NationStates Jolt Archive

Van Luxemburg retreats from Guyana Island!
http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/albums/Ivory_Coast_conflict/ivory114.jpg
The last of the Van Luxemburgian Forces leave Guyana Island; How will they proceed?

CAYENNE-The last parts of the Van Luxemburgian Army forces left Guyana Island, a 146-year old colonial posession of Van Luxemburg, today. Since 1860, when it was discovered, the Van Luxemburgers have been on the island, defending it from invaders and internal problems. Now, according to the Grand Duke, the situation has become too unstable to keep forces in the region for any longer.

At exactly 08.00 hours this morning, the last troops, of the 3rd Reconaissance Brigade, 5th division, have left the island by aircraft, together with the last of the Airforce Detachement. They will fly to Kreuzbadinsel, a larger island, about 100 km away from Guyana Island, Which has recently been colonized by both Van Luxemburg and Wingarde.

The current ways of the New Guyanan Government are unknown. It is yet to be announced which road the government of Guyana Island will choose, rather than changing the nation's name from "Van Luxemburgian Guyana Island" to "Guyana Island". As of now, the newly-found state is more battling itself then making proposals for a new government, or accepting any constitution as of now.

Van Luxemburg has refused to assist in any way in the creation of an Army, which should be following an Offensive doctrine, as the Guyanans asked. Also, Van Luxemburg has refused to leave any firearm behidn on the island, as the Island is considered "very unstable" and "A danger to anyone entering it's territory". The National Tourist Board NTB has brought a negative travel advice for the Island.

Currently, Van Luxemburg watches while Guyana Island takes it's first steps.


Cayenne Airport, 08.00 in the morning

Covered by only an AMX-10RC Light Tank, the last squad of the 3rd Reconaissance brigade left in the Airbus A400M, which enormous Rolls-Royce engines already blew away the last dirt from the tarmac. From the gates of the Airport, a large crowd whistled and applauded for a man who was throwing stones at the Light Tank, which was covered in dirt and dust, after recent combat operations just out of Cayenne.

The temperature was around 40 *C, and the 89% humidity didn't make it anymore pleasant. Jacque Larseaux was the last man of the squad to board the aircraft. He also was Capitan for that, but nobody cared at that moment. As the AMX-10 slowly backed up into the aircraft, it was all over. He would never see this island anymore, never.

With a loud and solid "bang", the doors of the Airbus closed. The engines screamed over the airfield. Escorted by two Rafales on an adjacent runway, the Airbus lifted off the asphalt, leaving to Kreuzbadinsel...

Cayenne, the center of the town

Thierry Karbel walked through the remnants of the Municipality office. It was one big heap of rubble, after the Van Luxemburgians fired a Sea Shadow at it. It had destroyed a large weapons cache, but also killed a small group of locals sorting out those weapons. It had happened during the evacuation, one large rubbish.

But now, he probably was the new leader of this godforsaken little island, with it's strange climate. While a normal (Temperate) climate ruled 100km north, this here was cocked up in a sort of rainforest climate, usually designated Af by the Köppen system. Anyways, he had the power over Cayenne, with his warlords, and the jungles should be no problem to annex. It was his turn.

From: Thierry Karbel
To: Any Nation (except Van Luxemburg)

Dear Sirs,

We would like to have some support for our newly created nation, Guyana Island. We especially are in need of food and weaponry, mainly offensive. Could anyone please send us something?

Thierry Karbel,
The self-proclaimed leader of Guyana Island.

(OOC: Please ask if you can join first. I don't want someone jumping in at once. Please ask first, even if you already sent a letter. Also, do not send something *uber*, if you know what I mean. It must be the most useless crap the world has ever seen. Dumping time! :p

P.S.: The Guyanans are not very pro-women. Just plain old-guard. )

OOC: raven corps would like to join this. We have some old stuff that needs to be destroyed. Most is remote controled so. No one would get hurt.

OOC: As long as it's almost pre-MT or completely broken down and MT, it's OK to me. RC does however sounds quite, you know, PMT to me.

Our trust me the stuff we will be sending is like ages old. It was used for wargames while training troops.

I would be using stuff I sell on my Low cost low care storefront.( in my sig)

(OOC: The small arms are Okay with me. I prefer RL equipment for my newly-created Third-World Nation.)

Ok how about this stuff?
http://www.73rdarmorassoc.org/images/old%20tanks/HEUSCHRECKE.JPG

and some old T-64's

http://www.nemo.nu/ibisportal/5pansar/5sidor/5bilder/t64ritn.gif

(OOC Perfect. As long as you make an IC post for it.)

Colderon heard the cries of people who wish to fight. As a war corporation people who wanted weapons, where his friends. And a friend in need is a friend who can pay for help. Colderon knw that the newly formed government cant support newer weapons and vehicals so, with a little magic Colderon autherized the production of old model t-64s and old t-50s. Both where older Russian models but they would do fine for a newly formed government.


Attention Governing body of this Island. We here at Raven corps have deemed it proper to send you the weapons and vehicals you have requested. Our price is 2,000,000 USD for a package 100 t-50's and 100 t-64's. And 1million USD for 4000 Ak-47 with extended 100 round clip. plus 400,000 rounds




With the letter sent it was up to the government to accept the order....

Guyana Island

Thierry Karbel was seated in a tent, out of Cayenne. He slowly scooped up another piece of the Macaroni, which the men always got. Terrible, he thought, to always eat Macaroni.

A man slowly walked inside, carrying a small note. He handed it to Karbel.
It was a note from The Raven Corps, And he wholly accepted it.

From: Thierry Karbel
To: Raven Corps

We thank you. We'll send our last money.



Karbel laid down his pen, and walked to a computer, one of the only ones that hadn't been took back with the Van Luxemburgians. When they went, large numbers of peoples also left, making the island population limited from 1 million to 600,000 subjects.

Suddenly, a roar came their way, almost blowing the tent off it's fundaments.
Several men fled out of the tent, and gazed up as an Van Luxemburgian SR-71 passed the base at only some hundred meters high.

"So they want to know what we're doing... Show them!"

One of the men, the only armed one, took his Lee-Enfield bolt-action rifle, and fired two shots at the quickly disappearing SR-71.

"Sir, that were our last bullets."

Karbel looked on, as the groups of men checked every corner of the encampment for bullets. Nothing was left.

"This makes the shipment from Raven ever more urgent. I guess we can't go without it."

( Terra city, Willink. Raven corps shipment and Distribution center. )


"Come on I dont have All day. I want those crates on the transports loaded by sun down. As does Colderon. If you value your jobs I would work faster." scream the area supervisor as he over saw one of the 30 loaded docks being used for the shipment. About 300 Orca Transports and 400 large fright trains where loaded with the shipment. All of the trains load would be loaded on to Larger sea tranports.

Once the shipment was loaded Colderon came down to insepct the shipment himself. The men and women of the loading dock where placed in a single area while this happened. As the inspection took places Colderon Ordered 400,000 more rounds be loaded as a gift.

So the workers began to loaded the crates of rounds. Close to 40 more crates where loaded


( 5 hours later of Sea dock)


With the large transports loaded and the Orca fueled. The shipment would arrive within a few days....

( day or two later)

The transports could see the coastline in the horizon. The captian of the vessels sent a message to the Island....


This is Security Captian Hasson.

We have weapons and military vehicels that where ordered by the current leadership of this land. Requesting Docks location...

[ooc: not as detailed as I would like, but I’m a little pressed for time today, it’s mostly what we talked about, though again more the sketched outlines, though I suppose I can fill that in with later posts about other UK companies./ooc]

Philadelphia, Oceania, the United Kingdom

Far from Cayenne in an angular tower of glass that melted into the heavens, a small group of men dressed in black, grey, and tan business suits sat around a polished wood table of a warm ochre colour. Against one of the solid walls hung a thin computer screen that bore an enlarged map of a relatively small island in the Atlantic – thousands of kilometers from the Pacific, but close enough in an age of near instantaneous connections.

Portus Mercaturae Ltd. operated many of the important port facilities in the United Kingdom, including the nation’s largest port: Breningrad. However James Connelly knew that more lucrative possibilities lay out beyond the horizons that surrounded the Home Islands and in the past few years he had bought the rights to operate port facilities in many of the UK’s new colonies. With the continuing surge of economic growth, new markets and new sources of raw material needed to be found – of that much Connelly was sure. And this new little island could just offer that which both he and the country, incidentally, needed.

Gentlemen, Connelly began, I present to you the island nation of Guyana. A land rich in resources but poor in infrastructure and available capital. A land quite suited to UK business. He paused as the chairmen and directors laughed politely. If we look at the figures, their current GDP per capita is a mere $500 USD, they have no merchant marine, and only four port terminals. Yet the country offers petroleum, iron, and diamonds among other natural resources that must be shipped across the sea because, quite frankly, what use do the Guyanans have for diamonds and oil when they’d barely be able to scrounge up the money to build the mines and drilling equipment?

But, I can assure you that here in the UK we have a great need of oil, as well as luxury goods such as diamonds and silver. With the Van Luxemburgers having pulled out the nation has foolishly decided to build an army for “offensive” purposes and I think this provides our company with the opening it needs. Their government needs money to build and maintain an army, and for a relatively small tax on profits generated by our control of their port facilities we can provide them that money. And with the ports of Guyana controlled by UK companies we can all but assure that our fellow UK businesses – of course not our direct competitors, Connelly smiled while the men chuckled, reap the rewards of developing Guyana. They’ll get a stable corporate tax base we’ll get access to resources and manpower.

Slowly but surely Connelly watched faces of skeptics turn to optimists as his presentation went on, focusing on the potential windfall in profit generation new ports in untapped markets could offer. The taxes to be paid by the company would be small in comparison to the money received in the long-term (as Connelly left out the fact that most of the ports were in a state of disrepair and would need significant improvements.) And so when all was done and said the company voted in favour of buying out the Guyanan port operators, who really could not say no to the Azazia Pound and the nice bonuses the officers of the companies received.

Almost overnight the ports of Cayenne, Nouvea-Luxembourg, Port Boukhari, and Coloniale-Au-Guyane fell into the control of Portus Mercaturae. And tax season after tax season the new Guyanan government would begin to reap income from the profits made by Portus Mercaturae as they sought to deepen and fortify the harbours and breakwaters as ships arrived to bring in experts and analysts and prospectors from the United Kingdom, all interested in what Guyana had to offer.

OOC- Can i ask to join ? I can send some old MiG's and Su's used as national guard defenses, along with old SAMS and such.

Terra City, Willink Raven Corps Corporate H.Q.


The tall Pyrimad shaped Building was in no way blending with the surroundings. It stuck out like a sore thumb. In front Corporate Security Forces stood guard. Inside the baord Room which was on the 100th floor, had no light other than the red lights that shown against black marble tile. and a Large black marble tables with Ravens engarved into the center. At the end sat Colderon, looking over recent events that have taken place in the island.

" Gentlemen. As of recently it appears that some UK companies are buying ports along the coast of the Island. This is bad for busniess. I have already begun to " Remedy" the situation. Raven corps has deployed a Corporate Representive to help come to an agreement with them. We are trying to avoid hositlities with them as much as possible." Colderon said while just sitting in his chair.


" Colderon Who did you send?" asked a boardmember

" I sent a very qualified person. And that all you need to know." said Colderon as he gave a small laugh. The thought of another company moving in on Raven corps prospective lands made Colderon feel insulted. And such required the use of his Corporate Representive.

Cayenne

Karbel sat in his own home, with the only PC he could get in front of him. He had been asking for intelligence from other cities. All indicated one thing: A company, called Portus Mercaturae had been assiting in the rebuilding of the harbours and ports lately, and had asked for access to the mineral-rich inlands. His men in the ports had immediately accepted, and he did too. It was a good thing that such a corporation would do it for them, as they were too afraid to get into the jungle.

However, that was a thing that they kept silent. The number of other Warlords situated in the Inlands was frightening, and some were well-armed. However, He, Thierry Karbel was gaining the upper hand. His men had reported that the Raven Corps's assistance was laying infront of the gates of Cayenne, and that the tanks were on their way. However, he wasn't completely sure of his victory. The danger loomed in the inlands...

Mont du Castel, Guyana Island

The rumbling became stronger and stronger. The wet earth, which was common at any time in Mont du Castel, a small town based in a castle, was rudely broken by heavy AMX-30b2 Battletanks, assisted by two Leclercs. Those were the main armoured force of the Pro-Van Luxemburgian Warlord Mbutu, a native Guyanan. In his mid-thirties, he had command over a small army, which was fully supported by the Van Luxemburgian government. His military was well-armed with Heckler and Koch G3 rifles, and he had support of the most elite of all, The Van Luxemburgian Special Service Rainbow (SSR). They had jointly decided to take Mont du Castel, which would be the best defensive position a man could see on this godforsaken island.

At early dawn, they charged the mountain. 4,000 men, all from Mbutu's voluntary force (one of the only ones, all other violently rounded up people to join their forces), assisted by the 50 men of the SSR. With a swift movement, the AMX-30's moved till the gates of the Castle, which were quickly broken by the supporting infantry. With enthousiasthic shouting, they ran into the town, quickly taking the remaining Communists prisoner. Then, the next group, consisting of the remaining 5,000 men entered the city, making the complete town of Mont du Castel 9,000 inhabitants richer. With that, they controlled the main Oilfields, aswell as all major forests and natural gas reservoirs, aswell as around half of the proven Diamonds reserve.

Cayenne

From: Mont du Castel HQ
To: Thierry Barkel

Overrun. Request reinforcements. Mbutu.


Those were the last three words coming from Mont du Castel. At least, for the Communists.

From: Thierry Barkel
To: Security Captain Hasson

You may take it into the port of Cayenne. We will secure you.


Thierry Barkel also deemed it necessary to send a short message to the UK of Azazia, mentioning that they were not any longer in control of most of Guyana's most important resources.

Atlantic Ocean, some 60 km from Guyana Island, 40 km from Kreuzbadinsel

The Frigate Marseille slowly made it's way back to port, after a busy day of patrolling Kreuzbadinsel's shores. It also had caught the eye of Thierry Karbel, and because of this, the small Fishermen's boat Naiade followed the Marseille, well out of weapon range.

However, things were about to change. The heavy engines, hidden under the deck of the sloop, began accelerating, creating a deafening sound for it's crew. It's crew was actually way to busy to hear the sound of the engines. They had armed a single RPG-7 launcher, while two weapons resided in the hands of a reloader. The older rocket was usually used against armoured targets on land, but Barkel and it's men thought that a ship would do just as well.

The sloop began to come in range of the Frigate, before it was seen as a threat by the crew aboard the Marseille. But, it was all too late. A large flood of light was unleashed from the Sloop, quickly making it's way towards the Frigate. It hit mid-ship, before any of the advanced systems aboard was able to respond. A fireball turned the Marseille into a Frigate with a huge hole in it. The complete helicopter hangar was blown away, leaving only the smoking remnants of an NH-90 NFH. Luckily, the weapons compartment wasn't hit, and aboard the Marseille, it took five minutes before an Exocet MM40 was launched from one of the VLS tubes. It quickly turned into the direction the Sloop had fled, and followed it's target carefully, until able to hit it amidships. The sloop was completely destroyed by the sheer power, compared to the RPG-7, which had only made some structural damage to the Frigate.

OFFICIAL VAN LUXEMBURGIAN STATEMENT

On the 24th of February, around six o'clock, the Van Luxemburgian Marine Frigate VLS Marseille was intercepted by a sloop, carrying the Guyanan Communist flag. The sloop fired two Rocket-Propelled Grenades of the RPG-7 model at the VLS Marseille completely destroying it's helicopter hangar. Luckily, no deaths were counted abaord the ship. The Marseille returned fire in the form of an Exocet MM40, completely destroying the Sloop. The Marseille wasn't in Guyanan waters during the attack, and has never been. Guyana is asked to watch it's troops the next time, as such a peaceful response isn't to be expected if anything like this might happen again.

OFFICIAL GUYANAN STATEMENT

Today, the People's Navy Patrol Boat Naiade succesfully attacked a Van Luxemburgian intruder in our lands, being close to the shore. Warnings were made, but the ship opened fire with her Exocet missiles. Before the Naiade was destroyed, It managed to heavily damage the ship of the Van Luxemburgian Capitalist Navy. All Death to the Grand Duke!

Thierry Barkel, President of the People's Republic of Guyana Island

OOC: Oh, Willink, You may participate, as long as it's strictly MT and RL equipment.

( off coast of the Portus Mercaturae ports)

The stealth Orca moved into position and dropped a single person down before moving away. In the water a private mercenary named Killian Sible made her way to the ports docks by using a double tank systems which allowed her to move without making air bubbles. she moved slowly under the water well under enought not to be seen by anyone who wasn't devoting alot of time to see her. As she appoached the docks she began to place 20 lbs blocks of waterproof C-2 explosive at the foundation of the docks and on any vessels that may have been near at the time. She places the explosives on 10 different areas in the port, and left grenade strings on the side of the warf not visible to the normal soldier walking around, plus you would have to be looking off the warf to see them. As she placed the last string see activated the detonator and swam to a cropping of sea rocks and hit the switch.


http://www.geocities.com/prince_nicadaemus/Art/D20_Modern/specops.jpg

Killian

(OOC: I'm doing this. I hope Azazia ratifies the attack.)

OFFICIAL GUYANAN STATEMENT
We are official demanding excuse and the damage to be paid from the Van Luxemburgian Government after the attack on several Portus Mercaturae vessels, aswell as damaging our port facilities. We officially demand that Van Luxemburg halts all military operations on and around Guyana Island. Also, we demand that van Luxemburg immediately offers it's excuse to our government and pays 60 billion USD, the damage done to our facilities. The Van Luxemburgian is held responsible for this attack, made by elements of the Maritieme Jagers, a specialized command of the Van Luxemburgian Marines (Special Forces). Our guards have seen Van Luxemburgain Marines exiting and entering The LPD Jericho after operations, by binoculars. They were also attacked with gunfire and heavy airsupport, obviously coming from the LPD and it's Air Arm Contingent.

We await your answer,
Thierry Karbel

An answer was quickly formed by the Van Luxemburgian Ministry of Defence, together with the rest of the Government.

OFFICIAL VAN LUXEMBURGIAN ANSWER

We have not even touched your borders, leaving that Military Forces have done this! We have done nothing, and the attack on the port facilities are ought to be Rebel activity. Also, none of our Aircraft, neither our Marines, and certainly not the LPD Jericho, which is under construction at the moment, has entered your borders, not even touched them, not even thought about them. I can fully ensure you that we have not entered Guyanan waters.

Sincerely,
Grand Duke Koen van Luxemburg
Philippe Dermont, Ministry of Defence
The Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg

(*Bump*)

[ooc: I’ll let it go this once, but I highly frown upon people just circumventing all my security procedures to attack what is now UK property. A little background, a major UK port was hit by a nuclear device offshore by a terrorist – there is nothing more sacrosanct in the UK then port security. But as I said, given the fact that it’s provided VL with some plot material and that the UK company just purchased the rights to operate all four ports (and hence they’d have only light advance security teams) I’ll let this attack on the one port slide, I’m presuming Cayenne because it seems to be the primary city for Guyana. /ooc]

Andrew Heywood frowned as dawn crept over the island of Guyana, starting slowly over the mountains to the east. A member of the advance team, Heywood had not even been on the island for a day when some terrorist or foreign agent decided it had become necessary to bomb the port facility. Fortunately the facility remained largely intact, the thirty-three piers for commercial use ensured that if nothing else the port was operating at two-thirds its usual capacity – and given the low volume of trade with Guyana that was more than sufficient to pick up the slack.

Smoke billowed from fires inside the docked vessels, all of either Guyana or Raven Corps origin. While UK ships were expected in the coming weeks there was still the lag-time accompany trips around the Tierra del Fuego. In his stubby hands he held a small release from the Guyanan government claiming that the Van Luxemburgers had raided the port – something that Heywood knew was a blatant and outrageous lie, but would undoubtedly play well with the locals. Some analysts might also point the blame on the Guyanans themselves, but each faction had a great deal to lose by bombing their largest port – the port through which all foreign trade would arrive.

So far as he knew, the only other two nations besides the United Kingdom and Van Luxemburg with interests in the island were Willink and Raven Corps. He doubted Willink, a democratic state that had just begun to make whispers and movements about supporting some faction. That left only one possible suspect in Heywood’s mind. Turning away from the carnage in the port of Cayenne Heywood returned to his spacious hotel room where he quickly found a pen and some paper on which he scribbled a quick note that, with an appropriate amount of Azazia Pound notes, was sure to get to the man.

Dear Mr. Karbel,

I write to you in the strictest of confidence regarding the heinous and truly barbaric attack on a Portus Mercaturae facility in Cayenne late last night. Understanding and appreciating the need for your government to keep control of Guyana the comment against the Van Luxemburg forces for raiding the port make good sense – but I believe we both know them to be wrong.

In fact, when I look at the evidence, I see only one logical culprit for the bombing. And while loathe to implicate a company with whom you are engaged in several business deals, I feel no other recourse as your government has the leverage of buying power to push the company to cease its activities.

Let me explain, currently your country is locked in a bitter struggle for control of Guyana and both sides need weapons and ammunition. No faction in Guyana can afford to lose a port and so it makes no sense for any Guyanan faction to bomb Cayenne’s facilities. This leaves four other culprits: Van Luxemburg, the United Kingdom, Willink, and Raven Corps.

I can personally vouch for the United Kingdom as we far more civilised to resort to the cowardice we all witnessed. As for Van Luxemburg, while I appreciate the antipathy your people and your government harbour for their government – they stand nothing to gain by bombing Cayenne. Any such attacks would only provoke your two states closer to war and ratchet up the hatred on both sides. That’s not in their best interests, all nations prefer stability on their doorstep, not countries wracked by bloodshed – it’s bad for business. Then we come to Willink, which is only still rumoured to be negotiating for involvement and there is no evidence to show yet which side they shall take and so I must rule them out as still largely uninvolved.

This leaves Raven Corps. A corporate entity they exist only for profit and likely see the acquisition of control over the operation of Guyana’s ports as a direct challenge. And while I’d hate to implicate any other businessman in such barbaric practices, I feel that the evidence overwhelmingly points to Raven Corps’ involvement. They have the motive in the potential competition, although how our operations directly compete with their arm sales escapes me. They also have the opportunity – they are the only moored ships outside of Guyanans laying in Cayenne harbour. No other nation, except Van Luxemburg that I’ve already ruled out, has such access.

And so given such evidence I humbly ask for your assistance in using your leverage as their primary customer here in Guyana to push them away from bombing infrastructure that can only be used to help you and your cause. For the fact remains, while Cayenne remains fully operational – should you receive more assistance further attacks on Portus Mercaturae facilities will only hamper your military operations because we can only offload so many ships so quickly with limited facilities.

In advance I thank you for your time and your consideration.

Andrew Heywood
Portus Mercaturae Ltd.

Cayenne

Thierry Karbel sat in his office. Well, office, it wasn't anything more then a small, unhealthy room with no lighting, and one PC standing on a table. But, it could do. What worried him more was that Portus Mercaturae has pointed to another faction, So he couldn't blaim his former masters anymore. That could be a bummer, however, There was one point...

From: Thierry Karbel, People's Republic of Guyana
To: Andrew Heywood, Portus Mercaturae Ltd.

Sir,

I am shocked by your pointers! While we do not believe that Raven Corps has attacked our/your ports, it could be that my men have spotted the wrong ship, and that Van Luxemburgian forces have attacked the port facility. We do not believe that there's anything wrong to either Portus Marcaturae, Raven Corps, or the Republic of Willink. We solely believe that the Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg is trying to undermine our sovereighnity, and that our lifes are made impossible by the Grand-Ducal Juggernaut looming one-hundred kilometres away. If needed, we will take revenge for what the Van Luxemburgians have done.

Also, we would like to point out that we've recently lost control over Mont du Castel, a city which controls most of the Island's minerals, and we have no possibility of capturing it back from the Pro-Van Luxemburgian Warlord Mbutu. They are armed by the Grand Duchy, and fully supported aswell. I think, at least. We request you to take a decision on what to do. As of now, the People's Republic is unable to make offensive actions towards the city of Mont du Castel, laying on a mountain, and defended by superior forces.

Awaiting your Reply,
Thierry Karbel


But, a thing he didn't say to the Azazians was that there was more. Democratic rebels had took the mountaineous area in the east, and the Socialists were closing in on Port Boukhari. As of now, He though the People's Republic wouldn't last longer then a few days, neither would he.

[FONT="Palatino Linotype"][ooc: I’ll let it go this once, but I highly frown upon people just circumventing all my security procedures to attack what is now UK property. A little background, a major UK port was hit by a nuclear device offshore by a terrorist – there is nothing more sacrosanct in the UK then port security. But as I said, given the fact that it’s provided VL with some plot material and that the UK company just purchased the rights to operate all four ports (and hence they’d have only light advance security teams) I’ll let this attack on the one port slide, I’m presuming Cayenne because it seems to be the primary city for Guyana. /ooc]

OOC:

And the fact you never provided any real idea of the secuirty level at your ports it would lead on the believe that thier wasn't much to begin with. Now I gave perfectly good reason as to why a Light securtiy force would not have noticed one person under water at night wearing black dive suit, even with spotlights you never would have seen her, ( because light reflects off water) placing C-2 explosives underwater not the nuclear ones you stated , and lining a string of grenades on the unseen part of a warfs edge. Now if you want to cry about a single person who exells in demolitions getting past a light security force, be my guess. But I hope you know just how cowardly that sounds.


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

IC:

[QUOTE]

Public statment letter....


To all parties involved,


Raven corps would not have bombed the port if our own ships where there in dock. Because of the bombing raven corps has lost considerable amounts of products, all of which where for the new goverment. We lost 2 ships in the area of the bombing. And we are outraged that you would even consider us....

Signed Colderon Zion.

The Mirage 2000 was an outdated aircraft in the Van Luxemburgian airforce. Maybe even that far outdated, that it was slated to be replaced by several foreign models. However, this one had just took off from the VLAF Airforcebase in Ostrhain, Kreuzbadinsel. It was now coming in low and fast to intercept a possible insurgent in Van Luxemburgian waters, a small fishermen's sloop, the same as used in the attack on the Marseille.

Pilot Laurent Hartmann had been flying with the VLAF for over 10 years, and had recently been evacuated from Guyana Island. It's aircraft, a Mirage 2000-5 with production number 100851-A, was to be replaced by one of the Isselmere-Nielander DAS.2 Spectre FGR.4 versions, and he would get a co-pilot, for the first time in his life.

However, that was in the future, not now. As the waves almost hit the belly of the aircraft, He was flying subsonic. Just. The aircraft passed the LPD the sloop could be heading for, the LSG-14 Hintertux, a Mistral-Class LPD, on it's way to it's target.
Quickly, the sloop came closer. The maximum range of an Exocet SM-39 was long since reached, but Laurent really didn't want to risk a missile shot after him before the missile hit. The sloop had violated Van Luxemburgian waters, and pierced the waves at a high rate of speed. Seemingly, they had chosen a different tactic then last time, when they played the unguilty fishermen till the last moment.
Laurent's system, allowing him to launch the SM-39, began beeping. This meant, that the missile was locked-on and ready for fire. Laurent pushed the buttoon, after a short prayer he made for his enemies to end up alive. He knew that was impossible, once the heavy explosive load would render the ship useless.

The missile's engines ignited, and it left it's warm home, under the wing of the Mirage. It leaped forward at a dazzling rate of speed, and quickly vanished towards it target. It's engines could be seen from quite a distance, and alarmed the crew of the sloop that they were attacked. They however had no time to react. The missile hit the exact center of the sloop, exploding into a large fireball, fed by the fuel and explosives aboard the sloop itself.

Laurent quickly made a flyover, to ensure it was destroyed. However, he didn't see anything. The sloop had vanished beneath the waves.
Well, maybe to say that he didn't see anything, was a lie. From out of the distance, three dots closed in at high speed, from the Guyanan side.
Laurent's mind was working to it's maximum capabilities. There was absolutely no possibility whatsoever that the Van Luxemburgians had sent friendlies from that side, and he was surprised to see actual, working, fighters to come from the Guyanans. He was however quickly overtook by the sound of three MiG-19 engines, which had intercepted him. He ensured that he was flying over Van Luxemburgian waters, when the Channel opened.

Attention intruder. This is the Guyanan Airforce. Surrender or we will open fire.

Laurent looked to his side, while he firstly pushed a special "panic" button, located next to the radio. He saw a man, not equipped with the usual G-suits, or anything, pointing at him, and to the Guyanan side of the Street. His thoughts were however rudely destroyed by a crackling sound coming in over another channel.

LSG-14 here. What's the matter, Tiger Flight?

Tiger Flight was the codename given to Laurent after his service on Guyana Island, where he bombed an offensive rebel outpost. He had dived down as a Stuak on that outpost, just like a tiger on his prey.

I'm currently surrounded by three MiG-19's, saying they come from the Guyanan Airforce.

The answer was quick, and harsh.

Sure, and Santa has a purple beard. What have you took today? Something working on your mind? Drugs? Hallucinations are quite common, I've heard.

Laurent replied at the same tone.

Negative, Although you seem to have took too much Alcohol. I'm having three MiG-19's inbound, Guyanan Airforce, flying next to me. I need reinforcements, now.

The reply was a bit slow, but it came after several seconds.

Okay. We'll send some of our aircraft to check it out. I'll personally take care of your resignation if you're lying right now.

Laurent closed the channel with a push of the button and replied to the Guyanans, with an almost the same sentence.

Attention Intruder, this is Tiger Flight of the VLAF. Surrender or we'll open fire.

A laugh ripped through Hartmann's headset, while sweat was dripping off his head.

You're outnumbered. Surrender or suffer from the murder on our brothers!

The answer was slow, but very calmly stated.

You're outnumbered. Please turn around and return home, or we'll have to open fire.

At that moment, a Mica missile intercepted the MiG-19's, destroying one of them. Both remaining fighters were busy looking around, when two ASC-8 "Buse" V/STOL multirole fighters appeared alongside.

This is Buzzard Flight. You're outnumbered. We'll warn you not to make any offensive movement, or we'll open fire. You must follow us. Out.

The MiG-19's followed the ASC-8's, now joined by two Rafales of the Ostrhain AFB. They were also returning from a patrol, and had gotten the order to take the MiG's home.

Later that day

OFFICIAL VAN LUXEMBURGIAN STATEMENT

Today, a van Luxemburgian Mirage 2000-5 fighter intercepted a hostile ship by firing a SM-39 Exocet missile at it. It was however overtook by three MiG-19's, of the Guyanan Airforce. One of them was destroyed by reinforcements of the Van Luxemburger Aviation Navale (VLAN), And two were ecorted back to Ostrhain AFB on Kreuzbadinsel. The Mirage fighter and it's pilot are in great condition, and have survived th encounter. Both the MiG-pilots were interrogated and placed in the Ostrhain Provincial Prison. They have shown that they intended to destroy the Van Luxemburgian Fighter, and that they had orders directly from Mr. Karbel. We will show Mr. Karbel that Van Luxemburg will not tolerate this action, and that further actions will only lead to a more aggressive stance on the Guyana Question.

OFFICIAL GUYANAN STATEMENT

Lies, Lies, Lies! We have not sent any fighters over Guyanan waters, leave aLone Van Luxemburgian! We will however not stop with actions, as long as Van Luxemburgians keep passing our borders without official passes and allows.

Cayenne, that evening

Thierry Karbel sat in his office. He was furious. He hadn't won the diplomatical game, and he had almost demolished his PC, before seeing that it could be a great weapon against the Van Luxemburgians. He then grabbed his phone, and contacted his Defence Minister....

A few minutes later, he hung up the phone, walked over to his PC, and got to work. He started his E-mail messenger and got to work.

Mont du Castel, somewhat later

The truck slowly drove up the mountain. Although watched by the Pro-Van Luxemburgian warlord and his men, it was given entrance into the city. Quickly, several soldiers surrounded the truck, and asked the driver to get out. He got out, but not before he pushed a button.

With a deafening explosion, the truck blew. The extremely toxic gasses dripped on the ground, filling the air. A large cloud of smoke pulled eastwards, over the city. Within minutes, all 90,000 inhabitants were either killed or urgently in need of medications due to the toxic that they had been exposed to. VX gas, the most poisonous of all.

Luxembourg, Capital of Van Luxemburg

Philippe Dermont, Minister of Defence, stared out of the window. The sights over the city were beautiful, but his current state wasn't allowing him to be happy. On his desk were three letters. One was from the Intelligence Service IVD, indicating that the Guyanans possibly used VX Nerve Gas to take out enemies. The other letter was from the Korps Mariniers, Van Luxemburg's Special Forces. It said that all contact with Korps 6 of the SSR had been lost during operation with the Pro-Van Luxemburgian Warlord in Mont-Du-Castel. The last one read:

OFFICIAL GUYANAN COMMUNIQUÉ

DECLARATION OF WAR

Seeing the recent Van Luxemburgian Actions on Guyanan soil, most notably the destruction of one fighter and two Naval vessels, Guyana Island has seen it necessary to declare war on Van Luxemburg. We will take these attacks on us no more! Guyana island is independent!

That was it. It didn't read more. No pages long reports of how this could happen. Just this. 4, maybe 5 sentences. He hoped this could end better for the Van Luxemburgians, then for the Guyanans....

Ostrhain, province of Kreuzbadinsel

The gate cryed out loud when it lowered on the beach. The old Higgins LVCP, formerly used by The Van Luxemburgian Grand-Ducal army to well in the fifties, was now wearing a Guyanan Flag, and was used for a landing on Van Luxemburgian soil. A large chunk of Guyanas population was called up to serve with the army, and they had landed in Ostrhain. Van Luxemburgian units, by far outnumbered, had retreated into the province of Westrhain, maybe fifty kilometres away. However, the Guyanan airforce was unable to take up arms against the superior Van Luxemburgian one, which was constantly bombing and demoralising the Guyanan conscripts. The conscripts were also ill-prepared to fight against the overwhelming Van Luxemburgian Marine, which had Three LPD's and one CVN in the area to assist in operations.

But, hope was on the horizon for the Van Luxemburgian Ground Forces. In Langweiler, the capital of the Kreuzbadinsel region, the complete 19th and 45th divisions were called up, and together with the already present 8th division, they could make a good chance beating the Guyanans back from Ostrhain. But for now, the Van Luxemburgians were steadily retreating....

House of Government, Stromburg, Wingarde

President Jakob was in his office, reviewing some budget files, coffee cup besides him, when his executive secretary entered the room rather hastily, holding a sheet of paper in her left hand. She stopped in front of the leader's desk and delivered the report to him.

"Herr President, sorry to bother you, but this is just in from Kreuzbadinsel." The secretary commented and stood still while the President skimmed the text. He frowned in preocupation.

"I knew this would eventually happen. Those Guyanans aren't short of mad." Jakob asserted and pondered for a moment as his executive secretary left the office. He dialed for the Minister of Defense and patiently waited while he was communicated to her.

"Alexia, I assume you got the news." The President stated while reviewing the communiqué from Wingarde's territories in Kreuzbadinsel.

"Yes, Herr President. Intelligence indicated the Guyanans have landed a force of approximately two hundred thousand men on the Van Luxemburgian province of Ostrhain at about 0400, local time. They seem to be vastly inferior, technology-wise, but they outnumbered the local garrison by a large margin." Minister Daecher reported over the phone, reviewing force estimation papers herself.

"I see. Will this force present a threat to Wingarde if left unchecked?" Hermann inquired despite being pretty much aware of the current situation and potential consequences.

"Of course, sir. Given the volatile nature of the situation in Guyana, the government may already be considering war with our nation, if only to get a hold of Kreuzbadinsel in its entirety." Alexia speculated.

"Then I have no choice but to issue an ultimatum to the Guyanan government. We must not let them consolidate their foothold." The President stated, considering the lives of thousands of Wingardians were at stake in the colony.

"I completely agree with you, sir. We currently have the 4th Infantry Division and the 9th Armoured Division, a total of around 35,000 ground personnel, plus Task Force Garm stationed on our side of Kreuzbadinsel. If the Guyanans refuse to leave, we'll force them out." Daecher acknowledged.

TO: Thierry Karbel, Guyana Island
FROM: Hermann Jakob, House of Government, Wingarde

SUBJECT: Ultimatum

In light of your recent activities, namely the invasion of the Van Luxemburgian side of Kreuzbadinsel, I must urge you to cease and desist your hostilities against the Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg and retreat your forces to Guyana Island at once. If you fail to comply with Wingarde's just demands, you will leave me no choice but to send a formal declaration of war against your nation.

I urge you to reconsider your current course of action, and realize you are in no position to handle an armed conflict with far developed countries, for the sake of the innocent people living in both Guyana and Kreuzbadinsel.

Yours sincerely,

Hermann Jakob,
President,
Democratic States of Wingarde

Presidential Palace, Joseph II Federal District

“…and the Civil Defense Administration states that, with an additional one hundred thousand citizens called up, they’ll be able to keep water levels from rising any higher than they already are.”

The mood around the conference table wasn’t a somber one, as cabinet meetings sometimes dictated. Indeed, it was quite informal for once, like a day of work where you really didn’t have anything left to do except let the clock run out. No acts of terrorism against Triancian interests, no bad news from any of Triancian’s corporate holdings, little civil unrest or disagreement with the Parliament. Hell, even the hurricane threatening Necerta seemed to be losing strength and changing course, missing all the major cities and military facilities, and causing far less damage and injuries than previously thought. So far, it had been a decidedly good day.

The Deputy Secretary of Defense, Civil Defense, clicked off the slideshow program on the projector’s computer, and switched on the lights. “The Ministry of the Interior’s Emergency Management Office has actually asked me to thank you, Mister President, for your prompt response in this matter. Couldn’t have hurt giving them jurisdiction instead of CDF.” A small grin from the man. “And believe me, I’m not complaining. Anything that gets Parliament off my back for one day has to be good.”

There were slight chuckles from everyone present at that, and a wide grin from President Stanton. God knows how much trouble usually came from these joint jurisdiction matters. “Well, give a ‘you’re welcome to the Minister, and take one for yourself. The director of the EMO is a quite good administrator, and the last thing we need when Triancian citizens are in danger is political wrangling on who gets the credit and who gets the blame.” And that drew a general nod from the people attending.

The President looks around once the conference table for the next piece of business, if there was one. “Anything else today, ladies and gentleman? If that’s all we had to worry about today, I might just send everyone home early.” Now /that/ deserved a laugh. Most of them practically slept here.

The Secretary of Defense cleared his throat. “I’ll apologize beforehand, sir, because I’ve got the dampener of the day.” He keyed up the projection system on the terminal at his chair, bringing up an island they assembled had seems several times before in the recent days.

“The situation on Former VL Guyana seems to be spilling out. Forces there have seen fit to invade the VL province of Ostralm, on the nearby island of Kreuzbadinsel. Current invasion strength seems to be a little bit over three corps of outdated armor and infantry-“

“Excuse me, Robby. Did you say three corps? Over 180,000 men?” SecState Garner checked his notes quickly. “The last census and projections put’s there population at something between 600,000 to a million troops. Are you telling me he’s mobilized that much of his population base?” Garner looked skeptical. Someone that mad, that skewed from reality… It must be an error in intelligence.

The Secretary of Defense nodded somewhat sourly to the accusation of inaccurate intelligence. “That’s what JMICs is telling me. I’ll admit, things aren’t too clear over there, but reports on the ground indicate massive amounts of Guyanan troops heading forward through the province. Worse, VL forces defending their holdings are quite small in comparison, barely one corps, and consist mainly of VLCDF. Without support, they’ll probably be pushed back until the Guyanans outrun their supply line.”

The President nodded, slowly. This certainly was a dampener. “I know we’re somewhat friendly with the Grand Duchy, but I don’t think were friendly enough to provide military aid in what looks to be an internal conflict. While I am somewhat concerned with Azazian companies buying out Guyana’s ports, it’s not something I want Triancian blood split over.”

Secretary Wernick shook his head, and hit another button on his console. The map became overlaid with a number of different colors, showing Guyanan, VL, and, for the first time, a third country’s controlled territory. “We don’t have an obligation to defend VL’s territory, but Wingarde controls the three provinces on the southern coast, and we do have a defensive alliance with them. Sir, it may be unnecessary, but this looks like an opportunity to get some political capital from our allies, and keep the United Kingdom and other interests from extending their sphere of influence.” The Secretary pressed on. “Wingarde’s even extended an ultimatum to the Guyanans, demanding they pull out. We could write our own to ride on the DSW’s, and deploy troops to assist in the defense of Wingardian Territory as per our mutual defense agreement.”

The president was silent for a few moments, contemplating the action. What power it was to send men to their possible deaths at a simple yes or no! And what responsibility it was to know there would hang around such a man like a shroud, crushing him if they were thrown away for nothing.

“All right, we’ll go, if Wingarde can be there to back us. What forces do you suggest we deploy, Bob?”

The secretary nodded again, and brought up a map of a wider area, with a few marks on it. “This area isn’t normally a place we consider contested. The nearest CBF, the 4th under Commodore Tulene, is about a week away, near the southern tip of South America. However, the 22nd RMEF, under Brigadier General Echer, was in the process of moving up to a station between Greenland and Iceland, and happens to be a few hours away, at most. Informed now, they could show the flag and provide support until the 4th can arrive. We’ll call it Task Force Kreuzbadinsel, and Commodore Tulene will be operational commander in the area.”

The President nodded, and turned to the rest of his cabinet. “Sounds like a good plan. Tim, I want the RIS to coordinate with JMIC and get every scrap of evidence we can get on the area. Al, have the guys in Commerce draw up current capabilities and solvency of the UK’s corporation in the area, and this… Raven Corps. See if we can district the more militant of them with financial warfare. And spin up a few Airborne brigades and long range Air Force assets to cover Task Force Kre- Aw hell, TFK- if they hit anything harder than the current Guyanan Force. Now, is there anything else we need to discuss before we adjourn?”

Nobody raised their hands or spoke up. The President stood. “Then let’s fight a war, Ladies and Gentleman.”

TO THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF GUYANA:

In support of our steadfast allies, the Democratic States of Wingarde, and our good international friends, Van Luxemburg, we hereby add our weight to the DSW’s recent ultimatum, and state that failure for the troops of Guyana to surrender or to leave territories currently legally held by VL will bring into being a state of war between the People’s Republic of Guyana and the Federal Kingdom of Triancia.

We hope for a peaceful resolution to this crisis, and implore the leader of the PRG to think of his troops, his people, and the safety and security all the world’s nations have the right to enjoy.

Timothy Garner
Triancian Secretary of State

OOC: VL do you have a map of the area under attack by the island? it would really help.

(OOC: Map: http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b76/VanLuxemburg/cc5.gif (Note: Hesseländer, Melcherdorf and Küstenflache are Wingardian)

GUYANAN OFFICIAL COMBINED STATEMENT

The People's Republic of Guyana will not bow to your idiotic nations! We will prevail, and take your lands too! We will NOT, better said, NEVER give our Island and it's territories up to you! Expect attacks from the two-thousand year Empire!

Also, your forces in the area are laughable. My men will just roll over those troops, Instead of making those POW's, we will kill them all! All of them!


Thierry Karbel.



Province of Kreuzbad-Langweiler, Kreuzbadinsel

A small group of aircraft began reaching for the runway. Thet 8th division had been on the run, and these forwarded units had set up a camp near Langweiler. Most units of the 8th division had retreated into Großalpland, together with 2 complete Van Luxemburgian Civil Defence Forces Divisions. However, they were not able to keep the long-stretched front.
But, things were about to turn. The 1st Airmobile bataljon, which had been stationed in Langweiler long before the war, had been mobilised and their men stormed into the last of the waiting A400M and C-160 Transall aircraft. A group of them had already took off, and was heading for Westrhain....

A lone Rafale escorted the C-160 Transall to it's position. Under them, long stretched pinetree forests stretched as far as a human eye could see, except for a small road, centered in the middle. It was the main road leading through Westrhain, an improvised two-lane road, only prepared to take light vehicles. But, from this height, the large tracks burned into the road could already be seen, and a wise man could say that a lot of heavy vehicles had already passed here.

Ten seconds to green light! Hook up! Prepare for jump! Three! Two! One! Go!

The loadmaster looked how the men jumped away from the platform, steadily heading for the ground. He however had to jump aside, before he almost got hit by a nearing VBL armed jeep, which was dropped off after the paratroops. As he looked aside, he could see that other aircraft also dropped their vehicles and paratroops. The Van Luxemburgians were on their way...

Down below, the situation was good. The paratroops had reached the ground, and now blocked the road. They had already manned the vehicles dropped after them, and a heavily-armed roadblock on the main road to the front.

Several days later, the first convoy was seen. It was quickly halted, and took. Only light armed troops stood in their way, but quickly surrendered to the overwhelming power. Elsewhere, where the 1st Airmobile had been dropped too, they had the same success. Thanks to the starting infrastructure on the Van Luxemburgian side of the Island, and the hard-to-breach pinetree forests, The Van Luxemburgians had effectively stopped the offensive capabilities of Guyana Island. For now, at least. They urgently needed reinforcements to support defensive operations against possible breaching missions by the Guyanans.

But, for that, their hope was on the Wingardians and Triancians, which could effectively attack the Guyanans from their borders, which was only lightly defended. They could then, hopefully, link up with the 1st Airmobile.

Luxembourg

In the Crisis Centre, located some 10-20 kilometres out of Luxembourg, at Chateau Vianden, the home of the Intelligence Service IVD, was a busy place. Men ran over and back towards the area where Philippe Dermont, Minister of Defence, Henk Eijsens, Fieldmarshall of the 1st Army, and several other, less important persons sat around a table. On the wall, a simply giganteous TFT monitor was split in half. On the left half, a direct feed was established with Kreuzbadinsel, and on the other half, the Grand Duke was in sight, standing in front of a BdC-15 tank of the 13th Division, 4th Armoured brigade, in New Hivez, the Vuhifellian States.

Sir, you chose maybe one of the worst moments to go out on a trip. Guyanans have took almost half of the Van Luxemburgian part and have recently declared war on both Wingarde and Triancia, following an ultimatum. From the Wingardian side, that is. I shouldn't know how to handle this. 1st Airmobile has already blocked the main supply roads for the Guyanans, and we really need some reinforcements, as even the Triancians, Wingardians and us together probably won't be able to effectively push back our men. We need reinforcements.

Philippe Dermont finished his speech after he took a small sip of water.
Then, the answer from Grand Duke Koen came.

Well, I would say: What're you waiting for? Mobilise as much divisions you can possibly safely get there, and get those damned Guyanans! Oh, and I want them to destroy themselves, from within. Now, Guyana is a dangerous area, as you might've seen with Korps 6.

Henk Eijsens began to speak.

I know. Currently, we have the 31st and 58th division ready here. They can leave from Rotterdam in a few days. I suspect we may take the full number of landing ships?

Take as many RoRo's you want. LPD's are currently restricted, but you may take the LPD's "Jericho", "Palermo" and "Ajaccio", aswell as HC-6 "Jungfraujoch"

Henk Eijsens reacted somewhat shocked.

Sir, these are our newest ships! Wouldn't you say to send some Mistrals?

The Grand Duke was not surprised, and reacted very calm.

Negative. We need the largest and newest we have. You also have my full authorisation to mobilise any navy ship you might need. Also, you may code one ICBM, non-nuclear tipped, to target Cayenne. However, do not make that official yet. They may only be fired in the highest state of emergency

Eijsens immediately began giving the orders to his assistants, which were already busy calling.

That was all. I'll try what I can do from here. Out.

The face of the Grand Duke vanished in a snow of different colours, indicating that the connection was lost.

You heard it, Ladies and Gentlemen. Time to make some movement.

*Bump*

Task Force Garm, off the coast of Melcherdorf

As soon as they received the notice of declaration of war, the ships of Task Force Garm set course to the portion of water between Guyana and Ostrhain. Their mission would be to interdict enemy supply lines while providing air support to the land forces that'd soon reach the invaded province. The 9th Armoured and 4th Infantry divisions had already departed for Westrhain, where they'd wait for further orders before rolling onto enemy territory to crush the invaders.

The flight deck of the WFN Ostbaden smelled like jet fuel as usual, and the elevators were gradually bringing three WF-27C Firebolts onto the deck as technicians rushed around, carrying tools or pushing carts with ordnance towards the first fighter to be maneuvered in launch position.

"Herr Admiral, Lynx Flight will be ready to take off in five." The executive officer of the carrier reported to Admiral Fischer, who was overseeing the flight deck from the windows in the bridge.

"Very well, any news from Delphin 5?" Fischer inquired. Delphin 5 was the currently active WE-10 Overseer of the task force, an Airborne Early Warning Command and Control aircraft (AEW&C). It was currently patrolling in circles above the Wingardian vessels, on the lookout for enemy contacts.

"No bogies detected so far, sir." The XO stated, having received a report barely seconds earlier. Despite the seemingly clear skies, Lynx Flight would carry out Combat Air Patrol (CAP) operations in order to maximize safety.

Back on the deck, the WF-27C's were all set for take off. Lynx 1 roared off the main runway first, quickly followed with Lynx 2 and then 3 several seconds later. The multirole fighters adopted delta formation and proceeded to cruise through their predetermined mission waypoints at once. Despite numerous training excercises and wargames, this'd be the first combat operations for most Wingardian aircraft and personnel. Many feelings were in the atmosphere, mainly excitement and uncertainty, but definitely not fear.

GIS Pleiade, Near the Wingardian fleet.

The small sloop raced towards the fleet, carrying two men, and a lot of presents. Those presents were meant for Wingardian sailors, mostly aboard the WFN Ostbaden. The sloop, with it's powerful double 300HP outboards, was loaded to the maximum with any explosive the Guyanans could find, and more. Maybe the Van Luxemburgians weren't important anymore. The Wingardians could be even more dangerous. With the leave of three fighters, which the "Commander" of the Pleiade saw through his binoculars, the sloop engaged. They thought no more aircraft could be aboard, so they engaged the rather defenceless ship, not looking at it's escorts and aircraft patrolling the skies.

It quickly closed in, at some 50 knots...

NH-90 Nato Frigate Helicopter, Callsign Seahawk 9

The NH-90 skimmed low over the rolling waves, carrying it's precious load. It was carrying the commander of CV-28, ZMS Biberwier, on it's way to the Wingardian taskforce. However, the crew was at it's guard, and the helicopter was loaded with several SM-39 Exocet missiles, aswell as Mk. 46 ASW torpedo's. Men were controlling the systems aboard it, regularly checking the sonobuoys they set out.

Hot buoy on Alpha-Rainbow 5-3. Engines, surface, cavitating. Small ship. Unknown origin.

Immediately, the crew leaped into action. Men ran around the helicopter, not seeing the Admiraal seated near the window.

Roger. Give solution for Exocet. It's too fast for our Mk. 46's.

The answer was somewhat slow, but came a minute later.

Solution has been plotted. Preferences have bene loaded into the boardcomputer.

Roger. Hold fire until confirmed hostile. Meanwhile, warn the Ostbaden.

FROM: SEAHAWK 9, CV-28 ZMS BIBERWIER, VLM
TO: WFN OSTBADEN, WFN
SUBJECT: 1208181#1

STATUS REPORT:
ADMIRAAL ON IT'S WAY. BUOYS PICKED UP ID 908 (SMALL SHIP) SOUND AT ALPHA-RAINBOW 5-3. UNCONFIRMED HOSTILE. SUGGEST ACTION

OF-1 (LUITENANT-TER-ZEE 3E KLASSE) VAN EEMNES, COMMANDER SEAHAWK 9, VAN LUXEMBURGIAN AVIATION NAVALE

Task Force Garm, 220 kilometres northeast of Melcherdorf

"Contact! Bearing zero-eight-four, small craft, closing in at an excess of 50 knots!" The radar officer of the WFN Grenzer, the forwardmost picket of the task force, an Engelburg-class destroyer.

"Transmit information to the Ostbaden at once. Do we have an ID?" The commander of the destroyer asked but received a negative response. The contact report was wired to the flagship in mere seconds.

The aircraft carrier got the contact informations from the Grenzer and Van Luxemburg's Seahawk 9 almost simultaneously, the picket ship's report arriving barely moments before the helicopter's. The Admiral immediately contacted Lynx Flight and ordered them to recon the suspicious vessel at the double.

Lynx 3 dropped several hundred metres and afterburnt towards the contact, which didn't seem to slow down nor change course. The pilot immediately requested the identification of the ship as his Firebolt roared a few dozen metres above it. The boat was confirmed to be a sloop, but the explosives were creatively camouflaged a couldn't be spotted by the fast-flying fighter.

"Unknown small vessel, heading two-six-six, this is Wingardian WF-27C Firebolt codenamed Lynx 3. Please identify yourself or you will be fired upon!"

Sloop Pleiade

The commander couldn't be stupid. he simply wasn't. If someone asked you if you were hostile, while you were on an operation? Right.

This is the Fisherman's boat Pleiade, port of Ostrhain, Kreuzbadinsel. We're on our way to our fishing spot.

Meanwhile, the other man had vanished down under in the sloop. He had picked up his SA-7 "Grail" weapon, to ensure the aircraft wouldn't start it's run. He kept hidden under the deck, but had loaded the SA-7 AA missile.

NH-90 Seahawk 9

The NH-90 had started to fly higher, to be able to immediately fire it's weapon, if needed. It however wasn't counting on a hostile sloop, rather a heavily damaged carrier.

This is Seahawk 9 to Seahawk 11, status?

Somewhat further away, a lone Fokker F-27 Enforcer II entered the area, the salty waves almost touching it's belly. It was an old aircraft, but not old enough to be sent to the scrapyard. It had recently received a makeover, which included painting and upgrades to the Enforcer II version. Now, the almost blinding white Fokker, the proud of the Dutch aviation industry, was heading for it's first action ever, excluding the hostile encounter of a Russian Akula I submarine in the early 80's. It's commander, former Dutchman Harry van der Linden, hadn't even seen what happened then, as he had the command over the aircraft since several years.

Seahawk 11 here. We're on our way and nothing lets us. Yeehaw!

But, his first action was yet to come. The F-27 had been loaded with special Storm Shadow cruise missiles, allowing the user to take out naval targets. It was a variant especially produced for Van Luxemburg, and it was the first time to be put into action. It was however waiting for the "go"-command. And he hoped it was coming soon.

Shut up, Idiot. We're on a mission, not some training. Maintain radio silence.

22nd Royal Marine Expedtionary Fleet, Triancian Task Force Kreuzbadinsel

The map tables stood cluttered and used, the focal point in the CIC of the RTS Woodland. One might think, in this day and age, the computer would hold sway over figures manually moved over paper and marks. They’d be right. Electronic displays has long since replaced paper, and input consoles, the stylus, and voice recognition were replacing the markers and small models of ships. Its purpose remained the same, however: To inform the commander and his staff just what in the hell was going on.

In this case, the Commander happened to be pouring over a large portion of the Island of Guyana, focused on its southern coast. “Do we happen to have any more information on the beach gradients over here? I know they don’t have much in the way of beach defenses, but we don’t want to lose any tanks to lose sand.”

The Petty Officer reviewing the information shook her head. “I… I don’t think… No, we don’t. The last sat pass over the area with the right type of bird snapped pictures of the north, but not the south. I’ll send out a tasking order, and get that data processed and over here in…. six hours.”

BG Greg Escher sighed. Bureaucratic nonsense is what it was. Why would they do the North, when he was approaching from the south? It didn’t make any sense, but, then again, what in a bureaucracy did?

“Sir!” A Senior Petty Officer quickly swiveled in his chair, pointing to his communications console. “Cee-FAG on for you, 4th channel.”

Ecsher inwardly smirked as he picked up a nearby handset. After twenty-some odd years, he /still/ found that an unfortunate acronym. “Jim, what’s up?”

“I just got a radio call back from Jenny Flight. She’s got some radio traffic indicating a small-boat contact heading toward a Wingardian vessal, the WFN Ostbaden. Seems to be one of their carriers.”

The general frowned. Jenny Flight was a flight of four VFST-12 Harrier IIs, sent out ahead of the battle group to scout and ‘show the flag’, as it were. And the Ostbaden was THE Wingardian Carrier. Hell, the entire class had been named after them. He clicked back on to the circuit. “I would think the Wingardian’s have things well in hand if we’re getting radio traffic on it. Tell Jenny Flight to identify themselves and offer assistance.” He smirked, and it came through his voice. “Might as well be neighborly.”

Kreuzbadinsel, 2 kilometers southwest of WFN Task Force

“Woodland, Jenny Lead. CFAG just got orders from EC. Identify yourselves to friendly forces and offer assistance, rendering any and all aid the Wingardians would ask. Beyond that, maintain CAP over area until relieved.”

“Jenny Lead, Woodland. Wilco on those orders. Get here soon, ehh? The ships down here could use some color!” Jenny Lead chuckled at his own joke, but didn’t get much in response. No one around here appreciated a good joke. “Jenny Lead out.” The RMTC Major switched over to the local circuit. “Alright, boys and girls. We’re gonna play good neighbor and see if Wingarde needs a cup a’ sugar. All aircraft report status.”

The radio crackled on with three familiar voices, three same reports.
“Jenny 2, good load, good fuel, weapons safe.”
“Jenny 3, good load, good fuel, weapons safe.”
“Jenny 4, good load, good fuel, weapons safe.”

Monotony may be boring, but was it safe. “Good to hear it, gang. Now let’s knock on the door.” He switched over to the frequency Wingarde and Van Luxemburg were using to communicate. “Wingarde Task Force, Wingarde Task Force, this is Jenny Flight, Royal Triancian Navy. We happened to be in the area, thought we’d drop by for a visit. Suppose you guys have things well in hand?”

The Major, obviously, wasn’t one for good radio discipline.

Task Force Garm, 230 kilometres northeast of Melcherdorf

"Fuck, stupid question!" Lynx 3 looped around and cruised back towards the sloop, barely a hundred metres over sea level. The pilot once again contacted the little ship.

"You're heading towards a Wingardian task force. Change course immediately. Repeat, change course immediately or you'll be fired upon. This is your first and last warning." The WF-27C roared over the sloop again, making it shake somewhat due to the jetwash, the pilot unaware of the fact that a crewman was preparing an SA-7 to shoot him down. It's hard to notice details when flying at 600 km/h.

Meanwhile, on the bridge of the Ostbaden, things were less stressing. The communications officer received the Triancian hail and responded. "This is the WFN Ostbaden from Wingarde's Task Force Garm. Situation under control for the moment. We'll keep you posted."

Sloop Pleiade, near the WFN Ostbaden

The commander of the sloop, a small man, which didn't look like coming from the Navy at all, quickly said something to the man under the deck, signalling him that he had to shoot the WF-27. The man stormed up the stairs, aimed and locked on his SA-7, and fired. A huge ball of fire shot out of the back of the weapon, while an Anti-air missile propelled forward to it's target, the WF-27C. Then the commander of the sloop ran back towards the steering hut, and fired up the engines even more, to push them harder, and get more speed out of them.

NH-90 Seahawk 9

A shock engulfed the men aboard, as a blip appeared on the air-search radar, leaping towards the WF-27 at high speed. This was it. They had to do their job. The missile had been fired from the sloop, they would receive a few back.
At only a few kilometers distance, the SM-39 Exocet fired from under the wingtips of the helicopter, quickly accelerating to it's designated speed. It was going low, as ordered, and headed right for the sloop.

Fokker F-27 Enforcer II Seahawk 11

Damn. That's always our fault. Fire the Storm Shadow!

From under the wings of the Fokker, a rather large projectile loosened to head for it's goal: the sloop. It engaged it's engines somewhat later, when it already fell down to the waves beneath. Then, a small fire started to burn on the backside, indicating the the engines had fired. the cruise missile accelerated and was gone.

Sloop Pleiade

The commander and it's second jumped down under the deck, when a SM-39 Exocet passed over at near decimeters. It didn't blow the ship, and gently passed over, dropping into the waves somewhat later, as it reached the end of it's pattern. It had missed.

Some minutes later, the Storm Shadow reached the target area. After searching for the sloop somewhat, it concluded that it was too far away, and self-destructed, while heading low over the waves. As a pure coincidence, one part of the Storm Shadow missile penetrated right through the window of the sloop, wounding the commander, which had just decided to stand up as it was safe, he thought.

Kurzweiler, Großalpland province, Kreuzbadinsel

There are children standing here,
Arms outstretched into the sky,
Tears drying on their face.
He has been here.
Brothers lie in shallow graves.
Fathers lost without a trace.
A nation blind to their disgrace,
Since he's been here.

And I see no bravery,
No bravery in your eyes anymore.
Only sadness.

James Blunt, No Bravery.


The Eagle IV 4x4's slowly passed through the second-largest city on the Van Luxemburgian side. With some 6,000 souls, this had been a major concurrent to Langweiler, the largest city. However, not much was left of Kurzweiler. the population had been either sent to Guyana Island, or murdered. this left a complete ghost town, which was passed by the 761st Royal Reconaissance Bataillon, of the 91st Mechanised Brigade several hours ago. The looks of the town were terrible. In such a short while, only a few weeks, the Guyanans had set the buildings ablaze, and nothing was left.

Long columms of armoured vehicles passed along the main road, which was filled with bodies along the sides. All civilians, took out by an unknown weapon. Dr. Reinhardt Wolf was the first one to research it, being part of the 761st Reconaissance. He bended over one of the victims, and checked all the vital organs. A lone DAF truck, with a white square and a Red Cross in the middle, stood next to him, providing connection with the main Medical servers in Van Luxemburg.

No contact with the brains. Strange. This makes it a possible... Yes. It's a Nerve Agent.

He extracted a little bit of blood, and deponated it on a special, sensitive plate on his PC. It began to process immediately, eventually leading to the answer. VX. VX Nerve Gas was used by the Guyanans.

A single AMX-10RC of the 912th Royal Bataillon of Foot drove into a silent lane. Well, everything was silent in Kurzweiler, except the sound of military vehicles. The 912th had received intelligence that a few high-ranking officers were still hiding here, and they had sent this vehicle, together with a squad of men coming from the same Bataillon.

They leaped off the vehicle, while reloading their JK-1 to ensure that the weapon was fully loaded and they could charge immediately. One of the men was possibly the quickest of all. He bashed the door of a house, the only one left in the lane. Other men pointed their rifles inside, quickly securing the house. It was empty.

Over there!

A door closed, and a uniform passed. With a small Guyanan flag on his shoulder, a high-ranked officer fled out of the door, quickly reaching an old Willy's Jeep, which immediately drove off. The pursuing forces quickly gave up, as the car ran away from them too quickly. However, the joy of the passengers was quickly halted on the sides of the AMX-10RC vehicle. The Willy's rammed the wheeled light tank full in the side, wrecking it's complete front and it's engine. The two passengers were quickly took into custody by the remaining soldiers, and took back to the Headquarters of the 912th Bataillon.

Somewhat later

Shut up!

The Lieutenant-en-Premier hit the Guyanan Colonel on his face. He wished to hear no further details about how the Colonels used the VX. The bodies signified what his men did to them.

And I ordered my men to take......

*Censored for explicit cruelty*

.....And that's it. The colonel ended his story. He wanted to stand up, but was immediately beaten down to the ground by an angry soldier. The hard buttstock of the JK-1 Rifle caused extensive bleeding from the Colonels nose, whereafter he received a punch on his temple, immediately atking him out of the existing world. He was asleep, so it seemed. But luckily, he was still alive.

The soldier was roughly pushed back against the wall by the Lieutenant-en-Premier, and received a few curses on his adress.

Shut up! Cut it, or I'll get you fired! I know that that bastard needs it, but we aren't allowed to do it. He needs to be put on a plane to Van Luxemburg. The chopper arrives in a few minutes, to transport him to Langweiler Airport.

With that, A heavy wind almost blew open the door, but it was conventionally opened by a Sergent.

Sir, the chopper's here.

Outside, an Cougar transport helicopter, painted into the colours of the VLCDF, waited for it's high-ranked guest.

Task Force Garm, 240 kilometres northeast of Melcherdorf

An unprepared SA-7 launcher had to heat up for several seconds before being able to lock on, and fortunately, the Firebolt, thanks to its impressive maneuverability, was already coming around when the pilot noticed the flash on the deck of the sloop. Being an infrared-guided missile, no warnings flashed inside the WF-27C's cockpit, but the launch was too obvious when the pilot had the boat in visual range.

"Holy mother of Christ!" The Firebolt suddenly pulled up, leaving a trail of flares behind, baiting the incoming missile. The fighter quickly gained altitude and the SA-7 screamed several metres below the belly, detonating against the decoys shortly after. The WF-27C was shaken by the explosion, but it was far enough to avoid any damage.

"Ostbaden, Ostbaden, come in please! Target confirmed hostile, engaging!" The fighter dove towards the ocean and pulled up at the previous altitude but several hundred metres away from the hostile ship. The pilot flipped open the gun pickle cap with his thumb as the Firebolt hurtled towards its target.

"Man, I've always wanted to do this!" The pilot chuckled. Once in range, he pressed the pickle. The WF-27C's internally-mounted 27mm gun flared to life, raining dozens of bullets upon the hull and deck, hell, everything in the sloop.

Cayenne, Guyana

Heywood stood at the end of a long dock, flanked by two of his company’s security guards – with the situation rapidly deteriorating he had expedited the transfer of personnel from the Home Islands to his company’s new property in Guyana. As he watched ships slowly enter and leave the harbour, most simple fishing trawlers and sailboats of the native Guyanans, he could feel the seachange on its way as the tide swept into the city’s harbour. Beyond the horizon Guyanans had declared war on major powers and stood little chance of winning. And so he had begun to take steps to preserve his company’s legally bought assets.

Mr. Heywood, a soft feminine voiced called from the pier’s maintenance shed. I have the Undersecretary of Defence on the line.

Unified Military Complex, Breningrad, West Oceania

Night had long ago fallen upon the United Kingdom’s largest naval station, and at the northern end cranes and forklifts scurried about in a hurried fashion. Amongst the organised chaos strode a tall man, his kempt and straight white hair hidden underneath a prim and proper cap, the shoulders of his white uniform signifying his rank of Commodore.

Sailors running between posts threw up perfunctory salutes that the Commodore returned in a casual, but respectful form. One officer stood out, however, as he stopped before his superior and handed over a small leather folder after offering the salute. Commodore Bailey, the latest status report on the taskforce.

Thank you, Carl. Commodore Edward Bailey opened the folder and leafed through the assorted documents, each headed by the shield of the specific vessel in question. One report towards the end stood out in particular. What’s the situation with the Ellsmere, why are they behind schedule?

Commander Donaldson informs me that his Number 2 shaft seal has broken again and that they’ll need an extra two days in port for repairs. I’ve spoken to Admiral Charles’ staff and they assure me they will be moving up the Ellsmere in the queue line but that she will not be ready for our departure date tomorrow afternoon.

Damn, Bailey muttered to himself. Donaldson was one of the few commanders of his taskforce with actual combat command experience and he had been counting on his presence in the turbulent seas off Guyana, the Royal Navy’s newest patrol station. Unfortunately we can’t wait, Carl. The Admiralty has determined our presence is needed immediately and we shall simply have to set sail without Commander Donaldson and his ship. If you could inform the remainder of the Command and have them review our combat contingencies with the absence of the destroyer. I can’t imagine it as much, but it’s still one less air defence ship than we should set sail with.

Yes, sir.

Otherwise, how are we fairing?

The Agami and the Saurington are behind on taking on dry stores – the dockyards are down two cranes to maintenance and though they’re retasking others from other taskforces the replacements are only ten ton units, not the usual twenty tonners.

The Belair remains ahead of schedule, no?

She is indeed, sir.

Very good, tell the dockyard to retask her loading crews to the two frigates as soon as possible. Remind them of our departure time: 13:45 tomorrow.

Very well, sir. Anything else, sir?

No, I believe that shall be all for now, Carl. Thank you.

Sloop Pleiade

While the commander and shooter dived to flee from the bullets, a large number of them penetrated the deck, and hit the explosives. Only a small spark was enough to detonate the whole load, and it did. With a gigantous explosion, which's smoke and fire could be seen from far away, the sloop exploded, with parts flying every way. One event could see some body parts flying together with engine parts, but maybe that wasn't the case.

Some kilometres further away, The NH-90 was picking up speed to head for the WFN Ostbaden, where they needed to drop off their guest. The helicopter already ran at some 160 knots, almost the maximum of it's ability.

Ostbaden, this is Seahawk 9, requesting landing clearance, precious load is underway.

Some 210 km off Cayenne

The Brabant-class submarine ZMS Rhain slowly went subsurface, to cover up it's presence for a possible Guyanan Reconaissance force. It was sent from the main continent, several Kilometres ahead of the main fleet, to see if their could be any other sloops like these in the port of Cayenne. It's order was to remain silent at all times, to ensure that nobody would see or hear it was there. Eventually, it could be backed up by the U212-class submarine ZMS Moselle, but that one was travelling with the main fleet towards Langweiler, so the chance was minimal.

Dive! Dive! Make my depth 100 meters, Aye sir!

Task Force Garm, 250 kilometres north-northeast of Melcherdorf

The pilot gasped and maneuvered the WF-27C out of the huge explosion's blast. He looked back at the sloop's last position: there was absolutely nothing left but oil on fire. The boat was packed with enough explosives to put a big hole on any ship, and should it had evaded the defenses and penetrated the inner task force...

The pilot reported to the carrier over the comms. The first kill of the war was a suicidal sloop, who would've thought that? "Ostbaden, this is Lynx 3. Target destroyed, repeat, target destroyed. That thing went up like fireworks on December 11th!"

"Understood, Lynx 3. Resume your CAP with the rest of Lynx Flight. Great job, pilot." The Firebolt gained altitude and eventually caught up with the rest of its flight.

A couple of minutes later, the landing request of the NH-90 arrived at the Ostbaden. "Roger that, Seahawk 9. You're cleared to land. Welcome to Task Force Garm."

The NH-90 helicopter slowly lowered it's power output, and began it's final run on the Ostbaden. It approached, and softly touched down on the flight deck, on the designated spot. Quickly, a group of three men, the Pilot, a Commodore and an Admiraal jumped out. They ran towards the closest ground crew, requesting the way to the Wingardian Commander's office.

Excuse me, But do you know the way to the Commanding officer's office?

The pilot asked to one of the crewmembers working on the deck. He pointed inside, and explained the way towards the office. The three men walked inside, following the road they were explained. It however wasn't needed, as several signs pointed the way towards the office too. When they reached a door, marked

Schiffskommandant
ADMIRAL FISCHER

, They quickly knocked on the door and stepped inside. When they were inside, Admiraal Witzig took the word.

Herr Fischer, Der Van Luxemburgischen Kommandant. Habe Sie Zeit für uns?*
(Mister Fischer, The Van Luxemburgian Commander. Do you have time for us?)

WFN Ostbaden

The office's door opened before the Van Luxemburgian guests. A rugged man in his sixties was sitting by his desk. He gestured them to enter his office, and replied. "Yes, of course. It's always nice to meet with allies. Please, have a seat."

Admiraal Witzig took the word again.

Well, I wanted to talk about what we could do to stop the Guyanans. My proposal was to block the complete Guyana Strait, so they can't get off Kreuzbadinsel anymore. Our Ground forces can then arrest them. As long as we also have Air Superiority, we can perform sorties over both Guyanan occupied Kreuzbadinsel and over Guyana Island itself. What are your ideas?

"We were also planning to cut the Guyanan supply lines too, Herr Witzig. Task Force Garm is currently moving towards the Guyana Strait to achieve that objective." Fischer described the group's route on a map displayed on his desk, following a red line from the main port in Küstenflache towards the middle point of Guyana Strait with his index finger.

"As you're probably aware, Wingardian land forces are moving towards the eastern border of Westrhain in order to do most of the fighting. I admire your approach, arresting the invaders, but we're talking about two hundred thousand armed men. I doubt it's even feasible."

The admiral frowned, and continued. "Our best bet is to drive them back to the coast, encircle them and hope they surrender. Being mostly militia and partisans, or a poorly trained professional army at best, I believe they'll lay down their arms when they've suffered enough casualties and defeats."

Admiraal Witzig followed the line interested, and then replied, while pointing at several points at the map.

The Van Luxemburgians have the Nuclear Carrier ZMS Biberwier laying around in the Guyana Strait, assisted by two LPD's and a taskforce formed around the carrier. Situation is clear as of now, but we won't know what will happen in the future.

He pointed at the direction where Van Luxemburg would be.

Currently, a complete assistance force is busy to close in on Kreuzbadinsel. They should head for Langweiler at first, but if the front has captured Westrhain's ports, we could head for that. About the arrestations: we would rather disarm them and send them back to Guyana after the situation has been cleared out. See them as POW's. We can establsih camps for them. With half of the population in our hands, Guyana Island will just crumble and collapse.

Jenny Flight, Over Wingardian Task Force Garn

Jenny flight had cruised over the small sea skirmish, viewing the incident that could hardly be called a battle with a small amount of collective concern, but mostly a professional interest. The Major in Jenny Lead quickly found a number of things out: Van Luxemburg’s used the big stuff against the small stuff, Wingarde had well-trained but Hollywood-thinking pilots (no big argument there, given Jenny Lead’s preference for panache), and the Guyana’s were committed but very, very stupid. Those were only first impressions, of course, but you might as well give yourself a starting point.

“We-he-hellll, that’s a shack on the target and a good kill for the good Firebolt. Say, you need any paint to mark it, we got a pretty good storehouse.” Jenny pulled up into a tight formation, and did a somewhat high flyby of the Ostbaden. “Ostbaden, we are going to provide a CAP over this area until relieved or sent home. EC wishes to inform you that, until Woodland or another LHD is in the area, we are under your direction. Just don’t have us go feet dry to the Guyanian capital, ehh? These things aren’t know for their speed.” A quick, in formation turn brought the aircraft on a southern course for a slight bit, where the tiniest speaks of the Triancian Task Force’s lead elements could be seen, like small, grey islands.”

Triancian Task Force Kreuzbadinsel, RTS Woodland

Escher signed with a bit of relief. Not that he thought that Wingarde couldn’t handle itself in a fight. It was just that a large boat filled with explosives heading toward a carrier was enough to get anyone’s heckles up for a bit. It didn’t help that the BG had a somewhat overactive imagination that couldn’t help but think the boat was just a ruse, intended to draw attention away from a SSK on batteries, slowly sneaking up amidst the chaos of the small boat’s destruction, lining up that one good torpedo right below the water line…

He shook his head. The chances of that happening were next to nothing. He had a very active ASW force sweeping the seas around him, and was sure that other allied fleets in the area had something of the same. Guyana was so antiquated that the might have a few SSK’s in reserve, but few sailors who could use them effectively. The only real danger then was friendly submarine hunting other friendlies. If friends were all nucs, even that could be avoided…

“Sir!” That female Petty Officer again. She walked with quick, purposeful steps, handing off a somewhat long teletype message. She stood by as he read it, trying to sneak glances to finish off what she’d already read. “It, ahh, doesn’t look good.”

No, it did not. Intelligence and spy satellites reporting the UKA Royal Navy’s own task force was headed out to sea, towards a new station in Guyana’s seas. Echser frowned, and walk over to the main map table, hitting a few buttons to bring up the hot-off-the-fiber-optics pictures of suitable Guyanian landing sights.

Flag rank in any of the Triancian services required some level of political wit and knowledge, and Echer was several paygrades ahead of himself in that department. The Azazians already had physical assets in Guyana, ports that would both supply the recently deployed task force and give the UKA a reason to deploy troops to the area. That alone would put any Triancian invasion in question. Of course, his troops didn’t need established ports to stage a landing and conduct operations, but any long term presence would require at least one open port for supplies and moving in a heavier unit of the Triancian Army for long term duty.

It meant that, sooner or later, under the current scenario, Triancia would have to take control of facilities currently in control of the United Kingdom. And that might mean war.

Presidential Palace, Joseph II Federal District

The cabinet meetings had been getting a bit hectic as of late, and it was all (well, mostly) about the current situation in Guyana. A good chunk of these meeting now had to do with looking over economic data, radio transcripts, satellite photos, all over this small island off the northeast coast of Kreuzbadinsel. Well, one didn’t fight a war by forgetting about it, did they?

The Director of the Royal Intelligence Service headed in quickly from a short break, and quickly moved over to a desk terminal, inserting a disc into an open slot. “Sorry I took a bit, but I got sidetracked. A member of my staff brought me this intel package, and I had to do a little checking before presenting it here.” He hit a few keys, and activated the projector on the ceiling.

SecState Garner normally didn’t enjoy his subordinates going over his head without informing him, but, as the first picture shown was that of bodies stacked like cordwood, speaking up on it wouldn’t have been prudent. “What are you showing us here?” He asked instead.

The director flipped to another slide. “A few hours ago, a source inside the Grand Duchy informed a number of news agencies that the Guyana’s had deployed chemical weapons, specifically nerve agents, against a town in VL Kreuzbadinsel. The entire population of six thousand in the town were wiped out.”

The room was silent for a few moments, before Defense spoke up. “Just how can we be sure this information is accurate, and not the VL trying to drum up international support and assistance?” Wernick had the gift of being able to use a cold eye on any situation. It was part of what made him a decent advisor. The RIS Director, in any case, shook his head. “An agent we’ve had under a journalistic cover has managed to get a few questions answered. If it is a fake, they’ve doctored up quite a bit of stuff, killed six thousand of their own people, and so far, reports indicate Van Luxemburg is unlikely to do such things.”

The President spoke up. “I’ll have to make a decision here, and say we trust the Grand Duchy’s information. Assume the Guyanians have chemical weapons, and plan accordingly. I’ve heard that the AllEv project has a new design of gas mask that’s ready for field testing. We can get a small consignment to the 22nd. It’ll be something of a moral booster. Eric, can you get on that?”

Eric Nolan, Director of the Triancian National Laboratories, nodded. “I’ll have them sent out from the airfield at Charplane. We’ve also got a few of the new protection suits, but we’ve been having some problems with those, mainly creating a material that circulates clean air without letting blister or skin absorbed agents in.”

The President gave a smirk. “That’s the same problem you’ve been giving us in that program for the past year and a half. Getting the little stuff down before you tackle the big?”

Nolan nodded again, this time with a smile. “Can’t run genius, Mr. President.” That drew a short chuckle from the rest of the table. It died down quickly, and left and opening for the President to speak. “This chemical weapons incident simply confirms the plans we already have. Guyana is a threat to international stability. When this war is won by our friends and allies, Guyana will most likely collapse from the inside, creating a large amount of strife and a massive power vacuum. We have no recourse but to arrange with the other forces in the area deployment of peace-keeping and occupation forces to help rebuild the nation of Guyana for it’s citizens.” He sighed. “The only problem we might have will be with the United Kingdom of Azazia.”

Secretary Washlyn gave a small smile. “Mr. President, I’ve come across an option that might have us avoiding overt conflict. I’ve sent a small proposal off, and it’s response might give us a few more ways to go. It’s out of my hands now, unfortunately."

TO: Portus Mercaturae LTD.
FR: Triancian Department of Commerce
RE: Future Business

For over 40 years, the Triancian Department of Commerce, under the direction of the Triancian Government and by authority of her people, has strived to insure that the best economic opportunities are taken in the name of the Federal Kingdom, in order to not only provide the people of Triancia with long-term financial stability, but also to further markets in other countries, and promote responsible trade practices throughout the world.

Portus Mercaturae, Limited has proven itself, through shrewd business practices and profitable operation, to be a company the people of Triancian would benefit in having a stake in. Moreover, recent markets opened up by this company, such as the Island of Guyana, look to be quite promising ventures for Triancian corporations.

Therefore, The Triancian Department of Commerce would like to inquire about the possibility of purchasing a substantial amount of stock in Portus Mercaturae, Limited, as well as offer you contacts with reliable Triancian businesses dealing in Port Operations, Security, and Construction. While we are ready at this time to offer what is stated above, we also are interested in what Portus Mercaturae would like to see from us.

We hope for a favorable response, and look forward to doing business with Portus Mercaturae, Limited.

Cordially,
Hans Streline,
Deputy Secretary of Commerce for Merchant Marine and Ports

[ooc: don't exactly have time for a complete reply, but i will hopefully have something later tonight, Triancia. But I wanted to expose some more of the background in the UK for the situation. But for now, I have to run so this will have to do/ooc]

Office of the Prime Minister, The Citadel
Imperium, New Britain

The problem, Mr. Prime Minister, remains that at the moment our efforts to secure the new colonies in Irathria are drawing upon significant number of Royal Army units and so while we have maintained, for the most part, the level of deployable Royal Marine units we have fewer and fewer Royal Army units to secure the ground the Marines take. Dr. Brendan O’Donnell twirled a pen through his fingers while he reviewed some statistics on a note card he held in his free hand. When we submit the budget later this month I’m afraid that we have to face the fact – we need to increase defence spending.

The civvies won’t like that Mr. Prime Minister, interjected a gruff man, whose face bore scars from various campaigns and military operations. They don’t tend to like spending money on us although I dare say that what Dr. O’Donnell stated is quite true. We need more men, we’re simply reaching the limit.

Alistair Tetley, First Marquess of Salisbury and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, frowned as he read his own copy of O’Donnell’s notes. Kingsland was absorbing more troops than he would have liked, but it had become necessary in order to secure that home country. Yet on the other hand the admirals, generals, and politicians holding the defence portfolio generally inflated any concerns – but something still troubled in, something hung in the air.

What exactly are we facing, Brendan?

Well, sir, the largest and most immediate threats stem from Irathria where our control over the few navigable sea lanes might be the flash point for an intra-continental war. Outside of that, however, there remains the situation in Sarzonia and while it seems to be winding down to a satisfactory conclusion it is possible some power could seize the opportunity and strike a blow against Sarzonian targets – especially that of Pavanne. Those in the room were well aware that the only land border shared between the two states that had rarely seen eye to eye existed far overseas on a continent where both the UK and Sarzonia shared a colonial border. We also, for the moment, have deployed a small taskforce for Guyana Island where the natives seem to enjoy rattling their rusted sabers. However, we are beginning to hear whispers that their success thus far rests largely with their unmitigated use of chemical and biological weapons.

Another Novikov, eh? The representative of the Royal Army thrust into the conversation.

Not quite, General, Lord Salisbury responded, Novikov is now a part of the United Kingdom and I don’t quite see Guyana taking that route. However, that point is well taken, Brendan. What sort of assets do we have in theatre?

Civilian assets include all the island’s port facilities, Portus Mercaturae bought them out and provided some significant cash to the local government which is likely financing their little war.

A bloody lot of sense that makes, the general added.

Business is business, whether it be here or there, Salisbury responded. However, if the victims of Guyanan aggression should choose to invade the island the clearest targets are—

The latest UK ports. O’Donnell said quietly, finishing the Prime Minister’s sentence and completing his thought. At least, O’Donnell thought, the Prime Minister knew the truth. A small situation in an overseas land seemed to be pointing the UK to a war it neither wanted nor cared for. However UK territory and property needed to be defended.

A slight rap on the door disturbed the meeting and Salisbury’s personal aide walked in and delivered a photocopy to the Prime Minister, it was the offer by the Triancian government. Well gentlemen, we’re not the only ones who see interest in these ports, Salisbury muttered. Thank you, Geoffrey. Could you please send for Secretary Beckett, tell him to meet us here and the situation is most urgent.

Yes, sir. Right away, sir.

The Nei Groussherzogliches Palast (New Grand-Ducal Palace), was a large building, built on the brink of the city of Luxembourg. It had been created in the year 1906, making the Groussherzogliches Palast in the center of Luxembourg obsolete, and only usable for official guests. The new Palace, in styles coming from all over the world, was a luxurious building, well-guarded by the Groussherzogliche Garde, a unit that was well-trained and well-equipped. However, it was a calm night, and the Grand Duke was inside his room, running over the last intelligence of the day.

Vuhifell, sure. Heh, wait, another attack by the Guyanans? The Ostbaden? Damnit. It looks like someone is a little bit suicidal down there. On to the next.

The Grand Duke opened a folder, marked "Public Secret". It was a brand new folder, and it showed a red dot on the position where Kurzweiler was. When the Grand Duke read it, his eyes narrowed, and the paper was almost crushed between his fists.

The bastards. I'll get them

He pushed a red button, which showed "Luxembourg AF Command", together with the buttons "Vianden IVD Command" and "Rotterdam MN Command". He quicly got connection, and a large beamer got to work. Three faces were projected on the screen, each with the names that belonged to the faces printed under them.

An NBC attack on Kurzweiler?

All three shortly nodded, while they listened to what the Grand Duke had to say.

I want 7th and 13th Heavy Bomber Squadron ready immediately. Load them up with some JDAM's. Targets are main military bases around Guyana Island, aswell as any threat that may come from Guyana Island anyways. I also want our ASC-8 "Buse" aircraft ready for service immediately on the LHD's. The Biberwier has full authorisation to mount an all-out assault on any risk inside Guyana Island. I want that the LLPD Jericho breaks off formation in the taskforce, and that it's helicopters mount an assault on those military bases, immediately after the bombings. The submarine ZMS Rhain may use force against vessels having possible hostile intentions against any of the Coalition members. Also, alarm Portus Mercaturae Ltd. that Van Luxemburg requests immediate destruction of any remaining port facilities, to ensure the Guyanans can't mount any offensive action anymore. That's all.

Köln-Bonn AFB, 3.00, Morning

The wheels of the B-2's of both squadrons ran over the asphalt, which was cold in the early morning. The 7th Heavy Bomber had come straight from it's homebase to Köln-Bonn, the home of the 13th. From there, they linked up with their escorts to ensure they would reach Guyana Island safely. Over the Atlantic, they would refuel with aircraft from the 90th Refueling wing. They had been loaded to the maximum with JDAM-ER bombs, and had been given orders to bomb anything military. Civilians deaths could mean a bad name for The Airforce, and it was evaded as much as possible.

Brabant-Class SSGN ZMS Rhain, Near Cayenne

Remove Muzzles! Fire designated targets at Alpha-Rainbow 2-3-5-7!

The muzzles of the VLS cells broke away, and several Storm-Shadow Cruise Missiles, originally designed for use on Aircraft, but rebuilt to use them on Naval vessels, slowly peeked out of their homes. With a dazzling stream of energy, the missiles shot out under high pressure, and headed to their targets over water, after engaging their engines just above the waves.

Westrhain

A large column of T-55 and T-64 tanks moved along the road, retreating from the advancing Coalition troops. They were heavily damaged, and moving close to the Wingardian lines. They were the sole leftovers of the Guyanan armoured force, and were left alone by the Guyanan supplies. Around 90 tanks, mainly the better T-64's, had survived the slaughter by attack helicopters and mechanised artillery, And had been retreating to Ostrhain like most of the units. They were pushed away by Van Luxemburgian, Wingardian and Triancian units, and the complete Guyanan Army was on the run.

Well, not exactly. Close to the Wingardian front, a lone group of some 20 T-64's, together with a force of 100 loyal Guyanans operated to assault the Wingardians. They had been driving all day to reach the front, and now were ready to attack a Wingardian position, possibly the most far-away one in the whole of Kreuzbadinsel.

While the T-64's stayed behind, the 100 Loyalist Warriors stormed from the woods, right on the outpost, covered by extensive gunfire from the T-64's. It was a matter of time before the final victory could be made.

Task Force Garm, 85 kilometres west of Guyana Island

The Wingardian carrier task force, led by Admiral Fischer and the WFN Ostbaden, had arrived to its destination. The allied forces had certainly achieved air and sea superiority, so opposition was minimal. On land, however, things were expected to be much more difficult when the 4th and 9th divisions reached their target within the next couple of hours.

Friendly communications were maintained with the Triancian battle group sent to intervene in the conflict. They even sent a fighter wing to coordinate combat air patrols, even though the skies were pretty much clear except for a few clouds here and there. Even though Wingarde was thousands of kilometres away, it was the same environment and the personnel felt at home. Coupled with the poor ability of the Guyanans so far, it was a good morale raiser.


Westrhain, 23 kilometres east of Kreuzdorf

The Wingardian army elements had picked up many signatures on their land radars over an hour ago. First of all there was a formation of about 90 contacts moving westward a couple dozen kilometres northeast of the Wingardian column. They didn't seem to be aware of their enemy, or simply didn't want to engage. Secondly, much closer, was a group of 20 contacts rolling a lot faster and in the Federal Army divisions' general direction. Radio channels were checked with the allies to confirm their nature. There were no Van Luxemburgian nor Triancian military vehicle formations in the immediate vicinity. There weren't much preparations to be done for the attack, since the Guyanans were apparently compelled to charge at the 9th Armoured Division head-on.

With sufficient anticipation, 240 KP-3 Guardian main battle tanks maneuvered themselves into a double line, facing the incoming aggressors and waiting for them to get into gun range. Target practice.

"Target in range, 12 o' clock. Range: three thousand. Aim... Fire!" The lead Guardian shook slightly, raising dust from around it, when the first shot erupted from the 125mm cannon. The other 119 KP-3's of the first line followed the leader, jointly raining 120 well-aimed shells at the incoming enemy tanks. It was probably too much, but the Wingardians weren't aware of the Guyanans' primitive equipment. Two Guardians were hit when the opposition returned fire, but the thick 600mm front armour prevented any penetration whatsoever.

The sudden charge of the 100 Guyanan soldiers from the nearby woods came as a surprise, but they faced a solid barrier of Wingardian tanks, which relentlessly opened 12.7mm machine gun fire at them. A couple of AT missiles were launched at the Guardians, but the Engelschild APS proved its worth by intercepting all of them before they hit home.

Philadelphia, Oceania

Lackadaisically the executive conference room filled with suits as they placed their purchased and pre-prepared lunches on the solid wood table while their drinks found themselves placed on the appropriate coasters built into the table. At the head of the table James Connelly sat staring at the map of Guyana Island, now well-engraved into his mind. With great reluctance he took a sip from his iced tea before coughing and thereby gaining the attention of the crowded room.

Ladies, gentlemen, thank you for joining me this afternoon for an unscheduled lunch. However a situation has developed regarding our latest acquisitions – the ports of Guyana. Connelly pressed a button on his clicker while he slowly stood up. This is a letter sent by the government of Van Luxemburg to our corporation regarding our facilities in Guyana requesting that we take the unprecedented action of destroying our own investment, Connelly shook his head while the directors and officers quietly clamored at the rash request. Please, ladies and gentlemen, allow me to continue. He waited for a few moments until the room settled into a quiet held together by a palpable tension.

Unfortunately the local Guyanan government has proven itself less than valuable as a leader as far as our company is concerned – without legitimate cause launching into the invasion of a land with a force that cannot, quite frankly, be sustained. Now, I’ve taken the liberty of speaking to His Majesty’s Government and they assure me that the Ministry of Defence is monitoring the situation closely and Mr. Beckett has assured me that any attack on UK property will provoke some response by our United Kingdom – though he declined to elaborate.

Connelly hit a button and a new image appeared. This gentlemen is a short comparison of the total forces both sides in the conflict can mass against each other. Again, that the Guyanan government actually thought its odd of survival were high is quite amazing – although they have attempted an asymmetrical form of warfare as reports have surfaced from Cayenne that chemical and biological weapons have been used against VL forces.

Proves what a civilised lot they are, muttered one silver-hair director.

Regardless, Mr. Hobson, I’m afraid that the Guyanans have crossed a line and in so doing have begun to threaten our own assets in Guyana.

I simply cannot accept a foreign government dictating to this company, another elderly director added. His call quickly found murmurs of assent from around the table, a sign of the xenophobia that pervaded the UK’s elder generation – unfortunately a generation that still held much sway over the corporate world.

I understand as much, Mr. Clarke, and I agree wholeheartedly – however it may behoove us not to dismiss the VL offer so quickly. In truth, all government is a business and as leaders in the business world our company should approach their offer with the same tact, discretion, and direction we would if we were to find ourselves with an offer by a foreign-based corporation. As such I propose that we respond with haste to this request and attempt to reach a settlement equitable to all parties.

While men in pinstripes consumed sandwiches and tea for near two hours the decision about closing the Portus Mercaturae facilities in Guyana was finally reached, which brought Connelly to his second issue – itself far more simpler in nature, but one that deserved the attention of the directors and senior officers.

This, ladies and gentlemen, Connelly said, turning from an image of the Port of Cayenne to another letter, is a request from the Triancian Department of Commerce. Quite simply they seek to buy what they term a “substantial amount of stock” in our corporation. Without question they have approached the situation with a great deal of finesse and flattery that I note at the outset and so our response should not be as cold as I’d usually recommend, however, we must be firm especially as this communication and its reply will be duly copied for review by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Guyana appears certain to fall, ladies and gentlemen, though it may cost the armies and navies of the eventual victors dearly. Nonetheless we have, unknowingly, established ourselves as an economic and commercial presence in this nascent, though misguided, nation. With your permission I would like to respond straightforwardly to the Triancian request and make quite clear the position of His Majesty’s Government.

Unlike the decision about the Van Luxemburg decision the question about the Triancian request came much quicker and by the end of the business day two small letters were dispatched to both Van Luxemburg and the Federal Kingdom.


Attn: The Grand Duchy of van Luxemburg

We have received the request by your government to shut down our facilities in Guyana and while our company’s board of directors has responded rather coolly I am prepared to offer a compromise that would result in the temporary shut down of our facilities in Cayenne, Nouvea-Luxembourg, Port Boukhari, and Coloniale-Au-Guyane.

In return for the enforced shut down of the aforementioned Ports Mercaturae facilities in Guyana we would like guarantees that should any damage be caused by the Grand Duchy or any of her allies in any operations taken against Guyana that said damages will be restituted financially. Also, should the Grand Duchy or any of her allies assume control, either temporarily or permanently, of Guyana Portus Mercaturae Ltd. would request contractual assurances that business deals made with private individuals and corporations within Guyana retain their legal and commercial continuity as well as not be pre-empted by new government ordinances. Should such a new government come into power, in exchange for the aforementioned assurances on the continuity both legally and commercially of Ports Mercaturae facilities in Guyana, we would also be willing to negotiate to allow the Grand Duchy and her allies access to said port facilities at a discounted rate below that of current prices but still at or above market prices, in effect a cost below that which is currently charged to those companies or governments wishing to operate out of our facilities but still set at a value that makes continued Ports Mercaturae operation of said facilities economically viable.

Given the urgent nature of the request should your government have any questions or concerns we will seek to respond as quickly as possible to any queries.

James Connelly, CEO
Portus Mercaturae Ltd.


Attn: Hans Streline, Triancian Department of Commerce

While our corporation harbours no negative perceptions of either the Triancian people or their government the United Kingdom’s trade laws prohibit foreign governments or their agents, in this case the Department of Commerce or any company in which the Triancian government owns stock or controls policy and corporate direction, from purchasing any stock in UK companies.

This does not mean, however, that our company has ruled out doing business with either the Federal Kingdom or corporations based in the Federal Kingdom, merely that the aforementioned types of institutions would be unable to purchase our stocks on the Philadelphia Exchange.

Given the high degree of uncertainty regarding the sustainability and long-term viability of the Guyanan market we would like to “stay in touch” and keep all available options, including – but not limited to – subcontracting and sharing of resources, open for later discussion.

Although Portus Mercaturae cannot officially speak for the Crown or His Majesty’s Government, unofficially the mood in the United Kingdom is optimistic that in the coming months and years this nascent commercial relationship may yield some most profitable results for all parties. And as such it is in that vein that I would like to thank you and your government for their consideration of Portus Mercaturae Ltd. and that we shall keep Triancian firms in mind should this situation in Guyana resolve itself so that our corporation can expand and diversify its operations.

James Connelly, CEO
Portus Mercaturae Ltd.

Westrhain, 20 kilometres east of Kreuzdorf

Almost instantly, the tanks, who just fired one round each, were hit by the superior KP-3 Guardian tanks. Most hulls were penetrated by the powerful 125mm rounds, Immediately knocking them out of action. Some tanks exploded with a deafening explosion, which caused trees to shake. One of those trees collapsed right in top of some of the Guyanan Warriors storming to the Wingardians, landing the tree right on top of their heads. Other men were quickly took out by the 12.7mm fire, falling down all around on the plains.

What was left after all, were a few black tanks, and a lot of bodies loitering around.

Meanwhile, another 90 tanks had stalled not so far away from the battlefield. The T-55 and T-64 tanks had run out of fuel, which was almost becoming a chronical problem to the Guyanans. The men had been listeining to the sound of battle in the distance, frightened as they were. They could be quite an easy target until relief arrived.

Guyana Island

It was impressive to see so many "Black wings". The 50 B-2's, the only bombers of the Grand-Ducal Airforce, Had disengaged any identification lights, to prevent spotting. Now, they weren't afraid of the Guyanan Airforce, neither the Guyanan AA, But there could be accidents.

This is Eagle to Bear. All clear. Open bomb hatches, it's gonna be a hot night.

With those words, the bomb hatches slowly squeeked open, the first time in combat operations. When they opened, the most deadly explosives could be seen. As they left their safe home, they hurtled down to earth, heading for the Guyanan Airbases, Military bases and, most importantly, the Guyanan President's residence.

But one thing the Van Luxemburgians hadn't accounted for. Thierry Karbel, the "President" of Guyana Island, had hidden himself inside a civilian residence, which were a no-go area for the B-2 bombers.

Everywhere else, the bombs rained down. The airbases were quickly disabled, because of huge holes blew into the runway. Military Barracks were instantly destroyed by the JDAM-ER bombs used by the Van Luxemburgians. Remaining soldiers had either been killed, or heavily wounded. Bombs completely destroyed the Presidential residence, leaving only small heaps of rubble.

Few vehicles remained on the streets. If they had been took by the Guyanans, they had been destroyed by the bombs landing on the Military bases, or if not, they had no fuel.

After several hours, the silence returned. The bombers headed back to Van Luxemburg, their mission was over, and Guyana had almsot no military infrastructure left, including major roads and airfields.

But then, only one hour after the bombings, the sound of helicopters was heard in Cayenne, and several other cities and military bases in Guyana. Van Luxemburgian helicopters headed in, and took all remaining Military bases, and arrested anyone not belonging there. By the return of light to Guyana, it had completely been cleared out, for all but Thierry Karbel and his men.

From: The Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

This would be greatly accepted. As your people on Guyana Island might have seen, Van Luxemburgian Landing Forces now mainly control all Military and Civilian infrastructure, and the shutdown of your facilities would greatly help. This, to prevent any action by Guyana Freedom Fighters, or any others.

We have full confidence in your people when it comes to a report on the financial and structural damage done to your assets. The Grand Duchy of van Luxemburg will refund any damage completely.

As of now, The Van Luxemburgian Government has took most of Guyana Island, but is doubtful about it's control. Therefore, we will assure you that your people will not be hindered by Van Luxemburgian Forces, either Civilian or Military. You may continue to control the ports rightfully operated by Portus Mercaturae, as it is Private Land, and the Grand Duchy of Van Luxemburg only has right to use them if we suspect any terroristic actions going on, or might we need this infrastructure.

Signed,
Jens Blom,
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Philippe Dermont,
Minister of Defence

Nicolas Hirtz,
Premier of the Van Luxemburgian Government

Koen van Luxemburg,
Grand Duke of Van Luxemburg

Westrhain, 23 kilometres east of Kreuzdorf

The tiny battle lasted less than a couple of minutes. After the smoke cleared, the forest around the Guyanan forces was dotted by dead bodies and burning tanks. It was a total victory for the Wingardians, who cheered at the crushing defeat of their enemy. The vehicles from the 4th and 9th divisions then reformed as they were before and continued their trip to the border with Ostrhain. However, they hadn't forgotten about the other ninety Guyanan T-55s and T-64s...


30 kilometres north of the Wingardian divisions

The air assault elements had prepared and launched after the initial Guyanan attack. Thirty WR-6 Champions lifted off and immediately set course towards the now static northern enemy group. The attack helicopters were flying close enough to the ground to sway grass and dirt around.

The Guyanan tanks soon came into the visual range of the Champions and the pilots prepared their anti-tank missiles. The helos gained some altitude to maximize protection from enemy machine gun fire, but it was just a precaution since they could outrange most enemy weapons with their missiles and rockets.

"Targets in sight. All Champions, weapons free, repeat, weapons free!" The leaders of the formations immediately ordered the attack. A first wave of anti-tank missiles burst out and streaked towards the enemy armour and peripheral vehicles, followed by salvo after salvo of rockets fired at the surviving targets and ground personnel.

OOC: If I overstep my bounds, VL, inform me of it so I can make changes. I’m not one that enjoys powergaming. :) Also, I'm a bit pressed for time, and I hope to have more posted later today.

Unfortunately, the 22nd Royal Marine Expeditionary Fleet didn’t have much in the way of flash or big guns. They couldn’t put on such a powerful show as the Wingardians seemed to be conducting, with a five to one ratio in numbers and an untold advantage in technology. This lack of firepower certainly gave pause to Triancian Commanders, who were loathe to put light mechanized infantry against tanks.

There was a saying in the Royal Triancian Marine Corps, however. ‘Who needs tanks when you’ve got style?’ On the surface, it didn’t sound like a well-thought out doctrine, but style meant something to these Marines. Primarily, it meant a large amount of SOTA UAVs, spy planes, and orbiting satellites to provide intelligence, and the use of light infantry conducting guerrilla style ambushes, falling back, conducting a fluid regroup on one of the many Hueys and Sea Rangers attached to the fleet, landing, and conducting another ambush. These were tactics perused and perfected since their inception in the early 80’s, and, by now, the Marines were getting very, very good at them.

The 22nd now had it’s 4th (Light Infantry) and 6th (Mechanized) brigades on the ground in Kreuzbadinsel, with it’s 8th conducting vertical envelopment’s in a ‘fire brigade’ roll. Commodore Tulene was in charge of the task force now, her 2nd Carrier Battle Fleet have arrived just a few hours ago, and with it, a large amount of power projection. While this, of course, lead to the Triancian Command conducting a large amount of air sorties against the ill-prepared and retreating Guyanians, the RTMC still had its roll to play.

Case studies of Marine Tactics were not that hard to find in the retreating columns of enemy tanks near Westrhain. A column of tanks here was found, boxed in, and slowly eliminated by fast moving HMMWV’s armed with TOW rockets. A fleeing company of infantry over there was cut down by hastily prepared RTM positions, the quick clattering of G36’s and Mekugian S7Bs outlasting the slight crescendo of Guyanian weapons. Larger concentrations of armor and infantry were spotted by recon units, who called in air support from both the 2nd CBF and the 22nd’s own indigenous aircraft, with AGM-144’s expended by the dozen. The Triancian Marines attempted to give the enemy little chance to engage them in clear, open terrain, where the Guyanian’s, equipped with even the most obsolete equipment, would have the advantage. The Triancian’s of course, couldn’t keep these kinds of operations up forever. But slowing down the retreating enemy would give the heavier Wingardian units a chance to move forward and box in the remaining Guyanians. And /that/ might spell the end of this phase of the war.

Surprisingly, the major threat to Triancian momentum was expected to come, not from causalities, but from prisoners of war the Marine’s might pick up. Harried messages from the Colonel’s commanding the Brigades on the ground to local VL commanders were sent, asking them just what the Hell they were supposed to do with any captured forces? Slow down now, don’t speed up again!

While momentum may have been threatened on Kreuzbadinsel, the Triancian War Machine was picking up speed in other areas. Three Airborne Brigades had been put on alert, the unit's ready to make their drops onto Guyana to support VL forces in little more than 18 hours. A marked increase in practice sorties from the TAF’s long-range bomber bases was evident to any one with a satellite or a guy with field glasses, but, given the massive success of allied bombing, they had spun down, given a lack of targets. And, in the northern port of Cerzana, tanks, APCs, and men were loading up on transport ships. This would mark the first combat deployment of a TA Cavalry Division, and the Army was sure to be damn proud of it. Their destination was more certain, almost certainly one of the four Guyanian ports owned and operated by the United Kingdom. Given the recent invasion of Guyana by Van Luxemburg's forces, it seemed that they could now focus on what to do when they got there, and not the travel in between.
<b>Presidential Palace, Joseph II Federal District</b>

Washlyn shut off the display at the terminal at his seat, removing from view a blown-up, scanned in image of the Azazian response to Commerce’s disposal. “I don’t suppose any of us had a realistic belief of that plan succeeding. I mean, it would be akin to Azazia asking to purchase controlling interest in the Royal Confederated Armories. No one's going to simply sell their national interests to another nation.”

The President nodded somberly. “So, unless we take the low road and attempt buy outs through unrecognized shells, they still control the ports.” He sighed. “I assume that might come up as a problem, if this peace-keeping mission stretches out into years.”

The Secretary of Defense, for once, didn't have any complaints. “Well, in a number of years, perhaps, but the current situation looks extremely favorable. I don't usually do costs, but the people that work on that kind of stuff in my department are telling me that the port operations costs we're being offered are quite low, and, since Van Luxemburg's assault, the chances of us destroying significant port facilities have gone down a great deal. We'll still need to secure the ports with troops, of course, but the Marines and Airborne personnel tasked are professionals.”

Well, there was some good news. The President looked a bit surprised, but nodded. “Well, then, all we have to worry about is the Guyanians.” A short chuckle at that. No one here was worried about the Guyanians. “Rob, have Defense transfer the nessecary information to the United Kingdom for their requests for reparations, and port costs. Let's hope cost there remain low.”

Near Kreuzdorf

When the Wingardian helicopters arrived, the Guyanans had already ducked under their tanks, seeing that they were chanceless. However, the tanks didn't protect them, and the vehicles quickly went up in smoke. Explosions sounded all around the column, effectively hitting and scrapping the tanks the Guyanans were so proud of. Some men tried to resist, but they were took out by hostile gunfire, or saw that they couldn't hit the helicopters hovering about.

Guyana Island

On the other side of the Straits, Van Luxemburgian forces had secured all the major parts, and declared a total success of the Operations, and took the main radio and television stations as a crown on their operations. They broadcasted the following message:

Inhabitants of Guyana Island. Please do not be afraid of us. We have returned to only secure peace in your nation, And we are not here to take over your independent rule and voice, as some might say. Your former ruler, Mister Thierry Karbel, has fled it's position as a coward. His whereabouts are unknown. Please report to the nearest Blue-Helmet Contingent if you have seen him, so we can arrest the coward if Guyana, the traitor to the Guyanan people. Peaceful elections will be organised in the meantime, leading to a more democratic Guyana Island. Please, assist us in our quest for peace in your nation.

During the broadcast, no calls where made, and figures indicated that a large chunk of the population had chosen to turn the TV or radio on, to listen to the broadcast. Meanwhile, Van Luxemburgian forces had put their Blue Helmets on, and were patrolling the streets, in open Mercedes-Benz G-class jeeps. This showed the peaceful intentions of the Van Luxemburgian forces, because they hadn't took heavy vehicles like IFV's or Eagle IV reconaissance vehicles to the streets. It was however waiting how the people would react.

OOC: Oh thank God, It still exists! It was reported that this thread was lost, but it fortunately isn't! :)

Cayenne

The light was blinding, and the clouds hadn't shown their faces for almost a day. A heavy sun shone above the city, in which daily life was getting the upper hand. People thought that the war was over, and accepted their fate. Some men, however, had retreated into the jungle, and hadn't been seen for days.

A small convoy of Mercedes-Benz G-Class open 4x4's passed a lone checkpoint in the middle of nowhere. Only a few soldiers guarded the checkpoint, and were amusing themselves by watching television and spotting the diverse flora and fauna in this part of the world. Their guard was minimal, and the checkpoint was of little use now. The 4x4's were quickly waved through, and the guards went back to their daily routine.

But, daily routine suddenly halted. With a screeching sound, a few shells landed on the road, blocking the way for the drivers. They quickly had to leave their vehicles, as the shells quickly closed in on the 4x4's uselessly standing on the road. The guards had already dived under cover of the rainforest, while the projectiles rained down on their former workplace. The area was locked off by the destroyed roads, and the wreckages of the Mercedes-Benz'es standing around. But after a few minutes, the rest had returned. The sound of the projectiles had stopped, and nothing blew up anymore.

Another shot ripped through the Jungle, making a hole in the guardhouse built at the checkpoint. After that, several magazines out of several weapons were fired, penetrating every possible target. The Van Luxemburgian soldiers luckily stayed in their shelters, and only two were wounded in the one-sided battle. The silence returned again as quickly it had been disturbed. However, a group of soldiers was now locked up in the rainforest.

From Cayenne, a squad of Eagle IV 4x4 reconaissance vehicles hit the dirty water, driving past it at high speed. They were completely filled with dirt, and a barely visible flashlight warned the sparse population that they were in a hurry. On the bonnet, a few lettres were collected, covered in the brown dust and watery substance that ruled the jungle

Corps du Marechaussee Grand-Ducale

It really indicated that this was the Grand-Ducal Constabulary, or the MP's of the Van Luxemburgian Army. Some grunts feared them, becuse of their high training in arrestation techniques, and especially their freedom in how to use them. However, the older soldiers knew that the Marechaussee would gently ask people first, and let the hard part come if the person refused. Those men, were already considered the saviours of many operations, as they came in with a lot of noise and show, to evacuate and investigate.

This was again the case. The vehicles, which were less afraid of ditches than the Mercedes-Benz'es, passed the holes in the road without a problem, and reached the outpost in a short while. As mostly shown in movies, the Marechaussees threw their car around, full on it''s brakes, and left the flashlights burning while running around to start the investigation.

It was going to be a long, harsh and bloody operation....

OOC: Maybe Interesting, The VL divisions used in this RP.

Divisions 8, 21, 61

500 Leclerc/Leopard 2A6/JK-V1 Basher MBT's (HBT's)(BdC-15 Éléphant HBT)
300 AMX-10RC Light Tank (164 LT-5S)
166 ERC-90 Sagaie (459 LT-5K)
300 VBCI
818 VAB (723 LT-5GT, 246 LT-5T)
255 VBL
90 AMX-30 AuF1
42 MLRS
16 HM2
18 BF-50
94 PzH2000
134 RTF1 Mortar
133 M-51 Mortar
1295 Renault Kerax
967 DAF TROPCO
36 Tigre
65 NH-90.
1320 Eagle IV


3 Mechanised Brigade (100 VBCI, 100 AMX10RC, 55 ERC-90 Sagaie, 273 VAB, 85 VBL, 45 RTF-1 Mortar, 44 M-51 Mortar, 333 Eagle IV, 400 Renault Kerax, 300 DAF TROPCO)
(241 LT-5GT, 82 LT-5T, 153 LT-5K, 36 LT-5S)
2 Armoured Brigades (250 Leclerc/Leopard 2A6/BdC-15 Éléphants, 130 Eagle IV, optional 56 LT-5S)
2 Artillery Brigade (45 AMX-30 AuF1, 21 MLRS, 8 HM2, 9 BF-50, 47 PzH2000, 95 Renault Kerax, 67 DAF TROPCO, 130 Eagle IV)

The LT-5 vehicles have newly arrived at the 61st Division.

Also, The Van Luxemburgian Army has sent the following specialized divisions:

91st Engineer Division

200 Leopard 2A6/BdC-15
100 PPz-3
100 PPz-4
9 Shielder
20 (Caterpillar) D3 Small Bulldozers
31 D6 Medium Bulldozers
10 D11 Large Bulldozers
20 Liebherr Wheeled Cranes
5,000 DAF TROPCO
6,000 Renault Kerax
700 Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen

84th Amphibious Division

500 LT-5S
430 LT-5K
610 LT-5GT
60 LT-5T
81 AAV7
100 Piranha III (10x10)
100 Piranha IV (8x8)
180 AGM SP Artillery
150 NH-90
100 Tigre

The VLCDF Divisions on Kreuzbadinsel:

8th and 14th Division:
(16,393 men)

500 Leopard 1/AMX-30b2
300 AMX-10RC Light Tank
166 ERC-90 Sagaie
1118 VAB
90 AMX-30 AuF1
42 MLRS
16 HM2
18 BF-50
134 RTF1 Mortar
133 M-51 Mortar
2262 DAF YA4440
86 Gazelle/Bo-105 Helicopters
65 Cougar.
1320 Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen/Land Rover

The Setup of the Naval Contingent:

16 Marseille-Class Frigates
8 Bordeaux-Class Destroyers
2 Le Havre class Cruisers
3 Verdun Class AAW Frigate
2 Montpellier Helicopter Carrier
1 Mistral class LPD
1 Jericho Class LLPD
1 Perpignan Carrier
2 U-212 Diesel-Electric Submarines
1 Brabant Class Nuclear Attack Submarine.

These units are packed together in Taskforce 51, specially formed to cope with Guyana Island.

The Air Force has sent:
345th and 387th Interceptor Wing:
192 Rafale Multirole Aircraft totalling

991st Multirole wing
96 EF-2000 Typhoon Multirole Aircraft totalling

2401st Multirole Squadron
24 Mirage 2000-5 Mutirole Aircraft

90th Refueling Wing
96 Airbus A330 MRTT

9th Light Transport Wing:
96 C-160 Transall

Marine Taskforce B:

Emergency unit, of the units stationed on Kreuzbadinsel before the war.

24 Breguet Atlantique 2
3 Fokker F-27 Enforcer II
3 Boeing E-3 Sentry
3 Mako Trainers/Light Combat Aircraft



This is what the Van Luxemburgian Military Contingent has. Be free to add comments, I always like some (constructive) criticism.

Somewhere on Guyana Island..

Thierry Karbel stepped into the yacht. It wasn't a large, luxurious yacht, but it was able to cross a large portion of the Atlantic. It was moored at a still undisclosed location somewhere on Guyana Island, but not for long. After a short salute by some of Karbel's loyals, the ship left, into the unknown...


After some days, The ship passed the Atlantic at a speed almost unreal to sailors used to a schooner. The ship was however easy to keep up with for modern yachts. Thierry Karbel was sleeping on the sofa, deep into dreaming land, when he was warned by the sailors.

We're entering Van Luxemburgian National Waters now, sir. Be ready.

Thierry Karbel grabbed his ID passes, while the Van Luxemburgian flags were raised on the aft. His pass now indicated that he was Francois Darlan, which was a completely randomly chosen person.

Within Van Luxemburgian waters, the business already began to flow. ships passed, and loaded tankers, escorted by a tugboat, passed the yacht at mere meters, flowing the salt water almost over the ship, nearly sinking it.
Without problems, the yacht passed the Gibraltar Strait, heading for it's target. After a few days, the ship reached it; The Van Luxemburgian Cote d'Azur. The Yacht was docked at a yachting club in Cassis, and Thierry Karbel and his men took a hotel in Nice, some kilometres away.

Marie Courbusier was a woman, early in her fifties. She, together with her husband, who was the owner of the Courbusier Navale Shipyards, owned a large, spacious penthouse on a historical house, offering views of the Mediterranean and the, overall, silent harbour of Cassis. Marie particularly enjoyed watching the yachts and fisherman's sloops entering and exiting the port, aswell as watching the news.

On that morning, she had just seen the usual TLF news report (TLF Means Television Locale France, the Regional television station), and had just seated down on her balcony to watch the ships, when an old, ragged-down yacht appeared from out of the sea, and quickly moored in the port. The crew was picked up by a waiting car, which drove away at high speed, leaving traces of rubber on the asphalt below.

Now, a usual person wouldn't care about this; It happened daily, with the millionaires coming and leaving. But Marie was different. She had intensively watched what happened, and saw Thierry Barkel, a face which was ever too known to her, stepping out of the Yacht and into the car. As soon as the car left, she ran inside and picked up her home phone, a relatively new DECT telephone, which featured a secure line, installed by her husband. She didn;t use it however, It was too hard to operate. After swiftly calling 0800-0112 (A telephone line which urged the police to not use sirens and warning lights, as it weren't urgent cases), she quickly got connected with the local Police station.

Police station Cassis, Non-Urgent cases, how can I help?

Marie answered calmly, and didn't panic.

I think I just saw that Thierry Barkel. Could you send someone?

The other side of the line kept silent in disbelief, but returned to normal as quickly as possible.

Sure Ma'am. We will investigate it. Your adress?

Even without a short stop, Marie replied.

Quai Calendal 12, Cassis

Thanks alot.

The line was broken, and the police was on it's way.

Cayenne, Guyana Island

Vehicles of the 4th Infantry Division rolled along the main streets of the Guyanan capital of Cayenne, soldiers and some locals cheering at the defeat of their unpopular dictator, Thierry Karbel. A few citizens also seized the opportunity to throw fruits and vegetables, mainly tomatoes, at the Wingardian soldiers aboard the trucks and vehicle turrets. Only a small amount of hits, fortunately. Most of Cayenne's inhabitants simply watched from their homes' windows and doorsteps, apathetic. Understandable, since this must've been the third "parade" in a week.

The 9th Armoured Division arrived sometime later, joining the 4th in the planning of the peacekeeping operations in the area. During the following days, small patrols were established in and around the city, on the lookout for insurgents and, rarely, criminals. RAP-2 Kammonets and sometimes heavier vehicles patrolled the roads. The Wingardians' ability in tropical terrain was noticeable, encounters and skirmishes were fortunately uncommon and easy to deal with for the most part.