NationStates Jolt Archive

The crisp air of a frigid early morning was shattered by the high pitched whine of Harrier engines over the snowbound hills and fields of Maysville, Kentucky. Most residents of the sleepy hamlet were used to the patrols. As long as the Stern Brothers pirates plied the Ohio, the West Cedarbrook patrols would be a fact of life. Law and order had long since broken down in this river town. Trucks pulled in and out of their warehouses along the river and into the mountains abvoe it at all hours of the night, the activity unusual for such a small, out of the way town. But this night, more than the warehouses would be a target.

The two lead jets flew low, then circled back around the town. Finding their targets in the sleepy town, the two signalled the attack, dropping one each of their Mk 82 500 pound bombs in and around the river terminals of the Stern Brothers. For the next hour, wave after wave of Harriers continued the attack on the terminals, until the facility was a smoldering ruin. Higher upland further sorties found and decimated the inland warehouses.
Toward dawn, flights buzzed the town, flying low over the Ohio 41 bridge. Those rising early for work across the river in Aberdeen were shocked when they were turned back at the bridgehead, met by tanks of the 52nd Armored Division, 10th Army of West Cedarbrook.
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/* Public Diplomatic Statement */
Kramden House,
Columbus,
Kramden of West Cedarbrook, Earth III
8:05 AM
To: Interim Governor, Kentucky
Interim Governor, Tennessee

In accordance with the articles of the Pact of North American States, The Kramden of West Cedarbrook is now assuming responsibility for law and order and external affairs for the territories of Kentucky and Tennessee. For too long there has been anarchy on the Ohio, and on the stretches of the Mississippi under your suzerainty. West Cedarbrook has sought to provide security and safety for our citizens and for commerce on the Ohio. We are now extending the rights and responsibilities of West Cedarbrook citizenship to residents of Kentucky and Tennessee.

We are conducting military operations now to clear the rivers of pirate activity. All reasonable measures will be taken to protect life and property. Until we can gaurantee security the territory will be under local law as enforced by the Army of West Cedarbrook. When security is gauranteed we will meet with you to transition the territories to West Cedarbrook civil and criminal law. We anticipate reorganization of the territories into districts and municipalities before the 2006 Senate elections, and participation of the territories in the 2006 Senate elections.

All foreign affairs are to be conducted by the West Cedarbrook Department of External Affairs. Commanding officers of the respective state militias will report to the West Cedarbroook Military Attaches in their capitols for instructions about integration into our Armed Forces.

The government and people of West Cedarbrook look forward to a peacefull and orderly transition, and welcome you to our citizenship.

Louis Steinberg,
President,
Kramden of West Cedarbrook.

West Cedarbrook Department of External Affairs
Southern Territories Situation Room
6:11 AM

Secretary Klein ambled into the conference room, parked his coffee mug at the head of the table, and went to the low file storage to help himself to a fresh doughnut. He paused briefly to consider the headline coverage of the TransOhio operations in the Chicago Tribune and Indianapolis Star. Kentucky Desk Chief Roberta Dubin and Tennessee Desk Chief Bill Mann were discussing their reports animatedly. Their direct reports, and their military liasons busied themselves with last minute updates before Klein called the meeting to order.

Ernest Klein turned around, as if he only now noticed the flurry of activity. He strode back to the head of the table and polished off the doughnut, followed by a large swig of the coffee. The Secretary arranged his files, looked up at Dubin, and started the morning meeting.

"Bobbie, any word from Governor Spackle?" he inquired softly.

Dubin straightened up and reported "No. He's not in Frankfort now. We've been trying to reach him, but there's some kind of communication failure. You know, reception in those hills is choppy".

"How are the operations going", responded Klein.

Dubin had the lights dimmed, and displayed the latest deployment information on the screen to Klein's right. "The 10th Army is making good progress. After our early takeout of likely targets we've encountered no resistance. The 52nd Armored is spearheading our westward move, and is in 10 miles of linkup in Covington with the 2nd Army. All road, rail and water facilities have been secured from the Kentucky State Line west to Maysville".

Klein looked pleased. "How about Covington and Newport?" he asked. "Any problems there?"

Dubin looked down at her notes breifly, then clicked to a closeup of the Greater Cincinnatti area. "It's a little slower than we wanted, but still, no bad casualties. We confirmed capture of the Greater Cincinnatti Airport in Erlanger last night, and," again, looking down at her notes "we have linkup of both enveloping movements as of 30 minutes ago in Florence. Advance units are now in southern Kenton County."

"Good!" exclaimed the Secretary. "Our boys can greet Spackle when he returns to Frankfort!"

Dubin smiled brightly. "Yes, I suppose it would be quite a greeting for him. Loiusville has been tougher, though. The riverfront and downtown are in our hands. There's still shooting in the southern suburbs, but the bridges are secure and the 9th Army is nearly entirely across the river. Our latest reports have us entering Owensboro, and we'v lost some on the way."

"How many lost?" asked the Secretary.

"We lost 23 in scattered actions. 9th Army can confirm 139 hostile casualties." she answered.

Klein looked away. "We knew it wouldn't be bloodless" he sighed. "And we knew some of the bigger river towns would give us trouble. Keep me posted on any major changes in Owensboro, and tell me when we get to Paducah. Mann, your're up!"

The lights went back on in the room. Most of the military liason left.

"Also no word from Governor Rosenberg. There's been rumblings here and there in Tennessee. The usual complainers in the Nashville Courrier, some grumbling and fights on the Memphis docks and some factories", reported Mann

"Yeah, well, OK" answered Klein. "Try to flag down Rosenberg. Send Faun a nice boquet, or something". OOC: Gratuitous sexism.

Bobbie Dubin winced.

Secretary Klein stood up and stifled a yawn, and took a slurp of his coffee. "OK" he ordered, "see all of you back here at 11:30.

Cedarbrook Broadcasting System 6:00 PM Report:

This is the CBS Evening News, with Jim Silverstein.
Tonights Top Headlines:
Second Army Enters Frankfort
Response Sought from Governor Rosenberg and Tennessee Assembly
Public Opinion Mixed on Southern Territory Operations

Silverstein: "Good Evening. Our forces entered the Kentucky Capital of Frankfort today, occupying most of the city and assuming control of most governmental buildings. There was a brief scene of resistance by hasitly mustered units of the Kentucky National Guard at one of the Kentucky River bridges, but the crowd dispersed with the appearance of several Cobra helicopters, and some persuasion by the Commanding Officer. Attorneys from the Department of External Affairs and the Solicitor General's office attached to the Second Army are searching for Interim Governor Purdy Lee Spackle near the Governor's Residence. Gregory Ronis is with the Third Mechanized Infantry Division on the scene"

Ronis: "Frankfort was quiet today as the Third Mechanized Infantry and 20th Infantry Divisions assumed control of the sleepy former Capital. A little before noon there was a brief standoff before one of the bridges leading to the State House. Kentucky Nation Guardsmen were persuaded by the Commander of the column advancing on the bridge to lay down their arms and return to barracks. He promised that their stand would not be held against them when the Guard is absorbed into the West Cedarbrook Army. Most citizens stayed off the streets, and men and equipment continue to stream into the city as the Army consolidates it's control. The city is under a curfew and there isn't much activity. Representatives of the Department of External Affairs and the Office of Civil Security are searching for Governor Purdy Lee Spackle, reported to be in the vicinity of the Governor's Mansion, to begin transition to West Cedarbrook administration of civil affairs and security. He is reported to be considering any bargaining position within the context of accession to the Kramden, and is expected to call for a peacefull turnover of authority. We'll break in to the regularly scheduled broadcast when he is contacted. Back to you, Jim".

Silverstein: "Thank you, Greg. Further west, along the Ohio, the Army is closing in on Paducah. Casualties continue and the resistance is fiercer, as expected. Today 9 men were killed in an ambush 12 miles west of Owensboro. The Army responded with mortar fire and targeted bombing runs. 29 enemy were reported dead, and the Army continues westward.

In Nashville the Faun Rosenberg administration appeared publicly defiant, but there were signs of negotiation for entry to the Kramden. Phil Greenblatt reports"

Greenblatt: "Governor Rosenberg issued a statement to the press today, decrying the abrupt announcement of West Cedarbrook's organization of Kentucky and Tennessee. While she said that the actions went against the grain of the democracy the Kramden professes, she stopped short of calling for armed resistance. Meanwhile, at the West Cedarbrook embassy, officers of the Tennessee National Guard were seen coming and going throughout the day. Although neither the Embassy or the Governor's office would confirm it, there are rumors that the Guard is complying with President Steinberg's instructions for negotiating the absorption of the Guard into the West Cedarbrook Army. Public opinion seems mixed throughout Tennessee, with those river towns that have trade with the Ohio River pirates and some blue collar areas of Memphis strongly opposed to the takeover, and the Eastern part of the state and much of middle class Nashville generally favorable. There is some agitation in the press and radio talk shows, but not sign of any attempts to prevent incorporation into the Kramden. Phil Greenblatt reporting for CBS News, Nashville."

OOC: So far I'm RPing both sides. I've already "lost" some of my guys in ambushes. At this point, I 've got Kentucky pretty much under control.

OOC: OK, so far Kentucky is under my military control. Going.. going...
IC: Statement of Faun Rosenberg,
Interim Governor, State of Tennessee
Governor's Mansion, Nashville, Tennessee
Broadcast on Tennessee State Television and Radio

My fellow Vols:

As you are aware, our State has been requested to accede to the Kramden of West Cedarbrook by President Louis Steinberg. President Steinberg has cited the action under the Pact of North American States, and the purpose of bringing order to our State.

I have been informed recently that Governor Spackle in Kentucky has signed a Contract of Accession to West Cedarbrook, and that State is now under the military control of West Cedarbrook. Meeting with the Cabinet, and with our Foreign Affairs Department, I have come to the conclusion that the best interests of Tennessee is a peacefull transition to the Kramden.

This decision was difficult. We are fully aware that many Vols are saddened, even angered by the loss of our sovereignty. I share many of the reservations about the Kramden's laggard approach to social welfare, and strict separation of judicial powers. We must be midfull of the rights of workers going forward. Yet, there is no alternative under the Pact to accession. And I believe that the democratic tradition, both here and throughout the Kramden will safeguard the rights of our citizens.

The commanders of our Army and Air National Guards have negotiated for a turnover of arms to the West Cedarbrook armed forces. A Contract of Accession has been drafted with the guidance of our Attorney General. I will meet with the Ambassador of West Cedarbrook today to sign this contract.

The spirit of freedom long celebrated in our State will live on, after accession to the Kramden. I, and the Cabinet expect to be active in the organization of Tennessee into districts and municipalities.

I will also be running for the West Cedarbrook Senate after redistricting. Only a strong, united voice for progressive social policies can gaurantee a better life for our people. We have always had a proud tradition of this in Tennessee. The Kramden of West Cedarbrook will benefit from this new voice, and we will join with other forward thinking citizens in West Cedarbrook to carry the message.

I wish the best for our people and progress for them in the future, as we enter this new era.

Thank you, and god bless Tennessee.

OOC:... Gone!
IC: Fox New Eretz:
"This is a Fox News Eretz Bulletin, Steve Nudelman in Nashville. We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for an update on the turnover of Kentucky and Tennessee. After the Tennessee Agreement signed yesterday by former Governor Rosenberg, Kramden Armed Forces entered the State Capitol at Nashville. To date there has been no incident in the former Capitol, and life has gone on normally since then.

In Memphis things were uglier. The Army did take over all military and police installations, and all major routes were cleared throughout the city to the bridges, and the Mississippi border. Just an hour ago a shootout ended, after a tense day at the Tennessee Labor Federation headquarters on West Distriplex Drive. Fox News reporter Bill Drubitsky is on the scene."

Drubitsky: "As you can see behind me, Military Police are still on the scene, and the headquarters of the Federation are still cordoned off. The MPs are carefully searching the holdouts for contraband before allowing them to pass to a checkout by the local police. The police will be following up to be sure any possible insurgents are disarmed, and the city is on an overnight curfew.

Memphis was quiet, but sullen earlier as the Army took control of the city. The shootout has not been characteristic of the turnover. In most towns and cities the Army was greeted politely and with respect. Commanders have been under orders to move through as soon as possible after securing strategic assets. The former National Guard and Air National Guard has been cooperative in the turnover of bases and arms, and the police are now operating under the guidance of the Solicitor General. Back to you, Steve."

Nudelman: "Thank you, Bill. We'll continue to update our viewers if and when any further flareups happen. But it looks like Tennessee is securely with the Kramden tonight. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming."