NationStates Jolt Archive

After more confirmed reports of Dyellian Naval vessels commiting acts of piracy at Sea, the Kriegsmarine finally took deigned to answer the growing calls as to what was going on in the Dyellian armed forces.

"We have a full right to take money and goods from the unmenschliche Geschöpfe weniger gültig als Menschen" he declared, in this case indicating all foreigners, "This is not theft. This is taxation. Dyelli Beybi is maintaining a very large minefield for the protection of shipping. We have a full right to charge for access to our waters."

The spokesman declined to comment on accusations all acts of piracy were being carried out in International waters, or indeed that Dyelli Beybi had been laying mines outside of it's territorial waters. At the moment losses through piracy by the Kriegsmarine are thought to have cost the International community nearly $20 Million.

(OOC: This isn't a good idea now is it?)

(OOC) Course it isn't a good idea. But who ever accused the Dyelli Beybians of thinking more than 5 minutes ahead.

(OOC: :rolleyes: )

We don't give a whit. If you got the ability to take on a Weyrean merchant ship that carries Harpoon missiles as a standard precaution, then it's not our problem.

Masato Storm,
Fleet Admiral of the Naval Guard

And then he torpedoes your merchie...

[You know this is going to end up being very painful for your, don't you Dyelli?]

And then he torpedoes your merchie...

We still don't give a whit. It's their business. We offer protection within 150kilometers of our shores. He comes within that distance and we shell him with enough nasties to sink a Doujin. Outside of that, we don't care.

Masato Storm,
Fleet Admiral of the Naval Guard

Klatchian Coast News
Offical Annoucement from the Privy Council.

Due to the extended problems the Klatch is currently having, I would ask all nations that feel that Dyellbian Intenational Taxiation to be illegal deal with their navy directly. As such, any ship, crew, or nation that feels it is being unfairly taxed should send legal represenatives to argue their case in the same manner that the taxiation is being imposed. After all, a level playing feild is needed in these matters.

However, We should caution that at no time should the naval assets of the Federation or any other Klatchian State become involved. Nor should the soverign territorial rights of the Klatch be imposed upon. As such we hope that all parties will maintain their arguments to the seas particularly International and Dyellbian Waters.

-Landgravine Hubris

(OOC: For those of you who can't hire someone to parse diplomatic speak here is the translation: Go shoot his navy, the Klatchian government won't interfere unless you actually try to bomb or invade the Klatch proper. Really, what did you expect the landgravine to do...she's fed up with you as it is.)

OOC: Well of course she's fed up with Dyelli Beybi all we do is make trouble for Klatch. You can make all the economic treaties you like, but in the end Dyelli Beybi always ends up provoking someone into a fight.
Anyway nobody has yet actually adressed me directly...

Reichschancellor Wilhelm Einheit, III has released the following statement on the matter:

Germania itself, nor any of its vessels have ever been pirated by Dyelli Beybi ships. Very much the opposite, Germania has often defended Dyelli Beybi and attempted to cover their tracks when the international community has complained. We stand at our previous stance, supporting Dyelli Beybi as a neighbor, sovereign state of the Klatch, and ally.

I would like to remind the international community that any strike against Dyelli Beybi itself, meaning its territories or any of its property or population within its own grounds, will be seen as an act of war against not only Dyelli Beybi, but the Klatch as a whole. Those who attack Dyelli Beybi directly will be retaliated against will full force.

Woohoo, timewarping... Btw, the post for Drakonia will be up today, with the numbers. Just need to fight my partial writers block

The Diversified Collectivism moved through the sea, slowly... The pilot wasn't dead, just... Well, one could say that he suffered under special circumstances.

Like, being driven insane by a psychic wave shattering the very foundations of his society.

It didn't matter much, though. Well, at least not for him. And yes, it was quite amusing, hunting whales with his slow, bulky ship... The whales being kinda disadvantaged, since the pilot had his fun driving them insane, or turning their minds into jelly... Or having them ram his own, hard, massive 'body'.

He didn't know about piracy, or rather, not about any kind of possible threat... Which was good, since otherwise, he would probably have attacked everything in sight, rather than just, well, playing with it...

Eventually, he fell asleep, bored... Waiting for a new dawn.

And he continued his journey... No harbour being destined for him, only insanity and a wet grave...

Well, that was at least the most likely possibility. There were, of course, other timelines that could happen, too.

The fun thing being that right now, there is no government to complain ^_^

Since Evil Overlord Enterprises shipping operates mainly in the Pacific Ocean, it is unlikely that EOE trade is threatened by these excessively idiotic activities.

Having said that, His Omniferocity does not approve of any restriction of International waters. Any attacks on EOE shipping by the armed forces of any nation will be treated as an act of war by that nation against the Dominion.

The government of Dyelli Beybi is hereby warned that any piracy by the Dyelli Beybi Armed Forces against EOE shipping will receive the prompt attention of the EOE Department of Aggression.

Eternal Arch-Villain Psychopompos
Minister for Pre-Subjugation External Affairs

We'd like to see your pathetic ships try to even catch a Tyrandisan Ekranoplan in the high seas, let alone survive a barrage of SS-N-19 Shipwreck missiles.

OOC: Tyrandis has very liberal policies regarding defense of property, so military-grade stuff like the Shipwrecks are widely available.

We'd like to see your pathetic ships try to even catch a Tyrandisan Ekranoplan in the high seas, let alone survive a barrage of SS-N-19 Shipwreck missiles.

OOC: Tyrandis has very liberal policies regarding defense of property, so military-grade stuff like the Shipwrecks are widely available.

(OOC) Ummm....yeah. One thing about piracy is pirates tend to go for people who are rich and undefended. And a shipwreck does tend to stick out a fair bit. Also...you do realise that would make most civilian shipping lines highly unprofitable?

(IC) The Battlecruiser D.B.P.S. Brandenburg had picked something up on the radar, so had moved in to study it, normally ships such as the Brandenburg were not engaged in pety piracy, she was too large and the Kriegsmarine looked with disfavour on important ships straying off course to chase a merchantman, but they had been egged into it from the Ministry of the Occult representative on the ship. He had sensed something funny going on but was loathe to explain what.

Captain Peterson was in his Cabin with the Occultist. He found the man, in his tailor trimmed black suit, with his oiled goatee and large cane somewhat unnerving, but he didn't want to admit it, "More brandy?" he offered, even though the man had refused him first time.

The Occultist, Frederick Mendelev, shook his head, "No Captain, but help yourself."

At that moment there was a knock on the door. "Enter" Peterson called out roughly.

A young pety officer entered the room, "We have sighted the mystery vessel. It's a f-...err whaler Sir. Might as well just let it go, that kind of produce is illegal in Dyelli Beybi anyway, Sir."

"Well that settles it." Peterson clapped his hands together, "Bring her round back on course."

"There is something odd about that boat." the Occultist spoke, "You'll be making a mistake in letting her free."

"It's a whaler." Peterson explained tiredly, "We'd have to dump anything we took anyway."

"Mmmh." The Occultist shrugged, "Suit yourselves."........

(OOC) Thought it might be fun to pitch a Der Angstian Psychic versus a Dyellian Occultist (basically a somewhat underpowered Wizard) - part of the ever changing face of Dyelli Beybi.

Pending further debate within the Veritasean Senate and the Organization of Marine Powers, the High Chancellor has deemed fit to provide destroyer and cruiser escorts to all Veritasean merchant traffic. Any Dyelli Beybi craft that purposely and aggressively moves within a 40 mile radius of Veritasean convoys will be engaged and sunk.

http://www.kprf.ru/clipart/misc/captain.jpg
High Chancellor Harding
The Naval Empire of Unum Veritas
Member: NAIA
Member: Band of Brothers
Member: Organization of Marine Powers (http://www.gaizme.com/omp/forums/index.php)
Vice President and Naval Commander: Legion of Defence (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2503299#2503299)
Owner: Veritasean Naval Industries Inc. (http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?p=655745#655745)

The Holy Empire is appalled by this attempt to obstruct free trade. We strongly recommend that you cease these activities or we will be forced to begin systimatic destruction of your piracticle forces. Although not a member of the Organisation of Maritime powers we do have friends in the allaince and will stand shoulder to shoulder to them if they begin military action aswell.

I should have explained myself... It's a freighter, with the pilot amusing himself by killing various kinds of large, swimming mammels. Could possibly be confused with a whaler, though.

Diversified Collectivism (The pilots usually used the name of their vessels as long as the connection was established) awoke early. There was something noticeable.

A ship.

He grinned, awakening, the drugs quickly showing their effects, boosting him. Within moments, he was fully awake.

This ought to be fun.

He changed his course, quickly.

Well, he intended to, however, with a fully loaded, 400m long, bulky freighter going at eighteen knots, this wasn't all that easy... Well, at least he managed to change the course... A little.

And he could already feel them... Barely, but still. He got all excited. Come here... Here here here here here...

A grin appeared in his face, waiting for someone to play with.

Pacific Northwesteria is also providing escorts for her naval vessels, and these escorts will help any undefended ship that is under attack by the pirates.

This would explain why one of our merchant vessle was lost in Dyelli Beybi several days ago, we expect the ship, its crew and cargo to be returned to us inmediatly or we shall....lets say, persuade you to give it back.

Furthermore all of our merchant vessle are now under the direct protection of the Dumpsterdanian Royal Navy and shall be provided with escorts and armaments from the DRN main port of Tallasalarn.

Offically, the Alconians had said nothing.
Unoffically, the Alconians recommend forming convoys to travel across the Southern Klatchian Sea. As such they haven't been hostile to merchies taking a pause in Alconian waters north of the Straits waiting for their escorts.

The escorts were allowed to berth in Cross Harbor on the mainland when needed, but not in the Isles themselves or the inner sea.

OOC:
The Southern Klatchian Ocean is geographicly oriented such that D.B. dominates the northern border of the sea. There is a large east/west trade route that crosses west through the Jiggdian Isles, past D.B. and then into the Squall Straits. The Western 'end' of the sea is the Squall Straits. So you understand what that Unoffical offer means.

[Is there a map? It would help us keep out of restricted areas easier if we had a visual reference. Of course, it would also help us kick the DBN's teeth in, but I think that's secondardy to not pissing off the entirety of the FKC.]

Alright here are two maps:

http://www.eng.auburn.edu/users/donatgw/klatch.jpg
The Klatch ( General, the Outer Territories are not shown, and my island of Cwahaba is missing for some reason.)


http://www.eng.auburn.edu/users/donatgw/Q.JPG
Close Up of D.B. Poor but not mine.

(edit: I f*** can not figureout what is wrong with that image, same server same type as the one above (and below)...but no...will not display over the internet.
http://www.eng.auburn.edu/users/donatgw/DB2.jpg
This is an old war update map. First, the mine feild expands outwards much father than on this old map...it's not on the map. Ignore the force flags and that red line which indicates the 24 mile international boundry. D.B. doesn't recognize it anyway. )

Futher Note: JDF fighters are keeping tabs over the southern Klatchian Sea and our defenses are at High due to the cold war.

1) your subs can't sail through Jiggady or the Dark Sea without being picked up on sonar.

2) Your ships can't approach the area without us knowing about it ahead of time, we've fixed our sat problems after D.B. blew up one of our own.

3) Christchurch is a JDF Base, so not all naval assets located there belong to D.B. Either JDF forces or JDF commanded, and of course the Dyellbians also have naval forces there.

(edit: I f*** can not figureout what is wrong with that image, same server same type as the one above (and below)...but no...will not display over the internet.)


(OOC: http://www.eng.auburn.edu/users/donatgw/Q.JPG, the filename is all caps. ;))

(%$^%$&^$)

OOC: Thanks...

[Is there a map? It would help us keep out of restricted areas easier if we had a visual reference. Of course, it would also help us kick the DBN's teeth in, but I think that's secondardy to not pissing off the entirety of the FKC.]

OOC: I love the OOC threats, SS. :) Why not make an IC post?

To all:

I should also add that there is a significant amount of Vrakian armour, infantry and aircraft still in Dyelli Beybi since it takes a while to move stuff around. Mind you, I have to work something out with DB as to the exact amount here.

IC:

To: all concerned nations
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: piracy

we have never had a problem with pirate attacks upon our merchant marine ships. Perhaps if you have concerns, they we suggest you take it up with the necessary authorities.

[The OMP is working on to what extent we're going to take down DB's navy, it would be stupid to make a premature announcement. But don't worry, there will but much more than a single IC post.]

OOC: I need a fun RP, I've got a modified laker that was designed for the Great Lakes in the Black Sea doing some cargo runs, it is the Edmund Fitzgerald. For a fun RP attack and sink the "Big Fitz" She is carrying a load of iron ore 26,000 tons more than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighted empty. (Those familiar with the song about the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald will get that)

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mqt/fitzgerald/fitzgeraldpic.jpg


She is from 1958, built in Detroit and 711 feet long.

The GDMO government does not condone the D.B. Kriegsmarine's policy toward piracy, but as we are aligned with the D.B. government, we refuse to take any actions to prevent these actions by its Kriegsmarine.

As previously stated by my our fellow Klatchians:
1) Sail past Dyelli Beybi at your own risk. If Dyelli Beybian piracy unnerves your ships, provide escorts or choose an alternate route.
2) In this matter, we see the D.B. Kriegsmarine and Dyelli Beybi itself as two separate entities. If you have matters to settle w/the Kriegsmarine, do not take it up w/the Klatch, nor attack the land of D.B.
3) Any attack upon D.B. soil will be considered an attack upon the FKC as a whole and will be retaliated against by the FKC as a whole.

Furthermore, in light of this current situation, we will allow all unarmed merchant ships that are waiting for their escorts to sail to 10 miles to the GDMO coast. Normally, GDMO waters extend to 50 miles offshore. This allows west-bound merchant ships to stay in the safety of the Bay of Lunacy, protected by the GDMO navy and GDMO sovereignty (with regards to D.B.).

--WILHELM VON NIEMANN, Baron of Kaligny, Minister of Defense for the Archduke Philip IV of the Grand Duchy of Monte Ozarka

Tag. Veeerrrry interesting.

Grossadmiral von Scheer was annoyed, the whole piracy business had managed to get some international attention again, but it would probably die down again when they realised just how difficult a nut to crack the Dyellian defences were. As such orders went out once again for all ships to return to port, those with a low draft were sent up the river into the lakes of Klatch to berth at Timaru, probably the largest freshwater port in the world, while they were they the military would retrofit outdated systems and generally improve the ships.
One thing that truly annoyed von Scheer was the fact that Dumpsterdam had lost a ship. His men weren't supposed to opperate like that. They could board a ship. They could take some of the cargo. They were advised from killing to crew. They were advised to tell the crew they were being taxed. They certainly were not permitted to sink ships...and if one hadn't returned. He had a sneaking suspicion as to which Captain was responsible. She was young, she was blonde, she was as as viscious and sadistic as she was beautiful...and she was married to the High Chancellor of Dyelli Beybi. As foreign powers often stalled at the sight of the missile and gun batteries on the shores of Dyelli Beybi, so was the Grossadmiral stalled when trying to deal with his most dangerous of rogue officers, Kapitän zur See Adelle Collins.

As the surface ships hurried into port, the submarines were sent out to prowl the ocean searching for anything trying to sail under the minefield, while the ports were rigged with with enough radar stations and sonar buoys to make infiltration all but impossible....that was not to even mention the stationary defences.

---------------------------------------

(OOC) Sorry thought you were a whaler. The DBinans would have raided a freighter. Do you mind if I run with the mistake, rather than editing my old post?

The DBPS Brandenburg had recieved orders to return to port at full speed. Captain Peterson read and reread his orders. The whaler/freigter/whatever the thing was, was definantely following him, and while his natural instinct was to turn around, board it and slaughter the occupants just out of pique, the orders from the Grossadmiral orders were very specific, "...NO acts of piracy. NO killing, maiming or otherwise harming of foeign Nationals. NO acts to provoke war." OH well. The Brandenburg was cruising at 25 knotts, was capable of a lot more, Dyellian ships were fast, every minute that passed put over 200m between them.

Mendelev, the resident Occultist, was not so relaxed, something was trying what he could only describe as psychic games, something he wasn't the greatest expert at anyway, and this certainly hadn't helped convince Peterson to let him go and meet the crew of the other ship, in fact it had taken all his energy to convince Peterson not to try to shell the ship into oblivion when he had told him.
He was now in his own cabin now. Nothing but a small bed, mirror and chest of belongings furnished it, but it was all to his own, and that was all he asked. He sat down on his bed, crossed his legs, and tried to focus past the rumble of the engine on what they had taught him about telepathy at the Ministry of the Occult.
Who are you?
He was sure he had 'sent that out' although he wasn't certain anyone beyond maybe 10 feet from him would be able to hear his thoughts. He clicked his tongue iritably, idly fingering his cane, wondering if there would be any response...

(OOC) Dyelli Beybi is meant to be (among other things) the ultimate pirate State. Very heavily defended ports and very fast ships that zip out from them to cause chaos.

Axis Nova hereby announces that it will be willing to issue Letters of Marque to any nation willing to 'violate' Dyelli Beybi's area and mess with his pirate ships... preferably using a Q-ship with pop-up universal turrets.

Axis Nova

(OOC: In layman's terms, a Letter of Marque basically lets you do legalized piracy provided you chunk over a percentage of the profits to the issuing nation. If this definition is wrong please correct me).

He smiled, grinned, his bodies, the bulky form of the Diversified Collectivism as well as his smaller, weaker shell shivered.

Granted, they were fast, and he had trouble keeping up... In fact, he failed with it.

But that didn't matter. He had other means.

Then he felt something strange.

It was relatively weak, and alien... A feeling not totally unlike the feeling one gets when one cruises close to Kalessin. The oddness was there, the odd feeling of something not from this world, a different kind of thing... though much, much weaker.

Who are you? He could feel the world, as he ripped them from their source, consumed them...

I want to play.. He answered, slowly increasing his speed... It wouldn't be enough to compete with the ship he 'hunted', but he didn't care.

Perhaps he could bait them?

Using the person he just found as a beacon, it wasn't entirely impossible.

Let's try... He thought, giggling a little, searching for prey...

Not to kill, no, Just to... Confuse.

To have fun.

ooc: Not at all, It was kinda what I suspected, anyway. Oh, btw, as for my psiwankery... Electromagnetism based (vaguely, nothing detailed, for obvious reasons, like, it being fictional, anyway, thus making any detailed 'scientific' theory for it look hilarious...), interference might be noticeable by... just as vaguely defined stuff on your ship

OOC: I need a fun RP, I've got a modified laker that was designed for the Great Lakes in the Black Sea doing some cargo runs, it is the Edmund Fitzgerald. For a fun RP attack and sink the "Big Fitz" She is carrying a load of iron ore 26,000 tons more than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighted empty. (Those familiar with the song about the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald will get that)

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mqt/fitzgerald/fitzgeraldpic.jpg


She is from 1958, built in Detroit and 711 feet long.

Considering the number of 'Lakers' we have that would make sense. However most Lakers prowl up the Benji or go through the AWM canal...

I should also point out that you'll run into good old whalebacks about the place.

(OOC) I don't care how much unrealistic psi-wankery you do. I'm doing a fair bit (probably more) of unrealistic magic-wakery. I'm trying to keep it low key, as one thing I absolutely despise is ub3r battle mages pasting people's whole armies. Basically what I've created are characters who can keep an ub3r battle mage all tied up while the armies do what they're supposed to do.

Mendelev yelped and fell off his bed. He was dealing with something he couldn't handle, but he knew it was his duty to investigate it as a Ministry official. He needed backup.

He opened his trunk and rumaged around inside it, finally pulling out what would seem to anyone else to be a round plate set on a large metal cube with a red button in the middle. He pressed it and waited.

A moment later a voice crackled from what seemed to be the interior of the cube, "Identify."

"Agent Mendelev." Mendelev responded.

There was a pause, then the voice from the box (some form of radio transmitter) continued, "Assigned to the Brandenburg.... duty of investigating mysterious Sea creatures?"

"That's correct." Mendelev paused.

This time the voice sounded annoyed, "Any particular reason you've sent a distress signal to the MO or are you just playing games?"

"I've encountered welll...an alien Occultist. Preliminary indications suggest they may be hostile. I am not capable of confronting them. May I suggest you send out a good telepathist to do with the situation. There are 590 souls onboard the Brandenburg, all of whom are potentially in danger."

There was a pause at the other end, "Very well agent, we'll see what we can do."

-------------------------------

Peterson was on bridge, "Ah Sir?"

He turned in frustration to the Navigation officer, "Are we off course AGAIN?" he demanded angrily.

"Ahhh...yes Sir, but it's not my fault, the sensors are going crazy...."

He was spared being screamed at by the sudden all the alarm signals on the bridge going off at once and several red lights blazing, casting the whole room in a shade of crimson, "What the hell is this?" the Captain demanded angrily.

"Blue alert Sir." One officer explained above the ruccus, "Says the Occultists are using the transportation room."

"What the Devil?" Peterson demanded, "If it's blue why is it flashing red."

"The blue bulbs aren't installed Sir."

Peterson sighed in frustration, "Someone turn the blasted thing off, then you." he pointed at an unfortunate Officer, "You. Go and find out what that bloody Occultist is up to."

OOC: "The blue bulbs aren't installed Sir." LOL!!!!

IC:

The Reichschancellor had decided to send a probing group of 4 missile boats, a small helicopter carrier, and 2 battleships to the Southern Klathcian Sea, two weeks prior.

They were now patrolling near the borders of the international waters, hoping to stumble upon any ships harrassing Dyelli Beybi ships.

A message had been delivered to the Kriegsmarine by an unmentioned member of N.G.'s Kriegsmarine informing them of the general location of the envoy, and if they were ever threatened, to reply to the message delivered by the messenger, to the messenger, who would relay it to the ships in group.

- N.G.

w00t, fighting writers block

The beacon, the wizzard on board of the Brandenburg, was indeed like a beacon... Diversified Collectivism was kinda incapable of reaching the rest of the crew... Feeling, sensing them, yes. But influencing? No.

This beacon, however... He giggled a little, the echo of it filling the ether, barely noticeable, but still there.

Then he begun his attempt of hijacking the 'beacon'.

Come here... Yes... Touch me... I will touch you... Join me... Feel me... Let me see... Let me in...

Claudius Truffle arrived on the Brandenburg feeling very queasy and gripping his cane. There were all of 5 Occultists in Dyelli Beybi who could actually teleport themselves and he was the only one available to respond to Mendelev's alarm signal. The room he had entered was in reality a broom cupboard, it was the only room the Kriegsmarine would allow the occultists to enchant, they didn't trust them much. He pushed his way out of it and came tumbling out in a pile of mops.

A confused looking sailor stared at him, "Err, Sir."

The sailor saluted dubiously. Claudius straightened up, tugging at his disheveled suit, "At ease."

Mendelev appeared around the corner a couple of seconds later, his eyes widened in surprise, he hadn' expected Claudius, "Sir!" he bowed.

"Oh for God's sake man straighten up."

Mendelev didn't, he collapsed onto the floor, clasping his hands over his head.

Immediately Claudious realised something was wrong, "What is it man?" he asked, dropping down next to the junior Occultist.

"No....no, no I won't...."

"What's he muttering?" the sailor asked looking slightly alarmed.

Claudius ignored him, "Go and fetch the Captain." he ordered instead.

Diversified Collectivism was kinda amused. Such a weak existence.

But he couldn't really use him unconsciously. Wake up, I have plans for you.

It was time... He needed his prey to stop, he wanted it to stop... Though he wouldn't be against entering Dyellian sea.

After all, life's a game.

Come, get up, I need a vessel for my needs...

He felt something, or rather, his instruments did, technological, this ones. A spike, strange activities.

Intriguing...

Apparently, there was someone else... His mind touched him.

Claudius could feel something unusual, something he hadn't encountered before, it didn't seem entirely human, but then again Claudius thought, he most certainly wasn't, it was entirely possible he was encountering a true human...

He judged his opponent. He was stronger than Claudius, certainly stronger than Mendelev, but Claudius reckoned he could probably keep whoever it was from mucking around inside his head and give him a damned good run for his money...besides, if he could bundle whatever he was dealing with back to Dyelli Beybi it would make a fascinaing research subject.

The Captain had made his way down here, and seemed to be deciding whether to be in a towering rage or cowtowing to the Senior Occultist.

He tapped Mendelev on the head with his cane, muttering some strange incantation and sending him into a deep sleep, "Take him to his Cabin...and you." he pointed at Peterson, "Stop gawping and bring this vessel around. We're going to board them, whoever they are."

Peterson obeyed, still uncertain as to where his rank put him. Claudius followed him up the stairs, projecting his own mind beyond the confines of the Battlecruiser to radiate across the Sea, Bring your vessel to a full stop, I'm coming aboard. I want to talk.

Satellites over the South Klatchian Sea were watching all vessels near Dyellian waters. The Germanian battle group wasn't far from what appeared to be a Dyellian ship of some sort, and another ship that was unidentified.

The battle group received orders to keep their course, and pursue the unidentified vessel.

OOC: More to come, just in a rush right now.

- N.G.

There they come. He thought, giggling, amused.

Finally someone to play with.

And she answered, extending her mind. I will be here.

Followed by a laughter closely resembling the typical insane scientist.

And slowly, the vessel decelerated, waiting for the 'guests' to come aboard... The sheer body of the ship enhanced his capabilities quite a bit, hence why he loved it so much... Yes, he wanted to feel them... To bad they lacked a sufficient amount of females, but then... One cannot have everything.

He smiled a little, in his old, quite outdated core, still connected to his larger body by way of countless cables, tubes, and other such things...

Have to dust off myself...

The unidentified vessel had been spotted by a Germanian battleship. On board, Admiral van Heimer had ordered a signal to be sent to the ship. Over the loudspeakers, a Norse horn was blown, which could be heard for miles.

van Heimer: Send them a message:

Greetings from the North Germanian Kriegsmarine,
we are curious as to why you are following a Dyellian ship so close to Klatchian waters. Please reply with an explanation of what you are doing pursuing one of our ships.

OOC: this has been sort of planned for a while but i haven't wanted to interupt the rahter enjoyable beardy weirdy stuff.

IC: As the Dawn sun rose over the waters near Dyelli Beybi the light revealed the large shape of the (apparent) container ship the H.P. Ilovekraftcheese (yes some crookfur shipping lines chose very odd names) she appaeared to be taking a best speed course through the region but had stumbled in clsoe to the area regularly infested with pirates.

Eh? More visitors? Shiny. He giggled, laughed... This is indeed a wonderful day.

He answered, quickly enough, by conventional means, naturally.

"I'm playing, seducing them... It is such a beautiful ship, don't you think so? Its curves, its lines, its metal, armoured body...

Oh, btw, I'm Diversified Collectivism, Angstian freighter... With a lot of toys on board." Laughter filled the next few seconds. "Very enjoyable toys, indeed."

There was a short pause, as the ship decelerated further. "May I inquire as in what your interests are? From the information I have got, it seems like my nation is gone, and I'm certainly all for exploring all the other amusing things around the world..."

The Germanian battleship received the odd reply.

van Heimer: Inform the battlegroup of what it's said. If it's hostile, I want us to be prepared. Activate all gun posts. Send the Angstian ship this message:

This is Admiral van Heimer, commander of the SS-19 battle group. We are patroling the southern seas of the Klatch. As you may or may not know, we have received some very interesting threats from foreign nations. Our intentions are to determine whether or not any foreign ships are capable of an attack against any of the Klatchian nations.

__________________________________________________

Aboard the helicopter carrier, K.M.B. Steiner, two NH-190 transport helicopters took off towards the Dyellian ship. Onboard both helicopters were a messenger and 8 naval guards. As the NH-190s sped by the Diversified Collectivism, and towards the Dyellian ship, the passengers had no sense of what was going on between the Angstian and Dyellian ships, only their mission: to inform the Dyelli Beybi ship of their presence and to forward them the response they received from the Angstian freighter. The side gunners on the helicopters peered at the ship and watched for any surprise attacks - primarily RPGs flying towards them.

After several minutes, the helicopters came in sight of the Dyellian ship and sent a message:

This is North Germanian pilot Osk of the lead NH-190 transport helicopter, which you should be able to see, directly behind you. We have messengers who are to inform you of something. Permission to board ship?

The Brandenburg was slowing to a halt again, "What the hell?" Claudius asked. The lily livered Captain was begining to get on his nerves.

someone asbove him yelled something which was mostly lost in the general noise of the ship, but he disticntly heard the words 'North Germanian helicopter'. He sighed, "You" he pointed at a sailor "Get me a launch, we're going to go and visit that ship ourselves."

While the Occultist was busy aquiring himself a launch the Captain of the Brandenburg was not having a good day, he had sent of the message;

Recieved and Understood North Germanian Vessel.
Brandenburg is powering down. Feel free to land in available deck space.

The problem was there wasn't much available deck space. The front had a large turret, while the rear had several missile launchers and a catapult with a float plane on it. He just hoped he hadn't just asked some high ranking North Germanian diplomat to climb down a rope ladder, things were made worse when he saw the unmistakable figure of the portly Occultists motoring away from the Brandenburg with 3 of his sailors and one of his launches, "Who the hell gave him that?" Peterson demanded.

Nobody seemed to have an answer.

Dear god... I'm perceived as a threat? Well, I'm flattered.

He chuckled, contemplating his dangerous cargo of teddy bears and other such threatening child toys.

Have to bomb 'em with those.

Granted, he wasn't unarmed, wielding a single 10cm coilgun against ships and a 20cm coil gun against helicopters, but it wasn't like this weapons were actually useful. Against pirates, sure, but against fully capable military vessels... Yeah, right.

Well, for now, he was supposed to answer something.

"Well, van Heimer, I don't know how much of a threat children's toys are for the Federated Klatchian Coast... But if the risk of your children's minds being CORRUPTED! by the EVIL, WESTERN IDEALS! is too great for you, well, then I suggest PENETRATING me with your MIGHTY, LONG GUNS! Which is something I wouldn't necessarily be against... penetrating, I mean."

He giggled a little, once he had sent the message. Dear god, how they must look like... After listening to this.

Then he felt something, his sensors... The helicopter flying by.

He reached out, with his mind, touching them... Not attacking or something, just... Getting a feeling for them, eventually searching for their sexual secrets, memories of failure... He reveled in them.

And then there was this other person coming... Soon to arrive. Coming on board shouldn't be a problem for them, he quickly organised the necessary things... Yes, this should be an intriguing visit.

Dear god... I'm perceived as a threat? Well, I'm flattered.

He chuckled, contemplating his dangerous cargo of teddy bears and other such threatening child toys.

Have to bomb 'em with those.

Granted, he wasn't unarmed, wielding a single 10cm coilgun against ships and a 20cm coil gun against helicopters, but it wasn't like this weapons were actually useful. Against pirates, sure, but against fully capable military vessels... Yeah, right.

Well, for now, he was supposed to answer something.

"Well, van Heimer, I don't know how much of a threat children's toys are for the Federated Klatchian Coast... But if the risk of your children's minds being CORRUPTED! by the EVIL, WESTERN IDEALS! is too great for you, well, then I suggest PENETRATING me with your MIGHTY, LONG GUNS! Which is something I wouldn't necessarily be against... penetrating, I mean."

He giggled a little, once he had sent the message. Dear god, how they must look like... After listening to this.

Then he felt something, his sensors... The helicopter flying by.

He reached out, with his mind, touching them... Not attacking or something, just... Getting a feeling for them, eventually searching for their sexual secrets, memories of failure... He reveled in them.

And then there was this other person coming... Soon to arrive. Coming on board shouldn't be a problem for them, he quickly organised the necessary things... Yes, this should be an intriguing visit.

OOC: I would just like to note, Der Angst - that that was out of line.

.
.
.

For you anyway, that is my line you took.

The man entering the stage was rather old, in his sixties. He had seen many a thing, had achived so much during his long, fulfilled life.

"Ladies and gentleman, today I present you the Useless Out of Character Spam in Enforced In Character Forums award 2004!"

The crowd cheers, waiting for the 'winner' (Or loser, depending on one's point of view) to be announced.

Many a person is there, fathers, mothers, children, drug addicts, fanboys, the list goes on. Eventually, the man raises his voice, beginning his speech.

"And the winner of the UOOCSIEICF award is Doujin for quoting an entire post followed by two (small) one liners with no relevant content whatsoever! Let us revel in this impressive example of, shall we say, rudeness, and let us celebrate the joy of this intrusions to be short enough to ignore them without skimming over a thread for hours!

Let us rejoice, for the LORD is with us, and has led us to victory! This is truly a great day for us and our honoured comrades, the other players! For the SPAM might be annoying, but it is nonetheless SHORT!

Now, I may give the word to the Doujin representative. Dear representative, what do you have to s... Oh, forget that, just execute him..."

With that, the security raises its guns, and a moment later, the stage is flooded with what remains of the Doujin representative. Blood, organs, an unidentified rubber object... The list goes on.

~ This Broadcast has been brought to you by the Ministry for OOC Affairs, DA

Naval Intelligence, Doujinishia City
"Admiral, we've been monitoring the situation in Dyelli Beybi for awhile. There has been an increased military naval presence here, here, and here.." the Lieutenant Commander pointed to specific spots on the satellite imagery of the waters off the Klatchian coast near Dyelli Beybi."

"What has the Empress said?"

"She authorized weapons release against Dyeli Beybi vessels, should they be perceived a threat - she wants ships in the area, sir."

Admiral Trice sat back in his chair and thought for a moment. The situation in Dyelli Beybi was already delicate, and the Doujin response would most likely make matters worse - but it's what the Empress wants. This would be a good chance to actually deploy some of the new patrol vessels. Hmm...

"Assemble the Third, Seventeenth, and Twenty-sixth Fleets. Form a Fleet Command, but add 7 Visby Class Corvettes, 4 Defiance Class Light Frigates, and 5 Unicorn Class Escort Corvettes. Since they are fast vessels, and Dyelli Beybi's ships are most likely going to be those with speed - we should match that."

"Aye, sending out the order now sir."

"And ready the helo, I'm going out there myself."

"Sir..? Arlen.. I mean, Vice Admiral Arlen Specter is the one that usually is attached to Fleet Commands."

"Did you just question me, Lieutenant?"

"No, sir. I apologize. Helo should be ready shortly."

"Good."

The Admiral walked over to the window overlooking Doujinshia Bay, as the sun began to set over the water.

A Week Later
It was a cold, early morning. The sun in the distance just begining to rise, yet already the ships were full of life. In less then a week, they would be just outside of Klatchian waters. The Fleet Command was preparing for a possible confrontation with Dyelli Beybi, and - if extremities are reached - an old friend of the Empire, North Germania.

OOC: Ok, I apologize but I must cut it off here. I really am not feeling too good. The Fleet Command consists of three battlefleets, which is somewhere along the lines of 30 ships per battlefleet without adding the additional 16 ships. I'd hate to have to fight you, by the way NG :x We've had such great relations in the past -.- Again, I apologize.

The S.S. Brandy, a remodelled Liberty Ship was sailing though the sea. It had 2 3in guns, and 6 dual 20mm AA guns. But on boarded the ship was a gold staute of President John C. Handstand Jr. The ship was manned by Republic Navy officers and crew. On board, was a small armory.

OOC: Hmmm.

OOC: I apoligise if I am intruding - feel free to tell me to leave if this is a private thing. This coincides nicely with my recent purchase of military equipment from Crookfur.

http://www.columbiariverbarpilots.com/Picture_gallery/ships_crossing_the_bar/04carcarrier.jpg

IC:

Captain O'Donnovan was not having a good day.

The R.M.S. Universal had been drifting for an hour now. Engineering had called up ten minutes before to say they had narrowed the problem down to a fault in one of the ignition chambers, but were still stumped on how to solve the problem. For the time being, the Vehicle Carrier was moving on momentum alone, slowly deaccellerating from twenty five knots.

O'Donnovan sighed, looking out over the bow from where he stood on the bridge. This was a bad delivery to be late with, and he knew that he wouldn't hear the end of it from the Office of the Armed Forces. Even now, he cringed as he heard the familiar footsteps of the Rodavian Revolutionary Army Liason, Major Harry Davids, approaching from the starboard hatch.

"How are we doing, Captain?" The 32-year old Major asked quietly, pausing aside him.

Jack O'Donnovan reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigerette. Placing it in his mouth, he cupped his hands and lit the object with a lighter from the other pocket. "Engineering says that they have the problem narrowed down."

"And when will they fix it?" the Major asked, looking across at the navy man reproachfully.

"I don't know, damnit!" Jack said angrily, hitting his hand against the console he leant against, causing the crew member there to jump. "When it's fixed., I suppose."

Major Davids sighed. "Captain, you are aware of the sensitivity of our cargo, are you not? There must be minimal delays in the readiness buildup, and you know what the OAF will do to us both if the Second Armoured is not completed on time."

O'Donnovan sighed, frustrated that he knew Davids was right. The 100 T-7 Gilgamesh Battle Tanks carried in the hold were the second half of the delivery. The first 100 had arrived in Rodavia two days earlier, but the Universal had been delayed in harbour. A moment later, O'Donnovan dropped the cigerette, suddenly sick of the taste, and stamped it into the deckplate. "Alright," he said, and then turned to look across the bridge. "Radio, get on the horn to Rodavian Naval Command. Tell them that we need to tow the rest of th-"

"Sonar contact, Sir!" The Sonar operator called. "Unknown Vessel, multiple screws, slowing fast." He looked up. "My guess would be a freighter, about a mile ahead."

O'Donnovan grinned. "Radio, belay that order." He looked at Davids. "Maybe they can help us with the engine problem."

Davids hesitated. "Captain, I don't know about letting foreigners onboard with our cargo-"

"Oh, come now Major." Jack said as he walked across to the helm. "You brought 200 soldiers with you to guard this cargo, remmember? I believe they could handle this." He leaned over the Helmsman. "Right five degrees rudder, bring us on bearing with the contact." He glanced across at the speed counter. Fifteen knots. They were slowing, but if the contact was slowing also, they should make it.

OOC: The unknown is Der Angst loopy freighter. :)

To: All nations mobilizing fleets
Frrom: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: Piracy

Again, we stress the fact that we've never had a problem with pirates - from any nation. We suggest that any grievance be laid at the proper authorities which will most likely be a better recourse of action rather than the costly, time-consuming, and potentially hostile movement of fleets into the oceans of the FKC.

Unwanted fleet movement by any nation will not be looked upon favorable by us, and we doubt very much that any one or few of you can match our industrial might and defense spending. And we will take whatever steps are necessary to defend our homeland.

In other words, we strongly suggest that you all reassess your current course of action.

Claudius and the pair of sailors he had with him pulled up alongside the other ship. He stood up on the small launchand looked up the side, "Now what?" he demanded aloud.

Onboard the Brandenburg they had been tracking the Rodavian vessel on radar, "It's coming this way." Peterson growled, "Get a bloody lock on."

The Brandenburg had a tripple 6" turret and two single 4" guns among other weapons. The main turret and one of the 4" were now tracking the Universal while they had also locked on with the missile systems. Out on deck, there was an almighty rush of steam as the float plane was catapulted off the side. It wouldn't be able to land on the Brandenburg, but it would be able to fly back to Saint Guineford's and land in the harbour there. Right now though it was flying a bee-line for the Universal, trying to get a visual sighting of what had wandered into this stretch of the ocean.

The bridge telephone rang shrilly. O'Donnovan picked it up whilst still looking down at the chart in front of him. "Bridge, Captain."

"Starboard Lookout, Sir. We have an incoming aircraft bearing zero two three, making straight for us."

O'Donnovan looked up and glanced over at Davids, who returned the look with a grim smile. The Captain turned back to the 'phone. "Keep watching it."

"Aye, Sir."

O'Donnovan rang off, and grabbed a pair of binoculars before moving over to the fore of the bridge. He trained the binoculars out across the water, locating the growing shape as it made a line for them.

"Davids, put your troops on the tank deck," O'Donnovan said quietly. Davids nodded. The tank deck was below the bridge, inside the ship. "Don't put any outside," Jack called as Davids moved for the door. "I don't want to startle these guys into doing anything."

The Major nodded and left. O'Donnovan picked up the telephone. "Engineering, this is the CO. Get those engines back; we may need them."

"Engineering, aye; we're working as fast as possible, Sir."

"Work faster, damnit!" O'Donnovan retorted before putting the phone down and nodding to the radio operator. "Okay, send out the standard message."

The R.O. nodded, and started transmitting. "This is the Rodavian Merchant Ship Universal to the incoming aircraft. You are approaching a Rodavian State vessel in International Waters, please state your identity and business, over."

Diversified Collectivism didn't exactly hear Claudius, out there. A distinct lack of microphones on board. However, a rope ladder to come on board could be seen a few meters away. He cursed a little, his companies (as well as his own) budget being incapable to add enough cameras to check the entire vessel. So, he would need to take his time until he could see his visitors.

Meh. Anyway...

The deck was... Well, apart from a lot of blood and a few whale innards, it was rather clean, a few maintenance drones were running around, rather heavy, bulky ones, their cameras watching the guests, then quickly continuing with their routines.

Welcome. The voice in Claudius' head said, giggling a little. Technically, since one needs to rearrange the impulses in the brain so the 'voice' is heard, this was already some kind of manipulation... On a very low level, though. Arrangements have been made. The voice continued, describing the way... Down into the ship, down to the bottom. To the core.

To him.

The float-plane was a bi-plane, powered by a forward propeller. While it wasn't exactly the height of technology, it was rather obviously armed, with a pair of machine guns and cannons on the wings and a torpedo strapped to the bottom. It also seemed to have some basic armour over important points,

The co-pilot heard the radio message and shook his head, "Bullshit that's a merchantman. It's got guns."

The pilot didn't take his eyes off where he was flying, "Yeah I agree, ask her what she's doing out here...and point out this is a Kriegsmarine craft."

The co-pilot picked up the radio and spoke into the reciever, "Universal, your position is close to the Dyelli Beybian Battle Cruiser Brandenburg. This is a Mallard reconnaisance craft in the service of the Dyelli Beybian Kriegsmarine. We will be doing a fly over."

----------------------------------------

Claudius followed the voice, his knuckles were white, gripping his cane tightly. He was curious, but also slightly worried, there was something ...strange about all this, it was the lack of sailors he realised. He had left the Sailors on deck with orders to get the hell out of there if he didn't return within the hour.

Who are you?

OOC: Just in case you misunderstood, DB, Universal is basically just an armoured merchantman - the only guns are in the hands of the soldiers onboard. :)

OOC: Sorry, logged in as a puppet there and didn't notice. :)

Who ever like to see Dyelli Beybi blown up say 'i'!

The lack of sailors was, of course, normal for an Angstian ship. After all, the average Angstian's cowardize that had led to the excessive drone programs and extreme automatisation didn't only have military applications.

Though one had to admit, the general state of the vessel was not. Well, playing chess with the drones, rather than having them do some maintenance tends to result in problems.

Like smell.

Inside the core, he smiled. Usually, it would take a couple minutes to stage a proper mindhack, but with the ship's systems, enhancements and whatnot backing him... It should be possible within less than a minute.

But well... First of all...

I'm the pilot, who else? Oh, and your host, of course. I'm intrigued... I didn't know Dyelli Beybi had such fascinating people like you...

However, while he was communications with Claudius, luring him deeper into the ship, incidentally, closer to himself, in fact, leading him to the core were he resided, he continued with the two sailors, too.

It was pretty simple. First, searching for them, their essence, the fire of their nervous system, their brains... Next, a slight touch... Reading them, exploring them without actually changing anything.

This, they could probably notice... He just hoped they wouldn't.

Then he came over them, like a storm, breaching through their natural 'circuits', imposing his will, brutally, wanting, trying to gain control over their nervous systems, then their minds, controlling their every move, every thought, yet, intending to leave them the knowledge that they were losing control, that there was someone else... But their individuality was to be preserved in some tiny corner of their minds.

Of course, it wasn't like Diversified Collectivism could completely eradicate their minds, anyway.

Universal continued its course, with the float plane still coming at them. O'Donnovan sighed, listening to the radio response. There was nothing he could do, anyway - even if the armoured merchantman had any mounted guns, they were in International Waters. All they could do was hope that the plane confirmed they were harmless.

"Captain, Port Lookout!" The young man yelled from the side of the bridge. O'Donnovan turned, wondering what could have caused the man to yell. "Report, man," he demanded.

"Two vessels dead ahead, Sir," the man explained, still looking through his binoculars. "One looks like a freighter, probably the one we've been tracking. The other..." he paused a moment as he readjusted his direction. "...the other, I'm not sure of. Looks like a warship of some kind, definately military."

O'Donnovan grunted. "Probably where our friend came from," he said, glancing in the direction of the incoming aircraft. He then turned. "Radio, put out another message to both those ships."

R.O nodded, and began transmitting. "This is the Rodavian State Merchant Universal to the two vessels in visual range. We have suffered engine problems and request assistance, over."

"Looks like they're boarding the freighter, Sir." The Port lookout observed. "Strange, the freighter looks like its soaked in something."

O'Donnovan turned, frowning at the falter in the man's voice. "Covered in what, man?"

The lookout dropped his binoculars to his side, and looked at the Captain. "It looks like blood, Sir," he said uncertainly.

Pacific Northwesteria, as Doujin's ally within the Organization of Maritime Powers, has agreed to send additional forces to back up the Doujini Fleet. The following forces are to be sent:

Naval Vessels:
3 Mackensen Class Battleships
1 Thunder Child Class Battleships
15 Orion Class
25 Defiance Class Frigates
5 Skjold Class
5 Thatcher Class
8 Meteora Class
2 Infusion Class carrier (100 planes)
1 Lunar Class carriers (110 planes)
120 MiG-29 Fulcrum (naval) carrier fighters
90 Su-33 fighter-bombers (naval)
80 F-109D fighters
20 Sea Hawk gun ships
8 Sea Wolf Class Subs

Air Support:
20 DD-1 A High-altitude bombers
4 DD-1 B High-altitude spy planes
35 B-2 Spirit Bombers

Additional forces will be sent when/if needed

OOC:

To: Doujin and everyone else sending fleets

It is quite doubtful that you will get anywhere close to the Klatch without some kind of response - and sending large amounts of ships will send the wrong kind of messages.

It would be nice if you folks could at least post how far away you are since I tire of seeing OMG FLEET IS 100KM FROM YOUR COAST LOLOLOL111111!!!! without us even so much as a chance at detection.

The float plane passed within feet of the superstructure of the Universal, did and turn then veered off heading North, there was no further response from the plane although the radio message did come in from the Dyellian Battlecruiser

"This is the D.B.P.S. Brandenburg. We can offer assistance if so required."

[Kinda hard to estimate range when you don't have a scale to consult, isn't it?]

OOC: Just in case you misunderstood, DB, Universal is basically just an armoured merchantman - the only guns are in the hands of the soldiers onboard. :)

(OOC) Sorry, I thought you said it had 2" guns or something.

--------------------------------

Claudius was begining to find this place distinctly unnerving, there was madness here. He was fairly convinced he could keep himself protected from whatever he was dealing with, even if Mendelev could not. Hopefully they'd hae obeyed his commands onboard and keep the man in a straight jacket and well away from his cane until Claudius got back.

Of course it does. It always has. We're just well hidden.

Up on deck the two sailors hadn't stood a chance. The average Dyellian was ill-informed as to the strange things the Ministry of the Occult delt with, much less prepared to deal with them. One of them however, would be found to be slightly different, subtlely non-human, even though anatomically they looked more or less identical.

I don't intend to be like "OMG I shoot u before u see me", because that makes for piss-poor RP. My fleet is near Doujin's fleet, in support. When Doujin makes a move, I will complement it.

I don't intend to be like "OMG I shoot u before u see me", because that makes for piss-poor RP. My fleet is near Doujin's fleet, in support. When Doujin makes a move, I will complement it.

(OOC) Glad to hear that. Last war we had, we were dealing with OMG supercavitating submarines which aparently were impossible to pick up on sonar and too fast to hit with anything as well as invisible tanks with no heat signature *sigh*

The OOC thread for this rp is here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=6795333#post6795333)

Royal Navy Headquarters, Hamptonshire City

"Lord Rosecrans, the Prime Minister has just sent over the order." Commander Thucksen, the Fleet Admiral's Chief of Staff, said while handing Lord Rosecrans the note. "Since we have joined the OMP and because of the new policy instituted by the Grand Duke, the Prime Minister feels that we must send a force to the Dyelli Beybi area."

As the Commander speaks, Fleet Admiral Lord Rosecrans turns around and walks toward the large window in the corner of his office. He braced himself against the window pane and took in a deep breath. Without turning around he began to address Commander Thucksen.

"If I'm not mistaken, the 11th Fleet is currently returning for excercises. It should pass relatively close to DB. Have the 14th Destroyer and the 16th Submarine Task Forces rerouted to the area. What other assests can we send to Dyelli Beybi without the rest of 11th Fleet feeling the loss?"

"Well," Commander Thucksen says as he reaches into his jacket to get his digital organizer, "the 16th and 19th Carrier Battle Groups can be detached. 11th Fleet is scheduled for a two year retooling and demoblization cycle. It won't miss those ships."

"Great. Reorganize those ships into the 32nd Fleet Squadron. Inform Vice Admiral Olendorf he'll be in command."

With that the Commander left the room and transmitted the new orders to the ships of the newly formed 32nd Fleet Squadron. Within just under a week they would be just outside of Klatchian waters.

OOC:
I'll post the ships of 32nd Fleet Squadron in the OOC thread.

Mhm... Looks like we have more guests than just you... Friend. Diversified Collectivism giggled a little as he noticed the Rodavian vessel. Not that they happened to be important, in fact, right now, he couldn't care less.

Nonetheless, it was better to remember them, just in case.

In any case, here... Yes, right...

Following another hallway, Claudius eventually reached the core. The door (or gate) was open. Inside, the core... It was a circular, almost spherical chamber, somewhat dirty, with lots of dust and a half- empty bag of chips on the ground.

In the center, Diversified Collectivism (Or, if not connected to the ship, John Montgomery, according to a nearby nametag) was... Sitting on some sort of nightmarish chair, resembling the dreams of cyberpunk authors. Quite a few cables and wired going in and out of it, to the walls, the ceiling... Not only from the chair, but from John himself, too. Which was, again, rather normal for Angstians, even though the more wealthy ones tended to use wireless connections, these days.

Welcome in my little home.

However, while this happened, he... Played with his prey... Cutting their minds, exploring them... Moving them a little, twisting their limbs as he sent impulses through their nervous system... Eventually sending, or rather, forcing, them down into the ship.

He wasn't really starting yet... Merely testing them, manipulating their nerves, sending pain through their bodies while making sure that they couldn't utter a noise.

Fun. He smiled, tormenting them some more, enjoying the reactions of his little puppets... Reactions he suppressed. I wonder how tight they are...

From: Dyelli Beybian Kriegsmarine
To: All World Governments
Subject: Naval Standoff
In light of recent beligerent Naval actions by several foreign powers, it has been decreed by the Dyellian Government that any attempt to move submarines beneath the sonar net established off the minefield or any grouping of more than 3 surface combat vessels within 20 nautical miles of the minefield will be interpretend as an act of agression and such shipping will be subject to hostile fire from Dyelli Beybian patrol aircraft.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Cyro the fleet of Mallards was warming up. They were the general patrol aircraft for the new Kriegsmarine, mainly because they were very fuel efficient, and they could also double up as ground attack craft at a pinch. For a propellar aircraft they were surprisingly useful. They could fly very close to the surface of the water, meaning they were fairly hard to pick up on radar, and while they were slow, they were heavily armoured and carried a hefty amount of highly advanced electronics and countermeassures... of course they would never stand a chance against propper fighters or heavy AA defence.

In light of the ongoing events all USIH warships and merchant vessels that were to be travelling in the vicinity have been diverted to more friendly waters further from DB. However two destroyers will be passing along the outer reaches of DB territorial waters in order to monitor the situation.

OOC: I take territorial waters to be 20miles, therefore these ships will be 22miles away from the coast. (Tagged)

Somewhere in Vrak…

Translated from Vrakian.

-Now, what in the name of the Great Clam is going on?
-More unwanted attention it seems.
-Indeed. High Admiral, how far away is the 1st Projection Fleet?
-About four days away. As well, the 7th Projection Fleet is ready to lend assistance to the 5th and 6th off of Drakonia.
-No. We need them closer to home. Why haven’t our Guardian fleets seen any of these enemy movements?
-Well, the Southern Klatchian sea is rather large. Besides, we’ve been relying on Jiggady, Rillanon, and Monte Ozarka since they are much closer in that sector.

A third voice broke in.

-We do have some recon craft in Jiggady. I will send them up now. As well, we do have considerable air, armout, and infantry assets in Dyelli Beybi itself. It does, after all, take a while to pull out an entire HORDE group. We left some there since we knew something like this would happen.
-Very well. Raise the alert level for our forces in DB to level 2. I want full satcom coverage. Patch it into all existing Klatchian networks. Put our birds in the air and make sure our bombers are armed with anti ship missiles. I also want a full status on the nearest flipper groups that can intercept. Finally, someone find out something about what the enemy is using. We’ve only heard about some of these ship classes. I want to know what they are capable of. I shall contact the Privy Council.


At a JDF base in Jiggady

Three A-50 Mainstays began their final preparations. Equipment was checked and fresh crews were brought in. Soon, one by one, they thundered down the concrete strip into the yawning sky – searching once again for those who would harm the Klatch.

"You know, maybe we should start reading some of this stuff it could be important."

"Ehh, why strain ourselves? I'm sure someone on the top will give us the order to if they feel in necessary."

"But.."

"Look let me tell you something, the way to get promoted around here isnt to follow your instincts and poke your head around where it doesnt belong; that is the quickest way to the prison camps. Just sit back, say yes alot, and you will move up the ladder."

"But..." The young officer started again however, his superior shot him an icy glare and the younger man turned back around in his swivel chair and continued to stare at the mountinous pile of paper that had been shooting out of the computer for several days now.

They were radar and communication operators on the Rum Pride one of the only two remaining Queen Ann's Revenge class carriers in the first fleet group after the defection of the Babbington to rouge jiggady. However, with the apparent breakdown of the governments of both Jiggady and rouge Jiggady many of the men stopped carrying out their duties because there was no more chain of command though they stayed aboard their ships or in their units because they basically had nothing better to do. And now with the 'magical' return of power to both nations of Jiggady (resurected from deletion) the men were all ready in position to go back to work, but no one had bothered to turn off their radar and communication interception equipment and they now had thousands of pages of officail reports that no one quite frankly felt like looking through.

"Get up off your damn arses, High Admiral England is on his way down here for inspection." The door to the room suddenly burst open and the immense figure of Captain Bonnet strode in with an armed escort. Junior officer Willis immediatly sprang up and saluted while Senior officer Crane merely looked over his shoulder and casually got up to his feet, letting out a sigh of annoyance.

"What is the Lord High Admiral doing here?" Crane said.

"Not Lord High Admiral England you dolt, dont you even know what has been happening? He defected to Rouge Jiggady there is a new High Admiral, John Paul England II; his son. With the defection of the Babbington he is now making the Rum Pride his flagship in the first fleet. You better get this place in shape because he is already on his..."

"Give me the latest reports on the data transmitions." A new figure proudly strode into the room and stood in the light with aids and guards flanking him. It was hard to imagine that the young man was now the head of Jiggady's proud navy, but already in his four year command of the fifth fleet he had raked up an impressive amount of decorations making him the obvious choice to replace his mutinous father. John Paul England II now stood in the small room with power eminating from him, Junior officer Willis was imediatly struck with fear and stood there trembling.

"We have yet to go through the reports Sir, there really hasnt been a chain of command over the past month to tell us what to do." Crane said casually.

The High Admiral looked over the older mans shoulders at the ever growing pile of readouts and fixed a cold hate filled gaze at the career sailor. "You mean you havent even started reading that."

"Well no." Crane said with a laugh. England raised his hand in signal and one of the marines that entered the room with him steped forward and dragged Crane from the room.

"You, ahh Willis. You are in command here now, i will get someone undernieth you immediatly.. I want to know what the hell has been happening out there, do not fail me." England poked his finger in the young mans chest as he said these words and turned sharply on his heels and exited the room, followed by Bonnet.

A minute later the report of a gunshot filled the air and Willis jumped in his seat with wide eyes. Sweat formed on his brow and he turned back to his task with a new sense of duty.

Several hours later

"...And thats what we have estimated from the reports we have been gathering, it seems that a major conflict on our doorstep will be imminent." Willis sat back down at the large oak table in the main war room aboard the Rum Pride. It had taken several long hours and many pots of coffee to go through all the readouts they had been collecting since their last official orders. Dyelli Beybi was again at the center of international controversy and it seemed like more foriegn ministers would be gowing grey with figuring out their position with their always volitile neigbour. "Damn it Dyelli" was a common phrase in the department as they seemed to be constantly working round the clock to deal with the eccentricities of their neighbouring government.

"Well I think that we should continue with the policy of the previous Chief of State." Many in the room bow their heads at the mention of jiggady. "I will immediatly pass this along to Ann Marie so that she may make an official statement on our policy. What do we have in Jiggady right now?" High Admiral England II took control of the conference.

"The first fleet, obviously is currently in port at the Jiggy Shipyards, with the departure of Commodore Flint we are moving to secure the shipyards for our own uses. The third and seventh fleets are also in Jiggady. If need be we can recal the fourth and fifth that are currently patroling outside of Rouge Jiggady, all of our other major equipment is elsewhere in the Klatch. We also have a number of other assets to call upon so I dont think we need to fear at all of our safty." Admiral Howell said, another one of the younger heads of the Jiggady navy.

"We can also call upon over a dozen private forces, namely the pirates from the north. I'm sure they will gladly come to the aid of the Dyellians."

England stood up and walked over to the bar, he poured a tall glass of gin and sipped it. "Excellent, pass all of this on to the proper heads. The Chief of State must be made aware of this developing situation. I also want the pirates brought into the fold in full on this, give them copies of these reports and allow them full access to our equipment to aid their efforts, that is if they dont already have better equipment."

ooc: short post for now, a more official release later

Any Parthian ships that are attacked will be answered with the closing of the Suez canal to Dyellian ships.

In light of the ongoing events all USIH warships and merchant vessels that were to be travelling in the vicinity have been diverted to more friendly waters further from DB. However two destroyers will be passing along the outer reaches of DB territorial waters in order to monitor the situation.

OOC: I take territorial waters to be 20miles, therefore these ships will be 22miles away from the coast. (Tagged)

(OOC) That will put you running right through the middle of a minefield. The minefield extends out from about 15 to 50 nautical miles from the coastline.

In the Office of Grossadmiral von Scheer, there was chaos, but that was nothing unusual. The unofficial motto of the Kriegsmarine was "If you want something - take it", and they usually did, which had a tendency to occasionally enrage Governments around the globe. Last time it was the Collins woman who had managed to get caught on video with her ship blasting the living daylights out of some merchantman. She was now married to the High Chancellor, which made her significantly more powerful than her rank of Kommodore would imply.

"Sir!" A young officer with his grey sleeves rolled up entered and saluted.

"Yes? What is it this time?"

"The Parthians are threatening to close the Suez cannal." the officer replied, offering von Scheer the piece of paper detailing the threat.

Von Scheer read it through a couple of times then screwed it up and threw it at the wastepaper basket, it bounced off the pile of similarly discarded documents that had filled the basket to the point of overflowing, "We will still fire on them if they think they can swing a fleet off our coastline."

The officer nodded and made to turn away, "Jenkins." the Admiral called out.

The officer turned around again, "Sir?"

"Who was it this time, have you found out?"

The man nodded, "Kommodore Collin's flotilla of Scout Cruisers have been responsible for up to 90% of the acts of piracy committed by the Kriegsmarine."

Von Scheer nodded, "As I suspected....not that I care about a little alternative income, but that girl is too greedy."

OOC: Ooops, i kinda got bored and skipped those pages, anyway it was only a tag so that i didnt lose track of this.

OOC: I'm only going to close the canal if you attack a Parthian merchant vessel, otherwise everything is fine.

It seemed to be never ending these days, sending good kids off to fight wars just because others couldn’t behave in a civilized fashion. Alexander was growing tired of it, but right now he was more than tired, he was downright pissed. The belligerent Vrakians were at it again, this time running, or rather waddling, off to attempt to save the proverbial damsels in distress, and the damsel this time sported an eye patch and dagger clenched firmly between her teeth. For the life of him the Emperor couldn’t understand what creature would be possessed to help fucking pirates. That train of thought ended just as his First Sea Lord was about to give his presentation. “So, what threat requires us to send an entire damn fleet to back up the already substantial OMP presence that’s been sent to deal with Dyelli Beybi?” the first Alexander of the Larsen dynasty asked and rather irritably at that.

Fleet Admiral Sun Tzu sighed, “It’s not the known that worries us sir, it’s the intangibles. We don’t know much about the Dyelli navy, although historically any navy that commits piracy has a weak line of battle. From what we understand, that holds true with the Dyellis. ONI informs me that they have coal-fired subs, how they manage it I don’t know but I wouldn’t mind handing one over to Kano’s engineers for study.

“Anyway, the Vrakians don’t particularly worry me either. Their ships are primarily Soviet designs, which Kano would reject even for our mothball fleet. By our standards, their smaller ships aren’t even third rate. The capital ships we know nothing about, but they won’t even be a nuisance unless pulled into a significant group. Which brings me to my next point, their largest fleets are merely twenty ships and their submarine hunter/killer groups don’t even rate on of our submarine squadrons.

He took a deep breath and continued, “The known isn’t what really bothers me, and the Dyellis as a slight unknown don’t even worry me that much. What really worries me is what the reaction will be from the other Klatchian states, it might turn negative once we get to down to the business of taking down those pirate scumbags. In that case, we might need a full fleet to fight our way out, or continue to destroy the Dyelli navy. Either way, it’s always good to be prepared.”

Emperor Alexander nodded in understanding and responded with a nod, “Approved. One fleet only right now, but you’re free to keep the other two expeditionary fleets on standby in case something goes wrong.”

Tzu came to attention, made a short bow, and did an about face so he could exit the Emperor’s office. It would take the night to get the fleet under way, but once that happened it would probably be only a couple of days to get it in range of the Klatch.

Due to the increasing number of fleets congregating off of the coast of Dyelli Beybi, the GDMO, in the interests of its own safety, finds no alternative but to provide a naval presence in the waters off of Dyelli Beybi. The 2nd and 3rd Fleets, as well as the 27th Destroyer Squadron will sail and position themselves just south-southwest of the minefields.

(Look to the OOC thread for locations and fleet strengths.)

We are sorry for this necessary deployment,
--ADM. VICTOR LORNIER, Navy Chief of Staff
_______________

All air forces, coastal defences, and anti-aircraft/anti-missile batteries stationed on Monte Ozarkan soil have been raised to LEVAL 3.

--GEN. PETER EARLEY, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff

Dyelli Beybi wishes to thank Monte Ozarka for it's support in these matters. It will not be forgotten.
- Commisaar Dzerzhinsky, office of the High Chancellor.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the office of the High Chancellor things were a little tense, "The ships need to be deployed to resist invasion...and the Brandenburg is still at Sea."

This was Felix Dzerzhinsky, the aide to the High Chancellor, he was a tall man, thin and with a slightly greying black goatee. He was the most Senior Cheka agent in the country and had advised the last Chancellor as well.

"No." Eamon Collins was also a tall man, now with a slightly receding hairline. Unlike the slender Cheka agent he was built like a boxer, he had never lost the muscle aquired from years as a rather brutal 'freedom fighter' in East Benjia, "I will not risk open war. We will let the others make the first move... and I want the bloody piracy problem cleaned up." he rounded on a young blonde woman in Kriegsmarine uniform sitting in the corner, "And that includes you."

This was of course his wife, she gave him a look of pure innocence, magnified by her large blue eyes, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"No you wouldn't." he growled, but didn't explain himself any further.

"What of those treacherous Alconian dogs?" it was the Kommodore again, she stood up, straightening her skirt, "I always told you we couldn't trust them."

"I think they rather feel we are the treacherous ones." Felix pointed out mildly.

"Nonsense." Adelle Collins was now standing behind her husband, she placed her hands on his shoulders, "You're tense." she muttered.

Felix raised an eyebrow waiting for her to continue.

"Obviously, they're jealous of us. We have the most efficient farms in the world, possibly the entire universe, we're farming a small valley and producing nearly as much as the Vrakians, we have oil to burn, and we have armies second only to the Vrakians." she smiled sweetly, "They're frightened of us, they want to see us destroyed."

"They might just get their wish." Eamon muttered darkly.

"The rest of Klatch will aid us, we will win, and the Alconians and their pet JDF will be noted for not being there. Then..." she lowered her voice, whispering close to her husband's ear, "You'll be the master of all of Klatch, and then?"

Felix had caught all of it, he had exceptionally good hearing, but she knew that, she wanted him to hear, "And of course, you'll have Felix to rely on." she gave Felix a smile that seemed more a baring of teeth.

Guardian patrol group #10 - Southern Klatchian Sea - 1500 nautical miles from Dyelli Beybi coastline

Captain Jeerot looked over the clear, blue sea. Out here, at least, the sea was blue. Closer to the Klatch the sea turned a muddy brown and, in some cases, black. He shook his head. There must be another place to dump all of those chemicals. Jeerot was, among other things, an amateur biologist and was dismayed to see the havoc wrought by pollution.

Breeep!

The satcon alert warning went off. Jeerot calmly turned it off and then looked at the message:


Multiple unidentified fleet movements. Respond to nearest fleet bearing 821 North.


He swore, and instantly made the connection between the Dyellians and their piracy. While he had nothing against pirates, he often wondered why Vrak should always come to the aid of Dyelli Beybi. But, he kept such thoughts to himself.

-Change course to intercept.
-Aye aye!

He smiled darkly. Most of the crews aboard these Guardian fleets were reservists or militia and hence, either didn't see any combat aside from war games with eachother. He stole a glance out at the sea one last time before he bent his head to the task at hand.

**********
Encryption - Medium High - FKC route - Dyelli Bebyi Military Command - route complete
**********

To: Dyelli Beybi Military Command
From: Vrak Military High Command

Permission to deploy cruise missile batteries along your southern coast. Overflight permission requested.

--32nd Fleet Squadron, Flagship, 500 miles off the DB Coastline

Deep within the hull of the Pernicious II Class HNS Resolute Vice Admiral Albert Olendorf was deep in concentration. In the Flag War Room he and the other senior commanders of the 32nd Fleet Squadron were hard at work devising a proper tactic that while effective, would not push this into open warfare.

"Admiral, once we enter regional waters, I would suggest that we send out several Battlecruisers, the 14th Destroyer Task Force, and a few Proximas. Just to show them we're here and that we mean business." Rear Admiral Hexley, the Fleet Squadron's Surface Warship Commander, said while leaning over a map of the area.

"If I may," Lieutenant Admiral Ricksen, Commander of the 19th Carrier Battle Group, interjected, "such a move might send the wrong signal to DB and the other nations of the region. If we must show them we're here, I say we send a half dozen Newports, two Valiants, and a single Proxima."

As soon as Ricksen finished his last sentence, the Flag War Room came alive with heated argument. Some commanders wanted submarines to be sent foward, others wanted a large carrier task force to be sent, while a near majority started sideing with Lt. Admiral Ricksen. On the extreme end of the spectrum was Lt. Admiral Hodgekins, Commander of the 16th Carrier Battle Group; he wanted the entire Fleet Squadron to park itself just outside of the DB minefield.

After listening to the empassioned, and quite spirited arguments, Vice Admiral Olendorf made up his mind.

"Admiral Hexley, once the entire Fleet Squadron has come to a point 250 miles from the DB coast, send in six Newports from the 14th Task Force, two Valiants, and a Proxima. The selection of the specific ships as well as the overall commander of this force will be left in your capable hands."

With that over, Olendorf decides to continue on with the meeting.

"Now, what shall we do with our submarines..."

OOC:
Just noticed this...

IC:
DGNT officialy warns all nations considering actions against Dyelli Beybi that as a member of Klatch, Dontgonearthere WILL defend said state against all attacks.
We also metion that, as a futuretech nation, Dontgonearthere will not hesitate to turn your entire army into a glowing marble. From orbit. With bells on.

**********
Encryption - Medium High - FKC route - Dyelli Bebyi Military Command - route complete
**********

To: Dyelli Beybi Military Command
From: Vrak Military High Command

Permission to deploy cruise missile batteries along your southern coast. Overflight permission requested.

**********
Encryption - None - Vrak Military High Command (hopefully)
**********

To: Vrak Military High Command
From: Dyelli Beybi Provincial Military High Command

Permission granted.

Fleet Admiral Dae Kim looked out over the sea from within her flag bridge. Normally she would have been outside enjoying the spray of the ocean, but the prospect of combat and the slight stench of the Klatchian Sea kept her from doing so. Of course, keeping track of new information and handling her fleet kept her from dwelling on that less-than-happy prospect overly much, for which she was sure her flag officers were grateful.

“Ma’am, it looks like the Klatchians are finally waking up,” her Tactical Officer reported.

This made her blood run cold but her outside demeanor didn’t change and she managed to make her response devoid of any emotion, “Oh?”

“Well, not the whole Klatch, at least I don’t think so. Our satellite feeds are spotty because of the fact that the ESS doesn’t want to park one in geosyncronis orbit over the Klatch, the prospect of loosing that expensive of a toy makes them antsy. Anyway, I’m seeing around one hundred and fifty ships that look like they’re heading towards the Dyelli coast, of course that doesn’t count subs but the next pass our satellites make will be looking for those specifically.

That’s low for such a vaunted military power, but there are a few of explanations for this. One is the Klatchians are sort of lazy, they tend to send out only what they think is necessary and not what the situation really calls for. Two is that there’s divided ranks, the FKC is supposed to have on hell of a defense force, but there aren’t any signs of it. Three is that they think we’re going to invade, which is absolutely ridiculous because none of the OMP fleets have assault ships with them.”

Admiral Kim nodded and asked, “Which do you think is more likely?”

Her Tac Officer took a breath and said, “It’s probably a combo of all three, but it could also be one of the three. If it is a combo of all three, they’ve just made our task so easy it isn’t funny.”

Kim’s only answer was a small, feral smile that was matched by every one of her officers on the bridge.

DGNT would like to offer Vrak the protection of the DGNT navy (space), we can target and destroy any invasion force seeking to land in mainland Klatch, quite quickly and efficiently.
Also, we can give you access to the DGNT GVPS (Global Video Position System), which is a good deal more useful than standard GPS.

As a further measure, we can...reposition any satilites in orbit above your country...returning them to their owners may be prudent.

The GDMO would like to remind Dyelli Beybi and all foreign fleets that the current naval and land deployments are a result of the perceived threat to the Klatch. We do not support the piratical activities of the Djellian Kriegsmarine. If you have matters to settle with Dyelli Beybi, do it with his ships in international waters. If you have merchantmen sailing close to Dyelli Beybi, avoid it all costs if you want to avoid a scrape. If a GDMO naval presence can deter you from sailing too close to DB, then so be it.

However, DO NOT, under any circumstances, dare to sail into or attack a Dyelli Beybian vessel in Klatchian waters. Nor will you dare to engage any other Klatchian vessel that has not attacked you. Be advised once more that if the Klatch itself is attacked, the whole of the FKC will retaliate in full force, regardless of our support (or lack thereof) for Djellian activities in the South Klatchian Sea. In layman's terms, be on your best behavior, or we will have your ass.

--LT.GEN. HENRY GROBB, Official Spokesman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

Encryption - High -
To: All Klatchian Heads of State (OOC: The DB Diplomatic Corp will 'forget' to send this to A&H)
From: Dyelli Beybi, Joint Statement by the Office of the High Chancellor and the Kriegsmarine
Dyelli Beybi feels that it has dealt with the pirate problem, however this is unlikely to sway the International Community, as such we request more aid from all Klatchian states in seeing off this coallition of warmongers. We also wish to note the rather glaring absence of the JDF, and wish to raise the question as to whether the workings of the National military is no longer in the hands of the President?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

In rather more public news, it was announced that the Government had voted a 20% payrise to all officers of the Kriegsmarine, while Kommodore Collins was promoted to Vizeadmiral for 'gallant service in the defence of the motherland', much to the outrage of the Grossadmiral who rather felt she should be relocated to a desk job. He issued his own public statement accusing the Government of 'gross corruption and nepotism'.
The Government responded by leveling allegations against von Scheer himself of being a Tzarist sympathiser, although the Opposition NSWP and Communist parties both came out in the Grossadmiral's support. Matters were begining to heat up internally in Dyelli Beybi.

OOC:
Just noticed this...

IC:
DGNT officialy warns all nations considering actions against Dyelli Beybi that as a member of Klatch, Dontgonearthere WILL defend said state against all attacks.
We also metion that, as a futuretech nation, Dontgonearthere will not hesitate to turn your entire army into a glowing marble. From orbit. With bells on.
No, I don't believe that you will, because your fleet hasn't been built yet. This is taking place on or around present day... 2020 tech is pushing it, but I guess acceptable. Space-based weapons systems of that power are not realistic.
To put this in perspective, a nation with nuclear subs and carriers would not be allowed to interfere in a 1588 RP of the Spanish Armada. It would ruin the whole thing, seeing as said nation could kill everything it felt like without getting hit by anything more than a lucky musket shot.
To put this another way. If you WERE allowed to attack us with your uber-fleet, then it would open the door for me to, say, make a puppet that is 23842900 tech. My soldiers have bad thoughts about your soldiers and they are instantaneously vaporized. Oh, and nukes don't hurt at all. Does this sound realistic? No. So once again, please either:
1. Stay out.
or
2. Convert your forces to modern/postmodern tech as best you can.

Lieutenant 1st Class Chin of the Office of Naval Intelligence and Admiral Kim’s Intelligence Officer burst into laughter upon reading the warnings coming from various Klatchian states and the building turmoil in Dyelli Beybi. This earned him a cold glare, “What could possibly be so funny, Lieutenant?”

Chin brought himself under control and responded, “It’s these ‘faxes ONI forwarded to us. Here these people are telling us to, and I quote, ‘be on your best behavior or we will have your ass’ and they’re freaking out when a few of us send a fraction of our navies. Not only that, but the Dyellis are accusing one of their admirals of being a Tsarist, as if that’s some sort of insult, after he rightly accused his government of corruption after they promoted the person who apparently has something to do with the Dyelli piracy. It’s insane.”

“It is indeed, Lieutenant, but do try to keep your mirth to yourself from now on. Some of us have the slightly less humorous task of preparing for battle,” the slight smile took the sting from Admiral Kim’s rebuke.

Chin nodded and went back to reading the rest of the day’s report on his computer’s holographic display.

DGNT would like to offer Vrak the protection of the DGNT navy (space), we can target and destroy any invasion force seeking to land in mainland Klatch, quite quickly and efficiently.
Also, we can give you access to the DGNT GVPS (Global Video Position System), which is a good deal more useful than standard GPS.

As a further measure, we can...reposition any satilites in orbit above your country...returning them to their owners may be prudent.

OOC: Please, for all folks regarding DGNTs presence, let's take this in the OOC thread. *looks at Pacific Northwesteria*

IC:

**********
Encryption - FKC route - DGNT Military command - route complete
**********

From: Vrak Military High Command

Any and all satellite and other tracking assets that you have we ask you transfer information to JDF command and all other state military commands. We thank you in advance for your contribution. We also ask for your input regarding tactical appraisals of the entire situation.

====

The Royal Palace

-My liege, this latest broadcast from Dyelli Beybi.

With a languid move of his enourmous flipper, King Vrak the First put down his double whiskey and read. Then his face contorted into an ugly purplish grimace as he flung his crystal goblet across the room - frightening his harem.

-GIVE ME THAT DAMN PHONE!

OOC: I suppose it wouldn't be too unreasonable to conclude that the King knows the phone number for the DB Office of the High Chancellor and the Kriegsmarine. And for that matter, the Landgravine.

IC:

-The next time you publically question my control over any situation I shall see you fed into a TDP vat.

He hung up the phone and then his aide dialed the number for the Landgravine.

-Come to the Royal Palace immediately. We have some matters to discuss.

====

OOC: Trying to find info on what exactly deploys a "coastal based Yakhont". I'm thinking something similiar to an MRLS.

IC:

From the so-called invasion attempt by Tersanctus, there was, and still is significant amount of Vrakian equipment scattered throughout Dyelli Beybi. Among those were mobile cruise missile platforms that were ready to be deployed but have since taken up residence near Cryo. But now, they have been activated again and the battalion commander was busy deploying his assets.

====

Meanwhile, at an airbase in Alexgrad, a bomber group was being outfitted with anti-ship missiles while their escort fighter jets began final checks. The professionalism of the fighter jockeys pushed down any anxiety but it is said that a baptism of fire is the best indicator of a combat pilot.

====

Guardian fleet #10

The patrol fleet began to shadow the nearest (OOC: any volunteers) incoming fleet.

Meanwhile, two Guardian fleets began to converge on the Hamptonshire position while a hunter/killer fleet quietly slipped into the cold sea from their temporary base in Jiggady. If nothing else, the Tersanctus experience taught the Vrakians that a more beefed up naval presence in this part of the Klatch was needed - but that other states in this region had to contribute more.

--400 miles off the southwestern DB Coast, HNS Westley--

"Captain Witcomb," Rear Admiral Hexley said over the FleetCom system, "Olendorf has decided to station the Fleet Squadron here until further orders from Naval Command. You are to take your ships on a northeasterly course toward the DB/Jiggady area.

Your ships have been reclassified and reformed into 'Task Force Baker'."

"Of course, sir. We'll make sure they know we are here and we'll go in with all sensory systems blazing." Witcomb responded.

"Good, but if you detect contacts immediately relay the information back to the Fleet." Hexley said immediately before he closed the FleetCom channel.

"Lieutenant, inform the other ships we're good to go."

Six Newport Class DDGNs, one Valiant Class Battlecruiser, a Valiant Class Rail Gun Battlecruiser, and a Proxima CVEN departed the forward picket line of the 32nd Fleet Squadron and made best speed toward their target area.

Aboard the HNS Westley, a Proxima, Captain Witcomb was hard a work coordinating a proper deployment pattern. If he was too aggressive, hostilites might start; too passive and the Fleet Squadron wouldn't be taken seriously. He also had to consider whether or not to send out fighter patrols from the Westley. In the forward Flag Bridge he was deep in thought, so much depended on what he did here and now.

"Sir," a Lieutenant said while snapping to attention, "the Task Force commanders inquire about the use of ASW Helicopters while on our patrol, and the flight commander wishes to know if fighters will be launched."

Pausing for a moment, he responded "inform all commanders to deploy all air assest, and I mean all, in a purely defensive mannor. I want to see as much as we possibly can above and below the sea.

Dismissed."

With his order out, Witcomb returned to plotting the next leg of his Task Force Baker's journey.

Secret IC:

Encrypting...High-level encrypting...

Opening channel 0541-236xxx...Trasmitting...

Attn: Jiggadian and Rouge Jiggadian military commanders
From: GDMO Naval High Command
RE: Naval positions

GDMON requesting permission to park subs from 2nd & 3rd Fleets in waters off of Jiggadian/RJ islands. Purpose: Temporary escape from detection from foreign fleets; provide support in SKS in case of hostilities. Lack of reply will be taken as consent.

Terminating transmission...Closing channel...

Transmitted 08.00.35.08.18.04

The conference room had been full of shouts and screams all day as everyone tried to yell their opinion the loudest

Commit all our forces we must keep these foriegn devils from the klatch

NO NO... we must not get involved...If we do not fight then we will not face the reprocusions.

Huzzah, why should we bring notice to our small islands close of our boarders and send our fleets to protect the trade lanes. Let the damned JDF base deal with it.

Non involvement will hurt our standing in the region, not to mention draw the eye of those damned Dyellians.

At the head of the room a long table of the highest advisors to the Chief of State (Queen) sat in quiet discussion blocking out the roars of advice from the floor.

Open statement by the Pirate Queen Ann Marie Bonny,
(ooc and by open statement I mean broadcasted over the Jiggady national television and sent to each Klatchian state; not just confined to this conference room as it could be mistaken)

"This is clearly the job of the JDF to sort up, it was created to protect the nations of Klatch from enemies abroad. If it does not do this than there is clearly a problem in its functioning. Jiggady will send none of its own warships to answer this threat. We have our own sons and daughters, ships and fighters in the JDF armies, and we consider that our part in the defense of Dyelli and the FKC. An entire JDF base is stationed in our waters, we have done our part; if there is a failure to defend Dyelli than it is not on our shoulders but on the heads of those who failed in their command over the defense force of our region. Jiggady will not further risk the lives of her citizens by bringing unnecessary conflict to our islands, we therefore will position our fleets to protect the trade lanes that run through and near our waters. Encroachment without permission from foriegn naval fleets to our borders will be considered an act of war. Though if any ship from any nation klatchian or non needs a harbour for repairs or any such aid, Jiggady will be open to you. In light of the recent events all pirating organizations have been officially disbanded by the government, all letters of marquee have been suspended, and are henceforth working outside the legality and permission our government has set up. (for more on this please refer yourselves to the may edition of Jiggadyn Times from three years ago)."

Jiggadyn Times May 18....vol343 iss6

pg. 110

Back to our roots, Jiggady declares limited piracy legal
story by Alfred von Shtupt.

In an official action yesterday, the Chief of State jiggady declared that the government will officially give letters of marquee to allow ships to engage in limited piracy in and around the waters of Jiggady.

"This is a return to our history as a nation of pirates. Our islands were first founded by pirates as a safe haven, they setteled here and we are all descendants of their origional crews. Therefore in these modern times we feel it is important to remember our traditions that brought us to where we are today. A limited number of ships will be given permission to raid shipping, only of the local kind and only of nations within our region that will also accept these actions that allow us a glimpse of the noble traditions of our forefathers." Chief of State jiggady was quoted as stating.

Many local Jiggady businesses have already voiced their acceptance of this new decree, stating how glad they were to be a part of this 'reenactment of their history.'

(ooc, just to clear up by what i said with the pirate queen, what with all of this happeneing because of piracy

secret ic:

Link secured...begining transmition...
Scrambling....
...
v982nl1s0eq6m4gs
Encrypting...
...
f4hai57h3o1k8a77m4gs...

GDMO You may use Rouge Jiggadyn waters as a basis of deployement for your subs. Xander, Chief of State

Closing link.....secured.

secret ic:

creating link....
...
...
secure link created,
uploading data
...
...
...
data uploaded...closing link
...
...
link closed.

encoded transmition: GDMO No ship deployement of any kind for intended action in a course of violence will be tolerated within the boundaries of our waters. You may hold outside of our borders.

OOC: sorry for being out of the loop on this, i think i'm caught up.

IC:

The H.P. Ilovekraftcheese had been trying to move somewhat close to The R.M.S. Universal since first receiveing word that the Rodvian vessel was in the area, The Crookfur merchant marine were generally interested in keeping tabs and helping out with vessels belonging to customers. However the Ilovekraftcheese's intentions and abilities in aiding went a little beyond freidnly advice and mechanical assiatance.

Capt henderson was faced with a dilemma should he directly intervene despite the fact that direct Crookfur aid was well out of postion to come to the rescue any time soon or should he try to slip away and leave the Universal to her fate, along with that expensive and deadly cargo.

OOC: Yes it a Q-ship, not a perfect disciuse but it should hold up to any passing scrutiny a close rnage visual inspection will receive soem oddities and satalitte imagry a few others like the fact it appears to carrying tarpullen wraped bulk/outsize cargo on the fordeck along with the standard containers (retractable cover for a VTOL/helo deck).

The airbases in the South were warming up, Generalfeldmarshall France, head of the Luftwaffe was speaking from a podium to several thousand pilots at one such base outside Cyro. To one side the press had gathered, there was a near constant click and flash of photographers, behind him some of the more Senior Officers as well as a few Kriegsmarine had gathered.

"Dyelli Beybi, is once again facing invasion." The Generalfeldmarshall began, "Through no fault of it's own. Once again we are threatened with attack from the Sea, an attack we are thankfully well prepared to deal with. There has been no declaration of war as of yet, but if it comes, Dyelli Beybi expects every one of you to do your duty once again in the defence of the Motherland.

"Let the foreign devils pay for their insolence, let their skeletons grace the seabed as an eternal monument to the glory of Klatch. Let us leave Nations full of weeping widows and orphans. Grant no mercy, for none will be shown to you..."

As the Generalfeldmarshall continued with the usual anti-foreigner rant, comparing all non-Klatchians to just about every animal under the son while accusing them of child sodomy and every other crime imaginable, two of the Kriegsmarine officers were conversing in low tones. One was a rather attractive and shapely blonde woman in her mid twenties with big blue innocent eyes, "And what happens when you lose Grossadmiral?" she asked in a whispered tone.

"Impossible." the Grossadmiral was facing straight forward, "The Cheka I'm sure would be most interested in this defeatist talk Kommodore" he stressed the last word.

She gave a very slight malicious smile, "Felix and his cronies? I think you'll find they're very amenable...and it's Vizeadmiral now, hadn't you heard? I'm thinking by the end of the week though it could even be Grossadmiral... once you're sacked for losing the Capitol ships."

"Oh yes, and what about your little raiders?"

Her smile broadened a bit, she applauded in unison with the other officers at some unheard comment by the head of the Luftwaffe, "They fit very nicely up the river, and we've got the Prefects to cover our escape."

She was of course refering to the large cruisers employed by the Dyellians to defend the river delta. They were covered in enough armour to retard most missiles and bombs, 12 inches at the weekest point, and were low enough in the water that they were basically impossible to pick up on radar against the backdrop of small islands and trees....on the other hand it was recommended their captains never steer them out of the delta in case they capsized in the surf, "I'm begiging to regret not court martialling you when I had the chance." von Scheer hissed angrily.

"No use crying over spilt milk." she answered sweetly, "But I'd advise you pin that photo of me I know you keep in your sock drawar to your mirror and practice saluting."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Felix Dzerzhinsky entered Collins' office without knocking, "I've just had a conversation with the King of Vrak." he declared, "Or more I was shouted at by the King of Vrak."

"Arrogent sod." Collins replied without looking up, "He does nothing but sit around in his throne room eating fish, and likes to call himself President of the FKC."

Felix found this comment from the High Chancellor vaguely disturbing, "I'd advise against insulting him Sir, we are relying on Vrakian shipping to help protect us."

Eamon gave a slightly apologetic frown, "Of course, the Vrakians are loyal allies, I just sometimes wonder what he's actually doing up there."

You wonder, or your bloody wife wonders? Felix kept his thoughts to himself, he could sympathise with Eamon's desire to see a strong Dyelli Beybi, but he was worried it would come at the destruction of the Federation. He and Himmler had fought hard to keep Dyelli Beybi from splitting from it and now it seemed in only a few short weeks, Eamon Collins was undoing everything.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commisaar Reilly could see the grand scheme and how it was going to work out even if his immediate superior, Commisaar Dzerzhinsky could not. So what if they lost the fleet? They could rebuild, bigger and better than before, and they could replace the less politically sound members of the Admiralty like von Scheer.

Adelle Collins had come to him earlier that day and put the idea into his head, and why shouldn't he be head of the Cheka, he was easily as competent as Felix? All he had to do was prove that Felix knew where the missing Prince was. Prince George the only heir to the now defunct throne the Cheka hadn't executed in the months following the brutal rebellion.

Reilly lit his cigar and crossed his legs, "Are you listening to me Richard?" he asked.

He was sitting opposite another Commisaar, although the man oposite him was in plain clothes, "Yes."

Richard Quentin was one of the best undercover agents in the force, he was a short muscular man with close cut brown hair and a deep brooding hatred of Felix Dzerginsky, who had left him and his team out to dry some years earlier. Reilly nodded, "Excellent, now this is the plan..."

Mhm... Looks like we have more guests than just you... Friend. Diversified Collectivism giggled a little as he noticed the Rodavian vessel. Not that they happened to be important, in fact, right now, he couldn't care less.

Nonetheless, it was better to remember them, just in case.

In any case, here... Yes, right...

Following another hallway, Claudius eventually reached the core. The door (or gate) was open. Inside, the core... It was a circular, almost spherical chamber, somewhat dirty, with lots of dust and a half- empty bag of chips on the ground.

In the center, Diversified Collectivism (Or, if not connected to the ship, John Montgomery, according to a nearby nametag) was... Sitting on some sort of nightmarish chair, resembling the dreams of cyberpunk authors. Quite a few cables and wired going in and out of it, to the walls, the ceiling... Not only from the chair, but from John himself, too. Which was, again, rather normal for Angstians, even though the more wealthy ones tended to use wireless connections, these days.

Welcome in my little home.

However, while this happened, he... Played with his prey... Cutting their minds, exploring them... Moving them a little, twisting their limbs as he sent impulses through their nervous system... Eventually sending, or rather, forcing, them down into the ship.

He wasn't really starting yet... Merely testing them, manipulating their nerves, sending pain through their bodies while making sure that they couldn't utter a noise.

Fun. He smiled, tormenting them some more, enjoying the reactions of his little puppets... Reactions he suppressed. I wonder how tight they are...

Claudius seemed distinctly unimpressed by the whole affair, "OK." he announced aloud, "Who are you? ...Oh wait...I can see that... what are you...John?"

Now being face to face with the entity that had been taunting him, he felt a lot more confident, he gave him cane a twirl. It seemed to be made out of oak athough it you looked at it closely it almost seemed as if the wood was moving.

Meanwhile out to sea the Brandenburg had powered up it's engines again and was setting sail towards the East Passage through the minefield, leaving Claudius to whatever fate brought him, they had recieved orders to return to base immediately and so had decided to do so. Peterson didn't trust the Occultist anyway.

Communique to the Dyelli Beybian Kriegsmarine

May we remind the officers and staff of the DB Kriegsmarine that no one is, as of yet, planning to attack. May we very firmly remind them that this is a very VOLATILE situation brewing in the South Klatchian Sea and that harsh, unfounded words will only serve to exacerbate the situation. May we MOST firmly remind them that this fiasco was a direct result of the actions of Dyelli Beybi.

Also, as a casual reminder, although the nations of the Klatch will defend you if attacked, it will be Dyelli Beybi and NOT Vrak, or Monte Ozarka, or Jiggady, or Alcona that gets attacked. The war will be fought on Djellian soil, and it will be Djellian territory that gets ransacked and burned in the chaos of battle.

Regards,
--MARK LINTON, Baron of Andlutz, Deputy Minister of Defense for the Archduke Philip IV of the Grand Duchy of Monte Ozarka
_______________

In the Archduke's Office

"DAMN THOSE DJELLIANS!" Foreign Minister Werter exclaimed as he paced frantically around the room, wringing his hands nervously. "If they weren't so eff'ing belligerent, the Klatch wouldn't have to be cleaning up DB's messes all the time!"

"Keep your voice down, Robert," Archduke Philip IV said, standing beside the curtain. He walked over to the front of his desk and leaned back against it casually. "Yes, those Djellians are in a mess again." Sighing, he crossed his arms and said, "We've gone over this before, gentlemen. The GDMO is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Dyelli Beybi is undertaking activities that few governments approve of, yet we are obligated to come to their aid as a fellow member of the Klatch. Furthermore, the Djellians aren't making the situation any better through their rash words. Foreign fleets--ah, not yet enemy fleets, Wilhelm."

At this point, Minister of Defense von Niemann had opened up his mouth to interject but was cut off by the Archduke before uttering a sound. Von Niemann reluctantly closed his mouth.

The Archduke continued, "We know this. This situation can go downhill very, very quickly. Why I called you two gentlemen is to see if the GDMO can weather this storm. While no shots have been fired, we will straddle the fine line of neutrality, and we will try to knock DB into line. However, if, or as the case may be, when shots are fired, we WILL uphold our responsibility to defend the Klatch. Frankly, for all I care, Hamptonshire, Doujin, and Scandavian States can blow up as many of DB's Kriegsmarine ships as they can in international waters. Good riddance, I say. Anyways, we must be ready if the Klatch is invaded."

Von Niemann tempted to open his mouth again and, finding no objection from the Archduke, said, "The Klatch will hold. The Grand Duchy will hold. Dyelli Beybi may come out with quite a few scars, but whatever. Our navies may be crushed, but wars are won on the ground, anyways. However, with the number of ships that will be emplaced so close off the Klatchian coast, I suggest that we raise the LEVAL for more units."

"Is that the best we can do?" the Archduke asked.

The Minister of Defense replied, "Without lighting another fuse, yes."

"Fine. Do whatever. Oh, and keep me up-to-date about our neighbors to the southwest."

The Foreign Minister and Minister of Defense both replied "Yes, sir" and left the room.
_______________

ATTN ALL GDMO MILITARY PERSONNEL:

LEVAL FOR ALL UNITS RAISED TO 3.

--GEN. PETER EARLEY, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff

--100 miles off the northeastern coast of DB, HNS Westley--

"Sir," a young seaman said, "you told me to inform you when we've reached the 100 mile mark."

"Yes..." Witcomb say, expecting the seaman to quickly reply with something. After a few moments of silence, he asks "Well?"

"We're at the 100 mile mark, Captain." the sailor says with a smile.

Bringing his head down to his head and sighing, Witcomb dismisses the young sailor. If he's our future, we best surrender now. Witcomb thinks to himself.

Snapping back to 'reality', the Captain goes over his plan once more. He's decided to have Task Force Baker stay at this point, 100 miles offshore, while 'making a scene' and showing the flag. ASW Helicopters will do some very 'proactive' sonar searches, the Task Force will use full active radar, and a couple carrier jets will fly some holding patterns around the general area.

Staying on station for 10 hours, the Task Force will return to the Fleet Squadron after laying several sonar drones in the water.

"The only thing that could screw us is some idiot thinking we're here to attack." Witcomb says to the other officers gathered in the Flag Bridge.

The 2nd Fleet is now in position. Active radar and sonar scans show extensive foreign naval presence. Radio communication with these ships reveal they are from the Hamptonshire fleet.
_______________

Secret IC:
Encrypting...Navall encrypting level 84r8gc0a364...

Opening channel 3650-845xxx...Trasmitting...

Attn: R.Adm. Eugen O'Sommers, 2SSBGNCOM; R.Adm. Wesley Mantrell, 3SSBGNCOM
From: GDMO Navy High Command
RE: Positions

Do not attempt to catch up to surface fleet. Foreign presence outside DB too great. All subs proceed on new headings:
105 @ 10kn, 315nm
270 @ <=10kn

Proceed east around Jiggady; enter RJ waters between RJ and Jiggadian islands.

Await further orders.

Terminating transmission...Closing channel...

Transmitted 23.49.34.08.18.04

OOC: ETA +~5RL hours for both fleets

--100 miles off the northeastern coast of DB, HNS Westley--

"Sir," a young seaman said, "you told me to inform you when we've reached the 100 mile mark."

"Yes..." Witcomb say, expecting the seaman to quickly reply with something. After a few moments of silence, he asks "Well?"

"We're at the 100 mile mark, Captain." the sailor says with a smile.

Bringing his head down to his head and sighing, Witcomb dismisses the young sailor. If he's our future, we best surrender now. Witcomb thinks to himself.

Snapping back to 'reality', the Captain goes over his plan once more. He's decided to have Task Force Baker stay at this point, 100 miles offshore, while 'making a scene' and showing the flag. ASW Helicopters will do some very 'proactive' sonar searches, the Task Force will use full active radar, and a couple carrier jets will fly some holding patterns around the general area.

Staying on station for 10 hours, the Task Force will return to the Fleet Squadron after laying several sonar drones in the water.

"The only thing that could screw us is some idiot thinking we're here to attack." Witcomb says to the other officers gathered in the Flag Bridge.

OOC: I'll assume you missed this and not actually ignoring it:

Meanwhile, two Guardian fleets began to converge on the Hamptonshire position...

VNF Watcher - Guardian Patrol Group #8

The destroyer, along with the rest of the small patrol fleet, increased speed. The other patrol did the same. Aboard the Watcher the Captain received his orders from Military High Command, something that has never happened before since usually his orders usually come from the Coast Patrol Command. Still, this is to be expected during heightened tension.

After reading them, he promptly send a message to the lead Hamptonshire ship.


You are near Klatchian waters without stating your intentions. State your intentions else we will automatically assume your presence is hostile.

<cut>

Mhm... They are leaving, hmmm? John thought, amused. For a moment, he pondered following them, but then... He did have his prey...

With but a thought, the Diversified Collectivism begun moving, again, this time, changing its course... Back to the open sea.

Theoretically, he should have known about the Storm coming, however, with the hives being busy playing with each other and the networks being flooded by amorphous horrors, he didn't exactly have the means of noticing the fleets preparing, arriving... Disturbing.

"Oh, I'm... A moment, please..." A few cables disconnected, he begun losing control over the ship... Leaving it to control itself, which it could do quite well... As long as there weren't any extraordinary situations.

A moment later, he was free, and, dusting himself off, he stepped down. "Employee of Usada Int., though by now, likely unemployed. According to the news I got, there aren't many people alive in DA..." He smiled. "Tea?"

What Claudius didn't know was what had happened to the two sailors... But they were pretty safe, in this moment, after having bound and gagged themselves... By was of John's influence.

Though it was kinda embarrassing, having those things where they really, really, really didn't belong to...

And who is carrying rubber toys on oceangoing ships, anyway?

The ungainly apparatus seemed quite out of place among the rest of the Vrakian military equipment. It was, after all, one of the earlier experiments trotted out when Vrak was keen on developing very long range artillery guns. But, due to costs and the stresses it placed on railway track which implied a lack of mobility, all but 10 of them were decommisioned. Some found their way into museums while others were broken down and sold for scrap. Except the gun barrels. The pioneering techniques used in their fabrication along with the alloys themselves were considered valuable.

Still, out of the ten, six were lost in the Dozle war while two more were secretly transported away to a top research facility. So, the last two were now being deployed alongside the cruise missile batteries.

The Vrakian Colonel looked up as the Titan gun creaked along with maintenance crews frantically making sure everything ran smoothly.

-Damn big gun, Colonel.

He turned and saw the commander in charge of the cruise missile batteries come up. The Colonel smiled and replied,

-Damn rights they’re big. With a 150 minimum kilometer range shooting HE shells once a minute, yeah, it should do some damage on a ship. Heck, with the improved guidance system – there’s not much that can escape them either.
-Think we’ll be using them?
-I hope not. But if we do, we’ll need plenty of air cover.

The Landgravine looked at the charts and mummbled obsenities. The only thing the Dyellbians were apparently good at was piracy.
I should have killed that bitch when I had the chance, the whore is nothing more than a few blow jobs away from taking over the navy then forcing D.B. into a nice military dictatorship.

A man in the black uniforms of a Klatchian Marshall leaned over to her and whispered in her ear.

"Damn it, tell his Majesty that he can damn well use the secure video phone system. We spent five billion krondors on secretly laying a cable to his royal palace. I really do not have time to be sending myself all the way to Vrakprime. Of course be polite about the buisness."

OOC: really with the 'President' spending most of his time so far away from the capital and the Landgravine watching what is going on with D.B. in Port Olympus and apparenlty no other Council members about...it would make sense that secure ground line communications have been built.

***
[Encryption JDF CODE Aplha Zulu 689]
Sector One and Sector Three Naval Command:
Release 4 Carrier Groups to Sector 2 Naval Command
Release 3 Hunter Groups to Sector 2 Naval Command
Release 5 Raider Groups to Sector 2 Naval Command

Sector Two Naval Command:
All Reassigned Naval Forces From Sector One Reform At Nar Platform
All Reassigned Naval Forces From Sector Two Reform S.S.W of Jiggadian Islands

All Sector Bomber Commands
Release Standard Bomber Forces to be directed by Kandi Base. Send all crews.

Notification to Armories:
Shipments of Munition Type: PJ-10 cruise missle systems to Kandi Base, and Nar Platform

[End Transmission]
***
JDF naval forces begin to sail south out of the Artic Sea and West out of the Western Klatchian Sea.
(I will detail those force levels a bit later)

[Time to use the carrot and stick method.]

4th Imperial Fleet Base, West Galicia Isle

Fleet Admiral Sun Tzu, First Sea Lord of the Imperial Navy, was not a tall man by Scandavian standards but he was imposing in his own right. So when he stepped up to the podium the men and women standing in rank and file in front of their ships shut up and listened even before their Captains' bellowed “ATTENTION” was ever spoken. Admiral Tzu took a deep breath and then spoke into the microphones, “Today, the Emperor of our great nation has asked you to once again put your lives on the line and here you stand in answer to that call, not out of obedience but for justice and the love of your fellow seaman who already face danger, for that I can only thank you.

However, the sacrifice of a single one of your lives is not necessary, for the Emperor has asked me to relay a message to Dyelli Beybi and the Federated Klatchian Coast that could very likely save lives for both sides of this brewing conflict. That message is simply this, ‘There needn’t be conflict of any kind. Deliver Vizeadmiral Collins and Grossadmiral von Scheer to the Imperium and we shall go away and pretend nothing ever happened. This offer lasts only so long as it takes for the 4th and 5th Imperial Fleets to arrive and reinforce our current position in the South Klatchian Sea, at which the offer is sundered forever. We hold an olive branch that can save the Dyelli unnecessary pain and a hammer that could destroy Dyelli naval forces with such thoroughness and speed that the Dyellis will never again contemplate setting to sea, the Imperium proposes that it would be in the best interests of Dyelli Beybi to accept the olive branch.’

Crews, you may man your boats. Dismissed.” The only response was the sound of over 160,000 pairs of boots clicking together at the same time and then pounding over blacktop and metal to man their ships.

Von Scheer read the report through, then snorted, "Well as much as I dislike the Collins woman and the idea of handing her over is somewhat appealing, the idea of handing myself over to some barbarians rather puts the idea back into perspective...anyway she's right about one thing...the best they can hope to achieve is to knock out the Capitol ships, the little ones can all scarper up the river."

Felix chuckled, it was an unusual display of emotion for the Commisaar, "There is certainly irony in the situation, especially considering most of the raiders will likely survive the Battle... anyway their foolish posturing has given me an idea."

"Oh?" von Scheer was suddenly alert to the prospect of saving his career.

The Commisaar nodded, "Get France on the phone, then when we're done speaking to him, get me Benjia House, if it's war they want, they'll bloody well get it, but we're not going to play by the rules..."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------



Claudius nodded, "Yes, tea would be nice..."

He decided it might be an idea to cut right to the chase, "You know we can offer you alternative employment in Dyelli Beybi...with as much money, alcohol and women as you can stomach."

He was still a little bit on edge, but years working with the Ministry for the Occult had given him a somewhat strained grip on reality and much of what would seem peculiar to others seemed completely normal to him.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------



To Emperor of Scandanavian States
From Benjia House, Cheka HQ
Subject Proposed Peace OFfering
We wish to know the intents of the Government of Scandanavian States in requesting the handover of Senior Kriegsmarine officials. The proposal is currently being debated within the houses of Parliament.

To: Scandanvian States
Item: Surrender of Klatchian Nationals.
From: Legal Department of the Klatchian Office of Inter-State Affaris

We are unfortunatly unable to comply with this request due to the following two problems.

First, you have not identified how you have legal standing to demand that the Klatchian Parliment demand the surrender of these individuals. At current, no know treaty between yourself and the Federation is known. If you have some other basis for legal standing please respond.

Second, you have not indicated why these individuals should be handed over? Are you charging that they committed crimes? If so a full account of what crimes they committed along with supporting evidence will need to be provided to the Klatchian State which they currently reside in to futher extridition proccedings.

Thank You for your
Time and Attention

Four Ln-14s (OOC: Dyellian ground attack aircraft, fast, low RCS, basically a very suped up Tornado) were also approaching the Hamptonshire fleet, they were carrying a full payload of 6 anti-shipping missiles and 2 AA missiles each while they also carried a 47mm cannon and a single machine gun. The cannon was supposed to be for tank busting, but could do equally well at punching holes in a ship (although it was unlikely to do any major damage).

They flew in a tight V formation at low altitude, the Commanding officer spoke into his radio.

Foreign Naval vessels, explain your prescence in proximity to Dyelli Beybian territory. Over.

OOC: Alcona, sorry for not making myself clear earlier. I meant that the King did pick up the phone and wanted to talk. :)

IC:

-Clear out of the room!

The aides, harem women, and various other courtiers quickly scurried out at the command of their King. Only the King's Own remained behind, still as statues.

He pushed the red button with his flipper. The monitor came alive with the stressed image of the Landgravine. The King began,

-Landgravine. Long ago I gave you the disposal of Vrakian intelligence to look into the background of Himmler - another one who seemed to draw much international attention. Once this crisis is over, we need to discuss that. Now, we cannot hand over any Kriegsmarine officials since the pakrahs have failed to deliver any form of evidence to justify their claim.

..::Encrypted Message (4096Kb)::..
From: The Foreign Services of His Imperial Majesty
To: Klatchian Office of Inter-State Affairs
Subject: Re: Surrender of Klatchian Nationals

This situation isn't one that should be allowed to boil down to meaningless technicalities on international law. Our offer was one designed to open a diplomatic path to what has thus far been a military problem. Our position is a negotiable one and frankly we are willing to do much to avoid conflict.

As for the complacency of the two in question, we do not believe that Grossadmiral von Scheer has condoned the piracy committed by what appears to be a single squadron of ships, we merely wish his presence for questioning. However, we believe Vizeadmiral Collins, former holder of the rank of Commodore, a rank that is most often associated with squadron commanders, is responsible for the piracy that started this... mess. It is pure guess work, but we believe that von Scheer would have punished any other squadron commander by now, but given Collins' unique... position, we do not think von Scheer has had the ability to exercise his command prerogatives. If conjecture is not enough, we can simply connect Collins to the squadron is question, such information is readily available over the Internet and proving that she is a pirate should be fairly easy.

If the Klatchian Office of Inter-State Affairs has an alternate solution to peaceably solving the Dyelli piracy problem, we will listen with open ears.
..::End Message (End Encryption)::..

OOC: I'll assume you missed this and not actually ignoring it:


Quote:
Meanwhile, two Guardian fleets began to converge on the Hamptonshire position...

OOC: Not ignoring, just stopping the ships short.

Just a reminded, Task Force Baker is only 9 vessels.

IC:


[Coded Response to Vrak and Dyelli Beybi Units]
We are currently located well in International Waters. As you can undoubted see the ships of this Task Force have stopped and are conducting stationary full active sonar scans.

Our intentions are not hostile and we have strict orders to avoid conflict with Klatch military units. However, any vessel that approached within 10 NM will be asked to maintain a safe distance.

Any plane that approaches within 35 NM will be escorted out of our Safe Zone by Royal Navy carrier jets.

We will be returning to the 32nd Fleet Squadron within the next 6 hours.

That is all.
[End Communication]


Secret-IC:
With the quick response to the probing force sent by the Fleet Squadron, the rest of the ships of 11th Fleet were ordered to reinforce Vice Admiral Olendorf's position.

Within 3 days the rest of the fleet would arrive

OOC: Sorry about the brevity of that, but I'm in a hurry.

(OOC) Hope nobody minds DB reading that last message ;)

Bejia House was the headquarters of the Cheka and in many respects the heart of Dyelli Beybi, although at the moment Felix felt Cheka power was definantely waning. They were still, however, one of, if not the most efficient intelligence gathering agencies in Klatch, and when the message had arrived in Port Olympus, it had been quickly shunted down to Benjia House.

"Put our original plan on the backburner for now." he was speaking to von Scheer who had joined the Commisaar in the windowless office deep within the cavernous underground facility that Benjia House fronted.

Von Scheer nodded, "Of course, this puts a whole new spin on things, unfortunately it doesn't actually change much. We can't actually legally hand her over."

"Uniformed Offenders Act." Felix gave a brief smile, "I helped to write it. The Government hands nobody in uniform over to foreigners, although there is a clause where the accused may be tried by a Dyellian Military tribunal."

"God, I wish we'd got her with that last time." von Scheer grumbled.

"As I recall you were all in favour of the hash we made of the trial at the time."

Von Scheer shrugged with a slight apologetic smile, "Aye, but then she was just a pointless Captain, and we gave her desk duty as a punishment."

"As an aide to the Grand Vizier of East Benjia."

Von Scheer was on the defensive now, "Again...but we weren't to know he'd marry her...or that he'd form his own political party and end up being elected High Chancellor...we all thought Himmler was to stay."

"Himmler mishandled the emirates problem." Dzerzhinsky concluded, "The population felt he was too soft, and those rather public anti-Tersanctus statements Collins made got the population firmly behind him."

The mention of the Emirates made von Scheer's lip curl, "We should be fighting them, not buggering around with the Scandanavian States, you've got connections, can't you get that motion through parliament."

Felix gave a slight smile, "To have her tried for reckless endangerment again?"

The Grossadmiral nodded, "Of course. I can't courtmartial, there weren't actually any rules against piracy.."

"Sorry." Felix shook his head, "If we had an NSWP Government yes, but the NPRP." he shrugged, "I could try to bribe them but someone would notice the money coming out of Cheka accounts and there would be questions."

"We need a lot of money, we'd need maybe...ooh 40 million Kronors" von Scheer mused, "Where the hell can we get that?"

Felix was laughing now, "What on earth are you chuckling about?" von Scheer asked giving him an odd sideways look.

Felix wiped an eye and sighed, "What side are we on my friend?"

"Our own side." von Scheer declared, "I would say we're on the side of Dyelli Beybi, but that would be a lie. Dyelli Beybi can look after itself, it always has. We're on our own side. It's a dog eat dog world out there, and if we don't stop this bloody war, we're finished and that bitch will rule the country."

"Ever heard of the term, 'sleeping with the enemy'?" Felix asked, still smiling faintly.

"Of course."

"I think I have a way we can get that money...but for God's sake don't let on we have that transmition!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: The Foreign Services of His Imperial Majesty
From: <unknown sender>
Subject: Surrender of Dyelli Beybian Nationals

This is a simple message, we can end the piracy problem, but it must be done the Dyellian way if you wish to see it gone for good, the handover of the Vizeadmiral or any other military personnel is officially illegal under Dyellian law, it will not happen. A war would serve no purpose other than to strengthen the position of the Vizeadmiral. We are in a position to end this affair once and for all with a result that will hopefully be satisfactory to all. We will however need a sum of 40 million Kronors or roughly 60 million dollars. It is impossible for us to raise this money ourselves without question.
While this may seem a large sum, we feel it is relatively low in comparison to the equipment losses that would be suffered in a war.
We are willing to meet with an agent of your own intelligence forces to discuss the matter further. Overlooking the docks at Cyro there is a 12 sotrey office block that is condemned. We will be at the block in exactly 36 hours from the time of this transmition.

OOC: Gonna take a back seat cos my posts are pretty pointless to the overall storyline, but TAG because that last post looks like it's going to lead to an interesting plot to get this Captain...

[Not a problem, that level of encyption would give the NSA a year-long headache, but it wouldn't stop most NS intel agencies for long.]

The money itself was not a problem, the various Imperial intelligence agencies had budgets that went into the tens, some suspected hundreds, of billions in United States Dollars. Not only that, but first-rate knowledge of intel-related diversions and strict banking secrecy laws made any wired money nearly impossible to track, at least by those who had no business doing so.

What was hard, however, was getting an agent of the Imperium into Dyelli Beybi. Standard Operating Procedure in a situation like this called for someone from the External Security Service or Office of Naval Intelligence to make a transfer, but people from either service could be tracked down because it was acknowledge that both services existed. No, for the first time in recent memory, an agent from the Special Collection Service would be stepping onto foreign soil. The service itself was only known to a handful of the Emperor's most trusted advisors and no one but the director knew who all of its employees were.

The agent herself arrived on an Edolian flight, a nationality picked because of its close alliance to the Imperium and because it was known to have worked with Vrak militarily, only six hours after the message was received. No phone calls were made, there were no outstanding activities other than the usual tourist things and not even that until after a long nap, something that belied the woman's excellent physical and mental condition and made her look far more normal than she was. Three hours before the meet she took a cab, which was paid for in Edolian currency, to a spot almost exactly three miles from the meeting place and took an aimless and roundabout walk to the meeting place. An hour before the meet was to take place she found the nearest bus stop and waited.

(OOC) Well they have got that big AI thing wasting itself as a codebreaker...but I was going to RP they had someone in the offices who forwarded it down to them.

Cyro was a hot city, and unusually for Dyelli Beybi, humid. It was built on a swamp and mosquitoes were a major problem.

There was no sign of anyone arriving at the building, but about 5 minutes before the meeting was due someone who was aparently a construction worker, undid the padlock on the gate then vanished back into the interior.

Inside shadows hid the speakers.

"One would tend to hope they're coming."

"I'm sure they will, if they've even vaguely honest about wanting to prevent a major war."

"Well I hope so." it was the first voice again, "I want to see that bitch hang, pity the death penalty is outlawed, maybe we can prove she's a Tzarist or something?"

"Last time I heard you were." it was an entirely new voice, a third, slightly higher and crisper, but touched with a hint of amusement at the whole situation.

"You're having the time of your life aren't you Otto?" Second voice.

"Oh what a tangled web we weave." this was 'Otto', "I can see the irony here, and how long ago was the Tersanctus conflict, and then we were all the best of friends and Adelle was just a glorified secretary."

"I don't think retirement suits you." Second voice again.

"You can't keep me away from politics." 'Otto' gave a slight laugh.

There was a fourth man in the room, he stood by the window, looking out around the corner of the curtain, an assault rifle propped up against the wall next to him, "Hrrm that's odd."

"What is it Vlademir?" the Second voice.

Vlademir shook his head, "Just saw someone who looked familiar, she's gone now though, can't remember where I saw her before."

"Well if anything serious happens, let us know."

Dear god, this moves fast <.<

<snip>

They were now outside the core, walking to a nearby chamber... All dark, no windows. Quickly, dim lights went on... Since a good chunk of DA was located underground, and the surface was usually covered by clouds, smog, and other such things, they weren't used to bright light... Hence the dim ones.

"Damn, stupid dust." John begun to dust off the entire room, furiously, but eventually, he succeeded. "Well, not too clean... But it will work, I guess." Making the tea, he looked at his 'guest'. "Well... Money & Alcohol a nice... Though I would prefer men, if you understand what I mean." He smiled. "And I have to admit, you're looking half- decent yourself... Though the two strong, sweaty sailors you had with you... Mhm..." He hesitated, smiling. "In any case... I will certainly have maintenance problems, soon, the problem is... Is Dyelli Beybi equipped to take care of them? I have certain doubts..." He hesitated, again, waiting for a (detailed) answer while watching the tea... Finishing.

Now the two sailors... He chuckled as he handed Claudius a cup.

[Ah, I see. Again, no problem, especially sense it furthers my aims.]

Once she saw the "construction worker" open the gate she stood up and made her way to the building, although to most people it would have looked like she had tired of waiting and was making her way back from where she came. Making absolutely sure she could see no one paying attention, she slipped through the gate and entered the building as quietly as possible and began searching for the people she was to meet.

[Well, I'll let you hit it off from here.]

The Landgravine, leaned back in her chair.
"Your Majesty we do need spend more time on the himmler situation. However we might have some intresting news on little Ms. Vice Admiral von Tarzina. Specifically, some people might want to rid themselves of her..."

She looked down at the message and laughed.
Really, Checka should realize that we have the same A.I. systems and one a bit more advanced for code breaking.
"Now, the question is how do we keep this OMP off our backs now and in the future?"

****
As a bus pulled up to the stop a large hulk of a man stepped off. He wore just a simple, bland grey suit and dark tie. He looked like a day laborer out on the town in his best suit, which wasn't all that good. The eyes read the street near the warehouse and said little.

The man's passport indicated he was from Rillion and had arrived in the city only twelve hours ago aboard a river barge. The barge was delivering bags of concrete mix from Port Olympus. He had only a few Klatchian Krondors on him, and a metal ciggrette case. He stopped and looked down at his cheap watch.

Just made it... his eyes looked about the street and the open warehouse gateway for a moment. Not really caring too much, he stepped across and into the warehouse.

(OOC: sorry for interupting this cloak and dagger buisness but the Landgravine really is pissed about said woman in uniform. And is not above sending someone to pay them off with fourty million Krondors to get rid of her. She didn't think you'd show up. S.S.)

(OOC) I was going to have it that the last was broadcast over a somewhat insecure line anyway, due to general incompetence on von Scheer's part.

Within the entry hall of the building, sitting in the gloom of a small alcove was a man with a rifle. He was wearing a trenchcoat and trilby hat, the latter seemed to be a very important fashion accessory in Cyro. Another man one was standing by the door peering through a small crack in the wall, he didn't turn around, but the other pointed his rifle menacingly at the woman from Scandinavian States, "Name and identity, papers preferably." he barked.

"We're not supposed to have two here are we?" it was the watcher at the window.

"No." the man in the alcove shook his head, although the movement was hard to make up in the dark.

"Is he wish you?" the first man asked the newcomer, while the watcher flicked a valve on what appeared to be a gas tank on his own rifle.

"Whatever the case is, we'll find out in a moment." it was the watcher again, he spoke into a mouthpiece hidden in his jacket, "We may have a situation down here..."

"My name is Catalina and my organization does not issue papers because it does not exist. And no, no one is with me."

As proof of her identity she pulled a slim, one time use cellular phone and held it up for the man to see, "This is one time use, if I call the appropriate number now I can have the money in a secure account within the hour, but the only way you will get the account and access number is if you let me in so I can give it to you."

The man in the trilby seemed distinctly unimpressed by this explanation, "If we let you upstairs and you're not who you say you are, then some very influencial men could be arrested." he paused, aparently thinking back on his briefing.

"OH for God's sake man, let her in." a third individual, a black haired woman in her mid thirties had appeared by the stairs, also carrying a rifle, "What are you expecting, her to show up with a sign saying 'I am a spy for the Scandanavian States'?"

The man in the trilby seemed seemed to have had the wind sucked from his sails, "Stay here for a moment Catalina." It was the woman again, she silently pointed another pair of trenchcoat clad armed individuals into suitable ambush spots, "We'll find out who was following you, then perhaps things will be a little clearer."

(OOC: I was thinking they were moving pretty slowly myself)

<cut>


Claudius sipped at the tea cautiously, "Ah right...." he seemed determined to ignore the rather obvious sexual allusions, "We might be able to help, what is actually broken?"

(OOC: I'm going to assume a few things D.B.)
The figure entered the doorway and stopped. His eyes adjusted to the gloom. "Ah, I see the welcoming party is here..." He raised his hands for a moment and then replied to the demand for papers.

"I only have my cover papers with me, but then if I had any others they might be fakes as well wouldn't they?"

After getting asked who he was the man laughed a bit.
"Let us say I represent intrests who are willing to supply that loan you asked for, in Krondors. Someone who does not care if you get the loan from us or your orginal third party. Only that you get the loan."

The Landgravine, leaned back in her chair.
"Your Majesty we do need spend more time on the himmler situation. However we might have some intresting news on little Ms. Vice Admiral von Tarzina. Specifically, some people might want to rid themselves of her..."

She looked down at the message and laughed.
Really, Checka should realize that we have the same A.I. systems and one a bit more advanced for code breaking.
"Now, the question is how do we keep this OMP off our backs now and in the future?"

The Royal Palace

The King replied.

-I suspect that the OMP has lost some credibility barging into our territorial waters first without pursuing a diplomatic path. Still, if Tarzina keeps them off our backs for now, then make her the lamb.

A sigh.

-As for the OMP, I could care less about those meddlers. They smell just like the Drakonians and Tersanctians. Self-righteous do-gooder blokk pakrah meddlers the lot of them. I don’t bargain well under threat, Landgravine and that is exactly what these OMP pakrahs are doing. The FKC will sink their fleets, and Vrak will do it alone if we have to. And the OMP has no right running around dictating this and that. Personally, I think this whole affair will discredit them all, especially those vocal whiners Scandavian States. But, the real thorn is those Dyellians.

Another pause.

-You know, I rather like Dyelli Beybi, except for the weather. And it is beneficial to have a strong Dyelli Beybi to protect our southern flank. In other words, it is in our interest to have them commit “piracy” else they start getting ideas and wish to expand in the Klatch at the expense of the other states. You know, we have had some little skirmishes with them in the jungles of the former EvilPsychoticGuy. Nothing major, you know. And it’s not like they commit “piracy” on any FKC states. What we need is a government in Dyelli Beybi that is more controllable without breaking their fighting spirit.

A long sign. Then a quick gulp of a whiskey.

-You’re doing a good job, Landgravine, considering the circumstances. Make sure that the JDF will repel the threat. Keep the diplomatic channels open while I direct my staff to try and make the OMP make a blunder. They are rather eager for a fight. If some kind of deal is reached without any blood spilled, so much the better. But we cannot lose face over it.

Then the King gazed into the videophone, awaiting the Landgravine’s response.


Along the Dyelli Beybi shore – 50 km east of Cyro

The cruise missile batteries were ready to fire. Satcom feeds along with their own tracking was closely monitoring the nearest fleet – which happened to belong to Hamptonshire (OOC: the best I can see anyhow). The two Titan guns slowly swivled to bring a bead on the largest ship – the motors humming as the ponderous guns moved.

A mobile UAV platform was being readied. After all, it was a good time to glean some information about the enemy.

Alexigrad

The group of bombers were now fully loaded with their complement of anti-ship missiles. Their escort figher wings were ready. Now, all they waited for was the word to begin their bombing run on the nearest fleet.

Vrakian corridor

Two groups of long-range bombers were also fitted with anti-ship missiles. Although they would take a little while to arrive, they were held in reserve to see what would happen should the bombers from Alexigrad fail.

IC:

[Coded Response to Vrak and Dyelli Beybi Units]
We are currently located well in International Waters. As you can undoubted see the ships of this Task Force have stopped and are conducting stationary full active sonar scans.

Our intentions are not hostile and we have strict orders to avoid conflict with Klatch military units. However, any vessel that approached within 10 NM will be asked to maintain a safe distance.

Any plane that approaches within 35 NM will be escorted out of our Safe Zone by Royal Navy carrier jets.

We will be returning to the 32nd Fleet Squadron within the next 6 hours.

That is all.
[End Communication]


Secret-IC:
With the quick response to the probing force sent by the Fleet Squadron, the rest of the ships of 11th Fleet were ordered to reinforce Vice Admiral Olendorf's position.

Within 3 days the rest of the fleet would arrive

OOC: Sorry about the brevity of that, but I'm in a hurry.


Unacceptable. Withdraw your fleet now to at least 300 nautical miles from the Dyelli Bebyi coast else you will be considered a hostile target and will be dealt with accordingly


At the sending of the last transmission, the two Guardian fleets were worried. They were outgunned but they were counting on some kind of surprise to help even the odds.

Still, all the ships readied their anti-ship missiles and began to pick their targets.

OOC: How close do you want my ships to be, Hamptonshire? Figure about 100 nautical miles and closing?

Lieutenant Chin was reviewing the latest intelligence report from ONI and when he saw photos from the Vrakian bomber bases he paled, "Admiral Kim, you need to see this!"

By now she was used to Chin's excitability and did not become worried until she saw that his faced almost looked like ash, "What is it, Lieutenant?"

"The Vrakians are arming their bombers with missiles," he pointed to a place on the holographic project that was circled, "those are armament loaders and from the pictures they look like ASMs."

Dae frowned; it matched the assessment by Foreign Services that things were rapidly going down hill, although she didn't agree with Foreign Services hopefulness that this series of threats was a bluff. However, the fact that there were two more Imperial Fleets within a couple hours of linking up with hers reassured her. Still, no need to become complacent...

"Relay the coordinates of all known Vrakian shore batteries and bombers bases to the Ryuho squadrons and make sure this intel gets to the Hamptonshire fleet. Also, order the carriers to each have a full fighter wing of fighters on CAP at all times and have the interceptors ready on deck. I want the Gaea flotillas to keep their eyes peeled for anything that looks hostile and ready to shoot it down the second I say so. The entire fleets is to go active with their LIDARs, I don't want some damn sub to sneak in and get lucky," the orders were quick and clear and nobody thought about asking questions, not when their lives might depend on executing the orders ASAP.

[Read up on what NPI radar is here: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=319982]

Kandi Base
Once the land had been filled with suger cane feild worked by Oompa Loompa slaves. (Hey I didn't make that up actually) Now it was covered in concrete and bunkers. And bombers...almost 360 B-88 Bombers to be exact now lined the tarmac in the center of the regrowing jungle. And like their Vrakian counter parts they were being armed with ASM's delivered mostly by incomming Globemaster aircraft.

Along the Dyelli Beybi shore – 50 km east of Cyro

The cruise missile batteries were ready to fire. Satcom feeds along with their own tracking was closely monitoring the nearest fleet – which happened to belong to Hamptonshire (OOC: the best I can see anyhow). The two Titan guns slowly swivled to bring a bead on the largest ship – the motors humming as the ponderous guns moved.

A mobile UAV platform was being readied. After all, it was a good time to glean some information about the enemy.

Alexigrad

The group of bombers were now fully loaded with their complement of anti-ship missiles. Their escort figher wings were ready. Now, all they waited for was the word to begin their bombing run on the nearest fleet.

Vrakian corridor

Two groups of long-range bombers were also fitted with anti-ship missiles. Although they would take a little while to arrive, they were held in reserve to see what would happen should the bombers from Alexigrad fail.

OOC: Are you talking about Task Force Baker which is returning to the now unifed 11th Fleet or the 11th Fleet itself?

At the sending of the last transmission, the two Guardian fleets were worried. They were outgunned but they were counting on some kind of surprise to help even the odds.

Still, all the ships readied their anti-ship missiles and began to pick their targets.

OOC: How close do you want my ships to be, Hamptonshire? Figure about 100 nautical miles and closing?

OOC: The 245 vessels of the reunifed 11th Fleet (the 32nd Fleet Squadron and the rest of the 11th Fleet) are located at a position 750 NM south-southwest of DB (from the very farthest southern tip of DB).

Task Force Baker will be now about 400-475 NM from the 11th Fleet. I'd say that having your ships be 100 NM behind the 9 ships of Task Force Baker would be best.

IC:
--Task Force Baker, HNS Westley--

With his planned mission to show the Klatchians the dedication of the Royal Navy complete, Captain Witcomb communicated with 11th Fleet Command. Vrak ships, airplanes, and coastal batteries with armed weapons were actively targeting his 9 ships.

"Ensign, relay the following to Task Force commanders:
'All ships are to increase speed to Maximum Cruise. Activate all CAMDS and other defensive systems. Do not, repeat, do not activate offensive targeting grids.
All ships are to proceed to Grid 991-41-B.'

Did you get that, ensign" Witcomb asks.

"Yes, sir. Communications has also received this message for you." the Ensign handed the Captain a piece of paper, and then left for the Comm Room.

Once the ensign left the Flag Bridge, Witcombed openned and read the note-
-Message From Admiral Joseph Franks, Commander 11th Fleet-
Intelligence received from Scandavian States and other sources point to a high possiblity of attack.

The 1,200 carrier borne planes of the 11th Fleet are being readied for possible action. Be advised, carrier planes will not offer cover for Task Force Baker until you are with 100 NM of the Fleet.

Avoid weapons exchange at all costs.



---11th Fleet,Fleet Command Center, HNS Invincible---

Standing in the Fleet Command Center high above the flight deck of the Invincible, Admiral Joesph Franks surveyed the re-assembled ships of the 11th Fleet. It might not be the largest or most honored of the Royal Navy's Fleets, but it was home to some of its finest crews and vessels. He was nervous though, he feared he might have to take the ships and crews of the 11th Fleet into battle aganist an aggressive foe.

Reports from the NID (Naval Intelligence Directorate), the OMI (Office of Military Intelligence), the RID (Royal Intelligence Directorate), and Scandavain States' ONI pointed to a very strong possibilty of a Klatchian attack. While the 11th Fleet might not have enough ships to hold out, the tens of thousand of missiles, and over 1,200 carrier planes of the Fleet assured that any fight would be hard fought and quite bloody.

Turning back to the main table in the Fleet Command Center, Admiral Franks began to evaluate the situation.

"Vice Admiral Olendorf, what is our current situation?"

"Sir," Olendorf replied in his usually calm tone, "the arrival of the rest of 11th Fleet has allowed us to assemble a full picket line. Our submarines have taken up the 'Operating Positions' and the carriers have been placed in the following areas." he says as he points to the map.

"Don't worry sir, they may sink a dozen of smaller ships but we'll hit them with hundreds of planes and thousands of missile. If they are foolish enough to attack us out here, they won't return home." the brazen commander of Surface Warships, Vice Admiral Peter Indensen said while pounding the table.

"Our defensive systems will intercept at least 80% of all 'serious' munitions. We will need reinforcements, however." Indensen continued.

"What about that, Olendorf? What is the word on reinforcement?" Admiral Franks asked with a raised eyebrow.

"We are currently communicating with other OMP afiliated fleets in the area, we'll know their intentions within the next 2 hou..." he was cut off by Indensen "Damn Albert, we don't want to know about the OMP forces! When will the Royal Navy send us another fleet?"

Frazzled Oldendorf continued, "As I was saying...we'll know their intentions within the 2 hours. Lord Rosecrans has sent a message indicating that the 4th Fleet is currently 13 hours away at cruising speed and the 9th Fleet has been diverted to our position. They won't be here for another 5 days at best speed, however."

"Admiral Piers is command of 4th Fleet, get him on FleetCom I want to..." before Admiral Franks could finish, Olendorf corrected him.

"Acutally, Lord Rosecrans has merged the 11th and 4th Fleet together effective immediately. We're now the 3rd Combined Fleet."

"Fine, so that means Franks gets the customary field promotion to Fleet Vice Admiral." Idensen said.

"Actually, no. Because of the nature of this situation, Fleet Vice Admiral Kirkssen has been give command. He has requested that we meet him aboard his flagship."

OOC: Have to stop there for now.

With the two new fleets linked up on the SUPERCET network and the extra security those provided, Fleet Admiral Dae Kim could now relax somewhat. Her only serious worry was still her allies' fleets; they weren't in as secure of a position as hers were. She turned to her FCO and said, "Signal the Hamptonshire and Pacific Northwestern fleets, request that they reform on our flanks, our combined AA should be enough to overwhelm the FKC bombers if they should attempt an attack."

With the two new fleets linked up on the SUPERCET network and the extra security those provided, Fleet Admiral Dae Kim could now relax somewhat. Her only serious worry was still her allies' fleets; they weren't in as secure of a position as hers were. She turned to her FCO and said, "Signal the Hamptonshire and Pacific Northwestern fleets, request that they reform on our flanks, our combined AA should be enough to overwhelm the FKC bombers if they should attempt an attack."

[CODED MESSAGE, embedded in standard 'Logistical Update Communique]
FROM: Fleet Vice Admiral Geoff Kirkssen, Commander 3rd Combined Fleet, Royal Navy
TO: Fleet Admiral Dae Kim, Scandavian States, Imperial Navy

The 3rd Combined Fleet will at this time move toward a unifed position to provide AA and carrier aircraft support.

The 11th Fleet has been ordered to move to your current position at flanking speed and will take up positions on your northern front.

The 4th Fleet will move to shore up our combined front to the east.

Since the 3rd Combined Fleet comprises of more carriers than you forces and has nearly 2,500 carrier borne aircraft we will provide our combined fleets with air cover. Expect arrival of the 11th Fleet within 10 hours and arrival of the 4th Fleet within 3 hours.

However, I have ordered the 22nd Submarine Task Force to remain in it's current position to provide escort for Task Force Baker.
[/END MESSAGE]

..::Encrypted Message (40,960kb)::..
FR: Fleet Admiral Dae Kim, Expeditionary Task Force, Imperial Navy
TO: Fleet Vice Admiral Geoff Kirkssen, Commander 3rd Combined Fleet, Royal Navy
SUB: RE: CAP

With respect, Admiral Kirkssen, the Expeditionary Task Force has 24 carriers, sixteen of which are fresh. Allow my aircraft to relieve your Combat Air Patrols long enough that they can get some decent rest, it would not do to send tired pilots into combat. If it becomes necessary, my fighters can protect your carriers long enough to get your own aircraft into the air.

..::End Message (End Encryption)::..


[And my carriers have over 3700 aircraft, 2500 of which are fighters.]

..::Encrypted Message (40,960kb)::..
FR: Fleet Admiral Dae Kim, Expeditionary Task Force, Imperial Navy
TO: Fleet Vice Admiral Geoff Kirkssen, Commander 3rd Combined Fleet, Royal Navy
SUB: RE: CAP

With respect, Admiral Kirkssen, the Expeditionary Task Force has 24 carriers, sixteen of which are fresh. Allow my aircraft to relieve your Combat Air Patrols long enough that they can get some decent rest, it would not do to send tired pilots into combat. If it becomes necessary, my fighters can protect your carriers long enough to get your own aircraft into the air.

..::End Message (End Encryption)::..


[And my carriers have over 3700 aircraft, 2500 of which are fighters.]

[CODED MESSAGE, embedded in "Request for Endocrinologist aboard HNSS Blue Cross]
FROM: Fleet Vice Admiral Geoff Kirkssen, Commander 3rd Combined Fleet, Royal Navy
TO: Fleet Admiral Dae Kim, Expeditionary Task Force, Imperial Navy

We have enough fresh pilots to supply ourselves with air cover, however since the 11th Fleet is closer to Klatch than the rest of our forces it would be prudent to send additional air support.

It will also be noted that while we are withdrawing to form a unifed front, we are not under any unifed command structure.

With the arrival of the 9th Fleet in 96 hours, command of the 3rd Combined Task Force will pass from me to Fleet Admiral Lord Kenith Worthington.

Victory is Life.
[END MESSAGE]

OOC: Each fleet has approx. 2,000 carrier fighters. The 11th Fleet has 2,500 and the 4th Fleet has only 1,750. The 9th Fleet, which is the smallest Royal Navy Fleet, has only 1,200 carrier planes total.
Just a note, a Fleet Vice Admiral ranks above a full Admiral but below Fleet Admiral. Look here (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/combinedrank.jpg) for rank structure.

The dark haired woman frowned, "Well we still don't know who you are, and frankly, I don't see why we should let you up until you give us some idea as to who we're dealing with. We don't like surprises....Catalina you may go upstairs."

Catalina was led up the stairs by yet another individual with a trilby hat, this one was a dark skinned caucasian with a well waxed black moustache, he seemed to find this whole matter vaguely amusing, "May I present you ma'am, to a small alliance, that like the agency and country you belong to also doesn't exist."

Three men were seated in chairs across from you. The first nodded, he was a slim man with aquiline features and a well trimmed slightly greying black goatee, "That Ma'am, is a man who doesn't exist, those of us who mistakenly believe in him like to call him Felix Dzerzhinsky."

"On his right, you will see a man who has retired from politics and has no interest in the goings on of the country whatsoever." the Cheka agent making the introductions, clearly assumed Catalina would have seen photos of the slender blonde man with glasses and a crisp looking suite, sitting in the centre of the group. He was fairly recogniseable as Otto Himmler, the previous leader of the Dyellian Government, before Eamon Collins had defeated him in the first free and fair elections in Dyelli Beybi's long history.

"And the third, is one of your country's most wanted men, he isn't here either by the way." the third was of course the Grossadmiral. He wore a non-descript brown suite and the almost compulsory trilby hat. One eye was covered by a black eyepatch.

"Thank you for the introduction Commisaar Bell." this was Himmler who seemed not at all ammused by the Commisaar's attempt at humour, "Let us cut straight to the chase shall we. My good friend, Felix gave me a call a day or so ago about a small problem my good friend Eamon seems to have run the country into. It is my understanding that it is felt that the world would benefit much from the removal of Adelle Collins from any positions of power, which is something we can offer in a bloodless manner, that will be satisfactory to all."

"Little bitch wants my job." the Grossadmiral muttered angrily.

"Thank you." Himmler seemed vaguely annoyed at the profanity, "We, or should I say Felix, intends to do it by using a substantial sum of money to bribe several MPs to pass a resolution voting for a trial of the afforementioned Vizeadmiral for endangering Dyelli Beybi. This will of course allow us to strip her of all titles and hopefully expell her from the Kriegsmarine. Now you must understand though that we cannot promise von Scheer will be able to erradicate piracy entirely, immediately, but unless you want it spreading, I strongly suggest you allow this to be done the Dyellian way."

Von Scheer took this as a signal to explain the piracy problem, "You see, during Tzarist times the only way to secure a promotion was buy buying it. This was impossible on an Officer's sallary, so either you had to be of a wealthy family, or you had to secure other forms of income...these practices have proved difficult to remove entirely from the naval psyche, however the actual Government itself, as well as this small group is acting to stamp it out..."

"The difference is, Adelle Collins and her faction want a war, we do not." Himmler interupted, "Now to sum up our stance. We will not hand her over to a foreign court. It is unnacceptable to hand a Dyellian over to foreign d.... ahh Nations, but we will remove her from power. We will not execute her, that practice has been outlawed. We will also not make no illegal attempts on her life. Such practices are dishonourable, cowardly and un-Dyellian, unless carried out under sporting circumstances, that is the attacked must be given an opportunity to defend themself... but I am not going to spend the evening explaining the nuances of the Djel code of honour, I think you have a rough idea of what we intend to do with the money."

Well, I am generally incapable of posting daily to a particular thread :P

Claudius sipped at the tea cautiously, "Ah right...." he seemed determined to ignore the rather obvious sexual allusions, "We might be able to help, what is actually broken?"

For a moment, John didn't reply, apparently preferring the dust in the air, watching it, contently.

"Oh, no, not like that..." He hesitated, again, stepping out of the room, holding his cup of tea between his hands. "It is general issues. Mainly the artificial parts of my body, some nanotechnologic additions... They aren't the best quality, and need rather regular maintenance, you see..." He closed his eyes, for a moment, walking through the hallways, giggling a little as he could sense the two sailors in their pain and fear. Not that he wanted to visit them, well, at least not right now... And they should have fun on their own, with those rubber toys, anyway. "Oh, and then there is Zeras' syndrome... Not too bad, there could be worse things, but still... A massively limited memory isn't fun. Oh... You are aware of the basic principles of Telepathically Transmitted Diseases, right?" He smiled, looking at Claudius, occasionally at Claudius legs... Meh... Average. I wonder...

"But generally, I'm all for it, provided you have the necessary ressources."

Catalina made a short bow, something the Japanese in the Imperium had left imprinted upon Scandavian culture, "I am honored to meet you all. Grossadmiral, Emperor Alexander has personally asked me to relay his apologies for his demands where it concerns you. He told me that he views this whole thing as a necessary evil and that an overly strong stance was the only possible way to mask his true objective." She pulled out the phone and continued, "Using this phone is simple. Turn it on and go into the address book in the phone; in there you will find the name and address of the bank along with an account number and access number, either memorize the info or write it down and place it somewhere inconspicuous. Next, hit the Speed Dial 2 button, it will connect you to the person who controls your money at the moment, identify yourself however you like and speak to him as you would an old friend, however it is necessary that you mention you are in need of some financial assistance and he will tell you that arrangements will be made shortly. I would highly recommend you make this call while moving rapidly, such as on a freeway, so that you switch cells as quickly as possible, this makes it nearly impossible for your call to be listened into. Also, once you turn the phone off it will be disabled by a small electrical charge, simply dispose of it however you wish after you are done. Now, are there any questions?"

"No." Dzerzhinsky shook his head and looked to the others who both did likewise.

"In that case." Himmler stood up, "I think we can call this meeting complete, here is a copy of the contract the new Naval officers have signed." he handed over a bundle of paper to Catalina, certain bits had been highlighted, all in all it could basically be summed up as a massive pay increase in exchange for a cessation of piratical activities, "Alas, not my idea. Collins, that is Eamon Collins, not his wife, came up with that one. Now, do you have any questions?"

The window watcher, who had taken no part in the conversation to this point gave a slight chuckle, "Might I advise you leave by the back way...the sewer passage that is? I knew I recognised that girl, she's from Cheka 1."

This seemed to alarm Dzerzhinsky, "What? Which one is it, and how did she get here, what line did you use Rudolf when you sent that message?"

"D.B.P.A. line." von Scheer replied "It's not secure, but then what line in this country is? I figured it was less likely to have been monitored than a Kriegsmarine line."

"Well she doesn't seem to be doing anything at this point, but you never know when they might call the Gestapo down on our heads, I believe you said Reilly was in her camp?" it was the window watcher again.

Felix nodded, "Yes, and he has the authority to do so. It is probably an idea if we all leave at about this time, as well..." he gave a slight smile to Catalina, "Any questions can be saved for the journey, we will be taking a similar route to you."

Meanwhile Himmler had picked up a small walkie-talkie from a table in the corner, "Denise, you still have our guest downstairs do you?...good...handcuff him and bring him with us, we're going by the back route. It seems one of Quentin's team is lurking about outside, and they certainly have no reason to be out there, we have a few questions to ask our unexpected visitor."

(OOC) Just some general notes for clarrification.
D.B.P.A. = Dyelli Beybi Provincial Army.
The Gestapo are not a secret police force in DB, that's the Cheka. The Gestapo act as SWAT/Armed Offenders Squad, depending upon what you prefer to refer to such people as.
I know I havn't mentioned them yet, but they might appear, 'Metro' (Metropolitan Police Officers) are the run of the mill police officers, Benjia Yard are the detectives, but also act as a 'little Cheka', their HQ is in the same building as the Cheka, except their officers are above ground while the Cheka occupy a bunker underneath. In the country the Metro is replaced by the L.C. or 'Local Constabulary' while on the fringes of the States there are Sheriffs, who are basically indistinguishable from the army. The whole country is crawling with police officers, (except in times of war where they act as reserves).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

This whole business was begining to make Claudius distinctly uneasy, "Ah, yes, I think Dyelli Beybi would be a little hard pressed to deal with any form of robotic implants, perhaps some other Federation state, such as D.G.N.T. or the L.O.W. would be able to help in this situation."

Telepathic diseased?!?!?! By God, I'll have to be careful. He was following John around, teacup in one hand, cane in the other. The cane was what gave the Occultists most of their power, it was carved from one of the 'homocidal' plants of the Gonad Peninsula. Claudius's was from the most dangerous of such plants, the 'Klatchian Oak' while less accomplished Occultists would carry one made from 'Strangler Teak' or 'Triffid'. There was a peculiar link between the Dyelli Beybians and the Gonad Peninsula which gave them the ability to do some strange things, especially when carrying something from that particularly magical part of Klatch on their person, "Ah....what exactly is Zeras' syndrome?"

Claudius was already forming the opinion that the syndrome was something that caused some very unpleasant impairments of the brain functions, after all this John seemed to be completely off his rocker. He was also begining to believe he was about to come under some form of telepathic attack, so was working on what the Dyelli Beybians had dubbed a 'firewall' or 'Hadrian's wall' depending upon whether they more of a computer buff or classical scholar.

Catalina adopted a sour look, "Great, just fucking great. For the first time in God knows how many years someone from the Service sets foot on foreign soil and it can't even be a clean in and out. Oh well, I guess that's what we're paid for."

At the last sentence she produced a medium-sized handgun that looked like a hybrid between a Glock, M1911, and Browning Hi-Power. Once she had checked the ammo count she looked up and said, "Sorry about not telling you that I was carrying, but I couldn't come unprepared and the way I figure it you might need an extra gun if things get out of hand. So, let's go, shall we?"

Nobody seemed at all surprised she was carrying a weapon, Himmler and von Scheer both left the room with the mysterous window watcher, while Dzerzhinsky did a last minute sweep of the room to make sure they hadn't left anything incriminating behind, "I wouldn't worry too much." he said, his own pistol, a Tokarev, was still holstered, "We can keep them occupied at the front door by flashing Cheka ID cards at them."

He gave a wry smile, "Nobody wants to get on our bad side it seems, and without any hard evidence I'd warrant the Gestapo would be very reluctant to search a building full of Cheka, even at the behest of other Cheka."

He opened the door for Catalina, "After you."

With the two new fleets linked up on the SUPERCET network and the extra security those provided, Fleet Admiral Dae Kim could now relax somewhat. Her only serious worry was still her allies' fleets; they weren't in as secure of a position as hers were. She turned to her FCO and said, "Signal the Hamptonshire and Pacific Northwestern fleets, request that they reform on our flanks, our combined AA should be enough to overwhelm the FKC bombers if they should attempt an attack."

"Do it", ordered Admiral Michaels. With that, the Pacific Northwesterian fleet moved into position guarding SS's all-important flank. Upon arrival, they also ordered that no ship should fire unless given a direct order. A message was sent to the SS command, on a coded frequency: "we're in position, awaiting instructions."

The Vrakian satellites along with the A-50 Mainstays long range recon aircraft noted the incoming fleets and the current positions of the enemy. The information was sent to the High Command where analysts and tacticians made summary reports and devised strategy.

One report reached the Intelligence Director who let out a low whistle and then read it outloud to the assembled walruses, adding in his own colourful adjectives.

-Those stupid Scandavians send two more fleets roughtly in equal size to the first , bringing there total to about 516 ships. And those Hamptonshire fools, with already 103 ships are sending two more fleets. It looks like each one is about equal in size.[

He leaned back and poured himself a scotch. He lazily looked upwards and then turned to the High Admiral.

-What do you think?
-It’s obvious. Since they did not try diplomacy first and are reinforcing their fleets, they are only using this “piracy” excuse as a prelude to invasion. Both countries have not publically provided any evidence. As well, does it take 400 plus ship to hunt for pirates – not including the current ships they have sent? I can think of far cheaper and more effective ways of rooting out “piracy” than their sledgehammer approach.
-Indeed. I agree with you. So, what can we do?
-Recall the 5th and 6th projection fleets. Attack their logistical support, since they are far from home. Or, we can send the two fleets off the coast of Scandavian States and divert their attention. See how they like that. Otherwise, there is not much we can do. I can send out the 3rd projection fleet to reinforce any JDF or other FKC states but that will take time.

The High Air Marshal broke in.

-Clearly, our strength here lays in the air. Activating the Southern HORDE air grid, we can bring to bear over 5000 figher craft and over 1600 bombers. I’m not including the bombers and fighters already activated in Alezigrad and the Corridor. It will take time, obviously, but we do have the resources. Those mega factories were a great boon in rebuiding our country.
-What about the reserves?
-If we need them, of course we’ll call them up. But they will play a role in air defense.

-If I may say something here…

It was the High General.

-Yes, High General?
-Once those fleets of these meddlers are basically holding a stationary position, we should nuke them. It would get rid of all our problems in a single strike.

The others were aghast. Finally, the Intelligence director spoke up.

-And that will bring us a whole new round of problems. Listen, Scandavian States is not too smart. They have lost credibility and scorn is being heaped on them from their friends while we are gaining support. Their tactics will not work, and by reinforcing their fleets we can make a very good case for further humiliating them.
-Very well, Intelligence Director. But, I would rather nuke them.
-You will not, and see that you don’t. You have enough cruise missiles to keep them at bay should they decide to draw too close. This meeting is ajourned.

====

Throughout the southern portion of Vrak, airbases suddenly leapt to Level 2 status. Bombers and fighters of various types were being prepped while an increase in fighter screens – with manpower coming from the reserve/militia was noted.

Guardian fleet #10

The 6 ships changed course once again and began to plot an interecept course for the lead Hamptonshire reinforcement fleet.

Guardian fleet #8 and #16

Having seen the Hamptonshire task force Baker retreat back to it's main body, the two fleets turned and began to take up positions just 30 nautical miles out from the Dyellian minefield.

To: All nations
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: actions and consequences

We ask the world to condemn the actions of Doujin, Scandavian States, Pacific Northwesteria, and Hamptonshire for their illegal fleet movements in and near Klatchian waters.

They claim to be rooting out piracy. Yet, they have not provided a shred of evidence to the contrary. As well, we ask, does it really take 400 plus combat ship with more on the way to root out pirates - if such a threat did indeed exist?

No, it does not. Therefore, it is clear that they wish to do the FKC harm. They did not attempt any form of diplomacy first yet barged into our waters. And yet they call us belligerent.

We condemn these four nations and other allies that support them for their stupidity and their warmongering behaviour. And if they continue to park their fleets within or outside our waters, then we shall say that we are defending our homeland as we sink each and every ship of the warmongerers.

====

Near the Drakonian Imperium

The 5th and 6th projection fleets were given new orders. Slowly, they began to pinwheel away from Drakonia and headed home as quickly as possible.

To: All Nations
From: Hamptonian Foreign Ministry

You want evidence, eh. While we have transmitted this to your government before, you still make the allegation that we have not provided evidence. Is this just a further oversight of the Vrakian Government?

"We have a full right to take money and goods from the unmenschliche Geschöpfe weniger gültig als Menschen" he declared, in this case indicating all foreigners, "This is not theft. This is taxation. Dyelli Beybi is maintaining a very large minefield for the protection of shipping. We have a full right to charge for access to our waters."

Germania itself, nor any of its vessels have ever been pirated by Dyelli Beybi ships. Very much the opposite, Germania has often defended Dyelli Beybi and attempted to cover their tracks when the international community has complained. We stand at our previous stance, supporting Dyelli Beybi as a neighbor, sovereign state of the Klatch, and ally.

I would like to remind the international community that any strike against Dyelli Beybi itself, meaning its territories or any of its property or population within its own grounds, will be seen as an act of war against not only Dyelli Beybi, but the Klatch as a whole. Those who attack Dyelli Beybi directly will be retaliated against will full force.

The GDMO government does not condone the D.B. Kriegsmarine's policy toward piracy, but as we are aligned with the D.B. government, we refuse to take any actions to prevent these actions by its Kriegsmarine.

As previously stated by my our fellow Klatchians:
1) Sail past Dyelli Beybi at your own risk. If Dyelli Beybian piracy unnerves your ships, provide escorts or choose an alternate route.
2) In this matter, we see the D.B. Kriegsmarine and Dyelli Beybi itself as two separate entities. If you have matters to settle w/the Kriegsmarine, do not take it up w/the Klatch, nor attack the land of D.B.
3) Any attack upon D.B. soil will be considered an attack upon the FKC as a whole and will be retaliated against by the FKC as a whole.

Furthermore, in light of this current situation, we will allow all unarmed merchant ships that are waiting for their escorts to sail to 10 miles to the GDMO coast. Normally, GDMO waters extend to 50 miles offshore. This allows west-bound merchant ships to stay in the safety of the Bay of Lunacy, protected by the GDMO navy and GDMO sovereignty (with regards to D.B.).


From: Dyelli Beybian Kriegsmarine
To: All World Governments
Subject: Naval Standoff
In light of recent beligerent Naval actions by several foreign powers, it has been decreed by the Dyellian Government that any attempt to move submarines beneath the sonar net established off the minefield or any grouping of more than 3 surface combat vessels within 20 nautical miles of the minefield will be interpretend as an act of agression and such shipping will be subject to hostile fire from Dyelli Beybian patrol aircraft.

The GDMO would like to remind Dyelli Beybi and all foreign fleets that the current naval and land deployments are a result of the perceived threat to the Klatch. We do not support the piratical activities of the Djellian Kriegsmarine. If you have matters to settle with Dyelli Beybi, do it with his ships in international waters. If you have merchantmen sailing close to Dyelli Beybi, avoid it all costs if you want to avoid a scrape. If a GDMO naval presence can deter you from sailing too close to DB, then so be it.

However, DO NOT, under any circumstances, dare to sail into or attack a Dyelli Beybian vessel in Klatchian waters. Nor will you dare to engage any other Klatchian vessel that has not attacked you. Be advised once more that if the Klatch itself is attacked, the whole of the FKC will retaliate in full force, regardless of our support (or lack thereof) for Djellian activities in the South Klatchian Sea. In layman's terms, be on your best behavior, or we will have your ass.


You are near Klatchian waters without stating your intentions. State your intentions else we will automatically assume your presence is hostile.
That was a coded transmission sent to the lead ship of Task Force Baker. As Vrak itself says, we "are near" Klatchian waters, not in, not next to, not approaching, near.

Time and again DB and the other Klatchian nations themselves provided the evidence linking DB, or at least the naval elements of the DB military, to piracy.

All of these quotes were from press releases, general communiques, and other specific forms of communication that would be available to anybody. None of these messages were encrypted and all of the quotes used here were either directly or indirectly sent by the first party to the Government/Royal Navy of the Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire itself.

The actions of the Royal Navy in Klatch are not for empire, glory, riches, or fame. Piracy is an affront to a basic right of humanity- Freedom of the Seas. While the OMP and HRN (Hamptonian Royal Navy) fleet presences are by the very nature meant to 'show the flag', the reason they were sent there was because Vrak and the other members of Klatch did nothing to stop DB's piracy. Where is the pressure of Vrak on DB calling for the dismantling of their minefield? Where is the condemnation of DB because of seize of neutral merchant vessels? Where are Klatchian law enforcement officers and the Klatchian Justice system?

You, Vrak, seem to be very fond of a section of the OMP Charter.
1)"That all nations shall seek at all times to keep the seas free from all those who wish to hamper maritime commerce. All nations shall actively agree to provide safe territorial waters and submit to providing expeditionary forces where appropriate in order to eliminate any pirate or privateer threat."

Perhaps you have overlooked the last sentence of that quotation you seem to like.

The only nation to actively threaten war as of this date is Vrak itself.

Consider that.

"Goddamn it..." Defense Minister von Niemann sighed. Exhausted, he pushed a button on his intercom.

"Jenkins, call up Admiral Lornier and tell him that I want to see him right away."
_______________

2 Hours Later...

The door to the Minister of Defense's office opened and a short, stocky man in the dress of an admiral walked in. On his breast was pinned a badge that said V. LORNIER.

"Ah, Victor. I presume you know why I called you in?"

"Well, sir, I'd say that either Dyelli Beybi just did something extremely stupid, or the OMP did something extremely stupid."

"There's no need to 'sir' me, Victor. And yes, you're right. Amazingly, though, this time it wasn't the Dyelli Beybians." He took a shot of the whiskey he swirled in his tumbler. "Amazingly, I know."

He set down the tumbler on his desk and continued, "Scandavian States and Hamptonshire are each sending two more fleets to the South Klatchian Sea."

At this, Admiral Lornier's right eyebrow perked up. The Defense Minister saw this and said, "Yes, that would give them somewhere in the neighborhood of four hundred to five hundred more ships floating around in the SKS."

"Our 2nd and 3rd Fleets are there right now," Admiral Lornier said, "We barely number a hundfed surface ships, and not even a hundred combatant. Despite it being the largest Klatchian naval presence in that area (OOC: Correct me if I'm wrong.), we'd get our butts handed to us. We have to either reinforce or pull out."

Minister von Niemann stared at the admiral with his steely grey eyes.

After a pause, Admiral Lornier said, "So retreating is not an option. But if we reinforce our fleets there--"

"We'll slide down the all-too-slippery slope to war," the Minister interjected, "I know. So, we're not going to move our fleets to the SKS. Call our fleets back. Yes, all of them. (With the exception of the 2nd and 3rd, of course.) We'll station them in other waters near the Klatch. As Navy Chief of Staff, what do you say to that, Admiral?"

"Well, I guess the 1st Fleet could be to the northern end of the Marx Sea. They'll arrive in about 3 weeks (3 RL days) if we move fast. The 4th is cruising along in the west. They can go just south of Inbredia or Deleance in maybe, oh, 2 weeks (2 RL days). The 5th is way to the southeast. If you want them far enough away from Dyelli Beybi, they can arrive at the southeastern part of Jiggady within 4 weeks, or maybe 3 and a half if we haul ass (3.5-4 RL days). The 6th is also in the east. Put them at the entrance of the Bay of Lunacy in about 1.5 weeks (1.5 RL days). The 7th is probably the closest right now. It's crisscrossing the Northern Sea right now, and can be in the Dark Sea within 5 days. (<1RL day). The 8th, 10th, and 13th are too far away, but I'll call them back, anyways. Give them about one and a half months (6 RL days). The 9th is coming up from the south. Put them at the southern end of the Marx Sea in about 2.5 weeks (2.5 RL days). The 11th and 12th are conducting exercises in the south, as well. Give them almost a month (3.5 RL days) to make it back up to the southern end of the Marx Sea."

The Minister sighed and said, "Fine. That's an awfully long time, but if that's how long we have to wait, then so be it. Carry out those orders. And although fleet movements don't tend to go unnoticed, try to make it as quiet as possible?"

The Admiral saluted and exited out the door.

(OOC: Don't ask me about fleet numbers yet, cause I don't even know. However, each fleet will be comparable to the 2nd and 3rd fleets.)

Attn: All nations
From: GDMO Foreign Ministry

What worries the Klatch is the fact that the OMP has sent hundreds of ships into waters outside our own to root out a fairly minor pirate threat. Diplomacy and maybe a small to medium sized task force would have been enough.

However, the OMP did not choose that route.

It has, instead, decided to park several fleets right outside of Klatchian territorial waters. Although you may claim that you have every right to stay where you are, we, likewise, have every right to feel threatened by your actions. If there are going to be several OMP fleets (that seemingly have no intentions of moving) within striking distance of the Klatch, we will be ready for any aggression, should it come.

This situation has progressed beyond a OMP vs. DB scale. With your actions, you threaten the entire Klatch, so the Klatch will deal accordingly.

Attn: All nations
From: GDMO Foreign Ministry

What worries the Klatch is the fact that the OMP has sent hundreds of ships into waters outside our own to root out a fairly minor pirate threat. Diplomacy and maybe a small to medium sized task force would have been enough.

However, the OMP did not choose that route.

It has, instead, decided to park several fleets right outside of Klatchian territorial waters. Although you may claim that you have every right to stay where you are, we, likewise, have every right to feel threatened by your actions. If there are going to be several OMP fleets (that seemingly have no intentions of moving) within striking distance of the Klatch, we will be ready for any aggression, should it come.

This situation has progressed beyond a OMP vs. DB scale. With your actions, you threaten the entire Klatch, so the Klatch will deal accordingly.

OOC: This comes from this (http://s7.invisionfree.com/KIST/index.php?showtopic=93) thread.

IC:
To: All Klatchian Nations
From: Hamptonian Foreign and Justice Ministries

We accept the Vrakian offer to bring this to an international court. This Government would suggest a 6 member panel made up of nations that both sides agree to. While we continue in our position that we will not pay Klatch any sum of money, this Government would be more than happy to bring the current activies of the naval forces of DB to a quick and permanent end.

[snip]


OOC: Hamp's post is the same found in the KIST (http://s7.invisionfree.com/KIST/index.php?showtopic=93&st=15) so, since I'm lazy, I'll just reprint my argument from there to here. I'm also not going to bother reposting stuff from KIST to these forums so if you want to follow the dialogue then check out the KIST forums.

IC:

To: Hamptonshire Diplomats
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: accusations

Clearly, the Dyellians indicated that it is not piracy but a certain form of taxation that they are engaging in. To illustrate, it is much like paying a toll to use a bridge. The "piracy" remarks made by North Germania, Mount Ozarka, and any others were used in the language that foreigners such as yourself could understand. You think "piracy" but really, it is a form of taxation.

Now, the Dyellians may have went about collecting the tax in an inappropriate manner. We really don't know since we've never had any taxation problems with the Dyellians. We suspect that if others have, then they should file a grievance at the appropriate authorities and work through the proper diplomatic channels rather than threatening - which you and other OMP nations and their allies are doing. We should add that we are quite unimpressed with the chest thumping displayed by yourself and other OMP nations and their allies thus far since it indicates to us that all of you are uncivilized.

The remark from the Captain commanding Guardian fleet#8 obviously in error. He knows that the FKC exclusive economic zone extends far beyond 100 nautical miles. But the slip from a Captain certainly does not change the fact that the FKC exclusive zone extends far beyond 100 nautical miles. You will have to do better than that.

Also, in regards to the last quote, we certainly did not leave it out. We are not signatories to the OMP so why are we beholden to the contents of the treaty? It seems that you are trying to force your agenda upon our way of life. Nations that Vrak trades with have never had any problem arriving and leaving our waters.

Finally, we don't bargain well under threats. If the forces of any and all OMP nations along with all other nations currently participating in the illegal fleet manouvers in Klatchian waters would vacate to a position no less that 3000 nautical miles from the shores of the FKC, then certainly a rational discussion can take place. But if you and your ilk prefer not to pursue this course of action, then you will be exposed as you truly are - that of warmongering self-righteous meddlers, and be dealt with in a language that you understand.

====

To: Hamptonian Foreign and Justice Ministries
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: court

An odd number for the panel is needed. We suggest no more than three: one from you, one from us, and one that we both can agree upon. As well, any OMP nation or any nation that is currently participating in the illegal exercises will be automatically be rejected by us.

We are quite positive that we can make a case proving that the presence of you and other OMP nations and their allies in this current illegal exercise is grounds for us pursuing compensation.

Wow, someone with the same ideas I have, when it comes to telepathy. *Yays*

<snip>

"Mhm... That could work." John pondered for a few moments. "I heard the Klatch is a rather... Complex region, so it shouldn't be outright impossible. And since I have no idea as of just what is happening at home... Meh. As for Zeras' syndrome... Well, imagine chaos spreading in your brain, slowly, taking up, errr... Valuable space. But one can live with it, and occasionally win some areas back... Again, meh." He hesitated, for a moment. "But why not? One can always try it." He opened a door... Behind it, the two sailors, naked, bound, gagged and penetrated, waited. Turning around, he smiled. "I think I will accept your offer. I suggest you contact your people, I will turn the ship and, uh... Go wherever you lead me to. But for now... I have some more... Pleasurable things to do." He smiled a little. "Of course, if you have any desire to join... You're welcome. I'm known for my hospitality."

(OOC) I had a response drawn out but the forums ate it. Oh well I will post tomorrow.

The Warehouse
The man hadn't complained, just nodded at the foreign agent for a moment and then proped himself against a wall waiting. His comment was, "Really, I'll just wait to make sure no problem arises in the montary delivery."

When someone in a grey coat moved forward with handcuffs he scoffed. "Really, I think where ever we are going it is going to be easier and less suspicous if you don't put those on me. I am willing to come along...but not in those...."

The Phone Call
"I would say your Majesty that we do need to curb people's excesses. The problem is that none of the states would willingly give up their power for more Federal Control."

She pauses for a moment, "And really sometimes your foreign service can cause us problems also. I think you severaly overestimated the costs that your shipping fleet has incurred from the OMP. After all, our merchant marine is running around armed because of the Emirates not the OMP."

[b]Outside Port Olympus[b]
The JDF airbase began to launch high altitude reconnicance aircraft to fly over all fleets in the Southern Klatchian Ocean.

A long line of lake monitors and gunboats began to travel south along the Benji River.

[Code Secure JDF Ground Lines to State Governments]
Presently, a temporary base will be set up at the Benj river delta near Fasta to re-equip and refuel any Klatchian warships in the feild. It is advised that tankers be sent to this area to help in refueling efforts.

To: All nations
From: PNDC
Subject: Response to allegations

To: All nations
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: actions and consequences

We ask the world to condemn the actions of Doujin, Scandavian States, Pacific Northwesteria, and Hamptonshire for their illegal fleet movements in and near Klatchian waters.
Vrak has previously declared that the Klatch disregards "international law", as there is no true world government. That was their basis for surprising the OMP with previously un-declared "territorial waters". However, they now call the actions of not just a nation, but a body of nations, illegal. We have not fired a shot, and have obviously committed no war crimes. Also, we are not "in" Klatchian waters. "Near" would better describe it.

They claim to be rooting out piracy. Yet, they have not provided a shred of evidence to the contrary. As well, we ask, does it really take 400 plus combat ship with more on the way to root out pirates - if such a threat did indeed exist?
The piracy threat has been proven by my associate, the representative from Hamptonshire. As far as the 400-plus ships? Initially, it had appeared that the entire DB Navy consisted of pirates. That was the [posted by DB] information at the time. So, we sent a sizable force to prevent the DB Navy from leaving harbor and continuing their acts of piracy. This was decided upon instead of attacking the fleet outright, because coastal installations would have come into play. We were faced with what we feared was a nation of pirates, so communication seemed unlikely to work. Would these pirates stop their thievery after a stern word? Doubtful. It would just give them time to prepare for an attack.
Upon arrival, it seemed clear that not the entire DB Navy consisted of pirates. We learned further that it was very isolated. However, the DB Navy seemed intent on protecting these true criminals [outside of NS, show me one country where stealing something at gunpoint isn't illegal]. This meant that our fleets had to stay to protect themselves. With Vrak and other coming into play, it seemed that our original mission of bringing some wayward privateers to heel was seriously in danger. And these accusations of preparing to invade? With what? The OMP would not even open fire on any part of the Klatch itself, unless that part happened to start shooting at their fleets.
Then, Vrak and DB started sending and preparing forces. Our attempts [OOC and IC] to show that we meant no harm to the Klatch fell on deaf ears. Not because it was communicated in a mysterious form that they didn't understand [ooc] but rather because they didn't want to. They felt that if they made a big enough stink, the international community would turn against the justified OMP and thus protect the pirates themselves. The danger to the OMP fleets was growing. We brought our fleets together to provide a more cohesive air defense front, but still we felt vulnerable. So, reinforcements were needed. When diplomacy failed to make Vrak care that we were on a mission purely to hunt pirates (despite the large fleet size, because we were expecting more pirates) we reinforced our positions to keep from being slaughtered. You may say, "why did you not withdraw your forces when you realized that the pirate problem was isolated?" and my response, ladies and gentlement, would be, "We could not withdraw our existing forces, because we had already gotten death threats from Vrak, even before the true nature of the pirates came to light." Can you deny a well-intentioned nation's right to defend it's fleet? Did these reinforcements carry any invasion craft, which could be a precursor to ground war? Keep in mind that the OMP is the Organization of Maritime Powers [do italics work on the new boards? i guess i'll see in a sec]. Our strength does not lay in ground forces. Invade a region? Not a chance.

No, it does not. Therefore, it is clear that they wish to do the FKC harm. They did not attempt any form of diplomacy first yet barged into our waters. And yet they call us belligerent.
We have not "barged into your waters", as we are not IN your waters. The lack of warning....erm... diplomacy was already explained, considering the pirate threat we believed that we faced. We have no means of harming the FKC. Also, the "belligerent" comment was in response to your declaration that you would sink all of our ships. Not a very nice thing to do. We pose no threat to Vrak, none to DB, merely a threat to the isolated piratical officers within the DBN. An intent which we declared. And have proven. And have had ignored diplomatically.
We condemn these four nations and other allies that support them for their stupidity and their warmongering behaviour. And if they continue to park their fleets within or outside our waters, then we shall say that we are defending our homeland as we sink each and every ship of the warmongerers.
Ok, condemn away. You have already lost much of my respect by not caring about the pirate problems of your neighbor. As for you "stupidity" comment, I feel that's a bit immature. Thou, who speakest of diplomacy, verily doth not posess talent in such pursuits. [Translation: In your complaint about our lack of diplomacy, you say just about the most un-diplomatic thing ever.] Now let's get this straight. You say that you will sink "every ship of the 'warmongerers'" if we are near your territorial waters. We have ships, on a mission that concerns no sovereign nation, outside of even your vastly inflated regional territories, and you say you will sink them. They are in international waters. Near is not good enough. The concept of national waters is that you are allowed to act if they come near your mainland. Ok, all well and good. But you are saying that we are close to close to your mainland. If that logic is allowed, then the [i]real territorial waters would be what you declare plus, oh, 20 NM or so? And then what if we were parked right outside of THAT boundary? Again, if that flawed logic is allowed, one could say that your fleet, Vrak, is too close to close to close to close to close to close to close to close to close to my territorial waters. We insist that you move them, or our Navy will come out and sail for a few weeks and then sink yours. That's unrealistic. Near sends a message, but is not an act of war in any sense. That's why boundaries are defined... specifically. [apologize for long, rambling post, but I believe I have valid points. I was merely attempting to plug holes in my argument.]



Near the Drakonian Imperium

The 5th and 6th projection fleets were given new orders. Slowly, they began to pinwheel away from Drakonia and headed home as quickly as possible.
Ok, escalate if you wish. Apparently you really want this war. ::sigh::

The Phone Call
"I would say your Majesty that we do need to curb people's excesses. The problem is that none of the states would willingly give up their power for more Federal Control."


She pauses for a moment, "And really sometimes your foreign service can cause us problems also. I think you severaly overestimated the costs that your shipping fleet has incurred from the OMP. After all, our merchant marine is running around armed because of the Emirates not the OMP."

-It wouldn't matter if we claimed a single kronor. They are stubborn like some other meddlers we've dealt with in the past and continue to deal with.

OOC:

PN, please see the OOC thread for my full response to your needless longwinded post.

To all nations involved:

Acts of piracy in Klatchian waters concern, Klatchians. We condemn any nation that sends it's ships, forces or any other force otherwise uninvited into another nation or region. The Scandavian States, Hamptonshire and others have moved forces into the sphere of influence of another region. These nations are threating the territorial integrity of this entire region and are precipitating a conflict to stop acts of piracy.

To date the Free Republic has no information on any actual acts of 'piracy' that have recently taken place in Klatchian waters, nor have we seen any evidence of 'piracy'. We are aware of Dyelli Byebi's ridiculous claims that they may help themselves to the goods on any foreign vessels , but that is an internal matter and other nations do not wish to be victimized, they should steer clear of Dyelli Byebi's waters.

It has been obvious for some years that Klatchians operated a zone of territorial control, including Klatchian territorial waters. Pacifica Northwestria's claim that Vrak 'suprised' the OMP with Klatchian territorial waters claim is absolutely ridiculous. The OMP has no jurisdiction in region and there is no reason the OMP should have been specifically made aware of teritorial claims.

This entire incident stems from one nations policy of interdiction and then several other uninvolved nations taking action upon themselves and seeking to immediately send in warships with no forethought or consideration for regional inhabitants or territorial claims.The OMP and it's representatives in this conflict have acted in an imperious and completely unjustified manner.

The Free Republic is hereby offering to our friends in Vrak to sell to them at a greatly discounted price our surplus cruisers, destroyers, frigates and battleships to help enhance their territorial and regional security.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad
Minister of Defence, Ilek-Vaad

OOC:

PN, please see the OOC thread for my full response to your needless longwinded post.

[Excuse me? I have a few things to observe.
1. Your full response consists of repeating previous arguments, and not addressing my issues.
2. Needless and longwinded or needlessly longwinded? Either way, you still haven't ICly addressed my issues. And by the way, I had to make it longwinded, because in my previous experience whenever I leave out the most miniscule detail you (vrak) magnify it 10000 times and say that it is obvious that I'm wrong. To sum it up: Vrak, you play dirty in your debates.
3. It seems like most of your newer posts are the product of running older posts through a very limited thesaurus. After a bit of analysis, I have determined that you really really enjoy the words "ilk", "warmonger", and "belligerent". Very nice words, but repeating them over and over won't make you any more right.]

To all nations involved:

Acts of piracy in Klatchian waters concern, Klatchians. (non-relevant-to-my-point stuff removed, for the record)

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad
Minister of Defence, Ilek-Vaad

Piracy concerns the OMP. Also, with a little deduction, one can prove that it does in fact involve the outside world.
1. DB, in his original post, makes it obvious that the pirates weren't targeting DB ships, they were targeting foreign ships.
2. Other FKC nations have said that they had never had a problem with DB piracy (as a means of trying to cool the jets of the OMP... litterally)
3. Thus, the piracy was being committed against ships outside of the Klatch, thus an issue of nations outside of the Klatch.
Anyone who can find a flaw in this logic, please respond... coherently, this time, please.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: All nations involved in the Dyelli Beybi "inicident"
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: Iuthian Trade Issues
Message:

To whom it may concern,

We would like to take this oportunity to inform all nations and their naval forces surrounding the coasts of Jiggady, a neighbouring nation to Dyelli Beybi, that we intend to move a small preportion of forces in order to act as escorts for our trade shipments in and out of the sector. We have aquired permission to escort Vrakian shipments for safe passage through their waters to continue Iuthian trade. As well as a small fleet of Iuthian vessals to observe the situation and offer support should it be required.

These escort vessals, and local fleet will be on orders to follow the rules of engagement and will not fire unless fired upon, we will protect our vessals and shipment from any aggressors, regardless.

Any concerns you may have please communicate them directly to myself and I will answer all questions,

thanks,

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps
------------------------------------------------------------------------

And with that the latest Iuthian shipments of Gold, Automobiles, Communcation equipment, Computers and General electronics a rather small fleet took off to travel with the vessals and then camp on the edge of the region to keep an eye on the situation. Meanwhile several additional Frigate - class vessals were brought along to escort both this shipment and the return shipment of Textiles and and Furs needed for Iuthian import.

It would take several days for the cargo to arrive in the region, however warnings were given out to each nation involved... later communications from the fleet itself would confirm Iuthias presence in the incident as an observer.

Piracy concerns the OMP. Also, with a little deduction, one can prove that it does in fact involve the outside world.
1. DB, in his original post, makes it obvious that the pirates weren't targeting DB ships, they were targeting foreign ships.
2. Other FKC nations have said that they had never had a problem with DB piracy (as a means of trying to cool the jets of the OMP... litterally)
3. Thus, the piracy was being committed against ships outside of the Klatch, thus an issue of nations outside of the Klatch.
Anyone who can find a flaw in this logic, please respond... coherently, this time, please.


OOC: Is this an OOC or IC post please?

OOC: Is this an OOC or IC post please?

OOC: I would assume it to be a OOC post... until they can format it to seem IC.

Translated from Vrakian.

-Well, that would make the Great Clam burp.
-What?
-Ilek Vaad has offered to sell us surplus equipment.
-Really? What do we know about them?
-Not much. But they are in the same region as Scandavian States.
-Do you suppose this is some kind of trap?
-It could be. But somehow, I feel that the offer is genuine. Which means that the actions of the OMP, at least by some of its members, is bringing the name into disrepute. And that possibly allies of some OMP nations wish to distance themselves from the whole affair. This offer is the strongest yet from an entirely unexpected quarter. It is, how does that idiom go, “out of left field”.
-Indeed. Send a team to them immediately. While it would take months to train out crews which would not exactly help in this current conflict, we might be able to buy as much as possible on FKC credit. That is, other FKC states can benefit as well.
-Well, they are the vendor so it’s up to them. But, you know, I like the possibilities that this opens up.
-It’s comforting to know that outsiders are willing to take a stand against stupidity.

====

To: Ilek-Vaad Ministry of Foreign Affairs
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: surplus ships

We are comforted by the fact that you have offered us diplomatic support. As well, we certainly cannot pass you up on your offer. A team of our military procurement specialists are enroute.

====

On the tarmac, a full diplomatic contigent along with buyers from the procurement division boarded the hypersonic transport. With a roar, it rose above the smog and charted a course for Ilek-Vaad, full of trepidation and hope.

To:Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
From: Pirate Queen Ann Marie Bonny I.
Subject: Protection of the trade lanes

While we feel that we are doing an excellent job protecting trade in the area, as our ships are not moving into the conflict over Dyelli Beybi they are guarding the trade lanes, your ships shall be granted full permision to sail in, out of and around our waters to protect your trade interests. Our ports and harbours will be open as a safe haven to any of your vessels that seek them. Jiggady wants nothing more than to be an example of how diplomacy can still function between nations of the world; Which these foreign devils of the OMP seem to forget.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: Pirate Queen Ann Marie Bonny I.
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: re: Protection of the trade lanes
Message:

Pirate Queen Ann Marie Bonny the 1st,

We thank you for your understanding and for your forgiveness of our rude behaviour, we should have notified yourselves first of our wish to operate around your waters. We would not be doing so were it not for the Vrakian concerns over the large preportion of vessals in the area... and concidering the aggressive natures of some of these nations we feel we can understand their concern in this matter.

We may well take you up on your offer and request use for your ports and harbours for easy resupply of our military vessals fuel, with due payment of course. Perhaps co-ordination is in order for our protection of these waters during the termoil of this time, such a co-ordination may increase the efficiency of such a peaceful operation.

Again, we apologise for not contacting you first, we trust that no harm has been done to our relations,

thanks,

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Translated from Vrakian.


To: Ilek-Vaad Ministry of Foreign Affairs
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: surplus ships

We are comforted by the fact that you have offered us diplomatic support. As well, we certainly cannot pass you up on your offer. A team of our military procurement specialists are enroute.

====

On the tarmac, a full diplomatic contigent along with buyers from the procurement division boarded the hypersonic transport. With a roar, it rose above the smog and charted a course for Ilek-Vaad, full of trepidation and hope.


The Transport was hailed while still several hundred miles from the Free Republic.

"This is Lassic Control. I have been asked by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to welcome you to the Free Republic and give you headings to the Costa-Tula Military Air-Base. Mr. Tlalocitl of Costa-Tula Shipyards LTD will be there to greet you. Please do not deviate from this heading. Have a nice stay."

They are then routed to the Southern Coast of Ilek-Vaad, the lush and steamy jungles and mangroves visible against the thousands of miles of untouched volcanic beaches.

Costa-Tula becomes immediately visible a city of some 90 million, with a line of ships that stretch from the port to sea (it is one of two international sea ports). The beautiful city is mostly gleaming white, and is surrounded by tropical resorts and beaches, as well as a huge Naval Guard base on the island of Costa-Verde in the harbour.

The delegates can easily count several thousand civilian merchant vessels queued for unloading and several hundred vessels of war, moving in and out for patrols, exercises, etc...

OOC: and to not muddle this thread any more than is necessary:http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=6854286#post6854286

To: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima

We have taken no such offense from any of your actions, and are only glad that there are some nations outside of the FKC that act with reason and are cordial. Jiggady has long had isolationist feelings however, I agree with you, as well as many of my top advisors, that a co-ordination between our navies is essential in the protection of waters from any hostile force during this threat of violence.


In your service,

Ann Marie Bonny I. Queen, Piratical Island Union of Jiggady.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: Pirate Queen Ann Marie Bonny I.
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: re: re: Protection of the trade lanes
Message:

Pirate Queen Ann Marie Bonny the 1st,

We thank you for your kind words, we've always made a point of being polite during diplomacy, especially in when dealing in other nations region and it's only right that we inform you fully of our intentions within your region. We can understand that military vessals are cause for concern and increase the costs of trading due to danger pay and additional precautions taken.

Never the less we are pleased with your agreement of our offer and will being co-ordination immediately. Please don't hesitate in raising any concerns or wishes that you have.

thanks,

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps
------------------------------------------------------------------------

OOC: I will assume that our two naval command centres are comminicating between one another and organising coverage of all trade routes for both our nations, as well as looking into any concerning contacts...

Once members of the OMP and other nations have posted a little I will RP the arrival of Iuthian forces (afterall, these things take time).

Iuthia, your ships will not be harmed. No matter how evil the FKC is trying to make us look, the OMP will not attack a merchant vessel. However, your escorts are a very good idea. In case you haven't heard, there are pirates in the area. If you are attacked, merely say the word and you shall receive aid.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
My deductions about the pirates were IC, sorry for the confusion.

Attn: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
From: GDMON Central Command
RE: Iuthian convoys

Reading your transmission, we wish to inform you that, depending on when your convoys arrive, there is a large chance that your convoys may be sailing very close to several of our fleets and battlegroups that are around Jiggady, watching the situation warily.

Our ships mean you no harm and will stand down. We will allow you to sail by without incident (unless fired upon, of course). However, if any of your ships should require assistance, do not hesitate to call upon us or any of our ships.

We thank you for your support of the Klatch and wish your ships a safe journey.
--ADM. VICTOR LORNIER, Navy Chief of Staff

------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: Leaders of the Pacific Northwesteria
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: Iuthian Agenda
Message:

Dear respected leader,

With all due respect, we feel that given the circumstances we have been presented with, we feel it is important to show an interest to our contacts in Vrak in the security of our trade shipments. So far we have lost substantial amounts of funds through the affair and we stand to loose more should this matter continue for a prolonged period of time.

While we have heard unconfirmed reports of piracy in this region it has not affected our trade in the slightest thus far and as such we have dismissed the claim until recently, where we have discovered, must to our dislike, that our trade has been halted because the security of our shipments have been compromised by a large number of potentially hostile forces who did not have the forsight to contact anyone officially regarding their deployment.

Now we don't have any interest in getting directly involved with the arguements over piracy and compensation... however we would like to secure our trade route and assure our contacts in Vrak that it is safe for them to continue their trade. Assuming our vessals are not fired open and no incidents occur between our vessals, or the Jiggady vessals for that matter, then we can continue with our normal trade shipments and return to a less anoyed state.

We thank you for your co-operation in this matter, we only hope you are as conciderate to the inhabitants of this region in the future.

thanks,

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps
------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: Iuthia
From: Leaders of Pacific Northwesteria
Subject: Relations
The Leaders of Pacific Northwesteria are saddened that you hold us in such low esteem. Let us assure you that our only fault is stooping to the level of such nations as DB and Vrak. We find that you seem to be the most polite nation in the theater, and hope that our relations are nothing but friendly. Your merchant vessels have nothing to fear from our ships, and your escort vessels (as long as it's not an entire fleet with it's guns primed) will be allowed to pass as close as they wish to my fleet without us considering it an act of war.
As far as the issue of piracy, the reports have been confirmed, and there is in deed a threat of piracy, although it is greatly lessened by your escorts and your friends in the Klatch. We even have evidence to suggest that piracy within the Klatch itself is very limited, as the pirates feel at least some loyalty to their region. If we are lucky, the pirates are holding off at the moment to avoid inflaming the already-bad situation.
Although it is regrettable that you seem to share the mistaken beliefs of Vrak, almost to the letter, we hold you in the highest regard as peaceful merchants.
Yours in peace,
President Zwimbala

------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: GDMON Central Command
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: re: re: Iuthian convoys
Message:

Dear Admiral Victor Lornier,

We thank you for your co-operation in this matter, we assure you our vessals will remain peaceful as per the rules of engagement. Our main fleet will remain outside of the region limits so their number should no concern you and we assure all members of your region that they are only there as observers whom may offer support to my vessals should any conflict occur, though it's becoming increasingly clear that this should not be the case.

As per our assurance made to the Jiggady Navy we are assisting in the defence of vital trade routes in the area and as such we expect that there should be no clashes between our ships and the ships of this region.

thanks,

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps
------------------------------------------------------------------------

To: Leaders of the Pacific Northwesteria
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: re: Relations
Message:

Dear respected leaders,

While you may concider it "regrettable" that we chose to side with our contacts in Vrak, we feel that concidering our part of the situation it is in our best interests not to become tangled in the arguements of either side. We are simply reacting to a problem with the information avaiable.

We assure you that while we are somewhat anoyed that others would show such lack of concideration as some of your allies have, we do not feel it reflects too harshly on your nations as a whole. It just goes to show that when dealing in large naval deployments it does well to inform local area in which you will be operating first.

We ourselves have been warned in the past for planting large forces near other regions and found out that regions tend to be quite protective of their waters... fortunatly the misunderstanding was resolved and no harm was done.

We will continue to treat you with respect and co-operate with reasonable requests made by your navy... however are just to assure that we can conduct business. Please do not reply to this e-mail further unless you have anymore legitimate concerns.

thanks,

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere in Vrak…

Translated from Vrakian.

-Can you understand this gibberish?
-No, I cannot.
-Neither can I. However, I shall put our best linguists on it.
-Good idea. Then, once they are done, please send me a summary so I can draw up some kind of response.
-As you command.

====

To: Pacific Northwesteria
CC: Rest of the World
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps

Vrak has previously declared that the Klatch disregards "international law", as there is no true world government. That was their basis for surprising the OMP with previously un-declared "territorial waters". However, they now call the actions of not just a nation, but a body of nations, illegal. We have not fired a shot, and have obviously committed no war crimes. Also, we are not "in" Klatchian waters. "Near" would better describe it.

What gives you the right to impose your values on us? A group of like-minded individuals get together, form a little group, and suddenly that magically grants legitimacy? And the record shows that at least 9 ships (Task Force Baker) did come within 100 nautical miles, thereby violating the FKC exclusive economic zone. And what war crimes do you speak of? This “piracy” that you are fond of complaining about? Are you some kind of international tribunal now? Is the OMP a world court dispensing justice as it sees fit?

The piracy threat has been proven by my associate, the representative from Hamptonshire. As far as the 400-plus ships? Initially, it had appeared that the entire DB Navy consisted of pirates. That was the [posted by DB] information at the time. So, we sent a sizable force to prevent the DB Navy from leaving harbor and continuing their acts of piracy. This was decided upon instead of attacking the fleet outright, because coastal installations would have come into play. We were faced with what we feared was a nation of pirates, so communication seemed unlikely to work. Would these pirates stop their thievery after a stern word? Doubtful. It would just give them time to prepare for an attack.

Then your intelligence services are as inept as your leadership and diplomatic staff. It is not our fault that you are a nation of cretins allied with other cretins. For all you know, there might have been sympathetic states within the FKC to your cause. Certainly not now with your bull-headed “diplomacy”. We have already answered the flimsy evidence brought forward by Hamptonshire.

Upon arrival, it seemed clear that not the entire DB Navy consisted of pirates. We learned further that it was very isolated. However, the DB Navy seemed intent on protecting these true criminals [outside of NS, show me one country where stealing something at gunpoint isn't illegal]. This meant that our fleets had to stay to protect themselves. With Vrak and other coming into play, it seemed that our original mission of bringing some wayward privateers to heel was seriously in danger. And these accusations of preparing to invade? With what? The OMP would not even open fire on any part of the Klatch itself, unless that part happened to start shooting at their fleets.

We protect our homelands. Should be too hard for anyone to understand, even a nation full of concrete-headed people as yourselves. Besides, why should we believe you? You haven’t proven yourselves trustworthy at all.


Then, Vrak and DB started sending and preparing forces. Our attempts [OOC and IC] to show that we meant no harm to the Klatch fell on deaf ears. Not because it was communicated in a mysterious form that they didn't understand [ooc] but rather because they didn't want to. They felt that if they made a big enough stink, the international community would turn against the justified OMP and thus protect the pirates themselves. The danger to the OMP fleets was growing. We brought our fleets together to provide a more cohesive air defense front, but still we felt vulnerable. So, reinforcements were needed.

Initially, you and other OMP states plus allies send over 400 combat ships. Now you reinforce them. Is it any wonder we prepare to defend ourselves? We don’t bargain well under threat – including any so-called diplomatic overture you think you might have made. And 400 plus combat ships with more reinforcement is a threat. If you don’t believe us, try the same stunt near Melkor Unchained. The best way to difuse the entire situation is for all of you to go away. The record will show that Vrak stated twice for any nations that are concerned about any “piracy” to pursue a diplomatic channel first. These requests certainly fell on the deaf ears of the OMP.


#26
To: all concerned nations
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: piracy

we have never had a problem with pirate attacks upon our merchant marine ships. Perhaps if you have concerns, they we suggest you take it up with the necessary authorities.



#56
To: All nations mobilizing fleets
Frrom: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: Piracy

Again, we stress the fact that we've never had a problem with pirates - from any nation. We suggest that any grievance be laid at the proper authorities which will most likely be a better recourse of action rather than the costly, time-consuming, and potentially hostile movement of fleets into the oceans of the FKC.

Unwanted fleet movement by any nation will not be looked upon favorable by us, and we doubt very much that any one or few of you can match our industrial might and defense spending. And we will take whatever steps are necessary to defend our homeland.

In other words, we strongly suggest that you all reassess your current course of action.


You are the fools that created a big stink by sending 400 combat ships to us. Stop blaming us for your blunders.

When diplomacy failed to make Vrak care that we were on a mission purely to hunt pirates (despite the large fleet size, because we were expecting more pirates) we reinforced our positions to keep from being slaughtered. You may say, "why did you not withdraw your forces when you realized that the pirate problem was isolated?" and my response, ladies and gentlement, would be, "We could not withdraw our existing forces, because we had already gotten death threats from Vrak, even before the true nature of the pirates came to light."

What diplomacy? You mean the sending of 400 plus combat ships in the first wave? The record will show that Vrak issued “threats” after the arrival of your ships after we twice asked you to pursue diplomatic channels, which you did not do. You most certainly could have withdrawn your forces. You just didn’t try. Yes, we know your fleets are 1000 nautical miles out. We also know that your ship count has at least doubled. We want you gone. Leave. Go away. Vamoose. Get out. Depart.

Can you deny a well-intentioned nation's right to defend it's fleet? Did these reinforcements carry any invasion craft, which could be a precursor to ground war? Keep in mind that the OMP is the Organization of Maritime Powers [do italics work on the new boards? i guess i'll see in a sec]. Our strength does not lay in ground forces. Invade a region? Not a chance.

We do not deny you the right to defend yourselves. We too, after all, are defending ourselves from you warmongers. And who cares what an organization’s name stand for. If you do not excel at the ground you could probably find some friendly nation or nation to make up that deficiency. Besides, since you seem to boast of your maritime prowess, perhaps you have some form of unique amphibous craft that the rest of us are not aware of. Perhaps you have some form of stealth amphibious ship.

We have not "barged into your waters", as we are not IN your waters. The lack of warning....erm... diplomacy was already explained, considering the pirate threat we believed that we faced. We have no means of harming the FKC. Also, the "belligerent" comment was in response to your declaration that you would sink all of our ships. Not a very nice thing to do. We pose no threat to Vrak, none to DB, merely a threat to the isolated piratical officers within the DBN. An intent which we declared. And have proven. And have had ignored diplomatically.

You pose an immediate threat to the entire FKC with your huge fleet 1000 nautical miles out. It’s also not nice to send 400 combat ships initially without stating their intentions. And you are probably lying for all we know. We don’t trust you. Make your ships go far, far away. That would be a good gesture on your part.


Ok, condemn away. You have already lost much of my respect by not caring about the pirate problems of your neighbor. As for you "stupidity" comment, I feel that's a bit immature. Thou, who speakest of diplomacy, verily doth not posess talent in such pursuits. [Translation: In your complaint about our lack of diplomacy, you say just about the most un-diplomatic thing ever.] Now let's get this straight. You say that you will sink "every ship of the 'warmongerers'" if we are near your territorial waters. We have ships, on a mission that concerns no sovereign nation, outside of even your vastly inflated regional territories, and you say you will sink them. They are in international waters. Near is not good enough. The concept of national waters is that you are allowed to act if they come near your mainland. Ok, all well and good. But you are saying that we are close to close to your mainland. If that logic is allowed, then the [i]real territorial waters would be what you declare plus, oh, 20 NM or so? And then what if we were parked right outside of THAT boundary? Again, if that flawed logic is allowed, one could say that your fleet, Vrak, is too close to close to close to close to close to close to close to close to close to my territorial waters. We insist that you move them, or our Navy will come out and sail for a few weeks and then sink yours. That's unrealistic. Near sends a message, but is not an act of war in any sense. That's why boundaries are defined... specifically. [apologize for long, rambling post, but I believe I have valid points. I was merely attempting to plug holes in my argument.]


We believe that you are stupid people and care not if we lost your “valuable” respect. You and your ilk have made a serious error in judgement from the very beginning and continue to make blunder after blunder. And stop revealing your thickheadedness. We did not claim the entire world – unlike the OMP which seems to want to claim the world’s oceans to keep it safe. Most any nation, unless they are concrete-headed pakrahs such as yourselves, will think that 400 combat ships (and counting) 1000 nautical miles off their shore is a threat. And yes, our boundries our defined. You never bothered to inquire about them. Task force Baker did violate the FKC exclusive economic zone with their nine warhips. They are lucky that the ships aren’t resting at the bottom of the sea providing food for the lobsters and sharks.

Ok, escalate if you wish. Apparently you really want this war. ::sigh::

Apparently you know nothing, you blokk pakrahs. We shall no longer accept any further communication from the land of the ever blowing wind blokk pakrahs.

To: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
From: Vrak Diplomatic corps
Subject: Iuthian Trade Issues

We apologize for any inconvenience in the current trade difficulties. We hope that it can be resolved quickly. Please use ports located withing Monte Ozarka since our rail system is extensive. We shall gladly compensate your suppliers for any unforseen expenses.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: Vrak Diplomatic corps
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: re: Iuthian Trade Issues
Message:

Dear KIST trade associates,

We gracefully accept your apology and thank you for your offer of compensation, though under the circumstance we understand your nations concerns given the situation at hand. We will take you up on such an offer as we feel that given our current security measures will drain our resources a little, though we assure you we will see this through to the end now that we are here. Our trade with your nation is appreciated.

We have made note of your rail networks and ports in Monte Ozarka and will be making good use of them within the next few days when our latest shipment will arrive.

thanks for your continued business,

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps
------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Warehouse
The man hadn't complained, just nodded at the foreign agent for a moment and then proped himself against a wall waiting. His comment was, "Really, I'll just wait to make sure no problem arises in the montary delivery."

When someone in a grey coat moved forward with handcuffs he scoffed. "Really, I think where ever we are going it is going to be easier and less suspicous if you don't put those on me. I am willing to come along...but not in those...."


The agent looked suspicious for a moment, "Alright, but we're going by the seweres, and we'll be watching you."

He nodded to another agent, "Search him for weapons." he paused to light up a cigarette, "You know this would be a lot easier if you would just tell us who you worked for. I personally doubt you'd have walked in here if you were Cheka, we could just look you up on the computers back at base."

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To: The Government of Pacific Northwesteria
From: The High Chancellory of Dyelli Beybi
Subject: Vrakian Fleet deployment
A Vrakian fleet deployment within Klatchian territorial waters is not an escalation of the conflict. We are fully within our right to deploy our shipping within our waters, especially considering the level of threat being posed by the Imperialistic ambitions of the OMP. The disrespectful attitude of the Government of your so called 'Nation' towards the President of Klatch has also been noted and is regarded as further evidence of a desire for war.

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To: All concerned World Governments
From: Dyelli Beybi High Chancellory
Subject: Missile Launch
Dyelli Beybi wishes to let in be known that we will be testing a new prototype ICBM within the next 24 hours by firing in into International waters. The missile will not be fitted with a warhead and is merely a test for accuracy. exact coordinates are...(OOC: within 100 nautical miles of the OMP fleet). There is a 99.8% probability the new prototype will land within 5 nautical miles of the target zone.

To: All concerned World Governments
From: Dyelli Beybi High Chancellory
Subject: Missile Launch
Dyelli Beybi wishes to let in be known that we will be testing a new prototype ICBM within the next 24 hours by firing in into International waters. The missile will not be fitted with a warhead and is merely a test for accuracy. exact coordinates are...(OOC: within 100 nautical miles of the OMP fleet). There is a 99.8% probability the new prototype will land within 5 nautical miles of the target zone.

OOC: Would have been more interesting if you hadn't told them. :)

The agent looked suspicious for a moment, "Alright, but we're going by the seweres, and we'll be watching you."

He nodded to another agent, "Search him for weapons." he paused to light up a cigarette, "You know this would be a lot easier if you would just tell us who you worked for. I personally doubt you'd have walked in here if you were Cheka, we could just look you up on the computers back at base."

"Yes, and it makes no sense that Checka would be willing to pay for Checka operations to influence people using cash like you normally do. If you really don't like me hanging around, and your superiors have the cash, I'll be more than happy to stay behind."

The man really only had some cash, and I.D. that identified him as a crew member of a river barge and a metal ciggrette case. No guns, although his hands looked like they could break most men in two.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

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To: All concerned World Governments
From: Dyelli Beybi High Chancellory
Subject: Missile Launch
Dyelli Beybi wishes to let in be known that we will be testing a new prototype ICBM within the next 24 hours by firing in into International waters. The missile will not be fitted with a warhead and is merely a test for accuracy. exact coordinates are...(OOC: within 100 nautical miles of the OMP fleet). There is a 99.8% probability the new prototype will land within 5 nautical miles of the target zone.

To: Dyelli Beybi High Chancellory
Subject:Missile Interdiction System
From: JDF Region 4 Fixed Defenive System

Due to current tensions we would like a more specific window so that we may not accidently fire interceptor missiles at your test ICBM. We will not stand down the entire system over the south for a twenty four hour period.

******
ATTN: World Governments particularly those operating warships near the Klatch.
Subject: Military Exclusion Zone of the Eastern Klatch
From: The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris

We should point out that most of the Dark Sea and the Northern Marx Sea are Military Exclusion Zone of the Klatch and our southern neighbors.

At the current time we are also establishing Code Jenga over the Dark Sea and asking all Non-Klatchian armed ships to notify Naval Center Beta of your approach into the Dark Sea, or before attempting to use the Squall Straits.

"That is not an option." Dzerzhinsky had appeared by the doorway to the rear of the room, "You being found here could jeapardise this whole opperation and it's hardly what you'd call 'foolproof' anyway. This isn't a Cheka opperation and it would not do us any good were you to mention this to another Cheka agent mmmhhm?"

With that the Senior Commisaar turned on his heels and vanished into the back of the building. One of the agents prodded the stranger in the back with his rifle, "You heard the man, now move, we'll work out who you are when we're a little less pushed for time."

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To: JDF Region 4 Fixed Defenive System
From: Dyelli Beybi High Chancellory
Subject: Missile Interdiction
An exact launch time will be communicated within 30 minutes of the missile launch.

To: Dyelli Beybi High Chancellery
From: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Service
Subject: Re: Missile Test

The Imperium requests a timetable for this missile test so that we may inform the concerned naval commands. Also, we request that the proposed target area of this test be revised; it is likely that any error in telemetry by the missile will place it squarely in the middle of the OMP fleets.


To: The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris
From: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Service
Subject: Re: Military Exclusion Zone of the Eastern Klatch

At this time there are no vessels belong to OMP states that are planning to enter the concerned bodies of water. We thank you of notifying us of this change in condition and will likewise inform the United Duchies of any need to enter Klatchian waters.

Somewhere in Vrak...

Translated from Vrakian.

-By Bok's maw, a missile launch?!
-They say it's a test.
-Have you been talking to them, High General?
-No, and I'm insulted you would think that.
-Ah, great. Everyone, keep an eye on this development.
-Our bombers and fighter craft are 30% completely ready in the southern HORDE group. That is, we can launch 30% of them immediately if needed.
-And the position of the 5th and 6th projection fleets?
-They are turning back now from Drakonia. But, considering the distance, they will be at least one week at full speed, probably more.
-Really, the OMP nations are now just sitting there. But it would be better if they left.

To: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
From: Hamptonian Foreign and Justice Ministries
Subject: RE: Court

We will agree an odd number panel, however we suggest five: one from you, one from us, and three neutral nations that we can both agree upon. Additional, all OMP, Klatchian, and other nations involved in this current situation will not be considered for a seat.

This binding mediation session will only concern that actions of the Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire. While we are a part of the OMP, our ships were sent independently, were never under foreign control, and all orders will issued by Hamptonian Officers. Since the OMP is a loose organization of independent and sovereign states, we could only argue in our own defense.

To: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
From: GDMO Foreign Ministry
RE: Vrakian shipments

Your convoys are invited to come to port and unload at Port Louis at the mouth of the AWM Canal (OOC: I'll keep the old name for convenience purposes). From there, you may choose to transport your delivery via rail or via barge on the canal. Please discuss your transportation options with Vrak, as the canal is joint Klatchian property.

Also, in these uncertain times, we would be more than happy to provide you with a small frigate or destroyer convoy once you enter the Bay of Lunacy. However, if you should decline, we will not feel insulted in any fashion.

We shall expect you soon.

Respectfully,
--ROBERT WERTER, Count of Viscosia, Foreign Minister for the Archduke Philip IV of the Grand Duchy of Monte Ozarka

In Dyelli Beybi they were warming up their missile, what they had dubbed a "Hai Ying 3", of all the things they were launching from, they had picked an 'A-Boat', one of Dyelli Beybi's submarine fleets. The whole exercise was being carried out with absolutely no attention to secrecy, in fact, it was being carried out in the middle of Saint Guineford's harbour. Curious tourists as well as locals, had been buying berths onboard military transports to get a better look. All in all the Dyelli Beybians were treating it as some kind of a party, although the ever present Cheka and rigorous security across the bay was there to make sure nbody tried anything like sabotage.

Onboard A-09 the Captain was a little nervous, a pair of Cheka agents had been squabbling on his ship as to where the missile would actually be aimed. Eventually they had decided it would be fired at a point 10 nautical miles closer to the OMP fleet than it was supposed to be (putting it at 90 nautical miles from the ships). He was almost relieved when they ordered him to go and inform the JDF the launch was scheduled, he was a little curious as to why they had ordered him to use an insecure line and not to encrypt the message at all. He eventually decided the only possibility was the Cheka acutally wanted the enemy to know.

Outside, Cheka officials onboard the tourist transports were reading out lines of what in many countries would be regarded as classified information, "Hai Ying 3 carries a single 10 megaton warhead, this one of course doesn't. It has a range of only 1,350 nautical miles, so is a fairly close range ICBM, also unlike the first two versions, it is expected to be highly accurate, allowing us the ability to pinpoint a general area to recieve the maximum impact of the blast. This advance in guidance means that our submarine launched missiles will be capable of dealing as much damage as those housed in the silos, albeit only at closer ranged targets."

(OOC You will note even if this landed in the middle of the OMP fleet it would do nothing unless it actually plowed into a ship, which is highly unlikely, it is still a bloody innacurate weapon, they can reliably land it within about a nautical mile of where they point it (as opposed to about 50 with the Hai Ying 1), which doesn't really matter with that kind of bomb on it anyway (over 666x size of hiroshima), this one of course doesn't have a warhead.)

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To: GDMO Foreign Ministry
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: re: Vrakian shipments
Message:

Dear Count Robert Werter,

Thanks for your continued co-operation and assistance, we accept your offer for additional security within the Bay of Lunacy and we are willing to co-ordinate our forces within that sector to unsure no accidents occur and to improve the efficiency of a security operation.

We would also like to note that our shipments and attached fleet will be nearing the region shortly.

thanks,

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps
---------------------------------------------------------------------

In the distance now the Iuthian fleet could be seen by the undoubtable large number of spy satallites watching the region as they sailed towards the very edge... of course, they were well out of visual range given the actual distances involved but the Iuthian pressence had arrived.

The fleet itself, looking from the satallites above looked pretty average concidering. In the centre of the formation is a single Carrier, breaking off from the shipment convoy with it's own escort vessals. The Iuthian "Fleet" was barely more then a Carrier Battle Group with a few extra vessels and perhaps some Submarines, though to be certain others would need to actually try and check, something which requires being close to the fleet.

Meanwhile the Shipment did not slow down on the board of the region waters itself, but continued as planned to get there cargo to the nation of Vrak. The majority of escort vessels along side the freighters were frigate class ships with variour capability from Anti Air, Surface Combat and Anti-Sub, trying to cover what they could with their limited firepower. It wouldn't look to good sending a fleet as escort and the costs would skyrocket.

The Fleet would act as a observer and support where as the convoy would get the job done. Now the convoy travelled into the region, sending communications to all to declare it's intention and position.

The External Security Service had managed to move three satellites into geosyncronis orbit over the Imperial Navy fleets, although this had only been accomplished by stripping the ESS of its Southern Haven watch grid. Still, it was better to have evidence in case something didn't go right. ELINT equipment on the ships that had it was also being prepared to watch the missile test and gather as much data about the new missile as possible. So when the missile started its flight hundreds of digital eyes were watching as the missile was right on course... for 10 miles closer than it should have been. This, of course, did not make Admiral Kim happy, not at all. So she had her Fleet Intel Officer notify ONI (pronounced Oh-Nee), who in turn notified Foreign Services, who in turn asked ESS for data from their satellites to corroborate. Once this was accomplished a diplomatic communiqué was sent to both Dyelli Beybi and the entirety of the FKC.


To: Dyelli Beybi High Chancellery
From: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Services
Subject: Missile Test

We did not appreciate being snubbed when we specifically requested a timetable for this missile test, especially considering the fact that it was unnecessarily close to Imperial Navy ships. We most definitely don't appreciate being lied to about the target area of this test, especially when it was ten miles closer to the aforementioned Imperial Navy ships than was previously declared.


To: States of the Federated Klatchian Coast
From: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Services
Subject: Maritime Exclusion Zone

Due to Dyelli Beybi's lack of cooperation over a simple request for a timetable for the recent missile test and then firing said missile closer to Imperial Navy ships than the previously stated target zone, the Imperial Navy has been forced to declare a Maritime Exclusion Zone around all three Imperial Fleets near the Black Sea. No Klatchian ship or aircraft, civilian or otherwise, may enter the waters 100 miles from the center of the fleet. Whereas before we were willing to allow commercial Klatchian shipping safe conveyance through the fleets, Dyelli Beybi's rash decision has spoiled any chance of that.


To: Any Neutral Nations
From: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Services
Subject: Commercial Shipping

The Imperium will extend the courtesy of safe conveyance to any truly neutral commercial shipping that may do business with the FKC, it would be unfair of the Imperium to force businesses from uninvolved nations to incur extra costs because of this unfortunate incident.

To: States of the Federated Klatchian Coast
From: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Services
Subject: Maritime Exclusion Zone

Due to Dyelli Beybi's lack of cooperation over a simple request for a time table for the recent missile test and then firing said missile closer to Imperial Navy ships than the previously stated target zone, the Imperial Navy has been forced to declare a Maritime Exlusion Zone around all three Imperial Fleets near the Black Sea. No Klatchian ship or aircraft, civilian or otherwise, may enter the waters 100 miles from the center of the fleet. Whereas before we were willing to allow commercial Klatcian shipping safe conveyance through the fleets, Dyelli Beybi's rash decision has spoiled any chance of that.


To: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Services
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: re: Maritime Exclusion Zone

We do not recognize your unilateral declaration of a maritime exclusion zone. Obviously, you are looking for excuses to invade the FKC.

To: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
From: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Services
Subject: Re: Re: Maritime Exclusion Zone

Whether you recognize it or not is irrelevant, it will be enforced. Since your own navy has failed to explain the niceties of the maritime trade, we will do so for you. It is standard practice for battlegroups and fleets of most nations to establish such zones the second they enter international waters; we have not done so until now because we did not want to interfere with commerce any more than necessary. We don't need permission from anybody to declare this zone, least of all from your nation

As for this invasion you speak of, that is plain ridiculous. If we intended to invade we would have brought along a sizeable assault fleet to do so and any invasion would already be under way. Furthermore, we wouldn't need an excuse; if we wanted to invade we'd do it because we felt like it.

[I knew I forgot something, shame on me.]

To: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Services, Scandavian States
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: re: Maritime Exclusion Zone
Message:

Dear respected UnAPS allies,

Given that the incident you are using to excuse this new 'Maritime Exclusion Zone' is down to the acts of a single nation and not the Klatchian Region as a whole, we are deeply offended to find that you are blocking all Klatchian Vessels from entering an area of a 100 miles around your fleets because a missile landed out of its target area still 90 miles away from your fleets.

Should this further damage trade relations within the region we will support claims that your alliances aggressive manner is harming the economy of an entire region because you wish to act against one nation. We could understand the restriction on military vessels, but to take these measures will undoubtably raise tensions.

Should our friends in Jaggedy have any of their commercial vessals fired upon in their normal trade routes regardless of your navies position we will respond as though they are our own vessals. As far as we are aware your navy is here hunting pirates, not to start a war on a region. We would advise you reconcider your position should relations be further damaged.

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps.

To: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps
From: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Services
Subject: Re: Re: Maritime Exclusion Zone

We do not need an excuse to declare such a zone, in most navies it is standard practice to do so and the only reason we have not done so before now is because we did not want to disrupt trade.

Dyelli Beybi violated what little trust we had in them and as far as we are aware no FKC nation counseled against the test or the target zone, knowing how close it would be to Imperial Navy vessels. The FKC was granted a special privilege and lost it, no more and no less.

Furthermore, we are offended that you would suggest that the Imperial Navy would fire upon civilian vessels. If you would look over the charter of the OMP you would see that such an act is expressly forbidden. Also, in order to violate the reinstated MEZ would require that ships physically pass within sight of Imperial warships, unless FKC commercial ships have suddenly grown much more brave nothing has changed.

To: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Services, Scandavian States
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: re: re: re: Maritime Exclusion Zone
Message:

Dear UnAPS allies,

That is our opinion on this matter and we'll stick with it. We will continue to escort our vessels, and Vrakian vessels to and from this region with our normal trade routes... we are also working with those of Jiggady to secure their trade, their own shipments may not have been distrupted as much but we are unsure on their position... we know they do not trust your fleets and quite frankly given your attitude to the nations of this region we don't blame them.

Had you had the forsight to work with the people of this region your allies could have resolved this situation long ago... however seeing as you wish to continue to work against the regions best interests we will continue to assume your fleets are the largest threat within the region. You may not like this but this is the conclusion we have come to.

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps.

To: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
From: GDMON Central Command
Subject: Re: re: Vrakian shipments

The Foreign Ministry has alerted us to your arrival, and we will be sending a small convoy escort group, the 82nd Escort Group, to meet your convoy at the entrance to the Bay of Lunacy.

It is comprised of:
HES Clanton (FFG-34)
HES Whipholt (FFG-47)
HES Warrington (FFG-26)
HES Pollock (FFG-55)
HES Charlson (FFG-38)

Once the group is within contact range, have your ships identify themselves as "Iuthian convoy for Vrak--Port of Entry: Port Arthur". At this point, escort group will join your convoy, and the commander of the convoy shall take command in course plotting and other civilian commands. Should there be evidence of armed attack from an aggressor, R. Adm. Travis Conrad, commander 82nd Escort Group, shall take immediate command to avoid damage and minimize losses.

We hope that this arrangement is agreeable,
--V.ADM. TRENT TALLAHAN, Head of Operations, Navy Central Command

To: GDMON Central Command
From: Iuthian Diplomatic Corps, Central Command, Iuthia Prima
Subject: re: re: re: Vrakian shipments
Message:

Vice Admiral Trent Tallaan,

These arrangements are acceptable, thanks for your co-operation. Our convoys should be joining with your escorts within the next few hours.

sincerly,

Foriegn Minister Mick Lakely, Iuthian Diplomatic Corps.

To: His Imperial Majesty's Foreign Services
From: Dyelli Beybi High Chancellery
Subject: RE: Missile Test

We see no reason why the S.S. foreign service would need a timetable of Dyelli Beybian missile tests, especially in the present situation of hostilities. Of course the position where the missile landed is an unfortunate problem with the accuracy of the missile. As I am sure you are aware, previous versions landed within a 50 nautical mile zone with a 95% certainty. Landing within 10 nautical miles of the target zone should not be regarded as cause for alarm.
Furthermore, we demand reasons for the positioning of the OMP fleet. It is clearly doing nothing more useful in it's current position than disrupting maritime trade.

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To: All concerned Maritime traders
From Dyelli Beybi High Chancellory
Subject: Maritime trade routes

It has not been made clear in the past, but the coastal passage behind the minefield is still open to maritime trade. It does not contain any hostile vessels and is regarded as highly safe due to thepresence of the minefield on the 'Ocean side'. The river Djel is also regarded as open. The Djel is navigable to Bath for vessels up to 10 m of draft and for those up to 6 m for the remainder of the journey to the lakes. At the moment a toll is in existance at Agua Pura, but we are sure that can be removed in order to be more accomodating in the present climate.

Press Announcement:
United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris

The flags of both the Federation and the Dual Duchies of Alcona and Hubris could be seen haning from the balcony of Apthorpe Palace. The date and location were tagged to the bottom of the screen as a horn announced the figure walking out the doors and onto the second story balcony.

The man was thin, tall with a decidedly elegant look to him. He wore a full dress Alconian Naval Uniform with a red sash across his body. He stood before the set of microphones, but the well trained voice really didn't need them. The bottom of the screen now read "Offical anouncement of Alexander III, Grand Duke of Alcona and Hubris"

Today the OMP fleet in the Southern Klatchian Ocean closed an area of some thirty one thousand square miles of ocean to civilian transports of the Klatch, including the United Duchies. We find this act, by a group that claims to want to have the sea lanes safe for trade, disturbing. We strongly recommend that the leader of the OMP fleet reconsider this Maritime Exclusion Zone that they have declared against civilian traffic. We have maintained a neutral postion throughout the escallation of the matter that brought them here but now they are attempting to rob from our people.

We can see no pratical reason for this exclusion zone for civilian traffic. The only possible reason that we can see for this action is that the OMP is attempting to use their navy to increase their own share of Klatchian Shipping at the cost of our shipping companies.

We have not seen this use of force upon a nation to improve one's trade postion since the opening of China by Britian for the Oprium trade. Nor did we support such actions when they were taken. The use of a navy is to protect trade and one's nation. The use of naval personel instead to deny trade to us, a nation which has not acted against the OMP in any way, is equivilant to extorsion.

We will not stand for this, nor can we trust that OMP civilian traffic is actually civilian. It is in this light that we will now implement new rules for the shipping of all OMP states within the Dark and Manx Seas.

First, we order that all civilian shipping of OMP states within or entering the Dark Sea immediately head for the nearest Klatchian Port.

Second, all OMP civilian shipping will be detained and their cargo compared with their manifest.

Three, any deviations between the cargo and manifest will result in the ship being immediatly impounded for the duration of this conflict.

Four, any crew members found to be of a suspious nature will be detained for questioning. We reserve the right to charge any and all crew with espionage against Alcona and the Klatch.

Five, any ship found to have visited an OMP state within the last four months will also be inspected and the above rules applied.

Six, these rules will be maintained for all OMP civilian shipping but can be ammended by any Alconian or JDF naval commander in the feild.

Seven, the first instance of any deviation from these instructions or instructions by any Alconian or JDF naval vessel will result in a warning. Any further deviation from instructions will result in the ship being either seized or destroyed.

As a futher deterent to the OMP we are establishing prize rules will apply to any seized vessel.

We also urge that the Klatchain Parliment establish these rules for all Klatchian Waters immediatly.

Finally, These rules will be suspended once the OMP fleet to our south reduces the military exclusion zonefor Klatchian Civilian vessels to a more reasonable level, or repeals it alltogether.


The end of the announcement there is a great deal of shouting,
"Long Live his Grace, Long Live Alexander III...Yeah..."

The Duke waves, smiles and then turns back into the palace.

Felix Dzerzhinsky was back at his office. The other individual they had picked up had been locked away in one of the minor Cheka bases, kept on a diet of gruel and bread and being played Gregorian chant at annoyingly loud volumes until he decided to change his mind and tell them where he was from.

Felix might have felt inclined to torture the truth out of him, but torture was technically illegal, and if Reilly caught wind of it he'd be sure to use it to his advantage....that was also a new development...Reilly was trying to stitch him up for something, probably at the behest of the Collins woman. The Cheka had waged a silent espionage war against innumerable enemies within and without the State of Dyelli Beybi, but now things were different, they were plotting against each other.

What was more alarming, was the missile test and OMP response. It looked like everyone was gagging for war. Felix needed time, and with enemies closing in on all sides, it looked like he might not have enough...

--Prime Minister's Residence, Hamptonshire City--

"They did what!?!" Prime Minister Cessar yelled to Fleet Admiral Lord Rosecrans.

"As I said before, Scandavian States has created 100+ mile full exclusion zone around the center of their fleet." Lord Rosecrans said calmly.

"Isn't that just peachy. For the love of God, where is the restraint! I want our vessles pulled out to a distance of at least 200 NM south of the SS Fleet." the Prime Minister said while pounding his desk.

"I've already given the orders. Our ships will be leaving the SS exclusion zone in less than a hour."

"I'll have to issue a statement to Klatch. The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris seem to think we are under a unifed banner, God knows why they would think that.

Can you at least tell me no one on our side supported the Exclusion Zone idea?"

"Louis," Lord Rosecrans says while taking a seat, "Senator Allenby, through Field Marshal Kepplar, issued a direct order to Fleet Vice Admiral Kirkssen to fully support the exclusion zone. I was only able to countermand the order because I issued it as an 'Emergency Theatre Operations Order'."

"So know our own friendly right wing ultranationalists want to push us toward war. It's damn near impossible to stay in the middle while being pushed from the right."

"What we need is a new Defense Minister. I know you're doing your best Louis as Acting Defense Minister, but you can't run the Ministry and be Prime Minister at the same time. Once this is over, we'll have the political capital to get a good man, one of our men, into the Ministry."

"I've seen the opinion polls, Phillip. You'll be the next Defense Minister, we just have to make sure there's still a civilian controlled military around by that time."

----------------------------------------

Official Statement from the Office of the Prime Minister
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/coat-of-arms.gif
Coat-of-Arms of the Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire

This Government would first like to communicate to the nations of Klatch, that there is no "OMP Fleet" or an "OMP Commander". Our fleet in the waters off Klatch is commanded by a Hamptonian who answers to more Hamptonians.

The decision by Scandavian States to create a military exclusion zone around their Imperial Fleet is by no means endorced or supported by the Royal Navy or this Government. Our ships have been ordered to leave the 'Zone' created by Scandavian States. It is aganist our very purpose of our deployment to create or support such a proposal.

Our Fleet will be moving at least 200 NM south by southwest of the SS Fleet.

Victory is Life.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/Wellington.jpg
Crown Prince Louis Cessar
Prime Minister
Acting Defense Minister

A counter-response was made almost immediately by Duchess Alexandria, Asiya Saleh, "Unless His Grace proposes that we allow ships of any kind to simply pull alongside Imperial warships or that we shrink the formation size to unsafe levels then a reduction in the size of the Maritime Exclusion Zone is simply not possible," this was said with just a bit of sarcasm.

"Furthermore, the fact that the Imperial Navy did not establish a Maritime Exclusion Zone was a violation of Standard Operating Procedure and was meant as a courtesy to those in the FKC who deserved it, you can thank the High Chancellor’s brinkmanship for loosing that privilege for the entirety to the FKC.

"And finally, we wish to make something abundantly clear, with Vrak holding the Presidency we trust the FKC as far as any normal person can throw a walrus, which is not at all, so we regard any 'civilian' FKC ship as a potential Q-Ship and frankly we aren't in the habit of boarding and 'taxing' ships in order to find out. So no, the MEZ will not be lifted and we will continue to view FKC shipping with suspicion until such time that this incident is resolved."

"So, what do you think of Alcona's response to all this?" Emperor Alexander asked.

"That they are the last nation in the FKC we want to piss off. Now is neither the time nor the place. We need to pick our battles and frankly I want our official position towards the FKC known later rather than now." Duchess Alexandria answered.

Admiral Tzu chimed in, "I concur, sir, at this point there's no real point to keeping the ships there, not with the mission accomplished at least."

Alexander turned to Sven Jorgenssen, Director of the ultra-secret organization that had been tapped to fix the situation to the Imperium's liking, "What's your opinion, Sven?"

Sven took a deep breath and responded, "I can't help but agree, and right now they're just causing unwanted attention and trouble."

"All right Admiral, bring the fleets home. Next time we have to meet the FKC like this they're going to come out bruised and battered," there was no doubt that he meant it, the FKC response to the whole situation and the recent contact with the Drakonian Imperium had earned the FKC another enemy.

And the fleets spooled up and turned towards home with no explanation to any party.

The 'retreat' was hailed across Dyelli Beybi as a 'great victory for Klatch'. Across Dyelli Beybi the military turned out in force to organise huge street parades, mostly dominated by the rolling columns of tanks and assault guns of the D.B.P.A. A new wave of Klatch loving swept across a country that had previously been the most likely to split from the Federation.

Commisaar Dzerzhinsky kept his word in matters and the Vizeadmiral was brought to trial for 'reckless endangerement of Dyellian lives and property' however in the face of public opinion the judges at the trial were going to have problems with passing down a particularly harsh sentence. She had managed to become something of a public hero.

Reilly on the other hand was not so lucky. He soon found himself under watch from elements of the Cheka loyal to Dzerzhinsky, and while he was not publically denouced his influence within the Cheka waned significantly.

Simultaneously, the Kriegsmarine had been voted a huge sum of money in order to 'manufacture and equip new ships for the defence of all Klatch'.

Some time earlier...

Claudius was afraid, he was very afraid, which was why he did what he did, "I'll just go and contact them shall I?"

He had caught a glance of what his opponent was up to and had decided to flee, but first of all he needed privacy, so he hurried off looking down the stench filled coridoor. He stopped when he was fairly sure the other wasn't following him closed his eyes, and slowly, very very slowly, began to fade from existance...

He'd have to bloody quarantine himself...

Somewhere in Vrak…

Translated from Vrakian.

-They have pulled out.
-I’m certain that Scandavian States will try to spin this to make themselves look like the so-called good guy. I’m sure they believe that they would have crushed us.
-Of that, I cannot doubt you Intelligence Director. They have no idea what we can bring to the table. As well, we are quite sure that they have lost even more international support due to these recent actions.
-True, and that’s something I want to discuss later. High General?
-I still think we waited too long. Next time, we have to act much more quickly.
-I agree (the voice of the High Admiral). I should add that the new ships from our allies in the Order are due to arrive within a week. Training our crews and then implementing them into our force organization will take longer. But I have a few ideas.
-The Southern HORDE group airforce has lowered its alert level. Still, I will keep some at the ready in case the pakrahs decide to pull any tricks.
-Very well. I shall contact the King. I’m sure he wants the OMP to burn – especially Scandavian States. But, we are a patient race. After all, Scandavian States has proven themselves to be quite inept. It shouldn’t be too hard to seize an opportunity.

Laughter is heard around the room as each walrus retired. After they left, the Intelligence Director lit a cigar and pondered.

====

To: Office of the Prime Minister – Hamptonshire
From: Vrak Diplomatic Corps
Subject: court

We see no need now to pursue this so-called panel. Scandavian States has withdrawn and we assume that you and others will follow.

However, below the official note was something else…

This whole incident could have been avoided had some tact and intelligence been displayed on the part of the OMP and its allies. Officially, we cannot say that piracy exists within the waters of the Klatch, for reasons I won’t get into now. But, unofficially, we do know it is there.

Although your actions supporting Scandavian States cause us a great deal of concern, we also note that you were willing to convene some kind of panel to discuss the problem and that you did not support Scandavian States when they declared their so-called maritime exclusion zone.

Therefore, unofficially, we would like to send or receive you as guests, a small diplomatic contigent to discuss some matters of importance.

Signed:
[Personal Seal of Ipshi Hagwonak – Chief Ambassador]
[Great Seal of the Vrak Diplomatic Corps]

The letter was not transmitted, at least directly to Hamptonshire. It was composed in Vrak Prime, delivered to the nearest Guardian fleet to Hamptonshire by way of hypersonic transport, then finally Captain Jeroot of #8 Guardian patrol hand delivered it to the Hamptonshire Admiral – all the while stressing that it can only be opened by their president due to its delicate nature.

OOC: Or Hamp, you don’t have to go along with this part. I’m merely trying to cut down any attempt at eavesdropping.

OOC: I'll go along with it. Just for future reference, the highest governmental authority is the Grand Duke. He's only brought into the fold when something's quite important. Of course now I'm wondering why I didn't bring him into this RP...

IC:

--Fleet Update--
The 3 fleets of the 3rd Combined Fleet dispersed toward their original posts. The 11th Fleet made its way toward Port Victory for a 2 year de-moblization period, the 4th Fleet slowly made its way back to Cameroon to continue its patrols, and the 9th Fleet returned to Manium.

However, there was one man who didn't return to his pre-'Incident' post, Fleet Vice Admiral Kirkssen boarded a series of transport planes. He had something of great importance in his jacket pocket.


------------------------------

--Hampton Palace, Office of the Grand Duke--
28 hours after message delivery

The Grand Duke had called all of his most senior and trusted advisors to a very late night conference. Fleet Admiral Lord Phillip Rosecrans received an interesting message from Fleet Vice Admiral Kirkssen. There was a sealed message that the Vraks only wanted read in presence of the Grand Duke; certainly an odd occurance.

[Assembled in the room: Grand Duke Reginald Leopold I; Crown Prince Louis Cessar, Prime Minister, Active Defense Minister; Lord Patrick Easton, Foreign Minister, President of the Privy Council; Fleet Admiral Lord Phillip Rosecrans, National Security Advisor, Royal Navy Chief of Staff, Vice Chairman of the Joint High Command Council; Lieutenant General Henry Pippel, Director of the Royal Army Intelligence Service (RAIS)]

"Did Kirkssen tell you what the message was?" Grand Duke Reginald Leopold I asked Lord Easton.

"No, in fact he said that only you can open it." Lord Rosecrans answered.

Getting up to get a drink, the Prime Minister said "It's a damned strange thing. I'm half expecting it to say 'Gotcha'." The room erupted in laughter.

The room went back to its usual silent state. Althought Kirkssen had arrived at the Palace, it would take him a few minutes to get to the Office. The room was filled with suspense, anxiety, and with just a touch of mystery.

"You think with such an important message, he'd run." General Pippel said quitely to Lord Rosecrans.

Leaning forward in his chair, the Grand Duke responed "and what? Ruin his good hair? Besides all those medals and stars slow down a man."

After a few subdued chuckles, Admiral Kirkssen came through the door.

"Your Highness, the letter from the Vrak Diplomatic Corps." he said while bowing.

"Alright, hand give it to me." the Grand Duke said.

Receiving the letter, he took out a pair of reading glasses. He read the first part of the message, and then opened the rest of the letter. He read it twice, just to make sure. Putting the letter down on this desk, he dismissed Fleet Vice Admiral Kirkssen.

"Here gentlemen, read this. he said while thrusting the letter toward the Prime Minister. All of the assembled crowed around the Prime Minister while he read it aloud.

General Pippel was the first to speak; "Well that's certainly a surprise."

"What do you all think?" the Grand Duke asked.

"I...we should at least hear them out." Lord Easton said while reading the letter again to himself. The others nodded in agreement.

"I'll send one of the Omega Guards to Vrak to deliver our response. We'll send a small team to meet them in Vrak. Depending on what sort of level they want to take this, I may send you." the Grand Duke said while looking at Lord Rosecrans.


------------------------------
[Delivered by hand to the Vrak Diplomatic Corps; Marked with Ipshi Hagwonak's Eyes Only]
To: Ipshi Hagwonak, Chief Ambassador -Vrak
From: Grand Duke Reginald Leopold I

Our recent action in Klatch was due to a combination of factors- lack of reliable intelligence, internal political struggle within our government, and several factors that cannot be disclosed at this time.

We are open to futher dialogue between our two nations. I am prepared to send a small team of senior government members to Vrak to discuss your 'matters of importance'.

I am prepared to send at least three of my most trusted advisors as guests to your fine nation. If your planned discussion will require a larger group, please indicate so.

Return your response with the man who delivered this letter. As a member of the Omega Guards, any communications sent through him will arrive without blemish or compromisation.

Signed,
Reginald Leopold I, Magnus Dux
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/gdcrest.jpg
Great Seal of the Grand Duke

Jiggady national news:

"Cheers and gunfire rang out from all the harbours in Jiggady as the word went up that there was no longer any threat to their trade from the OMP. Merchant vessels could be seen leaving port while popping bottles of wine and rum, all proudly hoisting up Jiggady's national flag http://www.candlelightstories.com/Pirates/jolly.jpg

Queen Ann Marie Bonny was quoted as saying 'I think we all learned who the real pirates were, restricting the trade of entire region is the highest and most blatant and odious form of piracy ever concieved.'


ooc: there is no personal dig meant in this, towards any of the players in this situation that are in the omp...it is mearly the style of government that I have set up to take a little parting shot such as this...I kind of just wanted to clear it up a bit with how personal some of the stuff got between nations in the ooc thread

Captain Roberson looked out at the battle group that surround his ship. For a moment he felt a bit sentimental, these were the last great ship that Tappee had made. Now they had been all but abandoned, Military Command was now favouring the more fancy space ship, leaving these ships to rot. They had spent the last seven-months sitting in anchor off the cost of Tappee. However, the Vrakians needed more advanced ships, so the government decide to save the ship from a slow death and sell them to Vrak military.

It would not be long until they arrived and began training the new crew. Looking out over the main gun Roberson couldn’t help but feel sorry for those that found themselves on the other end of those guns. Atleast now these Gods of war would be used for what they were meant to do.

------------------------------
[Delivered by hand to the Vrak Diplomatic Corps; Marked with Ipshi Hagwonak's Eyes Only]
To: Ipshi Hagwonak, Chief Ambassador -Vrak
From: Grand Duke Reginald Leopold I

Our recent action in Klatch was due to a combination of factors- lack of reliable intelligence, internal political struggle within our government, and several factors that cannot be disclosed at this time.

We are open to futher dialogue between our two nations. I am prepared to send a small team of senior government members to Vrak to discuss your 'matters of importance'.

I am prepared to send at least three of my most trusted advisors as guests to your fine nation. If your planned discussion will require a larger group, please indicate so.

Return your response with the man who delivered this letter. As a member of the Omega Guards, any communications sent through him will arrive without blemish or compromisation.

Signed,
Reginald Leopold I, Magnus Dux
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/gdcrest.jpg
Great Seal of the Grand Duke

Ipshi looked over the letter. Across from him sat the Intelligence Director himself. Ipshi was, for all his cool demeanor, not at ease in the presence of such a walrus. No one really knew his background but quite a few where aware of his ruthless ability. It was, after all, who carried out the pograms after the Last Great Blood War that efficiently and brutally exterminated all sympathizers of the Polaris and Orca Dominion.

-Relax, Ipshi. Let me see the letter.

Ipshi passed the letter across the stone table. The Intelligence Director looked at it and hummed to himself. Then, in his characteristic deep voice, he spoke.

-Arrange it, Ipshi. Find out everything about them. Their motives, alliances, everything. And tell me what they are like. They proved themselves wise in the end. I want to see how far that wisdom goes and how many of them have it.
-As you command.

The Omega guard, who was waiting at the palatial mansion of Grag Montezuma was given a message:


A small group is fine. In the interests of keeping a low profile, you may come via commercial airline. We can make arrangements so that if your guards require weapons on board that the usual restrictions will not apply. We look forward to your visit.

<snip>John didn't seem to care... At least, not much so.

Meh, he doesn't seem to be into it... I hope I hear from him, soon. With that, he turned his attention towards the two sailors waiting in his back. "Time to have some fun, neh?"

The fading of the occultist was... Well, not really noticed. Not that he would have cared much, quickly forgetting about the conversation he had with him.

Meanwhile, the ship continued on its way.

The Landgravine looked down at the response to her attempt at backchannel negotations. "Hmm, call his Majesty back would you, I would say that Scandinavian States decided on a tactical retreat, but likely are very likely to hold a grudge against us."

****
Annoncement from Outer Ministry, Alcona and Hubris
With the removal of the OMP fleets and their worrying military exclusion zone we have removed the restrictions on OMP commercial shipping previously announced. We thank the members of the OMP for realizing that their 'restrictions' only harmed their postion of attempting to deal with piracy in our region.

Coat-of-Arms of the Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire[/size]

This Government would first like to communicate to the nations of Klatch, that there is no "OMP Fleet" or an "OMP Commander". Our fleet in the waters off Klatch is commanded by a Hamptonian who answers to more Hamptonians.

The decision by Scandavian States to create a military exclusion zone around their Imperial Fleet is by no means endorced or supported by the Royal Navy or this Government. Our ships have been ordered to leave the 'Zone' created by Scandavian States. It is aganist our very purpose of our deployment to create or support such a proposal.

Our Fleet will be moving at least 200 NM south by southwest of the SS Fleet.

Victory is Life.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v114/hamptonshire/Wellington.jpg
Crown Prince Louis Cessar
Prime Minister
Acting Defense Minister

A diplomatic letter is sent via KIST
From: Outer Ministry, The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris
To: The Grand Duchy of Hampshire

It was our underestanding that the fleet under the guidence of Scandavian States was comprised of, and orginized by, the OMP. As such, we restricted all OMP shipping to the inspection rules stated. We will attempt to evaluate the information you have provided and adjust our policy accordingly.
****

A second diplomatic note is sent after the S.S. fleet decides to return to home port

From: Outer Ministry, The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris
To: The Grand Duchy of Hampshire

As announced, all restrictions on OMP traffic have been removed since the offending martime restrictions to Klatchian Trade have been removed. To prevent further misunderstanding between ourselves, we feel it would be advisable to exchange diplomatic missions with your nation.

Our attempts to maintain cordial relations with some other OMP members has proven impossible after the recent unpleasentness.

The man finally reveals his idenity by producing a Klatchian Marshall I.D. from somwhere (actually hidden in the ciggerete case) it seems that the Privy Council was supportive of the idea of removing the piracy problem internally.

In light of the recent diffusion of tensions in the South Klatchian Sea, all fleets have been ordered to resume their original orders.

The GDMO is very glad to see that this situation was solved without a single shot fired. We would also like to thank all nations of the world that came to our aid in diplomatic support. See? Diplomacy works.

--V.ADM. TRENT TALLAHAN, Head of Operations, Navy Central Command

A small group is fine. In the interests of keeping a low profile, you may come via commercial airline. We can make arrangements so that if your guards require weapons on board that the usual restrictions will not apply. We look forward to your visit.


--Hampton Palace, Office of the Grand Duke--

"That was the message they sent with me, Your Highness." the Guard said after the Grand Duke read it.

"Alright. Inform Lord Rosecrans, General Pippel, and Senator Flint that they will be taking a 'trip'. Tell them to pack lite.

Before you go, I'll write another letter. You are to go back to Vrak and hand deliver it back to Ipshi Hagwonak. You'll only be 6 or so hours ahead of our delegation, so make haste."

[Letter sent to Ipshi]
Our representatives will be arriving in Vrak by third party commercial airline. Our planes will fly them to the nation of Morathania in secret, from there they will board commerical planes bound for Vrak.

The three members of the delegation are-
Fleet Admiral Lord Phillip Rosecrans
Lt. General Henry Pippel
Senator Henry Flint

Each man will have a security detail of a lone Diplomatic Security Service Officer. For this meeting, Lord Rosecrans has been appointed to the position of Ambassador Extraordinaire and Plenipotentiary. Accordingly, he is empowered to act with full authority of the Grand Duke.


------------------------------

From: Foreign Ministry, Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire
To: Outer Ministry, The United Duchies of Alcona and Hubris

Our ships that were deployed to the near-Klatchian area were never under the command or guidence of any foreign power. It is unfortunate that such things were not made fully clear to all parties.

We agree with your observation; in order to prevent further misunderstanding as well as repair any damage that may have been done, we will at this time consent to a exchange of diplomatic missions between our two nations.

Somewhere in Vrak…

Translated from Vrakian.

-Excellent. They are coming.
-Makes sense. If nothing else, they would be curious about our motives.
-Indeed. But we shall hand this off to the Alconians. It seems that they may be better suited to dealing with Hamptonshire.
-Oh?
-Yes. It makes sense after all. We are presently busy with Ilek Vaad. Besides we need to turn our attention to other affairs. You will be busy Ipshi. Don’t worry.
-As you command.

====

Valkryie Airline flight #45 from Hamptonshire arrived in Vrak Prime on schedule. As the passengers descended they passed through the baggage checks and passport control. But six well dressed people from first class were quickly ushured into two black limosuines waiting on the tarmac. This was not so out of place, since Vrak did receive a fair amount of important VIPs from all over the world so hardly anyone paid any attention.

The limos, now joined by a third vehicle which was actually a black suburban, made their way through the bustling traffic. After passing Victory monument, they soon reached the outer section of the capital itself. Domes of various sizes could be seen for kilometers while humans and walruses went about their affairs.

The small contigent turned and passed through the massive iron gates and into a large courtyard. The mansion itself was quite large, although not overwhelming. It was set in the city surrounded by high walls topped with razor wire and crushed glass. Hidden cameras lurked in the overgrowth monitoring everything. The tang of salty air indicated that is was near the sea although exactly where they couldn’t guess from their current vantage point.

The mansion belonged to Grag Montezuma, CEO of Gargantua Manufacturing. He was away on business and, for this affair, would have been kept away for a little while until the affair was finished or if the parties decided to change venues.

A well-dressed team of smiling men and women spilled out of the suburban. As they escorted the dignataries into the main foyer, a large walrus approached them with the previously send Omega guard and two King’s Own. He bowed and then he said in a deep baritone.

“Greetings. I am Ipshi Hagwonak. Please follow me and I shall introduce you to our other guests.”


OOC: Up to you guys if you want to start a separate thread.

The man finally reveals his idenity by producing a Klatchian Marshall I.D. from somwhere (actually hidden in the ciggerete case) it seems that the Privy Council was supportive of the idea of removing the piracy problem internally.


This of course did not amuse the Cheka agents in the slightest, "Good God man, you could have shown us that earlier and avoided a lot of unnecessary bother." the one who released him complained.

OOC: likely a good idea....Oh, and Vrak they were travelling in from Montazuma...
I'm just going to apply a discription of a room in an old mansion I was once in.

IC: The reception room furniture was covered in white cloths. The paneled walls covered with tapestries of some sceens from Vrakian history. At the far end of the room was a large hooded fireplace.

In a chair before the fireplace sat a fairly young woman dressed in the formal black uniform of the Klatchian Marshalls. The gold hydra and two planets on her collar was the only insignia. Her red hair was in a pony tail and her green eyes appeared to have dark lines underneath them from not getting enough sleep recently. She was Landgravine Hubris, Victoria Wittlebach Crawford, The Outer Consul of the FKC.

Near the window stood another young woman, this one blond with green eyes. She appeared as a slightly younger version of the woman in black. The family resemblence was unmistakeable. The blond only wore a blue suit and white blouce. However, her stance and poise indicated military training.
Her name was Elizabeth Crawford, Markgravine of Both, in reality a military govenor of one of the Klatches more 'unsettled' areas.

The group in the room was filled out by two guards. One was an eight foot creature covered in a black, hooded robe, A Var guard of the Privy Council. The other was a human in the light blue uniform of the Royal Guard.

*Well they have arrived. the blond spoke in Manx
*Hmm, well it was nice to see Ishpi, but the president keeps on acting like I'm the V.P. or something...
*The Chancellor has his own duties to attend to...and men tend to...try and impress you...
*Hmph, I'm all but married...
*Yeah, thanks for reminding the girl who can't get a date...

When Ipshi re-entered the room, the Landgravine stood back up and said
-Ah, the delegation from Hampshire has arrived? (in Vrakian)

The Frunze-class battleship was tied up at the closest available pier and was undergoing an inspection. The delivery crew were currently in talks with their Vrakian counterparts and training was to begin shortly. As well, now that production rights were secured, new keels were being laid at the nearby Hyperion shipyards.

The 1st, 5th, and 6th projection fleets finally arrived, but they were not alone. A fleet of twelve new battleships from Santa Barbara as well as 18 ships from Tappee arrived. The six large Aeris class cruisers held promise to match other maritime powers in regards to aircraft deployment. The Ilek-Vaad discussions also held much promise not only for Vrak but for the entire FKC.

With the arrival of so many new ships – at least new as far as Vrak saw it, it would take time to integrate and reorganize the fleets. Plans of selling most of the Soyuz III battleships as well as some of the Kreml aircraft carriers to fellow FKC states were in the works.

And, the research at Bastion One was finally beginning to bear fruit…

INN News Link in regards to this thread. (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=6898066&postcount=4)

And with the news of the withdrawal of OMP forces from the region, the Iuthian fleet will prepare to leave the region along with all military vessels. Sorry I'm a little too tired to cover too much of it. But here's a nice peice of news coverage... probably a little slanted to my opinion...

OOC: likely a good idea....Oh, and Vrak they were travelling in from Montazuma...
I'm just going to apply a discription of a room in an old mansion I was once in.

IC: The reception room furniture was covered in white cloths. The paneled walls covered with tapestries of some sceens from Vrakian history. At the far end of the room was a large hooded fireplace.

In a chair before the fireplace sat a fairly young woman dressed in the formal black uniform of the Klatchian Marshalls. The gold hydra and two planets on her collar was the only insignia. Her red hair was in a pony tail and her green eyes appeared to have dark lines underneath them from not getting enough sleep recently. She was Landgravine Hubris, Victoria Wittlebach Crawford, The Outer Consul of the FKC.

Near the window stood another young woman, this one blond with green eyes. She appeared as a slightly younger version of the woman in black. The family resemblence was unmistakeable. The blond only wore a blue suit and white blouce. However, her stance and poise indicated military training.
Her name was Elizabeth Crawford, Markgravine of Both, in reality a military govenor of one of the Klatches more 'unsettled' areas.

The group in the room was filled out by two guards. One was an eight foot creature covered in a black, hooded robe, A Var guard of the Privy Council. The other was a human in the light blue uniform of the Royal Guard.

*Well they have arrived. the blond spoke in Manx
*Hmm, well it was nice to see Ishpi, but the president keeps on acting like I'm the V.P. or something...
*The Chancellor has his own duties to attend to...and men tend to...try and impress you...
*Hmph, I'm all but married...
*Yeah, thanks for reminding the girl who can't get a date...

When Ipshi re-entered the room, the Landgravine stood back up and said
-Ah, the delegation from Hampshire has arrived? (in Vrakian)

OOC: I've just come back to college and I'm a little stretched right now, I'll write up a 'worthy' response within a few days.
Sorry.

OOC: Just start a new thread and T.G. me the link Hamptonshire

This is an violent BUMP :mp5: :sniper: :gundge:

This is an violent BUMP :mp5: :sniper: :gundge:
OOC: I can take the hint. Give me 24 hours and I'll give you a post. I've written a draft of the post but I need to clean it up first.