NationStates Jolt Archive

The Imperial Senate Chamber, Arrandin

“I object”, came a cry from the ranks of Senators in the great auditorium, “there is no cause for such an action”.
“Our very Empire is being attacked, what more reason do you need?”, another yelled in reply.

The Emperor rose from his seat raising a hand for silence. The arguing quickly subsided. He looked out over the Senate, studying the expression on the faces looking upon him while they awaited a response. Not a single seat was empty today. All had come to vote on an all out war against the Kraven Corporation.

“The Corporation has openly attacked our territory and we must respond in kind…. with their complete annihilation.”

An echo of support surged around the room, but the Emperor quickly silenced the Senators again.

“But first we must secure the vital resources that will give us victory and destroy those who would aid the fell nation in its aims.” He paused, making sure that all had been said and absorbed then continued, “You have been presented with all the information available, now make your vote.”

He sat back in his seat, and the Senators began to voice their opinion using the special voting devices installed on every seat.

20 minutes later

The Imperial Chancellor took his position on the podium at the head of the room.

“It is done. 97% for the motion. This assembly is now concluded, Thank you for you time.”

He stepped back down, and turned to speak to the Emperor, only to find that he had already left.

The Imperial Palace, Arrandin

Lord Balor ran up the steps into the palace. It was minutes since the Senate approved war and he had much work to do. With his usual commanders already at war in Xirnium the Emperor would personal command much of this new offensive. Besides it was a historic occasion – almost a century since Yallak had launched an offensive war. He had lots of work to do.

Southern Imperial Border

The nation of Achare had long bordered the Empire to the South. Their lands were rich in metals and uranium deposits and they had always been a major supplier of oil across the region.
All attempts across the years had failed to bring them under the Imperial banner, and now with those resources so vital, they would have to be taken by force.

The first stage of Balor’s plan began just after sunrise the day after the vote for war. He had been expecting it to pass and all major arrangements had been made weeks ago.

Lines of tanks, sat waiting, their engines idling as a barrage of missiles and artillery fire ripped open the Acharean defensive positions. The entire border erupted into hellfire, and slowly the armoured units began to advance into the flames.

The barrage lifted. Before the advancing tanks lay a barren landscape filled with burnt out buildings, blackened trees and the smell of burning flesh. Through the dying flames, survivors fled flat out towards the nearest city. Small pockets of resistance remained but machine gun fire quickly eradicated or dispersed them.

Moving rapidly behind the armour came the 4th Legion under the command of General Lujayne Forge. Under orders to take Archare by nightfall, she wasted no time.

Two divisions of tanks broke off with about fifty thousand men and headed South West to seize the Azuryan river. Only three bridges crossed this river and by holding it, Lujayne could effectively split the country in half.
The remaining force moved South East, directly at the city of Eataine. If they did not surrender before then city was reached, then the fall of their capital, would be enough to sway them.

Above, thousands of planes and bombers covered the countryside wiping out airfields and visible defences.

Azuryan River

The suddenness of the invasion left Archare confused and frantic. Few soldiers guarded the vital bridgeheads, and even with fortified bunkers to defend them they proved no challenge.
Shell fire blew apart the defensive structures and those that did no flee were shot dead or captured. With no casualties, all three crossing were taken.

Imperial soldiers hastened to entrench their positions, and were well prepared when a counter attack was finally organized an hour later. The Archarean tanks were picked off one by one with anti-tank rockets and shellfire. Their infantry advancing into a hail of gunfire and artillery. In less than twenty minutes, over eighty thousand men lay dead or incapacitated.

Eataine

The cities defences had been leveled by precision bombing from the Imperial air force by the time ground forces arrived. Taking cover behind the armour, the infantry moved towards the city. Inside, police and soldiers had set up makeshift barricades and the like, but the rapid advance of the SA-23 ‘Darkhorse’ infantry fighting vehicles laid waste to any who stood their ground.
Less than two hours after the first shot was fired, Archare surrendered. Most of their nation was not even aware an invasion had begun when the announcement of their surrender was broadcast across the region.

General Forge stood in the parliament house of Eataine. Before her stood several government officials – those who had not fled before her arrival. She held her communicator in hand and spoke.

“Lord Balor, Archare has surrendered. I will begin to occupy the remaining areas now.”
“Well done General, I will send in engineering teams immediately to begin construction on new mining facilities.”
“Understood.”