NationStates Jolt Archive

As the crisp ocean breeze swept across the ship's deck, catching the flag and bringing it to attention, the assembled officers and crew saluted smartly to the crowd gathered to see them off. Several thousand family, friends and proud Eredronians were lined up as the three carrier groups moved out into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving port. The three aircraft carriers, the Liberty, the Morning Glory and the Ardent, dwarfed the smaller support vessels and frigates, leading the armada into the open sea.

Those news agencies that had bothered with the event were reporting that the carriers would be participating in war game exercises in the South Atlantic Ocean, followed by a rendezvous with the forces stationed in Mauritius. CENTCOM had encouraged this story, as well as fueled speculation that they were in actuality being sent out to hunt and destroy the renegade Doujin fleet. Such rumors had the desired effect of drawing attention away.

The fleet turned towards the south, sailing into the night.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/cvn-70-vinson_03.jpg

Meanwhile, the first of a force of four hundred thousand soldiers lifted off aboard a formidable fleet of air transports, flying through the dark skies as the western world prepared for sleep.

Reaching the island of Mauritius without incident, the carrier groups Liberty, Morning Glory and Ardent met up with the stationed carrier Intrepid, creating a naval force that spread out for miles in all directions. Taking up position on the western coast of Mauritius, the fleet waited while air and naval transports flew and crossed by, bearing troops, vehicles and supplies to the small island principality. The flight of transports had operated continuously for over twelve hours, and would continue throughout the week, bringing nearly half a million soldiers into the area.

http://www.abbotsfordairshow.com/2002/c5.jpg



Neither the Consul or CENTCOM had delivered an answer to inquiries concerning the operation.

Ebolania wishes to inquire the nature of this move, and is mobilizing the Ebolanian Expeditionary Fleet to counter any offensive moves made by Eredor. This is cautionary only, repeat CAUTIONARY.

(OOC: Twelve hours for half a million troops!?! That would need several thousand transports, considering distance and the capacity of the aircraft)

(OOC: Twelve hours for half a million troops!?! That would need several thousand transports, considering distance and the capacity of the aircraft)

You misread. I stated that the transport operation had been underway for twelve hours, and would continue throughout the week.

Official Press Release, Ebolania
Eredron Information Agency

The military deployment ordered by the Government of the Republic of Eredron represents no threat to Ebolania. This minor operation should not be perceived as hostile.

Standing on the deck of the Ardent, Admiral Dreyfus squinted as the sun slowly settled, its rays glittering over the water's surface. In the distance, he could make out the figures of men hurriedly completing their various tasks: replenishing stores; loading munitions. The distinctive outline of Abrams battle tanks could be seen rolling onto landing craft and air transports. The logistics of moving nearly half a million soldiers was a daunting task. The Expeditionary Force had been split into smaller groups. Following air flybys to take out any military defenses,the first landing would consist of 40,000 infantry, arriving via landing craft and aircraft over the course of a day, seizing the port city of Mtwara in Tanzania and holding it for additional reinforcements.

He turned his back towards the coastline and made his way into the bowels of the carrier to send his report back to the capital.

Skimming over the ocean's surface, the armada of air cushioned landing craft closed on the shores of Tanzania.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ship/lcac_1997-9.jpg

A flight of F-22E Firehawks flew overhead, followed by dozens of helicopters and air transports.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/h46-saipan.jpg

A group of soldiers had paradropped into the coastal city of Mtwara forty-five minutes ago to cut off the city's communications and transportation, as well as the port and airport facilities. Now, they held the city secure as the first wave of troops poured out of their landing craft, quickly unloading supplies and equipment. C-5 Galaxy's, EA-80 Transports and G-12 Troop Transport Vehicles flew overhead, some landing, others performing air drops over the beach. The Expeditionary Force would remain in Mtwara and the surrounding area until all troops, armor and equipment had landed.

Holding station off the coast, the naval force had formed a semi-blockade around Mtwara, prepared to send out aircraft against any threat, either from the Tanzanian armed forces, or some other foreign presence.

---

Press Release
Office of the Consul

Approximately one hour ago, an Eredronian peacekeeping force landed on the shores of Tanzania in an operation undertaken at the behest of the Tanzanian government...who requested that the Republic bring that country under its protection. We have done so, ensuring that peace, liberty, democracy...the ideals all the civilized world holds dear, are not compromised by warlords, terrorists or other menaces. We have no doubt the international community will support us in taking this action by not causing or allowing any to interfere, as such a measure would cause damaging instability.

END

OOC: Tag.
IC:
FPS is not at this time taking any hostile actions against Eredron. However, the already deployed FPS 3rd Carrier Task Force, led by the U.S.S. Yorktown is being moved just outside Tanzanian waters.

With the city of Mtwara secured, a force of 15,000 infantry and 30 Abrams tanks was sent north to Lindi. F-22E Firehawks were conducting continuous air flights over Tanzania, watching for signs of resistance. The Tanzanian army had been seen mobilizing in the capital city, Dar Es Salaam and several cities in the north, but Eredronian troops had not yet met an organized defense. The 150,000 soldiers that had already landed would remain in Mtwara for two more days until all armored vehicles had arrived. During this time, airstrikes would be carried out throughout Tanzania to destroy what little of a military Tanzania had, if their government chose to refuse Eredron's secret ultimatum to surrender to the Republic.

Meanwhile, an angry dispatch was sent to the Free Pacific States government, demanding they withdraw their naval force immediately.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/cia03/tanzania_sm03.gif

Official FPS Return Statement to Eredron's Outrage
The FPS Naval Fleet is, and will remain to be, outside of Tanzanian Coastal Waters, and thereby any waters which you have control over. The fleeet is not, at this time, commencing any combat operations, and is not planned to being commencing combat operations. It will remain there, however, until which time as it can be ensured that your not mass slaughtering the nation's people.

OOC: As for the nation itself..you can pretty much count on a surrendur.

BUMP

"What's the latest intel?" Admiral Dreyfus asked as he stepped out of the makeshift tent and into the warm evening of Tanzania.

"The 8th Division has come under enemy fire approximately three miles south of Lindi - we haven't determined if it is the Tanzanian People's Defense Force. It appears news of our landing has spread to most cities in the country faster than we anticipated." His aide handed him a thin folder containing maps, photos and dispatches.

"Speed is of the utmost importance, Colonel," the admiral said. "We've got to push up the timetable. By tomorrow 85% of our troops will be in Tanzania. It is two hundred miles to Dar Es Salaam. I will be leaving for Eredron this time next week. When I meet with the Consul, I do not want to tell him we have failed to take the capital. Send out the 10th Armored Division to reinforce our position in Lindi; from there we can take Kilwa Masoko followed by the capital. I expect any resistance to be concentrated in that area. After that, it will just be a matter of sweeping through western Tanzania and setting up for a drive into Kenya."

"Yes, sir...what about the Pacific States warships?"

The admiral paused for a moment. "Let them aone," he said. "So long as they mind their own and don't interfere, they are of no concern."

(ooc: Aw, darn. I expect -based on reference to the Tanzanian govt. specifically- that you don't want all out war with the locals. The UARL covers most of Tanzania and half of Zambia in our reality, you see. Oh well, carry on. (I need someone to read threads for me and tell me whether or not to bother reading!))

OOC: I am not opposed to a war. But having not seen Tanzania listed in the RL Nations Claim Thread, I was operating under the assumption no one had prior ownership of it. However, you are more than welcome to step in. I apologize for not knowing previously of your claim, otherwise I would have factored that in.

BUMP

(ooc:No need to apologise. Lusaka's map is mainly regionally based, and Tanzania makes up the vast majority of our homeland on the Southern Africa map. Anyway, I was typing out something on how we could work the RP if you wanted, but then I thought about it, and all of Al Khals, our neighbour, is also squashed into southeastern Tanzania, so it'd be too complicated to get our region involved. I'll just let you carry on :) )

OOC: Alright then. Maybe we can still work something out.

---

Rolling through the dry plains of eastern Tanzania, the M-1A2E Abrams Battle Tanks of the 10th Armored Division had swept through Lindi and continued with minimal delay. Thirty strong, the Abrams had moved ahead of the ground troops and now, accompanied by a light escort of Bradleys and a small complement of soldiers, were fast approaching the outskirts of the city of Kilwa Masoko. Apache Helicopters had flown in ahead of them to destroy any enemy fortifications and it appeared as if little stood in the way of complete victory in a matter of days.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/m1a1-ex-pic81.jpg

---

On the command bridge of the carrier Ardent, Admiral Dreyfus watched via realtime GPS and video the progress of Eredronian forces into Tanzania. Spread out in a roughly inverted V formation, the Abrams had changed course and were now sweeping into the city from the west. He quickly saw why as Apache helicopters opened fire on a series of low-standing structures sprawling along the southern edge of the city. The attack helicopters flew low across the buildings, strafing the windows as they passed overhead.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/ah-64-p39c2.jpg

Coming over the ridge of a rugged hill, the first of the thirty Abrams was already adjusting its cannon to fire when a blur of smoke and fire shot out of one of the buildings. Just as the missile smashed into the treads of the lead Abrams, a second shot through the air. This one hit under the Abram's turret. The tank slowed, and jerked to the side, but continued moving forward. Thick black smoke was pouring out of the Abrams as the other tanks returned fire on the buildings. The 120mm shells knocked through the walls of the buildings. This, combined with the continuous barrage from above by the trio of Apache helicopters, quickly silenced the enemy fire.

A final salvo into the ruined structures ensured the threat had been eliminated. As men began running towards the burning carcass of the Abrams tank, the three helicopters wheeled around. Soldiers began deploying from the Bradleys and other APCs, waiting for the 30,000 ground troops to arrive to take the city.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

OOC: As I said before, as I did not find Tanzania on the list of claimed countries in the RL Nations Claim thread, I assumed no one had an interest in it. If you want, I would be more than happy to RP against your troops.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

OOC: Where are you located at in Tanzania? Or, where are your troops located at?

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

40nm southeast of Mtwara, Tanzania

The Western Asian forces based in nearby Madagascar had been on high alert since the beginning of the Eredron force build-up and the AARG based in South Africa had been moved up in case Eredron's forces made a thrust for the large island. Instead, however, they watched as the Eredron forces made way for the shores of Tanzania...the territory of Western Asia's close ally, Sniper Country.

Immediately, the majority of the 5th Amphibious Assault Ready Group and 6th Naval Grand Fleet were dispatched to deny Eredron access to Tanzania and to support Sniper Country's forces there. Aboard the ships sit more than 30,000 IDF Marines, who are backed by several more divisions in Madagascar and South Africa, let alone in Western Asia itself only a few hundred miles to the north.

The dozens of vessels, which strech for miles and consist of over almost a dozen aircraft carriers do not take long to make themselves known in the area. Scores of aircraft soon fill the sky, providing protection and filling AWACS responsibilities over the battle groups.

The bombardment and amphibious assault vessels line themselves up close to the shore, trusting in their heavy armor and weaponry to protect them against the as-yet lightly armed Eredron forces.

As their ships approach Mtwara, marines with a mix of armored, light, and unarmored vehicles wait aboard the HLCACs in the assault ships as they make their final checks. Above decks, heavy helicopters and C-2D light transport aircraft are prepared for launch.

The bombardment vessels zero in on the enemy troop formations as their cheap UAVs provide video, GPS, radar, and lidar reports on the target zones.

A message is sent to the Eredron commanders in the fleet and on the shore:

Attention Eredron personnel, you have one hour to begin your withdrawl or surrender from Tanzania. Failure to comply will be met with the complete destruction of all Eredron naval, land, and air assets in this region. We are responding to the illegal and unjust invasion of Tanzania, a recognized territory of Sniper Country.

We urge your troops on land to lay down their arms and surrender to our or Sniper Country's forces for repatriation. Any who continue to fight will be killed.

That is all.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

"Sir, we've picked up a large enemy fleet approaching from the south."

"Free Pacific States?"

"No sir. The ships have been identified as Western Asian. They have begun launching aircraft."

"Admiral! Message, urgent!"

Dreyfus turned and snatched the slip of paper from the ensign. Quickly reading it through, he turned to the airwing commander. "Launch all aircraft. Any fighters in Tanzania are to return immediately. We need a defensive net around the fleet, and that city[Mtwara] now. Get CENTCOM on the line. Request immediate reinforcements, and direction on how to respond. Notify the Expeditionary Force to move their SAM and air defense into position. Order all troops to halt and hold their position. How far south are we from the capital?"

"Approximately seventy-five miles."

He thought quickly. There were four hundred thousand soldiers in Tanzania, with armor and air support. Additional ground troops was an impossiblity; warships would take days, weeks to arrive. The carriers Ardent and Morning Glory could not match the air power of a dozen carriers from this new fleet.

"Send the Virginia subs south three miles, between us and them. Have them hold position. They are to monitor the fleet, but not engage until the enemy fleet has closed to within firing range, and shows no sign of stopping.

He swore to himself as the officers hurriedly followed his orders. Intel had been horribly inaccurate, unacceptably so. Tanzania had been specifically chosen as the landing point for Operation Vanguard for it's apparent inability to provide real resistance. Eredron's drive into Kenya would be delayed, possibly stopped entirely, because of their failure. He needed to do something, fast, to keep a full-scale war from erupting with these other powers, lest Vanguard fail completely.

Military Communique, Western Asia

Eredronian military forces deployed in Tanzania have ceased offensive operations for the moment. Withdrawal impossible.

At the same time the message was sent out, the fleet began attempting to open up communications with Sniper Country. Tanzania was of little import, besides it's initial role as landing point for the Operation. Dreyfus was not going to let it bring down the entire campaign.

OOC: Take note that my fleet is stationed off of Mtwara, so you would not be able to line up that close to the coast yet.

Free Pacific States is currently re-evaluating it's position towards this crises in the realization that the nation was already a protectorate of another nation (Sniper Country). Although we are not Sniper Country's allies, we do believe in invasion on one of their protectorates as an act of war against them, and seeing as you had no reason besides territorial expansion to invade anyway...

However, for the time being, FPS forces are still holding position, and have not yet, and are currently not planning to take action.

OOC: Take note that my fleet is stationed off of Mtwara, so you would not be able to line up that close to the coast yet.

OOC: My vessels are in international waters off of Mozambique, the Bombardment Group is just barely outside of the 14nm limit from that shore (placing the forces over 37nm south of Mtwara). Also, I'm coming from the northern tip of madagascar, where I have a massive naval and air base. I have a 600 mile lead on your forces, also, and the Mozambique channel and some 200 miles around that tip of Madagascar are covered by hypersonic ASM batteries based along the Madagascaran coast (we don't own the place, but the local gov't doesn't mind the nice powerful toys).

I'm assumming that you're operating by a Logistics Over the Horizon system as is SOP for the USN (ie, ships are not visible from shore, but rather launch LCACs from almost their max. range and wait the hours that it takes the LCACs to arrive, land, unload, and return) so you're about as far off of Mtwara westward...WA's amphibious assault ready group vessels are either lighter vessels that can evade most shore-to-ship weapons or are heavily armored and protected enough to withstand most shore-to-ship weapons systems. In any case, they're coming in between you and the shore while the more blue-water fleet spans from right between you and the shore to your flank.

Also one question: since Mauritius is over 800miles from Tanzania, are all of these LCACs supposed to be moving there from Mauritius or from ships at sea...because a trip from Mauritius to Tanzania (one way) is over 4 times the range of an LCAC...<technical>and that many LCACs limited to about 2.6 sorties/day (taking over 8.5 hours for cargo transport and 6 for vehicles) at a range of 4.5nm makes a from-ship landing of 150,000 troops within a day a herculean task (2.6 sorties/day/LCAC x 24 troops/LCAC/sortie (180 w/PTM) x Y LCACs = 62.4Y (468Y) troops landed. 150,000/468 (to be favorable)= >320 LCACs over 24 hours, with no supplies or vehicles being counted. With about 4 LCACs/LSD 41-class, 3/LHD-1 class, and 1/LPD-17 class, that minimum would require the eqivalent of 40 Amphibious Ready Groups...or 120 vessels just in support (possibly just enough to carry all of those men)...and no vehicles. Any aircraft couldn't boast a troop capacity higher than the LCACs (probably a good bit lower) although they do have the benefit of range and speed.</technical>

"Sir, we've picked up a large enemy fleet approaching from the south."

"Free Pacific States?"

"No sir. The ships have been identified as Western Asian. They have begun launching aircraft."

"Admiral! Message, urgent!"

Dreyfus turned and snatched the slip of paper from the ensign. Quickly reading it through, he turned to the airwing commander. "Launch all aircraft. Any fighters in Tanzania are to return immediately. We need a defensive net around the fleet, and that city[Mtwara] now. Get CENTCOM on the line. Request immediate reinforcements, and direction on how to respond. Notify the Expeditionary Force to move their SAM and air defense into position. Order all troops to halt and hold their position. How far south are we from the capital?"

"Approximately seventy-five miles."

He thought quickly. There were four hundred thousand soldiers in Tanzania, with armor and air support.

OOC: From your RP you stated that 150,000 troops (of the 400,000 in the area had been prepositioned elsewhere with equipment), most without their armor or heavy equipment...with it taking at least 2 more days for all equipment to arrive...which is it?

And just for checking, your deployments by LCAC would currently be requiring somewhere in the range of over 500 LCACs in service (due to the long ranges...and limited carrying capacity of any particular LCAC).

Additional ground troops was an impossiblity; warships would take days, weeks to arrive. The carriers Ardent and Morning Glory could not match the air power of a dozen carriers from this new fleet.

"Send the Virginia subs south three miles, between us and them. Have them hold position. They are to monitor the fleet, but not engage until the enemy fleet has closed to within firing range, and shows no sign of stopping.

He swore to himself as the officers hurriedly followed his orders. Intel had been horribly inaccurate, unacceptably so. Tanzania had been specifically chosen as the landing point for Operation Vanguard for it's apparent inability to provide real resistance. Eredron's drive into Kenya would be delayed, possibly stopped entirely, because of their failure. He needed to do something, fast, to keep a full-scale war from erupting with these other powers, lest Vanguard fail completely.

Military Communique, Western Asia

Eredronian military forces deployed in Tanzania have ceased offensive operations for the moment. Withdrawal impossible.

A message is sent in response:

Your forces are to begin their immediate withdrawl. Order all landing craft to turn around and return to their points of departure or they WILL be sunk. Your warships must withdraw to greater than 200nm from the shore, although helicopter and landing craft will be allowed to approach the shore to collect your ground forces. Withdrawl is not impossible, it is imperative.

We will begin firing in 40 minutes if an immediate response on your part is not seen and there will be no ceasefire until your ships are all destroyed, is that understood?

OOC: My vessels are in international waters off of Mozambique, the Bombardment Group is just barely outside of the 14nm limit from that shore (placing the forces over 37nm south of Mtwara). Also, I'm coming from the northern tip of madagascar, where I have a massive naval and air base. I have a 600 mile lead on your forces...

My fleet left Mauritius long ago. It arrived at Tanzania and took Mtwara approx. eight days ago. I have been lax with time and was using a RL:NS time conversion that fluctuated somewhat since, as I previously stated, I did not see Tanzania as having been previously claimed.

I'm assumming that you're operating by a Logistics Over the Horizon system as is SOP for the USN (ie, ships are not visible from shore, but rather launch LCACs from almost their max. range and wait the hours that it takes the LCACs to arrive, land, unload, and return) so you're about as far off of Mtwara westward...

The initial landing craft were launched from close to their max. range while the fleet was still underway, but they have not been moving to and from Mauritius, but operating from the fleet which is several miles off the coast, but nowhere near two hundred. The LCACs are supplemented by naval and air transports, including C-5 Galaxies and Sea Knight helicopters. My fleet includes ten Wasp amphib. assault ships, which makes a total of thirty LCACs. Each Wasp ship also has twelve Sea Knight helicopters, 9 Sea Stallion helicopters, and 4 Huey helicopters. Troops had been initially moved from Eredron to Mauritius [ both to build up troops in the area and provide players a chance to respond]. From there they were moved to Tanzania via air and naval transport. This process in NS time took days, but converted to a matter of hours for each day in RL time.

I apologize for the mixup. I do see areas in my posts where I was not quite clear. Again, as I thought no one had a claim in Tanzania, I did not think my landing in Tanzania would be the source of conflict, but rather with what I did later with the RP.

------

ICly...

A message is sent in response:

Your forces are to begin their immediate withdrawl. Order all landing craft to turn around and return to their points of departure or they WILL be sunk. Your warships must withdraw to greater than 200nm from the shore, although helicopter and landing craft will be allowed to approach the shore to collect your ground forces. Withdrawl is not impossible, it is imperative.

We will begin firing in 40 minutes if an immediate response on your part is not seen and there will be no ceasefire until your ships are all destroyed, is that understood?[/quote]

Military Communique, Western Asia

Eredronian forces within Tanzania are holding position awaiting a response from the government and military forces of Sniper Country. Again, no offensive action will be taken. Furthermore, forces in the city of Mtwara will begin the necessary steps of leaving the city, with regards to logistics.

OOC: In other words, I'm waiting for a response to a telegram to Sniper Country.

OOC: My vessels are in international waters off of Mozambique, the Bombardment Group is just barely outside of the 14nm limit from that shore (placing the forces over 37nm south of Mtwara). Also, I'm coming from the northern tip of madagascar, where I have a massive naval and air base. I have a 600 mile lead on your forces...

My fleet left Mauritius long ago. It arrived at Tanzania and took Mtwara approx. eight days ago. I have been lax with time and was using a RL:NS time conversion that fluctuated somewhat since, as I previously stated, I did not see Tanzania as having been previously claimed.

I'm assumming that you're operating by a Logistics Over the Horizon system as is SOP for the USN (ie, ships are not visible from shore, but rather launch LCACs from almost their max. range and wait the hours that it takes the LCACs to arrive, land, unload, and return) so you're about as far off of Mtwara westward...

The initial landing craft were launched from close to their max. range while the fleet was still underway, but they have not been moving to and from Mauritius, but operating from the fleet which is several miles off the coast, but nowhere near two hundred. The LCACs are supplemented by naval and air transports, including C-5 Galaxies and Sea Knight helicopters. My fleet includes ten Wasp amphib. assault ships, which makes a total of thirty LCACs. Each Wasp ship also has twelve Sea Knight helicopters, 9 Sea Stallion helicopters, and 4 Huey helicopters. Troops had been initially moved from Eredron to Mauritius [ both to build up troops in the area and provide players a chance to respond]. From there they were moved to Tanzania via air and naval transport. This process in NS time took days, but converted to a matter of hours for each day in RL time.

I apologize for the mixup. I do see areas in my posts where I was not quite clear. Again, as I thought no one had a claim in Tanzania, I did not think my landing in Tanzania would be the source of conflict, but rather with what I did later with the RP.
OOC:
Well then this would all require a revision of your timescale, since the last dating indicated that your forces had only been in the area 1-2 days since the start of activities and since my forces, already on alert due to 1/2 a million possibly hostile troops being pre-positioned about 400miles away. Due to this, my forces would be arriving while the "150,000 men" line was still good.

Unless other people agree, time generally flows dependant upon the action...not upon the general NS time flow* (or all RPs would be at waaaay too slow of a pace for any use).

*- which isn't generally agreed upon in the first place.

------

A message is sent in response:

Eredronian forces within Tanzania are holding position awaiting a response from the government and military forces of Sniper Country. Again, no offensive action will be taken. Furthermore, forces in the city of Mtwara will begin the necessary steps of leaving the city, with regards to logistics.

OOC: In other words, I'm waiting for a response to a telegram to Sniper Country.

We will await word from the Sniper Country Government, but be warned that if no word has come within the hour we will open fire as announced.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

Following receipt of Sniper Country's reply, Admiral Dreyfus relayed the message to the capital, and to CENTCOM. Within minutes, an order was returned to the Expeditionary Force commander.

Comply with SC/WA terms. Repeat, involvement of SC/WA forces into Vanguard unacceptable. Accept terms immediately. Move forces to Mauritius. African campaign of Operation Vanguard to be delayed. Withdraw and consolidate for possible direct deployment into Kenya-Somalia.

Admiral Dreyfus sent out an urgent communique to both Sniper Counry and Western Asia, announcing the decision to move all Eredronian forces to the Mtwara port city for evacuation. Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry opened up a channel with the SC government to work out possible methods of reparations for the accidental damage.

Meanwhile, military planners in the capital hurriedly modified Operation Vanguard in an attempt to salvage the planned military campaign and minimize the effect the Tanzanian incident would have on the operation.

Task Force Legion
The Task Force acknowledges the Eredron message, which is sent to MADACOM and from there to Western Asia. A landing contingent of Marines are ordered to land, confirm the Eredron pull out, and support local recovery operations.

The majority of the Western Asian fleet slows to a stop some 20nm due south of the Eredron fleet. HLCACs, helicopters, and Condor VTOL transports bearing WA forces move out of their transport vessels and make way for a landing zone just south of Mtwara under escourt of a handful of Corvettes and missile boats.

After a few minutes, the first couple hundred Marines land and establish their beachhead, but do not advance towards the grouping and retreating Eredron forces around Mtwara.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

[Good, I go by that thread also. I proposed my thread to Chellis, and he only said I had to bump it a few more times. But, in that process, I started another RP in which I am losing control of Lesotho. Crap. This sucks.

As has been mentioned elsewhere, Roycelandia controls Kenya, Uganda, and the Sudan as Roycelandian East Africa. We also control Lesotho now... or at least we will, once the rioting quells. :D

I'm quite happy to get involved in this as REA if you guys are prepared to let me join in, otherwise I'll invoke the Multiverse Rule and carry on running my African Colony as usual... :wink:

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

Chellis & I have had some... professional difficulties over the Roycelandian East Africa claim.

He refuses to acknowledge them because they're allegedly in an Invite RP (Which they aren't), and even if they were, the REAL owner could still legitimately pop in and say "Excuse me, that's mine."

The fact that this hasn't happened means that there is an impasse between me and Chellis- and, as SC has found out, if you post a "NATION claims RL NATION" thread then 500 people jump in saying "That's mine! That's mine!".

I think the edited highlights of this are that Roycelandia will probably be sitting this one out, methinks...

The first of many transports left the shores of Tanzania, bearing away the soldiers from a country that, days before, had seemed certain to fall to the Republic. Disheartened and demoralized, the men were quiet, few looking back at the beaches of Mtwara. All were wondering whose failure this was, whose head would roll.

All along the military chain of command, the same question was being asked. Most blame had already fallen to the Intelligence division; a public scapegoat, however, was required, as no one would allow the military intelligence to be publicly accused of incompetence. In the meantime, it was decided that the Expeditionary Force would return to Mauritius; while strategists and planners back in Eredron determined the next move for Operation Vanguard, the soldiers would be enlisted to help in the construction of Eredronian military air and naval ports in the island, and enjoy the results of the nearly twenty billion Marks poured into the island principality of Mauritius.

The FPS government is very happy that a non-violent soloution to this great problem could be found. It is currently returning it's carrier group to regular patrol.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

Recently landed in Mauritius, Admiral Dreyfus was fuming when he finished with the dispatch. SC Black Hawks were doing flybys over Eredron forces in Mtwara, Western Asian troops had landed in Tanzania, and satellite imagery showed a mobile naval platform making its way south into the vicinity. Those members of the Senate Military Committee were calling for the Vanguard operation to be cancelled, and some technical mishap on an inbound carrier had forced the entire battle group to turn around, leaving the Ardent and the Morning Glory surrounded by numerically superior and potentially hostile forces.

Debating the situation with both his key advisors, a course of action was finally decided upon.

From the Eredron embassy in Mauritius, a public communique was released detailing the agenda of a diplomatic envoy to Kenya.

From the Ardent carrier's current position, would take flight. Fueled and carrying reserve tanks, the helicopters would cross over the Indian Ocean, traveling the approximately eight hundred miles with a minimal number of midair refuelings. The small group of diplomats and military officials aboard the Black Hawks would meet with Kenyan government leaders in Nairobi for classified, closed-door discussions of the 'most serious and grave nature'.

Just south of Mtwara

While the IDF fleets sit off shore, their low and (intentionally) blending colors causing them to appear from almost little more than islands and large waves from such a distance, the first wave of IDF marines have secured the beachhead.

Soldiers in light vehicles and scouting HMMWVs observe the withdrawl of Eredron forces from afar, occassionally reporting their notes on the progress of the withdrawl to the command station--a truck-based trailer that sits just past the beachhead.

MADACOM, Northern Madagascar
Admiral Kohn was having quite the day. The gambit show of force that Task Force Legion provided had paid off...but now MADACOM was becoming much less of the "Backwater Paradise" post that he had signed up for.

Just a few minutes ago, now, he had received news that Sniper Country's MOPB/2 had been deployed from Elat, Israel Province and would be setting up base near Tanzania. There was also a rumor running through the High Command circuit that at least a portion, and possibly the entirety, of the 5th AARG would be relocated to MADACOM. Some big muckety mucks were also talking about unifying SOAFCOM, MADACOM, and some features of ATLANCOM and MEDCOM into an overall "AFRICOM" for both the Naval Corps and Marine Corps...more bureaucratic fixes for strategic faults he thought to himself. Some of those similar officers were just about ready to crucify Admiral Neumann of SOAFCOM and himself for pushing the 5th AARG and 6th GNF into the situation, he remembered.

Until then, I have to do some real work...the orders for increased SAM and ASM shore emplacement construction had to be placed, in addition to the additional units hauled out of storage and off of ships in response to the Eredron build up to the east.

The Admiral sent the orders to the Engineering Corps and also ordered several patrol groups attached to the 6th GNF to return to Madagascar for defensive patrols along the northern and eastern coasts.

(ooc: Normally, owing to a few past minor RPs, BG recognises the African universe touted by Roycelandia, but since WA's in Madagascar partly because of us, I suppose we're kinda in this universe too, when it's convenient :) Really this is just a long-winded tag, and I hope that I find time to read up a bit more. Am I right in thinking that nothing too explosive is on the cards any longer?)

The PCBG cast a concerned eye to the west, but with operations linked to Asia and the looming threat of a new capitalism on the home continent of New Tiamat the closest thing to tangible evidence was a slight increase in diplomatic traffic between Portmeirion and Antananarivo. Personnel representing elements of the BGEF remaining in the Malagasy republic began to speculate about the length of their tours, and were seen to engage local authorities in discussion over a possible increase to training operations, but The People's Commonwealth remained generally silent. This may simply have been owing to the horrible sloth inherent in the open senate system that powered the nation, of course.

The talks between the Kenyan government and the deputy ambassador of the Eredronian principality of Mauritius, as well as Dreyfus' executive officer and staff, lasted but a few hours. During this time, the Eredron envoy laid out a carefully planned report detailing an international coalition being formed against Kenya. Explaining the landing of the Eredron Expeditionary Force in Tanzania as an attempt to prevent the planned attack against the African continent and one requested by certain governments in the region, reconnaissance photos showing the massive deployment of WA and SC forces in the area were laid out to the Kenyan officials.

"You can see for yourselves: Western Asian forces have deployed in Tanzania; Sniper Country has ordered further reinforcements into the area. As soon as Eredron is withdrawn from the area, they will turn their eye on you. Indeed, we have substantiated reason to believe Sniper Country has even gone so far as to violate Kenyan airspace for the purpose of obtaining detailed information with regards to your coastline defenses, coastal cities and terrain."

Explaining that, with this information having been obtained at great cost to the intelligence community, a request was made that the Kenyan officials not make public any information revealed to them, and treat their talks as classified.

Instead, the deputy ambassador immediately shifted the focus of the talks to a possible defense agreement. Holding the looming threat of a two million man army under SC and WA over their heads, the envoy invoked images of a smashing attack on Kenya's southern border, holding out telegrams and other communications, some fabricated by Military Intelligence, others whose original message had been "modified".

At the end, the bait was lowered into the water. Eredron would agree to a complete mutual defense pact, using all of her military power to maintain the sovereignty of Kenya; pumping billions into the Kenyan economy and helping to create a modern, 21st century Kenyan military. Noting that Eredron naval forces were mere hours away, that the withdrawing Expeditionary Force could quickly be shifted to Kenya, the Eredronian envoy excused themselves to break for lunch, and allow the Kenyan officials to mull over all that had been spoken.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

After sending a brief message to Eredron command in Mauritius, the diplomatic envoy fueled and departed from Nairobi, flying across Kenya while elements of the carrier group Ardent moved north to shorten the flight distance.

The dispatch reported moderate success, and suggested that immediate preparations be made to shift the withdrawal to Kenya. Dreyfus ordered that plans be brought up for a small force to land via airdrop in the city of Mombasa, which would become the staging point for all operations in Kenya and the African continent.

Nearly a quarter of the Expeditionary Force's ground troops had already been withdrawn to Mauritius; three hundred thousand infantry, and the majority of armored units, still remained in Mtwara. This meant that a distance of roughly four hundred miles separated the two cities, a fact that would alleviate the logistical strain the abrupt withdrawal had placed on the naval forces in the region.

It was decided that eight thousand troops withdrawing from Tanzania in the next several hours would be moved north to Kenya while pressure to accept Eredronian 'protection' was continued.

Even as the Eredron forces withdraw to their transport vessels, the Naval Corps commanders take steps to ensure that there will not be a 'second try' on Tanzania.

A quartet of Patrol Groups and a single Destroyer Squadron is sent north to guard Dar es Salaam and to patrol as far north as the island of Zanzibar on guard for any Eredron units straying that direction. At the same time, a dozen C-2D and MC-2D aircraft are flown north to land in Lindi, with a dozen more directed to Dar Es Salaam itself. These battalions of Marines and the naval patrols are reported to local Sniper Country forces.

Lindi
The Marines find a scene of absolute carnage. While several platoons are dispatched to watch the withdrawl of Eredron forces from the area, the majority of the force is immediately pressed to aiding the civilian population. Major portions of the city have been utterly destroyed in the wanton Eredron assault and the Marines immediately call to ask that an Expeditionary Amphibious Fleet be moved north to provide hospital services and to support the local rescue operations with more personnel. Within a few hours, the 23rd Expeditionary Amphibious Fleet's seven vessels are making their way to the coast off of Lindi as the M/C-2D air fleet ferries troops and supplies from carriers to the battered city.

A group of IDF Marine Corps PR officers accompanying the men record the scenes of carnage on digital video cameras and also record the retreating Eredron forces. The IDF Marines watch the withdrawing armored forces with a mix of elation and concern...a single order could strand these marines in the middle of a massive fire fight with much heavier forces. Just in case, many of the Marines have established fire positions with TOW, MAPATS, and Gil/Spike-family ATGMs in fortified positions on the outskirts of the city.

A few soldiers are sent out on long patrols with light scout vehicles, to make sure that the Eredron withdrawl is completed throughout the area.

Local leaders are provided with a liaison after a quick meeting with the battalion commander and his staff to discuss recovery efforts.

Meanwhile, many miles to the north...
The situation in Dar Es Salaam is better. While the Eredron forces never got this far with their ground forces, the city is still chaotic as people attempt to contact their families and friends in the southern cities.

MADACOM Antsiranana, Madagascar
A call comes in for Admiral Kohn from the Western Asian ambassador to Kenya, urgently requesting that several pieces of information about the Sniper Country and IDF forces deployed in Tanzania...and any available intelligence on Eredron plans in the region be sent to the Embassy in Nairobi. The Admiral replies to the ambassador a few minutes later over the Diplomatic SecNet with several megabytes worth of documentation gathered over the past several days.

Nairobi, Kenya
The Western Asian Ambassador hands the Kenyan envoy sitting in his office a disk with the information burned onto it and a copy of the Eredron telegram to Sniper Country...and Sniper Country's response, printed from the files.

"I believe that this is the entirety of the records we have on hand for release. I hope that this can alleviate the concerns you presented to me. As you well know, Kenya has been a firm friend of Western Asia since its inception, and was a friend of Israel for many years before that.

"If you need our help, as I said before, we have almost a dozen mobile antishipping missile trucks and many air defense systems in Madagascar, which remain available to you, as always, if you want them."

The Kenyan envoy thanks the Ambassador for his assistance and openess and takes his leave of the Western Asian embassy, while the Ambassador files a SecNet report for Jerusalem conveying news of the Eredron meetings with Kenyan officilals.

The Socialist Federation of Free Pacific States is horrified at the destruction in cities such as Lindi, and though taking no sides in the issue in Tanzania as of yet, would like to offer humanitarian aid to the peoples of Tanzania, and to those international forces in the area.

While we realized we may not have much diplomatic experience with Sniper Country and Western Asia, we believe fighting death and destruction is something that should be able to be done without prior negotiations.

"Roger and confirm, green light to go." Giving the thumbs up sign to the aircrew on deck, the pilot started his aircraft down the short runway.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/20000112-f-2171a-005.jpg


Carrying over 100 airborne troops, the C-17 Globemaster III lifted into the air, moving east from Tanzania before changing course, circling to the north. The takeoff of the eight C-17s had been coordinated with the Eredronian carrier groups, which had put twenty-four F-22E Firehawks into the air to serve as escort, as well as sent a Wasp-class Amphib. Assault ship north with a small escort, consisting of four Virginia submarines, three Zumwalt Land Attack Destroyers, and two OHP frigates. The small task force had begun traveling north towards Kenya four hours before the first C-17 took off.

While the paratroopers landed on the outskirts of the city of Mombasa and secured a landing zone, the Wasp taskforce would close to two hundred miles and launch its Sea Stallion helicopters to provide the first relief and reinforcement. Once the ships had closed to seventy miles, the Sea Knight helicopters would launch and drop further troops and supplies.

As soon as word was received that a 'beachhead' had been secured, more air and sea transports would be devoted to bringing troops, equipment and armor to Kenya. With luck, the transition would occur without major delay or incident.

In a public statement released earlier this evening, the Eredron Republic denied allegations of excessive use of force.

"The charge that...Eredron troops wantonly destroyed or deliberately attacked the civilian populace, is an absolute lie, and one that we unconditionally deny. Eredronian troops operated under and abided by the rules of war, and by strict rules of engagement. The use of military force was contained to incidences in which the men and women of our armed forces were under direct threat and attack. Any attempt to charge Eredron with some destruction is a false accusation."

The Eredronian thrust into Kenya did not go unnoticed. The massive airlift was easily spotted and the Kenyans didn't hesitate to call for Western Asian help.

The first response was Western Asia's last diplomatic hope: a message of warning.

This is Admiral Kohn speaking on behalf of Western Asia and Kenya, Eredron forces in Tanzania and Kenya MUST be withdrawn and all further operations in support of those troops must cease immediately. If this is not completed within the hour then Task Force Legion will complete its mission and all Eredron forces in this sector will be destroyed or captured, without fail.

We have ordered Task Force Legion to advance to Kenya. All Eredron combat vessels not directly engaged in the withdrawl from Tanzania remaining more than 100 nautical miles from Mauritius will be attacked and sunk, all aircraft shot down, effective starting 1 hour from this time.

Compliance is highly encouraged.

Western Asian airbases in Sniper Country (South Africa), Madagascar, and even in the Sinai Desert (part of WA proper) are sudden nests of activity as long range bombers are loaded with armaments. B-52s in the Sinai are launched and begin to fly towards Kenya as high speed bombers in the more local bases are fueled and target data is entered. Satellite photographs of the Mombasa area are tasked and, within 10 minutes, delivered by one of the dozens of WASATNET satellites covering the area.

The patrol groups and destroyer flotilla, now past Dar Es Salam are banded into Task Force Valiant and are ordered to intercept and sink the enemy carrier vessel and ships if the deadline passes without effect. The boats are pushed to their top speed as they drive north.

South of Mtwara and Lindi
The Marines receive the news of Eredron's continuing agressions and begin to seriously dig in for a possible fight with the forces that were, only a few hours before, little more than a distant threat. The Marine landing south of Mtwara continues, but now includes several rocket artillery units and is mostly tanks and heavier equipment to support the now thousands of IDF marines in the area.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

FPS Official Return to Eredronian Statement
During it's offer of humanitarian aid (which has still not been answered), FPS did not even mention Eredron, and never intended to. Destruction happens in situations such as this one, and the point of our efforts is to lessen the effect of that destruction on the people of Tanzania.

OOC: For roleplaying purposes, assume my incursion force into Kenya is approx. half-way there.


In response to Western Asia's message, a public communique was released.

"The unending acts of aggression displayed by Western Asia will not succeed in cowing the Republic into submission, into leaving the area so as to give Western Asia and Sniper Country free reign in Kenya, and all of Africa. Western Asia's demand on our naval forces is illegitimate and will not be met. Our forces are within international waters, acting as a stabilizing force in the face of Western Asia's excessive military presence.

Eredron troops will soon be landing at the request of the Kenyan Government, to serve as a deterrence against a possible attack by either Western Asia or Sniper Country. The efforts of Western Asia to bully Kenyan officials into reneging on the mutual defense pact agreed upon by both Kenya and Eredron will not succeed. Furthermore, any attack against Eredronian forces, both in the African region and around the world, will be met with a full retaliatory strike.

Western Asia pretends to offer diplomacy and peace in one hand, while preparing to mete out unwarranted destruction with the other. The true intent of Western Asia, however, is not hidden from the Republic, and we are prepared to defend both Eredron and her ally, Kenya. Likewise, we are prepared to fully utilize diplomacy and peaceful measures to decrease the heightened tensions brought upon the region by Western Asia's reckless aggression."

Admiral Dreyfus
Eredron Expeditionary Force
Eredron AFRICOM Leader

----

As the carrier group Intrepid preparing to round the southerntip of Africa*, further calls were sent out to CENTCOM requesting further and immediate reinforcement. The request from the numerically outnumbered Eredronian fleet was quickly responded to. The Military Command Staff ordered all forces to go to Defensive Posture Red; Tu-180E Implacables, part of the Strategic Bomber Force, were called up and ordered to make for Mauritius. The Civilian Air Defense Fleet was likewise ordered to mobilize.

Over one hundred F-22E Firehawks were ordered into the air to provide air protection around the two carrier groups, which were quickly regrouping for a tighter formation. Virginia submarines, long inactive during much of the invasion of Tanzania, were now moving through the Eredron carrier groups and towards the Western Asian forces coming from the south, and the Sniper Country mobile platform from the north. Meanwhile, the Ohio boomers were moving towards Madagascar as well as Tanzania, their ballistic missiles prepared to hit targets throughout both regions, if the distress signal Phoenix Omega was sent out; the signal was the most serious code in all the military, signifying imminent destruction.



*This group was aready enrounte into the area in an RP involving my Mauritius claim. Should a link be requested to show this, I will provide it.

Faced with the growing threat of attack, Dreyfus ordered a temporary halt in all flights to Tanzania, directing that all transports return to Mauritius. The roughly 250,000 men and armor had been ordered to remain in Mtwara, basing themselves around the Mtwara airport and coast. Airdrops would be performed to provide necessary supplies.

OOC: For roleplaying purposes, assume my incursion force into Kenya is approx. half-way there.
Sure thing...aside from your already landed paratroopers.

In response to Western Asia's message, a public communique was released.

"The unending acts of aggression displayed by Western Asia will not succeed in cowing the Republic into submission, into leaving the area so as to give Western Asia and Sniper Country free reign in Kenya, and all of Africa. Western Asia's demand on our naval forces is illegitimate and will not be met. Our forces are within international waters, acting as a stabilizing force in the face of Western Asia's excessive military presence.

Eredron troops will soon be landing at the request of the Kenyan Government, to serve as a deterrence against a possible attack by either Western Asia or Sniper Country. The efforts of Western Asia to bully Kenyan officials into reneging on the mutual defense pact agreed upon by both Kenya and Eredron will not succeed. Furthermore, any attack against Eredronian forces, both in the African region and around the world, will be met with a full retaliatory strike.

Western Asia pretends to offer diplomacy and peace in one hand, while preparing to mete out unwarranted destruction with the other. The true intent of Western Asia, however, is not hidden from the Republic, and we are prepared to defend both Eredron and her ally, Kenya. Likewise, we are prepared to fully utilize diplomacy and peaceful measures to decrease the heightened tensions brought upon the region by Western Asia's reckless aggression."

Admiral Dreyfus
Eredron Expeditionary Force
Eredron AFRICOM Leader

We do not recognize Eredron's threats to free states such as Kenya, Western Asia, and Sniper Country. We have been asked by the Kenyan government, a long-standing ally of Western Asia, to provide support and intervention against the Eredron forces. We will honor our alliance with Kenya and defend it as though it were our own.

We do not believe that the Western Asian deployment in Madagascar and Tanzania are an overwhelming or threatening force, considering that the strength of Western Asian land forces in the area is almost a twentieth of the Eredron deployment. We warn Eredron once again to abandon its imperialistic and bombastic stance. From the southern tip of Africa to the tip of the Middle East, you will find no allies and many enemies for your assaults.

Your threats of a nuclear strike against free peoples will not go unnoticed or escape without condemnation. We can assure you that, while we are not a nuclear power, we have significant means of defending ourselves against your threats.


As the carrier group Intrepid preparing to round the southerntip of Africa*, further calls were sent out to CENTCOM requesting further and immediate reinforcement. The request from the numerically outnumbered Eredronian fleet was quickly responded to. The Military Command Staff ordered all forces to go to Defensive Posture Red; Tu-180E Implacables, part of the Strategic Bomber Force, were called up and ordered to make for Mauritius. The Civilian Air Defense Fleet was likewise ordered to mobilize.

*This group was aready enrounte into the area in an RP involving my Mauritius claim. Should a link be requested to show this, I will provide it.
OOC: Please do provide the link.
IC: In addition to the two massive fleets already in place, the 7th Naval Grand Fleet was mobilized and ordered to pass around the southern tip of Africa in pursuit of the Eredron force.

In Southern Madagascar, long-range hypersonic ASM batteries are armed as reports of the new fleet's entrance to the region. Aircraft from the Madagascar People's Armed Forces Aeronaval force are joined by Western Asian aircraft in the southern tip of the island as new patrols are conducted against the incursions of enemy fleet vessel into the region. They have orders to attack any hostile enemy vessel that comes within 200nm of Madagascar or its territories as flights of pilots take to the air.

A quartet of Gatekeeper ULAs rises from Sniper Country and Madagascar and moves to cover the combat zone, their hundreds of cruise missiles set to rain down destruction upon the enemy fleet.

Over one hundred F-22E Firehawks were ordered into the air to provide air protection around the two carrier groups, which were quickly regrouping for a tighter formation. Virginia submarines, long inactive during much of the invasion of Tanzania, were now moving through the Eredron carrier groups and towards the Western Asian forces coming from the south, and the Sniper Country mobile platform from the north. Meanwhile, the Ohio boomers were moving towards Madagascar as well as Tanzania, their ballistic missiles prepared to hit targets throughout both regions, if the distress signal Phoenix Omega was sent out; the signal was the most serious code in all the military, signifying imminent destruction.
OOC: Just checking, are those aircraft from Mauritius? If not, then what's the AC capacity of the carriers? I'm mainly asking because fielding one's entire airwing at once will mean that you get a few hours of protection followed by a day or two of no protection at all.

Long Range Aerial Patrol, off of Madagascar
The aircraft of the LRAP continuously scan the EEZ of Madagascar with multispectral, magnetic, and assorted other ocean scanners in their routine method...but for once these patrols are less than uneventful.

Small signatures are suddenly being detected about 180nm off of Madagascar and the spots are immediately digitally by the aircrews as they continue their patrols.

Task Force Legion
Helicopter ASuW flights continue regularly, but that is less of a concern for the Western Asian fleet commanders than the appearance of scores of enemy aircraft over the Eredron fleet. While the troop withdrawl seems to be continuing without issue, the new threats are marked up as an Eredron agression. The sudden increase in hostile activities are remarked upon as the Fleet Air Defense Network adjusts to the swarming new threat.

Nairobi, Republic of Kenya
We the democratic government of the Republic Of Kenya have requested friendly intervention against the imperialist invaders from Eredron.

Several hours ago, we requested that, in accordance with decades-old treaties between Kenya and Western Asia and Western Asia's precursor state, Israel, that IDF forces be brought to support our military forces in ridding our territory of the imperialist threat.

Already, we have begun to receive new shipments of materiel from Western Asian forces through bordering Sniper Country territories. We will not submit to the threats and lies spread by our imperialist enemy, we will not bow down to a new age of foreign control.

The KAF stands ready to resist this enemy thrust and already we have begun to move forces into place to protect our shores, our cities, and our people.

We ask now that the World Community join in giving aid to our just cause. Kenya is a strong African state, but we will not be able to fight this massive threat by ourselves.

The Imperialists are already landing their forces of oppression on our shores. The time is limited, the need is great, but we have the will to resist this demonic assault.

~ President Mwai Awori

The Third and Fifth Infantry Divisions and Second Mechanized Infantry Group of the Kenyan Armed Forces assemble around Mombasa, especially along the roads leading to Nairobi and Malindi.

Self-propelled rocket and 155mm shell artillery units are assembled to provide cover for the limited APCs and weak tank forces of the KAF. The Eredron paratroopers are going to be attack as the shells and submunitions-bearing rockets rain down upon their positions.

The 53rd Infantry Brigade moves in under this cover along with a pair of tank platoons to try establish strongholds against Eredron forces on outskirts of Mombasa under the aegis of the 117th Air Defense Platoon.

An encrypted message is sent to WA asking that the IDF land forces at Mombasa airport and drive from Tanzania to Voi along the highway there. The leadership eagerly awaits WA's reply.

OOC:
Edited to make it all future tense.

Sure thing...aside from your already landed paratroopers.

I don't see any post that stated paratroopers had already been landed. If you can show me where I did, I will apologize as I did not intend to do so yet.

Your threats of a nuclear strike against free peoples will not go unnoticed or escape without condemnation.

Eredron has made no such threats.

OOC: Please do provide the link.
Here it is. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=143157&start=20)

OOC: Just checking, are those aircraft from Mauritius? If not, then what's the AC capacity of the carriers?

Each carrier has a complement of ~80 aircraft. I did not specify, but much of this would have come from the Mauritius Air Defense; each carrier would have sent up 24 each.

OOC: Pardon my suspicions, but who exactly is playing Free Kenya. I mean, really, because if it's just WA making a nation to support himself....

Also, are Sniper Country and Western Asia ever going to respond to my request to send humanitarian aid?

Diplomatic Communique

It is clear that Western Asia's subjugation of Kenya has already begun with the installation of an apparent puppet government, despite the Republic's effort to forestall this.

Following private urging from allies and concerned states, the Consul issued a directive to Admiral Dreyfus to end the crisis if possible, to avoid the possibility of full scale war in the area.

To this end, Dreyfus sent out a private message to the Western Asian military commander, proposing a temporary halt in mobilization, deployment and other military activities, where possible.

The Eredronian flight of C-17 Globemaster IIIs began slowly turning away from its course into Kenya, and began heading south.

OOC(all of it):

Sure thing...aside from your already landed paratroopers.

I don't see any post that stated paratroopers had already been landed. If you can show me where I did, I will apologize as I did not intend to do so yet.

You were speaking in the future tense, but I was assuming that, since the distance would be covered in less than an hour or two by C-17s, that operations would've already begun.

Your threats of a nuclear strike against free peoples will not go unnoticed or escape without condemnation.

Eredron has made no such threats.

The language of "a full retaliatory strike" is parlance for "nuclear strikes" in warfare. "Retaliatory strikes" or "a firm response" is more along the lines of what you apparetly meant...but not what you said.


OOC: Please do provide the link.
Here it is. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=143157&start=20)

Thanks.

OOC: Just checking, are those aircraft from Mauritius? If not, then what's the AC capacity of the carriers?

Each carrier has a complement of ~80 aircraft. I did not specify, but much of this would have come from the Mauritius Air Defense; each carrier would have sent up 24 each.[/quote]

Ah, got it.

Chellis has no official statement about the invasion, however, a simple message has been sent to Eredron, saying something along the lines of "Any Eredron troops that move, fire, or make recon missions over the Mozambique border(Which now includes Malawi, who we just recently invaded) will call for full retaliation from the massive amount of troops based in mozambique."

The language of "a full retaliatory strike" is parlance for "nuclear strikes" in warfare. "Retaliatory strikes" or "a firm response" is more along the lines of what you apparetly meant...but not what you said.


OOC: I know, and indeed a nuclear response would be included under the umbrella of my response. However, for RP purposes I had to deny such an allegation.

Public Communique

The sovereign boundaries of Chellis shall not be infringed upon or threatened by the Republic of Eredron. The Republic bears no ill will towards Chellis, and would view as most unfortunate any event that caused a souring of relations between our two nations.

Indeed, Eredron extends an offer towards both Western Asia, and to Sniper Country, for talks to commence immediately for a peaceful end to this matter.

OOC: While I (hopefully) have the attention of several RPers who have been more involved in Africa than I, perhaps you could all verify whether or not the following nations are not already claimed or RPed by another nation. They do not show up listed in the RL Nations Claim thread.

Liberia
Angola
Namibia
Botswana
Zimbabwe

Of course I ask simply out of pure curiosity.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

With the carrier Intrepid passing through the Mozambique Channel, accompanied by a battle group of over sixty warships and support vessels, Admiral Dreyfus ordered that the Eredronian naval forces in the area regroup ninety miles east of Tanzanian waters, bringing the spread-out fleet into a defensive posture. Offers for negotiations had been met with the launching of more SC aircraft; sonar had picked up sporadic contacts, and Sniper Country was continuing its reconaissance flights with one known bird in the air over Kenya.

As the three CV-77 aircraft carriers - the Intrepid, the Ardent and the Morning Glory made steam to assemble together east of Tanzania, surrounded by a net of frigates, destroyers and submarines, ground troops in Tanzania were ordered to prepare for possible hostilities, as Western Asia and Sniper Country continued to build up forces in the area. Having to deal with the air and naval threat of WA/SC, while at the same time providing the supplies needed for 250,000 soldiers and vehicles still remaining in Mtwara was placing considerable strain on the military. Fuel and supplies for the fleets were slowly being drained, and the pressure was beginning to tell on the crew of the fleet.

The language of "a full retaliatory strike" is parlance for "nuclear strikes" in warfare. "Retaliatory strikes" or "a firm response" is more along the lines of what you apparetly meant...but not what you said.


OOC: I know, and indeed a nuclear response would be included under the umbrella of my response. However, for RP purposes I had to deny such an allegation.
OOC:
Oh, I know that...but the rest of the message was OOC, I didn't realize that that part was IC, sorry.

Public Communique

The sovereign boundaries of Chellis shall not be infringed upon or threatened by the Republic of Eredron. The Republic bears no ill will towards Chellis, and would view as most unfortunate any event that caused a souring of relations between our two nations.

Indeed, Eredron extends an offer towards both Western Asia, and to Sniper Country, for talks to commence immediately for a peaceful end to this matter.

Message from MADACOM
I, Admiral Kohn, on behalf of Western Asia will agree to these talks so long as the government of Free Kenya is involved in the negotiations that will ensure its own sovereignty.

Message to Admiral Dreyfus
If Eredron ceases all further military actions and continues the orderly withdrawl of its forces from Mtwara then we will be happy to meet you in negotiations for a lasting ceasefire or peace agreement governing this sector. We will cease all further military deployments in areas where Eredron forces have ceased deployment.

As a sign of good will, all air deployments to Kenya have been diverted to Tanzanian cities. In return, we ask that your naval forces do not advance into the conflict zone as we remove our forces in equal measure.

Additionally, Western Asia is willing to provide part of its local fleet of HLCACs to assist in the redeployment of your forces out of Tanzania.

----

Message to Eredron Carrier Group (Mozambique channel)

You are infringing upon Madagascaran waters. You will cease all northward and/or eastward movement and turn back or you will be attacked by forces of the People's Armed Forces and the IDF Marine Corps. We expect you to act in accordance with the offer of Admiral Dreyfus' offer to cease further deployments and military movements in the area.

----

A group of corvettes and missile boats sits in the Channel, spread to the limit of Madagascar's EEZ, most are Western Asian but a few are simply Madagascaran vessels of Western Asian make.

-----

OOC: I don't care about any of those countries unless SC gives a damn.

OOC: Pardon my suspicions, but who exactly is playing Free Kenya. I mean, really, because if it's just WA making a nation to support himself....

Also, are Sniper Country and Western Asia ever going to respond to my request to send humanitarian aid?

OOC: There's a rule against that? :D

That's up to SC...it's his land.

---Post deleted by NationStates Moderators---

OOC: From what I know:

Liberia: No one's got it and I don't care about it
Angola: No one's got it and I have/had plans for it
Namibia: No one's got it and I have/had plans for it but don't have it as a priority
Botswana: No one's got it and I don't care about it
Zimbabwe: I seem to remember somebody having it but can't be sure, but I don't care about it anyway

Zimbabwe is technically RPd by Rhodesia & Nyasaland. Except the guy who has R&N is an asshole, and a bad RPer, so no-one will notice or care if you take it. I think Fascist White States also claims a few places in Southern Africa, including Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, several nations claim parts of Africa.

Roycelandia claims Kenya, Uganda, and the Sudan, Lusaka claims Tanzania and Burundi, The African Commonwealth claims The Congo and parts of the Central African Republic, as well as Rwanda, Al Khals has a part of Mozambique, and United Elias, Roycelandia, AC, Lusaka, and (to a much lesser degree) Cirdanistan are fighting over Gabon.

The whole Nation Claims thing gets very complicated at times... I've chosen to sit this one out, simply because we recognise Lusaka as owning the area you are fighting over (Tanzania). ]

Multiverses are great... :D

OOC: I usually ignore RL nations claims altogether because of their unrealism. One, the NS world is not at all involved in the RL world, something I've been told by the mods in reference to some of my UN proposals, and 2, nations couldn't simply walk in and without resistance take nations such as the US and China, yet it happens. And 3, by the time our nations were at the points they are now (in population), the real planet Earth would either be nuked, or part of a humongous Federation or Empire contaning many planets.

However, since this is Africa...which is the most realistic area for RL nation claims (besides Central America excluding Mexico), I decided to get involved.

Oh, and still waiting for permission for those humanitarian teams.....?

OOC: Lost this while trying to post earlier, so here's the short version retyped. Sorry if it's not coherent.

--

The carrier group Intrepid, following receipt of WA's demands, was ordered to head south and take up stationkeeping off the coast of Namibia, while all other forces in the area concentrated on removing the remaining Expeditionary Force to Mauritius; the withdrawal from Tanzania, coupled with the ongoing threat from Sniper Country and Western Asia, was beginning to strain Eredron's naval abilities in the region. Neo-con hawks in the capital were pressuring the MilComStaff and the Consul over Operation Vanguard, while fuel and supplies for the carriers in the Indian Ocean were slowly being drained.

A communication was sent to both WA and SC, proposing that all three meet and hold talks to resolve the situation and take steps to repair relations between all three powers.

Admiral Dreyfus met briefly with government officials in Mauritius, before departing aboard a C-5 Galaxy for Tanzania to oversee the efforts in Mtwara and hopefully meet with Sniper Country representatives. He also wanted the personal assessment of the Expeditionary Force commander as the admiral attempted to create a reasonable time table for Vanguard, to send to the capital.

As a BUMP, current troop levels in Mauritius are holding at approx. 100,000, as the withdrawal of the remaining armor is being concentrated on. As no future combat is planned with the current involved parties, I will speed up the RP timescale and have the withdrawal completely over with by Monday.

In a short statement released earlier this morning, General Marshall of the Military Command Staff announced the completion of Eredron's peaceful withdrawal from the nation of Tanzania, in accordance with agreements reached with the governments of Western Asia and Sniper Country.

--

The Eredron Expeditionary Force, 400,000 strong, had returned to the Eredronian Principality of Mauritius, and consolidated for the next move. The carrier groups in the region, renamed to the First Fleet, was taking up position off the northern coast of Mauritius as it took on supplies. A group of twelve Predator UAVs were enroute to the island principality, as was a flight of three Tu-180E Implacable Strategic Bombers. Strategists, looking back at the events of the past few weeks, determined the weaknesses and mistakes made by Eredron's forces, and took steps to correct them.

Meanwhile, the carrier group Intrepid remains off the coast of Namibia.

Following private negotiations between the involved parties, Admiral Dreyfus spoke publicly at a press conference in Mauritius, describing the representatives as "candid" and "cooperative".

"It was evident that Eredron's desire to end this incident was shared equally by Sniper Country and by Western Asia." The admiral noted that many subjects had been touched upon, but refused to elaborate.

"I can say now that relations between the Republic and Sniper Country have been normalized, are being normalized. As we have done in the past, I wish to apologize on behalf of the Republic, for our mistaken incursion into Tanzania. The operation was based on information that we now know was outdated, and was a clear violation of the sovereignty of Sniper Country. In compensation, we have offered to provide economic aid; I am pleased to announce that Sniper Country agreed on the sum of 100 million US dollars. Eredron gladly provides this, and any assistance later requested."

---

Immediately following the press conference, a countdown began for the initiation of Operation Vanguard.

As the tensions calmed, most of the Western Asian fleet returned to stations about Madagascar while a good contingent remained close to Tanzania and Kenya.

As the pre-ceasefire agreements with Kenya had promised, Western Asia's IDF began the importing and placement of land-based SAM and ASM batteries along the coast. Over a dozen BrahMos II truck-based triplet launchers were loaned indefinitely to the Kenyan government as Western Asian "military advisors" trained Kenyan personnel in the operation of the systems and associated radar batteries. A couple dozen used and previously mothballed M113A3 (Zelda II model) APCs are shipped south to the African nation using the massive, although slow ULAs. While no Saar 5 Corvettes or Saar 4.5 Missile Boats were given to Free Kenya, several government officials are given tours and demonstrations of these vessels.

With final preparations complete, the carrier group Morning Glory slid through the calm waters of the southern Indian Ocean, cutting a southwestern course from Mauritius, to round the southern tip of Africa. Heading at full speed, the fleet was to meet up with the Intrepid carrier on station near Namibia and set up a blockade around the city of Walvis Bay.

"Sir, all craft and troops have been assembed," the XO of the Intrepid announced, saluting the admiral.

"What's our position?"

"We're holding 80 miles due west of Walvis Bay, sir."

"Tighten our formation and bring us in to 60 miles," Admiral Dreyfus ordered. "Send up twelve birds, have them buzz the city for possible resistance before the landing force arrives."

It had been planned that a flight of twenty four helicopters would take lead, dropping men and supplies and establishing a beachhead minutes before the first LCACs would arrive, securing their position with the protection of Apache attack helicopters and F-22E Firehawks.

Already, Hercules and Galaxy transports were enroute to Namibia, as military strategists were confident the country would fall. This would not be a repeat of Tanzania. While all ships essential to the landing operation moved into position, the armada of Zumwalt Land Attack Destroyers assigned to the two fleets moved into position, preparing to hit any targets within 200 miles of the coast with a naval bombardment, if necessary.

A dozen Virginia submarines had moved thirty miles southeast of the fleet, forming a loose line to prevent any hostile forces from approaching; a similar defense had been formed along the north and west.

Long-range strategic bombers were standing by in Mauritius to carry out a bombing campaign, although it was doubtful such an operation would be needed.

Predator UAVs had been crisscrossing the coastline, performing aerial reconnaissance, assisted by orbiting satellites.

As the initial landing force, roughly a thousand soldiers, prepared to land, Admiral Dreyfus sent off a short encrypted message to CENTCOM, announcing the commencement of Operation Vanguard.

Gesturing for his men to advance, the young lieutenant gripped his rifle tightly and moved forward past the beach as the LCACs cruised away from the coast, back to the fleet. A force of close to 300 men had already landed via helicopter approximately 600 yards ahead, on the other side of a line of small restaurants and businesses. As the platoon of 40 men moved up the beach, the sound of helicopters could be heard from behind; soon, a trio of Apaches flew past, escorting three CH-53D Sea Stallions. The beach was deserted; the few tourists and swimmers that had been present had been informed it was a routine training drill. Unsure of whether or not the story had been bought, the operation was continuing. With the Sniper Country-controlled South Africa roughly 500 miles to the south, it was critical that the men be deployed as quickly as possible.

The lieutenant led the way as his platoon walked cautiously between the buildings, seeing the main body of their comrades a couple hundred yards ahead. As he waved his hand in the air to signal their approach, he heard movement to his left; without hesitation, he dropped to one knee and swung his assault rifle towards the direction of the sound, bringing it up against his shoulder.

He was a second to late. A bullet caught him in the chest, the force knocking him to the ground. A sound of gunshots again filled the air as an Eredronian sergeant returned fire. The Namibian soldier dropped his pistol before falling out of the doorway, hitting the sand. A young private kicked the pistol away from the man's reach - a futile effort, as the Namibian was clearly dead. The sergeant quickly peered through the doorway, scanning the small building's interior, before dropping back against the wall and raising his radio to his mouth. The main bulk of the landed force, several hundred yards away, had heard the gunfire; a jeep was driving through the sand towards them, carrying several men.

As the jeep slowed, the sergeant jogged up to the driver. "We've got one casualty, and one hostile dead." Behind him, a medic was examining the lieutenant.

"It looks safe to move him. We need to get him on a medivac out of here."

The jeep driver nodded. "Helicopters are landing in a small plaza a quarter mile away, beyond those trees. Load him in the backseat."

The lieutenant, bloodstains spreading across his chest, was put in the back of the jeep, which quickly spun around and drove off.

The sergeant, turning his attention back to the present, ordered the surrounding buildings searched as another platoon was sent to watch the nearby port facilities and fisheries.

While most of the already landed troops of theEredron Expeditionary Force (EEF) remained in the port city of Walvis Bay holding a beachhead for the continuing amphibious landing operation, a small force of one hundred fifty had been sent east to capture the Rooikop Airport, less than ten miles from the coastal city.

With the capital city, Windhoek, approximately one hundred fifty miles away, a private ultimatum had been delivered to the government calling for public acceptance of the "peacekeeping operation" and the surrender of all Namibian military forces. Giving the government twenty four hours to make their response to the ultimatum, Eredron forces would remain where they stood, gathering strength and preparing themselves for the desert terrain ahead.

[BUMP]


The deadline had come and gone, with no response from the Namibian government. Close to twenty thousand men had already landed in Namibia and held Walvis Bay and the surrounding area under a full occupation.

The photos taken by the Predator UAVs in the western half of Namibia had found half a dozen possible military sites, ranging from what was believed to be troop barracks to fuel and supply depots to armored vehicle garages. After a half an hour of discussion between Admiral Dreyfus and his immediate subordinates, orders were sent out to the air wing commanders.

Within an hour, a flight of twelve F-22E Firehawks were airborne. The sleek jets had been given orders to hit the military sites revealed through the Predator's reconaissance, report any sign of military activity, and buzz the capital city of Windhoek.

BUMP

OOC: Ignore mispelling of name please. Was only way to get close to it. Also note that, outside of the CIA factbook, I've done little to no research on the nation, so whether or not they would, in real life, respond this way is unkown to me. There's my disclaimer for ya'll.
IC:
President Nujoma sat in his office in the Presidential Palace in Windhoek, and swore. This was total bullshit. Eredron was invading with no reason behind it, and wanted him to surrendur. Why? Probably to enslave the population while milking the nations funds dry. Well he wouldn't stand for it. Just because Namibia was an African nation did not mean it wasn't a nation, and did not mean it needed to accept this peacekeeping bullshit. There was NO NEED for peacekeeping.

Walking downstairs, he entered the buildings parlor room, where a group of members of the press were sitting. Smiling, he began speaking, while the cameras shot.

"My fellow Namibians, news corespondants, people and nations of the world. In the past day, Eredronian military personel have invaded our lands via Namibian Enviromentally protected territory. That's right, invaded. These are not peackeepers, my friend. This is an occupying force. Already, Eredronian fighters have attacked us, and Eredronian troops have landed at our beaches, which, I remind you again, are national enviromental zones, and have begun invading, already occupying many parts of the nation.

Does this sound like the work of a peackeeping force? No, it does not. My nation never gave the consent for these so called peacekeepers to enter our lands, and still do not. And so, at this time, due to the Eredronian invasion of our lands, and the Eredronian attacks on Namibian military assets, and killing of Namibians, Namibia formally declares war on Eredron. We beg that the international community come to our aid in fighting these agressors, before it is too late."

Official FPS Response
The Socialist Federation of Free Pacific States is outraged that a nation such as Eredron would take advantage of a smaller nation such as Namibia, and attempt to invade it's lands. At this time, Free Pacific States does not request, it demands that Eredron forces in the republic of Namibia withdraw, in accordance with the Namibian duly ellected president's wishes, and that Eredron cease it's senseless invasions of soverign nations in Africa.

While FPS may be unaware of Eredrons intentions in the matter, we will not allow a nation to be invaded simply because it is African, simply because it is made up of Africans, or simply because it is weaker then the invader.

OOC: I am debating on whether or not to accept "Namibiaa's" control of the country. For now, I will. Out of curiosity, who'se puppet is he?

-----

Five minutes after he was first awoken from his sleep, Admiral Dreyfus was entering the bridge of the carrier Intrepid, his outward appearance showing no signs of tiredness. As he entered the center of command for both the ship and the fleet, his XO appeared at his side.

"Sir, here are the Namibian and FPS statements in full; here is the dispatch from Central Command, and here is the latest area assessment."

Dreyfus took the papers offered him while lowering himself into his seat.

Scanning the two statements without emotion, he then read the transmission from CENTCOM. Silently contemplating the developments, he stroked the gray stubble that had formed on his chin in the past few hours.

He himself could care little for 'environmentally protected areas'. He'd been notified of all the details, and orders had been given not to excessively harm, damage or interfere with them, but what did he care? By the time the ground forces in Namibia reached seventy-five thousand, the nation would have fallen. Once the EEF was landed, in its entirety, Namibia's neighbors would follow.

He reread the FPS paper, frowning. Outraged. Demand. Will not allow. With Sniper Country, he had been under orders to stand down from a military confrontation, in hopes of the Republic establishing key defense agreements with Sniper Country. Tanzania had been considered a fair price to pay for that chance.

This, however, was not the same. There could be no backing down this time. He was under no obligation to prevent hostilities, if Free Pacific States intervened.

After several minutes' thought, he finally spoke. "Captain. Go to alert."

--

Meanwhile, the capital was unusually quiet, making no public response to Free Pacific States.

Chellis further updates the borders of Mozambique. As of now, it includes historical Mozambique, the area of Malawi, and the area of Zimbabwe, which was recently taken from a psychotic emporer. Also, chellis declares that swaziland is under protection by chellis as of now, so any invasion of the nation will result in a swift movement by the massive amount of chellian forces in mozambique.

Public Statement, RE: FPS

The illegitimate demands of the Free Pacific States are refused, their accusations denied. Eredronian peacekeepers have been stationed in Namibia at the request of Namibian officials, and in order to maintain stability and democracy on the African continent. Already it has become clear how endangered that nation is...as only the presence of our troops keeps Mr. Nujoma from carrying out his coup to seize complete control of the government in Windhoek.

----

Private Communique, Chellis

The Republic of Eredron will, at this time, acknowledge and respect the expansion of the Mozambique territorial lines made by Chellis. However, the Republic must strongly caution against any interference or disturbance of the nations of Botswana and Angola, as they currently exist. To do so would cause..possibly irreparable damage to relations with the Republic.

----

"Admiral, 3rd Division has reported full readiness in Walvis Bay, marking troop levels at approximately 30,000 strong."

"Inform CENTCOM we need more transports," Dreyfus replied, his eyes burning with fury.

"Sir?"

"At least a dozen more C-130 Hercules, and twice that in C-141 Starlifters."

"Yes, sir, right away!"

"And order Morning Glory to put a squadron of Firehawks in the air. Put them on patrol thirty miles south of the fleet."

"Yes, sir."

Official FPS Response
Free Pacific States is insulted by Eredron's blatant lies in the area of Namibia. Why would the government of Namibia request assistance, only to declare war? The President of Namibia did so with full support of his congress, and both he and his congress were legally and duly ellected by the nation of Namibia, under UN supervision. What officials, outside of the executive and legislative branch, are there to request aid?

Secondly, FPS demands to see the evidence that President Nujoma is trying to do anything besides serve as a protector from his people. It is not he shooting Namibian, not he occupying territory, not he driving tanks through national parks.

Finally, a message was sent to the Namibian government demanding they surrendur to peacekeeping forces. Why would it be necesary for a government that requested aid to surrendur? And why were military assaults carried out before a response had been given? And what will happen to President Nujoma once the nation is taken? How long will that man, who has never done anything wrong, be allowed to live at the behest of Eredronian Tyranny?

OOC: Good question, Eredron. Who is playing Namibiaa? Of course, I think he's doing a good job...just because were bigger doesn't mean a nation isn't a nation. And I'm assuming it was with permission of Namibian congress, but that would be for Namibiaa (heh, you'd think he coulda come out with something besides an extra a at the end) to discuss.

OOC; Oh screw you FPS. You got something better then putting an extra "a" on the end? I'll bet not. Tis not my fault that your not allowed to use real life nation names in NS. And I'm no one's puppet...my normal nation isn't even involved in the thread, I was just looking through the forums, and saw a travesty in occurance, and decided to try to stop it.

As for Namibia...even if FPS comes to our aid, it's doubtfull we'll be able to live long. The nation could, if absoloutly necesary, get a 250,000 man military. Of those, only 30,000 or so would be non-conscripts, with maybe another 20,000 having mediocre training. Versus 400,000 full time, well trained and equipped soldiers...their screwed.

IC;
All across Namibia, Namibian forces were ordered to begin mobilizing. Of the 30,000 in action troops, plus 50,000 called to report to drafting centers, only 6,000 troops responded, and only 14,000 civilians reported to the draft centers. Most of the rest either deserted, surrendured, or simply kept going about their everyday lives, acting as if nothing had ever happened. Not to mention those already ovverun by Eredronian troops.

Meanwhile, the President Nujoma issued another request for help from the international community, asking anyone possible to give aid. Simultaneously, he openly called the Eredronians as an axis of evil, and speculated that they may have the wish to begin re-enslaving the population once they had taken over.

Yet, anyone could see that his resolve was already faltering. The man obviously didn't want more death, and the Eredronians, simply from examining their invasion into sniper country territory, were not exactly civilian friendly when it came to occupation. Not to mention, Eredronian aircraft would most probably begin an aerial campaign soon, and bombings, no matter how precise, could always leave the chance of civilian casulties.

With the arrival of over three dozen air transports, troop strength in Namibia would soon swell to nearly 40,000, with thousands more arriving each day, arriving from Mauritius at staggered times aboard air and naval transports.

The elements of the Expeditionary Force in Namibia remained within ten miles of Walvis Bay, having made no offensive into the country as of yet, as a final deadline of one hour was granted to the Namibian government to accept the 'peacekeeping' operation.

---

In the meantime, nearly a dozen aircraft had been outfitted to drop tens of thousands of leaflets over major cities in the country, each bearing an identical message:

People of Namibia, the Republic of Eredron greets you as friend and equal. We seek to defend, not conquer. The lies of the traitor Nujoma would have you believe we are here to destroy. All that Eredron seeks to destroy is the crippling effects of AIDS that has ravaged Namibia. Nujoma would have your sons, your brothers, your fathers, sent off to fight a war for his own ambition. Eredron is here to build up your country, not to destroy it through warfare.

We come as friends; only Nujoma would have us enemies.

The leaflets were dropped throughout the country, as discussion continued on how to respond to the Namibian military mobilization, and FPS' continued interference.

The leaflets had little effect on the population, seeing as only a few months ago he had been reelected by a landslide. Of course, the fact that the aircraft had made it through their airspace did have an effect; it pretty much prooved to the population that their great president, one of the first, was totally outnumbered and outgunned. Calls to surrendur to the force had begun almost immediatly after his declaration of war, and with the leaflets, these calls were becoming greater. Especially with the knowledge that Eredron had Namibian forces outnumbered two to one, and outrained three to one.

But Nujoma refused to give up. He feared the worst: that Eredron was here to enslave his nation, and to mine and tax the nation dry until there was nothing left, and then leave. However, like it or not, he was coming to the realiziation that the only diffirence between him surrenduring and him not surrenduring were the amounts of his people which would die. This realization was easily seen through his refusing to attack Eredronian forces, and his endless meetings with congress and his minister of foreign affairs.

OOC: discussion continued on how to respond to the Namibian military mobilization, and FPS' continued interference.
Hey hey, who said anything about interference? All I'm doing is mudslinging! I have nothing to say IC wise, but soon...

"Green light to go!"

"Roger, green light to go!" The pilot replied. He brought the CH-46E Sea Knight off the ground, swinging her to face eastward.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/ch-46.jpg

The three other helicopters followed his lead, rising into the air and forming together. Their dual rotors had caused a small sandstorm to engulf them as they lifted off. The four helicopters increased their altitude as well as speed, as they began heading into the interior of Namibia at close to 100 MPH.

Each Sea Knight helicopter, in addition to carrying additional fuel, each had 14 soldiers aboard, all bearing grim expressions.

"Flight Delta, this is Tango Lead. We have been ordered to provide escort." From the Sea Knight's left, a pair of Apache Attack Helicopters swooped in, one taking lead, the other flying parallel with the Sea Knights, who had formed a roughly diamond shape.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, the commander of the Delta Flight (Sea Knights) spoke into his mike. "Home Base, this is Flight Delta. We are approaching target at one-zero-zero miles per hour heading east-northeast. Time to target estimated at one hundred minutes."

(to finish up the above)

Swooping down, the four Sea Knights skimmed a few dozen feet over the ground as they approached the Tintenpalast. The helicopters slowed as they reached the building; ropes were dropped and soldiers began sliding out of the helicopters, hardly touching the ground before moving to take cover. As all 56 soldiers formed a small group, orders were given out. With the three Apaches and four Sea Knights circling overhead to cut off any interference, the soldiers darted past the columns of the building's front, and towards the entrance.


IMG removed for reading convenience.

Rifles at the ready, the doors of the front were forced open, and thirty men poured into the building. They waited in the front area, watching for any sign of security or guards, while the other half of their force circled around to cut off power and utilities to the building, then enter from the rear entrance.

Ten people were visible when they entered the building, and quickly detained.

Although still daytime, the lobby noticeably darkened abruptly, signaling that the power had been shut off.

"Move out!"

The thirty troops fanned out, covering the six doorways visible. Two opened into restrooms, which were checked for occupants. A security guard, caught by surprise, was taken without incident, and disarmed. Once all their detainees had been inspected, they were placed in the restroom and put under the guard of three soldiers.

"Bravo One, this is Bravo Two. We have secured the rear entrance. We have twelve civilians under guard, no casualties. Holding position."

"Roger, Bravo Two." He turned to his companions. "If the schematics we were shown were correct, this door should lead to the bureacrat's offices. This second door should take us to the parliament."

The door, in fact, opened up to show the surprised faces of half a dozen security guards.

"Hands up!" a lieutenant ordered, leveling his rifle with the nearest guard. "Stand up!"

As the guard rose from his seat, a movement off to the side caught the lieutenant's attention and-

Gunfire filled the room. The leftmost guard fell to the ground, a pistol falling from his dead hand. Shouting could be heard on the other side of the walls, and in front of them down the hallway.

"Move, move, move!" With the subterfuge broken, ten soldiers dashed down the hallway towards parliament, while the other ten moved to secure the cubicles and offices of the bureacrats.

Within half an hour, the 72 members of the Namibian parliamentary body had been secured, along with the rest of Tintenpalast. The force reported one casualty - a soldier who caught a bullet to his stomach and was being treated.

After searching the building, the occupants were rounded up in the National Assembly's(parliament) room and placed under heavy guard.

----

As an update for today, troop levels have reached fifty thousand.

As the commandoes rushed into his office, Nujoma simply sat back in his chair. He'd been expecting such an action since the begining, and surmised from the gunfire that the Eredronians had already killed off most of the people in the border. Looking up at the men in front of him, he smiled, expecting his death to come momentarily. "May I help you?"

As he spoke, he heard a police siren, and, looking out the window of his office, saw a police car pull to a stop outside the plaza. His smile grew bigger as he realized the irony of it, the police force was the first one to respond to Eredron's police action. Of course, it would take the military longer to get here, but that was only because Nujoma had ordered them them not to attack. The war was over, he knew that, the Eredronians knew that, everyone knew that. And he wouldn't send his men to face certain death when their sacrifice would mean nothing.

The FPS ambassador, who had been sitting across the the president, turned in his chair slightly, but only to motion the soldier who had come with him to lower his weapon. Unlike the president, Ambassador Heylens wasn't quite as fatalistic about the nation of Namibia, but had still come here to offer the president and parliament asylum at the FPS consolete. From the looks of things, he was too late.

Captain Drakes, commander of the 50-man strong Alpha Force, was surprised to hear that both the President of Namibia, and the FPS ambassador, was present at the Tintenpalast; their objective had only been to secure the parliament before major operations commenced. He set up a secure link with the EEF commander, Admiral Dreyfus, to alert him to the situation and receive further orders; Namibian law enforcement had arrived, and although a replacement force of four Apache helicopters had arrived, it was uncertain how long they would be able to hold their position.

Drakes' conversation with Dreyfus was brief, and moments after the connection was shut off, the captain was heading to see Nujoma and the ambassador. He paused only long enough to hear a lieutenant's latest report, before he entered the office of the president, handing his rifle to one of the soldiers standing guard beside the door.

"Mr. President, Mr. Ambassador," Captain Drakes said, offering his hand to both men. "Our meeting here is fortuitious." He turned to the ambassador. "Sir, I will insist at this time that you return to your embassy." His tone expressed that there would be no negotiation on the matter. Facing Nujoma, he continued. "Mr. President, I believe we have a few things that need to be discussed."

--

OOC: I will end it here to give both an opportunity to respond, and also because I have RL matters to attend to.

OOC: Wow, reading posts when their in the wide format is hard. Too bad the forum doesn't have a way to fix that.
IC:
As the man finished, the FPS ambassador opened his mouth to speak, but President Nujoma raised a hand, cutting him off. "It's okay, Jer. No nuetral representation, or anything of that matter, will be required. If their going to torture me, your being here will only help to get your nation into a war it doesn't want to be in, along with possibly cause your injury. What happens to me is up to them from this point on. Speaking of them...exactly what is it we have to talk about?"

As he finished, the FPS ambassador nodded, and began to stand, and the phone on Nujoma's desk rang. Looking outside, Nujoma noticed a group of police huddled around a car. Probably trying to negotiate. "Shall I get that?" He asked.
____________________________________________________________
Police Negotiation Brandon Hermdens stood outside the Tetenpalast complex. The building had, in the past half hour, been totally surrounded by a total of one hundred fifty officers, along with three armed response teams (rough equal of SWAT teams). If necesary, Brandon had no doubt his men would be able to ovverun whoever was incharge, without the help of the military (although a platoon of troops was said to be en route). Of course, the only question was, who was inside?

Brandon intended to find out. Motioning to the officer next to him to turn on the recorder for the phone sitting on the police car in front of him, Brandon dialed the number of the president's office within the building. Hopefully, whoever was in there was willing to negotaite. If not...he could only hope they had had great lives, because unless they surrendured, the chances were very few would survive...that is, unless they were to win. Which, from the looks of things, actually sounded realistic.

The FPS president nodded, and standing, turned to face the captain. "Let yourself, and your nation, be forewarned that FPS will not tolerate torture of POW's. And, as the president is of a nation at war with you, we consider him such." With that, the man, and his guard, left. Upon walking outside, they were accosted by police, but allowed to leave after telling what they knew.

OOC: Heh, went to the first page accidentaly..freakiest thing ever. I thought I'd missed like an entire storyline somehow...sniper country was involved again, and all these new pcitures and stuff...yea...then I realized it was page one. Freaked me out.

Captain Drakes, snapping to attention as the FPS ambassador stood and left the room, turned once again to Nujoma. "Mr. President, it is not in the nature of the Republic to torture prisoners of war. And you are not, I assure you, in any danger. Our presence here is to keep you and the parliament here, safe. Collateral damage of that magnitude is undesirable for my superiors. My Apache helicopters are returning to Walvis Bay. In a matter of days, this country will be under the sovereign rule of the Republic."

Captain Drakes took a seat opposite Nujoma. "My men report well over a hundred law enforcement personnel outside this building. In a matter of hours, I can bring down all the wrath of Hell on those men, and this city can be under full occupation, if you'd like.

But this is not necessary. I am certain you are an intelligent person, intelligent enough to be reasonable in this matter. You are in no harm of injury from myself or my men, unless your police force decides to do anything rash."

He looked at his watch, then stood and walked to a window. Looking out at the visible police, he continued. "By now, close to forty thousand men will be advancing into your country, moving north, east, south. In a matter of weeks, nearly half a million soldiers will be in this country. That is inevitable. How many of your people, your soldiers, die waging a futile war is your choice. Cooperate, and our presence here will be minimal, and our financial aid unsurpassed. If you choose to fight a war you cannot win, you will be depriving the children of this nation a future of wealth and prosperity unknown to Namibia."

He stood silent for a moment, still looking out the window. And so it was that the phone rang, breaking the silence. "Your call, Mr. President."

In the distance, a group of military trucks could be heard approaching, but it was not these, nor the six helicopters of the Namibian airforce (the only helicopters in truth), nor even the ringing of the phone of the hostage negotiator that got his attention. It was the ring of policeman and civilians standing outside. Sure, militarymen had signed up for combat, but they had not. They were just doing their jobs, and in the civilians case, they were just trying to see what was going on.

Looking at the phone, then at the captain, he nodded. "I'll need an official treaty to sign. And you might want to answer that; the police won't move in if they think your not going to start shooting us or if your willing to negotiate, but if they thing I'm in danger..."

Captain Drakes showed no outward change, hiding the relief he felt. He had not looked forward to the possibility of a gunfight with the police force, not with the number of civilians and medical personnel in the area.

"Mr. President, I applaud your courage. There is a line one crosses, when bravery becomes stupidity, and suicide."

He turned, picking up the phone and raising it to his ear.

"Yes? No, you appear to be mistaken. This is not a hostage situation. The armed forces of the Republic does not engage in terrorism. We are here ensuring that the necessary precautions and protection are in place before the diplomatic envoy from the Republic of Eredron arrives. The president? It is not in the nature of Eredron to abuse heads of state. Mr. Nujoma has been accorded all respect. Yes, if you wish."

He held the phone out, signalling for Nujoma to take it.

"You will be meeting with an envoy by this time tomorrow."

Drakes turned, leaving Nujoma under the guard of two soldiers.

Nujoma took the phone. "Yes Brandon, I am fine. Hmmm...no, I really don't think you guys need to wait out there, I'm sure the colenol is already en route? Yes...alright, just tell him to take up the positions you've taken up, and make sure to tell him not to move in. Oh, and Brandon...yes...I want you to stay here as the incharge officer of the situation. Otherwise, I'll find my office having been leveled by a tank or something like that, knowing Colenol Grisman. Alright. Yes, I'm sure we'll call if we need anything. Goodbye, Brandon. Oh, and can you patch me through to high command?" Nujoma waited for a couple minutes, then spoke again. "Minister, I want you to stand down our military forces. Yes, no offensive moves, nothing that would bring down an assault. I've entered into deep negotiations with Eredron, and I don't want to destroy them. Yes, you have my personal authorization, and I take full responsibility."

As he hung up, Nujoma turned to the guards. "If you do not mind, I will need to go down and adress Parliament."
_____________________________________________________________
Outside, as Police Negotiator Hermdens hung up the phone, he had to admit-being the only hostage negotiator in the nation did have it's advantages. Knowing the president personally would be one of those advantages.

When the first military trucks arrived ten minutes later, Hermdens ordered his entire contingent of officers to return to regular duty. Then, using the power invested into him during the phone call, he had the soldiers take up the same positions around the building, keeping it totally surrounded, but making it clear he wasn't moving in any time soon. No matter how much pressure he received.

Nujoma took the phone. "Yes Brandon, I am fine. Hmmm...no, I really don't think you guys need to wait out there, I'm sure the colenol is already en route? Yes...alright, just tell him to take up the positions you've taken up, and make sure to tell him not to move in. Oh, and Brandon...yes...I want you to stay here as the incharge officer of the situation. Otherwise, I'll find my office having been leveled by a tank or something like that, knowing Colenol Grisman. Alright. Yes, I'm sure we'll call if we need anything. Goodbye, Brandon. Oh, and can you patch me through to high command?" Nujoma waited for a couple minutes, then spoke again. "Minister, I want you to stand down our military forces. Yes, no offensive moves, nothing that would bring down an assault. I've entered into deep negotiations with Eredron, and I don't want to destroy them. Yes, you have my personal authorization, and I take full responsibility."

As he hung up, Nujoma turned to the guards. "If you do not mind, I will need to go down and adress Parliament."
_____________________________________________________________
Outside, as Police Negotiator Hermdens hung up the phone, he had to admit-being the only hostage negotiator in the nation did have it's advantages. Knowing the president personally would be one of those advantages.

When the first military trucks arrived ten minutes later, Hermdens ordered his entire contingent of officers to return to regular duty. Then, using the power invested into him during the phone call, he had the soldiers take up the same positions around the building, keeping it totally surrounded, but making it clear he wasn't moving in any time soon. No matter how much pressure he received.

"Yes, Admiral, the president has been fully cooperative."

The troops were entering into their tenth hour(?) of their 'occupation' of the parliamentary building when Captain Drakes ended his conversation with Dreyfus and made his way to the parliament, still being held in their assembly hall.

While Nujoma spoke to his government, Drakes conferred with his second-in-command, discussing all that the admiral had said.

"The 2nd Division has reached into Swakopmund, and the 4th and 3rd are stopped twenty-five miles west of Karibib," the captain said. "Dreyfus is holding a division in Walvis Bay to prevent an attack on our beachhead, and saving the 5th Division for a drive straight east to Windhoek, if necessary." Drakes rested his hand on the butt of his pistol. "When the president is done, inform him we'll have a flight of twelve helicopters and four Firehawks enroute to our position in four hours. Our envoy will be aboard, as well as supplies for our men, and some private equipment that is not to be tampered with. They'll be here in five hours."

It felt as if Drakes had just closed his eyes when the sound of helicopters brought him back to consciousness. He looked around, and spotted his second-in-command speaking into his radio.

Drakes stood, and walked to a nearby window. It was close to 3:00 AM local time, and the Tintenpalast was still encircled, but the policemen had been replaced with what Namibia called it's military. Overhead, he could hear the beating rotors of twelve helicopters circling above the building. As he walked down the hall towards the front entrance, he ordered his XO to prepare to release the nonessential staffers and bureacrats, and alert the parliament and president. Wearing the same battle fatigues he'd worn when they had first entered the building yesterday, he returned the salutes of two soldiers standing guard in the front, before instructing them to follow him outside.

As they watched, the helicopters landed two at a time on the front terrace. Four men from each helicopter jumped out, and transferred the helicopter's cargo into the Tintenpalast while the Namibians watched. Deputy Minister Rawlin finally appeared in the second-to-last helicopter to touch ground. His dress was a sharp contrast to the others around him: his black business suit, to their battle fatigues. Drakes shook the Deputy Minister's hand, then escorted him into the building, the minister's entourage following behind.

Once inside, Rawlin spoke. "My business here must be conducted with all due haste, Captain. My aides have information that Admiral Dreyfus wished for me to deliver to you. But first, if you would take me to Mr. Nujoma..."

"At once, Minister."

They walked quickly through the building while the supplies from the helicopters was passed out to the soldiers: munitions, food, water, equipment.

When they had reached the door to Nujoma's office, Drakes nodded to the two guards standing outside, who opened the door. Drakes led Rawlin into the office.

"Mr. President," he said to Nujoma. "This is Deputy Minister Rawlin of the Republic. Minister Rawlin, President Nujoma."

As the two men went through the motions of diplomacy, Drakes withdrew from the room, eager to review the latest update on the war's progression.

---

"Mr. President, I have been authorized by my government to present the terms of the Republic, and carry out necessary negotiations. For the sake of expediency, here is the first draft of the treaty."

((Here's the summary/terms))

1.) The government of Namibia will recognize and accept, officially and privately, the legitimate sovereignty of the Republic of Eredron, over the territorial holdings and people of Namibia.

2.) Namibia will formally dissolve it's sovereign statehood, becoming a Principality of the Republic of Eredron

3.) Namibia will operate under the ultimate rule of Eredron, while maintaining a reorganized local and elected government. A national assembly of twenty-five will be elected to handle the affairs of Namibia, operating under the supervision of an Eredronian-appointed Governor.

4.) Namibia will receive, annually, financial assistance of approximately 6.5 billion Eredronian Marks( roughly 13bil USD), for the purposes of raising the standard of living, improving the infrastructure(cities, roads, hospitals, schools etc), and bulding up Namibia.

5.) Eredron will maintain a defense force of 50,000 Eredronian troops in the planned military base/port in Walvis Bay; in addition, Eredron will supervise the building of a 20,000 strong Namibian Defense Force.

6.) All citizens of Namibia will be required to swear an oath of allegiance to the Confederated Republic of Eredron


Rawlin took a seat opposite Nujoma, and continued. "You have shown extreme competency in this matter. I have been instructed to inform you that the Republic has halted all military offensives, for the time being. Naturally, if we can avoid open war with Namibia, we will do so...but there will be no hesitation in ordering our divisions((approx. 60,000 men are assigned to the offensive)) if necessary."

As the president looked over the terms, he nodded. He had been expecting something like this, and although he'd rather become a protectore of Eredron then just state, he really had no choice in the matter. All that would count from this point on was how many lives were saved.

"I have only a few concerns with this docket, Minister. The first few have to do with the rights of the citizens of Namibia in your nation. First off, how long will it be until the people of Namibia are given the right to elect the Eredronian governor (as a regular state would)? Also, will citizens of Namibia whoom swear an oath of allegiance be given the rigth to vote on Eredronian national elections, including on the twenty five person national assembly? And finally, on this topic, will those citizens and/or military personel who do not wish to sign an oath of allegiance be forced to leave the country? And what of those who wish to leave, will they be allowed?

Additionally, what of the current Namibian Military? We have nearly 30,000 troops...sizing down to 20,000 would put nearly 10,000 career military officers and enlisted men out of a job. Where are they to go? And will the officers and generals of the Namibian Military be allowed to continue serving, or only the enlisted men under the command of Eredronian officers?

And finally, what capacity will Namibia serve in the Eredronian Republic? Will we be considered a state, a protectorate, or simply a conquored and occupied territory?"

As the president finished, many of the members of parliament began whispering to each other about his concerns, wondering what the minister's response would be.

1.) The appointment of the governor by Eredron is done only once, barring unforeseen trouble in the transfer of power. His term will last for one year, unless extreme circumstances force the Republic to extend it.

2.) All members of the Republic, once they have reached the age of 18, are granted full suffrage. The 25 member national assembly will be the local administrative body over Namibia; only Namibians will be able to run for this assembly, and to vote for candidates. Namibian citizens will not, at this time, have the ability to vote in elections within Eredron(elections for Consul or the Senate of Majorities). There is a precedence for this right to be accorded to a principality, however.

3.) The oath of allegiance is required to serve in any part of the government infrastructure(education, military ,bureacracy, public health system, etc), and to vote. Those citiizens who do not wish to take the oath, or who wish to emigrate from the country, will be permitted to do so without undue interference.

4.) All current members of the Namibian military who wish to transfer into the Namibian Defense Force, will be permitted to do so , and will maintain their ranks provided they pass the appropriate qualifications. Namibian military commanders will, for the most part, maintain control over the Namibian Defense Force, operating under the ultimate control of the local Eredronian military force commander. The downsizing will unfortunately result in the unemployment of approximately ten thousand personnel; however, we are confident all will be able to find new employment, as will much of the country.

5.) Namibia will hold the same status as does Mauritius, as an unincorporated principality of the Republic. Namibia will operate as a semi-autonomous member-state of the Republic, under the protection of Eredron and granted a wide range of democratic freedoms. There is also a precedent for Principalities to regain full sovereignty, as in the case of North Naori, or to gain partial sovereignty, as is the case for the Principalities of Ariin, Havaria, and Medalia.

--

Deputy Minister Rawlin held his hands behind his back. "You will find that Eredron's role in Namibia will be limited. The people of Namibia have nothing to lose, and everything to gain. You must understand, and you must make the people understand, we are not an occupation force, we should not be viewed as an invader. The daily lives of your citizens will only change for the better. Our military presence will be small, and limited to a size necessary for protection. In time, the Namibian Defense Force will grow to take over more responsibilities and the number of troops we maintain here will decrease.

"Mr. President, members of Parliament do not deny your people the opportunity to live free of devastating poverty. Your children will have clean, modern hospitals, an education unrivalled in all of Africa. Less than 1% of your lands is considered arable, and yet half the population works in an agricultural position. We can help you develop modern farming and irrigation techniques to increase your food output; we can help your cities to prosper, we can bring businesses to Namibia that will put billions into your economy.

We can help you realize that Namibia is capable of more than simply serving as a tourism destination. The Republic will supervise the development and exportation of your natural gas reserves, all carried out by local companies and contractors.

Namibia can be brought into the twenty-first century, or left to wallow in decadence."

The president looked across the members of parliament, and could see that most were undecided, and those that had made up their minds were already trying to rally more votes to their side. Nujoma just hoped that the anti-Eredronian faction wouldn't win, otherwise they would find themselves being fully occupied with no rights. Hopefully, parliament would see that, but if not....he'd just have to hope for the best. Standing, the president walked to the center of the room.

"Members of parliament. Today, the government of Eredron comes to us, offering us terms of incorporation. Not surrendur. They offer to help our economy, to protect us, and to revitalize our nation. In return for being seen on a map as part of them, they offer to take our nation to a level few other African nations have acheived. Fellow Namibians, please, do not take these great terms as a giving up of our rights. Do not take them as terms of surrendur, as terms showing our powerless. The fact that they are forced to offer us these terms shows that we have power. I ask you today, as President of Namibia, even with my position soon coming to an end, to approve these terms. Yes, the majority of you will lose your political positions. And yes, our nation will cease to be. However, under Eredron, the people of our nation will prosper. I ask you to see this above all else."

A member stood before the president could even make a concluding sentence. "And what of the ten thousand troops who will lose their jobs? What of them?"

Nujoma smiled. He'd been expecting the question, and it was the perfect shoot down of the other side's best argument. "With the new government funds provided by Eredron, our economy will be greatly boosted. Our farmland will become better, and grow in size. Our cities, likewise, will become larger, with more people in them. With these increases there will come the need for well trained police officers, medical and police helicopter pilots, and even naval specialists. What better experience for such a position is there then having been in the military? You see this loss of ten thousand men as a bad thing...I see it as a good thing! It will give them more freedom in their lives, and allow those who no longer want to stay in the military the chance to leave..."

And so it started. For the next six hours straight, the president and his supporters battled those opposed to giving up autonomy. At the end of these six hours, the arguing ended. What one would think to take several weeks to debate was ended in a few short hours. The reson for this was simple....mostly everyone knew that, either way, they were becoming part of Eredron. The only question was how much Namibia profited from it.

And so, at the end of a seven hour debate (six hours plus closing remarks), a one hour recess was called. At the end of that time, a vote was called. And, at midnight local time, the bill was signed by parliament, and approved by Nujoma. The supreme court (who were very thankfull for this) never had to be approached.

OOC: That's it for me for this RP pretty much. I might RP some of the results of your efforts and such, but as long as you keep up to your side of the bargain, everything should go fine.

Of course, if you don't, your troops are going to find themselves in a position similar to that of the US in Iraq. Your choice. Cya all later. Oh, and thanks for calling me in on the FPS. Woulda been unfair for him to just walk through Namibia (although he did anyway, only now it'll cost him 6.5 billion a year).

I have started a new thread to continue this RP in here (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=3313608#3313608)