NationStates Jolt Archive

((OOC: Any members of the New Tiamat region are free to join in. Anyone else, can bribe the government officials of either Abydo or OIIO for permission to join in.))

Following the nation of OIIO's acts of aggression against our Sovereign territory, and citizens, the nation of Abydo hereby places a Blockade on all ports, and declares that any aircraft flying into OIIO will be brought down into Abydoan airspace.

Any further acts of aggression will justify a declaration of war, and we will act against your nation with extreme prejudice. Already our troops have built up on the south-western border of Abydo, shoring up our defences should your rogue government choose to engage us.

"Military vessels outside our harbours, foreign devils at our borders. Jingoist threats against our way of life, and to our freedom loving people. We cannot allow this threat to go unanswered," A familiar face greeted every subcitizen as they returned from work, their telescreens repeating his urging, "We can no longer ignore their lies and aggression against us. Tonight, we let fly the dogs of war. Do your part subcitizen, the walls have ears, report all traitors immediately. Anyone may be one, any subcitizen who reports a confirmed traitor will be granted full citizen rights and responsibilities, any citizen caught engaging in treasonous acts will be executed and their family stripped of title and rank. We are at war."

The usual droning on about patriotism and such, the usual pundits commenting on the war with Alastria, and then... something new. The visage of Jacques Mauvais.

"Citizens, sub-and-full alike, I congratulate you on your efforts with the war against Abydo, the traitorous province has once again risen against us. At this very instant, they move to blockade our shores, and they post an invasion force at our border. We can no longer allow this rogue province to irritate us, we are calling up the reserves in anticipation of our victory, as already our troops march toward their capital. Long live freedom, I as your Presidente for Life, shall lead the first wave. We shall be victorious."

OIIOan troop orders were given and the defenses on the north-western border came on alert. In the OIIOan capital a meeting was taking place...

"A cruise missile could take out the flagship of the blockade force, and allow us time to send a small fleet out to counter-blockade their forces. Also, we should sweep out into the Wild-Lands, and flank their border," Sub-General Hexoc explained to the gathered leaders--well Leader.

"Make it so, keep me apprised of your efforts, do not fail, Hexoc."

Later that afternoon, a single missile was launched from a moored submarine, it cruised feet above the waves seeking out the flagship of the blockade fleet.

((If anyone cares sorry about the delay))

An explosion on the flagship Vesner, oily smoke filled the air as Klaxons wailed. The crew rushed to their emergency stations, to carry out their duties as water flooded the lower decks.

"Report Captain," Admiral Tappings ordered, as a rivulet of blood ran down her brow.

"Yes, sir. We are taking on significant amount of water, the missile struck and exploded near a munitions store, the resulting secondary explosion has fractured the hull to starboard. With the pumps at maximum, we're barely making even. There's no way we can continue patrolling."

"Alright, signal the Tripps and the Riyadh, have them come about, we're stripping the Vesner of all non-essential crew. Captain, once we've begun evacuations, you will retake command of this ship, and make your way back to Chula City, for repairs."

"Yes, sir"

"Ensign, get me a line to the Provost Admiral... we'll need to report this."

"Aye".

The uninjured ships in the blockade fleet came about to offer assistance under command from the Vesner. Crewman streamed into the lifeboats in orderly manner as the fire-crew of the Vesner showered the burning wreckage with foam, smothering the burning materiel.

"Admiral, we have Command," the Ensign called.

"Good, now go make yourself useful," Admiral Tapping ordered as she made her way to the communications system.

She lifted the handset, "Sir, we've been fired upon by the OIIOans, the Vesner is burning in the water, we're evacuating and I will be taking direct command of the Riyadh as Flagship, the Vesner will be returning for repairs on skeleton crew. We're requesting immediate reinforcements and support."

[... ten minutes later in the Cabinet Building ...]

"President, our expeditionary blockade force has been fired upon, one ship is down, burning. The remaining four are continuing with their orders. Admiral Tapping has already ordered a return barrage of the OIIOan port city of Binyar."

"Get me the rest of the Joint Chiefs, we're now at war."

In the depths of space, a chunk of metal is fired from a rail gun on a
complicated trajectory with a target miles and days away...

On the Abydosian Orbital Platform:

"Ma'am, we have two incoming objects, both metallic, both moving high
speed, both on an intercept course. Telemetry puts them as originating from TVEO's platform."

"What are those lunatics doing now? They aren't bombarding us with
their latrine waste again are they? No, you said it was metallic...I doubt
they get that much iron in their diet" (Crew chuckles). "What size are they and how long till intercept?"

"Ma'am, radar shows what looks to be a Nebuchenezzer missle followed by a Suckerpunch troop carrier. Looks like the Overlord ordered 'Away
Boarders'."

"Well, time for us to help them do their jobs as soldiers and let them
die for their country. Put the auto-defenses on alert, give the
kook-troops one courtesy cease-and-desist hail, then blow 'em out of orbit. And send a message to high command, it looks like the Dominion may be joining this war on the side of the EIEIOians."

The trip had taken over a week. Built completely of stealth materials,
lacking anything but mass and matching perfectly the cold of space, the
rail-gun projectile was invisible to the sophisticated sensors of its
target. Akin more to catapult rocks than the Nebuchesnezzer which was
rapidly overtaking it, the rail projectile slowly but inexorably approached
the target...

A series of events happening in rapid secession: the projectile
smashing through an outstretched arm of solar panels, canting the Abydosian platform a-kilter...the Nebuchenezzer suddenly exploding not in the expected chemical or even nuclear fireball, but instead in an iris of electromagnetic and visual energy, overloading weapon sensors, blinding cameras, and flooding radio receivers with white noise. Automated systems attempted to leap to the rescue, but too much had happened too fast. People unfortunate enough to be outside on EVAs or looking out the station windows were blinded as their retinas were seared by the intense light. Personnell connected to the radio arrays writhed on the floor, blood pouring from their shattered eardrums and pooling in their headsets. The commander, trying to remain conscious and in charge after being flung against a bulkhead like a rag doll. And then...

"Ma'am! Ma'am! We have reports of a breach on Level 3! The Dominion
troops are inside!"

The fight was brief. Unprepared, disorganized, off-balance, the defenders
were unable to muster a coherent defense. The base commander ordered a general surrender and the survivors were collected in the shuttle hanger. They watched under armed guard as their commander handed over her pistol and demanded her troops be treated in accordance with international protocols. Smiles of delight crossed their faces as the Dominion commander informed them they were to be released. The Abydosian commander was taken to the command module and looked on in horror as the shuttle bay doors were opened and her entire command was sucked into the void.

In space, no one could hear them scream. But the Dominion marines
watched. Some pointed and laughed.

Standing in shock, the Abydosian commander felt the needle penetrate
her right buttock and registered the jerk as the plunger on the syringe was
driven home. As she started to loose focus and drift into a nightmare of
mental drift, she heard the Dominion commander whisper in her ear: "Now commander, we will discuss the launch keys and targeting codes..."