NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Branch off of this original thread (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=342061)

President Schaeffer returned to Bomfy Manor and was greeted by the guards posted at the gates out front. He decided to walk from the gates to the doors rather than drive the few metres. The servants inside were busy preparing the mansion for the arrival of the Lasatanian Foreign Minister. Soon this whole ugly mess would be behind him and he could continue with the running of his country, however, he couldn't shake the ghosts of over a thousand dead young men drowned, dragged under or killed in the violent explosion in an accident which hurt a nation's image and destroyed an icon of naval power.

In his office Molotov looked over the briefing notes. This was going to be tough.. But, he thought, we had them were we wanted them.. yet, this could prove a dangerous thing.. a nation this size, humiliated by a minor power.. Anyhow, he had to move.. he picked up the phone

"Clerk, call my car now."

"Sir."

Molotov looked out the window and gazed out at the capital, Korova, one last time.. He hoped he would return with good news, for everyone's sake..

Schaeffer sat in his office going over briefings for the meeting, he sighed and wished that the whole incident could have been avoided. Again, the voices of a thousand spirits haunted him, an incident like this will likely cost him the next election... people don't want someone in power that's going to get their boys killed in accidents and mistakes. He took a drink of his water and got back to work, "Have to make the best of this situation," he said to himself.

http://www.ctrl-c.liu.se/misc/ram/tu114yak.jpg

At the airfield Molotov walked slowly towards the aircraft. General Morosov met him at the steps.

"So.. you're off to rescue some dignity I take it"

"Of course Sir."

"Good. Our thoughts are with you. Let's hope their demands are not too unreasonable.."

"Yes, lets."

"But I warn you now.. too many concessions and you will face losing your position.."

"Of course"

"Good. Now that that's been cleared up, I wish you all the best. For Lasatania's sake!"

"Thank you sir. I will do my best!"

Shortly after, Molotov looked down from the plane as it climbed slowly through the sky.. his aide gestured to the papers he had handed him..

"Sir, I recommend you read these thoroughly. We must know what we are dealing with.."

"I will, but first I must rest, we need our energy for these talks."

"Sir.."

Everything was almost prepared for the arrival of the Lasatanian delegate, President Schaeffer had decided to have a quick meal and sleep before the minister arrived. Not much was left to complete, only the motorcade had to be set at the airport and that was not until the Lasatanian's plane was in Aequatian airspace. Air Force F-22 fighters were ready to be scrambled to meet with the airliner and escort it to Magna Casa International Airport. All would be well again, as it was before.

LasIntel Report No 3644/A1 - Summary

The Sinking of The Rapier: Preliminary Findings

REMIT

Following the sinking of the Aequation battleship The Rapier, LasIntel was ordered by the Marshal of the State to examine the available evidence surrounding the incident, up to the actual moment of impact. Matters arising from the vessel's sinking have yet to be concluded and are subject to a secondary report.


OUTLINE

On July 23rd, an exercise conducted by Long Range Aviation took place. Six LAS-B1 Bloodstain bombers were taking part in the exercise, each equipped with AS-4 Kitchen cruise missiles, armed with conventional HE warheads for anti-ship purposes. Each aircraft launched its missile at a rpe-designated launch site and each missile was pre-programmed with the target co-ordinates. However, due to technical matters which will be discussed, the missiles instead moved towards a different target - The Rapier - which was approximately 20km from the original target - the derelict warship, the Komrade Illyena.

FINDINGS

Initial analysis of ELINT scans for the area prior to the incident would suggest that ECM deployed by the battleship may have scrambled the targetting data held within the cruise missiles. A further examination of the co-ordinates for the missiles, held in LRA central command's computer, found that one of the co-ordinates for the missiles last location and that entered into the targetting system are different. The code is below:


100234/Field=Target/XCORD-243522/YCORD-543221

Below is the termination report

10.55.21 XCORD-243522/YCORD-543221
10.55.26 XCORD-243522/YCORD-543222
10.55.31 XCORD-243522/YCORD-543220
10.55.36 XCORD-243522/YCORD-543219

TERMINATED

Further analysis of the co-ordinate data entered into the computer has affirmed that it was correct.



CONCLUSIONS

We have summised that there are two explanations. Firstly, ECM measures disturbed the target data onboard the missiles. Secondly, sabotage. We are currently minded towards the former, however the latter cannot be ruled out and we are conducting intensive investigations into this area.

Further reports to follow when ready.

OOC: Going to stop for today.. Got twenty minutes left at work.. Continue tomorrow I presume??

Molotov looked downwards at the nearing ground. The report had been pretty confident in its findings. It also made him think of some questions.. what had the Aequations been doing in the area in the first place.. and surely they would have noticed the abandoned warship lying in the waters.. a vessel that size??? He wondered about the competence of their navy.. ECM's that divert missiles towards you?? Or maybe it was sabotage... just maybe...

However, he needed their co-operation, as well as resolving the matter as smoothly as possible.. Lasatania may have got the upper hand this time but a full blown war would be a different matter. The people may be willing to die for the party, but they were not an endless resource..

And then there was the question of Sternn... considered a traitor by many in the Party.. Molotov knew him well though.. for they had been together at the same military school, and indeed the same training vessel.. Molotov knew Sternn was one of the finest captains in the Navy and when it came to war time, he didn't give a damn about the party... Leaders were what was needed and Sternn was one of the best..

The pilot's voice interupted his thoughts..

"Gentlemen.. please fasten your seatbelts, we are turning to land.."

An aide entered the president's office as Schaeffer was finishing up with files containing intelligence about the nation of Lasatania. Annoyed, Schaeffer looked up from his desk, "What do you want?"

"Sir, just here to inform you that Molotov's plane has landed at the airport."

"Very well, see to it that he is brought here directly from the airport."

"Yes Sir."

Molotov looked out of the window of the door onto the runway and the waiting dignatories. Either side of him stood a Kommissar from the Internal Security Agency, specially chosen for their loyalty to the Party and for their previous experience as bodyguards for high ranking party members. At last the air crew opened the door and Molotov proceeded down the stairs.... we have arrived..., he mused..

As he reached the bottom of the steps, Molotov saw the awaiting delegation,

He spoke, slowly and clearly..

"I am Komrade Gregori Molotov, Vice-Chairman of the People's Revolutionary Party and Foreign Minister for Lasatania. I come to discuss the recent incident involving our nations. Behind me are Komrade Tulovet and Komrade Ilyetsev, Kommissars from the Internal Security Agency. They are here to provide personal protection for myself..."

The envoy greeted Molotov and his entourage. After a short introduction they proceeded to the motorcade and through the streets of Magna Casa to Bomfy Manor, where President Schaeffer awaited their arrival.

He looked out the window as the motorcade pulled in and up to the front entrance of the mansion, "All right, here we go," he thought to himself as he walked out through the doors and to the black limousine.

Having sat in silence for the duration of the journey, wedged between the two Kommissars, Molotov was glad of the chance to stretch his legs. He looked at the entrance of the mansion, impressive, but still not as grandiose as the Chairman's residence in Lasatania.. but then taste was a subjective matter..

He saw President Schaeffer waiting for him at the steps and proceeded to walk towards him..

Offering his hand he said,

"President Schaeffer.. I am Komrade Molotov, Foreign Minister for Lasatania and vice-chairman of the People's Revolutionary Party. I am here to act in the capacity of an envoy in discussing the recent incident involving both our nations. I come in peace and with optimism in my heart and hope that our discussions may bear fruit of benefit to both our nations.."

"I truly hope that we may reach a settlement that suits the people of the Aequatian Republic, for that is all I seek in these talks. We are still in mourning for the almost 1300 killed in the accident, we only wish to comfort the families and bring about good will between our nations."

An aide walked down and collected the minister's luggage and brought it through the doors inside, President Schaeffer turned and invited the guests inside, "You and your guards shall be staying here for the duration of your visit, anything you need will be provided at the best of our ability."

"Thank you.. but I would rather cut to the chase to say the least.. such is the way in our nation.. I have been authorised by the Marshal of the State to give you this summary of our initial findings into the incident <see file above>.. I think you should read through it then give me your opinion.. I suggest we have an initial discussion after dinner perhaps??"

"I understand, I shall read over the document and discuss it with my advisors. Feel free to roam about the complex, there is much to do to fill time," said Schaeffer as he took the file, "An aide will be sent for you when dinner is prepared, anything you would prefer to have?"

"Anything but pork... it's all the damn chef appears able to cook at my office in Lasatania.. I look forward to our meal.. "

Prior to dinner, Molotov looked over his briefing notes... it was quite clear, military intelligence would have to be shared...

The exercise should have been relatively straight forward.. however, as with the best laid plans, something had to go wrong..

But for now, it was about coming to a common agreement.. attempting to pass blame would be a rather stupid move in his opinion..

Anyhow.. dinner was close at hand, Morosov picked out his formal evening wear and set about getting ready.. this was going to be an interesting meal to say the least..

"Very well, dinner shall be served at around six this evening, feel free to enjoy yourselves until that time," said the president, "If you'll excuse me, I will read over the findings and discuss it with my advisors."

Schaeffer then walked to his office where General Jenkins and Minister Roberts were waiting for him. All three read over the document and pondered for a moment after finishing, the general was the first to break the silence, "Mr. President, by the looks of this... they are blaming us for the incident."

"How do you mean?" Schaeffer asked.

"They focus more on how the Rapier's ECM could have messed with their missiles than on anything else," explained Jenkins, "The Rapier was at least 20km from their intended target, that's a fair ways off for a simple ECM scramble."

"Perhaps, but can we view this as an opening shot and these negotiations as a distraction as they arm up?" said the president curiously.

"No Sir," replied Ms. Roberts, "If this was the first strike in an open conflict, their submarines would have destroyed our carrier group in the area and cleared the way for a strike group on our mainland."

"Well, I will talk to the good Molotov about these technical difficulties that occured in their missiles that caused them to stray 20km off of their pre-determined target vessel," said Schaeffer, "We are not in the wrong here, they cannot pin this incident on us, they sunk our ship... they killed our people."

As Molotov moved down the stairs towards the dining hall, Kommissar Tulovet took him aside..

"Sir, if I may speak to you for a minute.."

"Yes, of course.."

"Just to warn you that if we are in the wrong in this matter, we may have to make hefty concessions..."

"I know that.."

"But.. the fact of the matter is we cannot be seen to stand down in the face of strong opposition.."

"I know.."

"So I it may be in our interests to keep as much as possible about our recent technical developments as close to our chests as possible.."

"Of course.. it is very much an issue of whether or not our hosts are up to date with international affairs.."

"Indeed.."

"Is that all Kommissar.."

"Yes sir and good luck.."

"Thank you.. you and your partner may stand down for the evening.. I'm sure I'm secure enough here.."

"Sir!"

Schaeffer sat in the dining hall at the head of the large oak table, he turned to the aide that was bringing in a bottle of wine from Southern Aequatio, "What is being prepared for the meal?"

"I believe it is lobster, from Aurunca, I'm sure that the foreign delegate will like it."

"All right, go make sure it's all ready to serve once he's here."

"Yes Sir."

The aide rushed off to the kitchen and Schaeffer was left alone to think until Molotov arrived.

Molotov entered the room, unescorted..

"President Schaeffer... I must thank you for your hospitality and indeed the fine lodgings you have provided myself and my entourage with.."

Taking a seat at the table, Molotov sniffed the air..

"Ah.. lobster I presume... there are some fine specimens to be had in our waters... though given the heavily defended nature of our coastline it is somewhat perilous.. Anyway, I err from the matter at hand.. have you had an opportunity to peruse the document yet??"

"I have, along with my advisors. And we feel that too much emphasis is being placed on interference by the Rapier's ECM devices on the missile's systems."

Schaeffer paused to take a sip of his wine.

"What were the 'technical matters' on the missiles that caused them to stray off their target course?"

"Well, as you can see.. the data within our report shows that the missiles followed what they believed to be correct co-ordinate date to the warship's location.. these co-ordinates were confirmed by a global positioning satellite shortly after the incident.. the corresponding set of figures showed that the missiles believed that they had in fact hit their target.. on-board footage taken from one missile shows indeed that they did in fact move in a straight line from the firing zone.. the only error that could take place is if the global positioning grid is altered, which appears highly unlikely.. "

"However, we may be willing to concede there is an error with the positioning data but with the missiles, impossible.. another test firing took place shortly after the incident and as expected the missiles reached their target location with the precision we would expect... the only explanation I can guess at currently, is that your ship got in the way of the missiles on their final approach and perhaps its electronic signature somehow suggested to the missiles that this was the target... it is either as I say a technical failure or an unfortunate mishap.. whatever decision we reach, we must, however be willing to admit, that this was not an intentional act...."

OOC: Gotta call it quits for today - finish in five minutes.. if you want to continue tomorrow, put a post up and I'll continue..