NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: First I will do a small ORBAT and then I will get into the actual posting. Astericks (*) mean that the system is Top secret IC. For information, please see my website.

Carrier Battle Group (CVBG)


Dnalkrad Class FFGN: 4
Earthquake Class BBGN: 2
Emory Land Class AS: 1
Enterprise Class CVN: 1
Henry Kaiser Class AO: 2
Hunter Class SSN*: 2
Hurricane Class MMGN: 2
Indefatigable Flight II Class DDGN: 4
Liberty II Class AKN: 4
New York Class SSGN*: 1
Scythe Flight II Class SSN*: 2
Supply Class AOE: 4
Twin Towers Flight IIA Class FFN: 4
Unforgiven Class CGN: 4
Verrazano Class DDKN: 4
Wilson Class AKRN: 1


Carrier Battle Group Air Wing (CAW)


A-5D Vigilante: 8
C-2B Greyhound: 4
CH-53E Super Stallion: 20
E-2D Hawkeye: 4
EA-5F Vigilante: 4
EA-18G Growler: 4
F-14E Super Tomcat: 12
F-19B Ghostrider*: 16
F-24B Knightowl*: 16
F-26B Typhoon: 16
F-29A Vulture: 16
F-37E Razor*: 24
HH-60H Sea Hawk: 8
RA-5E Vigilante: 4
S-3B Viking: 8
SH-60R Sea Hawk: 24
SH-97A Serpent: 4
SH-97B Serpent: 12


760 Miles SSW of Azores Islands

The 3rd Carrier Battlegroup of the Imperial Layartebian Navy was steaming southward at fourteen knots. The forty-two ships were in semi-safe waters, moving in a tighter formation than they would be in during battle. A battle formation put them at maximum effectiveness to use their missiles and their detection systems to the fullest potential. They could see for hundreds of miles around the carrier and around their own ships, allowing them to fire just as far. Protection of the carrier was of the utmost concern.

The North Atlantic was safe and friendly waters. The October Alliance members controlled everything in the North Atlantic and saw to it that nothing passed through without their knowhow. If the world was ever plunged into a world war, the North Atlantic would be sealed shut and supply lines from North America to Europe would be run without fear of submarine attacks, although the risk would still be present. That was what the Atlantic Ocean Protection Group, a unit within the Imperial Layartebian Defense Forces, did. They protected the North Atlantic. It had been deemed so important a separate unit was made just for it. Another was made just for the Galapagos Islands.

The seas were calm. A storm was brewing south about fifteen hundred miles, some sort of odd formation that made it look more like a tropical cyclone then anything else but it was far too into winter and away from hurricane season to be one. Whatever it was, it was going to be coming northward towards them, which meant problems. If the storm was powerful enough it could bring waves in excess of twenty feet, something unfriendly to ships. However, that was of no concern, yet. Fifteen hundred miles was far away.

The main concern of the 3rd CVBG was the path in front of them. They were heading on a routine patrol down the Atlantic towards the southern tip of Africa. They were tasked with going towards Bouvet Island and ensuring that things were in order there, especially with the looming Norwegian invasion. It was doubtful they were necessarily needed but the Pantheaan government did have a sizeable force in Madagascar, which could hurt the Norwegians. The Imperial Layartebian Navy was second to none and they wanted to ensure that the Norwegians were well protected.

Airborne operations were kept at a minimal. An E-2D Hawkeye was up at 27,000 feet, flying a box patrol around the group at one hundred and eighty-five miles out, looking at everything for at least 620 miles with their Multimode Advanced Radar, something very classified, very top secret, and very expensive. The E-2D was protected by a pair of F-14E Super Tomcats, armed with air to air ordinance. They carried four AIM-204A Escape missiles on their wing-on-wing pylons, two AIM-202A Dodsengel missiles on their wing pylons, and four AIM-120D-2 AMRAAM missiles on their fuselage. They also carried a pair of fuel tanks to increase their already enormous range. Aerial refueling, should it be necessary, would be provided by an S-3B Viking flying out to meet them. The S-3B Viking was great as a carrier-borne tanker and it was crewed by four people who were all too comfortable inside their lavish cockpit. Originally designed for ASW and anti-shipping duty, the carrier held eight S-3B Vikings, of which two were always dedicated to aerial refueling. Rumors had it that they would soon be replaced by a newer variant of the retired and aged A-6 Intruder. They carried three hundred gallons in each jettison buddy refuel tank, which wasn't a lot, certainly not enough to fill the F-14s massive internal fuel tanks but it was enough to keep them in the air a little while longer.

http://www.theforsakenoutlaw.com/Graphics/Nation-States/Role-Playing/Fox%202/S3_04.jpg
S-3B Viking moving into intercept position for aerial refueling.

http://www.theforsakenoutlaw.com/Graphics/Nation-States/Role-Playing/Fox%202/S3_03.jpg
S-3B Viking linking up with F-14E Super Tomcat.

http://www.theforsakenoutlaw.com/Graphics/Nation-States/Role-Playing/Fox%202/S3_02.jpg
S-3B Viking going home.

http://www.theforsakenoutlaw.com/Graphics/Nation-States/Role-Playing/Fox%202/S3_01.jpg
S-3B Viking coming down on final approach on the Enterprise.

The F-14E pilots were tired though. They flew eight hour patrols and then came back down to land. An E-2D was always airborne and they flew twelve hour shifts at a time, unable to sleep inside of the aircraft, they had the most important duty, since they could see the furthest. It was quite boring in the sky up there. The F-14 pilots were allowed to chatter between themselves but not excessively. They had to keep the airwaves clear, just in case.

ooc: hmm apparently my battlegroups are huge. This is how I had them before, will make some much needed adjustments.

CVBG:
Vampire class Carrier x 2
Viking class x 8
Archangel class x 25
Verrazano class x 15
Twin Towers Flight IA class x 25
Bismark II class battleship x 4
Hades Class submarine x 10
Liberty II class x 20
Emory land class x 1
Henry J. Kaiser class x 2
Elestee class landing ship tank x 5
Nightengale class hospital ship x 3
Moengen class refueling vessel x 1

CAW:
AH-1W Super Cobra x8
AV-8B+ Harrier II x12
C-2A Greyhound x2
CH-53E Sea Stallion x6
E-2C Hawkeye x2
EF-2000 Typhoon x16
HH-60H Sea Hawk x
SH-60F Sea Hawk x4

I think this is more reasonable:

CVBG:
Vampire class Carrier x 2
Viking class CVNx 8
Archangel class DDGNx 15
Verrazano class DDKNx 12
Twin Towers Flight IA class FFNx 15
Bismark II class battleship BBGNx 3
Hades Class SSN x 10
Liberty II class x 2
Emory land class x 1
Henry J. Kaiser class x 2
Elestee class landing ship tank x 4
Nightengale class hospital ship x 3
Moengen class refueling vessel x 1

CAW:
AV-8B+ Harrier II x22
EF-2000 Typhoon x30
AH-1W Super Cobra x14
CH-53E Sea Stallion x12
HH-60H Sea Hawk x8
SH-60R Sea Hawk x8
E-2C Hawkeye x4
C-2A Greyhound x2

I've still prbly fouled something up. BTW, do you know a site that gives definitions of the abbreviations for the ships? I don't the the difference between a DDGN or DDKN or SSGN or SSN (I know N means it has a nuclear power source, but the extra letters describing armaments/role confuse me)

Anyway, will fix things as I go along

600 Miles West of Canary Islands:

The beleaguered sailors of the 7th Federal Surface Battlegroup had had a shitty 6 months fighting all along the coast of southwestern Africa. Countless sorties, bombardments, and routine inspections had all but ruined the moral of the sailors. Unlike their army counterparts they rarely got to see the fruit of their labor. A push of a button a so many miles away from a target and that was all. The constant changing of plans and failures of logistics by the Federal hierarchy throughout the war also grew tiresome. Constant reassignments up and down the coast, new targets seemed to arrive daily. As much as they enjoyed the work what they really wanted was to finish whatever the hell they were doing down there and get home. Making matters worse was the bout of malaria that had been transferred to some of the sailors while on shore-leave. Although it was quickly quarantined many of the hospital ships were packed with those who needed serious medical attention not just from the disease but from the wounds of war. For the Bjornoyan Federal Peacekeepers one had to brush with death before given the honor of returning home. Hundreds of soldiers would be returning to the Bjornoyan mainland for rehabilitation.

Admiral Burnside stood in the bridge of his Bismark II BBGN flagship. He too was suffering from the wave of discontent that was sweeping over much of the Bjornoyan Federal Navy, but being a good leader he never showed it. He was however very frustrated with a recent turn of events. During the first week of the war he had his battlegroup move close to shore to assist Bjornoyan marines in taking several coastal cities. During the bombardment of Libreville several of his ships were unexpectedly wounded by New Jyrian torpedoes that were supposedly taken care of by Visara Co. forces. No ships were critically wounded, but the explosions had cost some lives along with compromising the efficiency of his vessels. As a result his fleet was moving awkwardly slow. News of the incoming storm did not bode well.

Burnside knew something was amiss as he traveled parallel to the African coast. Large waves, darkened ominous clouds, and the lightning strikes meant something was brewing. Apparently the storm would hit them full force within 14 hours. The admiral could make a huge detour into the heart of the Pacific costing the fleet valuable time and money, perhaps another 5 days before returning home, or it could attempt to ride it out. Considering the proximity of the storm and the state of his forces he was going to go straight ahead. Only the Hawkeyes would be up in the sky. If trouble were to occur they could hopefully rise above the storm until it passed.

BB- Battleship
(CC- Cruiser?)
CG- Guided Missile Cruiser
CRRC- Combat Rubber Raiding Craft
CV- Aircraft Carrier (Non-Nuclear)
CVN- Aircraft Carrier (Nuclear)
DD- Destroyer
DDG- Guided Missile Destroyer
FF- Frigate
FFG- Guided Missile Frigate
FSG- Corvette
LHA- Amphibious Assault Ship (Usually for Marines
LHD- Helicopter/Dock Landing Ship (Usually for Marines)
LPD- Dock Landing Ship (Usually for Marines)
LSD- Supply/Repair Ship
MHC- Minehunter
MSO- Minesweeper
NSSN- New Attack Submarine (Nuclear)
PBL- Light Patrol Boat
PBR- Patrol Boat, Riverine
PC- Patrol Coastal
RIB- Rigid Inflatable Boat
SOC- Special Operations Craft
SSN- Attack Submarine (Nuclear)
SSBN- ICBM Submarine (Nuclear)


Keep in mind the above designations are not exhaustive, there are some more, and there are also letter variations for special role vessels. But above are the main designations, used by most people.

OOC: Yes those battlegroups are huge, even the revised one. You don't really need that many escorts but ah you're group will be all the more safer :) so you might as well stick to what works for you. Haze Gray (http://www.hazegray.org/faq/designat.htm#t1-2) has a great page for designation systems. I use that and I have actually made up my own, which is MM, and that is for Arsenal type ships. You'll see my Arsenal and Hurrican as MMGN (Guided Missile, Nuclear).

The storm grew increasingly stronger as it moved northward. It was definitely not going to go away and they would be face to face with it in twelve hours. What made matters worse was that they would be face to face with a battlegroup as well. Satellite reconnaissance showed a large battlegroup, most likely Bjornoyan, moving northward, towards the storm and towards the Layartebians. This would complicate matters. Bjornoya was part of the VCO and the two alliances almost came face to face in full fledged war because of "certain" members. The sailors didn't like this, especially since they had been unlucky enough to be in the North Sea while all this was happening. Had it been war, they would have launched the first strikes. They were tired of the VCO and you could see it in their faces. Despite the Non-Aggression Pact and the cooling of tensions they still had a look of anger and discontent whenever the letters "V-C-O" were brought up. The presence of a Bjoronoyan battlegroup, even though they weren't to blame, was definitely going to set them off.

The ships sailed onward, making good speed towards both storms. A-5D Vigilante bombers were already loaded up with AGM-180D Harpoon II missiles and launched for patrol. Four of them were up at a time and they were on orders to sink any Bjornoyan vessel that fired at them. F-14E Super Tomcats were up protecting an E-2D Hawkeye and also flying patrol. Six of them were up at any time, along with the single E-2D Hawkeye. Lastly, a flight of three F-29A Vulture fighters from the Hurricane MMGN were in the air as well, meant to protect the fleet if the Super Tomcats had to take off and engage at long-range. The tiered layers of defense were there to protect them, instead it made everyone jumpy.

The battlegroup was commanded by Rear Admiral (RADM) Kirk Hetfield, a man of large stature, horizontally. He was once the captain of a submarine, uncomfortable as it was due to his height, being 6'8", especially in the cramped quarters of a Scythe Class. He had successfully sunk fourteen vessels, three of which were light amphibious carriers. He was something of a legend in the submarine world and was definitely a calculating man. He was patient and he knew when to engage and disengage. Of the sixteen torpedoes launched at his submarine over time, he had successfully evaded each and every one of them, never losing his cool. That was what he was trained and paid for, too completely stay cool and calm in the most harrowing situations. Though he should have been an Admiral by now, he had been hampered down by the fact that the Empire had not been in a major war in some time. He was due for a promotion in six weeks but he doubted that he would get it, after all, that's what they did the last three times.

Burnside was becoming more annoyed by the hour. The captain of a Hades class SSN under the command of a Visara Co. had apparently suffered a stroke and despite medical care rendered was pronounced dead within minutes. The 52 year old man’s body lay within the depths of the submarine. Burnside knew the man to be relatively close to Visara Co. CEO Wilhelm Kaufmann, and if anything were to happen to the body Wilhelm would have his head, or at least all his shiny medals. Precious time was taken transferring the body into one of the hospital ships as to avoid decomposer. Unlike the Feds who buried their dead at sea Visara Co always thoroughly inspected their dead before giving them a ‘proper’ burial within the catacombs of Necropolis. Meanwhile a replacement needed to be found and Burnside hastily appointed a federal officer by the name of Lieutenant Dempsey to replace the fallen captain.

The presence of the Layartebian battlegroup further aggravated the situation. 8 Harriers and 10 Typhoons were quickly dispersed to provide air support in the event of a ‘scuffle.’ Flying in close formation around the fleet the aircraft knew if the storm lasted too long they would have to land their craft in this raging torrent. High above the 4 Hawkeyes continued their patrol now under escort of 2 Harriers a piece. Below the 10 Hades class SSKN created a barrier on the front and sides of the bulky fleet. They would be the first to come in range of the Layartebian fleet. When the time came they would reduce their speed to silence themselves. If anything were to go down they could cause some serious damage if left unchecked.

From the moment of Bjornoya’s creation the nation had been highly xenophobic. The lowly condition of the various nations Bjornoya had conquered throughout Africa had re-enforced their prejudices about the outside world. Few citizens had ever traveled beyond Bjornoya’s borders and those who had always returned. The average Bjornoyan soldiers was vaguely aware of the power conflict between ‘east’ and ‘west’ and were rather confused as to why their nation had taken sides in the first place. There was no ‘enemy’ in the Bjornoyan mindset, merely the ‘other.’ At that moment the Bjornoyan fleet was approaching the ‘other’ and did not feel comfortable. A few hundred miles and hours later the fleet braced itself for a near head-on collision with the Layartebian battlegroup with approximately an hour and 15 minutes ‘til impact and the storm raging behind them and catching up fast. If broadcasts were correct they would be hit full force within approximately 2 hours.

OOC: Do you want to have something happen during the storm? A missile fire or something maybe or a plane crash and it be percieved as having been in a dogfight?

The battlegroups were getting closer, much closer. Hawkeyes had confirmed the presence of further Bjornoyan aircraft flying with the fleet and now they had to make sure that they had enough in the air to match them on a first strike basis. S-3B Viking aircraft armed with ASW equipment and the such were actively searching for Bjoronoyan submarines, which were knownto be Hades class, built by the LDC. They were stealthy, as dead as the Virginia SSN, and hard to track. They were still too far south to be within the North Atlantic SOSUS net and the groups were only going further south.

The real problem was the storm. A storm of such caliber would definitely be able to cause severe problems to the ships. Should the battlegroups get too close, the waves could, potentially, drive one ship into another. With four A-5D Vigilantes, six F-14E Super Tomcats, one E-2D Hawkeye, two S-3B Viking, and four F-29A Vulture aircraft in the air, the battlegroup was ready for war should it be dragged into it, unwillingly. Ships plotted missile attack solutions. Should it be necessary to fire, the battlegroup would be able to launch a volley of missiles so powerful and so great that the entire Bjornoyan battlegroup would be annihilated.

OOC: Don't mind me, i am just subscribing.

ooc: Lay check TGs please, I had an idea

The Hawkeye escorts had been recalled and told to land. If the storm hit and there was any problem with their craft the pilots were as good as dead. Although hefty the Vampire class CVN was not as large as others and thereby suseptable to the movements of the sea. Landing a craft during a storm of such magnitude would be incredibly difficult. Night was falling as the four Hawkeye maintained their ever vigalant patrol. They could almost reach out and touch the Layartebian battlegroup.

A Bjornoyan Naval Petty Officer by the name of Jordan Eisen drearily directed the flight of his Hawkeye. He knew the opposing battlegroup had aircraft in the sky, a handful had been picked up via radar. It was becoming increasingly harder to tell his position as the radio signals from command kept coming in cut and scrambled bits. He checked his co-ordinants once again, several flashes of lightning fell through the sky. It was beautiful.

Down below the fleet was suffering embarassing losses to mother nature. The braces holding down a Viking class CGN's Sea Hawk had snapped sending the craft and a few desperate crewmembers overboard. Of the five men who fell trying to resecure the helicopter only one was recovered and in dreadful shape. The fallen helicopter now laid semi-bouanant flopping about the region at the whims of the waves.

01:00 Hours (http://0101.netclime.net/1_5/U/Z/J/Water.mid)

Petty Officer Jordan Eisen continued his miserable patrol. He dreamt of Bjornoya, his home. and his fiance waiting for him. As his mind drifted to such pleasures the petty officer failed to read the jargled order to ascend as to avoid the storm. Not only that he was very close to being on top of the Layartebian battlegroup. Suddenly an angry voice crackled through and woke him from his little daydream. Some... foreigner speaking of maintaining a perimeter about his fleet, change course or you will be engaged. That was the most Jordan could make out. The message was transmitted and heard clearly by Admiral Burnside. He knew the captains of the Vampires would order the uncoordinated craft back to safety.

But that was the last thing Jordan heard on his radio. A tremendous flash rocked his craft. Sparks danced about the control panel. Looking briefly out the window he saw number two engine was on fire. The plane began to plummet and Jordan ordered the crew to take emergency procedures and brace for impact. As he struggled to maintain control he said, "God, make it a dream!" as he rode his last ride down. Below him he could see a fleet, Layartebian? The plane plummeted directly towards it, slowly breaking up in the storm as it went, first the wings next the tail. He knew he was dead, Jordan just closed his eyes and waited.

The storm intensified. Airborne operations would be out of the question and in the sake of the pilots, the battlegroup admiral recalled all aircraft. The ship was already in a condition that would make recovery almost impossible if it were to wait any longer. The aircraft had to be recalled immediately. If the fleet attacked, they would have to use missiles to take them out. Some ships were listing only 10° away from their roll over rates. The Enterprise CVN was massive and it held up better than its escorts. Aircraft were already stowed inside and landing would be done immediately.

All of the aircraft recovered well, surprisingly. The training in the frigid, horrific, and deadly North Atlantic waters off Greenland and Baffin Island was great training. Naval pilots had to practice landing in storms worse than this, Nor'Easters, sometimes. They faired well, mostly. It was a test of true skill and they only had to do it once. If they failed it would mean their lives as an ejection would be almost as perilous as landing but far more exposed.

From the radar of the Indefatigable, an E-2 Hawkeye, being tracked, was wandering dangerously close to the battlegroup. Then, in a flash, it suddenly began descending and increasing speed, rapidly. In less than a minute, it had gone off the radar. What happened? The admiral was notified immediately that a Bjornoyan aircraft was possibly downed because of weather or worse, fraticide? All ships were required to transmit their stores loads to the flagship. All information would be put to the control center of the Admiral, which would uplink all ships into his one screen. He had to ensure that nobody fired. If they did, this was a situation of grave intensity.

Admiral Burnside received word of the incident from the carrier from which the downed Hawkeye was based. Apparently the last transmission received to the craft was from the nearby Layartebian fleet. Annoyed as he was there was an even more troublesome incident in progress, the Hades class submarine under the command of Lieutenant Dempsey had broken ranks and was making a dash dangerously close to the Layartebian fleet. Burnside slowly felt the situation slipping out of his hands, his stranglehold of command was disinegrating. Not wanting to let the Layartebian fleet be aware of the disorder that was engulfing his fleet he carefully worded a transmission to be sent to the opposing fleet.

To: Layartebian fleet flagship
From: Admiral Burnside, P.F.N.

Bjornoyan aircraft downed, last transmission received by craft was of Layartebian origin. Requesting proof of Layartebian non-interference regarding this incident.

B.F.G. Intimacy: Hades class SSKN (http://0302.netclime.net/1_5/838985/1138379634_24951/Flight(piano).mid)

Lieutenant Dempsey knew she must return home before the rest of the Bjornoyan battlegroup did. She knew the previous captain's body would undergo a thorough autopsy as soon as it reached the mainland, and when it did she would be in deep shit. She knew too much. But that was of little concern, if she could not do what she was doing her entire country would be plunged into chaos. Even with the storm and the Layartebian fleet blocking the Bjornoyans' way they would catch up with her as soon as both were cleared.

Having bulleted past both the Bjornoyan fleet and the Layartebian fleet on the far starboard side she had backtracked at 'silenced' speed for nearly fifteen minutes in the hopes of being lost by both fleets. She was currently traveling directly west away from the two battle groups. In time she would change her course and begin sprinting for home. What she was going to do then was unclear even to her, she hadn't thought ahead that far. She was intelligent, she would manage.

To: Admiral Bunrside, P.F.N.
From: Kirk Hetfield RADM

We have observed the crash of the E-2 Hawkeye. We would otherwise launch an SAR flight but weather permitting we cannot. Our fleet has shown no indication of any missiles launched and no aircraft are airborne. Perhaps it was the weather? Report status of submarine, Hades Class, approaching fleet. Submarine will be engaged should it fire upon Layartebian fleet.

The waves crashed on the decks and swayed the ships. They were down to five knots because of the torment of the sea and people were sick on every ship. At the same time, satellites passing overhead showed nothing but storm clouds. Radio communication was practically cut between the Layartebian fleet and the mainland, which made the situation that much more devestating. Communiques were sent to the Bjornoyan government immediately, demanding to know what happened at sea.

ooc: here's (http://0302.netclime.net/1_5/839623/1138399347_26708/Fox2.bmp)the image I have for what's going on, don't know if it makes sense but just a thought.

Esthar: Bjornoyan Capitol (http://0201.netclime.net/1_5/O/Y/5/sanctuary.mid)

A very confused Patriarch looked over a recently received message brought to him by Herrgott Jacksehn Hegel. Communications lines to and from a Layartebian fleet off the coast of Africa were becoming unintelligible. Unfortunatelly the Bjornoyans Federals were having similar problems. The Federal communication means were not as well constructed in the region yet due to its recent acquisition. Only Visara had communication satellites that could efficiently read transmissions from the region. Strange enough Visara's CEO Wilhelm Kaufmann was already on top of it. He informed the Patriarch of what he could make out from the scattered signals coming from the scuffled area. He knew a Bjornoyan aircraft had been downed by an unconfirmed source, and he knew one of Visara's submarine commanders had died of a stroke, a man he knew rather well. Aside from that there was little else understandable, various frequencies and means had been employed to contact anyone in the region but thusfar nothing was coming back.

To: Layartebian Government
From: Bjornoyan Patriarchal Federal Government
Re: Bjornoyan 7th CVBG

Transmissions acquired from the region indicate the presence of a Bjornoyan and Layartebian battlegroup in the region. Furthermore a Bjornoyan craft inside its fleets' jurisdiction has been downed by an unknown source. Should Layartebian forces be found responsible for the downed aircraft appropriate measures will be taken to rectify the situation.

7th Bjornoyan CVBG

4 Verrazano class DDKNs and 3 Hades Class SSKNs broke formation to pursue and if neccesary engage the rogue Bjornoyan vessel. Its last observed location was to the rear starboard of the Layartebian battlegroup. Atempting to swing around without looking to conspicious would not be easy, if anything was asked the Admiral would merely say he was searching for his downed Hawkeye.

OOC: The map is perfect, I understand it fully.

RADM Hetfield looked at the radar plot and saw that the Bjornoyan vessels were making a run to come around his rear. They were definitely in a position to rear flank them. He knew it immediately, this was a situation very dangerous. "Order full battle stations. Arm all ready missiles and begin to plot interception points. They're flanking us. Full speed ahead, all ships take evasive manuevers. And find me that goddamn submarine!" The orders barked across all of the ships. The Layartebian fleet was in full battle mode and speeding up to high speed now, given the flanking maneuver that was being undertaken. The absence of the Hades meant only one thing, it was moving under silent speed and it was definitely coming around on them. ASROC and Harpoon II missiles would be the first to fire upon confirmation of solutions.

To: Admiral Bunrside, P.F.N.
From: Kirk Hetfield RADM

We have observed Bjornoyan vessels moving to a flanking position behind our fleet. We are taking immediate evasive actions. Should we be fired upon, we will return fire and sink every single vessel within your battlegroup. Please respond.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was well aware of the situation off the coast of Africa as an emergency communication from RADM Hetfield came through. Disaster was only inches away. Things were tense, very tense. Now, with the response of the Bjornoyan government, things became more mysterious.

To: Bjornoyan Patriarchal Federal Government
From: Layartebian Government
Re: Situation

Layartebian warships have not fired upon any Bjornoyan aircraft. It is now known that Bjornoyan vessels are flanking our battlegroup and a submarine has broken contact and is currently unknown. Should any weapons be fired against a Layartebian vessel we will order the sinking of the entire 7th CVBG.

B.F.G. Intimacy (http://0302.netclime.net/1_5/843262/1138522688_27821/turmoil2.mid)

Lieutenant Dempsey's vessel was almost in the clear. Having thrown off her pursuers and knowing the Bjornoyan radar cover was weakened she would make her move. She knew the Bjornoyan fleet would not fire on her even if they knew where she was due to the increased tension with the Layartebain fleet. In fact she now was equidistance between the Layartebian fleet and the main portion of the Bjornoyan battlegroup. With that in mind she took the moment to break from silent speed and get a head start home.

Meanwhile, back on his flagship Admiral Burnside had received word the Intimacy had re-appeared and far from its expected course. Two other Hades class SSKNs had clear shots on the vessel and awaited the go-ahead to fire. Burnside was fully aware of the Layartebian presence now, he knew his movement would upset the Layartebians and he also knew the situation had a very short fuse just waiting to be ignited. Shooting anything right now would most likely set the entire region on fire. Out maneuvered, outsmarted, and humiliated Burnside order the vessels pursuing the Intimacy to cease pursuit and wait for further instructions. The Layartebians were demanding an explanation, so Burnside fashioned a hasty response that probably wouldn't fly well with the Layartebians.

To: Kirk Hetfield, RADM
From: Admiral Burnside
Re: Fleet movement

Ships dispatched to recover remains of downed E-2 aircraft. As a necessity to national security and in respect of the international maritime regulations we demand to recover what can be obtained from the vessel and furthermore demand Layartebian non-interference in the matter. Any act to seize Bjornoyan property will be considered an act of piracy and dealt with accordingly.

OOC: Sorry small post. I'll have something better next round.

To: Admiral Burnside
From: Kirk Hetfield, RADM
Re: Fleet movement

The Imperial Layartebian Navy shall make no attempts to impeede upon the recovery of downed pilots or wreckage nor shall it seize any of the above. We are concerned with the presence of a submarine we have detected, which vanished from SONAR, and has recently reappeared. Whilst it may be heading away, we wish reassurance that it is not a threat.

Bjornoyan firgates had reached the crash site, but by then it was too late. The E-2 had disappeared and any remnants of the craft gone save a few bits of floating debris.

Burnside left a brief message describing the submarine before his fleet passed the Layartebians stating, "It is no threat" Nothing more nothing less. Burnside continued on his course and within and after an hour or the storm and the Layatebians were miles away.

Now he had to find his submarine.

As the two fleets passed, the tensions almost boiled over. Sailors watched through binocculars across to the other ships, at sailors probably doing the same. The large, 18" guns of the battleships were loaded and ready to unleash, should it be necessary. However, when it was over, the situation seemed to be settling down, perhaps everything was going to turn out for the better, perhaps.