NationStates Jolt Archive

Over the years, the Amistadian government had drifted out of touch with it's people. Originally, a thriving democracy with superb political freedoms and civil rights and a strong economy....the national leaders grew more and more power hungry and began to adopt socialist ideals and viewpoints. Some in Amistadia rejoiced, many however...did not. In no place was there more anger at Amistadia's Federal Government than in the conservative states of southwest and the exotic island states that lay off the southwest coast. Time drifted by and the bonds of nationality were strained with every passing day as men in bars across the south bitterly complained about the "socialist nutjobs who are running things!"

Eventually, a disenfranchised citizen grew weary of his own government and resorted to a desperate measure...bombs. He used his FedEx Delivery Truck and access to a government loading dock in the basement of the "Department of Watchful Citizens" (a shadowy police force, widely hated by the people) to load a powerful bomb next to one of the buildings foundations. The 390 pounds of C4 brought down the building in one, fateful blast that shook the whole of the nation to it's core. 109 Departmental Agents were killed and everyone awaited the government backlash that came with unparalleled swiftness. The government determined that "Sword of Liberty" a militia from the south was responsible for the bomb blast and immediately layed seige to a small coastal farm that served as their base of operations. The seige lasted 11 days, with women and children trapped inside the nation hoped to avoid a blood bath. When it finally did end, the climax was shocking. A Group of militiamen, in an effort to save the trapped farm ambushed Government positions and fought their way to the farm, freeing the group inside. After a chase though, all were apprehended and charged with treason. But the tale was not over...The Governor of Pensalombo, the coastal state where the seige had occurred decided enough was enough and ordered (under the gunpoint of the state's National Guard) for all federal forces to leave the state and declared that his intentions to secede, calling on other states to join him.

The Pensalombo National Guard was a small force. Consisting of an Armored Cavalry Brigade (with 2 Armored Cav Battalions and a Mech Infantry Battalion as well as artillery and combat support vehicles) backed by command and support units and, most worrisome of all, an attack helicopter battalion with 26 Apache Gunships, 4 Kiowa Warriors and 2 Command Helicopters. The government ordered a Government Armored Brigade stationed in a nearby state to the border to prepare for an armored blitz to the capital but first, wanted a deadly strike in the capital city itself, to make sure that the Apaches and elements of the Cavalry would not mount a committed counter-attack.

The attack, just as most had expected, was to be spearheaded by a battalion from the nation's fabled Airborne Division...a legendary force led by the charismatic and beloved General Bill Hawker (aka: The Hurricane) A Battalion of the Division was to parachute onto Pensalombo's Capital City (Lomboko) and seize the airport which was home to the National Guard's Attack Helicopter Battalion, the Cavalry HQ and a fighter squadron from the Air National Guard. What Hawker revealed to almost no-one though, was that he (and many of the paratroopers he led) was secretly sympathetic to the Pensalombo cause. No-one in the elite 1st Airborne Division liked this new, socialist government and secret grumblings could be found anywhere you looked. Now they were being ordered to jump on the few men who had the courage to stand up for their nation! No-body liked it, but, honorable soldiers that they were...they would follow orders.

The planes from 1st Battalion swooped in low, under the airports civilian radar systems and closed in on the Drop Zone. The hope was that the paratroops would not have to fire a shot in the ensuing confrontation and that the "civil war" would be averted without loss of life. Many wondered if this idea was foolishly optimistic after the bombings and the gunfights in the resulting seige on "Sword of Liberty's" farm/compound. Another little known fact was, that the the National Guard had not been issued live ammunition. All of the guard's ammo was stored at the airport and guarded by a mech infantry company (the governor wanted to make sure no units started the war by themselves) and that trustworthy company was the only force with live ammo in the state! As parachutes began to blossom in the morning sky over the airport, more than a few National Guard Troopers panicked...They were about to go toe to toe with the fathomed Airborne Division!

Paratroopers hit the ground running, and Hawker was the first to approach the Ammo Dump....Slinging his gun in a show of peace and raising his arm he said "Dont fire! I'm with the 1st Airborne Division and I want to see your commanding officer! We've been dispatched by the government to take this airport and try and end this confrontation peacefully..." The frightened sentries allowed him entrance and Hawker immediately met with Captain Doug Zambiec, who explained the situation.

As more planes with paratroopers (carrying 2 follow on battalions) approached the airport commanders in the Air National Guard Force...aware that the airport was under attack by paratroops but unaware that the conflict was peaceful....scrambled their fighters and attack helicopters. Something the paratroopers had been ordered to stop at all costs, as the first F-22's got in the sky and the Apaches warmed their engines, Government fighters decided that they could not allow the Apaches to escape and launched a systematic bombing of the airports apache squadron. Several were destroyed before a Stinger Missile shot down the F22 doing the work and the plane spiraled out of control, slamming into downtown Lomboko killing over a hundred civilians. Hawker knew he was losing control of the situation. Many of the Apache's got airborne though...and they headed north to strike the Armored Brigade waiting on their border! The strike was successful and, an enraged Amistadian president ordered a retalliation by bombing the city of Lomboko itself. "The people will pay for their bastard government's wrongs!" He roared.

Amistadian F22's hit the downtown area with unparalleled force. Bombs screaming in and killing hundreds of civilians enraged the entire nation who watched live on ANN. At the airport...Hawker decided that it was time to do what he had sworn to do long ago. "Defend the Constitution of Amistadia...against all enemies, foreign AND Domestic." Gathering his officers he stated bluntly, as usual, his intentions.

"Gentlemen it has come to my attention that out government has drifted into a socialist state which shows no care or love of it's people. Long ago, I swore to defend this country against it's enemies...at home or abroad. I now intend to do just that. I announce to you my resignation as your commander and entrance into the seccession. You all are free to do what you want without fear of reprisal from me, I have made my decision...you must now make yours."

The effect was immediate, the Pensalombo National Guard...gained a brigade of elite paratroopers in their cause....

"The Hurricane's" Desertion on National TV teamed with the horror of government bombings caused several new states (4 to be precise) to issue declarations of independence. By day's end...the Confederacy of Amistadian States....had been born.