Praetonia
30-12-2005, 00:11
Twelve ships cut their wakes through the cold waters of the Cariya Islands. It was some time since Praetonian vessels had last trekked through this particular patch of water, but everyone agreed that there was little real chance of similar circumstances ever happening again. The Cariya Islands were contaminated. It was not as bad as it could have been, but the Praetonian vessels kept their hatches secure and their crews and passengers stayed safe behind the thick, radiation-proof bulkheads of their vessels.
Ten of the ships were warships, flying the Blue Ensign of the Imperial Navy Free Squadrons. Unlike the Purple Ensigns of the Grand Fleets or the Red Ensigns of the Coastal Patrol Flotillas, these vessels simply wandered the world's oceans and could be quickly directed to undertake specific operations that they happened to be closest to. This particularly fleet was led by a Monarch Class BCN and escorted by an assortment of nine cruisers, destroyers and frigates. In the centre of the small group were two Industry Class cargo ships, carrying two brigades of infantry.
"It looks like we're approaching the islands," remarked Admiral Sir Thomas Grimsby, peering through the boronated polycarbonate windows of the viewing deck. The two Captains behind him nodded grimly. It was not a pretty sight.
"It may not be much to look at," the Admiral continued, "but it's strategic value cannot be understated. With the Hogsweatians sadly removed as a political power, this is a historic oppurtunity for us to seize these islands." The Captains nodded. They had heard it all before. "I just hope the radiation doesnt cause too many problems."
There was a silence for a time as they saw the small dots on the horizon get closer and more and more detail appeared in their telescopes. The landscape was covered in mud and shattered tree. The vegeation had not been killed by radiation but by the nuclear blast itself, yet the radiation would pose a problem for any persistent human occupation.
"I would suggest an intensive bombardment, sir. Then we can simply scrape the top-soil off with AVREs and push it into the sea. That should be enough for us to construct a permanent base and we shouldn't need to be outside long enough to need the radiation suits." The Admiral nodded. The radiation wasnt near high enough to pose an immediate threat and once the hardened base was constructed they shouldn't need to be exposed long enough for any health risk more serious than what you'd get watching TV or flying in the upper atmosphere.
The Admiral nodded. "We shall see in the next few hours if we shall be opposed. I sincerely doubt it - we are no where near powerful enough to threaten them across the board being just ten ships and 6,000 men, but there is always that possibility. Gentleman, the disembarkation shall begin in four hours."
Ten of the ships were warships, flying the Blue Ensign of the Imperial Navy Free Squadrons. Unlike the Purple Ensigns of the Grand Fleets or the Red Ensigns of the Coastal Patrol Flotillas, these vessels simply wandered the world's oceans and could be quickly directed to undertake specific operations that they happened to be closest to. This particularly fleet was led by a Monarch Class BCN and escorted by an assortment of nine cruisers, destroyers and frigates. In the centre of the small group were two Industry Class cargo ships, carrying two brigades of infantry.
"It looks like we're approaching the islands," remarked Admiral Sir Thomas Grimsby, peering through the boronated polycarbonate windows of the viewing deck. The two Captains behind him nodded grimly. It was not a pretty sight.
"It may not be much to look at," the Admiral continued, "but it's strategic value cannot be understated. With the Hogsweatians sadly removed as a political power, this is a historic oppurtunity for us to seize these islands." The Captains nodded. They had heard it all before. "I just hope the radiation doesnt cause too many problems."
There was a silence for a time as they saw the small dots on the horizon get closer and more and more detail appeared in their telescopes. The landscape was covered in mud and shattered tree. The vegeation had not been killed by radiation but by the nuclear blast itself, yet the radiation would pose a problem for any persistent human occupation.
"I would suggest an intensive bombardment, sir. Then we can simply scrape the top-soil off with AVREs and push it into the sea. That should be enough for us to construct a permanent base and we shouldn't need to be outside long enough to need the radiation suits." The Admiral nodded. The radiation wasnt near high enough to pose an immediate threat and once the hardened base was constructed they shouldn't need to be exposed long enough for any health risk more serious than what you'd get watching TV or flying in the upper atmosphere.
The Admiral nodded. "We shall see in the next few hours if we shall be opposed. I sincerely doubt it - we are no where near powerful enough to threaten them across the board being just ten ships and 6,000 men, but there is always that possibility. Gentleman, the disembarkation shall begin in four hours."