NationStates Jolt Archive

The former British Colony of Santa Maya has today held a ceremony to mark the end of foreign rule in the country.

The country held a referendum on this matter six months ago, with almost seventy percent of the population in favour of independence. At the handover ceremony today, the last British forces on the island were saluted as they marched through the city of Port Sykes by troops of the first Battalion, The Santa Mayan Regiment. During the formal handover, the island's new ruler Governor-General Sir Rowan Rolfe-Weston stated that "Santa Maya will remain a force for stability and order in the region." He then officially launched the first Santa Mayan-built warship, the Anti-Piracy Patrol Craft HMSMS Gallant, which exchanged salutes with the outgoing British vessel HMS Somerset.

Today, the 27th of November, has been declared a national holiday throughout Santa Maya.

Congratulations from the Dumpsterdanian Empire on achieving independance, we are also very glad not to see any blood spilt over this.

Should your nation require any form of economical aid or help in erradicating pirates(in which our navy is very skilled) we will be happy to provide it. We see it as our duty to help small nations in taking their first steps in this dangerous world.

Erik Solar,
Imperial Councillor,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.

We thank you for your offer of assistance, however the Santa Mayan Navy is currently engaged in a shipbuilding scheme with several contactors to provide a fleet of small Patrol Vessels which will allow us to guarantee safe passage to any vessel passing through our waters.

We hope that the Commonwealth of Santa Maya and the mighty Empire of Dumpsterdam will maintain a good diplomatic relationship.

Governor-General Sir Rowan Rolfe-Weston KCB

Speaking of a healthy relationship, how does an embassy exchange sound? We have alot of vacant embassies on Windset Lane and will allow you to provide your own security forces of up to thirty armed guards. Should you not have the financial power to do this, we will provide guards for you.

That and I have some informants at the Naval departement tell me that several of our patrol boats are going to be replaced with newer versions. I could pull a few strings and have these six patrol boats donated to you.

Erik Solar,
Imperial Councillor,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.

We would be proud to accept your offer of an embassy exchange, and have arranged a site for your embassy on National Road in our capital city of Port Sykes. This site has facilities for up to 40 of your troops and one transport helicopter, plus civillian staff and ground vehicles (non-military). The only request we make of your men is that they do not take their weapons outside embassy grounds except when on official business.

Our diplomatic party will be embarking for Dumpsterdam soon, and consists of the following:

Ambassador Sir Michael Armstrong-Weston KSM,
6 Ambassadorial staff,
One Platoon (30 men) from 2 Bn, The Santa Mayan regiment.

These guards are armed with L1A1 Self-Loading Rifles and MAS M50 sidearms. If you object to this party, let me know and we will alter the composition accordingly.

In reply to your offer of Patrol Vessels to assist our Navy, we would be happy to purchase them for a reasonable price... can you give us some idea of their specifications?

The Emperial Goverment of the Alexian Empire congradulates the people of Santa Maya on achiving their independence.

In the spirit of peace and unity, we would like to exchange embassies with Santa Maya under our official policy, so please feel free to apply to our foreign office.

(http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=375174)


Also, we encourage you to consider applying for membership in the United Defence Frontiere, a communal defence alliance.

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=376766

I am pleased with your quick response on this matter and I will assure you that ambassador Ridick and his attache wil be dispatched as soon as possible.

Attache:

35 DRN marines of the 4th division.
5 BO special operation agents.
9 Diplomatic aides.

8 Armoured cars.
1 Lynx helicopter.

All will be carrying standard main and side arms expect for our special operations personal who are currently giving free hand from a range of automatic and submachines guns. However, no heavy weapons will be taken except for the marines squad support guns.

As for the patrol boats, they will be extremely cheap and I am currently relaying statistics on them. We will also provide spare parts, manuals and training instructors should you require them.

Erik Solar,
Imperial Councillor,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.

OoC: I gota go babysit now, I'll get you those stats later, sorry.

Very well, we will prepare to recieve your party and look forward to their arrival. We do however ask that the Squad Support Weapons be kept within embassy grounds at all times unless dispensation is specifically granted.

Your embassy site is at 17 National Road, Port Sykes. This places it nearby to the site set aside for the Alexian embassy, and within half a mile of the Governor's Residence.

A small, spherical object floats in over the island, whispering of peaceful contact on radio frequency waves and requesting (very politely indeed) that no effort be made to shoot it down: for it is nothing but a messenger drone.

If the drone isn't shot down, it soon finds its way to the most important government building in Santa Maya, and in a soft, vaguely feminine English-speaking voice with a curious lilt to its words requests that it be taken to a senior government official - preferably with regards to the Foreign Office, if there is one, if you please - before falling silent again.

The device turns out to have a small panel on the 'underside' (the side that was facing down originally, at least), which opens when tapped sharply with a knuckle. A compact disc is stored inside a tiny compartment; once the disc is removed, the drone makes an exit through the nearest open window or door. It climbs high in the sky, and then promptly turns white-hot and self-vaporizes.

The compact disc contains a video message, encoded using a widely-used codec that is hopefully accessable to the Santa Mayans.

The image is of a youthful-looking man with amber eyes, faintly curved ears, and jet-black hair that sweeps precisely about his shoulders. He wears a dull navy blue uniform with an insignia at his right breast; the insignia displays a compass (with only west marked, but in Tengwar script) with an old fashioned pen at the north-western point; three white stars sit to the left of the compass in a west-facing equilateral triangle.

"With warmth and honour we fondly greet the new Commonwealth of Santa Maya and hope that the newfound independance of that state will be wisely exercised. May all the hopes and endeavours of the People of the Commonwealth of Santa Maya be fully realized," the man says, his voice lilting in a similar way to the drone; he speaks English perfectly, however, almost as well as a native-speaker.

There are small anomalies in his 'e' sounds, however, and some words are mispronounced ever so slightly - hopes, for example, is pronounced with just the barest hint of a gentle 'e'.

"Further, I, 1st Ambassador Nejure of the Iluvauromeni Commonality of Everlasting Light Diplomatic Corps solemnly greet thee.

"Greetings aside, the Commonality would be glad indeed to provide Santa Maya with what we call an Embassy, as a prelude to the furtherment of positive relations between our nations. It is not the classical form of 'embassy' with diplomatic staff and all, however, but merely a device which will afford you an almost instant link to the Iluvauromeni Diplomatic Corps building in Nenya. You are also quite welcome to establish an Embassy in the Foreign Quarter in the capital - Nenya - if you so wish.

"We look forward to further friendly dialogue, and trust that this small step is received in the manner in which it is intended: with the hope for a stable and harmonious relationship between our two Peoples. With that in mind, we would also like to suggest a cultural exchange program; we would provide you with the literature, art, and music which defines our culture, and you would provide us with the same.

"With hope,

"In Stability We Trust."

The message concludes; there is various other information provided, including, perhaps somewhat bizarrely, the IP address for what turns out to be an ICEL Diplomatic Corps access portal. Also provided is a username and password; presumably, this will provide a method of return communication.

Would you mind if I help you fully gain your independence.

Would you mind if I help you fully gain your independence.

We are intrigued as to what you mean by this... although we retain Queen Elizabeth as our head of state, we are a fully independent nation already.

We are intrigued as to what you mean by this... although we retain Queen Elizabeth as our head of state, we are a fully independent nation already.

What kind of independence is that. If I was going to help you, I would have executed your Queen. Your independece is a revolution and your people should kill the oppessor.

OOC: Errr. thst's the Queen of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Our proud nation is ruled by the Governor-General for the good of all the people, but as a Commonwealth member it keeps Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain as titular head of state. We bear no ill-will towards our former rulers, and have no wish to take action aginst the UK.

If I rule the USA, I would have destroyed all monarchy and replaced it with democracy. I have a plan for a new government for the world

Was that IC or OOC? And I seriously doubt the ability of the US to invade every non-democracy in the world.

The peoples republic of Neuvo Rica greets santa maya on achieving independence in a peaceful nature. We are looking to extend our international relations and are interested to know if you would agree to an exchange of ambassadors.

The peoples republic of Neuvo Rica greets santa maya on achieving independence in a peaceful nature. We are looking to extend our international relations and are interested to know if you would agree to an exchange of ambassadors.

We would indeed be interested in an exchange of Ambassadors... if you provide us with an embassy, we will do the same for you. Our usual diplomatic party consists of an Ambassador, six staff, and thirty armed guards, and we will provide a site for a similar-sized group from your diplomatic corps in our Capital of Port Sykes. Reply on this thread or send a telegram if this is acceptable.

Now I am going to end this. I am getting a headache from this.

OoC: Good, if you want to bicker with Praetonia, go take that to another thread. :)

PS: Statistics on those patrol boats:

http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/hellenic/images/1_boat.jpg

crew: 45
Displacement: 580 tons full load
Length: 62 m (203 ft 5 in)
Beam: 9.5 m (31 ft 2.5 in)
Draft: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in)
Speed: 45 knots
Supplies: 7 days

Radar: Integrated Thales RDS radar.

Surface-to-surface missile: MM40 block II Exocet
Surface-to-air missile: Javelin AAM

Main gun: Melara 76mm gun
Secondary guns: Bofors 30 mm guns

Electronic support measures: DR Argo systems AR900
Decoys: Sippican SRBOC

Diesel engines: 4 x mtu 16V595 TE90 engines
Propellers: 4 x fixed pitch

Price: Cheap, very, very cheap...

We are glad to exchange ambassadors. There is accomadation for the ambassador in the Neuvo Rican capital, Sierra Argento.

We congratulate Santa Maya on their newfound independence. We hope you find good fortune and opportunity in your future.

An excellent budget choice for coastal defence would be the Dragoon Class Hydrofoil Corvette, from the long-established ship builders, Imperial Praetonian Shipyards. More information can be found here (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=348358).

We are glad to exchange ambassadors. There is accomadation for the ambassador in the Neuvo Rican capital, Sierra Argento.

Thankyou, Ambassador Lady Jane Donahugh has boarded a ship for Sierra Argento along with a staff of 6 aides and 30 guards from the 1st Battalion, The Santa Maya Regiment. A site has been prepared for your embassy on National Road, approximately half a mile from the Governor's Residence and neaby to a number of other embassies.

Dumpsterdam:

Thankyou, we would be most grateful for these vessels. Our navy as it stands at the moment would be greatly enhanced by the addition of the SSM and SAM capabilities of these patrol boats.

[OOC: I'm guessing that my post was missed because of the spammy nonsense that took place not long after it. It's on the first page towards the bottom; I'll hold back on ICly presuming that Santa Maya is actually aiming a slight at the Commonality because of the spam. :)]

The people of San Lucia praise your peaceful independence movement and hopes to establish both diplomatic and economic ties to your nation. My government wishes to establish a embassy within your nation as soon as possible, once land has become available. Diplomat Jo-hann Hazelburg, along with 25 staff members and a security force of 30 soldiers will be sent to occupy the embassy.

Furthermore, we offer to begin openly trading with your nation, along with our own financiers investing into your companies. If economic assistance is required, we have many independent Engineering contractors willing to aid in the building of your infrastructure.

- Otto von Hinderriech, Chief Diplomat and Foreign Minister

ok, then why have you still neglected to argue your point, Roman my man?

It does not seem to me that you really have any good arguments, do you? Correct me if I'm wrong.

OoC: Not trying to target you Alexias, but could you, Praetonia and Roman Republic take this conversation out of this thread? Thank you.

IC:

Your reply was anticipated, the six patrol boats are on their way to you now. It would be handy to provide a port or military facility for them to dock, hopefully a port. Commanding officer is captain Diaz Marcus who has just returned to active service after a run-in with Chellian troops near the Strait of Gibraltar, he is a highly decorated veteran commander and will be training your sailors and officers on how to use these vessles.

Erik Solar,
Imperial Councillor,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Attachment:

* Captain Marcus managed to evade and elude Chellian aircraft, naval units and landbased gun batteries for over seven minutes, destroying two enemy aircraft and severely crippling a destroyer sent to intercept him. However, after seven minutes his patrol boat was struck by Exocet missle and all hands where forced to abandon ship, crew picked up by Macabee Blackhawk helicopter off the coast of Spain. No further actions where taken against Chellis seeing as how Captain Marcus raised the pirate flag in favour of his Royal Navy flag.

OOC: Please don't post losses for me. I said nothing about any aircraft nor ships being damaged. Thats called godmodding.

OOC: Please don't post losses for me. I said nothing about any aircraft nor ships being damaged. Thats called godmodding.

OoC: *softly taps Chellis* I'm not godmodding, I'm lying. :) Propoganda is used alot these days, especialy by me.

Ma-Tek

Apologies to the commonality, no slight was intended. We would be happy to host your embassy, and if you are willing to host them we will send a diplomatic party consisting of an Ambassador, Six staff and thirty guards.

San Lucia

A site has been prepared for your embassy, please note our rules on weaponry outside the embassy (no weapons to be carried unless on official business, and no heavy weapons outside the embassy grounds without specific permission). If you will allow us, we would also like to establish an embassy in your nation.

Dumpsterdam

We look forward to receiving Captain Marcus at our northern Naval Base of Fitzroy. He will be greeted with all the ceremony and respect due his position and status.

Apologies to the commonality, no slight was intended. We would be happy to host your embassy, and if you are willing to host them we will send a diplomatic party consisting of an Ambassador, Six staff and thirty guards.

"The Commonality is indeed greatly aware of the difficulties of dealing with many states simultaneously, and, of course, takes no offence at the latency of response.

"We would be glad to welcome the party to our land, but must insist that the guards carry no lethal mechanical weapons - whether on the land of the embassy or not. Unconcealed bladed weapons - with the blade being at least fourteen inches in length - are utterly acceptable, however. Non-lethal weapons, such as gas-based tasers, are permitted.

"Naturally, there is in fact little need for guards in the Commonality - especially in the highly secure Diplomatic Quarter of Nenya - but tradition is tradition.

"An automated courier drone has been dispatched to Santa Maya, and will deliver necessary equipment and instructions for the use of prioritized communications link mentioned. The exact radar signature of the drone is included in a data packet sent along with this communique, in order that Santa Maya can verify that the drone is indeed sent by ourselves (and, of course, not shoot it down and save terrible expense).

"On a less formal note, I myself have obtained authorization from the Commonality Executive Council to make a visit to Santa Maya, accompanied by High Lord Commodore Ax-randiri Rihad, a member of the Executive Council; and we would be most interested indeed to make such a visit in the near future. Therefore, we would be glad to make the appropriate arrangements with the Santa Maya government as soon as possible, if a visit is acceptable.

"What say you?"

~ 1st Ambassador Nejure

Should there ever be any trouble with wars or revolution in your nation the peoples republic of Neuvo Rica would galdly send troops to aid you.

Well my point is that the U.S. can take over the world with the military or Nuclear weapons

they can barely take over Iraq. What do you think would happen if they invaded China?

And if you nuke a place and then attack it, your troops die from the radiation.

We understand that you think the U.S can take over the world, but you have yet too give any good arguments.

Just look at George Bush. Just because you say something over and over will not make it true, nor will it convince anyone.

You have no arguments, you have said nothing to prove "your point", you lose.


IC:

The Alexian Empire recongnizes Santa Mia as a legitamite state and recongnizes it's goverment as legitamite rulers. The attacks on it are unjust and we condemn them wholeheartedly.

These aggressors are wrong too force their beliefs and Ideology on the people of Santa Mia.

Despite this, the Alexian Empire cannot afford to involve themselves in any military conflict due to problems in the homeland.

Too the goverment of Santa Mia

The Emperial Goverment, recongnizing your plight, is willing to offer you military and financial aid against your enemies in the hopes that we can increase and better diplomatic relations in the future.

The inicial aid package would consist of 17 million dollars(too be spent by your goverment as it sees fit), 44 million dollars worth of weapons,vehicles, supplies and military equipement, 1100 military officers too train your fighters( specifically your guerilla fighters) and 3400 officers to train men in anti-occupation tactics and urban conflict,who would be fed,housed and whatnot by us. Also you may have 23 million dollars worth of credit(not too be repaid) too buy goods and equipement from our country.

Further aid packages will be available in the future.

All this aid is prepared to be delivered too you upon your acceptance.

(By the way, if you do not want me too play, please feel free to tell me too fuck off.

If I may play, in the spirit of good role playing and not being boring, I should say I would have a hidden agenda.)

I never lose you want to Fight I'll fight newbie.

OoC: I must conclude that both Roman Republic and Alexias are blind, I did request for you two(three if you count Praetonia) to leave this thread and go continue this conversation somewhere else. Do not make me set the mods on you. ;)

And Alexias, he isn't being attacked, re-read the thread.

OoC: I must conclude that both Roman Republic and Alexias are blind, I did request for you two(three if you count Praetonia) to leave this thread and go continue this conversation somewhere else. Do not make me set the mods on you. ;)

And Alexias, he isn't being attacked, re-read the thread.


Okay, I am going to end this.

Roman Republic and Alexias, please refrain from filling threads with non-sensical OOC chatter.

Roman Republic and Alexias, please refrain from filling threads with non-sensical OOC chatter.



I'm not being non-sensical, I just of topic.

Christ, say non-sensical once and everyone starts using it....

Ma-Tek:
If those are your rules on weaponry, we will abide by them. We will send a group including a number of Marines trained with the cutlass. While of course we have every faith in our safety in the commonality, we would prefer to err on the side of caution.

As regards you suggestion of a visit by High Lord Commodore Ax-randiri Rihad, we would be pleased to receive him in Port Sykes. From his title I assume that he is a member of your Navy, if this is so we would be happy to allow him to review our coastal fleet.

Nai hiruvalye Valimar.

Alexias:

We are grateful for your offer of aid, but we are currently secure with our own growing forces. At the moment, they are adequate to the task of defence against any of our likely aggressors.

On his current heading Captain Marcus should be at port in two days, he's a tad grumpy.

Don't say that we didn't warn you...

Erik Solar,
Imperial Councillor,
Minister of Foreign Affairs.

OoC: Its late, propper introduction coming up later.

We have dispatched a small force to meet him 20 miles off Fitzroy Head. Commander Rawnsley of the HMSMS Bastion would be pleased to welcome him aboard, or if he prefers the group can proceed directly into Fitzroy harbour.

I read this whole thread all wrong. Sorry about that. Just pretend I said nothing.

Ma-Tek:
If those are your rules on weaponry, we will abide by them. We will send a group including a number of Marines trained with the cutlass. While of course we have every faith in our safety in the commonality, we would prefer to err on the side of caution.

As regards you suggestion of a visit by High Lord Commodore Ax-randiri Rihad, we would be pleased to receive him in Port Sykes. From his title I assume that he is a member of your Navy, if this is so we would be happy to allow him to review our coastal fleet.

Nai hiruvalye Valimar.


"Caution is verily the catchphrase of the wise.

"High Lord Commodore Ax-randiri Rihad in question is indeed a naval officer, but not of the sea variety - at least, not anymore. The rank 'Commodore' can apply to all branches of the Iluvauromeni armed forces. But he would indeed be very glad to be given the honour of seeing your coastal fleet. With reciprocation in mind, if it would please Santa Maya, we can dispatch a naval vessel to convey the High Lord Commodore - but, as we do not know the capacity of Port Sykes, and it would be awfully rude to divert a MISAT to take surveillance images to be sure as opposed to simply asking, I'm afraid we wouldn't know what class of vessel to dispatch.

"Both High Lord Commodore Ax-randiri Rihad and myself much look forwards to the upcoming visit."

~ 1st Ambassador Nejure

San Lucia

A site has been prepared for your embassy, please note our rules on weaponry outside the embassy (no weapons to be carried unless on official business, and no heavy weapons outside the embassy grounds without specific permission). If you will allow us, we would also like to establish an embassy in your nation.

We can prepare a plot of land for your embassy in our capital of Kalzenburg. However, we will need a report on who will be staffing the embassy.

Our Vanguian Guards will be equipped with Styer TMP 9mm Sub-Machine Guns, along with FN FiveSeven Semi-Automatic Pistols. Only in times when we feel that the security of our embassy is threatened, will we send in heavy weapons.

I hope the establishment of diplomatic relations, between our countries will lead to further prosperity

- Otto von Hinderriech
Chief Diplomat and Minister of Foriegn Affairs

Ma-Tek:

We would be honoured to host a naval vessel, anything up to Destroyer size can be berthed in Port Sykes. If you wish to send a larger vessel, it can moor at Fitzroy Naval Base or anchor in the bay off Port Sykes and transportation from there can be arranged by helicopter or smaller craft.

San Lucia:

Our ambassadorial party is led by Ambassador Sir Paul Harrington, leading a staff of 6 assorted functionaries and escorted by 30 soldiers of 1 Battalion, The King's Own Regiment. These guards are armed with L1A1 Self-Loading Rifles and MAS M50 pistols, except for the commanding officer (Lieutenant Grosvenor) who is armed with an L2A3 SMG and a Colt King Cobra .357 revolver.

Aboard the DRN Vulkes.

Marcus ran his hand over the new leather of the command-chair, he was glad that his old ship could be fixed and most of his crew where present.
He got up and walked beside his helm's men. "Helm, prepare to turn to new heading. Mark. Now." The patrol boat turned gracefully and in the distance the coastline could be seen. Marcus walked to a small holograhpic display and pulled up a satelite image of Port Sykes as he prepared a message saying that they would arrive in port in the next ten minutes.

The DRN Vulkes shot forward, followed in a V formation by its sister-ships at a speed of 45 knots as they headed for the port. "Port Sykes naval controll, this is captain Marcus of the DRN Vulkes. We want to know if you have some free parking space, over." Marcus was now bracing himself in his chair as the patrol boat made a small swirl to avoid two fishermen in a small dingy.

Aboard the HMSMS Bastion

Commander Rawnsley stood up from his swivel chair on the bridge and walked over to the passive sensor control station, where the screen showed a magnified image of the six inbound ships. "Very nice!" he muttered to himself, then reached over to the VHF system's microphone suspended from the ceiling.
"Roger that, Vulkes, this is the warship Bastion. you are cleared to enter the harbour and proceed to no. 2 basin of the Naval base. please follow the two vessels currently approaching your position, they will direct you to your berths. Bastion out."

Two of the tiny, low-built GALLANT-class patrol boats roared out of the harbour towards the Vulke and her group, then swung around half a mile ahead and reduced speed. Another message was sent on the same frequency:

"Vulkes, this is the warship Audacious. we're your guides for today, if you'd care to follow us we'll get you alongside and your crews into the pub as soon as possible. be advised that there are only approximately eight cables of clear water to starboard as we enter the bay, so try not to deviate in that direction. Welcome to Santa Maya. Audacious out."

Marcus reached over for his headset as the message from the Audacious was recieved.
"This is the DRN Vulkes we are slowing down and turning to new heading, lead the way boys."

The six patrol boats slowly slowed down, on each boat the present marine detachment where donning ceremonial armour, ammo and weapons where issued as they lined up on bow. Most men and had already packed their bags for shore-leave and the navy had paid enough airplane tickets to fly in family and loved ones, the entire operation was actualy a vacation after the Spanish campaign for these sailors.

The diminutive Audacious and Tireless led the six Dumpsterdanian vessels through a gap in a thickly reinforced concrete breakwater and past the moored HMSMS Citadel. All of the moored vessel's 35 crew were stood at attention as the vessles travelled past, and the captain saluted from the bridge's wing. Port Control guided the vessles into berths around the basin, and ratings ran to take their lines and make them secure. Within minutes the six ships were filling the vessel, and a gangway had been raised from an area of dock flanked by Marine guards and Naval Ratings to the deck of the Vulkes. As Marcus reached the top of the gangway, the NCOs present called the Honour Guard and Side Party to a rigid attention, and a bosun piped the failiar low-high-low "side call" to honour their guest.

OoC: I think you need to fix a [/i] in your message. :)

IC: Marine luitenant Delane stood behind the famous captain Marcus as he smiled and walked over the gangway, a small limp could be seen in his pace and Delane helped him across. Directly behind them where four naval stormtroopers clad in heavy combat armour, a personal bodyguard that instilled fear into any foe and relieved the hearts of allies. "I am captain Marcus of the Vulkes and the commandeur of this training flottila. And this here is my aide and bodyguard, Angela Delane."

A tall, distinguished-looking woman in an ornate uniform stepped forward from the group of dignitaries and saluted Marcus. "It's a pleasure to meet you captain," she said, "Your fame precedes you. I'm Vice Admiral Rachel Warner, Second Sea Lady and Commander-in-Chief of the Santa Mayan Home Fleet. Just a few photos for the press, and then we can get down to the business of integrating your vessels and services into our fleet."

"I do not consider myself famous Vice Admiral, but however I have done my homework too and your personel file was a quite interesting read." Marcus smiled as he took a slight bow. "Now, where are those camera's?"

Meanwhile onboard the Vulkes crew and sailors where preparing for shore-leave and to meet up with family and loved ones near the international airport. A small cadre of officers and instructors would work a rotating shift in training the Santa Mayaians on how to use and maintain the patrol boats.

[OOC: Usually, I do this sort of thing in real-time, and have travel times and all such lovely things. However, I'm rather short on RP to take part in at the moment...so, insta-travel, for once!]

IC:

The Ynto-class naval vessel slipped through the waves with the grace that was expected of all Iluvauromeni vessels; and, as she sailed into Port Sykes, several things were immediately noticeable about her.

First, she was so low in the water as to almost be submarinal; second, she has no conning tower, nor any obvious sensory equipment. Nor does she have guns. Her uppermost deckplating - the only part of her actually visible - is humped, rising to a crest in the centre, and alternates between what seems to the eye to be very rough textured metal, and smooth metal that is criss-crossed with faint gouges. She flew no flags.

Second, there is a faint blue light flickering beneath her aft; what this is is by no means obvious at glance, but perhaps intel suggests to those in the know that this ship carried submarinally-launched aircraft. At her prow the name Ynto is etched, albeit in the flowing, feathery Nenyan script.

She slips into her berth quietly, expertly handled indeed; and only then does a small segment of her upper deck crack open to the outside world.

Nothing stirs at a glance; but those who look closely see two guards moving out of the hatch, and casting their eyes suspiciously around; they wear blue armour of some type, although it's not clear whether it's functional or merely ceremonial. They halt, become eminently visible to all who look (which is indeed curious when stories are compared later, no doubt), then switch into crisp postures that are clearly not at ease.

Their left fists slam to right breast in unison. From the hatch issues a tall, elegant man dressed in dark blue, with three golden stars upon each shoulder, with white bars seperating each star. At his right breast rests a number of campaign medals, plus six seperate awards; the style of medals is completely unknown, of course, but the campaign medals are obviously so, for they are identical tags on different coloured strips.

He has jet-black hair which sweeps about his shoulders, vital and bordering on unruly - but neat, tidy, all the same. His boots are black, naturally, and one could easily study their reflection in them, so shined are they. A sword hangs at his left hip - it has an ornate, ceremonial look to it, with golden rope securing the handle against the scabbard. This has the effect of marking it as a passive rather than aggressive item - or that's probably the idea.

Following him in short order is a man dressed all in white, with similar jet-black hair, utterly beautiful amber eyes, and sharp, defined - and very handsome - features. This is clearly the Ambassador: he has that poise about him.

They both stand at attention, however, casting their gaze about the port with unmasked curiousity.

"And so there she is, in nothing but her beret, standing in front of Commodore Johnston-Burt. So what does she do? she salutes and says 'Sir, regret to report that personal visual camouflage was only partially successful'!"

The assembled officers burst into laughter as Flag-Lieutenant Plumbridge related yet another tale of Admiral Warner's somewhat checkered time at Dartmouth Naval Academy. She glared at him, and then turned back to the man who was the reason for the night's celebrations.

"Captain Marcus. I would like to say that it has been an honour to host both you and your crews," she began, and several of those assembled whose unifroms stood out against the bottle-green of Santa Mayan Naval dress uniforms smacked on the table and raised their glasses to the captain.

"Therefore, it is with great regret that I have to give you back to your own navy... DRN Vulkes will be recommissioned as HMSMS Manticore within the week, and her sisters will follow within the month. While this means we have to say goodbye to the good captain and the officers who have been so helpful in training our own personnel, it also means that our navy is now up its original projected strength. Now, Captain Marcus, I know you were expecting to go home on a civillian charter vessel. However,allow me to upgrade your expectations somewhat."

The admiral reached down and pressed the controls inlaid into the mess table, causing an image of the largest vessel yet commissioned into the Sant Mayan Navy to appear on the wall behind her. The indrawn breaths from the room told her that the secrecy surrounding the BATTLE-class project had been successful.

"This, Gentlemen," she continued, "is Her Majesty's Santa Mayan Ship GOOSE GREEN, the first of a projected 12 frigates. Her Broadside Missile System should make her one of the hardest hitting ships in the world for her weight and cost, and assuming her sea trials are satisfactory she'll be going to Dumpsterdam for a training exercise. She also has room aboard for Mr. Marcus and all his officers. Care for a lift?"

Marcus looked at the vessel on the screen and allowed a small smile to appear on his grizzled face.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Imperium, Commonwealth Republic of New Britain

Jonathan Cartwright walked back into the large office for what seemed to be the fiftieth time today. Then again, it was his job as the Chief Aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to continually brief his boss on matters of importance to the Ministry and the Commonwealth. He saw the old man with his wrinkled brow and stubby fingers reviewing the latest documents sent over from Prime Minister Tetley – he knew this because he had delivered them half an hour ago. “Minister, I have some information for you regarding a newly independent nation.”

Ivan Valovich nodded, not looking immediately up, determined to finish reading this paragraph on the expenses of the various embassies and consulates scattered throughout the Pacific. “What do you have for me, Jonathan?”

“Well, sir, it appears that another former British colony has become an independent nation. What I can tell you is that the nation is a small island state which transitioned peacefully from British rule to sovereign rule. They appear to still regard English royalty as their head of state – presumably as part of the Commonwealth. The nation is Santa Maya, anything other than that remains outside of the intelligence I have for you.”

Valovich took the paper from his aide and briefly scanned it, confirming what Cartwright had told him. This was interesting; the Commonwealth of Azazia found itself also of British lineage – at least in part. However, due to the complex make up of the Commonwealth’s archipelago it had opted to install its own royal house. Yet, they still maintained many British traditions in government and organization – although with some differences to appease the large non-British minority populations. Hopefully there would be enough similarities between this new nation and the large Commonwealth so as to not seem so alien as to be a threat. Deciding upon his course of action, he pulled out a pen and pad of paper and began scribbling a letter to be typed and sent to the government of Santa Maya.

A Letter to the Office of the Governor-General of Santa Maya

On the behalf of the citizens and government of the Commonwealth of Azazia, I congratulate your nation on its peaceful transition from foreign rule to becoming a sovereign state. In this, we welcome you to the international stage and offer our friendship as another former British colony.

The Commonwealth of Azazia has a distinguished history as an amalgamation of former colonies, primarily British and Russian – though there was a small Dutch outpost at one time long ago. Due to this unique mixture, unlike your government, cut off all ties to the British crown and installed our own English royalty – though had to deal with the Russification of their names. For example, our current Emperor is Michael Barent, though he is known by the name Mikhail Barin. However, we have maintained many of the legacies left behind by our former colonial masters – both British and Russian – and have combined them into a very powerful, both economically and militarily, archipelago state in the Pacific Ocean.

In light of our common British heritage, I offer your nation the friendship of the Commonwealth of Azazia through the establishment of official diplomatic relations. We have many large complexes in our capital city Imperium that you should hopefully find suitable to your needs. In addition we can offer military protection to your nation should you find that necessary – though we are a peaceful nation, we recognize the less-than-peaceful disposition of far too many of those nations inhabiting this world.

Ivan Valovich
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Alistair Tetley
Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Azazia

Marcus nodded. "Yes, that would be very nice." He hadn't exactly told the Santa Mayians how he would go back to Aruba but he decided to keep that his little secret until the time was right.

"If you could please take me to Aruba in the Netherlands Antilles, the new naval academy is there and I need to receive some medals for outstanding bravery in previous wars."

OoC: You can post up till the Caribbean sea, then I'll have a little surprise for you, you'll like it. :)

The chauffeur-driven car passed through the security checkpoints onto Fitzroy Naval Base and glided to a stop opposite the gangway whose cover read HMSMS GOOSE GREEN. A rating ran over to open the door and then snapped to attention as Captain Marcus stepped out in his dress uniform. He paused to wait for the rest of his staff officers and take in the sight of the long, thin vessel moored against the basin wall, then strode up the gangway to where a group of officers in the green Santa Mayan dress uniforms stood.
The senior officer of the group, a tall man with hair starting to grey,exchanged salutes with Marcus then stepped forward and shook his hand. "Good morning, Captain Marcus. It's an honour to finally meet you at last. I'm Captain Gary Hyland, Commanding Officer of this ship and Captain of the First Frigate Squadron. Please allow me to introduce you to my senior officers."
The captain turned to a slender, fragile-looking brunette with the three stripes of a commander on hir sleeve. "This is Commander Sarah McDonald, my executive officer. Lieutenant Commander Greg Johnstone," he indicated a tanned man with an ugly scar across the left-hand side of his face, "is my tactical officer." Moving on to a weathered man with red cloth between his rank stripes and a diminutive woman with purple distinction cloth, he said "These two are Surgeon Lieutenant Mick Tremaine and Engineer Lieutenant Commander Sue Humphrey, respectively Ship's Surgeon and Chief Engineer. Last but not least, we have the commander of our marine detatchment, Major John Rampton." The only man in the lineup who wore Marine Red rather than Navy Green, Major Rampton towere over everyone else present at over 7', with a chest so broad he looked like he had been sculpted rather than born. "Now, gentleman, if you'll follow Chief Allen here she'll show you to your quarters."
The chief led the Dumpsterdamian officers into the superstructure of the ship and up a deck, through a door marked "Flag Quarters". "You're all quartered in here, sirs," she said. "Fortunately the GOOSE GREEN was built as a command ship, so we have the spare space for a flag officer and his staff aboard. I'll leave you to settle in now, if you need anything you can call me. We'll be getting underway at 1230 and the captain would be pleased to have you on the bridge to see that."
1230
The Dumpsterdamian contingent made the small bridge even more crowded than it normally was. However, the crew worked with well-trained efficiency under Commander McDonald to take the ship to sea while Captain Hyland enthused about his command's capabilities to Marcus.
"So you see, in addition to our Testudo Point-Defence Systems and 155mm gun system, we are also the first ship in the fleet to mount the Gladius Missiles. These are an anti-surface missile with huge programmability, but what makes this ship truly special is the launch system. Rather than havin one or two launchers, we have eight launch tubes each side of the hull, enabling us to fire a broadside to overwhelm even the largest ships' point defence. Since the missiles are launched close enough to the water to sea-skim, they're very hard to detect, and we can swap out warheads with Chaff heads to blind RADAR if we want. Together, that means this ship can take out any enemy vessel with a high degree of success."
Marcus considered this for a moment. "But what happens if they survivev that salvo? Or if there's more than one target?"
"Well, then we swing around and give them the other broadside or open up with gunnery. But basically, we're screwed. Personally though, I think it's a good trade... one frigate for a Carrier or Troop Ship. After all, a ship is, like a bulet or a bomb, only a resource to be expended profitably."
The GOOSE GREEN had now left the berth and passed her sister ships SENLAC and RORKE'S DRIFT, undergoing outfitting in the same basin. She passed into the sea lock and then out into the open sea off Fitzroy Head, where several other ships could be seen a mile or so distant.
"There's the rest of our group" said Captain Hyland, "The smaller ship's the CASTLE, then the others are the tenders RELIABLE and GENEROUS, the oiler SIR BORS, resupply vessel FULL MOON and Assault ship GOLD DRAGON. We'll meet up with the last ocean-oing ship, the GORGON, later today; she's busy helping a trawler that ran into difficulties at the moment." as he was speaking, GOOSE GREEN began to move in towards her spot in the cente of the other vessels.
Seventeen days later
Lieutenant Commander Johnstone yawned and rubbed his eyes as his relief, Sublieutenant Lucy Collins, climbed the ladder onto the bridge. "Good morning, Sub Collins. We're 200 miles southwest of Aruba, steaming at one-five knots on a course of zero-four-three."
After Collins had repeated the information back to him to be sure she heard correctly, Johnstone handed over the watch to her and climbed off the bridge heading for his cabin. He totally failed to see Marcus stood in the flag access corridor, watching the ship move through the pre-dawn light into Caribbean waters.

Marcus watched over the bridge from the darkness of his quarters, any time now his transportation would arrive and he was patiently watching his PDA and its satelite overview of the region.

The radio buzzed to life on the bridge and the radar suddenly went completely haywire, displaying over fourty contacts that weren't there before.

Unindentified ship, this is the Royal Navy Battleship Vulkes, you are entering Dumpsterdanian held territorial waters of the Netherlands Antilles. Submit your call sign and destination at once.

Marcus watched how the crew would handle this situation, his second Luitenant was playing the game along with him aboard the DRN Vulkes which happend to be his new ship, a brand sparking new Omega class battleship that made an Iowa look like a rowing boat.

OoC: At school so my posts are rather crappy...

Sub Collins stared at the RADAR display with a mixture of shock and terror as the new contacts blazed onto the screen and the ship's tactical computer attempted to identify them. However, it was painfully clear that the Santa Mayan force was outgunned. She grabbed for the VHF handset and flicked to Hailing Channel 16. "This is Sierra Mike tack Mike tack Foxtrot One tack one, lead vessel of Sierra Mike tack Mike tack Tango Foxtrot Delta. Our destination is the Naval Academy on Aruba, to deliver Captain Marcus."
She let the handset fall and then rabbed the intercom. "D'you hear there, all hands clear for action repeat clear for action. Captain to the bridge."
There, she thought, at least if they turn hostile we might be able to get a few shots off first. Where the hell did these things come from?!

The crew of the DRN Vulkes carefully monitored the progress of the Santa Mayian ship.

Sierra Mike tack Mike tack Foxtrot One tack one, this is the Royal Navy Battleship Vulkes, shut down your engines and weapon systems and prepare to be boarded, this is a rountine inspection.

Two Lynx helicopters cleared the deck of the Behemoth class super carrier that was sailing besides the battleship and started their short flight towards the Mayian vessle, two squads of royal marines onboard where checking their weapons and bodyarmour for the fast rope insertion on the frigate.

Meanwhile on the frigate Marcus finaly made his move to the bridge, casualy leaning against the door frame. "I assume we have some problems?"

"Indeed we do, Mr. Marcus" came the voice of Captain Hyland from behind him. "Sub Collins, cut engines and order weapons teams to close up but not to arm. Then I want you to signal the same orders to the rest of the task-force."
Marcus turned to see the captain stood behind him in a bathrobe bearing the GOOSE GREEN's badge, flanked by two marines with Jackhammer Automatic Shotguns. "Now, Captain, would you be so good as to enlighten us as to what's going on here?"

OoC: Bah, forum ate my post, I'll go rewrite later...

Marcus attempted to put on a completely innocent face. "Ah captain Hyland, I have absolutely no idea what is going on and..."

He was cut short by one of the Lynx helo's positioning itself over the main turret, deploying its compliment of eleven men in under six seconds and immediately pulling away again.

Marcus smiled as the sergeant of the marine squad approached him and saluted. "Admiral Diaz, one Santa Mayian naval taskforce boarded and commandeered." He then turned to captain Hyland and held a piece of paper in front of him, it had seals of both the Dumpsterdanian and the Santa Mayian navy on it.
"Captain Hyland, by the Emperor's will, you are under arrest. Your ships will be escorted to Oranjestad Harbour Ring 2 where all will be placed under arrest and be immediately transported to Zuidpunt luxury beach resort where you will consume vast amounts of alcohol and enjoy the fine women and other entertainment that will be provided at the expenses of the Royal Navy for the next fourteen days."

Marcus turned to Hyland. "Sorry captain, but this was the only way that I could hoax you into coming with me to celebrate my promotion, I've cleared 2 weeks of R&R with Mayian High Command and the 45th carrier battlegroup will see to the coastal defence to Santa Maya."

Hyland grinned. "Well, in that case Admiral, I see no alternative but to order this taskforce to surrender unconditionally. Lieutenant, stand the men down from action stations."

The Iluvauromeni visitors sat down and waited on the ship they had come in, and engaged in a challenging game of vra-du, whilst they waited for what they had now half-decided were the abysmally inefficient and dramatically rude hosts.

Despite that air of annoyance, though, the game was played in good spirits. After all - it was a pleasant enough day, still.