NationStates Jolt Archive

Colerica Imperial News regrets to inform its viewers and listeners that we've just been notified that the IMS Montaro, a Gold Star Line ocean liner, has sunk off the coast of Isla De Plata. The ship was carrying over twenty-one hundred passengers and had departed from Keystone Bay on Monday morning. No word yet on survivors or a solid idea on casualities, however, some reports suggest up to nineteen hundred people are dead.

The cause for the sinking appears to have been a rather large explosion, which tore the ship apart, sinking it in a matter of minutes. The Montaro was over nine-hundred feet long and was on only its second ever voyage.

Kressi Thra, Magistrate of State, was able to be reached for the briefest of all comments, "It's a tradegy, pure and simple. We will investigate into the cause of this sinking, rest assure," she said.

Already, however, some Colerican citizens are voicing their opinions that the cause of the ship sinking was the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colerica, a dissident rebel group trying to thwart the control of the government in Colerica. We will, of course, bring the story as it unfolds to you....

The Fedral Union wishes to know if it can help ...

The Fedral Union wishes to know if it can help ...

The Fedral Union wishes to know if it can help ...

The Imperium is saddened by the this tragedy, and offers it's condolences to those suffering and who have suffered from this tradegy. The Imperium hopes also to assist in anyway we can.

Fortunately, the frigate, IDS Faraway, is doing deep sea patrol near where the ocean liner is reported to have gone down. The Imperial Drakonian Navy has been contact and the frigate should attempt to rescue any survivors.

Drakonian Diplomatic Corps.
located in Drako Throne,
capital of the Grand Dominion of Drakonian Imperium

The United Empire of Colerica thanks the nations of The Fedral Union and the Drakonian Imperium deeply for their concerns and condolences during this tradegy. We have sent out the patrol ship CSS Rescuer to search for survivors. The crew of the Rescuer should contact the Faraway shortly so they can coordinate search efforts together. The United Empire is gravely saddened by this troubling event. Again, we thank both the nations of The Fedral Union and the Drakonian Imperium for their concern in a time of such sorrow as this.

In regards to The Fedral Union asking if they can be of assistance, we will gladly take another ship to help comb for survivors and, unfortunatly, victims of the wreck.

Regards,
Kircer Danton
Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

1022 Zulu
IDS Faraway
International Waters, Pacific Ocean
Near Isla De Plata

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/factfile/ships/ingraham.gif

The Drakonia Frigate made it's final turn toward the location of the wreck of the Colerican Ocean Liner. The ship cutting rapily through the water of the Pacific Ocean.

"Sir," the ship's First Officer spoke to the Captain. "We're approaching where the Colarican ship wrecked."

"Commence search and rescue operations, immediately." The Captain looked out over the waves. The Sea was an unforgiving place.

"Yes, Sir." The Officer went about his work.

Air Force 1 will be passing over the area in approximately 30 minutes. Will we be able to help?

President Alexander Valient

The Haaregradian Coast Guard and Naval Command are will to assist if it is within our reach.

The United Empire of Colerica welcomes all help in any way, shape, or form it may come in. Search and rescue assistance is a must.

The United Empire believes, unfortunatly, that there will not be many survivors from the wreck. We have pulled over three dozen out, most of whom were a half a mile away from the reported wreck site. Strong ocean currents are working against our recovery efforts, and we fear the worst for many of the ship's crew and passengers.

The survivors we have interviewed have confirmed that it was a massive explosion that, seemingly, shredded the ship to pieces. We're not sure as to what would have caused this, but they are rumors of it being a terrorist action.

God speed for all of those who have lost their lives in this terrible tradegy.

Regards,
Kressi Thra
Magistrate of State

1022 Zulu
IDS Faraway
International Waters, Pacific Ocean
Near Isla De Plata

"Sir!" The Imperial Drakonian Naval Marine Captain marched up to the First Officer of the IDS Faraway.

Around the two officers the deck of the Drakonian frigate tilted slightly. The ocean waves beat against the ship as the Pacific currents strong and seemingly angered by the recent violent act. The two sailors stood on the roof of the helicopter hanger at the rear of the warship. Below them sailors were preparing the ships Assault Transport Helicopter for flight and to join in on the search and rescue operation.

"Ah, Captain." The First Officer turned to face the Marine Captain. "I want your men into the inflatables and to join in on the S&R operation."

"Yes, Sir." The Captain saluted, turned sharply, and left ot carry out his orders.

"Hurry up and get that bird into the air," the First Officer called down to the sailors working to prepare the helicopter for flight. They acknowledged the order and rushed to work faster.

There was a commotion to the front of the warship and the First Officer turned to see the ships crew hauling a Colerican survivor from the water. The first to be rescued, and hopefully not the last, the Drakonian officer thought.

The CSS Rescuer pulled with in spotting distance of the Faraway. Jonathon J. Thomas, scanned the sea through the large port windows in the wheel room. He looked at an officer in the room; he looked uneasy and nervous.

"What's wrong?" Thomas asked.

"Lots of things, sir," the man replied.

"Now you listen here, I will not officers on my ship that are distracted by this event. 'Tis quite a tradegy, but we have to focus on our duty of recovery. Tell me what's on your mind," Thomas said.

"Well, sir," he started, his voice shaky, "a week ago, I booked passage for my wife and two daughters on board the Montaro, as a get-away vacation for them. See, with my service in the navy and all, I've been away from my wife and girls for too long. The tickets were for this voyage, skipper," he said, staring at the floor and clutching his fists together.

Jonathon Thomas was taken aback, if only for a moment, by the crewman's words. He thought, briefly, about the pain this man must be enduring. Jonathon couldn't bear the thought of such an event befalling his own family. He brushed his hand through his beard for a second and said, "I'm deeply sorry to hear that. This must be a very trying time for you."

The officer shifted while he was standing against the wall. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a letter. He looked into Thomas' green eyes and said, "This is the last letter I recieved from them. It's dated the day of the departure from Keystone Bay."

"We're going to find your family, rest safe on that thought," Jonathon responded.

"My heart wishes that were so, sir, but my head tells me that it is not," he said.

Thomas was about to reply, when a young seaman rushed to see him. "Captain Thomas!" the boy, hardly twenty-one years old, shouted exicted.

"What is it?" Thomas inquired, hoping for good news.

"The rafts we deployed have picked up more survivors," he spat out.

"How many?"

"Nine," the boy answered.

"Nine," Jonathon Thomas said slowly. He repeated the word.

"What's wrong? Isn't that great progress, sir?" the boy asked.

"Nine out of twenty-one hundred. I hardly call that great progress. We are looking at a potential of ninteen hundred victims on our hands, and you're saying nine is great progress?" Thomas said cynically, raising his voice to adjust to his mood.

"Sir, I just thought--" the boy began.

"I don't care what you thought. Get your ass out of this wheelroom and back to the boat deck. We need to find more than just nine," he said.

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir," he said, saluted, and quickly exited.

Jonathon shook his head. I shouldn't have blown up on him like that. He was doing his duty, informing me of survivors we've recovered and I chewed him out. Everyone's over anxious right now. Just calm down, Jonathon, and sort this whole situation out.

"Sir," a voice beckoned from behind him.

Jonathon turned to see his First Officer, William Hearst, facing him. Hearst looked exhausted. Jonathon could see the stress in his eyes.

"Sir, we have a problem with the third deployment davvit. Starboard. We've also ran into some victims. Wilkens wants to know the procedure on retrieving stiffs," Hearst said.

"Fix the davvit as soon as humanly possible. We need as many rescue crafts in the water as we have. Take the deceased, too. While it's not in our mandate to be picking up the dead, we can't let them just float around," Thomas instructed.

"Yes sir," Hearst said and the two exchanged salutes.

*Get your paws off me, you damn dirty double-post...*

A submarine belonging to the Shildonian Navy was on a routine patrol near the area where the Montaro went down. During our last communication with the sub, it reported that the there was a malfunction with one of the torpedoes. In order to save his ship, the Captain ordered the torpedo be ejected.
It is possible that this tragedy may have been caused by that torpedo. We have sent a request to the submarine, whose identity we cannot reveal for reasons of operational security, for further information on the events to ascertain whether there was any Shildonian involvement.

Admiralty Command,
Shildonian Navy

Our Skywatch network was temporarily diverted to the scene of the sinking. Our intelligence officers report the following
* Two small groups of debris, one floating East and the other North. We cannot confirm any survivors in the debris fields.
* Most of the ship sunk on the spot and we suspect most did not get chance to escape the sinking vessel.

There are very few surface vessels in the area apart from some local pleasure craft. No confirmation about submarines.

1042 Zulu
IDS Faraway
International Waters, Pacific Ocean
Near Isla De Plata

The bridge of the Drakonian Frigate, IDS Faraway, was full of activity, as was the entire ship. On the deck, spotters were scanning the seas, as on the bridge, the Operation's Officer was intently watching his radar, sonar, and the information broadcast by the Jeruselem Skywatch Network. Meanwhile, the Captain of the warship issued orders and waited. Already, the crew had pulled three survivors from the water, as well as six corpses (which were being stored in the ship's freezer as per standard procedure).

"Sir." The Commication's Officer stuck his head up from his station. "Naval Command is relay new orders and a broadcast from Shildonian Navy."

The Captain's head shot around. "New orders?"

"Yes, Sir," the Officer reported. "We are to continue the search, but take great care as there is the possibility of hostile Shildonian submarines in the area."

"Hostile?" What the Captain was hearing didn't make sense. Why would the Shildonians be hostile? Could they have sunk the Montaro? Not waiting for an answer the Captain walked to the Commication's Officer's station and took the transcript from the Shildonian Navy broadcast.

Everything quickly made sense. It appeared that the Shildonians had made a cover story. Whether it was true would remain to be seen.

"Sir," the Commication's Officer leaned back over his station, his hand shooting to the Communication's Headset on his ear. "Naval Command reports they are dispatching addition vessels to ensure the safety of the rescue operation."

"Acknowledge, all commications," the Captain ordered. "And contact the Colericans and coordinate the search. Tell them we've deployed zodiacs and our helo."

"Yes, Sir," the Officer confirmed.

The situation was quickly becoming interesting, the Captain thought. And dangerous.

Approximately 50miles away from the IDS Faraway, a small antenna broke the surface. The attenna belonged to the PRSS Tetra, a Titan class SSN, which was responsible for ejecting the torpedo which may or may not have caused the sinking of the Montaro.

[code:1:166412e5ab]FM: CINCSHILSUB
TO: PRSS TETRA [SSN 688]
SBJ: NEW ORDERS

Remain on-station for 72(seventy two)hrs, then make for RV with tender vessel at position White Delta Whiskey for further instructions. Remain in Intl waters throughout remainder of your mission, and maintain present ROE.
Commodore J.W. Ratcliffe.
[/code:1:166412e5ab]

With the message recieved, the Tetra retracted its attenna and began diving back into the darkness of the ocean, stopping only once it had slipped beneath the thermal layer.

OOC: I like this...getting good...Let's see if we can keep it that way...

IC:

The CSS Rescuer pulled to a large debris field east of where the wreck was reported to have happened. Jonathon Thomas looked out into the water, the surface covered in floating objects. He retrieved a pair of binoculars and looked at the objects with a keener eye. He could make out the shapes of floating tables, chairs, planks of wood, and others of the sort. First Officer William Hearst broke his concentration when he strode into the cabin room.

"Yes, Mr. Hearst?" Thomas asked, curious.

"Sir, we have the slightest of room to believe that the ship sunk because of a torpedo," Hearst said dryly.

"A torpedo? From whom?" Thomas asked, almost mechanically, his voice sounded strange and robotic.

"There are thousands of nations in the world, sir. Any number of them could have found great pleasure in sinking an ocean liner," Hearst said.

"Why an ocean liner? Why killed thousands of innocents? Briefings from shore are pointing to the RAFC, not a foreign nation. Why would any nation take pleasure in killing innocents?" Jonathon asked.

"To make a point and make it loud. Hell, it might have been the RAFC. For all we know, they could be coordinating with another nation, who happens to have subs, to make this attack," Hearst started.

"That's insane. The Revoultionary Armed Forces of Colerica are Colericans for Christ's sake! Why would they contract another nation just to sink an ocean liner? They are against the United Empire, not Colerican civillians," Thomas said.

Jonathon Thomas fell silent for few moments. Hearst continued to speak, but to Thomas his words were a blur. Thomas found it quite awkward that he was, in an effect, defending the RAFC, a dissenter group hell bent on stirring up the United Empire of Colerica. He shook his head to reenter the conversation.

"Sir, I just don't see why they wouldn't do it. Maybe you're right and I'm wrong. Then again, maybe I'm right. Everyone we have interviewed says it was a massive explosion. Picture it: a foreign sub pulls within torpedo range of the ship and launches one. It strikes the port side, rocking the ship and causing one hell of a stir. Water gushes in like you wouldn't believe. Then, a second torpedo is launched. It strikes the engine room. Kaaboom. The whole kitten-kabootle shreds apart because of the blast. Sinks like a thousand rocks to the bottom. Nineteen hundred plus killed," Hearst stated.

"Your scenario is frighteningly realistic, William. I pray to everything that is good and holy that you're wrong. I really do. Was that faulty deployment davitt fixed? We'll need more crafts searching this debris field," Thomas replied.

"Yes sir. Harrington reported in. He said it was good to G-O. It's already in the water on its way into the field, sir. I gave Regre the go-ahead to do so," Hearst replied.

BUMP-O....

To: Colerican Government
From: Shildonian Office for Foreign Affairs
Subject: Accident Involving IMS Montaro

Dear Sir,
As you are aware, the Shildonian Navy is currently investigating the possibility that one of it's submarines may have inadvertantly contributed to the tragic sinking of the Montaro.
That submarine is currently heading to rendezvous with one of our submarine resupply tenders so that further details can be ascertained. In order to prevent claims of a cover-up on our part, we are willing to allow your government to send a team of your own observers to visit the submarine during the investigation.
Should you take us up on this offer, your observers will need to be at the Evad Sea Plane docks in three days in order to arrive at the tender before the submarine arrives.

Yours sincerely,
Sidney Laws,
Shildonian Foreign Affairs Minister.

To Colerica

The people of the Democratic Republic of Tomzilla send you our greatest sympathies. We wish to send aid to help this incident never happen again. Destroyers of the Tomzilla Navy have been placed on high alert to move to the waters Colerica should they be needed.

From,

Secretary of War, Gojira Tokugawa

(sorry, went to wrong thread)

To: Shildonian Government
From: The United Empire of Colerica's Magistrate of Foreign Affairs
Subject: Re: Accident Involving IMS Montaro

To whom it may concern,

We are indeed aware of your nation's ongoing investigation into the potentiallity that the Montaro was sunk by one an accidental discharge of a torpedo by one of your submarines. We will take you up on your offer in regards to inspecting the ship. We will dispatch a team of Colerica Imperial Intelligence Agency operatives to redezvous with this sub. We hope that we can work together, united, to find the true cause of the sinking of the Montaro and the tragic loss of so many souls.

Regards,

Kircer Danton
Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

The United Empire of Colerica welcomes any and all assistance from the Democratic Republic of Tomzilla. If needed, we will call for naval destroyers as you so mentioned.

Regards,

Kircer Danton
Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

OOC: Also everyone that is involved should know that Colerican forces have landed on Isle De Plata, as a staging ground to sort out this mess. To see details, click here: http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2559475&highlight=#2559475