NationStates Jolt Archive

Hello, I'm Kathren Movan of the Colerica Imperial News network. We've just been informed that Maj. General DeClar Ramos (ret.), Executor of Isla De Plata, has been assassinated.

During a military parade just hours ago, his car passed the Delosa Bridge and burst into a massive fireball, killing everyone in the vehicle, including the Executor, his family, and Colerican Imperial Ambassador to Isla De Plata, Diex Moozay.

Within minutes of the assassination, soldiers belonging to the Rebellion Confederacy, a rag-tag group of Plataeese rebels who have been fighting against the government of Isla De Plata since the fall of the Ma'dah, stormed the capital building and Executor's Mansion in Tagdenbar.

Many had suspected that the RC has been funded by former members of the Ma'dah. Today, we know that this is now true. The Rebellion Confederacy terrorists have declared that Ramos' government has been dissolved and that a coup de'tat has officially taken place.

This horrific event comes weeks of outcries by opposition parties in Isla De Plata. DeClar Ramos was described as a strong, firm, and passionate leader. He was criticized as a pawn of the United Empire of Colerica and as a fascist.

OOC: For anyone who cares, that is. :P. This will be resulting in a civil war in Isla De Plata, more than likely. Everyone is free to join in.

OOC: Might as well fight in Isla de Plata again, been a while since a good war.

ooc: what sort of information can you give on Isla de Plata, for example, where is it and how close is it to Colerica proper? I ask because it could simply be out of the logistical range of the Commonwealth...

ooc: what sort of information can you give on Isla de Plata, for example, where is it and how close is it to Colerica proper? I ask because it could simply be out of the logistical range of the Commonwealth...

OOC: Isla De Plata is one hundred eighty-seven miles southeast of the Colerican islands. Any information you require can be given at the drop of a hat, rest assured. :)

IC:

The Colerica Imperial News network has recieved a tape from a man claiming to be the leader of the Rebellion Confederacy. Calling himself Sallis the Great, this man has appeared on tape, denouncing the ex-government of the Island Republic and what he calls the, quote, "pitiful attempt by foreign forces to remove the Ma'dah from power." He says, quote, "the rightful rulers of Isla De Plata have returned. All hail Mage Uraine!"

Mage Uraine, as you know, is the son of the late former tyrant of Isla De Plata, Ayden Uraine. Ayden was assassinated by his own generals midway though the war for liberation. After he was killed, his son took control of the government and refused to formerely surrender until his last stronghold was taken. Mage Uraine narrowly escaped capture at the hands of elite commandos and his current where-abouts are unknown.

More on this as it developes.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Imperium, Commonwealth Republic of New Britain

Ivan Valovich glanced through all the current news briefs on his desk. There seemed to be a great deal going on against Mississippi, a major war was on the horizon it seemed. Thankfully, there were no assets of the Commonwealth in the area, and thus it was for now, not a concern of the Commonwealth. He moved his eyes across the rest of the page, found an issue involving some Commonwealth hydrographic survey vessels down towards Antarctica, but nothing was out of control.

Except this, Valovich selected a small piece of data, really nothing major. Just a coup in some unheard of tiny little speck of land. Isla de Plata. However, the concern was the assassination of an official from Colerica, a fellow member of the Imperial Confederacy. Although the Commonwealth was not bound to come to the aid of Colerica in terms of military support, the probability was that it would be frowned upon. And it didn’t much appear as if anyone too important was partaking on the cause of the rebels. So perhaps it was time to write up a communiqué to Colerica, and see what was going on in this little country.

Letter to the Colerican Government

The people of the Commonwealth express their condolences for the loss of your ambassador to Isla de Plata. Unfortunately, we know very little of this island and we are curious to know your position on the events as they have transpired.

Ivan Valovich
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Letter to the Colerican Government

The people of the Commonwealth express their condolences for the loss of your ambassador to Isla de Plata. Unfortunately, we know very little of this island and we are curious to know your position on the events as they have transpired.

Ivan Valovich
Minister of Foreign Affairs

The United Empire of Colerica appreciates the gesture from the Commonwealth. The loss of Mr. Moozay is surely difficult to deal with, but we must advance in strength and determination. The United Empire will not tolerate a Ma'dah-controlled Isla De Plata again. Should we sit idly by and do nothing for the Plataeese people, we will be confirming that five hundred sixty three Colerican soldiers would have died in vain during the first liberation of the Island Republic. We owe it to the Plataeese people to set them free. And set them free, we shall.

Regards,

Kircer Danton
Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

OOC: To help you get up to speed here, Azazia, I've got some background info for you. A few NS years back, a Colerican passenger liner, the IMS Montaro, was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Isla De Plata. This act killed nineteen hundred Colerican civillians.

Days later, the United Empire recieved a coded communication from a group of annonymous officials in the Ma'dah regime of Isla De Plata. The Ma'dah regime had ruled the island for almost a century and had brutally oppressed its people. Rumors also flung wild that they possessed weapons of mass destruction and were not afraid to use them on enemies. These annonymous officials pleaded with the UEC to intervene in Isla De Plata and toppled the vicious regime of Ayden Uraine.

The UEC decided to act and launched a war for liberation of the Plataeese people. The nations of Tomzilla, Zoogiedom, and Hazen-Hugen (sp?) joined with the UEC to act as a coalition. A massive bombing campaign was followed by beach landings and a prolonged land war.

Half way through the war, Ayden Uraine was assassinated by his own generals after he sent a surrender notice to the coalition. His son, Mage Uraine, took over as the leader of the Ma'dah and reformed their efforts to fight the invasion as the Ma'dah Reborne.

The Coalition chased Mage to his last major fortress. He escaped capture.

Colerica Imperial News Update: Isla De Plata in anarchy!


Hello, I'm Kathren Movan of the Colerica Imperial News network. The CIN has now learned that our beloved Emperor, Maderic Thra, has decreed that Isla De Plata currently lies in a state of anarchy. Emperor Thra has, reportedly, stated the Isla De Plata represents great Colerican interests and must remain a peaceful ally of the United Empire.

Kressi Thra, Magistrate of State, released this statement:

The people of Isla De Plata stand beside the United Empire in their opposition to a return of the Ma'dah as rulers of the Island Republic. The United Empire will take great steps in preventing the Ma'dah from reinstating their sick form of tyranny over a populace that has briefly tasted freedom for the first time in a century. If necessary, the United Empire will wage military conflict with the Ma'dah oppressors to establish a peaceful and friendly government in the Island Republic of Isla De Plata. The consequences of inaction are unacceptable.

We will surely continue to cover this story as it unfolds.

Encrypted Message

To: Kircer Danton, MFA, UEC

The Commonwealth appreciates your efforts on bringing freedom to oppressed peoples, especially when the oppressed are ruled by such despicable regimes as the coup has installed in Isla de Plata. To that end, the Commonwealth is willing to pledge its support to the United Empire of Colerica in reinstalling the legitimate regime, which has been long-established on the island. To that end, depending on what your government deems necessary, a naval task force could be deployed to the islands (ooc: roughly where-ish would they be located, so I can figure out how long it would take to get there from say, the north central pacific) in support of a Royal Marine Expeditionary Unit.

At a later date, should your government desire our assistance, I am sure we can work out details for repayment in some form or other.

Our continued best wishes to the people and state of Colerica.

Ivan Valovich
Minister of Foreign Affairs

The United Empire of Colerica warmly thanks the Commonwealth for their continued support. Should military action be deemed necessary by the United Empire -- as it hasn't yet -- the UEC would welcome any further support from the Commonwealth with repayment in the near future.

Citizens of the Isla De Plata: rest assured that the United Empire will not allow the deaths of so many of our soldiers and the expense of so many Colerican credits to be in vain. Mark our words; you shall be free yet again.

To the rogue Ma'dah regime in power via the coup: your days in command of that nation and her oppressed people are numbered.

Regards,

Kircer Danton
Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

OOC: Umm....I've never quite settled in my mind where, per se, the Colerican islands are geographically speaking when compared to other nations.....however, I would say (based on how my nation's climate) that we're located in the south-east-ish Pacific area....

Like the situation with hitlerreich, Deschay believs that Isle de Plata has the right to be governed as they please without foreign nations telling them how they should be run. Yes, we are young but we will stand up for what is right and that means we will stand up for Isle de Plata.

Like the situation with hitlerreich, Deschay believs that Isle de Plata has the right to be governed as they please without foreign nations telling them how they should be run. Yes, we are young but we will stand up for what is right and that means we will stand up for Isle de Plata.

The United Empire of Colerica requests that you reconsider your position of support for the vile and fiendish Ma'dah regime. They are an oppressive, brutal cult of murderers and thugs who torment and kill people with no mercy.

You are correct about one thing, however: you are, indeed, young. It is in the best interest of your national future for you not to side with the Ma'dah.

Regards,

Kircer Danton
Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

Even though we are young we won't be bullied around. We stand strong in our support of a rightful goverment in Isle de Plata. The people of Isle de Plata obvioulsy want the m'dah leading them or if they did not,m they would not have supported the coup.And we don't appreciate being threatened.

Even though we are young we won't be bullied around. We stand strong in our support of a rightful goverment in Isle de Plata. The people of Isle de Plata obvioulsy want the m'dah leading them or if they did not,m they would not have supported the coup.And we don't appreciate being threatened.

The United Empire of Colerica is not amused. Once more, we request -- for the sake of your nation -- that you recant your support of the Ma'dah regime. Moreover, the Plataeese people do not wish to see the return of the oppressive Ma'dah regime or the sadistic Uraine family. They have re-seized power from the rightful government that was in place and now threaten the stability and peace of not only the nation of Isla De Plata, but the entire region, as a whole.

Regards,

Kircer Danton
Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

OOC:I have a question which will determine if I join or not: When the civil war breaks out, can the Heart of Armmaggedon(HOA)(SKA:Red Tide Mafia) seize control of a small port town and start selling weapons to all factions involved? The port will have to be big enough to dock a medium sized freighter in. The Red Tide goverment is not going to be participating in the civil war.

OOC:I have a question which will determine if I join or not: When the civil war breaks out, can the Heart of Armmaggedon(HOA)(SKA:Red Tide Mafia) seize control of a small port town and start selling weapons to all factions involved? The port will have to be big enough to dock a medium sized freighter in. The Red Tide goverment is not going to be participating in the civil war.

OOC: Fine by me. Colerica will simply overlook this. =) Speaking of which, did you see my latest post on the Imperial Confederacy's forum?

OOC: IF you want I shall try and infiltrate some operatives to train the rebels....You see a good number of the elite people in my group are ex special forces...

OOC:Since it seems you are going to be in a civil war... wouldnt that make you....... incapable of foreign military action.

To Kircer Danton, Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

Seeing as the Ma'dah has come back to power in Isla se Plata, we shall announce our unwavering support should this escalate into another liberational war. Many Tomzillian troops died on the beaches, in the air, in the jungles, and in the cities on Isla de Plata in the last war. They shall not be lost in vain and forgotten. Should this escalate into another war, I, on behalf of the people and government of Tomzilla, must ask for permission to use Colerican airbases to assualt the Ma'dah using our aircraft still in Colerica from your recent civil war. May this situation not become a civil war.

-Shogun Tomzilla the First, Shogun of Tomzilla

OOC:Since it seems you are going to be in a civil war... wouldnt that make you....... incapable of foreign military action.

OOC: Me? I'm more than capable of carrying on two wars at once....

OOC: IF you want I shall try and infiltrate some operatives to train the rebels....You see a good number of the elite people in my group are ex special forces...

OOC: Train the Ma'dah or train the freedom fighters who the UEC wishes to restore to power?

To Kircer Danton, Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

Seeing as the Ma'dah has come back to power in Isla se Plata, we shall announce our unwavering support should this escalate into another liberational war. Many Tomzillian troops died on the beaches, in the air, in the jungles, and in the cities on Isla de Plata in the last war. They shall not be lost in vain and forgotten. Should this escalate into another war, I, on behalf of the people and government of Tomzilla, must ask for permission to use Colerican airbases to assualt the Ma'dah using our aircraft still in Colerica from your recent civil war. May this situation not become a civil war.

-Shogun Tomzilla the First, Shogun of Tomzilla

The United Empire of Colerica warmly welcomes the support of our faithful ally, Tomzilla. Should this degenerate to military conflict, you shall have full use of Colerican airbases.

Regards,

Xevven Jericho
Magistrate of War

Kircer Danton
Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

OOC: Train the Ma'dah or train the freedom fighters who the UEC wishes to restore to power?

The Ma'dah seems cool enough up to you......

The Ma'dah seems cool enough up to you......

OOC: If you want to train the enemy, go right ahead. That's your choice. :)

OOC: Very well I will rp soon....

CIN Update

Hello, I'm Kathren Movan of the Colerica Imperial News network. It has been only a handful of days since the coup de'tat that took place in the Island Republic of Isla de Plata and the effects of the event are still swirling about within the region and elsewhere in the world. It is rumored that the Emperor is meeting with his Imperial Court -- the body of Imperial politicians and officials who act as formal and informal advisors to the Emperor -- to discuss sending military forces to Isla de Plata to reinstate the legitimate government and topple the Ma'dah yet again.

We will surely cover this as it developes.

Ministry of Defence
Imperium, Commonwealth Republic of New Britain

Daniel Blair reviewed the latest reports from the Colerica Imperial News network over the developing situation in Isla de Plata. Over in Foreign Affairs, Ivan had discussed the possibility of Commonwealth military action in order to assist Colerica in reinstituting the legitimate government. However, with no official word being passed to either Ivan or himself, he had taken the issue of readying plans with Prime Minister Tetley. The two had agreed that in order to better assist Colerica, emergency plans would be best drawn up immediately – though troops would not yet be notified of any potential deployments.

And so he was looking over the first part of the plan, logistics. Since the islands were in the south-east-ish Pacific area, supply would have to be by sea – lighter materials could be shipped by the Royal Air Force’s massive cargo planes. However, shipping would present a problem, he would need to ensure the safety of the sea lanes, which could be done with the deployment of the silent SSKs towards the two island groups’ waters, and then filled in with SSNs towards the more distant center of the route. In addition, air flights could cover most of the sea-routes, and presumably Colerica could provide either aircraft of their own to secure their end of the sea lanes, or rent out an airfield to provide adequate space for Commonwealth aircraft to perform the task.

The ships would need escorts, however. For that he could detach a destroyer flotilla with its four frigates and destroyers. Perhaps even a cruiser could be scrounged up to provide extra defence. He’d have to look into the availability of the Breningrad classes and the rate of procurement for the Type 72s. Of course, the initial needs for perhaps two weeks of continuous operations would be shipped over in the deployment of the carrier group. And for that he had the intention of throwing everything he had at Isla de Plata.

The keystone would be the HMS Endeavour, the trimaran supercarrier, with 230 fixed-wing and 35 VTOL aircraft and stretching over 900 meters in length. The Endeavour would provide the coalition forces with the epitome of naval command and control. Of course, she would need a massive escort fleet. For sure, over half a dozen cruisers, destroyers, and frigates each. Submarines would be required, and then a great deal of fleet oilers, but all of those could be requisitioned. For now it merely meant finding the pieces on the giant naval board down in the operations room.

Then, he would need the Royal Marines to do the hard work. There were currently three assault ships in service – each with an attached division of Royal Marines. One was serving down in the Verdant Archipelago Territories, and the other was relegated to the defence of the Commonwealth, which left one available to him; and what better chance to test it under fire. Of course, Ivan and the PM were hoping for a peaceful negotiated settlement, but for now, Blair hoped that for once the full force of the Commonwealth’s military could be engaged against enemy forces, he was tired of this pacifistic nature of the Tetley’s government. They had the forces, he didn’t understand why they didn’t use them more often.

And so Blair continued to think about the plans, refining deployments and adjusting schedules and ordering increased production of missiles and shells and storing additional fuel reserves for fighter and attack aircraft. If war did break out, there wouldn’t be time to obtain more and more weaponry.

Secret-IC:

How noble of them, Kircer mentally retorted.

The look on his face must have caught the attention of his Lieutenant Magistrate of Foreign Affairs, Lyla Dane, as she turned quickly to speak to him. Lyla was a stunningly attractive young woman with flowing honey brown tresses and emerald green eyes. Though she was two years younger than the twenty-six year-old Magistrate of Foreign Affairs, she had long felt a certain attraction to him -- despite the fact that Kircer was happily married with a four year-old son.

"What's wrong?" she paused and amended her statement, "besides the obvious."

"All of this," Kircer let out with a deep breath. "This is evolving into another war, Lyla. Another war in Isla de Plata."

"There's still some hope that this won't degenerate to war, isn't there?" she said.

"He has already ordered a covert strike. ARC's are belong prepped to be deployed," he stated.

"So any talk of mending relations is bunk? We're going to war?" Lyla said with uneasiness.

"It's my uncle's call to make," replied Kircer.

Lyla frowned. "Sometimes I forgot that you're His Excellency's nephew."

"I'm more than that, Lyla. I'm Lieutenant Emperor Pro Temp; second in line to the throne. Someday...this whole nation may be mine," he said.

"That's talk for a later date, Kircer," she said. Changing subject, she continued, "if ARC's are being deployed, I need to know more. What's the plan?"

"Koren gave the order once he got the 'go' from the Emperor. Two squads of ARC's -- eight in total -- are to deploy and mark targets for airstrikes. They've got orders to ice anyone in their path, civillian or combatatent."

"Civillian or otherwise?"

"Yes," Kircer said. "This coup...it's changed the way we look at Isla de Plata. Sure, the first time we went in was for revenge of the Montaro and under the guise of 'liberation.' Hell, some of the stuff I gave out to the public made it sound so convincing even I believed it. Now we come back on the white horse and carry freedom's banner to the damned Plataeese people again. This isn't for their freedom," a deliberate pause, "it's for their annexation."

Lyla gasped. Kircer continued, "Don't look so surprised. I'm sure you must have suspected it. The rest of the world -- friends and foes alike -- believe we're there for the freedom of that damned jungle island. In reality, they couldn't be any further from the truth. The first war went off without a hitch. We destroyed Uraine's regime and set up a government that was favorable to us, run by an ex-Colerican general. The plan was for a slower, gradual annexation of the island into the United Empire. With Ramos dead, though, my uncle has decided to accelerate his plans."

"It's for the best then," Lyla said, nodding her head. "Tell me one thing, though. The Montaro was actually sunk by the Ma'dah, was it not?"

"Yes," he replied. "That was what we needed, though. For all intents and purposes, we coaxed Uraine into sinking that ship. Then, we used that as the cornerstone for our invasion."

"All the while, looking like freedom-fighters and liberators of an oppressed nation," Lyla said, finally seeing the bigger picture at hand. "I finally get it. And now we're doing it again."

"This time," he paused, "Maderic is playing for keeps. This is a war for annexation of Isla de Plata, not liberation."

"But the world will not be the wiser," she said with a devilish smile.

OOC: Phase one has begun.

Breningrad, Commonwealth Republic of West Oceania

Over two centuries ago English frigates had weighed anchor in a long and very deep estuary. The eastern side rose abruptly from the coastline into the Irkan Mountain range, which swept from the southeast to the northwest in a large arc populating islands with hills and mountains and sometimes just the interior Sea of Azazia with tiny rugged islands. To the west of the estuary lay the sweeping flatlands of New Australia, the largest body of land in the Commonwealth. The green plains, however, had long been consumed by glass, concrete and stone. The horizontal landscape was now dotted with modern-day cathedrals of the church of commerce. However, this wasn’t a scene limited to the outskirts of Breningrad, for with the rapidly accelerating population growth, and the ever decreasing amount of land in the Commonwealth space was becoming premium. There was almost no untouched left land remaining in the Commonwealth.

Between the east and the west sat the large port city of Breningrad. The deep relatively calm waters of the estuary which had attracted the first English colonists had since attracted the Royal Navy and also the civilian maritime industries. Breningrad swept up like a U encompassing both sides of the estuary. Any satellite photos would indicate hundreds if not thousands of docks and wharfs littering the coastlines. And in a natural harbour that had been deepened and widened of course, the Royal Navy had constructed its largest naval facility in the whole country. 35 piers gave berthing for more than 200 vessels. However, at the largest pier was a single vessel; the pier was itself the longest being specifically constructed for its massive ship, she outstretched the ship by 100 meters and thus measured over 1000 meters long. Tied up adjacent to the ship was a large and slander ship, with a deck entirely empty except for a few large trucks that looked like ants upon a flat stone. Yet from the large banner dangling from the flight deck, the name was provided for all to see and be inspired by, Endeavour.

Certainly, thought Admiral Sir Richard Atkinson, this was a major promotion for being a successful combat officer. Indeed, the only admiral-level officer to have seen actual combat in several years, Atkinson had been appointed the commander of the Endeavour battle group after his success at the Battle of Booni Island, where his carrier HMS Yorke and her battle group had managed to sink an enemy carrier and battleship. Today, however, he seemed to only be battling time and patience; as he stood on the open-air bridge watching the trucks and cranes lift all the stores necessary for combat operations into the mighty holds of the Endeavour. However, for the time being he would be deploying with only two air-wings, and not the standard three as the ship was still too young, and production had yet to catch up to her commissioning. This wasn’t something Atkinson was entirely fond of, but it was something he would have to become accustomed to rather quickly. In all likelihood the Commonwealth would soon be entering combat alongside its ally Colerica. And once again, the Commonwealth would be thrusting Sir Richard Atkinson into the lead.

As night fell, the last of the stocking had been completed, and the crew was aboard. Already waiting in the Sea of Azazia were one assault ship, one light carrier, one battlecruiser, six cruisers, eight destroyers, and six frigates. The remaining two frigates were waiting in the estuary to man stations forward and aft of the large ship as she sailed down towards the open waters. Down at the base in Portsmouth similar accommodations were being prepared for the last of the nuclear attack submarines. Two of which were already patrolling the advance route of the Endeavour by monitoring the extremely narrow Straits of Colossus, just wide enough for the massive Endeavour to sail through. The massive lighting system in the harbour provided Atkinson a view of the mooring lines all being released. When he saw all were complete on his LCD datapad, he moved back into the closed-bridge.

He looked around at his anxious crew, they had never seen nor served upon a vessel this large. Merely negotiating the harbour would be tricky enough, but Atkinson had trained his harbour pilots extensively in the particulars of this vessel. “Pilots, starboard thrusters – bow, amidships, and aft – all to one-hundred percent.”

“All starboard thrusters to one-hundred percent, aye sir.” With the massive weight of the ship it took enormous power to the electrically powered waterjets to begin to inch the ships outer starboard hull – as the ship was trimaran – away from the dock. After several long minutes, the Endeavour finally reached its clearance distance from the dock.

Atkinson sipped the cup of tea which had been prepared for him as he sat in his command seat. “Lower aft view-screens.” As his orders were repeated LCD screens descended from slots above the bridge’s windows, revealing the scene to the aft of the carrier via special cameras attached to the stern of the ship. “Pilots, make your speed 1/3 back.” Atkinson knew that the Endeavour’s large size made her extremely difficult to maneuver and so the dock had been constructed to give the ship straight in and out access to the estuary, however, she would need to clear the dock herself before the tugs would be able to come in and pull her out and turn her in the estuary.

As dawn broke the following day, Atkinson found himself still on the bridge. The plan had been followed to the letter, launch the ship at night and allow her to sail down the estuary in the morning, allowing for the masses of cameras and recorders to show the historic event all over the nation. He had the option of sleeping after the tugs had positioned his ship, but he had decided it best to stay awake the whole time. As the clock struck the 10 hundred hour, he turned to face his navigator. “Lieutenant, make your speed 15 knots and take us out.”

It would take another two days before the Endeavour battle group would clear all the straits and islands of the Commonwealth and until the rest of the deployment joined them from Portsmouth. There were no problems the whole way, and once out into the open sea the carrier received its two air wings. It was all under the pretense of exercises, which indeed the ships carried out upon leaving the Straits of Colossus. However, as Atkinson and several other officers knew, they now merely awaited the word from the Admiralty to make full speed down towards Isla de Plata.

Advanced Recon Commando Commander Eric Sharpe held his XM-8 assault rifle steady against his shoulder as he led his squad through an abandoned building in the Plataeese port city of Rawal. They had been clandestinely deployed to the city to mark targets for an air campaign that was to follow. So far, the team had gone unnoticed.

"Check in," Sharpe said through his comlink microphone.

"Jasso, here."

"Briggs."

"Warner."

"Good," Sharpe replied.

"The place looks empty, sir. ComNet says it used to be for storage. Looks like it has gone untouched for a while," Warner said.

"Take a keen look around," Sharpe ordered.

The team fanned out and began casually searching, unsure of what exactly they were to be looking for. They had been told to secure a row of buildings in town and this was one of them.

"Found something, sir," said Briggs.

"Something?"

"Weapons," he said while lifting up a tarp to reveal an open chest hold filled to the brim with old-model Klashnikovs. "AK's," he added.

"Mark this. Less weapons for the Ma'dah, the better," Sharpe said. "Wrap up here and move on."

HMS Endeavour
Southeast Pacific Ocean

“Admiral! Striper reports submersed enemy contact, within our lines!”

Atkinson frowned out of instinct, visibly unhappy, “Rig ship for battlestations. All hands to battlestations. Launch ASW birds and helos, deploy cornering maneuver Indigo-Lime-2.” Atkinson briefly thought over the situation, an enemy submarine had managed to infiltrate the kilometers of submersed exclusion zone, and was nearing range to open fire on Endeavourherself. From the secondary flight decks of the ship, six ASW helicopters lifted themselves off the deck and raced straight out on the bearing being relayed to them from the carrier’s Combat Center.

“Admiral, Birds Three and Four have dropped buoys to port and starboard ahead of vessels path. Commencing active pings.”

In the waters distant from the massive carrier, two stealthy helicopters had dropped sonobuoys that began transmitting active sonar pulses, lighting up everything between them, including any foreign submarines.

“Admiral, contact established. Designating contact Sierra-25. Bird Six dropping point buoy now.”

Ahead of the first two buoys a third was placed, triangulating the position of the enemy submarine.

“Target locked, Admiral.”

“Fire!”

The remaining four helicopters remained stationary, deploying no weaponry.

“Sir, computer estimates that the attack would have been successful. Sierra-25 sunk. No casualties.”

Atkinson smiled. The sly commander of his SSK escort had performed very well, eluding all his escorts for hours on end. Fortunately, his active sonar was far better than passive would be in detecting the damn little thing, the newest SSK out in the fleet. He’d recommend drill efficiency awards to the captain and his crew, they had been sunk, but they had eluded every other ASW vessel and all their tactics. They’d merely been fortunate that the HMS Striper, a nuclear long-range patrol sub attached to his group, had cleared her baffles and found a hole in the rather noisy waters aft of the large cruisers. The SSK had done very well indeed.

“Captain, secure all hands from battlestations. Secure all hands from drill. Good work, gentlemen, but let’s practice on detecting that bloody boat, shall we?”

Isla Mago, UEC

Five-Star General Azben Koren slowly stepped down the shaky steel staircase, flanked by Admiral McCallum and a quartet of Colerican soldiers. Koren had been told he was attending the unveiling of a new ship to be deployed. On the allocation reports he had signed, McCallum's little pet project had been simply identified as Tyrant Mark II, indicating that it was to be some bastardized revamp of the legendary Tyrant-class battleship. Upon seeing McCallum's newest creation, Koren had realized quite quickly that this was no 'pet' project. Sitting in the sheltered waters of Great Mago Bay was the largest vessel Koren had ever laid his eyes upon.

"What do you call it?" he asked, bewildered at the massive ship before him.

"By orders of the Emperor, himself, it has been named CSS Invisible Hand. She is the new flagship of the Imperial Navy,[/i] Admiral Harris McCallum informed. "She's the finest battlestation ever to set sail since the launching of the Doujin. The United Empire's first super-battleship."

"Why was this kept under wraps from me?" Koren asked, an edge of irritation in his voice.

"It was kept under wraps from everyone but His Excellency and myself. The Emperor ordered the ship to be crafted three years ago. CAS finished production of it two weeks ago. The Invisible Hand is now ready for deployment to Isla de Plata. The Ma'dah won't know what hit them."

"How expensive was this?" asked a skeptical Koren.

"In total? Oh," he paused, "in the neighborhood of one hundred billion with research and development taken into account."

Koren's eyes lit up at the mere sound of such money. What a miserable waste of funds, he mused. For McCallum's sake, this ship better perform well.

"When this breaks into war -- and it will -- this ship better perform given the costs of making it," Koren warned.

OOC: Schematics/details on the 'CSS Invisible Hand' will be out shortly...

OOC: Hello? Anyone here? Bump.

The Government of Pandoria, wishes to offer the support of the Pandoria Defence Forces, at your disposal

OOC: The invasion will happen; rest assured. I'm just in a limbo period right now as I re-enter NS from a short leave....

IC:

The United Empire of Colerica declines the offer by Pandoria Diplomatic. Your assistance will not be desired.

Regards,

Kircer Danton
Magistrate of Foreign Affairs

Emperor's Throne Room; Imperial Palace; Zachara, Kurono, United Empire of Colerica

Emperor Thra turned his head to stare at Astaron Tyranus, the senior member of the Imperial Court, the group of formal and informal advisors to the Emperor. Tyranus wore his usual smug smile across his face, but a new light was sparkling in his old blue eyes. A spark had lit within him; a spark that had caused a fire to grow in the old man.

"My lord, the invasion is on schedule," he said, bowing to the Emperor. "Everything is going as planned."

"Good, good," replied Maderic. "And of the puny nation that dared to challenge us and our right to show force at the onset of this escalation?"

"You reference the Republic of Deschay, Your Excellency?"

Maderic nodded. "Tyranus," he paused, "I want you to give the order to General Koren himself: wipe Deschay off the map."

"But my lord--," he began before Thra cut him off.

"You will do as I say," he snapped. "We will make an example of Deschay. This will serve as a prime reason why none shall entangle with my wishes. I have grand plans, Tyranus," another pause, "grand plans."

"As do we all, my lord. Very well; Koren shall be informed immediately and the battleplans drawn up as soon as possible. An invasion of Deschay, as well?"

"If necessary," he answered. "An air and sea campaign that will turn their sand to glass and raze every building they own. Soldiers are required then to clean up whatever remains."

"As you wish, my lord. It shall be done."

OOC: Check your TG's, Deschay.

HMS Endeavour
Operating Off the Coast of Isla de Plata

The warm sub-tropical sun beat down upon the decks of the Royal Navy taskforce, which now sat anxiously outside of Isla de Plata. The sharp clipper bows neatly sliced the calm surface in two, white saline froth splashing the sides of the clean bows. Further down on the deck on some larger vessels crewmen were suspended in buckets and descending planks as they painted new visual camouflage patterns onto their fleet’s many hulls. Above decks, Royal Marines practiced close-quarter fighting lest any enemy forces breach the fleet and attempt to board the warships.

On the open bridge, Admiral Atkinson stood sipping his daily afternoon tea – though today chilled with ice and a twist of lemon – gazing off to the east. In that general direction, though beyond the horizon, lay Isla de Plata and the future of the Royal Navy Taskforce 44. There was not much left to do in his fleet but to continue running drills and standard maintenance; and of course the continual refueling of his fleet. In the distance a small oiler drew itself up alongside the HMS Archangel, one of his oil and gas powered missile cruisers. The taskforce had been on station for a few days, and still no official word from any counterparts in the Colerican government.

Of course, Atkinson had expected such a move. Military force, at least in the Commonwealth’s mind, had always been nothing more than a last resort – and if push came to shove, covert precision strikes were always the first missions ordered. As he finished his iced tea he nodded to nobody in particular; for more than likely the lack of any information was merely an operational precaution that provided security and safety to those Colerican operatives doing their high-risk tasks.

With his iced tea finished, he drummed his fingers twice on the railing before opening the door to the inside bridge. “Course and speed, Mr. Roskov?”

“Course one two degrees, speed of one five knots, sir.”

“Very good, gentlemen. Captain Richardson, if you would please send Captains Williamson and Tomlinson and Major Terskov down to my quarters. Carry on.”

Atkinson strolled out of the bridge and headed aft to his spacious quarters – which were all but expected on a ship of such massive size. Unfortunately, such a massive size would also make the Endeavour an extremely large target should Isla de Plata have any significant naval or air forces. He shrugged the thought off – not out of disrespect or negligence, but because he had more immediate measures to attend to, that of his scheduled meeting with his submarine warfare officer, his surface warfare officer, and the liaison to the Royal Marines embarked upon the assault ship.

Upon opening his door, the open portholes provided him with the aromatic smell of salt-water and diesel fuels. As he looked at one of the models of his first deployments, he remembered the days when the Royal Navy still utilized coal-fired boilers onboard warships. Of course, the years had seen those reserve ships be scrapped and replaced by oil, gas, and now nuclear power. Indeed, ahead of him, underneath of him sat several nuclear reactors providing the electrical energy need to power the waterjets, the catapults, the computers, almost everything onboard the mighty vessel. Except, of course, the small mini-bar in Atkinson’s one corner.

Because Atkinson embodied the clean lifestyle, the minibar was filled with waters, seltzers, and various health drinks and iced teas. He prepared a small pitcher of ice water and set out four glasses as he waited for his officers to appear, which they did mid-pour with a quick succession of raps on the oak door. “Come in,” he called, his eyes not leaving the glasses. “Gentlemen,” he addressed them as they one by one entered the spacious quarters, decorated by lavish tapestries, models, and rare editions of books and artworks. “I’ve taken the liberty of providing you with some water, so if you would please, have a seat.”

Unlike Atkinson, who certainly was visibly aging, the officers present all were young – and each inwardly wished their commanding officer permitted the traditional, though frowned upon, drinks during such briefings. He knew this, and so he smiled as they each sipped from their water. “We need to discuss plans for this deployment, which we need to keep in mind is in support of our Colerican allies. As of yet, I’ve received no direct word, and neither has the Admiralty back in Breningrad or the Defence Ministry in Imperium, on Colerican plans for restoring legitimate rule. However, I don’t want us to be caught with our proverbial pants down, gentlemen. This is our first time participating in any sort of military engagement with the Colericans, and I’d like it to run as smoothly as possible. So, Captain Williamson, how is our submarine screen organized?”

The red-haired Williamson, of mixed Irish-British descent, smiled with his lips and his sparkling green eyes as he pulled out a folder tucked underneath his arm. “Sir, this is what we currently have on distant patrol,” he handed over a set of documents with ship listings, silhouettes, and schematics. “These are our close-in screens,” again, he handed over another document, “and lastly, this is our reserve strike package – which is operating to our south and east, just outside of the territorial waters of Isla de Plata.” Williamson handed over the last piece of papers.

Atkinson reviewed the documents; to his south was the strike package – consisting of three cruise missile submarines configured for land-attack targets with a mixture of conventional high-explosive, bunker-busting, and electromagnetic-pulse warheads. They were sitting deep below the surface, running in ultra-silent with their silent propulsion systems engaged. Their only connection to the surface was through a communication sensor sitting fifty meters below the surface, which was relaying through a fiber optic cable any messages from the taskforce – which amounted to very little as Atkinson had the fleet running silent and dark to prevent any electronic surveillance aircraft or ships that could be snooping from gaining any important signals intelligence.

Within his own fleet were six submarines, four of which were SSK hybrid submarines, currently running on diesel power to save their batteries and AIP systems in case immediate actions were necessary. The remaining two were ultra-strong steel nuclear submarines, that were operating deep beneath the fleet, well within the layer, allowing for long range detection of any submerged targets. Complementing these ships were four long-range patrol submarines, all nuclear powered and all built out of high-strength titanium alloys – allowing them to operate at depths far deeper than the continental shelf of Isla de Plata. They were armed with a few land-attack cruise missiles for redundancy lest the strike package be somehow eliminated by the rebel forces.

As Atkinson received the reports from his other commanders, the situation seemed quite good for the time being. Tomlinson’s minesweepers had swept the sea routes and were now extending their searches beyond the taskforce’s immediate limit of control. The missile cruisers and the battlecruiser Repulse had taken station immediately east and west of the carrier, the bulk deployed to the west to cut off any potential threats from possible allies to Isla de Plata. For the time being, the air screen was mainly deployed to the east, giving Atkinson his exclusion zone that extended all the way into Isla de Plata – should any aircraft leave the ground, he would know about it as it departed. Meanwhile, the Marines were ready for deployment – they had spent days reviewing their plans, their weapons, and running counter-boarding drills onboard various ships. They, however, as even Major Terskov admitted, would likely be the last to be engaged in this operation lest Colerica decide to take the island herself. However, should the need arise, the Royal Marines too were ready, if not itching for a fight.

As the briefing continued, Atkinson could do nothing more but wait. Everything was being well handled by his subordinates. Underneath his desk, unseen to the three officers, Atkinson folded his hands and began to unknowingly twiddle his thumbs. Waiting was the worst part.

OOC: I have returned. Mission is a go. Slight advancements have occured in Colerica's technology. Well, my geekiness has finally overcome me in NS: I've introduced lightsabers to my nation's army. If that bothers anyone, that's your own problem. :) They are only carried by military officers and they are considered to be rare, expensive, hard to use, and experimental weapons. Many refuse to use them. Let the invasion begin. I do, however, need a good RP'er for the Ma'dah.

IC:

The murky green water of the ocean revealed a startling sight. Such a sight could only be seen by the eye, considering that all Ma'dah radar was incapacitated at the moment and would remain that way for a good deal of time. Out of the bottomless ocean depths emerged a single periscope. The watching eye swiveled and then lowered back into the water.

Only a few miles away, an even more startling sight could be seen as an entire naval fleet sailed briskly through the sea. Six of the large Dresden-class aircraft carriers bustled their way through the water. A crimson flag gallantly wove on each of the ships. Large iron crosses were emblazoned in the center of each flag with the bent-N in the upper left corner. The ships were swiftly making their way to the coast of southern Isla De Plata and it would only be a short matter of time before they reached their intended target.

Within a few hours, they had come within striking distance of the Isla De Plata coast. A mere fourteen miles from land, the massive Colerican fleet was just off the horizon. UEC fighter jets raced off the flight decks of the aircraft carriers and sped away to their targets. Amphibious assault ships were in bound to the coastline, moving several knots faster than the larger warships and the cumbersome aircraft carriers. The assault ships were escorted by an array of destroyers and smaller gunboats as they coasted their way to Isla De Plata. Imperial landing crafts sliced through the waves and deployed to the sandy shores of the coastline.

***

Black combat boots. Kevlar vest. Camoflague armor-weave pants. Camoflague armor-weave shirt. Camoflague helmet. Twin Jericho .40's were strapped to his thighs, their silver metal glistening in the waning light. The slender, graceful hilt of a lightsaber hung on his belt. This was Major General Mark Travis. A man of strong will, brilliance in leadership, a cunning warrior, and one who possessed great luck. He had earned the nickname of the Hero Without Fear in the Colerican Civil War. Today, he would prove himself even more worthy of such a title. He would command his brigade, "The Damned Ones," into combat -- again -- with the Ma'dah regime of Isla de Plata. He thought that one war with Isla de Plata would have been enough. He, and those who thought like him, had been proven wrong when the Ma'dah resurfaced and took control of the nation through a violent coup.

News had spread out through splinter groups within the Island Republic that a great purge had already occured, claiming the lives of some thirty thousand dissenters. The Colerican Imperial Intelligence Agency claimed that a second, larger purge was already underway with as many as forty thousand dead with more than eighty thousand awaiting execution in dreary prison cells and dungeons of Ma'dah fortresses.

Travis knew, as others did, that the United Empire had waited too long to act on the rebirth of the Ma'dah. Many in the Imperial Court had opposed military action in the Island Republic. Their opposition proved fruitless, as everyone knew it would. If Emperor Thra wanted to go to war; the United Empire of Colerica would go to war.

Within the confines of the landing craft (LCAC), Travis surveyed his five squads. The rest of the "Damned Ones," the Eleventh Kurono Infantry Brigade, was spread out in various landing crafts that also approached the shore. Travis was ready for combat. He never longed for war, but he knew that it was his duty to fight. He would fight for Colerica, and -- if need be -- die. He just hoped that if he was to die, he wouldn't do so on the craggy shores of southern Isla de Plata.

An alarmed voice broke over the communications link. His relay partner, Stefanie Bazley, said, "The shore is crawling with Ma'dah. Watch your landings. Planes are en route from the carriers to mop up the heavier forces."

"We'll do our best," was all that Travis would allow.

He gave a corner-of-his-eye glance to his sister, Colonel Alexis Travis, who stood across from him in the landing craft. They said nothing. Their eyes carried any message that they might have used words to convey. They were both prepared for what lay ahead.

HMS Endeavour

Atkinson grinned, he had received word that the Colerican fleet and Colerican air forces had engaged Ma’dah forces. Satellite intelligence provided shots of landing craft approaching the Platan coastline. If they required assistance, Atkinson was ready – merely waiting to hear word from above to send the Royal Marines into Isla de Plata. He had secretly hoped that war could have been avoided, but once again, usurpers of legitimate authority challenged the forces that be and they would now pay for their folly.

“Move the fleet in, take the fleet to action stations and prepare yourselves for combat.”

ooc: i'll leave it there, unless you want/need assistance

OOC: Lightsabers, cool. Time to introduce the Maser Wing Corps. Basically like the MBT-92s I used in the first Isla de Plata and the Colerican Civil War. Looks like a F-18, but with Maser generators at the end of each wing. Should get a picture soon. I need a map to place my attack on.

IC: Admiral Thomas Shadle looked out across the see towards Isla de Plata. A veteran of the first conflict, with his carrier, the Godzilla, he planed to strike fear into the hearts of the Platanese(sp?) with a new weapon. The capitals of Deviso and Isla de Plata had felt the sting of the land Maser. Now, Isla de Plata would feel the sting of Masers from the air. The DeathWings in the Maser Wing Corps would make sure of that. A Tomzillian fleet of 3 Godzilla-Class carriers, 5 Yamato-Class Battleships, 10 Aizu-Class Destroyers, 3 Ryuko-Class Submarines, and 6 Radan-Class Cruisers had secretly sailed to the island. That was all the Tomzillian Government could spare for the time.

Missiles crashed into the shore and exploded vehicles. Colerican fighters and bombers soared over head, raining down a hail of blistering fire onto the fortified positions of the Ma'dah soldiers. A bomb exploded violently roughty forty yards from Mark Travis and shattered the brick frame of a small enemy bunker that had been implanted in the shoreline, against the woods. Bullets criss-crossed the air and made the beach a rough road to travel. Some of the Colerican ranks had become broken up and mixed in with one another; Travis had more than just his own brigade under his command now. From his position behind a toppled maze of rocks and the burned-out remains of an APC, Travis relayed information within his squad, and, through greater means, his entire brigade. The Eleventh Kurono Infantry was scattered around Travis' area in a fan-like pattern and continued to be under enemy fire.

"General Travis," a soldier said from behind him. "We can't keep up with much more of this."

"I'm aware, Jenri," he replied as he rattled off a frew rounds with his rifle. "We're moving around them from the right to route them from the back."

"Understood, Sir," Jenri said and raised his M-16A2 to fire.

The men advanced up the shore, remaining in reach of deadly waves of enemy fire. Ma'dah bullets found their marks on Colerican soldiers as Travis' brigade continued their mission of taking the shore. En masse, the Colerican soldiers charged across the shoreline, taking hiding positions and shooting spots under various areas of cover and moving up the shore whenever they had a clear vantage point to do so.

Travis dove behind a large outcropping of rocks to escape the enemy fire.

"We need a damn airstrike on those fifty-cal nests!" he shouted into his comlink.

Lieutenant Rem of the Imperial AirForce, a seasoned pilot and leader of the above air-mission, replied, "We're on it."