NationStates Jolt Archive

Officers of SteamEarth's Imperial Air Force are at a loss to explain the disappearance of five Type 140 Balmoral Light Bombers dispatched out of the airbase located on Stormwell Island for routine patrol over the eastern coastline of SteamEarth last Tuesday afternoon. Known as the "Beach Burners" for their habit of using the long deserted barrier island beaches for strafing practice, the lost unit leaves behind unanswered questions, strange stories, and a half-dozen widows.

The flight was led by Lt. Jack Earnest, an experienced aviator with knowledge of the area. The weather was clear at take off, but went foul unexpectedly a short time later. Reliable sources have stated that the flight made contact with Stormwell Island by radio several times, and claimed their compasses were all giving different readings. Earnest reported seeing a lighthouse, then said it had (impossibly) gone out on him. After a time the flight simply stopped responding, though their fuel should have been sufficient to remain in the air for some time after that.

Based on Lt. Earnest's best guess of the flights' position, a rescue flight was launched from Stormwell Island. That aircraft also never returned from its mission—radio contact was lost suddenly and never reestablished. In the following days, no debris has been recovered.

Six planes and more than 20 men gone, and the IAF isn't taking it sitting down. "This is a tragedy," said Major Gary Wheeler, Base Commander of Stormwell Island IAF, "but we're not yet prepared to call it an accident. Those men were competent pilots, level-headed aviators—I refuse to believe they simply got lost. Something happened out there, and we're going to get to the bottom of it."

We'll keep you updated as this story unfolds.

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Type 140 Balmoral Light Bomber

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/499709/p_bristol_balmoral.gif

Map of Stormwell Island Area

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/499709/map3.JPG

To the nation of SteamEarth

AT the time of the incident we had a Catfish Gunboat patroling teh area. Shortly before the incident though we recieved a message from one of the crewmen claiming taht the captain had been washed over board and was presumed dead. Shortly after this though we recieved another message from the crew of the ship claiming that they had taken serious damge to the ship and were going to go to the nearest international port for help, which would have being you. We ask whether you have seen any traces of tis ship around.l According to the path they set itn would have taken them roughly throught the area where your planes were doing their exercises.

The crew would have radioed into you before entering. We ask then if you recieved any bradio communications?

UPDATE!

With still no sign of the missing planes, the current search area will be enlarged following the surfacing of new information.

Following a statement of all on-duty personnel at the Stormwell Island base at the time of the disappearances, radar operator Will Bundie has amitted that the planes may have been off-course by seaveral miles to the southeast. Of course at the time of the disappearance he was busy discussing some matters with another personnel and so didn't take much notice of the error until now. He went onto say that he didn't notice anything was wrong until the control tower reported lost of radio contact, which at that point he saw that the planes were missing from his radar screen.

With the enlargement of the search area, any blimps not currently being used are being called in by the IAF to help with the search. The IAF is also calling for the help of other nations in this matter.

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Photo of 'Missing' Planes.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/499709/aaw_27.gif

To the nation of SteamEarth

AT the time of the incident we had a Catfish Gunboat patroling teh area. Shortly before the incident though we recieved a message from one of the crewmen claiming taht the captain had been washed over board and was presumed dead. Shortly after this though we recieved another message from the crew of the ship claiming that they had taken serious damge to the ship and were going to go to the nearest international port for help, which would have being you. We ask whether you have seen any traces of tis ship around.l According to the path they set itn would have taken them roughly throught the area where your planes were doing their exercises.

The crew would have radioed into you before entering. We ask then if you recieved any bradio communications?

We have not seen this gunboat or had any radio contact from it, both our Stormwell Island base and our military port at Stormwell would have reported any to the War Office. So far they haven't.

Investigations are currently underway and it seems there have been disappearances in the past suggesting a possible Brumda Triangle in the Stormwell Island area.

ooc: meh, this sounds interesting. mind if i get involved?

Official Statement: Within the past few years, we have lost ceveral civilian aircraft and boats in the area. We would suggest a no entry zone until further notice. Me thinks the loaction in regards to the poles and the depth of the ocean might explain the inccidents just as in Bermuda or maybe, something more sinister is in action. Exetonia will gladly help in any search efforts. That is all for now.

ooc: meh, this sounds interesting. mind if i get involved?

Official Statement: Within the past few years, we have lost ceveral civilian aircraft and boats in the area. We would suggest a no entry zone until further notice. Me thinks the loaction in regards to the poles and the depth of the ocean might explain the inccidents just as in Bermuda or maybe, something more sinister is in action. Exetonia will gladly help in any search efforts. That is all for now.

A no entry zone is being, and has already been, set up around the said area. Until furthur notice a blockade is now inforced around the no entry zone to stop any ship or aircraft which tries to enter the area. Blimps have been placed at seaveral locations round the no entry zone, which one carries a full load of Balmorals.

However mass panic now rules over the city of Stormwell following recent events.

(OOC; Note to all, SteamEarth is largely a steamtech nation thou it does have some tech from Crimson Skies. Link: http://crimsonskies-universe.com/index.htm )

UPDATE

One of our blimps positioned on our self-improsed blockade has failed to report in, so has its load of Balmorals.

The blimp was near to the area thought to be where the first 'disapperances' took place. The other blimps have reported that they saw nothing happening in the said area as 'A strange thick fog covered the whole area, which our planes reported that they couldn't see five meters in front of them.'

We again ask for the help from any nation willing to help our investigation.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/499709/aaw_27.gif

Official declaration from the Exetonian Consul:

Due to this recent turn of events, Exetonia suggests that the search be called off until further notice due to the dangers involved. It is pointless to further risk more crews to this dangerous threat. That is all.


****Exetonia Nuclear labs, bottom level, 25 floors underground****

"Sir, am I to understand that this problem may be caused by a new form of Uranium."

"Yes Cornelius" replied Dr Einstein, "The spectograph from our high level research suggest that this new form gives off a higher level radiation pulse and has EMP properties."

"Not good Dr Einstein, not good. Hang on, there is a problem in room four"

"WHAT" Screamed Einstein as the alarms sounded. They rushed to the escape point but it was to late as the entire area was sealed. Then, the entire facility dematerialised into nothing. There was just a large gaping hoe in the landscape close to truro. Civilian aircraft in the area dropped off of Radar and all contact was lost. They had been working on the Uranium idea and had managed to create a source registering the same levels as that in the new 'Bermuda zone'.


****Exetonian Government HQ, Exeter****
"Mr Powell"

The 80 year old man turned

"We have a problem..." TBC

(ooc: just a new twist..)

UPDATE!

Around 1856 hours a single, lone Balmoral appeared on the radar screens of the Stormwell Island base reportly flying in from the southeast. There was no reponse to radio calls and the base personnel watch as the plane flew quite low overhead as if it was almost out of fuel, the plane glided and then dipped down onto the sandbars flanking the western side of the island.

The plane was quickly salvaged and is reported to be one of the first planes to disappear, the pilot has been named as James Earnest the younger brother of Lt Jack Earnest. A notebook was found in the pocket of the dead pilot which so far no information on its contains have been realesed.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/499709/p_bristol_balmoral.gif

UPDATE!

The notebook found on the dead body of James Earnest says about 'a giant flying blimp fortress, bigger than anything I have seen in my lifetime.'

Since this new information has come to light we're considering sending in a team to investigate, we could do with help from other nations.

Also the strange fog has been reported to be moving towards Stormwell Island and the port city of Stormwell where mass panic and riots have overwhelmed the local police force.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/499709/p_bristol_balmoral.gif

UPDATE!!!!!

The nation of SteamEarth as declared a state of emergency, evacuation of the city of Stormwell has begun despie mass panic and widespread riots. The blockade is still inforced but we're not going to risk futhur ships or aircarft and so a radio message will be boardcasted continuelessy until the crisis is over.

The cuase of all this is a blimp fortress which has recently captured ships and aircraft for some unkown reason and in true fashion we are sending in our own team. The team will be carrying a nuke with them to blow the blimp fortress outta the sky.

We wish all other nations to fully cooperate with us on this one.

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http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/499709/aaw_27.gif

Lt. Jack Earnest, formerly of the Imperial Air Force, struggled with the lock on the cell door. Most of his patrol group were in the cell with him, most were too weak to stand up. They had been here, wherever here was, for a few weeks now. But the only thing on Jack's mind was wether or not his younger brother Jamie had gotten back to Stormwell Island.

However his thoughts were stalled when footsteps sounded on the metal stairwell at the far end of the passage outside the cell door. There was faint voices which Jack could just hear through the metal cell door. "Aye, some of 'em are startin' ta go a tad weak sir."

"Oh that doesn't matter, just as long as they are strong enough to stroke the boilers everything will be alright."

"Well I pretty much doubt that they'll try ta escape sir."

"If they do Sargeant, I'm sure that your men can 'deal with them."

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STORMWELL ISLAND AIRBASE, Z MINUS 1 HOURS 43 MINUTES

Five Balmorals were lined up on the runway ready for take off, which pilot and gunner were tense and nervous about what they were about to be doing. The wait of the whole nation rested on their shoulders, just was probadly going to be their toughist mission yet.

Suddenly the radio crackled to life over the humming of the aircraft's engines. "This is Stormwell Island to Patrol 15, you're cleared for take off."

Lt. James Midnight replied. "Roger that Stormwell Island."

Midnight then eased his Balmoral forwards down the runway and said mainly to himself as the engines screamed as the plane became airborne. "Earnest. This is fer you old pal."

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http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-11/499709/aaw_27.gif

SteamEarth, we are happy to donate some anti-missile batteries in case the Blimp Fortress attacks your cities. The radar signature of the object should not be an issue.

SteamEarth, we are happy to donate some anti-missile batteries in case the Blimp Fortress attacks your cities. The radar signature of the object should not be an issue.

It shouldn't be a problem, every single squadorn we have will attack the blimp fortress whilst our anti-blimp guns will let rip should it come near to the city of Stormwell. Even as we speak anti-blimp guns are being loaded on Stormwell Island.

If you have any more issues, our airforce is ready to help. We need to shoot something with our new AIM-120 missiles on our planes.

We've just acquired a new aircraft carrier too.

Ok, just send some of your planes to the Stormwell Island Aibase just in case.

Anyhows there is a lease conference on leasing out the military port at Stormwell and the Stormwell Island Airbase, you interested?

Ok, just send some of your planes to the Stormwell Island Aibase just in case.

Anyhows there is a lease conference on leasing out the military port at Stormwell and the Stormwell Island Airbase, you interested?

We'll send 10 F16Es in case you need backup. We'll get back to you about the lease as our military budget got blown by the carrier ...