NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: The startup thread was here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=10363057#post10363057). If you still wish to join, I highly, highly recommend you read this.

IC:

Nuovo Milan, Nueve Italia: Ten Years Ago

~ One in the morning. The shadows of Nuovo Milan seemed to play tricks upon the eyes of foreigners to Nueve Italia. The electric lights of the city still made it stand out, as if a single star on a cloudy night, but there were always shadows. Moving, following, watching, waiting. They were there, and they were dangerous. Deadly. El Muerte Rojo.

No one said the name outloud. To do that, to even hint at the fact that you knew the organization existed could mean death. However, the citizens of Nueve Italia still knew the name. El Muerte Rojo, just one of the many instruments Dictatore Paolo Gori used to keep himself in power. "The Red Death," was his own elite guard: his police, peacekeepers, judges, soldiers, his power shown to the people. Every single Red Death officer was a living, breathing embodiment of Dictatore Gori's iron fist, crashing down upon the backs of the people of Isola D'Argenta.

They thought themselves fools now, the inhabitants of Nueve Italia. They had hailed Paolo as a hero, as a champion, as a savior. No more. He was an oppressive ruler who had turned a once green and lush land into a gray wasteland, and forced his people to accept this new reality. No one questioned him. To question was death. The State never lies; The State is Truth; All for the State; The State is Supreme. Banners such as these adorned the buildings of the slums of Nuovo Milan, in the heart of the city. But it was here, where poverty, crime, and the oppression were most apparent, that the spark of change and hope was beginning to grow. . .

Inside an abandoned warehouse, a man garbbed in black led another down a spiraling staircase. The second man was of medium height, an average build, had small, edged glasses adorning his face, and jet black hair that refused to submit to proper taming. From his right shoulder, a stripe ran across his chest, bearing the colors of Royal Blue, Silver, and Gold: The colors of the Gori Family Crest. The man was Giovanni Dominicio Gori, son of Dictatore Paolo.

The man in black led the young Giovanni into a rather large room beneath ground level. Inside were other men and women dressed in black capes: the hoods of these capes covering their heads and hiding them from prying eyes. One of the black robed-ones stepped forward, addressing the newcomer.

" Per le personne. . ." he began, his voice indicating that there was some part of this sentence that wasn't finished. The other man, dressed alike to this one, spoke next.

" . . .e per la repubblica, maestro."

The first man smirked, and then nodded. Obviously, Giovanni Dominicio thought, this was to ensure that he was here on diplomatic business only. A chair was brought to him, and he was motioned to sit down. The black-clothed man that Gio had made out to be the leader spoke once more in his soft, calm voice.

" Giovanni Dominicio Gori: Do you know why you have been summoned by Les Vestaglies Neres?"

Ahh, Giovanni mused, the famous "Black Robes," the one that my father sees as terrorists. And to think that his son is here, meeting with them.

" Si, signore," replied Giovanni, his northern Ineffian accent dominating his speech, " I have been summoned to discuss the future of Nueve Italia."

Black Robe Leader smiled again as he heard the answer. Here, he thought, is the key to everything: The Dictator's Son leading the rebellion against him. The people will rally behind him, and victory will come as if from a sparrow's wings.

" Then you know, of course, what must be done, Signore Gori?"

Giovanni nodded his head. This was it: there was no going back. Giovanni Dominicio Gori was going to aid the Vestaglies Neres, fight against his father's oppressive regime, and free the people he had watched suffer for too long.

" I know what must be done, signore. I will fight for the betterment of our glorious nation."

The captain of the Vestaglies Neres nodded in appreciation once more. He turned his head towards a woman sitting in front of a computer behind him. This computer was hooked up to hijack a Nueve Italian International Broadcasting Company Satellite and send out a message to gather aid for the rebels. No mean feat, interfering with a satellite, but with the stolen military-grade technology that the Black Robes had managed to obtain on one of their many raids against Dictatore Gori's many weapons facilities, it was quite easy. The broadcast went out, keyed in to be sent to television screens and radio stations across the world, yet oddly, it was encoded so that it would not show up on televisions in Nueve Italia, as to keep Dictatore Paolo Gori unaware of the activities of the rebel group.
_____

Interrupted NIIBC News Report

" To all listening or watching right now, my name is Vincent Larenzi, leader of a group in Nueve Italia called Les Vestaglies Neres. To many, we are known as terrorists, but I ask you to not listen to these lies! Our country, Nueve Italia, has come under the rule of a dictator whose direct attack on our freedoms and way of life has become so constricting that our people live in fear every waking moment. My comrades here are gathering to resist this evil man, but to do so alone would be suicide. We are asking for help in any way, shape, or form, lest we die in the name of liberty, and yet for naught. Even the Dictator's son, Giovanni Dominicio Gori, has pledged his support to ending his father's vile rule. If you have any means on contacting us, for the love of God and freedom, please do."
_____

Vincent Larenzi, the Commander of the Black Robes in Nuovo Milan, sighed as the broadcast ended. All that was left now was to sit and wait. Sit and wait. . .
_____

Nuovo Milan, City Streets

They were here. They had to be here. El Muerte Rojo did not fail, and they would not this night. Not now, since the rebel group was so close. If they could bring about the end of this terrorist cell, they would be rewarded beyond their wildest dreams. Captain Julio Perez knew that, and that's why he and his squad were going to make sure their job was done using one of the most destructive, natural elements known to man: fire.

His troops had set fire to sectors of the slums of Nuovo Milan in secret half and hour before, and, now that those small flames had sprouted into a raging inferno, were now in those same sectors in full force, insisting that they were "upholding the law," by finding the traitorous Black Robes that had started these fires. Already, a tenth of the slums had burnt down before aid was cleared to get through by The Red Death. Nonetheless, the Dictator's personal soldiers cared nothing for the inhabitants of this sector. If they couldn't escape by themselves, they didn't deserve to live. Besides, the task force had their own mission anyway.

They were here. And they would be found. . .~

OOC: Tag for introduction post.

OOC: Tag. And for RP sake since this independant force does not have a navy so they will have to loot all available oil. The trip over to NI will use up the 3/4 of the fuel in all my transports and armored group.

Tag for future post.

Colonel Leonard Halbert was sitting in the lounge of his group's airfield when his cohort, Major William "Mad Dog" Calvert, entered with a newspaper which had reported of the troubles growing within the nation of Nueve Italia and they both figured it would be a good opportunity for financial gain, "Send a telegram to this Vincent Larenzi, tell him we'll support his cause for a good price. I'll have Sergeant Wells to gather the others for movement."

Calvert nodded before heading off to the computer terminal and sending the e-mail off:

To: Vincent Larenzi, Nueve Italia
From: Major William Calvert, Corsair Platoon, Aequatio

We have heard of the troubles within your nation and we would be willing to aid your side if the right price can be offered. With our unit's small size and expert training and equipment, we could act well as a guerrila combat force to degrade your enemy's infrastructure and support networks. We eagerly await your reply.

OCC: Does this follow what you wanted? I had to type in 3 times, power outages...

Trotskia, Revka
Field Marshal Golupev looked at the message, Dictatore Paolo Gori was in a tight spot.
The situation in Golupev's land of Durassi was feudal like. Six feudal like states with military warlord rulers fought for control. The constant state of war ended a week before with a year long truce. All six states were forced to do this, since their supplies had been exhuasted in constant fighting. If they needed to help a dictator defeat his little rebellion, to get in his good graces in the hope of getting some supplies to fight their own war.
He sent a message to Dictatore Paolo Gori telling him of the TV broadcast and his intention of helping. The Field Marshal thought his state would soon be conquering his 5 other neighbors, however he was unaware that two other states had done the same thing.

"Independant Forces Occupied Territory", Maldaathi

The Kamov Chopper's began to start their engines as their crew rushed towards their designated transports, heads down making sure they didn't accidently get caught in the blades. The whining of the blades picked up as the engines came out of their idle state.

Meanwhile on the Maldaathi International Access Bridge....

The battalion of BTR's and Challenger 2 Tanks tore up the road as they made their way along the bitumen road to the Heavily Guarded Bridge Checkpoint. The Battalion had been marked with the Maldathian Insignia (This was before Maldaathi had a decent Navy). The Mobile Command Post, which headed the convoy, slowed to a near complete stop and out jumped Commander Kravex. Kravex was a smartly dressed officer, who took pride in the fact his Rebel's were working right under the Maldathian Government's nose. He walked casually over to the Inspecting Officer and saluted him sharply.

"CIC Lukav requests to send out this here battalion into battle."

The Inspector looked down at his list of schedueled departures.

"Sir, May I ask your name and the assigned serial number of this battalion?"

"My name is Lieutenant General Jensker Oliver, commander of this here force. The 29th Armored Battalion's Serial is #04397555."

The Inspector again looked down to his clipboard before shaking his head.

"Sorry sir, your not rostered for deployment."

Kravex suddenly grew impatient.

"We are an emergency deployment. We were only cleared recently and I doubt you would have recieved approval as of yet, but I'm assured that if you delay our path one second longer, you will find yourself headless, bound for a silver platter."

The man nodded.

"Sorry sir!" He turned to the guards behind him. "De-activate the countermeasures and raised all obstructions."

Brief History of Maldaathi
This incident was later past onto the Head Advisors to CIC Lukav, where it was found to be an illegal deployment. Though since the rebels were already half-way to Nueve Italia by then, it was too late to catch them, even if their destination wasn't shrouded in mystery to the government.

After this was leaked to the press and then published for the public, the government was forced to condemn the soldiers on working the International Access Bridge and ordered it to be destroyed, effective immediately. In present time, the bridge is now resting at the bottom of the large strait, all access to the mainland via ground impossible.

Nuovo Milan, Fire-ravaged Sector

The flames burned with the intensity of Hell itself. Vincent Larenzi, Giovanni Gori, and the rest of the squadron of Vestaglies Neres under Captain Larenzi's command were trying to escape the area before the Red Death could catch them. With soldiers pouring onto the streets, turning the roads crimson with their uniforms, it wasn't going to be an easy task, especially since the enemy was armed to kill quickly and silently. As for the rebel unit, between 50 of them, they only had 32 outdated R-6 assault rifles, 8 R-11s, and the rest carried 9mm GEMI (Garibaldi and Emmanuele Military Industries) pistols. The small handguns were almost worthless now, as El Muerte Rojo soldiers always wore flack jackets.

Charging down an alley with ten soldiers and the Dictator's son, Vincent called for his troops to stop as he neared the road. Ever so cautiously, he peered out from the corner, checking the streets. Three soldiers he thought. His squad could take them down relatively easily, but to do so would make noise, alerting everyone else to his presence. Then again, if he did that, his other soldiers would have a greater chance of escaping to the regular districts of Nuovo Milan, where the Red Death wouldn't even think of looking for them. It was worth the risk. . .

Seconds later, automatic rifle chatter echoed across the district as three red-armored soldiers fell to the ground, their blood non-existant upon their uniforms. Frantic radio calls confirmed that Unit Gamma 372 wasn't responding, meaning that they were possibly in an area that jammed their electronics, or, more likely, they were killed. El Muerte Rojo responded quickly, racing to the scene where they had heard the rifle fire from. When they arrived, they found three of their brothers dead, and no trace of the enemy except a few shell casings. The officer leading the group here picked one up and examined it.

" You don't see these everyday. . .R-6 casings."

This confirmed that the Rebellion had been raiding storehouses of The Red Death. They would pay for this.

However, that was only if they could catch the wily Vestaglies Neres. . .~

OOC: Will post response to other nations later, gotta run for now.

Daniel Quetzal leaned back in his arm chair and smiled. Finally, after six years, the buyout was complete. He and his brothers now owned a full sixty percent of Pale Rider Arms. The other board members still had some power, admittedly, but only if they could get the Quetzals to vote against each other. And blood runs thicker than water...

Opening his laptop, he browsed the day's news, sent straight to him from his men in Parliament. A vote on a new tax... It wouldn't effect PRA too much, and didn't hurt the little guy, so what the hell, might as well get it voted in using the Pale Rider's chairs. Nearly more of them than there were actual Otagians these days... A request from a Jordaxian ambassador to open full diplomatic relations... Couldn't hurt, and trade would probably be good for the economy. Vote it in. Same old, same ol- Wait. Now THIS is interesting.

Tapping at his keyboard, he brought up all the information available on the Vestaglies Neres and Muerte Rojo. Black robes and Red Death... A taste for the dramatic, these Italians. Reaching over to his desk, he grabbed the phone and dialed.

"Hey, Jordan, it's me, Daniel. I heard the first Legion of Red Samurai is ready for combat trials... They are? Good. I think I found just the place..."


____________________

ENCRYPTED MESSAGE
BCC: Giovanni Dominicio Gori, Vincent Larenzi
FROM: Daniel Quetzal

Signore Larenzi,

Greetings from Otagia. While your method of contacting our nation was somewhat rude (you made my brother miss a good chunk of Akira. For shame!), we do sympathise with your plight. We are willing to devote an entire Legion of our finest soldiers to aid you in your revolution. These forces will wait at your nation's borders for your instructions.

Per liberta,
Daniel Quetzal
CEO of Pale Rider Arms
Minister of Defence

Cítta diGori (Present Day Cítta diCielo), Palace of Dictatore Paolo Gori

~ " So. . .my own son has decieved me. . ."

Paolo sat quietly as he read the message. Not once, or twice, but five times, in fact. His gray eyes turned towards the city below his office. This was not just another town in Nueve Italia, this was his city: The City of Gori. From his view, the Dictator could see the entire urban area, including the gate around it. Barbed wire, towers, pillboxes, guard posts, barracks: all of these things surrounded the city, making sure none of the accursed Vestaglies Neres could find their way into such a city.

Dictatore Gori stood and began to stride around the room. This new information was most disturbing: The terrorist cell had a base in Nuovo Milan, and had apparently recruited his son, Giovanni.

" A shame," Paolo thought aloud, " he would have made a fine ruler. To betray me, however. . . I must admit that he has a stout spirit to even think of this."

Paolo was not the man anyone would want to decieve. The stories of what happened to prisoners and "criminals of the State," was enough to chill even the most courageous man to the bone. There was no mercy for those men and women: there would be none for the son of Paolo either. His first target then, of course, would be the two people Gio held dear: His son, Antonio Orsini Gori, and his wife: Isabella Alviña Gori. Conveniently, they were both in Nuovo Milan at the moment . . .

His personal computer chimed, alerting Dictatore Gori to it. Apparently, a message had been sent by a Field Marshal Golupev, from the war-torn area of Durassi, in greater Evil Gopher Eaters. They had requested permission to put down the rebel cause, and aid the Dictator in once again regaining supreme control of his land.

" So bold a statement for a nation so young. And yet, ambition can be a great ally when power is wielded in the other hand."

Paolo immediately sent a message back. . .
_____

To: Field Marshal Golupev of Durassi
From: Dictatore Paolo Gori, Supreme Ruler of The Allied States of Nueve Italia

Field Marshal, I understand that your people would seek to help restore order to this troublesome province which I govern. If this is what you seek, then by all means, Field Marshal Golupev, you have my permission. Nueve Italia awaits your arrival to quell these infidels that dare question my leadership. Once this matter is dealt with, I shall see that you are rewarded for your efforts.
_____

What Paolo failed to mention in this message was the fact that after this battle, Durassi would most likely be weak, with its military in Nueve Italia. A strike by the Dictator's forces, and yet another addition could be made to The Allied States. I shall ponder this more later, Dictatore Gori thought, and with that, he made his way out of the room.
_____

Nuovo Milan, 56th Street, Commercial District

By God's Grace, this was truly a miracle!

The entire Black Robe element that was stationed in Nuovo Milan's slums had escaped their pursuers: none were injured or captured. Once the groups had neared the edge of the worn-down district, they had hid their robes and weapons in pre-designated safe houses, and simply walked into the streets of the Nueve Italian city. Giovanni, however, was a different story. He was given different garments: a normal green T-shirt and a pair of jeans, and a blue rain poncho over his head. Not only would this protect him from the thunder storm that had quickly swept unto the city, putting out the fires in the slums, but it kept Giovanni Gori hidden from prying eyes.

In an hour more, the entire group was in another designated meeting spot: A studio in Downtown Nuovo Milan. No one would ever expect to find the rebels here, and it served as a temporary HQ as well.

Vincent Larenzi made sure that communications were immediately set back up once the situation was under his control again. To his surprise, several groups had tried to contact his rebel movement to aid him against the Dictator. Pleased, he immediately sent messages back as quickly as possible.
_____

Encryption processing. . .
17% . . . 36% . . . 62% . . . 79% . . . Done
Recieving Signal . . .
Transmitting

To: Major William Calvert of Aequatio
From: Vincent Larenzi of Nueve Italia

Your offer of aid to our most desperate situation is nothing short of an honor for our soldiers. We of Nueve Italia assure you that we can pay you for your troubles when we rightfully gain control of the nation that was stripped away from us. I must warn you that gaining entrance to the country will be difficult, yet we of the resistance, called Les Vestaglies Neres, can help. We will clear an area for you to paradrop troops and supplies into, and obtain a Nueve Italian aircraft fly-zone code and security clearance, so your transport will not be picked up by the Imperialist forces. After your troops drop in, our forces will find them, and lead them to our main garrison at Nuovo Milan. If you believe this will work, or have a better suggestion, please, contact us immediately.
_____

Encryption system still effective. . .

To: Daniel Quetzal
From: Vincent Larenzi

Your aid to the Vestaglies Neres in restoring our government to its roots as a Republic is most appreciated. We do apologize for our message seeming rather . . . intrusive, but there was no other way to alert others to our cause without alerting Dictatore Paolo Gori himself, although we fear we may have already done that. To send in an entire Legion would risk an attack from the Grand Ocean Fleet, but we have a way to ensure that your troops reach Nueve Italia with minimal endangerment. The port city of Porto Santo, on the southern peninsula of Nueve Italia, is treated as a rather small naval base for the Nueve Italian GOF. If our insurgents attack the city by land and sea (we have managed to commandeer and hide several corvettes and small frigates from the enemy Navy while they were in port), their forces will be caught up in the fighting, allowing your own troops to land North of the area with little trouble, and then link up with our main forces near Nuovo Milan. If you believe this will work, or have a better suggestion, please, contact us immediately.
_____

Studio Apartment, Downtown Nuovo Milan

So as to not be so suspicious, the entire group of 50 rebels from the slums-sector Black Robes was not staying in this one apartment. Rather, only about 13 of the soldiers, including Giovanni and Vincent, were here, when horror struck. A young rebel watching the news at the moment gasped, and then quickly called his brothers-in-arms over. There, on the screen, was Dictatore Paolo Gori, on a live special report. Apparently, he knew the Black Robes were in the city. And he knew that his son was with him.

" Oh no . . ." Gio barely whispered, " if he knows its me, he'll try to kill me. . . and my family!"

With that, he and the rebels in the room tore out of the door and into the streets to reach Antonio and Isabella before Dictatore Paolo did. . .~

Michael and Raphael, the twin brothers who commanded the merc unit known as the Light Hounds were watching the news and playing a game on the computer respectively. Often Michael found he could spot where there might be conflicts that needed mercenaries before the initial fight even broke out. Michael was the planner and organiser of the unit while Raphael was better in the field leading the charge so to speak.

As the hijack by Les Vestaglies Neres organistation was aired, Michael called his brother over. Watching the presentation, Raphael commented, "Looks like they might be interested in hiring us."
"Couldn't hurt to check it out."
"Are Saera and Arela available?" Raphael asked, refering to two of the three XOs of the Hounds.
"I think so, and Gabriel can handle things while we check the situation out."

A number of days after the illicit transmission was broadcast from Nueve Italia, the four, posing as two sets of married couples which wasn't too far off the actual truth, arrived in Nuovo Milan. Hearing about the large scale ravaging of a section of the city, Michael and his 'wife' decided to explore and see if they could find a member of the Vestaglies Neres to talk with.

Raphael and Saera meanwhile decided to head to a rather more upscale area of town that held a rather nice hotel.

OOC: Hehe, you're going to be slightly disappointed. A Legion is only 5760 or so men, following the classic Roman structure to the letter (well, nearly). Hardly a large force, but still quite effective, especially considering their equipment and training. Oh, and what's your opinion on non-lethal chemical weapons, and how good of NBC countermeasures would the Dictator's troops have?


IC:
ENCRYPTED MESSAGE:
Signore Larenzi,

We find this agreement satisfactory. My fleet shall arrive in international waters a ways off of your coastline within three days. My Samurai will be ready for deployment immediately upon arrival, they will merely await your word.

Per Liberta,
Samurai Centurion Musashi

____________________

Far from Nueve Italia, a small fleet headed at full steam towards the small nation. A pair of carriers and their escorts, the ships would hopefully avoid naval combat. It was their cargo, the freshly completed Red Samurai Legion, that would be doing the killing and dying in the upcoming days. Their Thunderbird VTOL transports were prepped and ready, virtual flying tanks that existed for the sole purpose of ferrying the Samurai to shore and providing air support once they arrived. There would be much killing and dying in the upcoming days, a worthy test for the Samurai.

OOC: Waiting a bit longer to account for travel time.

Far from Nueve Italia, a small fleet headed at full steam towards the small nation. A pair of carriers and their escorts, the ships would hopefully avoid naval combat. It was their cargo, the freshly completed Red Samurai Legion, that would be doing the killing and dying in the upcoming days. Their Thunderbird VTOL transports were prepped and ready, virtual flying tanks that existed for the sole purpose of ferrying the Samurai to shore and providing air support once they arrived. There would be much killing and dying in the upcoming days, a worthy test for the Samurai.

OOC: Too advanced. VTOL Harrier's weren't even around in 1994.

OOC: Too advanced. VTOL Harrier's weren't even around in 1994.

The Harrier has been in service with the Royal Navy since the late 70s and with the United States Marine Corps since the mid-80s.

OOC: The Harrier was old enough to be used in 1991 in the Gulf.
http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/av-8.htm

IC:
H'lymen tapped his keyboard as he sat down, shutting off the screen saver and the handprint identification (Yes, that existed then) logging him in.

<<Welcome to the Nistolonian Intelligence Service Main Server, Captain>> the screen read.
<<You have an incoming transmission. Source---Nueve Italia, Cell 21>>
He quickly typed again on the keyboard, and the screen fizzed into a very unsteady image of a Nistolonian. His face didn't move in sync with his speech, which was fuzzy at best.
"Milord, Operative O'sholin reporting."
"Go ahead, Operative"
"I'm going to forward you this broadcast from NITV. Its from the rebel movement in Nueve Italia. They've just asked for international help against the government. I'm fowarding you all the info we've collected."
"Ok. Good. I'll forward it up to the COO, and he'll take it from there. NIS Command out." The screen dissolved into static.


8 Hours Later, Nistolonian Command Network

General Koheva opened the door to his room and peeled off his hat, sticky with sweat from drilling in the hot nistolonian jungle. Maybe after today he'd hold off from overseeing the combat drills for a few days. He'd been doing it for a whole month, after all. The intercomm squaked.

ATTENTION ALL NISTOLONIAN MILITARY PERSONEL. BATTLEGROUPS 1-4 PROCEED TO YOUR DESIGNATED EQUIPMENT FACILITIES. ALL UNITS MUST BE AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE WITHIN ONE STANDARD HOUR.

He sighed.

Trotskia, Revka

Field Marshal Golupev read the response from Gori. He smiled and picked up the phone.
"General Folop?"
"Yes"
"Commence Operation Safegaurd"
"Yes sir, it shall be done immedietly"

He then sent a reply to Gori, informing him of the departure.

With that one simple phone call, Golupev had sent 2 mechanized divisions and an air group, 35K men total, to fight. Golupev's entire plan now rested on General Folop helping to successfully crush the rebellion. He sighed, and wondered what this Gori was really like...

Lagovo City, Medved

Comrade Emengish was furious. How could his rival state Revka have done such a thing! Emengish knew that if Revka succeeded in their little plot, their armies would level Lagovo City to the ground after the truce ended. Emengish grabbed knew he had only one option, he had to send forces too. Revka's General Folop was not the man needed to crush a rebellion, he was too noble. Emengish decided he would offer Marshal Elo's two divisions. Elo was the most ruthless man one could find, an expert "relocator" dissidents.
Excellent, Revka would not steal their land of Durassi so easily.

To: Dictatore Paolo Gori, Supreme Ruler of The Allied States of Nueve Italia
From: Comrade Emengish

We understand your situation. We wish to help. I understand rebellions must be squashed to keep one stronger than others. If given permission, I will send two divisions with an air detachment to your realm. Marshal Elo is feared by all men, including me, he will end you rebels very quickly.

Podeleme, Sislik

"Captain Lisulov, do you know why I have called you here?" a dying man asked from his hospital bed.
"No uncle, I do not."
"I have failed, Sislik will be demolished by our neighbors when the truce ends. Revka has agreed to help someone put down a rebellion in exchange for arms. Our supply houses are vacant, we are doomed."
"Nonsense uncle, we will help them too, cancel the advantage."
"We have not enough men to spare. Every man is needed here in case the truce is broken."
"I will go then. Give me my elite Gopher Eaters, only 150 men. I trained them and we will fight as well as a division."
"Fine, but make haste, soon I will be dead. I want you to take over, you are the tenth highest ranking officer, but the most able."
"I will uncle, I will" He never wrote a decent letter, but time was of the essence.

To: Dictatore Paolo Gori, Supreme Ruler of The Allied States of Nueve Italia
From: Captain Lisulov

I will help you. Sislik will send 150 men, elite ones actually. We await your reply.

The Harrier has been in service with the Royal Navy since the late 70s and with the United States Marine Corps since the mid-80s.

OOC: ...Well I suppose this happens when I just say something without researching it :P Still a transport would require a greater technology. The thrusters would need to be more powerful to carry 10+ troops along with weapons (if it has any)

OOC: Who would maintain a border patrol, if at all?

OOC: ...Well I suppose this happens when I just say something without researching it :P Still a transport would require a greater technology. The thrusters would need to be more powerful to carry 10+ troops along with weapons (if it has any)

OOC: You mean the same as the "anti-materiel rifles are FT" comment? :P Anyway, it's more of a Osprey than a Harrier, although its channel wings provide it with far superior lift than an Osprey.

ooc: Please move the ooc to the occ Thread(to avoid cluttering this one up).
And yes I'm aware of the irony.

Nuovo Milan, Nueve Italia

~ It seemed almost too ironic that while trying to help his country, Giovanni Gori had endangered those he cared for most. He now only had, at best, a half-hour to find his wife and son, and get them out of this accursed city. If he and his comrades with the rebellion didn't make it to them in time, El Muerte Rojo certaintly would, and Gio would never hear from them again.

He wouldn't let that happen. As it turned out, Giovanni's family was staying at a hotel about 3/4s of a mile down the street from the Black Robes' temporary hideout. Sprinting the entire way, the Dictator's son couldn't help but wonder at how he was able to run like this and still not even feel faintly tired. Adrenaline was coursing through his internal systems like a tidal wave; it flooded every vessel in his body, making him run faster than he had ever thought he could. In a matter of minutes, he, Vincent, and the other 11 rebel soldiers had arrived at the hotel. Ironically enough, it was the same hotel that Raphael and Saera of Theao were trying to check into at the moment.

Bursting in through the front doors, Giovanni gasped for breath as he tried to communicate with the lady at the front desk.

" Isa- *pant* Isabella Alviña *pant* Where is she?" His voice tried to form words that didn't want to come, either through realization of what he might find, or the fact that he had almost no oxygen left in him to try and speak. Nervously, the front desk attendant attempted to smile, which turned out to be nothing more than a pair of thin lips slightly curved up, and wondered what these ruffians from the street could want with royalty such as Isabella Alviña Gori.

" May I ask who wants her?"

Giovanni blurted out, " Her husband," before he had even realized what he had just said. The shock on the woman's face before him apparently showed that Gio had just blown his group's cover. However, instead of panicking, the attendant quietly answered him.

" She is in Room 375, Third floor, signore."

The Dictator's son nodded, and then sprinted with the rest of Les Vestaglies Neres to the elevators. Every single one was full, and rather than wait, Giovanni Dominicio Gori immediately turned towards the stairs, running at full speed. If the situation wasn't as desperate as it was, Vincent Larenzi would have found it quite amusing to see the heir to Nueve Italia's throne being more than capable of representing the nation at the World Olymipcs as a runner.
_____

Hotel Cielo Mojado, Downtown Nuovo Milan, Room 375

Isabella jumped as several loud bangs emanated from her room's door. Antonio, her son, also came out of his room to see just what the trouble was about. The mother calmly made her way over to see who was knocking, just as several more audible pounds came through the door. Looking through the eyepiece of the door, she saw that her husband, Giovanni Dominicio Gori, was waiting for her, an expression of deep worry etched on his face. She threw the locks open in a flash, flinging the doorway open.

Giovanni, overtaken in the moment and greatly relieved to see his wife unharmed, embraced her tightly. After a moment, Isabella looked up at Giovanni's face. Though his worst fears had been put to rest, he was still surveying the area with alarm: his head turning left and right at every sound made in the hallway.

" Mi miel, what is wrong?" questioned Isabella, starting to worry about her husband's strange demeanor.

" Is Tony safe? Where is he?" Giovanni's words came out in a heaped jumble. He had spoken so quickly that even he didn't know what he had asked.

" Antonio is fine. . .here, Hijo! Venga aqui!"

Antonio stepped out from his room once more, saw his father, and then rushed to his mother's side. His analytical eye immediately told him something was wrong: his father was with strange company in commoner's clothing, and his mother was acting as if Giovanni had gone crazy.

" Que necesitan, padres?" asked the youngest Gori. Giovanni wasted no time in explaining.

" My father knows we are planning on aiding the rebellion; He's dispatched El Muerte Rojo to kill me and both of you," he stated as calmly as he could. Surprisingly, Isabella took this rather well. She mearly nodded, turned around to see if there was anything she needed in her room, and then strode out the door, her son right behind her.

" We shouldn't waste time then; Let's get moving, Gio."
_____

Hotel Cielo Mojado, Downtown Nuovo Milan, Main Lobby

The law-enforcers wasted no time on formalities. They had come here to find, kill, and then leave with no futher interuptions. Captain Juan Perez, who had missed his chance to eliminate Les Vestaglies Neres this morning, now relished the oppurtunity to continue the hunt. In systematic form, his twenty soldiers spread out, their weapons and uniforms portraying a message of fear and intimidation to all who saw them. Their R-11 Collera assault rifles had been modified for this job as a Carbine-version, so that they maintained effectiveness while in such a close-quarters environment. They each only carried one extra clip for the job, but it wasn't as if they were going to need it. Besides, two 7.62x51mm rounds at this range would definately kill anything that got in the rifle's way, so it wasn't as if the guards were worried about ammunition.

Cpt. Perez happened to look up on the 3rd floor balcony above the lobby, since the building was designed with an open-ceiling template, and saw the traitors trying to escape.

" Mira! Above!" the Captain shouted, as he began directed his troops with merciless precision. " Fire! Not one escapes this building alive!"

Rifle fire deafened the ears of those still in the lobby once El Muerte Rojo arrived, and the balcony of the third floor was torn apart by the heavy rounds of the R-11. Running for cover, the rebels and Giovanni's family ducked and dodged the bullets, retreating to the middle area of the third level, where they couldn't be seen by the Dictator's soldiers. By now, all of the regular citizens and tourists in the hotel had made a run for it, trampling eachother as they made their escape from the wrath of these red-clad killers.

It wasn't a good situation for the rebels either. Between fifteen people, they had only three 9mm pistols, and their only escape route was cut off. They had to figure a way out of the building, lest their rebellion ended here. . .
_____

Gori City, Nueve Italia, Dictatore Paolo's Palace

" Ahh, more aid."

Paolo Gori was informed of two more sectors of Evil Gopher Eaters that wanted to contribute to his armed forces in crushing Les Vestaglies Neres. All this meant to Paolo was that more states would be weakened after the war, and therefore, more territory for Nueve Italia could be gained. He responded to the areas of Medved and Sislik, stating that he was most gracious for their aid, and allowed them passage to Nueve Italia. However, he was too preoccupied with the fact that he had learned that his son had gone to save his wife, and now, would die with her and their son.

" Pitiful," he pondered aloud, " how could my son display such mercy? Such compassion? He is a child of mine no longer. No child of mine would ever embrace peace and mercy over power. . ."

At that moment, there was a knock on his office's door, as a voice came from the other side.

" Padre?"

Paolo smiled wickedly. Of course, he thought. For the girl on the other side was his daughter, Maria Juanita Gori. She was still young and impressionable. It was she that could be taught the virtue of power, and how it was to be held above all.

Where I have failed with my son, I will exceed with my other child. . .~

Raphael turned to Saera and commented, "Him?" As Giovanni ran off to the room and floor indicated by the attendent. With a nod, she signified that they might be the ones to make contact rather than Michael and Arela.

As the red clothed intruders, who'd burst into the hotel as Saera was again trying to get the room style they'd wanted, opened fire upon the third floor and called out words to the effect or at least carried the connotations that everyone who saw them were to die both Raphael and Saera vaulted over the desk, putting it between them and the death squad.

With a nod and gesture that was the product of long association, both mercs drew their pistols. The compact weapons fired high caliber rounds for their size. As the two moved to take up postions in which they could deal with, or at least work on dealing with the death squad, Raphael spoke into a cell-phone that he'd auto-dialed to his brother. In short, but expressive language he explained the situation.

*****************
Michael elaborated on his message to Arela and had her contact Gabriel to get the Hounds bumped up to class one readiness.

*****************
Back at the hotel, Raphael and Saera had gotten into position and began firing at the El Muerte Rojo firing a couple rounds before ducking down and moving to make it much more difficult for any return fire to do anything.

Jylissan paused from his writing his latest intel report to look out the window of his hotel. The sun shone down on his room, though it was till much cooler then his native Nistolonia. he could actually learn to like it here. With a contened strench, he turned back to his work, then paused. He heard yelling outside, and then...
He instinctivly dove to one side as the assualt rifles opened fire, even though the shots were nowhere near him, on the 5th floor. He ran to his computer, typed
UNDER ATTACK and clicked send. His partner, Ydrillis, had already grabbed his pistol from under the bed, and Jylissan grabbed his.
"I'll cover you. Get all the stuff we need in the backpack and lets go!"
Ydrillis quickly stuffed the computer and a few clothes and papers into the backpack, slung is on, and looked out his door.
Below them, in the lobby, Red robed soldiers were storming up the the stairs. Looking over, Jylissan saw Giovanni Gori and a handfull of men crouched in cover, pinned down by the soldiers below. With a curse, he flipped the safty off his pistol and opened fire at the soldiers in the lobby.

Revka 1st Expeditionary Force in Transit, Near Nueve Italia Coast
"Call Gori. Ask him where he wants us to land our forces." General Folop instructed his aide while staring out on the sea. At this time a young captain walked up to the general.

"You called for me Sir." Captain Poronchov reported.

"Yes I did major. I am appointing you to be in charge of our special forces detatchment, and promoting you to Major. Congratulations, but your work starts now. You have 40 specially trained soldiers under your command, all of you will be sent to spy on and then destroy the Les Vestaglies Neres by any means necessary. You will be sent to Nuovo Milan once Dictator Gori gives our whole force the go ahead. Any questions Major?"

"None sir! Thank you sir! I wont let you down!" Poronchov left the General's presence. Folopov looked to the sea. The reflections in the waves sparked his memory, some happy some sad. He hoped this trip would be a happy one...

Medved Rebellion Crushing Task Force, Middle of the Ocean

"Send a message to Gori, inform him we are able to land our forces in a day. Ask him what port or beach if he pleases we are to land at, then were to begin the massacres" Marsahal Elo showed an evil grin as he ended the sentence.

"Of course Comrade Marshal, it shall be done!" his aide than ran at high speed to preform the task.
The fleet had gotten disel back in Montonk yesterday, and past the Bell and Gardner's Bay, the symbolic edge of Durassi. They were on their way.

The Sislik Elite Gopher Eaters, In Flight Above the Ocean

Lisulov's inteligence squad informed him that their rival states had informed Gori they would be on approach soon. Lisulov then sent a similiar message asking were they were needed. The Captain figured they would parachute out over a forest and seek the reported forces coming to aid the rebels, but that was just a guess.

Lisulov not only wanted to accomplish his mission, but to weaken the Medved and Revka forces fighting here as well. The Sislik soldiers fought like Samurai, their officers were more "dishonorable" if the need arose as it did here.

Hotel Cielo Mojado, Downtown Nuovo Milan, Main Lobby

~ They had been careless, stupid, and now, it had nearly gotten them killed. Stuck on the third-floor balcony, Giovanni, Vincent, Isabella, Antonio, and the rest of the Black Robes were pinned down by enemy fire, and with almost no weaponry to fight back. Luckily, both Gio and Larenzi had tucked 9mm pistols in their coat pockets, as did two other members of their team. Not much firepower, but a start. They drew the guns, and slowly made their way to the balcony, when two distinctively different types of gunfire came from above and below the Nueve Italian rebels.

On the ground floor, the mercenaries from Theao had proved that they took their job with the utmost seriousness, downing three Red Death executioners in three shots. This act was partly due to luck, but mostly caused by the fact that the El Muerte Rojo soldiers were unaware of
Raphael and Saera.

Once they were, however, Cpt. Perez directed half of his squadron towards their positions, only so that two more guards would fall to fire from another direction. The first was hit in the head, and dropped to the padded carpet in the blink of an eye, his weapon set on full-auto still chattering as his finger depressed the trigger upon his death. The 12 rounds he had left in his magazine destroyed the glass doors of the hotel, and fired into the street, causing more people to run in panic from the God-cursed building. The other guard donned in Red was caught in the neck by a bullet, slumped up against a pillar, and saw the world fade in and out. Not one of his fellow comrades turned to help him, and the man slowly drowned to death on his own blood, as since the bullet had cut through his arteries, allowing freshly pumped blood to flow into his body unchecked.

Once again, a half of the Red Death Executioner squad was directed at another fire group, this being Ydrillis and Jylissan, from Nistolonia. This sudden attack from both sides gave the Dictator's son and the rest of the rebel movement time to slip away down the stairs. If they could get through the main lobby and out the back door, they might be able to escape the hotel before more guards arrived. Charging towards the stairs, Giovanni led the group, and as he turned to round a corner on the second flight, he bumped into a startled El Muerte Rojo private. The soldier raised his rifle, but struck the ground before he knew what had happened. When he came to, he was pinned to the floor, and Giovanni now had his R-11 Assault Carbine; He had given his pistol to his wife. The young private immediately ran his hands over his body to see if he had been hit, and, just above his stomach, he felt the handle of a knife. Numbness surrounded the skin where he had been stabbed, and it soon spread. His legs felt heavy, his arms wouldn't move. In time, he would join his other squadmates in Hell. Les Vestaglies Neres, however, couldn't wait that long. They burst through the heavy doors that seperated the staircase from the main lobby, and when the hitmen turned to see them, yet another firefight broke out.

Hiding behind a marble column, Giovanni put the assault rifle to good use. He peeked out from his cover quickly, and pressed the trigger twice. The rifle barked six times, and two more soldiers fell. In about a three minutes, that was 8 guards from 20 dead. El Muerte Rojo had never encountered such a type of resistance in a city before, and was therefore, ironically, quite inexperienced in countering the attacks of the Mercenaries, the men of Nistolonia, and Les Vestaglies Neres. Before long, however, it was something they would deal with daily.

Cpt. Perez had spotted the traitorous son of Paolo Gori, and unleashed an entire clip on the column he had been using for cover. As pieces of marble chipped away, Giovanni dove for a nearby alcove for cover. As he sailed through the air, a bullet struck him in the upper arm, the force turning him as he was airborne. However, Juan Perez never got the chance to finish off his intended target. He rifle clicked, indicating that he had spent all of his ammo in the current clip, and as he tried to reload, he was struck by five bullets, fired from Vincent Larenzi and Isabella Alviña Gori. The projectiles ripped through the Captain, leaving his body in a crumpled heap on the floor.

The rest of The Red Death executioners weren't going to let the fact that their commanding officer had just been killed go away so easily. Rather than retreat, as would have been the sensible thing, They continued to fight. As two more Black Robes grabbed R-11 Carbines from dead Imperial guards however, the fight was not looking their favor. . .~

(OOC: Evil Gopher Eaters, I'll post Paolo's response tomorrow, my comp is bugging out as it is, and besides, it's almost 12 in the morning here. Goodnight all.)

Saera was slightly surprised, thought not sufficiantly to let down her guard, by the group from the fifth floor. A track of bullets ripped their way along the wall over the reception desk where Raphael's head had been. As the plaster rained down on him, getting in his short black hair, he moved to a new firing position and fired again, with Saera doing likewise.

Jylissan started down the stairs, Ydrillis following, stopping only to snap off a few shots from his pistol. The red cloaked squad were outnumbered and outgunned at this point, but still held their ground.
Taking the stairs four at a time, the two continued to desend.

Rain.

Musashi hated rain. So depressing. Still, it would provide a decent amount of cover for their insertion. The constant drone of the rain would help drown out the roar of the turboprops. The Thunderbirds were prepared, their passengers triple-checking their M22s before take-off. The escorting Fomori interceptors and Bean Sidhe gunships fired up their engines, leviatating above the decks of their carriers. A full two hundred aircraft were in the air, moving towards the Italian shores under the cover of darkness and rain.

As they closed the distance, anti-emmission missiles were armed, prepped to fire and destroy the enemies radar assets. Fomori carried ASMs and AAMs, ready for use against any enemy unfortunate to encounter them. The gunships and Thunderbirds stayed low, clinging to the wind-whipped surface of the water to avoid detection. The Samurai were prepared to land, eager to prove themselves. For their own glory, for Otagia, for the Corporation.

Hotel Cielo Mojado, Downtown Nuovo Milan, Main Lobby

~ The battle in the hotel had finally ended. With support from the gunmen of Nistolonia and Theao, the executioner squadron of El Muerte Rojo was put down for good in the next few moments. Isabella immediately ran over to her husband after the last soldier was felled, checking to see if he was okay. His arm was bleeding, but not much: The 7.62mm round had grazed his skin, but enough so that Giovanni was cut open from the bullet. He was lucky; if that bullet had caught the whole of his arm, he might have lost use of it.

Giovanni stood up quickly, assured his wife that he would, indeed, live, and then quickly gave out orders to the rest of the rebel movement. They now listened to him as if he were their leader: he had fought and bled with them, and that was good enough to prove his worth . . . for the moment. The members of Les Vestaglies Neres quickly did as Gio asked; They scrounged up whatever weapons and ammunition the death squad had carried on them (not much, but it was enough), and then moved out of the lobby and towards a hallway concealed from the front window.

Giovanni turned towards the foreigners who had risked their lives to help him, and nodded in gratitude. He didn't know if they spoke Italian or Spanish, two of the three main languages of Nueve Italia, so he settled on the most common dialect in the world: English.

" Many thanks for your assistance in this battle: were it not for your bravery and skill, we would have probably all been killed. I'm sorry we're moving so quickly, but there is no time for formal introductions. If you wish to live, please, follow me before this squadron's backup arrives, for they will ask no questions before shooting."

Giovanni spoke quite friendly for having just killed three men within the past few seconds. Turning swiftly, he motioned for his family and Vincent Larenzi to follow him as well. Vincent, however, was curious about something.

" Signore Gori, where did you learn to fight like that? I've always thought royalty lived a pampered life?"

Gio laughed solemnly as he replied.

" It is not something I prize, Vincente, but as the son of a military general, you tend to learn a few things, whether you want to or not. If you really would like a little proof, My father and I had competed with a group from El Muerte Rojo in a marksmanship competition some years ago. I managed to outshoot five out of a squad of seven. My father managed to beat them all. Afterwards, I continued to train in using both a rifle and pistol, and have even managed to beat Dictatore Paolo in a competition. Call it characteristic inheritance."~
_____

Gori City, Nueve Italia, Palace of Dictatore Paolo Gori

The Dictator was pleased to see others responding so rapidly to a crisis that Paolo knew his own forces could have easily handled. Nonetheless, he still decided to respond to the three seperate forces with a polite kindness he had not shown anyone else in his entire country, except maybe his family at times. It was as he told himself sometimes, You must have three hearts: one to show your friends, one to show your enemies, and one to show to the world. So far, this philosophy had worked for Dictatore Gori.

_____

Encoded Transmission to Revka 1st Expeditionary Force

General Folopov, I am pleased to see that your country has arrived so soon after pledging aid to crushing the resistance to my regime. When your forces finally touch our shores, I, Dictatore Paolo Gori, am giving you permission to land your forces at Porto Real, on the southern peninsula. Contact the palace once you arrive.
_____

Encoded Transmission to Medved Rebellion Crushing Task Force

Marsahal Elo, your soldiers are to be honored for assisting my forces in destroying those that would resist their true government. I, Dictatore Paolo Gori, give your troops permission to land your fleet at Cítta diGhiaccio, in the Northwest. Take caution when arriving there: the name translates to City of Ice, and the cold season has not yet passed. Blizzards are known to spontaneously occur at random times, so make sure your soldiers stay warm, lest they freeze to death. When you disembark, move to the province of Ineffio towards the Southeast, which is a few hundred miles from the Capital city. Contact me when you arrive at Ineffio.
_____

Encoded Transmission to The Sislik Elite Gopher Eaters

Captain Lisulov, thankyou for warning our forces of your approach. I will order that our AA defense systems in the west to recognize your aircrafts' signal, and they will not fire upon you. Your soldiers can land at Aero Lepanzo, towards the midlands of Nueve Italia. Upon arriving, contact me.
_____

Eastern shoreline, Nueve Italia. Entry point of Otagia Forces

The Otagian Samurai could not have been luckier. At the moment, the Radar field of where they were attempting to enter from had a breech in it. The cause of this was that one Radar dish was going through routine repair, and this required the the station be non-operational at the moment. The gap, however, could prove to be a weakness if an insertion group managed to exploit it. . .~

"Actually Gori, you and the group you are working with are the reason we're here." Raphael replied as Saera phone Michael and gave a sitrep. "If you've got a place to hid out, I might have a proposal that would interest you."

"Major Musashi, sir! Just got a burst from ELINT. They say that there's a hole in the enemies RADAR screen already, that we don't need to bother with punching a hole ourselves."

"Good. Have the Fomori save their emission seekers for CIWS and anti-aircraft platforms. Send the signal to the rest of the squadrons to move in and deploy forces in and around Nuovo Milan. Bean Sidhe are to provide support for as long as possible, Fomori are to intercept any incoming Italian aircraft."

The comms officer saluted, and relayed the orders throughout the fleet. The two hundred aircraft hugged the ground, prepared to catch the city and any garrison present by suprise.

Porto Real, Nueve Italia
The Revka Valiant Mechanized division had just finished unloading. Folop ordered them to set up a defensive permiter, mainly out of habit. The Courage Mechanized Division was then brought in for its turn. He then called for his aide, and dictated the following message:
Encoded Transmission to the Palace
My force has half way completed its laning. We have two mechanized divisions and a small airforce detachment that are nearly completly ready for combat. We also have a special operations unit specifically trained for infiltrating underground organizations. We await your orders.

Outside of Cítta diGhiaccio, Nueve Italia
Marshal Elo was cold, his forces were a couple miles out of Cítta diGhiaccio, and a blizzard was beginning to form. His men were tough, but they were beginning to slow down in face of the severe weather. He finally had no choice but to order everyone to stop and set up a camp. After two hours of constant snow, three officers came to speak to Elo.
"Sir, I am Captain Durochok" The captain then saluted.

"Yes Captain, what is it you want?" the Marshal coldly replied

"We were wondering why we are here. Why are we stuck in a blizzard miles from Durassi where we should be fighting our neighbors? The majority of the officers elected me, with these two as my whitnesses, to tell you this and of our demands. If these are not met, you will face a mutiny."

"Mutiny this." Elo pulled out his pistol and put a bullet straight through Durochok's head. "You two want to be heroes too?" The remaining two officers replied "no sir" in unison with shaking knees, then Elo dismissed them. The Marshal was remorseless, it was rumored he killed half of his family personaly, another quarter by orders. He had ordered a couple million dissenters executed back in Medved. The fact that he was a sadistic agent of evil led him to be impatient for the day he gould begin enforcing terror on the rebel Italians. He had one of his bodygaurds throw Durochok's lifeless body in a nearby snow bank. Elo then sent a brief message to Gori informing him of their snowy delay.

Aero Lepanzo, Nueve Italia

The Sislik force touched down. Captain Lisulov let out a sigh of relief. He had a slight fear of flying, but it was mainly due to the fact they had not been shot down. He quickly had his inteligence agent encode a message to Gori:

To the Palace
The Sislik Elite Gopher Eaters are on the ground and awaiting your orders.

OOC: Sorry for no post for so long, lot of things came up at once

Hotel Cielo Mojado, Downtown Nuovo Milan, Main Lobby

~ Giovanni was surprised to hear what Raphael had just said, wondering how aid could have come so soon to the Nueve Italian Rebels, but right now, all that mattered was getting out of the Lobby.

" If it is true that you are here to help us," Giovanni started, " then we must move quickly. So far, all of the Imperialist Forces who have seen this group and could I.D. it are dead: I intend to keep it that way. Let's get moving: everything can be explained later."

With that, Gio and his group once again moved towards the rear of the Hotel, Raphael and Saera in tow.
_____

Cítta diGori, Paolo's Palace

The arrival of the three groups from greater Evil Gopher Eaters pleased Paolo Gori. As he shot off three sperate messages to the groups to meet him at his current location, the Palace in his own city, he could not help but wonder just how deep the rebel movement he was planning to crush had spread. Sure, he had known that Les Vestaglies Neres had committed many raids upon old weapons' depots, munitions factories, and the like, but just how many of these terrorists were there? Just what equipment did they have? How did they train their new members?

These questions and more plagued the aging General, but it did not matter. Soon the Rebellion would be crushed, and his grip on Isola D'Argenta would be complete. Paolo liked that idea. His lips curved upwards slightly as he looked out his office's window on to the vast city outside. His city.

And soon, his country.~

The aircraft swept into the city, rockets crashing into any military targets to be seen, sending blossoms of fire into the air. Police were targetted, miniguns ripping their way through squad cars and officers alike while squads of heavily armed and armored Red Samurai burst through the doors of precinct houses, filling the buildings with nonlethal KoloBac gas, knocking out the inhabitants within seconds.

Their Fomori escorts peeled off, some heading for nearby airstrips to decimate the enemies ability to respond before any interceptors could be scrambled. Cluster bombs would shatter runways, emmission seeking warheads would put out their eyes. Gunships ran wild through the city, shattering any resistance they encountered.

____________

"Major Musashi, we've got some reports from local police forces about a gunfight at a hotel called the Cielo Mojado. We're thinking that it's our rebels."

"Good. Get two more Thunderbirds filled with your best men and have them head there immediately. We'll meet them there, see if we can coordinate our attacks with the rebels."

The comms officer transferred the orders, and the aircraft swung around, shooting through the streets as it screeched towards the hotel. Decelerating in front of the building, the two dozen Samurai poured out of their transport, clearing the streets around them and covering the door. As soon as the other aircraft secured any other entrances, the Samurai would move in, and see if they could find Les Vestaglies Neres.

OOC: Again, sorry for somewhat crappy post, was in a bit of a hurry. Next one will be better, I promise.

Saera and Raphael nodded and let Giovanni and fellows lead the way. Meanwhile, Saera was arranging with Arela on meeting and intercepting the group of rebels.

Cítta diGori
General Folop was riding in his jeep toward the palace. The Revka divisions had just arrived, and not in the mood to make a dictator feel the need to be paranoid, Folop ordered his troops to stay outside the city. In the car with him was Major Poronchov. They were nearing the palace when they saw something very interesting. Coming down the other street was a Hummer with Sislik flags on it. It appeared Captain Lisulov's forces had made it here on time. Both vehicles pulled up to the palace area nearly simultaneously.
After the three men got out they began walking toward the palace entrance.

"So, it appears our little friends in Sislik decided to come too." Poronchov remarked to Lisulov.

"It would appear as such, to one that can see." was Lisulov reply

"Stop, both of you. We can go back to killing each other after this war is over, do I make myself clear?" Folop said scoldingly to both junior officers.
"Yes sir" Poronchov replied.
"Probably for the best, but don't think for a minute I wouldn't shot you between the eyes." Lisulov coldly responded to his former/current adversaries.

They walked up to the palace and were greeted by a gaurd.
"Please tell Dictator Gori that the Revka and Sislik commanders are here to see him as ordered." Folop then ended shuffling his feet. This should be fun...

Medved RCTF, outside of Cítta diGori

Marshal Elo was in a better mood. All his officers apologized for their statements throgh the now descesed captain, and the blizzard had lightened up enough that they were out of it entirely and nearing Cítta diGori.
Elo noticed Revka Divisions stationed outside the city, hmm Folop was a smart one.
"Sargeant, bring me my BTR and tell the good Colonel to halt his men outside the city, taking the time of course to survey the Revka units and tell our troops how wicked they are. Any questions?"
"No Sir!"
Elo wasn't in this for some despot dictator, he was in this to raise Medved up, above all.

OOC: Otagia, am I correct in assuming your troops attacked Nuovo Milan? If not, ignore following

Nuovo Milan, The Allied States of Neuve Italia

~ As if the people of the oppressed nation of Nueve Italia didn't already have enough bloodshed and explosions in their lives, another firefight broke out in Nuovo Milan, although this time, it wasn't their fellow countrymen who were doing the killing.

The Otagian Samurai stormed through the Northern half of the city like lightning, although they were only living on borrowed time from such a strike. Air bases all over the nation were alerted, and four fighter squadrons were en-route to Nuovo Milan, with an ETA of about half an hour. Even if the Otagian aircraft did manage to evade these hunter-killer squadrons, there was the question of how they would escape Nueve Italia: all AA defense systems were now alert and active, including the breach that the Red Samurai had used to get in. In truth, the operation had turned into a text-book suicide mission: If the Otagian pilots didn't land and hide their fighters immediately, they would simply get shot down.

In the city, the regular police forces fled in terror from these new soldiers. The regular police of Nueve Italia were simply civilians holding jobs, and most hated what they had to do in the name of Dictatore Paolo. Now, however, Otagian Red Samurai were striking out at them left and right. The cops, underarmed and outmanned, fled from these new enemies as fast as possible. Unfortunately, El Muerte Rojo had been put on full alert by this strike, and had deployed military forces to take care of these invaders. The Imperial Guard Forces didn't have a complete readout of the enemy's numbers or equipment, but The Red Death wasn't going to take any chances; already, six medium Mk.II Serbatoio were rumbling down the streets of Nuovo Milan, actively seeking the Red Samurai, and killing them were they stood. 200 Muerte Rojo Executioners followed these vehicles, hunting their prey throughout the streets. If the Red Samurai didn't find a way out of Nuovo Milan soon, they would simply be swamped by Paolo's soldiers.
_____

Hotel Cielo Mojado, Downtown Nuovo Milan, Main Lobby

Giovanni, Larenzi, Isabella, and indeed, all of the rebels were quite surprised to see 24 red-clad soldiers charge in through the front doors of the hotel. A quick glance would have made a rookie think that these were more Muerte Rojo soldiers, but their uniforms were slightly different. A Red Death guard always wore black shin plates, shoulder pauldrons, and black helmets. These new men also didn't carry Nueve Italian equipment; Their rifles were definately not R-11 Carbines, R-17 Rifles, or even R-22 Commandos. Cautiously, Giovanni approached these newcomers. As he neared the window, he saw fires out in other parts of the city. Something told him that these Red Soldiers were bringers of bad news.

" May I ask, just who are you, and what brings you here in combat gear?"
_____

Cítta diGori, Paolo's Palace

" My Leader!"

An aid saluted and spoke loudly as he addressed Paolo Gori at the door of his office. Turning slowly, Paolo waved his hand slightly, as if brushing off the person before him. In response, The aid lowered his hand, and announced his reason for disturbing his supreme commander.

" General Gori! The commanders of Revka and Sislik have arrived at the Palace, and are waiting in the Grand Hall for you, sir!"

Gori nodded slightly, a sign that the aid knew meant as "get out of my sight," and then grabbed his officer's cap. Putting it on to cover his white hair, Paolo strode out of his office and towards the Grand Staircase. As he came into view of the Hall before him, he saw the two leaders of Revka and Sislik below him. He quickly sized them up, and then strode down the stairs. He would reserve judgement of the two until after he spoke with them. As he reached the last stair, Paolo spoke.

" Welcome to Nueve Italia, esteemed allies. If you'll allow a moment for pleasantries, my name is General Paolo Gori. May I ask, what are yours?"~

OOC: Sorry for not posting sooner. Can we assume that my 2 agents have already introduced themselves?

(And sorry for the crappy post here)
IC:
Jyrissan and Yidrillis followed the rebels and the two mercenaries as they headed out the back of the hotel. Yidrillis was on the phone, talking to the incoming task force as he filled them in with the information he had.

Cítta diGori, Paolo's Palace
"I am General Folop, Commander of the Revka Expiditionary Force."
"And I am Captain Lisulov, the Commanding Officer of The Sislik Elite Gopher Eaters."
Both men raised their salutes toward the Dictator.

Outside the Palace

Marshal Elo walked up to the Palace. He noticed a Revka Major waiting outside. Great he thought, the others beat me here. He walked up to the entrance and explained himself to the gaurd. He was then led into place where Gori and the other two were, just as Lisulov finished his sentence.
"Marshal Elo of Medved, reporting for duty." He also raised his salute.
While Lisulov and Folop did not like each other, they hated the war criminal Elo who thought of them as cowards.

All three appeared extremely uncomfortable.

Seeing the newly arrived red-coats, both Raphael and Saera both took up defensive positions behind cover, while Giovanni questioned the men.

Meanwhile, Michael and Arela had arrived at the back entrance to the hotel and were waiting for the others to exit.

Major Musashi strode forward, unsealing his battlesuit and pulling off his demon-faced helm, revealing his impassive face.

"I'm Major Musashi, Otagian Marines. I believe we were invited? You are Les Vestaglies Neres, correct? We'd received word of a firefight here, and thought it might have been you. We've already begun to neutralize all government forces in the city, and my Samurai should have begun playing cat-and-mouse with the Imperial Guard by now. Things should be getting interesting rather soon."

_______________

Lieutenant Saul Revos watched a missile detonated by his countermeasures with a grimace. He was in a light pocket, but no telling how heavy it would get as he moved on.

"Command, this is Sabre. Got heavy AA in the area, making it to the target is gonna be difficult. We're going to head back to the city and take cover there, provide a bit more support to our boys on the ground on the way."

"Roger, Sabre. You're free to break off at any time."

"Thanks, Command. Sabre out."

Flicking his controls, he and his squadron let off a volley of radiation-seeking missiles to handle the local AA, and swung back into the city, flying low in the streets, using the buildings as cover from the Radar network.

OOC: Refraining from posting attacks on the Imperial Guard until I know exactly what I'm going to be shooting at.

"Attention all units concerned. One Black Dragon team (OOC: 12 men) has made it through the defence net thanks to the Otagian attacks. However, we can't get long range comms working without turning off our ECM. We need a landing site, say again, we need a landing site."

Yidrillis' cell phone beeped as the receiving intel cell broadcasted this information to all operatives. He thumbed it on, and (in nistolonian) quietly asked if they could make it downtown due to the Otagian air cover.


OOC: Its a single VTOL craft, with 12 men inside. It has minimal stealth abilities, and it'll try to drop of its cargo near the hotel.

The team of Samurai looked down from their perch high above the passing column of troops below, watching unseen from the parking garage they had taken cover in, while another squad watched the sole access point to their fortress. The Sergeant gestured to a pair of his men, each carrying a Thunderclap. The pair moved to the opening in the wall overlooking the street, seeing the enemy move by and waiting for their chance. The sergeant clicked is comms twice, and received the answering chirp from the squads in position along this street. All around, Samurai were taking aim, choosing their targets. And then...

Chaos.

As one, a dozen carefully aimed HEAT and APFSDS rounds slammed into the roofs of the tanks below, carefully aimed to penetrate engine casings and ammo stores, to blow tanks sky high from ammo cook-offs and to stop them in their tracks, creating a roadblock, a death trap for the troops around them. As one, dozens of grenades arced into the troops, frag rounds sending shrapnel arcing through the crowd, gas bombs eating at NBC gear and spreading chaos with hallucinogenic chemicals. Precision shots from the squads' marksmen picked off officers, cutting off the head of the serpent. The Muerte Rojo had chosen to resist, now they would reap the consequences of their actions.

OOC: Oy, I've been extremely busy, sorry for no post in so long.

IC:

Cítta diGori, Paolo's Palace

~ The three officers before him delighted Paolo. To know that he would not have to expend much of his own military to quell this current rebellion meant that the State would come out of this troubled time all the stronger.

Of course, his plans to abuse these new "allies" would never be made known to them. Right now, however, the three commanders looked terse, almost as if they regretted coming here. Hostility between different factions, perhaps? It mattered not.

" Greetings to all of you, esteemed soldiers of your respected homes," the dictator began, his words chosen carefully as to remove the tension from the room. " With your aid, this movement against my soveriegnty will surely be cru-"

" Sir!"

An officer bursted into the room, an urgent expression of worry born upon his face. Irritated, Paolo faced him, his annoyance clearly shown.

" Most sorry to interrupt you, Great Paolo, but the rebellion has struck. Nuovo Milan is currently under attack by an outside force. Reinforcements are on the way to surround the city and eradicate the enemy."

Inside, Paolo smiled. Information such as this could not have come at a better time. He considered even giving this man a promotion, but quickly dismissed the thought.

" Thank you, you are free to leave now," Gori waved his hand as he spoke, dismissing the officer with a median of courtesy. Turning towards the three foreign leaders, Paolo addressed them once more.

" It seems that your assistance will be needed sooner than I expected. If you could, please lend aid to my soldiers fighting in Nuovo Milan. It is imperative that we hold the city; lest the industrial center of our nation fall so soon."
_____

Nuovo Milan, City Streets

Foolish Samurai. They thought that by fighting back, they would have a chance of escaping. Field Marshal Sancho Alvide knew better. It would only prolong the inevitable, as thousands of soldiers would be pouring into the city soon, and no small strike force would ever survive against such an onslaught. The loss of the tanks was of no large problem: a dent in the war machine that was the Empire. Another Mk.II rumbled down a corner, took aim at a spot where a group of the Anti-Tank rounds had come from, and fired. The 120mm HE round would explode upon contact, killing, if not seriously injuring aything within the blast radius. The soldiers also struck back, their R-11 assault rifles chattering away, littering the streets with casings as they poured clip after clip at the enemy soldiers, taking cover behind buildings and the destroyed hulls of the tanks. Meanwhile, Muerte Rojo soldiers began to sweep through the streets in 4-man fireteams, covering every single building, alley, street, stop sign, anything. Meanwhile, the air cover of the Imperial Guard had arrived; 48 heavily-modified F-15E interceptors bent on destroying the enemy planes. However, since their intended targets were the Otagians, they barely noticed a Nistolonian aircraft approaching the area. . .

If anything, the Otagian attack had simply made it harder to get out of the city alive, if at all.
_____

Hotel Cielo Mojado, Downtown Nuovo Milan

At the mention of the Otagian Marines being in the city, both Giovanni and Vincent shook their heads. If the Otagians had landed a strike force in the city, than it would be a very slim chance that the rebels would be able to leave Nuovo Milan. Hurriedly, Gio and Larenzi spoke quickly to eachother, not caring that their rapid native dialect might be confusing to their new friends.

" By now, the Red Death will surely have the city locked down tight-"

" Yes, and the skies too; Nuovo Milan International is out of the questio-"

" But what about the river?"

" What?"

" Tigriegra river; we might have a chance if we ditch our weapons and steal a boat; remember: the common soldiers don't know what we look like. We could go all the way to Messino in the South, and regroup."

" . . . It just might work, alright then."

Turning towards the man indentified as Major Musashi, Giovanni nodded in appreciation for what his men had done. He only hoped that they would be able to make it out alive.

" Major, the debt we owe your soldiers is great. So sorry for the rushed introductions, but I am Giovanni Gori, heir to the throne of Nueve Italia and yes, a member of Les Vestaglies Neres. We have a plan as how to escape the city for now, for your soldiers will surely not be able to hold out against the entire region once it mobilizes. Ourselves, Raphael, Saera, Jyrissan, and Yidrillis will try and make it to the docks in the southern part of the city, and from there, try and reach the province of Messino even farther South. Your soldiers must pull out of here as soon as we leave, otherwise they will be slaughtered."

At this, Vincent Larenzi interjected, " Your troops can withdraw to the North: we have a base there in Los Montaños Blancos, switch to radio frequency 105.9 mgHz, and you should be able to contact them when you're in range. We ourselves will be in contact with the base as soon as possible. Make sure no one follows you to that base, or the rebellion will fail."

The group waited momentarily as Major Musashi, and the pairs from Theao and Nistolonia thought over this plan and concured upon it.~

"That sounds workable, thought it leaves no contingency." A new voice replied as Raphael's twin stepped out of the doorway, followed by Arela. "Yo bro." Raphael commented as he noticed Michael.

Cítta diGori, Neuve Italia

The three officers raced out of the city in Elo's APC. They all had recieved word from back home that they must work together. Marshal Elo and General Folop would be equal level, Captain Lisulov would be the deciding vote if they disagreed.

"Captain Lisulov, take your special forces and drop outside of the city. The enemy seems to have mercenaries fighting for them, why not you too?" Revka's General Folop asked.

"I see your plan General. I will go at once." Lisulov of Sislik agreed

"After Folop drives out the forces, my troops will have fun "interrogating" the citizens. We will find out everything." Medved's Marshal Elo stated.

Folop changed the subject. "There is something wierd about Gori, I do not think we can fully trust him." He hoped the others agreed with him. The general wanted to make them to become closer to each other than the dictator.

After they reached the outskirts, they split up and went to their troops. The Revka and medved troops began moving toward Nueve Italia. The Sisliks worked on their plan.

Sislik command post

"Get working on a background and some names." Lisulov told to his second in command. Soon later Lisulov got results.

"A group of mercenaries from our neighboring state of Pavnina were secretly detained last night by Sislik secret police. They had about 50 more men then us, so we can easily take their identities. They always wear masks and other things identical to ours. Everything is perfect, they were reported missing the right amount of time ago to be getting here now."

"What is the commander's name?"

"Vasily Falshivka"

"Then that is who I shall become. Bring the men to me, I will brief them."

Vladimir Lisulov, or now Vasily Falshivka sent an encoded message to Gori, even if it was intercepted, the rebels would have to fear for the loyalty of all mercenary supporters:

Encoded Message:
General Gori, as mercenaries appear to be joining up with the rebels, we wish for permission to deisguise ourselves as such types and secretly join up. We have a flawless plan, that is attached to this message.

Musashi nodded.

"That sounds workable. As soon as you leave, we will begin to pull out of the city."

________________

Saul Revos tapped his radar display, somewhat amused.

"Dagger, is it me or are there only forty eight enemy interceptors?"

"That's affirmative Sabre. Want to give them something to do?"

"Well, as there's two of us for every one of them, sure, what the hell. Squadrons, designate a target and fire AAMs."

The Fomori swung around, each launching a half dozen missiles towards the approaching F-15s, a wall of the guided projectiles screaming towards their targets.

________________

The shell ripped through the side of the parking garage a floor below the firer's location, rupturing the floor and throwing concrete through the air. The sniper was halfway across the garage when it hit, relocating to a new firing position. Throwing himself to the ground, he saw a chunk of concrete the size of his head soar past him. Pulling himself to his feet, he felt his leg collapse under him. Looking down, he saw it was bent at an odd angle, the hard armor crushed. Shit... No way that's airtight... Scanning the room, he saw the rest of his squad, already on the other side of the garage, firing another volley into the tanks and soldiers below. Another Thunderclap fired off a volley at a tank, the gyrojet's delayed flash and boom masking its true location. As soon as they had, they quickly moved to their next firing location.

Pulling himself along the ground, he moved to the ramp up to this level. Hearing movement below, he pulled a gas grenade from his belt, pulled the pin, and rolled it down the ramp. The mixture of CorroMis and KoloBac inside it would knock any enemy soldiers out cold within seconds, even if they were wearing NBC warfare suits. Already the streets and ground floors of most buildings in the area would be flooded with it from the grenade bombardment. Pulling his Predator from its holster, he took up position with the rest of the guards, and waited to see if any of the Red Death had managed to make it up the ramp before succumbing.

OOC: Damn has it been long since I got on here. . . sorry for such a long wait everyone.

IC:

Nuovo Milan, Skies Above the City

~ The 48 F-15E fighters proceeded to enact a complicated series of evasive maneuvers in order to dodge the enemy fighters' fire. While the pilots were some of the best in the entire nation, luck also has something to do when flying in a combat zone. Luck was something that was not with eleven pilots, who all were hit and killed almost immediately as their planes spewed forth their last breath of life in a fiery explosion.

Almost at the same time, two more 48-aircraft flight wings, coming in from several near-by airbases and comprising of F-20A Tigersharks, F-16C Falcons, and F-15E Eagles, arrived to support their fellow soldiers in the air. The Otagian planes were not to leave the sector alive, and it wasn't like a soldier to disobey his orders. The remaining Nueve Italian pilots targeted the enemy nuisances, and let loose two MRAAMs each, doubling up on the enemy if need be. Closing the gap on the enemy fighters, the Nueve Italian Imperial Air Force soldiers would not let an attack on their home soil go without the proper response.
_____

Nuovo Milan, City Streets

Now that the rebel leaders had decided upon a course of action, they needed to escape Nuovo Milan alive. The Otagian Red Samurai would preoccupy El Muerte Rojo soldiers throughout the city, but about 20 civilians carrying heavy weaponry while walking throughout Nuovo Milan would surely bring attention to them. With that in mind, each of the Vestaglies Neres soldiers dropped whatever rifles, shotguns, sub-machine guns, and other heavy weaponry they had procured from the dead assassin squad, and instead, only took a pistol and a clip each; easily hidden in most clothing. Giovanni checked to make sure Isabella and his son were unharmed, and tried to coerce the two to leave by a separate route, but Isabella, stubborn as she was, refused.

" Gio, I will not leave you, not now, especially of all times," she stated as she grabbed a 9mm 92FS, shoved a clip in, pulled back the hammer, flicked the safety on, and gently cradled the weapon into her purse.

Giovanni had to admit, she was quite a different woman than any other he had met. It was that youthful and free spirit that Giovanni saw in his wife that drove him to marry her, which she happily obliged to. Though both of nobility, they lived somewhat simply, and cared greatly for their child, Antonio Orsini Gori. Giovanni saw great promise within his son, as he was quite bright and showed such mercy and compassion to those he would consider enemies that Giovanni didn’t think it was too far fetched that, in a democratic Nueve Italia, his son could be elected as the ruler of the country.

Such things, however, didn’t matter now. The Nueve Italians and their allies left the hotel and began the long walk to the docks in the southern part of the city. If, by God’s Grace, they reached the boat without much incident, they could escape. Hopefully, the Otagians could keep the Imperial soldiers busy for a bit longer. . . .
_____

Nuovo Milan, South District

The Otagian soldiers were becoming too resourceful for their own good. Through the use of illegal chemical weaponry, they had prolonged the life of some of their soldiers in a particular building. Not that it mattered, for after a few more minutes, the Red Death soldiers in the area pulled out, and a Mk.III Serbatoio moved into the area, took aim at the building, and fired, blowing a hole into the concrete and steel structure. To mop up, the tank’s forward .50cal Anti-infantry machine gun opened fire into the whole, peppering the Otagian soldiers foolish enough to remain behind.

By now, several more Imperial divisions were entering the city. If the Otagians did not leave in a few more moments, they would be overwhelmed, and killed.~

*bump*

Raphael and Michael as well as Arela and Saera followed Giovonni, figuring he knew where he was headed and had a decent escape route as well as a safe-haven.

Once they arrived where they were headed, Michael intended to contact the unit and get them active.