NationStates Jolt Archive

Vice Admiral Clay Ruskin went to his cabin to lie down. It was day six of the Ithaca's mission to escort Praetonian admiral Marcus Dio back to his home land after the trial of Admiral Marcus Patinkin which Ruskin embarrassingly lost as the prosecution attorney. Since Ruskin's military background was limited at best, he was ordered to assume a command.

He sat down at the desk in his cabin and started writing in the ship's log. The six days had been very uneventful. He and the crew were itching for some action. Finally, he put his pen down and got an idea.

He called his first officer, Lt. Commander Tad Newhan into his quarters.

"Hey Tad, you itching for some action?"

"You bet!"

Newhan was the type of officer who was always looking to test the Ithaca in battle. The class was one of the ships of Sarzonian design that was commissioned in the ISN and the ship was built to be one of the strongest ships of its type. He wanted to see if the ship would live up to its billing.

"Set a course for the Sarzonian base in Roach-Busters," Ruskin said.

"Sir! Our orders are to return to port!"

"I know what our orders are, but I intend to show that damn liberal of a President a thing or two."

"Sir, with all due respect, if Sarzo were liberal, the navy wouldn't be nearly as large as it is."

"You heard me, Newhan." Ruskin didn't answer the assertion by his first officer because he knew Newhan wasn't hostile toward the President like he was. He also knew Sarzo was more moderate but he wanted to have something to latch onto as a reason for hostility besides his political views.

Newhan gritted his teeth. He was going to get his chance to test the ship, but not in the way he expected to.

After the ship carrying Dio returned to port, the Ithaca began to steam toward Roach-Busters. It was only a matter of time before the brass in Nicksia would figure out something was up. It would be a while longer before anyone could do something about it.

OOC: Interesting idea, though it does seem that Sarzonia has had a rash of mutinies and successions in the recent months. ;) Can I participate?

OOC: Interesting idea, though it does seem that Sarzonia has had a rash of mutinies and successions in the recent months. ;) Can I participate?

[OOC: Sure. :)]

OC: Realy depends on wat your up to, I would like to participate and otherwise I'll just watch from a distance.

OC: Realy depends on wat your up to, I would like to participate and otherwise I'll just watch from a distance.

[OOC: I'm intending for Ruskin to look toward getting revenge, so the mutiny will be turning the Ithaca into a renegade ship.]

OC: Hm, my navy does need some good real live training...

OC: Hm, my navy does need some good real live training...

[OOC: I'm sure you'll get a chance, but I'd like Roach-Busters to get involved since we haven't RP'd together in a while.]

Hello, Sarzonia! :) Nice posts!

I'm just curious, but what should I do?

Hello, Sarzonia! :) Nice posts!

I'm just curious, but what should I do?

[OOC: Thanks!

I'm envisioning an attack on the Sarzonian base in Roach-Busters. If you wish, I could change it to an attack on your base in Sarzonia.

Perhaps we can figure out motive (like why Roach-Busters of all countries) in a TG or in AIM or something. But I'm envisioning this being a fierce naval battle.]

[OOC: Thanks!

I'm envisioning an attack on the Sarzonian base in Roach-Busters. If you wish, I could change it to an attack on your base in Sarzonia.

Either one would be fine. I'll make my post after the attack.

Perhaps we can figure out motive (like why Roach-Busters of all countries) in a TG or in AIM or something.

Sure.

But I'm envisioning this being a fierce naval battle.]

Sounds like fun! :)

bump

(Ready when you are, Sarzonia ;))

Ruskin walked to the bridge and strode confidently toward the command chair. He sat down.

"Mmm," he muttered to himself. "These damn chairs aren't even as nice as the one at my desk back home." He cursed the fates that sent him on the Ithaca instead of one of the plush chairs on a Freedom-class or a Calypso. He'd gotten a chance to try one of the chairs out when Navy Chief John Newman got it from the Mauiwowee design firm that was contracted to build them.

But now was not a time for regrets about missed opportunities. Now was his chance to take the chances and really make a name for himself.

He sat down and decided he would try to plot his attack. He immediately dismissed an attack on either Isselmere or Praetonia. Those two countries had powerful navies and Sarzonia would both be in a world of trouble with their staunchest allies and would be out for his scalp.

West Scotland was out of the question because they had Doujin-built ships and the Ithaca, as well built as it was for a monohulled light cruiser, would not be able to stand up to Thunderchild-class battleship. Also, angering Zoogies was generally thought to be a bad idea without extensive air cover. And air power was in short supply in Sarzonia, as Ruskin well knew. Granzi had to be ruled out for all the reasons listed above. He knew an attack on Granzi might lead Sarzo himself to come after him. Even though he thought of Sarzo as a weak-kneed liberal, he'd heard it was he who was the reason behind much of the naval buildup. Better not to take that risk.

Morathania was a prospect for an attack, but that would bring Morathanian ire upon Sarzonia and rebel ships already attacked a Morathanian squadron during a post-Civil War skirmish. Having Admiral Sorensen and the rest of President Colin Wixted's finest was not in the cards.

Ruskin thought for a moment and came back to his original plan. Roach-Busters. He figured that the commanding officers at the Sarzonian base in Roach-Busters would have their guard down with a lone Sarzonian ship approaching. He also knew commander Kyle Tucker was a bit lax in his preparations and he figured he could surprise Tucker. Roach-Busters it was.

"Helm, set a course for the Sarzonian base in Roach-Busters. Ahead 20 knots."

"Sir, that will take us off course by 600 nautical miles. With GPS tracking, Nicksia will know about it within half an hour and they'll send a squadron to intercept us."

"You heard my order ENSIGN," Ruskin snapped dismissively. He'd just initiate the scrambling equipment he had installed on the Ithaca from an Insidious-class electronics warfare destroyer. He figured that he could have the equipment adapted to jam the GPS systems and give the naval command in Nicksia a blind spot. That would buy at least a little bit of time.

"Engage," Ruskin said.

With doubt creeping into the young ensign's voice, he replied, "under protest, aye sir."

"Noted and recorded in the log," Ruskin snapped. He would get that damn ensign a court martial once he took over the base, he thought. He called the lieutenant who was the communications officer over to his situation room after the cruiser changed course.

"I want you to modify the electronics warfare suite to jam the GPS signal and prevent the knuckleheads in Command from detecting us."

"Aye, sir," Lieutenant Katy Burton said. She went right to work and made the modifications. Five minutes later, when the signal for the course change would have registered at the control station in Nicksia, nothing beeped. Everything looked perfectly normal. Burton had a small lifeboat launched with a GPS tracking device modified to mimic the Ithaca's signal and sent on the course that the cruiser was supposed to be sailing on. No one in Navy Command was the wiser.

Ruskin's plan was well underway. He smiled a haughty smile and went to his quarters for a nap.

Awesome post!!

If you don't mind, could you either have your base in RB be attacked or my base in Sarzonia?

Thanks! :)

Awesome post!!

If you don't mind, could you either have your base in RB be attacked or my base in Sarzonia?

Thanks! :)

[OOC: I'm planning to have it be my base in RB. Your base in Sarzonia would be too heavily guarded.

Thanks for the compliment!]

[OOC: I'm planning to have it be my base in RB.

Okay. I'll post after the attack, if you don't mind.

Thanks for the compliment!]

You're welcome. :)

Okay. I'll post after the attack, if you don't mind.

[OOC: No problem. I wanted to put in a set-up post first. I'll post the attack shortly.]

[OOC: No problem. I wanted to put in a set-up post first. I'll post the attack shortly.]

Okay.

bump

Ruskin was sitting restlessly at his table eating a meal brought to him by the chef from the mess hall. He was brimming with anxious energy with his ship scrambling the GPS devices to prevent the Navy Command from detecting his course change. Pretty soon, Rear Admiral Kyle Tucker would get a very rude surprise.

As he finished his meal and hit the intercom to signal for the mess hall personnel to take his dishes to the kitchen for washing, he received a message from Newhan.

"Sir, we are nearing the perimeter of the waters surrounding the base. You asked to be notified."

"On my way," Ruskin said. The mess hall staff person who showed up took the dishes from Ruskin's hands and walked back to his task as Ruskin ambled toward the bridge. When he got there, he walked to the command chair and sat down.

"Silent running," Ruskin ordered.

"Aye, sir," Burton said. The [Ithaca slowed its approach and shut down all standard communications modes to facilitate a sneaky approach to the base. Under that order, the Ithaca would ignore any attempts at communicating with the base.

The ship neared firing range and trained its six inch guns on the ships docked near the base. All of them carried Sarzonian registry, and he had intelligence on all the ships. Most of them were not of Sarzonian construction, so the six inchers would likely cause signifcant damage to the hulls.

"In range?"

"Aye, Admiral," the lieutenant at the tactical station replied. His targeting scanners locked on to the largest ship docked there, an aging Province-class cruiser that was weeks away from being mothballed by the Navy. Except for a skeleton crew commanded by an ensign, most of its crew were on shore leave in Roach-Busters. It would be the naval equivalent of taking candy from a baby.

"Fire!"

The Ithaca's guns whirred into position and roared to life. The cruiser began to take a beating and the ship's systems were off since much of the crew were resting. Even though the crew sprung awake and tried to get the ship moving, it was no use. Before long, a chief petty officer ordered the ship's colors struck. The ensign had been killed and all his superiors were either dead or severely wounded. He realize the attack left no chance of retaliation.

Not satisfied with the flagship of the squadron rendered a shattered hulk, the Ithaca kept firing and several destroyers and smaller vessels soon met the same fate as the hapless cruiser. Now that the naval squadron was wiped out, Ruskin turned the attention of the Ithaca to the base itself.

"Fire on that base," Ruskin ordered.

"Aye, sir."

"So long Tucker you unfortunate sucker," Ruskin muttered to himself.

The Ithaca fired upon the base, aiming to take it down shot by shot.

President J.L. was just about to sign the new bill when tremendous explosions in the distance raped the silence. The ground and building rippled, causing him to drop his pen. He looked around. "What the hell was that?" he muttered.
"Sir!"
He turned around. Captain Yang had just entered the room. "The Sarzonian military base is under heavy fire!"
J.L. picked up his phone and began to dial. "I'll call them at once to see if they'd like our assistance."
He heard a few beeps, then the operator said, "We're sorry. Your call did not go through. Will you please try your call again l-"
J.L. hung up. "Damn it. Captain, call the fleet at Coral Harbor. They are to deploy to the Sarzonian base and help repel the attackers. I hope to God they make it in time..."
"Yes, sir!"

OOC: As much as I hate you I have to say this, nice RP. :)

OOC: Once again Sarzonia you've outdone yourself. Your RPs are always first rate. I think you would be a good writer. You already one of the best RPers, in my mind, on NS. One thing though. Why did you just launch harpoon missles at the ship and tomahawks at the base? It would have been much easier and you wouldn't have had to get so close to the base. Well if you need any help hunting this guy down call on me. I always love getting involved in your RPs.

OOC: Once again Sarzonia you've outdone yourself. Your RPs are always first rate. I think you would be a good writer. You already one of the best RPers, in my mind, on NS. One thing though. Why did you just launch harpoon missles at the ship and tomahawks at the base? It would have been much easier and you wouldn't have had to get so close to the base. Well if you need any help hunting this guy down call on me. I always love getting involved in your RPs.

[OOC: For the element of a sneak attack. Missiles can be shot down, while shells can not. Anyway, I also wanted to make it a little easier for Ruskin to land to try to take the base.

Thanks for the compliments Morathania! :D :blush:

And, thanks for the compliment also Cam III!]

OOC: Well anyway, would I be able to join this RP. I could be part of a joint task force to hunt down this guy.

OOC: Well anyway, would I be able to join this RP. I could be part of a joint task force to hunt down this guy.

[OOC: Sure. Perhaps providing some intel for Roach-Busters or coordinating with him to face down the Ithaca.]

OOC: That sounds good.

Tag

OoC: As much I don't hate too ;) Great RP, glad that I can be of any service for it.

IC: T'was night time over Talas City, in the Imperial palace emperor Rift still lay awake shifting through several image feeds from satellites and recon aircraft.
When he reached the feed from #23 he stopped and zoomed in, the feed showing a port with several ships getting hit with conventional shells. Rift went through all possibilities for a second and then started searching for the source of the attack. When he found it he swallowed hard, Damn...that battleship was huge. was the mental note he made and he started putting together a message for the country that was being attacked, Roachbusters.


From: Dumpsterdam, Emperor Rift,
To: Roach-Busters, President J.L.
Subject: Possible attack, evidence attached.

By now you should be aware of an attack on one of your naval bases, this attack has been detected and recorded by our satellite network. The feed is attached to this telegram and should you require any help with tracking down this assailant I shall be happy to provide it.

Rift,

ATTACHMENT: 15.9 MB, compressed ZIP file.

The recording from the satellite shows a warship firing shells while a second later the impact of the shells is recorded on several ships in port. The image is black and white only and identifying the ship is nearly impossible due to the large amount of static.

OoC: If this isn't what you wanted Sarzonia, let me know and I'll edit it.

[OOC: The Ithaca-class is a light cruiser with six inch guns, so it's not huge like a Doujin, but the ship is based on the RL Cleveland-class light cruisers. They were described as heavy cruisers in all but armament since they carried six inchers.

That might change your report a little bit, but not the substance, which is the satellite imagery of the attack.

Thanks, though! :D]

OOC: Your using WWII era tech as the basis for your new ships. Well its your navy.

IC: Leonard James Defense Minister of Morathania came running into the Presidents office in Hamilton with shocking news.
"We have reports coming out of Roach-Busters that a Sarzonian military base has been attacked and destroyed."
"What the hell? That Sarzo has more things go wrong with him than Camewot. Who was it?"
"Don't know as of yet. From what we can tell though it was a gun attack and not a missle attack."
"A gun attack. Nobody uses big guns on naval ships anymore. Besides a few battleships most navies don't have anything larger than 5" on their ships."
"Yes that is the odd thing about it. It wasn't a battleship either from what we can tell."
"This is getting more and more strange. Has the Sarzonian government said anything publically?"
"No they have remained silent."
"I bet it was Cam III who the hell else hates Sarzonia enough to attack him. No one. It has to be Cam III."
"We have no proof though sir."
"Ya but really who else could it be? Who else would attack a Sarzonian naval base?"
"I don't know, sir."
"I have to get to the bottom of this. I'll call Sarzonia. Leo, you call Roach-Busters will see what we have so we can make some sense out of this."
"Yes, sir." With that Leonard James left the room.
Colin picked up the phone.
"Ms. Smith please get me Mike Sarzo."
"Right away, sir."
"Thank you."
The phone began to ring.
"Sarzo, speaking."
"Mike, its me Colin I just heard about what happened in Roach-Busters. I'm really sorry about the guys who were at the base. Whats going on? Do you have any info on who did this? I think it was Cam III. Their the only ones who have the power, hatred, and determination to attack you. Plus he just built a new HQ up in the arctic."
Colin waited for Sarzo's reply.

[OOC: Remember that the Iowa-class was modernized and recommissioned during the mid-late '80s. These ships are based on WW II era ships but are modernized versions of them, so it falls under a similar principle. I noticed that many "modern" ships have flimsy armour so I wanted mine to be well-armoured and able to withstand missile attacks.

Also, the way I have the RP going, the information would JUST be getting to Sarzo since the GPS tracking was screwed up.]

Sarzo listened to Wixted.

"Right now, we don't have very much information on the attack."

Sarzo stopped cold for a minute.

"Cam III? Didn't we just destroy that country completely?"

Sarzo thought for a minute. Apparently, some survivors must have gotten out.

"We can't overreact here. We need to find out exactly who did it before we take our next course of action."

Sarzo's mind began racing. Cam III? He knew he should have pushed more adamantly for destroying Cam when he had the chance before that joke of a peace negotiation. He also figured he should have stayed with his call for unconditional surrender.

Vice President for Defense Terrence Wilson came bursting into the office.

"Mike! We have intel on the attack."

"What is it?"

"Uh, you're not going to believe this, sir."

Sarzo sighed.

"Try me, Terry."

"The attack came from one of our own ships."

"What?!"

"Sir, it was the Ithaca."

Sarzo's eyes widened.

"Ruskin," Sarzo and Wilson said in unison.

"Get Newman in here. He owes us an explanation of what happened."

"I have that information already," Wilson said. "The Ithaca was equipped with the electronics warfare technology similar to an Insidious-class destroyer we got from Praetonia. They must have modified it to scramble our GPS tracking. All readings on the Ithaca's position indicated they were on course to return to Wilmington."

"ll the same, we need to get Newman in here. I wonder if he knows anything more about this?"

With that, Wilson went to call Newman and have him fly to Woodstock as soon as he could. The latest crisis had only just begun to unfold.

"Sarzo, what the hells going on?" said Colin screaming through the telephone, "I heard someone else in the room. Whats going on?"

"Well, Colin," Sarzo began gravely. "We have been able to rule out Cam III.

"However, we have news that could only be worse. Remember that vice admiral who was the prosecuting attorney in the court martial?"

"Yeah," Wixted said.

"He was given the command of a light cruiser, the ISS Ithaca. After he escorted Admiral Dio back to Praetonia, his orders were to return to port in Wilmington. However, he violated those orders and scrambled our GPS tracking mechanism to make it appear that the ship was on its normal course. He then attacked the base in Roach-Busters."

I know this is hard to believe, Sarzo thought. I can't even believe he'd go to this extreme myself.

"Considering his psychological state at the time of his deployment, you may be well-advised to proceed with caution if you try to go after him. The Ithaca is very well-protected for a ship of its class. It can withstand missile attacks that could cripple most modern day ships of its caliber.

"That's one of the tenets of Sarzonian design," Sarzo added. "We build our ships to be able to take and give a pounding. In this case, it's come back to haunt us."

OOC: The reason why ships aren't armored any more is because of missles like the Harpoon which are ARMOR-PIERCING. The reason why WWII ships became obsolete within 10-15 years was because they were facing missles which were armor piercing and bombs that could shatter all but the thickest armor. Thats why ships became faster, sleeker and began using Electronic Countermeasures and the anti-missle systems instead of armor.

"Jesus Christ! I can't believe it. God you Sarzonians have so many problems and issues. If your not having a civil war your having a mutiny or a court martial or a real war. Its always something. What I would suggest for you though is to focus on trying to find were he is. Then drop a daisycutter on him. You have to learn to control your military Sarzo."

[OOC: Actually, the Iowa can pretty much shrug off missile attacks and a lot of the information about armour protection comes from The Freethinkers, so that's what I'm going for here.

Hey, the more problems I come up with, the more entertaining it is. For a country without political parties, there has to be something interesting going on. ;)]

"We'll take your recommendation under advisement," Sarzo said.

He said his goodbyes with Wixted and hung up when Wilson walked into the office.

"Damn, Colin can be demanding," Sarzo said.

"Wixted," Wilson asked.

"Well, what did he recommend?"

"Drop a daisycutter on Ruskin."

"That'll be like finding a needle in a haystack," Wilson said. Senior Vice President for External Affairs Mark Lorber walked in from the hallway. He was in his office when he happened to overhear the discussion.

"Are you talking about that attack in Roach-Busters?" Lorber asked.

"Yes," Sarzo said wearily.

"What do we have on them?"

"It's Ruskin," Wilson said.

"Damn it! Get Newman on the case."

"He's on his way here," Sarzo said. "Navy Command is already working to pick the GPS signature back up. We should be able to send something by then."

Sarzo stood up and started to pace around his desk. He ran his right hand through his dark brown hair and sighed.

"That can't get here soon enough. Who do you think you'll send after him?"

"We can get the Endymion out there with Captain Travis Moraine."

"Ah, Travis," Sarzo said with a smile. He remembered Moraine when he was the first officer aboard the Endymion. "Good choice."

At least I hope so," Sarzo thought. That's all we'd need, for that to go wrong.

OOC: Sorry to say this, but a light cruiser isn't an Iowa Class Battleship. Well anyway why don't you try to find it the old fashioned way. Radar and Sonor sweep within a 700 mile radius of the attacked base. I'm done now. Sorry to be so pushy.

IC: Leonard James was back in the room by the time Colin got off the phone.
"That Sarzo. He can never seem to control his military."
"What is it now?"
"Rear Admiral Ruskin, you know the guy who was the prosecution in the Patinkin case, he has defied orders and attacked the base. The good thing is that he only has a light cruiser. If Sarzo needs our help he can have it but until then or until he attacks a Morathanian installation the Sarzonians can handle him."
"Do you want be to tell George [OOC: George Phillips my Minister of Foreign Affairs] to basically keep that position?"
"Of course I do. And call Bernie at the Naval Office tell him that due to the Sarzonian situation were going to have to keep the navy on high alert."
"I'll do that, Colin. Their probably already on alert because of some other situation. Their are to god damn many if you ask me."
"Ya well. You do that and I'll address the Senate later today. Alright?"
"Yes sir."
Leonard left to due his jobs and Colin swiveled his chair around to his work desk and began dueing some paperwork.

OOC: The reason why ships aren't armored any more is because of missles like the Harpoon which are ARMOR-PIERCING.

OOC: No they arent. A Harpoon can pentrate about 1.5-3" of RHA steel.

IC: Admiralty Building, Praeton

http://img15.exs.cx/img15/9233/Admiralty.jpg

One of the many Imperial Messangers ran through a corridor deep inside the Admiralty Building. The most important messages were always carried by hand and there were harsh penalties for those who did not deliver. In earlier and unenlightened times it was not unknown for an angry commader in chief to shoot the messanger.

This particular messanger knocked on the door of the office of the Naval Commander in Chief, Tiberius Polanus. He had just recently returned from the armour demostartion for the new Tiger Class Railgun Gunboat. He was pleased with what he saw and he was happy. It would not last.

"Enter," he said through the intercom. The door opened and the messanger walked in. He deposited the message on the desk, rolled up on a brass roller to form a scroll and sealed with wax. The messanger was also dressed from a by-gone era, with a bright red uniform with gold lace and a lumed brass helmet. Praetonian Officialdom was always carried out with as much pomp and ceramony as possible. "Dismissed," said the Grand Admiral. The messanger turned and marched out of the room, one hand on the hilt of his sword.

The Grand Admiral's staff was interested. It was rare that a letter was delivered in such a manner, and almost all previous occasiones had lead to war. "Varro," he said quietly. Rear Admiral Varro walked over to the Grand Admiral and saluted. Polanus waved it aside. "Do we have any ships near Roach Busters?"

"Only one sir..." he was cut off.

"Good. It is?"

"The PWS Centaur, but it's hardly in any state for combat..."

"This is important. It appears that a Sarzonian ship has gone renegade, under the command of that god awful man Ruskin no less," Polanus hadn't much like Ruskin since the trial, "and it has destroyed a number of Sarzonian ships and a base in Roach Busters," he said calmly. He was always a very carm man, much like Dio.

"Sir, the ship is not in very good condition at all..."

"Eight inch guns, correct? Battleaxe missiles, correct? We can easily outgun them. They have a mere six inch gun cruiser, and we can outrun them."

"Yes, sir, but the Centaur is battle damaged. She only has one operational turret, her engines can only be run at three quarter speed and most of her missile magazines are emptied."

"Regardless, we have to engage the Ithca. The Centaur will engage the Ithca, even if she has to go down fighting. Only we have a chance of finding her, they are using our Insidious technology."

PWS Centaur, Somewhere Near Roach-Busters

"Captain we have orders form the Admiralty," said one of the Ensigns.

"Yes? Are we to make for Neo-Praetonia, it is not far from here..."

"No sir, we are to seak out an engage a renegade Sarzonian Cruiser, the Ithca"

"Get me Polanus, we are in no state to fight...."

"Sir they say we are to go down fighting if we cannot stop the Ithca"

"I doubt Polanus will be persuaded then..." said Captain Vitellius like a man resigned to his fate. "Bring up all radar systems. Make for the Sarzonian base in Roach Busters."

"Yessir!"

bump

http://www.geocities.com/mr_whud/rb_map.bmp

That map might come in handy for the RP. ;)

Granzi City, 0800 hours

It started as a good day for Gerard Veru. As Commander of the CC intelligence complex in Granzi City, the weight of many responsibilities was upon this shoulders. But not today. After polishing off a plate of fried toast and a glass of orange juice, Veru planted a small kiss on his wife's cheek and made for the office. The only matter to be seen through was a small feed from Satellite G-4, and then it was the afternoon free. The guard at the complex entrance scanned his ID before waving him through. Clasping a small briefcase to his side, Gerard walked down the hallway, his steps echoing on the smooth marble.

Pausing at a steel doorway, the Commander drew out a small plastic disk and swiped it down the lock's edge. A click later, and he was inside Operational Command Center. Rows of liquid monitor blicked from atop the desks. Down the aisles stode mixed personnel, memos and folders held out in front, as if to part the stream of traffic that constantly flowed. Striding to his corner office, he found Adrai Demark sitting in a chair. Hearing Gerard's approach, he straightened before raising a hand in greeting.

"Good morning Adrai. I hope the new day has gone well for you?" queried Veru.

"It has been fine, but have something of the utmost urgency to deliver. It is from that satellite, the one whose feed is scheduled to be transmitted today. Several of the images have been quite interesting." At this, Veru raised an eyebrow in question. Before he could open his mouth, Demark set a thin folder on the desk. "You will find them contained there."

Gerard slid his right hand over the surface and drew out the photos. One was of a cluster of building wrecked by gunfire. Another showed several vessels beached or sunk, smoke wafting from their hulls. Veru looked up. "Where were these taken?" Adrai replied, "The Sarzonian base in Roach-Busters. We only just rerouted the satellite after word of the base reached us several weeks ago. Due to the fact it was not a high-priority path, these prints are already a day old. It seems," he continued, pointing at one, "that one of the Sarzonian ships fired on their own. This one, right over here."

Gerard didn't wait any time. "Get me the Defense Minister now. And send out a transmission at once!"

To: President Maike Sarzo
From: Defense Minister Nathanial Sun
Subject: Attack on Sarzonia

We have recently recieved some satellite imagery revealing the Sarzonian
base at Roach-Busters under attack. We offer our services, if the
Commonwealth could be of any assistance. Any information?

Nathanial Sun,
Minister of Foreign Affairs

OOC: Praetonia: Why aren't ships built with thick steel armor? If Harpoons and other types of missles can't get through them you would think that people would build ships with thick steel armor so that they are basically inpenetrable to normal anti-ship missiles? You know more about this than me so can you answer my question.

President J.L. has just announced his intention to blockade the entire nation of Roach-Busters, to ensure that no one comes in, no one comes out. In addition, more than 1,000 jets, warships, and helicopters are searching the surrounding area for the Ithaca(sp?). RB will not rest until the retribution it seeks against those who had the gall to attack one of its oldest and staunchest allies is accomplished.

To: Roach-Busters
From: Morathania
The Federation of Morathania would like to help you in your search for the
Ithaca. We currently have a small Cruiser Strike Force near Roach-Busters
which could be in the vacinity of the Ithaca in less than 2 days. We would be
happy to help you look for the people who did this to your territory and who
destroyed a piece of Sarzonian property.

To: Roach-Busters
From: Morathania
The Federation of Morathania would like to help you in your search for the
Ithaca. We currently have a small Cruiser Strike Force near Roach-Busters
which could be in the vacinity of the Ithaca in less than 2 days. We would be
happy to help you look for the people who did this to your territory and who
destroyed a piece of Sarzonian property.


We gratefully accept your generous proposal. President J.L. thanks you deeply.

Your welcome.

Morathanian forces in the region:
1 Charles De Gaulle Class Escort Carrier
2 Ticonderoga II Class Cruisers
4 Arleigh Bruke Class AEGIS Destroyers
6 Oliver Hazard Perry Class Frigates

OOC: Praetonia: Why aren't ships built with thick steel armor? If Harpoons and other types of missles can't get through them you would think that people would build ships with thick steel armor so that they are basically inpenetrable to normal anti-ship missiles? You know more about this than me so can you answer my question.

Actually, Ill answer it for you. :D There are a number of reasons;

1) Its cheap. In a world where there are few real threats from SSMs its hard to justify the cost of the thick slabs of armour when the AEGIS, CIWS et al provide sufficent protection already. Armour costs money, nothing no cash-concious government is gonna spend for something thats unnecessary in that social-political enviroment.

2) Thin sheeting is quicker to build with and repair. In wartime production, hulls in the water is the most important thing, and the simplicity of thin steel over time-consuming armour means more ships can be built quicker and using less resources. Remember every warship apart from the Carriers are considered expendable. Because most ships are large enough to take a hit or two from an SSM, the thinness of the material is in fact a benefit as it allows for quick and easy repairs.

Mostly, its just a question of cost and affordability. Navies make decisions based on cost-effectiveness for the situations they expect to face. Problem is, RL situations differ significantly from NS combat situations.

Aboard the HMMS Victory, a Charles De Gaulle Class Escort Carrier, 300 miles off Roach-Buster en route to Vandalia in Manium. 22:34 hours local time.

"Captain, incoming traffic. Strategic Command Channel. Ecryption code EGRA-4. Authenticated," said Lt. Harrelson, communications officer.
"Thank you Leutnent," said Captain Strasburg. He read the message:
To: Escort Carrier Group 12 Captain Strasburg
From: Naval Command, Johnstown
Captain Strasburg. A rogue Sarzonian vice admiral named Ruskin has defied
orders to return to base and has attacked a Sarzonian base in Roach
Busters. We have been asked by the Roach-Busters government to help in
the search effort and bring the Ithaca down. The Ithaca is supposed to be
within 750 nautical miles of your position. It is a light cruiser based of the
WWII-era Cleveland Class. It is heavily armored. As far as we can firgure out
it is armed with 6" guns and probably Harpoon missiles. Your orders are to
hunt down and either damage or destroy the Ithaca and to work with the
Roach-Busters, Sarzonian, and Praetonian navies in achieving that goal. All
other orders are null and void. Please proceed as soon as possible.

Captain Strasburg turned on the intercom.
"Good evening men. I have just recieved orders from HQ. It appears to me that the Sarzonians have a rogue admiral that they need to have taken care of. We are going to be staying in the area for the time being. I will now read you the message from HQ." He did that and then said, "I am going to send this to the other ships in the force. We will begin immediately. We are on full alert for attacks. We have to scan and sweep a 700 mile radius around our ship. Air crews will begin the search for this ship. Good hunting men."
At 23:00 hours a flight of E-2C Hawkeyes and S-3C Viking took off from the Carrier along with a flight of EA-6 Prowlers. They began looking for the Ithaca. Slowly sweeping over the black water they searched via radar and visually for any sign of the ship.

To: Roach-Busters
From: Morathania
Does the Roach-Busters Army currently have any A-10 Thuderbolts? The
Sarzonian ship is armoured so an A-10 would be able to penetrate that
armour because of it Depleted Uranium Armour-Piercing Shells. This would
weaken the ship and probably make Ruskin think differently.

In outer space two Morathanian spy satellites reposition themselves so they would orbit over Roach-Busters.

OOC: They'll be in place tomarrow I have to get off.

Does the Roach-Busters Army currently have any A-10 Thuderbolts?

Unfortunately, it does not.

Since Roach-Busters does not have any A-10s a wing of Morathanian A-10s will fly to Roach-Busters if you give us a place to land and a place to operate from.

Since Roach-Busters does not have any A-10s a wing of Morathanian A-10s will fly to Roach-Busters if you give us a place to land and a place to operate from.

Anywhere is fine. Thanks.

Thank you.

[OOC: Damn this thread took off in the time I was AFK!

Also, the base was not completely destroyed, just damaged.]

Ruskin surveyed the damage to the base and smiled. His plan proceeded far better than he could possibly have hoped. The Sarzonian squadron there was now a hulking mass of smouldering metal sinking into the salt waters near the base.

"Let's finish that damn base off," Newhan said. He had his doubts about Ruskin, but this impeccably planned attack removed many of them.

"No," Ruskin said. "There'll be time for that later. I have a use for the base."

The communications panel beeped. The base was surrendering to the Ithaca!

"Newhan, you have the bridge. I'll take a crew and take over that base. You are to get the Ithaca out of here and start fending off would be attackers."

"What attackers, sir?"

"Don't be naive, Newhan. Sarzonia has too many allies to have an attack on one of its bases go without an attempt to punish the attackers. Or did you forget what happened in the last war we fought?"

"No, sir." It was hard to forget a coalition of 16 countries supporting Sarzonia in the war against Cam III, and that didn't count the Victoria Alliance circumventing its obligation to Cam III and supporting Sarzonia. Ruskin may not have had the extensive experience of the man he prosecuted, but he knew that keeping the Ithaca a sitting duck was a bad idea. He also knew that he was in more danger on his own ship if he stayed and had Newhan command the force to be stationed at the base.

Ruskin took a group of marines and sailors on the boats stationed on the Ithaca and set off toward the base. Newhan watched his superior officer leave with a grimace.

"I hope he's right about this," Newhan said.

"Sir?"

"What is it, ensign?"

"I'm picking up a reading of a ship, looks like it's Praetonian registry."

"Can you identify it?"

"It's the Centaur, sir. Griffin-class, I believe."

"That's a light cruiser, if I'm not mistaken."

"Negative, sir. It's a heavy cruiser. We'll be outgunned if we try to engage it."

Suddenly, Newhan realized Ruskin was right. He didn't know the state of relations between Roach-Busters and Praetonia, but he knew Roach-Busters was out after the Ithaca and now at least one of Sarzonia's allies had joined the chase.

"Inform Ruskin that we're being pursued and request instructions," Newhan said.

"Sir, communicating with the base will break our radio silence and make us even more easily detectable. Our orders were to get out of here and engage anyone who comes after the admiral," Burton said.

"You have a point," Newhan said. "Helm, hard about. Set a course to intercept the Centaur."

"Sir! You're not going to engage a heavy cruiser!"

"You heard me, ensign," Newhan said.

"Aye sir," the ensign grumbled. He was thinking to himself that he may have to organize a counter-mutiny to take over the Ithaca. Even if Ruskin ended his naval career before it really began.

The ship began to turn as quickly as it could and set off to turn itself from the hunted to the hunters.

[OOC: Damn this thread took off in the time I was AFK!

Also, the base was not completely destroyed, just damaged.]

Ruskin surveyed the damage to the base and smiled. His plan proceeded far better than he could possibly have hoped. The Sarzonian squadron there was now a hulking mass of smouldering metal sinking into the salt waters near the base.

"Let's finish that damn base off," Newhan said. He had his doubts about Ruskin, but this impeccably planned attack removed many of them.

"No," Ruskin said. "There'll be time for that later. I have a use for the base."

The communications panel beeped. The base was surrendering to the Ithaca!

"Newhan, you have the bridge. I'll take a crew and take over that base. You are to get the Ithaca out of here and start fending off would be attackers."

"What attackers, sir?"

"Don't be naive, Newhan. Sarzonia has too many allies to have an attack on one of its bases go without an attempt to punish the attackers. Or did you forget what happened in the last war we fought?"

"No, sir." It was hard to forget a coalition of 16 countries supporting Sarzonia in the war against Cam III, and that didn't count the Victoria Alliance circumventing its obligation to Cam III and supporting Sarzonia. Ruskin may not have had the extensive experience of the man he prosecuted, but he knew that keeping the Ithaca a sitting duck was a bad idea. He also knew that he was in more danger on his own ship if he stayed and had Newhan command the force to be stationed at the base.

Ruskin took a group of marines and sailors on the boats stationed on the Ithaca and set off toward the base. Newhan watched his superior officer leave with a grimace.

"I hope he's right about this," Newhan said.

"Sir?"

"What is it, ensign?"

"I'm picking up a reading of a ship, looks like it's Praetonian registry."

"Can you identify it?"

"It's the Centaur, sir. Griffin-class, I believe."

"That's a light cruiser, if I'm not mistaken."

"Negative, sir. It's a heavy cruiser. We'll be outgunned if we try to engage it."

Suddenly, Newhan realized Ruskin was right. He didn't know the state of relations between Roach-Busters and Praetonia, but he knew Roach-Busters was out after the Ithaca and now at least one of Sarzonia's allies had joined the chase.

"Inform Ruskin that we're being pursued and request instructions," Newhan said.

"Sir, communicating with the base will break our radio silence and make us even more easily detectable. Our orders were to get out of here and engage anyone who comes after the admiral," Burton said.

"You have a point," Newhan said. "Helm, hard about. Set a course to intercept the Centaur."

"Sir! You're not going to engage a heavy cruiser!"

"You heard me, ensign," Newhan said.

"Aye sir," the ensign grumbled. He was thinking to himself that he may have to organize a counter-mutiny to take over the Ithaca. Even if Ruskin ended his naval career before it really began.

The ship began to turn as quickly as it could and set off to turn itself from the hunted to the hunters.

Awesome post, Sarzonia!

Awesome post, Sarzonia!
Thank you so much! :D

(OOC: You're welcome)

The Roach-Busters 7th Fleet has been deployed to the South RB Sea in search of the Itathca. They have been ordered to shoot on sight and take no prisoners.

(OOC: Sarzonia, if you don't mind, could we do a little skirmish between the Itathca and some RB ships? Thanks!)

OOC: Sorry, but did you miss my post? It's number 40, page 3.

OOC: No chance of getting involved myself, is there?

OOC: Sorry, but did you miss my post? It's number 40, page 3.

[OOC: I read the post, but I figured I'd respond either later in the previous one or in a new one. Sorry it's taken so long for me to type a response. Here's my belated reply.]


To: Nathaniel Sun
Defense Minister, Commonwealth of Granzi
From: Mike Sarzo
President, Incorporated States of Sarzonia
Subject: Attack

We would be glad to receive your satellite imagery. If possible, please forward to Navy Chief John Newman and Captain Travis Moraine of the ISS Endymion. I'm having Mr. Newman forward you the radio signature of the Endymion.

We have been able to determine that the ship is a renegade Ithaca-class light cruiser under the command of Vice Admiral Clay Ruskin. They have destroyed one of our squadrons and have damaged our base in Roach-Busters. Your assistance with the effort to bring Ruskin and the Ithaca's crew to justice would be greatly appreciated.

With that, the number of nations committed to the pursuit of Ruskin increased to six.

OOC: No chance of getting involved myself, is there?

[OOC: Don't count yourself out yet. Number one, I may need your naval expertise on hand. ;)

I'm trying to make this a fair fight for Ruskin, but it's one that he seems destined to lose. Perhaps you can provide additional intel to the pursuit forces?

If you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know.]

The transmission was recieved and immediately forwarded by courier to the Foreign Minister. Standing before the PM, and members of the Council, he snatched by the paper and eagerly scanned the writing. "Excellent," he announced to the figure present. "We have been given permission to track down the renegade. A light cruiser by the name of Ithaca. What naval forces can we spare for this mission?" Nathanial turned to Grand Admiral McDowell.

The Admiral cleared his throat before replying. "Most of the navy is out on other manuveurs, but the 6th Battlefleet is stationed at Hestoa for the present. We could easily detach a task force or two, and send them out." Prime Minister Bolash had stayed silent thus far. "Good, then I want a carrier taken from the 11th Carrier Group to join the 6th Assault Fleet and put on the Ithaca's path. We're taking no chances on this." He smiled. "Besides, it will be a good live-fire experience for the recruits."

OOC:

ASSAULT FLEET 6

1 Commonwealth Class Battleship
2 Roydia RefitA Class Battleships
2 Helina Class Battlecruisers
2 Carthage Class Air Defense Cruisers
4 Portlandia Class Missile Cruisers
2 Adari Class Air Defense Destroyers
4 Atlantia Class AEGIS Destroyers
4 Champlain Class Frigates
5 Lionfish Class Missile Frigates

ADDITIONS

1 Glacier Class Aircraft Carrier (70 aircraft)
6 Executor Class Combat Logistics Ships

Talas City, Imperial palace Sarzonia

Rift left the meeting with his aides, he was of no use here since the nation's healthplan was not realy a key area for him. As he passed Marcus Alfarius he stopped and brought up the subject of the attack on Roach-Busters.

"Heard anything more about that attack a few days ago?" Marcus stopped dead in his tracks.

"Yes Emperor, we believe it is the Ithaca a cruiser from the Sarzonian navy." The man did sounded kind of worried when he Emperor kept on asking.

"Don't they have a alliance with each other?"

"According to DSS information, yes. But Emperor, you must know the strange times we live in." He said with a kind of fiendish smile.

"True, allert Roach-Busters and Sarzonia, where sending in a taskforce. I don't want this ship showing up at one of our ports and blasting it to pieces."

"Yes Emperor, the taskforce shall be dispatched." Marcus said as he hurried off towards DRN HQ.

To: Roach-Busters, President J.L.
From: Dumpsterdam, Emperor Rift.
Subject: The Ithaca

As you have no responded to our last Telegram I presume this has failed to reach you, therefor I am attaching the previous message and the images from our satellite. We ask permission to deploy a hunter squadron to track down and sink the Ithaca, we see this ship as threat to the free seas and ports in Dumpsterdam.

Rift,

Taskforce Rimrod, commanding officer: Commandeur Sophia Raditz.
Two[2] Karel Doorman class Frigates; DRN Zwaan, DRN Ulatasters Revenge.
One[1] Ticonderoage class missle Cruiser; DRN Tastic.

To be deployed inmediatly to the Sarzonian base in Roach-Busters, confirmation on aproval of the RB goverment is to be given underway to prevent any further delays.

OOC: Note to people deploying entire carrier battlegroups etc, your ships will take a long time to prep, launch and then reach the area. The only people who should be close right now are me (that's why Im only using a damaged cruiser that happened to be in the area) and Roach-Busters obviously.

IC: PWS Centaur, Near the Ithca

"Sir, we're picking something up on radar... it's very faint, but moving directly towards us," said a young Ensign, reviewing the radar display.

"Order them to identify themselves," the crew were silent for several minutes whilst another crew member spoke rapidly into the radio microphone.

"No responce, sir," came the final final reply.

"Ensign could it be the Ithca?"

"I cant know for sure with the radar partially jammed, but I wouldn't rule it out. If it is them it's an odd move, unless they know we're damaged..."

"Yes... well we have orders to engage. First Officer, bring us to face them. Ready the forward turret and point defence systems, await enemy fire, visual sighting or confirmation from Praeton,"

"Yessir!" Game the responce from every man on the Bridge. The ship was hastily prepared for battle. The forward turret trained left and right, each of the three eight inch guns moved up and then back down individually in the final systems check. No test ammunition was fired, every bullet was precious right now. The crew cleared the gangways outside of the ship and the ERA systems were activated. The long, sleek, trimaran cut through the water at 19knts, light grey smoke eminating from the heat of tangled metal to her rear that hand once been a second triple turret.


High above spy satellites moved to zoom in on the area where the Ithca had supposedly been sighted. It would be some time before the satellites were ready, but they would get a definative answer. Perhaps by then gunfire would confirm everything.

OOC: The task force will most likely not arrive intact at Roach Busters. I'm planning to split up the vessels later for another RP with Roach Busters.

"Sir, I'm spotting the Centaur," came the signal from the radar officer.

"In firing range?"

"Not yet, sir."

Newhan got a crazy idea in mind.

"Set a course for the Centaur's midsection. Ramming speed."

"Sir!"

"Do it. We may need to if they're a more powerful ship than we are."

"Aye, sir."

The unsteady hands at the helm set the course and the Ithaca turned in its path toward the Centaur.

"Target both forward turrets below the waterline. I want to sink that ship," Newhan said. "Hopefully we won't have to ram them."

"Aye sir."

The Ithaca finally reached firing range of the Centaur.

"Sir, the Centaur is trying to communicate with us."

"Nice try," Newhan said snidely. "We'll communicate with them all right. With our guns. Fire when ready."

The Ithaca's guns roared to life again, sending the six inch shells hurtling toward the Centaur.

Newhan waited for the report of damage to the Praetonian ship before he made his next move.

The Centaur, her radar partially jammed, didn't realise she was under fire until until the first volley hit home. A salvo of nine six inch shells impacted, five into the water, knocking the ship from side to side and sending up huge showers of water which crashed back down splashing the now abandoned deck. The crew were inside protected from the ERA blocks and safely inside the armour.

A shell skimmed the stern deck armour first buckling it horribly and then exploding, ripping up the deck but thankfully not penetrating into the nuclear reactor chamber. A second shell also flew wide off the mark, hitting the superstructure and exploding withing, blowing the top 3" thick glass into the sea and horribly mangling the metal compartments within. 12 people were instantly vapourised and 26 more were injured.

The third hit glanced the 'A' position turret face but thankfully the ERA blew it clear; the shell exploded above the water showering the thankfully empty deck with shrapnel. The final 6" shell hit the armoured belt and failed to penetrate, but rocked the ship violently backwards.

"Damage report!" Shouted the Captain, climbing back into his chair after the onslaught. Meanwhile the automated turret below fired the ship's only operable gun armament, three 8" ETC rifles. The guns were already trained on the unknown ship and so as soon as the muzzel flash had died down the autoloader system whirred into action to prepare for the second shot.

"Severe damage to the upper superstructure amidships and after section above the engine compartment, light scarring to the armoured belt amidships."

"And they can see us, but we can barely see them... fire an anti-radiation missile. Hopefully we can knock out their targetting array."

"Very good sir."

A Morathanian Improved Los Angeles Class Attack Sub, the HMMS Nautilus, attached to the small Escort Carrier Stirke Force that was in the area had been in the area of the Centaur for about an hour. It was searching for the Sarzonian vessel. At 22:45 hours it spotted something beside the Centaur. The Nautilus was at 58 feet, periscope depth:
"Conn, sonor, I have a contact bearing 015. I can't tell what it is yet. I keep picking it up intermittantly."
"Are you sure its not a echo of the Centaur or a private vessel?" asked Capt. Luke Davis.
"Maybe but I don't know."
"Periscope up."
Capt. Davis slowly turned the Periscope toward the Centaur. He flicked the zoom a few times and turned night-vision on. Their was the Centaur illuminated in the weird green glow of Night Vision. He then turned toward the contact. He could see nothing.
"Damn probably out of range," he said under his breath.
He looked back just in time to see a bright flash from the area of the contact.
"We have a hostile. It just fired," said Davis.
"Conn, sonor. Loud explosion. Its coming from the Centaur."
"Holy shit its the Ithaca!" shouted Davis, "raise the radio antenna. I have to give this information to fleet."
Communications sent the the message over a coded channel to the HMMS Victory.
"We have to help the Praetonians. Lower the periscope and the radio antenna. Take us down to 350 feet."
"Aye, Aye, sir."

Onboard the HMMS Victory:

"Sir we have a message from the Nautilus."
"What is it?" asked Capt. Strasburg.
"The Ithaca has just launched an attack on the Centaur."
"Holy shit! Well at least we know where they are. Helm?"
"Yes, sir."
"How long will it take to get to the Centaurs position?"
"The fleet can average 26 knots at the fastest. That would mean it would take us around 8 and a half hours to get near the Centaurs position."
"Well get us their as fast as you can." Start launching all the FA-18s and A-6s that you can. We need to get rid of this son of a bitch."
Within 25 minutes every FA-18 and A-6 was in the air. Heading toward the last known position of the Ithaca.

OOC: Thats about 35 aircraft.

To: Roach-Busters, President J.L.
From: Dumpsterdam, Emperor Rift.
Subject: The Ithaca

As you have no responded to our last Telegram I presume this has failed to reach you, therefor I am attaching the previous message and the images from our satellite. We ask permission to deploy a hunter squadron to track down and sink the Ithaca, we see this ship as threat to the free seas and ports in Dumpsterdam.

Rift,

Taskforce Rimrod, commanding officer: Commandeur Sophia Raditz.
Two[2] Karel Doorman class Frigates; DRN Zwaan, DRN Ulatasters Revenge.
One[1] Ticonderoage class missle Cruiser; DRN Tastic.

To be deployed inmediatly to the Sarzonian base in Roach-Busters, confirmation on aproval of the RB goverment is to be given underway to prevent any further delays.

Permission granted.

To: Roach-Buster Naval HQ
From: Capt. Strasburg, Capt. of the HMMS Victory
The Centaur is being attacked by the Ithaca. Morathanian planes moving in
to destroy the Ithaca. Morathanian sub also in area. Please help in the
operations.

To: Roach-Buster Naval HQ
From: Capt. Strasburg, Capt. of the HMMS Victory
The Centaur is being attacked by the Ithaca. Morathanian planes moving in
to destroy the Ithaca. Morathanian sub also in area. Please help in the
operations.

You bet. 5 Tyrant-class Battleships, 25 Payton Class Battlecruisers, 2,500 Blue Thunder Class Choppers, and 3 UltorClass Battleship/Carriers are being deployed to help destroy the Ithaca.

Open Transmission

To: All Parties Involved
From: Admiral Grashal, Granzian Navy
Subject: Information

As Granzian naval forces arrive on the scene, we request any information of the Ithaca's whereabouts, and of the present situation as a whole. We are here to assist in the subduing of the muntinous Sarzonian vessel, hopefully without sinking her. Any information will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Admiral Grashal,
Commander: Task Force 20
Commonwealth of Granzi

OOC: Sorry to get off topic, but Roach Busters, have you processed my claim in the partition thread?

The Ithaca readied its turrets for a second attack on the Centaur when the shots from the guns glanced off the upper fore turret of the ship. However, one of the guns on the turret exploded, killing four sailors nearby.

The missile approaching the conning tower was knocked off its course by a decoy that Newhan fired, sending the missile to a low-priority area of the Ithaca. However, Newhan miscalculated slightly. The impact area had a crew of sailors that he thought were in a different area of the ship and sickbay reported that 20 sailors died in the impact.

"Damage report," Newhan asked as he held on to the command chair following the impacts.

"Turret B is damaged slightly," the communications officer said. "Sickbay is reporting 24 dead and at least 32 wounded from the attack."

Newhan swallowed.

"Surprised it wasn't a whole lot worse," Newhan said. "Perhaps they're a little more wounded than we expected."

"Analysis, Mr. Ford?"

The scanning officer looked over the images of the Centaur.

"They're pretty badly damaged, though I'm not sure how much of that we caused.

"Damn Praetonians figured they could send an old bucket of bolts after us. They've got another thing coming," Newhan said.

"Ready a spread of anti-ship missiles and another broadside and fire when ready!"

"Aye, sir."

The Ithaca fired a spread of six missiles and a broadside. Since one of the guns was disabled, eight shots came flying in toward the Centaur.

"What do we do if we defeat the Centaur," Lieutenant Dan Ford, the scanner officer asked. We'll be a sitting duck with ships coming after us."

"Activate the electronics warfare suite and make a run for it," Newhan said. "We're not going to go down without a fight. But let's find out what damage we caused to the Centaur in this round."

"With all due respect, sir," Burton said, "I recommend we begin evasive maneuvers. We don't want the Centaur able to retaliate very easily. That ship is pretty badly damaged from the sounds of it."

"You're right, Katy," Newhan said. "Begin the evasive patterns and then get us out of here when the Centaur is defeated."

"Aye, sir."

The Ithaca began the evasive maneuvers while Newhan waited for the damage report from the latest attack on the Centaur.

The automated 8" guns fired again just as the second salvo from the Ithaca impacted. This time only three of the shells missed, exploding next to the hull, sending massive plumes of water up into the air only to crash back down on the Centaur. Three of the 6" shells came straight down into the superstructure, one was knocked off course and exploded away from the hull, hit by an exploding ERA block. The remaining two crashed through the hull roof and exploded ripping the upper amidships superstructure to pieces.

Immediately the powerful extractor fans embedded in each wall revved up and sucked the oxygen from the small flames beginning to develop. The remaining two shell hit the armoured belt, one of which only glanced and exploded a metre or two from the ship, the other buried a few centimetres into the metal before exploded, showering the ocean with shrapnel but, fortunately for the Centaur, did not penetrate.

The six Harpoon missiles shot towards the Centaur considerably slower than the shells and were picked up on the millimetre band radar of the Testudo CIWS system. Gatling guns started up immediately, knocking a missile from the sky in a hail of 30mm AP shells, and moving on to the next. Meanwhile the Discus missile system activated, firing it's two remaining missiles towards the Harpoons. Both found their mark and slammed into the enemy missiles at mach 6, destroying them. The second missile to be targetted by the CIWS gun took a glancing hit and spun into the armour belt exploding but causing little damage. The remaining two slammed into the middile superstructure ripping through the hull, killing several men and destroying the mess. Again the fire control systems took effect immediately and prevented crippling damage.

The 8" guns fired again, as did the missile systems, firing the remaining three anti-radiation missiles and four Lance anti-shipping missiles.

"Sir, heavy damage to the middle upper superstructure and armour belt. 38 confirmed dead and 52 injured."

"We'll just have to pray this works... another salvo with little effect in return and we will be forced to withdraw."

Me ^^

Aboard the DRN Tastic Commandeur Raditz nervously drunk her cup of coffee, the two escorting frigates closeby as they enterd RB territorial waters.
"Nervous Ma'am?' Asked second officer Relas as he delivered her a rapport indicating where the rogue warship should be.

She looked up from her cup in surprise, "Yes, my first command and they give me a real assignment, lucky me." She said with a high dose of sarcasm while reading the rapport.

She signalled for her helmsmen to set a course for the last known position of her prey and put all ships on a standard sweep manuevre.

OC: Sorry, its kinda late...tired...must have sleeeeeep...

The guns from the Centaur missed most of their targets on the Ithaca, except one of the guns made a glancing blow on the conning tower. The Ithaca trembled slightly from the impact.

"Sir! Incoming missiles!"

"Launch decoys and activate the anti-missile systems," Newhan ordered. "Train one more broadside on the Centaur and fire. "Target their engines and their turrets."

"Sir, they've only been sending broadsides of three 8" shells at a time."

"Analysis?"

"They have more, but for some reason, they're not firing them."

"Send another spread of anti-ship missiles and focus Turret A on the operating turret of the Centaur. Then, launch a second broadside targeting their engines."

"Aye sir."

"Fire!"

The Ithaca launched its ordnance and Newhan watched for the damage.

"Scan for other hostiles. I want to find out if there are any other ships or subs in the area. There'll probably be an aircraft squadron coming soon. I want their signals scrambled and I want the AA guns ready to pick off some jets."

"Understood, sir."

The Centaur had turned to face the Ithaca, presenting as small a target as possible. Normally this would halve the ship's useable armament, but not this time. Many of the shots from the Ithaca fell wide but two hit the aft section, exploding on the deck and taking out the helicopter-less helipad and hangar.

"Incoming missiles! CIWS systems activated..." the ship rocked slightly, "one gun out of action in the A turret, one impact on the front main superstructure."

"Fighting retreat! Deploy Battleaxe missiles," ordered the Captain. Casualties were pouring into the sickbay. Only two 8" guns were operable, and they were being loaded with AP shells as opposed to HE. The engines began to push the ship backwards, slowly accelerating to the current top speed of 23knts.

Meanwhile the three remaining huge Battleaxe missiles streaked from their launchers at mach 3, accelerating to their mach 7 maximum speed. One was a deadly KE missile, topped with a solid tungsten needle, this was a railgun in missile form. The other two missiles carried heavy anti-ship HE warheads and a small penetrator. This would use the missile's speed to dig the warhead, the tunsten would vapourise and then the shaped charge would fly forwards into the hole and explode. These missiles were powerful, but expensive and bulky. This was the Centaur's last real hope of winning this fight.

The Ithaca had been expecting the Centaur to launch a last-ditch attack and readied anti-missile defenses for the anticipated attack. The anti-ship missiles and the CIWS guns all fired at full blast, knocking down several of the missiles screaming toward the Ithaca. The decoys managed to knock down most of what was left of the missiles. One missile hit near one of the Ithaca's boilers, but with that area well-armoured, it caused only minor damage. Two, three knots of speed at most.

The Ithaca wasn't as fortunate with the shells, however. The ship was rocked by two explosions that destroyed Turret B [OOC: The upper fore turret] completely and caused damage to the communications tower.

"Report," Newhan yelled.

"We lost Turret B," came the response. Moderate damage to the comm tower. We couldn't contact anyone if we wanted to for about four hours."

"Initiate emergency reroute of communications systems," Newhan ordered. He walked over toward a scanning station when sparks flew up and hit him squarely in the chest. He fell to the floor in agony.

"Sir," Burton yelled. She picked up her walkie-talkie. "Medical team to the bridge!"

Burton surveyed the scene. As the next most senior officer on the bridge, she was in command. She realized that unless the Ithaca was able to get off another attack, their chances of getting away alive were remote at best. She sighed. This was not the time for her to have her first command experience.

"Helm, lay in a course for the Centaur. We're going to ram her."

"Sir!"

"You heard me," Burton snapped.

"What about our other weapons?"

"What about them?"

"Turret A and Turret C are still operational. Plus, we can still fire another spread or two of missiles."

"Very well master," she said to the master chief petty officer who had taken over the tactical station. "Target their engines and weapons systems and fire. Full broadside and two missile spreads. Follow the first two spreads with two more spreads of missiles. Make it as hard for their CIWS systems as we can."

"Aye, sir."

The Ithaca fired its guns and its missiles, sending both weapons systems screaming toward the Centaur.

"Bring us toward the stern of the Centaur," Burton ordered. I want to see if we can chase them down."

"Sir, I'm reading other ships on the way. They'll probably be in range within another four hours."

"Follow my orders for the moment," Burton said. "If we can disable the Centaur, then we'll have to see if we can make a break for it." She contacted the damage control units.

"Damage control teams, I'm going to need the engines back to full capacity stat. Communications are the last priority."

She turned to her tactical officer.

"Master, how soon can we get Turret B fixed?"

"It's completely destroyed, sir," the master chief petty officer said. "We're going to have to replace it."

"And there's no time right now," Burton said. "We'll have to make do without unless we can put about two or three days' distance between us. Lieutenant," she said, turning to her scanner officer. "Any subs nearby?"

"One sub on its way," the officer replied. "Markings suggest it's Morathanian."

"Damn," she muttered. "Now that's at least three countries that are in hot pursuit." Not counting Sarzonia, she thought, sadly.

She knew that Morathania, Praetonia, and Roach-Busters were in hot pursuit. Intel reports suggested that Granzi would not be far behind. The Ithaca could outmaneuver the fleets, she figured.

"Sir, one more ship is on its way to the area. Sir, it's the Endymion."

"Shit," she said, out loud. Aware of heads on the bridge turning to look at her in surprise for the profane expression, she turned back to the scanner officer.

"Lieutenant, is it in range?"

"Negative, sir. It's coming at full steam though."

"Damn you, Moraine," she said. "If the Centaur is fully operational, we're going to have to retreat. We can't take on an Alliance-class supercruiser. We're going to have to try to outrun it."

OOC: Sorry to get off topic, but Roach Busters, have you processed my claim in the partition thread?

Yes.

President J.L. has just announced that reparations of the Sarzonian military base will begin today. All expenses will be paid for by the RB government. In addition, 500 battleships are to be deployed to the area and a new RB naval base will be built nearby to ensure that our ally is not attacked again.

"Sir the Ithaca managed to shoot down our missiles and the one that hit caused little damage."

"What? We need Sarzonian CIWS systems... that or the ship is lucky... I have a feeling that we aren't."

"They're launching more attacks, four spreads of missiles!"

"All guns engage missiles!"

The shatter of CIWS could be heard throughout the ship. The entire crew was lying flat against the floor, the automated systems dealing with the missile thread. One or two missiles were knocked out of the air by the CIWS guns and more by the guided rockets fired en-masse from racks. The two operational guns turned to face the missile swarm and fired a special anti-missile canister shell filled with thousands of steel darts. One or two missiles were prematurely detonated as a dart melted right through it.

In total the Centaur took 8 hits to the armoured belt which did little against the thick armour, although the ship began to list slightly to port as huge chunks of metal were missing from it's armour. Two missiles struck the now wrecked upper superstructure, only the raised armoured bridge survived completely intact. Again thought, fire prevention systems activated and contained the damage. The other missiles were either destroyer or shot down.

"Sir heavy damage to the superstructure. We're running out of weapons."

"Very good, Ensign. Full speed aft. We daren't turn..." muttered Captain Vitellius.

The guns were still firing, however, another two salvoes of armour piercing shells were already heading towards the Ithaca.

President J.L. has just announced that reparations of the Sarzonian military base will begin today. All expenses will be paid for by the RB government. In addition, 500 battleships are to be deployed to the area and a new RB naval base will be built nearby to ensure that our ally is not attacked again.

[OOC: Five HUNDRED battleships? Isn't that a bit much?

Perhaps have one of your ships alter its course and basically run into the Ithaca please. That'll help set up the fate of the ship.]

[You can support that many? I have about 210, then 3 superdreads.]

[OOC: I put in some evasive maneuvers earlier in the thread, but I'll accept this latest attack by the guns.]

"Crap!"

"What's wrong, lieutenant," Burton asked.

"We just lost our communications tower. More fire from the Centaur."

"Is the scanner station still operable?"

"Aye, sir."

"What's the Centaur's status?"

"It looks like it's beginning to list to port."

"Good," Burton said. "Are we positioned behind the Centaur?"

"Affirmative, sir. It's backing toward us."

"Mistake," Burton thought. Fire the guns from Turret A and fire all remaining anti-ship missiles we have in the bow launchers."

"All of them? We'll be a sitting duck if the Morathanian fleet comes after us."

"All of them. We need to get rid of the Centaur."

"Aye sir," the master chief petty officer replied.

The ensign who had been questioning orders spoke up again."

"Sir, with all due respect, we can't continue this battle much longer or the ship will be sunk and too many lives will be lost."

"Thank you, ensign," Burton said curtly. She had her orders and she'd follow them even if it meant she was going to pay the ultimate price. She wondered what Ruskin or Newhan would do, but she decided she wanted to finish the Centaur first.

"Fire. Now!"

The Ithaca fired its guns from Turret A and the bow-chasing missiles in as rapid a succession as possible for two launchers to fire 10 missiles each. Burton hoped the missiles would have better luck than the previous ones seemed to.

At the naval base, Ruskin and the renegade crew got the weapons systems back on line and set their weapons's sights on the Morathanian fleet on its way to intercept the Ithaca.

"When they get in range of our weapons, fire on them," Ruskin ordered.

"Aye, sir."

"Sir theyre behind us, turning to get them back in front of us... sir they're launching a massive missile attack!"

"Empty our missile batteries into them, everything we have."

"Very good sir."

As the Ithaca's missiles streaked towards the Centaur the remaining VLS systems emptied. Twelve Lance anti-ship missiles and Twenty eight Javelin anti-air missiles. At the same time the ship's 30mm cannon and 3" guns began to fire at the Ithaca. They had to 'persuade' them to disengage... the main turret could just about train itself onto the incoming missiles to fire another two dart shells, knocking three missiles out of the air. CIWS rattled away, taking out another five and guided rocket racks emptied, taking down another four. Three of the Sarzonian missiles missed but that still left five missiles slamming into the ship, one of which was knocked aside by ERA.

Two didnt manage to penetrate the armour but caused massive damage to the deck. The remaining two missiles penetrated the forward deck, burying into the front of the ship and exploding ripping the forward below deck section to pieces, including a thankfully empty VLS magazine. Only the heavy armour and void spaces saved the forward turret magazine and the rest of the ship from destruction. Sea water equal in weight to the now destroyed internal forward bulkhead was pumped hastily in and the extractor fan system activated, starving the kindling fires of oxygen.

"Severe damage to the internal front section. Only operation weapons are two eight inchers, four four inchers, two thirty millimetres and two Testudo CIWS guns."

"Full speed away from the Ithaca, fighting retreat all weapons."

"Yessir!"

"More missiles coming in from the Centaur," came the call from the master chief petty officer at tactical.

"Fire all anti-missile systems. Decoys, CIWS, you name it. Fire it," Burton yelled.

The Ithaca knocked down many of the missiles, but one armour piercing shell exploded near a bulkhead. Fortunately for the ship, it wasn't anywhere near a key system, but it still shook from the impact.

"Damage report," Burton yelled.

"Sickbay reporting heavy casualities," the ensign yelled with his walkie talkie glued to his ear. "We've got moderate damage in the bulkhead on Deck 8."

"Thankfully, not a key system," Burton said. "Fire the fore guns and bring us hard to starboard so we can fire a broadside on the Centaur. Then, set a course to get us out of here."

"Aye, sir."

Burton stared at the scanner station where the movements of the Morathanian fleet was being tracked. She was getting more and more nervous about their presence. She hoped Ruskin got control of the weapons systems and could knock the Morathanians out of the water. However, she had more important things in mind for the Ithaca, and that was the here and now.

The ship fired its broadside once it got itself turned, then fired its port missiles at the Centaur. With the starboard missile battery unengaged, Burton had other plans for it.

Meanwhile, an empty magazine exploded. The Ithaca was fortunate that it was empty or they'd be severely damaged. However, three sailors weren't so fortunate. They died instantly and their insides stained the walls near the exploded magazine. The fire control system immediately sprung into action and contained the blaze, with oxygen being sucked out of the room to prevent the fire from spreading.

[The extractor fan system isnt used in RL navies, I just invented it a few hours ago =).]

"Sir more missiles!"

The CIWS guns rattled, the eight inch guns fired and even the small calibre anti-ship armament leant a hand, but still five missiles got through, tearing into the already disabled rear turret and destroying it completely. They also collapsed the empty magazine below and the turret crashed downwards into the ship, causing the stern to sit very low in the water. The ship also took a slavo of six inch shells, slamming into the port outrigger and horribly mangling the deck and upper internal cargo. Meanwhile the eight inch guns were still firing several rounds per minute, and the smaller calibre guns resumed firing on the Ithaca.

"Sir, they're fleeing."

"Shadow them, continue firing but keep as far away as possible and relay radar information to our allies."

The flight of Morathanian F/A-18s and A-6s, about 30 F/A-18 Hornets and 10 A-6 Intruders, finally reached the Centaur. They began a sweep of the area. The F/A-18s were armed with JDAM smart bombs the A-6s with a full completment of Harpoon anti-ship missles. At the head of the flight was Lt. Com. Jenkins in an A-6.
"Anybody see anything."
Replies of:
"Nothing yet sir."
"Only the Centaur" Came back to the Lt. Com.
"Keep looking," Jenkins said through his radio.
About 2 minutes later a voice came through the radio.
"Jenkins, this is Lt. Darby. I've found the Ithaca. Repeat of found the Ithaca. It is 11 miles North East of your location, sir."
"You heard the man," said Jenkins,"lets go. A-6s stay back let the Hornets take this sucker down. They need the JDAMs against the ship.
The 30 Hornets armed with two JDAMs headed toward the Ithaca. Ready to begin their attack run.

OOC: I edited it. You can get a shot at my planes now.

[Perhaps let him try to shoot down your missiles and planes hm?]

OOC: Great RP guys this is really good.

Onboard the Nautilus:
Explosions from both the Ithaca and the Centaur were heard.
"God damn it, its a gun battle. I've never seen a gun battle before," said Capt. Jenkins, "lets just stay back and see whats going to happen."
"Conn, sonor. The Ithaca is picking up speed."
"What the hell is it doing?"
"Their either turning broadside to fire all their guns or their trying to run."
"Well tail them. See whats going on. We need to keep track of these guys. Stay about 20 miles out."
"Aye sir."

The Assistant Minister of Defense, Arthur Keeler, came in to see the President.
"What do you have for me?"
"I've got a lot of intel for you. First. The Ithaca ingaged the PWS Centaur early this morning. We had a sub in the area and an air wing has been dispatched to take care of the Ithaca."
"Good, what else?"
"We just got these in today. Their from a spy sattelite over Roach-Busters. They show the Ithaca leaving the Sarzonian base earlier that day."
"So whats so special about the ship leaving their thats where it attacked?"
"Well their is something odd. The attack totally or almost totally destroyed the facility. Weren't many people left alive. Well it seems like their are a at least 100 men in the base at the time the Ithaca left."
"What are you saying?"
"What I'm saying is, is that Ruskin is going to use the base as a base for the Ithaca. A supply point, his own naval HQ."
"Holy shit, so you think Ruskin is still their?"
"Possibly, he might have gone with the Ithaca though."
"I have to call Sarzo."
Colin called up Mike Sarzo.
"Hi Mike I have some new intel from a spy sattelite of mine over the area."
"Ya what is it?"
Colin proceded to tell him what Assistant Minister Keeler had just told him.
"We need to do a cruise missle strike. Strike this base, I think, and we can seriously hurt the Ithaca."
Colin waited for his response.

OOC: Sorry for so many posts in a row.

Perhaps have one of your ships alter its course and basically run into the Ithaca please. That'll help set up the fate of the ship.]

(OOC: That could work. ;))

IC:

How could this idiot have become a Captain? the disgruntled workman thought, shaking his head, as he watched Captain Ruford gazing vacantly at an upside-down map. We're hundreds of miles from the Sarzonian base! What a damned imbecile!
"Uh...Biggs? Could you c'mere an' take a looka dis' map?" Captain Ruford asked.
Biggs, the workman, rolled his eyes, cursed under his breath, and lumbered over to the absent-minded captain to fulfill his request.
"What's up, Cap?" he asked, in a neutral voice.
"I doan und'rstan' dis yere, map, mate," Cap said. "Aye, it's a wee bit' confusin'."
"Well, sir, I'm no navigator, you'd be better off asking Marshall," Biggs said.
"Aye, Ah'll do tha-"
Suddenly, red lights flickered across the ceiling as the shrill, bleating wail of sirens enveloped them.
One of the deck hands ran in and saluted the captain. "Sir!"
"Aye, what is it?"
"The Ithaca has been spotted! It's 5 nautical miles ahead of us, sir!"
Over the intercom, the Captain bellowed, "Man yer battle stations! Th' Ithaca 'as been detected! Fire at will!"
The Captain gave the signal, and seconds later, the guns started shooting as the battle- which would possibly be their last- commenced.

(OOC: What did you think, Sarzonia?)

[OOC: A lot of actions to try to sort through! Here we go.]

"Sir, I'm spotting several planes on an intercept course. Registry looks Morathanian."

"Damn it, I knew they were coming," Burton muttered. "What's the status of our AA systems?"

"Mostly operational. One suffered minor damage during the Centaur's latest attack but it's serviceable."

"That'll have to do," Burton said. "Fire our AA guns and anti-aircraft missiles at the Morathanian planes. And launch torpedoes against the sub."

"Aye, sir."

The Ithaca fired its anti-aircraft weaponry at the incoming Morathanian jets and three torpedoes streaked through the ocean toward the submarine. However, just as Burton started to smile from her ability to spot the attacking Morathanians, the ship rocked from several explosions.

"What the Hell?"

"We just got hit by another ship, sir."

"Which one?"

"Registry is Roach-Busters."

"Damage report?"

Another explosion rocked the ship, and the engines started taking hit after hit.

"We've lost most of our engines. We'll be dead in the water if we get another hit there."

"Return fire," Burton ordered. She knew all would soon be lost, but she wanted the Ithaca to go out fighting. Suddenly, she walked over to the scanner station where the Roach-Busters ship just appeared into view. A bulkhead collapsed on top of her, and suddenly, she was wounded on the floor. The ensign picked up the walkie talkie and said in a shrill, panicky voice, "medical teams to the bridge. On the double."

However, static was the only reply. The console that controlled the walkie talkies had just gone down to a Morathanian shot. Burton would not get the medical attention she desperately needed, and she would likely be dead within the hour if the ensign didn't do something.

Now that he was the senior officer aboard the ship after the helmsman was killed, he knew what he had to do.

"Master, strike our colors. Set up the last remaining engine to set off an explosion and sink the ship."

"Sir, all boilers are now off line. We can't destroy the ship even if we wanted to. We're a sitting duck now."

"Fine. Strike our colors. Hope it's the Roach-Busters crew who comes after us."

[OOC: I would have been a little more specific about which kind of ship you sent out, but it's all good.]

Lt. Upton was the leader of the F/A-18s that were attacking the Ithaca.
"Looks like shes taking damage from that Roach-Busters ship. Lets get at her while we still can."
The Hornets flew into attack formation all 30 of them. Some went around the side of the Ithaca other toward here stern.
"Dropping bombs," said Lt. Upton. The first of the aircraft dropped their JDAM smart bombs on the Ithaca.

[OOC: The Ithaca has just surrendered. But the base is still active. :p]

OOC: I was writing that before I learned about the surrender. Why haven't you RPed your answer to my telephone call?

IC: "Hold fire!," screamed Lt. Upton after 3 bombs had been launched.
"The Ithaca is surrendering. Repeat. Hold fire. The Ithaca is surrendering."
Back in the A-6 Lt. Com. Jenkins was surveying the situation. All of a sudden Lt. Upton's radio transmission was heard.
"I'll relay this back to the Victory," he said on the radio. He then sent a coded message via emergency channels to the Victory:
HMMS Victory. Ithaca has surrendered. The Ithaca has surrendered.
She is heavily damaged and her engines are giving out. Please send faster
ships ahead. Heading back.
10 F/A-18s stayed in the area the rest left. Racing toward the Victory. A flight of F-14s would come to replace the F/A-18s. Capt. Strasburgm, who was just named, Commander Morathanian Forces Roach-Busters, basically Commander in Charge of Hunting and Destroying the Ithaca, wanted to keep a 24-7 watch on the Ithaca until she could be taken into port.

GN Alliance, Commonwealth Class BB

Admiral Grashal sat erect in this seat, overlooking the bridge. Impatiently drumming his fingers on the armrest, he glanced down at a Rolex watch. Four minutes late, he thought. What is taking the Comm Officer so long? The patter of feet rang in the hallway, and in briskly strode an ensign, a think folder clasped between his fingers. "Ah West, you're here," commented the Admiral. Looking appreciatively at the bulging folder, he remarked, "What have you got for me, the entire Naval Manual?"

"No sir, this just came. It's the daily transmission from Central Command." He handed over the stack before continuing. "Apparently, there's been a slight change of orders." The words 'Highly Confidential' were stamped in red ink on the heavy surface. Flipping the file over, Grashal slit it open with a flick of his penknife. He drew out a sheaf of papers and paused, dismissing West before settling down to read.

Finishing with the report, he moved onto the other items. Spreading the contents out on his desk, several photos caught his eye. They were marked earlier today, showing a seemingly running battle between two vessels. Peering at the left-hand corner, Grashal noticed the latitude-longitude was merely 70 nm from his present coordinates. Packing them into a drawer, the Admiral summoned his second-in-command next.

Vice Admiral Nukomi, on first glance, seemed cold and distant, though quite adept at conversation. That belied a strict belief in discipline and an iron will, qualities that had served her well throughout her career, a short 10 years. Striding into the room, Nukomi stood before Grashal. "You called for me, Admiral?" Placing a fresh report in her hands, he spoke. "Yes. There's been another situation that Granzi has been entangled in. I'll be taking most of the Assault Group toward Socialist Cockroaches." A pause. "You, meanwhile, will be placed in command of the GN Perseva (Roydia Class), along with half the Portlandias and Atlantias. You’ll also receive 2 Lionfish Missile Frigates, and 2 Executors. We’ll splint within the hour. Understood?”

Nukomi nodded and left.

"We need to do a cruise missle strike. Strike this base, I think, and we can seriously hurt the Ithaca."

Colin waited for his response.

[OOC: The thread grew almost faster than I could keep up with it. My bad. Since this call took place before the surrender, I'm RPing this as if the surrender hadn't happened yet.]

"I'd prefer getting the ship back in one piece, Colin," Sarzo said. "But I'm willing to see it sink to the bottom if there's no way of ensuring that.

"Having said that, the satellite images I'm getting shows that base to be damaged, but not destroyed. It still poses a significant threat to your fleet. Unless Ruskin destroyed them in his attack with the Ithaca, the base is armed with rail guns and as such, he can render even a Doujin floating scrap metal. My recommendation is to stay out of range, approximately 150 miles away from the base. Launch cruise missiles from there and see if you can launch an air strike and drop those daisy cutters on the base."

[OOC: Ruskin destroyed the rail guns with his attack on the base, but no one knows that IC.]

Sarzo hung up the phone and then called Navy Chief John Newman.

"What do we have in the area?"

"We have a new Freedom-class dreadnaught that should be in range momentarily. It's the Praetonia. We also have the Calypso-class Morathania en route. It'll take longer for it to get there."

"Good. Send the same warning to them."

"Got it."

The tension began to mount in the Gray House as the renegades continued to remain at large.

Sorry I missed the ending. That was a fun RP! Wanna do another one sometime soon, Sarzonia?

Capt. Strasburg was happy that the Ithaca had surrendered. He had sent a message to HQ that the Ithaca had surrendered. He was waiting to get orders to continue to Vandalia. Instead he recieved another order:
"Sir, I have a message comming over the command frequency. I have authenticated sir. Its from HQ."
Strasburg looked at it.
"It is authenticated." He then read through the coded transmission.

TO: Capt. Strasburg, HMMS Victory
FROM: Naval Headquaters, Johnstown
Commander Morathanian Forces Roach-Busters you are to begin a cruise
missle attack on the former Sarzonian base. Intelligence believes that part of
the crew of the Ithaca is still at the base. Fire as many cruise missles as
possible. After the cruise missle strikes send in Air Strikes from the Victory
until Morathanian Air Force Bombers are in the area.

"Well we have new orders. Send a copy of this message to all the Captains of each ship and sub in the Strike Force."
"Yes sir," said the Communications Officer.


After about an hour and fifteen minutes the first salvos were fired from the Morathanian ships. They were launched from the 6 Frigates, 4 Destroyers and 2 Cruisers along with the Improved Los Angeles Class at the former Sarzonian Base.

Sorry I missed the ending. That was a fun RP! Wanna do another one sometime soon, Sarzonia?

[OOC: Ruskin hasn't been captured or killed yet. :p]

OOC: Ya the base isn't destroyed, yet.

The first salvos from the Morathanian ships got shot down by a CIWS system installed by Tucker before Ruskin's plan to attack the base took effect. However, two missiles slammed into an empty warehouse near the base.

"What was that," Ruskin asked.

"We're under fire by the Morathanian fleet."

"Are they in range?"

"We can fire some surface to surface missiles at the Morathanian fleet," came the response from the ensign who had been designated the second officer of the Ithaca's crew that was on the base. "However, we damaged some of the targeting arrays in our attack so I don't know how accurate they're going to be."

"We'll have to find out," Ruskin said. "Fire on my mark."

The ensign set about trying to use the computerized target acquisition system but it was inoperable. The Morathanian attack knocked it out.

"We're going to have to target manually, sir. The last attack also knocled out the TA software."

"Do it!"

"Yes, sir."

"Targets acquired."

"Fire!"

A stream of cruise missiles launched and barreled through the air at the Morathanian fleet.

"Get the AA batteries going. I want to shoot down as many jets as we can."

"Yes, sir."

"Contact the Ithaca. I want Newhan to bring her back to help us repel those bastards."

"Sir, the comm line with the Ithaca is out."

"What could be happening?"

"Unknown, sir."

"No, I know," the second in command interjected, his face crestfallen. "The Ithaca surrendered. They're being boarded now as we speak."

Ruskin sighed. Their attack would take on a more desperate tone now.

"All batteries, fire on that fleet! I want every ship that comes into range of this base fired upon!"

"Yes, sir."

The base's remaining weaponry launched, but Ruskin knew he was running out of time.

"AEGIS has just picked up multiple cruise missles inbound. Most look as if their going to fall about 5 miles behind us, sir. Looks like we got about 10 that will be close to target. ETA 5 minutes."
The Sea Ram systems on the Destroyers, and Cruisers began immediately getting each of the cruise missles. When they got closer CIWS started going on all the ships. Almost all the cruise missiles were either hopelessly off target or were shot down. One made it through and hit the Supply ship Merrimack. It was damaged but it was repairable. A second hit the small Orion Class Hydrofoil Handel it was damaged beyond repair and sank early the next day.
"Okay launch second salvo," said Capt. Strasburg.
About 60 cruise missiles launched from the 17 Cruise Missile Capable ships (2 Cruisers, 4 Destroyers, 6 Frigates, and 5 Orions).

GN Perseva, Roydia Class BB

Nukomi was awaken by a knock on her stateroom door. Throwing the covers open, she rapidly slipped into her uniform. With wide strides, she made herself up to the bridge. The glow of consoles greeted the Vice Admiral as she threw apart the double doors and stepped into Operational Command. "Situation report!" An ensign drew out a manila folder and handed it over. Flipping through the papers, she was interrupted by a shout from the other end of the center.

"Vice Admiral, I'm getting some contacts near the Sarzonian base. Range, approximately 40 nm fore." It came from the radar operator. Nukomi hurried over. Yesterday they had reached the last-known point of the Ithaca, only to find the ship had surrendered in overwhelming circumstances. Typical, she had thought. We arrive just when the action just ends. That had been before another transmission came from CC, directing the task force to the base in Roach Busters. It's a wonder that the base hasn't been attacked on the landward side.

But now wasn't the time for such thoughts. The radar operator pick out several shapes, clearly naval vessels. But whose side were they on? "Helm, broadcast this message, open frequency." The Comm Officer was alarmed. "But ma'm, that will reveal us to the muntineers." Nukomi snorted. "They will soon anyways, if not already. The message: 'This is Granzian Task Force 42, due to retake the Sarzonian base. Please state your nationality and business.' "

The second salvo of missiles were parried off by decoys and the CIWS system, but two hits slammed into different powder magazines. One was empty and just caused an explosion that caused the rove to cave in slightly. The other had a limited store that caused an explosion rocking the base.

"Report!" Ruskin shouted.

"Magazines E and F were hit, sir."

"Target that fleet again. Full spread. Fire every last missile if you have to."

"Aye, sir."

The base's eight missile launchers fired a stream of 48 missiles toward the Morathanian fleet. The seventh, and smallest, launcher had its target acquisition software briefly restored before it fired the fourth of six missiles. As soon as the sixth launched, it went out again.

Crews began to transport the remaining missiles to the launchers, but there were only 16 remaining. That would be hardly enough to cause a dent in the Morathanian fleet, even if the targeting system were fully operational, Ruskin knew. If he were more experienced in combat, he might surrender the base and spare his crew the agony of being responsible for following his orders. But Ruskin was so blinded by the desire to prove his mettle in combat that he couldn't think clearly.

He waited expectantly by the radar station hoping to hear a positive report on the missile attack on the Morathanian fleet. He forgot about the aircraft, which began bombing the base.

"Take cover," Ruskin yelled. One bomb dropped down on a small, inconsequential looking structure on the base. However, that structure was where Ruskin had set up his command center. The roof caved in and he knew there was no way out. He just decided he was going to go down with his 'ship' any way he could. However, the remaining crew were going to carry out his attacks the best way they could.

TO: Vice Admiral Nukomi
FROM: Capt. Strasburg, HMMS Victory
Morathanian ships of my Task Force have been firing cruise missiles at the
base. We have suffered light losses only one ship. We would like you to help
in Cruise Missile Operations against the mutineers still in the base. We are
going to soften them up before a full bombing campaign. Any help would be
welcomed. Thank you.

"More missiles incoming, sir. Most appear to be off target looks like they think were 9 miles east of were we are. We have 3 missiles incoming on the Victory, sir."
"Shit how many do they have," said Capt. Strasburg, "well we know what to do and god damn protect this carrier."
Once they got into range Sea Ram and CIWS started firing. Out of the 48 only 20 were even near the fleet and only 3 were heading toward specific targets.
"Two of the three aimed ones are down sir."
"Good."
Missiles continued to go down. After all the firing only 4 were left. None of the aimed cruise missiles had made it. 2 Struck the Frigate Vincennes. She was badly damaged but she could limp around, she wasn't going to go down. Damage control was trying to contain the damage as best as they could. A third hit the cruiser St. George. It was a glancing blow that blew a small hole in the right forward side of the deck. The fourth hit the small oiler Capetown. She sunk within 45 minutes.
"Launch third salvo."
This time 52 cruise missiles came up. With the Vincennes ailing and the St. George concerned with damage control that was all that could be fired.

A flight of 8 A-6 Intruders was inbound to the base. Their were 10 miles out and going into the attack run. Their main mission was to take out cruise missile launchers at the base. They were armed with JDAM bombs and other smart munitions.

GN Perseva

The Comm Officer called out again. "Ma'm, incoming transmission." Nukomi was plotting strategy in her office, reviewing blueprints of the base, and analyzing defensive weaponry. Upon reaching the station, she snatched up the printout. "It's the Morathanians." An audible sigh of relief was heard. "Send back the following message:"

To: Captain Strasburg
From: Vice Admiral Nukomi

We would be happy to provide assistance. Expect long-range missile strikes
and bombardment from the Granzian fleet. Is there any information you can reveal?

With that, the large naval guns of the Perseva hummed to life with a whirl. The turrents rotated and aimed toward the Sarzonian base. "Aquire targets and fire upon my orders. Ready the CIWS systems and countermeasures. I want every sailor on the highest alert!"

"Targets aquired and locked on."

"Fire!"

A salvo of twelve 16-inch shells whistled from the gun barrels with a boom.

TO: Vice Admiral Nukoni
FROM: Capt. Strasburg
The former Sarzonian base is currently under the command of the mutineers.
The Ithaca has surrendered and from what we can tell Ruskin himself is in the
base. Acording to satellite photos the railgun at the base has been
destroyed. Besides that I think you know as much as we do.

The ensign that was the second officer looked around for Ruskin. He was getting worried since Ruskin was usually barking out orders or being a thorn in everyone's side. He called out to Ruskin.

No response.

Ten minutes later, the latest round of missiles from the Morathanian fleet and guns from the Granzian ship that didn't get shot down or get parried off by decoys slammed into areas all around the base. The lieutenant who was second in command of the base was walking toward the magazines when an explosion seared through his uniform and burned his right arm.

As he crumpled to the floor in agony, another explosion within eighteen inches of him burned his face and caused the ceiling above him to collapse. Another explosion ensured that he wouldn't be able to assume command of what was left of the renegade crew.

The reports came in to the ensign, who by now was aware that Ruskin was killed in the collapse of his command center. He didn't have time to grieve, though it was uncertain if he would because he feared Ruskin. However, he didn't know what to do, so he set about working to get the targeting software back on line.

"Target that aircraft carrier with every last missile we've got," the ensign shouted. Another ensign looked at him with a look that showed a man who knew he was going to die.

"Stop looking at me and follow your orders," came the response. The Ruskin-like sound in his voice scared Gregory Cook, the ensign who was left to command what was left of the mutiny.

"Aye, sir."

The missiles launched, one after the other, from the four remaining missile launchers. All sixteeen ignored the other targets and headed toward the Victory. Just then, another explosion rocked the building adjacent to the one where Cook was standing. It crumbled to the ground like a wrecking ball had hit it.

Cook knew there was little hope of pulling out a victory from this assault. But he knew Ruskin would fight to his death and he figured as long as he was alive, he would do the same.

"16 missiles incoming."
"Target?"
"The Victory, sir."
"Well get everything we have trained to take those things down."
"Yes sir."
Sea Ram and CIWS fired along with Gatling Gun and 3" and 5" every gun and anti-missile system trained on the 16 remaining missiles. 2 got through, both missed the carrier.
"Fire the last salvo. Were going to kill these bastards once and for all," said Strasburg.
The last Salvo was the largest. Every missile avalaible was launched. The Total was 70 launched from the ships.


Many miles away the A-6s began their run.
"Hit the deck."
The A-6s went down to 500 feet. They one by one released their full complement of bombs.

The bombs and missiles began striking targets as even the CIWS weaponry and the decoys were blown apart. The pummelling soon made a victim of Cook, as he was caught directly in the path of an explosion while trying to evacuate some of the mutineering crew from the base.

Only eight of the 100 crew that left the Ithaca to command the base remained. Ensign Terry George was among them. He realized that eight men with little more than three handguns and four weapons clips stood no chance of defeating the Morathanian fleet or the assembling Granzians. They decided to take cover until George could get his walkie talkie to reach the frequency of the Morathanian fleet.

When they finally reached a small cave, George tried every frequency he could until he finally reached what sounded like a female voice that spoke with a Granzian accent.

"Is this the commander of the Morathanian fleet or the Granzian forces?"

"This is a Granzian ship," the woman replied, sounding irritated.

"This is Ensign Terry George. I'm the last senior officer of the force that took over the base. We are located in a cave approximately 0.7 kilometres from the base. We hereby surrender."

George knew Ruskin would fight until every man was gone. Cook would have, too. But George knew it was hopeless. The Ithaca was captured and the base was a smouldering pile of rubble. All the eight men had was a handgun with four weapons clips. That was not going to be enough against a would be force of Morathanian troops and planes.

Game over George said to himself. So much for glory.

"We have a message coming over voice communications."
"Yes what is it?" asked Capt. Strasburg.
"Its a message from the mutineers. Their surrendering, sir," said the Communications officer.
"Holy shit. This is finally over. They must be blown to hell and gone. Well we did it. Send a coded transmission to Naval HQ tell them the news."
"Yes sir."
"Get a team assembled. Go and bring the remaining mutineers back to the ship."
"Yes sir," said his XO,"we will dispatch a group of 35 marines immediately."
"Good, very good."
TO: Morathanian Naval Command, Johnstown
FROM: Commander Morathanian Forces Roach-Busters, Capt. Strasburg
The last mutineers have surrendered. Morathanian marines are being sent to
gather the survivors. Base is totally destroyed. Mission accomplished.
Awaiting orders.

[OOC: Now this RP is done.

Great job everyone! This was fun!]

OOC: Not quite... what about the reconstruction of the base? :)

OOC: Not quite... what about the reconstruction of the base? :)

[OOC: That might be a possibility... for a development RP that offshoots this one like this one is an offshoot of the court martial of Patinkin. :)]

OOC: Only problem is the highest ranking guy who survived is an Ensign. Not exactly a mover and shaker.

OOC: Doesn't have to be another mutiny, or something where almost everyone dies. I'm thinking more along the lines of a character development RP.

OOC: Doesn't have to be another mutiny, or something where almost everyone dies. I'm thinking more along the lines of a character development RP.

[OOC: That's exactly what I was thinking of doing with that. :)

There'd probably be no point in a court martial since the ensign is the highest ranking officer surviving, but we can do a character development RP.]

Great, I go to sleep and this happens...*mutters loudly* oh well, I bet there's some new nations around that are having a civil war wich I can rudely interrupt with my divisions of death :)

lol. I missed a lot of it too. The poor Centaur, so badly damaged yet she didnt even see her foe fall.

lol. I missed a lot of it too. The poor Centaur, so badly damaged yet she didnt even see her foe fall.

At least we were able to relive the tradition of the great single ship gun battles of the past. :D

Speaking of damage, we still haven't figured out if the Ithaca is even salvageable. lol]

OOC: I don't think she is. Engines out. Lots of damage I say scuttle her. It will make a nice ending to a great RP.

OOC: Why scuttle her? Salvage what you can, melt down the rest, and use part of the vessel in a monument commemorating the event.

OOC: I just think it would be a fitting end to see her sink. You know. You don't have to scuttle it you could just have it sink because of damage from the attacks. Alot of ships that are sunk finally go under 3-4 days after when they were damaged so it is possible.

OOC: Why scuttle her? Salvage what you can, melt down the rest, and use part of the vessel in a monument commemorating the event.

OoC: Remind the people of a mutiny within there navy? Good idea....just sink the thing and if you can't get it over your heart I'll have my ships do it.

OOC: No, not of the mutiny. Rather nations uniting for a common goal. Actually, placing the monument in the rebuilt base will be a fitting end.

OOC: Yes a monument would be nice we could have the leaders of all the nations who participated in the hunting down and damaging of the Ithaca and the destruction of base attend the opening of the new monument.

OOC: Yes a monument would be nice we could have the leaders of all the nations who participated in the hunting down and damaging of the Ithaca and the destruction of base attend the opening of the new monument.

OOC: This could be the basis for that character RP. :)

OOC: Exacly. We could all RP our leaders coming together on the opening of this monument. It would be a nice ending.