NationStates Jolt Archive

“…Craving attention is their middle name. They claim to be the pinnacle of the purest form of democracy, while they pass all kinds of goofy laws endangering basic human rights and freedoms.” The speaker of the government, standing high above the masses of the city somewhere in Nord Neuland, the German part of Guffingford began to hiss in anger. They didn’t have to be named, everyone knew who he was talking about.

“…So my fellow countrymen, what do you say? Do they deserve to live? Of course not! They deserve to die like the cowardly dogs they are, worshipping a half-god leader, a wolf in sheep’s clothes. Enlist today my good citizens! True citizens never disobey!” Unemployed men and women from the countryside where the economic recession hit hardest stood in a long queue spanning several blocks of houses and office buildings. Hundreds and hundreds of sad figures, crawling from their grotty little homes in hopes of finding a decent pay and adventure in the army. Words like ‘lotsa loot abroad’ and ‘lotsa pussy abroad’ also go about, but nobody dares to speak them loud and clear.

“Good day. Please write down name, phone number and SOFI here.” The guard, a tall man with yellow teeth and dandruff on his shoulders requested name, phone number and SOFI (SocialFiscal number; the general ID code of a single citizen) number to be penciled down on a crumpled piece of paper, so old the edges crumble in your hands. Twenty-four hours a day the enlistment went on. “Good day. Please write down name, phone number and SOFI here.” An endless repetition with a certain irony, soulless workers, fired or addicted to Ol’ Booze (most of the times both) were to be trained to a fearsome core of warriors, fierce and fearless. Hope it what drives them. Hope to earn some cash, sometimes honor and glory. Some lads wanted to be away from their nagging family and annoying children. In the army, there’s a chance of survival.

Truth Media

“A good evening to Guffingford! Territory of all things free and liberal. Tonight we have a spectacular broadcast for you in store, so lay down your remote control, changing channels is pointless…” An excited voice, borderlining on hysteria, spoke in a customary rapid manner everybody knows. That’s Truth Media ©, the state media corporation. Nobody really cares about it. But ultra-nationalist factions love it, and if they betray someone who might be in touch with resistance groups, or perhaps even member it’s good news for the STASI, the Guffingfordian Staats Siecherheit.

“…So, what are we going to do today? It is a great day to have some fun. But alas, serious matters come first. Before the sweet, there’s the sour. Another wise lesson we all have to learn. The easy comes after the hard. As you are all aware, racially aware citizens of a ethnic clean nation, we hold morals like freedom of speech, freedom of press dear but some nations – naming them is unnecessary – tend to think otherwise. Yes, we are all so very pleased with the lives we live this day. Harken friends! They are jealous because of all our freedoms, they are jealous because we have an economy fully backed by gold. They can’t buy it, so they start a slander campaign to demonize our fair government. We do not have to prove them wrong. We all know our government never lies to us…” Again the ratings for ‘Truth Media’ have reached an all time low. Only a few neo-nazi gangs, right wing Christians, neo conservative bands of old and bald folks and more racist hotheads watch this cancer of the multimedia domain in the world. But a handful of people are enough to change the general mood of the silent crowd of workers, loyal to the state but lacking a strong sense patriotism. Support comes in many different shapes and sizes. People who enlist are the first to catch the flu called ‘patriotism’.

Spreading rumors, telling half-true stories about cruelties, wild guesses about all sorts of things. The kind of thing people tell each other when out of subjects to talk about. With an annual sunshine of 360 days a year on average, talking about the weather becomes a bit dull. Such stories fan the flames of hatred against the unnamed enemy, and spread like a rash.

Guffingford was firmly held in the grasp of upcoming conflict. Though the situation with Stevid was due to be resolved in the coming weeks diplomatically, this conflict can only be solved through the suffering of many, blood and cold steel. Even though hardly any (sane) person watched Truth Media, people began to show a frightening sense of national identity, old flags of the nazi regime were taken from trunks on attics, cellars and other dark places where things like these should be forgotten.

Forgotten, but not lost. Lost things such as a national identity, patriotism are burned away and is extremely hard to let the population regain the amazing ability to die for a country. A forgotten sense of patriotism, is easy to regain. Such is the case with Guffingfordian citizens. Good things never end many people said, reverting back to the heydays of the national socialist regime, the might and awe. Many won battles, wars won by superior technology, numbers and an unmatched awareness of superiority of the Germanic race, ‘Guffingford Über Alles’. The normal, quite dull music was replaced by military marching songs, patriotic chanting children. The Bee Gees were replaced by the old national anthem of the German 2nd Reich, old Dutch patriotic poems, Rolling Stones by instrumental songs dominated by a deafening drum roll and the sound of thousands of marching boots. Old speeches by the almost ancient Reichsführer of Guffingford were ripped from all the audio-visual archives, replayed until people dream about them.

Patriotism was shoved down you throat, and a very unpleasant feeling hung around in the cities from dusk till dawn. The rain in the south, in the valleys surrounding Saint Denis’, contrary to the unlimited sunshine in the north did not make any difference whatsoever. The nation was preparing for war, infinite war it seems. Arms producing companies were nationalized again, the State Gold Value was upped again to provide the consuming companies with a stronger currency to purchase more oil, propane, zinc, copper, steel… You name it, they bought. Not that it was all needed, mind, it was hoarding.

In the meantime the army was also being mobilized, and the enlisting continued. In the vast open plains, through the rolling lush green hills of Grünenbergh, the high mountains near the Zarbian border of Bloupaarl soldiers were training for the upcoming conflict.

An open international broadcast

Seeing president Christopher Watermont on national television is never a good thing, since the guy rarely shows any interest in the national affairs. Exceptions are always made, in the advent of war, a radical new approach to diplomacy, alliances and other news affecting the nation on the highest level. Not even in the lowest degree he shows any interest or passion, he reads and that’s all. Anyway, this is what he said.

“My citizens. Worrying events are unfolding as we speak. As you are all aware of, large scale mobilizations are taking place. We all know, as one unified nation who we are going to face. This is not a surprise for us, since we were about to face them at an earlier moment but several events have prevented this, to our regret. Now, we are going to deal with the very same situation in a different manner. No more diplomacy, silly treaties or half measures. Today, things will go a different way. Guffingford is abandoning the path where we show patience and compassion. Today is the day we walk the path of direct action, proactive measures and decisiveness.
I have ordered our special status colonies of Socrota, Oman and Eritrea to start the same mobilization as taking place here in Guffingford.
That will be all, good night and God bless.”

Declaration of war

The declaration was due to be broadcasted any moment now! It was only a matter of minutes, perhaps seconds. Anxiously the masses awaited in pubs, watching the television screens in awe. Defense Minister Ynsson was going to make the statement, because president Watermont was too busy touring around the nation to fuel the fire even more. The appearance of the president in person always adds a good dose to the all-around ‘patriotic’ mood of everyone.

The sound of trumpets, a long drum roll announced the coming of the minister, he stepped onto the stage with energetic movements, and he did not wait until the turmoil of voices and clicking photo camera’s ceased, as he began to speak immediately.
“Citizens of the free sphere Imperial Armies, rejoice! Today we are going to finish something we should have finished years ago. The destruction of üntermenschen, not loyal to God and His Son, torturous and murderous. Hiding in their castles built on the bones of many enslaved workers they bought from their wicked allies. I am talking about the lawless bunch known as ViZion, and their vomit inducing, leeching allies Jarridia, and all associated lackeys. Barbarians, a bunch of bloody savages without the slightest grasp of knowledge about human rights, civil liberties and economic insight. They have troubled the world long enough, and it is out duty to save the world…” Behind Ynsson a truly massive, at least 20 meters wide and 10 meters in height, a screen appeared when the floodlight shone upon it. On there the old national socialist motto appeared from the darkness. “…Our president shall deliver the declaration of war to ViZion as soon as possible. Pray for our soldiers, curse the heathens and smite the enemy.”

TO SAVE THE WORLD FROM INTELLECTUAL AND MORAL DECAY

Imperial Presidential Decree

From: President Christopher Watermont, The Territory of Guffingford
Subject: Declaration of war

::Today, on October the 11th, in the year of Our Lord 2005 I hereby declare a state of war between the nation known as ViZion, treacherous and a menace to world peace. Terrorist in nature, abuser of human rights::

In hatred, President Watermont.

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/guffingford.jpg

*****

The anti-nuclear weapons systems all over IA began to put into action, as well as the blacksteel super computer, recently fully upgraded. On the holdings in Africa, the island of Socotra the fortifications built many years ago were manned again and the guns are all loaded, ready to be fired. The naval forces, which pulled back months ago when the peace talks started, began to move again towards the Suez canal. When approaching Eritrea, a second blockade is going to be initiated, but this time the ships all not bend nor move to international pressure. Gribraltar is firmly under British control by Bob-Bob, so blocking the passage there will be a matter of bribes or goodwill.

OOC: is this in any of the NS earths? if not, and if its open, count me in as a counter-blockade naval force.

//OOC: ~TAG~, I will enjoy reading this, The old Guff. is back 'eh?
-Edit: Eek! Sorry! *Hides*.//

Krakk, IN

"With the recent announcement of the state of war between Guffingford and ViZion, the Foreign Relations Minister of the Military Junta of Intelligent Neighbors has decided to issue a press statement. The transcript reads as follows."

"While the announcement of war between these two nations and the certain victory of Guffingford is cause for celebration, regretably, due to the current situation in Intelligent Neighbors it will not be possible to back our noble allies in their fight for good. I can therefore state that the Military Junta of Intelligent Neighbors will in no way be taking part in the war that is sure to come, but will be monitoring the progress of the glorious Guffingfordian army as it marches across the lands of the treacherous scum called ViZion."


Marcus Brandt switches off the television, and sighs heavily. If it was not for the internal struggle taking place in Intelligent Neighbors, his own glorious forces could be marching across the lands of the enemy, plundering and looting whatever they could lay their hands on. As soon as the situation is resolved, he promised himself. Soon.

OOC: This is the final OOC post, want to make more? Make a seperate thread ok? And no, this is the NS earth. Not II, III, History or WW2 earth. This is NationStates. Bob-Bob has played post-WW1 British Empire (colonies included) from when he started playing, I'm my own country and if I want to, I play a country roughly equal to WW1 Germany (colonies included) + Benelux.

If you have an OOC question/comment and you really want people to read it, attach a good IC post to it. Not the one sentence crap if you know what I mean.

/LAST OOC POST HERE. I kid you not, I will request the deletion of all OOC posts. Don't agree? Don't play.

EDIT: I have no problems with tagging. That way I can make an estimate how many are involved, and eases playing. Carry on all, and I'm back! The NationStates forum is also damn fun, but what I'm going to do doesn't fit in there - well maybe it does but ViZion & co don't really go there, so I hopped over to the other side.

EDIT2: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9783831 OOC thread. Use it.

OOC: i only have 5 mins, so sorry if this is poor (;)) oh, and can you set up an ooc thread and then stop bitching.
IC: No_State_At_All, on hearing of this unprovoked attack on a soverign nation, decides that our own forces should be used to prevent yet another act of unjustified aggression on the part of a major foreign nation. A naval task force is quickly formed and sails for the suez canal to re-open access to and from it, by force if necessary.
(OOC: g2g now, sorry for tacky post, must get to lecture. *logs off*)

Dear Inept Head of State,

"So, you dare to declare support in favor of the enemy? That is not a wise move, and your open broadcast wasn't a smart one either. So, you are going to do something about our blockade. With what? A bathtub and a party popper? Nay, we won't pay attention to you, or your petty and immature attemps to stop our actions. The action does not stop here my man. We trust you stop this foolishness, we don't want to waste good material on your nonsense. I've wasted enough time on your doings, so I'll keep my final words short and sweet: don't throw yourself into the lion's den. For your own good."

Maximillian Kalba, Head of State
The Territory of Guffingford

SIC Transmission to Guffingfords Government

The Corporation has been on the receiving end of ViZion bully tactics, In this endeavour of yours the Corporation pledges its Full Support. We are Mobilising two Sardaukar Panzergrenadier Legions, and one Sturmpanzer Battalion of the Capitol Police.

Again we pledge full support and ensure that our presence in this war shall be unto the end.

The High Command

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/Dionysus777/RotoviaSeal.gif
INTERNATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Let neither fire nor water be the cause of your demise. Let neither neither war nor diplomacy be your undoing. Let not your feet falter on the path for which they walk. Let not those that strike with foolish anger stand against you, for so great is the might of truth, that none may challenge it and live.

In life from time to time we have the misfortune of sighting such foolishnes and from goodness we are called to act.

But form compassion I speak, from compassion I beg that Guffingford consider what they do. The path the tread and the line they draw.

[signed]
Mr Allan Farthing
Secretary to the Office
of the President of Rotovia

President Delain had been keeping up with the recent activity in Guffingford. He knew war had been seemed to magically been averted multiple times previously. However, after the most recent press releases, he knew there would be nothing but war now. Guffingford had just publically thrown out every rule in the Rule Book of Peaceful Solutions. He essentially made a mandate for war.

President Delain had nothing to do other that make this press release;

To the people of the truly free world. The nation of Guffingford has just declared war upon us! He claims ViZion and its allies and affiliated nations are the evil, blood-thirsty, peace-destroying nations when, they them selves, are salavating for blood and war. They have REFUSED to make peace, and they plan to march onto the soil of peace-loving nations such as ViZion, Jarridia, and so many others.

This threat must be destroyed before it is allowed to take charge. ViZion officially declares war upon the nation of Guffingford, however we do offer peace in the event there is a sane mind in the government of Guffingford.

We also are appauled at the blantant lies, and demand that you look into the mirror before calling the kettle black! We demand you stand down your threats, and come to peace talks.

Chancellor's Office, Hoogenbosch

"It seems all his allies are starting mobilizations. First things first, let's assess the situation."

"A capital idea Mr Heidelberg" A bright looking chap from Freestate Gloucterbury gathered the paperwork, which Heidelberg was going to study.

"Is that it?" He asked.

"Yes it is Mr Heidelberg." while he laid down five portfolios on the chancellors desk.

Crossman declared war, started mobilizing satellite feeds show, a vague loose association of heathens called Zackaroth, Aztec National League. Socialist scum. Logical thinking can only tell a think tank member they probably have a contraption of the same nature as Black Steel. It does not matter. No matter how fast it runs, no matter how well protected it is against EMPs, it can never match the potence of our super computer. No_State_At_All, strange name for a nation... They have declared war on us as well. Jarridia shall follow as well, that's not a difficult gamble to make.

And who's on our side? We can count on the aid of The British Empire Bob-Bob, McLeod03 shall surely aid, us of course, The Kraven Corporation. Heh, never thought a corporation would support Guffingford. War makes strange allies. Egypstan has been contacted and their initial response is positive towards us. A tight group of allies works a hundred times better than a dozen poorly trained allies.

So, what's the strategic analysis of Guffingford? Impossible to conquer from a tactical viewpoint. Of course, the enemy has a chance (minor if you please) to occupy parts of Guffingford, but a complete surrender can never take place. The nation is too large, the plains and deserts too vast, and regional members too numerous. If they want to reach Guffingford, they have to cross The Macabees, Riptide Monzarc, Safehaven2 or go all the way across the Inner Sea, which is heavily protected by floating fortresses, AA platforms and more nasty things. Not to mention the extremely well organised Guffingfordian naval forces.

ViZions main weakness is the Med. Can't go around it, if the two entrances are blocked, we have him paralyzed. Bob-Bob will take care of Gribraltar, while Guffingford will take care of the Suez. Thanks to Doomingsland, Guffingford holds a great deal of superior firepower. Tanks, artillery, shells combined with the Guffingfordian armour it will be all over soon for them. Guffingford has long awaited making war, and we have grown in power.

http://www.meldrum.co.uk/mhp/news/images/bbc_news24_ident.jpg

*Music Plays*

“Welcome to BBC News 24 I am Trevor McDonald. On tonight’s programme.”

*Drum Beat*

“Germany declares war on ViZion. Monarchy orders armed forces to close the straits of Gibraltar, Parliament capitulates with his Majesty.”

*Drum Beat*

“NHS scandal, waiting lists grow once more. Government has no answers.”

*Drum Beat*

“And the ticking time bomb that is the pensions crisis, can we support our ageing population. A new report says no.”

“But first, open war. For the third time this century, conflict engulfs Europe. Yesterday evening the German Chancellor Christopher Watermont issued a public statement to the world detailing his cause-beli against the state of ViZion. The chancellor accused the nation of terrorism, human rights abuses and an offset to world peace, but, do these accusations have any real merit. The Government says no, but the monarchy says yes.

So, what implications does this have for the British Empire?

*A screen appears behind Trevor detailing the nations territorial holdings.*

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b8/British_Empire_1921.png/800px-British_Empire_1921.png

“This evening the BBC has obtained reports of military movements in India, Australia and Egypt, as well as some minor deployments throughout the Midle East. We have also received sketchy reports that Canadian forces are being organised for reserve, however the most obvious indication of military mobilisation is fleet deployments from His Majesties shipyards. Reporting on this rare spectacle is Mathew Simmons, who is currently Clydeside in Glasgow.”

“Good evening Trevor.”

“Mathew. Rumours have been spreading about the nation for little over a day now, are you able to shed any light on the situation?”
“Well Trevor in response to His Majesties order for the Straits to be sealed, the Clydeside docks which are usually full of anchored warships, aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines have slowly been emptying over the past twenty four hours.”

*Camera pans along a series of empty docks*

“As you can see, at a time of year when most ships would be dockside, the picture is rather dry and bleak, with only a few warships remaining.”

“Mathew, has the Royal navy hinted at the reason for this deployment?”

“Right now the Navy isn’t saying much, except that this is part of a fore planned naval exercise, however we can pretty much assume that the ships are heading to strategic locations in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. I have Trevor, heard some whispers that the Navy doesn’t really intend to do much, apart from keeping British shipping secured, so I guess all we can do is wait and see for the outcome.”

“Thank you Matthew. Now in response to the German declaration, His Majesty has ordered that the Straits of Gibraltar be sealed to any possible enemy force, which may endanger Imperial assets of any sort. Earlier today the BBC requested an interview from the palace regarding the current situation, the Palace declined, however it did release this statement.”

http://people.smu.edu/ckline/UK_Royal_Coat_of_Arms.png
Statement Issued on behalf of His Imperial Majesty George IV.

Yesterday evening his Imperial Majesty ordered the closing of the straits of Gibraltar in response to the German declaration of war. This action is mandatory regarding the Triplicate pact of which the British Empire is a signatory. The King-Emperor however wishes to issue a public declaration of his regret and sympathy that Europe has once again descended into chaos and open conflict, however, his Majesty is determined that the Imperial role in this conflict will not reach such a scale seen in world war one.

His Imperial Majesty is confident that he has the support of his government, people and subjects around the realm.

Mavil Whetherly,
Royal Vizier.
Imperial Palace.


OOC: Can't log in with Bob-Bob right now, so I will have to post with US in the mean time.

ViZion has begun ordering all ViZionarian civilians to prepare for war, and as such, have begun opening the underground bunkers as well as the weapon posts.

While many ViZionarians continue to work, there is a clear change of mood throughout the nation with the war looming above like a thunderstorm looms above the Midwest.

ViZionarians do not wish for war, upon they know war is not always stoppable, and as such, they are ready for it. They know ViZion will once again march proudly through the streets of their enemies, as well as a celebratory parade through the streets of ViZion. The question is when.

[OOC: Repost from the other thread.]

Over Imperial Armies

The sixteen SR-71s swooped over Guffingford at around Mach 4, their massive ramjet engines permitting the speed of Hermes, with the grace of Aphrodite. Nonetheless, in these modern times they were somewhat obsolete, although their beauty stil permitted many nations to still employ a hefty airfleet of these antiquated reconnaissance aircraft. The Imperial sattelites arching above, some following the Earth's orbit, others in a geosynchrous orbit, however, found it easy to pinpoint them, as ramjet engines were never effecient in the amount of fuel expended, and in such a cold area in the atmosphere, in the amount of heat released. It would be a turkey shoot.

The Golden Throne was in the midst of a War of Golden Succession, as it had begun to be called, fighting the armies of Malatose, Haven and two rebel groups, as a consequence, it was incredibly tight on the use of its airspace, and sixteen military aircraft flying over it was not a welcome sight, especially considering that they didn't know who those aircraft belonged to. It had seemed that ViZion had not considered the politics and wars of the region when designing its military strategy.

Marie Coronach hugged her daughter tightly, as the latter pulled away, trying to make it to her small private elementry schoo in Sidi Rezegh. The city was green, although right outside its eastern gates the vast Matamoscas Desert expanded into the provence of Sarcanza, and into the vast flatlands of northern Zarbia. Marie Coronach never liked to leave her child alone, but some things were just necessary, so she let go of her grasp as her little girl began to walk into the front gates of the school.

Suddenly, seemingly from the military airbase just outside the huge city, a gigantic swoosh covered the skies, and Marie looked up, only to see several lines of thick black smoke, and the fire of a rocket booster as it moved into the clouds. Indeed, thirty missiles had been fired at the first warning of the high velocity reconnaissance aircraft moving over the Empire's airspace, and she had heard the aftershock of them going mach, and proceeding to Mach 3 within twenty seconds. The missiles were the new Praetorians, fire from Praetorian II batteries that were located all over, and with their own scramjet engine, with their rocket boosters, they could outmanuever and outrun those SR-71s, hitting Mach 5 in the high atmosphere and by now chasing on the tails of those SR-71s. The aircraft would be engaged as they passed over Macabea, the old capital of the Empire, before Jonach I had moved it to Dienstad some five years ago.

Again, the Empire failed to know that they were ViZionary, and deemed them Havenite or Zarbia, both enemies of the Empire, giving them open grounds to engage them; and when they engaged, they did so effectively.

The New White House, J City
Central Independent Hitmen


President Anderson was awoken by the shrill ringing of his bedside phone. A grunt was all he gave to signal that the person on the other end should talk. The President's wife opened one eye, saw her husband pick the phone up and heard his grunt, and turned back over to get some precious more sleep. The President meanwhile became fully awake as the voice on the other end spoke.

"Sir, this is Major Davis in Signals. We have just intercepted information from numerous sources that we have a war about to start involving Guffingford and Vizion"

"Great. Wake everybody up Major, have them come in ASAP. Tell the team I'll be down in ten."

The President swung his legs out of bed, cursing the time delays across the world, and padded his way slowly to the shower.


Ten minutes later he emerged fully awake and dressed in some casual clothes.

Closing the door behind him softly he kissed his wife on the forehead before heading out into the corridor. Several Secret Service Agents were in view, all looking his way as he emerged from the bedroom and went towards the lift. As per usual two followed him into the elevator for the ten second ride to the ground floor and the situation room beyond.


A video screen in the situation room showed the face of the Chairman of the Joint Cheifs, General Matthew Whitney, who was currently away at Fort Hammond as an inspecting officer. Present in the actual room was the Vice-President Simon Bull, the Head of the IHIA Jack Medows and the current Secretary of State Tom Adler.

President Anderson started the discussion.

"What's the situation Gentlemen?"

Secretary Adler answered first

"Mr President, approximately two hours ago Guffingford effectively declared war upon Vizion. Vizion has responded with diplomatic feelers, although they are clearly prepared for the fight. So far Bob-bob has openly supported Guffingford moves, although we must assume that more of the RWC cronies will follow. Under Section One of our alliance with Vizion we are obliged to help them if this does indeed go to military confrontation.

Chairman Whitney now began speaking.

"Sir the military is fully spun up and ready. Since the IN situation we have been on increased alert, although the expected invasion did not come only a few units have been decreased on alert. Naval forces are fully deployed, as are our air assets. Ground forces are mostly at their bases, with the exception of the force involved in Operation Exodus."

"Excellent General. Tom, what can we do about this situation? Diplomatically I mean."

"I very much doubt that Guffingford will be dissuaded from this course of action that they now seem to be so set on. I fear that any diplomacy may be wasted, however we should still attempt it. An increase in our alert status may show overt hostility to Guffingford."

"And those Facists need to be shown that we are serious otherwise they will just ignore any diplomatic approaches. Mr President the Secretary said that this is unlikely to solve anything, we need to increase our alert status so that we are prepared for if diplomacy fails. It will give us a chance to prepare. I would recommend that we bring X Corps in Vizion to a full war preparation state, same for the 329th Fighter that is stationed there as well. I don't want Guffingford to be able to clobber those guys because we were pussy-footing around."

The President never wanted to put IH servicemen and women's lives at risk unnecessarily, but here he was faced with a critical decision. If diplomacy could have averted a war and he did not try then many men and women from all countries would die un-necessarily, however if he didn't advance the alert status of IH armed forces they may be left vulnerable to a Guffingford first strike. So he made a compromise.

"General, advance the alert status of all of our forces quietly if possible. Tom, send a note to the Guffingford Government of our fears towards their aggressive behavious, and that the Hitmen are obliged to come to Vizion's aid if they are attacked. Send another note to Vizion informing them of our continued support in the face of this blatent aggression."

There were nods all around.


Fort Grewcock, USIH Army Base in Vizion
Home of X Corps

Within five minutes of recieving the advance in alert status the base was already changing. Most notably a pair of Bradley IFV's moved to the main gate and set up there blocking one of the lanes to get into the base. Inside the base itself the massive radar's that were normally left dormant started to come online. They gave a picture of the air for 200 miles in all directions, and were also crosslinked into the Vizion Home Defence Chain. The two forces had worked closely together during the NWO/RWC disputes, and this exercise had been practised many times during those when conflict had also appeared inevitable.

At the base's main runways F-15C Interceptors rolled off along with a pair of E-3I Sentry AWAC's aircraft to provide airbourne cover over the base to supplement the SAM batteries that were spaced within the perimeter.



At the same time as this, a formal note indicating IH reaction to the situation was deposited at the Guffingford Embassy in IH, whilst President Anderson placed a phone call to President Dalain informing him of Hitmen support should any conflict come.

Secret IC:

A Reichmarshal of the Corporation's Secret police was on-route to Guffingfords nation. His personal Vtol soared gently through the Skies, while he looked over routine documents detailing the mobilisation of the Corporate forces.

"Reichmarshal" Spoke the Capitol Police pilot, his voice cold and empty, altered by the Vocal enhancer of his gas mask and pilot helmet

"Yes, Pilot?"

"We are Nearing Guffingford territory, will radio ahead our arrival..."

"Very well THX 982, As you were..."


This is Vtol, Alpha five, five, eight.
We are two hours out of your Territory, request permission to enter, Vtol, Alpha, five, five, eight is currently Carrying delegates from the Kraven Secret Police and accompanying Guards. Please Respond.

The Vtol continued along its path, its twin ramjet engines powering it through the sky with speed, soon more will follow, bigger Vtols super carriers, brining the forces of the Corporation, ViZion will pay for its meddeling...

Secure radio transmission

This is Airsector 4 of the Guffingford Territory, we hear you loud and clear. You are cleared to land on airstrip 1, that is 1. Once you cross our aerial border you will be escorted by the ninth and thirteenth airwing, and you will be guided to airstrip 1 with the radio beacon GT 369. Please switch to that frequency, which will be sent to you by flash signalling.
*****

Socotra, Alpha Base

"So, Vannevar. I know you are going to do this properly. That means, in a way we like to see it." Captain 'Foulweather' Dafydd was recently promoted to commander of the Alpha Base, and damnation to who that doesn't know this.

"Of course." Vannevar replied in a strict and manly way.

"Very good. Very clever. You know, the blockade of the Suez and Gribraltar by the British Empire is a perfect tool to put some pressure on the whole situation. Since they did not mention us not being allowed to pass the Suez, we have to exploit their small 'mistake'. I presume it's a mistake."

"Yes sir. You have put me in command of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th strike force. A quite powerful new combat group. My thanks for that."

"Not a problem young man. ViZions African holdings aren't the problem. Not by a long shot. Aircraft transport is fun, but you can only transport men, some tanks. It takes time to get this stuff across. While a ship - taking longer - transports much, much more." The proudness of all this (obvious) knowledge came from Dafydd, others looked at him without being impressed, but Dafydd looked besides that. He felt proud, and all other opinions are irrelevant.

"Denying passage breaks them. Getting a foothold in the Med shouldn't prove too difficult. Independent Hitmen in Somalia might be problematic I reckon." Vannevar confirmed Dafydd's words, but added worries.

"Independent Hitmen a problem? Why's that? All of their equipment is old stuff from the United States. Our material is of the highest grade. Our melters are top notch, we have poured so much cash into Doomingsland's research departments and now it is paying off. Top of the line AA, AT, guns, everything. Standard armour schemes developed by us, adapted by them. Our metal injection technologies, never have our guns been more efficient. No more heating problems with the CIWS systems or ILMS. Try to beat that. Tomorrow [real life] we shall go forth through the Suez, wave to the British and sail towards victory."

To: Those it may concern
From: Secretary of State of the Pure Democracy of Jarridia

Re: Activity in and around the Suez Canal / Sinai Peninsula

The recent activity in the Mediterranean has shocked the Jarridian government and has caused a great amount of alarm for the Jarridians in the region. As it is my duty to protect all Jarridians in the world, I, along with the President and other key cabinet members, have decided to temporarily set the Suez Canal on lock down. No militaristic ship shall be allowed to pass through. At my personal discretion, I will mobilize the extent of the Jarridian Forces in the region to insure that our wishes are upheld.

It will be noted that the Guffingford fleet was able to make it though before the lockdown; however, no more forces will be allowed though, including reinforcements. This recent mass movement of forces into the Mediterranean, and within the Mediterranean has caused Jarridia concern and will be dealt with as of now. Let it be known that any ship attempting to breech the waters of Jarridian control will be fired upon without prejudice, and this goes for ViZionarian and Guffingfordian forces alike. We will make no qualms as of how to control the situation, and will take all precautions on keeping our lands sovereign and safe.

This action is in response to the current conditions, and more action may be necessary in the future. May both sides be aware that the Mediterranean is home to two of the largest bases of Jarridian forces, one being in Port Said. Any attempts to cause an issue with our normal business will be futile, and we will make no assumptions as to purpose and will engage in full war, including, but not limited to, the use of nuclear weapons. Do not test our resolve, and once again, this goes to both sides of this conflict.

All Jarridian Air Traffic in the region will remain intact, and nation wishing to disturb our peaceful transactions will be frowned upon by the entire WWA and international community.

The Suez Canal and its surrounding areas were entrusted to Jarridia by Egypt, and will take everything into consideration for its protection. This is the one and only message to be sent, and will be the only warning, those wishing to heed this warning will be pleased, while those wishing to wave it by shall be punished.

President Kasilyn Branam sends her condolenses to the peaceful nations that are currently in the middle of a growing conflict. She issues a statement of friendship to these nations in hopes of their help in protecting our center of trade and development.

Thank you

Signatory
Kimberley Shaffer
Secretary of State for Jarridia

Kasilyn Joan Branam
President of the Pure Democracy of Jarridia

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Commons Announcement.
Official Statement from Prime Minister Edward Howet.

The following is a statement released by number ten Downing Street, regarding the closure of the Suez canal.

“Today, the state of Jarradia, has begun the closure of the Suez canal, which directly hiders Imperial shipping and interests to our Asian colonies. The British Empire and her dominion will not accept such an aggressive stance, and hereby issues an ultimatum to the state of Jarradia, that unless the canal is opened to Imperial military and civilian vessels, military conflict will ensue over the matter.

The British forces, within Persia, Africa, and India have all been alerted to the situation, and unless the Suez canal remains strictly neutral towards Imperial holdings, I shall be forced to once again pull Egypt under British protection.

The situation at the Straits of Gibraltar is tenuous, and His Imperial Majesty King George the IV has instructed me to warn the nation of Jarridia, that its impartiality in this conflict and situation can be pulled into question. Unless, you immediately open the Suez to Imperial interests the British Empire will have no choice but to force the situation.

In regards to Jarradian air power, I would like to take this moment to alert Jarradia that Imperial air power is more widespread and out-sizes your arsenal. If you fire upon any German vessels or military forces of any other Imperial allied nation, the British Empire will be forced, by the Triplicate pact, to enter the war.”

Edward Howet
Prime Minister

TELEGRAM TO JARRIDIA

"Dear Mr President,

In regards to your nations current blockade of the Suez canal, I have been instructed to point out that you are directly harming British commercial and strategic circumstances, and as a result this can be taken as a direct prelude to pre-emptive attack.

His Majesty trusts that you understand the situation, militarily and financially, and has asked that I point out that with the closure of the Suez canal, for little over twenty four hours now, your state has cost the Empire over Twenty eight billion pounds in lost trade and expenditure increases. I, on behalf of His Majesty hereby pursue immediate financial compensation for your illegal closure of the canal, which, is technically Imperial property.

His Majesty, has also instructed me to utilise diplomacy first and foremost, as a last, final deterrent to conflict. And as such, the Empire is making an effort to insure impartiality and minimal casualties in this conflict.
As a publicly declared neutral ally of Guffingford the British Empire is exempt from any attack from German vessels and maintains good diplomatic ties with all nations concerned. For your state to maintain the blockade, will most assuredly only escalate the conflict resulting in greater life lost.

The Imperial Asian Fleet is currently on route to the Gulf of Aden, where, in support from land bases in Yemen and Somalia, we will maintain a blockade of the red sea therefore continuing the mass inspection of all civilian merchant vessels entering the Mediterranean.

At a close his Imperial Majesty requests that you withdraw your blockade of the Suez canal lest the conflict escalate."

Andrew Walters
Jarridian Ambassador.

The Celtayoshi Premier was only just settling down to work. Due to the time differences between Celtayoshi and Guffingford the declaration of war had managed to make the morning papers. The article had made the second page, and had already been red highlighted by the night intelligence staff. Furthermore, a sticky label indicated a high priority mail had come through from the Independent Hitmen Embassy. The Premier finished his paper and scanned through the early morning intelligence dossier. Having then read the IH letter he decided the matter was too pressing to wait until the weekly intelligence breifing, and summoned his Minister for Intelligence, and the Minister for the Armed Forces, as well as his Chief of Staff. The four men had been dubbed the 'Iron Men' of Celtayoshi by the national press, known for their secrecy and willingness to use force they had been instremental in Celtayoshi's involvement in the defeat of the Acre Union, and in Random Kingdom.
They discussed the matter for half an hour, before all agreeing it was in the best interests of Celtayoshi to assist her ally IH, and help in the defence of ViZion. However, they would do so quietly. Celtayoshi was 'below the radar,' Guffingford probably had only a minimal intelligence dossier on Celtayoshi. They would send military aid to Vizion when requested, but no get invovled in any retailiatory strikes against Guffingford unless it was in the best interests of the tactical and strategic situation. The message would be dispatched via the IH embassy as a hands only communication until a proper contact could be established witht he Vizion government. Celtayoshi's participation would remain a mystery until the last possible moment, all military build ups would be classed as immediate training exercises, whilst the homeland defence would be drastically scaled up due to 'specific and serious threats against the security of the state.'
Following the meeting of the Iron Men, at just before noon Celtayoshi time, a non-descript, civilian dressed man, walked into the IH Embassy and delivered three letters, with instructions to open only the first letter. This contained delivery instructions for the letter to President Anderson of IH, and the leadership of ViZion. The letters contain pledges of support by Celtayoshi to ViZion, and outlined the commitment to see the defence of ViZion upheld.

Guantanamo Naval Base, UCTCR
Fleet Admiral's Office

Fleet Admiral Manuel Callevera took the Cohiba Esplendido from his mouth as he tore the sheet of paper from the machine. The machine was a direct and secure link straight to Naval High Command. The eccentric admiral began scanning the orders. The cigar fell to the ground.

"My God, not again!"

Startled by his commander's outburst, his subordinate Admiral ran in the room.
"Comrade Fleet Admiral?!"

"Look at this!"

The Admiral grabbed the papers.

"Wow! When?"

"Just now, apparently."

"Your orders, comrade Fleet Admiral?"

"Release the Lower Atlantic Fleet to the Mediterranean. You will also have a convoy arrangement for ARGs 38-41."

"I understand, Comrade Fleet Admiral."

"Go, now."

The Admiral saluted smartly, turning on his heel and exiting at a brisk pace. The Fleet Admiral sat down at his desk, rubbing his wrinkled forehead and staring at the orders. He set them down a reached for his black phone, dialing the appropriate staff officers to begin the arrangement of convoys and fleets.

Somewhere Over The Atlantic
Aboard an AN-225P

Load Master Eusevio Cortez sat amongst hundreds of paratroopers. He saw every kind of weapon he could think of, and many, many more weapons surrounded him. But he wasn't in an armory. He was a part of the massive airlift operation to alleve military pressure put upon ViZion and Jarridia. He disengaged his harness and bounded up the ladder towards the cockpit. "Everything going alright?"

The copilot looked over his shoulder, "Yeah, yeah.... That damn pilot in plane 38 is crying to Control that his navigation went out."

The pilot laughed, "Yeah, like he'll have so much trouble following the rest of us."

Cortez gazed out the cockpit windows to see 30 aircraft ahead of them, lights on and looking like a giant Christmas tree.

"I see what you mean, 'mano," Cortez fished around for a pack of cigarettes, "This war is going to suck."

"Why do they always get their panties in a bunch?"

"Eh, hopefully they'll eventually just whip it out and see who's bigger."

"All I know," Eusevio said as he lit a cigarette, "Is that both of 'em have got small pricks."

"I wouldn't doubt it."

Public Announcement:
The UCTCR has decided that immediate action is necessary to rescue the Cuban Naval Fleet currently bound in the Mediterranean sea. No country has the right to close the exits of this sea to any international fleet. We will seek to rescue this fleet by any means necessary.


The United Cuban Territories of Communist Rule has declared:


DEFCON rating has been moved to "3"
-All Air Force bases on "ready" status.
-All Naval stations on "standby" status.
-Coastal Defenses fully manned.

Emergency Peacetime Call in effect.
-Active Duty personnel on Leave are called to return to duty.
-Reservists begin activation routine-report to basic training.

Economic Sanctions in effect.
-Government Control of Broadcasting.
-Workforce shifted to government-mandated sectors.
-Farmers given additional aid.

Telegram to Communist Rule.

The British Empire has denied all access and entry into the Mediterranean sea, however, we have not prohibited exit, nor leaving.

If your nation does not demand war, then we would request that you evacuate your military vessels from an area of a globe where you hold no strategic interests.

The British Empire and sovereign state of Jarridia have recently come to an agreement regarding military and civilian access to the Meditaranean sea which will be disclosed shortly.

The British Empire is not preventing any nation from leaving the Mediterranean, however all access for any military vessel is currently being denied.

Upon his Majesties generous grace, merchant traffic is still being allowed, though subject to search and close scrutiny by appointed officials. If you object to this current policy by His Imperial Majesties government please contact the British foreign office to bein negotiations.

Mavil Whetherly,
Imperial Palace.

OOC: I am posting with unified sith instead of Bob-Bob, please everyone keep notice of that, as it affects my military standing considerably.

http://www.satrainingpartners.com/images/texas_flag.jpg
The Pure Democracy of Jarridia
Official Government Communique

To: Government of Bob-Bob
From: Secretary of State of the Pure Democracy of Jarridia

Re: Blockage of the Strait of Gibraltar

The Jarridian Government applauds your stance on closing the Strait in hopes of promoting the peace and security of the Mediterranean Sea. With your help, we can insure that this fragile environment is not harmed by these warring nations.

We are humbled to have opened diplomatic negotiations with you in this matter, and look forward to a continued peace between us. If you need any aid in this blockage, do not hesitate to ask.

Madam President, Kasilyn Joan Branam, sends her greetings to you and all the government staff, and once there is any resolve in this brewing situation, she invites you to join her in the palace for a more formal meeting.

Signatory

Kim Shaffer
Secretary of State

Telegram to Communist Rule.

Telegram to Bob-Bob.

The UCTCR maintains a fleet on station in the Mediterranean to supply the peoples of our allies an extra level of protection and assistance. The fleet will not leave the Mediterranean. We will resupply our ships as we please. The resupply convoy will enter through the straight of Gibraltar with minimal naval escort. We know there will be no trouble. Thank you.

OOC: For the record, every post of mine will call the fleet in the Med "distressed" for PR reasons. I know they can easily exit. I just won't acknowledge it.

"President Delain... It looks like Bob-Bob and Jarridia are working together to try and stop this war from ever causing a single death... They've begun blockading both ends of the Sea." said General Abarm.

"Great... well, maybe this war is not going to happen... I was sure we would be in the thick of it now... But things are changing for the better now... The tables are turning our way. Guffingford will not have the ability to strike us down.

"But, damn... first serious conflict we enter after I take office, and Jarridia's president... a WOMAN at that - has to come to aid us? Damn that thought! A woman!

"What do you think she would like in return? How about sending her 50 new pairs of shoes? How about a limitless credit card?" he asked the General, half joking, half serious.

"Well, sir, we should figure that out later. For now... we're still in a tight situation. But nations have begun rallying to our cause. People know Guffingford must be taken down." the General responded.

"Well... let us not strike yet. Let us offer them a chance for peace. If they wish to rage war on us, they will be destroyed. But we need to offer peace - keep a good PR face on for ViZion." Delain said.

[OOC: Repost from the other thread.]

Over Imperial Armies

The sixteen SR-71s swooped over Guffingford at around Mach 4, their massive ramjet engines permitting the speed of Hermes, with the grace of Aphrodite. Nonetheless, in these modern times they were somewhat obsolete, although their beauty stil permitted many nations to still employ a hefty airfleet of these antiquated reconnaissance aircraft. The Imperial sattelites arching above, some following the Earth's orbit, others in a geosynchrous orbit, however, found it easy to pinpoint them, as ramjet engines were never effecient in the amount of fuel expended, and in such a cold area in the atmosphere, in the amount of heat released. It would be a turkey shoot.

The Golden Throne was in the midst of a War of Golden Succession, as it had begun to be called, fighting the armies of Malatose, Haven and two rebel groups, as a consequence, it was incredibly tight on the use of its airspace, and sixteen military aircraft flying over it was not a welcome sight, especially considering that they didn't know who those aircraft belonged to. It had seemed that ViZion had not considered the politics and wars of the region when designing its military strategy.

Marie Coronach hugged her daughter tightly, as the latter pulled away, trying to make it to her small private elementry schoo in Sidi Rezegh. The city was green, although right outside its eastern gates the vast Matamoscas Desert expanded into the provence of Sarcanza, and into the vast flatlands of northern Zarbia. Marie Coronach never liked to leave her child alone, but some things were just necessary, so she let go of her grasp as her little girl began to walk into the front gates of the school.

Suddenly, seemingly from the military airbase just outside the huge city, a gigantic swoosh covered the skies, and Marie looked up, only to see several lines of thick black smoke, and the fire of a rocket booster as it moved into the clouds. Indeed, thirty missiles had been fired at the first warning of the high velocity reconnaissance aircraft moving over the Empire's airspace, and she had heard the aftershock of them going mach, and proceeding to Mach 3 within twenty seconds. The missiles were the new Praetorians, fire from Praetorian II batteries that were located all over, and with their own scramjet engine, with their rocket boosters, they could outmanuever and outrun those SR-71s, hitting Mach 5 in the high atmosphere and by now chasing on the tails of those SR-71s. The aircraft would be engaged as they passed over Macabea, the old capital of the Empire, before Jonach I had moved it to Dienstad some five years ago.

Again, the Empire failed to know that they were ViZionary, and deemed them Havenite or Zarbia, both enemies of the Empire, giving them open grounds to engage them; and when they engaged, they did so effectively.
(OOC: Sorry for the quick reply, dinner's on the table now, so gonna make this quick.. sry for its crappiness)
IC:
The sixteen SR-71's were finally struck down, exploding in what one could say was worthy of a spectacular fireworks display, albeit with far fewer colors. The sound of the explosions rippled across the countryside.

In ViZion, reports were coming in about lock-on's on the SR-71's, and within seconds of the strike, reports were arriving about Macabian (?) airstrikes taking the jets down.

"President... our SR's have been downed." reported a General.

Imperial Announcement.

http://people.smu.edu/ckline/UK_Royal_Coat_of_Arms.png
Statement to the world on behalf of His Majesty King George the IV.

"Yesterday, me and my government, received damming and ridiculous demands from the state of Communist Rule. It has been demanded of me, and of my people that if we do not allow their naval forces to leave the Mediterranean, then they, will force the issue.

I have personally advised the state of Communist Rule that their military forces are free to leave the Mediterranean at any time. I have also offered them safe passage immediately, which will negate this current and pressing issue. However they are still adamant, that they will be escorting military ships through the straits Gibraltar.

Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, in naval forces and land forces. Despite going against International Opinion and legal law Communist Rule is continuing on this reckless rampage to war.

I hereby make a demand and a warning to this state. That if any military vessels attempt to break the blockade of the straits of Gibraltar, which is preventing Europe from once again descending into chaos, then we have no choice but to defend our honour, whatever the cost may be.

No military vessels will be allowed entry to the Mediterranean sea.”

Mavil Whetherly,
Imperial Palace.

Imperial Holdings – and detectable military readiness.

Air Bases Malta ~ Ready Status.
Air Bases Cyprus ~ Ready Status.
Air Bases Palestine ~ Ready Status.
Gulf Island Air Bases ~ Ready Status.
Canadian Air Bases ~ Ready Status.
Ireland Air Bases ~ Ready Status.
Mainland Britain Air Bases ~Ready Status.

Central Atlantic Fleet ~ Moving towards Straits of Gibraltar.
Home Fleet ~Moving towards Straits of Gibraltar
Mediterranean Fleet ~ Moving towards Communist forces currently within the sea.
Canadian Reserve Fleet 1 ~ Currently moving towards Gulf of Mexico.
Canadian Atlantic Fleet ~ Descending to the Gulf of Mexico.
South Atlantic Naval squadron ~ On route to Gulf of Mexico.

Straits of Gibraltar ~ Imperial floating fortresses being deployed for air assistance.

OOC: Is it a good idea to attack an ally of Guffingford, when both are fully mobilised, and the Guffingford fleet is currently sitting in the Atlantic. Is it wise, to attack a nation which has overwhelming air and naval superiority in a given area? And is it wise to attack a nation that can make retaliatory strikes upon your home territory at within relative ease?

Once again posting with Unified Sith, as Bob-Bob won’t work.

"Ready?" Vannevar was both excited and quite nervous, to say the least. The mission is indeed a very dangerous one, but not impossible. The task at hand is as follows: enter the Suez region, and destroy the Jarridian presence. Packed with the potent sledgehammer missile, fit for ship-to-surface combat it should be done very quick.

"Aye captain!" One of his weapon system operations replied, worried and nervous but also very excited about the coming battle.

"HOLD THE ENGINES! STOP EVERYTHING! New orders have came in! After the British Empire has held secret diplomatic meetings with the Jarridian command, word has came out of the press room Guffingfordian vessels are allowed to pass freely!" Vannevar screamed this through the inter-fleet intercom, "Jarridian forces unprepared for major conflict, too slow to react."

Everyone's jaw dropped, fell on the ground. Unbelievable, all action sent to the dustbin! Amazing, we can enter the Mediterranean without trouble, ViZion is in serious trouble. Of course, rumours about the true reason were quick to find. A five front war, starvation, destruction, collapse. Yes, that would be a direct result of stubborn politics, denying us passage.

*****

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/guffingford.jpg

Hoogenbosch, Guffingford - Kaiser Wilhelms Land

News from the diplomatic breakthrough reached the capital of Kaiser Wilhelms Land quick, but did not came as an absolute surprise to many. Kaiser Wilhelms Land was recently remade and the islands of New Guinea and Samoa were turned into German colonies again, property of the old 'Neu-Guinea Company' being brought back to life by sly businessmen, financed by DeVerran Management Inc.

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Even though most of the news comes from Guffingford in the pacific, the European main nation still lives. The cities of Berlin, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Danzig and Brussels are important trade centers, vital for the survival of the German Reich. Even though voices are being raised again in Guffingford of letting the German Monarchy, Kaiser Wilhelm III to be the monarch of Guffingford again, he rules there with wisdom and benevolence. The British in particular weren't happy at all with the new Imperial monarchy, but since both nations got along just fine, the nations trusted each other. Banking and real estate corporations sprung up in the capitals of both cities, in Guffingford backed by the massively solid mining enterprises, led by the Territorial Mining Corporation. In Britain, its extensive colonial holdings backed their economic system.

The war wasn't raging, but it was sure ViZion was going to spread some lies about Guffingford being destroyed, easy and without much blood. Withing fire range, Guffingford is going to level them. Simple, but the nation going to be destroyed has a different name. Destruction was inevitable. So far things went well, Jarridia kneeled in front of the British, made concessions and even allows us to enter the Mediterranean Sea freely. Things are going okay, and that is a fact nobody can deny.

The New White House Press Room

The Press Secretary stepped down from the podium at the same moment that the small door to the left side of the room opened.

President Anderson bounded in with his usual athletic way but without the beaming smile that usually accompanied his half skip onto the podium. He turned towards the cameras and laid his briefing papers out infront of him on the podium in a loose arrangement.

Clearing his throat slightly the President began his statement.

" It has come to the attention of the United States of Independent Hitmen that there are several nations currently engaged in actions that could threaten the stability of our great nation and her allies. I speak, as many of you will already know, of the growing tension in Europe."

"Once again we face a situation where the nation of Guffingford is attempting to create conflict between themselves and one of our long standing allies, in this case the peace loving people of ViZion."

"Also we face a situation where the British Empire is blockading the Straights of Gibraltar and whilst we realise that this is a move designed to maintain the peace in the region we feel that the legitimacy is questionable. It is our understanding that this blockade is not allowing any ships through, no matter what their cargo or country of origin."

"On that we cannot agree."

"We emplore the British Empire to allow all civilian vessels from all nations through the Gibraltar Straights in order to maintain world stability and free trade."

"We also urge the nation of Jarridia to re-open the Suez Canal to ALL civilian and neutral ships for the very same reasons, to preserve international peace and trade. We question again the legality, in the worlds eyes if not the International Law sense, of only allowing access to limited numbers of Guffingford and British Empire Forces."

"On those requests the Independent Hitmen will not deviate. That shall be our policy and we shall attempt through all diplomatic means at our disposal to have our requests met."


"With regards to ViZion, we are committed to the defence of that nation under Section Two of our alliance treaty. We fully intend to honour that treaty if ViZion is attacked by ANY hostile power that they request our help in dealing with. As such I have placed orders for X Corps at Fort Grewcock in ViZion to go to an increased alert status, and I have also increased the alert status for the entire Independent Hitmen Fleet. The vessels of the East Africa Squadron have been ordered to leave their bases in Independent Hitmen controlled Somalia, and proceed to a location that I cannot divulge. They will NOT be entering any neutral or national waters for the foreseeable future."

"Ladies and Gentlemen thank you for listening."

The President rose and headed back to the Situation Room for further briefings.



Silvester Air Force Base, Independent Hitmen controlled Somalia

The Air Base was in a flurry of activity. First their had been a warning to increase the status of the Naval Patrol Aircraft stationed there, and these had mostly all flown off towards the Red Sea or the Indian Ocean to standard patrols. Then had come orders to refuel fighters that were heading to them from the homeland. Airbourne radars had detected them three hours ago, the beginning of a long chain of aircraft that would be heading North in the coming days.

For the most part the aircraft were F-15CI Interceptors of the 242nd Fighter Wing out of Thompson Air Force Base just north of J City. The pilots took the oppurtunity to visit the toilet and strech their legs whilst their aircraft were refueled and they collected in a tight knot in one of the smaller hangars as the relentless Somali sun beamed down on them.

Their next routing was currently unsure, and so they for the most part stripped out of their flying equipment and headed to get a meal or grab a few precious hours of sleep.

Even as they slept the F-15CI's of the 241st Fighter Wing began to take off from their bases outside Gillen and head North towards the IH protectorate to firm up its own defences. The Defence Department certainly felt that a war was coming, and if it wasn't the move would provide suitable training for all those involved.



Gillen Naval Base, Home of the Fleet.


The Isomer Class carrier IHS Independence slowly limped into harbour. She had taken a hit from a Hex-X missile during the Battle of Ohia Island and had spent the last week being towed back to the massive port facility by a pair of heavy cruisers.

Several tugs moved the huge ship towards one of the purpose built dry docks alongside Pier Four, the sailors onboard marvelling at the size of the hole in the side of the giant ship.

Already onboard were several men from the shipyards who had spent the last four days cataloguing everything that would be needed to get the ship back at a full operational state.

Occasionally one of them glanced out to sea and saw the shape of IHS Fearsome the mighty Periocles-II carrier that had guarded the wounded Independence once all of her own aircraft had gone to the Naval Air Station nearby.

She would soon depart, her sister ship Fearless was racing up the coast from PortHaven to join her, and together they would head North to reinforce the East Africa Squadron.

The Vtol craft swung low as it approached the territory of Guffingford, Many things had happened over the course of the Journey, but regardless the Corporation was still planning to press on its attack against ViZion...

"Reichmarshal, We are approacing the Border, Landing beacons have been detected"

"Understood, As you were"

"By your Command Reichmarshal"

One or two hours had passed as the Vtol approached its landing Vector, Ramjet engines altered the height of the craft as it lowered itself in preperation to land...

Its twin ramjets changed their vector and began to tilt towards the Ground, slowing the craft right down and bringing it onto the ground with a thump...

Its engines began to whine as they slowed down, the Door to the craft opened as a flight steps were placed against the craft by a Capitol Police guard, his GPMG slung upon the back pack...

With a click of metal against heel, the Reichmarshal stood at the exit of the Vtol, his long black trencoat a stark contrast to the gun metal grey of the craft...

He looked upon Guffingfords nation, he cared not for the trivial nature of this nations government, the Corporation was using Guffingford as a piggy back into ViZion lands...

"Form up two ranks" the reichmarshal spoke, as from the rear transport area of the Vtol, two rows of 3 Capitol Police troopers formed either side of the Reichmarshal, while he awaited the arrival of Guffingfords Officers....

Fort Celta Furor

Shortly after noon a day after the Emergency Meeting, Fort Celta Furor was a hive of activity. It was the stationing point for several divisios of men, as well as being the second largest Naval Port in its own right and holding considerable numbers of Air Force units, primarily assigned to the defence of Celtayoshi.
However, today all the activity was concerned with five divisions. Collectively they were known as the 'Hewlett Five,' in honour of the commander who had led them during the great colonial struggle. they had been victorious then, now, four hundred years later they would be fighting to stop the spread of an evil and vile nation, that considered itself so above everyone else that it felt able to do what it wished. The propaganda spreading rapidly through Celtayoshi was drawing people into anti-Guffingford protests nationwide. Still, the men and women of the 2nd, 11th, 21st, 22nd and 26th divisions would not face an easy task. Their future was not even certain, the government was working on trying to get Independent Hitmen to allow the 50,000 troops to remain on IH soil near ViZion until such a time as they were required for action.
Tied up along side the docks were the ships of the 14th Fleet, designed specificially for mass escort of troops its four carriers provide total aircover over the fleet, whilst surface ships sought to control the edges of this protective bubble, and underneath the waves, packs of submarines would hunt out any vessels that 'slipped' through. Right now they were just a bunch of tin cans bobbing gently on the waves at port, but in 24 hours they would form a grand escort armada, along with ten specially designed troop transport vessels.
Needing urgent permission to base troops in IH for the time being messages were relayed to the IH Government:

"With regards to your request for assistance in the situation in the Mediterranean Sea Celtayoshi has authorised the release of the 14th Fleet, and five divisions of Army troops. Urgent base to station troops is required, at least until hositilities begin, can you assist?

Celtayoshi High Command"

Guantanamo Naval Base, UCTCR

Fleet Admiral Manuel Callevera stood on the balcony of his office overlooking Guantanamo Bay. Assembled in the harbor were over 120 surface ships. To an untrained eye they were forming a congo line that zig-zagged for a half nautical mile out to sea. Callevera knew better. They were following the track system designed to allow UCTCR ships through their vast minefields. The Fleet Admiral's face glowed orange in the dawn mist as he struck a match and held it to the end of his cigar. He wondered what the hell the Politburo was getting at. The Lower Atlantic Fleet was being recalled from their assignment, submarines were leaving their berths and taking to sea just about every hour, and he was told to order extensive air operations to the east. He threw the match over the balcony and turned to face the sound of approaching footsteps. Ah, his Rear Admiral with the daily report.

"Comrade Fleet Admiral!" The man of 30 or so saluted smartly, "Daily Intel has arrived. Would you like it read to you?"

"Per usual, Ricardo."

"Well, comrade, the Mediterranean Fleet maintains its position. Satellite and HUMINT reports a Bob-Bobian fleet steaming towards their location. The Admiral feels his men can hold their fire until ordered, but fears several accidents from close encounters."

"He is a good man. He was a classmate at the Academy. Go on.."

"ARGs 38-41 along with Escort Fleet 26 has completed their turn and is heading towards the location requested by the ViZionian emissary. We have released all active duty submarine units and 20% of our reserves. The net is functioning and strengthening by the day."

"I have received a telex on Bob-Bobian movement towards our waters..."

"Yes, overflights suggest one large fleet with much support."

"We cannot allow them to choose the stakes of any battle," The Fleet Admiral said to his subordinate, "Have the Central Atlantic Fleet set on an intercept course. Keep our fleet 200 nautical miles away. I want surveilliance, not goading. Is that all?"

"Yes, comrade Fleet Admiral. I shall have the fleet alerted at once." He snapped another salute before exiting.

Undisclosed Airfield, Ottoman Territory

Eusevio Cortez swung down from the forward door of the An-225P. He covered his lighter from the swirling dust as he lit another cigarette. He'd expected to land somewhere akin to Greece. Instead he ended up in a desert. He caught up to the pilot as they headed towards the BOQ.

"Helluva stopover, hey?"

"Orders changed, damnit."

"Makes me wonder who's ordering these changes.."

"I hope its not one of us.."

The two crew members sauntered across the tarmac to a backdrop of 60 aircraft like theirs, stuffed with cargo and slowly being taxiied towards giant revetments....looks like they would be here for a bit.

Official Broadcast to Bob-Bobian Naval Forces in the Mediterranean:
Any act of aggression upon our Mediterranean Fleet will be replied to in kind. We remind all forces that the Fleet is in international waters and an attack is to be considered an act of war. That is all.

Message to the Communist Rule fleet;
"In hopes of keeping your nation from engaging in unnecessary warfare, we request that you not challenge their blockade. You will understand once you get orders from your higher officers on the full scope of the new plans.

OOC: meaning check your TG lol

Message to the Communist Rule fleet;
"In hopes of keeping your nation from engaging in unnecessary warfare, we request that you not challenge their blockade. You will understand once you get orders from your higher officers on the full scope of the new plans.

OOC: meaning check your TG lol

Reply to ViZionian HQ:

Previous message understood. Expect no problems.

OOC: Meaning the whole reason for my above post was BECAUSE of your telegram..

HMS Refraction, Flagship

Captain Vannevar stood - as always - on the bridge looking at the flash monitor and through the enforced windows, as the situation developed. Was this going to be a cold war, or a real conflict? Communist Rule was being a pain, but nothing the British Empire couldn't handle. So far the only real threat was ViZion, as all other declaration of war to the Territory of Guffingford were dismissed to the recycle bin. Except Xeraph's, which was going to enjoy a 'special treatment'.

So far Jarridia did some unexpected things, and, as a logical result, we have to take such things into account. If we attack them now, our whole operation is in serious jeapardy. No, attacking Jarridia is out of the question. But a sneak attack from their side is a problem we have to be realistic about: it is possible. Why would a stauch ally of ViZion abandon them all of a sudden? Unless they have a hidden agenda, which is on itself not an irrational thought. Though I have to admit, the straightforward Jarridians aren't the people who can think of all sorts of strange conspiracies. Regarding ViZion that is, how they think about Xeraph is all but blurred to the international political scene.

However, Jarridia doesn't expect an attack from our ships, which gives us a certain advantage. It doesn't take rocket science to figure out they have us by the balls - that's what they think. Cut off from resources and vital oil, food and ammunition coming in from Socotra and Eritrea, alone in the Mediterranean. I wouldn't place my bets on a long siege, more on a blitz, ship-to-surface, and I bet it's something the Jarridians are thinking of.

Xeraph will be dealt with, that's sure. ViZion will also learn the hard way. Eventually, but first a deal has to be secured with the British Empire. The treaty between them and Jarridia is a good start, but some small things are missing.

The Defence Department, J City

Celtayoshi's request was forwarded from the State Department to the Defence Department and was now being reviewed by a host of officers trying to find the best forward deployment area for the troops.

Eventually it was decided that it was probably best for them to head to Independent Hitmen controlled Somalia. There was the necessary infrastructure in place for the numbers of troops that they were to be sending, plus there were ample support facilities for the transports and other ships.

Somalia would also be closer to ViZion, and would allow troops to be moved more quickly up to the besieged nation once the Suez was re-opened, something that diplomats were working very hard to accomplish.

When the area for the deployment of Celtayoshi Forces was finalised the reply was sent to their Government. Whilst they stayed in Somalia the IH forces there would hold several joint exercises there that would build on the co-operation that the two forces had had since the Twist Civil War.

The top of this message is in a language never seen before and of which none can read possibly Novacom Caligraphs.

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/novacom.jpg
Novacom Foreign Office

ATTN: Guffingford Alliance, ViZion Alliance
Subject: Suez, Gibraltar Blockade

We herby respectfully request that Novacom trade vessels, be allowed through your respective blockades, and also express our wish to remain neutral as an alliance with either sides has certain factors that at present are not conducive to a stable alliance, any vessels from either side are welcome to dock at the Novacom Port Fortress Island Cities located at Lydastan and Divango safe from attack as has been tradition for over 7,000 years. This offer includes both military and civilian vessels.

Regards
Hugoro Sarestus
Foreign Minister

The Letter is signed in the same indecipherable Novan Caligraphs

OOC: Sorry about the long delay. Long and hard work, college and Nationstates just don’t get along. I’ll post more tomorrow during break between classes.

[S~E~C~R~E~T ~ T~R~A~N~S~M~I~S~S~I~O~N]
Level 5 SSL3 Encryption Code: *
/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\

To: The United Cuban Territories of Communist Rule
From: The United Socialist Republic of the Aztec National League

Our orbital satellites have been monitoring British fleet movements towards our shared Gulf. While it is currently unknown if the fleets are heading towards the Gulf, it should be considered a priority issue. I suggest we start making a plan of action in case these ships are

Currently, our entire navy is mobilized, mostly concentrated on the Gulf side of our lands. Most of our ground forces and all of our air force is ready for action as well.

-Dr. Darius Wellington, Foreign Affairs Minister
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The United Socialist Republic of the Aztec National League

/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\

SECRET IC:

Hoogenbosch, Capital city of Guffingford

"All set?" Was the main question asked by the fleet commanders, captains, commanders, army guys and politicians. The supply lines were ready and operational a hundred percent, the British Empire cooperates in return for a few fat oil and mining concessions, the port towns of Aqaba and Eilat have been declared a 'free city', to provide maximum comfort for the logistical machine ran by Guffingford. The rail system between the port cities in the Palestinian Territory, a British mandate zone, have given orders to cease all other transport and to open their docks for Guffingfordian supply vessels, when the need arises. Logistical Carrier Fleet #1, #2 and #3 dropped their anchor in the dark blue waters of the eastern Mediterranean, awaiting orders.

This carrier fleet has always been in the Mediterranean, before the conflicts with ViZion initiated, and since it's a non-war fleet (meant to keep the war engines going), diplomatic pressure to move it around fell on deaf ears. Back in the day when the German Empire was at war with the Soviet Union, it was moved to provide a stable seabase in the Black Sea, but since the Soviet Union went into decline, the fleet just laid there without being ordered to return home, or to the North Sea.

Jarridia thought they were smart by signing a treaty, but it was only to paralyze them. Bound to the treaty, and powerless to the ships going to the Gulf of Aqaba, they can only watch how their favorite ally is being attacked by a ruthless opponent, while not violating any treaty. Jarridia can do something, but then they face the strength of the British Empire, and the wrath which will strip them from their precious Egyptian colony. No, if they are wise they let ViZion to die in Italy and their African holdings. If they are stupid, they will leap to their certain doom. Losing your pride and honor isn't bad, but losing strategic positions in the world is.

The fleets who were allowed to pass through the Suez prior to the ratification of the British-Jarridian Treaty were ready, and fully loaded. Without logistical support they can last (estimated) a month or two. However, the naval command in Suid-Oos Amsterdam doesn't count on a two month blitz so the logistical support, through careful planning and tactical negotiations with the British - is going to be the decisive factor in this game.

Silently, at three hours before dawn the Celtayoshi Fleet left the security of port. As in keeping with tradition the command ship would launch one blue firework, to symbolise the wide ocean expanse over which they would travel, aboard the Serena, the ships captain and admiral stood out on deck, it was quiet, with only a skeleton crew out. For the journey out of Celtayoshi waters the Air Force would provide air cover.

"Well admiral, what do you think, shall this come to war?"

"Of that I do not doubt, diplomacy rarely works anymore, that is a sad fact."

"Indeed, then I suppose we shall do our best, give it our all."

"That is all one can do in these situations, Captain Fresnov, and live to tell the tales."

"The journey to Somalia, we will have to steer clear of any hostile vessels, the transports have too many men to risk anything."

"Ha, the infantry are sitting ducks, at least we can control our fate."

"And we shall serve the state well, now admiral, I must retire to my quarters, it is a cold night indeed."

"Until morning captain, sleep well, Go dknows we need it now."

The admiral stood out on deck a little bit longer, this would be his last tour of duty, before he went to a desk job, he hated that, although Naval Command had let him stay as long as they could. He was happy with the captain, a competant tactiction, Captain Fresnov was well on his way to become Admiral himself. His preformance here would be the final decider.

To: The United Cuban Territories of Communist Rule
From: The United Socialist Republic of the Aztec National League
-snip-

To: The United Socialist Republic of the Aztec National League
From: The United Cuban Territories of Communist Rule

Message Begins: Please check your secure telex. A message awaits you.:Message Ends.

The Vtol craft swung low as it approached the territory of Guffingford, Many things had happened over the course of the Journey, but regardless the Corporation was still planning to press on its attack against ViZion...

"Reichmarshal, We are approacing the Border, Landing beacons have been detected"

"Understood, As you were"

"By your Command Reichmarshal"

One or two hours had passed as the Vtol approached its landing Vector, Ramjet engines altered the height of the craft as it lowered itself in preperation to land...

Its twin ramjets changed their vector and began to tilt towards the Ground, slowing the craft right down and bringing it onto the ground with a thump...

Its engines began to whine as they slowed down, the Door to the craft opened as a flight steps were placed against the craft by a Capitol Police guard, his GPMG slung upon the back pack...

With a click of metal against heel, the Reichmarshal stood at the exit of the Vtol, his long black trencoat a stark contrast to the gun metal grey of the craft...

He looked upon Guffingfords nation, he cared not for the trivial nature of this nations government, the Corporation was using Guffingford as a piggy back into ViZion lands...

"Form up two ranks" the reichmarshal spoke, as from the rear transport area of the Vtol, two rows of 3 Capitol Police troopers formed either side of the Reichmarshal, while he awaited the arrival of Guffingfords Officers....

OOC: Repost, if you'd missed it

...This is the Cedarbrook Broadcasting System Evening News, Douglas Gold reporting ...

<large graphic of world on green screen background, divided by power blocks>

"The Mediterranean Crisis continued today with apparent activity in the vicinity of the Suez Canal. More on that later.

As tensions rise in the afflicted region their reflection was seen today throughout the nation. In the Senate, 12 opposition Conservative leaders called on President Steinberg to abandon the carefull neutrality stated in yesterday's letter to the Jarridian leader, and back action against Guffingford. Senate Minority Leader Goldman urged the President to stand by ViZion as a beacon of freedom and democracy, and to order all forces to high alert. He stopped short of asking for a declaration of war, but it was clear where his sentiments, and apparently those of much of the business community lie."

"But reaction in many sectors of West Cedarbrook hewed strongly to neutrality. Demonstrations by the Acrese Student Union at Oppenheimer University were particularly boisterous. Two students were injured when arguments broke out between the Union members and onlookers. In Lawrenceville and Edwardsville an all day closure of stores by Sikh owners was observed in favor of remaining out of the conflict."

"There was no further comment from the Steinberg administration today about diplomatic or military moves with regard to the conflict." ...

Imperial Statement to Independent Hitmen.

His Majesty would love nothing more than to allow mass civilian traffic into the Mediterranean sea, however with the current escalation in the conflict, and with the recent arrival of the Guffingford fleet we can no longer guarantee the survival and safety of any shipping apart from our own. Therefore, the Admiralty has decided that it is necessary to continue the blockade of all ships, civilian or commercial.

The Admiralty would like to stress, that in conjuncture with the Suez canal in lockdown and a continuing merchant traffic, there will be, without the continued closure of the Gibraltar Straits, mass backlogs of liners and civilian vessels which can only serve to endanger more human life unnecessarily.

However, in light of a recent Imperial/Jaidian treaty regarding civilian traffic through the Suez canal, the British Empire is proud to announce to the world that we can assist in the large civilian backlog of valuable goods. In a recent agreement struck with the Jaridian president Joan Branam, Imperial merchant vessels are now fully authorised to utilise the Suez canal in this time of crisis.

Being understanding to the worlds current needs, His Majesty is offering all spare Imperial merchant vessels for private hire for the time being, in order to assist in the lightning of economic strangulation for certain nations. In finality, His Majesty, can assist Independent Hitmen with it’s current export deficit, by renting out merchant vessels for use o n the Suez canal. The British foreign office, and His Majesty both regard this as an acceptable agreement and concession.

Mavil Whetherly
Royal Vizier

Presidential Palace; Shelbin, Jarridia

It was an amazingly beautiful evening in Shelbin, the sky was perfectly clear, the stars filled the sky, and a slightly cool breeze tickled the air of an otherwise, picturesque fall night. Kasilyn Branam, Jarridian President, stood on her office balcony, her hands gently touching the railing, her eyes gazing off over the moonlit grounds into the city center. The wind gently rustled her dark blonde hair, the moonlight twinkled on her deep blue eyes, and illuminated her skin, and thin body. Kim Shaffir, the Secretary of State, entered behind Kasilyn. Kim walked to the center of the room, in front of the large glass desk, and cleared her throat attempting to get Kasilyn's attention. Kasilyn didn't turn around, merely tilted her head to the side slightly, before letting out a much needed sigh.

Kimberley spoke up softly before sitting down in the chair behind her, "We do need an answer Kasi. It is of dire importance."

Kasi remained motionless, until finally saying, "Everything will work out just fine. There is no reason to fret Kimberley."

Kim looked kind of astounished but continued on her insistence on an answer, "How can you be so positive? One of our most important allies is on the verge of war with a disgusting and treacherous opponent, that we cannot trust as much as our Smithsillian neighbors. We cannot sit idly by, and you know that. They will not stop with ViZion and Xeraph...." she was suddenly cut off by Kasi's piercing eyes.

By this time, Kasilyn had turned around. "Do you think that I am so inept? Sure I am no Jarrod, but I still have a brain...." she took a few minutes to calm down, and then continued, "God is watching me, Jarrod is watching me. God will not let anything bad happen to the Jarridian people, nor will Jarrod. I am confident that we will contain our own, and immerge triumphant."

Kimberely seemed to be extremely unsure, but nodded at the president's certainty. Kasi moved towards the desk, her stride slow and graceful, as if she were a Queen. She reached the desk and placed her gentle hands on it, "As you know, Mr. Weaver was in here earlier, and we have several tactics to insure that Guffingford hostilities do not affect our shores. You know that I am not a warlike person, and I did not see eye to eye with Jarrod during his times of war and conflict. However, I have now seen that some nations are unresonable, and violent, and utterly deserve to be exterminated. To put this short, we will do what we have to do." Kasi ended her statement with a very confident nod.

Kim smiled, for the first time she saw Kasi take a very presidential role, and it filled her with pride.

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

Meanwhile, Port Said, Egypt; Jarridian Claims....

It has been decreed that the city of Port Said will be under temporary lockdown for nocturnal civilian activities. All citizens are asked to stay in their homes from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. This is in accordance with threats we have recieved, and all citizens should be prepared to evacuate to our Civilian Protection Center. WWA Security Forces are expected in the region very soon, and this temporary ban may be lifted at that time. Thank you.

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

Throughout the entire Mediterranean, Jarridian forces were brought to high alert. It had been conceivable that Guffingford or his warmongering allies would try a sneak attack on Jarridian holdings, and in order to protect the general public, all forces would be brought up to speed. From Portugal to Barcelona, Mediport, ViZion and the Sinai Peninsula, forces were brought to life and moved into defensive positions. If Guffingford thought to attack us, they would be destroyed.

In an effort to help our newly formed allies, Jarridian forces filled the Straight of Gibraltar. From Barcelona and Portugal, ships moved into the area to back-up the British Empire's stance on keeping Guffingford out of the Mediterranean. Any militaristic ship would be fired on at once, and Jarridia would not hesitate the use of tactical nuclear weapons for these naval battles.

The Jarridian government was well aware of the idiocy and assanine remarks of the Guffingford government, and therefore, would no longer be treated with full diplomatic respect.

Small bit of OOC...

The Pure Democracy of Jarridia
Received: 5 hours ago
Actually, I never said I wasn't going to RP. I just didn't care to talk to you at the time. As for the explanation part...yes...I deserve one. As a nation that you have openly threatened you owe me an explanation for any 'god modded' force movement. Unless you can provide a link that details your carrier group being in the Mediterranean, I'm am going to insist that you retract that statement. If not, I will insist that ViZion, myself, and other nations involved ignore you for god modding. The choice is yours.

Let's break this down. You (Guffingford) provide us (Jarridia and allies) with some evidence about things done months ago which I decide to use now, completely passing by the fact that I have to search through hundreds and hundreds of posts, because the Russian Forces vs Guffingford cold war like conflict lasted many weeks - perhaps even months - and I don't have an amazing memory to know where I posted what in what thread. Hell, I posted a lot back then. And you know Jarridia, what if I ask you for some proof about your Egyptian and Spanish claims. From what I know, United Elias controlled Suez long before you joined and Macabees owned Spain. Or how come ViZion hasn't RPed any fuel or food shortages? I accept your claims and other stuff, and I expect you do likewise to me. Replies go through telegram, any following OOC posts in this thread will be deleted.

Note: a logistical carrier group is nothing more than five small frigates and two logistical carriers. That's all, it's not a fully rigged battle group.

*****

Hoogenbosch

"So, the Jarridian idiots are expecting a sneak attack from our forces? How silly, how typical Jarridian. How expectable. They really think we are going to spend time and money on their forces? The WWA? What kind of alliance is that? World Wide Assholes?" Cabinet member Sid Capezza jumped out his chair, walked to the fireplace and threw some chunks of wood into the fiery red, the dancing flames.

"I don't understand why they think we might attempt a sneak attack. Who gave them that notion we are going to pull off a stunt like that? They have no brains, and no strategical insight. These two logistical groups, they are capable of supplying our battle groups?" Still standing near the fire, burning fierce, showing no sign of dying. He threw another piece of wood into the raging flames.

"Of course they are Mr. Capezza. We are lucky they have stayed there, it makes many things a lot easier. We have plenty of firepire to level their city of Port Said, but that makes things even worse. I suggest we do not engage any Jarridian targets until ViZion is no more. Provided they do not aid their ally."

"Yes, yes. Our Aasimar's should be ready if the need arises. We can target the whole landmass of Italy from where are currently positioned. The Toryu's can reach even further Mr. Capezza. The problem does not rest within our first strike capabilities, I am more worried about the defence of our vessels."

"Captain Vannevar knows how to deal with such situations. Money isn't a factor we have to take into account, nor are human casulties. Especially human casulties on the opposite side. If we are going to strike, we have no choice but to do it this week. We cannot afford any further delays, the logistical lines are prepared in Jordan, Palestinian Territories, Aqaba and Eilat are ready to handle our goods. The logistical groups 1 and 2 are docked near the Palestinian shores..."

His Imperial highness had just had a rather confusing conversation, with a Jarridian ambassador. It was regarding you know what, in you know where, and he did tell his Majesty, that they knew about the problem and would rather that it disappeared quickly to stop relations from souring. Now, this was a complete surprise to the King, what on Earth were those people talking about? Well, there was only one way to find out. Picking up the blue telephone on his desk, His Majesty decided that it was time to invite Sir Arnold round for an audience.

Two Hours Later

“Ahh Sir Arnold come in, come in.”

“Your Majesty.” He bowed. “How can I serve…..”

The King motioned for Arnold to actually take a seat. “Now, Arnold, tell me what is happening in the Middle East right now.”

“Not very much Your Majesty, nothing to be concerned about.” The permanent secretary aired.

“Yes, but there is something to be concerned about.” George narrowed his eyes. “And you know what, and you know where. I’ve just had a visit from a Jarridian ambassador and they’re not to happy about it.”

“About what Majesty?”

“About the Middle East, what’s happening there that I should be aware of?”

“Well, I really don’t know Majesty, it’s so hard to know what you should be aware of until you’ve asked me what you want to know about.”

“Yes, but I don’t know what I’ve to ask about, you’re supposed to tell me.”

“We try not to tell you anything Majesty.” Sir Arnold smiled. “Unless of course you should know about it, then we will have put it in your boxes.” George turned and looked at a pile of red boxes filled to the brim with foreign office reports and communications.

“So what I want to know should be in there Arnold?”

“Only, if you’re supposed to know about it Majesty.”

“But I’m supposed to know everything. I’m the King!”

“Indeed you are Majesty, and a very good one at that, but I must, with all forgiveness interrupt you, and interject a certain air of clarity upon the situation. Now not to be impertinent or rise above my station might I suggest Majesty, that, not to put too fine a point on it, that it is in fact impossible for you to be aware of the governments entirety regarding all matters of civil and foreign relations and administrative duties.”

“I disagree Arnold. I want to be aware of absolutely everything, starting from now.”

“Very well Majesty, would you like me to tell you everything now?” George nodded. Opening a folder in his arms Arnold cleared his throat. “Well. The Edinburgh offices have requested several new batches of type BB pencils. Two thousand new biro pens, Twelve pallets of A4 standardised paper……”

“I meant important things Arnold, important.”

“But Majesty, who decides what is important and what is not, which is why for over a hundred years the civil service has only told the monarch and politicians what they need to know on a need to know basis, it stops this question from ever arising.”

“Yes, but Arnold, what is going on in the middle East, or is there anything I should know that is going?”

“Majesty” Arnold smiled. “I’m sure you are confident in your lowly servants ability to carry out their daily occupations to the maximum productivity which is deserving of your service. Now, as I’m sure you will agree that the civil service would, if there is anything that you should know, or anything that you need to know let you know on a need to know basis. Now it is clear that at current you don’t know, what may or may not exist, and that if you don’t know I can only assume that you don’t need to know as you have not been told what you want to know. So, I can only ask of you to wait until you need to know what you want to know.”

“Wha?”

“If there is anything that you need to know regarding the Middle East Majesty, we’ll let you know.”

“Very well Arnold, thank you.” His Majesty said, rubbing his forehead. He really did despise the civil service……

To: President Kasilyn Joan Branam, Pure Democracy of Jarridia
From: President Louis Steinberg, Kramden of West Cedarbrook

Dear President Branam:

It is with a heavy heart that the People of West Cedarbrook view the events that are taking place in the Mediterrranean. Although far from our home in Kamchatka this is impacting our commerce. After consultation with our Naval and Intellegence services I have come to the conclusion that convoy operations must commence soon after any hostilities. We expect to limit these operations to the Northern Pacific due to resource constraints.

In the event of a more protracted conflict we could expect to extend the operations to protect our shipping in the Southern Pacific. I would expect to extend this also to Jarridian ports on the Indian Ocean.

It is the hope and prayer of the People of West Cedarbrook that the current problems be settled by peaceable means.

The attitude of the West Cedarbrook government is that Guffingford is clearly acting aggressively in these matters. Within the nation commercial and shipping interests, as voiced through the Conservative opposition, have demanded a show of force against Guffingford. We view such proposals as rash and uncalled for at this time. There is also strong feeling among the retired military and minority communities against military activity supportive of Celtayoshi. At this time the government will protect shipping interests and otherwise reamin neutral, in terms of military action.

We need to understand better the situation as it unfolds and wish to show support of your friendly nation. Toward this end I will dispatch a commission led by Senator Woodrow W. Hayes IV to Shelbin. I would appreciate it if he could meet with you to discuss these matters. Senator Hayes is an up and coming leader in the Libertarian majority and his experience in negotiations which have included Celtayoshi in the past will lend weight to any of his findings. I believe that West Cedarbrook could become a co-belligerent with Jarridia if necessary to protect our interests. But entry into any foreign war absent a land invasion of West Cedarbrook will require strong support of all our nation. Senator Hayes can be instrumental in raising such support if necessary.

Please welcome the Hayes Commission, which will arrive by West Cedarbrook Air Force transport. The transport will be guarded to the limit of Jarridian air space.

To: President Kasilyn Joan Branam, Pure Democracy of Jarridia
From: President Louis Steinberg, Kramden of West Cedarbrook

Dear President Branam:

It is with a heavy heart that the People of West Cedarbrook view the events that are taking place in the Mediterrranean. Although far from our home in Kamchatka this is impacting our commerce. After consultation with our Naval and Intellegence services I have come to the conclusion that convoy operations must commence soon after any hostilities. We expect to limit these operations to the Northern Pacific due to resource constraints.

In the event of a more protracted conflict we could expect to extend the operations to protect our shipping in the Southern Pacific. I would expect to extend this also to Jarridian ports on the Indian Ocean.

It is the hope and prayer of the People of West Cedarbrook that the current problems be settled by peaceable means.

The attitude of the West Cedarbrook government is that Guffingford is clearly acting aggressively in these matters. Within the nation commercial and shipping interests, as voiced through the Conservative opposition, have demanded a show of force against Guffingford. We view such proposals as rash and uncalled for at this time. There is also strong feeling among the retired military and minority communities against military activity supportive of Celtayoshi. At this time the government will protect shipping interests and otherwise reamin neutral, in terms of military action.

We need to understand better the situation as it unfolds and wish to show support of your friendly nation. Toward this end I will dispatch a commission led by Senator Woodrow W. Hayes IV to Shelbin. I would appreciate it if he could meet with you to discuss these matters. Senator Hayes is an up and coming leader in the Libertarian majority and his experience in negotiations which have included Celtayoshi in the past will lend weight to any of his findings. I believe that West Cedarbrook could become a co-belligerent with Jarridia if necessary to protect our interests. But entry into any foreign war absent a land invasion of West Cedarbrook will require strong support of all our nation. Senator Hayes can be instrumental in raising such support if necessary.

Please welcome the Hayes Commission, which will arrive by West Cedarbrook Air Force transport. The transport will be guarded to the limit of Jarridian air space.

To: President Louis Steinberg, Kramden of West Cedarbrook
From: Presidential Palace; Shelbin, Jarridia

We are pleased to see that there are nations out there that share the same diplomatic and militaristic views as us. We have stood for the protection and promotion of Peace for many years, and it is a tragic day when nations, such as Guffingford, dream to destroy that tranquility and perpetual balance for no reason other than personal conquest.

This crisis has gone far beyond a problem in the Middle East and the Mediterranean Sea, and has now affected international trade. Guffingford has sought, and is hellbent to destroy, everything that peaceful and prosperous nations have created and worked hard to achieve. It is without a doubt that Guffinford's allegations and threats are dastardly and horrific.

Let it be known that Jarridian Forces are doing all they can to insure continued tranquility and the protection of our own citizens and the interests of our fellow peaceful nations. We will do whatever it takes to see this crisis end without bloodshed, and we hope that more nations, such as West Cedarbrook, will stand up and display their disgust to the nation of Guffingford and its allies.

I humble accept your request to come to Shelbin and meet with me and my staff. This will help further the new peaceful relations between Jarridia and West Cedarbrook, and promote the ability for our two nations to coexist in this turbulent world. You are hereby granted clearance for an escort into Shelbin at your choosing. I certainly hope to your delegation soon. Thank you.

Kasilyn Joan Branam
President of the Pure Democracy of Jarridia

WWA Executive Directive #765.89

It will be confirmed that the nation of Guffingford has indeed sought to engage in military action against ViZion, and threaten our most esteemed member, Jarridia. It shall also be proclaimed that the Westwood Alliance shall mobilize an extent of Security Forces to the Mediterranean, and at the discretion of Jarridia, shall enter through the Suez Canal and into the Mediterranean.

WWA Security Forces will be enroute to the area for peaceful use, and to support Jarridia in protecting its claimed areas and offer domestic aid to ViZion if needed. WWASF will also be mobilized to the current blockade of the Strait of Gibraltar, as requested by Jarridia to uphold the agreement between the British Empire and Jarridia, and to further insure that Guffingford has extremely limited access to the Mediterranean.

The WWA hereby proclaims its stance for peace in the Mediterranean, and will display no militaristic actions against any of the belligerents unless they trespass against us. With that being said, any forces that try to penetrate the blockades at the Suez and Gibraltar, will be met with extreme hostilities and the WWA will stop at nothing of utter force destruction.

Full force mobilization is classified at the current time, and will only be released on a need to know basis, or upon arrival in the afflicted area. Thank you.

Seth Philips
Westwood Alliance President
Utcheer Representative to the WWA

... Message to Military Air Traffic Control, Shelbin, Jarridia ...
West Cedarbrook Air Force confirming convoy of Hayes Commission, 275 miles SSE of Jarridia Air Space. Commission transported in Air Force Extended Transport ET-80v, with escort of 15 YF23-IIb fighters. All planes bearing West Cedarbrook markings. Fighters will acknowledge Jarridian escort and return to base upon visual sighting.

Confirming commission members to meet with President of Jarrida:

Sen. Woodrow W. Hayes IV(Libertarian), Chief of Commission
Sen. Leonard Davis (Cons.)
Sen. Richard Drake (Libertarian)
Gen. Bruce Epstein, West Cedarbrook Defense Intellegence Organization
Gen. Randy Coe, West Cedarbrook Defense Intellegence Operation
Adm. Matthew Grano, West Cedarbrook Navy
Edward Foster, Department of External Affairs

Imperial Announcement.

In regards to the Jaridian/Imperial defence treaty, His Majesty King George the IV hereby enacts clause three of such treaty in regards to dual defence and responsibility for the security of the Suez canal.

The British Empire and the Jaridian high command have both maintained a policy of strict neutrality regarding the movement of military vessels from international waters to the Mediterranean ocean.

As such, the British Empire maintains that strict Neutrality must be upheld, and that if any WWA vessels attempt to breech the Suez canal, and or red sea, we will be forced to open fire.

His Majesty would like to stress the point that strict neutrality, does in fact mean neutrality and that neither side will be favoured over the other.

WWA alliance vessels will be fired upon if they attempt to join the blockade of Gibraltar by land based and sea based installations.

This move by the Admiralty is not an endeavour to sour relations between our respected nations and conglomerates. However to the contrary, it is merely a stance which will assist in maintaining the fragile peace and tension which is the Mediterranean security.

The British Empire understands that the state of ViZion is well respected and much loved within the international community, however, his Majesty is saddened by nations such as Utcheers apparent eagerness to delve into conflict.

The Empire extends a diplomatic arm to Utcheer in order to prevent any unfortunate circumstances of a military nature, however, until such an olive branch is accepted, the Imperial policy will remain the same.

Mavil Whetherly
Royal Vizier.

A civil meeting..

Sir Arnold was enjoying a rather relaxing day. The Foreign secretary was busy with his homework, the Prime Minister was on an oversees trip to India, and His Majesty was kept firmly locked up in the Palace. All in all everything was going rather well, and in finality all Arnold had to do was meet with Mavil Whetherly to discuss His majesty, who was starting to become a large hindrance to the services policies. The clock chimed four o’clock and on cue a knock hit the door and in entered Mavil Whetherly.

“Ahh Mavil, come on in, everything is well I assume?” Mavil took his seat and gave a slight nod.

“Yes, everything’s perfect.”

“Ahh good.” Sir Arnold nudged gently. “Now Mavil, has His Majesty been able to work his way through all of those red boxes yet?”

“No no, he gave up after the third, something about prospective employment issues for The West Falklands and future estimated Argentinean immigration. I believe he complained about it being over nine thousand pages long.”

“Only nine thousand?” Arnold looked shocked. “So I assume he is still unaware of our Middle Eastern situation?”

“It depends?”

“Depends?”

“Well, he is getting rather inquisitive, I do believe he even contacted the Foreign Secretary.”

“Ahh.” Arnold tutted. “The aristocracy are so naïve. Surely His Majesty understands that the foreign secretary is subject to public opinion, why would a politician want to be associated with the middle east? It could cost them the election”

“Or Marginal constituencies.” Mavil added.

“Yes, where would the government be without our guiding hand. Sometimes I do believe they don’t recognise us for the important work we do. Without the service, where would this country be?”

“Anarchy.”

“Disorder.”

“Barbarians at the gates Mavil”

“However we do need to sort out this Arab debacle. We both know that the press will find out about the situation sooner or later, and the governments current policy, doesn’t exactly match our needs…”

“Yes well, I do hate it when monarchs get a sudden bout of moral indignation, it always makes for poor decision making.”

“But it is popular with the masses.”

“Yes but what do normal people know about running a country Mavil.”

“Well, nothing Sir Arnold, but isn’t this supposed to be a democracy, after all, if it’s the decision they would like the government to make, well, why shouldn’t we?”

“Mavilllll, if we were to allow every popular decision to be made into policy, then Hitler would own Europe, everyone would be on benefits, and Ireland would be independent. It is a historical fact that every popular decision is a bad one. They either cost too much to implement, or cost too many lives to enforce, either way, we are here to stop people like the Prime Minister and His Majesty from making them.”

“But how can we stop His Majesty from ordering us to cease supplying the Germans.”

“It’s simple Mavil. We just need to make His Majesty aware that without the German contracts then unemployment will rise in the middle east. Our Northern factories will have to lay off staff, and most of all, we can leak to the press that His Majesty may be trying to undermine Parliament.”

“But none of that is true Sir Arnold.”

“This is politics Mavil, of course it’s not true!”

West Cedarbrook:

McAvery Air Force Base; Shelbin, Jarridia

Upon reception of the confirmation detailing the arrival of the West Cedarbrook Delegation, 10 Jarridian fighters took to the skies to meet the plane as it began approaching the Jarridian coastline. The sky was clear in Shelbin, and the approximate temperature was a cozy 75F degrees. The jets began their taxi to the runways, and within minutes were heading fullspeed towards the west coast. They cut deep through the still air over the countryside, gliding right over the Greater Attlicotten Mountains and into the vast, fruitful plains that gently slopped towards the ocean.

Their approach was rapid, and within an hour they were passing the massive coastal city of Westwood. Radar depicting the delegation's jet to be near, and they quickly patched through to further confirm the arrival.

"Attention Delegation Air Support, do you copy?"

"Can you confirm your location for easy transition?"

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

To: The British Empire
From: Jarridian Department of Foreign Affairs

Re: Clause 3; Neutrality

Although your concerns are duly noted, we must inform you that there is no mention of declared neutrality within Clause 3, or within any of the treaty signed by your government and of the Jarridian President. We understand your concerns and wish to assure you that the recent movement of WWA forces is not militaristic in nature. Utcheer has agreed to mobilize an extent of WWA Security Forces to insure the safety of the Jarridian territory and further strengthen our blockade against Mediterranean aggression.

This movement is in no way against either side, and will be viewed as a peaceful movement by Jarridia's standpoint. In further, I would like to remind the British Government that Jarridia has never declared a formal state of neutrality, and has taken upon itself to insure the protection of out own soveriegn lands to the utmost. As a supreme soveriegn nation, we will continue to withhold the right to declare a conflict at any time, although there are no plans, or course of action to speak of.

As a current friend of the pure democracy, we politely ask that you not try to impose any sort of sanction on Jarridian forces, or our sovereign territory. Thank you.

Eric Johnson
Secretary of Foreign Affairs

... message to Air Traffic Control, McAvery Air Force Base; Shelbin, Jarridia ...
"This is Tango niner Baker two two one, wing commander Ben-Zvi WCAF confirming message. We note approaching Jarridian escort and are approaching line of sight in three, two, one (pause). We have visual contact with squadron of 10, bright Jarridian star roundels.

We salute the escort, and prepare to peel back to base"

The lead West Cedarbrook banked in salute to the Jarridian squadron and turned 120 degrees, followed by the remaining WCAF fighters. The transport continued on under Jarridian escort.

Three Days Later…..

“Mavil!” George boomed from his study. “In.. Now..” Was all the monarch could stammer.

“What now?” Mavil sighed with his usual pompous swagger. Reluctantly downing his Administrative output and analysis report for the department of North Sea Cod Stocks the royal Vizier and joint head of civil service recruitment made a mental note to return to the eight thousand page document, which held some rather disturbing news. Mavil really didn’t know where to begin with the document, it held so much bad news, that well, he was astonished. First of all on page five hundred and sixty seven, paragraph four subsection C, Mavil had discovered that while Administrative staff had been going down, productivity had been going up! This….this could only be described and maintained as… one of the most heinous reports ever to be composed by His Majesties civil service. It was contrary to everything he believed in! How could productivity go up with less staff, it just didn’t make sense. More staff surely means more work. And more work means a larger department, and a larger department means a bigger budget, but here was… here was Edmond Richards according to page seven hundred and twenty eight. Saving MONEY! Mavil fumed silently. His Majesties service had not worked relentlessly for over a hundred years to have some upstart come in and suddenly decide to save money and make cut backs of all things! This was nonsense, utter nonsense!

Anyway, recriminations would have to wait, His Majesties beckoned call was in need of answering. Tying his jacket and straightening his tie Mavil composed himself for the monarch. Picking up several folders, The vizier walked into His Majesties study which was adjacent to his own. “Ahhh Majesty, you called?”

“Yes I called!” George boomed rather aggressively. “I have just found…Mavil, look… look at this!” George handed Mavil a report entitled Middle Eastern military appropriation and foreign facilitation.

“Ahh, very good, Majesty.” Mavil leafed through the document then paused for a moment. “You must forgive me Majesty, but what is the problem?”

“You know full well what the problem is Mavil. That is the problem.” George pointed.

“This?” Mavil asked rather sheepishly. “I don’t see a problem. Though I must admit it is rather short.”

“Short!” George stammered. “It took me two days to read the thing.”

“Two whole days of reading. You must be tired Majesty.”

“Well I am a litt…. Look, Mavil open the document, I want you to start reading. Go on.”

“Now Majesty?”

“Yes Mavil. Now!” Mavil opened the document and began at section one, reading vocally as his monarch had instructed.

“Section One, Paragraph One. With authorisation from The Trade and Industry secretary, in regards to Foreign contractor appointments and maintenance out with the mainland United Kingdom act 1986. This document hereby empowers the Palestinian/German trade relations committee with all responsibility in regards to foreign contracts and temporary establishment of necessary infrastructure for human support in the Mediterranean Sea. Paragraph One Section Two, This committee however does not hold said vested responsibility in regards to the Foreign contraction appropriated and maintenance out with the mainland United Kingdom act 1986, Paragraph eighty four subsection five C……”

“Yes yes, that’s enough Mavil.” George waved his arm.

“I’m somewhat in the dark Majesty, what is the problem?”

“That is the problem!” George pointed at the report again.

“Majesty, perhaps I can assist. Though I am your faithful servant and loyally fulfil my duty burdened upon me by me predecessor, I am somewhat unable to comment on official papers composed by my department, and other departments without first being aware of the substance of the matter in hand. Now if you would kindly elaborate the picture as to assist me in full comprehension, perhaps then I will be able to advise you upon the subject which you seem obviously vexed upon.”

George looked into space aimlessly. “ I am unaware of the documents wording Majesty” Mavil pointed to the report.

“Well, it’s rather simple Mavil. We are supplying the Germans in the Mediterranean.”

“Yes I know, but what seems to be the problem Majesty?”

“That is the problem! We’re supplying the Germans Mavil!”

“How is that a problem Majesty?”

“Well, it’s contradicting my entire foreign policy Mavil. If the press were to get wind of this there would be a riot. They would call my position into question, might even force a vote in parliament.”

“Ahhh, so it’s a problem for yourself Majesty?”

“No, it’s a problem for the Empire. The damage to the nations morale would be irreparable if this got out.”

Mavil narrowed his eyes.

“I want this to stop immediately Mavil. I want all the ports along the Mediterranean to cease supplying the German war machine.”
“My my, that would be such a courage’s decision Majesty. I must say, I respect and admire your bravery.”

“Wha… what’s so courage’s about it Mavil?” George paused.

“Well Majesty, lets say for moment that you do order the halt to German supplies. What would happen? We have factories in the North of Scotland, the Middle-East and several producers in India, busy popping out shells for Guffingfords little war, what would happen if it, suddenly stopped.”

George looked a little nervous.

“Unemployment Majesty. Factories would have to close. The number of people on benefits would go up. That in turn would force taxes to go higher. The Prime Minister Majesty, brokered this deal. What would he say to Parliament Majesty?”

“Well he would say that it was the moral choice.”

“No Majesty, he would say that its all your fault and he would begin measures to democratically remove your powers. He would blame you for absolutely everything that’s gone wrong in his term and you would be despised throughout the Empire. You would be blamed for comprehensive education, the millennium dome, and the inevitable course to war with Germany. The Prime Minister would force you off the throne before you could say Abdication!”

“Bu…bu…but Mavil, surely there’s something I can do. It’s just not acceptable, we’re supplying the Germans, while stopping them from waging war, it just doesn’t make sense.”

“But of course it does. Majesty….. surely…. you realise the position we’re in. Our Empire alone now has access to the Suez canal and the Straits of Gibraltar, we’ve managed in one foul swoop to monopolise world trade within a morally acceptable limit. Anyone wants to ship goods quickly from Asia to Europe, they have to use British companies, British ships, and pay British fees. It’s just like old times Majesty.”

“But lives will be lost if we keep supplying the Germans Mavil, and I just can’t have that on my conscience.”

“Yes, lives will be lost Majesty, but their not British lives, they’re Italian and German! If everything goes smoothly, the Germans will have lost their Navy, Vizion and Jarridia will be in flames, and we will be there ready to sell both sides more weapons and arms at ridiculously high prices. The Treasury is positively frothing over the profit potential!”

“Profit, what about the press! We have to do something before they get wind of this Mavil.”

“Which is why I implore you to do nothing Majesty. If the press get wind of this, you can blame the problem on the Prime Minister, he can blame it on you, then in turn you will both blame the civil service, and eventually the blame will be so smudged that nobody will be to blame and nothing will change. So we keep on blockading the Mediterranean, make a huge profit from the arms contracts, then eventually, everyone gets credit for lowering taxes!”

George looked up. “You know Mavil, I’ve been thinking on this Mediterranean issue, perhaps it’s better if I just, you know, leave it alone?”

“Yes, your Majesty.” Mavil smiled.

OOC: I'd like to know where ViZion is, after all, this war deals with him in the first place. This is a short post, just to let everyone know I am ready to attack whenever ViZion comes back to this. The whole happenings resolve around ViZion and me, and the blockade is just a side-effect I have nothing to do with.

PS: I uninstalled msn because I started to hate it. Don't try talking me back to using that piece of advertisement crap.

IC:
Hoogenbosch

Postponing the attack is pointless and costly, but it has to be done. The British and Jarridian bickering over their treaty is a waste of time, and both know they won't many any concessions. It's crystal clear the British just made this treaty to ensure their own superiority in these two important waterways, like the old British Empire. Still, it's hard to do. The British are oblivious to the fact they're only helping Guffingford, Jarridia wants his pathetic WWA allies to stand on the frontlines of this upcoming war, but the treaty prevents such actions. Let's just call it 'strict neutrality'. If the British were truly neutral, this war wasn't taking place at all.

OOC: Oh, and I think ViZion is really busy right now. He hasn't been on MSN in days. So, I don't know.

IC: (For West Cedarbrook)

Over Jarridian Land

By now the jets had transferred into escort mode and began leading the West Cedarbrook Delegation into the heart of Jarridia. They cut through the still fall air that had covered much of the nation in their straight route to the McAvery Air Force Base in Shelbin. The commander of the escort squadron attempted further radio contact with the delegation plane.

"Delegation, do you copy? Welcome to Jarridia, we are ready to begin our approach to Shelbin."

The flight formation was just immerging past the enormous mountain range that engulfed central Jarridia. Deep within the circular valley lay two very large cities, Shelbin and Tienson. The McAvery Base was just north of Shelbin, and the glistening city was just starting to be visible on the horizon.

Presidential Palace, Shelbin, Jarridia

Kasilyn was sitting behind the desk, the fall sun shining through the window, she shuffled through the stack of papers she had to finish before dinner time. It was getting rather late in the evening, and she still hadn't even made a dent in her paperwork.

"Is it just me, or does this stack just get bigger everytime I sign one document," she muttered with sigh.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and she looked up and said, [/i]"Yes, come in."[/i]

It was Kimberely Shaffir, looking a little stressed by everything that was going on, and seemed to be a little upset.

"Is everything alright Kim?" Kasilyn asked her in her usual sweet and polite voice, "You seem a little overwhelmed."

Kimberely let out a gentle sigh, and then sat in the chair in front of Kasilyn's desk, "The canal is getting exceedingly expensive to keep on this limited activity. We are having a lot of pressure on all sides to open it back up fully. Perhaps it is something we should consider, seeing that this conflict has indeed slowed to a hault." She paused for a few moments, waiting for a reaction, but Kasilyn sat listening ever more intently, "Also, we've been getting some reports...."

Kasilyn interrupted rather suddenly, "Reports? What kind of reports?"

"Well," Kimberley ansered, "Reports have come in that the British are harassing peaceful nations trying to get their general trade though, and that they have been increasing rude and arrogant to our citizens in Port Said. It seems that they have been trying to force nations into paying for passage, but we have no real proof of these actions, just some anonymous accusations and hearsay."

Kasilyn thought for a few minutes, and then looked at Kimberley, "Hmmmm...I have an idea. Suppose we open the canal up fully. Allowing anything and everything through. That way, the stupid and illegitimate British will have absolutely no reason to harass our friends and customers, nor will they have any reason to be in the city pestering our citizens. We must not let them forget who is the real governing body of the Suez and the Sinai."

"That is a most perfect idea, Ms. President," Kimberley said as she stood up and bowed slightly to the president, "I will draw up the papers immediately and have them internationally broadcast. Is there anything else?"

"No Kim, I think thats all. We just need to put those British back in their proper place," Kasilyn said with a very controlling tone.

Both of them had a small laugh out of that, and Kimberely bowed again and walked out of the room. Kasilyn quickly realized the pile of papers wasn't getting any smaller, so she pushed it back into the manila folder and into her file holder, and went off to the garden for some tea before dinner.

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

International Statement

From: The Pure Democracy of Jarridia

Department of Foreign Affairs



Re: Decision about future Suez Activity

It has been decided, by the Jarridian government, that the Suez has been on lockdown for far too long. We have noticed that there have been several instances of inability to pass without hassle under the current settings, and the canal will be opened to full capacity beginning at the time of this messages release. If there is any sort of problem with passing through the Suez Canal, please notify the nearest Jarridian Official. Any tampering with trade and or unbelligerent war vessles will be dealt with to the harshest penalties of international and Jarridian law.

In short, the Canal will be pronounced open until further notice, and no hassle of general shipping or ship movement will be tolerated. Thank you and happy trading.

Signatory

Kimberley Shaffir
Secretary of State, Jarridia

Overseen by: Kasilyn J. Branam

OOC: Oh, and I think ViZion is really busy right now. He hasn't been on MSN in days. So, I don't know.

IC: (For West Cedarbrook)

Over Jarridian Land

By now the jets had transferred into escort mode and began leading the West Cedarbrook Delegation into the heart of Jarridia. They cut through the still fall air that had covered much of the nation in their straight route to the McAvery Air Force Base in Shelbin. The commander of the escort squadron attempted further radio contact with the delegation plane.

"Delegation, do you copy? Welcome to Jarridia, we are ready to begin our approach to Shelbin."

The flight formation was just immerging past the enormous mountain range that engulfed central Jarridia. Deep within the circular valley lay two very large cities, Shelbin and Tienson. The McAvery Base was just north of Shelbin, and the glistening city was just starting to be visible on the horizon.

"Delegation, do you copy?" came across the radio from McAvery Base Air Traffic Control.

"We read you and are ready to begin descent following JAF lead. We're glad to be here" answered the communications officer of the big transport.

Far back in the cabin, Woody Hayes IV turned his weary eyes to Ed Foster. Hayes paused for a moment to review again the points of discussion with Celtayoshi regarding the Acre Occupation.

"Ed" he began, "Any further news from Wrycova about the backchannel talks with Celt? I think we can work out any military arrangements needed with Jarridia and the WWA. But there's no way Public Opinion is going to allow us to throw in with Celtayoshi in a shooting war. Not until Celtayoshi cleans up or clears Acre".

Ed Foster frowned a lawyerly frown and considered his words with the Senator. "You know every real Cedarbrookese holds the future of Acre close to their heart. In fact, it's going to be damn hard to call out against Guffingford aggression with the Celt knife at the throat of Acre. I have explicit and personal instructions from Ernie Klein himself that not one West Cedarbrook tank, or ship, or order of steel plate will move toward the allies absent an attack on our territory if Celtayoshi can't see fit to get it's boot off Acre's neck."

"You're damned right. No administration would survive such an action until there's some sign of freedom for poor Acre", Hayes frowned.

Ed continued. "That said, our talks are going forward. There's some progress but we're not there yet. External Affairs can see Celt air and naval bases remaining in Acre, but the boots on the ground and the cops on the beat have to be ours. And anything less will be practically inviting Guffingford to try to seize Acre."

"Keep 'em talking", Hayes answered. We'll cover military and intellegence with Jarridia first. But I am going to make an appeal for us to take the major role in Acre when I meet Branam".

IC: West Cedarbrook

Descent into Northern Shelbin

With the appropriate response from the delegation recieved, the formation radioed the tower at McAvery.

"We have confirmation from the delegation. Request permission to land."

"Roger that, you are cleared for landing on Runway 3. Welcome back."

The jets cut smoothly through the air. The glistening and beautiful city of Shelbin slid by them quickly as the landing gear started to potrude from the sleek crafts. The jets including the delegation began their permanent descent. Drop below the few clouds that were floating by, until the massiveness of downtown Shelbin was visible. The skyscrapers standing like statues in the near distance. They sailed over homes and expressways, schools and malls. Until finally the enormous city seemed to come to an end, and all that was left was a long strip of concrete. Within seconds the wheels touched down, and one after the other the jets and the delegation landed. After a brief taxi to the designated parking zone the pilots jumped out of their planes and Eric Johnson, the Jarridian Secretary of Foreign Affairs, was founding standing outside the delegations jet awaiting them to immerge.

He was wearing a black suit and a white shirt, part of his normal attire, and under his arm he had a black folder with the Jarridian seal embossed on the cover. He briefly opened it, and glanced at a few points, before placing it back and watching the steps lower from the delegations plane.

The men immerged from the craft and Eric immediately moved to greet them, "Welcome Mr. Hayes, Mr. Foster. May I say that it is an honor to have you here in Jarridia. The President sends her apologies for not coming to greet you personally, but she has several pressing matters to attend to, but she will be waiting for you upon arrival at the palace."

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

Suez Canal, Jarridian Sinai Claim

For the first time in weeks, Jarridian forces were finally loosening up their grip on the Suez Canal. And, for the first time in weeks, all trade and military movement was returned to normal throughout the canal. Business as usual was finally returning to the Sinai Peninsula, but many complaints were still coming in about British forces hassling passing ships, and stopping them at Gibraltar. Not only was the Jarridian Governances in the Middle East becoming irritated, but Jarridian Military forces were becoming growingly spiteful of all British forces in the region.

In Port Said, a joint task force that had been assigned by the two governments quickly dissipated into a spree of hateful remarks and even a few fights. All throughout the Jarridian waterspace and canal area, arguments were flaring up, and Jarridians refused to work with British military personnel. This had been expected, as Jarridians didn't take directions from their normal commands. The Jarridian government was not expected to remedy the situation, because really, they didn't care.

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

Presidential Palace; Shelbin, Jarridia

The President had been in and out of meetings with the Department of Trade Secretary, Mike Worftly and Secretary of State Kimberely Shaffir all afternoon. The main topic of agenda was the recent aggression that had been displayed by the British Empire, and the accusations that they had been continually disrupting trade routes for their own benefit, but of course, none of that was proven.

"What we need is a fail proof plan that will help all those nations that are tired of dealing with those idiots in Britain." stated Mike.

" I have had some ideas that may be very effective in achieving our lost superiority in the Mediterranean. It may be a little expensive, but with the incentive we will offer our allies and those against the actions of Britain, we can make all the expense back." replied Kimberley.

Kasilyn smiled as she closed the folder, her eyes suddenly becoming very devious, "What the British have forgotten is that Jarridia has several Ports of Call within the Mediterranean. It would be extraordinarily simple for us to bypass those european bastards." A sudden anger came over her, and the others were shocked by her outburst. She was usually a quiet and kind person, but the recent problem with Britain had brought about a rage that she had never displayed. She knew it would be hard, but they would bring down the very people that jeopardized the sanctity of the Jarridian Nation.

IC: To Jarridia

Senator Hayes led the delegation, flanked by his fellow Senators, and followed by the military, intellegence, and government functionaries. He looked ahead, and smiled at Johnson, and shook his hand warmly.

"Secretary Johnson, President Steinberg and the Nation of West Cedarbrook express gratitude to Jarridia for this opportunity to discuss the current situatuion. As you know, we have with us other Senators, and representatives of the External Affairs Department and military to determine what is the situation in the Mediterranaean, and further understand the impacts on West Cedarbrook. The President, and Secretary Klein consider the closure of that sea, and adjacent waterways to be our highest overseas commercial concern.

I look forward to understanding how long this blockage can be expected to endure, and the likelihood for naval war, and it's extent. Our delegation from the Navy and intellegence services would like to review the tactical aspects of current and likely disposition of the opposing forces, within the limits of your ability to discuss them, of course.

The Senators and Mr. Foster, of the Department of External Affairs will need to discuss with you and Madame President the attitude of the West Cedarbrook Government, and of public opinion. And we wish to also discuss our relations with all current participants. This is most important." Hayes explained.

IC: To West Cedarbrook.

Eric nodded, and said, "Yes, there are many topics for us to discuss. However, that will come soon enough." Eric gave a brief smile, and then pointed in the direction of the awaiting Limo. "The President is waiting for your arrival, we should get to the palace as soon as possible."

Eric began leading the delegation to the limo, in which all of the men got inside, and began the rather long drive towards the palace.

The Presidential Palace was located near the Zafiro River, and it was in the heart of Shelbin. From McAvery, the limo travelled down one of the busiest expressways in Shelbin, but traffic was not a problem, seeing as how it was early in the afternoon. As they approached the downtown area, they took an exit to one of the many broad, treelined streets through the central districts. Eventually they limo pulled in front of the gates. The palace sat atop a lush, green hill. Decorated ornately with many varieties of flowers and trees. The building itself was made of polished, pink granite, and was a beautiful addition to the Shelbin skyline behind it.

The guards opened the gates, and slowly the limo made its way up to the main entry way. Reporters tried their best to get into the gates and get a good snapshot of who was arriving, but the Jarridian Guards did their job, and kept all the outsiders out. The wind was blowing steadily, keeping the Jarridian flag outstretched over the lawn. A purely symbolic, and picturesque moment of true Jarridian pride and power.