NationStates Jolt Archive

This thread is for an open Role Play involving the newly-built Veritasean Atlantic Command Base. Merchant shipping emergencies requiring assistance, civilian airliners that need an emergency landing strip, or even espionage RP's can tie into this base, so be creative and have fun with it!
(For more information on the Veritasean Atlantic Command Base, go here (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3014012#3014012)

Inside the Combat Information Center
Aboard the Veritasean Atlantic Command Base
In the mid-Atlantic Ocean
*************************************

The Command and Control hub of the Atlantic Fleet Command Base was at the center of the large, titanium structure. Ensign Rodgers looked out a thick window and was struck by how odd it was to be sitting only ten or so yards off the waterline, supported only by metal "legs".
This must be what its like to be on an oil rig, he thought to himself, Only oilrigs don't constantly have fighter jets screaming over, squads of Marines jogging around, or an entire fleet of warships tied up alongside...
"Rodgers!" the watch officer yelled, cutting into the ensign's daydream, "I'd better not see that glazed-over look on your eyes again, or I'm gonna submit your name for drug testing! Now get back to work!"
"Aye sir," came the young man's dutiful response as he turned back to his screen that was currently monitoring known spy satellites trajectory. A Veritasean Sat was due to pass over in within the next two hours, where it would calibrate its equipment and where the anti-sat capabilites of the base would be tested. Several satellites of other nationalities had also been redirected to look at the newly-operational base. It could get risky with all those satellites in such close proximity, but that wasn't Rodgers' job, all he had to do was keep up with which sats were overhead when so that the base activities could be changed as needed. Suddenly a communications officer called out,
"We've got a merchant vessel that reports heavy flooding and is requesting aerial and sea-based aid as soon as possible, they don't think they can make it this far so we'll have to go to them..."

BUMP

The ship was a UCSNE registered vessel, the Hermes. It belonged to Olympus ElectroIndustrial, a company known for it's robotics and machinery... As well as it's ties with Kurtz sepratists. The freighter was one of the models that could be run with a 70% decrease in crew, thanks to robotic cranes and loading systems. But the marvel of modern technology now sat in the atlantic, water gushing through a hole in it's hull.

"What the hell happened?" shouted the captain as the finished his radio distress call.

"Sir, I dunno. All I know is that there's maybe 12 of us left... The crew compartment is underwater..."

"Get to the lifeboats. Hurry."

The two Super Manta subs, YS-21s, sat underwater as they watched the result of their work. The Supercav 20mm rounds had worked well, and the fragmentation would make the huge holes in the ship look less suspicious.

They waited as the sleek forms of the ASDS subs to come alongside the vessel.

The seaman was surpised to see a black object poking above the water, and threw down a life preserver, thinking it might be someone from the crew compartment coming for air. The next thing he knew, a Seburo M88 spat a 6.5mm Reverse Ogive caseless round into his chest.

The 12 NSF (Navy Special Forces), 6 from each side, moved in with their silenced weapons. Everyone on the deck was quickly eliminated as they swept through the bridge, killing off the rest of the survivors. The reverse ogive rounds would not exit the bodies, which were tied with weights and thrown overboard. Seawater was washed over the blood.

With the ship slowly sinking, the wetsuited commandos moved back towards the ASDS, their mission accomplished in a few minutes.

Now they just needed to get out.

The ship continued to run it's emergency radio beacon.

"Aircraft spotted, Aircraft spotted! All forces to battlestations!"

Klaxons blared down the cooridors of the CHNM Tasar, CHNM Piniter, and the CHNM Maputo. Two large cargo ships, the Maputo a destroyer fitted with a large range of armaments and even a few helicopters.

Above the ships, a Veritasean aircraft flew above. A fighter jet, the ships werent exactly sure what type, but it was an aircraft all the less. "Unidentified aircraft" Broadcasted the CHNM Maputo "Leave our vicinity. You are violating our comfort space. We do not know why you choose to fly over us, but you have no right."

The CHNM Maputo fired one 56mm Anti-aircraft show as a warning, with the proximity turned off to make sure it didnt accidentally hit. The Maputo's full armament of AA, ASW, and naval battle weaponry came online, ready for any sort of attack. Men ran to the two H-2 helicopters on the ship, the helicopters ready for both ASW and surface attack.

The RANS. Petersburg sailed slowly towards the UV naval docks. Its side belt looked to be buckled in areas, while its forward main guns looked quite disfigured from large blasts. The ship had come for repairs and rearmourment, supplied by an AC-240 on its way to the Atlantic Dock. The Artitsan government contacts Unum Veritias government asking to use the docks.

The two MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters, escorted by a single F-32 JSF, immediately veered away from the Chellis ships. A radio operator aboard one of the Sea Dragons broadcast back to the ships,
"We are a flight of three Veritasean aircraft flying a peaceful search and rescue mission. We mean no harm to you and were unaware of your presence until your radio broadcast."

The three aircraft continued past the Chellis ships, showing no sign of aggressive movement. The F-32 circled the area of the crash while the two helos moved in closer to the location of the emergency beacon, but the pilots were suprised to see no ship and no wreckage. After a second or two of hovering, the pilots got suspicious and jerked their aircraft away from the area. The radio operator got back on the line to the base,
"Atlantic Command, this is S&R flight Alpha, there is no ship and no wreckage at the beacon's site. I repeat, there are no signs of a ship other than the continual beacon signal..."


Back aboard the Atlantic Command Base

"RANS Petersburg," a radio operator called from inside the base's CIC, "You will be escorted to foreign national docking bay Echo. Repair facilities are being prepared to accomodate your vessel. Please proceed along course 235, where you will be met by your escorts. If you have any weapons system or military radar or sonar running, please deactivate them immediately. Your vessel will be subject to a complete search as soon as it nears the escorts. Several search squads are currently en route via helicopter."

"What the hell was that? Search and rescue mission? In the middle of the atlantic ocean, on our supply route? I don't believe that crap"

"So what do you plan to do?"

"Change heading toward the area the planes came from, and scan for ships. I think something fishy is going on." And so it was done. The ships began to veere towards the atlantic base.

The submarines continued to move towards their parent ship, a modified Leviathan SSBN for carrying ASDS and other minisubs. They were descending towards them as the UV aircraft circled overhead.

"Sh*t, aircraft. Let's move!" remarked the 1st Super Manta pilot over the Gertrude phone.

"I copy, you detect ASW?"

"Negative... They don't know we're here... yet."

The hulk of the vessel was barely under the water, one of it's comm antennas peeking out of the waves occasionaly. A lifeboat detached from it's mount, and floated towards the surface, along with a pair of lifejackets.

The two Super Mantas angled their 50mm Countertorpedo pods up, incase there was an attack.

Docking was too noisy, and might get them spotted. But staying in one place wouldn't do them much good either. They waited.

The captain of the Republic of Ozymandias IV fishing trawler had been a sailor all his life and when the distress call was broadcast, national duty became secondary.

"Radio that we are responding to that distress call and put the engines to flank speed," he ordered looking at the chart table in the bridge.

"But sir, our mission!" the first mate began before the captain cut him off.

"Mission be damned!" the captain bawled. "There's a brotherhood of the seas that takes precedence. You shore dogs never seem to understand that - Now radio in and set the engines to flank speed!!"

With his second order, the ship roared to life as the crew struggled to haul in the empty nets. In the inner elint suite, the technician "sailors" hung on for dear life as the ship began pitching over the swells.

"Shit, Captain!" an ensign called out inside the CIC of the command base, "We've just picked up a group of ships; they were right below the heloes flight path and they've just changed course...they're aiming right at us."
"Alright, broadcast the following message over the guard channel," Captain Haftley, the current watch officer, replied, "Unidentified naval vessels, you are now approaching a naval installation of the Imperial Republic of Unum Veritas. This station is currently at peace with all nations and is only conducting search and rescue operations. Please redirect your course immediately. If you have business with this base, please contact us via this radio channel and arrangements can be made. Please be advised that we bear no ill will towards you; however, operational guidelines prohibit unknown craft from entering a 10 mile radius of this station. We request that you change course before entering that radius. Once again, this is a Veritasean naval base currently operating under peacetime rules; there are no threats to your ship coming from this base. Foreign dignitaries are allowed tours of the facility, should they desire; however, arrangements must be made through official channels first."

Aboard the two helos conducting S&R operations:
"Wait, I just picked something up," one of the pilots said over the intercom.
"Yeah, I got it too. It looks like a lifeboat and something else...maybe some sort of flotation device."
"You see any people?"
"Negative, no signs of anyone living or dead."
"Whoa, what was that?"
"What was what?"
"I swore I just saw an antenna sticking out of the water, but now its gone."
"You sure you weren't seeing things? I don't like the sound of a ship that suddenly disappears and then mysterious underwater antennas appearing..."
"You're right, radio back to base and see if they've got anything on sonar."
"Roger that," the second pilot replied before switching frequencies, "Atlantic Command, this is Dragon 2, do you copy?"
"We copy Dragon two, what's the situation?"
"We think we might have some sub activity in the area, do your sonars show anything?"
"Errr...we've got some very faint readings over there, but it could be just about anything. We're still calibrating some of the systems you know."
"Right, well, all the same, there doesn't appear to be anything to rescue here, but there might be an enemy sub."
"Roger that, we'll see what we can do. You all hold your positions and await further instructions."
"Copy that Command."

Inside the Atlantic Command Base's CIC:
"Alright," Captain Haftley said loudly, "We've got evidence of submarine activity near the site of the downed ship. I want all ASW stations fully manned and on increased alert. Detail the frigate patrolling that sector to investigate passively; we don't want any accidents to occur. Do we have any subs over there?"
"Negative sir," the ASW chief replied, "The closest sub is two sectors over...wait....Sir, we've got another ship headed towards the site. It appears to be a very small fishing trawler."
"Probably an ELINT rigger," the chief intel officer chimed in, "We expected quite a few to be around since we just became operational."
"Well, get on the horn and see what its doing. If its just trying to help out then let it in the interest of international cooperation, but keep a close eye on it nonetheless," the captain said.
"Yes sir," a radio technician replied before broadcasting basically the same message to the trawler.
"Captain, the UVS Battleaxe is closing in on the beacon's area. It's an Oliver Perry Class ASW Frigate, so if there's something there, it'll find it."
"Good. Now, let's try to keep cool everyone and not let anything get out of hand, but for God's sake keep an eye on those incoming ships and prepare aircraft and such in the event of an attack. Just make sure you keep everything on safety unless I specifically order you to do otherwise. There will be no accidents on my watch!"

"Installation? What bloody installation? We've been cruising this trade route for months, and have never picked up any effin installation. What in the hell gives you the right to take 10 miles of water anyways?" Yelled a very angry lieutenant into the radio.

"I don't like this... Not one bit."

"Ray one, Ray two. You copy?"

"Yessir."

"Yessir."

"We need to bug out. Maximum quiet speed, they may call for a capship, maybe ASW..."

"Confirm."

The Super Manta slinked under the wreckage on their waterjets, about 20 knots. And then, murphy's law hit them like a hammer.

More specifically, a large chunk of hull.

Disturbed by the poking of one of the antenna, a piece of steel weighing a few hundred pounds banged into the tail of the end Super Manta.

The pilot swore in the cockpit as he kept moving towards the Mother sub, wishing he was in a Sea Viper.

OOC: Chellis, this was announced for about two weeks before the RP began and was also purposely put in water not on any trade routes.....http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3014012#3014012

IC:
Inside CIC of the Atlantic Command Base:
"This base is not on any known trade routes; in fact, dredging was necessary before the base could accomodate any large ships. We used the same international maritime law pertaining to oil rigs to establish this base and purposely placed it where it would threaten no nation directly. It is a relatively new base so I'm not surprised that you didn't know about it; however, again, this is not a threat to the security of your forces and we ask that you either halt and work out a meeting arrangement or change your course." Captain Haftley replied over the radio in a slightly more strained voice.

"Captain," a radio operator then called out, "Battleaxe just reported a large sonar blip at the crash site. They've sent their ASW helo aloft and another from the base has been called over as well. Their towed-array sonar has been deployed and is sniffing about. Prairie-Masker systems are fully active and they've got torpedoes and ASW missiles armed and ready. They await release authorization."
"Negative! Authorization is NOT granted!" Haftley nearly yelled, "You people need to keep your heads when operating in an environment like this! You are to investigate first, become certain of what we're dealing with, and then and only then should you attack. Battleaxe is not authorized to attack until they've figured out what's out there. They've got two helos, their own sonar, and our sonar operating; there's no reason they shouldn't be able to discover anything that's out there."
"Sir, is that prudent?" a tenative, new officer asked.
"Tell me this Mr. Simmons," Haftley responded in a dangerous voice, "Is it prudent to fire at the first thing we hear and risk starting World War X? The Battleaxe will continue searching and we will advise accordingly. Both helos can go active, but the base and the ship will remain passive. If we get a strong sniff then we'll let the base go active; that'll give 'em a surprise. I bet they don't know about the sonar pods and lines all over the 15 mile radius..."
"Yes sir," the ensign said with a chagrined grin.

"Frigate contact... Bearing reeall close. Elkania, can you identify?"

The Elkania was a converted Leviathan SSBN, loaded with UAVs, UCAVs, and underwater unmanned vehicles, as well as smaller subs like the Super Manta Subfighters. She sat 20 miles away at 800 feet BSL, silent as death.

"Ahh, if it's UV, maybe a Perry, I'm not- Dammit. They're using jamming. Prarie Masker, no doubt."

"Confirmed Elk, my passive's all shot to hell. Stationary BGLIDAR is showing them, though. Thermal distortion ain't too bad."

"We got ya. Let's move people."

The two Super Mantas emerged from under the sinking vessel, hitting 30 knots on their MHD waterjets. Operations like these were risky in the UCSNE... Technically, dealing with the companies that shipped arms to Kurtz Island Sepratists were supposed to be dealt with by police. But in international waters, you had to stop them with firepower. Because they had a tendency to shoot back.

"Their sonar sweeps are getting close... Elk, requesting permission to pop countermeasures and activate the Active Systems."

"Negative, if they haven't spotted us already, they will when we pop ACM."

"Goddamnit, they're using high end USN. If we're going 30 knots on non-MHD assisted waterjets, they will find us."

"I said negative, Ray 1. We proceed to alternate route Bravo, and you dock with Haystack."

"Confirmed. Proceeding."

They began to head east, continuing at their 30 knot pace.

OOC: Doesn't mean my merchant marine knows that ;)

IC:

"For christ sakes... Could they have put it since we were held in limbo while the merchant marine was taking part of negotiations in the gabon crap?"

"I suppose... We had done that pacific jump before that, if they had started right after our drop off in menelcamari america..."

"Well... Lets give them a contact, ask them for a meeting..."

-----------
"Atlantic Command Base, this is the CHNM Maputo. We have stopped our advance on the base, and wish to set up a meeting. For reasons of secrecy to the chellian merchant marine, we may not say why we use this route...or at least not over radio. We would like to discuss a possible allowance of letting through on a regular basis however, and Im sure we could work something out.

OOC: Doesn't mean my merchant marine knows that ;)

IC:

"For christ sakes... Could they have put it since we were held in limbo while the merchant marine was taking part of negotiations in the gabon crap?"

"I suppose... We had done that pacific jump before that, if they had started right after our drop off in menelcamari america..."

"Well... Lets give them a contact, ask them for a meeting..."

-----------
"Atlantic Command Base, this is the CHNM Maputo. We have stopped our advance on the base, and wish to set up a meeting. For reasons of secrecy to the chellian merchant marine, we may not say why we use this route...or at least not over radio. We would like to discuss a possible allowance of letting through on a regular basis however, and Im sure we could work something out.

We the people of IDF wish to have refueling and rearming rights at your base. If granted, we will help in its defence and maintenance. As a show of our commitment to defense, the 1st heavy SAG of the 2nd main fleet is making a port of call tonight at 1800

The 18th Cruiser Squadron is enroute, its 4 Asia Class Guided Missile Cruisers moving gently through the ocean waters to assist in the defence of this Port, while the Artitsan Battleship undergoes repairs.

CINCMED:
Sir Unum Veritas has just set up a base in the middle of the Med

Hmmm contact them and see if we could refuel our ships there and maybe support them in there SAR Ops. I'd like to tour the base.



Message from Matich Admiral Jake Brugos CINCMED:


We have heard about your new base. I was wondering if I could have a tour. I was also wondering if we could refuel our ships there and maybe assist you in any SAR Operations. Thank you.


Admiral Brugos

The EOL sends its congradulations that this base is now operational. We would also implore the government of UV to not hesitate to ask our assistance if this base comes under attack.

"CHNM Maputo, this is Veritasean Atlantic Command," Captain Haftley responded, "Your request for a meeting is approved. Please have your ambassadors flown to the base via a single helicopter. If you do not have an available helo, one can be sent to you. Once in the air, your aircraft will be given directions as to where to land. Thank-you."

Haftley then sent a yeoman to find the base's CO to inform him of the upcoming meeting. Meanwhile the international liason office was busy handling the various requests from other nations:

IDF: No refueling or rearming rights are available on this base. The only times other nations are granted use of the base is in the event of an emergency. We ask that your vessels not enter within a 15 mile radius of the base.

Artitsa: We appreciate the added defense while your ship is undergoing repairs.

Matich: Admiral Brugos would be more than welcome to tour our facility, however currently no permanent refueling or rearming rights are being granted to other nations. Whenever the admiral is ready to visit, please have him flown to the base.

Layarteb: The High Chancellor of Unum Veritas wishes to thank your nation for its continued support. We also wish to reiterate that should you ever need help, please contact us at once.

"No, atlantic base, we have one. Our captain and gunnery officer will be sent,, we just need to take off the armaments of the helicopter....shant be long."

Aboard a Seahawk helo coming up on the UV base:


Check it out Sir.

Man they put a lot of work into this. Looks nice.

Yes Sir it does.

Make sure our ships know to stay out of the way of this thing. We dont want any incidents.

Already done Sir


The helo lands and Admiral Brugos, two aides, and 4 Marine Guards step off ready for a tour.

"Copy that Maputo, we await your arrival," Haftley said.
"Sir, a Matich helo just landed carrying ambassadors for a tour," an aide called.
"Alright, does the CO know?"
"Yes sir, he's meeting with them right now."
"Good."

Flight Deck Echo
Veritasean Atlantic Command Base
***********************
A tall, broad shoulder man of about 50 years waited for the helicopter's rotor to stop before striding towards the Matich delegation. He extended his hand and said,
"You must be Admiral Brugos! I am Fleet Admiral Sterling; welcome to my base!"

"Nice to meet you. This base is really nice I congratulate you", said Brugos. "How many men do you have stationed here", asked Brugos?

The group begins walking across the helopad and towards an elevator to take them into the actual base superstructure while Sterling answers,
"As of now we have a full Armada (over 400 ships), 2 Carrier Battle Groups, 1 Amphibious Assault Group, 2 Destroyer/Cruiser Squadrons, 2 Submarine Squadrons, and a full division of Marines based here, along with various special operations teams. An Air Cavalry Unit is also based on the south side of the complex. You see, this base is designed to cover all our needs in the Atlantic Theatre."

The group begins walking across the helopad and towards an elevator to take them into the actual base superstructure while Sterling answers,
"As of now we have a full Armada (over 400 ships), 2 Carrier Battle Groups, 1 Amphibious Assault Group, 2 Destroyer/Cruiser Squadrons, 2 Submarine Squadrons, and a full division of Marines based here, along with various special operations teams. An Air Cavalry Unit is also based on the south side of the complex. You see, this base is designed to cover all our needs in the Atlantic Theatre."

"On the other side of the base are the hangars for our various air assets. On top of those aircraft based on the carriers, we have our own planes that are incapable of carrier takeoffs and landings. For example, we've got an entire Stealth Squadron made up of F-117's and B-2's and the like, and an Interceptor Squadron designed to attack anything posing a threat to the base. We've also got a Support Squadron made up of things like AWACS, tankers, ELINT aircraft, jammers, etc. The base has built-in defenses too, of course. We've got SAMs, AAA, torpedo batteries, and even a type of SDI, on top of all the AEGIS cruisers and such stationed here" Sterling was saying, glad to have someone to talk to who could properly appreciate the base, "Now, the top layer that we're on right now is dedicated basically to airstrips, helipads, and training facilities for the Marines. As you can see if you look over the edge, we're actually quite a ways up. The reason for this is that all of the actual rooms and such are below this level. It was the best space management we could come up with, and its worked well so far. We've got elevators and staircases all over the place, so its never hard to move between levels. We have three separate CIC's, one primary and two backups, a fully outfitted communications hub, intel suite, several radar towers, and countless sonar pods deployed in a 15 mile radius surrounding the base. We've also managed to get a few remote-controlled torpedo batteries deployed throughout the same radius; the only problem with them is that it takes a diving team to reload the batteries. They give my SEALs good practice, but its a pain in the butt nontheless. I'm sorry to keep prattling on though, I'm afraid I'm awfully proud of this place. But, if you want to really see what this baby can do, you should spend the night here, because tomorrow the Amphibious Assault Group stationed here is going to attempt to attack the base. Its an excellent training excercise, we've found, and we've got an excellent observers' deck on the East side, complete with screens showing the positions of forces and everything. Interested?"

Brugos was really impressed. "Sounds good he replied. I want to see what thie baby can do. Seems to me its like a really big, really good Carrier. You should come tour Gibralter some time thats the closest thing Matich has to this. I have to say Im jealous."

"I would be more than happy to tour Gibraltar sometime, at your convenince of course," Sterling replied as the group rode an elevator down one level, all the while beaming at his surroundings. It had taken quite a bit of convincing on his part, but he had finally managed to get the Senate to appropriate a large amount of funds to decorate the base, making it drastically different from nearly any other Veritasean installation. The elevator doors opened with a hydraulic hiss and Sterling led them down a hall to the left. He paused in front of a large double oak door.
"This is the entrance to the suite you'll be staying in. This wing is set aside for visiting foreign dignitaries, so you won't be disturbed by any of the younger, rowdier, men," Sterling said with a grin before handing each of them a plastic card on a lanyard, "These are your security clearances. They'll get you into any observation room, the flight deck, any cafeteria, and any gym without an escort. You'll need escorts to get into places like the CIC, communications nexus, or aircraft hangars. Places like the intel suite are off limits, though, to any visitors so I'm afraid I won't be able to show you anything in there. Although, I don't really mind, intel people are weird anyways. Well, its getting late, so I'll leave you. If you need anything, food for example, just pick up the phone in your room and an operator will help you. A wake-up call has been set so that you'll be able to wake up in time to watch the excercise tomorrow. Good night!"

"Thank you", replied Brugos.

The men all went into the room.

"Man this place is nice," said Brugos to his aide Lt. Commander Sterges.

"Yes it is Sir," replied Sterges.

"I cant wait to see the excercises. Maybe we could get Matich to give us funds for something like this," said Brugos.

"Doubtfull Sir, but we could try," replied Sterges.

Inside the Atlantic Command Base's CIC:

"Probably an ELINT rigger," the chief intel officer chimed in, "We expected quite a few to be around since we just became operational."
"Well, get on the horn and see what its doing. If its just trying to help out then let it in the interest of international cooperation, but keep a close eye on it nonetheless," the captain said.
"Yes sir," a radio technician replied before broadcasting basically the same message to the trawler.

"This is the Neptune, a fishing trawler out of Port Liberty, Republic of Ozymandias IV. We're responding to a distress call at this location. We're available to render aid. Over."

The captain then put down the radio transmitter and turned to the first mate: "Make sure that all active systems are powered down."

"Aye sir, already done," the first mate said smugly.

"Check it again damn you!" the captain roared. "This isn't the place for any slip-ups!"

"Copy that Neptune, please be advised that you are within near vicinity to a military installation of the Imperial Republic of Unum Veritas and therefore there will be military craft in the area. S&R operations are currently ongoing; however, no wreckage has yet been found." a communications officer reported over the intercom.

********************
The next morning a chime went off in the rooms of the Chellis dignitaries. An orderly waited outside their room to escort them to the cafeteria where they ate and were soon met by Admiral Sterling.

"So, sleep well?" he inquired.

BUMP

BUMP II

BUMP III (This is getting ridiculous)

Well I guess you're not coming back Ozymandias....

Sorry dude.

That whole RL thing sometimes really gets in the way of play...
:headbang:

May as well let this die a quiet death.