NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC: Please note that this design, once finished will not appear on the RSIN site as currently designed.]

The Andvari Shipyards has received a new order from the Royal Shipyards' head office in Grimsby Downs: design and build a super dreadnought. The proposed specifications for the new vessel -- provisionally named the Europa-class -- as well as the buyer are being kept secret, though rumour abounds that the intent is to rival the reigning monarch of the waves, the Doujin-class command battleship.

The Admiralty has unofficially denied that it has any intention of operating any such vessels. "Our budget is barely sufficient to even operate the King Robert VI [formerly of the Pact-class]," bellowed the Grand Admiral when questioned. "How could we manage such a behemoth?"

Dredging around the waters of the artificial island has already begun. It is expected that construction of the vessel will employ at least 20,000 workers and require approximately 25-32 years for completion.

----

Project “Europa”

Hull
Planform: Very large trimaran hull
Dimensions: length: 996.44m (wl), 1020.18m (oa); breadth: 300m (oa); draught: 33m full load, 28.2m standard
Tonnage: 3 million metric tonnes (full load)
Construction: Titanium-vanadium alloy framework (primary hull and connectors)
Compartmentalisation: 136 transverse and 12 longitudinal bulkheads, supported by hardened crossbeams; double-bottomed with displaced reinforced keel. Void spaces between corridors and bulkheads serve to reduce effect of battle damage.
Armour and Protection
Hull: Shell of anechoic, corrosion-resistant, and environmentally-safe encrustation-repellant polymer tiles (hull bottom to maximum safe draught level); high-temperature-resistant polymer tiles (hull above); layered composite of case-hardened austenitic nickel-molybdenum-steel alloy (all hull and superstructure; Royal Arsenal Naval Armour Composite #436 [RANAC436]); titanium alloy bracers spacing out the following layers and titanium alloy sheathing at key points (turrets, magazines, landing decks, citadels, points of high structural stress); steel alloy plating; ballistic ceramic plates; steel alloy plating; 30cm of inert, non-flammable solid foam (hull insulation and limited kinetic energy reduction, a.k.a. KERI foam); steel alloy plating; braced spacing; ballistic fabrics (spall prevention); tempered ballistic plastic plates.
Longitudinal bulkheads: tempered ballistic plastic plates; ballistic fabrics; steel alloy plating; ballistic ceramics plates; ballistic plastic plates; KERI foam (10cm); steel alloy plating; braced spacing and titanium alloy basis with additional sheathing in key areas (barbettes, magazines, engineering spaces, command facilities); ballistic fabrics; and tempered ballistic plastic plates.
Transverse bulkheads: titanium alloy basis and hardened crossbeams; steel alloy plating and additional structural support; KERI foam in void areas; ballistic fabrics; and tempered ballistic plastic plates (sheathing).
Decks: covered in corrosion- and slip-resistant polymer coating over steel alloy plating. Deck armour of steel alloy, ballistic ceramic plates, titanium alloy bracing (with titanium alloy plating over key areas), KERI foam, steel alloy plating, steel alloy bracing, ballistic fabrics (spall protection), and tempered ballistic plastic plates. Main deck armour at 30-degree downward angle from horizontal, connecting the base of the superstructure with the hull.
Reactors: protected by additional level of depleted uranium plating (armour) and insulation to reduce infra-red signature and noise.
Main missile batteries: protected by additional layer of ballistic ceramics and by high volume flooding mechanisms. Launch ports for heavy missile batteries protected by deck armour.
Gun batteries: Tertiary guns (203mm ETC) positioned outside first longitudinal bulkhead (secondary hulls), secondary guns (210mm RG) positioned between first and secondary longitudinal bulkheads (primary hulls), with additional titanium plating around the magazines and immersion systems to quell fires. Primary gun magazines are "triple hulled."
Protection: Main belt: 1420-1120mm; deck: 920-630mm; bulkheads (longitudinal): 860mm-710mm; bulkheads (transverse): 710mm-660mm; ; main turrets: 1420 (glacis, fore-roof)-1140 (roof, sides)-860mm (rear); main barbettes: 1140mm; secondary turrets: 305mm; secondary barbettes: 405mm; tertiary turrets: 250mm; tertiary barbettes: 405mm; missile magazines (main): 405mm; missile magazines (heavy): 405 (sides)-920mm (launch doors); command information centre (CIC): 405mm; conning tower: 1420mm; NBC citadels: 1420mm; engineering (reactors): 506mm; engineering (engines): 310mm; engineering (turbines): 350mm (mid-hull); hangar: 608mm.
Complement: 7,401* baseline (without air wing, drone operators, and landing crews (11,786), marines (7,553), staff (500), etc.); approximately 27,000 in total (26,363)
Propulsion: CONAG-IFEP; 12 INNEC RA(PB)-5 (300 MW) pebble-bed nuclear fission reactors, 8 IMW MTG-12 (50 MW) gas turbines, 12 IMW MMD-44 (5.12 MW) diesel-electric generators
Speed: standard: 28 kts.; maximum sustained: 31.2 kts.+; maximum burst: 32.3 kts.+
Vehicles
Air contingent (Possible): 36 Sea Fury FA.1, 12 Sea Spectre FA.1, 12 Sea Spectre FA.2, 12 Sea Wraith ADS.2, 4 Heimdall AEW.1, 4 C-2C Greyhound, 36 AH-64D Apache Longbow, 48 Merlin HC.1, 16 Merlin HM.1, 12 Merlin HM.1 (AEW)
Boats: 12 LCAC (stern well), 8 LCM (berthed under secondary hull connectors)
Vehicles: 96 L12LV Otter, 16 L12CP Otter, 16 L12AR Otter
Weapons and Decoys
Missiles/Rockets: 1 x 32-cell GWLS.35M2 (fc.), 8 x 48-cell GWLS.35M2 (secondary hulls, connectors), 28 x 96-cell GWLS.35M2 (p/s-C, 4-f, 4-a, 18-am), 48 x 4-cell GWLS.58M2, 44 x 8-cell GWLS.60M2, 8 x GWLS.65M2, 36 x GWLS.66M2, 44 x GWLS.68M2 gun-missile complex, 36 x 8-cell GWLS.74M
Artillery: 5 x 4 760mm L64 ETC guns (A, B, C, X, Y), 12 x 1 210mm L82 rail guns (p/s-primary), 4 x 1 203mm L64 ETC guns (f/a-secondary), 36 x 35mm CIWS, 88 x 1 30mm NLG-30, 36 x 1 30mm RST
Torpedo: 8 x 3 324mm TT, 10 x 1 660mm TT (6 forward firing, 4 aft firing)
Countermeasures: 32 x 16-cell MLE.140 MUSE (anti-missile), 5 anti-torpedo lines for MLQ.135 Mackerel, 6 ports for ULQ.136 Remora (anti-torpedo)
Electronics suite
Computer complexes: MEI.5 Muninn (ISOMS); MEM.6 ODIN
Threat management systems: MEQ.181 NAIADS (anti-air), MEQ.185 SELKIE (anti-torpedo), MMX.193 MITRE (target recognition), MDQ.261 (signature self-detection)
Radars: MRU.262 Hydra (multifunction), 2 x MRS.118 Kafka (f/a, air volume search), 3 x MRN.116 Beluga (navigation), 2 x MRS.164 Hofvarpnir (surface search), 16 x MRG.182 Balmung (secondary gun fire control), MRS.249 Norn (long range over-the-horizon radar), 5 x MRG.265 Mjollnir (gunnery fire control)
Optronics: 2 x MPU.124 Adder (long range search and tracking), 6 x MPS.127 Owl (surface surveillance)
Combination radar/optronics: 2 x MMP.131 Friday (automatic carrier landing system), MMP.133 Tuesday (helicopter landing system), 44 x MMG.183 Gjallar (close-range fire direction)
Sonars: MQU.264 Tanngnost (keel-mounted, LF), MQR.266 Tanngrisni (variable depth)
ECM/ESM: MLR.165 (radar/signals emissions receiver and direction finder, complete system), MLR.184 Nott (laser warning receiver and direction finder, complete system), MEQ.188 Valtarn (radar/signals emissions processor and retransmitter, complete system), MLQ.189 (jammer, complete system), 10 x MWD.199 (signals direction finder, complete system).
Communications: CSZ.17b Godi (Link 17.2; secure datalink), 6 x MUZ.121 Alvis (secure satellite communications system), 12 x MSP.123b Gna (Link 17.2D; secure drone control datalink), 6 x MSW.125b Ran (Link 17.2G; secure missile guidance datalink), 12 x GQZ.128b Dvalin (Link 17.2U; encrypted acoustic modem), MWZ.178 (secure communications system), 10 x MJZ.190C (laser communications transceiver, command version), 8 x GSZ.196C (encrypted burst communications transceiver, command version).
Estimated Cost
$375,000 million [$375 billion USD]

*Subject to potentially drastic revision once all the weapons numbers, etc., are up.

*tag*

The Royal Shipyards have begun a massive appeal for titanium in preparation for the mammoth Europa-class. Previously, the metal was used almost sparingly in earlier classes but given the size of the new ship, massive quantities of the hard to work metal are desperately needed.

This has been Sarah Plehvin for INBC 1 News.

To: RSIN Corporation
From: Landon Jeffries
CEO, Memphis Mining Company
Subject: Titanium Exports

We have noted your company's appeal for titanium and have begun the process of requesting permission to export it to you. Our sources within the government indicate that the Portland Iron Works has requested that approval be fast-tracked and that they expect governmental approval by the end of the week. If approved, we would be willing to send you shipments of titanium to cover your needs over the course of a 50 year period.

We hope to work with you soon.

To: RSIN Corporation
From: Landon Jeffries
CEO, Memphis Mining Company
Subject: Titanium Exports

We have noted your company's appeal for titanium and have begun the process of requesting permission to export it to you. Our sources within the government indicate that the Portland Iron Works has requested that approval be fast-tracked and that they expect governmental approval by the end of the week. If approved, we would be willing to send you shipments of titanium to cover your needs over the course of a 50 year period.

We hope to work with you soon.
To: Landon Jeffries, CEO, Memphis Mining Company
From: Neville Colwan, Director-General, Royal Shipyards, UKIN
Subject: Re: Titanium Exports

Dear Mr Jeffries:

Thank you for your rapid and most welcome response to the Royal Shipyards' pleas. I would like to offer my gratitude to Rear Admiral Tucker as well for her kind consideration of our plight. We at the RSIN hope one day soon to return this kindness to your fine firm and the Portland Iron Works.

Sincerely yours,

Neville Colwan
Director-General
Royal Shipyards
Grimsby Downs, Anguist, UKIN

To: Landon Jeffries, CEO, Memphis Mining Company
From: Neville Colwan, Director-General, Royal Shipyards, UKIN
Subject: Re: Titanium Exports

Dear Mr Jeffries:

Thank you for your rapid and most welcome response to the Royal Shipyards' pleas. I would like to offer my gratitude to Commodore Tucker as well for her kind consideration of our plight. We at the RSIN hope one day soon to return this kindness to your fine firm and the Portland Iron Works.

Sincerely yours,

Neville Colwan
Director-General
Royal Shipyards
Grimsby Downs, Anguist, UKIN

To: Neville Colwan
Director-General, RSIN
From: President Mike Sarzo
Incorporated States of Sarzonia
Subject: Approval of exports

I am delighted to inform you that, following the recommendation of the relevant committee of Parliament, we have approved the request to begin titanium exports to the United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland and to the Royal Shipyards in particular. Such exports shall only be charged the amount of money required to ready the metal for shipment and to deliver said materials to Grimsby Downs, Anguist, or to whichever point of entry you choose.

We cherish the wonderful bonds of friendship that exist between our brothers in Isselmere-Nieland and we hope that friendship remains ever firm!

OOC: If you need any IC or OOC help with the project, I'm all ears! :)

The Europa project struck another sandbar today when Commodore Owen Massie, the project manager, announced today that the titanium expected from the Memphis Mining Company has been withdrawn "for reasons unknown." Without vast quantities of titanium, the construction of the massive hull would be almost an impossibility.

This has not been the first indication of which nation is the purported interested party. Some diplomatic manoeuvring about a recent order from the Royal Shipyards revealed several parties, but as yet neither Commodore Massie nor Neville Colwan, the director-general of the RSIN, is saying anything.

This has been Sarah Plehvin for INBC 1 News.

To: Commodore Owen Massie, Europa Project Manager, United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland and Neville Colwan, Director-General of the Royal Shipyards of Isselmere-Nieland, United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland
From: Shawn Hayes, VP of Exports and Foreign Affairs, Deepcore Mining
Subject: Titanium

We have heard of your difficulties in obtaining the requisite materials to complete your new warship. DeepCore Mining, however, is quite confident that we are capable of providing the RSIN with the raw materials that it requires for the Europa at a fair and equitable price given Juumanistra's vast reserves as well as our ample off-shore mining operations.

To: Commodore Owen Massie, Europa Project Manager, United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland and Neville Colwan, Director-General of the Royal Shipyards of Isselmere-Nieland, United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland
From: Shawn Hayes, VP of Exports and Foreign Affairs, Deepcore Mining
Subject: Titanium

We have heard of your difficulties in obtaining the requisite materials to complete your new warship. DeepCore Mining, however, is quite confident that we are capable of providing the RSIN with the raw materials that it requires for the Europa at a fair and equitable price given Juumanistra's vast reserves as well as our ample off-shore mining operations.
To: Shawn Hayes, VP of Exports and Foreign Affairs, DeepCore Mining, Juumanistra
From: Cmdre Owen Massie (RINN), Europa Project Manager, Andvari Shipyards, RSIN, UKIN
Subject: Re: Titanium

Dear Mr Hayes:

Thank you for your prompt response to the project's plight. It would be my honour on behalf of the RSIN to accept the terms your firm is offering us with regard to fulfilling our mineral requirements for the proposed Europa-class.

It is a great privilege to be working with you and the people of Juumanistra. Long may you find success on the high seas!

Sincerely yours,

Cmdre Owen Massie
Project Manager
Europa
Directorate-General for Naval Systems
Defence Procurement Agency
Andvari Shipyards, Anguist, UKIN

for

Neville Colwan
Director-General
Royal Shipyards
Grimsby Downs, Anguist, UKIN

Project “Europa”
Hull
Planform: Very large trimaran hull
Dimensions: length: 1,080m; breadth: 340m; draught: 33m full load, 28.2m standard
Tonnage: 2.9 million metric tonnes (full load)
Complement: 7,401* baseline (without air wing, drone operators, and landing crews (11,786), marines (7,553), staff (500), etc.); approximately 27,000 in total (26,363)
Propulsion: CONAG-IFEP; 8 INNEC RA(PB)-5 (300 MW) pebble-bed nuclear fission reactors, 8 IMW MTG-12 (50 MW) gas turbines, 12 IMW MMD-44 (5.12 MW) diesel-electric generators
Vehicles
Air contingent (Possible): 36 Sea Fury FA.1, 12 Sea Spectre FA.1, 12 Sea Spectre FA.2, 12 Sea Wraith ADS.2, 4 Heimdall AEW.1, 4 C-2C Greyhound, 36 AH-64D Apache Longbow, 48 Merlin HC.1, 16 Merlin HM.1, 12 Merlin HM.1 (AEW)
Boats: 12 LCAC (stern well), 8 LCM (berthed under secondary hull connectors)
Vehicles: 96 L12LV Otter, 16 L12CP Otter, 16 L12AR Otter
Weapons and Decoys
Missiles/Rockets: 31 x 96-cell GWLS.35M2 (f/a-secondary hulls, connectors, p/s-C, 3-f, 2-a, 18-am), 48 x 4-cell GWLS.58M2, 44 x 8-cell GWLS.60M2, 8 x GWLS.65M2, 36 x GWLS.66M2, 44 x GWLS.68M2 gun-missile complex, 36 x 8-cell GWLS.74M
Artillery: 5 x 4 760mm L64 ETC guns (A, B, C, X, Y), 12 x 1 210mm L82 rail guns (p/s-primary), 4 x 1 203mm L64 ETC guns (f/a-secondary), 36 x 35mm CIWS, 88 x 1 30mm NLG-30, 36 x 1 30mm RST
Torpedo: 8 x triple 324mm TT, 10 x 660mm TT (6 forward firing, 4 aft firing)
Countermeasures: 32 x 16-cell MLE.140 MUSE (anti-missile), 5 anti-torpedo lines for MLQ.135 Mackerel, 6 ports for ULQ.136 Remora (anti-torpedo)

*Subject to potentially drastic revision once all the weapons numbers, etc., are up.

bump

[OOC: Did I miss something? I thought Isselmere had pledged itself to peace instead of war and dropped out of the OMP. Or did I get you confused with someone else?]

ooc: Why mount an airwing in your SD?

[OOC: Did I miss something? I thought Isselmere had pledged itself to peace instead of war and dropped out of the OMP. Or did I get you confused with someone else?]
OOC: Er, peace through superior firepower?

The truth is:
1) Yes, I'm (hopefully temporarily) out of the OMP
2) Peace is fine, but I like a nation where it's not imposed on me :)
3) This monster isn't for my navy

Just wanted a little publicity :D

ooc: Why mount an airwing in your SD?
OOC: You'd have to ask the buyer.

To: HRH Henry V
King of the United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland
From: President Mike Sarzo
Head of State and Government, Incorporated States of Sarzonia
Subject: Compact of Benatar

Your Highness,

Forgive me for this direct intrusion into the affairs of Your Majesty's government; however, I would like to address you with regard to the situation we have found ourselves in as it pertains to Project Europa.

Believe me when I tell you that when I or my government make a committment, particularly to the staunchest ally Sarzonia has, we do not take such committments lightly. We owe our very existence to our Isselmerian-Nielander brothers and sisters and we have never forgotten that fact.

However, we also have a strong committment of fealty toward the Democratic Imperium of Praetonia and we can not and shall not stand idly by while she suffers injuries to her reputation from another country. Furthermore, the government of the United States of Credonia has shown that it is an impetuous group who care not about the true nuances of diplomacy and prefer intimidation tactics in their place.

We undertook actions that were carefully considered for their actual far-reaching effects and for all possible outcomes of such escalation of economic tensions. Hence, the decision to enact a full trade embargo upon Credonia was not a decision we took lightly, particularly as it related to our prior agreement to ship titanium to you from Memphis Mining. Our cessation of such shipments due to their potential use for a vessel of war being constructed for Credonia was a step we were reluctant to take, but felt we had no choice but to enact such measures.

Finally, I must broach one unpleasant final subject that I am unable to approach through present channels. Namely, the beginning of a strain in the relations between the present government of the United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland and our own. We are as fervent a set of defenders of the rights of soverign nations to enact their own policies as any country can be. However, we feel that gradual shift in policies on the part of the newly installed government is an unfortunate one in that it seems to have brought about a slight compromise in governmental committments to some of the causes it holds dear. We hope that we can call upon you to take a step in a more positive direction by signing the Compact of Benatar and sending a message to the United States of Credonia that she can no longer bully other nations into doing her bidding.

I thank you for taking the time from your very busy schedule and once again, I apologise for the direct address. I send you best wishes from me, my government, and First Partner Jay Tyler.

Michael A. Sarzo
President
Incorporated States of Sarzonia

Marquess
Grand Duchy of Hamptonshire

King Henry V of Isselmere-Nieland read the letter from President Sarzo once more. Though it was true as the king he possessed certain prerogatives, he was still a constitutional monarch. However much he wanted to remain true to the principles and policies of the OMP and to the United Kingdom's strong allies, Sarzonia and Praetonia as well as Hamptonshire, the Constitution constrained his possible actions. The unnecessarily provocative statements by several parties worried him, even as the Rapid Reaction Force steamed towards Inkana. He could not divide the nation at this awkward time, but he could not allow the nation to be steered down a dangerous course.

"Lord Chamberlain," Henry V called from his office, "inform the House Presidents we wish to address Parliament."

Dear Sir or Madam,

It has come to our attention, both through sources in the Incorporated States of Sarzonia, and through our own Military Intelligence Networks, that the Royal Shipyards of Isselmere-Neiland are, with government approval, considering supplying the forthcoming Europa-Class SuperDreadnaught to the United States of Credonia. We cannot impress upon you enough the seriousness in our eyes of these actions, if they are indeed true, and if they are indeed to go forth. We need not remind you of the recent strained relations between the Democratic Imperium of Praetonia and the United States of Credonia, and we are very sure that we need not remind you of the possible consequences of supplying such powerful weapons, almost equal in capability to our own, to a possibly hostile power.

The previous government of Isselmere-Neiland enjoyed a most pleasant relationship with the present Imperial Government of Praetonia, and would be most pleased to continue said relationship with the new government of Isselmere-Neiland. We do not, however, believe this possible if the Isselmere-Neilander Government sees fit to act with blatant disregard for our wishes in this matter. In addition, we do not see that any other arrangement can be reached whereby the United States of Credonia may still receive their SuperDreadnaught, if it is indeed your intention to sanction its supply, and for Praeto-Neilander relations to remain intact.

Yours Sincerely,

Tiberius Polax, MP
Minister for Foreign and Colonial Affairs
Democratic Imperium of Praetonia

OOC: I'm sorely tempted just to buy the thing considering I haven't yet received a penny in R&D costs from Credonia yet. Either that or just hand it over to Jimnam.:D The king's speech, once written, should prove sufficient to spur a vote of confidence...

We would like to offer you our engineer's services in designing your ship. The same engineer's that designed the three Super-Dreadnoughts that Nycton pocesses, will work and help you through your troubles. In return, we would like the trimaran hull design for future basic designs in Nycton ship building, and possibly a joint Nycton-Isselmere Super-Dreadnought in the future.

Grand Commodore Rascova
Head Commander of the Navy
Constitutional Imperium of Nycton

We would like to offer you our engineer's services in designing your ship. The same engineer's that designed the three Super-Dreadnoughts that Nycton pocesses, will work and help you through your troubles. In return, we would like the trimaran hull design for future basic designs in Nycton ship building, and possibly a joint Nycton-Isselmere Super-Dreadnought in the future.

Grand Commodore Rascova
Head Commander of the Navy
Constitutional Imperium of Nycton
To: Grand Commodore Rascova, Head Commander of the Navy, Constitutional Imperium of Nycton
From: Neville Colwan, Director-General, Royal Shipyards, UKIN
Subject: Europa

Dear Grand Commodore Rascova:

I must respectfully submit that the design of the Type 12 battleship Europa is a proprietary design and is not for reproduction without the express permission of all interested parties. Furthermore, the RSIN considers the Europa to be somewhat of an aberration in our general design scheme limitations [nothing larger than 500m and 400,000 tonnes] for a single buyer. It is also important to note the level of political pressure being placed on the UKIN government to terminate this project as a threat to peace.

I apologise for any inconvenience this refusal may cause and I hope you will visit our storefront sometime in the near future. I wish your navy and your nation the very best.

Sincerely,

Neville Colwan
Director-General
Royal Shipyards
Grimsby Downs, Anguist, UKIN

Updated.

Soon to be listed:

Electronics suite and likely price increase.

Updated. Protection values to be entered.

Royal Address to Parliament to follow.

Armour values updated.

To: Neville Colwan, Director-General, Royal Shipyards, UKIN
From: Mitchell A. Ferguson, Secretary of Defense, United States of Credonia
Subject: Europa
ENCRYPTION LEVEL : HIGHEST

"Sir Colwan,
In behalf of the Credonian government and in behalf of President Sutton himself, we would like to thank you for the dedication and committment made towards this order for us. At this point in time, Credonia is pleased with the results. Please forgive us for not aiding you in this project as we have had some major political and military obligations to tend to. At this time, Credonia is in the process of transferring $40 billion to aid in the construction of this massive beast. We are also prepared to offer the assistance of Credonia's top engineers and scientists to help in the construction and further design of Europa. We are also sorry for the political problems you are incurring with the OMP. Credonia will soon release a statement regarding the construction of this vessel and its true intended purposes, which are peaceful. Hopefully, once relations are mended with the OMP, relations with that insitution will become better for your nation as well. Thank you and I eagerly await your response."


Respectfully,

Mitchell A. Ferguson
Secretary of Defense
Department of Defense
United States of Credonia

OOC: Please note the emphasised portions of the text below. Also note that the king is recommending a course of action to be decided upon by Parliament, not instituting said course.


Henry gazed at his reflection in the mirror. It had been years since he had scowled so. Christine, his queen, blessed him with such joy, his children had filled his heart with hope that seeing the furious glower before him struck him with woe. I shall correct that, he thought.

Other than his hard visage, his appearance was pleasing to him. His captain’s uniform from his days commanding the Queen Ursula still fit. The Grand Cross from Jimnam felt like a cuirass, bolstering his already strident determination to do what was necessary. On his chest he bore no other medal or badge save those awarded to him personally, a tradition passed down by his father.

“If you look at them like that, dear, I’m sure they will cower,” Christine noted with a laugh from the doorway, startling him.

“Then keep telling me bad news until we arrive, my sweet,” Henry replied.

She sat brusquely upon the chair near the door. “That won’t be difficult.” The pause worried him. “The war in Inkana is going very poorly.” Damn. “And the people are blaming you for advocating it,” she added, handing him a newspaper, The Clarion. Shit. He had countersigned the Government’s order in the expectation that sending the entire Rapid Reaction Force would cause alarm at home, forcing a vote of confidence in Parliament, ridding him of that turbulent imbecile Blakeney. He had never wished they would actually become engaged in such a troublesome part of the world, and for such a peculiar cousin.

“We should keep the children here, then,” he averred. She came to him with a comforting embrace and a warming kiss.

“Yes. We wouldn’t want them to see Dad ‘brain the lot of’ those parliamentarians, would we?”

The memory of his adored ancestor Edmund broke his mask of worry with a heartfelt chuckle. “No, or Mum,” he quipped, holding her closer. Another interruption broke the mood, however.

Coughing politely at the doorway, the Lord Chamberlain stood waiting their Majesties. “Your Graces,” the Duke of Tueslynn announced, “Your escort awaits.”

~*~

The trip to Pechtas Castle was discomfiting to say the least. Various crowds of protestors lined the roads angrily denouncing the war in Inkana, the construction of the Europa, the isolationist policies of the present government, and the longstanding economic recession resulting from the steady loss of sales by the Royal Shipyards. The solutions Henry would offer his people were old and frequently repudiated these days. None the less, his answers were practicable, practical, and recently successful. So, Keynesian paternalist conservatism it was.

Yet the royal couple was nervous. As the motorcade passed and eventually traversed the vocal cordon of frustrated hopes and ambitions, its participants became silent, turning to glare at their king and queen in undisguised and uninterrupted revulsion. The swine Blakeney had succeeded in importing a sickly republicanism in from Inkana, Henry thought, staring directly into his people’s faces to gauge their true feelings. Some, ashamed, looked away while others glowered back. I will reacquire their trust, he swore silently to himself. Christine’s squeezing of his hand evincing her firm resolve would ensure he would keep a level head and not berate Parliament. Well, no more than he must.

~*~

Official Journal of Parliament
(The Horrocks.)

6 April 2005
Hall of Congregation, Pechtas Castle
Isling, Daurmont, Isselmere

Agendum: Joint Session of Parliament for the King’s Audience

President of the Senate: My Lords, Ladies, Honourable Senators, and Members of the House of Assembly, I bid you rise for His Majesty, the King.

(Parliament rises as HM King Henry V enters with HM Queen Christine, preceded by the Gentleman Usher of the Silver Rod, escorted by the Lord Steward (Lord President of the Council of Peers), the Lord Chamberlain, and the Lord High Chancellor, and pages bearing the royal train. The Gentleman Usher holds the Mace of the Senate (the Silver Rod) before him. In his right, the King bears the scabbarded sword of Alfred I, the Orb of Isling in his left. The Queen carries the Sceptre of Edmund across her chest. The Lords Royal bear the scabbarded swords of the Knight Grand Cross of the Tern (Lord Steward) and the Knight Grand Cross of the Linen (Lord High Chamberlain). The Lord High Chancellor holds the Grand Roll on which rests the Mace of the Supreme Court. The Lords Royal glare menacingly at some Parliamentarians threatening to sit with Their Majesties. Resting the sword on his lap, His Majesty grants the Lord High Chancellor leave to bid the Audience to sit.)

Lord High Chancellor: As Lord President of the Royal Audience, I hereby address Parliament. His Majesty, King Henry the Fifth of the Isselmere-Nielanders, Keeper of the Constitution, calls His Loyal Parliament and Councillors of State to Audience.

(The Lord Steward sits before and to the right of HM the King, the Lord Chamberlain before and to the left of HM the Queen. The Lord High Chancellor sits before and between them all.)

HM the King: Lords, Ladies, Loyal and Honourable Senators, Members of the House of Assembly, and Councillors, We bid you welcome to Our Hall. We have convened this Audience to impart advice to Our beloved Parliament in the hope its Members and Our Councillors have the wisdom to heed Our counsel in this time of strife.

(Mutterings of dismay from the Government benches, of acknowledgement from the Opposition. HM the King raises his hand to silence both.)

HM the King: We have witnessed in silence what Our Government has done in Our name, and We are appalled that We have allowed the repudiation of all in which Our great United Kingdom believes for so long without comment.

(The Government benches erupt in howls of derision, the Opposition in support of HM the King. The Lords Royal move to rise but are motioned to sit by HM the King. The Lord High Chancellor strikes the Mace of the Supreme Court against the Petitioner’s Bench.)

Lord High Chancellor: You will be silent! (Some snickering from mostly Conservative and Liberal Democratic Senators, as well as some senior Labour Senators.) You as well. (Silence.) Your Majesty, I beg you continue.

HM the King: Thank you, Lord High Chancellor. We are here to present Our recommendations to Parliament. We expect Our Loyal Parliamentarians will grant Us the courtesy of listening. (Murmurings from the Government benches. The Prime Minister raises his hand to speak.)

Lord High Chancellor: Does Your Majesty grant leave for His First Minister, the Right Honourable Thomas Blakeney, to speak?

HM the King: We do.

Prime Minister: (Rises.) Your Majesty, I submit that what you are presently doing goes against the Constitution. (Uproar of support from the Government benches, howls of disgust from the Opposition and most of the Senate.)

HM the King: You are fundamentally in error. Article 9, subsection 3 grants the King the right to summon Parliament to address important business. The course of this United Kingdom is such business. Is that not so, Mr President, Madam Speaker?

President of the Senate: (Rises.) Your Majesty is correct.

Speaker of the House of Assembly: (Rises.) So long as Your Majesty does not attempt to compel us save by force of argument, Your Majesty is correct.

HM the King: We thank the House Presidents, especially Madam Speaker for her precise language. We shall not overstep Our prerogatives.

As We had stated, there are matters that We feel need to be addressed. These are: the repudiation of several ancient alliances, notably the Organisation of Maritime Powers, that had bolstered our United Kingdom’s security and technological base, and that had allowed us to protect the world from threats to commerce and common decency; the construction of a large military vessel contrary to the interests both of our Nation and those of our allies. (Howls of derision from the Government, applause from the Opposition and most of the Senate.)

Lord High Chancellor: (Striking the Mace against the Bench once more.) Be silent!

HM the King: We would similarly like to express Our personal shame for our Nation’s involvement in the Inkanan Civil War. We ought not to have ordered so few forces to attempt to redress that crisis. (Parliament is silent.)

This, therefore, is what We recommend: first, that Our Government seeks to rebuild our ties with our allies, to re-establish the bonds of friendship recently broken. (Grumbling from the Government benches, applause from the Opposition and most of the Senate.)

Second, that in the interest of repairing those links Our Government temporarily requisitions the Europa to be held in trust until such time that the contracting Nation and the OMP have resolved their differences. All funds received from the contracting Nation shall be returned, with interest, and that appropriate reparations shall be paid for breach of contract. Once relations between that Nation and the OMP have improved, the Europa shall revert back immediately to that Nation. (Howls of alarm from the Government benches and some from the Opposition and the Senate.) Work would continue on the Europa, but for the time being, We advise that it would be for Isselmere-Nielander service unless the conditions above have been met. (Cries of shame from the Government benches, silence from the Opposition and most of the Senate.)

Third, that Our Government reinforces Our fleets and forces operating off and within Inkana forthwith, else that it removes those forces as soon as possible. (Cries of approval by the Opposition and the Senate, as well as some of the Government benches.)

We thank Our Loyal and Just Nobles, Our Dear and Honourable Parliamentarians, and Our Wise and Learned Councillors for their indulgence and patience, and do hereby conclude Our Audience.

bump

To: Neville Colwan, Director-General, Royal Shipyards, UKIN
From: Kaimoni A. Sutton, Commander-in-Chief, President, United States of Credonia
Subject: Europa
ENCRYPTION LEVEL : HIGHEST

"Credonia understands your nation's actions as relations between your allies have strained as a result of the Credonia-OMP conflict, however, I can gladly say that relations between Credonia and nations in the OMP that have been in opposition to Credonia are making rapid progress. Relations with Praetonia have been normalized and Credonia will be offering "reparations" and trade incentives to ALL members of the OMP to promote Credonian good will and peaceful relations. We hope that this is sufficient enough to continue with the construction of "Europa" for Credonia as planned. We await your response."

Kaimoni A. Sutton
Commander-in-Chief
President
United States of Credonia

Depth of armour increased to account for KERI foam and spacing.

Bump

bump in preparation for an RP