NationStates Jolt Archive

The spectre of war being what it was, Talzeckian colonial governor Candice Bancroft was getting tired of Sarzonia's prosecution of the war against Roach-Busters and Generic Empire. The colonial government, like the people of Talzeckia, was highly distrustful of Roach-Busters Generalissimo J.L. and Generic Empire, but they felt Sarzonia was fighting the war for all the wrong reasons.

The newspapers, including the Constantine Courier all called it The War That Never Should Have Happened since they blamed its start on Sarzo's authorization of force against Roach-Busters after Roach-Busterian cargo ships threw Sarzonian citizens overboard. They also condemned Sarzo for sending Roach-Busterians to concentration camps, wondering if the Senate had the nerve to initiate impeachment proceedings against the founder of the country.

"Why didn't Sarzo look for a diplomatic solution to all that," one letter to the editor wrote. "He's only making himself look like a warmongering idiot like George W. Bush."

The growing sentiment among Talzeckians was that it was time to be fully independent. The colonial government met the benchmarks that Parliament established for it to gain independence, and Woodstock didn't want the additional headaches of managing a colony any longer than it had to.

Besides the political disagreement with the war, one in which Talzeckian sons and daughters were called up to die alongside Sarzonians in a war they didn't want to fight, there were cultural differences as well. From major differences such as being less reserved emotionally than their Sarzonian brethren to minor ones like following field hockey as opposed to football, Talzeckians were evolving with their own personalities.

The Continental Congress assembled to cast a vote to call for independence from Sarzonia. They figured that Sarzonia might agree to it, but they also wanted to be ready in the event they weren't. As a result, Congress approved a measure purchasing two Shield Bearer-class cruisers from Ranudon to establish the Talzeckian Navy. They would also begin to design a flagship called the Adirondack-class cruiser, and began to convert merchant ships to warships.

Luckily for Talzeckia, they had people already employed by the Avalon Aerospace Corporation so building fighter jets shouldn't be a problem. They moved through the night negotiating and debating and finally approved a measure asking for a peaceful declaration of independence. They hoped Sarzonia didn't want to fight another war, but they could never be sure. After all, no one expected Sarzonia to launch their attack on Roach-Busterian soil.

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The phone call hit Senior Vice President for External Affairs Mark Lorber like a ton of bricks.

"They want independence now?"

"That's right Mr. Senior Vice President."

Lorber shook his head. Being in a state of cease fire was absolutely the last time Sarzonia should even be considering bringing Talzeckia's issue to the table. They had to marshall their military forces for a two front war before Artitsa and Praetonia joined a coalition against Roach-Busters and Generic Empire. Still, the Navy was busy clamping down a blockade on both Roach-Busters and Generic Empire. Getting a third blockade up would have been next to impossible.

That is, if this declaration of independence would even result in war. The Senate's Colonial Governance Committee was in the process of deciding what to do about the various Sarzonian colonies. The rebellion by the Branwynians came at a time when Sarzonia felt it not ready to be granted their independence. This came at a time when greater concerns were on the minds of the leadership.

Two Senators from each of the largest political parties in Sarzonia each were drafting bills that would grant Talzeckia independence as a formality. Informally, the committee left much of the governance of Talzeckia to the colonists themselves. The only things they couldn't do was declare war, print money, and establish alliances. Everything else Sarzonia left alone. They had representation in Parliament as if they were a state. They paid a reduced income tax to Woodstock and were able to collect their own taxes to build their infrastructure. It would have been almost like Canada or Australia in the British Empire in the latter half of the 20th century.

Still, the debate was fierce. While there were many who felt Talzeckia should have been declared independent already, others thought independence should wait until after the war between Sarzonia and Roach-Busters ended. Finally, Parliament voted to follow President Mike Sarzo's decision. Whatever it was.

The move would not be a popular one in the streets of either Woodstock or Constantine. The Talzeckis wanted their independence now, while some Sarzonians were opposed to Parliament being as indecisive as it was. Finally, word got to Sarzo about the declaration of independence.

"What the bloody hell," Sarzo mumbled.

Someone explained it and Sarzo instinctively grabbed for a cigarrette that someone had in his shirt pocket. He walked outside and put the carcinogenic stick into his mouth. He then thought for a moment and took it out, threw it to the ground, and stomped on it with his right foot.

Nothing's worth that, he thought. He looked out, almost hoping one of the birds gathering on one of the branches of the sycamore tree would give him the right answer.

.::TAG::.

*bump*

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A marathon cabinet meeting that turned bitterly contentious at times was nearing its end with everyone in the room was mentally drained. An aide had walked into the room as the cabinet members were discussing everything from possible surrender terms to tax figures and whether or not to invade.

Finally, an aide waiting patiently at the front door standing behind Sarzo waited for a lull in the conversations and spoke up when there was one.

"Mr. President," the college-age intern said, his voice sounding like he suddenly had a return visit from the scourge of puberty, "I have the information about Talzeckia."

Sarzo gave the intern a withering glance, as if to ask him why he's troubling him with this issue now. Then he remembered that Talzeckia forced the action a little bit by declaring independence.

"Thank you Colin."

Colin nodded and walked out of the room, letting the door slam behind him. Sarzo scowled at the abrupt sound of the slamming door, then turned a weary eye toward the rest of his Cabinet.

"Well, I suppose we need to start talking about Talzeckia now," Sarzo said.

"Why don't we allow them to be independent? We'll see if they can handle themselves without us looking after them," Newman said.

"That's petty," Vice President for Health and Athletics Jimmy Marshall said.

"Is it really," Newman retorted. "If they think they're ready to defend themselves, let them try."

"Hold it," Bunhall said, glaring at her former boss Newman. "They've met all the benchmarks and they probably don't want their sons and daughters fighting a war they feel is unjustified."

"What do you mean unjustified? They're Sarzonians first and foremost," Newman said. "Let them leave the country if that's how they feel."

"Wait just a minute," Lewis said. "This war has been fought for all the wrong reasons. The second you start expecting blind faith in your government is the moment you stop being a democracy."

Newman was about to retort, but Sarzo banged his gavel forcefully.

"That will be enough of that. Do we have a motion on the floor?"

"I move to table the resolution until further notice," Bunhall said.

"Second," Marshall said.

After another hour of debate, the motion finally passed. The time to answer the Talzeckia question was not just yet.

*bump*

TAGishnish.

bump to keep this thread alive while I decide what to do with it.

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[OOC: I think I have an idea for the RP, but I'm going to need someone to RP either the rebel forces or the army that the rebels have to face. If the rebel forces win, they win independence. If the regular army wins, they will have to wait.

Sarzonia will only be able to send a very limited naval force to serve as a blockading fleet but I'd only envision the occasional single ship battle there.]

[OOC: I'll make it official. I'm looking for a good RPer to serve either as the rebel army or as the army it opposes. If you choose to RP as the army that goes to put down the rebellion, please don't send OMFG! 1 bazillion troops!!!!111 with a lot of uber equipment. I'd like to have the battles be really interesting.]

[OOC: I'd consider putting in an infantry division in as a quasi-peace-keeping force, which could then be attacked. Nothing I own is too uber, and it would provide an interesting challenge of how to engage people who were, as it were, estranged members of a friend's family... Just a thought.]

o.o.c. I think I'll send peacekeepers too or I will rp part of the rebels. I do not have enough time to rp them fully. I'll rp my part as an underfunded, underequiped cell of the rebeliion equiped with only 4 AK-47's and a their inginuity.

[OOC: I'd consider putting in an infantry division in as a quasi-peace-keeping force, which could then be attacked. Nothing I own is too uber, and it would provide an interesting challenge of how to engage people who were, as it were, estranged members of a friend's family... Just a thought.][OOC: I like your idea. It'll give us both a chance to try our hand at ground combat.

I also like Celack's idea too, though if he sends peacekeepers, it'd need to be a small force since he's a rather large power.]

[OOC: I like your idea. It'll give us both a chance to try our hand at ground combat.

I also like Celack's idea too, though if he sends peacekeepers, it'd need to be a small force since he's a rather large power.]

[OOC: I envision a situation where I could come in ostensibly peacefully as a third party acceptable to both sides, then have a couple of attacks on my troops by a few radical elements before my people start to get jumpy. I'll try to post my order-of-battle for the Infantry Division sometime soon to give you some idea of what you're facing.]

o.o.c. At first I'll send a token force of maybe 25 men. Then the cell under my control will take them out one by one to get their equipment and try to frame your government for the murder. That's when I send more, more people.

OOC: I could covertly funnel arms to either side.

The spectre of war being what it was, Talzeckian colonial governor Candice Bancroft was getting tired of Sarzonia's prosecution of the war against Roach-Busters and Generic Empire. The colonial government, like the people of Talzeckia, was highly distrustful of Roach-Busters Generalissimo J.L. and Generic Empire, but they felt Sarzonia was fighting the war for all the wrong reasons.

The newspapers, including the Constantine Courier all called it The War That Never Should Have Happened since they blamed its start on Sarzo's authorization of force against Roach-Busters after Roach-Busterian cargo ships threw Sarzonian citizens overboard. They also condemned Sarzo for sending Roach-Busterians to concentration camps, wondering if the Senate had the nerve to initiate impeachment proceedings against the founder of the country.

"Why didn't Sarzo look for a diplomatic solution to all that," one letter to the editor wrote. "He's only making himself look like a warmongering idiot like George W. Bush."

The growing sentiment among Talzeckians was that it was time to be fully independent. The colonial government met the benchmarks that Parliament established for it to gain independence, and Woodstock didn't want the additional headaches of managing a colony any longer than it had to.

Besides the political disagreement with the war, one in which Talzeckian sons and daughters were called up to die alongside Sarzonians in a war they didn't want to fight, there were cultural differences as well. From major differences such as being less reserved emotionally than their Sarzonian brethren to minor ones like following field hockey as opposed to football, Talzeckians were evolving with their own personalities.

The Continental Congress assembled to cast a vote to call for independence from Sarzonia. They figured that Sarzonia might agree to it, but they also wanted to be ready in the event they weren't. As a result, Congress approved a measure purchasing two Shield Bearer-class cruisers from Ranudon to establish the Talzeckian Navy. They would also begin to design a flagship called the Adirondack-class cruiser, and began to convert merchant ships to warships.

Luckily for Talzeckia, they had people already employed by the Avalon Aerospace Corporation so building fighter jets shouldn't be a problem. They moved through the night negotiating and debating and finally approved a measure asking for a peaceful declaration of independence. They hoped Sarzonia didn't want to fight another war, but they could never be sure. After all, no one expected Sarzonia to launch their attack on Roach-Busterian soil.

The government of Roach-Busters hereby recognizes your sovereignty and independence. We will fight zealously to protect your young nation from the wrath of the Sarzonia police state.

In response to the growing difficulties between Sarzonia and its colony of Talzeckia, the Government has ordered the mobilisation of the 13th Infantry Division ("The Black Cats") for possible peacekeeping duties. This division has previously served in Sarzonia during that nation's short civil war earlier this year.

This has been Sarah Plehvin for INBC 1 News.

[OOC: A bump in any other words is still a bump.]

The government of Roach-Busters hereby recognizes your sovereignty and independence. We will fight zealously to protect your young nation from the wrath of the Sarzonia police state.[OOC: Just an FYI, the relationship between Talzeckia and Sarzonia is probably most similar to that between rival schools on a football field or between two cities who dislike each other in general, but always band together when the chips are down. The Talzeckis would consider your comments to be a mixed blessing: An endorsement from someone they don't like.]

I will help maintain your freedom.

OOC:I could send special forces to help out the rebels.

Official Telegram from Shah Khosru III, King of Kings, Celestial Seed of the Gods, King of Persia and Medes

To: The Government of Talzeckia

The Shahdom of Parthia officially supports the drive of your young nation to gain independence from the demagouge Mike Sarzo and his legions of repressive soldiers. We will fight to ensure your independence until the illegal Sarzonian government agrees to recognize you as an official nation. May the blessing of Ahura Mazda fall upon you brave men.

http://members.aol.com/ahreemanxiv/images/flag%20ir%20court%20imperial%20coat%20of%20arms.jpg

Shah Khosru III, of the House of Sassan

Official Imperial Communique to Talzeckian Government

Doomingsland hereby recognizes your independance from the tyrant nation of Sarzonia. We shall do all in our power to ensure that that madman, Sarzo, does not attempt to force you back into his evil empire. You have the support of Doomingsland.

To: The government of Talzeckia
From: Generalissimo J.L.

You have nothing to fear. With the invincible armies of the great nations Parthia, Doomingsland, and RB defending you, the totalitarian dictator Mike Sarzo will be able to subjugate and brutalize your people no more.

Official Imperial Statement

The Imperial government sees no difference between the Sarzonian dogs and their brethren in Talzeckia. A Sarzonian by any other name remains a Sarzonian, and the Talzeckis will find no mercy at the edge of the Imperial saber because of vague political differences.

You also forgot me the Roman Republic
I have promised to keep your freedoms and hopefully have a republic or a democracy.

[OOC: Once this becomes an RP, it'll be invite only (as are all my RPs). I'm currently planning to invite Isselmere and probably Celack.]

(Only probably? Meh. I told you I'll only play a small part. Don't have much free time.)

[OOC: You're in. Sometimes I say "probably" when I mean definitely. It's really up to you how involved you want your role to be. I just didn't want either side to get dogpiled.]

[OOC: Also, Euroslavia will be engaging what little navy Talzeckia can come up with. Other than that, this RP's going to be fairly closed.]

OOC:Can I get involved with a small, six man SF team to train rebels and blow up the occasional arms depot (Green Beret style)?

[OOC: That sounds like a good idea, Doom. Besides that, if we RP the training, it will help future RPs. Welcome aboard. :)]

OOC:Can I get involved with a small, six man SF team to train rebels and blow up the occasional arms depot (Green Beret style)?

No thats Navy SEAL style. Green Berets or SFOD-A works as a 12 man team. I can also train concripted milita, styles from different US Special Forces.

[OOC: That sounds like a good idea, Doom. Besides that, if we RP the training, it will help future RPs. Welcome aboard. :)]
OOC:Cool, lookin' forward to it.

After obtaining three Shield Bearer-class cruisers, Commodore Brian Longley, the commanding officer of the Talzecki Navy, commissioned engineers who until recently served at the Portland Iron Works to design a flagship for the fleet. To avoid suspicion, the ship would not be able to displace more than 17,500 tons light displacement but would have to serve as an effective ASuW ship.

Since the Talzecki economy was weak, they would only be able to build one or two of them at most, so quality would have to be the first consideration. The ship would have to be able to defeat any smaller ship and outrun any larger ship, or even surprise a larger ship and attack in a desperate situation.

The engineers and ship builders at the Talzeck Naval Yards toiled and finally came up with the following:

Adirondack-class cruiser
SPECIFICATIONS
Length: 188 m; Beam: 17.9 m; Draught: 9.8 m
Displacement: 16,740 tonnes light; 18,190 tonnes full
Propulsion: 2 nuclear reactors, 150,000 shp; 32 knots
Armament: 2 x 96 cell Mk 41 VLS;
3 x 203 mm ETC guns in triple turret in "A" position;
6 x 24 cell SarzTorp light torpedo (ASW);
2 x 'Scourge' anti-ship missile launchers, port and starboard;
6 x 'Yellow Jacket' mini-SAM (two port; two starboard; one each fore and aft);
6 x Millennium 35 mm guns/CIWS systems (two port; two starboard; one each fore and aft);
6 x 20 mm AA guns mounted port and starboard.
Armour: 175-225 mm composite (reinforced steel, aluminum, kevlar and an additional coating of titanium at sensitive locations); frame structure built with hardened crossbeams for increased survivability; double bottomed hull for protection against submerged threats.
Complement: 405
Electronics warfare: GPS trackers embedded into target acquisition software to enable near instantaneous identification of targets; electronics warfare system enables ship to detect frequencies used by targets up to 250 nm away and jams signals. Can also be used to mimic hostile target signals so enemy ships mistake ship for one of their own.
Aircraft: Capable of retrieving and supplying three Sea King helicopters.
Cost: $1.9 billion
Running Costs: $75 million per year

[OOC: I've had this design in development for a long time on the OMP boards and worked with Freethinkers to shape this as a true ASuW ship instead of simply a "more badass version of the Ticonderoga. Once the war for independence is over and Talzecki-Sarzonian relations improve, the PIW will buy production and sales rights for this ship and offer it for sale.]

The Second Littoral Defence Fleet escorting units of the 13th Infantry Division has left port and is en route to Talzeckia. The Government has expressed its concerns regarding the loss of another colony by its ally, Sarzonia, and wishes to forestall any violence between the mother country and its progeny.

"This is not, I repeat, not an invading force," Admiral Theodosius Wu, commander of the Littoral Defence Force stated. "The fleet will stay in international waters until called in. We have announced our intention to the Talzeckian people and to the Sarzonian government."

Representatives from Sarzonia declared that this was the first they had heard of the UKIN's intentions and our reporter in Talzeckia noted the same incredulity there.

"No one here knows why Isselmere-Nieland has any interest in Talzeckia except possibly to disturb rather than encourage the peace that currently exists," our correspondent Alex Whitworth said.

This has been Sarah Plehvin for INBC 1 News.

Commodore Brian Longley was pacing near the dock of Talzeckia City waiting for word when he could finally board the ship that would soon be the flagship of the fledgling Talzecki Navy. The dock workers for the new ship were finishing up some last minute details while Longley waited with a half dozen men wearing brand new gray naval uniforms.

"C'mon damnit," Longley snapped into his communications device. "We don't have all day!"

"She'll be done in just a minute, sir," the foreman said into the device.

"That's what you said two hours ago!"

"Be patient. Please."

Annoyed, Longley turned off the device and sighed. One hour later, just as he was about to disburse the men and head home, his communications device beeped.

"Longley."

"She's done, sir. You may begin the inspection."

"About Goddamned time." Longley turned to the six men.

"All right, let's start the inspection, shall we?"

The six men, the first six men to be captains of the Talzecki navy, all said yes in unison. They followed Longley, the commander in chief of the nascent service onto the Adirondack to begin the inspection. They searched everything, from command systems to the mess hall and made their notes. Finally, the seven men walked off, with Longley in the lead. When he reached ground, he saw the foreman and smiled.

"You missed a spot."

"Where?"

"Deck 17."

"Shit! Boys!"

"I'm joking," Longley said. "Great job on the ship. She'll be a terror, that's for sure."

"Thanks Commodore."

"Anytime."

The Shield Bearer-class cruisers from Ranudon were on their way and the first two captains, Nicholas Johnson and Thomas Hull would soon be underway in them. Captain Morris Chester, a distant descendant of former U.S. Navy captain Thomas Truxtun, was given the enviable assignment of commanding the Adirondack.

When they found their way to the officer's bar near Fort Scott Key, Longley raised a toast of fine Pacitalian wine.

"For our freedom!"

"For our freedom!" The men clinked the glasses and drank up. The Talzecki Navy sure felt like it would get off to an auspicious beginning.

[OOC: Just an FYI, both Sarzonian and Talzecki armies invert the ranks of Brigadier General and Major General. Just to give you a context.]

Major General Wade Charles paced his makeshift office in the old capital building of Talzeckia City. He was being given command of an army that barely could call itself that. Essentially, he had a small milita that he had to whip into shape as regular soldiers. The task would be a little bit easier since Talzeckia was so far away from Sarzonia that it often had to prepare in the event the ISA couldn't get there in time, but still, he knew the difference between a regular army and a milita was large.

He pored over every army's training regimen he could get his hands on and tried to figure out a system that would best serve the Talzeckis who were preparing to fight the Sarzonian army. He knew the ISA was inexperienced. He knew the running joke in Sarzonia was that the army was made up of people who were rejected by the navy. He knew the Sarzonian army had the least prestige of any of the branches of the military. The Navy had its own seat at the Cabinet. None of the other branches did. He figured he could get his men in shape and be able to force the Sarzonians to accept independence.

"What's the status of that fleet from Isselmere," Charles asked.

"They should be here any day," Longley replied.

"Do you have that damn bucket of bolts ready yet?"

"Watch it Charles," Longley snapped. He was proud of the Adirondack. Damn proud of it. The last thing he wanted was some landlubber insulting a ship he and the Talzecki naval engineers worked hard to build. Bancroft, listening in on the phone conversation, finally had enough of the sniping.

"Gentlemen," she interjected. "Is the ship ready?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good, get it and the two Shield Bearers and get underway."

"But Madame Governor! If we lose that squadron, we lose our entire naval capability for the next 18 months. We can't afford to send the ships out without building more."

"Congress just authorized construction of four more Shield Bearers. And two Adirondacks. You'll get your navy. But right now, we need to be able to take out more than one ship at a time and we can't do it unless we've got a squadron in the water."

"I think our best course of action is to send the ships out individually," Longley insisted. "That way, we don't worry about a blockade on one port ruining our chances of getting ships on the high seas."

Bancroft sighed. Longley knew more about the navy than she did, so she realized she'd better just keep quiet. "Okay. Deploy them however you see fit, but we need to get our ships on the high seas."

"Understood, Madame Governor."

"General, how ready are our armies to fight?"

"About as ready as a gorilla is to brush his teeth," Longley quipped.

"Shut up," Charles snapped.

"Both of you are going to get demotions if you keep this up," Bancroft screamed. "General Charles?"

"We have to train our boys in the equipment we're going to be using," he said. "And they'll have to be ready for combat. Isselmere's not going to be sending an army just to sip tea and eat crumpets."

"General, they're not sending their forces to invade us," Bancroft said. "The last thing we need to do is provoke them. That will get Sarzonia on our ass faster than a fat boy can eat Halloween candy."

"Don't you get it, Madame Governor? They're provoking us by sending almost 1,000 ships and an army! They're clearly not going to be on our side. They're the closest ally Sarzonia has. The last thing they'd do is stab them in the back."

"All the same, the war's between us and Sarzonia. Let Isselmere land their troops if that's what they want to do. As long as they don't point their guns at us, I can talk them out of worse."

Both men doubted the governor, but they decided it was worth a shot. Little did they know that the drama was just beginning.

OOC:Should I send my SF's now? Oh, and is Telzakia officialy breaking off, or is there like a rebel group trying to seperate?

OOC: Could I possibly get in on this? I'd be happy to just RP a single Royal Police Urban Commando Unit or a lone ship. It might be interesting to have one of the rebel ships accidently come across a ship of the Hamptonian Royal Navy.

*TAG*
Pretty interesting so far...

[OOC: Talzeckia is trying to break off. What'll probably happen is something along the lines of the governor trying to negotiate with the higher-ups in Isselmere's army and some random major or colonel is going to get impatient and will attack or the Talzeckis conducing "exercises" too close to the Isselmeran army for their liking and that's how the fireworks begin in earnest. Anyway, now is a good time to send them.

Hamptonshire, I like your idea of a single ship getting involved. Perhaps it can be one of the Shield Bearer-cruisers with one of your equivalent ships. Once I finish building the additional Adirondacks, I'm going to put in a larger ship (sort of like my Alliance-class but a modernized version of it). But for now, the Shield Bearer is a good ship to engage.]

[Hamptonshire, I like your idea of a single ship getting involved. Perhaps it can be one of the Shield Bearer-cruisers with one of your equivalent ships. Once I finish building the additional Adirondacks, I'm going to put in a larger ship (sort of like my Alliance-class but a modernized version of it). But for now, the Shield Bearer is a good ship to engage.]

OOC: The only ship of comparable size that would conceivably be allowed to sail by herself would be the Olympia Class CB. However, in order to provide a more balanced fight, I'll use the new Denfield Class FFGAN.

That should prove both entertaining for both of us.

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Can I also help. I'll sen in my SEALs, Marine Force Recon, Army Special Forces(Green Beret). This is the third time I asked. Can I help.

[OOC: Perhaps you can do special forces Roman. Sorry about that.]

(OOC: Is there anyway I could get involved?)

[OOC: I think the thread's fine the way it is right now, R-B.]

[OOC: I think the thread's fine the way it is right now, R-B.]

(OOC: Is that a yes or a no? :confused: )

OOC: A little revolution now and then doesn't hurt anything

(OOC: Is that a yes or a no? :confused: )Right now, no. I've already got more people involved than I previously intended to (albeit many of them in limited roles).

A lone MV-68 Banshee VTOL transport shot through the sky towards the Talzecki mainland. Aboard was a Doom Legion Hunter-Killer team, the elite of Doomingsland's military. The leader of the six-man team was a major by the name of Marius. Inside the dimly lit troop compartment, the men were either having their last smokes for quite awhile or trying to get a little shut-eye. Marius sat right next to the rear ramp door. Above him was the GAU-19 door gun, stowed until it was needed. Marius sat across from the door gunner, who was reviewing mission data. The cabin was no luxury suite to say the least. It had six seats on each side of the cabin facing each other. The men were stretched out on the seats with their equipment in the aisles. The loadmaster sat nearest to the cockpit (which was seperately sealed from the rest of the aircraft), across from the crew door. Next to him were the conveniently located controls for the rear door and .50 caliber machinegun (to allow it to be lowered into fireing position). The area was lit by a dim red light to help night vision. There were no windows, so the men couldn't see the sun rising over the horizon as the aircraft arrived over the mainland and headed towards the Talzecki capital.

The pilot of the aircraft, Lt. Caligulus, was at the very front of the aircraft, looking at the digital displays. Behind him sat his WSO, who was monitering any possible ground threats. As they neared the capital, Caligulus got on the com system.

"Okay, boys, nearing LZ. Wake and shake, ETA ten minutes."

The men in the troop compartment groggily awoke from their short nap and grabbed their rifles, which they probably wouldn't need. Manius grabbed the helmet component to his VEPR NGCS, and strapped it on. Instantly displays and data lit up, showing exactly where the aircraft was as it made its approach.

Caligulus then got onto the radio to chat with the Talzecki ground control,

Attention, this is Doomingsland Government Aircraft Ech0 Two-One, requesting permission to land, over.

Major General Sir Thomas Hartlebeck, GOC Talzeckian Expeditionary Force, CO 13th Mechanised Infantry Division, INA

Today we approach the shores of Sarzonian colony of Talzeckia. We have not as yet received word from either the Sarzonian government nor the current Talzecki administration whether we shall be permitted to land [OOC: he's not currently aware of the Talzecki's "permission" as yet]. Once such permission is granted, however, we shall land and begin policing operations. Officers must remind their soldiers to be on their best behaviour. That said, I do not expect either soldiers or officers to necessarily turn the other cheek. We are soldiers, after all, and we are, with the 2nd LDF, able to respond to any threats that might be posed to us.

Semper vigilans.

----

Satellites orbiting above Talzeckia reported the deployment of a small group of ships. Vice Admiral Clement Asbury ordered the ring of escorts around the capital ships and sending out a small light strike group from the carriers.

The CAG of the 14th Composite Air Wing, Captain Ryan Wicklow, addressed the strike group in the ready room of the HINMS Melchett. "Remember the rules of engagement for this operation. You are not to fire unless fired upon. You will not proceed towards the targets in a hostile manner unless otherwise ordered. Instead, you will fly at altitude. Should the Talzeckis lock onto your aircraft, you will be permitted to likewise target them. Any questions?" Not a single pilot or weapons officer raised a hand. The orders were simple.

Within a short while, a flight of Swordfish strike aircraft and another of Sea Spectre FA.2s headed towards the Talzecki contingent.

---

2nd Littoral Defence Fleet (14th Fleet)
Composition
Personnel: 289,674
Ships: 691
Drones: 1,262
Aircraft: 772
Ships
Carriers
Peel-class CVBN (2), Hornby-class CVLN (2), Rapier-class CVD (4)
Battleships
Treaty-class BBGN (1), Coronation-class BBGN (6)
Cruisers
Duchy-class CAG (11), Morrigan-class CGN (12)
Escorts
Wallace-class DDG-GP (56), Bullfinch-class FFH (69), River-class K (36)
Submarines
Forthar-class SSN (26), Port-class SSGN (2), Haenulf-class SSF (18)
Amphibious Assault Ships
Crocodile-class LCS (10), Lord-class LHD (2), Ungforth-class LPD (2), Valley-class LSD (2), LCAC (18), LCM (16)
Command Ships
Admiral-class AGFN (1), Siren-class AGI (5), Sea Lion-class LCC (3)
Patrol Ships
Lake-class MCDV (44), Freki-class PG (20), Geri-class PG (20)
Auxiliary Ships
Lem-class AFS (5), Pasteur-class AH (2), Gabin-class AKR (2), Smith-class AOE (19), Flansburgh-class AOR (2), General Marsden-class (4), Aylesburgh-class AS (8), Gull-class ATF (18), Shorebird-class YTB (85)
Drones
Aerial Drones
Auk DHM.1 (160), Parrot DES.1 (16), Puffin DHEW.1 (88), Rook DRA.1 (121), Tern DA.1 (125)
Submersibles
Cuttlefish DSR.1 (426), Porpoise DSMC.1 (88), Seahorse DSA.1 (46), Squid DSM.1 (192)
Fleet Air Arm 14th Composite Air Group
Fighter/Strike Aircraft
Sea Fury FA.1 (58), Sea Fury T.2 (9), Sea Spectre FA.1 (72), Sea Spectre FA.2 (72), Sea Vampire ADS.1 (32), Sea Wraith EW.1 (16), Swordfish S.1 (12)
Support Aircraft
Heimdall AEW.1 (8), Greyhound C.2 (4)
Helicopters
AH-64D Apache Longbow (18), Merlin HC. 1 (125), Merlin HM.1 (334), Merlin HAEW.1 (14)

13th Mech Inf Div info to come soon...

tag

I'd be interested in joining, if I could...

[OOC: Apologies about failing to get the ground unit numbers done by now--a lot of fiddly nonsense about type of weapons, vehicles, etc. is holding it up. Basic groupings are listed below:
--1 Army Air Corps regiment
--4 field artillery regiments (battalions really)
--4 armoured Regiments (battalions really)
--10 mechanised infantry battalions
--4 field engineer regiments (battalions really)
--support units
About 23,000-25,000 men, mostly support personnel. Attached to the Division and the Marine Expeditionary Force are SAS and SBS teams that will engage in a hearts and minds campaign to win over the local populace, if they can. They will also conduct counter-insurgency operations and some high-level interrogations.]

Under air support and that of the amphibious elements escorts, the amphibious group advances to the deployment point.

[Sorry I can't write more now, so, bump!]

Sarzo was waiting impatiently for reports from the war front when a young intern brought in a folder.

"Is this the report on the war?"

"Uh, not exactly sir."

Sarzo raised his eyebrow. "What do you mean, 'not exactly'?"

"It's the latest on the Talzeckia situation."

Christ, Sarzo muttered. "Let me have a look."

"Hmm... Isselmere's sending forces over?"

"I didn't look at the report, sir."

"Of course you didn't," Sarzo said quietly. "That was a rhetorical question. Thank you."

Sarzo slumped into his chair as he studied the report.

"Please let this end soon. I can't afford to commit troops."

[OOC: Here's the numbers:

L12P Otter amphibious landing vehicle – 144
L12C command vehicle – 24
L12R recovery vehicle – 24
L15 Badger infantry combat vehicle – 464
L15AD air defence vehicle – 24
L15AR recovery vehicle – 94
L15CE combat engineering vehicle – 246
L15CP command vehicle – 212
L15FO forward observation post – 80
L15GP general purpose vehicle – 232
L15MC mortar carrier – 148
L15DF 105mm 'light tank' – 140
L16 Vixen infantry section vehicle – 74
L16AM ambulance – 160
L16AR recovery vehicle – 18
L16CE combat engineering vehicle – 52
L16CP command vehicle – 110
L16CR combat reconnaissance vehicle – 324
L16DF 105mm armed reconnaissance vehicle – 28
L16FO forward observation post – 10
L16GP general purpose vehicle – 66
L16MC mortar carrier – 16
L16RV radar vehicle – 14
L16TU TOW under armour vehicle – 18
L21 Kodiak main battle tank – 192
L21C command tank – 12
L21R recovery vehicle – 44
L21B bridge laying vehicle – 18
L21E armoured engineering vehicle – 34
GWLS.77F Emu (MP-ATGW) – 276
GWLS.78F Roc (ATGW) – 190
L25 155mm self-propelled howitzer – 84
Armoured artillery support vehicle – 42
GPVW – 564
GPVW-TDC – 58
LSVW – 92
LSVW-Comm – 8
MLVW – 848
--utility trailers – 442
--UAV trailers – 58
--water trailer – 166
--welding trailer – 18
HLVW – 372
HLVW-K – 80
HLVW-L – 36
HLVW-P – 178
HLVW-S – 44
HLVW-W – 40
Special Services Teams – 94
Total personnel: approx. 30,540 total

end OOC]

Brigadier General Daniel Mountbanks commanding the 14th Royal Isselmere-Nieland Marine Brigade ordered the deployment of the 2nd LDF's two demi-brigades to secure the ports. The amphibious contingent's RINM air group provided air cover and shuttled heliborne troops into the area. Colonel Henry Blackthrush commanding the 27th Demi-Brigade was flying in with the heliborne group and would hopefully smooth any feathers that might be ruffled by the aggressive stance of the Talzeckian Expeditionary Force, or TEF. Ground strike groups were readied for launch on the carriers and the battleships trained their guns onto the beaches. Eighteen LCACs sped towards Talzecki shores followed closely by amphibious tractors (L12 Otter). Haenulf-class submarines approached the beaches to disgorge four-man SBS teams as Crocodile-class littoral combat ships ferried their special service contingents more overtly via light helicopters and inflatable boats.

Meanwhile, Major General Sir Thomas Hartlebeck attempted to contact the colonial governor, Candice Bancroft, to explain his intentions. The INA would wait until the RINM had secured a sufficiently sized port for the transport ships to unload. He only hoped the governor would be forthcoming.

"Governor, a Major General Hartlebeck is trying to contact you regarding their intentions."

"Who," a groggy Bancroft said, being aroused from a quick power nap she took. She was waiting on Commodore Longley's report on the naval acquisitions. The army was well into its eight week boot camp under Major General Harvey Lazur. She knew Lazur ran a tight ship, so she expected them to be ready when the eight weeks was up.

She knew she would have to find a way to acquire tanks, artillery pieces, small arms, missile launchers, and other implements of war for the independence movement. She also knew Talzeckia was going to have to be in hock for a while if they should win independence. However, she eyed the assembling Isselmerian-Nielander fleet warily.

It's a burp short of a blockade, she thought.

"Major General Sir Thomas Hartlebeck of the Isselmere-Nielander army," the aide repeated.

"Is he here now?"

"No. He's asking if he can speak with you."

"What the hell does he want?"

"Probably trying to buy time for an attack."

"That wouldn't be like Isselmere to launch a surprise attack or betray anyone, especially not a close ally, which we were," Bancroft corrected.

"Considering that jackass Sarzo, I wouldn't put it past anyone."

Bancroft sighed. The war in Roach-Busters was a sore spot for her and for a majority of Talzeckis. That wasn't the main reason Talzeckia wanted to break away; it was just the final slash that broke the rope holding the two lands together.

"Still, I doubt Hartlebeck is going to do anything foolish. We haven't received word if Sarzo's authorised anything yet?"

"Negative."

"Well, tell you what. Give Hartlebeck his address with me. We'll have a lot to talk about."

"Are you sure?"

"If he tries anything funny, he'll get his ass kicked. Don't you worry."

[OOC: Should we set up an OOC thread for this beastie?]

In the command centre of the Admiral-class flagship HINMS Admiral Hitchens, MGen Hartlebeck awaited word from Governor Bancroft. He was growing tired of waiting as were the captains of the transports. Admiral Wu had just wired the Defence Staff's authorisation to take whatever measures were necessary to guarantee the force's safety. Or in the admiral's own words, "If any little wanker tries to bollocks up your landing, you may dragoon the bastards into submission."

While Hartlebeck wasn't nearly so bloodthirsty as his nominal commander, he would have no qualms with delivering an appropriate response to any hostile acts.

OOC: Ask and ye shall receive. :)

All further OOC comments in this thread please (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=397835).

I would have created one earlier if I realised this thread would have gotten this big.

The HNS Inflexible, a fresh out of drydock Denfield Class Frigate, effortlessly cut its way through the vast expanses of the ocean. The matte finish of the paint was still fresh, the bridge still faintly smelled of the chemicals used to treat the Captain's leather chair-- it was the first cruise of one of the Royal Navy's newest warships. A new "Guided Missile Heavy Frigate", the Inflexible was fresh out of the Maalestren Station Dockyards. Her new crew, lead by the experienced and brash Commander Josiah Franklin, were proud to be serving aboard one of the most advanced and stealthy warships currently on the high seas.

Normally the Inflexible and her crew would have been allowed some "at sea training" time before she joined up with her fleet. However, due to Operation Northern Guardian and other commitments, the Royal Navy needed every ship available for immediate duty out on the front lines. Without the immediate resources available to provide a full escort or the time to wait for a wandering Patrol Task Force, the Inflexible would have to sail through potentially unfriendly seas for nearly a month.

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

Commander Franklin and Lieutenant Commander Kendra Matsui stood together on the Command Bridge atop the ship's superstructure. They wouldn't meet up with the 13th Fleet for another sixteen days. At top speed it would take the Inflexible four days just to reach the Fleet's advanced Picket Task Force Delta 116*.

A Midshipman worked his way to the two senior officers and handed Commander Matsui a piece of paper. She unfolded and read it.

"ECR reports ready for SFS."

"Alright Commander," Franklin said as he walked to his leather chair, "let's kick this up a notch."

Within seconds the ship began to increase speed. The ship was in a relaxed alert mode, only a single drone was in the air to cover the area. No one expected anything to happen. No one.


[OOC:
*- Picket Task Force Delta 116
1 Proxima Class CVEN
2 Merciless Class CAANs
4 Newport Class DDGNs
2 Stalwart Class FFGNs

ECR= Engineering Control Room
SFS= Sustained Flanking Speed

The Inflexible is about 150-300 NM from the coast of Talzeckia. Of course, if you want it further out or closer in that's good too.]

By now the covert element of the Special Operations Executive (SOE) teams would have arrived in-country and were hopefully maintaining their cover before embarking on their key mission of ascertaining the sentiment of the citizenry and working on the Talzeckis hearts and minds to at the very least ensure a peaceful transfer of power.

Sir Thomas, however, wasn't so hopeful. His aggressive deployment was guaranteed to raise some hackles, but without assuring the security of the ports for the Army element with the Marine's assault element he wasn't confident his mission could be achieved.

His next priorities would be to establish bases for the Marines and Army, including airfields for the Marine air group and the Army Air Corps regiment. But first there was the governor to deal with.

"Have you contacted Governor Bancroft?" he asked the Admiral Hitchens's signals officer.

"We have her office, sir, but we haven't been put through to her yet," answered Lieutenant Quirke.

"Tell me when you do," Hartlebeck grumbled. "We've much to discuss."

Major General Hartlebeck needed to convey to Governor Bancroft his intention to provide a stabilising force within Talzeckia rather than serve as an agent of oppression whether in its own right or as a representative of the Sarzonian government.

Bancroft started pacing when she got the call from her aide.

"The General is waiting for your word."

"Well, let him know to meet me at the capital building in six hours," Bancroft said.

"Six hours?"

"I need to prepare what I want and so does he."

"Understood, Madame Governor."

Bancroft muttered to herself, realising fully that the end game was going to begin before she or anyone else knew it.

Meanwhile, the Adirondack began to set sail from Talzeckia City on a cruise with Chester pacing the spanking new bridge. The ship was being sent to show the flag of Talzeckia in a sense and Chester wanted to use the time to train his crew fully and give the ship a proper shakedown. A battle was the last thing he wanted, at least not until his crew was in proper fighting trim and he was sure that his ship was the same.

He noted the presence of the UKIN naval fleet with some nervousness.

Sure hope they're not out for blood, he thought.

"Commandant, do you have an analysis of the Isselmerian-Nielander fleet?"

"Affirmative, sir," Master Commandant Barclay "Bark" Cross said. He gave the numbers to Chester.

"Oh dear Lord," Chester said. "They're going at us like we're Sarzonia."

"Well, the Sarzonians gave them a pretty good drubbing during the civil war."

"They only had eight ships against several massive UKIN fleets, Bark. I'd hardly call that a Sarzonian thrashing."

"But look at the number of capital ships that small squadron was able to take down," Cross replied. "The UKIN might not have lost the battle, but they sure acted like they did."

Chester grimaced. Bark was right about that point. Even though the combined numbers of the Hamptonian and Isselmerian-Nielander fleets carried the day, the ragtag Sarzonian rebel fleets inflicted high losses despite the hopeless odds. If anything would give the Talzeckis and their fledgling navy a chance, it would be that.

"Captain," Lieutenant Jana Harvey called out. "I'm spotting a ship on a course heading parallel to Talzeckia. Current estimates indicate we'll reach them in one hour."

"Analysis, Mr. Harvey?"

"Unable to make out the name of the ship, but she looks like a frigate."

Chester laughed. Whoever it was was about to make the biggest mistake of his life. Even though his ship wasn't fully out of shakedown mode, it could easily take out a frigate.

"Helm, set an intercept course for this frigate, 20 knots."

"Sir?"

"You heard me, ensign."

"Aye, sir."

The Adirondack altered its course and steamed toward its date with destiny.

Meanwhile, Charles was looking over the reports of the training regimen. Considering the requirements, the boys were becoming men in a hurry. He was proud of the speed with which they took to their training. They would likely give those inexperienced Sarzonians a major run for their money. However, an army from Isselmere was going to be another matter entirely.

"Good job Lazur," Charles said, smiling.

"Thank you Charlie," Lazur said. Charles smiled. Even though Charles was his surname, his friends all called him Charlie when the chips weren't down. And he had a very healthy respect for Lazur. The boys would be ready if and when they were called upon for a fight.

Vice Admiral Asbury noted that the small Talzecki squadron veered along an alternate course towards a Hamptonian ship threading its way through the waters. "Keep updating the targeting solutions on those Talzecki ships. They make one wrong move I want them to become nothing more than a small oil slick in the ocean."

The Air Group maintained a close surveillance on the goings-on, with a small strike ready to take flight at a moment's notice from one of the four large Peel-class carriers. The other three readied to provide close support should the need arise.

---

Major General Hartlebeck read the Governor's request with a certain measure of annoyance. Meeting with local dignitaries, including important ones, was something he tended to foist onto his brigadiers. That decision would have made even more sense considering the Sarzonian and Talzecki inversion of ranks of brigadier general and major general. But he had to admit a face-to-face meeting would allow him to appraise his potential adversary.

Six hours though... Too much time. He examined satellite photos and current land maps of the area along with his staff to determine roads that would have to be sealed off and, though he hated to think of such things, possible avenues of escape. Heliborne Marine forces would serve as his security detail prior to the Army's lengthy unloading of its heavier vehicles. Fortunately, within six hours the Marines would have been able to establish a strong beachhead and likely to have secured a port for the Army.

Hartlebeck would be accompanied by a few people on his diplomatic mission. In addition to the heliborne RINM security force that was to block off the area, Major K of the SOE -- going under the name Captain Martin -- would act as his chief of staff and Colonel Peter Watson of the RINM would represent the Marine contingent. All would be treating the visit as an operational exercise: battle dress, personal armour, and sidearms. A small six-man detachment of guardsmen from the 2nd Battalion of the Temple Guards Regiment (2 TGR) would serve as their personal escort. A CAP of Navy Sea Spectres and Marine Sea Furies directed by a nearby Heimdall AEW aircraft would provide the air portion of their escort. He was worried that he would appear more like a conqueror than a policeman, but he was hoping this show of restrained force would dampen the ardour of more extreme Talzecki nationalists.

The silence of the Inflexible's Command Bridge was broken by forceful, yet slightly panicked, voice of a young ensign.

"Sir, radar reports surface contact 100 NM out."

"Do we have ID on it?" Lt. Cmdr. Matsui asked as she ran over to the ShipCom console.

"No, sir...but Drone Control reports that they should have visual contact in ten minutes."

"Have they spotted us yet?" Commander Franklin said in a calming, reassuring tone.

Matsui grabbed the microphone from the console and held it close to her chest. "If they have, sir, they should read us as nothing larger than a small frigate."

Franklin firmed up in his chair. There was no mention of any friendly or allied vessels sailing the shipping lanes in the area. He was still over a thousand miles from the Fleet and days from the nearest Task Force, now was not the time to run into a potential hostile ship.

"Commander Matsui, contact High Command and inform them of our situation. Get Drone Control to put a bit more fire, I want visual confirmation in five minutes. Helm, keep our current distance from the contact. I don't want them to close a single NM on us." He paused for a moment and stood up, "Bring the ship to Action Stations."

The the alert klaxons throughout the ship began to go off while Matsui addressed the entire crew via the ShipComm. All crew to Action Stations, All crew to Action Stations. This is not a drill


[OOC: There are three levels of Alert in the HRN:

Alert Stations- Basic level of alert, minimum readiness. Used under normal conditions.
Action Stations- Enhanced level of alert. Ship is readied for combat, self defense and defensive weaponry is actived. Targeting, control, and combat systems brought on line. Ship made ready for possible hostile attack. Used under hightened states of possible attack.
Battle Stations- Maximum level of alert. All offensive and defensive weaponry actived, armed, and targeted. A ship's crew doesn't come off Battle Stations until a ship is sunk.]

A lone MV-68 Banshee VTOL transport shot through the sky towards the Talzecki mainland. Aboard was a Doom Legion Hunter-Killer team, the elite of Doomingsland's military. The leader of the six-man team was a major by the name of Marius. Inside the dimly lit troop compartment, the men were either having their last smokes for quite awhile or trying to get a little shut-eye. Marius sat right next to the rear ramp door. Above him was the GAU-19 door gun, stowed until it was needed. Marius sat across from the door gunner, who was reviewing mission data. The cabin was no luxury suite to say the least. It had six seats on each side of the cabin facing each other. The men were stretched out on the seats with their equipment in the aisles. The loadmaster sat nearest to the cockpit (which was seperately sealed from the rest of the aircraft), across from the crew door. Next to him were the conveniently located controls for the rear door and .50 caliber machinegun (to allow it to be lowered into fireing position). The area was lit by a dim red light to help night vision. There were no windows, so the men couldn't see the sun rising over the horizon as the aircraft arrived over the mainland and headed towards the Talzecki capital.

The pilot of the aircraft, Lt. Caligulus, was at the very front of the aircraft, looking at the digital displays. Behind him sat his WSO, who was monitering any possible ground threats. As they neared the capital, Caligulus got on the com system.

"Okay, boys, nearing LZ. Wake and shake, ETA ten minutes."

The men in the troop compartment groggily awoke from their short nap and grabbed their rifles, which they probably wouldn't need. Manius grabbed the helmet component to his VEPR NGCS, and strapped it on. Instantly displays and data lit up, showing exactly where the aircraft was as it made its approach.

Caligulus then got onto the radio to chat with the Talzecki ground control,

Attention, this is Doomingsland Government Aircraft Echo Two-One, requesting permission to land, over.
Response, plz.

[OOC: Sorry about that, Doom. Since JOLT is being a pain in the rear about logging in/out of Sarzonia and Talzeckia, you can go in with permission from Air Control at Constantine Airport. A Lt. Colonel Blake Lester is there to meet with you. He will be the special operations chief of the Talzecki Armed Forces.]

OOC: OK.

IC:

Permission to land granted on landing pad eightcome to Talzeckia. came the response from the control tower. The VTOL shot through the sky, and kicked on its vectored thrust system, throwing it into a hover directly over the pad. The impressive looking transport touched down on a helipad, and the rear doors swung open. The Legionaries stepped out, their rifles and duffel bags swung over their sholders, and boarded a nearby truck which would take them to a barraks. Marius, on the other hand, met with the Talzecki SF commander, Lt. Colonel Blake Lester, upon stepping off, and sent his men ahead.

The Legionaries would have the daunting task of turning the Talzecki army (or at least part of it) into an effective fighting force.

"Welcome to Talzeckia, I'm Lt. Col. Blake Lester, commander of the Talzecki Special Forces." said Lester, saluting Marius, who returned it.

"Major Marius, Doom Legion Hunter-Killers, at your command." he said in a nearly robotic tone. This was a result of the lifetime of training each Legionnary went through. "My men and I are here to assist in the training of your people." he stated. Marius was tall, around 6"8, clean shaven, bald, brown eyes, stocky, and utterly emotionless. This was a very common trait amongst the Doom Legionaries, the elite conventional and unconventional forces of Doomingsland. He happened to be a Hunter-Killer, the unconventional side of the Legion. He'd seen action in several theatres of operations, including Sovieten, Alberia (a Generian province) and Bucchiania (also a Generian province). He was actualy responsable for one of the many mass graves that decorate the landscapes of those barren places.

Tag

[OOC: Assume this is occurring several hours after Doom has landed his special forces unit.]

MGen Hartlebeck, "Capt Martin" (2 TGR), Col. Watson (RINM), and their six escorts alighted from the deck of the HINMS Lord Paxton-Odbridge amphibious assault ship ready for their meeting with Governor Bancroft. All passengers within the Merlin HC.1 wore battle dress and personal armour, the guards with their rifle muzzles directed at the cabin floor. The wind rushed into the partly open doors as door gunners cocked and readied their GPMGs. Two helicopters each loaded with a RINM rifle section served as decoys while six further helicopters carried two sections each that would act as the blocking group. Four two-craft elements of attack helicopters fluttered about the transport group as Sea Furies and Sea Spectres escorted the helicopters inland.

"No threats so far, General," the pilot relayed over the helicopter's intercom. Let's hope it stays that way.

MGen Hartlebeck landed on the lawn of the capital building along with the two decoy helicopters. The other six helicopters disgorged their troops before rising back into the sky to patrol the area, machine guns at the ready. Around the three senior officers, twenty four pairs of eyes scanned the environment while assault rifles were pulled tightly into shoulders protected by body armour The three senior officers behaved nonchalantly, but they too peered for potential threats while being radioed updates from the fleet flagship.

[OOC: Just wondering why this RP isn't moving forward at all.]

'Sarzonia was beautiful - Talzeckia really. Well, whatever you called it, it sure looked nice.'

Those were the first thoughts to pass through the mind of a certain Mr. Yuri Gregorivich (M.D.) as he stepped onto the ashphalt of a Talzeckian runway.

And it was beautiful; the sun even seemed to lint off of the black runway. Yet Yuri's thoughts soon turned to other matters.

"Should we unload here?"

Yuri nodded to one of his dozen or so underlings. "Unload them here and we'll wait for the trucks..."

"Yes Doctor." The man scurried back onto a small, single engine plane set behind them.

"... And for God's sake, be careful with the equipment."

---

International attention had not been overwhelming at the beginning of this local rebellion. Neither, however, had the events taking place in Sarzonia escaped the eyes of the international community, and in one small nation, Novikov, new to the international scene, the cries for action had been particularly loud.

That was why Dr. Gregorivich, along with twenty of his colleauges and some three-hundred helpers, had been sent. Not willing to risk open intervention in the name of peace, the govenment had simply handed several million Euro over to Novikov's division of the Internaional Red Cross, who had then elected to send a voulenteer team of doctors to the embattled area. What this multinational force would accomplish was still unclear, but the government, and particularly the people, of Novikov held the highest hopes for them.

[OOC: Lots of other stuff getting in the way, both NS and RL.]

"Well, we're facing a small frigate, it appears," Cross said. "Should we fire a shot across her bow?"

"Sir," Harvey asked.

"That's an old trick from the days of sailing ships," Chester said. "It's a warning to the enemy ship. Sounds like a good idea Bark, but first, I'd like to get a helio up to have a look at it."

"Yes, sir."

Within a matter of moments, the Adirondack's helicopter launched from the aft flight deck and took off to set up a visual monitoring of the strange ship. The helicopter began to link up to the ship's visual display so they could get a better idea of the vessel they were sailing to intercept.

"Visual established," Harvey said.

"Let's have a look."

"Aye, sir."

The monitor on the bridge showed the Inflexible from a long distance away, and they still couldn't make out the class of ship it was from the distance. Something looked strange, however.

"Target one of our eight inchers for a position 10 metres ahead of their bow," Chester said. "Fire on my command."

"Ten metres ahead," Harvey asked.

"Remember what I said about firing a shot across their bow," Cross said.

"Oh, right. Target acquired, sir."

"Fire."

The Adirondack fired one of the eight inch shells in the vicinity of the Inflexible, expecting it to heave to and avoid it rather than fight a losing battle against a ship the Talzeckis considered a heavy cruiser. However, within a matter of moments, the pilot of the helicopter frantically sent a message to the Adirondack.

"Captain, I've just got a look at the bandit," he said. "Sir, that's no frig---"

All of a sudden, static took out the rest of the message. The pilot would have no way to warn the Adirondack that they weren't facing a small frigate. And the Adirondack would have no way to find out what happened to their helicopter as a result.

After meeting with the Governor and upon receiving word from Parliament, it has been decided that the UKINDF forces present in and around Talzeckia will henceforth be withdrawn. This withdrawal coincides with recent cutbacks in the defence budget and an absence of tensions between the Talzeckis, the Sarzonian government, and the UKINDF. Said the new defence minister, Stuart Orpingdon, "We're there more as an occupying force than as peacekeepers or even peacemakers. As such, our behaviour is almost criminal."

The TEF has been in situ for over a month without incident.

Neither the Chief of Defence Staff nor the King were available for comment.

This has been Sarah Plehvin for INBC 1 News.

"Captain, surface contact out 30 nautical miles," a young radar officer said in an subdued tone. "We've also just picked up an aerial contact, most likely a helicopter."

Commander Matsui, at the weapons station, called out in a forceful voice, "Have the Drones established visual contact yet?"

"Yes, sir," the radar operator replied, "visual profile does not match known vessels. Analysis puts it at Cruiser size and capability."

Cruiser, eh...this could really show how much ass this baby can kick. Franklin thought to himself as he sat, relaxed, in the leather command chair. While the Inflexible was lacking in short range firepower, especially in the gun area, she more than made up for it in armor and ranged weaponry. If the unidentified ship became hostile it would very quickly find out that it was going up against a capital ship in all but name.

Commander Franklin picked up a small microphone and actived the ShipComm. "This is the Captain, all hands to Battle Stations, again all hands to Battle Stations. This is not drill."

With his command the final watertight doors closed and the offensive weaponry came online. Missiles were armed, guns primed, and torpedoes loaded. One way or another the Inflexible and her crew would only come off Battle Stations by the sinking of a ship.

The Bridge came alive with a dozen people each doing three or four different tasks. To the untrained eye it would look like chaos, but these highly trained professions could do their work in complete darkness.

"Drone Control reports ready to begin jamming."

"Keep a distance of 25 NM between us. We can outrun the bastards."

"Damage Control teams standing by."

"ECR reports reserve and emergency power standing by."

The hustle of the bridge was broken by a particularly high pitched radar officer. "Captain, we have incoming."

The Weapons Control Computers automatically began tracking the projectile, after realizing it was not aimed at the ship the CAMDS units were trained off the shell. It landed harmless in the water ahead of the Inflexible.

Commader Franklin stood up and with the swagger of an aristocrat of old, he snapped into action. "Get that helicopter out of my sky!" Matsui quickly complied, pressing a glowing blue button. A short range SAM fired at the helicopter, cleanly destroying it.

"Inform the 13th Fleet and High Command that we have engaged a hostile. Request immediate assistance."

Franklin walked back to his chair and with a calm, cool voice gave the orders that would begin the battle. "Commander, fire all primary guns at will. Ready primary missile tubes 1 through 6 for immediate launch, ready all ASROCs and load a full spread of torpedoes.

They came to play, let's make it fun."

With the Inflexible keeping at a solid 27 to 30 NM from the enemy, her guns were near their maximum effective range. Even so, they could pierce through armor like a APFSDS round. The four 6.1"ers that faced the unidentified warship began to blaze away.

The battle was on.


[OOC: The 6.1" guns have a RoF of 20 RPM each, so when taken all in all the four guns are firing at a combined RoF of 65-72 RPM]

Chester walked briskly over to the communications console.

"Get 'em back! What the hell?"

"We've lost contact, Captain."

"What were they saying? Not a frig," Cross asked. Before long, the Adirondack got their answer as the ship began to shake from the impact of the 6.1 inch guns from the Inflexible. The crew tried to steady themselves from the impact of the guns firing and Chester made his way back to the command chair.

"That's not a frigate," he said. "That's what Stallworth was trying to say. No frigate should be able to hit us like that. Damage report?"

"Targeting scanners went blank for the moment. They've been restored. Basic communications systems are offline," Harvey said.

"Looks like we'll be using walkie talkies for a while. Can you get a lock on that ship?"

"Affirmative." Chester looked back. It wasn't Lieutenant Carleton Jaden at the weapons console. It was Bark.

"Bark, what are you doing over there?"

"Jaden's being taken to sickbay. He's got severe wounds from the sparks," Bark said as the unmistakeable whoosh of a fire extinguisher put out a small fire at one of the unmanned consoles.

Chester hit a button for the shipwide emergency broadcast system, one that was well-protected enough to allow him to communicate with the ship if the normal channels were offline. Being fired on by a ship that was likely large enough to be at least a crusier was definitely an emergency.

"Red alert! All hands to battle stations. Red alert!" The normal soft white lighting on the bridge and throughout the ship soon made way for the red light that signified battle. His crew, as inexperienced as they were, were getting their first real test.

"Target those eight inch guns. I want to hit their engines, their weapons platforms, whatever you can hit. Get a lock with Scourge missiles and light torps too."

"A Scourge? Do you want a nuclear warhead?"

"Negative, Bark," Chester said. "That could invite a nuclear retaliation and I don't want to waste the warhead on one ship. Conventional warheads only."

"Aye, sir," Bark said, breathing a sigh of relief. "Target acquired."

"Fire!"

The eight inch guns, a volley of Scourge missiles, and four torpedoes streaked toward the Inflexible as Chester waited nervously for their result.

OOC: OK.

IC:

Permission to land granted on landing pad eightcome to Talzeckia. came the response from the control tower. The VTOL shot through the sky, and kicked on its vectored thrust system, throwing it into a hover directly over the pad. The impressive looking transport touched down on a helipad, and the rear doors swung open. The Legionaries stepped out, their rifles and duffel bags swung over their sholders, and boarded a nearby truck which would take them to a barraks. Marius, on the other hand, met with the Talzecki SF commander, Lt. Colonel Blake Lester, upon stepping off, and sent his men ahead.

The Legionaries would have the daunting task of turning the Talzecki army (or at least part of it) into an effective fighting force.

"Welcome to Talzeckia, I'm Lt. Col. Blake Lester, commander of the Talzecki Special Forces." said Lester, saluting Marius, who returned it.

"Major Marius, Doom Legion Hunter-Killers, at your command." he said in a nearly robotic tone. This was a result of the lifetime of training each Legionnary went through. "My men and I are here to assist in the training of your people." he stated. Marius was tall, around 6"8, clean shaven, bald, brown eyes, stocky, and utterly emotionless. This was a very common trait amongst the Doom Legionaries, the elite conventional and unconventional forces of Doomingsland. He happened to be a Hunter-Killer, the unconventional side of the Legion. He'd seen action in several theatres of operations, including Sovieten, Alberia (a Generian province) and Bucchiania (also a Generian province). He was actualy responsable for one of the many mass graves that decorate the landscapes of those barren places.
I feel like I'm RPing alone....

I feel like I'm RPing alone....
I feel, er, felt (as I'm out of this RP), your pain

Commander Franklin sat in his chair, leaning forward, his hands firmly gripping the chair's arms. The main guns were ablaze in activity and the ship began to heavily, slightly, to and fro with each 8 inch shell that hit her. The thick deck and superstructure armor protected the fragile interior of the ship. The deafening thuds of the shells hitting the outer hull was terrifying to the younger crewmen.

On the Bridge the battle was upfolding. Automated defense systems targeted incoming shells and missiles to try to divert or destroy them. The volley of Scourge missiles was immediately picked up by the targeting computers. Short range SAMs and the medium range Millenium Gun system openned up on the streaking missiles. Two of the Scourges were promptly shot out of the sky. As the two remaining missiles closed in on the Inflexible the short range flachette cannons buzzed into operation. Unfortunately, one of the missiles survived the barrage and hit the primary Air-Search Radar, litterally ripping it off the ship. The second missile began to tumble as the 20mm rounds impacted it. It struck the aft helicopter deck without exploding, gouging as it went along. After it fell off the deck it exploded in the water, charing the outer layers of armor.

At the same time this drama was unfolding, Matsui gave the final commands to launch primary offensive weapons. A spread of 5 heavy (650mm) torpedoes flew out of their above-the-waterline launch tubes and splashed into the water. Eight Muckraker* HASMs came roaring out of the ship straight up into the sky. They were on a flight path to strike the Adirondack at a 90 degree angle. Twelve ASROCs also left the ship, adding their payload of heavy torpedoes into the water.

"Let's see those bastards on the bottom of the ocean." Franklin yelled out in excitement. His ship was taking a beating, but it was holding up nicely. His mind quickly wondered off to the possible idea of getting a promotion as a result of this battle. Captain Franklin, that sounds mighty... he was snapped back to reality by a sonar officer.

"Torpedoes in the water, we have fish in the water!"

"Helm!" Franklin yelled over the continued roar of war, "Full evasive maneuvers, deploy countermeasures, activate SCUWDS."

The Inflexible made very fast course corrections, leaning as much as 15 degrees to port and starboard. The incoming torpedos quickly fell pray to countermeasures and the underwater defense systems. As the final incoming torpedo appeared to be harmlessly passing in front of the ship, it abruptly turned and smashed into the bow. The force of the explosion, combined with the high speed of the ship, caused the bow to rise out of the water. The shock of the impact threw people off there feet across the entire ship.

As the drama unfolded down below, the three small UAVs above the Adirondack switched operation modes. No longer were they being used to help guide shells, now their Jamming, ECM, and ECCCM systems came online. Unless all three were promptly dealt with, the Adirondack's detection and targeting systems would be effectively neutralized.

[OOC: I had to make some assumption about the size of your attack, if I am off please feel free to correct me.

*- The Muckraker is comparable to a Yakhont missile but larger, heavier, and faster.]

Permission to land granted on landing pad eightcome to Talzeckia. came the response from the control tower. The VTOL shot through the sky, and kicked on its vectored thrust system, throwing it into a hover directly over the pad. The impressive looking transport touched down on a helipad, and the rear doors swung open. The Legionaries stepped out, their rifles and duffel bags swung over their sholders, and boarded a nearby truck which would take them to a barraks. Marius, on the other hand, met with the Talzecki SF commander, Lt. Colonel Blake Lester, upon stepping off, and sent his men ahead.

The Legionaries would have the daunting task of turning the Talzecki army (or at least part of it) into an effective fighting force.

"Welcome to Talzeckia, I'm Lt. Col. Blake Lester, commander of the Talzecki Special Forces." said Lester, saluting Marius, who returned it.

"Major Marius, Doom Legion Hunter-Killers, at your command." he said in a nearly robotic tone. This was a result of the lifetime of training each Legionnary went through. "My men and I are here to assist in the training of your people." he stated. Marius was tall, around 6"8, clean shaven, bald, brown eyes, stocky, and utterly emotionless. This was a very common trait amongst the Doom Legionaries, the elite conventional and unconventional forces of Doomingsland. He happened to be a Hunter-Killer, the unconventional side of the Legion. He'd seen action in several theatres of operations, including Sovieten, Alberia (a Generian province) and Bucchiania (also a Generian province). He was actualy responsable for one of the many mass graves that decorate the landscapes of those barren places.

OOC: Sorry about the long delay. Replying now.

"Thank you Major. We look forward to working with you," Lester said.

"I was thinking of doing one of two things regarding this training," he said. "One, you could work with us to train all of our special operations forces and we would then use the training methods to train future recruits, possibly forming an academy dedicated to the purpose or a subsection of a future army academy, or two, you could train my staff for this and we could then turn around and train our standard forces. We'll implement whichever method you decide."

I don't want to get my head separated from my neck anytime soon, Lester thought. He knew he had 500 of the most in-shape Talzecki freedom fighters available and was ready to wreak havoc on whichever army was foolish enough to keep the Talzeckis from getting the freedom they wanted so desperately.

*********************************************************

"Incoming weapons!"

"Launch all countermeasures. Decoys, Yellow Jackets, Millennium Guns, everything we've got," Chester yelled. "Helm, evasive maneuvers, hard to port!"

"Aye, sir."

The Adirondack launched a series of decoys, SAMs and rapid-fire guns against the incoming missile and torpedo attack, managing to veer off everything but one Muckraker, which was knocked enough off course that it hit a structure that had been shut down and was planned for repairs. The explosion caused little damage to the ship as a whole, but that structure would now have to be completely rebuilt. Unfortunately, four technicians were there trying to assess the specific need for repairs and they would not be able to provide any reports.

The torpedoes were drawn away from the Adirondack by the towed arrays and by anti-torpedo decoys, but one managed to land a glancing blow. The ship shuddered from the impact, but its construction with a double bottom and reinforced keel allowed it to handle some of the damage. It was enough to feel like a minor earthquake hit the ship.

"Damage report?"

"Minor hits from missile and torpedo attacks. Nothing major, though I think we've got some loss of life."

Chester sighed. He hated to lose lives, but he knew that was a necessary step.

"Captain, I'm spotting three UAVs in the air. They're beginning jamming sequences."

"Shoot 'em down," he said. "Get another helio in the air and use our Millennium Guns and Yellow Jackets to fire at them."

"Aye, sir."

"Lay in a course for the last known position of the hostile. Ahead 23 knots. If we can get those UAVs shot down and a visual of the hostile established, send over two more spreads of torpedoes and Scourge missiles at them. Also, target their communications and engines with the eight inchers."

"Aye, sir."

The Adirondack began to belch fire targeting the enemy's UAVs and prepared its torpedoes and missiles for another go at the Inflexible. At 23 knots, the ship wasn't running at an all-out sprint, but it was trying to close in on the Inflexible to allow it to get a visual if necessary. And if there were a visual, they'd have to aim manually if they couldn't get those UAVs shot down, but that was a matter to be resolved as the battle raged on.

"Contact attempting to close distance."

"Hard to port, give her all she's got."

The Inflexible, with her minor battle damage, turned away from the Adirondack. Without concern for sonar detection, she went "loud and noisy". She quickly got up to her full crusing speed of 26 knots, the Emergency Diesel generators then kicked in and added more power to the ship's propulsion systems. If it were a perfect day the Inflexible would have been able to hit just over forty knots, now with the damage to her bow she could just hit not much more than thirty-six.

The rear guns of the ship continued to fire away, but now with an added twist. Every twentith shell was designed like a oversized Millenium Gun round. Once close enough to the ship the shell would explode, releasing dozens of small tungsten rods traveling at thousands of miles per hour. Matsui continued to fire off Muckrakers, ASROCs, and torpedo spreads at the Adirondack. In the helicopter hanger, four small UAVs were launched into the air. Armed with two Hellfire missiles, the UAVs were designed to give off a large radar and IR signature. They were good for only two things: acting as decoys for more imporant, and larger, UAVs and as a mid-range anti-helicopter weapon.


The three UAVs above the Adirondack continued to whirl about. Each trying to escape the fire below and finish their job. They released chaff, flares, small decoys, anything that would save them. One of the drones, the closest to the Adirondack was quickly shot down. The other two came under increasingly heavy fire, one of the remaining two was hit and began to leak fuel. It looked like the UAVs might have failed in their mission but at just that bleak moment, they found the operating frequencies of the Adirondack's systems.

[OOC: One point and one question.

Question: How many missiles does a Scourge cell hold?
Point: Those torpedoes that I fire are big. Really big. Big as in they could snap an aircraft carrier in half big. They have a diameter of over 25 inches My torps are slower than your light torps though.]

"I was under the impression we were to train your special forces, so we shall do that. Besides, I fear they may be your only chance of getting your independance. A conventional war is most likely unwinnable. If we draw them into a long, drawn out guerrilla campaign, you may yet have your independance." he said to Lester as he strode over towards a waiting vehicle.

"I was under the impression we were to train your special forces, so we shall do that. Besides, I fear they may be your only chance of getting your independance. A conventional war is most likely unwinnable. If we draw them into a long, drawn out guerrilla campaign, you may yet have your independance." he said to Lester as he strode over towards a waiting vehicle.Lester grimaced. He was right, of course.

"I see your point. I'll make sure every one of our corp troops are available for the training. Let's say we convene at about 0800 hours tomorrow morning and I'll have the entire corps here for us to begin?"

Lester waited for the Major's response.

If their is a war still active, I'll send my Army Ranger Division of 60,390 men.

Lester grimaced. He was right, of course.

"I see your point. I'll make sure every one of our corp troops are available for the training. Let's say we convene at about 0800 hours tomorrow morning and I'll have the entire corps here for us to begin?"

Lester waited for the Major's response.
"That is acceptable." he replied in his normal robotic tone. "Now, as for accomadations, where are my men to stay?"

At the request of the thread author, iLock.

--The Modified Democratic States of Cogitation