NationStates Jolt Archive

http://www.maritimeprints.com/Maritime%20Prints_files/Drednought_small.jpg
http://www.maritimeprints.com/JUNE03/1909-fleet-review-cmyk-.jpg
The Empress has announced that a fleet review will be hedl, in company with the Hainanese fleet, along with a gunnery demonstration.Many speculate on the presence of Hainanese President Mrotsky, and the fleet is expected to steam off the coast of Iansislean Mekong.

President Mrotsky will be on the HNS Independence, the flagship of the Hainanese fleet.

Her Sanctified Magnificence will be travelling in our own flagship, the HSMSSiam battlecruiser.The HSMS Laos, recently completed, will sail in the fleet, according to high-ranking members of the Resplendant Court [she's not fully operational yet, but she makes the fleet look better].

The entire Hainanese Fleet was sent, a few torpedo boats and "gunboats" will guard Hainan.

The Hainanese Fleet is preparing to meet up with their Chaing Maian counterparts.

Independence class battleships let loose:

HNS Indepedence:
http://www.warships1.com/USbb61_Iowa_pic1.jpg
HNS Freedom:
http://www.warships1.com/W-Iowas/index_pic1.jpg
HNS Liberty:
http://www.battleship.org/images/bbxxfa.jpg
HNS Autonomy
http://www.battleship.org/images/BN/fire1t.jpg

bump

Mind if my flagship joins you?

Mind if my flagship joins you?
OOC:
If it's ww2 tech... why not?

The two fleets have steemed up the Gulf and openned fire on a flotilla of small junks (after the crews left them) just off the shore of Iansislean Mekong.Both the ships firing and the junks exploding was clearly visible from shore; the fleets then steamed to Bankgok in two parallel ligns.The Maï battleships-Sukhotaï, MekongColossus class from WWI] and Nân[HMSAgincourt, another WWI type ship]- and the three Siam-class battlecruisers and the Hainanese capital ships in the lead, followed by cruisers and destroyers steaming together formed an impressive sight.

http://warships1.com/BB61stats/index-pic1.jpg
a battleship fires.

Its more of a Modern battleship, but its based off the yamato. 12 18" guns in 4 triple turrets. I'll get my pic as soon as I upload it.

A Vlad Olda class cruiser:
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aj.cashmore/russia/cruisers/kirov1/kirov1.jpg
A Vanyukh class cruiser:
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/aj.cashmore/russia/cruisers/sverdlov/dzerzhinskiy1.jpg
A Lanka class battleship:
http://www.warship.get.net.pl/Rosja/Battleships/P_1915_Borodino_class/Izmail_art_01.jpg

http://www.warships1.com/Weapons/WNBR_15-42_mk1_Queen_Elizabeth_pic.jpg
forward turrets of HSMS Vietnam
http://warships1.com/BRcl23_Glasgow_aft.jpg
Light cruiser HSMS Viengchang steaming away to the review
http://warships1.com/BRdd08_Afridi_38.jpg
Annam-class destroyer HSMS Tigerlily

A Mersy class destroyer:
http://www.warships1.com/RUSdd33_Gnevny_pic1.jpg

In the crown colony of Iansislean Galla-China, fleet exersizes very close to the shore were watched with a mixture of terror, excitment, and resentment. Colonial officers were the ones who were terrified, common Iansislean workmen were resentful of the power display just off their shore, and the natives were excited.

After much discussion, it was decided to send a flight of BAF-1 "Blinder" bombers, escorted by MAPF-6 "Colt" jet fighters to "keep an eye on the procedings". They flyers took off from Iansislean aviation docks near the coast, flying out to twelve nautical miles on the dot, where they turned parallel to the coast. Patrol boats - a single TBIII and a handful of TBIs - also stood out to sea, but stayed well within territorial waters.

Across the South China Sea, at Port Laughlin, Sarawak, the Mobile AeroFlyer Dock HIMS Salvador and its destroyer escorts stood out to sea, steaming north-west at a lazy twelve knots.

http://digilander.libero.it/Falkayn/regiamarina/images/perseo.jpg
TBIII

http://users.argonet.co.uk/users/tudor/history/planes.jpg
Blinders

http://www.cushnieent.force9.co.uk/Illustrious%20at%20Guernsey%201951.gif
Salvador

http://www.stormbirds.com/warbirds/header.jpg
Colt

OOC:ok Hainan, youve got better pics :lol:

Naga MkII fighters were dispatched to patrol over the fleet, but didn't seek to close with the Iansislean aeroflyers.Dragonflies of the Imperial Guard patrol over the flagship because of the Imperial presence.

Ever heard of google?
:wink:

EDIT: D'oh!

The Colts had to throttle down quite a bit to keep from outpacing the Blinders. On a sudden cue, the Blinders opened their bombbays. Mock-ups of 250 lb "BugRug" bombs - eighteen per Blinder, with twenty Blinders in the formation - fell harmlessly into the South China Sea at eleven nautical miles out. Meanwhile, half the Colts suddenly throttled up, diving slightly, before pulling up just above the water at five hundred and twenty statutes per hour. Pulling around to port (ooc - heading north, so towards Galla-China), the roared back, before coming back into formation with the other Colts and Blinders.

I-4MK naval fighters were scrambled to meet but not attack the Iansislan planes.

OOC:bah, i don't feel the need to prove anything with 1337 p1c5 ;)
IC:
HSMS Siam, flagship of the fleet, off the Mekong Delta
"Your Sanctified Magnificence, the imperialists are responding by showing their own strength."
"Thanks for stating the obvious, Ironhawk" Lia retorted "but i can see it with my own eyes."The Empress and the two men looked up instinctively at the distinctive shape of the Dragonfly fighters droning overhead.Hopefully, the imperialists arn't stupid enough to launch an attack now...
Val spoke up, ever pragmatic "Their torpedo boats shouldn't be to much of a problem....their twin-engine bombers have long legs and heavy payloads but the price is less speed, maneuvrability and defensive firepower than ours.The jet fighters are much faster and have armor comparable to ours, but less firepower.In a dogfight, they are about as maneuvrable as the Nagas, or maybe slightly more agile, but less so than the Dragonfly..nothing exceptional.The main worry is the range of their air power: they can send them out of Gallaga, out of range of retaliations...until our latest strategic bombers and multiple-stacked fighter drop-tanks, but the drop-tanks will require neutralizing Iansislean air power near the frontlign; if they can put fighters up near our bases, while our fighters have all their drop tanks on, they get a target shoot, unfortunately.As for their main fleet, i'm certain the Queen Jessica is in the region as well as two or three heavy cruisers and a number of destroyers.In case of war, this would be strengthened, but not draconically so as the upcoming European front will drain many of their naval units; probably cruisers more than heavier ships.Luckily, with our new Haiphong fleet cruiser, we'll be able to destroy those easily...if we can complete it secretely."
Lia nodded.
"We'll win, unless they avoid war with Germany somehow."
OOC:my internet access will be drastically reduced with returning to school now :(

Ministry of War

Lord Michael Javial entered the office of Sir Timothy J. Bates, the commander of the Iansislean aeroforces. Bates looked confused at the sudden entrance, but held it back well. “M’lord?”

“Word from Galla-China, Air Marshall. Hainan and Chaing Mai are staging a cooperative naval demonstrations just outside Iansislean waters.”

Bates sighed. “So it’s true - they’ve been allowed to slip into an alliance. Iansisle cannot hold them both back, can it?”

“I’m afraid not,” said Javial morosely, shaking his head. “One at a time, maybe. Both at once, with this Germany thing looming over our head - no.”

The slim, young Air Marshall leaned back in his chair. His question was simple. “What can we do?”

Javial - uninvited - took a seat opposite Bates. “Evacuate Galla-China.”

That made Bates choke. “Evacuate a crown colony? In peace time?”

“Yes, Air Marshall,” replied Javial, his voice and eyes distant. “We’d have to leave a small garrison of men - in case the Chaing Mai(ans?) and the Hainans can be appeased somehow, and this thing doesn’t come to a shooting war, but we must remove all Iansislean heavy equipment from the Mekong Delta. Aeroflyers, shore batteries, the torpedo boats, the armored cars - everything.”

Bates sat silently for a minute, considering the Minister of War’s words. “Shall I start working on a plan to remove Delta Wing to Port Laughlin?” he asked at long last.

“Yes, Sir Timothy. I knew I could count on you. Carry on.” Javial rose and saluted Bates, who mimicked his civilian superior, wincing internally at the sloppy salute.

(I'm sorry, C.M. - just when it starts to get fun, too ;) Good luck in school!)

OOC:
To complete your carnage, I'm releasing new naval designs later today :D

Walmington meanwhile appears to be taking the opposite line to Iansisle, and General Sir Jack Jones is troubled. Division is the last thing we need now. Outnumbered and essentially surrounded already, at home and in the colonies. Naval Group Ceyloba remained on station at the island which gave the expedition its name, the African colonies reinforced -though shipments to Ceyloba had decreased as the admiralty realised it could not yet properly protect its supply lines that far from home, in the light of German u-boat and commerce raider activity.

WoS would just have to do her best to avoid antagonising the east Asians until something more could be safely done. Try to keep our heads down - hope they don't attack the Ians thought the PM. Ruddy Orientals.

[OOC: no time to make a long post, will be back later today (hopefully) with more info about when i can be on)

[OOC:this is some evvvvvil timetable i got, won't be able to get more than an hour a day during weekdays, sometimes no time at all....luckily, there are weekends ;) ]
Nân, Maï Province, the Sanctified Holy Empire of Chiang Maï
A young Tigerling[Lieutenant] brought the intel report to the Empress' military office.He was surprised when he saw the large hawk figure in sheet brass on the left breast of the man who took it's robes[ grunts only have western-style uniforms, but higher ranking officers, and any officer at all in the Navy, wore robes unless they are in battle-dress]: Brasshawks[ roughly corresponding to three stars in the western ranking system] rarely fetched their own reports.
Val studied the report; then he grinned.He knew what should be done.

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

The Military Council was debating the reaction to Iansislean withdrawal [OOC: assume your only withdrawing from the Delta, not Burma(Myanmar to me ICly)].Saung Bouthra, the Sanctified Diamondhawk of the Empire[you don't need to remember his name as he'll have a heart attack, but the Diamondhawk is the highest military figure in the S.H.Empire] spoke, intending his words to be the last:
"It may be a trap. They know we want more troops in the North and West[that's how my characters will be thinking, your call I. wether it's true or not ;)]; perhaps they bait us to pull away our men, then they come back and strike by surprise.We cannot take that chance."
But Val-much to the old Diamondhawk's surprise- answered back:
" we have a column[roughly equivalent to brigade] at Viengchan and three at Quang-Tri in preparation for Swooping Cormorant, Mekong Front.If we leave a column in each city, it will be enough, with support from Navy and Flying Corps, to mop up the token force they left behind, and if they land by surprise , combined with the regular garrisons, enough to contain them. We can move three columns from Quang-tri by train to Hanoi, then to Nantaï.The three at Nantaï then go south to Nân, then Rayong, and two at Rayong take the train to Sukhotaï then Siam Rai, and we have the forces both for Swooping Cormorant, Myanmar Front and for Golden Fist, without vulnerability in the Mekong."
Lia nodded her head.The plan was on.

(I love my Tuesday/Thursday schedule...one class starting at 1:00pm :P

At any rate, the East Gallaga Company does maintain large numbers of native and Iansislean troops in Burma and East Gallaga, but that's mainly to keep the natives down and provide defense. Because they aren't under the government's direct control, and the EGC has no interest to become involved in Galla-China (they considered it a rather stupid waste of colonial resources, compared to Sarawak and Batam), you don't really need to worry about them.)

Andrani, the primary Iansislean port in Galla-China, was a scene of disaster. Large crates were loaded into merchantmen, while twin-engine Blinder bombers flew out as makeshift transports. Out in the countryside, in a small stone fortress, a company of Royal riflemen listened to the noises from the port.

"They're leaving, Earl. The navy and the flying corps both," whispered Private Sam Apple, as if he would be overheard by the Minister of War himself. "We'll be all by ourselves."

"Don't be silly, Sam," replied his friend, Earl Thomas, who nonetheless clutched his M74B rather tightly. "There's still two thousand RIAC troops throughout the river delta. We'll be fine."

Sam's look said that he didn't agree with his friend completely.
____

Meanwhile, a diplomatic communication was arriving in the foreign office of Her Sanctified Majesty.

To her Most Sanctified Majesty, Regent of All of Greater Chiang Maï,

Greetings from the Commonwealth! I realize that tensions between our countries have become somewhat strained of late, but hope that is not a reason for bloodshed.

As you've no doubt noticed, Iansisle has withdrawn all but the two thousand men of the King's XIV Rifles division from the Mekong river delta. Iansisle, in its ignorance, didn't stop to think how threatening a large force on your very borders may be.

I'm sure your glorious nation has yet more differences with us that may need to be solved, and invite both Her Sanctified Majesty - though we understand if events preclude her from coming - and any number of deputies of her choice to Ianapalis to parlay. We look forward to your response.

In the name of the High King,

Lord John MacIntyre
Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Commonwealth of Iansisle
http://www.britainincanada.org/graphics/100Qs/stpatricks_flag.gif

Diplomatic letter from Her Sanctified Magnificence, the Empress
Holy Greetings, Lord McIntyre.
We realise that you meant us no harm, and acknowledge your withdrawal of troops with gratitude.Indeed, as you may verify yourself, we have withdrawn a large number of troops from our fortress-city of Quang-Tri in Low Annam in response, realising that they, in turn, might have given you cause to doubt the friendliness of our intentions.As for your invitation, we sicnerely regret that we may not attend in person, but will be glad to send some dignitaries from our Resplendant Court, who shall go with our full confidence.
May the Gods grant you a long and fulfilled life.

[OOC: ah, the joys of hypocrisy ;) not the least of which is a diplomatic secretary writing in the Empress' voice and name ;) ]

"The Empress'" (;)) letter was met with a good deal of relief in the halls of Jameston Place.

"Maybe they're not all a bunch of psychpathic fundamentalist Gallers," was the opinion of Lord Javial. (Gallers being a derogatory term for Gallagans) With a look of disgust, he was reminded by Lord MacIntyre to keep his big mouth shut while the Chaing Maians were in Ianapalis.

A friendly, gracious letter was sent back, telling the Empress that any diplomats who were recieved would be most welcome and in the best hands possible. Questions about travel arrangments were answered, and the F.A. ministry settled in to wait.

OOC:
Hope you dont mind me copying your idea a bit, CM :wink:
IC:
Letter to the governments of Iansisle and Walmington on Sea:
Although we have been building up our navy in recent times, this by no means is a buildup to attack you. There are some who would wish to annex us (china comes to mind), and were it not for our naval strength, probably would have. We propose to open up embassies in your countries as a sign of normal relations and to help avoid any risk of war.

A response to Hainan's request for an embassy:

Honourable Sir/Madam

His Majesty King Godfrey III extends to Hainan the offer of embassy grounds on the sunny southern isle of Newry, and sends his own servants to establish a like consulate in your own nation.

( :D [rubs hands])


(Oh wait, that last bit wasn't in the official response, hehe)

"A letter for Hainan as well? How splendid!" exclaimed Lord MacIntyre, shuddering as he thought of Iansisle drawing ever closer to a European war half the world distant. "We'd love to have them - oh, I suppose we should dispatch a ambassador there as well, and one to Chaing Mai. Edwards, pick the best canidates, inform them, then reply to our East Asian friends."

"Yes, m'lord," sighed Edwards, rolling his eyes. Don't you ever DO anything?

OOC:hehe ;)
The Most Noble Basang Kampôri looked nervous.He strongly suspected that the decision for war had been made, and he was only being sent to put the ennemy's vigilance to sleep-a risky proposition at best-despite the assurances to the contrary from the Imperial Secretary to Diplomacy.He thought to himself that the only reason[C.M. is an absolute monarchy, so he probably would have "accepted" anyway ;) ] he accepted was because Redhawk Saung Kithrati was being sent as 'military attaché'-everybody knew that the old Diamondhawk Bouthra would die soon, and that Brasshawk Narya, the commander of the Imperial Guard, would step into his shoes; the chances of Val's handpicked deputy being sent on a suicide mission, when he would be needed to lead the Guard soon, were quite slim.There was also an other reason why the aging diplomat shivered: he was being transported to Iansisle by air, and he never had trusted aeroplanes.The foreign-made Boeing, however[C.M. dosn't make any civillian planes, all the aircraft production facilities are reserved for the military;like cars, aircraft with a civillian purpose a rare sight] rode smoothly above the clouds, and Kompôri soon found himself making small-talk with his staff.
[OOC note on Maï titles: Most Noble would correspond about to "his/her Grace", Noble to "Lord" and Honorable to "Sir".Whether or not Iansisleans follow these translations is up to I., of course, and could help to flesh out relations between characters (obvioulsy, the Maï would take more of a liking to someone who respects their titles than someone who dosn't ;).Incidentally, if you start a new thread and think i should be involved or know of it, could you mention "Chiang Maï" somewhere in the post so i can find it with the search function?thanks ]

(I'll just shoot you a TG about it.

Here's a map of the Commonwealth:

http://iansisle.freeservers.com/CWmap.jpg

with North being up. Sorry about the poor resolution - ask if you can't read anything. If you ever here me refer to "Sentry Island", it's that light green one on the left. At any rate: )

The radranger station in MacMillian, Southern Sentry Island, picked up the incoming flight. It was identified as the Chaing Maians, who were directed to the capital, Ianapalis.

As the flyer was in transit, Chaing Mai may have recieved notice that Iansisle had declared war on Germany.

Letter to Walmington and Iansisle:
We gladly accept your offer to set up consuls in our country, as well as thank you for allowing us to make embassies in your countries. Once they are ready, Hainanese diplomatic staff will be sent to staff them.

(this was sent slightly before the war was declared on Germany - I think it'd be more fun if you didn't know about that until ambassadors are enroute :))

TO: Hainan
FROM: Iansislean Foreign Affairs Ministry

As you may well be aware, sir, Iansisle is getting ready to host a diplomatic conference regarding events in the South China Sea, in hopes of reducing tension. It would be irresponsible of us not to invite your illustrious leaders as well. We beg of you - for the sake of peace, please come to the negotiation table.

In the name of the King,

Lord John MacIntyre
Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Commonwealth of Iansisle
http://www.britainincanada.org/graphics/100Qs/stpatricks_flag.gif

(I'll just shoot you a TG about it.

Here's a map of the Commonwealth:

http://iansisle.freeservers.com/CWmap.jpg

with North being up. Sorry about the poor resolution - ask if you can't read anything. If you ever here me refer to "Sentry Island", it's that light green one on the left. At any rate: )

The radranger station in MacMillian, Southern Sentry Island, picked up the incoming flight. It was identified as the Chaing Maians, who were directed to the capital, Ianapalis.

As the flyer was in transit, Chaing Mai may have recieved notice that Iansisle had declared war on Germany.[OOC:err, no image for me :?
EDIT: see it now :)]

[OOC: i'll wait awhile before answering that post though, but this post shall be placeholder for OOC description of all my war-gear ;) so PLACEHOLDER for now :P

Air-to-ground ordnance:

Hailstone MkII bomb
800lbs of TNT, with a time-delay fuse.Any questions? :P
The fuse's length is set before the mission, and it's lit (it's an old-school fuse ;) ) at the moment of dropping.Not particularly sophisticated, but reliable, and nobody would choose to have 800lbs of TNT to explode on top of them :P .

Firerain MkI incendiary bomb
A cannister of Greek fire (y'know, kindof like Napalm 'cept they used it back in the XIIth century) weighing 400lbs and shattering on impact, ideal for incinerating infantry.

Jinden Aerial Rocket MkI
Originally designed as an air-to-air weapon, but found more usefull (or will be once it starts being used) as an anti-personnel weapon, this fairly small rocket moves at 1050 kph (about 290m/s) and detonates 250ft (75m) from point of launch and explodes into a shower of shrapnel capable of ripping a fighter apart or decimating an infantry squad (or even up to a platoon if they stick close enough together).

Jinden Armour-Pierceing Rocket MkIV
Originally designed as an anti-ship weapon but to small to really affect a ship, will discover itself a (probably succesfull) career as an anti-tank close-support weapon.

Aircraft:

http://koti.mbnet.fi/~jjuvonen/photos/tempest3.jpg

Naga MkII Air-superiority fighter
Manufacturer: Jinden Defense Industries
Length: 9.88m
Height: 4.69m
Wingspan: 12.65m
Engine: 1 Jinden Sabre developping 2,380hp
Speed: 680kph (425mph)
Service Ceiling: 48,000 fet
Turning Time: 17.4 seconds.
Weight(loaded): 8,000kg
Armament: 4x Jinden Crossbow 23mm aviation gun
2x Jinden machine-rifle 7.7mm
Skin:steel, 5 to 8mm thickness
[/blatant Hawker Tempest ripoff]

http://www.divernet.com/wrecks/pics/0102qna1.jpg

Hellraiser army support fighter/torpedo bomber
Manufacturer: Jinden Defence Industries
Length: 9.73m
Height: 4.66m
Wingspan 12.67m
Engine: 1 Jinden Shaman developping 2,200 HP
Speed: 616kph(385mph)
Service Ceiling: 32.500feet
turning time: 20.1 seconds
Weight(loaded) 8,504kg
Armament: 2x Jinden Crossbow 23mm aviation gun
4x Jinden machine-rifle 7.7mm;
racks for up to eight rockets(Jinden Aerial Rocket MkIs and/or Jinden Armor-Piercing Rocket MkIVs),pylons for carrying up to 2 hailstone MkII or 4 Firerain MkI bombs; or 1 SailfishMkIII torpedo.
Skin: Steel, 8 to 11mm thickness
[/blatant Hawker Typhoon Ripoff]

http://mcmsoftware.tripod.com/ju88.jpg
Kormorant Bomber
Manufacturer: Jinden Defence Industries(by now you'll have guessed they take military procurement officers hostage )
Length: 15.11m
Height:4.47m
Wingspan: 20.12m
Engines: 2x Jinden Shaman developping 2,200hp each
Speed: 560 kph (350mph)
Turn time: 21.2 seconds
Service Ceiling:46,200 feet
Weight(loaded):19,260kg
Armament:
fixed forward firing:
2x Jinden Crossbow 23mm Aviation Guns
2x Jinden Machine-rifle 7.7mm
Rear turret:
2x Jinden Crossbow 23mm Aviation Guns
2x Jinden Machine-rifle 7.7mm
Bombs bay:
Up to 4 Hailstone MkIIs, or 8 FirerainMkIs,or 3 Sailfish MkIIIs, or 10 Harpoon MkII depth charges.
Skin:Steel, 9 to 13mm thickness.
[this was only "loosely based" upon a real WWII aircraft(i'll bet yah you never guess which), so there may be hope for me yet...]


Infantry arms:

still incomplete, but now you probably have an idea of what i do in school when i should be learning German(no offense to anybody who speaks it) or doing sports ;) ]

[OOC: why the fuck arn't my image tags working? :evil: :evil: :evil: ]

(I think you have an extra space before and after them in there. Try deleting them.)

(img)url(/img)

(like that, but with brackets)

[nope, dosn't work....tried with the bomber pic, dosn't work...i had actually added the spaces to see if that would make them appear when they first didn't come up :evil: :evil: :evil: ]

(huh...beats me, then. Are you sure they're images, and not just regular websites?)

[found the problem, it needed the little HTTP:// thingies ;) but two of them no workie :( ]

[yay, they all work...)]
Skies above Iansisle
The Most Noble Basang Kompôri was somewhat upset by the news of the war declaration-while there where no direct ties between the Resplendant Court and Berlin, Germany had always been considered a more friendly power than Iansisle and the other colonialist empires.Redhawk Kitthrati checked his files-the East Gallaga Company was unlikely to move it's own troops, but the regular RIAC forces might be shifted to another theater.He wanted to know how many of them were in Myanmar...he also would get the crumbly old man sent as the official ambassador to find out more about the relations between Iansisle and Calarca; they could do without thousands of Calarcans invading from their bases in Gallanesia...

The aeroplane landed gently in Ianapalis.The Redhawk stood, and motioned one of the servants to hold the door open, while the Most Noble Ambassador and his deputy, the Honourable Tok Karankïâ stepped out, then Saung followed them out himself.

[b]Nân, Maï Province, Sanctified Holy Empire of Chiang Maï
The Jewelled Hall was empty. Lia sat alone on her throne, pondering the decisions she had made in the last five years...dangerous decisions, that would cost the lives of many. Yet she was assured they would further the cause of the Sanctified Holy Empire. But was it worth it?it has to be...it must be....certainly the Gods will it...
The door burst open. Nine men walked in, carrying heteroclitous arms. She recognised every one of them: here were some of her least trustworthy courtiers. The Empress stood, on the steps to her throne, and spoke:
"What are you doing here?I ordered all people to keep out!"She knew she was going to die as the doors slammed shut behind the newcomers, and despite the fear she felt gripping her guts, she was determined to stay dignified to the end. The tallest of the aristocrats spoke:
"You would have led us to a disastrous war. You must be stopped-you will be stopped. You have gone against our customs, and trampled down the aristocracy. No more."
"You fool. I have always acted for the best."
"Shut up, whore!"barked one of the younger men."Kill her, now!"
Weapons were raised and aimed. Lia felt her heart tighten in her chest.

Then the doors flew open. Brasshawk Narya strode through, in full battledress. A standard-issue Imperial Guard officer's pistol was holstered at his belt, along with a short, curved sword, a regulations fourteen inch kukri, and a kriss not usually carried. A straight-bladed combat knife could be seen-or rather it's hilt could-emerging from each of his boots; he wore a webbing vest festooned with bombs[Grenades], a third combat knife, spare ammunition, a water-canteen, compass and binoculars, plus additional field-gear. Torn remains hung from the metal helmet where the camouflage netting had been hastily torn away, and it was obvious the brasshawk's insignia had been hastily screwed on. He carried a deadly Federov carbin[Russian 1910s first-ever assault rifle design] at the ready, with bayonnet attached. But most important of all, he looked mightily furious. The rebels swung hastily around, but two Guardsmen in dress uniform, complete with ceremonial headdress, came in behind the Brasshawk and shouldered their Lee-Enfields. A squad of the Imperial Guard in battledress came in hot on their heels, seeming a very heterogeneous unit with five different helmet prototypes on, a soldier bearing the new infantry machine-rifle with it's bipod hanging loosely in the air, another with an experimental flamethrower, two had scopes (an excellent British-made Lee-Enfield no.38 for one, an indigenous model for the other) attached to their Lee-Enfield MkIs, and a man, obviously an officer, bore a Federov. All nine Lee-Enfields and the Federov had their bayonnets fixed, as did the two Guards in ceremonial dress. The soldiers looked very nearly as angry as their leader.

A quick burst erupted from Val's Federov.As one of the rebels collapsed, the young Brasshawk spoke:
"Not only are you disloyal, but you have to be stupid to boot."
A rebel raised his pistol.The Federov's muzzle swung for him, erupting once again into flames, and the man fell backwards with three 7.7mm bullets in his chest. The Brasshawk didn't even shift his gaze.
"Trying to bribe my men. The mistake that cost you your miserable lives."
The would-be putschists were slow to catch on to Val's meaning, but when they did, they charged, raising their weapons. The Hall erupted with the deafening noise of fifteen weapons firing together, and all seven rebels could be seen collapsed onto the floor when the flamethrower's cloud of death subsided. The Empress took a step forwards, and spoke:
"Val, dear, you always choose the best moments to come and pay your hommage. Unfortunately, the burning bodies of some scorpions threaten to char our floor.It is our will that they be removed."
"It shall be done, your Sanctified Magnificence." He barked an order. The two men in dress uniform shut the doors and returned to their vigil outside, while the battledress squad set about disposing of the conspirators bodies.
"With your leave, i will retire to put on something more suitable for my courtly duties."Val bowed. The Empress answered
"You have our leave, Brasshawk.But it is our pleasure to know of the latest developments concerning our plans."
As he left, Val said
"This war with Germany may help things.If we give them a week's worth of mascarade, then i can promise you Myanmar and the Delta on a platter.
"It is well.Now with our Court cleansed of snakes and the imperialist's nearest colonies ripe to fall into our hand, we are pleased."

(sweet deal...afraid I'm falling asleep now (it's 5am here, and I've hardly gotten any sleep this week/weekend). Look forward to it, though!)

[eh, just posted the first section :(...good night ;) ]

[whoa, finally finished it.....'twas a long post, that one.

(sorry it took so long to respond to this!)

Basang Kompôri was met at the aerodock by the Lord John of MacIntyre, the present Minister of Foreign Affairs, who bowed in what he assumed was an Oriental manner.

"Your Excellency, welcome to Iansisle." MacIntyre removed himself from the awkward position, sweeping his hand towards a waiting Westerton Jackrabbit IV Stretch. The horseless buggy puttered them down Empire Street towards the dock at Jameston Place.

"I hope you don't mind, but the High King James III himself has asked to meet with you, and for you to stay with him at Dun Adien Castle," remarked MacIntyre casually. "If that presents a problem, the government can, of course, put you up at Jameston Place or any private hotel."

The Westerton backfired.

(Iansislean forces in Burma are larger than the division left in Galla-China, and the Company does provide its own small airforce, reinforced by units from the RIFC. There's no tanks, of course, and most of the 40,000 or so men in Burma are poorly trained, equiped, and led Gallagan levies. They won't carry late model rifles, have artillery support, or anything else. The primary stronghold is St. Walburg, near modern day Rangoon. Relations with Calarca are very up and down.)

[hmm,interesting...i plan on attacking with an initial strength of 13 columns (about 45,000 troops, with several hundred elephants, artillery, etc] and heavy air support, followed in by more troops, plus three columns in the Golden Triangle area (to the north of C.M. so northeast Burma).Just soy ou know ;) ]
Kompôri started at the backfire[cars are an oddity in C.M..More people own a private airplane than a car :shock: ], then answered:
"Dun Adien will be fine.I have always wished to meet your King, he seems to be a most interesting and worthy ruler."

(Company defenses east of the Salween River are all but non-existant. Most of the force is concentrated on the Irrawadda, mostly in the south. In the event of an invasion, Company troops would either fall south into St. Walburg or west to the Arakan Yoma. I imagine central Burma would be easy to overrun, souther Burma a harder nut to crack, and Gallaga almost impossible to penetrate (once proper conscription and arms reinforcments from the Commonwealth start arriving.))

"I'm sure he'd be glad to hear you say that," smiled MacIntyre, smiling. After a trip of about ten miles, the Westerton pulled up infront of Jameston Place, the ancient Parliament building of Iansisle. Crowds of people were everywhere, waving little flags and making speeches against Germany. Downwind, in the industrial sector of Ianapalis, black smoke poured from hundreds of smokestacks. The large docks bustled with activity, and dozens of large ships - merchant and military - could be seen out in the Bay.

MacIntyre led Kompôri aboard an ancient looking iron-clad ship steam and sail ship - the name read Regal - that was entirely too bedecked with luxerious goods. "The King's personal yacht," nodded MacIntyre.

The journey from Ianapalis to Dun Adien - situated on Ian's Island about five miles offshore - was a quick one. As the Regal was still being tied up, a young, slim figure appeared in the cove. MacIntyre bowed in a more 'western' manner.

"My lord the King - Your Majesty, may I present the Most Noble Basang Kompôri of Chaing Mai ; Your Excellency, may I present His Iansislean Majesty, High King James III of the House of Callahan, Lord of the Ancestrial Land of Shadoran, the Most Illustrious Archduke of Sentry Island, and the Protector of the Empire and all its Dominions?"

The rather dashing young man flashed a smile. "Please, your Excellency, just James is fine. Welcome to Iansisle."

Kômpori bowed deeply, then answered:
"Your Majesty, i fear it would go against my upbringing to refer to a monarch by name when speaking to him."He ventured a smile."But my thanks for the welcome.I have heard much good of your country."

"And I of yours," returned James, waving Kômpori up the stairs towards Dun Adien. "However - and I do hope you'll forgive me for cutting straight to business - I understand there is friction between us?"

"Indeed[OOC:damn, still havn't thought of a casus belli worthy of that name, and where's Hainan gone to?].There have been....worries...and the logical reactions of both sides has unfortunately lead to an escalation."
[OOC:sorry, don't have time to run a long dialog :( have homework to get down to :(]

[oopp, forgot i intended to give OOC notice that i was developping a jet-driven ground-attack fighter, and a large criser (not battlecruiser, but bigger than an "ordinary" heavy cruiser)]

James held a door open for Kômpori, brilliant golden light spilling from inside out to the ground. "Please, have a seat," asked James, motioning the ambassador to a number of comfortable chairs. "As you may know, I recently had to sign an order that put my country at war with Nazi Germany. Despite the continual provocations, that may have been one of the hardest things I've ever had to do.

"War is the worst thing that can happen between two states, and I hope our nations can avoid it at all costs. Perhaps if we discussed what my strategists assure me is at the root of the problem - the Iansislean colony in Galla-China."

(Sort of an Alaska-class type of thing?)

Hmm... Naga is good, but my C-5 is 2700Hp in a shorter, Slightly lighter plane, with 6 20mm Cannon. With fully movable tailplanes, which the Tempests et al didn't have it turns tighter than a plane with flap style tailplanes.

One way yours can beat mine is the benefit inlines have over Radials, easier to supercharge giving better high altitude performance, your Naga goes higher than my 30 something thou feet. Forgotten the stats, it's in the QJ sails thread, about 39K so 9000 less than yours. I'll have to develop a Inline or bludgeon Iansisle into giving me a Jet eingine factory to go much higher. either that or do as the P-47 did and fill the rear fuselage with a combined tubo/supercharger, at a large weight loss.

Expect the C-5 to reach 3500HP, the full tuned power for a R-4360 powered C-5B reaching 740KmH later in the war.
Before that I'll be replacing the russian La-5 fixed pitch 3 blade prop on the prototype with a British 5 blade Adjustable on the production. Reaching 680Kmh to match the naga in a month or two.

((Iansislean forces in Burma are larger than the division left in Galla-China, and the Company does provide its own small airforce, reinforced by units from the RIFC. There's no tanks, of course, and most of the 40,000 or so men in Burma are poorly trained, equiped, and led Gallagan levies. They won't carry late model rifles, have artillery support, or anything else. The primary stronghold is St. Walburg, near modern day Rangoon. Relations with Calarca are very up and down.)

Calarcian permanent forces are half infantry, half Artillary, come a war like now, we're breaking out rifles from storage and arming native companies, we've (Umm.... 2 mil in 6 months, this is what?, about 2 months RP after the first anouncement maybe?) 660 thousand troops in boot camp now. with them all out we'll have a normal army troop/arty mix proportion. No Tank armour but lots of small mobile armoured cars with MG or 20mm cannons. All Art, 75mm and 90mm can be fired flat at tanks/ground fortifications as well as lobbing shells vertically at targets like Arty normally does. the 75mm can be used as AA, but doesn't turn that fast, it's sueful however fireing on a fixed bearing as a stream of aircraft fly through, like the Bomber streams later in the war, flying through a fixed marking point on there final bomb run.

Right now Calarca wouldn't send troops to help a Burmese area attack on Iansisle forces, but on the Sarawak/Borneo or in the Islands we would, Same for Gallaga, we'd send some up from the southern Calarcian holdings. Calarca would send ships to bombard advancing Burmese forces and rescue, Dunkirk style, but with bigger ships and more air cover, Iansislean forces from Burma.

OOC:
Have a bit less time now.. someone mind filling me in on whats happening?

(not much, really. Calarca's all but allied with Iansisle and Walmington (and it can expect Iansislean help in Malaysia, should it come to that). Chaing Mai is holding a brief diplomatic conference in Iansisle while getting ready for the invasions of Galla-China and Burma. The invasions can start at any time, by the way.)

ooc:Well, DK engaged an Iansislian vessel, and Iansisle and WoS have declared war on DK who is smacking the French and British all around France. Calarca is on the brink of joining WoS and Iansisle, and Ercolana is close to backing DK.

You don't have to worry so much about starting war by some deception or mistaken identity, Hainan, since the whole world's being plunged into war anyway. Chiang Mai is meeting with Iansisle, but I dunno where that's heading. War, presumably, so then it'll be right on your doorstep.


Edit- yeah, what he said :)

(I thought Ercolana and Germay were already allied?)

I don't know that Erco has actually declared war? I very likely missed it though, but if not, WoS's position is that "they will any day, probably"

(I probably missed it myself...haven't seen Ag around much recently. Suppose he's busy with school and all.)

Calarca has joined now, this is a more appropriate thread for this post than the announcement of our new planes testing tho. Given all the fuss about machines on show, lol.

IC:

The flight of three Calarcian fighters took off from Fort Trades airstrip, where they had been re-assembled after their shipment from Home. Setting off over the ocean for Iansislean territory they headed to the northeast loaded down with fuel drop tanks and with the rear fuselage filled with a rubber tempory fuel bladder to increase the range for the long trip, these C-5s were on their way for a show of common fortitude with Iansisle at the Iansislean home islands, stopping at Iansislean colonies on the way to refuel and to show off the latest Calarcian fighter which would be fighting alongside the Iansislean ones.
http://www.steelrat.com/assets/la5_1.gif

Hopefully this show of common purpose, along with the declaration of war would pursuade the new PM of Iansisle to release jet engines and technology to Calarca to enable their HX-51 project to get off the ground.

After ground operators were at last convinced that the Calarcan flyers were not an air raid, they were recieved with great interest at every stop along the way - Port Laughlin, Ambil, Thessia.

At long last, the fighters set down at the Ianapalis aeroflyer dock, where another flight of MPAF-5s and -6s were getting ready to depart on the first leg of their journey across the colonies, and over the nearly 18,000 miles to Walmingtonish, British, and French airbases.

Umm... Whats the link to your specs on the MPAFs agin, I've kinda lost track of which thread and which page it is, theres so many of them, I'm gonna have to make a notepad file out of al the links to all the different specs and who's they are.

(Here ya are...I keep 'em in a Simpletext file for just such occasions!

Sorry if the numbers seem a little...wierd. I don't know much about airplanes - I may actually get about to giving them armor thicknesses soon ;))

Specifications - MPAF-5

Length: 30'11"
Heigth: 12'8"
Wingspan: 37'2"
Gross Weight: 7205 lbs
Powerplant: 1 Graye-Westerton Model 16B
Horsepower: 1795 each
Range: 456 miles
Cruise Speed: 286 miles / hour
Max Speed: 414 miles / hour
Ceiling: 44,750 feet
Armarment: 2 x 20mm cannon ; 4 x .303 machine guns
Armor: Very light


MPAF-6 "Colt"

Length: 36'6"
Heigth: 12'8"
Wingspan: 42'2"
Gross Weight: 15,950 lbs
Powerplant: 2 x Graye-Hudson Model 3G turbojets
Thrust: 1,966 lbs each
Range: 690 miles
Max Speed: 540 miles / hour
Ceiling: 38,750 feet
Armarment: 2 x .303 machine guns ; 2 x 20mm cannons
Armor: Medium

For planes, Armour would only be around the cockpit. a plane can't lift enough to cover everything. the P-51 had only a 11mm plate of titanium down the back of the pilots seat, and the spitfire like most british had none. the P-74 had a tub around the whole cockpit I understand. seems a bit much but it was a big enough tub to carry it.

(that's more or less what I assumed - I think ;) Iansislean flyer strategy tends to desire speed over armor at every turn - the -6 is rather an exception in that regard, and one reason we were glad for the event of jet power.)

I caught part of a fairly basic documentary the other day comparing the 109 and Spitfire (strangely arguing that they were clearly the most important fighters in the battle of Britain. Yeah, I know I'd not be speaking German if we'd never bothered with the Hurricane :? ) and, for a laugh, they fired a Browning .30 mg at aluminium as befits a 109, and as often as not, the rounds failed to penetrate it at zero degrees from close range. The 20mm of course flew right through the Spitfire sheet, and would have done on anything short of about an inch of steel, probably. I know the Russians tried out one flying tank, but..

Specifications - MPAF-5

Length: 30'11"
Heigth: 12'8"
Wingspan: 37'2"
Gross Weight: 7205 lbs
Powerplant: 1 Graye-Westerton Model 16B
Horsepower: 1795 each
Range: 456 miles
Cruise Speed: 286 miles / hour
Max Speed: 414 miles / hour
Ceiling: 44,750 feet
Armarment: 2 x 20mm cannon ; 4 x .303 machine guns
Armor: Very light

Specifications C-5

Length: 36ft. 4in.
Height: 15ft. 1in
Wing Span: 47ft. 0in.
Empty Weight: 7,723 lbs.
Gross weight: 10,159 lbs.
Performance:
Maximum Speed: 648Kph (now 680Kph with new prop. 421.6Mph if calculations right)
Cruising Speed: 546Kph (338Mph)
Ceiling: 35,200 ft.
Range: 678 miles
Pwerplant: One 2700Hp R-4360 28Cyl radial
Armament: Four 20mm ShVAK Cannon in wing & two 20mm ShVAK Cannon in fuselage.

Yours can only beat min in the operating height catagory, I'd give odds on mine out-turning yours, Radials, due to torque factors, can always outurn Inlines in the direction of the motors rotation. And mine has tailplanes that swivel as a single unit, much more manuverablemaking design. A greater wingspan in ratio to length as well, another sign of turnability in a fighter. 6 cannon to 2 cannon/4 MG, and Longer range.

With that operating Altitude I bet your design is a In-line.

I caught part of a fairly basic documentary the other day comparing the 109 and Spitfire (strangely arguing that they were clearly the most important fighters in the battle of Britain. Yeah, I know I'd not be speaking German if we'd never bothered with the Hurricane :? ) and, for a laugh, they fired a Browning .30 mg at aluminium as befits a 109, and as often as not, the rounds failed to penetrate it at zero degrees from close range. The 20mm of course flew right through the Spitfire sheet, and would have done on anything short of about an inch of steel, probably. I know the Russians tried out one flying tank, but..

Most 109's were taken out by shots to the engine, not to the pilot, most spits were taken out by shots to the pilot, the Merlin kept going on 3/4 of it's cylinders for long enough for the pilot to ditch or land, the German one blew petrol under the cowling straight into the cockpit, or the engine shattered and sent srapnel around. or so I hear, didn't they know of firewalls?

We are not scared of the imperialist running dog fleet. When we reveal our own, you will tremble before it!

~Prime Minister Hirohito

Apparently not.
The documentary was mostly, from what I saw, obsessed with the Spit's trouble with dives, thanks to the carburettor, apparently. Heh, they got pilots who actually flew in the battles and stuck them in each other's planes. Surprisingly enough the Briton found it hard to get in and out of the 109's cramped little cockpit! Fancy that happening to a 79yr old man, eh?

-snip-

Yours can only beat min in the operating height catagory, I'd give odds on mine out-turning yours, Radials, due to torque factors, can always outurn Inlines in the direction of the motors rotation. And mine has tailplanes that swivel as a single unit, much more manuverablemaking design. A greater wingspan in ratio to length as well, another sign of turnability in a fighter. 6 cannon to 2 cannon/4 MG, and Longer range.

With that operating Altitude I bet your design is a In-line.

(If you say so ;)

Yeah, the MPAF-5's not really top-of-the-line right now. Maybe I ought to introduce another prop-driven flyer to replace it.

At least its not the MPAF-4 "Warhorse"!)

Hey hey, the MPAF-5 isn't bad [looks at the MFMkII, WoS's most numerically important fighter]

Hey hey, the MPAF-5 isn't bad [looks at the MFMkII, WoS's most numerically important fighter]

Once I have my factories churning out C-5's you can buy my Dervishes. lol

(I suppose it's not really - just figured I should at least get top-of-the-line performance for having a sheet of paper between the pilot and the enemy ;) Oh, well, that's what jets are for, eh?

'Course, we don't have a naval varient of the "Colt"...hmmm

And, of course, the "Steed" - and "Colt" - are up for export to Walmington.)

Oh yes, really must sort out getting hold of the jet technology really. I want me some ripped-of Vampires/Vixens/Venoms before the war is out.

Oh yes, really must sort out getting hold of the jet technology really. I want me some ripped-of Vampires/Vixens/Venoms before the war is out.

I'll be happy with engines for my Ripped off Yak-23, it's the lightest jet fighter ever to see production, with the same engine as other jets it should go faster.

[OOC:no the 'fleet cruisers' i'm secretely building (one now, more later) are rtaher different from the Alaskas i think....the Haiphong class i plan will have 6 triple turrets carrying 9.2in./48 cal guns, speed similar to my Siam battlecruisers, smaller secondaries and thinner armor (will be the first calls to be built).Fleet cruiser are designed to engage several heavy cruisers simultaneously and win (or devastate whole flotillas of destroyers), whereas battlecruisers are designed to engage heavier ships.As for my jet, it won't be that fast, speed essentially comparable to my Dragonfly uber-propfighter (ive only got three squadrons now, but production is greatly increased now war is iminent ;) ) although the Hellcat will be considerably faster for short periods of crude afterburning.]

Kompôri asnwered the king:
"indeed, your Galla-Chinese colony, the Mekong Delta, has been involved in tensions between our countries.The other main areas of contention are the Golden Triangle area, which some ethnic groups inside the Sanctified Holy Empire have historical ties to, but lies partially within Iansislean Gallaga, and trad ein the Gulf of Siam and Gulf of Tonkin."
[OOC:i'll launch the invasions, well, err....this weekend probably.Hainan, mind if i dig up the ambassador thread for some secret talks about this? ;) ]

James cleared his throat softly. "Well, the Irrawadda River Basin is under the administration of the East Gallaga Company, so there's not much I can do about that. If, indeed, I dare ask, what are your intentions with regard to Galla-China, or trade in the South China Sea?"

OOC:
God damn homework... anyway I'll support Chiang in a war when I have time.

For now, I produly present the I-6 fighter:
Span 33 ft. 1 1/2 in.
Length 33 ft. 3 5/8 in.
Height 11 ft. 2 in.
Weight 11,270 lbs. max.
Armament Two 23mm cannons and one 37mm cannon, plus rockets or 2,000 lbs. of bombs
Engine VK-1 of 6,000 lbs. thrust (copy of British Rolls-Royce "Nene" engine)
Maximum speed 670 mph.
Cruising speed 525 mph.
Range 500 miles
Service Ceiling 51,000 ft.
[im]g]http://menua.aic.net/air/mig/mig-15.jpg[/img]

"As for the the Mekong Delta, we are happy to leave it in your just hands as long as it is not used against us and we are allowed to purchase it's production at a reasonable price [OOC:remember, we're talking about one of the world's largest rice-producing regions].As for South China Sea trade, we would like to discuss a protocol favorable to both sides with you, but for now i fear this old man cannot keep up with the conversation....flying lag, you see.They say it's something to do with timezones...."
[OOC: i won't have time to go into great details of a conversation, especially since we're on different timezones (you'r ein australia, right?)and i have 44-hour weeks :( so assume you're being offered a relatively good protocol to regulate the S.China Sea trade, not good enough to arouse suspicions about deep motives except maybe in the most paranoïd spies, but better than what some of your less optimistic ministers would have forecast..]

"You're in Australia, right?"

[gasp] [duck]

(Heh, afraid not. West coast of the United States. Out of curiosity, why'd you think I was in Australia?

At any rate, you can assume we're just as pleased as punch to recieve you, and do our absolute best to please you. However, Shieldians (most of whom have never been to SE Asia) are dreadfully ignorant of Asian culture, and most of what little knowledge they do have is based of stereotypes.

Despite that, we also just elected an (albeit westernized) Gallagan, the runaway son of a Ganges Delta Prince and a very persuasive speaker, to the Prime Ministership of the C.C.P. (progresive, no?) if that makes any difference. However, he wants the colonies to be integrated into the Commonwealth as Dominions rather than granted independence.

Most of our equipment has been shipped out of the Mekong delta already. There are only a few howitzers, some light AA pieces, and a few torpedo boats left, plus the 2,000 men of the IX Rifles, half of whom will be evacuated to Port Laughlin in the next weeks. We have moved large amounts of the Home Fleet into Port Laughlin, as well as moving several sizeable aeroflyer (most older MPAF-5s, some -6s, and about two dozen BAF-1s) resources to the area.)

[mainly, timezone, and err....location of country.Just my anti-yank bias for the rest :oops: and the worst i am a yank myself :?
EDIT: assume part of the delegation (the military part) will be returning home with the Wabu-Dhati war]