NationStates Jolt Archive

Operation Ligthfoot


Arkhangelsk, Cotland

http://www.theforsakenoutlaw.com/Graphics/Nation-States/Earth%20II/russia.jpg
Map of Russia (Earth II)

"Komi and Nenetsia..."

General Peter Branson looked over the map of Russia again.

"Komi and Nenetsia... here we come..."

Then he turned and picked up the phone to the seven Divisions, two Combat Engineer Regiments, one Medical Regiment and three Air Defense Groups that made up the Cottish 4th Army standing by.

"Move in."

It was all that it took for the three (4th, 7th and 11th) Armoured Divisions, four (26th, 27th, 46th and 59th) Infantry Divisions, 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, 7th Medical Regiment and three (4th, 11th and 18th) Air Defense Groups, totalling more than 152 700 fighting men and 400 000 logistics personell, to start moving across the border to the former territories of Gintonpar, a nation which had crumbled into anarchy, in Russia. They would be supported by massive naval and air forces.

The 4th Army had once been stationed in Defense District East (Khamati-Mansai), but after the area had been ceeded to Pushka, they had been left standing without a propper place to patrol. That was about to change now, since the territories of Komi and Nenetsia would be under Cottish control soon, and they needed somewhere to be stationed. That, combined with the massive natural resources in Komi and Nenetsia and teh fact that Cotland had controlled the areas in the past during the first and second Age of Empire, had sparked the invasion.

Resistance was expected to be light, since the massive armories that Gintonpar had maintained was still under lock and keep as far as satellite imagery could tell. Just in case, the Air Force would send SR-71s and UAVs over the areas to check them. Right now though, they would liberate the border towns. Orders were for the soldiers to treat the locals as Cottish citizens, since they were to become Cottish citizens.

General Branson was about to board a C-17A Globemaster III that would take him and a handful of other officers and a company of soldiers to Syktyvkar, the local capital of Komi, and convince the local government that joining the Cottish Empire was in their best interest. After all, it did enjoy one of the best economies and positions in the world.

http://www.national-army-museum.ac.uk/images/moderntank1.jpg
Cottish Challenger 2E tank from 11th Armoured Division advancing on Syktyvkar.

The Cottish forces continued their advance on Syktyvkar, moving quickly across the rugged steppes that defined Komi. There were few locals there, and the many tanks and IFVs were free to advance freely. Within 5 hours, they were within visual range of Syktyvkar. The tanks rolled into position, ready to move in and take the city by force if it was required.

http://www.army-technology.com/projects/challenger2/images/chal11.jpg
Cottish Challenger 2E tank from 7th Armoured Division in position.

AH-64s were also in the air, providing both intelligence and air support for the tanks, IFVs, artillery and infantry. If the locals didn't want to join voluntarily, the Cots would take them by force.

Syktyvkar Int'l Airport
The C-17A Globemaster III landed in Syktyvkar airport just a few minutes past nine in the morning. A police force met with the Cottish delegation, which consisted of General Branson, two colonels, a captain from the navy, a few other officers, and sixty-four (2 platoons) heavily armed soldiers.

The lead Komian to greet the Cottish delegation was Konstantin Lusjenko, a member of the local ruling council. General Branson, dressed in his BDUs walked down and saluted the councillor before shaking his hand. The Komians were extremely polite and friendly, something that comes automatically when you have 3 Cottish armoured divisions standing outside your doorstep. Within moments, the delegation, with the exception of one of the platoons that were left behind to guard the C-17, was on its way to the government building for the negotiations.

http://www.foto-julius.at/rus/rus49+.jpg
The government building in Syktyvkar

Government building
The Cottish delegation, with the exception of the platoon of soldiers, entered the building and was greeted by Nikolai Rutusjakolov, the leader of the ruling council. He was a stressed man, having to try to organize a defense against the combat-trained Cottish soldiers and trying to keep the population safe.

"Welcome to Syktyvkar. I'm..."

"Nikolai Rutusjakolov, leader of the local communist party and dictator of the Komi province. We know everything there is to know about you sir, including your special habits. Let's cut to the chase. I'm offering you this only once. Surrender Komi and Nenetsia to my command and we will say nothing more of your torture and violent reign. Refuse, and face severe military reprecussions that you know that we are well capable of handing out. It's your choise."

General Branson was a battle-hardned veteran, and knew exactly how to deal with the wannabe dictator. He didn't even have a military. Just an oppressive police-force. Rutusjakolov on the other hand was more scared then he had ever been before. He had planned to keep the Cots entertained and get them drunk enough to agree to any terms he had. This didn't turn out the way he had planned. So, he did the only thing he could. He nodded in agreement to the Cottish demands.

"Good. I will expect you to clear your office within the hour. Go."

Rutusjakolov hessitated.

"Go, while you are still able to!"

Branson disliked the dictator, and was operating on strickt orders from the Emperor that he wasn't to be harmed if he agreed to surrendering Komi and Nenetsia. That didn't mean that he couldn't have a small "accident" when his use was over.


2 hours later, National television
The face of the dictator came on the tv screen across Komi and Nenetsia. It was closely watched, because the dictator Rutusjakolov had threathened to kill anyone who didn't listen to his announcements.

"My beloved people. Earlier today, I struck a deal with General Branson of the Imperial Cottish Army. Komi and Nenetsia is to fall in under the Cottish Empire and become full Cottish provinces, complete with its currency, trade relations, defense and judicial system. In return, I am allowed to avoid trial for crimes committed under my rule. I expect each and every citizen to obey the Cottish demands, and not cause them any problems. God be with us all."

He then rose and walked away. At the same time, the image shifted to show a elderly man in a green uniform with several rows of awards and three silver stars on the collars. The flags in the background were the Cottish flag, and the flag of the Cottish Army.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I am General Peter Branson of the Imperial Cottish Army. As you were told just a few moments ago, the provinces of Komi and Nenetsia is now officially under Cottish rule. You might ask youselves what that means to you. Well, let me explain.

You will now be members of one of the mightiest nations on Earth, with one of the strongest economies and best standards of living. Gone are the days when you risk getting shot for not wearing the proper color on your jacket or disliking the government. You will have more money to use, and more things to use them on. We will bring you new and more well-payed jobs. Your children will be given a much better education, and the general healthcare will improve vastly. All we ask is that you don't break our laws, which may be strickt, but also keeps crime down on a level where it's virtually non-existant. The Cottish military will accept any citizen who wish to join, without any consideration to your ethnic or political background.

All this will be implemented shortly, but first we have to secure the provinces. As a result, a state of martial law will be in effect untill further notice. I ask that you don't try to stop the Cottish soldiers in any way, since they then will have no choise but to take action to ensure their own safety. We are here for you. I will speak with you again shortly, and I hope to have more good news for you then. Good night, and God be with you all."

The image then shifted to the Cottish crest before it went returned to the normal broadcasts.