NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC: This is meant as a secret in character post. This information is only open to selected allies, namely most of those in the IADF and others who have pledged loyalties to me. This is not to be taken as an act of belligerency, this is just an attempt to prepare defenses for a war that was threatened to me because of the actions I took in response to Guff's secret preparation for war against THL. Of course, technically neither of us know about the other's actions but we all know that OOC knowledge affects people's IC decisions, whether or not you like it or not.]

Imperial Order No.001
In order to prepare for an offensive into our country which has been threatened by other nations providing vast quantities of intelligence I have decided that it is in our Empire's best interest to prepare the armed forces for total war. It is imperative for all to understand this the war to come, if those who oppose THL decide that war is inevitable, will not be another brushfire war, but a war much larger than the Civil War and will encompass casualties beyond our wildest dreams. The casualties wrought by such a war would make the deaths of thirty million Soviets between 1941 - 1945 look like a field exercise. But, I will do my best to lead the armed forces through it and to destroy anybody who dares flex their muscles towards us!

The primary order is to prepare all the mechanization produced over the years due to the expected war with Vote Early. His fall in recent days has come as an unexpected present to us as we can now use the vehicles produced during that for our defense. Moreover, our static 155mm guns are to be mounted onto the chassis of our heavy Pegaso military trucks, thus giving us another hundred thousand or so self propelled artillery guns, without much effort, although the cost will be immense. Nevertheless, the cost is necessary.

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/caesar/images/caesar4.jpg
http://www.army-technology.com/projects/atmos/images/Atmos_1.jpg

Our mechanization shall begin to take form again and all crews for our vehicles are to go through extensive training programs until the day of said invasion. This includes the crews for:

20,000 Pz. X Muwatallis tanks (haven't been phased out yet)
30,000 Pz. XI BredtSverd tanks (to rise to around 60,000)
3,000 Panzerwerfer Ausf. B MSLR
6,000 155mm Self Propelled KriGud Guns
ca. 200,000 Pegaso Logistical Trucks
20,000 SOV-06 IFVs
10,000 Incinérateur 155mm Rapid Fire Artillery


These numbers are simply huge, however, it is expected that our forces will just be a fraction of theirs, meaning, we will be horribly outnumbered. But, I believe that we will get through this without problems and that they will be crushed.

The full airforce will be ready for the attack, all fifteen thousand Falcons, six thousand Kondors, two thousand Albatrosses and thousands upon thousands of other aircraft. The navy is no exception either although it will face no changes in size.

All in all the Empire is at Defcon 1 and were are prepared to feel the brunt of any invasion. Moreover, we have dozens of allies prepared to aid us in our plight and we promise no easy fight with the enemies of our Lord.

And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
-Ezekial 25.17

[signed]Jonach I

[OOC: I left out a lot but I have to go now to get my schoolwork.]

http://www.militaryart.com.au/catalog/ASLAV.jpg
http://img233.exs.cx/img233/1993/tank27mg.jpg
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/mlrs3.jpg

Imperial Defense Alert.
Immediant attention required
With recent threats against the security of our close ally,The Macabees,I am hereby placing the Imperial Army of Malatose on High Alert.This simply means that all Army Divisions within the nation must be checked for combat readiness and be brought up to strength.

Forces to be mobilized:
950,000 Troops
3,000 T-95UB Main Battle Tanks
30,000 BMP-4 Infantry Fighting Vehicles
40,000 BTR-95 Armored Personnel Carriers
13,000 Smerch-M MLRS
20,000 GRAD MLRS
13,000 TOS-1 Fuel Air MLRS
12,000 MSTA-B 152Mm Towed Howitzers
13,000 MSTA-S 152mm Self-Propelled Artillery
12,000 155mm Self-Propelled Artillery


The Imperial Airforce and Navy will also be placed on High Alert.While I believe that no enemy will attack Malatosian Soil,The upmost precautions must be taken to safeguard the skies.The Navy on the otherhand must be ready to be deployed at a moments notice in order to completely destroy the enemy.

While I believe we have a hard fight ahead of us.The Empire and its allies will prevail against the enemy!

http://ge.swsimulation.com/intelligence/images/Ubiqtorate_small.jpg
Donald Warren,
Grand General of the Imperial Ministry of Defense

Map of the Area
http://img94.exs.cx/img94/3520/macabeempire9io9ki.gif

[-----] 1,000 kilometers

Tag for later post

A Totally Annoying Git aren't you, Mac :P

Tag

A Totally Annoying Git aren't you, Mac :P

[OOC: I'm here to protect my ally, not cause war. I'm loyal to my allies, Guff included, but I have to be loyal to all of them and be loyal to the one who was less belligerent in the matter.]

I'd say Totally Awesome Guy rather than Totally Annoying Git, but that's just me.

[OOC: I'm here to protect my ally, not cause war. I'm loyal to my allies, Guff included, but I have to be loyal to all of them and be loyal to the one who was less belligerent in the matter.]

OOC: Twas a joke, don't worry. Anyway, Mr. Guff wants to talk to j00 on MSN.

Offical Notice
Expansion of Logistical Efforts
3/14/05

With the instability of the world today, it becomes nessesary to compromise minor politicial diffrences in favor of stability. As such, despite previous minor incidents between CommunismRevisited- and The Macabees it is in the best intrest of CR- to negate, or at least place on hold any misgivings with The Macabees in favor of dealing with the larger threat of imperalism which every day threatens to consume all.

As such, with the saftey of The Macbees under threat the only logical course of action is a united support economically, politically, and most importantly militarily. It is no secret that the technology and military doctorine of CommunismRevisited- on sea is lacking, and therefore we shall avoid naval conflicts at all costs. Instead, funding shall be diverted into the expansion of infantry armies to work together with armor elements of The Macabees.

Large deployments to another nation are never easy, and with such a war looming ahead it can only be assumed the strain on logistical forces will be greater then ever. As such a total of fifteen-thousand new personal are to be enlisited into training for deployment into Military Police work. Logistical forces are to be expanded by ten percent, under a two-year miniumum enlistment.

Should the need arise for deployments of a military nature, the forces of CommunismRevisited- will quickly and efficently deploy themselfs to meet the menace wherever he may strike.

[signed]
War Minister Alfred Yunte
General Jospeh Tyon; Office of Foreign Logistics

Tag

Kiel’s harbor was first class in northern Haven. Since the rise of the colonial movement decades ago Kiel had become a major naval port, the home port of the 12th fleet. Because of its status as both a major military and an important trading point it was always busy even at night but now things were reaching a new high point. The only other time so many ships had gathered in the harbor was during the Samtonian landings years ago but this time it was Havenite ships gathering themselves out at sea. The mobilization wasn’t a secret at all, not even a police state could hide such things from the world for long and the thousands who gathered to watch the ships leave made sure that word would get out. The entire 12th fleet along with auxillary units was setting out to sea heading towards their neighboring country and ally. While the fleets deployment was public their was another deployment, one that was kept a secret. Cutting thru the waves bellow the 12th two full submarine fleets made their way away from Haven.

[OOC:
TMG/Guff - Bah, British humor! Well I can't get on MSN because school empared me from that (different time zones are hell) but I'm guessing he either left a note on the RWC forums or TGd me and I'll check those right now. In the event that a compromise is reached then I guess all this typing was for nothing, but I'm not going to stop the defensive deployments - although, truly, I don't want war and am actively searching for a way out of this. Because, as an active supporter of the old RWC and great ally of Guffingford, or at least before, I really don't want to go to war. In any case, I'm going off on a tangent and creating excuses for myself, so I'll stop now.

Borman - You're part of a sh!tload of alliances!

All - This is going to be fluid time. My posts may be day by day, or hour by hour, or may skip some days. Same thing goes for everybody else if they want to as well. Meaning, should Nation A attack me tomorrow my deployments happened between today and the time of the invasion because technically I would have more than ample time to prepare since this deployment was done prior to any thought of going to war with me and is just a deployment based on hints of information - more of a deployment on a whim.]

Targul Frumos, March 14 2005
Targul Frumos was both a blessing and a city waiting for disaster. Located on a peninsula it was a strategically akward position, both for the defense and the offense, and the main battles for control of Targul Frumos would occur in the Straits of Tarqin, located south of Targul Frumos, and in the neck of said peninsula, located north of Targul Frumos. Considering all possible scenarios the city would be a meatgrinder, and a likley successor of Stalingrad, only with much more expensive, and modern, equipment being destroyed by both sides. The winner would ultimately be the one who could sustain, or was willing to sustain, the most casualties and whoever had the most patience. Indeed, cool headed individuals would be a virtue during any battle in and around Targul Frumos.

That was why General der Panzertruppen Heinz von Birsch was chosen for the task, along with his elite 7th Panzerkorp. von Birsch had arrived days before his unit as he spent his stay studying the location, preparing for the hard battle to come. He knew that the enemy's job would not be easy, but he did not know if he could hold out forever. In fact, he told his superior officer, Generaloberst Hans von Stich, that reinforcements would be an inevitable option, or better said, an inevitable path during the battle.

He was told to wait at the Targul Frumos train station, which had been confiscated by the Black Legion, on the morning of March 13. So there he stood, waiting for his men. His Chief of Staff, Adolf Kiransk, stood erect by him. Kiransk was a complete opposite from the General. He was rotund, instead of tall, and plagued by thick spectacles, and that's was probably why he was a pen pusher for von Birsch. The first five trains arrived shortly, and the logistics personnel had two hours to unload the material before another team of trains arrived. So, the train station became cluttered with workers, mostly civilians working for the military, and the old silence was negated by the new cacophony of noise.

Huge cranes began to unload the seventy ton BerdtSverd tanks from the backs of the trains, crew ready inside and everything, and placed them on the concrete platforms that made up the huge industrial station which was once used to transport massive amounts of steel during the old Empire when Targul Frumos was the main harbor, until Macabea City had been built by Artur the Good in 1876. Immediately after being unloaded the tanks sped off, exeting the platforms heading to where they had been told to organize, right outside the city - although they would not stay there for long. It looked like the old era of Soviet armored production during the Second World War, especially during the epic Battle for Moscow where lend-lease Shermans were brought by rail from Murmansk and unloaded immediately and sent straight into the rapid German offensive in November and December 1941. Ten by ten they were taken off, hydraulic power pumping those cranes, and within half an hour two hundred and fifty tanks, two full brigades, had been unloaded.

von Birsch muttered,"Beautiful," and a small, yet blatant, smile formed on his face.

His chief of staff replied,"Ja, but it's not over. They're serious about Targul Frumos back at Fedala and there's still another four train batches to arrive."

Not only that but three thousand panzer grenadiers had arrived, comprising the entire infantry force for the division - although rather well trained and heavy in spectrum. Loads of the vaunted Javalina anti-tank gun, infamous for their ability to knock out any tank on the field, had arrived, as well as about twenty thousand assault rifles, which meant that the Panzer divisions would have to train a division of Volksgrenadiers - the people's army. For all the hate von Brisch had for wasting time training civilians he knew that those twenty thousand men would be imperative for the defense of the city. He juxtaposed the pors and cons in his mind, and what came first was the vital defense the Volksgrenadiers had provided during the Second World War. Indeed, said units cost Zhukov a hundred thousand lives at the Seelow Heights and another hundred thousand at Berlin, and just under that number at the River Spree when Koniev made his fateful charge across the river.

The general shuddered at the latter thought. Berling was also dictated by the German SS, and with the Black Legion present at Targul Frumos similarities arose between the two. Fortunately, the Black Legion was led by the Emperor after he had ordered the death of the previous commander when said commander insanely killed thousands of civilians in cities around the Empire, however, Jonach had a tendency to intervene with military affairs, albeit mostly for the good of the army. Nonetheless, the Black Legion would come as an extremely helpful asset, especially since there were four divisions of them, dubbed Assault Legions, all in all about forty thousand. The Black Legion was fanatical, more so that their predecessors, and von Birsch would most likely use them as speed bumps, although strategically apt of course. That thought cracked another smile.

The general and his chief of staff turned around and walked out to the general's blue Mercedes. He and his officers would have much time ahead of them to plan the disposition and defensive plan of his 7th Panzerkorp while AD-Obergruppenfuhrer Albrecht von Henrici would set up his four divisions inside the city of the street fight to come.

The other pressing issue was deciding what to do with the general civilian population. Twenty thousand of the male population would go to form the 1st Volksgrenadier Division and it was very possible that a second and third division would be formed depending on how many guns the military needed and how many it could spare for the creation of a people's army. Although von Birsch didn't like to waste time training men who knew nothing about war he also was keen to admit that the men would need the reinforcements, even cannon fodder, for the battle to come. For the rest of the people, including women and children, the plan was unknown although there were activist, even among the women, to create a PSAMU (pronounced 'sahmoo'), or a People's Surface to Air Missile Unit, working along the lines of the Soviet POV, manning hundreds of Praetorian V batteries scattered along heavily defended positions through the city. Although the general officers of the military were against including women in the service due to their Prussian attitudes most agreed that the PSAMU would be dearly needed as the enemies began waves upon waves of cruise missile and general missiles strikes, consequently requiring some sort of defense against this, although the army itself had vast quantaties of both fixed and mobile Praetorian V surface to air missile brigades.

Thirdly, a scheme to send reinforcements to Targul Frumos in the event that the peninsula was cut off had also to be conjured although this shouldn't be too difficult concerning the several historical examples they had to go by, especially with the painstaking preperation of all cadets in the teachings of logistics, which was considered the finest detail of the art of war, generally ignored by the 'great masters', Karl von Clauswitz, Sun Tzu and Nicollo Machiavelli.

There was a great deal of work to be done, however, the Macabee's love to think things through and to prepare for every possible scenario, from the best to the worst, would eventually get them through the planning stages and would make them be expentant for the unexpected.

Straits of Tarqin, March 14 2005
Leutnant Hauptmann Karl Inkerneut stood at the command room of the HESS-501, which was one of ten Kilo class Diesel/Electric submarines in the Macabee navy, as he set course from Rossiene, the second largest subterranean submarine pen in the Empire. The Kilos carried eight MT-3s, although before their 533mm tubes had to be made smaller to 500mm tubes through a process plant years before, right after they had been purchased from foreign governments. There were six MT-3s in the tubes and twelve on the racks, meaning six ready to fire as soon as a threat was detected. Each Kilo also carred eight Principe III anti-shipping missiles and these would most likely be used more so than the MT-3s, although every submarine had to carry the MT-3s just in case. Moreover, the Kilos had been substantially improved with the Poseidon spherical array on the submarine itself and the large, Macabee designed, TB-76 and TB-2016 towed arrays. It would have probably been much cheaper to just design a Macabee SSK but the administration had refused to do so as SSKs were not an intengral part of the fleet, at least in their own personal opinions - of course, this was direct evidence that they were incorrect in the matter.

The HESS-501 had a special importance to the three total that were making their way south of Rossieni. It's full name was the HESS-501 Wellington, and this made it incredibly important, moreover symbolic. In the year 711 Anno Domini Tariq the Conqueror, a Muslim general who had swept over North Africa and crossed the straits dividing the Iberian Peninsula from the Tangiers strip thereby closing the Straits of Gibraltar to Christian shipping, one of the reasons that the economically deprived Christian kingdoms opted for a more 'direct' route to India. Indeed, the rock Gibraltar was named after him, Al-Gibtariq, a symbol of Muslim power during the 8th century. In the 1990s Iran had bought three Kilo class submarines from the Russians, just as the Macabees were sending to the Straits of Tariq, and one of those Kilos was named after the great conqueror who had closed the Straits of Gibraltar. Why had they bought the Kilos? The Straits of Tiran, lying between Iran and Arabian Peninsul, are crucial to the American oil supply, and thus the Tariq SSK is destined to close yet another economically vital strait, as doing so would completely cut off the flow of Middle East petroleum to the United States and other Western nations, including Venezuela, the main provider of American oil. Consequently, the Wellington, named after the naval commander who had closed both Egypt and the Gibraltar to Napoleon at the Battle of the Nile and the Battle of Trafalgar respectively. The symbolic importance was obvious.

Leutnant Hauptmann Karl Inkerneut took a look at the directive sent to him, as well as the other two captains, and poured over it in detail:

Imperial Directive No. 002
Submarine captains of the three most important Kilo SSKs in our navy listen! You are ordered to proceed south to the Straits of Tariq at exactly 0 hours Zulu Time (GMT). Your ETA, with the most direct route plotted, should be five days at most. This should be plenty of time to aquaint yourself with the area. You are absolutely vital to our defense program, do not let me down!

Moreover, it should be known to you that the straits will be heavily mined by our fast attack craft and so your charts, downloaded by sattelite to your Kilos, should pin point the exact locations of said minefields. In a general sense your orders are to stay in front of the mine fields, meaning about a thousand kilometers east of Targul Frumos.

Although we have extensive mines there note that the mines will not be enough to stop a powerful naval offensive thrown by our enemies. Consequently, you are a vital link in the defensive chain, do not break. Should the straits be conquered then Targul Frumos is as good as lost, and Targul Frumos must not be lost. I believe that the strategical implications of loosing the straits, and consequently loosing Targul Frumos, are obvious to all.

Do not fail me commanders,

[signed]Jonach I

Karl Inkerneut frowned. The Emperor was a very intimidating man, and very demanding as well. The submarine commander proceeded to call all of his officers to the mess hall immediately to discuss the situation. He was a believer that his men, as an integral part of the submarine, should be well aware of everything going on, and that's what he inteded to do.

Within ten minutes everyone invited was at the mess hall waiting for Inkerneut and he finally came through the steel door as fast as he could quickly apologizing,"Apologies for being late dear sirs, however, I had to prepare quite a few words for you tonight." He first took a seat, all his officers arrayed in front of him, and proceeded,"As you all know we are out to sea," he laughed at the obvious point made and then continued in all seriousness,"Yes, we are heading towards the Straits of Tariq where we shall prepare to make our stand. According to our Emperor --"

One of the officers laughed and yelled,"All hail the might Emperor." There was a sarcastic tone in his mouth and Inkerneut displeased of that. The captain was a very loyal man and very proud of the man who led the armed forces.

Inkerneut continued as if nothing had happened,"According to our Emperor the Straits of Tariq are very important to the defense of Targul Frumos. And as he specifically states Targul Frumos has enormous strategical importances which me must protect. Remember all, a failure to do this would cost us our jobs --"

The executive officer spoke up at that, interrupted the captain,"Yes, and our lives sir, if I am so bold to say so."

Inkerneut shot a glaring stare and retored,"Shut up until you are spoken to swine. Keep some hint of discipline. You are in no place to critisize the Emperor or interrupt me!" He took a gulp and breathed, calming himself down, and then went on.,"So, that's where we are headed. I hope none of you have any objections because if you do our orders can care less. We are heading there, end of discussion. Now go back to your jobs, or go back to doing the trash you were doing before. What great examples you are of military honor."

They all stood up, although the others did so solemnly, knowing that their commander was correct, and they went back to their posts, ready to give the best they could give. It would be a hard war ahead of them.

Jaicher MA-1, March 14 2005
The airfield was just being overfilled with new aircraft arriving from other parts of the country, including Hassel, and began to fill the once empty hangars. MA-1 in Jaicher was considered a backwater airfield until Targul Frumos was considered a prime target for an invasion, and so it had become a primary airfield which would run a tenth of the aircraft which would be used in the defense of the city.

It would hold a total of fifty MMA-A1 Kondors and about two hundred MMA-A3 Falcon Air Superiority Fighters, as these were the main aircraft in the Macabee inventory, and the area was already being prepared logistically with the necessary fuel and ordnance, all stored in underground bunkers built during the Civil War hundreds of feet below solid rock and concrete as well as steel and titanium. In general MA-1 was preparing for quite the ride and was ready for any fight.

A similar deployment of aircraft was taking place in airfields MA-2 through MA-10 near and around Jachier, and all would be vital for the defense of Targul Frumos and the extremely important logistical supply line between Jachier and Targul Frumos. There could be no chance that the city would fall, and the Emperor was ready to take the necessary steps to ensure that.

[OOC: Damn, just ran out of time.]

Straits of Tariq, March 19, 2005

In the sonar room of a submarine, hovering quietly in the depth near the Straits of Tarqin, Lieutenant Commander Ivan Sergetov, executive officer of the CNSS-1498 Marauder sighed in exasperation at the sonar conditions exasperated by the arrival of an unexpected cold-weather front. The Marauder, a heavily modified Changsha Class SSN was designed specifically as ELINT platform. Like its seven modified sisters, the Changsha was strategically deployed in key locations around the globe, serving as powerful intelligence platforms. Although heavily modified to provide room for its electronic equipment, the Marauder was far from defenseless. Equipped with a full-load of twenty-five Swordfish torpedoes and five Seaskimmer anti-ship missiles, it was more than capable of handling its own in any fight. However, the Marauder was operating with the loss of all fifteen of its twin vertical launch tubes, meaning it did not carry any cruise missiles.

On the bridge, Commander Wei Xing, commanding officer of the Marauder sat silently, waiting for his sonar team to give him back results. Three minutes earlier, the sonar technicians had heard the screws of what could only be a Kilo Class SSK. Everywhere aboard the boat was tense, as they waited for the contact to be confirmed. Although Wei Xing did not know about the rising tensions between the world and the nation of The Macabees, he was soon going to be on the frontlines . . .

Dear Mac

It has come to our full attention that through indirect friendship, it is an action of complete moral fortitude that I prepare my peacekeeping and mountain forces on station to fortify your towns, in hope that you may better plan an offensive with your troops.

I hereby pledge my support to you, and await your answer. My hopes and troops are waiting.

[OOC: FCN - The Kilos would be there on March 19 - they're coming down to the Strait of Tarqin - so no problems with the post, just the date - in order to avoid confusion.

All IC responses have to come tomorrow...damn! I forgot to picwank.]

Borman - You're part of a sh!tload of alliances!

OOC: Some of them are kind of dead, but yeah I am.

(OOC: Edited...)

[OOC: Apologies for my error. I wrote it as the Straits of Tarqin. It should be the Straits of Tariq. I was re-reading my post and I cringed at my spelling mistakes. I’ll be more careful this time around, I promise. But really, Al-Gibtarqin? That’s how I put it…it’s Gibaltariq. I’ll make the necessary edits in my post if I have time after this one, or whenever I have the time.

Also, I left a lot out due to a lack of time, but it doesn’t matter, I’ll just leave the rest for later IC days.

I did not forget to picture wank this time.!]

Straits of Tariq, March 15 2005
The single attack craft made its way from the Targul Frumos harbor cutting through the motionless currents of the Straits of Tariq. Her captain was tasked with the simple mining procedures in the Straits and the day was set aside for testing the mines thoroughly to make sure that combat procedures proved as efficient and clean. So, the boat made its way east rather lethargically as her crew fiddled around on the deck studying the rather strange mines.

The captain stood at the bridge with his executive officer and the aged man said,”In all the years I’ve worked with our Emperor I have never had to use mines. Something strange is happening, especially when we’re mining our own waters.”

The XO swept over the horizon and remarked,”Aye captain. Storm clouds loom over the horizon.”

The captain placed his hand over his eyebrows and peered at the skies that lay ahead. White clouds with occasional gray tints menacingly moved forward towards the ship. He turned to his XO and exclaimed,”Seems like we’re going to get quite a bit of rain.”

The executive officer retorted,”More like shells sire.”

The attack craft moved with celerity darting back and forth and finally some nine hundred kilometers from Targul Frumos slowed down and had turned on its hydraulic racks on its spine normally used for depth charging. This time the racks would be used to drop the mines designed to scatter themselves along the bottom of the Straits waiting to prey on incoming shipping, hopefully military shipping. Two by two the deep sea mines fell into the blue waters. The mines would settle at the bottom of the straits and would use its own passive SONAR as well as coastal SOSUS systems to detect enemy shipping. Then it would fire a fairly large ADCAP torpedo from its bowels at any found ship. However, the mines could be temporarily turned off. This was done by dropping a canister aerially, or by ship, on top of the minefields which send electronic pulses, like codes, and denoted passing shipping as friendly. The main purpose of the mine fields was to ensure the link between the mainland and the Targul Frumos peninsula. The Bay of Targul Frumos, which divided these two land masses, would perhaps be the most important link for the logistical effort between said areas, and would most likely be the artery of reinforcements, much like how the Soviets had used the Volga to ferry replacements to the 62nd and 64th Rifle Armies in Stalingrad years before.

So, the fast attack craft made tree drops, putting six torpedoes into the water. The mines would activate in around thirty minutes and by then the boat would be long gone. Already on the way were six Sea Serpent II LAMPS. Their blades cut swaths in the air as they sped to the area at around a hundred kilometers an hour. Operating from a battle group north of the Strait it gave the LAMPS just the range necessary to complete said operation.

As they arrived to the location the lead Sea Serpent buzzed through the radio,”Foxtrot-eight to Foxtrot-six. Being operations.”

The quickly leaving fast attack craft added, lately at that,”Sierra-two, mission accomplished. It’s up to you buys now. Sorry for the tardy.”

The lead helicopter responded,”Foxtrot-eight to Sierra-two. You guys go back home and get yourself a good beer. You guy’s have done well. Out.”

The lead helicopter swept past the site where the location of the mines were located, lifting the water below it through the force of the turbulence created by the blades and its velocity. It began to drop sonobouys in a delta formation along the area looking for possible submersibles that could be threatened by the mines once they were activated. The thought that there were any unregistered submarines in the Straits may had seemed strange, however, it was common practice for nations to place ELINT, or intelligence, satellites near the waters of foreign nations for just that purpose. After a couple of separated drops it took about half an hour to receive any readings. It was actually rather strange that a reading on the passive was caught in general. The LAMPS relayed back to the battle group,”Foxtrot-eight to Papa-1 over. I have a faint reading on six. I don’t think its going to be caught by the mines though. I suggest you bring some more of us out here thought, to deal with it anyways. And, no, I don’t know who it belongs to, but it’s not IADF or RWC, that’s for sure. It doesn’t sound like a Romeo or a Kilo or anything diesel so your best bet would be nuclear powered. ELINT perhaps? Perhaps it’s carrying SLBMs, who knows? But I wouldn’t trust its ass!”

The fleet responded in kind,”Papa-one to Foxtrot-eight out. Trust me, we know what to do with bastards like that, over.”

The pilot to the Sea Serpent laughed and retorted,”Yea, don’t get too cocky with me or you won’t get that drink I promised you.”

The other line crackled and the man replied,”Don’t worry, I can pay for my own beer man. Just get your ass over here and we can settle this man to man.” A sharp laugh followed, which was reiterated by the pilot of the helicopter, and the man in the fleet continued,”Yea, I’m still waiting for that drink man. Glad to get you back to the fleet. Soon enough we’ll be in Targul Frumos and I can get my tequila, and straight at that.”

The Sea Serpent peeled off, running close to half its fuel supply, fuel it would need for the return trip. So it radioed the other helicopters still coming in,”Foxtrot-eight out sirs.”

The other five LAMPS moved in and a single Sea Serpent dropped a canister from the bay located on the belly of the ASW chopper. The canister plopped into the water below splashing upwards and it began to send electrical impulses through the water, supposedly temporarily turning off the mines. Right after the canister the other four Sea Serpent IIs dropped huge black boxes into the area. The boxes held noisemakers that would gain the attention of the mines. Everything plopped in calmly, waiting for the big explosions. Nothing happened.”[/i]

”Success, team A-19 out.”

The Sea Serpents began to head back out lifting in altitude and accelerating to their maximum velocity. The mines had worked. Soon enough bombers would start dropping similar mines all over the area, possibly the next day, or the day after that, and the straits would only be open to friendly military shipping.

However, that contact in the Straits of Tariq would be a problem and would have to be dealt with before the mines hit the water. The problem was how. It wouldn’t be a problem to blow it out of the water but that possibly wouldn’t be the most savvy decision. Indeed, destroying it would either be a direct cause for war or it would throw away an ally. The government could risk neither.

In any case the battle group heading south decided that it was in it’s best interest to cancel the circumnavigation into the Straits and instead it would wait for the three Kilos coming in right behind them, ETA expected in four days, to head into the waters and to fish that scum out. The difficult part would be doing so without getting into a heavy and heated submerged melee.

The Neck of Targul Frumos Peninsula, March 15 2005
The fairly thick, multilane, highways were strangely empty of civilian traffic. The Targul Frumos peninsula was said to have the most beautiful beaches in the world, with their constant good surf and their light blue waters, and so it was the target of what the tourism ministry put at eleven billion tourists a year. Since it was located between the tropics it had usual war weather year around, meaning that the highways running north and south were plugged up daily. This day though the only thing moving was military hardware.

The 8th Panzerkorp, the second half of the Fourth Panzerarmee, was moving to a wide defensive emplacement and indeed, the defense would be large and extremely difficult. Frankly, the coastline was far too large to defend. So, commanders would have to improvise. In the peninsula the Fourth Panzerarmee would have to share the three thousand tanks with each other, although most of the 7th Panzerkorp would need to stay around Targul Frumos for the defense of the city. The 8th Panzerkorp would be responsible for the keeping the neck of the peninsula wide open.

The various columns moving up the eight lanes heading south were bristling with the sun baked hulls of BredtSverdt, boasting their 120mm ETC cannons, and the missiles of the mobile Praetorian batteries. The massive main battle tanks and surface to air missile batteries dwarfed the smaller IFVs rolling along the sidelines. Shouts were transferred back and forth as the crews conversed or taunted in their native German language. Row upon row, for thousands of kilometers, tanks rumbled forward, chains clinking at their slow rhythm and massive one thousand eight hundred horsepower engines chugging away. The sheer size of the korp was tantalizing. Three divisions were fully outfitted with a thousand five hundred Panzerkampfwaggen XI tanks, three hundred and seventy-five mobile Praetorian V batteries, and four hundred and seventy-five SOV-06 IFVs. There were countless more trucks and behind it all traveled ten thousand 155mm Hadraade self propelled artillery guns, which were the old static 155mm stocks and muzzles attached to an extremely heavy truck. They were new to everyone and the crews of other vehicles gaped in wonder – they were simply huge. What made them different from the French Cesar was that the trucks had an extensive set of hydraulics on its rear which could push the stock vertically which would allow the muzzle to depreciate enough to throw a shell skimming the surface, meaning it could take the roll of an anti-tank gun, which could outrange the actual cannons of any enemy tank. A most similar role had been take care of by the German 88mm FLAK cannons which when depreciated wreaked havoc on both Western Allied and Soviet tank fists, often stopping them in their tracks, such as in the British May 1940 counteroffensive at Arras, where General Rommel had taken command of the defense himself. Along with these came two hundred Panzerwerfer MSLR systems proudly displaying their missile ‘clips’. It was a majestic show of force.

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/caesar/images/Caesar_12.jpg

General der Panzertruppen Ludwig Guderian, great grandson of the world renown Heinz Guderian, sat in the hatch of his ‘emptied’ Panzerkampfwaggen IX Sargon, and older Macabee tank. It had been stripped of everything except the actual muzzle, but it gave him a tank and a tank that his men had never seen. It was as if a custom car drove by your Accord – exotic. It gave him some symbol of his command. The inside had been carved out. So, it wasn’t as cramped and they had also installed a state of the art conditioning system. So, Guderian’s guest, Generalleutnant Trek von Luwk, sat as if at home, sporting himself to a bit of wine, made up the very best grapes Macabee vineyards had to offer.

Von Luwk spoke gently, already swayed by the powers of ethanol,”Dear Guderian, what do you plan to do with such an overstretched panzerkorp? It seems as if the High Command wants us to waste our men in some pointless defense of a pointless peninsula which serves to strategical purpose.”

Ludwig Guderian scuffed and remarked,”Not important? It seems you have forgotten the policies of this Empire since the day it was forged by the hands of Jonach. The defense of Targul Frumos is pertinent as its loss would give the men of our enemy a base of operations which means that they have a central location for logistical stockpiling in which they would be able to put whatever they wanted inside, unlike their fleets which have a technical cap which gives them a maximum amount of men they could deploy inside our borders as long as we confine them to the beaches or coastal areas. Consequently, the defense of this peninsula is perhaps the most important task of them all and I am honored of being given such a command.”

The younger general stared and retorted,”Political ideology never got anybody very far. Look what happened to Nazi Germany. Dead!”

Guderian laughed and replied,”Yes, Nazi Germany. But dear Luwk you forget that we are not Nazi, nor Germany. Our Empire is not rules by a military incompetent. Quite on the contraire, we are led by a general. A man who knows our style and supports it. You speak like a fool.”

Von Luwk returned the nervous laughter and said,”Very well Emperor of all the Empires, tell me, what do you plan to do?”

Guderian, obviously vexed, answered in haste,”I plan to sack drunkards like you who know not what they talk about! Do you understand the words that you say? What, not in the slightest! Very well, you wish to know what I will do. I plan to defend with what I’ve got. No doubt his majesty will send reinforcements in due time which will bolster our defenses. However, it should be noted that our task is not to throw the enemy back into the sea but to put a defense which deters the enemy from moving north into the mainland while our sister korp, the 7th Panzerkorp, retains Targul Frumos to the south. This is what we’ll do! Are you prepared to follow it to your very death?”

Von Luwk poured more wine into his cup and he grew frustrated when he saw that there was none left. Indeed, he had drunk it all during the short conversation. But he replied without further hesitation,”I am a general, just like you. I will complete what is my duty without further second guessing. I trust in you, not our Emperor, to get me through this war alive.”

Both fell silent for the rest of the trip. Soon enough they would make it to their defensive position and both men would part ways. One would begin to plan the overall defense and the other would take the reins of his division. Both generals had much work to do ahead of them.

Macabea City, March 17 2005
The entire defense had not been concentrated on Targul Frumos and the peninsular defense garrison was miniscule compared to the massive reserves in the center of the Empire prepared to ship out towards the coastal cities. Macabea City, old capital of the Empire, was not a city to ignore and it would receive a fairly large occupation force to defend it in case of a siege while it’s outlying territory would be defended with vigor by tanks and infantry galore, prepared to take massive casualties in exchange for the defense of the Empire. The coast north of the Targul Frumos peninsula presented the same problems as the peninsula itself for it was just too large to defend effectively with the forces at hand. The Macabee high command decided that it would be much more effective to put limited amount of units on the coast as speed bumps to any enemy offensive and then reinforce where the pressure points were in order to force them back down and then utterly devastate them. Indeed, there was no point in positioning your boys in static defenses likely to be severely damaged by opening strikes and by the full force of the opening offensive.

As with Targul Frumos most of the men going into the city itself arrived by train and the train stations inside the old capital were much larger than those at the ancient Targul Frumos. In fact, at the main center a full twenty trains were able to arrive at once and be served at their respective boarding groups efficiently, all at the same time. As they arrived whistles blew loudly but the doors remained closed. What looked like officers of the Army seemed to come out of the shadows, invisible before, dressed in their long black overcoats. Once they had come into the light what they were was obvious. They were officers of the Black Legion. It seemed as if the Black Legion had made it to Macabea as well – specifically, ten thousand of them.

Each Black Legion officer took the huge steel doors of the trains and swung them open revealing dozens upon dozens of soldiers inside ready to get out of the dark and stingy confines of the locomotive wagons. They had been packed like animals and they didn’t like it. But as the doors swung open the booming voices of the Legion filled the area,”Move, get out of the train. Soldiers of the Empire welcome to Macabea. Soldiers of the Empire today you prepare your journey for your odyssey to defend your Emperor and your family and your brethren from the evil fascist who loom on the horizon.”

The Black Legion was making it much more dramatic than what it really was, however, they were good at that. Some forty thousand men, two full divisions – the 1st and 2nd – piled out quickly, filtering towards the exits, clearly marked before hand. What the Black Legion and Military Police wanted less was for the soldiers to diffuse into the city grounds where they would intermingle with the civilians. A break in discipline and order was not needed. Noise ran from point to point as men yelled for their officers and officers yelled back. Grouping specific units would prove almost impossible and indeed most units, even divisional size, would have to wait for the men to arrive at the barracks by truck for them to sort the mess out.

Outside the trucks were waiting in large batches and once one row left the entire column move forward, six by six, and were loaded up with infantry armed with their assault rifles, grenades, machine guns, or whatever else they carried. Then the trucks sped off again and another six trucks arrived. Just like this all forty thousand infantry would make it to the barracks. However, the infantry would not have the luxury of being driven by trucks for their entire stay. Since they were designed to defend the city from siege, not offensive maneuvering, and since the trucks were needed elsewhere with extreme urgency, said vehicles would leave north for Rossinie which was preparing for the coming of thousands of men also, destined to hold the northern coast. Such was the life of a military deployment which had not seen such large numbers since the founding of the state and which lacked the opening logistical numbers to successfully move so much material to the coast and the center so quickly and on such a whim.

The trains would have to stay for a bit more before they headed back from the central area of the Empire to get more loads of men and material for the city. They carried a precious three hundred Praetorian V surface to air missile batteries which would be placed in highly secretive and highly protected buildings and area to create a very effective anti-air defensive system manned by the newly created PSAMU unit in Macabea City which would number nine hundred so far. Moreover, twenty thousand assault guns were being unloaded for what was to become the 2nd Volksgrenadier division, which would also receive proportional amounts of Javalina anti-tank missile launchers and light machine guns. Whatever their ordnance was they would be trained for success in urban warfare and perhaps even in offensive warfare in case the time came where they were needed for a counter-attack. Said counter-attack would come inevitably if the Macabee defense succeeded and the enemy had to be thrown back into the sea, but that was merely conjecture. Their test would come with time.

The huge city was simply beautiful. As the old capital, built during the Old Empire, it became the center of the Empire’s fiscal network and its wealth showed with the magnificent onion domes which spread across the skyline. The cathedrals which sported the blue, green, red and orange onion domes had been built by the old Emperors of the 18th Century when Macabea City was just a backwater town where the dynasty was hoping to regain the old Byzantine style of administration. It resembled closely what happened in Russia during the Romanov dynasty where Alexander III and Nicholas II worked fervently to reverse the reform minded course of Alexander II and turn the Russian Empire into a more backwards state where the common villager served the Tsar, who was the state. But since the 18th century the Old Empire was forced to turn its course into a more modern path, led by the Emperor Karl V of Macabea (Karl II of Hassel), who turned Macabea into a city with steel skyscrapers which dwarfed the cathedrals of the old regime. This progress showed today as the center of the bustling hubcap of Macabee society thrived with action. Unlike the highways of Targul Frumos the city streets and metropolitan freeways were clogged with heavy traffic, bumper to bumper. It was such a shame to see the city be tainted by the presence of heavy infantry, but it would be even harder to witness it occupied by foreign troops and for just that matter it was imperative to form a city defense, whether the beautification ministry approved of it or not.

Straits of Tariq, March 19 2005
Leutnant Hauptmann Karl Inkerneut had already plotted the next course of action his Kilo class SSK would take. It had already made progress into the Straits and now it would take position just a thousand kilometers out. From there it would be provisioned by the battle group which was supposed to be at Targul Frumos by now but had just stopped. Why, Inkerneut was never told.

However, deep inside the straits he soon found out. On his passive SONAR array he had caught the faint signal of an enemy submarine and quickly used one of his torpedo tubes to launch an encasement which would float to the top of the water line where it would transmit a message by satellite to the battle group nearby, known as an SSIXS transmission. In any case, it would have to do more than that to prepare to fend for itself.

Inkerneut hurried to the SONAR room where the supervisor told him the bad news,”This thing isn’t plain captain. I say its an SSN. Of who I don’t know, the readings don’t resemble anything we know, especially what the books have on RWC and IADF submarines. Trust me, we know those, we were allied to them once, and we’re still allied to the IADF. However, we do have the old books from the first IADF given to us by Credonia, a member of the original alliance, and the sounds do resemble that of an SSN from Five Civilized Nations. It may sound weird, but I’m sure as hell that this is theirs. I don’t know why. I just know. It’s a gut feeling if you wish.”

The captain laughed and said,”Only if wars were done through gut feeling.”

He returned to his command station, not knowing if the submarine had caught the location of his own Kilo. The other Kilos no doubt knew of the enemy presence as well and so they turned off their engines and sat silently while the HES Wellington made the noise to take the attention of the SSN out there. He then launched a second SSIXS canister to the surface and this was sent to the battle group. From there he would have to wait.

Encrypted Satellite Transmission to Five Civilized Nations:
It seems that one of our sailors had caught a nuclear powered submarine of yours in our home waters. Because this is soon to turn into a war zone we must pressure you to order this submarine to leave our waters if it is indeed yours. If you refuse to acknowledge it as yours then we are lost and will have to find a new path to deal with the submarine, although, between us and yourself, no hostile intentions are wanted. We just want that submarine out.

Thus, if it is yours, please retract it from the straits as we are about to mine the entire area and your sub will be targeted as our mines do not have the brains to distinguish from friendly or enemy, just our aircraft. And our aircraft cannot be making sweeps back and forth just because of your submarine.

This will be your only warning. Take it out!
**END TRANSMISSION**

Fedala, Capital of the Empire, March 19 2005
The letter from Domovol was given to the Empire late due to several problems with the train stations, mostly because of the recent heavy deployments. However, it had finally gotten to the Emperor by March 19, and he sat down to reply. He could not keep a partner waiting.

To: Domovol
We thank you for your troops and indeed they would come at a very important time. However, we fear for the homelands of our own allies and it would be better put to use if you keep your men at home. However, do not think that you will be excluded from the fun. Since you have presented us with your laurel wreath we will make sure you know when the general counter-offensive is launched and we will keep you posted on the situation.

But, we thank you for your general kindness and we wish you to know that we will never fail to present you with the same offer should your humble nation ever be presented with a similar catastrophe.

We are, however, very interested in knowing how we are indirectly allied to you. For it baffles us how our own connections could have gotten us the support of such a generous nation.

Thank you. You will not regret this.
[signed]Jonach I

technology.com/projects/kilo877/images/kilo877_1.jpg

Straits of Tariq, March 15, 2005 2245 Hours

They were still out there, Commander Wei Xing was sure—but where? After first detecting a Kilo on the Marauder’s passive sonar, contact had never been reestablished with any submarine. Tense, the crew of the nuclear powered submarine continued to listen carefully for the approach of any Kilo Class SSK. So far, their patience had not been rewarded.

Suddenly, one of the four sonar technicians spoke up. “Sir, we are detecting the approach of several ASW helicopters, type unknown. They seem to be dropping sonobuoys randomly at this point, but that will quickly change if they get a good MAD reading.”

“Shit,” replied Wei Xing. Turning to his crew, Wei Xing spoke, barking out commands softly. “Rig for ultra-quiet. We’ve got helixes on their way in.”

“Sir, we’re detecting the approach of a submarine, bearing zero five nine. Sir, it’s possibly a Kilo. Target is classified as Sierra-1. I can confirm it’s type in one minute."

“Acknowledged, sonar,” replied Wei Xing as he dialed the number for the torpedo room. “Weapons, conn. Are the forward tubes loaded?”
A soft scratchy reply came over on the receiver of the phone, Aye sir. We’ve got four Mark 95s and a Seaskimmer loaded. Whatever comes this way, we can handle it.

“Good.”

March 19, 2005 0109 Hours

“Captain, Sierra-1 is confirmed as a Kilo Class SSK, he’s making turns for seven knots. Range to target is approximately forty-five hundred meters and closing. According to my ears, we’ve got two other subs sitting back about thirty klicks away. Sir, we’re outnumbered.”

Cursing softly under his breath, Wei Xing was about to turn to the bridge crew when the sonar technician spoke again.

“Transient! Sierra-1 has launched some form of canister, don’t know what type.”

“What?”

“Sir, Sierra-1 has launched some form of communications canister.”

“Damn’t. This is getting more and more complicated.” Turning to his weapons controls officer, “Lieutenant, set up the solution to Sierra-1. We may have to actually fire a torpedo.” As he sat back down in his command chair, Commander Wei Xing muttered crossly to himself. Don’t you just love it when life throws you these surprises?

Navy Headquarters, Cala, Five Civilized Nations, March 19, 2005 0110 Hours

“What the hell is this bullshit that the Macabees have sent us?” snapped Admiral of the Fleet Li Jun as he sat angrily behind his desk. Across from him a pair of three-star admirals sat at attention, barely twitching as they waited for the five star admiral to finish his rant.

“What the hell are they doing?”

“Sir, the Marauder, our ELINT SSN on station at the Straits of Tariq has picked up increased operational tempos by the Macabees naval forces.”

“Well, isn’t it a pretty pickle we’ve gotten ourselves into? The Macabees want our SSN to be removed from the Straits. But damn it. It’s in international waters.”

“Yes sir.”

“Well at this point, relations between our two nations have already declined sharply ever since the dissolution of the first incarnation of the International Allied Defense Federation. According to intelligence reports, the Macabees are about to launch an opening salvo to a new round of global warfare. We cannot have that. At this point, August Emperor Jonathon Crusade is prepared to authorize warshots. I am going to speak with him and request that his highness authorize Revelation Four, Plan TAW.”

Standing up, the five-star admiral nodded at his subordinates in dismissal.

[Stalker Class SSN-2208 Seahunter]

Forty thousand tons of submarine traveled at 15 knots, several kilometers under the sea. From a statistical point of view, the vessel was quite amazing. Defying the trends of sub doctrine from the earlier 21st century of 'smaller, cheaper' after finishing the Orca class, the Stalker was considered middleweight, only the massive Nike class massing more. A significant porition of the vessel was stealthing: space intensive sound mounts for reactors, layer upon layer of anechoic tiling, 'sharkskin', fiber and ceramic. Large hydrophone and Acoustic Daylight Arrays, LIDAR, and other, shorter range sensors allowed Seahunter to look for others of it's kind. It was now in Passive Detection mode, nothing active engaged, and no tow sensors to add extra noise.

Then, like a church's bell during a pitch quiet night, the sonar pulses were picked up. It was faint at this depth, but to the advanced sonar it was as clear as a spoken sentence. Computers analyzed the sound, looking for patterns, and highlighted it as an IFF code.

Naval Chiliarch Alex Van Steissel looked at the message flashed through the submarine's message system: An instant messenger like program on the submarines fiberoptic network that allowed for near silent communication among the crew. It was deciphered as an IFF code and the Chiliarch made note of it. Now it would not be important, but towards surface the added risk of detection did not outweigh the benefit of not being blown to pieces when trying to get to antenna depth.

The alliance forged was a strange one, he mused. Before he had been transferred to the new Stalker class, he had run up a famous career: Tactical nuclear warfare in Markov, apprehending the subsequent SSN-53 Orca before it had started a new conflict, and even more. And that lead him to a new thought. Intelligence reported that the FCN navy might be involved in operations near the Tariq. It was all rumor, but it was sending shockwaves throughout DoD and cleared HNI executives. The Five Civilized Nations had an excellent submarine force, employing systems encountered in the Orca incident that had been the spur to shape up UCSNE submarines. And recently, they had been accepted in a deal with Hyland Nikolaas industries: A multi hundred billion dollar company on it's own. One whose member corporations supplied over 75% of UCSNE military equipment. But it was all politics to the old commander in the new submarine. Things would have to be done. Traveling through the Tariq, it continued to search.
--
[UCSS Pamtera Carrier Battle Fleet 6]

Slicing through the waves, Arch Fleet Strategos Van Walsen admired the sea and the force he arrayed. The view from the stealthily-designed 'island' was not exactly wonderful, but he could see the aircraft on the catamaran hulled deck, launching and landing to maintain an constant air perimeter. Three Carrier Battlefleets (Numbers on request, each is about three CBGs+marine warfare groups) were arrayed in a triple triangle, with outer perimeters laced with ASW vessels. It was a big deployment, and it would be heading straight into a new mess: TMG. Their final position was not yet decided, but no matter what it would not be a safe one.

"Ironic, isn't it sir?"

The captain of the ship, Merarch Thomas Unsel, was also admiring the sight. But he was much newer to the art of war than Van Walsen, and had been a bit more nervous than many other ranking officers. General Staff had originally objected to his deployment, but a few cited excellent manuver records and he was allowed to remain in the CBF force.

"Our deployment or our allies?"

"Our allies. I swear, I still remember before getting assigned to the ship, the NAVINT reports. Our Orca's ASHUM and some propulsion elements showing up in their Toledos. Army worrying about keeping up with Macabean tanks. And look where we are now. Sailing with them."

"It is odd, I admit that. But things change fast." His real admission was that it did not seem that strange to him. The Macabees were not rooted in the same hatred that some nations held for New Empire. To Walsen it was just another nation in the arms race, not one that had made mushroom clouds grow as quickly as their namesakes.

And he only had to wonder how many lives would be lost before this new set of enemies that they banded with old ones to fight, how many before they gained a similar hatred.

[OOC: By the way, the Straits of Tariq are the Straits right under Targul Frumos.]

Straits of Tariq, March 15 2005, 0109 Hours
The captain of the Wellington seemed to stare off into space, studiously scanning up and down the pipelines which crisscrossed the internal hull of the Kilo. He grumbled as he looked at the array of computers lying before him. He was used to his old Toledo class SSN but since then they had put him inside this Kilo and everyone regarded the Kilo as an inferior work of engineering, and it was. Had it not been for the massive work put into the Kilo to improve it, which made it an oversized SSK which truly deserved its own designation since it resembled nothing like a Kilo, the submarine would have been a piece of trash, worth enough to throw away in 'underwater submarine wave' tactics. Hauptmann Leuntnant Inkerneut laughed and his executive officer looked up at him and said,"What are you going to do about that SSN out there? Just brush it off?"

The captain glared at his unruly XO and retorted,"No, I'm going to feed you to it." He laughed out loud and his XO looked cross eyed, face turning red, and the captain continued talking,"Turn rudder nine-zero degrees. Change bearing one-eight-zero, east."

The XO, obviously mad, turned around and stomped off without a proper salute. Inkerneut smiled and under his breath said,"Good fucker, I can care less about you. Right now I'm worried about that son of a bitch in the water."

The HESS-501 Wellington was turning around, heading back out of the Straits. The other two submarines would follow their pack leader, the Wellington, out of the body of water for better or for worse. Inkerneut reasoned that he didn't need to be within forty-five hundred meters of what was assigned Master 1 and Inkerneut felt better out of torpedo range because truly submarine to submarine warfare was not his mission. If the administration deemed that submarine dangerous they could do something about it without the aid of the Wellington. Once Inkerneut steered the three Kilos to about seventy nautical miles from the position of that foreign SSN they would surface in order to re-charge their batteries and communicate freely with the fleet. Inkerneut decided not to think of what would happen to that submarine down there which would most certainly be confused with the current happenings around it. ELINT or not it was in waters that were quickly being enshrouded by the Macabees, and in all truth, that water was Macabee, whether they liked it or not.

Indeed, events in the capital were already making this true. The government, not recieving word from Five Civilized Nations, decided that the only way to get that submarine out without sparking a war would be to make the news of the nationalization of the Straits of Tariq public.

Official Macabee Embassy Warning to all Nations
The Straits of Tariq are to be nationalized by the Macabee Government for the interest of self-protection against certain belligerent and highly imperialist powers who wish only to hurt the Macabees and the IADF. Indeed, the controlling of the Straits is imperative for the national defense of the Macabee Empire and the administration, namely Emperor Jonach I, will do everything in his power to ensure the survival and the safety of his people.

As a consequence, the Straits of Tariq will close its shipping to all non-allied nations at exactly March 20, 2005, 0100 hours. We give you the half a day to re-direct any shipping going through the Straits to other Macabee ports which will remain open to civilian shipping for the time being. However, as we doubt many people have shipping going through the Straits since the only city linked by the Straits in Targul Frumos then it shouldn't be much of a problem.

Also, deals concerning shipping can be worked out with the administration of the Empire. However, any ship that is not cleared or not allied will face immediate and sure destruction as the area will be heavily mined.

Again, we must stress that gravity of the situation and suggest that you re-route any shipping as soon as possible and without further adue.
[signed]Jonach I

It had been done, and if that submarine wanted to survive it would have to get out of the Straits. There wasn't much anybody else could do. If it was destroyed it wouldn't be the Macabee's responsibility since the area was previously denoted as a warzone. It would be the fault of the nation that failed to take its military assets out when knowing of the consequences of avoiding the Macabee warning.

In order to reinforce the Macabee determination in the situation the carriers would begin the first operations to mine the Straits immediately, even before the warning took effect. And so, on the single carrier from Battle Group 6 a sweet female voice, with a sexy French accent, began to direct five pilots to their aircraft calling them by their first name and last name. It was a bit freaky but it soothed the men and even calmed them when some of them got a hard on. But that was besides the point - it was proven that with such "extras" the men did much better in combat. Each man jumped into his own MMA-A1 Kondor, which looked a lot like an F-15 Eagle but a bit more advance, althought not nearly as some of the other things that the Macabees had in their inventory, and began to taxi onto the elevators which would take them up to the flight deck. Slowly but surely they all completed the task and one by one they hooked on to the catapults and prepared for their take off. The turbines, lined with their Nickel based Aluminum superalloy, began to whine as they throttled and each aircraft picked up velocity as it shrieked through the flight deck. Then, the the Kondors picked up and swiftly pushed into the air, bringing up their triangular gear into the belly of the aircraft and preparing for a nice flight over the fabled Straits of Tariq.

The flight for all five Kondors, which flew in some kind of improvised formation, was expected to be smooth for obvious reasons. For one, there was nothing in the air to intercept the Kondors. Second, their mission wasn't really combat oriented.

At around Mach 1.9 they entered the Straits of Tariq and began to make their final phase fly over the area the Civilized Nation submarine was thought to be located at. Armed with small bomblets the Kondors made their quick passes over the blue expanse of sea which connected the Gulf of Targul with the Augustun Ocean. As they made it over canisters shackeled onto the Kondors' hardpoints were freed and they began to free fall into the water below, plummeting ever faster as gravity accelerated by their mass. However, before they hit the water the canisteres shattered open releasing several hundred small bomblets. The bomblets would obviously explode inside the water but any fool could point out that the actual damage done to any submarine below would be relatively none - indeed, none at all. Simply put, the bomblets were too weak to do any damage from the surface and their shockwaves were unlikely to even be felt by said submarine. However, what it would do was give the sound of depth charging to the SONAR crew of the SSN and would perhaps persuade the captain of said submarine to get out of the area or face potential doom. It was quite the argument and the Macabees hoped that their ploy worked because they needn't a dead submarine in their waters because of their mining, even if they were in the right or not. In fact, most governments these days cared less who was in the right and needed only a minor justification for it all. Moreover, Five Civilized Nations was an ally of an ally and a nation which the Macabees didn't feel like it would be wise to have poor diplomatic relations with. So, they would do what was in their power to persuade that captain to leave.

After their drop the MMA-A1 Kondors elevated their altitude, as they had been flying considerably low, and turned around to head back to their carrier. With mission complete each pilot would be very willing to land again as almost no pilot liked prolonged operations into the air, even if they were as peaceful as this one. Each hit its afterburners leaving a thick trail of smoke behind it in a beautiful pattern.

The Kondors operating over the Straits was a foreshadowin of the events to come. However, the event that was planned would not be fought as expected, that is, not fought in the borders of the Empire itself. It was decided that it was no savvy to fight homecourt, so any enemy which presented himself would be quickly shocked by what was to unfold. As the AutoMagFreek Damien Dreadfire said during his operations against Rayne in the final events concerning the Freek civil war,"Alright mother fuckers, now's your time."

(OOC: FYI, the Changsha Class SSN is not really a “frontline” vessel. Of the original thirty-four submarines, only seven remain in existence serving as ELINT platforms.)

Traits of Tariq, March 19, 2005 0110 Hours

“Captain, we may have a problem.”

What now, thought Commander Wei Xing as he glanced at his sonar technician. "What is it?"

"I'm getting movement on Sierra-1. They seem to be making turns for eight knots. I think Sierra-2 and -3 are also moving."

"What's their heading?"

"It seems their steering clear of us."

"Damn. With this rickety, old boat, there is no way in hell we can combat three Kilos. Keep me posted on their movements." Turning to his fire-control team, Wei Xing spoke urgently. "Continuously update the targeting information on all three Kilos. For all we know, we may have to sink those boats..."

March 19, 2005 0200 Hours

"Holy shit… I’m reading multiple drops overhead. Their spread out in a two hundred meter radius."

"Shit! Helm! Flank speed! 60 degrees to port!"

Swiftly and yet slowly, the Marauder accelerated to its top speed of 35 knots, as it turned to its left, as the submarine attempted to "avoid" the bombs dropped by the aircraft overhead.

"Sir, according to what I'm hearing, the drops were neither depth charges or torpedoes."

Wei Xing did not comprehend the full meaning of the remark for a full three seconds. With a start, Wei Xing turned with surprise to his sonar technicians. "Bastards! We've set up! Helm, all ahead one third! Fire-control, open outer doors to tubes one through three. Snap shot on last updated headings of enemy Kilos."

"Aye, sir. Outer doors opening. Tube one targetting Sierra-1. Tube two and three targetting where we think Sierra-2 and -3 are."

"Good!"

"Sir. Outer doors are open, tubes have been flooded."

"Good. Fire on my mark... Mark. Mark. Mark. Reload with Swordfishes..."

The Marauder shuddered as the three torpedoes were launched from the submarine. They were Swordfishes, a torpedo like the American Mk-48, but nearly nearly twenty knots faster. Swiftly, the three torpedoes accelerated to their top speed of sixty-six knots, heading to their three separate targets.

"Pop up an encrypted message buoy to headquarters. Tell them that we have been fired upon my unknown military forces in the Straits of Tariq. Request reinforcements!"

Within thirty seconds, a message buoy was ejected from the sail of the Marauder. . .

The Royal Citadel, Cala, Five Civilized Nations, March 19, 2005 0130 Hours

Inside the massive study of the August Emperor Jonathon Crusade, a trio of men conversed earnestly in solemn tones. It was evident that Admiral of the Fleet Li Jun and the Emperor were present. The third member of the discussion was Defense Minister Rayus Noventa, who sat impassively as he listened to his subordinate and his liege argue.

In a calm voice, the Emperor spoke. "You do understand the full meaning of Revelation Four, Plan TAW, correct, Admiral Li?"

"Your highness," replied the admiral. "With the increased tensions between our respective nations, it is the best plan to mobilize at least a portion of our military. That way at least, we may be able to somewhat combat any Macabees aggression."

"I must respectfully disagree. The Macabees were once our allies during the first incarnation of the International Allied Defense Federation. Based on experience in our past relationship, I doubt that the Macabees would be so foolish to attack a would be ally."

Suddenly, another military officer entered the room. "Your highness, I must beg to differ."

"Brother? What are you doing here?" said the Emperor as he stared surprised at the arrival of his younger brother, Vice Admiral Hamilton Crusade.

"Your highness, Defense Minister, Admiral Li, I am here to announce that the Marauder has been fired upon. She is currently returning fire to the best of her ability, but she is outnumbered."

"Damn it," blurted out Li Jun. "This situation is getting out of hand."

With a look of resolve, the Emperor glanced at the trio of military officers in front of him and made a quick decision. "Gentlemen, August Order One has been authorized. That means complete mobilization of Five Civilized Nations military forces to combat the threat that the Macabees poses. Gentlemen. To your stations . . ."



The Emperor has ordered the implementation of August Order One, the complete mobilization of Five Civilized Nations forces. According to sources in the naval headquarters, a Five Civilized Nations submarine operating in international waters was attacked by forces of the nation of the Macabees. Further information forthcoming.
Due to events occurring at the Straits of Tariq on March 19th, 2005 at 0120 hours, the nation of the Five Civilized Nations is in a state of war against the nation of the Macabees. As the Macabees have committed an act of aggression against a peaceable Five Civilized Nations vessel, the Five Civilized Nations, a former ally of the Macabees, have no choice but to respond in force.

Expect no mercy.

FROM: CINCFLT
TO: FCN NAVAL FORCES

STATE OF WAR EXISTS BETWEEN THE MACABEES AND THE FIVE CIVILIZED NATIONS.
PLAN TANGO ALPHA OMEGA IS IN EFFECT.
WEAPONS FREE.

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD HUNTING...

Straits of Tiraq, March 19 2005, 0200 Hours
The Kilo class SSK heading last was on alert, keeping a rear guard for the advancing submarines to its forefront. The captain was already in the SONAR room checking for the periodic check-ups given to him by the SONAR supervisor. To the captain the black fall spread sheet on the SONAR screen didn't look to strange to him and when he first heard the sounds he had feared he already knew what was happening before the SONAR man could mutter a word from his petty mouth. Indeed, the trip had turned back and it looked as if combat operations were under way. On the screen nothing much happened, except a little, tiny, blip, but the SONAR man turned to the captain and began to chatter nervously,"Captain, I hear doors opening. They're getting ready for a snapshot."

The captain smiled and replied,"Good. They just got themselves into a game they wont win. Our Kilos might not be top shit, but it's better than the original Kilo, and they don't know that."

Indeed, the smaller torpedo tubes were already prepared for snapshots, which would turn out to be needed. However, before the 500mm torpedo tubes were opened the SONAR supervisor yelled,"We have three torpedoes in the water!"

The captain barely heard, but he could imagine it. He was already meaking his way to the control room and as soon as he stepped in he began to howl orders at his XO,"Ready tubes one, two and three in all respects, including opening outer doors! Get me fire and control data on Master 1 on the double. Start pinging, they already know where we are, we might as well take the heat of all three torpedoes. Doesn't matter."

The three tubes were readied within seconds and the fire and control data, especially with the active SONAR pinging wildly, in minutes. When the torpedo room reported a green light back to the captain the young officer yelled to his XO,"Fire tubes one, two and three. Cut wires, those babies can guide themselves like a wonder. Reload tubes one, two and three with MT-3s"

That submarine out there was about to get the best the Macabees had and the chance that it would survive was small indeed. The MT-3 MADCAP used an underwater RAMjet pumpjet which made it silent, dead silent, and the MT-3 used a dual passive/active SONAR and blue-green LIDAR for detection purposes. Technologically it was top of the line. The MT-3s were released electrically and they began to accelerate to around seventy kilometers per hour, cutting through the Straits like a bread knife through butter.

The SONAR supervisor again yelled at the captain, who was making his way back,"Those torpedoes are hot and coming for us."

From the rear the fire and control officer yelled,"Torpedoes running straight and normal sir."

The lead two Kilos began to pick up to seventeen knots, while the last one, which had fired its torpedoes, slowed to five knots. The three torpedoes launched would home in on it and would face the defenses that the Kilo had been rigged with. The captain began to sweat, but he remained cool. If he was to die he was to die with the knowledge that his Kilo had been sacrificed for a much larger prize. He ordered,"Fire countermeasures."

Immediately side panels jetisoned noisemakers into the water which popped and did their duty. However, any ADCAPs were known for their ability to avoid noisemakers, although this was when they were still controlled by wire. Evidently, the swordfishes weren't, consequently, one of the torpedoes went for the noisemaker, gaining time for the Kilo SSK. But the other two, unfortunately, headed straight for the Kilo.

This called for the installed ASHUM guns on the frame of the Kilo, which was incredibly strange to the captain, yet they would provide him with an invaluable tool to fend for his life. The ASHUM guns locked on to the incoming torpedoes with their LIDAR array, which mirrored the Wide Aperture Array in size, and began chugging away, however, on the Kilo the ASHUM guns didn't have the room to place the more advance targetting systems and thus a single Swordfish was able to get through the storm of rounds and hit the submarine right in the center.

Inside everything was thrown topsy turvy and the sound of the screeching steel frame and hull could be heard from miles away. Some men were forced to plug their ears, the sound was just too intense. The steel hull cringed and dented at the force of the Swordfish but it held - indeed, sometimes it took up to two ADCAPs to pierce the skin of a Kilo. But it seriously depleted the 'health' of the submarine and when the captain regained his composure he ordered the submarine to rig for silent. A diesel could be much more silent than an SSN and he doubted that the SONAR of the SSN would catch the quiet diesel. Moreover, he was fairly sure that those three MT-3 MADCAPs would get the job done. But, he was running out of oxygen, and he would have to make an emergency surfacing operation soon enough. Everything had to do with time...

------

Public Message to Five Civilized Nations [Emperor Specifically]
We fear that one of your submarines may have been destroyed in the Straits of Tariq. After two messages sent to your government both were ignored and thus we took action to 'fish' the submarine out of the waters by dropping bomblets which resembled depth charges. However, in no way are we willing or do we want to wage war upon the Empire of Five Civilized Nations. As allies of your allies we are not in a position to wage war and it is not a personal choice as it was expected that both nation's diplomatic exchanges would improve. Especially since Five Civilized Nations was part of the first and second IADF alliances.

As for your submarine. We are willing to pay reperations to the families and to your nation. Avoiding war is our primary mission.
[signed]Jonach I

[OOC: Wow, you were quick to go to war.]

(OOC: Unfortunately, my nation has become allied with a lot of nations who hate you... In some sense, we have become affected by their bias. In addition, you should not even mock attack an armed vessel anywhere. The international incident that any such event would have caused would be highly catastrophic.

OOCly, I like you Macabees, but ICly, you just attacked one of my subs... I'm sorry, but we're at war now...

You're also very lucky to face an antique submarine. If you were facing an actual modern SSN or SSK, you would be screwed...)

The Great Eighth Reich of Witzgall has released a statement about the rising conflict between Five Civilized Nations and The Macabees, both prestigious allies of the Reich:

"It is in my belief, as Fuhrer of the fine Reich of the Witzgallian generality, that I must declare a state of neutrality in this rising conflict. Obliged to protect both The Macabees and Five Civilized Nations in an unconnected triangle of peace, I do not see us entering this conflict as justified. I am creating a state of diplomatic prosperity, hoping to regain peace and have both warring nations regain control of their actions and make amends for this structure of conflict. Trade shall remain ongoing between both nations, as usually scheduled and dictated by normal life."

(OOC: Unfortunately, my nation has become allied with a lot of nations who hate you... In some sense, we have become affected by their bias. In addition, you should not even mock attack an armed vessel anywhere. The international incident that any such event would have caused would be highly catastrophic.

OOCly, I like you Macabees, but ICly, you just attacked one of my subs... I'm sorry, but we're at war now...

You're also very lucky to face an antique submarine. If you were facing an actual modern SSN or SSK, you would be screwed...)

[OOC: And you shouldn't ignore two public messages. The international incident that would arise would be catastrophic. And the same about the submarine goes with you. I've actually never used Kilos before.]

[OOC: And you shouldn't ignore two public messages. The international incident that would arise would be catastrophic. And the same about the submarine goes with you. I've actually never used Kilos before.]
(OOC: My government can justly claim that they were formulating a reply when you attacked my sub. My admiral was in a meeting with my ruler when the attack occurred.)

Government Reply to Macabees message

You have fired upon and destroyed a Five Civilized Nations submarine operating in Intenational waters. If you believe that the stain of innocent blood upon your hands can be justified by some petty reparations, then you are dead wrong.

An Act of War will continue to exist against the Macabees. Honor and the Shedding of Innocent Blood demands JUSTICE.

We will meet on the battlefield.

[signed]
Jonathon Crusade
-August Emperor of the Five Civilized Nations
-First Star Lord
-Duke of Cala

Statement of the NIRC Combined Governments

As nations firmly rooted in a tradition of peace, as well as close friends of the Second Empire, we are appalled by the rapid disenitgration of ties between teh Five Civilized Nations and our allies in Macabea. We therefore issue an urgent request on behalf of the international community.

We request that a temporary cease fire be established between the two factions before any further loss of life occurs. We then request talks begin between the Five Civilized Nations and the Second Empire on the subject of a cessation of hostilities, offering Novikov's Old Parlimentary Hall as a possible place these talks coule occur. We also inform the two nations involved that, should terms of a cease fire be established, Novikov is prepared to escort any surviving Five Civilized Nations' personel to an international port where their release can be arranged.

-Temporary Political Leader, NIRC, Fredric Ulyanov

Response to Five Civilized Nations
As can be proven by combat records as well as sattelite imagery and combat remnants there was no mortal attack on any of your submarines prior to the opening of engagement of your submarine. The operations taken overhead were to fish your submarine out of Macabee territorial waters, made official during our public release (OOC: which came out way before you received that SSIXS transmission from your submarine detailing the beginning of operations, thus you were not in a meeting - your five star admiral was in a meeting with three three star admirals). Your submarine, well in knowledge that the explosions were occuring overhead especially since four days before we had been running mine tests in the area, then opened fire on one of our Kilo class Diesel/Electric submarines. We have the right to return fire under international law. The attack was your own fault, and your decleration of war is a show of blatant imperialism on your side, and proves why the second IADF was dissolved - due to your own inability to proceed with any kind of peace, especially when our administration was blatantly trying to reduce friction between our two Empires.

If you are so insistant on meeting on the battlefield, so be it. However, as we have said before, we have no territorial wants, no political gains. Thus any offensive would be taken by your part as we refuse to partake in any imperialist actions.

As the AutoMagFreek Damien Dreadfire said during his operations against Rayne in the final events concerning the Freek civil war,"Alright mother fuckers, now's your time."


OOC: :)

[TAG] for reading.

(OOC: Macabees, just another FYI, 66 knots is actually much faster than you're 70 km per hour... 66 knots is equivalent to 122.4 kph... And you did kinda godmod my sub's death, but no worries there... :p And btw, my submarine was running away at almost the same speed as your torpedo...)

IC:

Two Hundred Kilometers East of the Straits of Tariq, March 19, 2005, 0310 Hours

The CNSS-2826 Opportunity, a brand new Tranquility Class SSN, was operating at 25 meters when a message arrived from Naval Headquarters. Commanded by the veteran Captain Lorenzo Thomas, the Opportunity had just completed its maiden shakedown cruise and was now perfectly positioned near the Macabees to launch the opening salvo of the Five Civilized Nations naval attack.

The Tranquility Class SSN was one of the most silent submarines in existence. Designed primarily from the prototype CNSS-2714 Tsunami that had engaged a New Empire Orca Class SSN, the Tranquility Class SSN was believed to be on par or even better than anything afloat, except with the possible exception of the Stalker Class SSN and the newly commissioned Ocean Class SSN. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology procured through Hyland Nikolaas and through the constantly innovating Cala Electronics Corporation. Equipped with six bow mounted torpedo tubes and carrying nearly twenty-four standard supercavitating torpedoes, twelve supercavitating nuclear torpedoes, and twelve anti-shipping missiles, as well as a very efficient auto-loader, the Tranquility was capable of taking on an entire armada by itself. In addition, the Tranquility was equipped with a pair of 250 GHz supercomputers that analyzed the sonar returns better and faster than a human ear. Capable of nearly seventy-five knots at its top speed, the Tranquility Class was capable of avoiding most torpedoes.

The greatest innovation for the Tranquility Class was that the submarine was built completely from a polygot ceramic created from the odd form of bonding involving carbon, tungsten, and helium. The ceramic was very elastic, allowing the boat to dive to depths of nearly 800 meters without being crushed.

Aboard the Opportunity, a screen quickly displayed the received message.


FR: COMSUBFLT
TO: CNSS OPPORTUNITY
TOP SECRET

REPORT SINKING OF CNSS-1498 MARAUDER IN STRAITS OF TARIQ

1. EXECUTE UNRESTRICTED NAVAL WARFARE AGAINST MACABEES FORCES
2. PROCEED AT BEST POSSIBLE SPEED TO STRAITS OF TARIQ
3. ELIMINATE ALL OPPOSITION SUBMERSIBLES
4. ASCERTAIN LOCATION OF MINE FIELD
5. FIND, ENGAGE AND DESTROY MACABEES NAVAL FORMATIONS
6. OTHER FCN SSH/SSN TRAFFIC INBOUND
7. PROCEED WITH CAUTION
8. INVESTIGATE POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF NEW EMPIRE NAVAL FORCES BUT DO NOT ENGAGE

STOUT HEARTS. CINCFLT SENDS.

The Opportunity soon dived to a depth of 250 meters as it made its way towards the Straits of Tariq at a speed of seven knots. It's first task was to sink every single submarine operating at the mouth of the Straits, as well as identifying the location of Macabees naval formations. It would be the first submarine on the scene, but definitely not the last . . .

*tag*, will pledge my support to 5CN pending his approval on LoD forums...

ooc: Can't be bothered. 5CN if you reaaaaally need me, just ask. But for now, I'd rather do without the stress of these kinds of wars.

ooc: Ok, Im bored.

ic:
Deep within the harbours of Kamskgrad lay the northern fleets subpens, built into a rocky cliff face. Dozens of submarines were housed within, all ready for deployment. They sat inside like pitbulls chained to a doghouse, only today, three would be released.

Captain Osgoode stood on the pier beside the SSN-2101-48, a Stalker class SSN. He looked over the curves of the sleak black vessel, it reminded him of his wife. A fat middle. Osgoode chuckled at his own internal remark, but would never dare mention it to his wife face to face.

Torpedoes and ASW missiles were being loaded into the behemoth, the entire pier was alive with people busying themselves. The two other slips were held by the SSN-1201-97 and the SSN-994-08. They had names of course, but Osgoode only knew the name of his own ship, which was the Mikhail Oladsky. He looked down at the clipboard in his hand, reviving his memory; The 1201 was the Polaris Majoris and the 994, Admiral Ptyor Goshakovic.

He pondered his ships name... Mikhail Oladsky... it was an honour to have his ship named after that man. He had been a Hero of the State during the war against Geforce4 and Jaxusism. He snapped out of his lapse in concentration, and flipped the page over on his clipboard. Seems after a days sail south, they would meet up with two Beluga SSTN's, then continue on to the edge of the warzone. It seemed however, that Artitsa had not actually laid down an official stance on the conflict. They did not like the RWC, but likewise, Macabee's was threatening an ally of Artitsa. It would be tricky.

"Of course, we could just stay neutral. But where is the fun in that?" Osgoode mused aloud. "Pardon me Captain?" a sailor passing by, stopped to inquire. "Forget it, get back to work. I want those ships ready in 3 hours! NOW!"
"Aye Captain, my apologies!"

Osgoode should probably go meet up with the other two captains, but he felt rather tired. Perhaps a nap was in order.

He almost felt bad, everyone needed sleep, everyone except him. He had slept in getting the extra energy that now showed, he hadn’t meant it but the officer he had asked to wake him had “forgotten” to. Now Admiral Zyuganov resisted the temptation to grab some coffee so that everyone else who didn’t have as much energy as him could stay up. He commanded the 12th fleet which now sat in the sea outside The Macabees, he was supposed to command the expedition against the enemies of the IADF but he didn’t hold that job anymore. Something had come up, he still didn’t know what but he knew that something was big, because of it he lost his command. Two more full surface battle fleets had been sent to meet up with the 12th and along with them came their new commander, admiral Stokes. They had known each other back at the admiralty, they hadn’t been friends but they got along fairly well. Sitting back, he let those thoughts slip from his mind and moved on to more immediate things.

They were to meet up with the New Empire fleet and the Macabean taskforce outside of Macabean waters. The 12th was only a day away with the rest of the fleets right behind them. They now neared the massive and new Macabean minefields that loomed ahead growing everyday. It would be a disaster if the Macabean minefields were the cause of the loss of a few ships so contact had to be made with them to clear thing up. Once the fleets got into position the war would truly start. It was a great array of forces, The Macabees, New Empire, Safehaven2 and others still hiding in the shadows, truly a force to be reckoned with but the competition was no less powerful.

[OOC:

1. Sorry, that was meant to be 70knots. 70 kms would be absurd, that would be right around 30 knots..hehe. Sometimes I switch ground and naval measurement systems - it was designed to be quieter than a Mk 48 and twenty knots faster...indeed, it was designed after New Empire's own RAMjet MADCAP torpedo. Also...a submarine running at 75 knots? umm... how?

2. I didn't godmod anything. My government assumed that submarine was dead. Your job as an RPer isn't to critisize the other guy, it's to make sure the other guy knows it's not dead by RPing it that way.

3. Remember, these are Straits...you're pretty much close to the bottom of the Straits at 250 meters.

4. Artitsa, if you're going to RP there's somethings I won't accept:
a) The "bug zapper". All superalloys known today have failed to be able to keep the beam long enough to actually drop a missile. With every single superalloy attempted the laser has actually melted the transmitter, which means that the laser isn't going to do jack to the missile, it's just going to be a broadband of photons. So, unless you have a PhD in chemistry and invent a new superalloy and actually prove it can sustain a strong enough laser beam for long enough to drop a missile I won't accept the 'bug zapper'. Not only that but the apparatus, that again doesn't have the transmitter technology (the metal) to sustain the laser beam, was extremely large - indeed, they had to put it on a Boeing 747, not a fighter jet that goes Mach 3.

b) The "pallas Athena". After talking with my AP Physics Teacher and a couple of buddies of mine who work at the Lockheed Martin factory who produce some parts of the aircraft and missiles for the San Diego Naval Base as well as the Marine Base at Camp Pendelton about an hour away from me told me that a apparatus like the Pallas Athena wouldn't actually fit on a jet, and the same thing was said by the engineer who talked with Malatose. Moreover, according to them the chance that the Pallas Athena could read and return radio waves along a broadband was slim. My AP Physics teacher said that they were trying that in a lab and while they could return and cancel out one radio wave, they couldn't do it along a broadband...but that doesn't really matter to me since there's so many other detection devices anyways.

c) I'll see if they come along.

I don't want to get into an argument over them - if you are unwilling to RP without those then don't RP. I understand you know your stuff, and so does New Empire, but I trust actual lockheed martin engineers more.
]

Straits of Tariq
Ever since Battle Group 6 had stopped a little ways north of the Straits of Tariq due to faint evidence of the presence of an enemy nuclear powered submarine the charactiristic massive AWACs had been running off the Raus class Escort Carriers which always followed Macabee battle groups, albeit dwarfed by the much larger Model class Aircraft Carriers. However, Macabee fleets were known to be amongst the most protected in the world, although it was possible that Artitsan or New Empire fleets were on par, or superior to, Macabee fleets. But, generally, a Macabee fleet was a tough nut to crack and Macabee AWACs and ASW were not to be considered fools and were some of the best in the field. A standard Macabee naval battle group had three anti-submarine rings around the core of the fleet, one at fifty nautical miles, one at a hundred nautical miles and another one at one hundred and fifty nautical miles. The AWACS normally ran out at one hundred and fifty nautical miles and two hundred nautical miles.

For the five days Battle Group 6 had spent north of the Straits of Tariq, ASW and AWACs covering the entrance to the Straits, MMA-A2 Hawks, the old air superiority fighters of the Macabee airforce and now just advance warning aircraft because of their powerful RADARs, and MMA-D1 Gulls, the standard AWACS workhorse, had been whining off the decks of the escort carriers and had spent the twenty-four hours of each day, around the clock, dropping the SB-113 SonoBouys the Macabee military used. Instead of dropping these in delta fashion as other navies did the SB-113 was actually fairly large, so what each MMA-D1 Gull did was drop a single SB-113 sonobouy at intervals of a single nautical mile. Once the SB-113 plopped onto the surface of the water a long TB-2016 towed array would begin to uncoil from a large underwater compartment, which in a purely metaphorical way would represent the section of the iceberg invisible to the common surface ship. The TB-2016 would lower its hydrophones to an area under the waves known as the deep sound axis channel which pretty much covered all of the 'shadow zones' infamous for their ability to hide submarines. These were arrayed along a double perimeter the first day and the second day of the Battle Group's stay the Gulls had dropped their SB-38s around the SB-113s. Three SB-38s were assigned per SB-113 and basically the SB-38 sported a shorter SOnic Navigation and Ranging array which would cover the mixed layer. But as all SONAR men knew, a sound wave would hit the bottom of the mixed layer and would refract, meaning what was represented as a ray on a chart would split. One would go back up towards the surface, and then head back down, and that would cover the entire mixed layer, but each time it bounced off the bottom of the mixed layer the sound ray would refract into the deep sea, and that would cover some of the deep sea, but leave a shadow zone. Although the SB-113s were designed to search under the deep sea the SB-38s were also placed along the AWACS/ASW bouy perimeter in triples so that the ray of one would cover the shadow zone of another. With all in mind it was an extremely effective system.

So when the enemy CNSS-2826 began to attempt its transition into the Straits of Tariq there was no suprise when an MMA-D1 Gull flying over for AWACS reported,"Foxtrot-eighteen to Papa-one, over. Something is moving down there, I suggest we get on it's case."

The radio crackled but Battle Group 6 finally responded,"Papa-one to Foxtrot-eighteen. Understood, over."

The MMA-D1 Gull pilot replied,"Roger that, happy hunting."

The Raus class Escort Carriers, previously known for their serenity and their lathargic military aircraft running on and off the upper deck for AWACS duty, became the procreators of a combat zone. The sweet French voice which directed pilots to their aircraft began to voice her luscious commands to the men, who jumped to the task preparing their aircraft within five minutes. All of the aircraft were already on the upper deck as was common practice as they were what were called the Rapid Reaction Advance Warning and Control System Force (RAWACS) and three by three they began to make their way off the decks and into the blue heavens. As the turbines of their engines whined annoyingly and their tires screeched as they accelerated they lifted into the sunny, cool, and beautiful day. That amazing day, meant for strolls along the park, days at the pool, or a meeting with your loved one, would soon turn awry and into a warzone.

With New Empire allied for the time being what was happening within Hyland-Nikolaas was not hard to get into and so the statistics to the submarine moving down there were well known. The problem with the design of the construction of the hull and of the frame is that the scraps of tungsten would actually cause greater disturbances to the Earth's magnetic field than a titanium or steel frame which when the MMA-D1 Gulls began to scream overhead the SB-113s and SB-38s were screaming MAD over and over again. Each Gull carried a fairly large payload and when they arrived it was decided that the Macabee battle group wouldn't deal with the threat lightly and so a different array of torpedoes were chosen for the task. The first MMA-D1 Gull which passed by opened its release bays and dropped five MT-1 steam propelled torpedoes into the water. The MT-1s plunged nose first and once inside their screws began to turn wildly. However, before the MT-1s could accelerate and head towards the moving target, somewhere around two hundred and fifty meters under the surface of the water, the second MMA-D1 Gull had dropped, nose first, five of its own MT-2 Super Cavitating torpedoes, while a third MMA-D1 Gull had dropped another five MT-1 torpedoes. All fifteen torpedoes began to shoot through the water, moving down rather quickly. The MT-1s, although not super cavitators, moved quickly, able to tear through the water at around eighty knots. The MT-1 used a more quasi-circular form in order to evenly distribute the strength of water pressure allowing it faster velocities and deeper runnings, and made it a very powerful adversary to fight against. The MT-2s as SuCav torpedoes cut a swath at two hundred knots. All fifteen torpedoes were guided by the TB-38s, TB-113s, their own SONAR and their own blue-green LIDAR, which made them impervious to noise makers or any other countermeasures, including dust clouds since the LIDAR wavelength used was a broadband infra-red wavelength used for at least a decade by astronomers to gather the photons which were hidden by the massive dust and gas clouds present in the universe.

Over head the Gulls were still making passes although the RAWACS had left off, still making turns ready to drop more torpedoes, while the three aircraft that had already made their combat pass began to turn around and head back to the Raus class Escort Carriers. Other MMA-D1 Gulls as well as now arrived Sea Serpent II LAMPS were dropping more and more SB-113s and SB-38s along the area, shooting to cover an area of at least fifty square nautical miles.

The war zone was getting very intense and it was getting much more tricky. The advent of Five Civilized Nations was unjust, but then again, the world was never fair. It was obvious that Five Civilized Nations just wanted blood and they thought that the Macabees would be an easy target. Whatever the outcome of any war it would come to prove that the Macabee Empire was not going to so easy - any victory on the part of Five Civilized Nations and her allies would be a bloody ordeal. The administration back at the capital was still arguing over the implications of the entrance of Five Civilized Nations and it was generally agreed that they had taken advantage of the Macabee problem and had decided to enter a war that was not in their jurisdiction. Although the Macabees resented this and now Five Civilized Nations had helped forge an international image of being annoying, even amonst their own allies, the Macabees would have to deal with it regardless. Up to now Five Civilized Nations had avoided all diplomatic talk with the Macabees and that was just more evidence that Five Civilized Nations did not join the war because their submarine was attacked. Quite on the contraire, it proved that they had joined the war because they were utterly bored. The situation would turn ugly for both Five Civilized Nations and the Macabees, that was the only thing certain. But as promised before, the Macabees would not undetake an offensive against Five Civilized Nations.

"Sir, Marshall King is here."

The Warlord sighed heavily and closed the display. "Very well, send her in."

Fleet Marshall Marika King strode crisply into the office and stood at attention. The Warlord sighed again, and sank wearily into his chair. "Marshall, if I see the vaguest hint of a salute, I will have you shot. Sit down and stop acting like a tin soldier."

The Marshall sat stiffly in the chair across the desk. "Sir, I have a report from our UWP liaison ..."

"I know all about Rule #34, Marshall, Spit it out."

"Sir, the Macabees have attacked and sunk a 5CN submarine in International waters near Gibraltar."

Sighing heavily, the Warlord keyed up the report and snarled, "You're very lucky that Rule #34 is in effect, Marshall. I did not want to hear this."

He activated a new display unit and began issuing orders. "Find out which UWP members are most at risk in the Atlantic and Med, and start drawing up movement orders in case they need immediate defensive help. Alert Admiral Conrad at Isla de la Veracruz. He is responsible for the defense of Old Tersanctus. Draw up orders for the 19th Fleet and the 6th Air Force. I want them off the island as soon as possible. Send the 131st Interdiction Squadron, too.

"Contact 5CN and find out what immediate defensive needs they have. Other than home defense, they get top priority. Issue TRINITY TWO alert throughout the Pacific. The following units," he sent the list to the Marshall's SSIN. " will form Task Force Cormorant, under Admiral ben Khedda." Another list was quickly tapped out. "These units will form Task Force Juniper, under Admiral Kincaid. Everything else will maintain local defenses until the situation clears up."

Marshall King checked her hand unit and nodded. "Yes sir." She paused for a moment, then asked, "Sir? TRINITY TWO means ..."

The Warlord cut her off with a gesture. "I know. You have your orders, Marshall. I will inform His Omniferocity about calling up the Reserves."

<OOC>
5CN is a member of the Union of World Powers, and is therefore an ally of the Dominion. Any attack on 5CN will be treated as an attack on the Dominion.

[OOC: As I've repeated over and over again I never had any offensive intentions of 5NC..he just kinda dropped in and decided to force me to attack his submarine. But that's just OOC anyways.]

The Vondheim train stations had been bustling since the early morning when news of a possible attack on the Macabees had been uncovered. After communication between both governments, Zarbia had agreed to send reinforcements to assist in the defence of their great ally.

Soldiers, tanks, and artillery were being transported first from Vondheim across the border to Fedala. From there they would be finally positioned in the coastal city of Klaach. A large aerial deployment of A2/B Hawks and MMA-A1 Kondors was on its way to the airfield in Klaach to support the rest of the Zarbian troops.

Transmission to all parties involved

Military action taken against the sovereign nation of the Macabees will result in a full retaliation by Zarbian forces. A defensive deployment of twenty thousand soldiers has been made as a precautionary move to discourage aggression, but more manpower can and will be called upon if the situation escalates.

This is your only warning.

-The Junta

"Sir, the situation inside the Second Empire is deteriorating rapidly." General-Leytenant Ivanov (NIRC Military) reported, letting himself into the sun-drenched office.

"I know well enough." Marshal-Novikovskoy-Federatsii Yevgenov blurted out, annoyed by the interruption. He set a yellowed folder down on the oak table and approached Ivanov. “What do you propose we do about it, hmm?”

“I would call a meeting of the joint-staff. We will analyze the situation and find a solution within reason.” Ivanov’s response was quick, showing no hesitation.

Yevgenevich smiled and turned back to the window, leaving Ivanov behind him. “General-Leytenant, you will make a fine bureaucrat one day.” A chuckle floated across the room as he continued, “You are the organizational supervisor. Call the meeting if you think it is important; I will be there.”

***

The table was crowded in this dimmed command bunker. “Why do they have to build these things so damn small?” Ivanov wondered as he sat down.

In the dim light, Ivanov glanced around, counting off the faces of those commanders present. With all accounted for, he stood up and began to speak.

“Comrades, doubtless you have seen the reports out of the Second Empire.” The men nodded in silent reply, and one man, a Polkovnik and commander of the 4th Infantry, shouted his response across the hushed table.

“About time someone addressed that!”

“Yes Comrade,” Ivanov continued. “As I was saying, there is no need to brief you on the situation. “As intelligence has shown, the situation regarding Operacija Zelem Povećan has been in steady decline. It is the proposal of senior command that we reallocate troops from Zelem to the Second Empire in a show of support. Proposals?”

Admiral Grynszpan spoke up. “My submarine forces are spread throughout Zelem’s operational area. The cannot concentrate effectively in such an area. I propose we move the 5th Hunting Group to Macabees’ Territory. If eight more submarines are going to make a difference, it won’t matter anyway.”

“Understood. I want you, Admiral, to lead the group as well. How quickly can you be flown to the fleet?"

"Perhaps twenty hours at the longest."

"Good. Kontr-Admiral Tolstoi, what about your 3rd Carrier Group?”

“The boys have been aching to stretch their legs. I c-”

“Comrade, must we remind you the Grisha boats have all-female crews. You mustn’t forget our lady Comrades in the Navy.” A voice from the back interrupted.

“Nor our lady Comrades in the army, who, I’ve heard, are out-performing your militia Regiments.”

“Gentlemen,” Ivanov interrupted, muttering under his breath, “The joys of our equal society.” A smirk spread on Tolstoi’s face and the table erupted in laughter. His eyes, however, betrayed a look of anger, screaming ‘bourgeois!’

“Comrades…” Ivanov caught himself and moved on. Tolstoi’s eyes softened. “We must stick to matters at hand. Tolstoi, your 3rd Fleet will move to this position,” Ivanov pointed to a point east of the Rossieni Peninsula. “Provided our diplomats are successful, that is. 5th Hunting Group will move to the Straits of Tariq.” He glanced to Yevgenevich who, standing, nodded in response.

“That is all well enough General-Leytenant,” Yevgenevich stated. “But we need Infantry, muscle, force. We must show the Second Empire we are not frightened to help them. Polkovnik,” Stating the rank was enough. The divisional commander jumped and stood to attention.

“Da?”

“Polkovnik, I want your men on transport to the Second Empire within the week. Our friends in Red Louisiana have their peace. You are not necessary.”

“A fine suggestion.”

“A fine order you mean.”

“Da, Comrade General.”

***

Within a day, the announcement was made. Novikovian troops were requesting rights to deploy into the Second Empire. The navy, however, needed less permission, and simply set sail as soon as the orders reached them. They would arrive fifty-hours later to a, hopefully, welcoming harbor.

Official Proposal of the NIRC Military Command:

In response to the growing conflict in Second Empire Territory, we request permission to deploy military units to Macabees home territory as a show of support. We are prepared to have our Fourth Infantry Division within the Empire in one week, provided it is deemed necessary by Second Empire Officials. We await your response to this offer.

- General-Leytenant Ivanov (NIRC Military)

-Troops Deploying-

3rd Carrier Group

2 Kreml-Class Aircraft Carriers

40 MiG-23K Naval Interceptors
32 Su-27K Naval Fighters
6 ASW Helicopters

1 Liuda-III Class Destroyer
2 Gepard Class Frigates
4 Grisha Class Attack Boats

5th Hunting Group

8 NPM-N SS-02 “Sabre” Class Diesel-Electric Submarines

4th Infantry Division

11,000 Infantry
100 SPW-05 Armored Assault Guns
60 Type-03 Main Battle Tanks
200 SA-11
150 SA-13
95 SA-8
150 20mm Mobile AA Guns (BTR-152 Chasis)
150 40mm Mobile AA Guns (BTR-152 Chasis)
150 88mm AA/AT Guns
120 105mm Towed Artillery Pieces
36 75mm Towed Artillery Pieces
156 BTR-152a Artillery Towing Vehicles
52 BTR-52ac Artilery Command Vehicles
917 BTR-60 APCs
24 Mi-24 Hind Attack Helicopters
48 M-8 Transport Helicopters

7th Fighter Squadron

21 Mirage III Multi-Role Fighters

11th Fighter Squadron

21 Mirage 2000 Multi-Role Fighters

(OOC: Guys, seriously, DO NOT NUMBERWANK. I do not want to read through fifty lines of numbers. Just state that you have substantial forces moving to assist or provide links to your ship specs...)

IC:


Official Government Statement

The Five Civilized Nations DOES NOT want war. But, we find ourselves in a conflict that we neither wanted nor began. The Macabees launched an act of aggression against a Five Civilized Nations submarine operating in INTERNATIONAL WATER, sinking it in the process.

Innocent blood is in the hands of the Macabees.

IF the Macabees really wishes to avert war, it must IMMEDIATELY DEMOBILIZE ALL MILITARY FORCES AND REMOVE ALL MINES PLACED IN THE STRAITS OF TARIQ. Otherwise, the state of war between the Five Civilized Nations and the Macabees will continue.

To all nations allied with the Macabees. This conflict is primarily one between the Five Civilized Nations and the Macabees. They have committed an act of aggression against a neutral nation. Stay out or have your navies annilihated.

The Macabees have begun this, the Five Civilized Nations will finish it.

Strategic Military Planning Headquarters, Zhongshan, Five Civilized Nations March 19, 2005, 0700 Hours

An assorted array of admirals had gathered at the Strategic Military Planning Headquarters in Zhongshan, a large military base on the outskirts of Cala, the capital of the Five Civilized Nations. It was the first time in many years that the military used the headquarters, as little strategic planning was made during the years between wars. But the events that had occurred earlier in the day prompted top military officials to prepare fully for the war that was swiftly swirling into existence.

The briefing was led Vice Admiral Yvegeny Luskenov, deputy commander of the Navy Intelligence Service, the navy's intelligence arm. "The Straits of Tariq are technically the backyard of the Macabees naval forces. According to our satellite, ELINT, and submarine reports, the Macabees have a major fleet forming beyond the Straits of Tariq. According to the recently sunk Marauder, the Macabees have at least a trio of Kilo Class SSKs operating in the area. These Kilos have been modified but come nowhere near the capabilities of our Tranquility Class SSNs."

"However, we have unconfirmed reports of a New Empire fleet heading towards the Straits of Tariq. New Empire is very, very bad news. They field a navy on par or even beyond our technology. Their aging Orca Class SSNs are very capable and according to reports on their new Stalker Class SSN, we will have our hands full."

"There are reports of other naval forces of Macabee allies also moving towards the Straits of Tariq, but we do not need to overly worry about them."

"Of our allies, Artista is preparing to move some of its own Stalker Class SSNs into the area. TEO is moving units to reinforce our forces already in the area."

"Of our forces, the CNSS Opportunity is already moving towards the Straits of Tariq. Her ETA is approximately twelve to fifteen hours depending on enemy ASW and submarine resistance. We have a trio of Tranquility Class SSNs about four to six hours behind the Opportunity. After that, we'll have more fast attack boats move in to assist..."

"The Third Fleet has two carrier battle groups under Vice Admirals Hou Xuan and Joseph Hood approaching the scene. Each battle group has two carriers each with at least of eighty attack craft. They are protected by sufficient numbers of support craft to knock away most forces. They are moving to launch air and missile strikes against Klaach and Targul Frumos, the closest cities to the Straits of Tariq."

"Since August Order One was activated several hours ago, we have begun full mobilization of our National Guard formations and our navy reserves. We expect to complete full mobilization within four weeks. Please note that this is a very optimistic timetable."

"At this point, the Third Fleet will move to launch attacks against the Macabees, while the Fifth and Seventh Fleets will proceed and head off any enemy reinforcements. If we can annilihate the Macabees navy in a blitzkrieg attack, we will easily win this war..."

The infantry doesn't change. We're the only arm of the military where the weapon is the man himself.
-Maj Gen C. T. Shortis

There’s nothing quite as attractive for a fighter pilot then the site of an unarmored convoy. Lucky for the men inside those trucks, they were deep inside the Macabees territory, riding under friendly skies. In fact, aside from the occasional bump in the road, it was a rather uneventful trip. One might even call it boring. Of course, in the course of human history, when a soldier is “bored” its not a bad thing.

With the declaration of war from certain war hawk nations, it became necessary to move the proper soldiers in as quickly and painlessly as possible. Due to prior arrangements (see page one), the mobilization of such a large force, what could have been a logistical failure was merely an expensive trip. They were heading for Pavlovka.

Pavlovka was the key to the entire northern front. From it, it was possible to stop nearly any incursion from the north. For obvious reasons, Pavlovka would serve as the base of operations for General Mackalik and his staff. From the Pavlovka troops would fan out to nearby Mosnoi Bar to the north and Rossieni to the west.

The most pressing matter at hand was lodging for the troops, and it didn’t take long before thousands of men were streaming into the suburbs in search of suitable ground to begin the construction of more permanent fortifications. With such a large pool of manpower, no time was wasted in the construction of a sort of earth-works fortification. While some might call the trench an antique from a more civilized time, CommunismRevisited- still recognized the foxhole and trench as two crucial systems for any infantry deployment.

If the armies of CommunismRevisited- would need to fire their guns in anger was yet to be seen….

[OOC: My entire post was against the Opportunity.]

Response to Peace Terms of Five Civilized Nations
Your terms of peace are completely unacceptable. Although we would be willing to revert the Straits of Tariq to international waters we will not, under any circumstances, demobilize our army, as such an act would cost trillions worth of dollars and would render us completely defenseless.

As we have repeated over and over again, and you have ignored as many times, the Straits were nationalized, and under international law we have that right as the coastline of the Straits is completely owned by us and the Straits do not have any commericial importance.

Moreover, we have the evidence which proves that the war was begun by a submarine of Five Civilized Nations. Namely, the records of our SOSUS arrangements along our coastline as well as the SONAR records of our three Kilos [OOC: Which are by now safely at Targul Frumos]. Their records show that the first torpedoes fired came out of what is now known to be CNSS-1498 Marauder, under the command of Commander Wei Xing. One of our Kilos responded in retaliation. The opening shots of the war were fired by Five Civilized Nations not the Macabees.

However, as we said before, we are willing to re-open the Straits, although we will not demobilize our military. You have no right, nor the power, to request such a thing.

(OOC: Uh... Opportunity is a long way from the Straits of Tariq...)

The CNSS-2826 Opportunity, a brand new Tranquility Class SSN, was operating at 25 meters when a message arrived from Naval Headquarters. Commanded by the veteran Captain Lorenzo Thomas, the Opportunity had just completed its maiden shakedown cruise and was now perfectly positioned near the Macabees to launch the opening salvo of the Five Civilized Nations naval attack.


[OOC: Not according to that, and the way you wrote it seemed as if was almost there...my post goes into effect once the Opportunity arrives at the Strait of Tariq... had I not posted that before the effect would have been the same in any case...]

(OOC: Near is quite a loose term, if you read my last full post, you'll see that Opportunity is approximately 12 to 15 hours away at 0700 Hours.

Anyways, don't you understand that submarines are actually quite more flexible than your surface vessels? The best way to combat submarines are additional submarines.

In addition, the central core design of Tranquility Class SSN was created outside of Hyland-Nikolaas, meaning the information that you posted would not have existed. I borrowed some of Hyland-Nikolaas technology, but did not allow them to participate in the design process.

Aside from that, the bonding of carbon, hydrogen, and tungsten creates a weird molecule that is very hard to detect using MAD.)

[OOC:


Two Hundred Kilometers East of the Straits of Tariq


That's your heading... as my post says my AWACs is about one hundred and fifty nautical miles out, meaning that your submarine is quite within range....

And about what I said about New Empire...it wouldn't matter..the fact of the matter is that your submarine has tungsten composites which distort the Earth's magnetic field stronger than steel... that's the fact of the matter, whether I ICly know your submarine has tungsten composites...

And my naval vessels aren't attacking your submarine...my AWACs is with their torpedoes..so please respond in kind. If you continue to OOC taunt with "I'm an uber naval strategist" I don't want to RP with you anymore..just post.]

Aside from that, the bonding of carbon, hydrogen, and tungsten creates a weird molecule that is very hard to detect using MAD


[OOC: You have any proof of that? Carbon and tungsten can be bonded, but its effect on MAD is just like normal Tungsten...as for hydrogen I wouldn't know why you would possibly like to bond that with tungsten....

So, link me with some evidence, or else it's just post-modern techno-babble.


And whatever the case I don't need that MAD dection, that was just an additional perk...my torpedoes would have excellent accuracy just using the SONAR arrays I have available for my use.]

(OOC: Dude, don't you think, my sub would have fired missiles??? It is equipped with sub-launched anti-air missiles. Allow, my sub to get there. Then we can RP it out... Don't freaking jump the gun... Anyways, I had a link to tungsten compounds magnetic qualities and also some information on tungsten in magnetic cancellation fields. I can't find it right now, but I'll post it sometime next week.)

(OOC: Dude, don't you think, my sub would have fired missiles??? It is equipped with sub-launched anti-air missiles. Allow, my sub to get there. Then we can RP it out... Don't freaking jump the gun... Anyways, I had a link to tungsten compounds magnetic qualities and also some information on tungsten in magnetic cancellation fields. I can't find it right now, but I'll post it sometime next week.)

[OOC:
Well first of all, as I specifically said before, the tungsten qualities isn't much of a deal anyways, because my sonobouys would get the job done alone. So, that doesn't matter that much.

As for my aerial attack, I don't see the issue..this is what your submarine carries as stated by you:


carrying nearly twenty-four standard supercavitating torpedoes, twelve supercavitating nuclear torpedoes, and twelve anti-shipping missiles


I don't believe it would have fired surface to air missiles.... moreover, I didn't state that and that's my own fault but I'm not dropping these things directly over you, torpedo drops are at about ten kilometers from the position of your submarines...I don't think you're submarine, at two hundred and fifty feet, and still moving at eight knots, would get a very good reading on aerial movements which don't have much of an effect on the water, except perhaps some ripples on the surface. So, that shouldn't really be an issue.]

[OOC: Sorry, I don't like to number-wank either, and I realize posting something that big is pushing it. I just don't like having an inventory of my entire military structure and not using it. Plus, it helps people know what they're up against. Apologies.

Mac, what’s the scale on your map? I want to know how far my aircraft can deploy.]

Captain Osgoode was rather annoyed. They had been waiting two days to meet up with the new Boxer-Class SSN, Dmitri Dipolakov. Fresh out of sea trials, this would be her first mission. Osgoode hrumphed, they were only on their way now. And further agitating was the fact that they were to assist The Macabees in the destruction of the RWC.

Another few hours at cruise speed, and the now four submarines would meet up with the two SSTN's, and continue on their way.

[OOC: As I've repeated over and over again I never had any offensive intentions of 5NC..he just kinda dropped in and decided to force me to attack his submarine. But that's just OOC anyways.]


<OOC>
Even if I took your word for it, your word doesn't commit your allies to the same policy.

Speaking of OOC comments, it would be a very good idea if you set up an OOC thread for this before it gets out of hand. Interested parties could post there and find out what is/is not acceptable, where the various players are located, and who is on who's side. Attacks and responses could also be discussed before the formal responses are posted here, which will help avoid confusion. This will help keep this thread free of a lot of the posts I've been seeing so far ...

... like this one.


TEO

[TAG] for later response.

[OOC Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=8488377#post8488377)]

~ Tag, post coming.

Dumpsterdanian embassy compound, Fedala.

Embassador Peter Zardrak peered outside at the Macabea soldiers guarding the gate on the street side, on the compound's side Dumpsterdanian marines nervously fingered their assault rifles as the Second Empire went into a massive mobilisation.
Zardrak turned around and sat down behind his desk, locking eyes with his military attaché; a DDF major going by the name of Natanja Steel . "The Macabees have left the RWC ambassador and have locked tusk with the Guffordians, we are in great danger."

Zardrak shook his head and folded his hands on the desk. "No, they will not dare to attack our embassy, we will do nothing."

Steel was taken aback by the governor's decision. "Ambassador, I must protest, apathy is death!"

Zardrak stared Steele in her deep blue eyes. "My orders stand major, you will do nothing."

"By the Councill's grace, I will not ambassador. If you will not take action then I will."

Zardrak pushed the buzzer standing on his desk, the click indicating that there was a open line. "Melany, send in the guards, have major Steel removed from my office."

Steel took a step back as the door behind her opened and two of the marines under her command stepped into the room. "Ambassador you cannot do this, the Emperor personaly attached me to this embassy!"

Zardrak stood up and smiled deviously, hands leaning on his desk. "And so will I reassign you m'dear, to a holding cell."
The two marines however did not move from the door, they looked at each other, the first sergeant was the first one to break the silence. "I'm sorry ambassador, but I cannot comply with your orders."
Zardrak's left eye twitched for a second.
"You will take major Steel into custody this instant sergeant, or I will report your insurbodiance to the Emperor himself!"
The marines both flinched at this threat, this was indeed one of the worst threats the ambassador could make. "I'm sorry sir, under orders of General Steel, Commanding Officer of the 6th Para Air-Mobile brigade I am dedicated to the safety and well-being of my charge; his daughter."

Steel crossed her arms, turned around and grinned. "Sorry ambassador, sergeant, I will be relieving ambassador Zardrak of his duties and will be taking up his position as representative of the Empire to the Macabees."
The two marines stood to attention, saluted and took up positions at both sides of the ambassdor. "Ambassador Zardrak, you are relieved of your duties to the Empire and will be placed in custody, do you understand?"
Zardrak just nodded, with the garrison's backing of the major he had no cards left to play.
He was escorted to one of the holding cells underneath the embassy as major Steel walked outside. The steel gate slid aside, revealing two Rhino APC’s loaded with Royal Marines and dual mg 22’s in the turret, from the heavy weapon hatch on the rear-top of each APC stood a marine with a Javelin shoulder mounted SAM.

The Macabea soldiers stood aside, if they wanted to stop the Dumpsterdanians they would have to call in armour and air support…at least.
The two vehicles made their way through the streets of the capital, no sane motorist would get it into his head to cut an Rhino APC off as the small convoy turned onto the plaza near the palace.
Inside the lead APC major steel clipped her hair together, put on her officers cap and secured her medals, the vehicle grinded to a halt and the rear-ramp dropped.
In less than six seconds the two squads deployed besides their transport and the major nodded approvingly of her troops, taking the two squad leaders, both sergeants with her into the palace only to be stopped at the gate.
“I am major Steel, acting ambassador of the Dumpsterdanian Empire, you will let me through if you know what is good for you trooper!”

--The Holy Empire--
The wind blew a great tone. The Holy Empire was ending the bloodiest war it had ever seen, and victory was now only a matter of time. After nearly two years, Dregruk would finally be defeated. In the last few weeks, nearly a full withdrawl of the navy had been instituted. They had had time to rejoice, and then stop a war between Drunken FratBoy and Rezlas from occuring with no blood shed on their side. An even greater victory. But now, The Holy Empire would have another conflict to face; a conflict in the straits of Taqir. However, The Holy Empire had no plans to deploy any NIMITZ carriers, nor any AOE-6 supply ships, or any other division or known ship. Instead, they would use this war to test a brand-new breed of ship: The Savior Class. The Savior Class is, by far, the greatest naval accomplishment of a country who has centuries of history as being a supreme naval power.

--Description (for more detail, see link in sig, go to military, last topic)--
The Savior Class was a ship that had more than two-trillion dollars poured into its' research, design and production, and neared three-trillion. It had taken more than half a century to go from concept, design and finally reality, but it had been worth it. This new ship was an absolute behemoth; a true monster. It was five-and-a-half miles long and nearly four miles wide. To imagine the shape, imagine a standard cross. Now add two pairs of smaller arms near the top and bottom. That is the basic shape from the air. It is a strtegic design as well as symbolic. It posesses five, five-mile runways that engulf most of the bottom of the cross, and a coverd runway near the elevators, and upon this massive covering rests the Boss' Tower. Below decks rest eight-hundred and fifty planes. Because of the runway's length, the planes the ship can launch extend not only carrier-based, but many land-based fighters and attackers. Of these, the ship posseses F/A-22s, FB-22s, YF-23As, F-117s, Su-47s, YA-10Bs, Su-35Gs, TND-GR4s, MiG-31 COSMs, and E-2C AWACSs. The last half-mile is consumed by hundreds of VLS missle tubes. The two larger and four smaller arms are stacked with hundreds of cannons, ranging in size from the small but accurate 6" cannon, to the deadly 12", the behemoth 24", and the most prized, which took more than a decade to design practically: the 48". The ship posesses the same firepower on the battleship ramparts as nearly 30 Iowa class BBs; the ship posseses the abylity to rain down 1,093,500 lbs of steel in just one firing of all on-board guns. It can do this every thirty seconds for nearly twelve continuous hours before needing to replenish shells from below-decks and repair over-used guns. It has nuemerous point defense mechanisms, including thousands of CIWS littered all over the edges of the ship and ones' that open up from the side of the hull, above normal water-line, to combat the notorious Exocet missle. SM-2 sites also lay beside most of the CIWS on top, and the new SM-3 ballistic missle defense lies on the ship at key points as well. With the new technology of AI, an AI was made for the ship. While not even close as intellegent as a human, it processes all the data that floods the ship every second to prevent a bottleneck. The ship also posesses a number of torpedo tubes capable of launching Mk-50 torpedos and Skkval-111 Cavitating torpedos. The main hull is comprised of five layers. Three layers of hull plating that each rival a NIMITZ class carrier in strength, and two layers between them that are catacombs and honey-combs of steel filled with air. Behind those five layers are compartmentalized areas of the ship, each having a support brace that connects every five compartments long by three wide, all connected to an ultra-massive central brace running along the bottom of the ship, behind the said five layers. In the bottom center, the ship has pressurized compartments where the hull, only one hull, moves back and can haul-up up to four full SSNs for repairs and re-armament. Utilizing the new power of fusion, the ship has five fusion reactors that propel it at a top speed of ten knots. Three reactors are used for forward movement, and two for turning; the ship posesses no rudders as it would be nearly futile to have any, and uses a propulsion system much like that of a Jet-Ski, except on a scale a trillion-fold. It takes thirty minutes for the ship to over-come its' inertia, and nearly an hour to reach top speed. It is painted a pure, deep jet-black, with a single band of white around the side, near the top.

--The Capitol--
Fuehrer Alucard knew the time would come. The war had been escalating, and he was under fierce pressure to make action. He had been awake nearly thirty-six hours trying to figure out how not to send this ship in, and for all his thinking, he recieved no answer that would prevent it and let him maintain his reputation. His action was wanted, needed, no Demanded. And he would have to stand and deliver. In the small, dark room, filled with The Admiralty and his closest advisors, he gave a single order that would set free the biggest, baddest ship ever concieved. A ship he had kept locked-up for his entire carrer, because he feared its power. A ship he was now going to send to war. His order was simple enough, but it was all High Admiral Alexander Anderson needed. He grinned ear to ear on his smug, Irish face as Fuehrer Alucard said it. "Go, and spill blood in the name of Christopher Thompson. Be Glorious."
An hour after that, the massive dock, built into the rock face on the northern side of the country, was opened, and the drives of the ship came online.

--Inside the bridge of H.E.N.S. Savior--
The bridge was a fury of activity as people rushed about their duties. Power had just been established, and no one had an excuse to loll around anymore. The AI came online, made a full check and reported.
"AI Christen online..." It reported in a lulling female tone. "Systems check...Systems A through K, online. L through S, online. T through Z, online. Ship schematics, online. Tactical Enhancers, online. Defensive, Offensive controls and otherwise, online. I am now fully operational."
"Good." Said Admiral Anderson, grinning ear to ear. "Report status."
...
"All systems nominal. Ship is currently at flank speed forward, and engines one through three answer it. Engines four and five idle. We will overcome our inertia in approximately twenty-five minutes and thirty-two seconds."
"Excellent." He replied, and laughed in his throat. He felt as if the earth would bend to his knee on this ship, and knew that he probably could make it so. And he planned to take full advantage of that when he arived at the straits of Tariq. And with his compliment of twenty SSN Seawolf's and this ship, he would do it.
"Christen, plot course to Straights of Tariq, coordinates 205 030 699 by 978 582 357."
"...Yes sir...Complete." The AI turned on one of the massive screens near the Admiral's view, and after it had flickered to life, she showed a map from The Holy Empire to their destination, and drew an arc to represent their path. "We will follow this optimal course, and arrive at our destination in approximately seven-and-a-half days."
"Good. Make best speed there."
"Yes Admiral."

--Official Statement to the World--
The Holy Empire has seen the rising war in the straits of Tariq, and hopes that it will rapidly end. Such a speedy deterioration of peace can only be met with strong actions to restore it; therefore The Holy Empire pledges it's support to Five Civilized Nations, and has dispatched Naval Combat Units to the scene to support their efforts in righting the wrong, helping the righteous, punishing heretics and to restore the most sacred action between nations: peace.

OOC: This is ALL I'll be sending, and you may say this ship is [insert bad remark here], but it all works, and I've spent QUITE a few RL MONTHS waiting for this thing to be built and ready. It uses current technology for all but one thing: the AI, which a self-evolving program was just invented and proven, so I guess even that's modern tech... Anyway, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

OOC: If I ever come become involved in an RP with you, rest assured I will not accept that Savior as anything but a fantasy.

OOC: If I ever come become involved in an RP with you, rest assured I will not accept that Savior as anything but a fantasy.
There is an OOC thread, please use it.

And this is the first time I've tried using ANYTHING of this calibur, so afterwards if I don't like it I may just scrap it and never look back. And say what you will, but the physics work. I've spent more than three months making sure, so for you to simply say that and make more than three months worth the calculating simply pointless really ticks me off. And I asked if they had any beef with it. And if they absolutely say no, or if you would, then I wouldn't use it. I respect the rp, and would use my other assets. So please don't turn all my hard work into crap with one statement, and please don't judge me because I'm trying something new; such a thing is foolish and unwaranted.

125 Kilometers East of the Straits of Tariq

The Opportunity slowly made turns for five knots, as it maintained its depth of 250 meters, way below the surface of the sea. The crew was alert, ever ready for the presence of land and carrier based ASW aircraft and for the presence of submarines operating in the area. Captain Lorenzo Thomas, the commanding officer of the submarine stood quietly in front of his command chair, tense. Sighing wearily to himself, Thomas sat down. Immediately, a yellow light lit up. Surprised, Thomas turned towards the light, as one of the technicians yelled out. "SIR! Computer analysis reports the approach of fifteen torpedoes, five supercavitators and ten regular torpedoes!"

"SHIT!?! ALL AHEAD FLANK! TWENTY-FIVE DEGREES TO STARBOARD. TEN DEGREES DOWN ON THE DEPTH FINS."

The Opportunity swiftly accelerated to its top speed of seventy-five knots as it moved to evade the incoming torpedoes. But it was clear that the torpedoes were moving to fast, even for a submarine of such speed.

"Fire countermeasures!"

"Countermeasures firing, aye, sir."

The Opportunity shuddered as four noisemakers and a pair of sonar tranducers were ejected from the submarine. Upon hitting the water, the four noisemakers filled the water behind the submarine with bubbles, while the pair of sonar tranducers activated, their active sonars blaring through the sea. Two and a half minutes later, the torpedoes approached...

"Sir! I've got one supercavitator gunning for the tranducers and a pair going for the noisemakers."

"Good. Prepare countershot! Fire a proximity nuclear torpedo set at 25 kilotons back along our return path."

"Aye sir. Firing."

The Opportunity shuddered once more as the nuclear torpedo was launched from tube one, and turned around, heading straight towards the incoming torpedoes, its own sonar operating as it discerned the approach of a pair of supercavitating torpedoes. The three torpedoes were moving towards each other at reciprocal heading of nearly two hundred eighty knots. Thirty-seven seconds after the nuclear torpedo cleared the Opportunity, it exploded, disintegrating the pair of MT-2s heading for the Opportunity.

The electromagnetic blast and the concussive power of the nuclear warhead slammed into the submarine. The electromagnetic energy was absorbed by the tungsten and trace lead in the hull, but still the submarine was badly battered by the explosion. Aboard the Opportunity, the explosion dealt extensive damage, breaking several bilge pumps as well as destroying the secondary periscope and sliced apart the towed sonar array that the Opportunity had not ejected. The boat's nuclear reactor scramed and automatically shut down. Immediately, a trio of emergency generators powered up, taking over from the shutdown reactor. As emergency lights activated, the crew began to breath more easily, knowing that they had evaded fifteen torpedoes, for the ten MT-1s either were badly damaged by the explosion or had fallen for the countermeasures... They quickly got to work repairing the damage and restarting the reactor.

"Good job, men," said Thomas as he regained his composure. "We've just evaded our first warshots. Helm, make your depth 350 meters. Slow down to five knots..."

Slowly, the crew of the submarine calmed down, as the Opportunity descended to three hundred fifty meters and slowed down to five knots...

[SSACVN-01 Nike

"NIKE, ARRIVING."

The words echoed through what was undoubtedly one of the biggest sub pens ever made. Naval Strategos Jan Van Eckers looked at the Nike, one of the most amazing boats ever to be built. 200,000 tons of triple hulled, heavily stealthed and armed submarine. He walked the long catwalk to the vessel's conning tower, a long, streamlined bulge amidships. Behind it stretched a field of Variable Purpose VLS cells, being loaded with some of the most powerful torpedoes in the world. He could make out the huge hydrophone passive sonar and ADI sensors that were hull mounted on the ship.

Surprisingly, this goliath would be playing David against a vessel that most would have surrendered to. However, if there was anything that the 200,000 ton vessel was good at, it was proving the critics wrong. Fighting its way through a ridiculous bureaucratic battle in the Senate, only the new Draka government approved the monster sub, which performed outstandlingly.

But now was its greatest test. It would be fighting its way into the heart of an enemy's navy and killing it. No small task. Thought Eckers, grinning a bit at the bad pun that had snuck itself into the conversation.

The vessel was now sailing for the Straits of Tariq, along with 5 Orca Class SSNs. They would arrive quickly. Satellites were already tracking the converging enemy battlegroups. Seahunter had taken its time, skirting the battle and laying ADI sensors. Once the enemy battlegroup closed in, the six UCSNE submarines would be performing a tough task.

They were about 90 miles from the perimeter of the 'Holy Empire's' battlegroup. At 1km under the surface, they were moving very slowly on stealth and propulsion systems beyond anything the Seawolves possessed. They were also outside the effective passive sonar range of the Seawolves, making it easy for them to stay undetected. Sub captains throughout the group checked the time. Soon they would begin.

--H.E.N.V. Savior--
The weather was beautiful that day; the sky caried with it a bright sun and only a few, tell-tale whispy clouds high in the sky. The water was smooth as well, giving the ship no trouble, and allowing the Seawolves' that were under the ships' hull to remain quiet and practically undetectable to the massive, loud hulk that rest only a few dozen yards above them. The ship cut through the water at the front much like a small tidal wave; it's massive hull creating a small wall of water that lapped up and down the front a few inches as the time passed, and a massive wake off its sides and back. The engines ran smoothly as the ship pushed ten knots, and the time for combat readiness had arrived; the were rapidly becoming within range of any straggling enemy submarines, and that was a threat they fully anticipated and took as reality.
--Bridge--
The entire day had been uneventful; infact the last few days had been uneventful. People had moved in and out with their reports, mostly to shuffle paper, and the idle Marines on board had been doing laps around the edge of the ship, even not forced, due to sheer boredom. A dozen F/A-22s and a pair of E-2C AWACS grazed the sky lazily, scanning for targets and keeping the sky painted with radar. Then, The High Admiral took his place at the helm of the ship after a luxurious lunch, and commanded the attention of Christine, the AI. "Christine." He said clearly but un-demadingly.
"Yes, High Admiral Anderson?" She replied in a similiarly bored tone.
"Aha, there you are. Bring the CIWS, SM-2 -3 and Sonar as well as radar online. As you well know, we're in range of an enemy sub attack. This is a known ingress course of friendly subs, and may very well be patrolled by an enemy forward attack unit."
"Yes sir," she replied, more awake sounding now. "Initiating Proper Sub-routines..." she trailed off, and then the ship's defnse systems awoke. All along the length of the side of the ship, small sections of the outer-most hull folded out, and upon them were CIWS systems, waking up after their week of slumber. All along the top, sections of the upper layer gave way, slid down and then under its self, and more CIWS systems popped up in their place, as well as SM-2s. Then, the attention of the AI shifted to below decks, where the five sonar arrays embedded just outside the ship, like five small nodules, lit-up with a fury of activity. They could triangulate a sub or torpedo with five seperate locations, making for a rather accurate positioning system, if a sub was detected. And that, essentially was the flaw. Although these five arrays were very powerful and accurate indeed, the sheer noise put out by five fusion reactors limited their abylity. But that flaw also created an advantage: The twenty Seawolf subs under the belly of the ship would also be practically un-detectable; the noise being so close to them it would entirely mask their existance until they chose to exist.
"Point defenses activiated." She finally stated.
"Good. Bring the battleship ramparts and VLS systems on-line as well. I know we're still a good day and a half out of range with our cannons, but have them up, all the same."
"Yessir!" She replied as a common ensign would.
Within seconds, the cannons came awake, moving around in a self-test, going through the processes of waking up, and the VLS computers and targeting systems came on-line as well, waiting for commands. The massive ship became a fury of activity, and even extra power had to be drawn from reactor four, which was idle at the moment, to compensate entirely. Two more S-2C Hawkeyes, and another four F/A-22s were ordered to launch and move ahead 50 nm of the current radar coverage to paint a clearer picture, and Christine replied in a now fully awake and cheery yet professional voice, "All systems active, Admiral. Engines one through three currently at flank speed, engine four at nine percent capacity, and engine five at twenty percent capacity. all defensive and offensive systems active and functioning within nominal perameters."
"Good," he replied dismisively, "How long until we arrive in the straits of Tariq?"
"Approximately thirty-four hours, Admiral." She replied cheerily.