NationStates Jolt Archive

ooc
this thread is being created to give New Shiron a reasonable excuse to justify its moving to the Federated Klatch Region other than the usual stuff

I am borrowing heavily from various science fiction stories in that the invaders are from off world, the far future, and hold a serious grudge against the defenders. New Cynthia is a colony world located around a star system 200 light years from Earth, and was settled by sublight generation ships launched 100 years from now and the settlers were a radical religious group exiled by New Shiron (either that or massive executions).

Borrowing from various stories, the New Cynthians have developed technology that allows them to go through space and time in a tunnel (sort of like the Stargate TV series) and this Jump Gate is large enough to send military vehicles and aircraft through.

They want revenge, and they want New Shiron, and want to conquer their ancestral home and change the timeline to suit them. Success is ultimate power, but failure means their extinction, as their religion will be forever discredited thus creating a paradox that results in them dissappearing forever.

This RP is for only those nations involved in the Dyelli Byelli rebellion thread, the Neo Tyr thread or the New Shiron closes its borders thread (and they know who they are).

The Queen signed the order placing her forces back on a peacetime footing. Thankfully, the war in Neo Tyr had been brief and relatively bloodless, and intelligence indicated that the Klatchians were too divided to consider a move against her people.

Thank Heavens.

In truth, the mobilization had cost her country dear. The economy was in a depression, unemployment was a serious problem, the budget was massively in the red, and she had desperately wanted to avoid the war she knew she would have had to fight to keep the Klatchians away.

"Effective immediately, all New Shiron military forces will return to Defcon 5 and full peace time conditions. However, the current state of the economy callls for continued emergency measures and reservists will remain on duty principally in order to ensure they have a steady income although those reservists who request to be returned to inactive status will be allowed to do so if they have jobs or businesses that need to be returned to."

Within a few days, all military forces, especially the fleet, returned to their home bases. Life in New Shiron was returning to normal after the war scare.

ooc
New Cynthia is using 22nd Century technology, and has fusion reactors, MHD hydrogen fuel cells, reliable vectored thrust technology, super stealth and light weight ceramic materials, lasers as weapons and communications equipment, and advanced artificial intelligence cybernetics.

Principal weapons systems include Ogre MK 1 - 5 giant cypernetic tanks (think of Bolos from the Keith Laumer books or the Ogre game); GEVs (ground effect vehicles) with light armor, linear accelerator light guns, fire and forget missiles, and high speed; VTOL gunships with vectored thrust technology, subsonic speed, light cannons and fire and forget missiles; and anti air / anti missile systems are self propelled laser and linear accelerator systems, able to engage any target including ballistic missiles.

However, this is a relatively small planet, and the total armed forces are only 1 million in size (Army), with another 1 Million air and naval forces.

The New Cynthians have 6 companies of Ogres, 12 armored cavalry regiments (GEVs and gunships), and 36 mechanized divisions, plus appropriate corps and army assets and a theater command.

And they will be able to emplace only two exit gates.

They also have 30 Advanced submarines (think Seaquest, the sci fi series a few years back) but cannot bring them in until they capture a port city.

General Malin strode along the parade ground inspecting his strike force. He was the commander of the first wave, and the success or failure of the entire invasion rested on him.

He was a tall, ruggedly handsome man, Alexander the Great brought to life, but like all of his troops, and everyone else on New Cynthia, he had no experience with the realities of war. But the books told him all he felt he needed to know, and like his masters, he was sure he couldn't lose.

After all, he had weapons systems nearly a century ahead of New Shiron, and almost as far ahead of the neighbors of that nation, and his troops would have complete surprise.

His strike force, the 1st Mechanized Division had along with 9 battalions of IFVs (each with auto cannon, fire and forget missiles and infantry aboard), 3 battalions of rocket artillery, 3 battalions of air defense vehicles, and 3 companies of Ogres (27 total), or enough for each battalion to have a platoon assigned. The Ogres, with their 100 mm linear accelerator cannons, multiple missile launchers, and three secondary 30 mm linear accelerator cannons where the pride of New Cynthia. Each was 30 meters long and 15 meters wide, and where air cushioned vehicles, with a fusion reactor, a plenium chamber and multiple fans allowing the massive vehicles to move across any flat or near flat terrain. As their massive 1,000 ton weight was far to much for any road to support, the fact that they road on a cushion of air was critical to their success.

(ooc Really big versions of the tanks from Hammers Slammers series by David Drake)

He stopped at the podium. In front of him was his entire division, all assembled in ranks, their silver and red uniforms and well polished accoutrements a splendid marshal sight.

"Tomorrow we strike and bring the true faith back to our home land of long ago. Remember, the people we conquer tomorrow are the ancestors of the people who cast us out. Tomorrow we take back our rightful land, and bring the true faith back to our home. We take what is OURS!"

With those words, the assembled troops cheered with gusto, visions of glory and service to God blazing in their minds.

ooc
New Shiron is essentially Australia (without Tasmania) with a wetter climate, more hills and low mountains in the central part of the continent, and the 6 states are Western Shiron (W. Australia), Northern Territory, South Shiron, Victoria, Greater Shiron (NSW), and Queensland. Principal cities are Anchorage (Darwin), Freemantle/Lorn (Perth), Varangia (Adelaide), Regina (Canberra), Shiron (Sydney), Nelson (Melbourne), and Newport (Brisbane)

IC
Burpleson Air Base was quite on this early Saturday morning just before dawn. Home to both Air National Guard and Royal Navy squadrons, the ramp was full of Bears, Backfires, and Boeing tankers that glistened with dew. Only a few miles from the town of Broken Hill, it was the principal base for the majority of New Shiron's bomber force. For the first time in weeks all of the planes were home, and many of the reservists from the Air National Guard, as well as many of the Naval air crews were at home with the families for the first time since the Dyelli Byebi crisis many weeks ago.

Suddenly, a bright light lit up the entire area, and a lound boom erupted, breaking windows and setting off alarms everywhere on the base.

Lieutenant Scott Shannon, Royal Navy, rushed to the north side of the control tower, dodging glass that shattered from the loud explosion of sound.
He stared in shock as over 1,000 yards away, at the center of the main runway, the bright flash of light that had erupted there was suddenly replaced by a strange shimmering glowing ball of white that was expanding to the size of a hanger a few hundred yards to his right.

Suddenly, men appeared out of the light, and they began running in all directions, quickly setting up what he could only think to himself as a perimeter, and then seconds later, an immense vehicle, as big as one of the Backfire bombers on the field below, glided out of the light and began crossing the field. Another followed, and another, and then he realized with horror that it was some kind of monster tank and it was pointing its main gun at the base operations center and another gun was pointing at him...

and suddenly his world went black as he died when a hypersonic 30 mm shell hit the top of the control tower and the massive release of energy from the round destroyed it and him.

FLASH OVERRIDE TO ALL COMMANDS
Burpleson Air Base

WE ARE UNDER ATTACK BY UNKNOWN ENEMY ARMORED FORCES. BASE IS BEING OVERRUN. CODE BROKEN ARROW PRIORITY ONE.

A few hundred miles away, at the National Command Center in Regina, General Shockley stared at the message in disbelief. It was clearly impossible, Burpleson was over 200 miles from the coast, well to the south of the nearest coast likely to be threatened by the Klatchians, his nation was at peace, the Klatchians were busy elsewhere, and unless they could teleport or some other nonsense, there was no way this report could be accurate.

But his junior watch officer put on speaker phone a call from the Burpleson base NCO club, and he could hear explosions and screams and he new it was real.

"Alert the 21st Fighter Wing and tell them to send a flight to check out what is going on. Get me some satellite views of the area at once, and you better alert the National Guard and Royal Guard. It seems we are under attack somehow."

two hours later, General Shockley stared at the reports that came in, unwilling to believe what they said.

Burpelson had been completely overrun, and New Shiron had just lost 120 aircraft, nearly half of its force of Bears and Backfires. Casualties at the base appeared to be 100% as well, at least a couple of thousand definitely dead. The local National Guard unit, a battalion of motorized infantry from Broken Hill had managed to report before they went of the air that several gaint sized tanks, supported by at least a regiment of armored personnel carriers of a type unknown, and several very fast air cushion vehicles, where overrunning the area and that their casaulties were mounting fast.

And then the battalion CP went of the air and nothing had been heard since.

The 21st Fighter Wing had sent in 4 Mirage 2000s, and the last transmission they had sent reported beams of light coming from the ground, and the destruction of the flight leader and then they too went silent.

A few miles away, the Queen sat in emergency session with her principal advisors.

"So who is invading us?" Gabrielle asked, her voice tense.

"We don't know your majesty, but we are trying to find out." Defense Minister Ridgeway replied. "We do know that they have weapons a lot more advanced than ours, and they cannot by from Klatch."

Gabrielle pondered that for a couple of minutes, and then finally spoke. "Order us back to Defcon 1, announce that we are being invaded, and Lord Harrington, I think it is time you arranged to speak to the Klatchians. They are the closest major power to us. They might have some ideas. Their price might be to high, but at this point, I don't like the price we are paying now either."

General Malin looked out the wreckage of the New Shiron airbase. The wreckage of dozens of aircraft littered the ramp of the airfield, while many of the buildings were still smoking after being shot to pieces. His infantry were mopping up the housing areas, and one of his infantry brigades had also secured the town of Broken Hill, and advance patrols were in Torrawangee, Menidee, and Silverton. At a stroke, the principal east west railroad and highway connecting South Shiron with Eastern Shiron was cut, effectively cutting east west communications for a third of the nation.

The airfield, in spite of the wreckage, was still in good shape, and engineers where hurriedly assembling the field generators needed to stabilize the gate so that additional forces could come through.

Only 6 hours had passed since the assault began, and so far, he was right on schedule.

General Barlow, commander of the 5th Military Region, looked over his maps of Greater Shiron. The enemy, whoever they were, held the Darling River between Wilcannia and Menidee, and were already probing across it.

He looked at the screens updating the status of his forces. The 51st, 52nd, 53rd, and 54th Motorized Infantry divisions, barely out of training, were fully equipped and assembling at Orange. The 55th and 56th Divisions, still only half trained but at least fully equipped, were being moved to Regina to defend the capital. The 1st Guards Infantry Division, and the 2nd Guards Mountain Division, were also around the capital. He was sending the Life Guards Cavalry regiment to protect the south flank, and the Royal Lancers were being sent to cover the gap between his forces and the 3rd Military Regions 5 divisions moving down from Queensland. But it would take them another couple of days to move into position, assuming the enemy didn't hit rail lines.

The 4th Region, with 6 Divisions was hurriedly putting together a line between Lake Frome and the Murray River, and with any luck, would be in place before the enemy moved forward.

But all depended on the Air National Guard and Navy. Their aircraft would have to hammer the enemy and slow him down, and more importantly, find out exactly what they were facing and how it got there.

OOC: tag

General Vlasov sat in his seat aboard the AWACs aircraft, 150 miles north northwest of the battlezone, and watched the monitor closely.

Every available strike and close air support aircraft had been scrambled from all over New Shiron. Even Navy carrier aircraft were being committed.

In all, 3,000 jets, including Mirage 2000s, F16s, F15Es, F35s and some old Phantoms and Mig 23s were going in. A call for help to the Caldaron air wing stationed in New Shiron had been sent in as well.

Jets flew in from every point of the compass, all equipped with bombs, rockets, missiles of every conventional type. Jamming aircraft led the way, with Stealth aircraft (the few available F22s and F35s) right behind.

Brigadier Romero, commander of the air defense forces for the bridgehead watched on his interactive display as the local air force began converging from all points of the compass.

"We have 3,000 plus targets sir, on all bearings and altitudes." young lieutenant observed.

"So I see. All units commence active jamming." Romero ordered casually.

All over the 100 square miles that New Cynthia now controlled, individual armored vehicles and specially equipped vehicles began activiting their jammers. Meanwhile, a team of computer specialists a few hundred meters away began their own work in cyperspace.

Noticing the AEW aircraft circling just beyond the battle area, Romero ordered them taken out. A pair of missile tanks stopped, activated their sensors, and a pair of missiles flashed from each, moving at 10,000 KPH, so fast that they left a streak of light as they moved.

As the enemy aircraft began to close, Romero gave the order to fire. All over the perimeter, AFVs and AD vehicles opened up with lasers, linear accelerator cannon and missiles at the approaching aircraft. It would be like shooting fish in a barrel.

Vlasov watched as his planes went in. Suddenly, the entire picture changed. While his technicians worked frantically to overcome it, jamming completely erased his picture of what was going on.

"Sir we are being hacked too." a frantic technician called out.

Vlasov ordered a recall, but it was too late. He couldn't reach anybody anymore. His entire communications system and all command and control had been taken out.

"Shit." he muttered, and he lit a cigerette. He could only wait.

About the time he took his second puff, a missile moving at 10,000 kph hit the center of his plane, destroying it utterly in a violent flash as the hypersonic missile, only about a meter long after burning off its rocket package, briefly converted the center of the plane into energy almost as hot as the sun.

A couple hundred miles away, Lieutenant Commander Maggie Malone led her squadron of 16 F35s toward the enemy bridgehead.

"Ok people, 50 miles to target. Does anybody have a radar picture."

"No ma'm, its completely jammed." her EWO replied.

"Gold squadron, all aircraft will use visual targeting. We may lose communications in a minute, so if we do, everybody use your best judgement."

At that moment, her communications were jammed. Instantly, acting purely on her gut, she did a wing over and dove for the ground, 5,000 feet below.

It turned out to be a brilliant decision, for at that moment, 12 of her squadron mates were blasted out of the sky in a few seconds by lasers from an air defense battery 30 miles away. Only 3 of her mates managed to follow her desperate dive, and one of those was nailed by the light gun of a GEV a few miles away.

Turning on the afterburner, she went to full supersonic as she neared the ground, pulling out a bare 100 meters from the ground. Behind her, another of her mates bought it as jamming disabled the young ensigns computer, and the fly by wire system failed to compensate in time. She had just enough time to scream as her aircraft slammed into the ground at Mach II.

Maggie decided to hit the first thing she saw, a massive vehicle about the size of a passenger airliner or coastal barge that she was coming up on fast. Activating her cameras, she then volleyed every missile and bomb she had, nearly 6 tons in all, and she just hoped the hell she hit something as she flashed by it. Behind her, her last wingman did the same, but one of the secondary guns of the Ogre caught him just as he launched, and he died as his jet went up in a bright flash of light.

As Maggie and her wingman let go of their ordenance, the Ogre they were targeting found itself mildly busy. It had two of its secondary guns target the enemy aircraft, while its main gun was busy shooting at another aircraft just as it passed the horizon and its third secondary gun to a shot at an enemy armored cavalry vehicle a couple of kilometers off as it drove frantically for cover behind a house.

It picked up the 8 oncoming smart bombs and 16 missiles, and its terteriary armement opened up, destroyed 5 of the bombs and 14 of the missiles. In all, only one bomb, a 1,000 kg smart bomb and 1 HARM missile hit him. The computer brain did the equilivant of a flinch as it felt through its sensors the bomb destroy its main gun and one of the secondaries and the equivilant of a groan as a missile ripped a hole in the skirt, causing the air cushion to lose 30% of its efficiancy. But it could still move and it decided that it could carry out its mission.

Further away, Romero ordered drones to be launched. A pair of vehicles parked at the edge of the airfield both fired rockets that sent very small, very stealthy and very fast aircraft the size of a frisbee into the air at Mach 5. In all, 12 were launched, and they went in all directions of the compass to look for airfields and tankers to target.

All over the sky, the results were the same. Squadrons were decimated or even slaughtered as they attacked, only a handful in each squadron even reaching the target and even fewer escaping afterwards.

Few pilots managed to eject, as destruction reached them so quickly that most didn't even have a chance to realize they were dead until they were.

In three hours, the bulk of the combat aircraft were converted into blackened debris littering the country side in very small pieces.

Maggie cryed silently all the way home, while her EWO just sat in shock in the second seat behind her. They were the only survivors of her squadron, and she knew the Carrier Air Wing 3 was out of the war for all practical purposes. Hopefully the pictures she took would help, because she had no idea if she did any damage to the massive vehicle she had attacked.

Further away, at the National Command Center, Queen Gabrielle watched in numb shock as the casualty figures came in. Nearly 2,000 aircraft missing or confirmed destroyed, plus another 200 tankers and 30 AWACs aircraft plus an E4 airborne command post knocked out of the sky. Plus reports were coming in that missiles were hitting several airbases within 200 miles of the front, smashing aircraft even in their hardened shelters and wrecking refueling facilities.

General Malin looked over the reports concerning todays fighting. The New Shiron aerial counterattack had been a lot more effective than he had considered likely. Nearly 12% of his forces had been taken out, over 40 GEVs, 50 IFVs, and about a dozen air defense vehicles, plus 9 Ogres were damaged and 1 had even been destroyed by some maniac who crashed his fully armed jet straight into it. He had lost about 1,000 killed or wounded as well, although he expected the wounded would mostly return by tomorrow at the latest and even some of the dead were revivable after regeneration therapy was completed.

But the engineers had completed this end of the gate, and it was now stable. Hundreds of vehicles were coming through every hour and moving off to assembly areas. Nearly 4 full divisions had come through since the gate was activated nearly 24 hours ago, and the Army commander, Marshal Antopov, had taken charge. In a few hours, Malin would be able to take his division on its next mission. A drive on the city of Varangia, the key to South Shiron.

OOC: Weeeeee, beware the Klatchians dark arm, the Var.
edit weapon tech:
The Var are the reminant of an ancient race: The problem is they are the portion that was bred for fighting, not builidng tech. So many of their superweapons exist as antiques that need way too much maintanince to be used in anything other than defensive uses.

The Var have also had a serious problem in replacing personel and equipment since the Dozle conflict and have spent far more resources on aquiring new tech from the wreckage of their opponent then rebuilding their forces on earth.

Weapons: Coil Guns -- Like RL today a series of switched solinoids that can propel a conductive shot at high linear speeds. Of course the Var having fusion plants can emplace these weapons around the place. Their largest energy cost is maintaining low temperatures around the coils to make them work properly

Plasma Weapons --Basicly a sudden shot of hot, high pressure ionized gas. Short range in atmosphere, much longer range in space. Primarily used for missle, AA defense.

Flechette Guns---basicly a gattling style rail gun firing ceramic 'rounds' that shatter upon impact with hard materials (and become flying fragments). They have a small metal backing which acts as the bridge for the rails of the weapon.

Hellfire Guns -- 50mm chemo-electric gattling guns mounted in a cross form with two guns at each end, for a total of six independent units. Only used on ground based weapon platforms

Lasers -- yes, although another vehcile only weapon

Energy bolts, ionic plamsa surrounding a ferrious material that has a temporary magnetic feild to maintain the plasma. Obviously the plasma doesn't disapate as fast...nor can the weapon fire as fast...the prefered intermediate range atmospheric weapon.

Plasma Torpedos -- Long range weapon that explodes into a huge plume of destructive thermal radiation. Designed more to destroy targets by melting than impact

Standar Missle -- A long rod of tungstun based alloy that propells itself at high mach speeds into a target.

Odd Tech --
Anti-Grav (actually this is actually induced psdo-gravity acting as a means of generating force which can be angled downwards to counter act the force of gravity. ) One of the few things Var tech is very good at is the manipulation of gravity feilds.

Only atmospheric weapons are breifed here. As for A.I.'s the Var lothe them and keep them fairly 'stupid' for their own historical reasons.

IC:
The next day broke with a strange sight off the North East coast of New Shiron. Three ships flying the Klatchian Battle pendant and sailing strait for the coast. Not only that they were broadcasting a IFF code that identified them as friendlies.

At the edge of the Exclusion Zone, the lead ship sent out a terse message.

Terrans of New Shiron, Karlord Nitx'tra has come as ordered by his Lord. Tell me where I may find these so called invaders. Also, the Karlord is told that the Karlord is to meet with your Female Lord's high warriors to know what actions they take aganist these (undecernable word)
-Karlord Nix'tra of House Batha


By now someone was likely taking a look at these Klatchian Ships. And likely wondering if the Federation was only sending a token force. The lead ship looked like it was a refitted Pre-dreadnaught cruiser with the lead turrets replaced by long, angled turrets with two holes at one end. Rather than have any type of weapon built in casements, this ship appeared just to have them sealed off. No weapon extended out from the locations.

If that didn't seem a bit underwhelming, the two escorts appeared to be nothing more that odd versions of american civil war monitors. A round body rising from the water like a submarine with three turrets along the center line and sail located off center 3/4 from the 'front' of the ship.

In all, not an awe inspring display of military power at first glance.

along the ridges and trees of the Radium hills, the soldiers of New Shiron's 4th Army frantically dug in throughout the day as more and more reinforements reached the front. From Lake Frome all the way to the Murray River, the 6 divisions dug in. They were all new soldiers, most having only been in the army a year, but their NCOs and officers were well trained soldiers who had many years of service and a lot of experience at the National Training Center. AT missile teams and light artillery were emplaced, and infantry dug deep holes with solid overhead protections. Engineers laid mines and prepared defiles for demolition. The bridges were left alone, as clearly the invaders didn't need them.

Only the 4th Ranger Brigade, Royal Guard, wasn't digging in. Broken up into 6 man teams, the 1900 Rangers were moving forward on foot as quietly and carefully as they could all along the front. Each team was equipped with a nuclear demolition charge, with orders to do as much damage as possible. None expected to return home.

The next day broke with a strange sight off the North East coast of New Shiron. Three ships flying the Klatchian Battle pendant and sailing strait for the coast. Not only that they were broadcasting a IFF code that identified them as friendlies.

At the edge of the Exclusion Zone, the lead ship sent out a terse message.

Terrans of New Shiron, Karlord Nitx'tra has come as ordered by his Lord. Tell me where I may find these so called invaders. Also, the Karlord is told that the Karlord is to meet with your Female Lord's high warriors to know what actions they take aganist these (undecernable word)
-Karlord Nix'tra of House Batha


By now someone was likely taking a look at these Klatchian Ships. And likely wondering if the Federation was only sending a token force. The lead ship looked like it was a refitted Pre-dreadnaught cruiser with the lead turrets replaced by long, angled turrets with two holes at one end. Rather than have any type of weapon built in casements, this ship appeared just to have them sealed off. No weapon extended out from the locations.

If that didn't seem a bit underwhelming, the two escorts appeared to be nothing more that odd versions of american civil war monitors. A round body rising from the water like a submarine with three turrets along the center line and sail located off center 3/4 from the 'front' of the ship.

In all, not an awe inspring display of military power at first glance.

The Queen stood on the ramp of the airbase just outside of Regina talking to her brother and the Minister of War Ridgeway.

"Mike, you have your orders. If they get within 100 miles of the capitol you get your ass to the alternate NCC. I mean it. The country needs you if something happens to me, and they need you to Matt."

The two men bowed as she climbed up the ladder to the F22C. She was going to Darwin, where it appears the Klatchians were coming. She needed to meet with them in person.

Message sent to Lords of War
"This is the 11th Naval District Command Center. We have identified you and you are free to enter New Shiron waters. We have arranged a reception but we believe our communications may be compromised. Therefore, further communications will have to wait. We are sending an escort of destroyers to arrange further communications. Admiral Ramsay out."

The first New Cynthia gunships began flying (at low speed) through the gate 12 hours after the invasion began and began flying patrols over the bridgehead. By dusk, the New Cynthians had over 150,000 men and 25,000 vehicles, plus 120 Ogres and 200 gunships packed into the bridgehead, along with dozens of sensor vehicles and command vehicles. The only thing slowing them down was the size of the gate itself, but good traffic control keep things moving.

Marshal Kirchener, commander of the New Cynthian invasion force was on the scene now and he immediately orderd 2 divisions to begin moving on Varangia, while the remainder of his force deployed to protect the bridgehead.

A large number of anti missile and anti aircraft weapons were now being emplaced to supplement the mobile systems, and the situation was looking increasingly serious to the New Shiron satellites that were finally able to get a picture of the situation.

Gabrielle paced as she listened to the conference call. The enemy was moving against the Radium Hill line and the 4th Army was reporting that enemy forces were probing all along the 250 mile front. A major assault was expected that evening.

Her science advisor, Lady Czerwinski, gave her an extremely long and highly technical report that finally forced Gabrielle to ask for it plain English.

"How are they getting here Melinda, and tell it to me in plain language." she ordered, her temper starting to show.

"They basically opened a door between their planet and ours that goes through both time and space. I don't know how they did it, although quantum physics may tell us the answer eventually, but that is what it boils down to."

Gabrielle stopped pacing for a moment and looked out the window of the office she was borrowing. She could see the ocean from the window, and she wondered when the Klatchians would get here.
"So Melinda, can they open more doors?"

"Probably not your majesty, or they would have already. Everything tells me that the power requirements are enourmous, and if they could open more they would have."

"I have to agree your Majesty." Ridgeway added, "If they could have more than one supply point they would. The satellite imagery confirms that everything is moving out from Burpelson, and that seems pretty constricted if you could have more exit points."

"Alright then, we know what we have to deal with. We must destroy that gate or close it somehow. How do we do that Matt?"

"There is only one way Majesty, with nuclear weapons. I have ordered the 4th Rangers in with backpack nukes, but they are too small to do the job I suspect. They are ordered to target enemy base camps, defiles and those enourmous war machines that they have. No, for this we will have to use a larger weapon. They are blasting our aircraft from the skies, so it will have to be ballistic or cruise missiles."

Gabrielle stared out the window, so that her staff couldn't see her on the camera. She didn't want them to see her tears.
"Order Greater Shiron and the capital District to prepare for possible fallout. Order an evacuation of those who can out of the city of Varangia. You have nuclear release for a strike against Broken Hill. May god and our people forgive us."

A 1,000 miles to the north, near Anchorage, a pair of Pershing II launch trucks pulled out of a warehouse located a few dozen miles outside of the city at a small ranch complex.

A command truck pulled up a couple hundred yards from where the missiles were hurriedly erected for launch. Inside, two men sat at two chairs 10 feet apart and each pulled out a set of keys from their belts and unlocked a safe in front of each of them.

"I have a valid launch order. Coordinates are being set."

"Roger, launch order is valid and coordinates have been accepted."

Picking up a satphone, the lauch team leader called his commander.

"Verification of lauch readiness and valid order has been confirmed. Request secondary verification."

On the far end of the phone, the commander, an older woman in her 40s sighed and read aloud a string of code numbers of the card in front of her.

"Roger, code is valid."

The young lieutenant hung up the phone and called to his comrade. "Secondary code is valid. Open safe." Both men reached down and opened their safes and pulled out yet another key.

"Insert keys on my mark, 1, 2, 3 mark."

the other launch officer replied almost immediately. "Key inserted. Turning on my mark, 1, 2, 3 mark."

Outside, the crews ran quickly into a nearby trench as the rocket motors ignited on both missiles. The very air roared with sound and the ground shook, and in an instant later, both missiles left the ground on their way to their target.

"We have a valid launch, birds are on the way."

The two missiles quickly covered the distance at mach 6, arching over the horizon. But as they reentered the lower atmosphere, a pair of lasers hit each one, destroying both within a couple of seconds.

At Space Command headquarters, the Watch staff sighed almost in unison as they watched both missiles meet their end at 100,000 feet, well before they reached their detonation altitude.

"Well shit, I don't know whether to sigh in relief or cry" commented the youngest, a junior Navy Lieutenant, her soft soprano muted but still audible.

Admiral of Ramsay, The Karlord shall speak to whatever delegation you desire him to meet. Inform us where and he shall go there.

The group of three "ships" were not really seeming to be heading for Darwin. Actually they were on a strait line (well for crossing a globe) course for the area of invasion.

The northern monitor like ship slowed and turned towards the approaching escort destroyers. The remaining two vessels didn't even slow, and were apparently heading strait into the Bay of Carpentaria.

At the National Command Center, Ridgeway cursed as he saw the results of the attack.
"Your majesty, we will have to go with Plan Samson"

Gabrielle, still in the conference room on the other side of the country cursed as well. "Is that likely to have the same result. I mean they shot down 2 missiles with ease. What makes you think they can't get them all."

"Majesty, We intend to use a mixed attack with cruise and ballistic missiles, and the rest of strike command will follow behind. Its everything we have, but maybe numbers will overwhelm them and it will work. If it doesn't, it won't make a difference and in the worst case...."

"In the worst case Minister we lose a quarter of the nation to fallout for god knows how long but maybe forever."

"Yes Majesty, but if we don't stop them, the only thing we have left is Plan Dorsai, unless the Klatchians somehow save us."

Gabrielle thought about it. She didn't know if the Klatchians were going to help. They had after all only sent a couple of notes and a small squadron of ships. Intelligence told her that those ships were probably as powerful and high tech as the invaders, but there were only three. What could they do anyway?"

"You have my authorization. Initiate Plan Samson."

Admiral of Ramsay, The Karlord shall speak to whatever delegation you desire him to meet. Inform us where and he shall go there.

The group of three "ships" were not really seeming to be heading for Darwin. Actually they were on a strait line (well for crossing a globe) course for the area of invasion.

The northern monitor like ship slowed and turned towards the approaching escort destroyers. The remaining two vessels didn't even slow, and were apparently heading strait into the Bay of Carpentaria.

A helicopter landed on the deck of the Destroyer Bartlett. Aboard was the Queen and Admiral Ramsey. A blinker flashed from the bridge of the destroyer to the strange ship nearby.

"The Queen of New Shiron requests a meeting with you either aboard your ship or this one"

Meanwhile, as the meeting of ships occured far to the north, orders flashed out to the Strategic Command. Within a few minutes, every remaining Bear and Backfire took off from airbases scattered around the country. Over the next couple of hours, the 100 remaining aircraft moved to their launch positions. Meanwhile, in warehouses, barns and under highway overpasses across the country, Pershing missile launchers made preparations for launch and began their final countdown.

At midnight, the Bombers launched their missiles, which immediately went down to the deck and skimmed toward Broken Hill. About 40 minutes later, Pershing launchers across the country broke concealment and hurriedly launched as well.

Nearly 500 ballistic missiles and 500 cruise missiles were due to arrive on target precisely at 130 AM.

Meanwhile, behind them, the remaining strike aircraft of the Royal Navy and Air National Guard, some 700 in all, raced at supersonic speeds toward the enemy as well.

Brigadier Romero smiled grimly as he looked at his display. "My, my, missiles and planes."

"Multiple targets sir, ballistic and lowlevel."

"Engage with everything we have. Make sure none of those missiles get through, they might be nukes."

"Yes Sir"

A few seconds late, laser batteries, laser AA vehicles, linear accelator cannon, and missiles by the hundreds opened up on the approaching attack.

A mile away, on the other side of the field, General Malkovitch ordered his gunships to the fray. "Go for the bases gentlemen, we know where they live now."

General Petrovsky, commander of the Invasion Army's rocket forces also ordered his own attack. Dozens of missile carriers stopped in place and fired hundreds of missiles at New Shiron targets that his drones spotted as they launched.

All three men were confident that they would shatter New Shiron's offensive power for good in a single roll of the dice.

The Karlord requests you travel to the Nepa-04 since terran vessels tend to be uncomfortable for him. We will send a launch to escort your dignitaries to the Nepa-04.

A few moments later, a new radar signiture came onto the screen. Apparently there was a large hatch next to the sail on the monitor like ship. Out of this had risen a craft that looked something like a subway car with four round nodes at each corner.

The launch proceeded towards the Bartlett and attempted to land on the small helio deck with some success. One end of the launch hung over the side of the ship while the other end sat lightly on the landing deck with a gangway lowered to admit passengers. Two humans, both in green uniforms and carrying black blocky weapons of some type exited the craft and stood guarding the gangway.

****
15 miles from shore, the two other LOW vessels began to rise up. Within 12 miles of shore both gravships were now fully out of the water.

The larger gravcruiser, who's upper works reminded one of a pre-dreadnaught warship, had revealed her hull. It looked like a warship hull with four round bumbs formed in the side of the hull at the corners of the ship. The bottom of the hull had four turrets appear, similar to those on the top of the gravcutter. At the front of the hull was a large ball turret.

The smaller gravcutter looked like a floating submarine with wings that extended out and down from the hull. The hull of the ship six blisters with apparent torpedo tubes and four 'tubes' at the round end of the ship, similar to a sumbarine. At the end of each of the wings was a long cigar shaped cylinder.

As both gravships pulled themselves out of the water and began gain altitude, their speed also increased. Both ships reached an apparent top speed of 145 knots as they moved 1200 feet above the wave lapped shore and over New Shiron.

The sky was ablaze with white streaks of light, red laser beams, violent explosions both high and low, and at times, the light show was so intense that it became daylight.

Only 3 missile warheads from the Pershings survived the barrage, and two were all severely of course. The little town of Albion dissapeared as a pair of warheads, each 50 kilotons, detonated both west and east of the town, utterly destroying it and 32,000 civilians, 2 Ogres and an entire company of GEVs (plus 1,000 troops). Another warhead landed and buried itself deep in the concrete of the ramp at Burpelson, but failed to detonate because its electronics had been fried by a laser hit that failed to destroy it.

The cruise missiles were similiarly shot to pieces, with only a dozen managing to weave their way through the outer defenses, and only one surviving run ins with Cythnian gunships to reach its target, utterly destroyed three Ogres and an entire mechanized battalion 10 miles outside of Broken Hill in a 100 kiloton fireball.

But the missiles did clear enough of a path for the aircraft to break through and attack. Smart bombs, missiles, and rockets, plus napalm and fuel air explosives rained down on the Cynthians, inflicting losses everywhere across the bridgehead.

But making their way out was a costly nightmare, and another 300 aircraft were destroyed or downed by barrage of Cynthian air defense fire.

The Karlord requests you travel to the Nepa-04 since terran vessels tend to be uncomfortable for him. We will send a launch to escort your dignitaries to the Nepa-04.

A few moments later, a new radar signiture came onto the screen. Apparently there was a large hatch next to the sail on the monitor like ship. Out of this had risen a craft that looked something like a subway car with four round nodes at each corner.

The launch proceeded towards the Bartlett and attempted to land on the small helio deck with some success. One end of the launch hung over the side of the ship while the other end sat lightly on the landing deck with a gangway lowered to admit passengers. Two humans, both in green uniforms and carrying black blocky weapons of some type exited the craft and stood guarding the gangway. .

Gabrielle, a tall athletic and beautiful woman with long red hair, hazel eyes and tan skin, wearing a flight suit with just her badge of rank walked across the deck toward the strange craft. Behind her was Admiral Ramsey in his standard working uniform, and behind them both was a young Lieutenant of the Royal Guard, clearly unhappy about his empty holster.

"Gentleman, I assume you are my ride?" Gabrialle said in a soft drawl.

The two landsmen looked at her, one nodded and said something in an undeciperable tounge. He pointed up the gangway and seemed to motion that they should travel up into the craft.

The interior was divided by a bulk head leaving 2/3 of the crafts interior for seating. It was fairly utilitarian with plastic seats along both outer walls of the compartment. Each seat was mounted to the wall by two aluminum colored rails and could be raised or lowered. The seats had crossed saftey straps.

Down the center of the compartment were four cylinders rising from the floor to the cealing. They were translucent at the top and the only source of artifical lighting for the compartment. Around the mid to bottom section of each of the cylinders were filled weapons racks. Each pulse rifle was locked into place and immoble.

After letting the Queen and her followers strap in. The two guards closed the gangway and then locked themselves onto the bulkhead. One seemed to say something, but it only came out as a whisper in the compartment.

A moment later the launch pulled up slightly from the deck of the destroyer and crossed the water back to the LOW ship. It lowered itself into the dark hanger and vanished from veiw.

The cabin of the launch became eerie. The only source of light as the vehicle lowered into the dimly lit space. The sound of the hanger door closing behind them plunged the hanger into complete darkness. A few more bangs and jolts as the sounds of equipment could be made out. Then the gangway rotated out of position.

The guards unlocked themselves from the bulkhead and pointed out the gaping hole. The only source of light were small lights indicating a path from the launch to a door in the side of the hanger.

Gabrielle and her two escorts went through the hole into the unknown.

(ooc, calling it a night by the way, will be back tomorrow)

All across New Shiron, Cynthian missiles detonated as Pershing Launchers, airfield runways and ICBM silos where smashed by the massive release of energy from hypersonic missiles releasing vast amounts of kinetic energy.

Meanwhile, Cynthian gunships shot up airfields within 300 miles of the bridgehead. National Guard air defense troops fought back as best they could, with SAMs, light cannon and hand held missiles, but no where succeeded in breaking up an attack. Gunships also shot up a number of transport convoys on the major roads behind the 5th and 4th Armies, inflicting severe losses.

It took three hours for Ridgeway to get the report and when he did he placed his head in his hands and wept silently in agony. Every single launcher was gone, as were all the ICBM silos. Aircraft losses now totaled nearly 80% of the strike aircraft that New Shiron had, with only a few hundred air defense fighters and a few score strike aircraft remaining operational after losses on the air and ground. Most of the tanker fleet was gone too, and so was most of the bomber fleet, knocked out of the air as they tried to escape the battle area. Only three nukes had gotten in but the surviving pilots and satellite coverage indicated they had inflicted heavy, but not crippling losses on the invaders and the gate still remained in full operation.

New Shiron now had only its ground forces and Navy, and the last desperate option of Plan Dorsai.

Marshal Kirchener looked at his own casualty reports. "Well its better than I expected but still pretty damn high" he thought to himself. 30 Ogres were out of action, plus another 20 destroyed. Two divisions beat up and no longer combat effective and heavy losses in his air defense forces, nearly 40%. It was a good thing the New Shiron Air Force was wrecked, because another attack like that one in the next 48 hours might just succeed.

It would take a couple of days to rebuild the supplies lost too, and that meant that Malin and his division would have to carry out the main offensive for at least a couple of days.

The door opened to reveal what looked like a freight elevator. There was no apparent key pad, just a white panel next to the door. One of the guards placed his hand on it for a moment. A series of ghostly symbols appeared and the guard hit one.

The elevator began to move downwards silently. It then came to rest and the door opened into a hallway ten feet high. At the end was a hatch with two more landsmen flanking it.

The Queen's party was led through the hatch and into the Karlord's cabin. It was a bit shocking actually, walpaper in a riot of colors and geomentric shapes covered the walls. The floor was covered in a thick, red carpet.

In the center of the room was an oval table with a glass top and a large light box hanging down. The only other source of light was on the far wall, screens which showed lines of white symbols across a blue screen.

"Good day your majesty, I am Karlord Nitx'tra...." A deep rumble filled the room, as a figure stepped forward of of the shadows.

The figure that was now lit by the light above the table was eight foot tall. The head was that of a dragon with black scales and blood red eyes. The large mouth was filled with razor sharp teeth. A three finger claw appeared on the edge of the table. "...If I recall I should ask you to take a seat. However, my Na'tra has not returned with them yet...and I would like them back when we are done here."

Gabrielle looked at the alien (creature!) levelly, her expression impassive. She ignored the shocked gasp from her aide and addressed the Karlord as courteously as she could.

"We are content to stand. I understand if your nation is somewhat suspecious of our motives, but I did bring downloaded information on the laptop my aide is carrying, and we can give you the frequencies so that you can monitor are battlefield communications and satellite feeds."

sighing heavily, she continued after a moment. "In truth, we aren't stopping them. We threw every missile we had at them last night, and nearly all of our aircraft and although we hurt them, we couldn't destroy the gate of somekind that they are using to invade us. We even tried nuclear weapons, but they destroyed nearly all of the missiles and only a few got through without decisive result. We need help, and soon. As far as technology goes, my experts give me to understand that they are about equal with some of your technologies in some areas, while more advanced than us but not as advanced as you in others. My scouts and satellites have determined that they have about 200,000 men in our country now, along with lots of combat vehicles and flying craft."

To: New Shiron High Command
From: Germanian Reichswehr
Subject: Apologies

We regret to inform you that North Germania cannot, at this time, become involved with this conflict. We are already fighting wars in two different countries, and colonizing a state.

Also, it appears your enemy's technology is far out of range. The Reichswehr will battle anyone near its own technology level...but this seems as though we would just be slaughtered. The only thing we can offer is firing long-missiles at enemy vessels and troops. Or nuclear weaponry, which I do not believe would be wise.

Our apologies.

- The Reichswehr

The Cynthians attacked just before dawn, moving across the entire front with assault groups consisting of an Ogre, which in turn was supported by a mechanized infantry battalion, with GEV companies on the flanks and Gunships providing close support.

The 4th Army fought hard. Its 6 divisions were all motorized infantry (dismounted) who had considerable cover and concealment, hundreds of ATGM and ATRL systems, hundreds of light 105 guns firing direct support, and by the draconian measure of stripping the entire 1st and 2nd region of anti tank weapons and portable SAMs, every man had either an RPG or AT4 or Stinger.

But the Cynthians were just too advanced. Their sensors saw through most cover, and a weapon that got a shot off rarely got off another due to Cynthian counterfire. In a couple of hours, the front was ruptured in 27 places, each a couple of miles across, and enemy GEVs were shooting up rear areas.

In the command post, General Rucker watched his divisions get overrun, and listened to the reports over the radio, the few that could get through Cynthian jamming.

"Order all remaining troops to disburse and conduct guerilla operations. Tell Varangia that they better be ready. We can't stop them here."

Rucker picked up a Dragon missile launcher and looked at his aide de camp and sergeant major. "Gentleman, it looks like its time to join the infantry."
With that the three men and the rest of the headquarters staff left the command center, a former furniture store, and moved toward some more heavily built warehouses in the center of the town of Petersborough.

The Cynthians wouldn't get through this highway pass without a fight at least.

Malin looked grimly at his casualty reports. The fighting along the ridgelines and valleys of the Radium Hills had been far more costly than he expected. He had lost nearly 50 GEVs, 50 Gunships and over 100 IFVs, along with 2,000 men, and ammunition expeditures where three times higher than he expected. The locals had fought hard and even when cutoff where fighting until destroyed or breaking out and going into hiding.

But those people would be the followup troops problem.

The latest fight, a bitter 30 minute fight for Peterborough had finally cleared the way through to the coastal plain and Varangia was only 150 kilometers away. He had also been able to confirm the destruction of the primary command post for the enemy 4th Army, the principal ground combat force in the area.

Taking Varangia should be a pushover.

To: New Shiron High Command
From: Germanian Reichswehr
Subject: Apologies

We regret to inform you that North Germania cannot, at this time, become involved with this conflict. We are already fighting wars in two different countries, and colonizing a state.

Also, it appears your enemy's technology is far out of range. The Reichswehr will battle anyone near its own technology level...but this seems as though we would just be slaughtered. The only thing we can offer is firing long-missiles at enemy vessels and troops. Or nuclear weaponry, which I do not believe would be wise.

Our apologies.

- The Reichswehr

New Shiron Defense Minister Matt Ridgeway,
to the Reichswehr

We wish to purchase as many portable anti tank guided missile systems and portable anti aircraft systems as your nation and your fellow Klatchian allies, can spare. We need at least a couple hundred thousand, and will take all we can get. Luckily, the enemy, who we have managed to identify as humans from a planet called New Cynthia from some time period in the future, has not attacked our northern, eastern or western ports, and we have had to strip weapons systems from those areas to provide adequate numbers of weapons for the southern area, which is the principal war zone.

We attempted nuclear strikes against the enemy, with little success as they apparently have a very formidable anti air and anti missile defense.

However, if you can spare NBC decontamination equipment, we do have need in our southeastern state, as fall out from the three weapons that did reach the enemy is a problem that will require more resources than we have immediately available.

In Varangia, a long line of cars, trucks and anything else with wheels was heading out of the city for either the north or south, and every available ship that could reach it was loading people from wharves. Nearly 2 million civilians had been ordered out, and every available man or woman from the National Guard, Air National Guard, the Navy and Royal Guard was being formed into provisional combat units, given what weapons there were available, even civilian weapons, and along with a general emergency conscription of every adult male and female 19 - 32 who was in reasonable health and had prior military service, sent to man the defenses which now total 200,000 troops in very thorough depth throughout the city.

New Cynthia might take the city, but they wouldn't like the price.

Gabrielle looked at the alien (creature!) levelly, her expression impassive. She ignored the shocked gasp from her aide and addressed the Karlord as courteously as she could.

"We are content to stand. I understand if your nation is somewhat suspecious of our motives, but I did bring downloaded information on the laptop my aide is carrying, and we can give you the frequencies so that you can monitor are battlefield communications and satellite feeds."

sighing heavily, she continued after a moment. "In truth, we aren't stopping them. We threw every missile we had at them last night, and nearly all of our aircraft and although we hurt them, we couldn't destroy the gate of somekind that they are using to invade us. We even tried nuclear weapons, but they destroyed nearly all of the missiles and only a few got through without decisive result. We need help, and soon. As far as technology goes, my experts give me to understand that they are about equal with some of your technologies in some areas, while more advanced than us but not as advanced as you in others. My scouts and satellites have determined that they have about 200,000 men in our country now, along with lots of combat vehicles and flying craft."

The Karlord shook his head. "Thank you for the codes. And let us be the judge of our technoloigal diffrences. Anyone who can built some form of worm hole gate is a dangerous foe. The other two vessles of my command will be probing the outer defenses of your enemy."

The creature's eyes seemed to narrow, "Now who are they?[/i]"

*****
The two Var gravships had climed through a mountain pass and were now moving on the 'invasion' locus at only 600 feet.

Bridge, Gravcruiser Ethra-6
-Sir, we have mutliple contacts apparently moving back towards the locus...I'd say based on their IFF codes they are not Shiron air vehicles.

The captain shook his head at the news.
-Do not alter course. If the enemy detects us to to 2,000 feet. Sound the Bell, I want all hands at their stations.

OOC: I don't think I can sneek up on anything with these ships, but at 600 feet they are likely not going to be spotted by ground based radar until they are close in.
But a passing raiding gunship group along your northern edge will likely pick them up.

[QUOTE=The Lords of War]The Karlord shook his head. "Thank you for the codes. And let us be the judge of our technoloigal diffrences. Anyone who can built some form of worm hole gate is a dangerous foe. The other two vessles of my command will be probing the outer defenses of your enemy."

The creature's eyes seemed to narrow, "Now who are they?[/i]" /QUOTE]

Gabrielle nodded in agreement over the Karlords assessment, wondering if he read body language the same way a human did, or at least had training in human body language. "Oh well" she thought, "something to wonder about later." She answered him calmly. "My scientific and intelligence staff have managed to learn that they are from a planet called New Cynthia, and that they are from 10,000 years in our future. We can't account for that time lag and the relative slow increase in their technology versus us, but I am sure there is a reason. They claim they are on a religious crusade, and are out for revenge, and they claim my descendents about 200 years from now will mistreat them."

The Cynthians were finding that the easy advances of yesterday were over. Every crossroads town, every hill, every overpass housed a defending force that would fight until they were destroyed. Some fought extremely effectively, letting Cynthian vehicles close to easy range before opening fire and these troops always managed to inflict substantial damage. Others fought ineptly, and fired too soon, or too late, and were relatively easy to destroy. But each time the defenders bought a little time, at the cost of many lives.

Meanwhile, the new headquarters for the 4th Army kept track of the estimated losses. Nearly 100,000 dead or missing, and a similar number of wounded. The death rate was so high because the weapons the Cynthians used were extremely lethal and generally a person shot directly died on the spot.

Further away, ranger teams crept closer and closer to the center of the Cynthian bridgehead. Occasionally a team would be spotted, and a brief firefight would result in several rangers dead. But more often the rangers managed to avoid detection, and continue their infiltration.

Meanwhile in the Radium Hills, the remaining infantry and missile crews that survived the battle reformed into guerilla bands. Nearly 20,000 men and women remained, all that was left of the 200,000 troops that had dug in the night before, but these troops refused to give up, and were now creeping toward roads, junctions, and defiles to continue the fight and attack enemy supply lines.

for the first time, Malin found himself growing concerned. The rate of advance had slowed instead of quickened when he reached the coastal plain. The densely populated area was full of buildings that made good cover for the locals, and they were fighting fiercely. Reports were showing losses far heavier than expected too, with nearly 24% of his mechanized infantry vehicles and 10% of his GEVs out of action, and nearly 2,000 more casualties today. Even though he would have most of those men back in a couple of days, it was still creating delays, and overstretching his air ambulances.

What was more frustrating was the fact that the Ogres, even though they destroyed practically everything they engaged, were forced to hang back as their support troops couldn't keep up with them because of enemy resistance.

"General Finch, I want you to concentrate all of the Ogres here." he ordered, pointing at the town of Gawler. "I want all 26 to smash their way through to the center of the city of Varangia. I don't care if they leave their infantry support behind, just get to the port area. We have a schedule to keep."

Pointing at the town of Port Augusta, "I want the GEVs here. That will cutoff any more reinforcements reaching the enemy from the west, and if the refugees get in your way, take any measures necessary to clear the roads. We can't let a bunch of panicky civilians stop us. Is that clear?"

The two Var gravships had climed through a mountain pass and were now moving on the 'invasion' locus at only 600 feet.

At the main headquarters of the invasion, now located in the town of Broken Hill, Marshal Kirchener looked at the display his intelligence officer showed him. A high altitude drone had picked up two very strange looking flying craft heading toward the bridgehead from the north. They obviously weren't local, as history would certainly have recorded New Shiron having such power. The only thing history showed from this era was one of the Klatchian Member States which reputably had much better technology than anyone else in the era. But New Shiron had been isolationist for most of that time, and had little information on them.

"Who the hell are they, and what the hell are they?" he wondered. Looking over to his operations officer he ordered action. "Take all the gunships you have available and send them to take out whatever the hell those things are."

A few minutes later, orders reached 200 gunships from all over the perimeter which moved to positions all around the enemy but still over the horizon.

ooc note
The RocIII Gunship is a light, 30 ton craft (think Terminator Gunships) that carried a couple of lasers (blasters) and also several fire and forget missiles (smarter higher tech version of the Harpoon).

On signal, the 200 gunships closed in at just under mach 1 to attack the two strange craft, ignoring losses as they came and firing their missiles and blasters in an all out assault.

ooc
these gunships have decent electronic warfare capability and jamming, no armor and are not stealthy.... I have no idea how capable your two ships are, but give me an estimate of their effectiveness against a full assault like this.

At Varangia, the fighting began to intensify as 26 of the massive Ogres pushed through toward the city. The soldiers of New Shiron had already learned that they couldn't stop the massive cybernetic tanks, but they could do a lot of damage to the followup Cynthian forces in their IFVs and GEVs.

Within a couple of hours, the Ogres were far ahead of their supporting infantry, and had reached the edge of the city, leaving behind ruins. But the Shironians infiltrated behind them and ambushed Cynthian mechanized infantry, forcing them to dismount and preventing them from keeping up with the spear head.

In Varangia, the Shironians were ready with a new tactic. It was desperate, but the only thing likely to work. Hunter killer teams of infantry, each just a few men, waited in cellers, sewers and other deep places, watching through vidlinks to cameras posted above them. Each team had a single tactical nuclear weapon, usually an artillery shell or demolition charge. They knew that their own survival was unlikely, but not even the thick and superdense armor of an Ogre could prevent destruction from a 5 kiloton nuclear blast at close range.

The remaining defenders were under cover as well, and for the most part, told only to expect nuclear detonations in the near future and to take appropriate precautions. Most of the civilians were out of the city now, and the last merchant ships and transports were leaving the harbor, filled to the absolute last square foot with as many civilians as could be brought aboard.

Mercifully, the Cynthians weren't committing any gunships at the moment, as it appeared the arrival of the Klatchian grav ships had drawn them off.

At Port Augusta however, tragedy struck. A long line of cars, buses and trucks was snaking its way slowly through the town when a column of Cynthian GEVs showed up. Finding their way blocked because of buildings and traffic, the GEVs opened fire, and hypersonic rounds converted vehicles into bright explosions that literally blew the vehicles to little pieces of burning scrap, along with the people inside. Within 30 minutes the way was clear and the Cynthians pushed through town and secured the last chokepoint.

But 40,000 civilian refugees and residents were dead, and the town itself was burning.

Malin was worried now. Losses were continuing to climb in spite of his continuing to gain ground. Nearly 30% of his combat forces were out of action now, and everything was fully engaged. His infantry were having to dismount to deal with continual ambushes as the enemy were hiding everywhere and although many were inept, many were very well trained indeed and until a firefight began, you didn't know which you had to deal with.

He was going to have to call for reinforcements. A major humiliation.

The Cynthian Ogres continued to advance, now far ahead of their support, and reached the city of Varangia. Their objective was the port area, and as they advanced, the defenders fought back as best they could with anti tank missiles and rockets, and what artillery that remained. Whenever the Ogres where taken under fire, they would fire a few rounds leveling any buildings where fire came from, and a trail of wreckage 2 kilometers wide stretched across the city.

But now the tank killer teams began to come out of the sewers and basements behind the Ogres. Many were spotted and killed before they could get close enough, but a few did, and managed to plant their nuclear demolition charges close enough to the enemy to have effect.

A series of 5 kiloton explosions rocked the city over the next few hours, and radiation detectors downwind would soon be giving warning.

Malin was horrified when the reports came in. The locals had used small nuclear weapons in their OWN CITY! Losses must have been severe for them, but they were bad enough for his forces. Seven Ogres totally destroyed, 9 more badly damaged, and he had to order them all out until support could come up now.

His division was in bad shape too, with nearly 50% of his vehicles out of action and personnel losses to match. The advance on Varangia was done for now. Until headquarters brought up reserves, which wouldn't be until after the fight with the unknown grav ships finished up north, he just didn't have the strength to break through.

"Order a pull back, everything back to the Radium Hills. We need to get away from the urban areas until we can regroup and get reinforcements."

Ridgeway looked over the reports from Varangia. The enemy had been stopped. They had even retreated. It was the first victory of any sort of the war so far and a massive relief. But the casualties were enormous.

4th Army headquarters reported that 150,000 were dead, another 100,000 missing and presumed dead, and 200,000 were wounded. The 1st and 2nd Districts had been gutted to provide replacements and weapons and so now all three were shells of what they were. Only 100,000 troops remained ready for action in Varangia, and the west and northwest were practically wide open. Luckily the Cynthians weren't headed that way yet.

The real issue was in the southeast. Every available man was being sent to hold the defense lines. When the Cynthians advanced toward the critical cities in southeast New Shiron, they had to be stopped.

He wondered if those aliens the queen was talking to would be of much help.

ooc
gone for three days, will post when I get back.

**********
Encrypted – MAX – VMHC protocols Alpha Gamma 908987 – FKC route: New Shiron Military Command – route: complete
**********

From: Vrak Military High Command

We shall send two projection fleets, the 6th New Type I and the 4th Old. We can possibly commit the 1st Bombard fleet but we are still assessing overall assets in Neo Tyr. Additionally, we have activated the Northern. North West, and Middle HORDE air and ground assets and will commit at least one mechanized infantry division, one tank division, and one artillery division. More forces can be made available.

For initial rapid deployment, we shall utilize large cargo hauler space ships that are originally designed to ferry civilians to planets within the Sol system. They are atmospheric capable, and each can carry FULL strength Vrakian brigade levels. Small arms will also be transported via cargo haulers but heavier equipment may be delayed.

Please forward the best landing arrangements for the quickest deployment of troops and any other precautions we need to take.

Death to the enemies of the Klatch!

(We....sorry for the pause but RL and turkey interfered)

The Karlord tilted his/(its?) head and seemed concerned. "A ten thousand year time diffrence in Terran society is indeed a troubling diffrence in age. In the thousand years we have known your race it has gone from primitive to semi-advanced quickly. A ten thousand year gap would be possibley 10 times as great."

Several servants had procceded to place chairs behind the New Shiron Delegation.

"Once again we are forced to watch you Terrans attack each other in the name of some God. If we had known how easily you are led to kill each other in worshiping some unknown, all powerful creature we could have easily ruled this planet."

**********
The Gravships had risen to an altitude of 2000 feet giving them a decent visual range before they opened fire.

The gunships were met with volleys of small counter missles. The units, thrown out at almost mach speed and reached a terminal velocity of mach 5.6 as they went for the 30 ton ships.

Both the gunships and the gravships reached effective beam range at almost the same time. The twenty four port side casement lasers of the gravcruiser and the eight rapid fire laser clusters of the gravcruiser sent beams of coherent UV light against the remains of the approaching gunships. At 12 miles the four port side energy bolt turrets of the grav cruiser opened fire.

What the gun ships lacked in power they made up for in mass. Each hit with their lasers cut into the armor of the grav ships. Their missles vanished as they were either killed in the crossing laser fire, destroyed by the short range plasma fire, or hit into the armored hides of the grav ships.

It was a slaughter, as the attack had started the gun ships had the worst of it. But as the gunships laser hits slowly took out weapons systems and damaged control relays of the grav ships the Klathcian return fire reduced. The twenty percent of the missles getting through the Var defensive envolope proved quite effective at times, a huge explosion of white gas was seen when one of the large turrets of the grav cruiser gave way, strenghting the resolve of the gun ships.

That resolve was tested when the grav cutter pushed forward with sudden acceleration, placing herself between the attackers and the cruiser. Ribbons of fire and gas bleeding from the gravcutter's flanks. She seemed to give her all in a last ditch effort to drive the gunships from the feild. Rather than using her forward laser cluster, she used her short range plasma turrets to send arcs of high temperature, corrosive gas to destroy or scatter the remaining gunships. As the last set of Cynthian missles smashed into her flank, she vanished in a briliant display of white.

As the light faded, the flaming remains of the grav cutter filled the sky falling into scattered remnants over the New Shiron country side.

The grav cruiser remained. Her return fire was ragged, but not completely gone. a plume of fire was escaping from a gragged gash on her port side and two of her secondary port turrets appeared to be inopperative. The grav cruiser had used the moment of the grav cutter's suicide to turn and present her more lightly damaged starboard side to the enemy. She was moving now south-east-east towards the eastern shore of New Shiron.

OOC: Basicly I see this as an air version of the battle of Jutland. A draw with severe losses for both sides.

bump.... back from the family trip..l will post more later today when actually reasonably awake.

Kirchener looked at the losses over the last few days. Nearly 80% of his gunships lost so far, including over 160 in the battle with those strange massive gunships or space cruisers (?) that had come in from the north. Nearly 30% of his Ogres destroyed, the remainder damaged to varying degrees, and the assault to take Varangia had failed.

However, although 2 of his divisions were gutted shells, another 6 had arrived, giving him a total of 8 mechanized infantry divisions, plus 4 GEV cavalry brigades. Based on reports, the locals had suffered crippling losses defending Varangia, and had all of their remaining strength concentrated on defending the southeast of the country. Although Varangia was still in local hands, it could be bypassed.

Orders were sent out, and two Cynthian armies began to move. The 1st Army, with 4 mechanized infantry divisions and 2 GEV cavalry regiments drove through the ruins of Port Augusta strait west, heading for Freemantle and Lorn. The 2nd Army, of identical size and compesition, was forced to wait a few hours, then once the 1st Army was through, it too shot through Port Augusta and turned north. Straight for the central mountain range and the vital strategic redoubt of New Shiron around Alice.

**********
Encrypted – MAX – VMHC protocols Alpha Gamma 908987 – FKC route: New Shiron Military Command – route: complete
**********

From: Vrak Military High Command

We shall send two projection fleets, the 6th New Type I and the 4th Old. We can possibly commit the 1st Bombard fleet but we are still assessing overall assets in Neo Tyr. Additionally, we have activated the Northern. North West, and Middle HORDE air and ground assets and will commit at least one mechanized infantry division, one tank division, and one artillery division. More forces can be made available.

For initial rapid deployment, we shall utilize large cargo hauler space ships that are originally designed to ferry civilians to planets within the Sol system. They are atmospheric capable, and each can carry FULL strength Vrakian brigade levels. Small arms will also be transported via cargo haulers but heavier equipment may be delayed.

Please forward the best landing arrangements for the quickest deployment of troops and any other precautions we need to take.

Death to the enemies of the Klatch!

From New Shiron Joint Chiefs of Staff
to Vrak High Command

Enemy forces are moving in strength on our western and central areas, specifically on Freemantle and Alice Springs. We urgently need support at Freemantle, which in addition, has plenty of airfields and a large port able to support your forces. In addition, our troops in the area are severely lacking in anti tank and anti aircraft portable systems, as those systems have been consumed at a very high rate in the fighting so far. Urgently request portable and vehicle mounted anti air and anti tank missile launchers and reloads.

At this time, no one has air superiority because of losses, but enemy anti air defenses are exceptionally effective against non stealthy aircraft, and effective even against stealth aircraft at medium and high altitude. Suggest any aircraft remain on the deck at all times and support aircraft remain at least 400 kilometers from the nearest Cynthian (enemy) combat vehicles at all times.

Sincerely
Matthew Ridgeway, Minister of Defense and Deputy Supreme Commander New Shiron Military forces.

In the Nullarbor Plain, a region of rich farmland, the men and women of New Shiron Guards Cavalry Division, one of its best equipped divisions (and one of the few full time fully mechanized divisions) waited. They were strung out across the plain using whatever cover they could find in small combat teams of M1A3 tanks, Bradley CAVs with Hellfire missiles, and AH64 Helicopters.

They were to buy time. Even a day would help.

Behind them, their service and support troops were dug in at the villages and small towns, armed with the last remaining stocks of hand held and portable ATGMs and SAMs available, with the divisional artillery set up for direct fire instead of providing the usual support. Enemy counterbattery was so effective that conventional artillery support was doomed to failure, so now the big Paladin howitzers and MLRS rocket launchers were glorified assault guns.

Lieutenant Samantha Stevens, commander of Team Yankee 27 watched through her thermal sights the horizon, waiting for the enemy to come.

Only a week ago, she had gotten married, and now she was a widow. Her husband killed at Varangia. Her lips snarled as she thought about what she had lost. She wanted to kill those bastards. They would pay for destroying her life.

The conversation between the Queen and the Karlord was interupted by an aide.
-Mylord the enemy has engaged our gravships.
-Place it on the tack table.

The space between the Queen and the Karlord was filled with a hologram of small bright spots.

A mass of yellow dots seemed to swirl in the air attacking two red dots on the screen. The data tags on the red tags seemed to change as yellow dots vanished off the screen. The Karlord watched it imassionatly.

At the end some fourty yellow dots and one red dot remained.

-It seems that my cruiser is badly wounded.
-Yes sir, First Officer Etho reports that he is operating at 38 percent power and is likely going to lose one or both of his forward gravatrons.
-Fine, I see the enemy is moving north, towards the center of the country
-Yes sir,
-Direct Etho to that location and to use his primary guns to help defeat the enemy.
-Yes sir.

The Karlord turned his attention to the Queen again.
"I am afraid that these enemies from the future you have made are indeed powerful. I have lost many good warriors today, and I do not wish the enemy to take victory from their grasp. Yet, the question remains your Majesty if I shall be given the forces to do so. The Overlord holds no anamosity towards New Shiron in his heart. But the House of Crawfnord must worry about how any mission into this matter will erode support among the other Great Houses."

The Var turned slightly towards the screen, "I will do my utmost to help you in this situation. But only if your House were related by blood or marriage could the Overlord justify sending in forces to preserve your family from its enemies, after all they have avoided declaring war upon the Klatch or declaring any intent to subjagate this entire planet..."

****
The grav cruiser swung west as ordered. They would make a crash landing near the defenses of Alice Springs and use the remaining five, 14.2 inch calibre coil guns as long range artillery. The 126 surviving marines were ordered to move forward to strengthen the New Shiron forces just south of the town.

Gabrielle watched the battle impassively. The important part for her was that the Lords of War had fought it at all, and that the invaders had been forced to strip away most of their aircraft to deal with this threat which seemed to have made a difference at Varangia.

Perhaps her people had a chance. If only she could persuade them to help more.

"I thank you for the help you have already given us. My people will not forget the blood your people spilled for us today. I speak for all of my people when I say we are grateful for the help you have given us so far. But I am not sure if you are making a suggestion considering blood ties or not. What exactly are you saying?"

The Destiny’s Fist, an aircraft carrier and command ship of the 6rd New projection fleet currently stationed in its home port slipped her moorings and heading out with her escort. After passing a guardian fleet that was escorting some amphibious assault ships from Neo Tyr, it began to head towards the city of Freemantle. Sixteen surface ships along with four submarines picked up speed to a very brisk 30 knots. This was only the initial part of the Vrakian redeployment. As well, the 4th Old, absurdly named some thought but only because the ‘old” fleet used Kreml carriers instead of the massive Aeris aircraft carriers in the “new” fleets, followed behind. A sizable number of oilers and other logistical ships accompanied the fleet, and trailing behind were some civilian ro-ro carriers that were hastily pressed into service. They were, most likely, carrying heavy equipment. Perhaps even some long-range artillery systems or MRLS.

Meanwhile, at Jump City, a Tappee cargo hauler was commandeered by the Vrakian military. A full brigade of regular infantry boarded and, after final checks, roared off the pad and headed for New Shiron. It was risky since the massive transports were lightly armed, but hopefully at least some brigades can be landed to help augment the defenders. Another was quickly being loaded with all manner of anti tank and anti air systems. If nothing else, few countries could match Vrak’s industrial output.

OOC:

The transports are massive beasts. I am leasing them from Tappee but I don’t know how long they are. They can hold 8000 passengers or one Vrakian brigade (6912 troops).

http://www.freehomepages.com/gate3028/SpaceNavy/Ship/Horizon.html

For man portable systems, we use SA-16 GIMLET for anti-air and Kornet E for anti-tank. Expect some chemical and flamethrower troops as well. We like burning things.

The Karlord returned the focus of his gaze to the Queen. "I made no suggestion your majesty. I only wished to give you a clear veiw of what the situation is.

First, you have made a powerful enemy in the Dyelbians, they fear you even more than Neo Tyr. Only that Neo Tyr was offered up to be made example of stopped them demanding your lands to be invaded.

Second, your enemies are only after New Shiron. Unlike the yesefit Dozle who declared himself God over all earth, your fall does not threaten the Klatch.

Third, The Vrakains are less comming to your aide then attempting to get their hands on your enemies technologies.

Fourth, the Overlord's House is a powerful but young one, founded by his parents. As such he has no blood ties to any other of the Great Houses. Many Junior houses could and would form a blood tie with him, but he does not since that may actually weaken his postion. As having no blood ties to the Karlords he is dependent upon our loyalty to his ideals.

Many of those Karlords not as loyal to him as I, they would question helping a former enemy without any respectable reason...."

A voice interupted the conversation again
-Mylord she does have a point.
-Ah, I see that you are finally reporting in...ah..
-Commander Etho...
-Yes, what is this suggestion of hers? She asked if I made a suggestion...
-Well ah sir if she were to offer to be his mate...but she wouldn't have to...
-Explain in Terran English, I can sense Terran customs being part of this mix.

The disembodied voice changed to english.
"Your Majesty, This is Commander Etho of the Enclave Naval Forces, I appologize for interupting. But I think you have noted a way we can assist you futher. I am sorry for the indelicate nature of this question but, are you married? If not, you could offer your hand in marriage to the Overlord and that should give him enough manuver room to send most of the navy out here to help you."

"A marriage plan would take several Terran months to orginize..."
"No mylord, just them being engaged would be enough actually. Er, Engagement is a period between deciding to mate and actually mateing in Terran society. I think the Overlord could easily swing that he was moving out to defend his future mates house."

The Karlord shook his head, and again focused on Gabriel.

"As a Var I abhore this idea of forcing any Var or Terran-hu to...to mate when they have no desire to do so...but as a Karlord I can see that the path my warrior has scouted appears to be our only option. The Karlords would not question defending the House of Crawford (yes) or the Empress Kristalli to honor the blood ties of their Overlord."

bump while my fever addled brain thinks of a good answer to that

In Freemantle, support troops hurriedly prepared the docks and airfields for the arrival of the Vrak.

Further to the east, every available man and woman dug prepared positions and prepared roadblocks. Short on anti tank systems, jury rigged launchers where rigged to army vehicles of all types so that anti ship missiles taken from navy ships could be used. An ad hoc measure, but possibly a useful one as heavier weapons were needed to penetrate the more effective armor the Cynthians used in any case.

The Navy meanwhile concentrated its forces in the southern sea, ready to launch a last massive missile attack against the approaching Cynthian army to support the Guards Cavalry.

In the central section of the country, the elite of New Shirons Royal Guard were dug in. Four mountain divisions, 2 airborne divisions and the marine division were dug in using the ridgelines and valleys to the best advantage. They still had a full issue of ammunition, and with the support of reservists brought in from the north (another 5 divisions) were determined to stop the invaders, or die trying.

The Karlord returned the focus of his gaze to the Queen. "I made no suggestion your majesty. I only wished to give you a clear veiw of what the situation is.

First, you have made a powerful enemy in the Dyelbians, they fear you even more than Neo Tyr. Only that Neo Tyr was offered up to be made example of stopped them demanding your lands to be invaded.

Second, your enemies are only after New Shiron. Unlike the yesefit Dozle who declared himself God over all earth, your fall does not threaten the Klatch.

Third, The Vrakains are less comming to your aide then attempting to get their hands on your enemies technologies.

Fourth, the Overlord's House is a powerful but young one, founded by his parents. As such he has no blood ties to any other of the Great Houses. Many Junior houses could and would form a blood tie with him, but he does not since that may actually weaken his postion. As having no blood ties to the Karlords he is dependent upon our loyalty to his ideals.

Many of those Karlords not as loyal to him as I, they would question helping a former enemy without any respectable reason...."

A voice interupted the conversation again
-Mylord she does have a point.
-Ah, I see that you are finally reporting in...ah..
-Commander Etho...
-Yes, what is this suggestion of hers? She asked if I made a suggestion...
-Well ah sir if she were to offer to be his mate...but she wouldn't have to...
-Explain in Terran English, I can sense Terran customs being part of this mix.

The disembodied voice changed to english.
"Your Majesty, This is Commander Etho of the Enclave Naval Forces, I appologize for interupting. But I think you have noted a way we can assist you futher. I am sorry for the indelicate nature of this question but, are you married? If not, you could offer your hand in marriage to the Overlord and that should give him enough manuver room to send most of the navy out here to help you."

"A marriage plan would take several Terran months to orginize..."
"No mylord, just them being engaged would be enough actually. Er, Engagement is a period between deciding to mate and actually mateing in Terran society. I think the Overlord could easily swing that he was moving out to defend his future mates house."

The Karlord shook his head, and again focused on Gabriel.

"As a Var I abhore this idea of forcing any Var or Terran-hu to...to mate when they have no desire to do so...but as a Karlord I can see that the path my warrior has scouted appears to be our only option. The Karlords would not question defending the House of Crawford (yes) or the Empress Kristalli to honor the blood ties of their Overlord."

Gabrielle looked at the alien (ooc from her standpoint) and mentally shrugged. "I am not mated, as you put it, but if I marry, the man I marry must either become my consort, or I must step down so that my brother may be king." She paused for a moment, "but to put this nicely, is that even an option for me and someone of your race."

The Karlord looked at Gabrielle and swished his tail. "The loyalty you show to your House does your nation proud, as for a Terran and Var to mate physically would be a...a...."

The voice of the commander cut in again, "A mute point Mylord, The Overlord is not a Var, but a...well...compatable species with Terran-hu such as yourself or myself your majesty."

The Var shook his head, "Yes, quite his father was of a decendent of one of Terra's Royal Families, his mother was...was...In the eight thousand year history of the Varian Empire we never meet anyone quite like her before....as such we only refer to her by a name which is improuncable to humans."

"And the other considerations, such as joint soverignity, inheritance, would be things to negotate out durring the long period of engagement. Really were trying to give our master the political manuvering room...not er...what is the phrase...'set him up' without either of you meeting the other."

"Commander I feel I should warn you that after my report, you will likely be working for the Chancellor from now on."

"Mylord, I watched my captain and 350 of my men die in battle. I want that to be more than some esoteric question in a quiz game..."

The Var shook his head again, "That is the reason why the Terran-hu are Katha...In your hearts and minds are those of true warriors..."

The Var shook his head again, "That is the reason why the Terran-hu are Katha...In your hearts and minds are those of true warriors..."

Gabrielle spoke earnestly, and leaned forward to emphasize her words. "My people are warriors too. Nearly half million dead so far, but we stopped them at our city of Varangia. We will stop them again. But the price is so high."

She paused for a moment.

"If a political marriage is needed to cement ties between our peoples, than who am I to not make such a sacrifice when so many of my people have sacrificed all. Who knows, it might more interesting than that. Of course, it is up to your people to decide if such an offer is of worth."

ooc
picture Gabrielle as Cate Blanchett in the movie Elizabeth.. fiery, smart and utterly dedictated to her cause which is her people. Also damned good looking.

The Karlord shook his head, "Many more will die in this war. The war with the yesefrit Dozle cost 240 million Klatchian lives, the Civil War of the Varian Empire cost 2.4 trillion Var lives, almost everyone in the universe. Blood shall shed, lives shall be lost...but we shall have victory."

The Var rose, "I shall arrange for a direct link between the Overlord and yourself. I shall repair to the bridge for a moment and let you and your advisors converse in private. It shall take a moment to ensure a secure video contact...."

-Er, Mylord I can not 'go off line' at the moment. It seems that the battle damage has locked my personal communicator to your ready room board.

-What!!? Fine, you can continue your present task.

"The Commander will remain available to advise you on any points you may wish to discuss. It shall only be a few moments before the line is ready your Majesty."

OOC: One of my favorite actresses playing one of my favorite historical characters...Oh, the Overlord tends towards Rupert Everett as Lord Goring in an ideal husband. Witty, tends to be a bit irreverent, and is somewhat of a playboy, however he is sharp as a tac with far more political skill then he lets on at times. Although his eyes are a bit unnerving at first.

bump

OOC: Letting you have the change for some dialog between your characters there....

The central screen turned blue for a moment. A large red glyph appeared on the screen and then changed into showing a room.

The view was of a long room with a table set in the center. Lord Harrington, a walrus, and a human with black hair and startling blue eyes looked back. He was fairly hansom fellow.

The young man in black began to speak, "Good day your Majesty. We were informed that you wished to speak with me directly on some matter Queen Gabrielle…" His eyes glanced downwards for a second. Then back up at Gabrielle. "You know Lord Harrington and this is a prominent citizen from Vrak here to discuss issues of mutual interest."

He finished by placing a pleasant smile on his face, obviously waiting for her Majesty to speak.

Gabrielle decided that there was only one way to approach this. "Your Emminence, I have been given to understand that perhaps a political alliance between our peoples can perhaps be better cemented if the two of us, as is myself and I am to assume you, discussed a joining of our two families."

She measured the man before her, just as he had apparently measured her. Gabrielle was no blushing school girl, having led a busy life in college and while a junior officer in the Royal Navy before assuming the duties of Queen a year ago. Personal feelings one way or another were not important now though.

"I am willing to give that matter serious consideration, and am willing to accept, if such an offer is made, the preliminary steps toward such a union."

Her hazel eyes now dark blue, showing a fierce intensity, she looked levelly at the view screen before her.

ooc
might be easier to move the political stuff to the other thread and leave this one to the war itself

bump

1000 nautical miles from Freemantle

The two projection fleets kept their steady pace of 25 knots. The thought that the fleet elements along with their cargo ships bursting with heavy artillery, tanks, anti-tank, anti-air and combat helicopters arriving too late did occur to the Vrakian High Command. Still, it was deemed necessary to assist and a contingency plan now took effect. The 1st Bombard group now started to leave Neo Tyr and would be able to bring to bear its naval guns on the enemy should they push back the New Shiron troops to the sea. As well, a hunter/killer group also left Neo Tyr – which means that at least one nuclear-armed Typhoon would be in service.

Freemantle

A large cargo hauler of the space-going variety took a circuitous route, careful to stay as far away from the front lines and the last reported positions of the enemy. As it settled down and extended ramps, Vrakian regular infantry units spilled out, nearly 7000 troops in all. Brigadier Troy Kulkola, a stout fellow with black hair and complexion resembling that of the Inuit surveyed his surroundings while chomping on his third cigar. He was in Battle Dress uniform, with his sidearm clearly visible and two King’s Own accompanied him.

In nearby airspace, another cargo hauler was making its final descent.

On the Nullarbor Plain, Major Zdadovsky sat in the turret of his command IFV leading his column of 30 other IFVs crammed with infantry west. He watched through a monitor as one of his drones spotted an enemy position 3 kilometers to his west. It was a mechanized team of 20 tanks and 20 IFVs, plus infantry, dug in a small town. The thermal and magnetic imaging systems picked up one vehicle after another of the defending force.

"All vehicles move into attack formation."

The column spread out into a line stretching nearly a mile. Suddenly, on his left flank, reports came in of enemy missiles from a small hill to the left.

"A Company, take care of that, the rest, follow me. Golf 23, I need supporting fire on the coordinates indicated."

A few miles to the rear, 6 artillery vehicles raised their linear accelerator cannons toward the horizons. As one, they fired, and projectiles raced across the sky at hypersonic speeds. Seconds later, 6 massive explosions rocked the town, followed by a continual series after that.

Looking again, the Major determined that none of the targets remained.

As the mechanized battalion closed to 1000 meters, he learned that it wasn't going to be as easy as that. Hidden in the wreckage, the 5 tanks that actually were present and the 10 IFVs had survived the barrage, even though the 20 dummy vehicles hadn't. They opened fire, and in spite of counterfire, 3 of his IFVs exploded and another pair slewed to a stop as anti tank missiles managed to survive the counter fire to puncture skirts, bringing them to a stop.

"Take them out."

A barrage of super high velocity auto cannons and hypersonic missiles followed, and minutes later none of the enemy vehicles remained.

"B Company, dismount and clean up the rest."

As the 100 dismounted infantry closed, they too came under fire from machine guns, directional mines and anti tank rockets. In spite of support fire, 10 of his men fell, 3 of whom were killed. It took 20 minutes to sort out the rest of the enemy, but finally it was done.

Two hours had been lost though, and 5 vehicles and 60 casualties. Not a good trade Zdanovsky decided.

General Bagration sat in his command vehicle looking over reports. His army was making progress, but enemy resistance on the farm plains of Nullarbor had been fierce. Some of his lead battalions had suffered nearly 10% losses, and the pace was slow. The enemy was being destroyed, but it was taking time.

Now a new problem had emerged. Enemy warships off the coast were hurling missile after missile at his divisional and army trains (occ, those are the support columns like fuel trucks etc), and in spite of the standard escort for those, a large number of missiles were getting through and losses were reaching 20% or more in some columns.

Something had to be done about that. He sent a call to Marsahl Kirchener requesting support.

At Broken Hill, Kirchener looked at his reserves. He had 300 Gunships now, far less than he liked, especially after the bloody nose they took against the grav warships that had shown up previously. But he needed Bagration to reach Freemantle before the help that was coming to New Shiron reached the front line in strength.

"General Phipps, send your gunships against that fleet. I need that annoyance removed. Send them all in, I want a permanent solution."

A few minutes later, the gunships began lifting from airfields and road ways in the occupied zone, heading south at just under Mach 1.

In the burning wreckage that marked the remains of the village of League City, Lieutenant Samantha Stevens picked herself of the ground. She had been blown literally out of her tank when the enemy missile had hit it, but at least she had the satisfaction of knowing she had taken one of the enemy with her before it was over.

A blazing pain shot up her arm, almost causing her to scream. Looking over, she saw that her left arm was burned nearly to the bone and was also clearly broken. She injected herself with morphine and staggered toward a wrecked house that wasn't on fire. All she had left was her 9 mm pistol and her hatred, but she decided that would do for now.

As she staggered toward the house, the saw a couple of her men laying dead in the street, an unused Stinger missile system laying between them. At that moment, she heard the hum in the sky and she saw that some kind of aircraft was landing nearby. Looking toward it, she saw it was some kind of transport aircraft, and it was landing near a ground vehicle. It looked like a dust off actually, and she smiled maliciously.

Picking up the Stinger, she crawled under some cover and she waited. After a few minutes, the enemy finished loading their casualties and took off. She waited until it was about 50 feet up, and fired the missile.

The enemy aircraft frantically tried to jink, but it had no time, and the missile smashed into its left rear fan, causing it to tilt and its nose smashed into the ground. Seconds later it exploded and Samantha shouted with glee.

And then she finally collapsed in a heap as exhaustion, pain and the morphine finally overwhelmed her.

It looked like a large version of a football, seven feet long. It had detected the firefight in the village and was now observing the New Cynthian column moving north across the plain. The small blisters on the front relayed information back to the wounded grav cruiser.

****
"Sir, we have an enemy column, just in range now sir...236 miles on course mark 172 from our current position."

"Well, we still have a full compliment of main gun rounds, lets see if what happens when we start throwing long distance shells into those massive tank things they have. Fire three standard rounds and two ground burst...."

"Aye sir..."

The five remaining guns of the grav cruiser fired up into the sky. The titanium shells almost parted into space before falling back down towards the center 'bolo' of the New Cynthian column.

******
To New Shiron
Encryption-New Shiron Code A1

Please inform us of an airbase in your north eastern sector which has an ample hydrogen or water supply. We will be sending in airforces directly as ordered by our Master.

-Nimlord Bathus, Third District Air command.

The Cynthian 2nd Army was advancing north toward the Simpson Hills when the first of the shells from the grav cruiser began impacting on the lead GEV regiment. The GEVs quickly scattered, but behind them were a quartet of Ogres, moving at a much slower pace.

Detecting the incoming shells on their onboard sensors, the four massive vehicles elevated their tertiary guns and began firing. However, the shells were moving so fast that only 4 were intercepted. One got through and smashed into the lead Ogre, which dissappeared in a white flash. When the smoke cleared, the Ogre was still moving, but its main turret was smashed and its main gun and 2 of its secondary guns were out of action.

Continued artillery fire eventually forced General Fredericks to pull all 50 of his Ogres back from the front, as half were damaged, and several destroyed, and they were just too big a target for now.

Meanwhile, the 4 Cynthian mechanized divisions entered the hills and low mountains where the elite New Shiron 1st Guards Army awaited. This time the high speed and agility of the New Cynthian vehicles was offset by restricted terrain that was made for ambushes. Bitter close range fights ranged all along the line and progress was halted after several hours of costly fighting.

For the first time the Cynthians had been stopped with significant losses without the defense forces being shattered in the process.

Now at her command center in Anchorage, one of several around the country, the Queen looked over reports from the fighting the last few hours. The Guards had held in the Simpson Hills, which was the best news, although losses were high, roughly 20% of the total force and nearly 50% in the infantry platoons and companies on the front line. Ammunition usuage had been very high too, but luckily there were plenty of stocks in that area to draw from.

The news wasn't as good in the south. The Guards Cavalry Division had literally died in place, but had managed to slow the Cynthians by nearly a day. Nearly 20,000 men and women, some of the best troops she had, were dead or missing, but they had bought precious time. The Vrakians were landing in Freemantle, and even the Cynthians were at least two days from reaching the main defenses in that area. With any luck, New Shiron had just enough troops to hold just long enough for sufficient Vrakians to arrive to hold the area.

The Lords of War should be coming soon. She wanted them to strike directly at the main invasion point at Broken Hill. If they succeeded in destroying the entrance point, than the Cynthians would eventually collapse from lack of supply. If nothing else though, the Lords of War would draw off enough Cynthian forces so that the rangers that were still infiltrating their way into the area on foot would be able to attack the gateway with their light nuclear demolition charges. One way or another there was a good chance of victory now.

To New ShironEncryption-New Shiron Code A1

Please inform us of an airbase in your north eastern sector which has an ample hydrogen or water supply. We will be sending in airforces directly as ordered by our Master.

-Nimlord Bathus, Third District Air command.

The Anchorage Naval Air Station and naval base has sufficient facilities to handle up to 300 aircraft and 100 vehicles the size of a destroyer or larger (ooc really big bay for water landings, lots of apron space for aircraft sized craft)

In the early morning light, a single object appeared on the radar approaching Ancorage from well, space. About 300 yards long, the craft finally revealed itself.

"Ancorage Naval Station, this is theParthra of the LOW Navy we are here to set up a refueling station for our airbreathing craft."

The gunship (not to be confused with a New Cynthian gunship) decended into the harbor. The spread struts holding the two lower engines hit the water and sent out waves while a third pontoon lowered from the cylindrical hull. She soon arrived at one of the slips.

As she sat there, an elevator lowered from the hull as well as a large tube. Off the elevator came a small hovercraft which was towing two flexable lines to the shore.

*******
"Well, sir we got those nasty big tanks to retreat. But blew our whole load doing it."

Commander Encho nodded....the growl of the Karlord in his ear.
-Strip your command of everyone except for a skeleton crew and the wounded. Send her back home, she's just a target now. I will be moving my command south to oversee the landing of our forces and a spearhead at this place called Broken Hill.

Encho replied,
-Yes Mylord, I will lead our detatchement of marines and naval personel into the hills to support the locals.

A few hours later the grav cruiser pulled up out of the dale she had been laying in and limped north. A line of marines and naval personel moved south towards the hills and the northern front.

Someone had commendeered three trucks. The front one was carrying the massive bulk of a ship mounted laser. The second carried the ships emergency generator while the third now housed an improptu control system.

bump

A few miles southeast of Broken Hill, Team 2-4/Alpha/1/2 Rangers moved carefully through the mid afternoon. The warm air and hot ground actually made concealment easier, as it threw off the thermal sensors the Cynthians used much more than at night when the troops stood out like sore thumbs. The afternoon haze also helped.

Staff Sergeant Runnels led his team carefully through the farm field, all of them essentially crawling and occasionally running from cover to cover. Progress had been painfully slow, just a few miles each day, and the team was running low on rations. But it was the only way. The teams that hurried or moved at night were all dead now, the Cynthian sensors too good at picking them up.

He wanted blood. His team was the only one left in the company as far as he could tell, and news wasn't good elsewhere. At least Varangia and the Simpson Hills had held, but reading between the lines he figured the price was really high.

His 6 men still had their back pack nuke. It was a small 1 kiloton weapon that weighed about 30 pounds, but it was the only way to inflict a serious blow to the invaders at this point. He was determined to get as close to that airbase that they had captured as possible.

Although getting home might be tough afterward.

Admiral Vercintorix stood on the bridge of the Invicible, 400 miles south of Varangia and watched as the destroyers and cruisers of the fleet rejoined the carriers and tankers. Less than half remained, and they were out of ammunition, but hopefully their sacrifice was worth it.

They claimed nearly 100 enemy gunships. Time would tell there.

twelve hours after the LOW gunship arrived, the first group of Nara fighter bombers arrived. They were large, about the 3/4 size of a B-52 with a crew of four.

Two stubby wings on both sides of a central body with two hydrogen burning jet engines on both sides. They carried several bombs and hovered above the ground as each had its hydrognen tanks refuled.

Pilots in their jump suits wandered out of their airships and looked for someplace to get a drink.

In amongst them was a Var obvious by his huge height. His job was to see if any of the local ground crews could be orginized to help speed up the refuling proceedure.

********
A naval aide had been assigned to Gabrielle before she had left the grav cutter. He now cleared his throat polietly and interupted the Queen and her advisors. "The Karlord has been in contact with the commanders of the third and second grav naval detachements. And several attack senarios have been worked on simulators back at our...headquarters...he wishes to discuss them with you...should I patch him through?

OOC: Hmm, nuke + temeporal/space 'gateway' does not sound like a very good idea to me...and based on Var space tech (which is based off a David Drake novel series also...) their estimation of what might occur is not going to be pretty. Sorry if I'm throwing a wrench into things but...

twelve hours after the LOW gunship arrived, the first group of Nara fighter bombers arrived. They were large, about the 3/4 size of a B-52 with a crew of four.

Two stubby wings on both sides of a central body with two hydrogen burning jet engines on both sides. They carried several bombs and hovered above the ground as each had its hydrognen tanks refuled.

Pilots in their jump suits wandered out of their airships and looked for someplace to get a drink.

In amongst them was a Var obvious by his huge height. His job was to see if any of the local ground crews could be orginized to help speed up the refuling proceedure.

********
A naval aide had been assigned to Gabrielle before she had left the grav cutter. He now cleared his throat polietly and interupted the Queen and her advisors. "The Karlord has been in contact with the commanders of the third and second grav naval detachements. And several attack senarios have been worked on simulators back at our...headquarters...he wishes to discuss them with you...should I patch him through?

At Anchorage, every available man and woman who hadn't already been reassigned to the infantry (in otherwords, only the really good tech and mechanics remain) finds themselves organized into companies and assigned to assist the LOW. The few Royal Navy and Air National Guard aircraft that remain are either sent out to the carriers or smaller satellite fields.

Gabrielle stood in the control tower, and listened with one ear to the LOW naval officer while watching the big LOW craft land. "Yes, but let us get some privacy first." She briskly walked down the stairs to the ramp and into her Hummer, motioning the LOW officer to join her. As the vehicle left the base, she waited to hear what her future husband had in mind.



OOC: Hmm, nuke + temeporal/space 'gateway' does not sound like a very good idea to me...and based on Var space tech (which is based off a David Drake novel series also...) their estimation of what might occur is not going to be pretty. Sorry if I'm throwing a wrench into things but...

ooc true, and I agree, but New Shiron wouldn't necessarily know that would they? Now New Shiron has to figure out a way to call the mission off once it learns the possible consequences. Which David Drake Series? (I have read practically everything of his)

OOC: Alright quick hit on LOW titles:

Karlord - Tends to be the head of a House (equivilant to a duke)
Therefore the Overlord William will occasionally be refered to as a Karlord when he's trying to be informal. (This would be equivilant to Queen Elizabeth calling herself Elizabeth, Duchess of Lancaster or Duchess of Normandy (yes, she still does hold that title.

Overlord- Basicly the equivilant of an Imperial title. A bit historical too but the High Varian Phrase would be literally translated as "High Lord over all lesser Lords of the Var" Obviously this is a bit of a awkward title to constantly type in english, so we just use Overlord as the translation.

Oh, the RCN series (Royal Cinnabar Navy)...really I only stole the concept of FTL space travel by going through sidereel space...Var ships do need sails but not personel on the body of the ship to constantly adjust it...(perhaps an occasional 'repair) It occured to me that their might be a significant imbalance between sidreel space and normal space in terms of measurable gravity.

IC: The aide handed her a small PDA unit and the screen changed from blue to that of Karlord Ken'tra "Good day your majesty...I have just had contact from the Naval Directorate the third and second fleets should be arriving soon at your 'southeast' coast and begin landing troops. They have also war gamed out several possible senarios with our similators on how to attack the enemy. It will not be simple, a nuclear or plasma weapon strike on the enemy infiltration point was ruled out as far too dangerous in possible after affects. Therefore, we will have to capture the site either using ground forces or by dropping shock troops on the location. A orbital shock troop drop would have the most likely success but it will take four weeks for them to arrive. Therefore we need to press a ground offensive..."

Gabrielle nodded. A ground offensive would be great. It was too bad she was running out of troops. The only intact units available were holding the front in the southeast sector. She did have some light infantry available, several brigades of paratroopers, marines, rangers, and air assault troops. The mechanized and motorized forces she had left were reservists, and in no shape for offensive operations.

"We can put together a limited operation from the southwest with our light infantry using infiltration, but we lack the troops or armor to attempt a major attack. Our strength has always been in the air and sea, not on the ground. But we can help."

She paused for a moment, considering the other part of the message. "And exactly what bad after affects if we detonate nuclear weapons near the enemy portal? We attempted a massive missile strike that was broken up, but we still have some other options that we are trying. I am not sure we can reach those assets anymore either. On the other hand, I don't know if they are still alive for that matter."

ooc
New Shiron battle reports provided will indicate that the New Cynthians are technically proficient, but extremely by the book, as if they are fighting from a manual and don't have much experience. Ambushes often work extremely well against them, and infiltration by light troops works moderately well as the New Cynthians rarely consider dismounted infantry a serious threat.

Reading between the lines the LOW or Vrak should be able to figure out what the New Shiron Rangers are trying to do.

The Karlord nodded, "If you can keep them from futher attacking Varangia as we set up our counter attack it would be helpful."

"As for the simulated weapons attack on the site, I have the simulation results. I shall forward them to you your majesty."


W.A.R. SIM567-Terra
Program: N.A.P. with Hyper-dimensional Physics package
Attack Type: Nuclear Strike on Enemy Infiltration Point
Assumptions: Terran Standards in all cases

Results:
Enemy Destruction within 100 miles of impact -100%
Destruction of Primary Target-95%
Destruction of freindly targets within 300 miles of impact-90%
Secondary Effects:
Warningloci of high gravity at impact point-85%
WarningAtmospheric loss estimated 3% of total
WarningDestruction of plantary tetonics near impact point-75%
WarningDestabalization of plantary tetonics surrounding impact point-62%
WarningDestabalization of entire tetonic plate under impact point -45%
WarningRisk of collateral damage due to volcanic activity-High
WarningRisk of collateral damage due to 15.2 (8.2 Terran) seismic events-Severe

Summary of Report:
Based on our theoretical description of the New Cyntian gateways. Their sudden destruction would cause a temporary loci of gravity near the surface. Based on estimates of power and size needed to transfer one of their massive ground tanks, we found that the loci gravity well would cause the destruction of the underlying tetonic plate within a 12 mile radius. The sudden destruction of any portion of the plate this great would likely result in both localized earthquakes and the release of magma in either extinct or active volcanos in the surrounding area. Also the destablization of the entire tetonic plate is a high risk, possibly turning the entire nation of New Shiron into a rift zone.

OOC: In reality or IC reality this document has a great deal of hubris and assumption behind it. Namely that New Cynthian technology is relatable to Var space travel...but it does show why one never really wants to throw nukes at uber tech devices willy nilly...

Oh, and the Var are a bit dense at times.

Gabrielle looked at the report and blinked a couple of times. "Shit." Taking a deep breath, she told her aide to get her a channel to Ridgeway. "Minister, I have something you need to see. Find a way to reach those rangers. Under no circumstances are they to attempt to attack that gate with a nuke."

At Broken Hill, the Cynthians were busy. Fixed installations had been set up to defend the air space around the principal base areas, releasing mobile air defense vehicles for deployment forward. The entry of the Lords of War (as signal intelligence had identified them at last) and the Vrak meant that more air and missile attacks could be expected.

Ramp space was being hurriedly constructed as well. The gunships weren't enough any longer. Air superiority fighters were needed now, and strike craft as well. Kirchener regretted the fact that the gate was too small to get a space frigate through but there it was. The pilots of the Aerospace Force would have to take on the new foes.

On the ground things weren't going as well as hoped either. The drive into the center of the country had not only stalled, but been forced back, with the 4 divisions of the 2nd Army taking nearly 30% losses and they had been pulled back, surrendering practically all of the gains north of the breakthrough zone. A few garrison units had been brought in to hold the breach open that supplied the 1st Army, which was now 300 kilometers from Freemantle.

At least that was going well.

Troubling Kirchener were reports of continued action in the rear area as enemy light infantry continued to ambush his supply columns. They were usually repulsed with heavy losses on their end, but they sometimes inflicted serious damage too. He had even received a report that an enemy patrol had managed to detonate a small nuke near an Ogre, destroying it. Such a raid near the gate could be catastrophic. More troops would have to be diverted from the offensive to deal with local security.

The Council wouldn't be pleased back home.

Brigadier General Troy Kulkola watched the second Tappee cargo hauler land and disgorge his troops. Again, regular infantry lacking heavy stuff came rambling down the gangway. But luckily, the third hauler carried a huge amount of small arms for the weary New Shiron soldiers. Kulkola himself looked for the nearest New Shiron commander, asking for tactical information on how to best defend the lands.

200 nautical miles from Freemantle

As in Clairmont, the war drums for the projection fleet were broken out and the drummers started a heavy beat. The Vrakian War Banner was raised, causing the troops to cheer, some with zealous fury. The two carriers launched a fighter screen while the lone Hamas battleship began to ready its WOTAN cruise missiles.

A Cyclops UAV was launched in the direction of the last reported New Cynthian troop movements.

Situation Report I Day + 10
New Cynthian forces hold portions of South Shiron and Greater Shiron (ooc South Australia and New South Wales). Their primary base area is the town of Broken Hill, where a sizeable dimensional portal to their home world has been emplaced. This is a two way gate, and damaged vehicles, empty supply haulers, ambulances and the like go through a few hours a day, while the remainder of the day continued reinforcements come out.

At this time a total of 15 division sized formations have been identified, plus corps, army and theater support and combat support formations. A total of 450,000 men have come through in all, along with 100,000 vehicles of all types.

Perimeter
The Cynthians hold the following towns in South Shiron.
Petersborough, Port Wakefield, Port Augusta, Manee, and Glendamboo. A strong fortified line with approx 5 mechanized infantry divisions backed by several mobile air defense brigades holds this line. Friendly forces still hold Varangia (ooc Adalaide), Penmark, and the area south and east of that line.

http://www.wilmap.com.au/samaps/samap.html

In Greater Shiron, the Cynthians hold Broken Hill, plus everything north of the Victoria border and east of the Mitchel Highway area. This line is held by 5 mechanized divisions as well, with another mechanized division holding the Broken Hill area itself. Each division has an attached mobile air defense brigade, and several air defense brigades have been identified defending the primary supply node of Broken Hill itself.

http://www.wilmap.com.au/nswmaps/nsw1.html

In the Nullaboor Plain area, an army sized formation of 4 mechanized divisions, 4 GEV cavalry regiments and a company of Ogres has overrun the entire area.

http://www.wilmap.com.au/ausmaps/default.htm

http://www.wilmap.com.au/vicmaps/vmap.html

At this time enemy forces are now in Norseman and are driving on Merredin.

The Primary defense line is anchored at Corrigan in the south through Merredin and up to Bonnie Rock. At this time, 12 divisions of motorized infantry (reservists with LAV 25, vehicle and hand held ATGMs and ATRLs, and well has vehicle and hand held SAMs, SP guns are SP155s), are dug in along the front holding a 125 mile front to a depth of 3 miles.

Behind them, dug in in the city of Freemantle, are 3 Guards Mechanized Infantry brigades (Bradley IFVs, Bradley Hellfire and TOW3, a few M1A2 tanks plus Paladin SP 155), along with 10 provesional infantry brigades created from Navy, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Police, and National Guard support troops. These units are being hastily equipped with hand held anti tank and anti aircraft weapons, but do have a full issue of small arms ammunition and all have assault rifles.

Merchant marine and civil airliners are hurriedly evacuating as many of the estimated 12 million civilians as can be accomdatated, with children and pregnant mothers being evacuated by air and sea. All other civilians are being sent out by rail and road north and northeast to Northern Shiron.

Food and shelter will be urgently needed for these people.

Brigadier General Troy Kulkola watched the second Tappee cargo hauler land and disgorge his troops. Again, regular infantry lacking heavy stuff came rambling down the gangway. But luckily, the third hauler carried a huge amount of small arms for the weary New Shiron soldiers. Kulkola himself looked for the nearest New Shiron commander, asking for tactical information on how to best defend the lands. .

Lieutenant General Jeffrey Wayne, National Guard watched from his Hummer as the huge Vrakian cargo ships disgorged troops and munitions. Motioning his driver onward, they drove toward were a sergeant reported General Kulkola to be standing.

The Hummer rolled to a stop minutes later, and General Wayne climbed out.

"Brigadier, welcome to New Shiron. I understand your men are here to help?"

General Wayne's aid handed the Vrakian General a hardcopy printout of the newest situation report (ooc see above).

"General, this is how it looks at the moment. I can only say thank you for coming. The Cynthians should reach the main line of resistance tomorrow morning. I have arranged for transportation for your troops. It is a bit makeshift, consisting of everything from city buses to cargo trucks to the few military trucks we have left, but hopefully it will do? I was hopeing to use your troops as a reserve to deal with breakthroughs as ambush forces. I figure we won't stop them on the main line, but if the defense works like it is supposed to, like a sponge it will soak up their momentum and inflict losses on them until they don't have enough to break through the second line around the city."

The Var grav fleets had been moving at a good clip all day. sixty grav cruisers, four grav carriers, and ninty grav cutters were moving surrounding twenty cylinders almost 3/4 of a mile long. The group began to split into four groups of varying sizes.
(Kangaroo Island)

The people of Kingscote got a surprise that morning, the sun rose to show 12 grav cruisers, 24 grav cutters,one of the long cylinders, and the odd shape of a grav carrier between the Backstairs Passage and Nepean Bay. The grav cutter looking like someone had placed a huge ship with a rounded top and fourty hangers built in along each side (similar to an H.H. universe carrier). And above the skies of Kangaroo Island were several Nara fighter bombers and Logoth Space fighters patrolling.

The long cylinder had landed in the waters of Nepean Bay and was disgorging equipment across the water and onto the island. Several hovercraft made their way down the roads to the airport.

(Lake Alexandria)
Fourteen of the cylinders lay in the bay. They were using hovercraft vehicles to move men and equipment to the eastern shore. Mechanized Battalions were organizing to move up Route One to Taliem Bend. Which now had three grav cruisers flying over it.

Armored Marines began to arrive up the Murray River. With their Var commanders leading them to the park at the edge of the railway line.

Happy Valley
One cylinder landed in the Happy Valley Reservoir began to disgorge troops onto the road heading north to help hold Varangia against a possible counter attack.

Gulf St. Vincent
The third group of grav ships were moving up the coast of the Yorke Peninsula. Several vehicles had been seen moving and landing small groups of Marines onto the Peninsula

Spencer Gulf
The fourth group of grav ships were also moving up the coast of the Yorke Peninsula. They are approaching Wallero.

Anchorage
Sixty Nara fighter bombers had been armed and fueled. When a group of sixty Logoth fighters approached, the Nara fighters raised themselves up and began to fly south. The Logoth fighters fell in behind and almost 10,000 feet above. Initial tracks seemed to indicate that they were heading for Broken Hill.

At Broken Hill, General Walensky, the new commander of the Aerospace Force assigned to the invasion looked at his sensor screen.

"Sir, I have inbounds coming, a lot of them, and they aren't local."

Walensky nodded, he could see that himself. "Scramble the 11th Fighter Wing to intercept, and send in the 233rd and 245th Fighter Wings too. I want the 928th Strike Wing to hit Anchorage as well."

Minutes later, 90 Wyvern III fighter lifted off from Burpelson Field

ooc the Wyvern is a hypersonic stealth fighter the size of a FB111 (looks like a small version of a B2) equipped with 8 hypersonic very high velocity fire and forget missiles that move at 10,000 KPH (they use their velocity and kinetic energy which against a target acts as a baby nuke) these fighters are moving at mach 6 to intercept. The crews are well trained but inexperienced. This aircraft is not a very good dogfighter, but then, tactically they aren't supposed to do that.

Shortly after the interceptors took off, the strike aircraft, 20 Snowbirds, took off as well. They too quickly assembled and then headed toward Anchorage at mach 5. Their mission, destroy enemy craft on the ground and destroy installations.

ooc
The Snowbird is the size of a B2, also fully stealthy (A flying wing like the B2), hypersonic, and has 2 missiles for self defense carried internally, a chain gun to intercept enemy missiles directed at it, and each carries 12 hypersonic missiles (same kinetic energy technology) to use against ground targets.

generally a hit from on of these missiles releases about the same energy as a 1 kiloton nuke (without the nasty radiation effects) and the missiles are so fast that they literally leave a trail of superheated air behind them (like a laser flash essentially)

Guidance is from the aircraft as the missiles move to fast to be corrected and they are fire and forget capable (memory loaded just as they launch)

OOC:Logoth (http://www.eng.auburn.edu/users/donatgw/Lords/Logoth.jpg)Space/Atmospheric Fighter
Weapons:6 slots for interception missles
2 slots for drones or plasma torpedos
2 Particle acceleration Cannons
Personel: 2 Pilot, Weapons Officer
Engines: Two Thrust Vectored Ion Engines, 4 hydrogen thrusters
Max Speed Space/Atmosphere: 1200 KPS / 7,000 KPH
Note Designed for Var so everything is set at a general eight foot size rather than a six foot size.
Oh, and most Logoth crews are well experienced from the war with Dozle...The Logoth supports itself in atmosphere using a grav drive...but its really a armored naccelle between two huge fusion reactors/ion drives with particle accelerator cannons out the front and a few missle launcher pasted to the outside of the reactors. (realize this means stall speed is zero, and they can't do some things a normal atmospheric fighter could...but then they can act like a VTOL craft when they want...)

Ulacar Koeth looked down at the tac screen. It designated nintey targets heading on an intercept course with his present attack group. -Ah, it appears the radar is having problems keeping a lock on these Cynthians. So be it...rely on gravametrics...prepare your drones for a long range target deception then a final burst of radar jamming. Attack formation Utha Er...gunners designate your targets...fire missles at horizon point..."

On radar, the number of Logoths suddenly doubled. Or would appear so on radar. Each drone sent back the identical signal that their parent craft was giving. Then, as the two groups neared visual range, 120 missles launched towards the New Cynthian wings. The speed was only a mear 9,000 KPH but had gravametric sensors and a mini plasma warhead.

As both groups began to make visual conformations, the drones went from playing Logoth to outright jamming of all radar before and near them.

The Nara fighter bombers split into two groups. One now a few thousand feet above the other. They were prepared to fight it out with the incomming interceptors if need be.

Wing Commander Blutarsky, commander of the 11th Fighter Wing watched on his heads up display as the radar picture grew fuzzy. However, the very long range cameras and computer enhancement software still picked up the enemy as they came up over the horizon.

"All fighters, switch to visual locking. Weapons are free, fire when ready. Gold and Red Wing, go for the fighters, Blue Wing, concentrate on those strike craft."

At 200 kilometers, the Cynthian fighters, moving at mach 6 and now at nearly 20,000 meters (altitude) opened up with their missiles. Moving at 10,000 KPH, the missiles moved so fast that they left streaks of light across the sky, which like tracers, marked the fighters that fired them as well. Each fighter released 6 missiles, so that 360 were streaming toward the enemy fighters, while another 180 streamed toward the enemy strike aircraft.

As soon as they launched, all three wings immediately began evasive maneuvers, although the pilots inside limited manuever to 8G turns or less.

Already, the enemy were firing back as well.

Below, shock wave after shock wave shook the ground as sonic booms from both aircraft and missiles swept across the atmosphere.

ooc
Cynthian targetting technology derived from Red Storm Rising book (using VCRs and computers to find patterns and low visibility objects), spy satellite camera technology, and just think what advanced computer software will do for visual scanning capability... much better than the mark 1 eyeball and harder to decieve than infra red or radar targetting systems.... not as accurate overall though.

Far below, cameras and thermal imaging systems monitored the fight above. The air battle was taking place very near the headquarters complex for the New Shiron Air Defense Command. Systems that normally watched satellites now provided information to New Shiron. Even stealth systems and radar jamming couldn't disguise the high thermal signatures (although lower than expected) high above.

That information was quickly forwarded to Anchorage, where Gabrielle immediately ordered the feed to be provided to the LOW and Vrak.
"Maybe they can do something with this."

“Very well, General Wayne. We can send two brigades of infantry to Corrigan right away. The rest, including our tanks and artillery can be moved where you want but I think some should augment this city of Freemantle itself. I have at least a regiment of T-90 tanks unloading now which…er…lets see…works out to 176 tanks. I should explain, four tank battalions equal one regiment. Each battalion has 2 tank companies, one AA company and one AT company. So, er…that’s about 44 tanks, 21 AA and 21 AT systems. We use the Tunguska as our anti-air and the Shturm for anti-tank. Now, I also have the same number of our longer ranged self propelled artillery. Same deployment as above, just put in SPA for tanks. Are you familiar with the G6-52? That artillery system can reach up to 67 kilometers extended range.

That’s all the heavy stuff I have right now. I know that more are coming from Vrak itself. And, the ships can come in close and the bombard group, err…let’s see, there WOTAN cruise missiles can reach at least 300 kilomters. That's up to the Admiral though and you can talk to him too. I’m pretty sure that if air superiority can be achieved, then long range strike bombers can leave Vrak itself. And we have plenty of those."

A pause.

“I also need to set up a command post here, or at least somewhere. I’m here at your disposal, General.”

====

The lastest information concerning the air battle near the New Shiron Air Defense Command was passed up to the Admiral aboard the Destiny’s Fist. Roughly fifty fighters were launched, mostly Yak 141 interceptors. The rest maintained an airspace screen while still more were refueling. The Admiral’s techs, using JDF comm protocols was then trying to contact the LOW commander.

-Reach the Lords of War now. Send them our IFF codes and tell them that we can provide aerial support. At least the best we can.


OOC: I can’t find Freemantle on any of the maps.

Link for the G6-52
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/rsa/g6-52.htm

Wing Commander Blutarsky, commander of the 11th Fighter Wing watched on his heads up display as the radar picture grew fuzzy. However, the very long range cameras and computer enhancement software still picked up the enemy as they came up over the horizon.

"All fighters, switch to visual locking. Weapons are free, fire when ready. Gold and Red Wing, go for the fighters, Blue Wing, concentrate on those strike craft."

At 200 kilometers, the Cynthian fighters, moving at mach 6 and now at nearly 20,000 meters (altitude) opened up with their missiles. Moving at 10,000 KPH, the missiles moved so fast that they left streaks of light across the sky, which like tracers, marked the fighters that fired them as well. Each fighter released 6 missiles, so that 360 were streaming toward the enemy fighters, while another 180 streamed toward the enemy strike aircraft.

As soon as they launched, all three wings immediately began evasive maneuvers, although the pilots inside limited manuever to 8G turns or less.

Already, the enemy were firing back as well.

Below, shock wave after shock wave shook the ground as sonic booms from both aircraft and missiles swept across the atmosphere.

ooc
Cynthian targetting technology derived from Red Storm Rising book (using VCRs and computers to find patterns and low visibility objects), spy satellite camera technology, and just think what advanced computer software will do for visual scanning capability... much better than the mark 1 eyeball and harder to decieve than infra red or radar targetting systems.... not as accurate overall though.

(OOC: incomming missles were fired below the horizon (291 km approx) so your fighters had less than 45 seconds left to manuver before 120 missles start to impact and detonate near your craft. Oh, and I will assume that any optical system will have to use a CCD array like any digital camera...And becasue the Logoth are built for space engagments they have augmented visuals The incomming missles are a) are locked on to the gravity well of each aircraft b) only need to detonate within 30 meters to cause severe damage to anything other than high melting point armor or ceramics which tend not to be radar reducing)

The Logoths suddenly slowed and let the drones suddenly fly into the incomming missles line of fire. 15 slow plasma torps launched behind the drones and then turned into balls of blue white hot that would likely slag most armor. The sky before the Logoth fighters turned bright blue white for a moment as they consumed or blinded the optical guided missles (CCD arrays have a hard time with massive bright light and risudual heat...which means even after the light dimmed the CCD's wouldn't come off high for several more seconds...)

The Logoths dropped below or raised up above the plume and increased speed. Ten found themselves victims of the remaining incomming missles, eight vanished in to glorious plumes of white light and debries, Two were only shattered, their crews left to escape from their falling craft.

The fifty remaining Logoths fired another round of interceptor missles and then increased speed. At a range of eighty kilometers, they opened fire with their particle guns on the remains of the strike wings.

The Nara Fighters were in worse shape. The thirty in the upper group actually aimed towards the incomming missles and opened fire with their ball turret 50mm gatling guns. The explosive rounds caused some missles to lose their locks. But most shrugged off the damage, of the thirty Nara fighters in the upper group only eight remained after the missle wave hit.

The lowest Nara fighters dropped to a few thousand feet over the plains of New Shiron. They used the missles speed against them. Waiting until the last moments to turn out of the way, the high speed missles just smashed into ground below. Of that group, only five were lost.

Twelve of the Nara fighters picked up speed and turned directly south towards Port Augusta.

The remaining Nara fighter/bombers continued on a course for Broken Hill.

Port Wakefeild
The drones made their approach and then 14.2 inch shells began to rain down on the city and the surrounding defenses. The LOW gravships moving up the western side of the Yorke Peninsula had turned and were moving east along the road between Wallaro and Port Wakefeild. They were using their lasers, undermounted energy bolt guns and heavy and light gauss guns to smash into the New Cynthian Defensive lines.

The Taskforce south of Port Wakefeild was also firing rounds into the New Cynthian defenses around the city and approaching a almost 320 knots.

[OOC: I should point out that my reading of the situation is such that a breach at Port Augusta would in effect divide the New Cynthian supply line in two. Since the only other crossing place is near lake Eyer significantly to the north. (And Port Augusta has only three bridges (2 road, 1 railroad) ]

****
LOW Command Response: At this time all of our attacks center on forcing the enemy to entrench in the area between Port Augusta and Petersburuo. We suggest air attacks against supply lines at this time.

(OOC: Between Space Fighters I think Yak's would get slaughtered and Freemantle = R.L. Perth I beleive so your way out of range of my battles)

Anchorage

Two grav cruisers and a grav battlecruiser appeared on the horizon. It seems the Overlord had come to meet his bride.

bump until this evening when I sort through all of this and deal with real life...

I am not entirely sure how many missiles LOW fighters fired however... 2 from each fighter? more? Either way, I would expect a very high kill rate against the Cynthians.

basically, neither side has fought each other before, both have similar but different techs, so a nasty bloody nose to the Cynthians here.

incidently, the Cynthian missiles are preprogrammed to hit a specific target based on the sensor information downloaded from the firing fighter just as they launch... missiles are so fast (essentially moving like a bullet or laser beam) that they aren't really self guided (as they lack the ability to really maneuver anyway) so accuracy is probably about 20 - 30% against equal or higher tech, but a lot higher against lower tech... early 21st century fighters would be as vulnerable to these missiles as a World War 1 Biplane bomber would be to a World War II fighter.

OOC: Double missle launch from the Logoths (120 first flight, 100 second flight) The Nara didn't return fire...

Really Logoth intercept missles are designed for space...but modified to work in the atmosphere by replacing the warhead and the replacing the thruster fins with thruster/expanding atmoshperic fins. Still,the don't have a great turning radius for atmospheric conditions, but thrust vector still works.

Cameras don't work well with little or no light as in deep and outer system space (although IR is great since almost all heat release is by radiaiton, but a space battle is flooded with IR sources) so they rely on gravametrics (which makes them more vunerable to particle damage but their less likely to get confused when a laser beam goes by and then having it take out your wingman because it the IR sources are similar)

Odd note: Logoths were originally designed at Torpedo Attack Craft....in about 36 B.C. (Sobbering thought that Var tech was at a stand still from 10 B.C. to about thirty years ago...which means that one of those fighters New Cynthia shot down could have been poking around the Terra system when the Roman Empire was still around)

As for Cynthian missles, I just assumed they had a small, quick image processing package using something like SLIP line indentification. Those not killed by having a drone kazikami them or (being engulfed in a breif version of the sun), would have likely found themselves a bit toasted with empty sky on the other side. (And obviously the Logoth pilots are experienced enough to actually realize that the drones wouldn't survive the plasma wave anyway) I doubted the missles would "think" about turning around and looking for a new target...that's a good way to get your planes shot out of the sky with your own missles. (Which did happen to U.S. subs at the begining of WWII...) I assumed a somewhat staggard missle wave out of the New Cynthian flight pattern.

The Nara's have advantages and disadvantages being a 'new' design...obviously trying to kill a hard warhead missle by throwing shrapnel at it proved to be a poor choice...out manuvering the incomming missles proved a better choice.

(Oh and for speed, the missles fired at each other and ranges were such that the crews had a minute and a half to sixty seconds to respond.)

Cynthian inexperience cost them this time. 39 Fighters were blasted out of the sky, the remainder managing to avoid the enemy missiles long enough to destroy them with their own missiles.

Wing Commander Blutarksy was one of the survivors, and with his surviving mates out of ammunition, he ordered them to run for home, hopefully the enemy was out of ammunition too.

The third wing suffered far worse. Much lower on the deck, they weren't able to use their boost as effectively, and 27 out of 30 perished in fireballs. The three that survived thought quickly enough to go to the deck and run for home using the mountians and hills. Two of them survived that maze and ran at full speed for base.

Meanwhile the Snowbirds dodged down to the deck while the furball occured in front of them. Using the confusion, they avoided the furball and hugged the deck.

However some were spotted by New Shiron defenses, and a few missile and auto cannon crews got off a few shots as they passed, downing one of the enemy craft. The remaining 29 broke through the highlands a few minutes later on a mach 5 course for Anchorage.

ooc
LOW, your read on the situation is dead on in the south. The Cynthians made no provesion for a pincer attack against the bottleneck and will be caught flat footed by the LOW attack, and their supply line will be cut. Their forward divisions will then have an awkward choice to make.

The Logoths went full speed after the remaining interceptors. They still had each two missles but were trying to get into particle beam range (80 km or less)

The eight Nara fighter-bombers of group one, heading for Port Augusta, began to fly across the surface of Lake Torrens (which based on earlier comments I am assuming is a fresh water lake in New Shiron not a salt flat) and began to move south towards the river gorge heading

The remaining 19 Nara fighter-bombers broke into two groups. Ten deviated south on a heading for Peterborough.

OOC: My sudden pincer attack was on Port Wakefeild There is a reason for that and it involves looking at topography...

Anchorage
-Sir, we have reports of incomming enemy atmospheric craft...type and number unknown.

-How is the arming of the second wave comming?

-95% completed...

-Launch the Naras to wait for their Logoth Escorts...Launch all of our Logoths to intercept...

-Sir, they don't have any drones or torpedos...they came across light...hell some don't have any anti-air missles...

-Well, they'll more likely survive if their in the air...

-Yes sir,

The Naval Airstation was soon covered in Klatxons sounding. The sixty Nara fighter-bombers in the process of being armed broke their hydrogen line connections and began to taxi to their launch locations. Pilots for the thirty Logoths on the feild began to run to their craft.

"We've got incomming, get into bunkers..." was the general order it appeared. Bombs were left sitting on the tarmac...the two plasma turrets of the space gunship popped out and armed.

The Snowbirds dashed north at Mach 5, hugging the deck, sonic booms and the overpressure of their passing doing substantial damage to hearing and windows as they passed. A computer glitch was fatal to one of the aircraft, as it smacked into a grain silo, destroying itself, the silo, a farmhouse, and several acres of farmland in the proces.

As they reached final attack range, the 28 remaining aircraft zoom climbed to 5,000 meters to get a final target read from their own sensors, as well as the drones the Cynthians had in LEO. The Snowbirds launched 336 missiles (although 6 immediately failed to operate and plummeted to the ground) from their internal bays, and the 1 metric ton sized missles ignited their motors and quickly accelerated at 10 Gs toward their targets 350 kilometers away.

Wing Commander Gadonfini in the lead Snowbird looked at his sensors and blanched. The diversion apparently hadn't been as successful as hoped as a large number of enemy fighters and lots of missiles headed straight at his wing.

Cursing, he spoke into his mike. "All Snowbirds, climb to space, hopefully the enemy is limited to atmospheric operations."

Problems with reentry and the like would wait until later. For now he had to preserve his force. If he could.

(ooc basically a vertical climb into space, with a trajectory taking them generally out over the Coral Sea towards where Port Morseby would be if it were there, then heading into a north south orbit to reenter from the south)
Snowbirds and the escort fighters are both hydrogen fuel powered scramjets

and yes, I know your ships are orbital fighters, but HE doesn't.... poor bastard

At the main New Shiron regional air defense headquarters for Anchorage, the control room staff watched helplessly on a live video feed from a satellite as the missiles came in.

"Fire everything you have, maybe some of the heat seeking SAMs will get in the way and stop a few of them." General Davenport ordered. She didn't have a lot of hope, but it was the best she could do.

The pattern of the missiles looked like if they hit, they would take out completely 3 airbases (about half) while the rest looked like they were targetting the LOW ships in the harbor.

Hopefully the LOW could stop them.

The Nara fighters had ignored them actually, moving south and circling waiting for their escort to fly overhead.

Thirty Logoths on the other hand went after the Snowbirds. As they followed at a few hundread klicks behind, up into the stratosphere and towards the thin layers of the upper atmosphere. Of course the performance curve of the Logoth's increased, so they could move faster with the same amount of engine output.

Likely what was worse was that the range of the particle beam cannons was also increasing exponentially. At 72,000 feet, the particle beam cannons had an effective range of 630 km. The Snowbirds discovered the damage of what a string of fast moving, small ions in 100 meter pulses could do to them.

Back in Anchorage the Gunship's three plasma turrets rapidly sent out balls of plasma at the missles comming near it, and the concrete landing areas of the Naval Station.

The grav cutter, still sitting in the water also opened fire. Missles vanished as the hot material shattered the incomming missles...few things could survive the sudden thermal shock of hitting plasma. That didn't stop the damage, small fragments of the missle went flying out at supersonic speeds to do lots of secondary damage...but far less than a solid, single warhead would have.

Several missles got through, one hit the gunship, shattering into her midsection armor and strait through.

A second missle hit a plasma turret on the grav cutter. The explosion sent a massive plume of gas and smoke into the air.

***Port Augusta***

Three guided bombs hit the transcontential railroad bridge north of town. It vanished as the three, one kiloton explosions ripped through the concrete and steel. Thirty secons later both bridges in town collapsed as the river bank where they both abutted vanished in another huge explosion. As well as their central sections.

The causeways over the nearby lake were also hit. Unfortunatly so was the Port Augusta Highschool, having unfortunatly been built lakeside next to the railroad causeway.

In Port Augusta, no civilians remained to watch the display of firepower.. outside of town, toward the west, a long line of charred cars and trucks, since bulldozed out of the way, indicated what happened to those who didn't get away in time.

Further north, New Shiron Space Command observed the progress of the battle and for the first time was in position to do something as well. A few vehicles popped out of the warehouses and caves that hid them, and quickly launched several very high speed interceptor missiles at the enemy aerospace craft.

With any luck, while the Snowbirds were dodging LOW attacks, they wouldn't see the latest attack from above.

Wing Commander Gadonfini realized he had made a fatal mistake as one Snowbird after another exploded as particle beams smashed into them.
"Break everyone, split up!"

But it was too late for most, as already 2/3rds of the wing were gone, and several of the survivors were damaged to the point were safe reentry was impossible. With no other choice, the pilots of these craft were forced to eject and hope their reentry capsules survived.

Within moments, only Gadonfini and three others remained, and they dived back down into the atmosphere. Forced to maintain a relatively straight course for a few moments, they were acquired by the New Shiron missiles accelarating up at them.

Gadonfini watched in horror as all of his remaining wingmen died, and cursed as he pushed the ejection button just a moment too late as a New Shiron missile converted his craft and him into a cloud of gas.

New Cynthia had suffered a critical defeat.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Kirchener cursed as well as reports of the debacle in the air and the destruction of his principal supply route to the 1st Army came in.

Losing the bridges was a serious blow, but losing all of his accumalated air strength in a couple of hours was far worse. At least some of his cargo carriers where hovercraft, and the loss of the bridges was a serious but not fatal blow. But it severely reduced his flexibility, and now he would have to shift the schedule of arriving forces to bring up more cargo carriers instead of combat troops.

Losses were a problem, and the future of the invasion was beginning to look doubtful.

A mile southeast of Broken Hill, Team 2-4/Alpha/1/2 Rangers and Staff Sergeant Runnels crawled through a wheatfield, a few yards at a time, toward their new objective. Only 4 remained now, as the radio call that cancelled their initial mission arrived just before an encounter with an enemy patrol.

They didn't know it, but they were now the entire 2nd Ranger Brigade now, the rest were dead.

They still had their nuclear demolition charge though, and their knew goal was almost in sight.

They reached a storm drain leading out of the town, and one by one entered in just as the sun reached its height. Runnels looked around, figuring it was probably his last look at both the sun and the land he lived in.

As his last teammate entered the drain, he shook his head and followed.

The men crept carefully along, relieved to see that the Cynthians hadn't thought to instal sound or motion sensors in the sewers. Gradually they worked their way into the heart of the town, a few feet at a time, moving like ghosts. Occasionally they scared a rat or other varmit, but mostly they heard no sounds except traffic above, the roar of aircraft and the dripping of water in the sewer as the storm drains split off into individual main sewer lines.

A couple of hours later they finally reached their objective, a few feet off to the side of the hotel that now housed the principal headquarters of the New Cynthian invasion force.

The lead lined sewage drains, relics of an earlier age, were their salvation, as it kept the Cynthians from picking up the stray radiation from the weapon.

Working quickly, Runnels set the timer as his team began the exfiltration out. It wouldn't do to be caught now. It would have made the whole trip in vain.

But there was still a chance the enemy would stumble across it in the hours before it went off. Somebody would have to stay behind.

Whispering for the first time, Runnels spoke urgently in the ear of Sergeant Patterson, the next senior man, and like the others, married and a father.

"Take them home John. Somebody has to survive. I am staying. Don't question it, just go."

John Patterson looked at his friend of several years and nodded, forcing himself not to tear up. Runnels had lost his wife last year to cancer, and their daughter had died in a car crash a couple of years before that. He nodded again. Runnels wanted to go to them now.

The three rangers crept out as carefully as they came in, and just as they reached the last turn that would take them out of the storm drain they their radio break squelch.

"Shit, run for it." Patterson whispered. They ran, and dove out of the culvert into the late afternoon sunlight just before a fireball raced out behind them, followed by a massive roar of sound.

At the Red Lion Hotel, Marshal Kirchener was having a bad day. His air striking force had been crippled again, and now a high tech military force was operating against a vulnerable flank. The only good news was that the commander of the 34th Mechanized Infantry Division was in front of him now reporting that the last of the enemy infiltrators had been killed and that he didn't have to worry about them blowing up any more Ogres, supply convoys or storage depots.

"Good job General, and we can thank the prophet as well. At least now we don't have to worry about our rear areas any more."

At that moment, the floor erupted beneath them and Kirchener's last thoughts were to question how things could go so badly wrong yet again.

In a single 1 kiloton explosion, the entire primary command center of the Cynthian invasion force, along with the principal ground, air, air defense, logistics and overall leaders were destroyed. Among the dead was a division commander and his staff as well, and the principal signals intelligence analysis unit.

The invasion force had lost its primary leadership just as the Lords of War prepared to hit them with another blow.

Also among the dead were several hundred civilians who had been trapped in the city. Their deaths were added to the hundreds of thousands who had died in other parts of the country.

The Queen watched the monitors as reports of the air battle at Anchorage and over the Central Highlands came in. A report of the effective strike by the LOW in the south also came in at the same time as did (most gratifying of all in her opinion) of the successful special operations strike by the Rangers at Broken Hill.

With the LOW counterattack underway, now was the time for her remaining air forces and missiles to go in as well.

"You may proceed with Operation Dustpan Matthew" she said firmly into her phone.

At Regina, Matthew Ridgeway, the Minister of Defense answered with a firm yes ma'm and relayed the order to the Generals and Admirals.

Within a few minutes, the last remaining 30 Backfire Bombers and 40 F15Es, along with a few dozen F22s, took off from bases in northeast New Shiron and headed toward Broken Hill at Mach 2. The hope was that the LOW forces would clear the way, so that the New Shiron air launched missiles would get through.

Far to the south, the Fleet again turned north after rearming the previous evening. Over 30 destroyers and cruisers began firing missile after missile. Soon nearly 600 cruise and ballistic missiles were on their way north toward Broken Hill.

The last reserves were committed.

In New Cynthia, the Prophet Alexander Nevsky sat on his throne and read the reports from the invasion. It appeared that new infidels had appeared and there was now a serious danger that the invasion would not only be defeated, but that the infidels would come through the very gate that connected the two planets.

It was time to close the gate.

A hard look by the Prophet and the awareness of the fates of those who disagreed with him when in this mood stilled objections.

Within a few minutes, the power plants that supplied the power to the gate were one by one taken off line and the gate closed.

With that, the paradox that had been waiting in the wings suddenly and brutally became apparent and for New Cynthia the universe changed.

The President of New Cynthia, Alexander Nevsky sat at his desk reading reports of another uneventful day on New Cynthia. Asteriod mining was going well, and the project to build a nuclear pulse powered starship to explore nearby star systems was well underway at the L4 base. This ship, based on the original colony ship design found in an ancient text was the key to once again the long displaced children of New Shiron returning to the stars where they came from.

He wondered if there was anyone else out there.

ooc
With the failure of the invasion, the fatal mistake of going back in time has suddenly brought an abrupt change in the type of people and the government and society created on New Cynthia as that timeline was suddenly been altered, and the invading troops on New Shiron are suddenly part of a different alternate timeline (or universe if you prefer)

New Shiron briefing paper to Vrak and LOW as well as the Queen

Situation Report
The 'gate' has apparently closed for reasons unknown. No new forces are entering the country at this time. However, current Cynthian strength appears to be as follows:

Perimeter
The Cynthians hold the following towns in South Shiron.
Petersborough, Port Wakefield, Port Augusta, Manee, and Glendamboo. A strong fortified line with approx 5 mechanized infantry divisions backed by several mobile air defense brigades holds this line. Friendly forces still hold Varangia (ooc Adalaide), Penmark, and the area south and east of that line.

These forces are now withdrawing back to Broken Hill and have been forced to abandon or destroy heavy equipment and vehicles that were not hovercraft (roughly 30% of the force written off) although personnel losses appear to be minimal at this time. This force also took heavy losses in the fighting in the Simpson Hills so overall is about at 50% of strength in vehicles and equipment and about 80% strength in personnel and numbers about 100,000 total with 10,000 vehicles of all types.
http://www.wilmap.com.au/samaps/samap.html

In Greater Shiron, the Cynthians hold Broken Hill, plus everything north of the Victoria border and east of the Mitchel Highway area. This line is held by 5 mechanized divisions as well, with another mechanized division holding the Broken Hill area itself. Each division has an attached mobile air defense brigade, and several air defense brigades have been identified defending the primary supply node of Broken Hill itself.

The town of Broken Hill is essentially in ruins after a 1 kiloton nuclear explosion in the center of town was followed by hundreds of cruise and ballistic missiles (conventional warheads). Although many were shot down, coordination was apparently severely hindered after the nuke went off and most got through. The town, along with Burpelson airfield, is now a cratered ruin. Estimates are that the enemy is down to about 100,000 personnel in this area, but has very strong air and ground defenses remaining. The Gate appears to be closed as no new forces are entering and the strange energy field can not be detected. Civilian losses were very heavy in all likelihood.

http://www.wilmap.com.au/nswmaps/nsw1.html

In the Nullaboor Plain area, an army sized formation of 4 mechanized divisions, 4 GEV cavalry regiments and a company of Ogres has overrun the entire area.

http://www.wilmap.com.au/ausmaps/default.htm

http://www.wilmap.com.au/vicmaps/vmap.html

At this time enemy forces are now in Norseman and have halted while their rear area forces catch up. This force is no longer in physical contact with the other Cynthian forces. Estimated strength is 100,000 men and about 20,000 vehicles of all types

The Enemy does not appear to have any significant air strength at this time but its air defenses remain extremely potent against air and missile attack. Ground forces remain formidable.

New Shiron Forces
In West Shiron
The Primary defense line is anchored at Corrigan in the south through Merredin and up to Bonnie Rock. At this time, 12 divisions of motorized infantry (reservists with LAV 25, vehicle and hand held ATGMs and ATRLs, and well has vehicle and hand held SAMs, SP guns are SP155s), are dug in along the front holding a 125 mile front to a depth of 3 miles.

Behind them, dug in in the city of Freemantle, are 3 Guards Mechanized Infantry brigades (Bradley IFVs, Bradley Hellfire and TOW3, a few M1A2 tanks plus Paladin SP 155), along with 10 provesional infantry brigades created from Navy, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Police, and National Guard support troops. These units are being hastily equipped with hand held anti tank and anti aircraft weapons, but do have a full issue of small arms ammunition and all have assault rifles.

Southeast Shiron
20 divisions of motorized infantry (as above) are dug in, but these forces are not yet trained up enough or equipped for offensive operations as of yet (at least 3 months needed). In addition, 1 Corps of the Royal Guard (1 armored, 2 mechanized divisions plus 1 armored cavalry regiment.. ooc US 2004 era equipment) is in reserve, along with another Corps of the Royal Guard (4 parachute brigades, 1 marine brigade, 1 ranger brigade). This represents the main reserve of the New Shiron ground forces at this time.

Simpson Hills
10 Divisions of mixed National Guard and Royal Guard light infantry and motorized infantry at about 60% strength. Refitting and replacements needed at this time.

New Shiron Air National Guard and Navy Air Force
at this time the air forces number 120 combat aircraft of all types, plus 200 transports and 50 tankers and 10 AEW aircraft (in other words, roughly 10% of prewar strength). Personnel losses have been heavy (about 50% in ground staff, 80% in aircrews).

The Fleet is essentially intact, with 4 CVLN, 60 DDG, 30 FFG and 50 submarines of various types remaining operational along with most of the support fleet (about 200 ships).

Ammunition stocks are near exhaustion and it will be months before sufficient production can replace them (difficulties switching from peacetime to wartime production, disruption of the transportation grid, disruption caused by massive refugee problem of 25 million displaced people, shortages)

General Valutin stood at the edge of the ruined airfield and sighed heavily. He was now in command of the entire invasion force, what was left of it.

No gunships or fighters were left, ammunition stocks were low, support vehicles were low, which meant that fuel stocks were low, and morale was low. Now they were cut off from home as well, written off.

Whatever orders the Prophet had given before the link was cut were lost as well, along with the entire theater command staff.

The only chance the army had was to hold in place and wait for the gate to reopen. Surrender couldn't even be considered, as that was against the teachings of the Prophets and the majority of his men would shoot him if he were to suggest it.

The only thing left was to die with honor to ensure their place in heaven.

Or perhaps......

He smiled for a moment. Perhaps a last lunge would conquer enough of New Shiron to force their surrender. Then he would start a new colony here and force the locals to see the wisdom of the Prophets.

Looking at his staff, he spoke.
"Gentleman, we have been cut off from home. But the Great Prophet hasn't forgotten us. We can conquer this land anyway, and make it a new home for the Prophets teachings.

If nothing else, to die in the service of the Prophets will ensure our place in heaven. Pass the word to all commands. We continue the fight. I want every division and brigade that can get here in 2 days to regroup and then we strike east. We take the heathens cities and force them to surrender, or we die trying. Tell the 1st Army to drive on Freemantle. We need the diversion."

Back in Anchorage the Gunship's three plasma turrets rapidly sent out balls of plasma at the missles comming near it, and the concrete landing areas of the Naval Station.

The grav cutter, still sitting in the water also opened fire. Missles vanished as the hot material shattered the incomming missles...few things could survive the sudden thermal shock of hitting plasma. That didn't stop the damage, small fragments of the missle went flying out at supersonic speeds to do lots of secondary damage...but far less than a solid, single warhead would have.

Several missiles got through, one hit the gunship, shattering into her midsection armor and strait through.

A second missle hit a plasma turret on the grav cutter. The explosion sent a massive plume of gas and smoke into the air. .

At Anchorage, the local defense command sent out a general request for a status report and offered emergency and medical services assistance to the LOW forces damaged by the attack.

Casualties were unexpectedly low at the navy station and nearby city, thanks to solid LOW defenses, ranging only in the few hundreds of civilian and military dead and wounded.

By the next day, most facilities were back to normal and ready to assist allied forces as they arrived.

bump

Brigadier General Kulkola looked over the latest status report. His two brigades, the 1st and 2nd from the 3rd Regular division had been transported by what was available to Corrigan. On the docks, the remaining two brigades of the 3rd were unloading, along with the beginnings of the 10th tank division.

From the last massive cargo hauler, the final brigade formed ranks and went off to reinforce the Corrigan line. As well, a huge walrus waddled out and Kulkola immediately saluted. He then explained.

“That is General Youlj Sansaeya. I had the pleasure of serving with him in the Dozle conflict. He must have some tricks up his sleeve since Dozle was also a highly advanced foe.”

The walrus, upon seeing the salute bowed and came over. After a brief exchange in Vrakian, he bowed again to Wayne and said,

“Greetings, Lieutenant General Jeffrey Wayne. I hope my news can cheer you up a bit. Within about 48 hours, we should have about 3 regular infantry divisions, one mechanized, three tank, and three artillery divisions. The 1st through 3rd brigades of the the 3rd regular are already here augmenting your lines. Did Brigadier General Kulkola brief you on our equipment? We can pretty much go anywhere you want us, seeing how now we have our own trucks and APCs. A full logistical train is following as well. We have engineers that can help with fortifications and…er…let’s see, the artillery should have some MRLS systems. We also have some combat helicopters but I’m afraid that the only fighters we have are aboard the carriers.”

He indicated this with his flipper and then continued.

“But, I can call in bomber support from Vrak. And when I mean bombers, I mean a whole crapload of them.”

He appeared thoughtful as he took in the updated information.

“I’m not sure exactly what LOW is up to. I would like to bring in the fleet closer instead of staying here – preferably to reinforce the friendly area in Varangia. I would like to challenge them at Broken Hill, to test their defenses, but I don’t want to become encircled – especially from the north. It seems that to get to Broken Hill, we would have to go through this Nullarbor Plain, which you say has been overrun. I think if we can punch through to Varangia by retaking the plain, then we can make a final assault on Broken Hill. What do you think?

What is an Ogre, by the way?”

ooc
Ogre is from the following game

http://www.sjgames.com/ogre/

which has been around since the late 1970s.... was a great little game in its day and still pretty nifty

more post later today when I wake up

OOC: Appologies for my present absence...hopefully tommorrow I will be able to get to this thread....

The orders went out, and the Cynthians made their move.

In the west, the Cynthians sent 300 GEVs, 200 IFVs, 50 SP guns and 50 SP AD systems (4 cavalry regiments, 1 mechanized division plus attachments) around the entire defense line .. moving at nearly 80 MPH, the Cynthians made very good time and swept around the south toward Albany, overrunning a Shironin motorized cavalry unit at Stirling and wiping it out in a few minutes, then sweeping further south, took an undefended Albany before sweeping northwest toward Bridgeton.

At the same time, the main part of the Cynthian 1st Army attacked the entire Shironian defense line with 10 Ogre Mk3, 500 IFV, 250 SP Guns, 80 SP MRL, and 100 SP AD guns (3 divisions) at Merridin, smashing through 2 green National Guard divisions in a few hours, the Ogres in front, overrunning infantry positions and command posts with relative ease. Only the following IFVs faced serious resistance, and a rain of shells and rockets had blown a wide hole through the lines, as well as smashing artillery and air defense positions. However, the Shironins fought hard, and even though overpowered and outnumbered, they still managed to take out 24 IFVs and several hundred more of the Cynthian infantry.

But the front was ruptured in a day, and Cynthian spearheads were heading toward Morgan (ooc Narrogin), threatening to link up with the GEVs and pocket 2 more Shironin divisions.

behind them another 10 brigades of infantry and 100 IFVs followed to mop up, cleaning up resistance in Meredin itself, and moving on Northam, threatening the city of Lorn (ooc Perth).

Behind them all, another 400 IFVs and 50 SP Guns were in reserve, waiting for the signal to go in.

Between Radium Hill and Broken Hill, the Cynthians massed the remainder of their forces.

They had 2400 IFVs, 20 Ogres, 600 SP guns, and 200 SP MRL organized into 10 divisions spread around the perimeter, with nearly 70% of that force now moving toward the Darling River. Holding the perimeter itself were 20 brigades of infantry with Cynthian versions of portable AT and AD missiles, heavy infantry weapons including light plasma guns, and lots of cover. Protecting the entire force was nearly 300 SP AD systems and 200 fixed AD systems.

General Valutin stood outside his command tank, watching on his portable sensor display the reports of the various divisions as they assembled. Everything was being staked on one big blow.

A full scale assault across the Darling River and drive straight for Regina itself (occ Canberra).

Reports were already coming in from the 1st Army near Lorn and things looked good. The Vrak would be kept busy and with any luck, the 1st Army might even take Freemantle and Lorn. If not, well, this offensive if it worked would take the most important and populous part of the country, and finish the New Shironians for good.

If the Great Prophet wished it.

at Northam, the remaining troops of the 1st Army dug in for a final stand. Only 4 divisions remained, plus survivors of 3 others (80,000 men in all). They, along with service and support elements from the military district, had to hold as long as they could.

The Vrak were still moving up, and if they could hold long enough, maybe some Vrak troops would arrive in time. It was a slim hope but all they had.

Colonel Hans Strasser, commander of the much reduced 14th Infantry Division hoped as well. He looked out over the town and surrounding hills from atop Pinnacle Hill and surveyed the terrain. Luckily the topography was forcing the Cynthians to channel their attack this time, as only a couple of passes led into the town and the rugged hills and thick forests offered little scope for maneuver this time.

Looking at his chief of staff, he spoke for the first time in a few minutes. "We have to make them pay here Bill, even if they win. We can't let them reach Lorn and Freemantle in shape to break through the defenses."

Lieutenant Colonel Bill Henderson nodded. Too bad their division was down to 4000 men and women. But these weren't the same troops they had been a couple of weeks ago. Instead of raw recruits fresh from basic and advanced training, these men and women were veterans now. Better than the Cynthian troops, but not as well equipped.

But the 14th would die hard before letting the Cynthians pass.

*Murry River*
Twelve mechanized divisions of LOW ground troops had orginized around Taliem Bend and had moved north towards the southern bank of the Murray River. At 6:12 A.M six divison crossed between Penmark and Cadel supported by 24 grav cruisers, 36 Nara Fighters, and 20 Logoth Fighters East of Penmark another six mechanized divisions crossed the river. The problem was that all low equipment appeared to hover. This group was supported by 22 grav cruisers, and 56 Nara Fighters.

*Wilmington*
The city had been pounded all through the night, attempting to destroy the last remains of the New Cynthian defenders. With the loss of Wilmington, LOW troops would finish capturing the western line of hights and formally split the two New Cynthian groups in half.

*300 miles north of Northham*
The sixty Nara Fighters
Sixty Nara Fighters appeared supported by sixty Logoth Fighters in the air above. Obviously they had been sent to lend air support against the New Cynthian attack...

*Anchorage*
The two grav crusiers and the grav battlecruiser had arrived in the harbor, or above the harbor. Their guns were ready for any future bombing raids.

The wounded from the New Cynthian bombing attack were both human and Var...including the Karlord Ke'tha himself. Due to their large size (eight feet) an emergency hospital had been set up in a surviving hanger of the Naval Station. Various peices of equipment had been removed from the gunship as the power lines to her sick bay had been cut by battle damage.

Shortly after the arrival of the grav battlecruiser, a human in a black uniform was seen talking to the wounded. Reports indicated that he had odd blue eyes and was followed around by two red cloaked Var carrying double bladed pole arms.

The convoy of eight container ships, three cargo vessles, and a hospital ship moved south west towards Anchorage. They were being escorted by four frigates and a Arx class battlecruiser.

New Shiron,
This is taskforce Hope, we have been sent by his Grace, Alexander III to help the subjects of his future grandaughter-in-law, Queen Gabrielle. Please advise where we should begin setting up a refugee camp.
-Markgravine Both, Commander of Operation Hope

General Vatuin looked at his reports. "Shit" was his only thought for a couple of minutes.

"Gentleman, cancel the attack, I want every shifted south. We will meet the enemy head on north of Renmark."

Within minutes, orders went out to the Cynthian forces. 5 Divisions shifted south, nearly 1200 IFVs, 300 SP guns and 20 Ogres, plus 100 SP AD systems. They raced south at 100 KPH, straight toward the advancing LOW attack.

They planned to die game, or win.

Gabrielle, on her way to the naval station at Anchorage, dictated a communique to the Markgravine..

"Your Grace, we are greatful for the aid that you are bringing with you. An extremely large number of refugees from the Lorn / Freemantle area are living in temporary camps in the Shara Bay area near the town of Carnarvon. This bay is sufficiently deep and broad enough to handle your convoy and has some offloading facilities available, plus the majority of the Royal Navy's amphibious ships can reach that area to assist with cross beach unloading and cross decking at about the same time as your convoy can.

With sincere gratitude,

Her Majesty, Gabrielle, Queen of New Shiron"

Nodding to her secretary, she watched as the young woman uploaded it to the communications suite and it went to the main transmitter at Anchorage Naval Base (North Bay).

"Ok George, step on it. I understand that my intended may have been wounded. I should meet him now."

The SUV accelerated toward the base.

Colonel Strasser looked through his thermal imaging system at the approaching enemy. The 12th and 19th Infantry Divisions were fighting hard, but the enemy was overpowering them. The Ogres simply shot up everything in sight and ground through buildings like paper, while behind them enemy IFVs swept along their flanks, shooting and bulldozing their way as well. An entire subdivision of houses was destroyed in 10 minutes that way, nearly 300 homes converted to burning rubble. Occasionally a defender missile would get through and an IFV would be forced to go to ground as its skirt was punctured or even more rarely would blow up if the relatively vulnerable rear or top armor was successfully attacked.

But he knew two brigades of infantry, nearly 2500 infantry, head just died in that subdivision. Once again the enemy had hit on the seam of two divisions, and both were about to be knocked out of the battle.

Soon their artillery was firing over open sights at the approaching enemy, and in the first good fortune he had seen, several armor piercing shells actually managed to get through the blizzard of counterfire the lead Ogre was putting out and puncture its skirts an knock out one of the secondary guns.

Before they were in turn blown to shreds by enemy counterfire. 8 batteries, 32 155 guns, destroyed in a few moments.

Minutes later, both divisional command posts went off the air and he knew that they were done.

"Signal all units that the enemy will be in range shortly. Tell them that we will make those bastards pay."

Colonel Strasser looked through his thermal imaging system at the approaching enemy. The 12th and 19th Infantry Divisions were fighting hard, but the enemy was overpowering them. The Ogres simply shot up everything in sight and ground through buildings like paper, while behind them enemy IFVs swept along their flanks, shooting and bulldozing their way as well. An entire subdivision of houses was destroyed in 10 minutes that way, nearly 300 homes converted to burning rubble. Occasionally a defender missile would get through and an IFV would be forced to go to ground as its skirt was punctured or even more rarely would blow up if the relatively vulnerable rear or top armor was successfully attacked.

But he knew two brigades of infantry, nearly 2500 infantry, had just died in that subdivision. Once again the enemy had hit on the seam of two divisions, and both were about to be knocked out of the battle.

Soon their artillery was firing over open sights at the approaching enemy, and in the first good fortune he had seen, several armor piercing shells actually managed to get through the blizzard of counterfire the lead Ogre was putting out and puncture its skirts an knock out one of the secondary guns.

Before they were in turn blown to shreds by enemy counterfire. 8 batteries, 32 155 guns, destroyed in a few moments.

Minutes later, both divisional command posts went off the air and he knew that they were done.

"Signal all units that the enemy will be in range shortly. Tell them that we will make those bastards pay."

Brigadier General Kulkola looked over the latest status report. His two brigades, the 1st and 2nd from the 3rd Regular division had been transported by what was available to Corrigan. On the docks, the remaining two brigades of the 3rd were unloading, along with the beginnings of the 10th tank division.

From the last massive cargo hauler, the final brigade formed ranks and went off to reinforce the Corrigan line. As well, a huge walrus waddled out and Kulkola immediately saluted. He then explained.

“That is General Youlj Sansaeya. I had the pleasure of serving with him in the Dozle conflict. He must have some tricks up his sleeve since Dozle was also a highly advanced foe.”

The walrus, upon seeing the salute bowed and came over. After a brief exchange in Vrakian, he bowed again to Wayne and said,

“Greetings, Lieutenant General Jeffrey Wayne. I hope my news can cheer you up a bit. Within about 48 hours, we should have about 3 regular infantry divisions, one mechanized, three tank, and three artillery divisions. The 1st through 3rd brigades of the the 3rd regular are already here augmenting your lines. Did Brigadier General Kulkola brief you on our equipment? We can pretty much go anywhere you want us, seeing how now we have our own trucks and APCs. A full logistical train is following as well. We have engineers that can help with fortifications and…er…let’s see, the artillery should have some MRLS systems. We also have some combat helicopters but I’m afraid that the only fighters we have are aboard the carriers.”

He indicated this with his flipper and then continued.

“But, I can call in bomber support from Vrak. And when I mean bombers, I mean a whole crapload of them.”

He appeared thoughtful as he took in the updated information.

“I’m not sure exactly what LOW is up to. I would like to bring in the fleet closer instead of staying here – preferably to reinforce the friendly area in Varangia. I would like to challenge them at Broken Hill, to test their defenses, but I don’t want to become encircled – especially from the north. It seems that to get to Broken Hill, we would have to go through this Nullarbor Plain, which you say has been overrun. I think if we can punch through to Varangia by retaking the plain, then we can make a final assault on Broken Hill. What do you think?

What is an Ogre, by the way?”

"Gentleman, what I am hoping for is to use your force, and my remaining armor, as a reserve. My main line is crumpling, but we are bleeding the enemy. The Lords of War are sending air support our way, and intelligence now reports that the Cynthians are out of air cover. But don't underestimate their ground defenses General Sansaeya, a force about the size of the one we are facing shot down 1,000 aircraft in a day at the start of this. They have air defense lasers, gauss cannons, and very rapid fire auto cannons, and they shot the hell out of our boys and the missiles our boys managed to launch.

I have asked the LOW to concentrate on their air defense vehicles first to open the way for conventional aircraft. We would send our own planes in too, but we don't really have any more. Not many pilots left either from what I hear. They died well, far too many of them."

glancing down at a message an aide hurried to him, General Wayne went on.
"Looks like Varangia is taken care of. The LOW have landed in great strength and are meeting the enemy head on south of Broken Hill."

The Shironin General, who before the war had been youthful and now looked in his 60s, sighed.

"That is good news. But that is nearly 700 miles to our east and it doesn't change things here. We have a powerful force headed straight for us, and we have to stop them.

I look forward to meeting those bastards with your men and mine fighting together."

Sanseaya nodded.

“Very well. I don’t wish to engage them on the open plains, although I’d hoped to punch through to Varangia, thereby relieving some pressure off LOW. But, I can send two more brigades to Corrigan and keep the rest here. I need some high ground to position my artillery since, well, I’d prefer to channel the enemy into preferred avenues of approach towards Freemantle itself. Then, as they approach, we can hit them from both sides with the tanks.

What you say about their air cover does worry me, but if their AA systems can be minimized, then our long-range bombers can drop a load on them, preferably before they hit the main line, although timewise I don’t think that will happen. I would like hit them before the city proper and I know that the two carriers do have some fighter bombers. I had better make a call back to Vrak and let them know to warm up the Blackjacks”

My engineers are presently busy in building more fortifications. Do you have mines along the main line? I can get some out there fairly quickly.”

Meanwhile, combat helicopters were crated off and some now were lifting off, circling over Freemantle. The flight decks of the two carriers were busy while the 1st Bombard fleet, consisting of the four core Hamas battleships drew in closer to the city as their draft would allow them.

General Wayne looked mildly embarrassed. "Err, well most of our mines had been sent north prior to this for another contigency, and the remainder went to Varangia. At the moment we are very short on mines, except for some naval mines some of my engineers have been deploying near Freemantle. They have a few ideas regarding Ogres and big mines.

But they are the same people who came up with the idea of launching Harpoon and Exocet missiles against the enemy from trucks, and those have actually managed to take out a few Ogres. So maybe their idea has some merit."

Gabrielle, on her way to the naval station at Anchorage, dictated a communique to the Markgravine..

"Your Grace, we are greatful for the aid that you are bringing with you. An extremely large number of refugees from the Lorn / Freemantle area are living in temporary camps in the Shara Bay area near the town of Carnarvon. This bay is sufficiently deep and broad enough to handle your convoy and has some offloading facilities available, plus the majority of the Royal Navy's amphibious ships can reach that area to assist with cross beach unloading and cross decking at about the same time as your convoy can.

With sincere gratitude,

Her Majesty, Gabrielle, Queen of New Shiron"

Nodding to her secretary, she watched as the young woman uploaded it to the communications suite and it went to the main transmitter at Anchorage Naval Base (North Bay).

"Ok George, step on it. I understand that my intended may have been wounded. I should meet him now."

The SUV accelerated toward the base.
OOC: I will assume Shara Bay is RL Shark Bay.

Acknowledged, your Majesty we could use trucks capable of handling standard cargo containers.

Taskforce Hope turned South towards Shea Bay. As the taskforce neared the northern channel a Rotodyene was spotted heading south towards Carnarvon. Aboard was the Markgravine and her staff to begin coordinating the landing of supplies and the construction of the refugee camps.

**North of Murray River**
Nalord Yukt'tria wagged the tip of her tail.

-The enemy is comming out of the hills to meet us on the rolling lands between their orginal positions and ours.

She began making changes to the tactical table using her controls.

-We will use the main guns of the cruisers to break up their unit and destroy those heavy land cruisers they have. We will slow the army so that our eastern flank will meet theirs in this patchwork of lakes east of the Silver City Highway. Mat'raca, you will send three divisions across the lakes and send two farther east, and around to smash into their left flank.

***Western Flank of LOW Line**
The gravcruisers altered formation...rather than comming directly at the enemy bow on, they were now forming a very shallow V formation presenting most of their broadsides. Each side of the V was flying back and forth across the Flank, forming a dimond flight formation with the other group of gravships.
The western flank had slowed to sixty miles an hour. At 160 miles distant from the enemy, the gravships opened fire with their 14.2 inch guns into the New Cynthian Lines.

The fighter-bombers went up high and began to dive bomb the enemy rear lines from 30,000 feet. After dropping their payload they began to straf the enemy lines with both 50 mm shells from the rear ball turrets and energy bolts from the forward guns

***The Eastern Flank of the LOW line**
Was acting in the same manner, the gravcruisers were forming their dimond pattern and engaging the enemy. However here the front line was much more dense as it approached the lakes north east of Renmark. Only three divisions were between Renmark and the Silver City Highway. Another two divisons were behind those.

**Anchorage Naval Station**

William was still in the improptu hospital. He was standing looking at a large tank with green fluid containing a wounded Var. Actually, it was the Karlord himself. He was speeking in hushed tones to a Var dressed in blue robes with white glyphs covering the fabric.

As Gabrielle walked passed the wounded on beds from the entrance towards him, William turned and smiled. "Ah, my dear Gabrielle..."

OOC: Equipment of a LOW Mechinized Battallion
20 Ketne (AA units) carring a back mounted Hell Fire Chain Gun System (6 50 mm chainguns)
50 Petrne (Personel Carriers) Forward mounted tribarrel rapid fire gun 20 armored personel
30 Land Attack Units (LAUs) 1 6.7 in forward mounted gauss gun, 2.3 MW mounted laser
20 Interceptor missle Units (carries 24 missles, can fire 8 at once)
10 Fast Attack Vehicles (1 Rapid Fire 50 mm gun, and body mounted 1.2 MW laser

LOW Infantry Battallion
10 Ketne
60 Toros (Personel Carriers) Single Chaingun, forward mounted, carries 60 personel armored or 90 unarmored
15 LAU
5 IMU

Note that the Ketne, Petrne, LAU, and IMU look identical, massive gray-green pillbugs moving across the surface with a large blister at the front. Their apparent diffrences occur when their weapons deploy.

The Toros looks like a long, segmented versions of the others. The FAV are similar to IFV but act as armored calvery really.

Each Division consits of two Mechanized and two Infantry Battallions.

Free of the threat of enemy air attack for the first time, the New Shironins began to mass forces for their first counteroffensive.

At Ivanhoe, General Geoffrey Craig, Duke of Lowell, commander of the newly formed 1st Guards Army, watched as troops quickly unloaded railcar after railcar of armor, while tank transporter trucks rolled up the highway from Parkes.

The Lords of War were meeting the bulk of the enemy head on south of Broken Hill. Honor demanded that New Shiron attack as well. Plus the need for vengeance and to bring this war to an end.

He had nearly 1,000 tanks and 2,000 IFVs, M1A3s and Bradleys, plus nearly 3,000 Strykers APCs in all. By stripping a number of reserve divisions of their crews and APCs, he had managed to convert the marines, mountain troops and paratroopers into mechanized infantry. The cream of the remaining Royal Guard was going into action tomorrow. 2 Corps with 6 divisions in all.

All thirsting for revenge.

The Duke (as his troops all called him with deep respect and a bit of adoration) walked along the tracks, occasionally joking with a senior sergeant or patting a junior officer on the back or making pointed suggestions to get things moving along.

"We have a war to win people. We don't want the Queen to be dissappointed now do we?"

bump til later this evening

[QUOTE=The Lords of War] Western Flank of LOW Line
The gravcruisers altered formation...rather than comming directly at the enemy bow on, they were now forming a very shallow V formation presenting most of their broadsides. Each side of the V was flying back and forth across the Flank, forming a dimond flight formation with the other group of gravships.
The western flank had slowed to sixty miles an hour. At 160 miles distant from the enemy, the gravships opened fire with their 14.2 inch guns into the New Cynthian Lines.

The fighter-bombers went up high and began to dive bomb the enemy rear lines from 30,000 feet. After dropping their payload they began to straf the enemy lines with both 50 mm shells from the rear ball turrets and energy bolts from the forward guns[QUOTE]

The Cynthian 12th Mechanized division was heavily attacked as it advanced, heavy artillery and bombs raining down on it. Nearly 200 IFVs and 50 SP AD vehicles were forced to concentrate their fire on incoming shells and bombs, managing to stop nearly 80% but enough got through to shred the initial 4 battalions of 50 IFVs each, knocking a total of 129 out of action (or destroying them) and gutting the lead echelon.

The Cynthians had artillery as well though, and 100 SP 20 CM mass driver guns and 100 CM multiple missile launch vehicles fired back at the enemy grav cruisers. Ammunition was short, but an entire unit of fire (100 rounds per gun and 30 rockets per launcher) were sent back in exchange.

But for now the division was fought out, and General Vatutin was forced to commit a reserve division to leapfrog past the mauled 12th.

But the 12th would have to take on the lead elements of the LOW corps by itself, and the surviving 71 IFVs fired hypervelocity missiles and 4 CM gauss cannon while their infantry dismounted (ooc 10 man squads) and took cover to engage with portable all aspect missiles and 1 cm gauss cannons.

[QUOTE=The Lords of War]The Eastern Flank of the LOW line
Was acting in the same manner, the gravcruisers were forming their dimond pattern and engaging the enemy. However here the front line was much more dense as it approached the lakes north east of Renmark. Only three divisions were between Renmark and the Silver City Highway. Another two divisons were behind those. [QUOTE]

on the other flank, the Cynthian 25th Division was hit even harder, losing practically its entire first echelon, and the combination of continued shelling and bombs, along with a heavier ground attack soon smashed the second echelon as well. Over 278 IFVs and 39 SP AD systems, plus 30 SP guns and 10 SP MRLs were destroyed, and Vatutin was forced to commit the entirety of his reserve... 3 divisions, in hopes of preventing a collapse of his flank.

It was looking increasingly worse now. All he had left were garrison infantry and fixed AD defenses. The mobile divisions had to win or die.

Colonel Strasser looked through his thermal imaging system at the approaching enemy. The 12th and 19th Infantry Divisions were fighting hard, but the enemy was overpowering them. The Ogres simply shot up everything in sight and ground through buildings like paper, while behind them enemy IFVs swept along their flanks, shooting and bulldozing their way as well. An entire subdivision of houses was destroyed in 10 minutes that way, nearly 300 homes converted to burning rubble. Occasionally a defender missile would get through and an IFV would be forced to go to ground as its skirt was punctured or even more rarely would blow up if the relatively vulnerable rear or top armor was successfully attacked.

But he knew two brigades of infantry, nearly 2500 infantry, head just died in that subdivision. Once again the enemy had hit on the seam of two divisions, and both were about to be knocked out of the battle.

Soon their artillery was firing over open sights at the approaching enemy, and in the first good fortune he had seen, several armor piercing shells actually managed to get through the blizzard of counterfire the lead Ogre was putting out and puncture its skirts an knock out one of the secondary guns.

Before they were in turn blown to shreds by enemy counterfire. 8 batteries, 32 155 guns, destroyed in a few moments.

Minutes later, both divisional command posts went off the air and he knew that they were done.

"Signal all units that the enemy will be in range shortly. Tell them that we will make those bastards pay."

Meanwhile, in the West, the battle of Northam continued at full intensity.

Nearly 400 Cynthian IFVs and 4 Ogres were knocked out or destroyed now, and the Cynthian commander ordered everybody to pull back and regroup.

He would send in his 10 brigades of infantry now, each brigade supported by an Ogre and 10 IFVs. The rest of the force would try to flank to the north and south. It would be slow though, and he needed the city to continue the advance. The heavily wooded hills north and south (and west) of the city would slow down his armor, but they would bull through (although at only 40 KPH).

His few remaining drones reported that the Vrak were coming up fast. With any luck, he might encircle them as well.

Meanwhile, to the north, his air defense commander was reporting more aerospace craft, the now dreaded LOW was back. He would make them pay too he decided.

Far to the south, the GEVs found themselves also running into bottlenecks. The enemy had committed their own heavy armor, and Shironin tanks and IFVs and AT vehicles were dueling at close range in the heavily wooded hills just short of Bridgeton. This was not the kind of fight his lightly armored GEVs were supposed to fight, and losses were climbing. But then, so were the enemy's.

At Broken Hill and near Lorn, victory or defeat hung in the balance.

bump

Anchorage Naval Station
William was still in the improptu hospital. He was standing looking at a large tank with green fluid containing a wounded Var. Actually, it was the Karlord himself. He was speeking in hushed tones to a Var dressed in blue robes with white glyphs covering the fabric.

As Gabrielle walked passed the wounded on beds from the entrance towards him, William turned and smiled. "Ah, my dear Gabrielle..."


Gabrielle was dressed in a flight suit with the rank insigna of Marshal of New Shiron, with master pilot wings and a few ribbons on her chest. Her hair was pinned up, and she had a heavy automatic pistol on a holster on her belt.

"My dear William" she replied back in her soft soprano. Looking at the tank, she asked "was he badly injured? I understand that your people took casualties in the last attack?"

**Anchorage**
"Please, call me Will..." He looked back up the Karlord, "Severe shrapnel damage to several organs...internal regen is a bit tricky with Var." He turned back towards her, "We took some casualties...really this turned into an atmospheric space fight and we underestimated their strike power...Of course they underestimated ours also."
He looked back at the wounded, "Well we will begin transfers of wounded and dead back soon enough."

He looked into Gabrielle's eyes, "Pity we have to meet under such circumstances."

OOC: I should note now that like most things Var, every thing is based on the unit of three. Which means that now that New Shiron is seening a Var naked they should now see...the Karlord's arms, legs, and folded wings...(yes they can fly...badly and slowly...and not in full battle armor...I will get to the battle tommrrow morning...)

At Ivanhoe, the Duke was smoking a cigar as he drove down the road toward the camp of the 2nd Guards Divisions. Formerly a mountain division of 10,000 men, it was now reinforced to a strength of 20,000 men by attached APCs and their crews from National Guard units from Queenlands and Old Shiron, plus the attachment of sizeable amounts of artillery.

It, along with the remainder of the newly created 1st Guards Army, had finished moving up and was moving into assembly areas for the big attack.

"Well, we might have a chance now." he thought to himself. "the LOW is drawing down all of their heavy stuff. Just infantry and flak gunners to worry about now."

Just maybe his troops had a chance.

The Western Flank


The Cynthians had artillery as well though, and 100 SP 20 CM mass driver guns and 100 CM multiple missile launch vehicles fired back at the enemy grav cruisers. Ammunition was short, but an entire unit of fire (100 rounds per gun and 30 rockets per launcher) were sent back in exchange.

But for now the division was fought out, and General Vatutin was forced to commit a reserve division to leapfrog past the mauled 12th.

But the 12th would have to take on the lead elements of the LOW corps by itself, and the surviving 71 IFVs fired hypervelocity missiles and 4 CM gauss cannon while their infantry dismounted (ooc 10 man squads) and took cover to engage with portable all aspect missiles and 1 cm gauss cannons


The Artillery had knocked six gravcruisers out of the sky and forced another seven to retreat and conduct emergency repairs. The missles had been ineffective between the plasma turrets and laser batteries. That left eight, in varying condition to help support the assault on the 12th's position. Actually nine, one of those knocked out had crash-landed on a ridge across from the 12th current position. She only had one 14.2 inch turret still operational, but almost half of her laser battery. With four of her still flying brethren they opened up their laser batteries . The 18th and 3rd Remondsland Battalions crossed the ridge.

First came the FAV's their armor held for a moment against the 4 cm fire but the hyper velocity missiles claimed 8 before they retreated. Then the main body of the two battalions appeared. Looking like slow moving pill bugs they appeared with eighty missiles flying through the air behind them to strike at the remnants of the New Cynthian 12th.

The sixty LAU moved forward, they turned firing their 6.7 inch gauss guns at the enemy. Most could shrug off a 4 cm round until they reached 100 meters. They used their lasers to destroy incoming hypervelocity missiles. The 100 personnel carriers emptied out their teams below the ridge and then joined the LAU's. Their tribarels focused on taking out the IFV's on the opposing ridge.

AA units moved backwards up the ridge to cover the enemy positions with 50mm fire and destroy any incoming missiles. The teams of armored marines began to appear along the ridge with the armored equipment. In amongst the human were Var, eight foot tall and carrying either plasma grenade launchers or heavy pulse cannons. The marines used their light pulse guns and tribarrel flechete guns on the opposing side.

Marines fell as gauss rounds hit them in lightly armored places or double tapped them in the same place. A few LAU's stopped moving as hyper velocity missles broke through their armor. As the two infantry battalions began to arrive at the ridge, the marines, twenty four LAU's and 40 personnel carriers launched down the ridge to cross the space between them and push the remains of the 12th out of position.

The Eastern Flank

on the other flank, the Cynthian 25th Division was hit even harder, losing practically its entire first echelon, and the combination of continued shelling and bombs, along with a heavier ground attack soon smashed the second echelon as well. Over 278 IFVs and 39 SP AD systems, plus 30 SP guns and 10 SP MRLs were destroyed, and Vatutin was forced to commit the entirety of his reserve... 3 divisions, in hopes of preventing a collapse of his flank.

It was looking increasingly worse now. All he had left were garrison infantry and fixed AD defenses. The mobile divisions had to win or die

The Eastern Flank had only lost 12 of the gravships. The remaining were still supporting the attack. The three forward divisions of the LOW line ground to a halt as the three fresh divisions drove into the gap they had created, the three divisions had taken quite a beating but with air-cover had been able to deal with the enemy attack and only suffer 20% casualties.

The problem was the rear two divisions in reserve changed direction and swung father east, across the Silver City Highway and the lakes. Like maneuvered like a gate mounted to a post suck in the middle of the silver city highway. Their intention was obvious, to flank the New Cynthian line. The fact that all but the FAV's were grav craft allowed them to maintain their ranks as they swept towards back towards the Silver City Road. The two divisions FAV's squads were detached and moved forward along the Silver City Highway.

http://www.eng.auburn.edu/users/donatgw/se_1_2.jpg

OOC:
Okay, we have four infantry brigades (basically the 3rd Regular Infantry Division) dug in along your defensive line from Corrigan (where they were initially sent) up to Bonnie Rock. They mostly have man-portable anti-tank and anti-air systems along with heavy machine guns.

However, entrenched around Freemantle are the rest of the Vrakian forces which consists of the following:

4th Regular Infantry Division
5th Regular Infantry Division
8th Mechanized Infantry Division
10th – 12th Tank Division
10th –12th Artillery Division

Each infantry division has 27, 648 troops. Most have small arms but again, quite a few have AT and AA man-portable systems. There are also some flamethrower units. For the tank and artillery, there are roughly 2816 tanks, 1344 AT and 1344 AA systems per division. The mechanized infantry is merely infantry in APCs, rather than trucks. Finally, let’s say that only 36 attack helicopters (Ka-50 Blacksharks) were able to make it here in haste.

IC:

Freemantle

The walrus bobbed his large head and then replied.

“Very well, I will send out some MRLS systems to quickly scatter some mines. I can’t keep all my forces bogged down here since I won’t have enough room to maneuver. I’ll keep back the 4th and 5th Regular infantry, the 10th tank, and the 10th artillery, but I wish to send out the rest to either reinforce the main line or engage them at Norseman, since that area is close to the line. The ships here,” with a wave to the Hamas battleships and carriers, “can provide heavy fire around the city itself along with air support. Even the fighter bombers can range out to the main line once the enemy is sighted. The towed artillery, namely the Giansint 152 mm, along with some MRLS will stay. But I will take the 11th and 12th tank divisions and the 11th and 12th artillery along with the 8th mechanized infantry. I also have 36 attack helicopters but I would like to send them to Corrigan. We will hit them at Norseman with what we have.”

Meanwhile, the large towed artillery were being positioned on the hills surrounding Freemantle and several Smerch MRLS systems began to rumble out to Corrigan along with infantry escort.

Commanders were busy organizing their forces in line with the General’s orders and began to head out.

Vrak Prime

At a huge, but nondescript airbase, an entire wing (108 strong) of long range bombers began to depart in groups of 10.

bump.... computer hardware problem at home so this is my first chance to look but will be back later on today

Colonel Strasser was greatful for the short lull, but reports from Army HQ indicated that the city was being flanked on both sides and they would shortly be cut off.

"What the hell" he muttered, "I didn't think we would be leaving anyway."

Enemy infantry was coming in now, 10 brigades identified, each brigade with a few IFVs and one of the damned Ogres. His 14th was down to about 2,000 men now, out of the 15,000 it had mustered in training camp a few days ago. The rest of the army was in similar shape. But now the army was backed into the more durable concrete and steel buildings in the city center, or dug in in cellers and the few natural caves in the area. The surrounding subdivisions were mostly gone of course, but the rubble did slow the enemy advance a little and hid all manner of nasty surprises his engineers, and the engineers of the other divisions, had hidden behind.

Thankfully this attack appeared to be about as subtle as a bull in a china shop. The Cynthians simply didn't have the sense he would expect of them. They had a tendancy to glump together, seemed to lack imagination, and their tactics were something right out of a book and easy to predict.

"The bastards are going to pay" he decided.

150 miles to the southwest, the IV Guards Corps had been pushed back to the city of Collie (near Cape Naturaliste and Geographe Bay).

Sergeant Wilma Darling watched through her thermal site as she sat in the main turret of her M1A3, "Fierce Bitch" as a Cynthian GEV popped into view moving at 100 KPH. "Kill that fucker Billy!" she ordered to her gunner, and the tank shook heavily from the recoil as a 120 mm round was on the way.

The Cynthian GEV, heavily armored against most New Shironin weapons was simply not up to the task of dealing with heavy depleted uranium anti tank shells and the impact literally lifted it off the ground as momentum and catastrophic kinetic energy from the hit and the resulting crash of the vehicle caused it to explode in a hydrogen fireball.

"Get us out of her Janet!" Wilma shouted at her driver, and the tank hurried back at 70 MPH toward its fall back position just before a missile slammed into the prepared fireing position, converting it into a crater.

"Shit that was too close" Wilma muttered. Another GEV was coming up, and the fight continued.

Meanwhile, far to the east, the 1st Guards Army was moving at last. In line abreast, 6 mechanized infantry divisions rumbled forward at 40 MPH toward the Darling River, which was at a seasonal summer low. No bridging equipment would be needed at the Wilcannia bend, and within a few hours the Guards were crossing in strength and pivoting southwest toward Broken Hill.

The Duke rode with them in his command tank, constantly sending commands to his staff officers and generals. "Move quick, the LOW are going to beat us to Broken Hill if we don't get there first, and I will be damned before I let those foriegners kill all of those invading bastards before we get our licks in. I want blood for Varangia, and Broken Hill, and West Shiron, and all of our dead pilots and dead Guardsman. I want Cynthian blood!"

A few hours later, even as the fighting south along the Silver Highway south of Broken Hill and further to the west on the approaches of Lorn and Freemantle was reaching its bloody climax, the Guards Army hit the outlying positions of the Cynthian garrison north of Broken Hill.

This time the Shironins weren't fighting super high tech machines, but inadequately trained support troops equipped with a few portable missiles and some anti aircraft lasers.

Even so, anti aircraft lasers blew up tanks and IFVs as readily as German 88s did in the Second World War, but there were a lot more Shironins than Cynthian weapons and this time the Cynthians didn't have artillery and missile support to smash Shironin artillery.

A continual rain of shells and rockets pounded the enemy, and dismounted Guardsmen, vengeance on their mind, usually made short work of Cynthian infantry.

But the cost was high. The Guards lost nearly half their strength smashing through, and long strings of wrecked and burning tanks and Bradleys trailed all the way back to the Darling River.

But they were through the enemy and little was between them and the enemy base.

At Northam, the support troops that made up the hastily organized 10 brigades of Cynthian infantry trying to reduce the city found themselves in a nightmare.

Specialist 6 Ivan Perchanko was still wondering how he find himself in charge of an infantry platoon. He hadn't fired his combat rifle since basic training, and neither had most of his men either.

Following behind a IFV, which was also crewed with technicians instead of their regular crews (who were dead or filling in the gaps in crews in the first line troops), his platoon advanced cautiously through a city street.

As Ivan was wondering when the enemy would attack them, a loud explosion erupted behind them, and then another detonated right underneath the IFV as a coverted 2,000 pound bomb went off as an improvised command detonated anti tank mine. The IFV was literally lifted up and over, the fans blasted to peices and the skirt pierced in a hundred places. The fuel tanks were already exploding when the vehicle completed its somersault right on top of Ivan's platoon leader and most of the command element.

At that moment, a dozen machine guns and assault rifles opened up, and the Cynthians, most of whom hadn't finished closing up their clamshell armor were cut down.

Ivan tried to give orders to find cover, but at that moment, a rifle bullet from a sniper went into his open mouth and as he died he cursed himself for not closing his face shield.

All over the city, the Shironins cut down the Cynthian infantry by the hundreds. But the Cynthians had a lot more firepower, and even when a platoon was wiped out, another would convert the Shironian strongpoint in wreckage a few minutes later, or an Ogre would simply blast it out of existance.

But the attack was stalling, and the Cynthian 2nd Army was using ups its reserves of men, ammunition, power and fuel at an increasing rate. Items that couldn't be replaced.

Now west of the city, the 500 remaining IFVs, and few dozen artillery and air defense vehicles regrouped. Whether Northham fell or not, they were going to keep pressing forward. Victory or death was in their grasp.

But at Collie, south of Freemantle, the Cynthians finally collapsed. Only a few dozen GEVs remained, and now out of ammunition and fuel, one by one they came to a stop. The crews and troops aboard deployed around their vehicles, determined to fight to the last. The attempt to outflank the Shironin defenses from the south had failed.

as desperate as things were in the west, around Broken Hill they were more so.

General Vatutin sat down heavily as he read the latest reports. His entire mobile force was locked in combat with the LOW and they were losing. Every division was down to 50% strength or less, and a couple of divisions had been completely destroyed.

And now this.

The Shironins were attacking with heavy armor and in large numbers, and had destroyed or wrecked 8 infantry brigades, nearly half of his fixed air defense assets, and were within a couple of kilometers of overruning his last stockpiles of supplies.

There was no way out.

Nothing left to do now except to die in battle.

He climbed into his IFV and sat down at the commanders chair.

"Men, we go to the front. We will die for the Great Prophet and the purity of his teachings!"

In the drivers seat, Mikael Zharkov shook his head. "Fuck your religious crusade" he thought to himself, "how about we go home or see if we can trade in our skills for a home here" he wondered. He didn't remember signing up to die for the Great Prophet.

OOC:

Heh. I just finished printing out the entire SW of Australia (maps 255-258; 276-279; 297-300; 318-319). Now everyone is asking me “Are you going to Australia?”

I don’t it would be fair to say that my tank, artillery, and mechanized divisions made it to Norseman. In fact, they probably made it as far as Corrigan. Remember that I can commit fighter jets from the aircraft carriers at targets near Perth (Freemantle) and have bombers coming. I’m also a bit confused between some of your names and the names on the map.

IC:

The bulk of the Vrakian army made it to Corrigan. The attack helicopters were refueled and a logistics train was set up between Corrigan and Freemantle. Fighters aboard the aircraft carriers were ready to scramble in case of any enemy sightings.

General Sasaeya ordered the Smerch systems to begin rapidly deploying anti-tank mines but to be ready to change rockets if and when the enemy was spotted. A Cyclops UAV was launched eastwards to comb for the Cynthian army.

OOC:

Heh. I just finished printing out the entire SW of Australia (maps 255-258; 276-279; 297-300; 318-319). Now everyone is asking me “Are you going to Australia?”

I don’t it would be fair to say that my tank, artillery, and mechanized divisions made it to Norseman. In fact, they probably made it as far as Corrigan. Remember that I can commit fighter jets from the aircraft carriers at targets near Perth (Freemantle) and have bombers coming. I’m also a bit confused between some of your names and the names on the map. .

Freemantle goes by its name, the city of Lorn is Perth, and some of the towns being used are outlying communities of Perth. At this point the 30,000 survivors of the Shironin 1st Army (which were National Guard troops) are fighting a last stand at Northham against 20,000 Cynthian infantry, 3 Ogres and 10 IFVs. The Cynthians are hastily converted infantry that used to be support troops and are doing a bad job. Their morale is starting to give as well, but the 1st Army is running out of ammunition, men and buildings to hide in.

The main Cynthian force has pushed its way passed Northam and is grouped around Toodyay... I figure your troops are in Lorn and Freemantle, plus York and Narrogin (which I call Corrigan for narrative reasons). In other words, the Cynthians are on your northern flank. At this point the Cynthians are down to about 500 IFVs (equipped with 4 cm gauss auto cannons and 10 infantry each with heavy laser portable anti tank weapons, gauss infantry rifles and a few remaining portable missiles). The Cynthians also have some artillery but are out of ammunition for it, and some air defense self propelled laser vehicles which are murder against tanks, helicopters and strike aircraft (about 50 left total). Their morale is still high and they are the fanatics.

Defending the city of Lorn are 10 Shironin provesional infantry brigades (about 30,000 men). New Shiron is now out of reserves for the area, as the provesional guards mechanized division it had was committed to the fighting around Corrigan and then Collie. It managed to shatter the Cynthian GEV attack but is now operating at a strength of 50 tanks, 50 IFVs, and 60 SP guns and about 300 infantry (in other words its gutted and is essentially a weak brigade now). However the Cynthians in this sector have run out of fuel and ammunition and the 1200 survivors are scattered in small pockets throughout the area between Collie and Corrigon armed with just light infantry weapons and a few anti tank missiles.

http://www.wilmap.com.au/ausmaps/ac5.html


OOC:
IC:

The bulk of the Vrakian army made it to Corrigan. The attack helicopters were refueled and a logistics train was set up between Corrigan and Freemantle. Fighters aboard the aircraft carriers were ready to scramble in case of any enemy sightings.

General Sasaeya ordered the Smerch systems to begin rapidly deploying anti-tank mines but to be ready to change rockets if and when the enemy was spotted. A Cyclops UAV was launched eastwards to comb for the Cynthian army.

General Wayne called up his Vrak opposite numbers through his signal techs.

"Gentlemen, the Cynthians are at the gates of Lorn. I suggest that you shift directions to meet them. I have asked for more air support from the LOW, and I would suggest that your airpower be concentrated against Toodyay.

ooc
Essentially, through their data nets, the Cynthians have the equiv of nearly 500 anti aircraft lasers and gauss auto cannon which can be coordinated, so expect a nasty reception for any air strikes. On the plus side, they are running low on sensor vehicles so your forces can remain undetected until they come over the horizon at about 30 kilometers (or further out if at higher altitude)

At Broken Hill, the Cynthians were beginning to panic. News from the south was bad, and it looked like the battle was about to be lost there. Worse though was the news that the entire northern perimeter had been shattered. The hastily organized infantry brigades, the 11 that remained, consisted of support troops and unlike the front line troops, they generally were less enthusiastic about dying for the Prophet.

It was also very clear that the way home was gone. Morale began to disintegrate and many of the Cynthians began looking for a place to hide instead of facing the enemy.

Specialist 9 Mikail Czerwiski was one of those. A Quantum mechanic who until the gate had been closed in charge of monitoring the energy flow, he had been given a platoon of equally unenthused truck drivers, mechanics and gunship mechanics. The last missile attack by the Shironins had killed nearly a third of his men, and when the rumble of battle reached within a couple of kilometers Czerwinski told his assistant that it was over. Peitor Androvitch, Specialist 7 and until a couple of days ago a medical technician agreed wholeheartedly.

Sadly their platoon leader, 1st Lieutenant Bromsky didn't.

An 'accidental' weapon discharge that took off Bromskys head took care of that problem. The remaining 25 Cynthians found a ruined grocery store and hid. Hopefully the Shironins would be in a mood to take prisoners.

On the other side of the perimeter closest to the LOW, similar incidents occured and within a few hours only a few hundred men remained actively ready to fight along with a couple of dozen fixed air defense weapons.

Only 1,000 IFVs remained to fight the LOW in the south. Their artillery was gone now, either out of ammunition or destroyed, and most of their air defense systems were gone now too, only 40 remaining. Most of the IFVs were out of missiles now too, and few had more than a handful of infantry aboard.

The Cynthians were beginning to collapse. One more push from the north and south would end it at Broken Hill.

OOC:

Okay. I’ll make up a small force in York and Brookton. As well, if the Cynthians smashed through the line from Bonnie Rock to Corrigan (of which my infantry were hopefully helping out) assume that those elements have been destroyed or scattered. If there are any survivors, they will regroup at the nearest friendly town and likely go after enemy supply trains

IC:


Guide my sword to the heart of the enemy,
Let blood and gore spill the earth.
If I die today,
Let me find rest in the Strange.


The Vrakians were angry. They wanted to engage the enemy and felt embarrassed of their efforts so far. But now, with new information on the enemy, they began to…salivate.

Sanseaya cursed as he heard the news. He over committed his troops to augment the front line and left the middle between it and Lorn open. He wanted to push eastwards but the updated enemy position caught him flat-footed. He cursed again as he looked outside. The thirty-six attack helicopters had finished refueling and now began to patrol the line in four shifts. Twelve were kept back to be used as a reserve or to attack any straggler Cynthian elements nearby. Another awful curse and he began to issue orders…

York

The 1st and 2nd tank regiments of the 1st Brigade, 11th Division based in York along with the 1st artillery regiment, 1st Brigade, 11th Division began to head out towards Northham. It wasn’t known how soon they could arrive but they pushed their tanks and self-propelled artillery to their maximum speed.

Brookton

Meanwhile, the exact same amount of forces in Brookton were alerted. They would be the reserve to reinforce York in case things got hairy.

Freemantle

The 4th regular infantry division, along with the 1st and 2nd brigade, 10th tank division along with the 1st and 2nd brigade, 10th artillery division stayed in their entrenched positions in Freemantle.

Lorn

The 5th regular infantry division, dug in along the city of Lorn checked their ammunition. The brigades in the north east sector were now tense. Some begin to grin like maniacs as they heard the war drums begin again from the battleships while others issued a silent prayer to Bok, the walrus god.

The 1st brigade, 10th tank, located in the north west sector (ooc: in Lorn but facing Northham and York) went active, the nearly fourteen hundred T-90 and T-80U tanks rumbled to life. High in the hills, the same amount of 152 mm Giansint howitzers of the 1st brigade, 10th artillery division were loaded and ready. Meanwhile, the remaining tank and and artillery brigades within Lorn in the southwest were ready to be called in as a reserve or to ward off any encircling attack. The brave fight in Collie had not gone unnoticed, but the Vrakians decided not to commit their forces to that battle. Better to hold the city proper rather than scattered all over the countryside. After all, it could be a feint by the Cynthians.

A total of 60 Su-27 fighter/bombers left from the two carriers, with the majority from the massive Aeris-class. They were cautioned to approach low, since scanty intel suggested that the enemy still had formidable AA systems. But, they didn’t fly too low, since they didn’t know the terrain. The incoming bombers from Vrak were still well off but closing quickly. The first two bomber waves, in conjunction with the fighter bombers would strike at Toodyay while the last bomber wave would hit between Lorn and Toodyay – depending on if the Cynthians got through.

The six Hamas class battleships, however, did choose to strike Toodyay with their WOTAN cruise missiles. A volley of missiles (ooc: 10 per ship, 5 per volley from each one, total 30) launched towards Toodyay. It remained to be seen what the result was.

A Cyclops UAV was launched from the Destiny’s Fist towards Northham. More were readied, just in case.


Narrogin

The bulk of the Vrakian army from Narrogin began to move back to Lorn, via Brookton and then York. The 3rd Infantry division stayed in their entrenched position in the line. A Cyclops UAV was launched from the Destiny’s Fist towards Northham.

At Toodyay the Cynthian commander, General Valinsky, sat in the turret of his IFV in gloom. His entire force was essentially out of fuel now as support units couldn't get past Northam and many of them weren't reporting in anymore.

His vehicles had enough fuel for a couple of hours and ammunition for one fight and then .....well, and then they were going to die.

Meanwhile, at Northam, the last Ogre dissappeared in a blinding flash as a New Shiron infantry squad managed to detonate a nuclear demolition charge close enough to take it out.

The 6000 surviving Cynthian infantry, no without armor support as the last of their IFVs were gone as well, finally broke. In hundreds they began to retreat, many throwing away their weapons. They had no real destination, just as long as it was away from the hell on earth that was at Northam.

Within a couple of hours the entire force melted away, heading east in small groups and as individuals. Mostly on foot.

**Anchorage**
"Please, call me Will..." He looked back up the Karlord, "Severe shrapnel damage to several organs...internal regen is a bit tricky with Var." He turned back towards her, "We took some casualties...really this turned into an atmospheric space fight and we underestimated their strike power...Of course they underestimated ours also."
He looked back at the wounded, "Well we will begin transfers of wounded and dead back soon enough."

He looked into Gabrielle's eyes, "Pity we have to meet under such circumstances."

OOC: I should note now that like most things Var, every thing is based on the unit of three. Which means that now that New Shiron is seening a Var naked they should now see...the Karlord's arms, legs, and folded wings...(yes they can fly...badly and slowly...and not in full battle armor...I will get to the battle tommrrow morning...)

Gabrielle was in a much better mood than she had been in many days. "Will, I have received good news for a change. The Cynthians are beginning to collapse. This war may be over soon. I guess I can start thinking about a wedding dress soon."

at Shark Bay, nearly 500,000 people were living in tents and hastily constructed shelters.

Bobby, a 12 year old, stared wide eyed as the Alconan ships entered the bay. They were big, and Mom said they were bringing food.

Hopefully something more interesting than army rations. The novelty of Meals Ready to Eat had grown stale very quickly. He hoped he could go home to Northam soon.

meanwhile, at Northam, Bobby's home was a collection of shattered stucco and wood, the part that hadn't burned anyway. In Bobby's basement, amid the baskets of laundry, washing machine and Bobby's train set, Colonel Strasser received good news for a change. The Cynthians were pulling out.

It looked like the 600 survivors of his division would live after all.

Intelligence Report sent to LOW and Vrakian forces

Cynthian support elements are collapsing and their light infantry forces are collapsing. In the Collie/Corrigan area remnants of a Cynthian Armored Cavalry corps are being hunted down by remnants of the Shironin 1st Army. Reinforcements from the 5th Army out of capital district are being airlifted in to assist in the mop up.

At Broken Hill, leading elements of the 1st Guards Army are collecting prisoners. Most of the POWs are surrendering in small groups or as individuals and notable is the complete lack of officers in these bands. Indications are that morale and discipline have collapsed in rear area and support formations, and that the combat troops are now without fuel, ammunition, signals or other material support.

However interrogations indicate that the combat troops are generally much more fanatical than support troops and surrenders are expected to be rare until the officers involved are dead or out of action.

At this time the Cynthian forces consist of a division sized force just outside of Lorn that is reportedly out of fuel and low on ammunition, and a larger corps sized formation that is still fighting LOW forces south of Broken Hill, plus various isolated elements in combat with elements of the 1st Guards Army north of Broken Hill and with elements of the 3rd Army near Varangia.

bump

OOC: My home computer is in the shop. Some nasty bug got into it. I'm posting now from a PC room and thusly don't have my maps and info available. Sorry, NS. I'll post as soon as I'm able.

Gabrielle was in a much better mood than she had been in many days. "Will, I have received good news for a change. The Cynthians are beginning to collapse. This war may be over soon. I guess I can start thinking about a wedding dress soon."

Will nodded, "That is good news, although I think we should look into seeing how your displaced citizens are doing before you start picking out a wedding dress. Not that I don't expect you to, but that I should tag along...if nothing more than to quash any rumors that you are marrying a Var. That, and I do happen to have the safest transport on the continent."

He walked forward towards the hanger doors. "I understand that young men regularly take their...er...young women they court out in their transportation devices. Mine just happens to be a bit better armored than most..." He pointed up at the gravbattle cruiser hanging over Anchorage.


****
The Battle of Renmark
With the loss of their hyper velocity missles, the IFV's were in serious trouble from the armored elements of the LOW ground units who were pushing forward now with even more audacity. They didn't have anything new to throw into the fight, but by now the number of ground troops were buisily trying to break through the New Cynthian Lines finally and force them to flee west.

At 3:20 five wounded gravships, repaired and now operating at least at 82% or more battle readyness flanked the southern battle and began to approach Broken Hill from the south-east. On board were the remains of all the LOW marine companies from the other gravships now out of action and some groups of sailors armed with weapons. In a few minutes they would do a grav harness drop onto Broken Hill with suppressive fire from the grav ships to break the back of the resistance in Broken Hill and capture the gates before they reopened.

Port Augusta
Sat silently as the 21st Armored Battallion occupied the eastern part of the city and looked across the inlet at the western part still occupied by some New Cynthian forces. On the mountains behind the 21st rested other armored units effectively dividing the former New Cythian lines in half.

OOC: I am assuming Petersbeuro (sp?) is still occupied by remains of the New Cythian Forces...such that they might retreat there if Broken Hill were taken.

OOC: My home computer is in the shop. Some nasty bug got into it. I'm posting now from a PC room and thusly don't have my maps and info available. Sorry, NS. I'll post as soon as I'm able.

my sincerest sympathies.... not the kind of thing you want to have to deal with around Christmas and the commitments that entails....

My cat ate my DSL line last week, took me days to figure out where the hell the problem was

The Battle of Renmark
With the loss of their hyper velocity missles, the IFV's were in serious trouble from the armored elements of the LOW ground units who were pushing forward now with even more audacity. They didn't have anything new to throw into the fight, but by now the number of ground troops were buisily trying to break through the New Cynthian Lines finally and force them to flee west.

At 3:20 five wounded gravships, repaired and now operating at least at 82% or more battle readyness flanked the southern battle and began to approach Broken Hill from the south-east. On board were the remains of all the LOW marine companies from the other gravships now out of action and some groups of sailors armed with weapons. In a few minutes they would do a grav harness drop onto Broken Hill with suppressive fire from the grav ships to break the back of the resistance in Broken Hill and capture the gates before they reopened..

the battered Cynthian forces, down to less than 1,000 IFVs, and now out of artillery and most of their air defense vehicles, was now facing new problems. Fuel supplies were drying up as hydrogen fuel tankers were stuck in the rear as their crews were drafted into infantry units or deserted and hid.

With mobility now severely limited, the Cynthian IFVs were going down by the dozens. They fought hard, but unit after unit was overrun and the rest were unable to retreat now.

After a few hours, many crews began to abandon their vehicles (occ about 50%) as officers and leaders fell, and the more realistic (and less fanatical) realized it was hopeless.

But many fought on, even when out of fuel, determined to die for the honor of the Great Prophet.

Port Augusta
Sat silently as the 21st Armored Battallion occupied the eastern part of the city and looked across the inlet at the western part still occupied by some New Cynthian forces. On the mountains behind the 21st rested other armored units effectively dividing the former New Cythian lines in half.

OOC: I am assuming Petersbeuro (sp?) is still occupied by remains of the New Cythian Forces...such that they might retreat there if Broken Hill were taken.


ooc not much left in that area, as the Cynthians pulled as much as they could back to concentrate for their final offensive (which the LOW offensive disrupted and prevented)... just a couple of infantry brigades, with portable weapons, and a couple dozen IFVs and AD laser vehicles (now out of fuel)

New Shironin and LOW patrols and signals intel should quickly pick up on that

OOC:

Sorry, I made a mistake in my numbers. The 1st brigade, 10th tank division does not have “nearly 1400 tanks” but 704 tanks.

IC:

Toodyay
The sixty fighter/bombers drew close to Toodyay, looking for targets and firing when a hostile turned up. It was still uncertain how effective the cruise missile strike was, but most likely it may have done some psychological damage rather than anything physical on the enemy. The first bomber wave from Vrak was still out of range for their missiles.

Northham

Wary of Cynthian elements, the two regiments of 176 tanks apiece were ready to strike into the countryside and seek out any emplaced Cynthian troops. Reports of the massive Ogres had the troops a bit worried but it was felt that the artillery (of which these two regiments did not have) could strike first with the tanks to swarm any picket defenders. The air force would also be tasked to help destroy them and, if within range and made somewhat immobile, the cruise missiles would also be launched.

York

The bulk of the Vrakian army was now moving through back to Lorn, but ready to split to reinforce any activity encountered in the north from Northham to Lorn. Sanseaya began to draw up plans to either make a limited strike eastwards to help LOW and to task some of his army to help the New Shirons mop up.

Lorn

The nearest artillery brigade (1st brigade, 10th artillery) began to fire at any targets that made themselves clearly available, high explosive rounds being shot out to their extended range of 44 kilometers. Rapid fire bursts, of course, would greatly reduce this. Meanwhile, the 1st brigade, 10th tank division was ready to strike out. Recon patrols sent out from Lorn began to look for Cynthian forces but had orders to locate, monitor, and call in the heavies if something bigger than a tank or a large number of tanks were encountered.

Jump City, Vrak

By now, all ten Tappee super cargo haulers were being loaded up with food, medicine, portable TDP tech units, portable housing along with the appropriate amount of combat engineers. All that was needed was a place to land and this request was passed along to General Wayne.

North of Renmark
Those IFV's not either captured or killed already soon became the focus of the ship mounted lasers on the surviving gravcruisers. With no mobility the IFV's were sitting ducks for repeated high energy hits from above.

LOW ground troops continued to cut down the enemy and capture enemy IFV's. They were not very keen on capturing people, but unarmed infantry or support troops who kept their heads would likely get grouped and then led south in long lines.

The begining of the Silver City March had begun.

Broken Hill
1,282 Marines decended behind a fury of missles and laser fire from the wounded grav cruisers as the pushed through the enemy AA fire and began their drop onto the south-eastern part of the city.

Unlike paratroopers the Marines could open fire as they decended to the surface of the planet, even making some adjustement in where they would fall.

Behind them came another 650 sailors who were far less skilled at this kind of manuver. Some jumped without even turning on their packs and fell to the ground and their deaths. The Var with them actually didn't use their packs, but their wings. Gliding over the city in five member groups and using their plasma grenade launchers and heavy flechette guns to help break up any orginized groups of New Cynthian troops left in the city.

Twenty Var glided behind buildings and trees as they went to launch a ground attack against any surviving AA unit.

bump

the main Cynthian bridgehead collapsed finally. Nearly 30,000 Cynthians were taken prisoner by local and LOW forces (about 60% local, 40% LOW), and hundreds of vehicles were taken intact as well. The Cythnian death toll was much higher, nearly 240,000 bodies scattered across hundreds of square miles. Many of them were found to have killed each other, in an apparent vicious mutiny. Among those found were General Vatutin and his driver, both with gun in hand and clearly having shot the other.

In Western Shiron the fighting continued though. Nearly 10,000 Cynthian combat troops and 400 immobilized but still deadly IFVs remained near Lorn, and were now in battle with the lower tech Vrak and Shironin forces.

But 30,000 POWs had been taken here as well, including a few hundred who surrendered to the Vrak as they were overrun.

The battle was nearly finished.

bump

General Valishevsky, commander of all remaining Cynthian forces (ooc, the remaining troops near Lorn and Freemantle) looked at the casualty reports. Only 12,000 men remained and 350 IFVs, and most of those were now completely out of fuel.

His careful plan to ensure that the real fanatics went with the GEVs or had been closer to the front had paid off. The remaining troops were loyal to him more than the now unimaginably distant home.

Time to save them.

a few minutes later, a radio broadcast went out on dozens of channels.

"This is General Valishvesky. I am commander of the remaining New Cynthian forces. I would like to discuss terms of surrender with the commander of the Vrakian and New Shiron forces. I request an immediate armistice, and guarantee that my forces will now only fire in self defense if directly attacked."

the broadcast continued on a loop.

The 60 fighter bombers suffered 50% casualties from fierce AA fire from New Cynthian forces. Let the bombers take care of them, thought some pilots as they wheeled back to the carriers, their missiles spend.

On the ground, the lead elements of Vrakian armour took the full brunt of Cynthian counter attacks but the artillery continued to pummel enemy positions. By now, more tank brigades were reinforcing what was send to Northham and now to Toodyay. Still, loses were quite high against the more fanatical soldiers but numbers seemed to be working in Vrak’s favour.

Still, Cynthian soldiers that surrendered were rounded up and herded back to York where they were placed into makeshift holding camps and stripped of their weapons. Others would be dealt with later since the Vrakians weren’t keen on allowing any Cynthian into Lorn itself.


"This is General Valishvesky. I am commander of the remaining New Cynthian forces. I would like to discuss terms of surrender with the commander of the Vrakian and New Shiron forces. I request an immediate armistice, and guarantee that my forces will now only fire in self defense if directly attacked."


The message was, quite simply, a shock. General Sansaeya relayed new orders to his troops.

“Capture any and all surrendered enemy forces. Do not fire unless fired upon. All enemy forces are to lay down arms and be escorted to York. All heavy equipment is to be left where it is.”

Engineering and a small contingent of R&D specialists were ready to be sent to pick up and then analyze the military equipment used by the Cynthians.

The artillery fire now ceased and the long-range bombers slowly circled back. If any usable airstrips were able to be used, then a fraction of them would land. Back in Jump City, the 10 super cargo haulers left, making their way for Freemantle and then from where their medical and food supplied would be needed most.

and so the invasion finally ends in a whimper.

New Shiron losses
military: 5,000 aircraft, 25 combat ships, 8,000 armored vehicles, 30,000 other vehicles, 20 ICBM silos, 500 mobile IRBM launch vehicles, 1 million dead or missing, 1 million wounded (60% of the entire initial peacetime military strength of the nation)

civilian: small cities of Broken Hill, Port Augusta and Northham completely levelled. small cities of Collie, Petersborough, Port Wakefield extensively (70%) damaged, major city of Varangia severely (80%) damaged, radiation hot spots in Varangia, Broken Hill, with some fall out (now mostly settled) into southeast New Shiron. Nearly 300 small towns and villages destroyed or severely damaged. Nearly 4 million homes and other buildings destroyed. Nearly 2 million civilians dead or missing, another 1 million civilians sick (radiation effects) or injured. Nearly 8 million civilians evacuated (most of those from Lorn and Freemantle already being given clearance to return home but 3 million will have to be resettled). Nearly 20% of GDP destroyed or severely disrupted. Nearly $1 Trillion in spending already, nearly $5 Trillion in losses.

however

New Shiron scientists have had a chance to observe either closely or from a distance fusion power, MHD hydrogen fuel cell technology, contra grav technology, and numerous other minor technologies.

At this time New Shiron has mobilized 6 million troops (of all types) and many of the refugees of military age were the first drafted. Most of these troops are now involved in cleanup and resettlement operations, maintaining order or mopping up final Cynthian pockets of resistance or guarding prisoners. The Army has been hurriedly expanded to 200 divisions, although most are semi trained and semi equipped and most of these will be rapidly demobilized.

The Navy is relatively intact, but the Naval Air Force and Air National Guard has been essentially destroyed (80% losses in aircraft and aircrews, 50% losses in support personnel) and the Strategic Forces have simply been destroyed or have exhausted their weapons. At this time New Shiron has only a few dozen nuclear weapons that are mounted on cruise missiles and deployed on submarines and the few remaining strike aircraft.

The message was, quite simply, a shock. General Sansaeya relayed new orders to his troops.

“Capture any and all surrendered enemy forces. Do not fire unless fired upon. All enemy forces are to lay down arms and be escorted to York. All heavy equipment is to be left where it is.”

Engineering and a small contingent of R&D specialists were ready to be sent to pick up and then analyze the military equipment used by the Cynthians.

The artillery fire now ceased and the long-range bombers slowly circled back. If any usable airstrips were able to be used, then a fraction of them would land. Back in Jump City, the 10 super cargo haulers left, making their way for Freemantle and then from where their medical and food supplied would be needed most.

General Valishevsky sent a more direct message to the Vrak. "I understand that your Federation is always looking for good soldiers for your International Army (referring to the Klatch Guard). My men and I no longer have a home, and have been abandoned by a faithless government. We have behaved honorably in this war, and we seek further honorable service. I therefore am requesting that your government ask the New Shiron government for custody of my men and myself."

New Cynthia losses:

The effects of the time backlash have completely destroyed and replaced the society the invaders had at the start, and essentially the troops that are still alive in New Shiron are completely cut off from everything they ever had.

Nearly 400,000 New Cynthian troops have been killed. Another 15,000 have surrendered as an organized force outside of Lorn and are hoping to be taken captive by the Vrak (and hoping to remain together). Another 40,000 New Cynthians have been captured in West New Shiron (about 5,000 by Vrak, rest by New Shiron). Nearly 3,000 vehicles (including 300 remaining IFVs, 40 SP Air Defense vehicles and 100 SP artillery systems) are with the Valishevsky, and 4,000 misc vehicles have been taken more or less intact by New Shiron in West Shiron.

Around Broken Hill, the LOW will have taken 10,000 prisoners, mostly services troops but including about 3,000 combat troops (but no officers). The technicians (the really valuable ones) weren't officers though, and they readily surrender to who ever catches them (about 1000 caught by LOW).

Another 20,000 prisoners have been taken by New Shiron (nearly all support troops). In the Broken Hill area, nearly 1,000 IFVs, 100 SP AD systems, dozens of fixed AD systems and 500 SP artillery systems have been captured more or less intact (50/50 New Shiron and LOW captures). Almost no officers were taken alive at Broken Hill.

General Valishevsky sent a more direct message to the Vrak. "I understand that your Federation is always looking for good soldiers for your International Army (referring to the Klatch Guard). My men and I no longer have a home, and have been abandoned by a faithless government. We have behaved honorably in this war, and we seek further honorable service. I therefore am requesting that your government ask the New Shiron government for custody of my men and myself."

A reply was sent back from General Sanseaya.

"I shall personally pass along your request to the New Shiron government."

Sanseaya sighed after sending the message. It would seem that the escort of prisoners was proceeding more smoothly than expected. Once the Cynthians surrendered, they seemed to abide by their side of the bargain. That is, they didn't play any dirty tricks once they laid down their arms. And the FKC can always use good soldiers.

A message was sent to General Wayne.

"As you know, the Cynthian forces have surrendered. General Valishevsky, commander of the remaining forces near Lorn has requested that they be taken into custody by Vrak. Essentially, they are looking to continue service within the FKC. However, we believe that the final decision should rest with yourselves, since you have been the most wronged in this war.

As well, my troops are holding as many POWs in York until you wish to decide their fate. On a related note, we are moving to secure every available piece of Cynthian equipment in order to study their technology. My superiors are interested in some kind of joint research effort.

Finally, the ten cargo haulers have arrived in Freemantle. I've been told that they will be making round trip journeys for supplies and whatnot to help rebuild your country."

Yours,

General Sanseaya
Supreme Commander - Vrakian forces - New Shiron theater

In Regina (the capital) a heated debate finally concluded.

Some in the government wanted to take the invaders out and shoot them. But eventually cooler heads prevailed after a sharp statement from the Queen. "If Vrak wants them, by all means let them have them. We have millions of our own people to take care of, and from what I understand, the really valuable prisoners are the technicians, and we have tens of thousands of POWs as it is. Pass the word to the Vrak that any prisoners that surrender to them are theirs to deal with as they wish."

A message was quickly sent, along with a similar one to the Lords of War.

"As far as the equipment goes. It would seem we have plenty of spoils of war to go around. A few thousand vehicles aren't going to be an issue. Its not as if we can reproduce them, or repair them or even make spare parts for them. At least not yet anyway. Tell the Vrak and Lords of War that a one third split seems reasonable and that a joint research program is certainly a good idea. After all, if they hadn't shown up, we wouldn't be having this conversation now would we ladies and gentlemen?" Gabraille asked pointedly.

"Incidently, invite the Vrak to send observers to Broken Hill. I am sure they are as curious about the gate the New Cyntians used as we and the Lords of War are. For that matter, invite any other Klatchian nations to send observers as well."

The 1st Bombard fleet currently in New Shiron was formally ordered to disband and was then subsequently reorganized into the newly created Bombard Type II fleets. Each Hamas-class battleship split and now became the command ship of each Type II fleet. The 4th Old was also formally disbanded, its assets diverted to the new bombard fleets. All that remained was the 6th New type I projection fleet, soon to be disbanded once the situation in New Shiron settled down. The sailors aboard the projection, bombard, and hunter/killers though of their comrades serving in Clairmont – namely the 3rd Old, 3rd New, and 5th New.

In Neo Tyr, the carrier group commanded by Admiral Killamo had its own lone Hamas reassigned to home port to be replaced by a Frunze battleship. The 1st Old would also sail out with the Cry of Abandonment once a new projection fleet arrived. The High Command felt it necessary to maintain two projection fleets in Neo Tyr – just in case. Once the exchange took place, the 1st Old would henceforth be called the 20th projection fleet.

The 21st New Type II projection fleet, consisting of a single Aeris-class carrier and the newly built Frunze-class battleship named, mockingly enough, Tyr’s Fall, steamed towards Neo Tyr with its accompanying escort. An extra Frunze was also visible.

Some new names for the battleships were thrown about. Of course, there was a formal procedure to follow, but names like Blood Drinker and Optimum Strength were leading candidates.

General Sansaeya smiled at the message. It was awfully generous for the New Shirons to split the spoils equally among the three parties. After all, Vrak certainly didn’t fight 1/3 of the battle. He silently braced himself for his debriefing once he arrived back in Vrak, for his performance in this war was not stellar. I should have retired after the Dozle war, he thought.

He forwarded the message to his superiors. Within an hour, a reply came back saying that indeed Vrak shall send observers and that Sanseaya himself will like to look at the gate along with senior R&D specialists already on the ground. And certainly joint research was, outwardly, strongly encouraged. Unbeknownst to the good general, the top secret research station, otherwise known as Bastion One, was salivating at the chance of analyzing New Cynthian equipment. It mattered not if they were burnt out hulks, for that was precisely what was mostly recovered after the Dozle war. Advances in power generation, new alloys, man portable weaponry, and robotics came from that war. It remained to be seen what fruits will be picked from this, and to what extent caution and ethics would be disregarded.

More relief aid was being shipped onto cargo vessels and set out for New Shiron. It was hoped that some war booty would be on the return trip.


OOC: Top Secret Research in Vrak! No peeking! :)

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=326304

bump

On now quiet battlefields, engineers and technicians from New Shiron, POWs from New Cynthia, and heavily armed and very stern Royal Guardsmen loaded New Cynthian vehicles on tank transporters for the trip to the rail yards. In some cases heavy cranes were required, or a tow from heavy New Shiron vehicles, but in every case (except in some cases where the New Cynthian vehicles were melted slag), New Shiron found a way.

At railroad sidings and yards, the flatcars were loaded and then shipped by rail to bases, while some were sent to ports to be loaded aboard ships bound from Vrak or to airfields to be loaded aboard LOW ships.

Over the next few weeks, enough parts and spares would be stripped off the more severely damaged New Cynthian vehicles so that New Shiron would be able to build several brigades of heavy armor. Ammunition was easier, as the gauss weapons the Cynthians used fired simple high density metal darts.

The missiles couldn't be replaced, but as an ad hoc measure standard New Shiron Hellfires and TOW3s would do in the short run.

If the New Cynthians returned, or someone decided to take advantage of New Shiron's current weakened condition, they would be in for a hell of a surprise. At least in ground combat.

General Sansaeya boarded a transport helicopter and with two attack helicopters acting as escort, they made their way towards the nearest safe point to the gate. It should prove to be interesting. The General also passed along assurances from his superiors that until New Shiron recovers her footing, or other arrangements were to be made, that the Vrakian forces in place would remain.

Massive amounts of food, medicine, portable shelters, and most importantly trucks to deliver the goods were being unloaded. Freemantle, Esperance, and Varangia were the three main unloading areas for the cargo ships of the wet navy kind and a brigade from the 8th Mechanize infantry was sent to Esperance to secure the area. Portable TDP tech vats which were primarily used by the Vrakian military, were being pressed into service until the ones off-loaded could be set up were needed. Some supplies such as ammunition were specifically for the use of the army, but most of what came were for the civilian population.

Vrak’s share of the New Cynthian equipment was slowly being loaded onto the ships. Some working IFVs and whatnot were taken, but since New Shiron was busy rebuilding her military, most were exchanged with the more badly damaged hulks. Some Vrakians were sent to scour for pieces (or even a basically intact) of an Ogre, but the chances were slim.

The Destiny’s Fist carrier fleet, now reorganized with the arrival of the Frunze battleship was now formally called the 25th Projection fleet. The lone Hamas battleship, Forlorn Hope made its way back to Vrak for overhaul and reserve status. This meant that one projection fleet along with the infantry, tank, and artillery divisions would assist in defending New Shiron.

In Freemantle, arrangements were made to load up the surrendered forces of General Valishevsky. It remained to be seen what exactly could be done with them, but understandably the New Shironians did not want them tramping about. Let the Privy Council deal with this, thought Sansaeya, although he personally doubted their loyalty. Still, if an opportunity came for them to redeem themselves, then that would be for the benefit of the Klatch.

All that remained now is for an opportunity.

In southeastern New Shiron, every available NBC clean up crew, along with a large number of convicts, were at work looking for radiation hot spots and removing contiminated material. For the convicts it meant a full pardon, and so many volunteered (some even from patriotism).

Drugs to combat radiation sickness were ordered in massive quantities both from the local and world market. Even so, nearly 1 million people were sick to varying degrees. Mostly mild doses, but occasionally authorities were forced to discreetly remove a particularly contiminated patient to a more secure facility.

Gabrielle monitored the situation and sighed heavily at the numbers. "It could have been worse" she thought to herself.

Alone and in small groups, more Cynthian soldiers came in and surrendered. These weren't the support troops, but the combat troops from the front lines. As it became clear that they had suffered total defeat, the more reasonable made sure that the more fanatical stopped being barriers to survival (ooc, they shot them) and once it was safe to do so, the Cynthians gave up.

Nearly 10,000 more troops surrendered within a week of the last battle.

With that, the last bits of the Cynthian invasion army were gone.

Among the prisoners taken was Dr. Natalaya Alferov and her partner, Dr. Alexi Bunin. They were part of the team of scientists who invented the gate in the first place, and they soon found themselves under very considerable scrutiny and questioning.

Among the New Cynthian troops held by New Shiron, nearly 70% requested that they "study war no more" and be allowed to become civilians someday. Of the remainder (mostly the combat troops), many requested continued service in any army that would have them.

Similar responses were to be found by the troops taken by Vrak and the Lords of War, although the troops that surrendered with General Vashilvesky chose, after entering Vrak custody, to follow his lead and request service in the Federation Guard he had learned of.

However, some of the other troops taken indicated interest in Dyelli Byebi when that offer was made (nearly 40% of the ones that weren't under his command, or roughly about 6,000 men total, most of whom were combat types but mechanics and other specialists indicated interest as well).

OOC:
Just to clarify in case there is any confusion. The “Klatch Guard” is basically an Ilek-Vaad creation. If I recall correctly, it’s basically a foreign base run by IV but stocked with troops from all over – usually from the locals. To me, it sounds like what the USA does (e.g. South Korean soldiers serving in the US army are called “Katusa” soldiers). The current Klatch Guard are negotiating a base in Dyelli Beybi and I think North Germania. The JDF is the Joint Defense Force of the Klatch. Each state donates a percentage of their military strength to the JDF and its run fom a central head – the Privy Council. I think that is where the New Cynthians will find service - but other options are available. OOCly, I know that New Cynthia has been in contact with Dyelli Bebyi (Commisaar Dzerzhinsky) I don’t know if I could Icly justify it. Perhaps we listened in on outgoing transmissions? Anyhow, that’s not so important.

IC:

Although Sansaeya didn’t meet with General Valishevsky directly, a top aide did. This person gave assurances to Valishevshy and his troops that, as far as he knew, they would be integrated into the JDF itself but then those kind of decisions would be left up to “the politicians”. The aide didn’t go into much detail about the intricacies of the FKC governmental workings and deflected questions of a more sensitive nature. He answered generally about each state in the Klatch and grudgingly said that “you guys are pretty tough fighters”. He also wasn't aware of any offer made by the Dyellians.

It would be some time before all the troops were loaded, but the first troop transport departed for the FKC.

Drs. Alferov and Bunin were indeed under considerable scrutiny. Academics from alll over New Shiron soon found themselves being escorted by military officers to waiting aircraft that whisked them away to a extremely well guarded base in the Simpson Mountains near Alice Springs.

Invitations to interview the two were rapidly sent off to the Lords of War and Vrak, especially when the Queen insisted.

OOC
ok, basically the gates require technology New Shiron cannot duplicate even in part, but the LOW probably can. A gate requires several gigawatts of power to open and maintain, but once opened, it can be stabilized and held open as long as desired. It is big enough (the size of a larger hanger in width, or about a US football field across and about 100 feet tall) to handle nearly any size ground or low flying vehicle (although generally aircraft are towed through or go through in a slow hover). In effect its a really gaint sized version of the gate in the television show Star Gate.

In order to activate a gate however, you must know the exact position of the other side of the gate. This requires either historical knowledge, or very exact coordinates (in both space and time) to make it work. Just opening the gate to see whats on the other side isn't possible yet.

The New Cynthians opened their gate because they had the exact coordinates to work with using historical records.

bump

when the final accounting was done, a total of 75,000 New Cynthians were captured throughout all of New Shiron. Another 425,000 New Cynthians were killed in action.

Of the prisoners, 12,000 surrendered with General Valashivsky to the Vrak
1,000 were kept by New Shiron, 20,000 were captured by the Lords of War, and 2,000 were captured by Vrak elsewhere.

40,000 other prisoners were taken by New Shiron (about 50/50 support and combat troops) and these were offered opportunities to seek employment elsewhere from their holding camps.

essentially, enough New Cynthians remain to form 3 full strength heavy divisions

although all of their equipment, gear, weapons and everything else was kept by New Shiron, Vrak or Lords of War