NationStates Jolt Archive

Emperor Varus stood on the deck of his massive yacht, looking out over the cold waves of the south sea of Generia. He found the chill salt air conducive to his meditations. Antonius’s passing had placed the reigns of infinite power in his hands, but had also let slip the burden of immense responsibility onto his shoulders. Now, fingering the hilt of his saber, he took stock of what lay ahead.

The Empire was not well. Antonius had been the greatest ruler in recent memory, if not in all of Imperial history, and his lack of male heirs had been disturbing to say the least. The choice of who would succeed the great man had fallen between his nephew (Varus being the son of Tiberius, brother of Antonius), and his adopted son Marius. The council of advisors had in the end chosen Varus, though there were many who would have seen it otherwise.

Indeed, the hearts of the people were now left uncertain as to their fate, and doubt racked their minds as to the ability of the new ruler. Varus’s performance as Supreme Chancellor of the Armed forces had garnered him much respect, though his reputation as a radical militarist had proceeded him, and some of the less warlike aristocrats of the oligarchic Imperial congress were unnerved by his imperialist attitudes.

What he needed was a chance to prove himself to those who would doubt, to show that the strength of the Empire would not dwindle under his reign, and that through her armies she would always prevail. Nationalism was the key, and sparking it was the only obstacle.

But there was a chance lurking just over that horizon, and Varus knew it well. The armies of Generalissimo J.L., a longtime friend of Antonius, were currently well entrenched in their occupation of Nicaragua, and the situation could only be improved through allied control of neighboring territories. The governments of Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Guatemala had become understandably jumpy, and if they were to welcome the armies of another imperialist power not on friendly terms with Roach-Busters, it could spark a war in Central America that would become just another massacre, disastrous for all involved.

But if these powers were to be taken before they had a chance to become the protectorate of an enemy, then the situation would be noticeably different. There was a chance to return South America to her tradition as a capitalist oasis it had long had before the disasters of Ortega and his Sandinista thugs. An annexation would spark a tremendous cash flow, and a new order that would turn the jungles into a paradise for tourists and businessmen the world over.

And how Varus’s star would rise. Champion of the capitalist dream, expander of the Imperial border, vanquisher of the uncivilized communo-democratic mass. A new era indeed, if it was played right. The Imperial propaganda machine would need to work overtime, as the wheels of the military juggernaut dug into the flesh of the native armies.

Varus smiled in the setting sun and pulled his heavy coat tighter around his shoulders. He would make the call, and soon enough, the Imperial warfleets would set off for the warm coasts of Honduras.

(OOC: Wow. :eek: Holy shit, that was good! I'll RP the resistance once your forces invade.)

bump

Excerpt from Nationally Televised interview of Chancellor Lew Alexiev, Minister of Public Information and Advisor to Emperor Varus

“Indeed it is a simple fact that communism, along with the tyranny by majority that is inherent to the democratic system are two of the greatest social and governmental evils the world has ever known. We have accepted this for decades, and have often spearheaded the campaign against the leftist evil that still lingers a gangrenous wound in the flesh of global society. Luckily, we have all but halted the spread of this cancer in out own dominions and in many other parts of the world, however with the recent campaigns of capitalist liberation, the holdouts to these dangerous socio-economic mechanisms are again rearing their ugly heads, everywhere from eastern Europe to south and central America.”

“Therefore, our fight is not finished until we can pry these holdouts from their dark cells of ignorance and insanity, and let the light of the true systems into the hearts and minds of the global populace. But fighting the communists is not our only duty to the world. We must also support our weaker brothers who also stand against the tide, especially those just recently throwing off the chains of ignorance and oppression and realizing the light of the true system. Only through incorporation of these rising stars into the greater Empire can they begin to fully receive the infinite benefits of the system championed by the Great and the Wise Emperor Antonius, god grant him peace.”

“Lord Varus indeed recognizes these essential truths, and is more than prepared to go to great lengths to achieve the dream of global unification under the true system, that all may step out of the cave into the divine light. But, in order for him to be successful, he requires the fearless support of the populace, those who have so long served the Emperor Antonius. Lord Varus begs that those who swore loyalty to his uncle, as he did, will now put their faith in him, that he may only aid the Empire in extending his uncle’s legacy.”

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

This carefully arranged propaganda piece, shown at peak hours on GINN and rerun throughout the next few days, had a wildfire effect. Varus had chosen well in appointing Lew Alexiev as his new Minister of Public Inoformation. His smooth tone and eloquent speech that belayed a passion masked by calm control were utterly galvanizing. The people looked into the soft eyes of this man and found a warm and yet fiery character, one they felt they could put their complete trust in.

And this was reflected in their opinion of Varus. Almost overnight it seemed as if his public opinion soared. The people were glad to feel the sweet pang of nationalist fire brewing in their souls once again, and now they were willing to throw their lot in with the new Emperor. The global cause was awakening in their hearts again, having remained dormant for so long. Following the initial interview, there came many subsequent broadcasts, each subtly detailing the situations of four specific central American nations, Varus’s potential targets, the nations he had found to be perfectly served as fuel for his campaign of imperialism.

Honduras would be first. The media played this nation as the ‘reformed sinner,’ the ‘prodigal son,’ a good capitalist state at heart that had had its troubles, swept by poverty, yet yearning for that sweet air of the true system. It would not be a campaign of aggression, nay, quite the contrary. It would be, “The Great Liberation,” a campaign to span central America, and at the head of the magnificent, glorified juggernaut would be Emperor Varus I, no, Emperor Varus the Great.

And so it came that the Generian people were galvanized by the nephew of the greatest ruler the Empire had yet to know. With a boundless ambition, and the dream of creating an oversees oasis, Varus pulled the trigger. In his first ever public appearance, the Emperor declared his intention to utilize the Imperial armies in a campaign to bring Honduras under the Imperial banner.

Emperor Varus Tiberius Alexei’s National Broadcast Concerning Central America

“My people, brothers, sisters, citizens of the great Empire, truly we are guided by the hand of the divine to have grown in such prosperity, and to have found a ruler as wise, noble, and just as my uncle. Under his noble leadership, we have realized a dream we never thought possible, and now we stand atop the world, crowned by the great spires of the White Citadel, the towering testaments to grandeur of Generia City. We are the champion of our time thanks to the man who came before me, and it is his wish from beyond that we carry on his legacy.”

“But in all of our splendor, we must not forget that there are those below us who would look to us for salvation, that they may eventually find a place beneath our star and experience the triumph that we have through the noble system established through the wisdom of Antonius and his true leadership. It is our responsibility, our duty to aid them in achieving this vision that we now hold before us. It is as Antonius willed, and so we shall serve his wishes.”

“Brothers, you have seen through your own broadcasts the plight of brethren in Central America. As the star of Roach-Busters shines on Nicaragua, bestowing enlightened glory on her people, others are left to stumble about in the dark, not realizing that they are chained to the walls of the cave that only few manage to escape. I believe that we may change this and turn the few that have become enlightened with the aid of the capitalist philosophers into many. Honduras, brothers, tops this list, for as you have seen, she is a state that truly desires the goodness of the socio-economic reformation, and yet she has not the ability to perceive what we perceive.”

And so she is left blind, yet her heart’s intentions are good. The people truly yearn for one who can show them the way out of the cave, as the people of so many nations do. Therefore we must assume the role of the guide, the liberator from ignorance, that we may help these people to free themselves and give them the freedom inherent to Antonius’s system. You have offered your arms to me, and for this I thank you, but now you must offer your arms to these people.”

“As we speak, the forces of liberation mobilize to set sail for Central America, to spread the word of truth, and aid them in achieving the glory of the system. In time, we shall be able to consider them truly enlightened brothers, though there will be those who resist, the foul villains who have grown so attached to the darkness that they will fight to see it prevail. I say let them come, let them try to stop the tide of enlightenment and the legions of the liberators who refuse to allow the world to exist in a cesspool of ignorance and decay, bred through the evil of the communo-democratic establishment.”

“Brothers, today we stand together as the champions of a new era, the leaders of the free and enlightened world, liberators of those oppressed by ignorance! Let us go forth to spread the message of truth and light, and let us lift up the downtrodden and welcome them into the folds of the noble system! For Generia, brothers, we go forth today, and for God we triumph!”

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

So the Imperial warfleets, six in total, departed for the coast of Central America, laden with Imperial soldiers and weapons of war. The warriors were eager to taste battle again, and to felt he sun of warmer climes, contrasting to the harsh cold of their homeland.

Tag. (I may reply later, since a united Central America undersome like you threatens my Caribbean domination)

Tegucigalpa, Honduras

President Ricardo Maduro bristled with irritation when he was informed of the impending incursion of Generian troops into Central American territory. Livid with fury, he addressed the nation in a televised address:

"Nearly two centuries after we achieved our independence from Spain, a new incarnation of imperialist warmongers are on their way to subjugate and enslave us. These vile demons seek to pillage our sovereignty, our resources, our women, our children! We must desist, resist, confront, conquer! May imperialism die and burn in Hell today!"

Millions of anti-Generic empire protesters swarmed the streets, chanting anti-imperialist slogans, waving placards, picketing fences, smashing windows, and causing utter havoc, disarray, and lawlessness that led to considerable injuries.

Meanwhile, Maduro arranged an emergency meeting between the heads of state of Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Costa Rica, to discuss forming a coalition against the coming onslaught.

To: Generic empire
From: The governments of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras

Back off. Now.

To: Generic empire
From: The governments of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras

Official Imperial Statement

http://usera.imagecave.com/mobrule132001/AllyourGorearebelongtous.bmp.jpg

Official Imperial Statement

http://usera.imagecave.com/mobrule132001/AllyourGorearebelongtous.bmp.jpg

(OOC: ROFLMAO!!!!! :D)

Soon, Generic empire will cease to exist.

-the leaders of the Latin American coalition

The Imperial fleets cut through the clear blue waters of the Caribbean sea, the bright sun glinting on their hulls. In high spirits, the Imperial regulars in the bellies of the transports laughed as they joked with each other about the prizes they would take, and the beautiful latin women that would decorate their beds. Patriotic songs resounded through the corridors, drifting up and out over the clear seas.

On the bridge of the GIS Emperor Alexei, the largest battleship in the Imperial navy, and the flagship of the expeditionary force, the mood was quite different. Admiral Pyotr Ilyinov stood staring out over the waters, hands clenched firmly behind his back. For him, this expedition was all business. There was blood to be spilled, and it had become his assignment to spill it.

Through his one good eye, the other long covered by a milky cataract, Ilyanov spied the distant coast of Honduras, and a slight smirk broke his stone expression.

“Tell the fleets to move into position to establish the blockade. Begin phase one.”

Sirens rang out across the seven fleets, and red lights flashed in the bellies of the vessels. Aboard the Imperial battlecarriers, F-78 Sokol air superiority fighters were readying for deployment beside GIF-1s. The fighters rocketed off of the decks, soaring towards the horizon, and their established targets in and around the cities of Tela, La Ceiba, and Trujillo.

White streaks exploded from the sides of the Imperial dreadnaughts and cruisers, 2,200 Tomahawk cruise missiles lifting off to rain destruction on coastal batteries, SAM installations, and military encampments. Stage one of the Latin American campaign had begun.

The Imperial fleets cut through the clear blue waters of the Caribbean sea, the bright sun glinting on their hulls. In high spirits, the Imperial regulars in the bellies of the transports laughed as they joked with each other about the prizes they would take, and the beautiful latin women that would decorate their beds. Patriotic songs resounded through the corridors, drifting up and out over the clear seas.

On the bridge of the GIS Emperor Alexei, the largest battleship in the Imperial navy, and the flagship of the expeditionary force, the mood was quite different. Admiral Pyotr Ilyinov stood staring out over the waters, hands clenched firmly behind his back. For him, this expedition was all business. There was blood to be spilled, and it had become his assignment to spill it.

Through his one good eye, the other long covered by a milky cataract, Ilyanov spied the distant coast of Honduras, and a slight smirk broke his stone expression.

“Tell the fleets to move into position to establish the blockade. Begin phase one.”

Sirens rang out across the seven fleets, and red lights flashed in the bellies of the vessels. Aboard the Imperial battlecarriers, F-78 Sokol air superiority fighters were readying for deployment beside GIF-1s. The fighters rocketed off of the decks, soaring towards the horizon, and their established targets in and around the cities of Tela, La Ceiba, and Trujillo.

White streaks exploded from the sides of the Imperial dreadnaughts and cruisers, 2,200 Tomahawk cruise missiles lifting off to rain destruction on coastal batteries, SAM installations, and military encampments. Stage one of the Latin American campaign had begun.

(OOC: Which country are they attacking?)

(OOC: Which country are they attacking?)

((OOC: Honduras.))

bump?

Explosions rocketed the coast, as thick purplish-black smoke engulfed the air, distorting the skies above almost to the point of invisibility. The ground shook tumtultuously with the impact, as the massive attacks began. Entire buildings were leveled, crumbling apart like unstable marriages after one partner confessed an infidelity. Blood spattered the ground, and the rank, overwhelming stenches of rotting death and decay and fresh gunpowder hovered in the air, permeating the nostrils of the panic-stricken Hondurans, who ran amok blindly, frantically, nearly delirious with mind-numbing fear, oblivious to all around them, oblivious to all except their overriding, fervid desire to seek the slightest semblance of safety, as chaos erupted all around them. The assault had begun.

(OOC: How was that?)

((OOC: Very nice!))

Official Imperial Communique

To: Generalissimo J.L., Roach-Busters
From: General Aleksander Norovic

The Imperial military humbly requests your permission to utilize Roach-Busterian military bases to station Imperial aircraft for use in our liberation of the nation of Honduras. As always, Emperor Varus would be eternally grateful.

General Aleksander Norovic,
Supreme Commander of Imperial Military Operations,
Loyal Servant to Emperor Varus and the Alexei Family

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

The Imperial assault fleets had closed on the Honduran shoreline, and now six Imperial battleships turned to unleash 24 inch broadside hell on the city of Trujilla, while a second wave of over one hundred GIF-1s roared overhead to target nearby inland installations.

Imperial cruisers unleashed another Tomahawk cruise missile barrage on the three target cities, as an additional detachment of six Imperial battleships moved into range to shell the city of La Ceiba, and five battleships to unleash hell on Tela.

On the deck of the GIS Emperor Antonius, the Empire’s largest aircraft carrier, the rotors of dozens of GH-2 gunships mingled to create a deafening cacophony. Aboard, Imperial Praetorians donned their steel helmets and armored face plates, and checked their GIR-27 assault rifles in preparation for the drop into Trujilla.

As the guns of the battleships assaulting that city fell silent, the GH-2s took to the air for a sprint to the coast. The green camouflaged warbirds flew in over the docks, 30mm cannons unleashing hell on the hapless soldiers below, scrambling to counter the assault.

Thirteen of the birds touched down there, and the Praetorians poured out into the port, guns blazing at any unlucky enough to have not received swift painless death from the direct hit of a cruise missile.

Lieutenant Vladislav Antiev gritted his teeth as he jumped to the ground out of the belly of the GH-2. He charged towards a stack of crates, and took cover as the bird lifted into the air again, door gunner mowing down Honduran soldiers garrisoned in preparation for the assault. He checked his ammo, and peered around the corner of the wall just as another armored warrior slammed into the crates beside him.

“Sergeant, get your men along that line of crates and prepare to charge.”

The other man grabbed his gun and motioned to the rest of his squad taking cover behind various other obstacles nearby. The team rushed to a second line of crates and opened fire on the enemy. Antiev gestured to the sergeant and a great warcry went up as the men leapt over the barricade and charged the remaining defenders.

Antiev led his own team at the enemy’s flank. Reaching the Honduran barricade, he aimed his weapon over the top and hosed the defenders with lead. Screams from bullet riddled bodies mingled with the sound of bombardment and the whir of rotors. The docks would soon fall under the onslaught.

Elsewhere, over the city’s slum districts, more Imperial GH-2s were darkening the Honduran doorstep, unloading additional advance teams of Praetorians Guardsmen to wreak havoc on whatever garrisons remained, paving the way for the main force.

To: General Aleksander Norovic
From: Generalissimo J.L.

Permission granted, my friend. In fact, if you'd like, I can contribute up to 150,000 Nicaraguan troops to aid you in your campaign.

The ill-equipped, vastly out-numbered, completely overwhelmed Honduran forces fought valiantly, but to no avail. Their primitive, outdated weapons were no match against the invincible armada hailing from Generia. Their morale virtually disintegrated, as thousands of troops fled across the border to neighboring Guatemala, committed suicide, surrendered, or even defected to the enemy side. Meanwhile, amid the carnage, amid the rapidly expanding seas of scorching flames, dutiful police officers and military men, willing to fight back to the bitter end, distributed rifles and pistols to civilians, urging them to "fight to the death," against the "imperial hordes."

The troops that were head for S.A. then changed course, heading for central america, as R.B. had requested. Their mission: Aid Generic Empire as they attacked Central America. Here are the forces that will be coming:

------------------------HPAF First Deployment Report----------------------

Holy Paradisian Army:
Troops:
1st Army Corps: 1st Division, 2nd Division, 3rd Division= 65,000 soldiers
2nd Army Corps: 4th Division, 5th Division, 6th Division= 70,000 soldiers
3rd Army Corps: 7th Division, 8th Division, 9th Division= 65,000 soldiers
4th Army Corps: 10th Division, 11th Division, 12th Division= 65,000 soldiers
5th Army Corps: 13th Division, 14th Division, 15th Division- 70,000 soldiers
Total Troops: 335,000 soldiers

Tanks/Artillery:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Tank/Artillery Division= 80,000 Assorted Tanks and Artillary(including mobile AA guns)
Total: 80,000 Units

Holy Paradisian Navy:
Ships/Subs:
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th Naval Fleets= 1000 Assorted Ships
100,000 landing boats
Total ships: 101,000 Units

Holy Paradisian Air Force:
Fighters:
1st-70th Air Squadrons: 1,050 Assorted Fighters
Bombers:
1st-30th Air Squadrons: 450 Assorted Bombers

Meanwhile, several battallions of Nicaraguan troops, accompanied by hundreds of tanks, stormed across the Honduras-Nicaragua border, shooting indiscriminately in every direction, shooting on sight anything that moved, be it a man, woman, or child, looting freely, torching buildings, and chanting, "Hail Generia!"

As the huge force sailed along, the sky darkened, but not with clouds, but smoke in the far distance. Black, billowing smoke, floating miles and miles into the air. Gen. Benjamin looked gazingly at the large, ominous billows of smoke, reminding him of his days as a foot soldier as he marched on dead enemies. War had hardened him, as it did with most soldiers. He took out his binoculars and peered through them. Small, flat, brown disks under the smoke seemed to dance with flames. They were close. Very close.

The waters began shallowing out, signaling they were approaching Honduras. Gen. Benjamin yelled out, "Men! When you land, don't fire unless you see an enemy. Stealth is the key to victory. If you face no opposition after you land, I will give further directions."

In the docks the enemy had succumbed to the Imperial might. The enemy either lay dead or had attempted to flee, whereupon the Imperial gunships and other Praetorian units had cut them to ribbons. The survivors were surrendering by the truckloads, and the Imperial soldiers had begun establishing makeshift holding pens in the docks.

The scenes had been similar as the assaults began on La Cieba and Tela. The deadly bombardments had all but annihilated enemy morale, and a good portion of their soldiers at that. The ferocity and vicious discipline of the Imperial Praetorian Guard had pushed them over the edge. The enemy was in flight along this northern front as the Imperial landing craft began to unload the main expeditionary forces along these urban beachheads.

In the three captured Honduran cities, the Imperial propaganda machine went to work almost immediately. Massive armored ‘information tanks’, tracked vehicles with speakers and a large screen, moved through the streets, and took up position at strategic locations, telling the people to remain indoors while they displayed images of Imperial soldiers marching through the streets of other cities, breaking the Honduran armies, and raising the Generian flag over Honduran government buildings. For now, the message of the Empire was subjugation. When the nation had been secured, the message would turn to one of hope and coming prosperity.

Converted B-52 bombers soared over inland Honduras, over areas already cleared of radar and SAM installations by saturation bombing by cruise missiles. Pamphlets written in Spanish and Portuguese, detailing the Imperial economic and social plans for the nation rained down upon the curious people.

While the Imperial army prepared it’s drive south into the heart of the nation, the Imperial voice was softening the hearts and minds of the populace in preparation. Militias would be dealt with and opposition would be crushed, but if the Empire could walk in through an open door, then it was an opportunity too good to pass up.

Nicaraguan forces joined up with Holy Paradise and Generian forces, as they launched a massive offensive against the few remaining soldiers. Hundreds of thousands of civilians and military men lay dead throughout the country, their gory corpses moldering away beneath the glare of the tropical sun.

The Holy Paradisian forces suddenly stopped on their march of total war. They kneeled down and began praying for forgiveness for all the carnage that they had participated in. Some of them broke down and cried. After about 15 min. of praying, they got up, and continued.

President Holtz decided to send a TG to Generalissmo J.L. and Emperor Varus.

-------------------------------------------
To: Generalissmo J.L of Roach-Busters and Emperor Varus of Generic Empire
From: President Holtz of Holy Paradise
Sub: After the war
After the war is over, I suggest we have a mass funeral for both sides, for those who died defending their lands and those who died bravely fighting them. If we truely are Christian men, then surely we will act like such.

The Holy Paradisian forces suddenly stopped on their march of total war. They kneeled down and began praying for forgiveness for all the carnage that they had participated in. Some of them broke down and cried. After about 15 min. of praying, they got up, and continued.

President Holtz decided to send a TG to Generalissmo J.L. and Emperor Varus.

-------------------------------------------
To: Generalissmo J.L of Roach-Busters and Emperor Varus of Generic Empire
From: President Holtz of Holy Paradise
Sub: After the war
After the war is over, I suggest we have a mass funeral for both sides, for those who died defending their lands and those who died bravely fighting them. If we truely are Christian men, then surely we will act like such.

Great idea, my friend!

-Generalissimo J.L.

Great idea, my friend!

-Generalissimo J.L.
Thank you. I am very glad you support it. Now we wait for Emperor Varus's reply.

-President Holtz

((OOC: It seems a little newbish just saying that we've overrun the country in about three posts. Mind if we slow it down a little, and actually RP the offensive in some detail?))

((OOC: It seems a little newbish just saying that we've overrun the country in about three posts. Mind if we slow it down a little, and actually RP the offensive in some detail?))

(OOC: Sure. But then again, it's not too newbish. It is, after all, three countries against one country with probably less than five million people.)

Trees, buildings, and corpses alike burned as the march south continued. Holy Paradisian troops gave aid to Honduran civilian who had been wounded in the assault. They then loaded them onto medic trucks, who took them to the makeshift hospitals and tents for healing. Gen. Benjamin's theory was, if you show compassion for the civilians, they will start to like you.

(OOC: Sure. But then again, it's not too newbish. It is, after all, three countries against one country with probably less than five million people.)

((OOC: Of course, but it still takes time to move a huge army, plus you have to account for rest and refueling and such. Also, do you want to RP the guerilla resistence after the nations fall? I might get a few people to RP different groups.))

(OOC: Sure, we could do that.)

Gen. Benjamin ordered the force to rest. Men sighed with relief as they sat down and set up tents. Thousands upon thousands of tents sprang up and men began eating their rations. Gen. Benjamin ordered a small group of soldiers who had been riding in cars to go and scout the area. About 35 troops got up and began scouting. About 2 hours later the group was fired upon by some of the remaining Honduran resistance. They ducked behind trees and loaded their weapons. They poked out and fired at the Hondurans. One Honduran was killed. Another Honduran decided to throw a grenade into the fray. The resulting explosion killed 5 H.P. soldiers and wounded 2 others. The small battle ended soon after as the 35 soldiers were slaughtered by grenades and gunfire.

A sea of black and gold uniforms, the regiments of Imperial regular infantry seemed infinite, marching through the streets of occupied Trujillo, now capital of the Imperial campaign, and location of the headquarters of the Imperial military high command.

In a converted government building close to the center of the city, and barricaded off with sandbags and armored cars, the commander of the Imperial expeditionary force and one of three members of the Imperial military council, General Nikit Vrantasha paced the enormous third floor command room. Walls had been torn down and offices completely cleared to enlarge the space so as to create room for the dozens of huge video monitors, databanks, and hundreds of smaller pieces of computer equipment that now buzzed, hummed, and whirred incessantly. It was the sound of preparation, that overlooked art of war that deadens the senses of the officer corps.

Nikit Vrantasha was a hell of a soldier, and he made sure everyone around him knew it. His face sank low with thick jowls, hiding deep scars from the endless combat of his younger years spent as a slum warrior, fighting for money and food in the Generia city lower dock district. He, like so many other urchins who grew up after the second war and the rise of the great Emperor Antonius, had been pressed into armed service, a conscript, though his enlistment papers would claim he volunteered. In a sense, he did, though at the time it was either the service or two decades in an Alberian labor camp.

The service had ended up treating him well. No stranger to slaughter, he had fought like the devil in Buchiana against the liberated armies, and had earned himself several promotions. The Sarzonian incident had taken his right eye and the majority of his right hand, but he had survived and earned himself an Imperial Iron Cross and another promotion. This momentum had given him the impetus he needed to get a command rank, and his discipline and ability to think strategically had left him in the perfect position to make that final jump to the Imperial military council.

He was a man with blood on his hands and steel in his veins, and he relished every chance he had to lead the Imperial armies into battle to triumph over the world’s guiltless, heathen dogs. Now as he sputtered and swore at the officers and aids inhabiting that vast third story room, he could taste the blood that littered the streets where his men now marched, that sweet flavor of impending victory.

“What are you bastards looking at?! Stop gawking pack of hungry mutts and get me the goddamned field reports!”

The crows of aids scrambled to do as the powerful man asked. One reappeared and thrust a set of documents into the General’s hands. He snatched them and skimmed over the pages. His eye lit up with delight and he nearly broke into a jig.

“Hah! Ha-hah! We’ve got ‘em on the run! We’ve got the goddamned bastard sons of whores on the run!”

His head snapped to the side like a viper and he shouted at another man across the room.

“Colonel! They’re running! Get our boys after those yellow sons of bitches!”

The Colonel saluted.

“Sir!”

The Colonel picked up a red telephone and began issuing orders to the other end. General Vrantasha could not stop grinning as he looked at the large situational map on one of the several large video monitors.

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

At the order of General Vrantasha, the 4th, 5th, 7th, 9th, and 19th armored divisions began an inland drive towards Tegucigalpa, followed by elements of the Imperial Praetorian Guard and eight Imperial Regular Infantry Divisions. Meanwhile, three additional Imperial armored units spearheaded an assault directed at San Pedro Sula, and were tailed by sixteen Imperial regular infantry divisions. Upon the capture of this city, these units would proceed downriver and annihilate the retreating enemy forces, fleeing the occupation of the Honduran capital, and then prepare to continue the conquest of Guatemala and El Salvador.

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

The Imperial RM-30 Emperor tank rumbled over the abandoned highways, scarred by saturation bombing from Nicaragua, and cruise missile strikes on enemy military positions. The Honduran army had broken, and few remained save for the crowd of startled ex-soldiers one would occasionally find sheltering in an abandoned farm building or gas station, hiding from the bombers and the GH-2 death machines.

These holdouts were quickly subdued, and, as there was no room or time to take prisoners, summarily and unceremoniously executed by Imperial infantry divisions.
The towns of Yoro and Guaimaca had been bombarded by bombs and propaganda pamphlets for the past week by the time the Imperial army arrived, and while the soldiers had fled certain death, the people lined the streets in curiosity to watch the Imperial tanks roll up to the government buildings and haul the Generian flag.

Some of the Imperial soldiers hurled bread and Imperial coins at the people, who scrambled to grab the gifts, and cheered the Imperial soldiers for their generosity and kindness. In the alleys and the back lots, however, Imperial firing squads lined government personnel and Honduran soldiers against walls and gunned them down, an act of brutality blotted out by Imperial propaganda and an attitude of liberation.

In two weeks time, the Imperial army had reached the outskirts of the capital, and Imperial artillery guns were preparing to pound the city into submission, while in the west, Imperial tanks approached the suburbs of San Pedro Sula.

As night fell on both cities, Imperial GIF-1s rocketed overhead, unleashing a hell of guided bombs on potential military fortifications. While the cities burned, Imperial armor advanced, unloading indiscriminately on anything and anyone that moved in the streets. Tank shells let out clouds of dust and ruined concrete as they slammed into the sides of buildings, while Imperial infantry stormed offices and apartments, hunting Honduran soldiers and minutemen. Blood and brutality were the order of the day as the Imperial government issued their order of surrender to the President of Honduras.

Official Imperial Statement

To: President Ricardo Maduro

The Imperial government hereby demands the full and unconditional surrender of your government and your armed forces. Upon acceptance, all Honduran military and government personnel are to turn themselves in to Imperial military representatives, whereupon you shall be transferred to designated Imperial holding areas. Should you fail to comply, you shall watch as the might of the Imperial army comes crashing in on your roof, burning your city to the ground and slaughtering your people to the last.

Choose wisely.

If you still need help, I will dispatch some forces. Say the word my friend, and an army will move to assist.

-Shah Khosru III

If you still need help, I will dispatch some forces. Say the word my friend, and an army will move to assist.

-Shah Khosru III

Though we appreciate the offer, we are certain that the situation will be over before they arrive. Therefore, save them for another day's war, when they may better serve noble Parthia. We will of course send a portion of slaves to Persepolis as a gift once the nation falls.

Official Imperial Statement

To: President Ricardo Maduro

The Imperial government hereby demands the full and unconditional surrender of your government and your armed forces. Upon acceptance, all Honduran military and government personnel are to turn themselves in to Imperial military representatives, whereupon you shall be transferred to designated Imperial holding areas. Should you fail to comply, you shall watch as the might of the Imperial army comes crashing in on your roof, burning your city to the ground and slaughtering your people to the last.

Choose wisely.

Never! We will never surrend to a bunch of Christless, immoral, Devil-worshipping imperialists! Burn in Hell! We shall fight to the last man!

-President Maduro

I plan on seizing Belize. Would you guys care to help?

-Generalissimo J.L.

((OOC: Hi everyone, sorry to have just left this for a few days. Some stuff came up, and it looks like I might have to put this thread on hold for the unrelated reason of me going back to school and entering the new grading period, in other words, i'll be swamped for the next few weeks. RB, would it be alright with you to allow the claims i made (Guatemala, Hopnduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica) to stay in my name until i can finish this claim RP, which may not be for awhile? I understand, though, if you can't.