NationStates Jolt Archive

(ooc:Should have saw it coming (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10548875&postcount=93))

It was done without pretext. No warning as given. No one could have known that the message from the Forbidden city was nothing more than the usual. Even the officers were surprised, but ready. The navy was ready as well, all 130 of the Emperor-class huge treasure ships. All prepared for this moment, loaded up with their thousands of troops.

The City of Canton emptied of its massive host. Three hundred and fifty thousand men, all prepared for a month, to make this lightning strike; a design of the Emperor to for once and all destroy a pain in the Dragons toe: Kirisubo.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Han%20Empire/316a.jpg

General Shou Han Di, conquerer of Chosen, general of the Eastern Armies, conquerer of Indo-China, and Grand Master of the Imperial School led this expidition. With him was Admiral Moa Zi Pek, the most experianced admiral in the Han Empire.

On the deck of the fleets flagship General Shou Han Di watched as the last of the ships left port. They were travelling on the eastern-north wind, taking the quickest route to their intended target. It was far from storm season and the oracles had predicted clear weather. All was set.

Shou Han Di turned when he saw Admiral Pek come up next to him. The Admiral bowed and Han Di returned it. "Greetings Admiral, how are you on the amrvelous day?" Han Di asked.

"Very good General, very good. I am here to appraise you of the navy's coming strategy," responded the aged admiral. Han Di smiled.

"You mean you're going to do more than just ferry us there?" asked Han Di in an amused tone. The admiral smiled as well. Each had worked with the other in past exploits for the Emperor. Shou Di was counting on that to keep his army supplied as the invasion progressed.

"Indeed General. Here is our plan," Admiral Pek said. He took from under his arm a great rolled scroll. He unrolled it and revealed a map of the asia-pacific. he pointed to the straits between Kirisubo and Chosen (korea).

"Here, I have Admiral Dou Kiang with his flotilla of 30 sloops. He has begun a blockade of ships moving north. This is to keep the Shogun from informing his allies in Frozopia. Because all their major ports are on the western coast, we will be able to monitor them; and our agents within them will inform us if any leaves via doves."

"Ingenious method," commented Shou Di.

The old admiral nodded. "Once we have landed your troops, 40 of the ships will begin a supply service of ferrying over things your army will need. Most likely we will use the stockpiles on Chosen, since they are closer. The rest of the ships will start patrolling for any enemy from the south. We are aware that the other nations here in the pacific launched a mighty fleet and sent it south. We will keep watch for any of them returning."

"That is good Admiral, very good planning," Shou Di said with greater respect. The old admiral bowed.

"You honor me General. What of the islands of Terror? Do they not touch us in the south?" asked Admiral Pek. Shou Di smiled even bigger.

"Fear not Admiral, the Emperor in all his wisdom has seen to it that the Southern armies are alerted. At least three divisions of their finest troops are watching the border. Nothing is likely to come through there. And the rest of the Southern Army is set at a point where they can intercept a more heavier landing anywhere from the tip of Inda, to the coasts of Diep-nam (vietnam)."

"Then we are blessed by the Emperor's guidance," said Admiral Pek. "May it lead us to victory."

"May it indeed," said Shou Di, half to himself and half in repsonse to the admiral. He watched as the full fleet had reached open water. Kirisubo would be a few days beyond the horizon.

OOC: should have guessed this was coming guys, see my posts on the Invasion of Aust thread.

IC: The Austian fleet was sailing north, leaving the barbarians in the south to be killed by the Austian army. it had bigger fish to fry.

130 ships of all sizes, 5 deckers with 800 men on boards to 1 deckers with 50 men on boards sailed north in close convoy, far out in the Pacific miles away from the nearest enemy ship.

For two weeks they had sailed east to lay the enemy off the scent. Enemy scouts had been followed and attacked, then, when every last enemy had been purged the Austian fleet sailed north to the isles of Terror Incognita. The fleet would then split into groups of 5 or so ships and begin the raiding and the slave taking, returning to the nearby Austian colony’s-strangely untouched by the enemy in there sail south-to resupply and dump the slave. the largest group of 25 5 deckers and 5 4 deckers would sail directly to the enemies capital and kill everyone there, such is the price oath breaker pay under Austian law.

It would take many, many, many weeks for news of this to reach the enemy and by then it would be all over. Terror Incognita would be Austian. On the HMS Ultimar, the Austian flagship Lord High Read Admiral His Excellency lord Sir iTon Brok, was watching the first islands of the enemy being attacked by the van of his fleet.

The Austian technique was simple. The ships arrive, disengorge the 100 or so marines on board, open fire on the enemy while the Marines charge into the settlement and kill or enslave all they find. The men they killed, the women they raped and the children they took as slaves. It was all very quick and very honourable.

This was a small settlement, only 60 or so people living on a small island. They probably didn’t even know they where part of Incognita until the Austian arrived. A few would escape and come back to homes untouched by except by bloodstains. And the Asutian fleet would sail on towards it’s next target.

With the Emperors funeral still a few days away and the Empress confirmed as leading the council of regents which would sit until Crown Prince Saruji came of age the Kirisuban imperial navy was still watching the Western and Eastern shorelines. There was large gaps however and the beacon crews were watchful.

Most of the daimyo's were in Kyoto preparing for the Imperial funeral but the watch needed to be maintained.

On Hokkaido Ostian and Kirisuban galleys were watching the northern coasts. These ships were stetched thin and sticking close to the coast.

while an invason from the west was unlikely it was guarded against all the same as their forebears had done while the civil war was being fought.



####

the redeployed sourthern fleet of 30 Kirisuban small galleys and 5 Ostian galleys were now at Wakasa bay on the western coast of Honshu province. their mission was to keep an eye out for hostile vessels and along with the other fleets the western coast line and horizion was being carefully watched.

On the Tsubaki Commander Sato Toshiro who was in charge of the kirisuban ships of the fleet was waiting for the supply galley to arrive so they could get fresh water.

He didn't expect the Han to come since they had been silent for a century but orders were orders and he had to patrol this stretch of coast.

OOC: Aust. No, no, no, no, no.

1) You only just LEFT. You have NOT reached my islands yet.
2) It is not for you to say that you found and killed all my scouts. My navy is better at these things than yours.
3) Less than half my navy is at Aust. The remainder is mustered ready to move south. Even assuming you have reached my lands, and did eliminate all the scouts that spotted you, you have more of my ships to face here than you did there.
4) Only my marines are at Aust. My army is, thus far, entirely in Incognitia. Even assuming that all my above points are invalid for some unknown reason, your blokes are going to get wiped out on the ground.

Oh yeah, and Oda, assuming all the threads are roughly simultaneous, it IS storm season. See my thread for the typhoon that has been raging around some of mine and Kiri's ships.
OOC: on one thread, on the same thread Froztopia has just had scouts ride thosuadns of miles south into deep Aust and back again. Thatw ould atke MONTHS. let alone a few months.
2) It's what my guys think.
3) I never said it wasn't, i've only just reached the most outlying of your islands
4) You have to react first.

OOC: Okay. Just, next time, can you allow some time between posting that a fleet has left (Conquest thread) and posting that it's arrived, here, not even directly, but after a massive two week detour?

The problem is, the closest point on my territory to where you're leaving from is one of my main islands, with a previously announced major naval base, which is logically where my fleet is currently going to be...though presumably we can invent some South Georgia-esque flyspeck for you to have invaded for consistency's sake.
Consider it hereby invented.

IC: South Kimerstun had almost forgotten it was part of Incognitia; until a few months ago, when a frigate came by, telling them that war might be coming, and that they were to build a signal fire, in case they were attacked. Naturally they were somewhat reluctant; until the captain told them that the Navy was paying.
The weekly trading ship to South Kimerstun was a small, ex-naval corvette. Her captain was a retired sailor from the Incognitian Navy, and on spotting a pyre of smoke rising from where the island lay, he knew at once what must have happened. He knew nothing, of course, of the size of the raid; but he was no fool, and so turned straight for home. The wind he had been cursing all the way here made his ship fly; and word would soon reach Dunkennen that Incognitia had been attacked.

The High Seneschal was known for his mild obsession with the new. His aides had mocked, when men had come to him with a plan for "talking arms" on towers, to carry messages. But he had been enthusiastic, and funded their efforts. The fact that a line of such towers stretched from Dunkennen to the coast nearest Nescia, whence a sailing vessel could depart for the tower on the other shore, from where the message could pass to Nescia; this was a tribute to his enthusiasm. And, of course, his deep pockets.
When the message that South Kimerstun had been attacked by an unknown force reached Nescia a mere hour after it reached Dunkennen, well that was a tribute to the High Seneschal's foresight.
The Navy was currently concentrated around Dunkennen (RL Port Moresby). It would make it's response from there. Word had recently arrived from Aust, that Austian warships had been spotted leaving harbour; the fleet from there would likely soon be in Dunkennen, joining the force already there.

Meanwhile, the army had been recruiting, drilling and training ever since the first rumours of war. Not only was it now virtually ready, it was concentrated in a few great encampments, by each of the major cities. If the Austians landed troops, the nearest force would hold them, while others were brought.

Meanwhile, the High Seneschal's immediate response was to urge haste in the completion of the other major talking-arm lines.

OOC: Visual semaphore. Viz Pratchett's clacks, alternatively RL English and French late 18th century systems.

I admitted I was wrong. Dont be such a Jackass about it. I have changed it to that I am totally ignorant of your forces.

NO OOC! No more. K? Comprenday?

OOC: Thank terror, for sorting that one out. ta.

IC: "Sire. They lit a fire, we put it out as soon as possable...but they must have spotted them. And a Sloop spotted that they have Hi-Sepor on one of the Islands. We've been spotted sire."

"good, we shall continue and kill them honourably, instead of sneaking upon them like cowering dogs!" Lord High Rear Admiral His Excellency lord Sir iTon replyed, a stickler for the code. he ahd never been at ease with his orders to sneak up and attack the enermy. Although not against the code it was not, he felt, very fair on the enermy.

"But sire, they have ships here, many ships. And many men s well, they outnumber us, and outgun us. We might be able to beat them Navy vs Navy but..." The Captain was worried that was odvious, he was one of a newer breed of Asutains, less regarding of the old rules. He thought that deception, if honourably done was fine, as was spying which had treditionally been classed as dishonourable.

The admiral however, dispite all appearences, was no idiot. he knew that his main task was just to hurt the enermy and not engage in a full scale war. "We sail north then captain, communicate that to the rest of the fleet."

the Captain was suprised to say the least. "Where too sire?"

"Kirisubo. i'm sure that the han will not mind a bit of assitance. we may even be able to establish a coloney for the emproer!"

Word had reached Dunkennen of the assault on South Kimerstun, and the admirals there moved swiftly. It was thought likely that the Austians would make for Dunkennen, and land somewhere to the South-East of it, if that was their aim. The soldiers encamped outside Dunkennen, some 20,000 in all, were roused, and marched in that direction. Meanwhile the navy set out from the Harbour. They would make for the headland to the south-east. If they had not encountered the enemy by then, they would have to decide, between going South, in the direction of Kimerstun, and assuming the enemy would have reached them if they were coming this way and turning north or east.
Messages were despatched to the fleet coming from Aust, telling them to make all possible speed.
Nescia was kept informed.

By the time they reached the end of Incognitia, the point beyond which all else was sea, they had heard from the other half of the fleet.
Given the areas each had covered, and the time elapsed, it was thought likely that the Austians were no longer to the South of them, and were not heading for Dunkennen after all. So they turned North.
They were likely to catch the Austians given time; as they were generally slower, and were not thought to have copper bottoms smoothing their hulls.
What is more, the contingent under Admiral Knox was only about a few hours sail behind, likely to catch up if there were to be a major engagement.

The Austian ships did have copper bottoms and amde brisk progress north with a rpogressive win, qwithin days that would leave this alterpigo and head north into the deapths of the Pacific, from there they would reach the Han forces near Kirisubo.

They did not know where the Austians were. This meant that they could not have gained greatly in the past hours. However, they were considered unlikely to have lost ground. The outcome of the pursuit was far from certain.
They would be able to make greater speed once the other half of the fleet made contact; they were making all possible speed, while the northern half was merely sailing fast.
From the design of the Austian ships, the Incognitians would be faster through the water; however this advantage might be insufficient to catch them before they reached their destination, lacking a little luck.
They would be hard on their heels when they got there, in any case.

with the emperors funeral due in two days most of the daimyos of the empire were present at the the palace.

Since the Imperial physician had suspected the presence of poison in the late Emperors tea security was tight and that included the security round the Shogun.

A servant leaves her lords apartment and goes to the little kitchen to make tea but this woman was no ordinary maid.

Her name was unknown to most people and she was part of the Amida Tong. Today she was called Aiko and had slipped in as part of Lord Tanagashima's staff.

Her mission was to kill the Shogun, Miromuta Katsumoto and even she didn't know who had hired her to carry out the assasination. She figured it was another Lord who wanted to get closer to the top job of the Empire.

Even the most paranoid samurai didn't suspect an unarmed servant and the Shogun's ninja spies didn't recognise their own kind.

She distracts a maid and drops a few drops of slow acting but potent poison into the cup of tea. it wouldn't kill the Shogun for 4 hours and she was assured it would look like a natural death since the poison would travel to his heart and kill him while he slept.

She lets the distracted maid head onto her duties and then returned with the tea for Lord Tanagashima, the general in charge of the Northern Honshu province.

She could bide her time knowing it wouldn't be traced back to her.

(map I am using: Map (http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Han%20Empire/map.jpg))

With the dawn came the Han.
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b184/Upum/Han%20Empire/sh1.jpg

They landed in the province of Wakase, utilizing deep beach heads and landning areas. Longbow archers along with light spearmen beached first. They spread out around the area, making picket lines. A small fishing village was occupied nearby, its villagers held in their homes.

Several Han agents met with the invading troops and gave them information on the area. The province had no real fortress or heavy fotifications, but the local daimyo was sure to have a small force.

By mid-day about 80,000 troops had been landed. The rest were continually being unloaded from ships, organizing themselves back into their respective regiments and divisions.

General Shou Han Di sat on his war horse overlooking the beach head. His guard, 200 heavy cavalrymen, stood at ease nearby. A agent was kneeling in the ground before Shou Di.

"You're sure that all major daimyo and most others are in the capitol Kyoto?" asked Shou Di. The agent, a house worker in the local daimyo's household, nodded to the ground.

"Yes Great Lord, the Emperor died several days ago, and since then all daimyo have travelled. Most daimyo have not had much time to prepare their private armies nor has the Shogun announced a call to arms. They are unprepared."

Shou Di nodded and smiled. He waved his hand in dismissal and led his horse away from the bowing spy. Shou Di dismounted next to his command tent and walked inside. There several of his officers and other such adjutants were inside arguing over a map of Kirisubo. They looked up and bowed when Shou Di entered.

"Good afternoon gentlemen," said Shou Di. He adjusted his armour and sat at the head of the table, looking down at the map. "What have our scouts discovered?"

The Master of Scouts, Xiang Shek, bowed. "My Lord General, thus far my men have found no resistance. One patrol ran into a group of samurai and chased them off. I suspect our surprise is total. But it will not last long. That I can assure you." The other officers nodded in support.

Shou Di nodded. "Good, because I have a new plan of action."

OOC: etrror, your ships are probably faster but my 'decked' design mean i can probably fight a bit better.

IC: The Austian ships where now elaving the Phillipines and where almost upon Kirisubo, the Admiral was pouring over his maps planning his assult. A sloop had been sent north to find to find the Han and inform them of Asutian aid to the south.

Finally it was decided that the fleet would attack, and hopfully take, the southern isle starting with the provence Hizen.

OOC: Kirisubo, can I have some info about this provence? Captial city/major settlements ect.

OOC: I have decks, I've just specified that none of my ships are four-deckers, referring to the number of gun decks.

IC: The fleet had merged. There were now 200 ships of the line, with frigates and support vessels, sailing north to find and fight the Austians. Their speed had risen a little since the van was no longer awaiting the rear. Their position meant that they would not catch the Austians before Kirisubo, it was thought, (since it had been assumed that was where they were heading); they might still catch them as they landed.

OOC: 200 ships!!!! Hell, i only have 120!

Commander Sato's galleys had seen the the ships approaching and sent signal flags along the fleet until a beacon had been lit and the news would spread.

a carrier pigeon had also been launched from a feif a few miles away and was heading to Kyoto.

Now the nobles would know what was happening.

Unable to take on the fleet as it landed the Commander had to retreat with his fleet but their job was done for now.

as fast despatch riders brought the news, others rode north heading for Hokkaido province and the treaty port of Hakodate.

It would be from there that word would reach their allies in the north, the Frozopians once the couriers arrived.

the coastal galleys sailed north spreading the news along coastal settlements and soon even without the Daimyo's around reservists were being called up and villages and towns emptied of their men folk.

An army would take a time to form and the defence force officers who hadn't traveled to Kyoto weren't sure how much time they had.

###

in Kyoto as a new day dawned the council of Daimyo's were chosing a new leader. Lord General Fujiwara Yabu, the commander of the Honshu defence forces was chosen to be the next Shogun.

they had yet to hear the news of the invading fleet but that was going to change..

OOC: Kisbo mate, some info please.

The Asutian fleet was now within 50 miles of Kirisubo sotuhern point and had already passed several of the nations outlying islands. Sloops had reported the lie of the land and it had been decided that the Austians would take Nagsaki from the sea.

Shogun Fujiwara Yabu looked at the little slip of paper that the carrier pigeon had brought and slammed his fist into the low table by his side in frustration.

his frustration vented he turned back to the council of Regents and the Empress.

"The Han couldn't have picked a worse time to invade with the vast majority of the daimyos here and them away from their armies.

We have 3000 troops to call on at the moment and i hope that the rest of the defence forces can mobilise and get to us in time.

In the meantime we'll have to delay the funerals and prepare defences because the invaders will come here."

he had already told the council of daimyos his plan which was to hold Kyoto and use it as the battleground until more Kirisuban forces could join up.

"we still have the forces in the north and contact is uncertain with our forces on southern Honshu and Nansei province" he continues "and if the kami are kind we will have time to form an army and to fight back.

He didn't know the size of the invading force but we knew that with defeat that Kirisubo would most likely end up like the rest of indo china.

he was determined that that would not happen here..

The fleet, under Admiral Knox, was nearly ready. Decks had been cleared for action.
They had seen smoke plumes rising, looking as though the Austians had been overrunning minor islands, as they had with Incognitia much further south.
They could not be far ahead now.

Two carrier pigeons were released from Kyoto heading to Nagasaki so the port commander would be ready and alert. once the news was received there the news would spread and more forces woudl be raised.

the port was busy as usual with Ostian and Kirisuban merchant vessels. Frozopian vessels usually used the ports of Hakodate or Yokohama.

Even in a time of war trade continued.

Up in the north of Honshu the northern regions were mobilising and the first 5000 troops were marching quickly to Kyoto to be with their generals. they lacked orders for now but these would come. reserves had yet to be called up because the early barley still had to be brought in. a lot more regulars would follow once they mobilised.

still a lot more troops would follow as they staged at the cities.

Lord James was hungarily ripping apart a chicken breast when one of his men ran in, clearly exhausted from running.
"What is it!?" Snapped James, annoyed at being irriatated.
"Lord! I've just heard from some Kiriusubans that the Han are invading!"
"WHAT!?" Roared the noble. A gristled veteran of 40 years, James had seen more battles than most people saw in a life time. He did not, however, expect this. His duty had been to protect Bellerus's merchant fleet as it progressed southwards to Terrror incognitia, but duty stood in the way.
"Prepare the men! We leave ina few hours! I want to bring the news to Frozopia as soon as possible." James was cursing mentally. There was a good chance that the Han would have setup a blockade of sorts, and James doubted his 3 ships could break through, but he was duty bound to try.

"Find whoever controls this port, whats it called again?"
"Hakodate."
"Find whoevers in charge and tell them what we are doing, then find Bellerus. Tell him the news, and explain why we must go."
"He wont be happy milord......"
"I DONT CARE! We are duty bound to help the Kiriusubans. Now go!"

it was the Sloop [/i]'Redupus'[/i] that saw the enermy first, quickly transmitting the message back to the Austian fleet that theyw ehre being followed. Then it stayed on, counting and estimating on the numbers of the Enermy until they came clsoe enough to see the enermys flags-incognitians.

Aboards the flagship Admiral Pinsar the Admiral recived the information with disbalif. "They followed us all this way!" He asked, an aide confirmed the news for him.

The Admiral then survayed the terrain. he knew that his ships probably had the greater firepower but lesser numbers. Therefore he had to limit the numebrs the enermy could bring to bare. The survayed his maps quickly. There was a group of two islands nearby that he could sue. He could put his ships into anchor, broadside on, so that the enermy would be forced to attack his broadsides. The islands shapes meant that they wouldn't be able to bring many numbers to bare upon the Austian army-the islands peaks would block shots, if he arranged his ships properly.

The Incognitians looked on in disbelief. The Austians had confined themselves in a small space. They had anchored. And the wind was blowing straight down upon them.

Tactics here were so obvious as to be almost laughable.

Three frigates were to be sacrificed. Their crews worked in a frenzy, before being taken off, save for a few brave volunteers; all behind the cover of the line, which was alinging itself as if to sail straight in upon the enemy.

Meanwhile, the specialist ships were prepared. Consisting of one vast mortar, mounted in a sturdy vessel based upon a coaling ship, they had a range several hundred yards longer than an ordinary cannon, and would come crashing down upon the enemy ships. The fleet only had a dozen of them, they weren't very accurate, but each hit would be devastating.

Between fire and crashing weights from a great height, they would spread panic and wreak destruction amongst the enemy vessels.

Frigates were sent around the islands, to discover any other entrances to the channel large enough for ships of the line.

If there was, they might have to split their forces to cover both. Until then, the fire ships would remain out of view, the fleet would manouevre ominously, meaningless signals would be sent in code back and forth - and the mortar-boats would.....
"Fire!"
A dozen cannon balls. Doesn't sound much, until you realise each one is descending at terminal velocity when it hits, if it hits, and will go right through the bottom of that ship.
One went wide, the gun-captain now cursing. A couple fell short. No-one was quite certain what the other nine had done.

the Austians had never face blackpowder weapons efoe and hdin't realise what was happening as the first black balls appeared in the sky and crashed down towards them. Most missed falling short or long over the islands, one or two hit the islands itself but 2 managed to hit Asutian ships, both single decked frigates. luckly no-one was hurt in the attack as the balls punched straight through the wooden ships. The frigates began to take water on quickly though and it took minuates to block up the hoels and bail out the ships-they where out-of-action for the day.

Realising that the enermy could stay out of the Austian range and fire from distance the austian ships took anchor and sailed west-the wind being a north westerly. in this time three more ships where hit by the cannon balls, they where saved from sinking though through quick work by the crews. Several brave men drowned trying to stop the water however.

The Austian escape began with the rearguard siailing first unseen by the enermy-screened by islands and there own ships. Then the eastern side of the lines would go, the last ship remaining being the western.

As the new van sailed from the channel they found several frightates searching for a way round. The first three Asutian ships and they released there broadsides-40 bastilla coated with greek Fire, then reloaded and fired again. Then they sialed on leaving the frigates to be attacked by the next Austian ships coming through.

The frigates had found an entrance. Unfortunately, they had also found the Austian fleet.
Coming under fire from huge, oversized, flaming arrows was disconcerting, to say the least. It was the least, as those that stuck started fires where they landed. The three frigates turned across the wind and cut right through the Austian procession, thus cutting off the broadsides of the following vessels, and getting themselves out of the way faster. Their 'round the corner'; the vessel standing off to keep line of sight flag communication going with the fleet, would already have passed the word on. They themselves were preoccupied with trying to put the fires out. One at least had lost that battle, having taken the brunt of the ballista bolts. The fire was raging, and would reach the magazine in only a matter of time. The boats were swiftly launched, and would be retrieved as soon as possible after the battle.

The fleet split. A group of 20 of the first and better second rate ships of the line was to enter the passage heading for the Austian rearguard. The small size of this group would enable them to enter together, and engage together, turning the Austian tactics against them. The remainder of the fleet was to cut round the islands after the rest of the Austian fleet.

The Austians ignored the ships coming behind them, knowing it would take them hours to go round the islands and into the channel-by that time all the Austian ships would be away. The first Asutian ships tacked so that they could fire broadsidesa into there persues and cover the following ships. The sheer size f both the fleets-coth numbering over 200 ships, meant that the battlesite was becoming congested.

the frigates that had cut across the Austian line where in for a nasty suprise, on the prow of all Austian shhips is a steel tipped ram, gliding under the water. it slows the ships down but at a time like this it was invaluable. The ram of the icongas hit the first frigate and began to gut it-the sheps sailing dragging the ships onto the ram.


OOC: Ypou do know that water dosn't put out Greek fire-you need piss or sand...

OOC: I don't intend to respond to the ram, unless you can give me an example of a sailing ship using one successfully; I'm sorry, I just don't think it's practical; you'd never have enough speed over your opponent to make a real impact.
And...as far as I was concerned, I'd only recently sent the frigates. Like, maybe an hour battle-time. Even taking several hours, to get 120 ships out of a narrow channel before my first ships are there is...ambitious.
Greek fire is fine though. My men will learn the hard way.

IC: The group attacking up the channel was moving fast, in three columns. Guns run out, crews standing ready; they would take the punishment of the enemy broadsides for a brief time as they approached, then get their reward.
The specialist vessels had remained on this side, and would be able to fire maybe three more salvoes before risking hitting their own vessels.
There went the first; the ships visibly rocking under the blow of firing.

The majority of the fleet was putting on more sail, above normal battle rig, to make a faster trip around the islands. Disadvantageous if they met the enemy, it would give them a better chance of engaging.

Meanwhile the burning frigate was lost to man. Her magazine exploding, she would soon sink beneath the waves.
On her sisters, the fires had, barely, been controlled. Learning swiftly that water was ineffectual against this infernal fire, the ships' sand buckets were used heavily. Preoccupied with fires, and relatively lightly armed in any case, the frigates had been unable to take full advantage of crossing their enemies' undefended bows; however, their broadsides were unleashed, for what it was worth.

OOC: I don't intend to respond to the ram, unless you can give me an example of a sailing ship using one successfully; I'm sorry, I just don't think it's practical; you'd never have enough speed over your opponent to make a real impact.
And...as far as I was concerned, I'd only recently sent the frigates. Like, maybe an hour battle-time. Even taking several hours, to get 120 ships out of a narrow channel before my first ships are there is...ambitious.
Greek fire is fine though. My men will learn the hard way.

IC: The group attacking up the channel was moving fast, in three columns. Guns run out, crews standing ready; they would take the punishment of the enemy broadsides for a brief time as they approached, then get their reward.
The specialist vessels had remained on this side, and would be able to fire maybe three more salvoes before risking hitting their own vessels.
There went the first; the ships visibly rocking under the blow of firing.

The majority of the fleet was putting on more sail, above normal battle rig, to make a faster trip around the islands. Disadvantageous if they met the enemy, it would give them a better chance of engaging.

Meanwhile the burning frigate was lost to man. Her magazine exploding, she would soon sink beneath the waves.
On her sisters, the fires had, barely, been controlled. Learning swiftly that water was ineffectual against this infernal fire, the ships' sand buckets were used heavily. Preoccupied with fires, and relatively lightly armed in any case, the frigates had been unable to take full advantage of crossing their enemies' undefended bows; however, their broadsides were unleashed, for what it was worth.
OOC: The greeks had rams, it was the only weapon they had on there ships (Other than catpults. And they where pwoered by oar power, sail power is far quicker.) My ships arn't all out now, the first few are, but yours won't outpace them that much will they.

Amd I right that all your ships are following through the channel?

IC: The broadsides crahed throught he ship, coming from stern to tail with incredable speed, coing through anything that go it there way. luckly the nearest ship was a 4 decker so it was onlty the lower gun deck that was mangled-survivers quickly managing to plug the gaps.

The broadside had unseated 12 of the ships Bastilla though, so it was down to 78 (40 on each side).

The earlier ships that had first gone through the line where still forming a battle line, tacking so that they could cover there own side that was comign trhiough the channel.

OOC: Accepted the ram, explained in the planning thread.
Most of my fleet is going round. A few (10%) are coming in and mixing it.

IC: Of three frigates, only one was still primarily intact. It was nearly through the line.
One was sunk. One had been rammed - a weapon considered outdated by the Incognitian Navy, but obviously favoured by the Austians. However, as a sailing vessel the Austians had been unable to disengage, so the frigates entire crew were now leaving their doomed ship, and boarding the Austians, only pausing to grab pikes, swords and bows; led by the marine contingent.

The contingent that had sailed into the channel was almost in range of the enemy waiting for them, and was under all speed to pass the danger zone as swiftly as possible.

OOC: Are your ships awaiting mine in the channel still anchored, or just in line?

OOC: Accepted the ram, explained in the planning thread.
Most of my fleet is going round. A few (10%) are coming in and mixing it.

IC: Of three frigates, only one was still primarily intact. It was nearly through the line.
One was sunk. One had been rammed - a weapon considered outdated by the Incognitian Navy, but obviously favoured by the Austians. However, as a sailing vessel the Austians had been unable to disengage, so the frigates entire crew were now leaving their doomed ship, and boarding the Austians, only pausing to grab pikes, swords and bows; led by the marine contingent.

The contingent that had sailed into the channel was almost in range of the enemy waiting for them, and was under all speed to pass the danger zone as swiftly as possible.

OOC: Are your ships awaiting mine in the channel still anchored, or just in line?
OOC: Just in line, we arn't stupid enough to elt you shoot us again. Okay, so 10% is what i have to deal with. How are you proposing to board, your ship is a 1? deck? Mine is 4. Your attacking the prow which means no handy caonnon holes to climb into.


IC: There are about 700 Austians aboard a 4 decked ship and all of them responded to the call to arms. They picked up there personally weapons-laid next to there bastilla while they wehre firing it and prepared to repell boarders. Aboard the top deck the captain adn his officers, aged 10-60, drew there swords and prepared to fight aided by the contingent of 'wetfoots'-Asutian Marines.

Swords and sheilds where the Wetfoots order of the day, they ahd been trained to sue them expertly and waited for the enermy to come aboard. Archers in the rigging where already beginning to pick off there enermys with the advantage of hight.

The Admiral saw the first Hulls of the Terror Ingogntitans beginning to emerge with his ships and told the 10 ships that had formed line already not to fire, it was a full 30 minautes later before he was concent the Incognitans where close enough for him to consider that a broadside from the battleline, now numbering 15 ships with mroe joining all the time. He waited anolother 5 minautes so he was sure that the broadside would not hit his own ships. by now another 3 Incogitian vessels had emerhged.

The Admiral dropped his arm and the flagship fire, followed moments later by the rest of the battleline. tehre where 15 ships in the battleline-10 3 decks and 5 4 decks, so 500 flaming arrows where lossened towards the Ingognitians.

OOC: I'm presuming by this time your ships will be quite a big target, and most of my ships will have left the channel and begun to join the battleline-though most won't be in a position to fire. Of course we are monovering about 180 (120 of mine 60 of yours) ships in one narrow channel so i expect it will that there will be a lot of collisions/opptunist broadsides.

OOC: Whoa! We seem to have a misunderstanding here. Far as I'm concerned the situation is:
x x x
@ x @
@ x @
@ x @ K
@ @
@ k @
@ @
Where the '@'s are the islands, the 'x's your fleet, the little 'k' 20 of mine, and the big K the remainder of mine. So my 20 are about to engage your rearguard; at some point soon the 180 will meet your main body. Do you agree? Or do you think my 20 are attacking your main force?

IC: The mad assault from the frigate, primarily by swarming the rigging to make their way across, was already taking losses from archers. However, a small force was forming on the deck. Mainly armed with halberds and pikes, they formed a small line, with the 20 Marines at its core, awaiting the inevitable onslaught. Meanwhile, two enterprising sailors were lugging a long, thin tube over; a few others seemed to be following their example.

OOC: Whoa! We seem to have a misunderstanding here. Far as I'm concerned the situation is:
x x x
@ x @
@ x @
@ x @ K
@ @
@ k @
@ @
Where the '@'s are the islands, the 'x's your fleet, the little 'k' 20 of mine, and the big K the remainder of mine. So my 20 are about to engage your rearguard; at some point soon the 180 will meet your main body. Do you agree? Or do you think my 20 are attacking your main force?

IC: The mad assault from the frigate, primarily by swarming the rigging to make their way across, was already taking losses from archers. However, a small force was forming on the deck. Mainly armed with halberds and pikes, they formed a small line, with the 20 Marines at its core, awaiting the inevitable onslaught. Meanwhile, two enterprising sailors were lugging a long, thin tube over; a few others seemed to be following their example.

I was under the impression that:
..........KKKKKKKKK <------Your main fleet
@....@
XXXk X
k XXXX
@XXK@
XX
XXXXXXXX <----Battleline
I thought your 20 where in there causing choas with my retreating forces and your other side where going the long way round to get to me.

IC: the archers carried on firing while the rest of the Asutians waited for there enermys to climb on board.

more armies were marching as news reached their towns and villages. from the southern provinces men mustered in ports and coastal galleys ferried them to the Honshu mainland and returned for another load.

the Honshu army was swelling in size as it travelled on the road to Kyoto.

Within two days of setting forth they had gathered up 20,000 men and were still growing as towns and villages emptied their garrisons.

the southern forces were approaching these numbers as well but both armies were still a few days from Kyoto.

OOC: Aust, seems we pretty much agree. Wanted to be sure my 20 were fighting the rearguard. Is that where your flagship is firing?

IC: The men from the stricken frigate were nearly together. While they were tempted to attack, as their enemy appeared to be holding off, the marine commander kept them in order; he moved his men a little, to give some room to fight; and he firmed up the line. The awkward metal tube was successfully across, and it's two attendants were busy with it.
The latest arrivals from the frigate bore bows, and began to fire back at the Austian archers, who had been taking a steady toll on their own men, and would now feel the interest returned.

James and his 3 ships were leaving harbour. It was time to bring Frozopia the news. Travelling as fast as they could, James only hoped that he would be successful; Frozopia must know.

"Flaming hellfire, Tommo! Look at that!"
Gunner Joe, on the lowest deck of a first-rater leading the assault, was impressed.
"Ah, shut it Joe. Ain't nothing to a ball of lead, boy. And that's what they'll be getting, sure enough."
Their ship, the Repulse, was leading the centre of the three columns of Incognitian ships. 20 vessels had formed up, 6 behind Repulse, 6 in the leftmost column, seven in the right. This made a narrow target for the Austians; and by the time the rear was in range, the van would have engaged.
Meanwhile Repulse, Indefatigable and Indomitable, the leaders of the columns, were making heavy use of their sand buckets. Especially at this range, the ballista bolts were capable of little structral damage, but the fires they set were dangerous if allowed to gain a hold.
Casualties were restricted thus far to a few unfortunates struck by the bolts. This would soon change. They hunkered down, those men in the line of fire, and sailed closer.

The vanguard of the army road over a large hill and with the sun setting before them revealed a wide plain. Upon its center sat a large city: Kyoto. The cavalry captain smiled as his horse rumbled over some cobble stones. He lifted his hand and halted his company. Shifting things around his pack he took out a small brass tube. He brought it up to his eyes and looked through it. The city far away suddenly came up in sharp relief.

He could see the city preparing for a siege. Troops were on the walls and peasants were moving quickly in and out of the gate. Some messengers were leaving as well. The captain looked at the large palace and nodded. He put the telescope away and was satisfied. Their intelligence has been correct. No large force had been prepared yet to defend the capital.

“Tzu, ride back and inform the main column. Kyoto is waiting, no sizable force in the field, all is ready for a siege,” said the captain. A rider nodded and turned his horse around. He rode hard back along the lines of cavalry, several hundred, and went further down the road, about two miles. There like a great snake was a marching column of company after company of spearmen, archers, swordsmen, and heavy pikemen.

The rider rode past all of these and march up to a group of men sitting on horses in ornate armor. The rider bowed at the waist as he rode up.

“General Li, sir, we’ve found the city of Kyoto. Captain Fu Chiang reports that no large enemy forces are in the field.”

General Li, bedecked in his golden-red armor nodded. “Very good, ride back and tell him to take up a defensive position on the hill. He is not to engage unless he feels the need to. The rest of the army will be up there by nightfall.”

“Sir!” The rider bowed again and rode off at a high pace.

Li thought again about his objective. General Shou Di had given him the objective of taking Kyoto, and along with his 40,000 troops it seemed like an easy task; but Li was a weary commander, and hadn’t received his rank because of being a fool or courtier.

He turned to his aide. “Double quick march for the archer companies; get them to Captain Chiang’s position, and to prepare a defense. Also, get some information from our agents within the city.”

“Yes my lord.”


30 miles north-west of Osaka

Another Han army was marching south. Its target: Osaka. This one, General Shou Han Di was leading himself. He had some 50,000 troops with him. The march had thus far been uneventful, taking small villages and the occasional large city had been rather easy. With the local garrisons divided, the large Han army had easily swept all resistance aside. However Shou Di’s informants said that the Shogun had learned of the invasion and was mobilizing his forces. A large force was supposedly landing at Osaka, the only large port that could be of use to the Japanese forces for a quick march to Kyoto.

If Shou Di managed to take Osaka, then other reinforcements would have to march up the long southern arm of Kirisubo. Not to mention that he had a force of some 1,500 heavy cavalry cutting the roads between the two cities.

The rest of the large invasion force was either building defensive positions in the newly conquered Wakase province, or with the third army (60,000) under General Ito Han, which was marching north with similar objectives to Shou Han Di’s.

OOC: Aust, seems we pretty much agree. Wanted to be sure my 20 were fighting the rearguard. Is that where your flagship is firing?

IC: The men from the stricken frigate were nearly together. While they were tempted to attack, as their enemy appeared to be holding off, the marine commander kept them in order; he moved his men a little, to give some room to fight; and he firmed up the line. The awkward metal tube was successfully across, and it's two attendants were busy with it.
The latest arrivals from the frigate bore bows, and began to fire back at the Austian archers, who had been taking a steady toll on their own men, and would now feel the interest returned.
A few Asutian archers fell from the rigging, but they still returned fire. The Austian commadner, seeing the metal tubes swore, "I don't like the look of them..." He mutered and ordered his men onto the attack.

They did this via grappling hooks and chains, or simply jumping from the Austian ships prow to the enermys stern.

OOC: Yeah, i'm firing at your ships. And you know water dosn't put greek fire out, don't you. You need sand or piss, and I don't kn0ow how much you have of each.

OOC: What you going onto my frigate for? It's doomed. My men are all on your ship now. I'll leave the frigate for now, want to deal with the rearguard.

IC: As they drew ever closer, the three colums shook out into six, and then ten. Ten pairs of ships were heading, in ten little lines astern, for the Austian vessels. There would only be time for one more Austian broadside before the response began.

ooc : this is more an information post than a troop movement. i'm sure that the Han spies will see this happen.

ic: the southern army had gathered forces in Kyushu province and marching down the eastern Kyushu coast had reached the port of Miyasaki.

Eventually the army after a few days had been transported to Shikoku province where the news was spread and the army swelled.

they then took ships again, the same fleet of galleys and merchant ships meeting them at Tokushima and transporting them over a few days to Wakayama on Honshu.

Kyoto was north from here and they needed one final push to get there.

A junior officer was in charge, Captain Toda Miromatsu and he was worried he wouldn't arrive in time. He also had concerns about not having enough troops for the job since the Han numbers were unknown.

Still he would know in a few days if the armies efforts were in vain. Either way he and his army would live or die by the sword. there own or their enemies..

OOC: This is assuming my men are on your ship, and yours are attacking mine on board it. If I'm wrong about that, I'll edit where necessary.

IC: The enemy had arrived in some force. A charge was coming, led by men with short swords and shields.
The few bowmen unleashed a salvo, then dropped their bows for a motley collection of weapons. Meanwhile the line opened in the middle, and the swivel gun, for that is what it was, was revealed as attached to the rail, with a man standing behind it. When the enemy were only yards away, he fired. Or if you prefer, unleashed a deadly shower of shrapnel, moving fast enough to shred a man, right into the heart of the enemy soldiers.
The line then closed over, and braced for impact.

8 men went down to the gun, there faces and armour pockmarked with shrapnal. the rest of the line staggered back for a moment but then recovered and carried on charging, over the bodies of there former comrades. Led by the captain they hit the enermy line at speed, hacking and slashing and killing.

From then on it was the simple matter of death and blood-a gutterbrawl. long pikes where useless in such a situation, only shart daggers and swords where useful.

OOC: What you going onto my frigate for? It's doomed. My men are all on your ship now. I'll leave the frigate for now, want to deal with the rearguard.

IC: As they drew ever closer, the three colums shook out into six, and then ten. Ten pairs of ships were heading, in ten little lines astern, for the Austian vessels. There would only be time for one more Austian broadside before the response began.
OOC: i thought my men where attacking your men to get at those 'long metal tubes. I'm thinking there Banglalor Torpedos, just as a guess.

IC: The Austian ships realisedd that broadside, hundreds of flaming arrow rushing forth, and then reloaded as quickly as possable. Bastilla are quicker to reload than cannon-the string just has to be pulled back and the arrow fitted and set alight. then it is ready to fire again, this take only 40 secodns or so while a good gun crew can fire every 5 mins (OOC: proably more condiering tech level) That meant the Austians where firing 5 missiels for every oen of the enermys cannon-that sort of voloume of fire has to do somthing.

OOC: Of course, your missiles do mroe damage to the ship-they go stright through. mine just hit the otuer shell.

OOC: A decent gun-crew can fire once or twice a minute. A good one can fire three or more shots a minute.

OOC: I reckon my average gun crew is going to take a shade under a minute, with the best rivalling your ballistae. After all, to get any power at all they have to wind back, not just 'pull the string'.
I reckon the situation is now:
x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x
k k k k k k k k k k
k k k k k k k k k k
with my 'k's sailing up the page, and your 'x's facing across it

IC: The enemy broadside came crashing in, with much the same effect; however, there was less sand with which to put out the fires. Some learnt swiftly that water was little help; others threw on sand anyway, letting what would happen when they ran out of sand look after itself.

Even now, they were cutting the line of Austian vessels. The line was all very well when your opponent was in line. However, having withstood a couple of broadsides on their way in, ten separate Incognitian warships were now crossing the T. Ten sets of broadsides, with nine Austian warships taking a broadside from each end, and two at the ends getting hit a mere once each.
The second row would soon attempt a repeat performance. The front row were now frantically reloading, and turning to pass along the enemy line.

After the initial impact, where the bristling row of pikes must have had some effect, the fight soon degenerated into a brawl. The pikemen were hit hard, but the halberds were still effective. They were meant for messy fighting at close quarters.
The line held somewhat of it's shape, as casualties mounted.
The second swivel gun of the three that had been brought, was almost ready.

OOC: The massive bombardment is most likely to be knocking masts down nd ripping sails apart, though the other broadside into each ship is likely to be aimed lower, into the hull.

IC: The main fleet had been sailing around the islands; the sounds of guns could now be heard from the channel, meaning the 20 had engaged; they wanted to be as swift as possible, to prevent those 20 being overwhelmed.
The van was even now catching sight of the Austians, who appeared to be forming a line. Signals began to pass around the fleet, carrying orders about formation and tactics to the ships.

The broadsides did tremendous damage to the Austian ships, each ball killing tens of Asutians and unseating bastilla. However now the flaw in the enermys plan was clear. The Austians where sailing down wind, and the great rams on the front of the ships now crunched into the enermys bottoms, beneath the waterline. This mean that unless the enermy could plug the gap quickly there ships would sink, already water would be rushing in.

The Admiral had foreseen this and planned for it. The barrels of greek fire-on the topdeck of the Asutian ships to coat the bastilla arrows. Now it was dragged to the foredeck of the ships, lit and then tipped onto the enermy ship, setting alight. The Austians now had to disentangle themselves from there enermy.

OOC: I did have a longer post than this but AOL logged me off. Sorry.

OOC: Aust, crossing the T just means that they are somewhere in front of you, not 10 yards or something. At a range close enough for you to ram them before they're past, most of their broadsides would have gone past the sides of your ships. I accepted a ramming with the frigate because they were desperate, and cutting it very fine. It wasn't a pre-planned manouevre, into an opening they've been aiming for over some time. I'm sorry, I'm not going to accept that my captains have been so incompetent as to not once, but ten times totally misjudge the speed of and opening between your vessels. Please edit.

OOC: Aust, crossing the T just means that they are somewhere in front of you, not 10 yards or something. At a range close enough for you to ram them before they're past, most of their broadsides would have gone past the sides of your ships. I accepted a ramming with the frigate because they were desperate, and cutting it very fine. It wasn't a pre-planned manouevre, into an opening they've been aiming for over some time. I'm sorry, I'm not going to accept that my captains have been so incompetent as to not once, but ten times totally misjudge the speed of and opening between your vessels. Please edit.
OOC: Sorry i don't get you. Your tacking, arn't you. This slows you down. I'm sailing down win, you'll be cutting it very fine to cut the line anyway. Shall we comramise that say, 3 or 4 of your ships misjdged the gap, and the rest didn't?

OOC: See response in planning thread. In principle I'm willing to compromise. Meanwhile, how is the greek fire stored on your warships? You said top deck, but where, how many barrels, how big are they, that sort of thing?

bumped

OOC: See response in planning thread. In principle I'm willing to compromise. Meanwhile, how is the greek fire stored on your warships? You said top deck, but where, how many barrels, how big are they, that sort of thing?
OOC: I'd guess you'd have one, quite large, barrel between two bastilla-so 20 b arells for 40 crossbows. They would (Odviously) be keapt sealed and firmely tied to the deck for wehn we need them.

OOC: Okay. So, what about the starting over plan? Or do you just want to go from where we've got to?

Commander Desius ordered that all ships of the Kurisuban defence force were to set sail. The ships were restocked and the men returned to the lower decks awaiting the battles ahead,

"Commander, we are ready to leave port"

Desius saluted the officer then walked up the gang plank to his command ship where he would consult with his officers on a plan of battle. Oda was a very dangerous enemy but the Ostians were confident in their training and leadership.

OOC: Okay. So, what about the starting over plan? Or do you just want to go from where we've got to?
OOC: Go from where we got too.

OOC: Okay. Main fleet is closing, 20 are in a melee, frigate is..probably sunk by now.

IC: The enemy fleet was clearly in sight, now, still forming a battle line. The Incognitian vessels had adopted a loose crescent, horns facing the enemy. The aim was to sail directly into close combat, rather than hang at a certain distance and bombard the enemy.

Meanwhile, of the twenty vessels facing the enemy rearguard, ten had already engaged in close combat; three of these had been rammed; the sailors belowdecks were currently investigating the level of damage while the marines on deck poured across in boarding the enemy while they were locked together. Many of the sailors would soon follow.
The remaining seven set their courses to be a short way off the beam of their enemy counterparts, to continue pouring broadsides into them.
Of the second ten, three came in to unleash one broadside into the Austian rammers and then come alongside to aid their comrades who were boarding.
The remainder aimed to be alongside an Austian ship each, to use their firepower on them.

The stricken frigate would soon have to be cut loose from the Austian ship that had rammed it, if both were not to sink; realising this the Incognitians determination to fight to the bitter end grew, and they surged forwards.

Commander Sato's fleet having spread the word now had another mission.

To break through the expected blockade and reach the Kuriles so the Frozopians would know what had happened.

Not all the ships would make it and they would have trouble if they met Han warships but the survivial of the nation was paramount.

He sent a messenger on a rowing boat to Commander Dessius' ship asking for a planning meeting so he could explain his plan.

Desius returned to the command ship where he met with commander Sato,

"I have received word you wish to see me" he said when he was greeted by the commander

____________________
On Hokkaido: Ostian Fortress

The Ostians worked quickly to complete the barriers and defences leading to the fort. The fort had enough food and provisions to last for roughly 2 weeks but due to the shortage in the garrison it was expected they would lose the fort in afew days unless reinforced by Kurisuban forces. The garrison numbers stood at 450 legionaires and 200 praetorians, word was put out to the surrounding towns the fortress had stockpiles of weapons that would be given to civilians to form a militia.

The Kirisuban war flag was flying on the Tsubaki as Commander Sato greeted his opposite number.

"Desius san" he said "now we've warned the northern forces we have another mission to perform.

We need to to get to the Kurile islands and tell the Frozopians whats happened. the journey will be long and difficult but I'd like your ships to come along. We may even face a blockade but I'd rather make this journey with you.

with all our ships we should get some of them through"

He calls over the ships pilot and a man walks over carrying a chart.

###

forces from the local Daimyos were ready to join the Ostians in th defence of the fort and the coastal approaches. Most of the officers were away in Kyoto but enough samurai were able enough to act as officers. All together 400 samurai and peasant spearman were raised despite local difficulties and the lack of news.

Most of them didn't speak any latin but the priest father Sebastio was there to translate at meetings.

OOC: Okay. Main fleet is closing, 20 are in a melee, frigate is..probably sunk by now.

IC: The enemy fleet was clearly in sight, now, still forming a battle line. The Incognitian vessels had adopted a loose crescent, horns facing the enemy. The aim was to sail directly into close combat, rather than hang at a certain distance and bombard the enemy.

Meanwhile, of the twenty vessels facing the enemy rearguard, ten had already engaged in close combat; three of these had been rammed; the sailors belowdecks were currently investigating the level of damage while the marines on deck poured across in boarding the enemy while they were locked together. Many of the sailors would soon follow.
The remaining seven set their courses to be a short way off the beam of their enemy counterparts, to continue pouring broadsides into them.
Of the second ten, three came in to unleash one broadside into the Austian rammers and then come alongside to aid their comrades who were boarding.
The remainder aimed to be alongside an Austian ship each, to use their firepower on them.

The stricken frigate would soon have to be cut loose from the Austian ship that had rammed it, if both were not to sink; realising this the Incognitians determination to fight to the bitter end grew, and they surged forwards.
The line continued forming, occasionly 40 bastilla bolts would fire at an enermy who was within range.

Austian ships have always put great store with close combat, lacking cannon to sink ships there main tactics are fire and boarding thus the Austian ship carried a full component of Webfoots and all sailors where armed. As the enermy rushed to board the Asutians did likewise and the two sdies met with a clash of steel.

The allied soldiers were let into the fort and the doors closed behind them. Extra food and provisions were being stored anywhere they could, more and more posts were taken up making the fort at least holdable for a bit.

##

Desius looked at the chart and studied it closley,

"To the Kurlies we will go..anything that may stand in our way..we will not be stopped, commander..i imagine the majority of us will not return, the men will be informed it is dangerous but for a good cause..it's better to die with honor doing such a great task then alone running somwhere.."

Desius nodded,

"I will commit my ships to this effort.."

Commander Sato asks his pilot about journey times and he nods as the pilot explains.

"it'll take a week to get to Hakodate and a week to a week and a half to get to the Kuriles if we have good conditions.

After that it'll take time to reach the Frozopian court and more time for them to organise relief forces. the battle may well be lost by then but we have to try.

my homeland can always be re-taken if needed.

We sail now and stick close to the shore line. that way we'll make good time on the first leg of the journey"

she rolls up the chart and gives it back to his pilot.

Desius nods,

"Alright, lets move..."

Commander Desius returns to his command ship and informs the Ostian forces of their course. The wind and waves are with them, Desius turns to one of his officers,

"The gods will not deny us victory..."

*He thought*

"I hope.."

The marines on board a ship of the line, some 60 in all, carried halberds. Experienced in every form of combat, from land operations in formation to brutal ship-board melees, as they met the "Webfoots" their line rocked but held, and the halberds began their brutal chopping. As they fought, sailors came over from the Incognitian ship, carrying mainly cutlasses, but with some bows, and a few blunderbusses. 50 were already with or near the Marines; eventually all but a remnant would be over.
Men were staying on board to continue loading and firing the cannon facing the enemy vessel; unless their own men made it below decks, it was worth continuing to spread carnage. Others found that while the ram had caused damage, it was by unseating several joints slightly, rather than shattering them; so the leak was slow but steady. It could be ignored - for now.

The other two ships of the line had much the same experience; though one had a gaping hole, and was now attempting to rig up a fother in the midst of a boarding operation.
Their assistants, counterparts from the second rank, were even now sweeping alongside the three ramming Austian ships; broadsides first, coming in to board afterwards, what they called the "double whammy".
The remaining seven first rank ships were holding station alongside their Austian counterparts to continue pouring lead into them. Their broadsides were ragged, as the better crews outpaced the worse, but the weight of shot was huge. A combination of chain-shot for the sails, and ordinary balls to fly through the hull flinging splinters, were being used.
________________________________________

The frigate's crew were heavily depleted; perhaps half were still fighting, maybe less. Their desperate forward surge, however, had taken them past some Austian ballistae. A few men straggling behind the line stumbled over barrels between the ballistae, covered over and tied to the deck. Leaping to the obvious conclusion, they began chopping the barrels free, and looking around for a light. The slow match from the swivel guns, themselves useless without more ammunition, would do the trick...

the joint fleet sets sail using wind and oars.

all the Kirisuban ships fly their war banner, the rising sun on a black background instead of the usual flag.

It was a reminder that they would give their lives for their homeland and that any enemies would pay dearly.

Desius stands on the side of the ship rail and his voice booms..

"We sail to the enemy! we will run their blockade and continue on to the Kurlies to make the frozopans aware of our situation...weather it be this ship or any others that make it through help will arrive because of us!"

*Pause*

"Men will die!, alot of men will die! i would say the majority of us will not see the sun rise again after the battle but...WE ARE LEGIONAIRES! THIS IS OUR DUTY! THIS IS WHAT WE LIVE FOR! HOW MANY OTHERS SEEN WHAT WE SEEN! EXPERIANCED THINGS WE HAVE! NOT MANY!"

He let his words sink in...

"Men we are tasked with saving the lives of many...we will...go down in history as the Ostian small force who helped save the great nation of Kurisubo!! LET ME HEAR YOU!"

The soldiers and crew let out a massive war cry, other men on close by vessels heard the commanders speech and joined in...

"AhhhhhhhhH!" swords slapped on sheilds....

OOC: To Aust, bump. Oh yeah, and the arrival of the Zephyr is

IC: The Zephyr was the fastest, and also the newest (though not that for long) addition to the Incognitian Navy. She had sailed with all speed from Nescia, following the Fleet.
To a large extent it had been obvious which way to go; occasionally she had been lucky. Once she got close, it was following the sound of guns; the fleet was obviously in combat.
Coming in on a frigate standing clear of the action, her Captain demanded a summary of the situation. On hearing that the main fleet was currently engaged, and that the Austians had been attempting to invade Kirisubo, he decided he should take the message "Kirisubo is under attack" home. With Aust under attack themselves, they had little hope of conquering Kirisubo - alone. If they had help, and Kirisubo was under attack, word must be spread as soon as possible.
He left this message with the frigate, which relayed it to the relevant parts of the fleet. He then turned for home. In a week he could reach the end of the semaphore network, and Incognitia would know.

OOC:Yesss! and help will come!

OOC: I say again, BUMP!