NationStates Jolt Archive


Terror on the high seas [ATTN: Praetonia & co]

Holy panooly
05-03-2005, 21:22
OOC: Wahey a HP post!

IC:
Fruit Islands, the Sea Straits of Lapincuta

Yes! Another sunny day, a great morning to fish. Pesco threw his nets in the water from his leaky old boat when he saw the major cruisers and cargo ships sailing by. They were miles away, but the wind was blowing in Pesco's face, so he could hear the soft roar of the turbines. Again he thought, more of those bastards. Plundering our seas and flooding our towns with decadent tourists! Pigs they are! Pesco rowed back to the docks and tied up his boat. He had enough of this, something had to be done.

"Lads! Listen!" Everybody looked around as they saw Pesco slamming the door shut behind him. "I was fishing this morning when I saw those idiots cruising around through our waters, dumping waste into our waters and looting our art. This has to stop now! We shall go to the Baron and see what he decides!" A cry of unity and agreement rose up from the fishermen and bandits crammed in the wooden pub. They all drank their beer and followed Pesco to the house of Baron Gerlach Tarver. Like Baron Dominic Templeton, Tarver was unshaven, unwashed and wore the customary fur hat, a sign of being a great warrior. Only Pesco went in, while the others waited, sitting on the marble steps of the once beautiful residence of a French colonist.

"Baron Tarver, this is absolutely ridiculous! Ships are violating our waters constantly and destroying the wildlife. Baron Tarver, you must act."
"My dear Pesco, I wish I could but the central authority..."
"Screw the central authority! When was the last time we have seen a police officer or someone from the idiotic German city watch?"
"Eh... I never saw..."
"Exactly! Precisely! No Baron would agree merging our lands with a nation so corrupt, so..."
"I know what you mean Pesco. Templeton holds many oilwells, when you own those, you don't have to worry about oil for the next fifty years."
"Why don't we do something about it?"
"Do what?"
"Come on Tarver, there are plenty of decommissioned navy ships. Our friendly government dumped those 4 months ago for the recycling industry. But since no one manages that factory they're rusting away."
"I say we fix those ships, ripping everything that's not needed and make our own navy. Let's raise tariffs, taxes, fees. That will keep those people away from our grounds."
"Good idea, let's do it. There are plenty of unemployed steelworkers in town."

And so it happened, after a few months of hard labour (and irritation when more foreign ships sailed through the Sea Straits of Lapincuta) the first three ships were finally done. Painted, the deck is brandnew, the bridge rebuilt, all electrical systems reinstalled - all military hardware has already been stripped before they arrived at the smelter.

Three days later...

"Still no... Wait! I see one! Let's go!" The old man Pesco gave the signal 'all ahead full', and the diesel engines drove the ship (an old cruiser) forward to meet with the ship. A cruiseliner in this case, on a tour to visit the Fruit Island Archipelago, one of the last unspoilt places on the world.

*****

What was left of Holy Panooly? Not much. The three mainbodies (roughly the size of Ireland each) are surrounded by many islands, some as large as Iceland, others no bigger than a block of houses. The density of the islands was huge, whether the tide is ebb or tide, you can walk from one island to the other. But there's one very deep passage, cutting the Panooly island chains in two; the Sea Straits of Lapincuta. Because the southern islands are under complete military control and the route to round North Point is too dangerous due to currents and weather, (not to mention the trip takes an extra six weeks) ships are forced to go through the straits of Lapincuta. Distance in the most important factor, but safety is another because, well, Holy Panooly isn't known for it's political stability. The tens of thousands islands harbor many bands of pirates, murderers and mercenaries, and at the head of this very well organized group of thugs stands the mysterious ringleader, who is only known by that knickname.

The "government" only controls the major cities of Delapesca, Panooly City, North Point and several cities of the long-ago collapsed GaalSien Empire. Outside the cities the everlasting laws of the jungle rule, where neither seasons nor humans dictate what grows and what dies.
Praetonia
05-03-2005, 21:37
"Captain on deck!" The shout was gruff and harsh, eminating from a grizzeled old sea-dog. He has walked atop the deck of many a ship, until recently in the Imperial Praetonian Navy itself. As a retired sea man, he received an excellent state pension, but the lure of the sea was too great for him to resist. He had gotten a job aboard the PCS London for it was the only ship that would have him. There was little other reason to go on such a voyage.

The Captain was a small man who wore a shabby uniform obviously bought second hand from a navy surplus shop. His grubby shoes tapped softly on the metal floor below him, and he picked up his old pair of binoculars from a table beside him and, ignoring the only one of his crew to speak, looked out to the horizon.

He saw land on either side of a fairly narrow inlet. The Straits of Lapincuta. He shuddered slightly. He dreaded taking his ship through these god-forsaken waters. The shores teamed with bandits and other "unciviliseds" as well as odd creatures and a mournful sense of forboding always crept over his crew as they were forced to pass through former Panooly. Indeed, the journey through this narrow and trecherous straight was only made, along with the other two battered old freighters, as a cost cutting exerecise. The ships were only half-filled with steel and coal, and indeed the company that ran them was only just staying afloat itself. The Captain sighed, sat down and waited as his ship glided through the darkening misty air to the Straights of Lapincuta.
Holy panooly
05-03-2005, 21:50
The former cruiser, now named PNV Collacks, was sailing at a laid back speed towards the Preatonian cruiser, the PCS London. Pesco was sitting back in his chair, an old chair he took from one of the abandoned warehouses. He was sitting sharpening his machete with a whetstone when the bell rang from below him. From the navigation hut, the signal reported they were getting nearer the ship. Today's not the time to pull back.

"Give me the megaphone."
"Here you go Cap' Pesco."
"Thanks son... Oh yeah, fire a red signal rocketflare." Pesco turned the megaphone on, mumbled 'test one two three' and then he started talking to the ship. It wasn't a regular megaphone, but something much more powerful. Like the shrieking of the jungle apes, you could still hear it miles away.
"Hello. This is the PNV Collacks, named after the town you just passed. Please stop your engines, this is the Panooly coastguard..."
"Pssst, hey Captain. And what if they sail on and ignore us?"
"They don't, we have laid some fake mines near the exit of the strait. They will surely stop."
"Ah... okay."
"PCS London I repeat: stop at once, cease your travel!
Praetonia
05-03-2005, 22:06
The Captain grunted in recognition. This was odd. They'd never been asked to stop before.

"Probably just those damn Panoolyians trying to pretend they're a proper country again," he snorted after catching the worried eyes of the old sea-dog.

"Yes sir," he said gruffly, and left the bridge to get a gun. The other crew looked worried, but they trusted their Captain, and they had neither the age nor experience of the man who had just left. They didn't think pirates still existed anymore.

"Panoolyian Coast Guard, we are cutting our engines. You may inspect at leisure."
Holy panooly
05-03-2005, 22:20
Pesco and the others climbed aboard, staring in wonder at the elegance, beauty and splendor of this, magnificent vessel. With all the rich people on board, the men were like a kid in a candy store. Pesco and three others carried a gun - not even a state issued revolver, but a Russian piece of hardware. The other men from the PNV Collacks carried an almost antique colt revolver from 1920 and knives in a sheath tied to their belt.

"Good evening cap'. My name is Pesco Lloyd, and I am appointed as the commander of the Panooly Coastguard. My ship, the PNV Collacks has been recommissioned to search ships entering and departing the straits for illicit and illegal drugs, forbidden weaponry... You know what I mean. Oh and I almost forgot, pay up or turn around. I want fifty thousand so you can enjoy an undisturbed passage. Deal?"

The panooly men forced their way through the passengers and began the 'search' for illegal things. Or as normal people would say, a looting party. Silver knives? Illegal. Those heavy candelabras seem illegal to me as well. Diamonds? Have you paid the import duty ma'm? No? Sorry but those are now confiscated by the Panooly Coastguard.

While this happened down below Pesco stood on deck. He knew the Preatonians wouldn't let this happen without trying to do something about it.
Praetonia
05-03-2005, 22:42
OOC: I'd intended it to be a rusty old container ship full of coal and high grade steel, but I can go with the cruise liner thing.

IC: The gruff old sea-dog returned to the bridge, serupticiously glancing around to make sure he wasn't being watched. While the Captain was on the deck exchanging conversation with the Panoolian, the old sailor dropped three 1950s style service pistols, eight combat knives and even a Napoleonic pistol onto the table, complete with ammunition. On his own shoulder he had an SA-80 assault rifle from his early years in the Imperial Navy.

"A'right lads, we're goin'a take back arr ship," he growled softly. The other men looked scared.

"What? W... we haven't lost our ship," one said anxiously.

"Oh yes we'ave, an' we've gotta take 'er back. Wouldn't b'fair on the old Cap'n now would it, if we lost 'is ship?"

"N - no sir," the man was natrually inclined to obey him. The old sailor seemed to exude the utmost confidence in himself.

"A'right, we'd better ger below. That's where they'll all be."

The seven men armed themselves with the crude array of weapons and set off into the ship populated primarily by old upper class women, to seek out the pirates who had the nerve to loot one of His Imperial Majesty's Vessels.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 11:32
OOC: Aye Prae. Remember people, this is open RP.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/fruityloops/district.jpg Holy Panooly map. The blue dot is the town where it all happens.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/fruityloops/worldmap.jpg Location of the Fruit Islands in the Pacific. Note: other major islands are NOT included. The landmass above HP is Guerrillistan.

IC:
"Well guys, I'm off to my cabin, I'm tired as hell." Captain Pesco handed over his Russian shotgun to the first Panooly sailor he saw and he clomb down the ladder. Meanwhile other men were lifting the loot on board the PNV Collacks, gold, jewelry, expensive wine... Not that any of the men had a sense of taste for the virtues of being rich, no they thought it would fetch a nice prize on the market back in Collack. Though cheerful and enthousiastic about the loot they found, they were cautious. Stories of disappearing vessels keep popping up every while, especially around these treacherous waters. All of these happenings are rumoured to be work of this mystery man, the Ringleader. Only a few know his name, and they'll take it with them in the grave.

Evertson, the man who got Pesco's gun was guarding the men loading the bags and crates full of goods, he kept looking for Preatonian crewmen who might... He didn't know what exactly but it's better to keep an eye on them. He cocked the shotgun and was ready, for something. He prefered a peaceful departure but if he had to, he'd surely kill a few. He whispered to the men to keep their firearms ready. Maybe it was nothing, but it was quiet. Kind of logical it is to keep small arms on such a wealthy cruiseliner especially in these waters. You never know...
Praetonia
06-03-2005, 11:56
The seven make-shift marines crept quitely along one of the corridors of the less elegant third-class cabins. They thought it logical to start where there would eb fewest looters, and then work their way up. That would pick them off a few at a time, as well as ensure that they wouldn't be surrounded.

"I can 'ere something," one of the sailors pointed out, indicating one of the rooms opposite him.

"Ok," the ex-marine said in acknowledgement, and crept close to the door. He smashed it open and raised his rifle as the three men who had workable pistols crowded behind him to see what was happening, and maybe get a shot in.

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

On the deck, the Praetonian Captain politely bidded the Panoolyian Captain goodbye, and walked up to his bridge, ignorant to the actions of his fellow crew. He was worried, however, and intended to radio back to his firm's HQ in Praetonia, just in case.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 12:18
Evertson saw the captain on the bridge, and he knew at once what the Praetonian captain was going to do. He stormed up the stairs, and made his way onto the bridge. "Don't think about it pal" took aim, and shot the radio to hell. Evertson walked back to inspect the cargo the men were still loading on board the PNV Collacks.

Third class decks...

Three men, the brothers Charles and Everett Rushman and a third man named Bignette was searching through closets and baggage of the pasengers when they heard the soft steps of shoes on metal. He pointed his ears and yes! Again the same sound. Rushman tapped both men on their shoulders and whispered in their ears to stand next to the doorway, with machetes ready. Once one of those, how many were coming at them wasn't known, stepped in they'd slam the door shut, hopefully breaking someone's arm. Rushman dragged a cabintruck to block the door, to give the Everett on the right side more space to kick the door shut. Too late, Bignette was standing in front of the doorway when the Preatonian smashed the door wide open, without seeing the Rushman brothers. Bignette laid on the ground, dead.

Charles was standing on the left and he saw the barrel of the gun, the marksman had to be in the range of his machete. He was already holding it in his right hand, now he grabbed it so the blade was pointing towards his elbow. In one swift movement he turned around, saw the Preatonians standing and driving the machete in the Preatonian's body, he pulled it out and a stream of blood followed while he took cover on the left side of the door. Everett gave the door a firm kick and it slammed shut, this all happened what seemed to be in the blink of an eye.
Praetonia
06-03-2005, 12:33
The old sailor lurged forwards and tripped on the cabin-chest, falling head first into the room. He lay on the floor, coughing and spluttering, tangled in his rifle. The three men with pistols looked aghast for a few seconds, before their expression turned to fear. They backed away, and shot several times in through the doorway.
Brydog
06-03-2005, 13:09
The cargo ship RNS Glawston was sailing along carrying suppiles for the commonwealth of Sierra Leone.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 13:44
Everett saw the man lying on the cold floor and he did not hesitate for a moment, he took out his dagger from his leather sheath, and threw the dagger with all his strength into the neck of the man. He wasn't dead; spastic movements and cries of pain showed Everett and Charles death wasn't far away. Then the other Preatonians began firing into the cabin, bullets bouncing off the metal walls, Charles and Everett both took cover behind suitcases next to the doorway... Out bullets? Everett took another dagger from his sheath and he knew he had one chance of hitting. Then he saw the assault rifle lying on the ground, only a feet away from him. With his feet he slowly tugged the weapon to him. The gun was ready to fire, without looking around he sort of aimed the gun into the corridor and pulled the trigger until it ran out of bullets.

Collacks, docks.

"Sir, we have another ship in sight."
"Let's go, ready the crew."

A slightly more modern ship, an old Belknap class destroyer was turned into the PNV Sea Parrot, and was off to meet with the ship of unknown origin.

OOC: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=402842, please check this if you want to participate in international piracy.
Praetonia
06-03-2005, 13:52
One of the men was hit eight times in the leg by the automatic rifle, falling sideways to lie in the middle of the corridor writhing in agony. His pistol slid several meters to lie on the metal floor several meters away. One of the knife-wielding Praetonians picked it up and ran back a little, as did the others, raising their weapons to the doorway.

"Come out now!" One shouted, "and we won't hurt you."
Brydog
06-03-2005, 13:53
The captain sees the vessel coming towards them see looks at his XO and then whispers something into his ear. The XO leaves the bridge and heads to the front of ship.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 14:09
"NEVER!" Both screamed it as loud as they could, but Everett and Charles knew the situation was pretty hopeless. But not hopeless enough to surrender. Never surrender. Charles saw the body of Bignette lying on the floor, still in the same awkward position it died. He searched the body... And hell. A revolver! Unfortunately, only loaded with two bullets. Better than nothing and standing in the corridor fully exposed is a quick path to death. The staircase wasn't far from their room, if they could take out two of them, then could make a bold attempt to get away.

Charles threw baggage into the corridor, clothes, wood and bed sheets on one big pile where the man was lying who was shot in his leg. Everything was thrown on him, and he couldn't get away since Charles threw another dagger in his right arm, crippling him completely. Everett searched the kitchen and bathroom for things that can burn well. Medical alcohol to disinfect, excellent! He threw the content of the bottle on the pile of clothes and other stuff, when he ignited a signal rocket flare, which he threw on the alcohol-soaked pile. The dense flames took over, and the heavy greasy smoke took away the sight from the Praetonian men. Charles and Everett jumped out from the cabin, while shooting in the direction of the Preatonians. Running as fast as they could, they made their way to the stairs while under fire by the Preatonian sailors.
Borman Empire
06-03-2005, 15:21
A new cruise liner sailed closer to the strait of Lapincuta. The captain pointed out to the beautiful but dangerous islands of what was once Panooly. A trip through to expose more of its beauty and then the ship was on it’s way.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 15:44
OOC: Holy Panooly is no longer associated with the RWC. I have roleplayed as Guff that Guffingford-Holy Panooly are a dual empire but that's merely on paper. Guff only has a small presence on some islands in the very south (protecting oil interests). The rest of HP is one chaotic mess of lawlessness, crime and the harsh climate.

IC:
Sea Strait of Lapincuta, near the Brydog cruiser

When the PNV (Panooly Naval Vessel) Sea Parrot came closer to the ship, it appeared to be a vessel sailing under the flag of Brydog. This would be another excellent oppertunity for an easy penny. The signal flare was launched and the Brydog ship had to comply - minefields lay ahead. The engines stopped and the semi-official coastguards climbed aboard.
"Yeah yeah yeah... This is the Panooly Coastguard. We are here to collect the passage fee, which is fifty thousand."

Collacks, docks.

"Echternach, come and see this!" Echternach looked through the binoculars and what a pleasant surprise, a rich, pompous cruiseliner.
"Saddle up boys, we just invited ourselves for a damn ball!" The 'coastguards' grabbed all sorts of firearms, heavy shotguns, assault rifles and handguns and jumped on the former Leahy cruiser, sailing to the Borman Empire liner. Again the same process was repeaten: signal flare, ordering to stop their engines and climbing aboard. Nothing weird about that; it happens on most ships who tread into national waters.
Brydog
06-03-2005, 15:49
"This a military transport ship bound for Sierra Leone." the captain said. Then 75 armed soldiers came on deck.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 15:59
"This a military transport ship bound for Sierra Leone." the captain said. Then 75 armed soldiers came on deck."Not my problem mate, pay up or you'll sail straight into a minefield. These are sovereign Panooly waters, pay or you'll get the Panooly navy on your tail." The captain of the PNV Sea Parrot, Bloomsburry, said something in the native language of Panooly to the communicator who immediately wrote a message. "Are you gonna pay or not?" Bloomsburry snapped his fingers and someone winked. Out of sight of the Brydog marines two divers packed with explosive charges dove into the dark, but clear water, to install twenty thermite charges on the hull of the Brydog vessel. This operation doesn't take much time, installing, setting the detonator and you're finished. Two suckers, pumping them vacuum and the water pressure will keep them in place.
Fifteen minutes later, after some arguing on deck captain Bloomsburry left the Brydog ship.

OOC: Please make your posts longer than one single sentence. Signatures are bigger than your posts!
Brydog
06-03-2005, 16:01
Ok, we will pay, he said.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 16:05
"Wisely done." Captain Bloomsbury took the money, climbed down the ladder back to his ship and made his way to port.

Twenty minutes later...

"Cap'n and what about them mines?"
"Ah hell... Blow it up anyway. Nobody will mourn or shred a tear about them."
"That's a good one cap! Yo, Dicky, do it."
"My pleasure." Brian Dicks, the once unemployed engineer found a very well-paid job as explosive expert. He teaches men how to install and make simple charges and operating detonators. He simply pressed the red button labelled 'boom'.
Taldaan
06-03-2005, 16:06
Waves lapped against the metal sides of the Taldaani research ship. She was a fine vessel, the white hull gleaming in the sun and the deep blue flag of Taldaan fluttering in the wind. The salty breeze swished across the deck, ruffling the hair of the three men who stood there.

On the bridge Captain Brown frowned, his tanned forehead wrinkling. The ship had been conducting research for the Taldaan Marine Institute, tracking sealife across the ocean, when one of the hydrogen engines had given out. Although they could just about run on only one, it was erratic at best, so they needed to put ashore for repairs. Unfortunately, the only land that they could certainly get to was Panooly.
A true hellhole if there ever was one, thought the weatherbeaten seaman.
Owned by Guffingford, or at least that's what they say, and a wretched land of villainy.
But it was the nearest place that they could put ashore, and his crew of marine biologists and other scientists were complaining that they wouldn't meet their deadline.

So, it was with a heavy heart that the Captain steered the small vessel into Panooly national waters.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 16:16
Captain Bloomsburry, just returned from his encounter with Brydog was on a new mission: a ship from a someplace has entered Panooly national waters, this asked for swift action. Nobody enters Panooly waters without permission. The Sea Parrot sailed towards the -unknown- ship and the process to make contact was done. Signal flare; megaphone; entering the said vessel. Captain Bloomsburry was the first who jumped on deck, now he saw it was a ship from Taldaan. He grabbed the first Taldaan sailor he saw and asked:
"Hey what are ye doin', get me the cap' of yer ship."
Taldaan
06-03-2005, 16:48
The young sailor almost cried out as he was roughly grabbed by the fierce-sounding Panoolian. Pulling himself up, and attempting to recover some of his dignity, he called the Captain.

"Captain, we've been boarded. They want to speak to you. Its the coastguard."

Captain Brown stepped onto the deck, feeling slightly sick. If the rumours about Panooly were true, then this was no ordinary coastguard. Swallowing hard and adjusting his hat, he approached the boarders.

"Hello. I am Captain Brown, and this is my ship, the Dugong. We are on assignment from the Taldaan Marine Institute, conducting a study on marine life, particularly dolphins. Our starboard engine broke down, and so we headed for the nearest nation. I apologise for our trespassing on your international waters, but we didn't have any choice."
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 16:58
"Ah, I see. Well follow our boat the Sea Parrot to port, we'll see if we can repair it over there. I always admire people who study sealife, there are too many people here who destroy aquatic life without knowing it. Sailing in and out of our strait! Damn them!" Captain Bloomsburry left the Dugong and made it clear they had to follow him, the reefs are treacherous near the entrance of the straits of Lapincuta. He took a big sip of Panoolian rum, roughly the same stuff as potatoe wiskey. Tears dripped from his eyes. Hell, you need a stomach of steel to handle that.

The Sea Parrot sailed towards the docks of Collacks, with the Taldaan ship following them. God knows what's on that ship, and with one of their engines down we have plenty of time to find out, Bloomsburry thought.
Taldaan
06-03-2005, 17:06
Subconciously, the crew huddled together as the captain steered them after the coastguard boat. They had all heard of Panooly, and although the boarder had sounded strangely friendly after he had originally frightened them, there was something about them that made them uneasy.

The Dugong followed closely behind the coastguard boat, sailing closer and closer to the shore, every metre more terrifying. The captain was still struggling to keep the damaged boat under control, and the crew were almost as worried about the reefs as they were about the Panoolians.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 17:16
"What are we gonna do with them Taldaan sailors cap?" Bloomsburry turned around and waved friendly at the ship behind him. He looked down at the steeringwheel, but did not answer. A few minutes later both ships reached the safety of the harbor of Collacks, the port of call. The Sea Parrot signalled the Dugong that pier #4 was their landing stage, they would soon be taken to the drydocks. Bloomsburry was happy to feel solid ground beneath his feet and walked at ease to the Taldaan ship.
"Well come on land, welcome to Holy Panooly... or what's left of it."
Taldaan
06-03-2005, 17:25
The gangplank thudded down from the side of the ship onto the pier, and Captain Brown walked down it. The scientists followed, in varying degrees of fear and sea-sickness. A few of the sailors stayed below deck just in case: the Captain had given them their orders on board, but some followed the scientists, enough to quell the suspicions of any observer. Captain Brown spoke:
"Thank you for your generosity, friend. We are eternally grateful. May I speak to a repairman, to tell them what is wrong with the Dugong?"

On the ship, in the hold with the scientific instruments, six sailors waited. Pistols were concealed under their shirts, the loose-fitting garments masking the bulges. After all, they wouldn't want any repairmen coming aboard to feel threatened. They had their orders: if anyone came poking around, challenge them. If they weren't repairmen or officials, or started looting, orders were to take them alive. If they fought, they were to shoot to kill.
Skinny87
06-03-2005, 17:35
The Republican Gunboat Martin, was lost. There was absolutely no contesting this. Somehow, despite the modern wonders of GPS, online mappings and one of the most advanced navigation systems in the world, it had managed to get lost. Caught in a violent storm that had seen two of her 30-Man crew dragged off deck to drown, the remaining crew now found themselves in dire straits in Holy Panooly Waters.

Captain Jim Waters swore. 'How in gods name did we ever manage to get into this god-forsaken place?' he asked rhetorically of himself. He was going to suffer for this, he just knew it. He had a habit of doing this sort of thing, and this was most likely the last straw. He had visions of being drummed out of the Republican Navy, and being defrocked even as he did it; perhaps even being flogged as this happened. Waters had a rather over-active imagination that was a curse and a blessing in equal measures. With a sigh of resignation, he ordered the 20mm Cannon to be manned and the Mortar to be loaded up. This was more for show than anything really...they had lost most of the ammunition in the storm, and had only three mortar rounds and a few cases of 20mm ammunition left. Hopefully they would get out of this in one piece...
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 17:35
"No thanks, we have some engineers in town, if you give them the tech stuff I'll gather some workers that can repair your ship." Captain Brown of the Taldaan ship agreed - what else could he do? Bloomsburry walked in the nearest bar and gathered eight tough fellows who wore an overall. "Grab yer toolkits and follow me, if you wanna have some extra money this month." Bloomsburry also said to take a knife or a small gun with them, while the Taldaan crew was kept busy by peddlers and beggars the repairmen would go aboard. Bloomsburry whistled and one of his crewmates walked to him. "Hey, I bet you fifty dubloons not everyone is on land."
"Yeah right Bloom, it's so damn clear there are still people... What are we gonna do?"
"Some men are going down there, they know what to do. If they are gonna make a fuss or want to search them I'll say they can forget the repairs."
"Sounds ok."
Taldaan
06-03-2005, 17:56
Footsteps and voices. There were men coming aboard, and it wasn't the Captain or the crew. These voices sounded different, with Panoolian accents. In the dark of the hold, the Taldaani sailors prepared to confront this possible threat. Hearing one of them not far away, one of them stepped out.

"Hello. We were expecting you. I assume that you are the repairmen? The engine room is that way."

He pointed to the door on their left, hoping that these really were the repairmen.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 18:13
"Yeah, mate we are the men yer cap needs." The eight men walked into the engine room. One man didn't, he forgot his welding gear. He went back up they way he came. On deck he saw Captain Bloomsburry standing with a shotgun, which he threw to the repairman. "Catch!" He caught the weapon, removed the safety. Fully loaded, good. He got his welding gear, hid the shotgun in a hollow gastank and so he went downstairs and walked on until hey saw men from Taldaan standing near the engine room. To left of him there was an unlocked door, perfect to take cover. One of the Taldaani crewmembers walked up to him, he was the first one to get shot. The repairmen grabbed the shotgun, aimed at the man's chest and fired. A loud 'what the fuck' was heard and then the other repairmen grabbed their weapons. One of them had a sawn-off shotgun, pulled back one hammer and fired at the first 'hostile' person he saw. He aimed again, shot another one in the abdomen. The welder took cover in the room left of him, waiting till he could fire again. In the engine room the others hid themselves behind the machinery while the sawn-off man was reloading... Barrels are shut, time to maim.
Stevid
06-03-2005, 18:27
HMS Dunne Castle

The sleek Type 22 frigate slid gracefully through waves. Recent reports suggest that pirates were in activity. Although reports hadn’t been given the location of the pirates, the HMS Dunne Castle was there to scope some out as part of Stevid’s anti- pirate campaign.

Captain Ridden paced the bridge with a confident look on his face. Anti-pirate raids were his things; he was in line for a promotion for his dedicated to the safety of Stevid waters. Pirates were a thing of the past in Stevid. Many were in prison or dead because of Ridden, and now he was his bit for a nation that had a long and trouble history.

“Ahead one-third helm, there seems to be something out there on the horizon.”
“Aye sir, one-third engine power.”
“Radar ops, status on that ship out there?”

A man was observing a green screen, a radar screen showing a red dot bearing 006 degrees.

“It is displaying a ship ID signal sir. It’s a Holy Panooly coast guard vessel patrolling this sector of the straight.”
“Open a comm. Channel, we’d like to request any information regarding any sort of piracy or terrorist actions in the straight.”

He paused for a moment, and thought for a moment. He remembered a Guffingfordii Naval Admiral speaking to him at a party years ago.

“Never trust Panoolians, in my opinion they are deceptive people. If you’re ever in their waters approach with caution to their vessels.”

He discarded this thought in his mind; he’d always trusted the people of Panooly and wasn’t going to stop now. It was merely a coast guard vessel, surly no harm could come to the Dunne Castle. “She was a good ship and her down would not be today.” thought Ridden.

“Helm set a course for the coast guard vessel ahead full, stand down yellow alert.”
“Aye sir, ahead full. Stand down command confirmed. System readiness is now green.”


SCV Hampshire (Stevid Cargo Vessel)

The huge cargo freighter was pacing the HP waters at a steady pace. The war torn country of Holy Panooly was not a pretty sight. The captain of the freighter was a captain of a troop transport during the Holy Panooly Civil War. It was not a pretty sight. From the end of the war, he was posted on the freighter Hampshire, constantly supplying HP with food, drink and aid.
The captain knew the waters well, and for years he never had any problems getting his ship there and back again. So when a HP boat claiming to be a coast guard vessel hailed him asking him for money to pass through. He was outraged.

He thought to himself it will only be a brief encounter nothing importantly serious.
Brydog
06-03-2005, 18:31
After the boarding of Brydog vessel. The Navy send the RNS Rasptien to area. It's orders were to sink any pirate ship. The crew knew the ships and the captain.
Taldaan
06-03-2005, 18:43
The Taldaani crewman staggered backwards, a ragged hole in his stomach. He slumped to the ground with a wet thud, entrails dripping from the wound, soggy with blood. Another shot, and another crewman on the floor, most of his head blasted clear. Three Taldaani crewmen whipped out their pistols as the shotgun wielder reloaded, blazing away at him and the other Panoolians. The pistol-shots were deafening in the enclosed space as 9mm bullets hopefully slammed into the pirates.

The final Taldaani crewman hid in the shadows, too afraid to move or speak. And then he remembered the Panic Button. It was about a metre away from him, and if he pressed it, it would send a prewritten message to Fleet Command along with their co-ordinates. He dived towards it, pushing it down...

ooc: HP, do you mind if I bring a few warships in to help? Nothing fancy, just a cruiser squadron.
Stevid
06-03-2005, 18:54
HMS Dunne Castle

"Sir a coded message has gone out from some where. Very cryptic. Looks hard to break. Shall i bother?"
"Only if you want to commander, i'm more concerned about that that HP patrol boat thank you"
"Aye sir"
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 18:55
(...)Knock yourself out.

IC:
There were still two Panoolians in the engine room, not carrying firearms with like the Guffingfordii citizens, Panoolians know how to handle knives very effectively, throwing with lethal accuracy. One of them picked up the sawn-off, the marksman was wounded, but he would make it. At least, they hoped he would make it. The other grabbed the welder, put on the protective mask and turned the gastank open, and lit the gasflame. The intense bright light illuminated all shadows - and blinding all who looked into it. Then he saw the desperate Taldaani sailor hiding himself, helpless and blinded. The Panoolian turned off the flow of gas, he pulled a small 5 inch knife from his belt and threw it into the back of the man, and he did it again, and again until he collapsed.

Straits of Lapincuta

Captain Blair Munroe of the recently bought cruiser 'Quartz' of the Ticonderoga class, all the military hardware stripped including the tomahawk launchers, was turned into a fast reliable patrol boat able to carry large quantities of confiscated wares. A ship of Brydog navy was seen near the entrance of the straits, obviously looking for pirate ships. They aren't an issue. Not at all.

Munroe was sailing through the calm, crystal clear waters at ease. The salty seabreeze, the waves breaking as the ship glides through, the lush green hills and to the north, the beautiful Cimmerian Mountains. Truly a paradise on earth. Munroe saw the freighter coming from Stevid, he knew everybody who was aboard there. No, you cannot demand money from people who aid our population so well. The navigator made it clear with signal flags that he may pas without paying any duties or taxes. This was not the case with some frigate of Stevid travelling around, looked like he was one some scouting mission. Blair Munroe turned his ship 180° and sailed straight towards the frigate, pondering what he was doing over here.
Dumpsterdam
06-03-2005, 19:03
DRMN Solar, entering Panoolian waters.

On the bridge of the Solar stood captain Hazes overlooking the deck of the merchant vessle; a armed Rosian class transport that carried a large amount of high grade steel to a Guffordian held port. Captain Hazes commanded sixty sailors, eight officers and a fourty men strong marine detachment from the naval reserve depot in Ramerias.

On the bow of the vessle could be seen a 170mm NFF gun alongside twenty or so imbedded Balistiva VLS cells where crew where busy doing routine maintenance on the half dozen or so Testudo CIWS and Noisemaker mortars.
It all looked a bit over the top even for an armed merchant going into what was considered allied territory but the Royal Navy had recieved word of pirate activity, these reports where unconfirmed so sending an armed escort would be out of the question, however; arming merchant vessles was something the Dumpsterdanians loved to do.

And so the Solar passed into Panoolian waters and captain Hazes called for doubled patrols and watches from now on.
Stevid
06-03-2005, 19:03
Hampshire

The captian got off the comm.

"Thankyou very much sir. Okay lads, continue as normal. We are allowed to pass through. Open a comm to the naval frigate. Tell them there's nothing to worry about."
Taldaan
06-03-2005, 19:18
Three cruisers raced towards Panooly waters, bow waves rearing up in front of them as if they were alive. The distress signal had been recieved, and now the Taldaan Navy were coming to show the pirates just what happens to people who mess with Taldaan. Three Lionfish cruisers was a force to be reckoned with, or at least as long as there were no superdreadnoughts lurking. Hopefully the pirates didn't own any of those.

"We're approaching Panooly national waters, Captain."
The Captain smiled a predator's smile, his eyes glinting dangerously.
"Good. Hold our course, but stop three miles outside their waters. The area is full of reefs, and I don't want to scratch the paintwork. Once there, we send the marines ashore by 'copter."

The ships kept moving, but three miles out they stopped, just as the captain had ordered.

Marine Sergeant Jones clambered into the helicopter, his assault rifle on a strap over his back. He unhooked the gun and put it on the rack, then sat down. His squad were all around him. This was Taldaan's first military action in some time, and he wanted it to be a good one. His men and women were well-drilled and well-equipped, but this would be their first taste of real combat. He noticed some of them clutch the chair arms as the helicopter lifted off, testament to their nervousness.
"Don't worry. Pirates should be no match for Taldaan Marines."

The helicopter wheeled north-east, and then clattered away towards the signal from the Dugong, ready to fight. A second helicopter followed them, and then a third. The pirates would never know what had hit them.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 19:44
Straits of Lapincuta

Captain Bloomsburry was again patrolling the Lapincuta waterway, when someone spotted a ship from Dumpsterdam, armed to the teeth as usual. The Sea Parrot sailed close to the Dumpsterdam vessel, ordered them to stop. Through the megaphone he told them they are in Panooly sovereign waters, and must allow port inspectors and coast guards on board. They all climbed up, and entered the Dumpsterdam ship. Bloomsburry looked through the cargo lists, nothing interesting nor did the ship had any money. Choices: sink it or let it pass. To hell with it! Bloomsburry talked to one of his colleagues in the native Panooly language; impossible to understand for foreigners. Apparantly he approved something the captain wanted done immediately. Again, exactly what happened to Brydog some twenty-five highly explosive thermite charges were set in a circle formation with the largest charge in the middle. As soon as Bloomsburry got the radio signal the charges were set, he friendly said goodbye and departed the Dumpsterdam ship.

*****

From the belltower the watchman saw the helicopters in the distance, heading towards... Collacks? He rang the townbell, notifying all men, women, children and older people to move to the old bunker systems in the jungle. Built decades ago by the fascist government, now abandoned and serve as a refuge when an opposing group of raiders knocks at the front door. You won't find anything of value in Collacks, nor in any of the other coastal towns and settlements. All precious items are hidden in the extensive bunker systems where only someone in the know can find the way. The men from the Collacks loaded all the crates with weaponry on American army trucks from the 50's and drove into the jungle.

*****

It was a long rough journey to the Stevid frigate, the weather was turning ugly and a storm was approaching. Blair Munroe was used to severe weather conditions and the Panooly waters are known for their violence and this was no exception. Once Munroe reached the ship, he climbed aboard without messing around and asked if he could speak the captain.
"Greetings captain. I am Blair Munroe of the Panooly Coastguard, you must come with us, staying in here isn't safe. You can come with me to the sheltered bay of Lapincuta, we will wait there until the storm settled. The Stevid captain agreed, and both went to the Bay of Lapincuta, only a few miles from where they were. The crew onboard the frigate didn't really know what to make of it, either they are being lured in a trap or something bad will happen to them on sea. Well, you can fight your way out of a pirate ambush but you can't beat the weather and thus, they followed Munroe.
Taldaan
06-03-2005, 20:02
Dust flew up into the air, forming mini-cyclones. Birds flapped, squawking, into the dense jungle. The helicopters landed, the rotors slowing and eventually stopping. The doors slid open and the marines jumped out, guns levelled at the surrounding buildings. The town seemed strangely deserted, as if everyone had just packed up and left.

"You can almost see the tumbleweed, eh Sarge?"
"Shut up, soldier. Your big mouth could have just attracted a sniper."
"Sniper? There's no-one here."

Their little argument was interupted by a call from a little way to the right.

"Sarge, tyre tracks! Leading into the jungle!"
The Sergeant walked over to inspect the tracks, which indeed lead into the jungle.
"Okay, men. Follow those tracks. Given the space between them, their path shouldn't be too hard to follow. I'd say that they were driving a truck, and you need a pretty wide path to do that, and they're fairly scarce in the jungle."

The marines followed the tyre tracks into the thick trees, alert for any ambush. They didn't know what they were letting themsleves in for...
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 20:34
OOC: Here's some basic information about the notorious Panooly jungles.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/fruityloops/jungle.jpg
When you start walking from the shoreline, you'll first walk on normal forrest soil, no elevation but when you walk 5 miles, you will notice you are walking up a hill or a mountain. So far the jungle is quite normal, but once you've reached the top (you haven't seen a single Panooly militia all the way up) there's only one way: down. And there's where the real horror lies.

Because the Panooly jungle has grown for thousands and thousands of years undisturbed by natural distasters or humans a unique enviroment is created. On the bottom of the canyon, gully or trench there's a liquid called "the rootwater". Nobody goes there ánd nobody wants to go there. Over the years leaves have falled in this muck, going from mud to a dense mass filled with minerals. Because the layer was so dense, roots grew on top of it and a new layer was created. Water can get through, but nothing else so when a new layer of fertile mass is created, the one beneath the roots is rotting away. When the layer is gone, a large open space is created. Sometimes layers of roots collapse under their own weight but this process keeps going on. On the bottom there's the rootwater, roots of the trees as high as the sequoias. At this moment you are hostile terrain, no way out because no one can see you, no one can find you and you're surrounded by the Panoolians. People not fit to fight hide themselves in the bunker systems (gray structures) while the men fight. Want to go for Agent Orange? Has been tried before. Because of the sea-breeze always blowing inland rainclouds are blocked by the Cimmerian mountains in the north, letting it rain there almost 360 days a year. The rain washes the chemicals away. Because the Panooly army isn't a regular army you can expect guerrilla attacks, ambushes, traps and more of these things. And remember, once you are in the gully or canyon: there's no way out for the ignorant. The slopes are too steep and slippery to hang onto. There are ways out, but you have to find out.
Praetonia
06-03-2005, 20:40
The Praetonians coughed and spluttered, backing quickly away from the growing fires.

"They're escaping," one of them coughed, and the other three fired wildly into the smoke with their pistols. They heard a noise from behind, and spun around.
Holy panooly
06-03-2005, 20:54
From behind the Preatonian men Evertson stood there, when the Praetonians could see what he was holding in his hand, the trigger was already pulled. Two shots would have been enough, but the third and fourth were to be certain. They all laid dead on the ground, riddled with the buckshot covered their entire bodies. "We won't hear anything from them" Evertson turned around and ran away from the scene, the sprinkler installation was activated due to the smoke and it was time to move along now. Evertson climbed down the ladder and jumped aboard the PNV Collacks, making a hasty escape. Well for a first time raid, this wasn't bad at all.
Taldaan
06-03-2005, 21:12
It took them about an hour to reach the top of the rise, each step fraught with tension. They had not seen any signs of human life. The jungle stretched to the horizon, as far as the eye could see.

"See anything?"
"Nope, just trees. And a big dip ahead of us."
"Well, it looks like we came the wrong way. We should turn back."

A scream broke the quiet, sending creatures crashing through the canopy.

"What the hell was that?"
"Its Duke, Sir! He slipped! He's at the bottom of the gully!"

Jones ran over to the edge of the gully and looked down. Sure enough, Duke was down there. He didn't look hurt, and he was standing.

"Duke! Try to climb out!"
"I can't! Its too slippery!"

He launched himself at the muddy wall to prove it, fingers outstretched. They sunk into the wall, and he slid back down.

"Hold still! I'll throw you a rope!"

Jones unhooked a long rope from his belt and threw one end down. Duke caught it and winked. Then he began to sink his boots into the wall. One agonisingly slow step, then another...
Suddenly, his boots lost their purchase on the wall. He slipped, still holding the rope. Jones tried to stop it, but he was tugged off balance and slid after Duke down the side of the gully. He landed at the bottom in a heap, his dignity flowing out into the mud.

"OK, you lot. Get down here. We'll continue our search in this gully."
Borman Empire
07-03-2005, 01:56
OOC: sorry, I was gone.

IC:
"Routine check I presume? I'll call a couple men to show you wnat you want."

The captain blew a whistel (SP?) and several sailors ran up alongside him.

"Show this man and his crew what they want to see of the ship. Make sure they don't break anything, or it will be YOUR HEADS."

The sailors nodded and walked over to the Panoolian men.

"What would you like to see first?"
-----------------------------------------
The captain walked upstairs and grabbed his pair of binoculars. Many ships seemed to be choking up here and getting pulled over. He put the binoculars up to his eyes and thought he saw a fight. Before the sailors led the Panoolians away he leaned out his window and shouted at them.

"I think there's a fight on another ship!"
Holy panooly
07-03-2005, 10:03
"See 'em soldiers over there?"
"Yeh, of course I see 'em."
Percivall pulled back the bowstring of his crossbow. Fully covered by the canopy, his camouflage and the leaves and branches would never gave away his position. Peering through the scope, he carefully aimed at the man who tried to climb up the muddy slope. The fool, he would never get out alive. Percivall pulled the trigger and in an instant, the man was hit in his upper back. Percivall knocked another bolt, pulled back the bowstring and took aim. But not at the man who had already been hit, but the man standing on the edge. When this unfortunate soul looked up, Percivall fired and the bolt hit him right between the eyes. Time to get moving to another position. Climbing and jumping from one of the massive branches to another, they quickly abandoned their position to search a new one. Hidden in the top layer of leaves and looking down on the soldiers, their firing position was superior.

OOC: Borman, I'll reply to Stevid's posts first and then yours... Too many people in this thread. I made a thread for international piracy, perhaps we can go to that one.
Dumpsterdam
07-03-2005, 10:35
Captain Hazes looked on from the bridge as the Panoolians left again, they where clearly not interested in either the strongbox, the cargo or the ship. However logs from the RWC database reveiled to the captain that the ship was not, part of the Panoolian coast guard, nor had it ever been in the last fourty years.
The merchant officer came back on the bridge and shrugged, the Panoolian had played stupid and left without a word.

"Search the ship and report back to me at once, I want to know what they are up too."
The ensign sitting next to the steering well picked up the voxcaster. "All crews to battlestations, all crews to battlestations." He spoke calmly, there was no need to hurry. Gunners and marines reported to their stations as the charges went off and blew a hole in the side of the transport.

Warning lights came to life on the bridge and captain Hazes and his crew steadied themselves as the mighty ship shudderd and vibrated, not from the explosion but from the armoured bulkheads closing down inside the hold so that the hole would be isolated. "Status report!" Hazes yelled and scanned over the paper that was pushed into his hands; something attached to the hull had cut a large area of armour away and did so with force, hold #6 was filling with water and the balast tanks where being used to keep the ship upright and afloat.

His XO came up on the bridge. "Sir, the Panoolians are moving away!" Hazes was now convinced, not only had they been on board shortly before the explosion but now they where making a run for it. "Engage the destroyer, use whatever means!"

"Sir, yes, Sir!" The XO ran down the stairs towards the gunnery stations and gave orders to commence firing. "Target the Panoolian ship and fire!" The operators hands raced over the console as the 170mm FFN was the first to fire, sending a shell directly across the bow. The Testudo CIWS, normaly used to destroy aircraft and missiles it was now used to litteraly rip apart the enemy ship as the balista VLS cells popped four Lance SSM's.

The ship began to make a break for it, to international waters and would be there in five minutes as it radioed a distress signal to the Naval Reserve Depot for help.
Holy panooly
07-03-2005, 11:00
OOC: Don't forget all my pirate ships are very modern vessels, but sold by the HP government to buccaneers and other crooks. Armour schemes are very modern: heat and bullet resistant, impact force of missiles is absorbed and damage control features have been implemented. The only things that are missing are the military radars, computer systems and satellite uplinks. In Holy Panooly, decommissioned means sold. The pirates are in fact fired or deserted marines, who aren't the first idiots you encouter on sea.

Your ship is a merchant vessel so I take it it doesn't bear any military grade armour.

IC:
"Sir, they are preparing the battlestations, everyone is running around."
"Man the guns, leave no stone unturned!" A sailor pulled away a large piece of sail, filled with holes and patches and underneath a massive machinegun, two 40mm double barrel machineguns, he pulled back the bolts (it was already locked and loaded) and ran away to take cover. There was no need to aim, firing this thing would turn the Dumpsterdam ship into a leaky piece of driftwood. The captain took place on the operator's seat on the bridge and said "Nice piece of hardware eh? Bought it from the Baron, he has a boathouse will all sorts of corvettes with these babies on board. It's some kind of experimental machinegun, cycling rate that can almost match the M134 minigun, five thousand RPM...
"Sweet"
"Powering it up takes only two seconds... Done. Computer operated, manual control, uranium tipped bullets..."
"Shut up and shoot the damn ship.
The four barrels were aimed at the bridge of the enemy, and the barrage commenced.
Dumpsterdam
07-03-2005, 12:03
OoC: Its a Rosian class transport, the same used by the military to transport troops and supplies. So yes, it does carry military grade armour; 100mm composite at normal and 250mm armour at vunerable area's. There's also kevlar netting around all vunerable area's such as the engines, crew quarters and weapon systems.
Stevid
07-03-2005, 12:30
Hampshire

A red light appeared over the horizion. A flare that looked familiar to him, very familiar. He pondered this thought for a minute and remembered why it seemed familiar to him. It was standard issue RN flare for Stevid. Reports had indicated that a type 22 frigate was in the area on anti- pirate activity.

It must have been the Dunne Castle.

"All stop helm!"
"All stop sir!"
"Comms, get me a line too the admiralty, the HMS Dunne Castle has been attacked by pirates in the bay! Request instant support. Also inform the coast guard and other naval vessels in the area. Relay an SOS for the HMS Dunne Castle. Okay, helm, set a course for the Dunne Castle. Bring the marines to the ready. Go to yellow alert!"
Taldaan
07-03-2005, 21:24
Jones and King were dead, slain by the unseen assailant. The crossbow bolts stuck out of them awkwardly, looking like strange appendages. The Taldaani forces dived for cover, hiding behind trees. Their morale had already taken a major hit, seeing their leader killed by an unseen sniper.

"There's no-one on the ground, they must be either in the gulley or up a tree somewhere."
"What the hell are we fighting? Squirrels?"
The abyssymally stupid comment was allowed to pass for a change.

"Suck on this, pirate sons of b****es!"
It is said that fear is sometimes manifested as suicidal bravery, and apparently this was happening right now. A marine stood wild-eyed, a frag grenade in one hand and a pistol in the other. He tossed the grenade into the trees of the gulley, where it detonated, shredding foliage and hopefully snipers.
"Get down, you f***ing retard!"
The marine was obviously past the point of caring. He primed another grenade and pulled the pin out.

Behind another tree, Kohn appeared to be the only one not panicking. Pushing down his infra-red visor, he scanned the area for the assailants. A flash of red on the visor, and he fired a burst at it, but he ducked back before he could see if he had hit.