dream that, did I? And I rather imagine that the British RAF has eaten those Stuka alive by now- assuming their lack-of-fuel hasn't)

The engineer was puffing out his cheeks and shaking his head quite a lot, possibly trying too hard to make evident his disaproval of what had occured.

"I'm afriad the merchants, they're not all that disciplined, you know? Fresh off civy street, most of them.. rattled by the ambush, you know? Not that I'm excusing them.. Not that they started ..I mean.." putting his bag under one arm, he briefly lifted his forage cap (its rare to see a Walmingtonian man without either a forage cap, peaked hat, or bowler atop his head, even if it may seem improper attire) to at once wipe sweat from his balding head, and to brush back his comb-over. "Just a bit of rowdiness, you know? Cultural misunderstandings and all, I'd say."

Yes, he thought, that'll have to do. I really must get in touch with Vollombo, maybe they can give me a clue on how to proceed

The engineer, "Mr.. er, Cpl.Puckett" proceeded to drop in comments about the lack of proper WoS authority in the ..well in the entire Pacific, actually Jesus, with the captain in custody, am I the ranking Walmingtoner within..how many thousand miles? and to blatantly fiddle with the terribly interesting vehicle component plans in his bag.

The stuka's are surrendering,they have no choise...they weather and lack of fuel will kill them....the air is not fit for any aircraft... therefore they are the only 1's in the airspace that got routed...please let them land...it's better then having them parachute all over WoS

Lieutenant Moore, the new Iansislean officer-in-charge regarded Cpl. Puckett with an arched eyebrow. Moore was a calm, collected man, but not one inclined to unanticipated action or particular intuition. He was therefore of the sort that the elderly and conservitive High Command showed a particular liking for.

As the sort of man that High Command liked, Lieutenant Moore wanted not to become the sort of man High Command didn't like. One way of staying off that particular list was not do have unexpected things happen under your command - bar fights with foreign nationals was one way of being unexpected.

"Well, I'm sure that all will be better in the morning," nodded Lieutenant Moore. "Shall we go have a word with your Captain Adams now?"

Hmm... Never noticed this thread before WoS. But then I don't normally search using someone elses name in the Author slot.

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