NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: First post here guys, may I say hello to each of you and I hope I don't do anything to screw up your game.

I've got to ask, would no-one please post in this thread besides myself and the Kingdom of Crookfur? we're establishing my nation's beginning and expansion. Thanks.

IC: Early morning, the 19th February. The beaches of Lakabi lay quiet and empty, with only the sounds of crashing waves to spoil what would have been a truly wonderous sight for any living being; miles of untouched sand, majestic palms stretching high into the sky from the nearby treeline.

Far into sea, a number of ships appeared upon the horizon, the sounds of their ragged engines ensuring that they would have been heard long before they were seen. However, there was no-one around to hear them...

Quickly the ships zoned in upon the beaches, killing their engines just before the shallows. They were ugly little vehicles: Vietnamese-style wooden consructs that looked to have seen better days, but they would serve their purpose. Aboard the leading ship, the captain turned to the men assembled upon the deck. Each stood in quiet anticipation, L1A1 SLRs strapped around their backs. With a quick chopping motion of his hand, the men turned and leapt overboard, landing to their waists within the water. Simultaneously, the other craft began to deposit their loads until the beachfront seemed to swarm with struggling figures, heaving themselves onto the beach.

"Move, you sons-of-bitches!" one of the figures hissed, heading for the trees. Besaide him another man hissed a curse under his breath, then snatched up his M72 LAW and followed. In seconds the beach had cleared and the boats, their mission completed, headed out into sea once again.

===============================================
"General, we have recieved a transmission."

General Kovaks turned his attention from the map before him to his young communications officer, his bushy moustache twitching in anticipation.

"Is it from our strike force?" He asked, smiling as the officer nodded.

"Affirmative Sir, they report that the cargo has been deposited and are now en-route to their rendevous point."

"Excellent! Send a message to President Julaquo informing him of developments."

"Yes, Sir!" The young officer turned away, as Kovaks turned back to the map. With those three hundred guerrillas now in place, the coming assault would be much easier. Men would still die, but the President wished for control of Lakabi to ensure the expansion of Kubadi, and casualties were acceptable losses. Five thousand men, almost three-quarters of Kubadi's army and a squadron of Hueys...

He quickly snatched up a small phone beside him, punching in a number. Within seconds a voice answered.

"Yes, General?"

"Prepare all troops for Operation Viper. We shall begin operations in 24hrs."

"Yes, Sir!" The phone went dead. General Kovaks smiled again; his men were itching for war, itching to try their skills at jungle warfare. They would still be outnumbered though, which was why the infiltrators were needed. Explosives, set in strategically vital locations... they would win this battle.

"If there are any further developments, I will be in my quarters." He announced to the war room; his bed was waiting, along with that young cadet he'd spoken to earlier....

Lakabi Island, Crookfur Protectorate, African south Atlantic; Febuary 19th, 21:30

Dr John Stewart sat drink in hand on the veranda of his small cabin and watched as the sun drooped lower in the sky. As he sat and swirled his drink he thought back to the day’s events.

Today had been good, the aid shipments were finally approaching something like a regular schedule and Dr Stewart had been able to supply medicines to all his patients who needed treatment, even that young lad whom had gotten a little frisky with Sgt Mjr Henderson during a training bout. The situation on the island was finally approaching some degree of civilisation after the expeditionary and stabilisation force had finally ousted the warlords and begun what limited reconstruction the government felt could be afforded.

The only cause for cocern had been the locals reporting some strnage activity on a stretch of beach to the north of the island but Dr Stewart reconned it was just the local smugglers trying to get an edge on the competition, he had filed a report with the gaurd flotilla so hopefully one of the patrol boats would swing by to keep a lid on things.

In the distance Dr Stewart picked up the distinctive sound of a twin bladed helicopter.
“Likely one of the arrogant fools from either Haraldson or Whitehaven islands flying back from whatever important meeting they have been attending. Bloody fat cats, it probably doesn’t even cross their mind that they have likely woken every child on the island with the racket that old beast creates,” he fumed to himself as he turned his attention to the quiet costal village that passed for a local capitol.
“Here’s to you Lakabi,” he toasted, “lets hope that now the CFNP have won the election they take things a bit more seriously at home.”

=====================================

Crookfur STRATCOM (south), Covenant Island, equatorial Atlantic;
Leftenant Cambridge strode into the office of the base commander, Admiral Anderson.
“Sir, Intel have just transferred these pictures, it seems the Kubadians are having some sort of exercise.” Announced the junior officer as he handed over the folder he carried
“Oh really?” replied the Admiral as he flicked through pictures within.

http://www.sistemasdearmas.hpg.ig.com.br/flu/fluusaapb36.jpg
http://www.sistemasdearmas.hpg.ig.com.br/flu/fluusatf116.jpg
http://www.sistemasdearmas.hpg.ig.com.br/flu/fluusasf69.jpg

“Have Intel managed to get anything more on the matter to confirm this?”
“So far nothing else, HUMINT sources are coming up dry.”
“Very well keep me informed” ordered the Admiral as the junior officer was dismissed.
Continuing to muse over the images the admiral picked up his phone and dialled,
“Hello, Anderson here, we may have a job for your bunch”.



OOC:
Yes we are working through this in our own way and hoepfully it ends up being fairly interesting...

details for anyone interested

Background:
Covenant Island: Large island near the equator in the Atlantic, mostly rainforest but has been heavily built up in some areas to provide a full sized space centre and a naval base to support 2 of Crookfur’s naval battle groups and a sizable coast guard element.

Crookfur Protectorate: group of 15 islands off the coast of south west Africa. Formally colonial holdings of European power until abandoned in the 1970s, fairly stable until a sizable level of oil and diamonds were discovered in the region, a number of private concerns sponsored groups of mercenaries and warlords to fight a proxy war for control of the resources. During this period a number of influential Crookfur families purchased some of the islands from the, by this time cash strapped, groups and turned them into private holdings. After some of the private islands were raided, intense pressure was placed on the Crookfur government to intervene eventually leading to the deployment of the Crookfur Expeditionary and Stabilisation force. With the aid of one of the more civilised and powerful groups (the kubadi militia) the force finally brought peace to the area and took over defacto administration of all islands bar the few controlled by the Kubadi militia which formed into the nation of Kubadi.

Major Islands:
Kubadi: Capitol Island of the Kubadi administered area
Malanda: administrative centre for the Crookfur protectorate
Lakabi: medium sized island closest to Kubadi
Whitehaven, Haraldson, Culloden, Ben Cuthbert’s: privately owned islands.

Crookfur Protectorate forces:
79th Marine brigade (7000 personnel)
260th light infantry regiment
501st helicopter regiment
198 Squadron CFAF (transport)
22nd Naval flotilla
2 Maria missile patrol vessels
2 Maria 2 AA missile vessels
4 Eva patrol ships
4 Hilda patrol boats
2 Lancer class torpedo boats

oops double post

The ships of the Kubadi naval forces (if they even had the right to be classed as that) sat at anchor before the beaches of Lakabi. Everywhere there was chaos as men leapt aboard their small craft, jostling for room as the craft set off. Seventy of the small craft raced for the beaches, fifty men eager for war within each.

Aboard the mini-carrier KNC Lowas, Captain Ragen grinned appreciatively at the spectacle. It was a sight to warm the blood of any soldier; a rush of craft carrying men who looked forward to the roar of guns and screams of pain with an almost perverted joy. Behind him the first of his Hueys lifted off, random limbs flailing from the open doors as the four choppers shrank into the distance. followed moments later by the rest of their squadron, carried aboard the Isaac.

The first of the boats had now reached the shore, disgorging their loads upon the golden sands. They would return for the others, but recent intelligence from the guerrillas had stated that militray numbers upon the island had been grossly oversestimated... thus, two thousand men would be held back, just in case.

"You there!" He roared towards a younger officer, "Get on the radio and remind our fire support that they have to ESCORT the landing craft!" Bloody idiots...

Within the leading Huey, gunner Mikhal laughed maniacly as his choppers buzzed over the forests. No-one knew they were coming, they would take the enemy by complete surprise. A simple landing assault, coupled with the troops who were now forcing their way through the jungle. A slaughter awaited, and Mikhal patted his M60 in anticipation.

Over a final crest of trees and they were there. With a whoop, Mikhal squeezed the trigger and the war began...

The ships of the Kubadi naval forces (if they even had the right to be classed as that) sat at anchor before the beaches of Lakabi. Everywhere there was chaos as men leapt aboard their small craft, jostling for room as the craft set off. Seventy of the small craft raced for the beaches, fifty men eager for war within each.

Aboard the mini-carrier KNC Lowas, Captain Ragen grinned appreciatively at the spectacle. It was a sight to warm the blood of any soldier; a rush of craft carrying men who looked forward to the roar of guns and screams of pain with an almost perverted joy. Behind him the first of his Hueys lifted off, random limbs flailing from the open doors as the four choppers shrank into the distance. followed moments later by the rest of their squadron, carried aboard the Isaac.

The first of the boats had now reached the shore, disgorging their loads upon the golden sands. They would return for the others, but recent intelligence from the guerrillas had stated that militray numbers upon the island had been grossly oversestimated... thus, two thousand men would be held back, just in case.

"You there!" He roared towards a younger officer, "Get on the radio and remind our fire support that they have to ESCORT the landing craft!" Bloody idiots...

Within the leading Huey, gunner Mikhal laughed maniacly as his choppers buzzed over the forests. No-one knew they were coming, they would take the enemy by complete surprise. A simple landing assault, coupled with the troops who were now forcing their way through the jungle. A slaughter awaited, and Mikhal patted his M60 in anticipation.

Over a final crest of trees and they were there. With a whoop, Mikhal squeezed the trigger and the war began...

The ships of the Kubadi naval forces (if they even had the right to be classed as that) sat at anchor before the beaches of Lakabi. Everywhere there was chaos as men leapt aboard their small craft, jostling for room as the craft set off. Seventy of the small craft raced for the beaches, fifty men eager for war within each.

Aboard the mini-carrier KNC Lowas, Captain Ragen grinned appreciatively at the spectacle. It was a sight to warm the blood of any soldier; a rush of craft carrying men who looked forward to the roar of guns and screams of pain with an almost perverted joy. Behind him the first of his Hueys lifted off, random limbs flailing from the open doors as the four choppers shrank into the distance. followed moments later by the rest of their squadron, carried aboard the Isaac.

The first of the boats had now reached the shore, disgorging their loads upon the golden sands. They would return for the others, but recent intelligence from the guerrillas had stated that militray numbers upon the island had been grossly oversestimated... thus, two thousand men would be held back, just in case.

"You there!" He roared towards a younger officer, "Get on the radio and remind our fire support that they have to ESCORT the landing craft!" Bloody idiots...

Within the leading Huey, gunner Mikhal laughed maniacly as his choppers buzzed over the forests. No-one knew they were coming, they would take the enemy by complete surprise. A simple landing assault, coupled with the troops who were now forcing their way through the jungle. A slaughter awaited, and Mikhal patted his M60 in anticipation.

Over a final crest of trees and they were there. With a whoop, Mikhal squeezed the trigger and the war began...

okay posted three times there, have no idea why. Sorry...

b]Crookfur STRATCOM (south), Covenant Island, equatorial Atlantic; Febuary 20th 08:00[/b]

In the main command centre things were going crazy

"sir! it looks like Kubadi forces are makign a move on Lakabi! Intel reports that thier LST carriers have moved fairly close inshore and wel have rotary wings and land craft being launched!" reported the officer of the watch as Admiral Anderson strode in to the comamnd centre, his face a mask concealing the cold fury he felt at this double cross, by god we had helped those arrogant fools!

"Infrom Home command, we need a governemnt respsonse on this! have the rapid reaction force stand to for deployment and get me a long eyes* on station ASAP!" the Adrmial commanded, the steel in his voice betraying his emotions as he storde to his desk and picked up a special phone

"Anderson here, the code word is wolf, repeat the code word is wolf"

Barrack block 11 CP, Covenant Island
"the code word is wolf" the voice spoke out through the receiver as Captian Sam "paddy" Harris signalled for attention to the group of men in the barrack room.
"Ok people we have our authorisation for deployment and weapons free on Lakabi, theres a couple of Rocs waiting to take us to a RV with the gaurd flotilla so i suggest we get a move on!"

With that the men of 45 Special Service Section (SSS) jumped isntantly into a swirl of organised chaos as they readied thier gear for the upcomming mission and calmly hurried out to the waiting aircraft.

==================================

Lakabi island; Febuary 20th 08:10

Sgt Adams was almsot asleep with boredom as the radar net suddenly went wild

"All stations, all stations, this is watch,we have bogeys, IFFs are negative! target reading indicates 12 medium helos incoming on Lakabi town report status!"
Over the net came the replies
"Wacth! this is Ten A Zero, there too low for the falconeers!!! we cannot engage repeat we cannot engage!"

"watch this is eight B nine, we ahve the targets, tracking now, WTF! infiltrators zzzzzzssssssssss(static)"

Sgt adams mind raced, that was the priamry defenses the SAM8 and 10 batteries it was upto the star streak batteries now he could only watch in fustration.

Cpl jones sprinted for the firing post for the Starstreak launcher, getting in just as the first huey came over the treeline. taking a breath he swung the system round onto the lead helo and on the lock tone fired and lined up on his second target again firing on the tone but as he lined up for his thrid and final shoot a hail of bullets ripped through hsi postion.
Over the town the 2 SAMs raced at mach 4 towards thier targets, the kinetic energy of the 3 darts released by each effectively ripping the lead 2 helos apprt as troops began to boil from barack biudlings and fire on the helicopters as they came into land.

*Long eyes= A speciflaly modifed CFU-9 longshore (A330) designed for the maritime and general surveilance role, carries a lot of optical and IR sensors in addition to a martime radar.

Mikhal died quickly, his helicopter blown to pieces by the fusilade. The ten remaining craft quickly did a circuit around the landing zone, M60s chattering onto the troops below. Several of the choppers then proceeded to fire their payloads of rockets at the defenders, causing anarchy on the ground below.

OOC: Post your losses, Crookfur. 26 dead Kubadians so far.

IC: Whipping up smoke, the choppers came down to land. Meanwhile, in the jungle around, those guerrillas who had set up positions waited for the right moment. One raised his LAW, aiming towards the closest enemy barracks which continued to spill troops. They had to move soon, the choppers would be quickly overrrun...

The LAW fired, a white trail of smoke arching towards the barrack's main doors. Simultaneously streaks of smoke followed, their designated targets (land rovers and Voltigeurs) chosen in a heartbeat.

Another guerrilla raised his weapon above his head and roared:

"For Kubadi!"

Before racing from the jungle towards the defenders, his team following. Others stayed in the relative safety of the trees and sniped at the foe.

The LAW-carrying guerrilla watched his comrades go, his face a grim mask as several were shot down (9 dead). However, across the open stretch he noticed several figures entering the firefight, weapons blazing. Their army had arrived! The enemy was trapped, and their fate was sealed...

As the helicopters landed, those troops inside spilled onto the ground, instantly calling upon their training and experience to see them through. Gunfire erupted all around as men chose their targets and fired.

OOC: Just so the men weren't just sitting in these parked helicopters!!

Dr Stewart was working in the infirmary as the chaos washed over the town and had to cover the bodies of several children as a near by rocket strike blew in all the windows. Assesing the situation quickly Dr Sewart ordered the nurses to take the patients to the rear of the hospital and wait for help.

Running to his desk he picked up the phone.
"Chirst!" he exclaimed as he discovered the phone was dead. With greater urgancy he removed the a key froma chain around his neck and unlocked a sturdy looking cabinet in the corner of his room.
Taking out a black flight case and opening it he revealed one of the major differences between a hospitialer and an average member of the medical profession, the duty to bear arms in the protection of others, as he removed the contents a pair of P2C1 pistols, a pile of magazines and his perosnal weapons of choice a taurus Raging bull revolver custom biult to use the massive .458SOCOM rounds (really really big rounds, more powerful than .50AE).

Thus laoded he stepped out into the street to find what remained of the Crookfur defense and organise an evacuation.
===============

In the air defense head quaters it was clear that the Crookfur forces couldn't hold Sgt Adams and his staff ahd managed to pin down a bunch of raiders with fire from thier saw but time was running out.

Sgt Adams gestured to his corporal and directed him to insert his code key into the command bank as Adams did likewise a coded message informed all air defense personell to evacuate thier psotions as the final security system was now in operation.

"right all of you out of here now link up with what left and bug out! i'll cover you from here!"
"But sarge the charges!"questioned one of the privates,
"i don't care one of use has to stay and so i'm pulling rank, get out of here now!"
"yes sarge!"

putting his head round the door Adams sprayed a burst down the street as the rest of his squad ran towards the thickest fighting.
time seemed to slow as the timer counted down. Adams let off a couple of bursts to stop any raiders getting too inqusitive but suddenly a large group charged him forcing him to duck back just as the timer ran out and the world wet white
=========================

Lft Henderson was shocked at the sharp blast that eminated from the air defense centre and the similar explosions that marked the end of the various SAm and radar emplacements. The Captain had been hit early ona nd command was now down to him. After the chaos of the inital attack the Crookfur forces had rallied and managed to from a fighting retreat that was grandadully pulling back towards the hospital and the south east gateway where a makeshift convey had been gathered.

For the moment the helicopters had gone either for reeinforcements or reloading, Henderson couldn't be sure but what he did know was that he needed soem cover to make this retreat work

"Big hat big hat, this is Foxhound minor come in, over"

"Foxhound minor this is Big hat we read you, over"

"Any word on soem air cover, over"

"Roger Foxhound minor we have two F-11s in bound for CAS and def, over"

"copy that, 2 F-11s inbound, proceeding with exfil, over and out"
Lft Henderson was relived, the 2 ahrriers would give him a fair bit of breathing space to get the evacuation started.
Just as he turned to pass the news he was taken aback by the image aproaching him.

Lab coat flapping in the brease, a gun on each hip and vernable hand cannon in hand there Stood Dr Stewart...

"Dr what one earth are you doing here, and what on earth is all this?"

"I think this will explain it" Stewart replied as he handed over his ID card and showed his ring to the young officer

"Well sir i geuss that does, now what can i help you with?"

"Well for starters you can hurry up and get my patients loaded and then find me 20 men to stay behind."

"stay behind sir? aren't you heading for the extraction point?"

"No leftenant, the Order gave me the duty of looking after the people of this island and i will carry out that duty"

"Very well sir as soon as we are ready to roll out for the extraction point i'll have you your volunteers, now if you'll excuse me."

"Certainly Leftenant, go with god and may you soon be back." With that the Dr turned and stode way the only trace of his passage the deep blast that signified his side arm taking another victim.
===========================

Off the sotuh coast of the island a number of vessels of the gaurd flotialla had formed up to evacuate personnel and what lakai's they could, thier powerful anit aircraft weaponary serving to ward off any nosey helicopters


OOC:
Causualties of the main 500man garrision in lakabi town amount to a total of 150 dead/injured/captured/missing another 30 or so have been killed in out lying areas.
The surviving personnel have formed up intoa convoy and sheilding units that are head towards the naval uplift, msot the troops are walking as the vehciles have been used to carry wounded and civilians

Aboard the Lowas, Captain Ragen listened to the reports flooding through his radio, the sounds of gunfire and explosives making each message harder to hear.

"Airborne troops have landed, engaging the enemy."

"Strike squad 2 to leader, we have Crookfur troops pinned down within the air defense HQ. Preparing to mount a full assault."

"Strike leader to squad 2, squad 3 is en-route to assist you."

Ragen sat, hands ringing intently. Garbled messages and screams, but nothing he wanted to hear.

Suddenly there was a horrific scream, followed by a sound that almost blew the speakers.

"What the hell's going on down there?!" Ragen roared, his staff falling over one another in their haste. Finally, a communications officer answered.

"Sir, the Crookians appear to have destroyed their own HQ! Reports indicate that several of the AA sites have also self destructed! We have reports of many casualties!"

The captain cursed loudly; this was not how it should be! "What of our other forces?"

"They have essentially cleared the town, sir. It appears the enemy are herding their survivors towards their naval base."

"Well, let us speed them on their way. Have any nearby forces harry them, but do not cause any unnecesary casualties. Now, we only want them off the island."

Ragen turned away from his bridge crew, knowing the trouble this would cause. His great and illustrious leader had ordered all Crookians killed or captured, a 'grand slaughter' he had called it. Ragen, however, realised something that he was sure his leader knew also but chose to ignore; they could not take on the entire might of Crookfur at this moment in time or any point in the near future. To let the enemy escape would show that Kubadi did not want total slaughter, and perhaps would stop them from total retribution. He could only pray, though...

===============================================

Lt Arskas, strike leader of the 3rd Green strike group, savoured his nation's victory. Around him buildings burned, while vehicles lay strewn like a children's toy. His group had been first into the Crookfur hospital, catching those staff who had not yet evacuated. They were POWs, so he had been forced to subdue several of his wilder men who craved no more than ripped blouses and shrill screams...

The town was technically theirs; Kubadians were now beginning to douse the fires, while others rounded up those who had been captured. Gunfire still sounded in parts of the town - including a strange heavy shot that was not of Kubadian origin - last pockets of defense, but the Kubadians now held Crookfur town.

The cost was high, though... many brave soldiers lay dead, their sacrifice ensuring their great nation's expansion.

"For Kubadi!" He roared, the sound echoing through the streets of the town as more voices picked up the chant. It was at this point that much of the army vanished back into the trees, leaving a medium-sized garrison behind. Most would go to comb the island for enemy, but some (including what was left of the infiltrators) set off after their quarry.

===============================================

A single infiltrator watched the process; Crookians, teary-eyed and exhausted sat within their trucks, the remaining military forces escorting them. This was what remained of Crookfur's forces upon the island; a ragtag bunch, though he knew they could cause a lot of hurt. He cradled his LAW, content to watch them; his weapon would no doubt kill any aboard his target, which was against Command's orders. No, he would just wait and watch. The island was theirs, and it gave the soldier a sense of satisfaction to watch the mighty Crookians willingly walk from their island.

OOC: Thats enough for this post in IC, will get pretty dull to read.

Kubadian dead/injured/MIA is somewhere in the realms of 100-130

Kubadian Strike Group: Consists of Strike Leader(essentially a strike group, but houses the Strike group commander (rank undecided)) and 2-4 Strike Squads

Strike Squad: 15 men; includes squad leader (rank undecided)

Troops within Crookfur town: 750 men

BUMP!

OOC: sorry was suffering brain block last night.


IC:

Lft Henderson was getting nervous those on scouting duties reported a fair number of hostiles keeping pace with the column, firing up the radio he hailed the waiting naval units
"Pat nav 1, this is foxhound minor come in, over"

"Foxhound minor, this is Pat Nav 1 what is your situation?"

"We are currently 7kilo mikes out and we seem to have attracted a bunch of nosey hostiles could you perhaps provide them with some discouragement?"

"Roger that foxhound minor, send your fire mission"

"Roger, wilco"

Henderson pulled out his artillery computer estimated the range to the tree line and transmitted the target details to the waiting naval group

"Foxhound minor this is Pat Nav 1, we have your fire mission, 2 rounds fire for effect on way"

in the distance a small gun report could be heard. it was quickly followed by the whistling scream as 2 57mm shells dived into the tree line and detonated throwing flame and smoke through the trees

"Pat Nav 1, this is foxhound minor, round son target, repeat rounds on target. Request a pudding salvo mission, over"

"Roger that foxhound minor pudding mission on way"

Again the rapid reports could be heard as the rapid fire 57mm gun of an Eva patrol vessel hurled its payload inland to sow death smoke and flame though out the treeline.

Relieved for the moment Henderson turned his attention back to the convoy's progress.
===========================

No11 Crag Avenue, Kirkhill, Crookfur, North Atlantic

The Cabinet had been quickly gathered in the prime minister's residence. In the main conference room an Intel officer completed his briefing.
As the lights went up Prime Minister Jacob McKensie rose and turned to his ministers.
"Well gentlemen you see the situation, we have been caught napping but now the time has come for our response. I would like some options..." he turned towards his foreign secretary, "well Jennifer?"

Jennifer Alexander spoke up.” I think for the time being we should let this one go"

"What?" roared Alex Whitehaven, secretary for defence, " and give note to every little tin pot nation that Crookfur will stand by while they nibble away at our borders and plunder those we have given our protection to! I say that is simple nonsense, I recommend a full strategic mobilization starting with the deployment of 4th and 7th fleet groups and 16th air assault division. We must show how Crookfur reacts to such insults."

"And let the world see that Crookfur is as bad as those nations we condemn for their brutal attitudes towards their smaller brethren? We have forgiven other nations for their transgressions before and they have come to the fold and benefited us in the long run." retorted Jennifer.

"I would point out that Kubadi was already part of the fold," interjected the Home Secretary Timothy Scott," personally I fail to see what on earth the Kubadi's think they are doing, they must be fully aware of the power we can bring against them. Our Intel on the personality of their leader is not great even with the times we have worked with their militia, perhaps we might consider some sort of proactive removal of their higher command and at least some serious flag waving."

Out of the shadows at the end of the table (a seat that always seems to be in shadow for some reason) emerges the massive form of Sir Athulmus Vandroiy the Representative of the Orders.
"My esteemed colleagues I feel that I must inform you that the Orders have a stake in this situation. As you will remember you passed command of the missionary work to the hospitiliars. We have received word from their head of mission, he and some regular troops have headed into the bush to form a resistance movement, the Crookfur involvement is not over and I needn't remind you of your responsibilities." lectured the knight.

"My thanks Sir Vandroiy," responded the PM," i think that we should focus on a restricted military operation. Alex what assets do we have in the area?"

"Well Jacob we have the remains of the garrison force who should be loading onto the patrol group now plus the rest of the protectorate garrison consisting of roughly 8500 combat effectives, mostly light infantry. Air force wise we have a squadron of harriers at Malanda along with tankers and transports, Covenant command have dispatched a long eyes to monitor the situation along with some of the SSS who are due to RV with the patrol vessels fairly soon and then infil to lakabi. The naval patrol group on its own should be enough to effectively eliminate the Kubadi naval units.
In terms of immediate deployables we have a light carrier and marine detachment on its way to exercises further south that can be diverted and we can forward position a couple of squadrons of fighters and support aircraft at Malanda, a full fleet from covenant will take a few days to arrive."
"Thank you Alex, the PM pondered for a few minutes," Here is how it will happen, we will order 7th combat group to deploy and have 17th air assault on full alert. Until 7th group are in position we will make passive harassment moves, the patrol group are stay visible and menace as much Kubadi shipping as they can. The harriers and then a full tactical wing once deployed are to under go aggressive recon missions while we will under take a full deployment of Sparky's and God eyes. The sparkys will operate under standard aggressive non war procedures (i.e. jamming all civilian communications).
If at any time the kubadis make further offensive moves or open fire on us then we will go to full retaliation, eliminate their navy and air force and bomb their support installations both on Lakabi and their home islands.

Finally I want B2s available on short notice for Black Bun missions (long range missions targeted against enemy command personnel).

Jennifer I want a line open to Kubadi ASAP to find out what we can about what they are up to and perhaps we can find a way out of this without levelling their country."

A number of Kubadi soldiers followed the retreating column; hunched over, utilising every piece of cover they could, the attack force hounded the enemy, occasionally letting off bursts of gunfire so as to hurry them along their way.

Sudenly, there was an intense shrieking noise, growing louder by the moment. A sense of impending doom struck each of the soldiers as, mere moments later the earth erupted around them. Smoke, flame and numerous body parts flew through the air, the intense booming noise of landing shells quickly replaced by the screams of dying men and women.

One of the soldiers, a Strike Leader, sat up in a daze. His second-in-command lay dead beside him, or at least his head did; as for the body... he shuddered. All appeared calm for a few minutes, as men got to their feet, then the Strike Leader heard that unmistakeable sound again.

"Artillery! Find cover!" He screamed, leaping for a nearby foxhole. Those around him did the same, resulting in far less casualties once the shells hit home. Still new voices joined in the screaming, those too badly injured quickly silenced with blood-stained combat knives.

Sluggishly, the Strike Leader took his radio.

"Withdraw..." he breathed, taking one last look at the column. Within moments the Kubadi were gone, leaving only flames and dead to mark their passing.

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Within the tallest building of Fubadar, Kubadi's capital city, a single figure sat upon the top floor and listened to radio reports as they flooded through. Around him lay furnishings that any normal citizen would have gave their kidneys for, were that not already necessary by law. An entire floor, converted into eight rooms; the home of Kubadi's great and glorious leader, benevolent and loving.

He was not loving right now; he was livid. Radio reports from his naval fleet at Lakabi had told him that his orders were not being followed; the people of Crookfur were all to die; none should have been left alive by this point. Instead, one of his naval captains had countermanded his orders. He sighed; the captain, one Ragen had served him well, but he would pay the price for his treachery.

Across the grand hall that was his war room, a doorbell chimed. Flicking a switch, the double reinforced steel doors slid open to reveal the shaking form of General Kovaks. At a speed that betrayed his bulk he flew across the room, stopping before his leader's war table. Here, they had planned the attack, though Kovaks noticed that the figures representing their forces were now strewn across the floor.

"Yes, General?" The dictator demanded, his fists clenched. Kovaks gulped, then spoke softly.

"We have recieved communications from the Kingdom of Crookfur, sir, they demand to know our reasoning behind this attack and demand that YOU be the one to reply to them, sir."

The dictator stood slowly, causing Kovaks to shake slightly; the dictator was a well-built man, having fought from the ranks of the militia to reach his position.

"Very well, General; I shall reply to Crookfur personally. As you know, we have absolutely nothing to hide."

"Yes, sir," Kovaks responded instantly, knowing he would have agreed even if his leader had been lying through his teeth.

It was true, though, and all thanks to one Jennifer Alexander. A few deals made in the past, to ensure their aid... doubtless she had forgotten, but the dictator remembered all too well.

"Have our communications get me a line to Crookfur from here, I shall deal with them. Oh, and Kovaks..."

"Yes, sir?" Kovaks whimpered, as the man moved around his table and stood before him, fingering the Desert Eagle pistol which hung at his side.

"I have noticed that one of our captains has not followed my orders in regards to the population of Lakabi. I want this captain retired from our navy, do you understand me?"

"Yes, sir!" Kovaks answered instantly.

"Good. Now, leave me!"

As the General paced from the war room, the dictator watched him go. The captain's retirement would be long and painful; the dictator had not spared one single thought for the population of Lakabi; they were not his people, they were Crookfurs. What did he care if his soldiers had their fun with them? Crookfur's government would have been to blame, for not upholding their deal. Now though, those same people were fleeing in safety. Oh yes, the captain would suffer....


OOC: Kubadi casualties from shelling: 18 dead/wounded/MIA
Tell me one night when you will definately be on, I'll try and get online too and we'll quickly work through the conversation part ok mate?

OOC:
Just soem stuff to add to the situation that i should have added earlier


IC:


Through the dark night yhe 2 Harriers hurtled in towards Lakabi as they had for the past couple of days since the landings. ECM systems working full blast, thier job was to entice any Kubadi air defense radars into lighting up and betraying it's postion. Tonight however they had company, as they turned for thier final run in towards the island a Roc rotodyne that had been keep within thier ECM feilds slowed and dropped down towards the inky black surface of the oceon. As it came to a hover the rear ramp opened and a apiar of inflatable boats were launched followed by the dark shapes of 8 men. As the Heavy aircraft regained altitude and flew away the men swam to the boats and clambered aboard before firing up the muffled engines and moving silently towards the island.

As the boats neared the shore Paddy Harris searched the shoreline for any indication ofan ambush or observers, the night vision and IR modes of his smart goggles failed to reveal anything.
"Ok twitch and Bugbear it looks clear off you go!" he breathed ordering the insertion temas ppint men to bail out of the boats and rush to the shore as they scouted for any other possible traces.
Fairly soon Paddy heard the 2 double clicks that indicated a clear landing and ordered the boats ashore.
Once on land the boats were deflated and carefully buried as the patrol moved out to find a Lying up point (LUP) before moving on the link up with the forces left behind on the island.