NationStates Jolt Archive

ooc: this is a side-story from another thread, found Here

Carthage, Commonwealth Republic of Bennington

The city of Carthage was among the oldest of the Commonwealth; founded principally as a refueling station for voyages around the southern coast of Azaz Isle the city had developed as a fishing and resort city. Bisected by the River Rubis Carthage boasted a modest population of slightly over 600 thousand people. From the blue ocean beyond, a white concrete skyscraper was visible as the highest point in the city, the regional headquarters for the Bennington Commonwealth Bank, the BCB, and soared 605 feet into the coastal sky and boasted 42 stories of commercial space. The other tall buildings, while tall at 3-400 feet and their own dazzling glass facades offered little in terms of gross size to the BCB Center.

Along the wharf, longshoremen still performed their ancient duties of offloading the small cargo ships that docked here instead of the larger ports inland, where there was far greater security measures. The longshoremen didn’t complain about their wages like some in the Commonwealth, they were one of the few groups that were unionized, a slow-growing trend in the industrial sectors of the Commonwealth as unionization had long been outlawed before the reign of Emperor Mikhail Barin.

On this cool, but bright and cloudless day, a land breeze gently pushed the cool air from the inland mountains out over the slightly warmer ocean. Sailors were taking advantage of the wind and brightly colored sails from orange-reds to cadmium-yellows to clean titanium-whites speckled the shimmering water that lapped the sands of the beaches where a few managed to spend their afternoons off from work. Jim Callahan was one of the unfortunates, however. His day was spent on the North Side in the community of Jackson, repairing the rooftop HVAC unit of the 25-story low-rent apartment complex recently built by the Republic. Of course, Callahan figured, the fact it was built by the Bennington Republic was the reason it was already down less than a year after completion.

Amongst all the maritime traffic off the coast of Carthage, between the sails and smokestacks drifted a small little fishing boat with its nets hoisted along its sides, flying a Lindimese flag. Although foreign vessels were not uncommon in Commonwealth ports, the Commonwealth was engaging in military operations in Lindim, nearly 2,500 kilometers to the south in attempts to end a revolution against the popularly elected government.

Ivan Ganovic stood on the bridge of his Royal Navy Homeguard Cutter; his ship was small and armed with only a twin-barreled machine gun on the forecastle, but such was the nature of the Homeguard, tasked with performing light patrol work of the coast of the Commonwealth to secure the borders and prevent unwanted intrusion. On his list of daily incoming traffic there was no list of a Lindimese fishing trawler, but nonetheless he saw it clear as day through his binoculars. Just what in the hell is this little boat doing so far north? “Navigation, bring the ship to new course –“

Ganovic stopped mid-sentence as he was blinded by a brilliant flash of light from the Lindimese vessel’s direction. “Rever—“ was the last thing ever spoken by Ganovic and the last heard by any member of the crew of the HMS Ash.

Several kilometers away, Callahan muttered, “Where’s the god-damn flux capacitor? It always figure—“ when the sky turned white for a brief instant. A second later there was a deafening crash that tore the sky asunder, far worse than any thunderclap he had ever heard. This was a roiling explosion. Cautiously, Callahan peered around the side of the unit and saw something beautiful, a ballooning orb of rolling and cascading yellows, oranges, and reds. Then he saw the BCB Center engulfed by something Callahan could describe only as a line of moving particulates, the glass was blown out, and barely discernible were hundreds of larger objects being propelled out the holes in the building. He didn’t even want to think of what those objects were. And then Callahan saw the wave approaching. Callahan bolted to the maintenance stairway, threw open the door and began jumping down two to four steps at a time.

Within mere seconds, the ocean around the city of Carthage was flash-boiled, leaving a hole filled by rapidly receding water, exposing parts of the continental shelf to the rapidly warming air. X-Rays and gamma-rays raced at speeds unimaginable. A kilometer out from the former docks the fireball grew, the air within the city quickly became so hot that many people burst into flames, those near the River Rubis jumped in to quench the flames, finding that upon breaching the surface they once again caught fire. The sailors out on the ocean all perished instantly, much like the HMS Ash. And as the high-energy electromagnetic waves poisoned man and material alike, the blastwave began to rip through the coastal city. The Bennington Commonwealth Bank Center had been designed, as all buildings had, to sustain enormous and sudden changes in wind direction. The 605 foot structure swayed greatly, the windows blown out by the change in pressure. Miraculously, the designers – who would in later years become some of the most renowned for their dedication to safety – had exceed minimum requirements, and so while glass and paper and steel and flesh were violently thrown from the building to the streets and buildings below, the concrete frame remained standing in defiance to the carnage now spreading throughout the city.

Many of the all-glass offices became mere steel shells as entire facades shattered into millions if not billions of pieces. Those people on the street who managed to survive the initial concussion were the victim of glass rain as shards of glass impaled hundreds throughout the city. Many of the smaller buildings leaned out, but then collapsed when the negative phase of the pressure wave blew through the area. Those that survived in the rubble were burned alive by the radiation and the fireball grew to engulf the beaches, docks, and central business district of the city.

Jim Callahan threw himself out the maintenance door as the shockwave hit the apartment complex. Above him, above the small metal awning, glass windows shattered, littering the street all around him as they slammed like a typhoon rain into the frail awning. Callahan began to scream as bodies slammed into the concrete, flesh and bone almost exploding on impact, showering him in blood. He had taken his science classes, he knew – when he had calmed himself enough to stop screaming – that his most immediate threat this far out was merely the radiation. After a horrifying and surreal fifteen minutes, Callahan stood, wiped the blood from his face and ran off to the north, hoping to find somewhere he could go for help.

Citadel, Imperium, Commonwealth Republic of New Britain

Mikhail Barin was a firm believer in naps. Sure, he was the emperor of nearly two billion individuals, however, there was nothing wrong with taking a nap for an hour or so in the afternoon, and thus, he climbed onto the small leather sofa in his main office and closed his eyes.

Hidden Location, Commonwealth of Azazia

The Commonwealth Homeguard Command Center ostensibly did nothing more than coordinate naval and air patrols. However, during times of war, they also monitored the nation for spikes of energy consistent with large blasts of conventional or unconventional nature. Ensign Kyle Larter was among the Royal Navy personnel stationed on the small remote island, his job was the southern coastal regions. All was going well, his tea was going cold, but he’d remedy that in ten minutes on his break by going to the microwave, though he did hate nuking his tea. Then, then there was a blip.

And the blip turned red. And then turned blue.

And Larter’s face turned white. He picked up the phone next to his tea, knocking the orange-pekoe blend to the floor, his neighbor glared at him, until he saw the pale face, and wondered what kind of ghost he had just seen.

Larter spoke with his voice slightly wavering, “Commander, Condition Alpha. Location. Approximately the city of Carthage, Bennington Republic. Initial readout, approximately 100 kiloton nuclear detonation.”

Not even a second later the base was bathed in red lights and klaxons began sounding for immediate combat alert.

Across the Commonwealth

Military base after military base rang out with a strange, rarely heard klaxon sound, shrill, but repeated in short blasts, a staccato of deafening feedback. Within a minute, airbases around the country launched interceptor-fighter aircraft. All anti-missile and aircraft batteries went to immediate alert.

Royal Navy bases experienced the same sound. And with the exception of the small ammo depot at Carthage, men raced to their ships, to their missile batteries, to their guard stations. Any ship capable of immediately departing did so, all others were put on notice to set sail within 12 hours.

Commonwealth Army bases too revved up their defenses and men and women in Bennington Republic donned filtering masks and readied medic teams for immediate departure.

Citadel, Imperium, Commonwealth Republic of New Britain

Barin exhaled, he was due for this nap, the whole situation in Lindim and the one just ended in Juristan were taking their toll. Enough with this business of war. He barely had time to calm his thoughts when he heard his door thrown open, “We need to evacuate you from the premises immediately. Follow me, sir.” Barin stared, the aide hadn’t even addressed him formally, something must have happened. He tied his shoes and grabbed the jacket from behind his desk and ran to the helicopter pad in the courtyard. In several minutes he would be taken to a secure site where he would immediately be set aloft in a spaceplane that would take him to the orbital station Excelsior.

HMS Yorke
Port of Tenb, Lindim

Atkinson paced on the outside bridge, soaking in the glorious weather when an ensign tapped him on the shoulder, “Yes, ensign?”

“Sir, the Commonwealth… we’ve been attacked.”

Loyalist Headquarters
Tenb, Lindim

Ramsey watched Tirrew’s face grow pale. “Still may have, what, sir?”

Nuhmi, with his military training more capable of acting when in shock replied for Tirrew, “May still have nuclear weapons…”

Ramsey nodded, and then felt a slight tickle in her leg. “If you will excuse me gentlemen, I am receiving a phone call.” She smiled and stepped to the side, listening intently to the conversation, and then Tirrew could watch Ramsey’s previously warm smile grow cold with dread. She nodded again into the phone out of pure instinct, since the phone couldn’t show her nodding. Then she rejoined the interim PM.

“Mr. Tirrew. The Commonwealth has just been attacked with a nuclear weapon in the range of 100 kilotons in our port city of Carthage. Home to over 600 thousand Commonwealth citizens. As of this moment, Commonwealth forces are operating in a mode that allows local commanders to authorize nuclear weapons launch. This may be temporary, it depends on what the coming hours allow us to discover. I’ve been briefed about your nation’s abhorrence of nuclear weapons – and I’ve recommended to Admiral Atkinson to use nuclear weapons as a last resort, but he does now have the capability of using them at his discretion. I suggest, Mr. Interim Prime Minister, that we move quickly to this former colony and find out what may have happened to these nuclear weapons. For my country’s sake. And yours.

-Whoa-

We of the Republic of Morgenroete offer our condolences to you, and hope you find those who perpitrated this horrendous act against your citizens.

Signed,
The Most Honerable Secratary of State of the Republic of Morgenroete,
Cassandra Jace

Prime Minister Tirrew felt a sudden emptiness to his body as he almost staggered. His hands began to shake and he saw fear for the first time in Nuhmi's eyes. The Linits... what will the Linits do when they find out? Stop it! You're overreacting! Control yourself!

He gripped the table tightly and waited until he felt warmth return to his body before he let go. He turned towards the ambassador slowly and composed his thoughts. "I... am sorry. I did not wish such... atrocities against your great nation..." he cleared his throat and continued in a much more even voice. "This is... confusing. Lindimn may be Socialist, but they were always the most peaceful country. Their entire military is their national guard, and they barely even maintain a combat-oriented navy. We've always protected them. I don't understand why..."

Tirrew scratched his chin and pulled out a cellphone from his pocket. Handing it to Nuhmi wordlessly, he grimaces at the Azazian and bowed sincerely. "I cannot express my sadness. If we can do anything, even in our damaged state, I would be the first to order it. I understand if you would like to pull out of this battle so far and attack, but I first want to speak to the President of Lindimn first."

Nuhmi walked over with a grim exression on his face and handed the cellphone to Tirrew, who placed it back in his pocket. "Prime Minister, Ambassador... Recently the Lindimnian Commision of Oversight discovered the absence of several nuclear warheads from an old storage facility." He paused to crack his knuckled before continuing. "It didn't show up earlier, because the computer records appear to have been expertly... tampered with."

An aide rushed in before Tirrew could reply. "Sir, Sero's surrendered! And Tre... has a message!"

To the Allied Leaders,

I have no doubt you do not want to negotiate with what you see as a terrorist, and now a mass-murderer. However, it is in the best interest of your people to relent. I have more warheads and various methods of deployment.

Lindimn is not an ally, so do not try to bring retribution on them because you cannot capture me, though I still am in Lindim. I simply ask you to relent. The same may happen to Pacific next, or who knows?

I apologize for the deaths, sincerely, though you will no believe. May the Sea take their souls.

Regertfully and Honesty
Tre, of the Huyuni

Unknown Lindimese fishing village

Tre flipped her laptop shut and turned back to her rice. The food here was passable. She just hoped, no, knew, that they would take the various clues she had dropped and follow the lure.

Loyalist Headquarters
Tenb, Lindim

Ramsey listened in shock to the words of Tirrew. She had friends living in Carthage, friends that she might never see again. Not in her lifetime had the Commonwealth had to deal with nuclear detonation on home soil – in the past, yes, but not for many years. Now, now this individual claimed that it was in her best interests to kill hundreds of thousands of individuals.

“Mr. Interim Prime Minister, the Commonwealth I can assure you will not relent in pursuing this… well I doubt she can even be considered a human being. However, this criminal must be brought to justice; she now has to not only face justice in Lindim, but in the Commonwealth as well. We would ask your assistance in tracking down this Tre. You have the contacts and primary sources, our long-range intelligence services can only do so much. We need your nation to do whatever it can to find Tre. I assure you, once we have her location… if capture is impossible, we can easily eliminate her.

And Ramsey began to wonder, the Lindimese were scared, perhaps even frightened. But why? They had to know that the Commonwealth wuoldn’t necessarily attack them, they had nothing to fear from others unless…

“If you will excuse me, gentlemen, I need to make a phone call.”

Government Press Release

To those nations expressing their condolences for the people of the Commonwealth, we most humbly say thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and wishes in this time of unparalleled trouble. At an appropriate time, we will have more information to release and more official government contact, at this time, the Commonwealth government is being relocated to secure facilities.

OOC: I posted in the other thread. Okay, here's a short reply.

Tirrew nodded and let the ambassador, who looked thoroughly shaken herself, step away. He turned to Nuhmi and raised his eyebrows questioningly. "He surrendered to the Azazians?"

The general shrugged; it was obvious his mind was on other matters. "They are running the show, Prime Minister, and with all due respect they may run this show after this damnable situation is over. If it ever will end."

"Do you think-"

"She has relatives there? I do not doubt it." Nuhmi stepped forward with a certain tenseness that wasn't common in the grizzled soldier. He probably had the exact fear Tirrew had.

"General, what do we do when... the Linits find out?" he asked in a quiet voice, being sure the ambassador couldn't hear them, though she appeared engrossed, if pale, at the phone call. "We need to develop a course of action that can lessen the pain of the separation immediately."

Nuhmi cracked his knuckles again and pressed his lips together into a thin, pale line. "If they do, they may have developed such a loyalty that-"

Tirrew shook his head. "No, they may finish their mission to rescue Fuego, but even then, when they find our our mistakes, they will not come back. And the reprecussions from such an exodus, after all this." Tirrew sighed and leaned against the wall. Was it only two weeks ago that he had been worried about the rising gas prices?

Nuhmi pulled a slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to the Prime Minister. "While we have the time, sir, I thought we might address the distribution of aid to the many villages throughout Lindim. I'm afraid we can't spare anything to the Azazians at the moment, what with the resources we spend securing..."

HMS Yorke
Port of Tenb, Lindim

The man pulled the chemicals through the paper and filter, and exhaled smoke and other chemicals. “I see. Well I’ve been briefed on the latest data the Directorate received from the field, and it puts an interesting position on Lindim. But we must talk securely, I’ll be over in a launch shortly.” The man hung up the phone and made ready to depart the carrier for the streets of Tenb.

The lines of his face showed ever more with the passage of years, he had seen much in his days - things worse than this event at Carthage, which is why it affected him only slightly. Yes, he had family there, yes, they were more than certainly dead, but it mattered not. He walked until he met the attractive young captain, “Ms. Ramsey.”

“Sir.”

“Now, if you are correct in nothing their fear, this presents us with an interesting opportunity. You see, the intelligence that we have gathered indicates that the government and perhaps the entire nation of Lindim is dependent in some way upon a group of elite soldiers called Linits. So far as I know, they have not come up in your discussions with this Tirrew character; however, our agents operating in the jungle seem to be operating with them almost exclusively. We have gained some valuable intelligence, take my word.

“I would think that this national abhorrence to nuclear arms as has been alluded to deals directly with the Linits somehow. We cannot confirm this other than a brief off-the-cuff remark from their lead general, but apparently the ancestors of the Lindimese were wiped out by a nuclear attack. If, perchance some actually did survive, it is conceivable that they link themselves to these lands on some mystical spiritual level or something. With insufficient data, mind you this is pure speculation, however, if that situation is true, it is highly plausible that there is some sort of… contract, that exists between Lindim and the Linits that in exchange for loyalty, Lindim will not maintain or own nuclear weapons. The fact that a colony or some association of Lindim does in fact maintain weapons against this possible contract could be reason enough for them to overthrow both governments or commit mass killings or any number of possibilities. Obviously, Lindim fears this, and fears others from knowing this.

Ramsey nodded, things made a little more sense now. It helped being an agent of the Central Directorate. “So my mission is to uncover more about these Linits?”

The man took another breath of chemicals before exhaling, “No, we have our field agents on top of that mission. Yours is to find out specifically how they fit into the government and political structure of Lindim, perhaps even the social/cultural fabric, but that concerns us least at this moment. Do you understand,” he glanced at the fabric on her shoulder, “captain?” he asked with a sly smile.

“Of course.”

Loyalist Headquarters
Tenb, Lindim

Ramsey entered the now familiar headquarters, although she hoped this was no permanent assignment. “Gentlemen, your Rain Admiral Sero has surrendered to the Commonwealth Royal Navy and is now in the custody of Admiral Sir Charles Atkinson where he is undergoing interrogation. We believe upon his word that he has information that should lead us to the whereabouts of Tre.”

“In addition, the Emperor has questions regarding the current overall state of Lindim. He has expressed concerns that your nation is rapidly…” Ramsey paused for a word other than disintegration despite the Emperor’s diction, “collapsing economically, politically, and socially. He had advised me to seek if you need any assistance with regards to humanitarian or economic aid.”

OOC: Azazia, congratulations! I suppose you figured it out with my many references of late to contracts, deals, Linits, and when Uyse said, along time ago, "We are the Lindimese" and such?

I was worried my many references would be missed. Well, nice. That's why you had that long delay. I really am impressed.

Loyalist HQ

Tirrew had to force his jaw closed after what the Azazian captain said. The Azazians, after suffering a direct nuclear strike, were offering aid? What did they expect out of the situation. Oh yes, that's right. Tre, and revenge. "I appreciate the offer of aid," Tirrew said, with a slight bow, "but enough corporations are pouring in enough aid. They want this country restabilised so their profits don't fall too much." He nodded at Nuhmi before turning back to the ambassador. "And now, with Sero surrendering and the military operations on hold, I am more concerned, at the moment, about your country. What is the situation there?"

While Tirrew talked with the ambassador, Nuhmi stepped away and slipped his hand into his own pocket and pulled out an old, obsolete cellphone. Ever since the inauguration, he had taken up the post of head of intelligence. And now, they knew where Tre was. That meant Sero was working closer with her. He dialed in a number, and waited for the secure line to be established.

"Hello?" a distorted and static voice answered?

"They know where Tre is."

"I can be prepared in twenty minutes, General."

Nuhmi nodded instinctively. "I will let you know the location when they inform us."

"Yes, sir." The other line went dead, and Nuhmi shut his own cellphone. If only the Ramsey would simply state where Tre was... and how was he going to deal with those Linits?

ooc: i accidentally clicked the wrong window and placed this in the other thread as well... and thanks, and i made sure that i figured it out only from references overheard by my men and not in secret, but then, your people dont know that my people know about your people... lotsa people involved there...

Conference Room
HMS Yorke

Upon hearing Sero mention Sed, Atkinson snapped his fingers. Everything had been set in motion already and he had merely been awaiting a target. Commader Kenneth Cole nodded and after exiting the room dashed to the Communications Room. Out of breath he merely had two words to deliver, "Sed, Lindim." he breathed before stopping to catch his breath.

HMS Excelsior
Earth Orbit

The data had been transferred to the navigation computers and input into the data pads of the Royal Space Marines on station. For hours they had been placed at ready adjacent to their drop pods for immediate departure. Within a minute, the 36 men climbed into their vehicles and began their descent. Unlike the Marines in the Booni Jungle, these men were descending in something that looked like nothing more than an egg with heat shielding. However, maneuvering thrusters they would be dropped onto the scene in less than three minutes.

At the same time Captain Yuri Askov stood on the bridge of the Excelsior, he listened to the report from the communications officer. The target had been input into the weapons computer. “Fire cluster.” From the Earth-side of the station ten missiles roared to life descending upon the area around Sed. Timed to arrive before the Marines, Emperor Barin had especially ordered these missiles to contain non-nuclear warheads. Although the intended effect was the same. An electromagnetic pulse warhead would detonate in each of the ten warheads carried by each missile. With ten missiles descending, a total of 100 electromagnetic pulses would fry all electronics operating within 200 miles of Sed. Any means of escape that Tre had intended on using would become inoperable. And the Marines would be there to take her out.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands Airspace

The small helicopter took off at maximum speed all electronic systems turned off. One of the new stealth helicopters operating at the airbase, the pilot had been warned to stay out of the EMP blast, but once detonated, to move in at full speed to assist the Marines. In addition, in several minutes, fighters and attack aircraft would be taking off to saturate the area around Sed with carpet bombing.

Skies Above Sed

Five minutes after Sero had told Atkinson the name of this place, the three little letters, one hundred bright flashes appeared in the skies over the fishing village. Seconds later a pulse slammed through the atmosphere and the ground into an area with a radius of 200 miles. Electrical circuits exploded, including one unfortunate Commonwealth reconnaissance flight that had been unknowingly trapped in the blast zone. The small aircraft’s circuitry tore the cockpit to pieces in flashes and lights, and then plummeted to the ocean below, the pilot long since dead when the computerized sights in his helmet exploded into his skull.

Two minutes later, the 36 Royal Marines landed in a loose circle around the town of Sed. Lieutenant Vladimir Velchenko unpacked his rifle and chambered the first round before speaking into the helmet communications device, “Men, we’ve got a bitch to hunt.”

OOC: If you read the other thread, I replied. And threw in more conspiracy stuff. I'll have another directly nuclear related post for this thread later.

IC: Sero had to fight every instinct in his body not to react to the sheer efficiency of the Admiral's response. But then, he would expect that from a nation that had recently been attacked. But he was no worried about his fleet, his own fate undoubtadly decided by now the moment he released that crucial bit of information.

Conference Room
HMS Yorke

Atkinson thanked Sero for the information he had given him, “Admiral, I must commend you on the operational capacity of your naval forces. They fought both hard and well several days ago. With a few exceptions, those being line officers and high-ranking seamen sent back to the Commonwealth for debriefings, we have several in custody as prisoners of war. Some are still being treated for grave injuries and are in isolation, but if you’d like to inspect your men and women go ahead. Also, if there are any messages I could send for you to the government of Lindim for any family members, I’d be willing to pass such messages along.”

At that moment, another officer entered the room and handed a note to Atkinson. The admiral smiled and thanked the commander. He read the brief note, apparently some group known as the Linits were working in company with the Lindimese government, but not now… more confusing issues. He wondered if the Central Directorate knew what the hell was going on, but also knew better than to ask. He didn’t know what sort of spy network they had aboard his own ship. But… he did have another source of information.

“Admiral Sero, I have another question or two for you. What can you tell me of the Linits and their connection to the Lindimese government?”

(ooc: The Central Directorate acts as a largely independent intelligence service that rarely shares info with the military directly, hence Atkinson and everyone else save Ramsey and the cigarette smoking man don’t have any idea about the Linits)

Loyalist Headquarters
Tenb, Lindim

Ramsey smiled at Tirrew, watching out of the corner of her eye the departure of Nuhmi to talk on some phone or something. “Mr. Interim Prime Minister, the Commonwealth, while having suffered greatly from the attack on Carthage, has sufficient resources so as – if you’ll excuse my callousness – that the attack is a minor, temporary setback to the Commonwealth economy. Carthage itself was not a large player on the national economy, it looked good with post-modern architecture and tourists on the beach, but added nothing substantial to the Commonwealth. Consequently, the nation toils onward rallying around Carthage. Productivity is something we expect to rise from this whole affair. The Commonwealth is fortune, prevailing trade winds in those latitudes are to the southwest, away from our nation as are the prevailing surface ocean currents. Environmental damage in the immediate area will be great, but long-term, thanks to the location of the Commonwealth, will be minimal.

“In the meantime, medical teams are proving adequate to the challenges presented them. The Commonwealth’s armed forces are on nuclear alert and the level of scrutiny on foreigners has been increased. I think that the Commonwealth is in far better shape than your own nation. My government is fully functional, as is the military, and our economy while temporarily hit, does not have any long-term problems to overcome.”

“With that said, are you sure there are no ways in which we can be of assistance?”

OOC: Sero tells mostly the truth, though some parts he doesn't know and some parts are partly rumors.

Unknown Fishing Trawler

The technician slid the wire into the socket and stepped back to look at the organs- no, the mind- of the metal and radioactive beast he had helped create. The inner-workings revealed the face of God, and the technician was proud. I am become Death, destroyer of worlds...

"Ay, lad! Do you be finished with your work?" the captain of this boat called out from above, peering down into the cargo hold, having no clue what a purveyor of destruction he carried. "After that horrible bomb in Azazia, I do be fearing they suspect me, even in Lindimn!"

The technician smiled innocently and nodded his head. "Yes, I'm done here," he said, as she shut the metal lid and screwed it into place. "And I really appreciate what you're doing for me, Mr. Granort."

The captain smiled. "Oh, think nothing of it! I'll be sure to get this delivered to your friends!"

The technician thanked the captain again and threw a canvas sheet over the hulking object before kissing it and climbing back up the ladder. Tre was a genius, and he was glad to be working for her visionary plans.

Loyalist HQ

Tirrew actually had to think about this question. What did he want for Lindim? The only thing he wanted would cost the most, but now he thought Azazia would throw even more support behind them, after the attack. "Well, captain, I would like to discuss a mutual-defence pact with your superiors sometime. The Lindimese military will be crippled for a long time after this, and we need security for our country." Ten years of it... "You country obviously has the military capabilities to help us in that aspect."

Tirrew paused and continued in a lower voice. "And, to be honest, I fear whatever Tre may still be planning..."

Meanwhile, Nuhmi felt a vibrating sensation and flipped open his cellphone. "Nuhmi," he said quietly.

"Sed. They're all over Sed."

Nuhmi nodded; he had a few relatives who came from there. "Get a team out there quickly, and ready to move. We can't let her fall into the hands of the Linits or the Azazians."

"Sir, the Linits may already be there."

Nuhmi grimaced and sighed. "Okay, just get a team out there now."

"Recon?"

"For now."

The other end went dead, and Nuhmi flipped his cellphone shut.

HMS Yorke

Sero smiled for what felt like the first time in days. By asking that very question, Atkinson told him what was in that note. Well, can't say I'm surprised...

Sero leaned forwards and rested his hands on the table. "I can tell you this. The Linits are far more than the covert agents you know them to be. Of course, you may know that too. I'm guessing they're no longer aligned with the Lindimese government, so I can tell you what they are. They're the last of the true Lindimese. You may know our history by now, so I'll skip that part. Now, they have effectively created a shadow government within the Lindimese one that rivals, if not exceeds, Tre's. They have a spy network that equals her, though they've shared no information. But do no doubt they've run operations overseas.

"They effectively have told every Prime Minister what to do with foreign policy, every single one, unofficially, until Fuego came along. She made a pact with them, one I do not know. And with that pact, she effectively freed herself of their influence." Sero sighs and leans back. "If I know Fuego, she suspected Tre, though needed her, and asked the Linits for protection. In return, she would free them, though I don't know how. I don't know why they've created shadow governments and spy networks, I don't know where the male Linits go, I don't know anything of their motives or traditions.

"I do know that Tre is a very dangerous opponent to play, and it seems they've played her in failure, you into success, and me into.." Sero smiles sadly. "I don't know what. But that's all I know of them. You would have to ask them for more information. But don't worry, they aren't crazy like Tre. If I had to guess, I'd say they're trying to orchestrate world peace. And we're the instruments."

An apt analogy. How did Fuego escape them? That woman was a genius for compromise. I wish this had never happened.

I wonder how the fleets are doing?

Loyalist Headquarters
Tenb, Lindim

Ramsey nodded, listening intently to Tirrew’s words. One thing, however, left her mind unsettled from the conversation with her superior. If the ultimate goal of this Tre was the unsettling of the Lindimese conspiracy government, why just strike a foreign ally? Yes, that ran the added benefit of potentially frightening away an enemy – if that was Tre’s intention with the Commonwealth, that failed. However, if she still had access to several other nuclear warheads as Tirrew and Nuhmi had suggested, that left other targets open. Ultimately, it couldn’t be the goal of Tre to cripple the Commonwealth, it would be a pyrrhic victory, she would leave Lindim mainly intact and they would find and crush her… her ultimate target still had to be Lindim. The question was where, where could she do the most damage to the hidden threads of the fabric of the current Lindimese culture.

This forgotten colony wasn’t attached by land, so whatever warheads she had needed to be transported by sea, satellite intel had recorded a lone fishing trawler departing from Lindimese waters that subsequently sailed north and was vaporized in the blast off Carthage. She had to know that at this point no ship or aircraft would be reaching the Commonwealth with the heightened security… but this all meant what? It would help if the Commonwealth actually knew anything about this enemy, and all the bloody plots and conspiracies within their own government.

Ultimately, Tre had to hit Lindim hard and thus break whatever oath the Linits had with the Lindimese government. The blast in Carthage merely proved that Lindimese nuclear warheads exist, perhaps the first breach of this mysterious arrangement. But why would a nation do this? Ban nuclear weapons… because the Linits were afraid of another nuclear blast in their own territory… trying to correct the mistakes of their past perhaps. And if that were the case, the second target would likely be in Lindim itself. But where?

It made plain sense that at worst, detonating it within the land still controlled by Tre – though that appeared to be shrinking rapidly – would work to piss off the Linits. But if her goal was to take over the government, step 1 would be to eliminate the most effective forces – not the Lindimese Navy as they maintained, but the Linits. With them gone, utter chaos would reign and she could move right on in. But that would still leave, nominally at least, a central organized government. To be most effective, they would need to eliminate the government which was… here… in Tenb.

Ramsey pulled out her phone and made a brief call and then turned to Tirrew, “Sir, in my estimation it is entirely possible that Tre intends to detonate a nuclear weapon here in Tenb. We can talk about arrangements later, but I would suggest you vacate the area. As of right now the Commonwealth ships are abandoning their positions outside the city and heading back out to sea. You may ask why I think this. Plain and simple, the Commonwealth knows about the situation your government has with the Linits – not entirely mind you, but enough details provided by our intelligence services are coming together to show that you operate in the shadows with the founders of your nation who are the Linits. The exact arrangements, I do not know, but would estimate to be protection for the exchange of no nuclear warheads on Lindimese soil or water. Your recent fright, I’ve noticed it in both of you despite your efforts to hide it, would more than likely arise from your realization that once the Linits learn that Lindimn possessed warheads, you were in violation of your agreement. That would splinter their loyalty. However, striking the Commonwealth would only serve to enrage them in sorts. Tre’s ultimate goal is still to take over this country and instate a socialist regime. Despite all your public claims to the contrary, the Lindimese Navy is not the strongest branch of your defense forces, it has always been the Linits. Standard operations in war call for the elimination of your enemy’s toughest units. She has not necessarily eliminated them, but isolated your government from their support. Now all she needs to do is to detonate one more bomb before they lose all faith in your government. She could do that anywhere, you might say. Correct, however, her goal is to take over your jobs, gentlemen. The best way to do that, eliminate both you and the Linits in one convenient blast. Two birds with one stone, if you are both familiar with that axiom.”

“My estimation may be wrong, it is based on several unsubstantiated estimations of intelligence my government has received, but is it something you are both willing to risk your lives upon? There will be helicopter on the scene in, well now, only a few minutes. Take yourselves, the aides you can gather in that time and all necessary documents. We will be flown to a secure location from which you can conduct the Lindimese government. Of course, you can choose to not listen, but I would suggest you do so. You and I have both witnessed what lengths this bitch is willing to go to in order to win.

Then, as if on cue, people in the room could begin to make out the familiar compression waves of a helicopter’s rotors as it approached the building on the open streets below. Ramsey opened the door and looked back at the men, “Gentlemen, whether you wish to come or not, I am going. Either way we will stay in touch, the Commonwealth is not abandoning you.”

Conference Room
HMS Yorke

Atkinson nodded at the next officer who entered the room, who had whispered something in his ears for a brief few seconds. Moments later, the two men could feel the ship lurch slightly as her nuclear reactors heated water into steam at a faster rate than before. The steam found itself working through pipes before hitting fan blades on a turbine that ultimately produced the driving force for the ship’s massive hull as well as the electrical energy necessary for the ship’s operations. While Atkinson felt it, he thought nothing of it, but smiled at Sero for he must have known the ship was leaving.

“Yes, admiral, the Yorke is leaving Tenb. Apparently, there was a lady onboard my ship working for our intelligence services and was well-aware of what you just told me, or at least parts of it. Her conclusion is that Tenb might very well be the next target of Tre’s nuclear warheads. And while this ship is quite sturdy and would survive anything but a detonation right next door, I am not inclined to take any chances, as I am sure you can understand. And as for your supposition as to the, ahem, alliance between your government here in Tenb and the Linits coming to an end, that is indeed what my note stated. I am not in any position to discuss with you the exact nature of what is going on, I’ve been holed up on this vessel for months now. In fact, this ship was ending a nine month tour in the Pacific when I received orders to proceed south whereupon your… most northern fleet engaged my pickets and… well you know the ultimate result.

“While I enjoy your civility, sir, I also note your apparent lack of enthusiasm for the apparently… winding down military operations. Your ships, your men and women are currently left untouched, although there have been reports of fighting between Lindimese ships and Pacific ships although I have no word on casualties and such. Other than that, admiral, I can assure you that you are in the best of hands onboard the Yorke. Now, if you will excuse me, I must return to the bridge. A captain will be aboard shortly, returning from Tenb. She will be running your debriefing. I thank you kindly for your information, and will be sure to put in a good word for you when the time comes.”

In the port of Tenb, the Commonwealth fleet, at least the smaller vessels that had entered the shallower waters, hoisted their anchors and began steaming out of the harbor. In other times, they would have been securing their hatches for imminent nuclear strikes, but given the attack on Carthage, that had already been done, all leaves had been canceled. All unnecessary equipment secured below decks. Of course, Ramsey couldn’t be sure, but with so many lives at stake, the Commonwealth was not going to take any chances.

OOC: Okay, your knowledge of Tre's plans is approaching the uncanny. I'll get a comprehensive post up tomorrow.

ooc: just connected a few dots and the whole thing seems to be falling together... what else can i say...

OOC: Well, you're still missing part of the Linit piece, but that should become a bit clearer tomorrow with my posts, both in this thread and the other thread.

Loyalist HQ, in Tenb

Tirrew didn't breathe for a few seconds after Ramsey's rather abrupt departure, and when he did exhale, he heard a chuckle from Nuhmi.

"A very intelligent girl," the general said, a smile playing slowly across his face, "And I won't condemn them for leaving so fast. But surely, Mr. Prime Minister, you know that we don't get Lindimnian fish trawlers, ever."

Tirrew looked out the windows of the office building and thought for a moment before speaking. "If they're too close, it's already too late, if they aren't, I want a helicopter out there immediately." Tirrew turned towards the general and nodded. "You may go, but I will stay."

Nuhmi smiled at the Prime Minister but did not move save for whispering orders to an aide. The young soldier saluted briskly and departed, leaving the Prime Minister and the general alone in the room. "Tirrew, sir," Nuhmi said, "Ever thought of running for Prime Minister?"

Tirrew laughed, with only a tinge of bitterness in his voice. "Yes, but at the moment, I can't wait 'till Fuego returns." And, in a quieter voice, he added, "If she ever does."

Nuhmi could only nod.

Lindimnian Fish Trawler

Granort was nervous, though he had been running a fishing boat since the age of seventeen, for more than four decades. It was ust that Lindimnians rarely went into Lindimese waters; an unspoken truce sort of demanded that. But then, that young man was so eager, and Granort really wasn't busy during the dry monsoon season, so it really wasn't that big of a deal.

I think I'll just go back inside and nap for a bit, this ship's not going anywhere with the goddamned motor stalled and- Granort nearly choked on his own spit when a shot rang out and he saw a hole sprout in the side of his boat. He looked up to see a black helicopter hovering over his trawler, spraying sea water over the edges.

Granort remember the scientist fellow had told him to call if anything went weird, and he would explain. So the old captain pulled the cellphone from his pocket, and fumbled with it for a few minutes before flipping the top of it up. 610-388-34- Suddenly, Granort saw two men dressed all in black drop down onto his ship, each carrying a really, really long kind of gun. "What the hell?" Granort managed to shout before one of the men pulled out a pistol and shot the cellphone in the captain's hand.

Granort just stared.

Suddenly, men dressed in white dropped down from the helicopter and ran to the cargo hold below, all of them laden down with heavy bags and carrying these little instruments that were beeping like crazy. Granort felt handcuffs snapp around his wrists, and one of the men in black began speaking to him. "Sir, in violation of the Estanni Federation's Act Three, we're placing you under arrest."

"I'm an old fisherman! I don't be nothing wrong besides helping out young men!"

OOC: I'll wrap up alot of plotlines with a post in the main thread later today.

HMS Yorke

Sero only sighed and nodded. The man was certainly a respectable sailor, but he did make many unfounded conclusions. Well, at least he would put in a good word. For my trial? Where? Lindim isn't in the UN. Is Azazia? Will an Estanni Court be convened?

ooc: more will come later when I have more time

Seas off Booni Island, Lindim

Admiral Atkinson watched the display as it continued to report the Commonwealth ships vacating the narrow and comparively shallow waters of the strait into the deeper oceans. Radar indicated multiple fishing vessels behind them, so in that regard, the Royal Navy was secure, however, the port itself was still in danger, if the words of his new Captain Ramsey were to be believed. But right now, she was preparing to discuss the entire situation with his prisoner/guest, Admiral Sero.

OOC: Wait for me to do a massive post in the other thread, first.

OOC: Ack, my secret identity is revealed!

OOC: Working on superpost...

Tenb

"Sir, we have the man, and the diffused weapon, and he is being brought here now," Nuhmi said, snapping his cellphone shut. "He's apparently an innocent Lindimnian fisherman."

Tirrew nodded and scratched his chin; it was obvious to Nuhmi the Prime Minister's mind was on other matters. Tirre spoke, and confirmed his thoughts. "Tell me, general, does it worry you what the Azazians know abou the Linits?"

Nuhmi stepped up beside Tirrew and shrugged. "Sir, a nation was bound to discover it eventually. And I believe that if the Azazians did find out, it was by the Linits' own decisions sir. They're gone from us now, we can't worry about it."

Tirrew breathed out heavily. "I know, I know, but I still can't feel as if this is leaving something dangling..."

Nuhmi tried to change the subject. "Sir, should we announce the acquisition of-"

Tirrew abruptly shook his head. "No, no. We can tell the Azazians, but don't release it to the press until we get Fuego."

"Yes, sir."