NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC:Man, alright, EI, let's just forget about those posts.

The ships immediatly went forward to gather what ever clues they could find. Body pieces and such were to be collected for analyzing. They will use the samples to relate with regional blood types and heredity tests to determine the region where they came from. This has been made possible due to Athropologists.

The floating submarine, which was slowly sinking was too dangerous to cross. The Chinese instead fired several missles towar the rear which allowed corpses to to float out of the submarine, now sinking faster than ever.

Bodies were collected and will be examined. The East Islandians were told that the submarinehad been sunk in a short skirmish and the enemy crew were all killed.

The remains will be kept in bags and stored in freezers until they can land in Malaysia or taiwan so that the remains and the collected materials could be analyze.

OOC: Considering the Russian navy uses almost exclusively nuclear subs (and the Bedgellens probably use some), it probably wouldn't be wise to send any humans near there...The reactor is most likely destroyed, as is the whole sub, (several jammed torpedoes exploding at once can do that) and with all the radioactive material about...

OOC:Oh, well, didn't know it was a nuclear submarine.

The Chinese simply blasted the submarine to bits and has laughed at the country who have deployed it. A simple wreathe was thrown into the water before they left. The Beiyang will be headed baxck to Qingdao for a warm welcoming, and the Nanyang fleet will assist Chinese forces in Malaysia.

OOC

Seems like the Guyanese anarchans will have their work cut out for them, then ;) Of course, we'd have to find out first, but let's see if BG can't help us there!

Oh, and I'll be gone till monday or tuesday, so expect no Neo-Anarchos or African Commonwealth posts before then! Toot!

New Caledonia

The Roycelandians were granted their request, and already landscapers were working on the concept of surrounding each downed Spitfire by delightful gardens of roses and other enjoyable species.

Meanwhile, the onerous clean-up and preparation efforts for the Kings arrival continued.

Devils Island

While New Caledonia prepared for the arrival of His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX, the Igovian "Illegal Combatants" were hauled into the dank dungeons of Devils Island.

There they would find each one was given their own cells, from here on out there would only be solitary confinement. The prisoners were promptly stripped, de loused, and restrained with heavy iron masks. After that, they were roughly again thrown into solitary confinement. Confronted in those hot, humid dungeons only with dead silence, one can well imagine the horrifying atmosphere. The prisoners were not given names, nor did the guards care if they had one. They were simply numbered in random order, the number being etched onto their iron masks.

The twenty-nine would only see their compatriots as each was hauled individually down the dungeons' corridor, each Igovian straining to see where their brethren was going.

This is the story of "Number One".

He sat in his cell, confused and tired. Not once in the journey, from arrest to imprisonment, had any of the Begdellens been asked a single question. This caused One to fear the worst.

They came for him, the very first, at a few minutes past three o'clock in the morning. The guards closed the eyelids of his mask, making him blind. He was dragged, kicking and screaming, down the corridor. His brothers in arms howled and smashed their hands against the bars, to no avail. The guards, wearing black hoods (as all guards did in the intense prisons of the Bastille and Devils Island) showed no emotion as they dragged One to the end of the hall, where stood a rusty and thick iron door.

It opened and shut, devouring One and leaving his compatriots literally in the dark.

When One had his masks eyelids opened, he found himself in a high vaulted circular room. He had been locked, right before his vision was granted, in a cold steel chair, his legs and feet clamped into place.

In one corner was a pool, chair attached for dipping. A rack hung on the wall, its manacles drifting in the slight breeze from the vents. In the center of the room stood a massive cauldren of red hot coals, pokers glowing white hot inside. And then he saw two men as the Guards shut the door, leaving the trio alone.

Before One stood HMCM Louis XX's Executioners, Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-dum. He began to whimper.

They were twins, each near seven feet tall. Each weighed about 400 lbs, and their only dress was black waistcloths and two great leather straps that met in the center of their chests. On their heads were heavy leather hoods, only their cold eyes and teeth visible through them. The men were of Sikh ancenstry, their bodies decorated with ghastly tatoos. This was they're first time working outside of their home office, the Bastille.

His Majesty Louis XX was not without a sense of humor. It was clear that as soon as anybody saw Dee and Dum they were through the looking glass.

They stared silently at One for a few moments, and then spoke in very heavy and haltingly spoken tones, maniacal grins on their face the whole time.

"Mez lukh..." began Tweedle-dee.

"...hurting pepleeze" concluded Tweedle-dum.

At this point Ones eyes began to dart around, sweat ran in rivers down his shivering body. He somehow found his courage, and held himself still. That was when a loudspeaker came on, with a distinctly French voice.

"Begin with the rack!"

Dee and Dum nodded, unstrapping the prisoner and putting him on the rack, tying the manacles firmly to his arms and legs. Then they began to pull, with all their copious weight, the tighteners. One kept silent for a quarter of an hour against their excrutiating torture, and then the sound of a muscle ripping echoed throughout the room.

One screamed and wailed, his shrieks filling the prison itself. Dee and Dum just had stupid grins on their face as they continued to tighten the rack. The loudspeaker came on again.

"Igovian scum, this is your first and last chance to repent..." unbeknownst to One at this point the loudspeaker was piped throughout Devils Island.

Before he even had a chance to respond the rack tightened another several notches, and he began to wail again, his muscles ripping freely on the loudspeaker.

"Repent foor whattt!!?!?!" his voice trailed off in another scream.

"Ahhh! Just stop it, Ill say whatever you want!" he stopped after that, talking took more energy than he had.

The voice seemed to chortle with glee "Wrong answer! Fire him!"

Dee and Dum, giggling like twisted children the whole time, then took the white hot pokers from the cauldren. Still tied firmly to the rack, they began to poke and prod One with the devices, the sound of sizzling was heard on the speaker. There was even worse screams than before, and the voice came on yet again.

"Let this be a lesson to all you prisoners! You are damned! This is a foretaste of hell to come! You only mercy lies in a swift death, which is only given by confession! Confess and recieve mercy!"

One final scream from One was heard, and then it ended. His dead body was dragged down the corridor in front of the remaining Igovians, before it was taken to the furnace and disposed of.

The official cause of death, for Prisoner Number One, was blood poisoning (leaving out that torture had led to such an end).

Then the voice stopped, but the loudspaker continued to propound the line "Confess and recieve mercy!" throughout the entire night.

The next morning, several prisoners of varied persuasions signed full confessions, naming several desired persons and or entities and accomplises. They were given lieniency, and hung in the Courtyard.

One, who repented fully for what he had done, kissed a medal blessed by the King, and called on the Catholic Church for protection was pardoned in full, and given a small plot of land outside Charlesbourg.

Communists, however, as well as revolutionaries and traitors, were most often not like to do such things.

OOC: Considering the Russian navy uses almost exclusively nuclear subs (and the Bedgellens probably use some), it probably wouldn't be wise to send any humans near there...The reactor is most likely destroyed, as is the whole sub, (several jammed torpedoes exploding at once can do that) and with all the radioactive material about...


Wouldnt at least one of our subs melt down too? Either way, I think AC has done his share to provoke a war....

*****
Aboard Death Tide, Lee Bang-il commanding
South Pacific

"Explosion detected!" the sensor officer yelled, ripping off his headset as the deafening noise hit him. His ears bled from the noise. "Shockwave incoming!"

"Brace for impact!" Lee ordered. "Helm, hard to right and face the shockwave!"

The submarine lurched to their right and shuddered as the shockwave passed through them. The whole craft groaned and screamed as it was hit by the force of the explosion, and it seemed that the world was ending. The craft began to take on water, as the damaged plates began to buckle, though the double hull managed to contain it for now.

"Damage report!" Lee hissed.

"Flooding in interior hull space," the damage officer reported. "Exterior hull has been breached in two locations, one seriously. Floating antenna has been ripped away, and towed sonar array has been damaged. Bow sustained minimal damage, but torpedo tube doors have been jammed by the force of the explosion. Sonic and countermeasures arrays are down, but caterpillars are at one fourth capacity."

Lee swore. He debated whether or not he should surface, then decided that it would likely be safer then leaving his submarine on the bottom. "All stop!" he hissed. "Vent ballast. Communications, get me a channel to Captain Sung."

The Death Tide slowly broke the surface, and despite its formidable name and reputation, was looking anything but right now. The plates were twisted and buckled, and Lee had to order emergency pontoons inflated in order to keep the breaches above the water.

"Hyunsoo, this is Bang-il," he said. "We are undergoing repairs and have to expose ourselves to the surface. Two shockwaves in a row almost destroyed us, and we need help. Can you raise the Xiannese and our own ships on your channels? Our floating antenna was torn away."

Sung replied int he affirmative, and said that she would orbit nearby to keep Lee's submarine company.

In the meantime, pictures of the rogue submarine (shapes from sonar, tracking, and tactics) were delivered via floating antenna to Forces Command for further analysis.

Lee's submarine made a prime target, floating above the water, so he ordered them to hoist the Islandian flag and broadcast an Islandian identification code in order to be sure that there would be no accidental sinking.

OOC: Ahh...Dum and Doo...Mr. T remembers them well.

OOC- Quite right, AC. Of course, what they did to T will seem like a walk in the park compared to these red fungi. But yah, I think they are probably some of the best chars I can play...whats an autocratic absolute monarchy without black hooded thugs? Well, notmuch of an autocratic absolute monarchy. Plus, I guess I just like the dungeon noir motif too much, probably comes from reading way too much history.

OOC: Woah, that was quite well written. So isn't the Xiannese fleet commander going to send an angry message to the Igovians?

The Only proof of the incident were pictures and videos. Several ships around the submarine were damaged and luckily, there wer eno reported deaths except for some minor injuries as the ships were approaching the submarine when it had drew the white flag.

The Chinese commander sent messages to the East Islandians explaning the whole incident and had asked them to keep the incident confidential.

The Chinese had doubts on whether the submarine was Igovian or not as the submarine had varely came to surface when it destroyed itself.

OOC: Woah, that was quite well written. So isn't the Xiannese fleet commander going to send an angry message to the Igovians?
OOC: Yeah, East Islandia is far more knowledgable about subs than I am. Quite good, the description of the inner workings of the sub was. Or are you referring to Elk's post?

And Xiaguo, how come you have doubts? The sub was clearly of Igovian design, broadcast in Indian, and the radar signature must have indicated it was Igovian.

(Nudge nudge, OOC thread)

The situation is highly suspicious. Would the Igovians be that stupid to actually leave 1 idle submarine behind, or were they dumb enough to start a war with the China's. The hinese may be concerne dover their neighbor's armies, but China is still much more powerful. Even though everything may SEEM Igovian, this has happened many times before when Bonstock had imitated foreign ships and such. The Chinese certainly does not wish to start a war with the Igovians.

OOC: But remember...The Igovian navy is largely decentralized, so it's not implausible that they might have a rogue sub on the loose...

Either way, I think it is best, for China's sake to stay out of a war right now. It is the 'Igovians' who have lost a submarine and their crew.

The Chinese government had a brief press conference and public announcements followed the incident with the Parliament speaker, Zhou Yi had spoke before the parliament in a public Parliamentary meeting. She delivered a brief summary of what had happened in Oceania.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, representatives of the provincial states, in the chamber of Imperial CHina, I deliver here to you a disastrous attack in Oceania. A single submarine, which has been described as Beddgelen, has shot four torpedos toward the Chinese ships; Beifeng I, Beifeng II, and Shenlong, with a total of two fired at Shenlong. The ships were on a escort mission to East Islandia. The refugee ships carrying Igovian and French casualties were to be dropped off at East Islandian Refugee camps as part of China's neutrality deployment program.

Because the refugee ships contained Igovian soldiers, who have been disarmed and were injured, the Chinese governmetn has doubts of whether the submarine may be of Igovian class. I hereby represent the Chinese Imeprial Government, in demanding Beth Gellert provide the international community with a reasonable explanation. The Chinese Nanyang Fleet has decided to ask for East Islandian help in a full time investigation of the incident. The Parliament will be updated on this issue everyy two hours. Thank you." finished Zhou Yi. She walked off with several Naval Commanders and officials.

Having heard nothing of the incident until Zhou Yi's speech, Beddgelens -by and large- immediately assume that the French have done it in an attempt to get revenge. Some even say that it is a lie fabricated by the combined efforts of France and China, though this minority view is extremely unlikely to be taken as the Commonwealth's official line. The next most common suggestion is that the Roiks have done it again, since they're generally credited in Beth Gellert with having caused the surprise incident in which the frigate Perepelkin was sunk along with a Roycelandian dreadnought. Most think this less likely, as the Roycelandians are typically thought more likely than the French to fight in a more straightforward manner, and less likely to fire on wounded and captured men.

While a few loan conspiracy theorists continue to insist that the Russians may have most to gain by setting China and India against one another, weakening both and enabling Moscow to obtain favourable terms for siding with the Chinese, most Soviets say that the Russians also have a lot to lose by being caught and setting China against them... but then again, perhaps the French are in the same boat, there.

Thus far, the Council of the Communards has only said that the Soviets have carried out no acts of aggression against the Chinese, pointing out that it was they who asked that Chinese ships keep a distance during combat -which they agreed to do- because the last thing the Commonwealth wanted was for China to be dragged into the conflict. The Commonwealth is apparently preparing salvage and science vessels for a possible multi-national deployment to make more information available.

In other news, the Commonwealth has said that it is prepared to return a small number of Roycelandian sailors who were pulled from the Coral Sea and taken aboard the two deployed Igovian hospital ships, and will be glad to take home any of the Soviet soldier-sailors who may have been rescued by other nations. Being treated as required while sailing away from the Coral Sea, Roycelandians could be helicoptered to carriers and then flown by maritime Preston light transports to Vanuatu, or could wait for return to the Commonwealth and from there be flown by civil aviation or WIG vehicles back to Roycelandia-proper or REA.

(I'd like to add that only 13 Igovians (9 men, 4 women) were thought to survive after going MIA over or on New Caledonia or in the shallows, while anything up to a couple of dozen may have survived the Perepelkin without being picked up by the Soviets, though the number is probably rather lower given the ship's level of damage and quick sinking. I doubt that the French ever got more than the five missing aircrew (3 Indian men, 1 Indian and 1 Geletian woman) who are believed to have ejected over the island.)

The War and Defence Branch of China invited the Beddgelens to investigate the area in Oceania. The submarine was sank just a few hundred miles from East Islandia, and the Ministry has called on a joint investigation of the incident. Larger chunks may have gone into the ocean trenches, but due to the relative sea beds, there is still a possibility of retrieving the pieces.

The Roycelandian Government has indicated that if the Bedgellens would like to fly the Roycelandian Sailors and Pilots back to Vanuatu, they can collect the Bedgellen Soldier-Sailors at the same time.

The fact the Bedgellens have been well-treated by the Roycelandians should put paid to any suggestions that Roycelandia was responsible for the Torpedo attacks. More importantly, Roycelandian Submarines look unlike anyone else's (what with the gun on the forward deck and all), and have a different SONAR signature, too...

After hearing news of an attempted submarine attack on the neutral Chinese ships, the Hindustani Parliament condemns any such action and its perpetrators.

It is not widely believed that the submarine was Bedgellen, or Roycelandian for that matter. Perhaps France did it, but that too is not deemed terribly likely, since Louis has recently been quite friendly with China. Russia is a possibility, but a remote one as well.

So Parliament doesn't devote too much time to finding out who it was, but rather concentrates on showing its displeasure with such a blatant violation of the rights of neutrality.

Obviously it was not a Hindustani submarine, on account of the fact that the HN operates no nuclear-powered vessels and only has about 20 submarines, Diesel-Electric or AIP at that. Not to mention most of them are at port most of the time...

OOC
oh you are too kind regarding my knowledge of submarines. Thank you though. Submarines are simply my nation's best bet for maintaining a degree of security, being as small as we are.

*****
Aboard Islandian naval carrier Typhoon, Hyuntai (Battle Group) 1
Admiral Oh Hye-su commanding
South Pacific, one hundred kilometers from Death Tide

"Incoming transmission from Surface Warfare Command!" communications shouted. "Movement orders, ma'am. Coordinates are included."

Admiral Oh looked up from the tactical screens, where she had been monitoring the Battle Group's fighter screen. "Bring it on screen."

-SWC-
Routing: 09-45-66-2
Fleet Admiral Bian Chung-wu

Recipient: Admiral Oh Hye-su, commander, Hyuntai 1

Hostile submarine destroyed and
Friendly submarine damaged in process.
Cease all activities and
Prepare for Combat Search-and-Rescue
Contact Captain Sung Hyunsoo or Commander Lee Bang-il.
Investigate scene of accident.
Cooperate with Xiannese

-End-

Oh read the transmission twice, and nodded. "Communications, re-check routing code," she ordered. "Destroy all copies but save one for the ship's logs. Download and follow movement orders."

"Fleet alert ma'am?" Captain Li asked.

"Keep fleet at level 2 alert," Oh replied. "Be on the lookout for submarine and air strikes."

The Battle Group steamed towards the site of the accident. It would be there in two-three hours.

***********
Sonar Identification Department
Undersea Warfare Command
Niako, East Islandia

Captain Sung had sent the information in to be analyzed several hours ago; piggybacked off communications satellites (on an encrypted link) and sent with a priority tasking, the tracks had reached the Identification Department in an hour.

Yet the real problem was the identity of the submarine; after experts analyzed the tracks, they had all disagreed on the identity of the submarine. Some had said it was an "ugly", a term referring to a hasty, jury-rigged submarine built from many different parts; it was not a clear match for any Igovian submarine in the database, nor any real known, recorded submarine. Others disagreed, feeling that the acoustic signature of the submarine seemed inconsistent with the noisy, sputtering "uglies"; it was too quiet for an ugly, but not quiet enough for a Bedgellen submarine.

The Islandians immediately ask the Xiannese for permission to browse their submarine databases, and forward copies of the records to the Xiannese Command.

OOC:Bit hard to describe details of the submarine since AC didn't list any.

The East islandians were given permission to browse the database and the Chinese ahd included a brief on the British Anti-Torpedo System.

The Beddgelens had just recently announced their current submarine capabilities and the Chinese government is now very eager to work with East Islandia and Beth Gellert in finding the culprit.

((OOC: Gave some details on the OOC thread, but basically the sub resembles Bedgellens in terms of outside appearance, acoustic signature, and sonar (generally---the last part, especially, is an attempt at mimicry based upon observations of Bedgellen subs), and is as generic as possible on the inside. It was built with some Russian designs inside, but largely the inside is as generic as humanely possible.))

OOC- Fair enough, BG. I amend my POW count to 3 women, seven men, consider Ones adventure still valid.

New Caledonia

In just twenty-four hours, His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX was going to arrive with His Queen in Noumea.

FInal preparations for their visit were underway on the Island. Louis would arrive and review the amassed troop of the valiant garrison, and then preside over a lunch with them. That night, Queen Marie-Therese would preside over a dance of Island girls (who would dance to a French-Breton-country tune) whom she would match with French officers of the Garrison and the Royal Dauphin.

The next day, the Royal Couple would go to the Noumean Cathedral of Notre Dame de Mares, where a funeral mass would be celebrated for the dead, and eulogys of their valor read. Then, Louis and Marie would go to Front Point, to inspect the lines the French held so bravely and against such overwhelming odds. Their Majesties would lay the first stones of a monument to be placed on the sight.

Scale Model of "Front Point" Equestrian Statue (http://gallery.euroweb.hu/art/b/bouchard/louis_xv.jpg)

Then, to finish off the visit to New Caledonia, His Most Christian Majesty would host a Grand Fetes outside of Noumea, where he would revel with the Islanders and troops and even deign to be presented with a few...the most distinguished honor.

Coral Sea

The three Spyran subs in the area, upon observing the apparent attack and detonation, and subsequent Xiannese-Islandian chatter, brought themselves to the surface. Likely this would be no real surprise to the Islandians... so close to Australia proper, their sonar had no doubt long ago determined that the Spyrans kept two or three attack submarines in the area on a regular basis, while at least one had been positively identified when it surfaced amidst the Igovian forces at New Caledonia.

Still, the pack commander had decided that it would be safer in present circumastances to surface-cruise, rather than being mistaken for hostiles. An open-channel communication was sent out to the Islandians, asking if they could be of any assistance.

The Commonwealth has dispatched a small flotila of science and salvage vessels towards the region, and makes known that the most powerful amongst them is armed only with defensive machineguns, anti-sabotage grenades, and personal small arms and as such poses no military threat.

As Roycelandian wounded and rescued personnel are transported back to Vanuatu, suspicions arise that a number of Igovians are unaccounted for without good reason. Best information suggests that seven aircrew ought to be in French custody, or that at least some amongst them should be. In fact only five survived being shot down, as one Springer attacker -crewed by two persons- went down without successful ejections, but this can not yet be known.

The Soviet Commune is making initial approaches to the French for information on these airmen and women, and having received no voluntary information as yet decided to insist that the science vessels be defensively armed against the possibility of boarding and abduction.

Versailles informs the Green Tower (that is your capital, or whatever you use that suffices, right?) that, unfortunatley, no Igovians were found alive by French forces during the conflict.

However, a number of dead bodies (or is some cases just dogtags in firey dust...such as the ten, now nine, Igovians on Devils Island) were found and given proper burials by the French authorities, that is to say, Christian burials. In any case, Igovian science and rescue vessels are given free reign to transverse New Caledonias coast, as a sign of respect and such. Additionally, the remains of the cremated-non buried-Igovian dead were turned over to the Begdellen 'commander' on the scene.

In this wave of seemed amicability, Versailles again brings up its request that the Begdellens officially sign terms of treaty; so that if the Igovians act again, it will be a second illegal attack, and quite damning of international diplomatic levels...the pin stripe pants crowd.

Meanwhile, in Devils Island, Number Two signed a full confession, and was marginalized for the meantime. Tweedle dee and Dum were just getting the dipping pool extra cold for Number Three, and the fire pokers extra sizzling in the beds of red coals.

The Igovian soldier-sailors on Vanuatu are turned over to the Bedgellens when they arrive with the Roycelandian Pilots and Sailors.

Meanwhile, there have been questions in the Imperial Parliament about the conditions on Devil's Island, although His Majesty has ended debate on the matter by pointing out that France is a sovereign nation, and unless there is any suggestion that Roycelandian Citizens are being mistreated, it is improper for the Imperial Parliament to be asking these sort of questions.

Monarch One touched down at Noumea International Airport, landing on an immaculate tarmack.

Drawn up on the tarmack were the remains of the Garrison Army. The 21st Division Gardes Francais was resplendant in their white and blue dress uniforms, badged tricorners sitting strongly on their square brows. At the head of their formation was none other than the "Hero of Front Point" M. de Chauvernay, Colonel and warrior. His tricorner bore several plumes, and at his hip was the battle notched sword used to great effect against the Geletian Marines.

As well as the Gardes Francais were the Colonial Militia, dressed all in white with wide brimmed hats. And, of course, the survivors of the Martyr's Brigade, all in white and in wide brimmed hats...save that on the chests of each soldier was sported a red cross.

As the door of Monarch One opened, a large military band began beating the kettle drums, and the fifers began their march. Moving to the red carpet in perfect formation was the Governer of the Island, le Marquis de Ballincourt, General Kessan, and Bishop Suger who was the ecumenical leader of the Islands flock. A single flag bearer, holding high a flag bearing the fleur-de-lys, followed them.

First off the aircraft were the Swiss Bodyguard, resplendant in their most magnificent uniforms, who took up guard on either side of the isle His Most Christian Majesty would transverse. Swiss Bodyguard at attention in Noumea (http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/05/07/swiss,0.jpg)

Then, following His Bodyguards, Louis XX, By the Grace of God King of France and Navarre, Defender of the Faith, came down the stairway from the plane.

He was dressed in a stunning white silk Court suit, the only differences in color the diamond buckles on his shoes and the Cordon Bleu of the Ordu du Saint Louis strapped across his chest. A gold hilted sword hung at his hip, and his tricorner was white felt with matching plumes. An array of gold and silver medals dotted his jacket, and his hair was plated and powdered, tied with a white bow. Following His Majesty came Queen Marie Therese, in a matching and stunning white silk gown, not walking so much as simply gliding over the floor. The music of fife and drums hit a crescendo as the Royals actually walked onto New Caledonian soil, and as one the troops let out a powerful yell:

"Three cheers for Louis the Invincible!" Three "huzzahs" then boomed across the tarmack and airport itself, His Most Christian Majesty seeming to grow taller with every proclamation of His Subjetcs' faith.

The Swiss then clicked into a marching formation, and followed the Royal couple as they headed towards the trio of officials.

As one the trio (Governer, General, and Priest) went to their knees at Louis' approach, hand in hand with the Queen. Louis smiled and, with a most regal air spoken in perfect Court French (something not heard often in the colonies) "Gentlemen all, please rise."

The gentlemen stood, and one by one Louis hugged them and kissed them on their cheeks, which was followed by each man kissing the Queen lightly on her glove. Then Louis' valet Lebel came forward, holding a satin pillow on which rested three Cordon Bleu of the Ordu du Saint Louis, France's highest honor and knighthood. One by one, following a bow by the provincials, the honors were draped across their chest, each time to a cheer by the men.

Louis then stood back, and granted them all another smile. "My dear fellows, your sacrafices on behalf of the crown and the father land distinguish you amongst all history. I thank God for men of such caliber in my service. Rise and know God loves you, and all France is grateful!"

Then, the whole group marched down the the vast formations of the Garrison Army. One by one, on that hot tropical afternoon, Louis and His Queen went down the lines, both making sure to grant each soldier a nod, hug, kiss, or clap on the shoulder as their names were read aloud to the King. Numerous medals for valor were given out (especially amogst the Martyr's Brigade---which was to relocate to France where they would organize a full division of fire baptized colonials for His Majesty's Armies) and several men were given knighthoods. Cameras blazed furiously.

Colonel de Chauvernay, the hero of the hour, was embraced by both monarchs and invited to join the tour of inspection, he promptly fell in line. He was given the peerage as Duc de Houlon for his efforts, and a post at the Court of Versailles itself.

Following the inspection of the Garrison, the Royal entourage then descended on Noumea. The monarchs walked down the avenues, dazzling the tribal inhabitants. One occasion was given full press, and pictures of it soon found their way around the globe.

As the King and Queen, surrounded by Bodyguards, were exiting Notre Dame de Caledonia, a poor colonial threw herself on the steps, hands clasped and eyes shining. His Most Christian Majesty took out his coin purse, planning to give the woman some money, as he thought she wanted. However, she had something else in mind.

"Sire" she said "all I desire is a hug from Your Majesty!"

Louis smirked "Easy enough, my sweet!" And then he took the startled woman in his arms, and gave her a robust hug.

His Most Christian Majesty then broke into a wide grin "That was for you, Mademoiselle, and this is for me!"

With that he gave her two wet kisses on the cheek, and the womans face went beat red. The crowds roared with applause, and flowers began to rain down on their Majesties.

That night, a dance was hosted by her Majesty Queen Marie-Therese, where all the beautiful Island girls were matched up with French officers. The dress was plain white, and what a scene it was: dainty Island beauties dancing French country dances under the eyes of His Most Christian King and his wife.

The last leg of the trip saw a Royal review of Front Point, where Louis XX laid the first stone to a equestian monument of himself which would be built ere long. A mass was held for the souls of the valiant dead.

The Royal couple would spend one more day on New Caledonia, and then they were off to meet with the Chinese.

Coral Sea

The three Spyran subs in the area, upon observing the apparent attack and detonation, and subsequent Xiannese-Islandian chatter, brought themselves to the surface. Likely this would be no real surprise to the Islandians... so close to Australia proper, their sonar had no doubt long ago determined that the Spyrans kept two or three attack submarines in the area on a regular basis, while at least one had been positively identified when it surfaced amidst the Igovian forces at New Caledonia.

Still, the pack commander had decided that it would be safer in present circumastances to surface-cruise, rather than being mistaken for hostiles. An open-channel communication was sent out to the Islandians, asking if they could be of any assistance.

Aboard attack submarine Death Tide
Lee Bang-il commanding
South Pacific

"We would appreciate it if you could keep a lookout for hostile craft," Lee said over the intercom to the Spyrans. "And thank you. If you'll excuse me, I must finish repairs."

Lee laid down the headset and turned to his damage control officer. "Status?" he asked.

"Caterpillars at eighty percent," the damage control officer replied. "Torpedo tube doors are still twisted and forward tubes inoperable. Towed array is back online, but bow array is down. Bow mounted visual-instruments are also down, but all missile tubes are functional. The breach is being sealed by wetsteel composite as we speak, and will hold. But we cannot dive below 300 meters, because of our compromised pressure hull. Emergency thrusters are all destroyed, and, if you wish, we will file a report concerning the matter of the explosive emergency thrusters."

"Do it," Lee ordered. "Those damned things werent worth the trouble. The first generation Emergency thrusters were easier to use and safer too. Thank the gods that we did not end up like Kursk."

"Captain!" the communications officer yelled. "Captain Sung reports Admiral Oh's battlegroup is en route. ETA one hour."

Lee nodded. "Keep working then. Keep the crew on emergency shifts; no one sleeps until we finish."

The handful of damaged Chinese ships were easily towed back to Taiwan for repairs. In the following months, the Armada will be set to circle the world and visit foreign countries in celebration of the opening of several Chinese bases and also to show off the military might.

Secretly IC:

In a coded communique to the French military, the Chinese military suggests "commie baiting" as a creative measure of justice for the subhuman invaders.

Those who are familiar with the concept of bear baiting can simply switch the bear (restrained by a leash to a pole, to be mauled by vicious dogs) for a Bedgellen subhuman. These acts are best displayed publically. The Chinese have also suggested more lenient treatment for Polynesian natives that have collaborated with the enemy. Human terms of imprisonment should be enacted to show that they were simply misguided subjects of the King.

The Chinese are willing to take up to 1000 Bedgellen prisoners for various purposes of experimentation and punishment.

OOC- Sino, I daresay that those ten Igovian POW's exploring the pleasures of Devils Island are going through a bit worse than bear bating, please see a few posts back to see the lieniency of His Majesty's torturers. One thousand? Ah, if only. At any rate, I will be posting Louis' arrival at the Chinese capital tommorrow, I trust you can arrange an appropriate military display.

(Heh, if there'd been a thousand Soviet Marines or GSIC commandos captured, New Caledonia would have fallen to them from inside out, and the Sinoese would have had a hell of a time transporting them without the same happening there.)

OCC: Eh, I certainly wouldn't want a thousand angry Bedgellens, well-trained and heavily intoxicated at that, on one of my ships. They'd most likely sink it with their teeth!

OOC: Hmmm...I realize now that with my submarine assault I have single handedly spawned the a new market for conspiracy theorists for decades to come...

OOC- Sino, I daresay that those ten Igovian POW's exploring the pleasures of Devils Island are going through a bit worse than bear bating, please see a few posts back to see the lieniency of His Majesty's torturers. One thousand? Ah, if only. At any rate, I will be posting Louis' arrival at the Chinese capital tommorrow, I trust you can arrange an appropriate military display.

OOC: I may have consult that with my compatriot Chinese (Xiaguo and _Taiwan). I don't have much time here, since I have some assignments.

OCC: Eh, I certainly wouldn't want a thousand angry Bedgellens, well-trained and heavily intoxicated at that, on one of my ships. They'd most likely sink it with their teeth!

OOC: They can be drugged and tranquilized during transportation. If they bite, their teeth are suitable for keyboards. If they are still not useful enough, then turn 'em into ash and use them as fertilizer. We still have them camps, they're just empty for now. Maybe we should ground them down into cheap dogfood or something of the like (skin's always good for wallets and lampshades), better yet, put them all in a room (of bullet proff glass) with three knives and have a gladiatorial bout. The traumatized survivor gets a chance to return to his piece of turd country with the tales of horror.

(Heh, if there'd been a thousand Soviet Marines or GSIC commandos captured, New Caledonia would have fallen to them from inside out, and the Sinoese would have had a hell of a time transporting them without the same happening there.)

OOC: We can always chop off their hands and feet before putting 'em in cages in the ship. Having troops on meth and crack does not make you them tough.

(Heh, if there'd been a thousand Soviet Marines or GSIC commandos captured, New Caledonia would have fallen to them from inside out, and the Sinoese would have had a hell of a time transporting them without the same happening there.)

OOC: We can always chop off their hands and feet before putting 'em in cages in the ship. Troops on meth and crack aren't exactly considered tough.

OOC: Torture isn't exactly condoned in China, but our approach is psychological rather than physical. Our physical methods of punishment are usually stress positions and whippings.

May I add that dangerous criminals are executed, or had limbs chopped off before prisoners are 'loaded' into ships. The Chinese of course will have to be sure of the criminals' crimes before killing anyone.

OOC: Well, this is all an utterly absurd tangent, not least because a maximum of thirteen Sovietists have been captured/rescued by all parties, and because what-the-fork-are-you-damaged-loons-raving-about?...

Still, for future reference, if a thousand Soviet Marines lay down their arms and surrender to the crew of a Chinese or other ship, then the Chinese or such others attempt to treat the first of them in an inhumane manner, the thousand Marines will promptly kill all Chinese or such others who appear to be going along with it, and string their severed heads from rigging and mooring ropes. I mean, that's the sum of it. I don't understand all this rambling about, ooh, what I'd do to people who intimidate me if I were a big man with magic powers.

-----

Commonwealth vessels continue on to the conflict zone to carry out investigation into the attack on Chinese shipping, but the affair is an ever declining sideshow in Beth Gellert. Some comrades stop to mention that this piracy is exactly the sort of thing the Soviets were trying to prevent, but hey, some reactionaries don't know a good turn from threat to their personal power.

Ship yards, ports, and slips are more concerned with turning out new corvettes and patrol submarines, and with readying similar vessels for transfer to the United African Republic. Comrades are more interested in hearing about Africa's latest adventuring and in keeping up to date on the progress of the Commonwealth's two newest states in the north east: things are progressing well, and tens of millions of people are seeing perhaps the greatest, fastest, and most uniform improvement in living standards known to human record.
While some pine for dead comrades left in the South Pacific -there has still been little interest in their physical remains- most are able to see the decline of death rates for the millions in West Bengal and Jharkhand as a far greater thing, where most of the world might ignore it for the lack of big explosions and flashing lights of a war's few hundred dead.

Roycelandians have been returned to Vanuatu, and France's government has been given no attention by the Soviet Commune or the Council of the Communards.

((Kind of kryptic way to end that post, BG...))

After a delightful visit, His Most Christian Majesty Louis XX says 'Farewell' to his valiant and loyal colony, jetting off to China.

After a conference there with the Emporer, their Majesties will make a visit to the Kingdom of Algeria, before departing to Spain and thence to Versailles: for the major, major, major Grand Fete.

Meanwhile the Armada, its task completed, set sail back to France, with a scheduled stop at Ft. St. Louis in Al-Ahzad. It will, however, leave a tangible garrison.

Three full divisions of Gardes Francais will be staying behind to man a vastly expanded and more defensible Ft. St. Martin. From the Armada 4 Brest Class Frigates, 2 Marseilles Class Light Cruisers and the Cherbourg Class Super Battleship Strasbourg will remain behind, forming the newly commissioned "Pacific Fleet" of the Royal Navy. The Nantes Class Submarines RN82 and RN12 will join the Pacific Fleet as well.

His Majesty Louis XX decreed a vast works program to commence in New Caledonia, its location now revealed as incredibly important. A wave of around 17,000 colonists was expected from France before too long, their job to improve the colonial infrastructure in Noumea and set about making the Island a busting commercial hub.

May I add that dangerous criminals are executed, or had limbs chopped off before prisoners are 'loaded' into ships. The Chinese of course will have to be sure of the criminals' crimes before killing anyone.

Are the plans of their race largely for the destruction of ours, not a crime great enough for execution?

OOC: They can be drugged and tranquilized during transportation. If they bite, their teeth are suitable for keyboards. If they are still not useful enough, then turn 'em into ash and use them as fertilizer. We still have them camps, they're just empty for now. Maybe we should ground them down into cheap dogfood or something of the like (skin's always good for wallets and lampshades), better yet, put them all in a room (of bullet proff glass) with three knives and have a gladiatorial bout. The traumatized survivor gets a chance to return to his piece of turd country with the tales of horror.
OOC: Sino, mind if I use that in my sig?

OOC: Sino, mind if I use that in my sig?

OOC: No. Unless you quote that it was from me.

OOC: No. Unless you quote that it was from me.
What, you don't want me to give you credit for it? It was brilliant and hilarious...

What, you don't want me to give you credit for it? It was brilliant and hilarious...

What's so funny about it?

I must politely ask that you please stop this one-sentence OCC nonsense that seems to populate every thread that Sino sets foot in! Stop it! If you have something meaningful to say, say it, and if you don't, hold your tongue!

Honestly, you go on and on and on. "oh, blah blah blah commies blah blah kill them blah blah blah evil Indians blah blah." It makes me mad! If you have something relevant to say, besides your run of the mill stabs at anyone with a different political ideology than you, please, by all means, say it! But as The African Commonwealth has mentioned, we have an entire auxiliary forum where this kind of stuff is acceptable.

OOC: Hey, I was simply asking Sino if I could quote him. The line he wrote was so over-the-top and violent that it was frankly hilarious.

Roycelandia, meanwhile, has returned the Soviet soldier-sailors, all of whom have been well-treated, fed, and given medical attention should they require it.

Whilst no attempt has been made to "Re-Educate" them, it should be fairly obvious to even the most die-hard Soviets that the Roycelandians aren't nearly as nasty as popular Igovian media and viewpoints would have them...

NOTE: The last of the refugees and foreign military casualties have been safely dropped off at East Islandian Refugee centers.

Roycelandians returned were likewise well treated, though they spent only a short length of time aboard Igovian ships. At worst they may be hungover and in need of several large glasses of water. Certainly they'd have been exposed to a political climate that empowered the men and women who cooked their meals and the soldier-sailors manning the defences and had them discussing things that would actually come to pass.

Actually, Roycelandians were viewed as pretty decent people who just happened to be a bit lazy. They closest they'd get to re-education before being flown home was some ribbing from Sovietists who thought they should get up off their sick beds and tell the emperor to stick his government somewhere, then the world would be a better place.

OOC>>

Armandian Cheese / Sino>> Nonetheless, LRR is right, and I must repeat what I wrote(as African Commonwealth). We have a political OOC subforum on the invisionfree forums. The link is right here:
http://s9.invisionfree.com/NS_Modern_World/index.php? and we can jump in the thick of it right now if you like.

It clutters up perfectly good threads, and I'm sick and tired of it. We can make a socialism vs. the word thread right away, and if we stick to it when we feel like debating, the AMW threads would be ten times nicer to read(as in, "No seriously annoying and braindead OOC interruptions nice" rather than "unsuitably PC nice"). We can do whatever we like here, but PLEASE do it IC and keep your OOC stabs and thrusts on the Invisionfree board or some OOC thread in the general forum. Deal?