NationStates Jolt Archive

Josef Francisco sat patiently in his large red velvet covered chair. The chair sat in the middle of a very large chamber, with thousands of other smaller chairs laid throughout the chamber facing the red chair. The chamber was a new addition to the Dawa Wenz Underground Tunnel System, a series of tunnels that stretched across southern Ethiopia, and was the acting headquarters for the Red Socialist Movement. The Red Socialist Movement was one of the largest, most powerful, and most aggressive rebellion movements in the Empire of Teh Ninjas. It had billions of dollars in several different foreign accounts, millions of different weapons avaliable to them, and hundreds of thousands of willing servants. Despite this their power could not crumble the Empire. Assasinations, car bombings, ambushes, all just infuriated the Emperor and eventually brought upon a large military crackdown on the RSM. With the power and influence of the RSM beginning to dwindle Josef Francisco, the acting leader of the RSM, contacted all of the leaders of all the rebelious factions of the empire to a top secret meeting. In order to divert the government's attention dozens of car bombings, and random bombings were staged across Imperial lands.

Josef sat quietly, contemplating what to say before the delegates when one of his soldiers came up to him and whispered in his ear.

"Sir, all guests have arrived and are accounted for. Shall I let them in?"

He nodded, and the soldier jogged to open the main entrance. Dozens of men trickled through the array of seats. Each looked different than the other, some wore traditional military uniforms, others wore fine suits, and some wore ragged dirty clothing. After several minutes every member was seated and waited quietly. Francisco stood up slowly from his chair using the arm rests to support himself. He took a deep breath and began speaking loudly.

"Gentlemen, thank you all for arriving to this meeting. I know that for some of you it may have been difficult to leave your area of operations. But I believe this meeting will be well worth the trouble.

As you all most know the Empire of Teh Ninjas has begun a military crackdown on rebelious factions. My own Red Socialist Movement and several other larger movements have suffered quite severly from their attacks. As we speak hundreds of my fighters are attempting to hold off Imperial Special Forces units from enterring into several of my weapons storage facilities were millions of dollars of equipment is being stored. I am sure that some of you are experiencing the same thing.

I have call forth this meeting to solidify a truce between all of us. Whether large, small, communist, democratic, anarchist, wealthy, poor we all have one thing in common. And that thing is the destruction of the Empire of Teh Ninjas. I have tried to accomplish this mission on my own for twenty years and I am sadden to say that I have failed. But together, working together, and fighting together I believe that the Empire will crumble and the Emperor will beg for mercy at our feet. Now that I have outlined my plan, does anyone not wish to participate in this project?"

Silence.

"Good. Now I can go into further detail. I wish to propose that Dawa Wenz Tunnel Complex act as our headquarters. I have already constructed an encrypted communications network through a foreign contractor for communications. A high ranking officer is needed to stay here to relay information we have gathered to you. Their quarters have already been constructed."

Francisco paused for a couple seconds to see if anyone wanted to say anything and then continued.

"In terms of military resistance we will try to conduct as many large joint projects as possible. This includes large attacks against air bases, army bases, airports, political buildings etc. Weapons will be shared to all, including the smaller groups such as God's Army and the Followers of Numen. Now once our mission is accomplished and all forms of the Empire are destroyed we will break up the land and the largest pieces of land will be given to those that had suffered the most casualties. When I say this I mean the most numerically speaking. We will continue our meetings but instead we shall only participate in defense of another territory. Other than that we can rule our piece of land as we please. Does anyone wish to ask anything?"

A loud booming voice roared from the top of the seats.

"What of the Imperial Navy, and Air Force? The Army can be somewhat handled, but naval attacks and ariel attacks will decimate us."

"My strategy for dealing with the navy is avoiding it. Attack inland away from naval strikes, and build our facilities underground and inland. Occasionally I suppose we can sink a couple dozen ships with bombs and such but we'll plan that later. As for the Air Force I plan on attacking as many large airfields as possible on the first day of our attacks. We will plan that later on however."

"What about weapons? My soldiers have been using 1960's era rifles, and anti-armoured weapons against Ninjanian soldiers and tanks."

"Well I'm sure others can lend you weapons, but I also plan on attacking large weapon depots throughout the empire to acquire sophisticated weaponry. In time you will use tanks against their soldiers and helicopters against their tanks."

After several more questions concerning, money, security, and communications the meeting was dismissed. This new joint movement was called the United People's Army. Just as the meeting was dismissed plans were being made for attacks all over the Empire. The planning was estimated to take two weeks. In two months the UPA was expecting the Empire to be on the verge of collapse.

Villa of the Divine One, Isochronous

Holy Emperor of Isochronous, Nicholas I, heard of news in the Empire of Teh Ninjas and thought to himself for a moment before uttering the words: "Excellent. Here presents the perfect opportunity to annexe more territory for my glorious empire".

He summoned the Grand Council to speak with military, political and business luminaries from across the Empire. "Ladies, gentlemen", the Emperor said, as the delegates were completely concentrated on what the Holy Leader had to say, "The success of our Empire, is dependent on taking advantage of the opportunities afforded us. Now is one such time. We must begin efforts to wage a war of conquest."

"Empire of Teh Ninjas is perilously divided. Rebels are already seeking to overthrow the government. Hence we must move in; even if we afford the rebels a share of the land, we still stand to profit.

Admiral Schutzenfraud was the first of the delegates to reply. "Your wish, as always, is our command".

"Friends, let us get to work."

Expeditionary Command Centre, Gobin

Major Cutler, energised after drinking copious amounts of coffee, was bouncing around the strategy room, creating invasion strategy on the electronic maps, running simulations, and issuing orders for troops and other military assets to be on the ready to traverse the oceans toward Teh Ninjas Empire.

Reconnaisance operations commenced, with unmanned UMV Predator drones flying over Teh Ninjas to ascertain the locations of key targets and military movements. Intelligence operatives made contact with the rebels to form a friendship that would be of mutual assistance.

Families and friends said their farewells at the Isochron naval port of Krongstahdt with sailors of the Royal Isochronous Navy preparing to depart. An advance armada was to lead the charge to Teh Ninjas, to secure enemy waters in preparation for the arrival of troops and other land equipment.

Prime Minister's Residence, Jonensberg

Minister of Propoganda, Josef Gerstov entered Prime Minietr Dante's home office in the late hours of the night. Dantes sat there, reviweing some paperwork. He took off his glasses and looked up.
"Josef, how nice to see you. What brings you to my home?" he asked.
"The Socialist movement in (0) needs assistance to overthrow the imperial government. They have outdated weapons and need money." he replied
"Okay, we'll get right to it" he thought for a moment 'Let's do this quietly for now. Only send weapons and funding, for now."

bump

Col. Schnapps from the Missile Forces was at his control panel, going through the checklist. For him, launches these days had become second nature. For he was in charge of a formidable missile force in a militaristic, expansionist empire headed by an audacious autocratic Emperor.

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Silo 16 has launched....Silo 12 has launched...Silo 19 has launched...Silo 22 has launched...Silo 15 has launched...Silo 10 has launched"

Heavy payload ICBMs were headed for Teh Ninjas against key aerial and radar defence sites before the airforce would head in.

"Gentlemen", said the Colonel, "whilst we wait for the missiles ot hit, let's have a drink and a game of Quatre-cent-vingt-et-un.

OOC: Guys, this is for Earth II only.

Tri-African Treaty Organization

Message to: The Government of Teh Ninjas, The World

In light of recent events occurring in the lands formally held by Teh Ninjas, of which included a rise in terrorism and full-scale civil war, TATO has seen fit that in order to secure its borders and protect that sanctity of the region Peacekeepers will be moved into the region of Congo currently controlled by Teh Ninja rebels. Although we wish not to engage in combat against Teh Ninja loyalist we will if deemed a danger to the operation or to the region as a whole. As mentioned before this move’s purpose is not to incite war but rather to provide relief and security for all in the region. It is an unalienable right for one to live in peace without fear of oppression or the constant fear of death

The formation of TATO (Tri-African Treaty Organization) has been passed beneath the interested eye of almost every leader in the world. Africa has been the mixing pot of the world seeing as whole almost every country has lands and or interests in Africa. For far too long Africa has been neglected which is even more confusing with the amount of natural resources that can be found within its borders. TATO planned on changing that, of exploiting its rich resources and vast diversified culture allowing it to grow into the centerpiece of the world. It would be no surprise if, since its formation, TATO would change the course of history or at least its geographical preference.

TATO was formed by three countries, three very unique countries that controlled the majority of African land. Bjornoya: an economic powerhouse rapidly expanding and a top player in world politics; United States of Brink: the freest nation on Earth and one of the fastest growing economies to match; finally Hirgizstan: the military powerhouse of the three thanks to its massive population. Together the encumbered some of the most resource rich and oddly unique lands on the planet. They each had their different styles of government, their own languages, and their own identities but one thing remained constant amongst them: money. You see, TATO is an economic alliance, not a militarized one. Still it was this slight contradiction that interested the leaders the most, along with the alliance came a rather large and impressively equipped Peacekeeping force. This of course brings us to the reason you are reading this post.

Operation: DOWNPOUR
Hirgizstan/Bjornoya + Teh Ninjas DRC border

The government of Teh Ninjas had, like many others before it, had fallen into uncertainty. However this was different than most in the fact that the government had not fallen into complete collapse. The entire nation itself for years had bred rebels and terrorist. This can be attributed to its lack of educational funding, the separation of lands from the government, or many others, the list goes on. In response to these deficiencies in the government, the rebels finally spoke out in the form of violence. A loose collaboration of armed militant groups formed what we now recognize as the United People’s Army. The attacks were for the most part weak but highly demoralizing and soon left the government with a huge problem on their hands. Simply put they no longer had control of their once grand empire. Although lacking in control they still remained present which meant this was a civil war. Yet to most everyone’s surprise the official Teh Ninjas government had yet to react or even prepare to react. This furthered the determination of the rebels while at the same time opened up its own citizen’s to the inattention of their own government. Local militias and police forces were quickly overrun in most major concentrations of the population. Small but effective fortifications were soon constructed which in the event of a determined counter attack would only act as a delaying barrier between the two forces. Still this meant that not only would an outside force have to fight for control of major intersections but Teh Ninjas soldiers as well.

The operation was in general secretive that is expect for the first part which was already underway. A long a 25 mile front elements of the 1st Division began their advance into Teh Ninjas Republic of Congo territory. Although this region was heavily wooded there were a number of useable highways and roads in which to execute a rapid advance. This rapid advance called for a small force accompanied by a larger armored force to smash its way as far into enemy territory as possible. Though the roads could support such an operation it was vital to keep moving and not get bogged down. Off the roads the armor would have a very hard time deploying causing great difficulties along with unwanted delays. The starting points were launched from Bjornoya and Hirgizstan controlled DRC. With the rebels in no control of aircraft or heavy artillery and the Teh Ninjas military nowhere to be found the peacekeeping forces enjoyed complete immunity from harassment. This allowed for a rapid and unhindered not to mention unnoticed build up of forces which when deployed made rapid progress.

It wasn’t until a few miles inland that the assault force became bogged down. In the middle of thick jungle close air support became of little help forcing the force to proceed by nothing but grunt work. Still highly trained and highly armed the peacekeepers simply outmatched that of the rag-tag rebels in which they faced. The rebels themselves were somewhat unprepared for the different uniforms the peacekeepers wear, instead of seeing the usual battle dress for the Teh Ninjas army. Nonetheless they fought with the same tenacity proving to TATO high command that resistance would be much tougher than expected. Still the outcome of the battles that took place on the opening days of the campaign were ill fated for the rebels. As said before they were out classed and outgunned. When not fighting the peacekeepers they were fighting themselves. Midway into their conquest of their own country it became tragically aware that the vast differences between the rebel factions were simply to great for them to overcome. Only when fighting the enemy could they unite under one banner yet when the fighting halted it became a battle of internal conflict.

Not only was the numerical superiority with the peacekeepers as well as more professional fighting units and not to mention the ability to utilize close air support but the technology was better as well. Bjornoya and Hirgizstan military companies had been developing units for specialized fighting that is jungle warfare. These inventions, of which included a path clearing vehicle, greatly enhanced the ability of the peacekeepers to wage war. The advance had made terrific ground at a relatively small price of life or materials. The second part of the operation might have to be made sooner than planned. Still, much combat was left before this could be done. Also on the lookout was the arrival of The Ninjas military. It was hoped that they would play it smart and understand that the situation in Congo was no longer in their control. As is the case with most military engagements, only time will tell.

Bump

After much deliberation TATO high command officially announced that due to changing circumstances the intervention of peacekeepers will be expanded into more than just the Democratic Republic of Congo. In light of this, the peacekeeping forces will be increased in size and funding for the remainder of hostilities. Even now more forces are mobilizing and the forces already in the DRC are advancing with a much more determined attitude. This decision came after a number of days without military or political response to the engagement of several TATO divisions. However, military planners couldn’t have been happier with the recent falling of events. Now the full force of TATO peacekeeping could be revealed not only to the public but the leaders as well. The Organization was just born and already it was proving highly effective and quieting those who sought not to get involved with foreign nations. The planners had taken this into account and provide many fail safes if such an event were to occur. However, with the relationships between the three nations it was unlikely that they wouldn’t help one another if things got hairy. The estimated time before an attack would be launched was clocked in less than a weak.

The United States of Brink had temporarily attached the famed September Fleet to the peacekeepers, which was fresh from the Baltic Sea and Operation: DUAL SPEAR . The fleet made its way around the Cape of Good Hope and began its seaward route which would leave it just off the coast of Madagascar. Its objective was simple, clear any naval threat and provide air support for ground movements and if the time came provide first strikes against military installations. This arrangement of orders was, or at least seemed, like the normal code of conduct for all invasions. Although the technology of warfare had greatly increased the tactics remained more or less the same. Nevertheless the Fleet would be in range in about a little over a day. The best thing, however, about being the location of Madagascar was the fact that it was close to mainland Africa which meant all three nations within the Organization. Already air strikes were being conducted and with no sign of aerial interception they flew with impunity. Also note that since the ground forces, save rebels, were nowhere to be found, low-level bombing had begun with precision accuracy. They were laying the ground work for the fall of Teh Ninjas, although this already seemed apparent.

On the other side of Africa, a fleet had been formed from both Hirgizstan and Bjornoya vessels and was beginning to pound static defenses in the DRC and beyond. With a steady drive through the DRC, TATO forces finally began their next phase. Another 3 divisions smashed through weak battle groups in the western sections of the DRC via Bjornoya Congo. The rebel forces within the area were weak not only from low-level bombing and artillery but because they had shifted their forces to meet the onslaught of the 1st Division and company driving hard through the middle of the country. Speaking of which, the main forces had finally become seriously bogged down. After a while the rebels began destroying roads and bridges making the armor almost useless in the dense forests. This had been a foreseen problem and the infantry now depended on close air support which was risky to say the least. Still, the forces were well supplied and this setback predetermined and progress continued like normal. The rebels fought smart, that is to say they didn’t try and stop the peacekeepers outright but rather fought a delaying action. The only problem with this was their was no backup, no point in delaying. It was only a matter of time before TATO was moving across DRC and into the rest of Teh Ninjas lands.

The civilians became restless now. Their government had done nothing as of yet, nor their military. Dissent and distraught they now took to the streets in alarming numbers. Interestingly enough they took in the rebels and protected them. The TATO officials could not understand the reasoning behind it and thus didn’t know what to make of it. It was clear these people were clueless, for the most part, on the situation. Regardless, TATO peacekeepers were specially trained to deal with civilians and they would be held with compassion.

The situation in the DRC was coming along well. The main rebel forces were being pushed steadily back by advancing TATO infantry. Napalm was being used to great effect to slice through the lines of rebel infantry and vehicles making along the roads.

The rebels seemed to be heading for the Central African Republic, another part of what was left of Teh Ninjas, a territory TATO had its eye on, but nots its hands...yet. Equaetuer and Orientale were two of the most inhospitable areas of the DRC, thick with oozing jungle, alive with hideous creatures as small as pins and as big as humans. Fighting was hellish but the TATO forces were used to it, the majority being from Africa and were accustomed to sch inhospitable terrain. The TN Government though, being reasonably affluent, had made serious inroads into the jungle. Highways cut through everywhere, connecting the various TN territories to the DRC, and the rebels made great use of these until TATO aircraft began to bomb them and guard the roads using CAP tactics, only focusing on ground targets in a particular area.

Local Government's were still in dissarray however, people supported the rebels who had actually abandoned most of the towns, villages and cities, leaving behind only the odd terrorist to carry out surprise attacks on the TATO forces. But steady supplies of food and medical equipment were, slowly, winning hearts and minds, news of TATO's generosity spread. Local Government, as well as law and order, had all but collapsed in Teh Ninjas, the Civil War being to blame. Now, behind the TATO troops, came law and order, as well as the beginnings of a new administration.

Meanwhile, from Sierra Leone, Cruise Missiles were being stockpiled and Naval Forces were docking in the ports on the coast, preparing for an eventual attack on neighbouring Senegal. The rebels probably controlled the fleets in the area, Senegal being cut off from the rest of Teh Ninjas, the rebels would probably be fairly independent and able to fight. But the sheer Naval force of the three TATO members should easily be able to overcome anything the rebels could throw. Even so, Teh Ninjas had had an advanced and modern Navy, and no doubt the rebels knew how to use the ships, after all, they had probably been in the former Navy. But surprise and force were on TATO's side.

Madagascar
0700 hours

The first flight of low-level bombers arrived over the western coast of the island just after dawn. With hardly any organized resistance they met only sporadic iron sight fire. The tracers zipped through the air and when lucky enough to make contact did minimal damage to the supersonic craft racing past them. Slowly, but with precision, the AA sights fell quiet until the only sound was the sound of fire engulfing a small area around the impact of a missile. As said before there was no resistance from The Ninjas installations located throughout the countryside. Within a few hours the aerial bombardment had ceased and it was time now to analyze the damage. It was safe to say, regardless of the overcast, that the AA defense had been knocked out. This still left The Ninjas SAM sights around the country. TATO did not want to engage in a full out war with this country, or at least kill its soldiers needlessly. This situation left for an awkward predicament. Technically speaking, TATO was trying to gain control of The Ninjas land or for lack of a better word; invasion but not with the people or solders. Hopefully they would see the neglect in which their government was operating and not resist.

Nevertheless during the bombardment, aerial reconnaissance was taking and, alongside satellites, had pin-pointed every Ninja SAM and/or AA sight in the south western sector of the country. If they did in fact react or try to counter-attack they would be the victims of land launched cruise missiles. The September Fleet was now in full position and had a steady supply from South Africa not to mention would be the first line of defense if there was a counter attack made. Still, this did not give them full control of the sea. A large naval fleet had been located in the port city of Morondava. High command came up with the brilliant idea of a raid. Regardless of the loose ends the plan seemed somewhat flawed. It would be the first time actual soldiers met face to face meaning resistance was a crap-shoot. If successful, TATO would have not only control of the Sea around Madagascar but another fleet to use. Meanwhile, air patrols continued to scout around Madagascar to ensure the safety of the fleet. Also, along the coast of South Africa, TATO peacekeepers began to arrive at various bases in which they would embark upon the invasion of Madagascar.

Morondava
0100

Four small hovercrafts hit the beaches just two clicks south of the naval base unloading 32 peacekeeping Special Forces. Almost immediately they made their way, on foot, to the compound. Their mission was, in all regards, simple: Secure the main console controlling the compound, allowing for a systems shut down and the remainder of a much larger force to secure the naval base. So as long as they avoid confrontation, they were home free as is always the case. The one major issue over this mission was the fact that TATO troops had yet to facedown TN military personal as up to this point it was all rebel forces. Nevertheless the assault forces waited anxiously while the raid began around 0230.

The soldiers slipped silently through the main lines of defense. During most cases a force of this size would have extreme difficulty completing this; the collapse of the government had weakened the guards will to risk anything. Also playing into good hands was the fact that to this point, rebel forces had not actually heavily engaged main line forces meaning there was no real reason to be alert past a few trouble makers. A number of detours arose during the operation mainly in the form of patrols which were quickly subdued, not killed however. Unfortunately, disaster struck just steps away from the control center. Out of sheer luck a fuel tank erupted into flames lighting an entire row and therefore illuminating the complex. The Special Forces were able to quickly retreat into the control room unaware of what cause the explosion. Due to the amount of radio traffic now buzzing through the camp and the interference caused by the sheets of flames now rising ever higher into the sky, the team was unable to contact the assault force and vise versa. Thinking that the SF team was in grave danger the assault force began to descend on the complex via helicopter insertion on the other side of the camp. However the systems had not been shut down, the mission was completed, and the guards opened fire drawing the attention of just about every gun in the port.

A vast firefight ensued growing as large as to encumber naval guns not to far away. The assault forces were trapped, and fear the worst. They had been caught in a dire crossfire and began to mount heavy casualties. Finally understanding the situation, the SF team shut down the systems and began head in the direction of the fighting all the while dropping confused sailors and soldiers in their path. Finally the situation met the eye of high command and without hesitation fighter strikes began to assemble over the September Fleet. Within minutes missiles were cruising inbound and striking vessels sitting in the harbor. In retaliation, tracers and missiles began to ark skyward and a dazzling display of air war to fold. Meantime the situation on the ground began to slightly improve. Under fire, and with systems down, the assault force began to make its way into the compound. Amazingly the SF team suffered no casualties and began to fight there way to a large hanger near the corner of the complex amidst intense fire. Grenades and rockets began to thud around the soldiers as finally they took casualties. The situation was becoming dire. A number of aircraft had been down and the harbor was ablaze with ships, some burning and some firing into the air. The hanger became a makeshift hospital and shelter as the SF moved wounded assault troops in.

Around 0500 the frontlines had been established. The hanger remained in TATO control as SF and healthy assault soldiers held on. Meanwhile the aerial battle had subsided with most of the vessels in flames or sinking quickly. Hidden SAM sights had kept the remained fighters at bay and now an armored convoy had touched down and was en route. News the attack spread quickly and alerted coastal defense patrols which denied the convoy a closer point of entry. Satellite imagery also picked up what looked to be a large rebel force mobilizing and heading toward the compound, its intentions unknown to anyone but themselves. Although the soldiers keeping the trapped team at bay were second rate they greatly outnumbered and outgunned the raid team. This meant the convoy head to make ground fast lest the team be wiped out.

DRC

Around two weeks after the initial assault the conflict in the DRC had finally fizzled out. All TN forces in the area had withdrawn without even so much as a firefight and the rebel forces were coming under control. The armor of the First Division along with elements of the Bjorn and Hirg divisions had finally broken through the dense woods and was able to once again utilize their armor and air support. The fighting however remained intense and isolated pockets of resistance would continue to plague peacekeeper in those remote sectors. Had it been TN regulars the battle would have had a definite ending, unfortunately these were rebels, which included terrorists and the best hopes could only be to drastically diminish their fighting strength as not to cause a threat. Now, with DRC secure, the second operation could be put into effect.

Operation: AFRICATIGER would have three major events and a number of minor ones. It was to be the largest joint strike of the campaign. Seven divisions under Brink command, that’s around 105,000 strong, would attack and secure Madagascar. 4 Divisions, 60,000 strong, would proceed, under Hirgizstan control, from Guinea to secure Senegal. Finally, 10 divisions, 150,000 strong under Bjornoya command, would advance from the DRC and Cameroon to secure Central African Republic and Uganda. TATO had always taken kindly to not committing all their troops but rather to withhold a larger force to meet a counter attack and crush it after it failed. This meant that forces, almost three times those going to be engaged, remained behind the lines ready to plug a whole or pounce on an opening. The strategy called for various bombing runs and naval bombardment but by the way TN was reacting they seemed the least of the threats to be worried over. As of now the hardest fighting and only fighting between TATO forces and TN forces was occurring, unbeknownst to the rest of the world, at Morondava.

Morondava
1200


The ill-fated raid was entering critical stages. The convoy force was still hours away and the large rebel force was advancing with at an alarming rate. Meanwhile the attackers began to finally make a push at the trapped SF soldiers fighting for survival. The chances for survival were growing slimmer by the moment. The commanding officer, a major Abu, could think of only one solution. Abu was a tall well built man in his early 30’s; he was an excellent commander but other than that his men despised him. He lacked “social skills” or any sort of personality for that matter but when it came down to crunch time he could get the job done. Understanding that there’d be a language barrier he brought out 23 year old Corporal McGhee. McGhee was an Irish immigrant who moved to African Hirgizstan three years ago. For one reason or another he had picked up on TN, and although broken, he would be vital in the coming cease fire talks. Under a flag of truce, McGhee and Abu met with a Colonel from the naval base.

Abu, noticing rank, saluted the Colonel but did not receive one back. Right away he could tell this would not go over well. McGhee stood a few feet behind, his M4A1 pointed towards the ground but his trigger kept company by his finger.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen, we shouldn’t be fighting,” started off Abu. “Nobody was supposed to get hurt, something went wrong. Let us end this now before anyone else dies,” he continued.

“You shouldn’t have come, this isn’t your war. You only say this because you have been defeated. You will surrender or die.” The reply was cold and harsh and with nothing to say back, Abu realized he could not argue, but surrender? McGhee grunted and spit on the ground beside him.

“We have reason to believe a large rebel force is en route to this naval base. I don’t know why but I doubt they’ll be friendly to either one of us.” This was Abu’s last chance and it didn’t seem good.

“Than you should not interfere with our defense. I am giving you a chance. You are not welcomed here. This story is already going out to the rest of the country. There will be resistance.” Abu began to speak but stopped himself, there was nothing to say. He wanted to, what country he thought.

He returned to the ruins that was the hanger. The wounded began to take up arms, some where they laid. It was desperate, they couldn’t move and they couldn’t stay. Word came back from the convoy, which was supposed to be only hours away. Turns out they ran into slight resistance and their ETA was now three hours. On the other hand the rebel force was only a mere hour and a half away. They would hold off, they would have too. In the meantime they called in desperately for air strikes in and around the compound as well as the rebel force. Due to hidden SAM sights they aircraft were directed towards the rebel force. Time, neither enemy nor friend.

Operation:AFRICANTIGER

With the situation in Morondava rapidly deteriorating the planned invasion was bumped closer. Tomorrow they would launch 4 divisions against a beachhead and with luck be moving inland before the day was out. Pre-invasion bombing runs were stepped up as the landing craft began to mount. Chinooks would land thousands of troops behind the initial beachheads while the remaining soldiers crashed ashore in a D-Day like operation. The advance warning systems alerted Brink command of a build up of TN forces north-east of the approved beach landing sites. Fighters were quickly dispatched while a barrage of cruise missiles took off with designations to eliminate SAM installments which had been pin-pointed earlier. Defending the beaches was a rag-tag assembly of rebel forces. Without much professional training and sheer mass of soldiers they would be meeting secured victory, so it should be.

A smaller part of the operation would also be put into effect. Operation: AIRGODS was designed to pummel any remaining TN vessels in the Indian Ocean and than began a bombing campaign in Somalia. The Brink 3rd Fleet, part of its Indian Ocean Command, was given the task. Reports indicated a small fleet somewhere north east of Madagascar. With any luck this fleet would, like the rest of the country, be in disarray. Further adding to hope was the inclination that news hadn’t spread to Somalia yet and the attackers would be able to utilize surprise although this seemed doubtful.

Hirgizstan’s command wasted little time as their force began a quick drive into Senegal. Their blitz met rapid success as they quickly broke out their front lines. Senegal was somewhat detached from the rest of TN and this would result in this sector being the easiest fighting. That being said this didn’t mean there would be no fighting at all. Within miles of their breakout they met stiff resistance from isolated groups, mainly rebels. With a line of TN forces beginning to form, thanks to the Morondava incident, their attack was quickly called off and they began to eliminate the pockets. Meanwhile off-shore aircraft began to pummel the TN forces, hopefully dissuading them from counter attacking. The line seemed to remain steady for TN but satellite recon suggested that this force was ad hoc at best with most soldiers realizing the hopelessness of the situation. It was determined that a concentrated assault would severely damage the lines to the point of no return.

Finally the Bjornoya sector remained the quietest. The only sound was that of bombing runs over Central Africa and the retreating noise of rebel gunfire. As with Senegal the rebels had been forced into pockets and Bjonoryan command thought it more important to secure DRC before advancing. In light of this rebel forces along with TN forces began to mobilize in the center of their lines. Although they stood little chance of stopping the attacking force completely, it was very likely they would try and counter attack. They knew that every advance by TATO would leave them weaker than before. Not just because of casualties but because they were a “peacekeeping” force, meaning they had to leave men behind for humanitarian reasons. It was going to become quite a show.

Madagascar
1100

The planned assault would come from two cities, Maputo in South Africa and Beria in Mozambique. Two divisions would hit the beaches first while elements of a third dropped in behind enemy lines as the remaining units followed up the beach assault. All together this meant sum 45,000 men would be engaged on the side of TATO. Planners would have liked to have liberated Somalia as well but logistically it wasn’t possible as other invasions were taking place in Senegal and soon Central African Republic. Somalia would have to wait. The meeting place would be a 15 mile stretch of beach located just north of Tulear, codenamed: Tide. The objective for the airborne units would be to secure Tulear for armor to link from the various beaches along Tide. Resistance was suspected to be light on the beach, the old fortifications long since abandoned. With this in mind their end of the day goal was to be secure the major highway split which led to Tolanaro in the south and Fianarantsoa in the north. This highway would play a vital role as it would allow for a rapid advance of armor straight into the capital which, once secure, would hopefully put an end to the Madagascar rebellion. In informant in the capital had contacted them saying if they reached the capitol they could handle the rebellion themselves. Although uncertain of this informant’s credibility it was part of the operation so regardless it would be taken. One minor problem stood in there way, the TN army.

Surely the raid on Morondava had leaked and with it came hatred towards TATO. The leak had yet to be realized on the mainland and with any luck never be. Communications had been a first strike target, and now they [TATO] would see how well their bombing runs really were. Still this had to have escaped the base and it would prove to have a disastrous effect upon the mission. Ultimately it would have little effect on the overall outcome; the sheer force of TATO was much more than overwhelming. Regardless reports were already filling desks at high command about various TN forces grouping for counter attacks near the capitol. Farther north had yet to feel a reaction but chances are it was a fall back. Following up the initial assault, once a beachhead was established, the remaining 4 divisions would come ashore and begin their rapid advance.

The bombs arced up and than came crashing down in a hell storm of metal and fire. Low-level fighters constantly strafed the coastal defenses filling already hit craters with .50 caliber bullets. The land mines were scare and far between but still posed a threat and with that came a hail of naval artillery with hopes of clearing as many as possible. It seemed little could survive such a bombardment but history had proved than in most cases such an attack proves insufficient. The first landing craft hit the shores under no fire from the coastal gun emplacements. They waded ashore feeling almost untouchable. As they reached the summit of the defenses they met intense small arms fire. The report of gunfire led all to believe, and correctly so, that it was rebels manning the defense. They had waited more inland, untouched almost by the shelling, and now let loose a hail of lead. TATO soldiers began to fall in rapid order caught complete by surprise. Within minutes these units were pinned down and utterly confused. Grenades began to land wreaking havoc on the soldiers as they began to slowly withdraw while other units made ground. The fog of war prevented any close air support or artillery. The second wave came under fire as soon as they hit the beach. Mortars began to rain down a deadly shower. However the small arms fire was concentrated near the front and, while slow, they were able to join the front and begin to pound the defenders with everything they had. As it would seem the TATO forces were about to break through, large coastal guns and even armor began to fire from well hidden locations. The attackers, unready for armor, began to mount extreme casualties. The rebels were putting up a hellish defense. For what seemed an eternity the attackers took everything they could until finally the third wave struck the shore and with them, thanks to the superb communications, anti-tank weaponry. After almost two hours of intense fighting on the bluffs of the beach the TATO forces began to find holes in the defense. After an hour and hundreds dead they finally pushed the rebels off the beach and into the various towns surrounding them. However the beachhead still wasn’t secure.

The towns close by to the beaches seemed to be infested with the rebels. TATO ruled out carpet bombing due to the amount of civilians still in the area. They would have to be cleared house to house in urban conflict. This fighting would be intense and only harder because they soon learned that the rebels were in cahoots with actual TN forces. This meant that nobody could actually tell the size of the force they would be up against, but soon it would appear very clear. Just hours before dusk the local militia launched a highly organized counter attack against the beachhead. Forward units were immediately overrun caught completely off guard. This is when High Command realized this was more than a group of rebels. The counter attack was quickly halted but the TN forces did not fall back but rather began an intense fire fight. It lasted well into the night with no clear victor in sight; it was something planners had not thought about.

Meanwhile the airborne troops had landed without incident just north of Tulear. It was a perfect drop with not a single person missing the dz. Credit should be given to the extensive training programs of the Higizstan Armed Forces which proved to be excellent. Within a half hour the forces moved uninterrupted into the city which was clear of any troops. It became evident that the rebels fighting at the beachheads were all there were in the area. It also proved that they aimed to either fight or die. This was the reason why they were putting up such a fight but still made High Command curious as to why. There was no reason unless fiercely patriotic; the government had all but collapsed. It just goes to show how much a person’s mind could be warped into a perverted way of thinking. To Brink troops it was an eye opener. They lived in a land based on freedoms, the right to choose and it quite disturbed them to see these soldiers fighting a loosing battle for no real reason. This theory was not at all uncommon amongst Bjornoyan troops and Hirgizstan troops but not on such a massive scale. Nevertheless the Brink troops didn’t want to come off as weak and continued to fight to the same level as their international counter parts. Instead of staying put and holding the town they moved southwards in hopes of trapping the rebel forces. They moved south lacking any armor support. They ran into small resistance, mostly troops falling back from the battle ahead of them, most of which was quickly overran. They soon heard the distance roar of small arms and began their assault. Around 1600 they began their assault. Although the defense put up a stiff resistance they were in no position to hold off for any more time than they already had. What remained surrendered in earnest as they became encircled by TATO forces. Although the conflict was over for them they had caused considerable damage leaving hundreds dead and thousands more wounded. It was one of the bloodiest days in Brink history and the bloodiest in TATO history, granted it was its first major battle. After all was said and done almost as if on cue, TATO forces arrived at the crossroads. Although this half of the operation was on time, the battle would delay the reinforcements for a few extra hours. Hopefully within that time there would be no major counter attacks on such a grand scale. For now the forces settled in and prepared for the next day.

The TATO forces had been tested and, although shaky, had proved themselves a determined military force. The language barrier would be a hard one to break and did cause much confusion it was able to be overcome but proved that, as said before, it needed to be worked on. No matter the cost it would prove the beginning of a new era not only for Africa but the World. TATO would only gain strength from this point.

Guinea, on the border with Senegal

The newly painted white 'TATO' lettering on the hundreds of vehicles and armor sitting on the border looked brighter against the somewhat faded camouflage of the vehicles. In the early morning the sun the newly assigned TATO troops from the 1st Army began to shell the border defenses of Senegal, using the 150mm guns of the M1A5 tanks. F/A-22A's and F-15's flew overhead, loosing missiles that caused streaking glints of light to pierce the lightening gloom of an African dawn.

The border areas had been scoped out for weeks on end and now APC's with Mine clearing devices inched out toward the broken and rusted chain link fence that marked the border on the TN side, in stark contrast to the triple concrete walls and massive tungsten gates, as well as guard towers, mines and bunkers that ran along the Hirgizstanian side.

Little devices that looked like grappling hooks shot out from pressurized canisters on the sides of the APC's, the 'hooks' trailing a half foot thick orange 'rope' behind it. Once the grappling hooks fell the pressurized canister was disengaged from the APC's and they simply fell to the ground. The APC's backed away, leaving the 'ropes' lying across the minefield.

A few seconds later the very earth around the border shook, like an earthquake, as the explosive 'ropes' were detonated, blowing up hundreds of mines in the process, clearing huge paths through the fields.

As the smoke cleared the first vehicles trundled over the flimsy fences and were into Senegal. The 90,000 troops split into three formations over the next few hours, along the 200 mile front. One group of 30,000 soldiers, and their tanks, APC's, vehicles etc, was heading for the border town of Salemata, the next group was headed for Kedougou, smack in the centre of the 200 mile front, and the last group would peel hard right and aim for Saraya, a town further into Senegal, close to the border with Brydog (Mali).

Resistance outside the towns was minimal, there was mostly short grassy hills and plains, and fairly good roads heading north from the border areas. Capturing the three towns would secure vital links to the highway network that began in the south of country. Capturing Kedougou would also capture a vital river landing for the Gambia River, where Special Boat Service troops could flush out enemy troops hoping to use the river to move about.

The towns themselves, however, were heavily defended, the Teh Ninjan government, before its collapse, had obviously hardened the towns against attack. Now the rebels, and some units that looked like Teh Ninjan regulars, were gallantly defending the border towns. They were well organised and had tanks and armor, as well as artillery. They, however, had no air cover. Salemata was captured in a couple of hours, with 157 soldiers dead, 57 wounded. Six M113A8 APC's, twenty HMMWV's and three M5 MBT's were destroyed in the assault, but the rebels were routed and began to pull out as the soon reached its highest point in the sky, noon.

Kedougou, however, was proving a tougher nut to crack. The initial assault on the town had failed, with the loss of 121 troops and three APC's, as well as one M5 and one MV-87KG Dragon. The forward troops pulled back to a safe distance. Around 15,000 troops were still on the move to get near the town, and the initial 15,000, minus some casualties, now pulled back and began to shell the town, calling in air strikes. The initial assault failed, but they would succeed. Now the 60,000 troops from the USB, 4 Divisions, were on the move from Guinea. 20,000 were dispatched to back up forces outside Kedougou, to prepare for a combined assault the next day.

Meanwhile, another 20,000 USB troops followed the dust clouds headed out toward Saraya. Again Saraya was heavily defended but COH and USB troops paused near the town and began to shell the town heavily, sending the odd raiding party into the city outskirts, baiting the enemy along. It began to get dark toward 10pm and a joint assault was scheduled for that night. Aircraft flew in support of the attack and at a few minutes past one in the morning, the attack began. The battle could be heard miles away in every direction, as the Teh Ninjan's bared their teeth and fought to the bitter death in the dark city, lit up only by muzzle and cannon flashes. As the night wore on and the assault kept going the enemy eventually broke, unable to stop the onslaught and they began to pull out around 3am, harassed all the way.

The only town not taken was Kedougou and it was being shelled round the clock in preparation for another assault. Helicopters from the Army Air Wing's were also brought up to support the various formations across the 200 mile front.

The remiaining 20,000 USB troops were moved in North West of Salemata, to defend against any attack that would come from the West.

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MAP (s):

Senegal:
http://www.martinez-sail.it/immagini/Senegal.gif

Ten Miles south of Kedougou, Senegal

Around 50,000 troops were assembled, row on row, formation on formation, on a clear grassy plain, over a sharp crested knoll, behind which lay the first buildings of the Kedougou tonwship. USB and COH troops intermingled, their camouflage schemes and vehicles easy to spot and designate, but the T.A.T.O. labels and camraderie made this seem less of a difference.

Every other hour a barrage of shells would crash out in the dawn gloom for half an hour, before silence once again descended on the plains. During the night Mortar fire had knocked out three HMMWV's and had killed 12 COH soldiers and 7 USB soldiers, with a few more COH soldiers being wounded when a weapons cache sitting close to an APC being loaded up was hit, the munitions sparking off crazily.

AH-94A's stalked the sky above the huge encampment during the night. Now, as dawn broke across the plains, the skyscrapers in Kedougou could be seen just above the knolls and hills, and from behind the formations came the first HKT (Hunter Killer Teams) of Apaches and Commanche helicopters, 1 super sleek and silent Commanche to every 2 bullish looking Apache's, bristling with weapons.

TOW missiles streaked out from the rails as the HKT's made passes near the city. Enemy strength was estimated at around 10,000 Teh Ninjan regular military, with around 300 tanks and about 250 other Armored vehicles, with about 5000 or 6000 rebels to boot, with 'Technical' 4x4's and masses of RPG's and boody traps. Civilians were expected in the city but many had deserted the day before, tents now littered the ground behind the USB and COH troops and people from Kedougou were reportedly arriving down the highways towards Salemata.

The HKT's, their job done, returned to their FOB's across the border and were replaced by more AH-64D's and RAH-66 Commanches kitted out for Attack instead of Recon. These detachments would overfly the tanks, providing air support for the troops and vehicles on the ground.

As the sun, a great glowing orange orbe, appeared fully for the first time in the morning the vehicle crews and mounted troops all 'mounted up' and the morning air was alive with the sound of revving engines, the smell of petrol, diesel and gas filling the air.

The first units to lurch off were the M1A5's, their huge 150mm Cannon's aimed squarely ahead. Within minutes the first of the huge tanks, with the world's largest tank cannon at their prow, were over the knoll and headed straight down the highway for the city itself. The rest of the troops and vehicles followed suit, some heading up over the knoll, ready to break off and attack their various targets, whole other formations started out left and right, flanking around both sides of the city, the aim being for a three pronged attack which would meet in the middle and then plunge through the rest of the city.

For hours the Battle of Kedougou raged, the sun got higher in the sky, and the body count got steadily higher on both sides. Just after noon, however, the first M1A5 tanks broke through the concrete road dividers that blocked the ornate roundabout, which signified the centre of the city. These tanks had rolled the whole way at the forefront of the battle. Their desert digital paint schemes were mostly all covered in black soot and scratched to hell from mutliple RPG hits and Recoilless Rifle fire. Some of the tanks even had blood, fragments of bone and limbs hanging off the front fenders and caught in the wheels and tracks where they had literally driven over enemy formations that stood their ground. On one tank a rebels torso lay on the front mantle of the tank, his right hand in a death grip around a cable, an un-used RPG on his back.

Soon after noon M5 and ST-29K2 tanks arrived from the left (west) of the city in battered condition. Around the same time the first USB forces broke through to the roundabout, their vehicles charred and battered.

The roundabout and the surrounding administrative buildings were cleared by soldiers roped down from UH-60M's and a HQ and casualty point was hastily set up in the buildings. The rebel forces were, apparently, fleeing the city with haste, not turning to look back. Small, more mobile, Infantry forces were sent out into the remainder of the city to conduct search and destroy missions. Pockets of resistance, especially from regular Teh Ninjan forces was constant. Many times they had managed to hide tanks and IFV's/APC's in bombed out buildings or down tight alleyways, forcing the Infantry units to call in tanks or air support.

As the afternoon came on it was clear that the battle had been won, striking a serious blow to enemy morale and securing a vital foothold in Senegal.

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Losses: 325 COH Troops KIA, 260 COH troops wounded, 243 USB Troops KIA, 310 USB troops wounded.
3 M1A5
6 M5
4 ST-29K2
6 M11A3A8
9 M1114 HMMWV
5 Stryker IBCV
2 UH-60M
7 USB MBT's
12 USB IFV's/APC's
6 USB HMMWV

Rebel's Southern HQ, Mako, Senegal

"BASTARDS, BASTARDS, BASTARDS! How the fuck did we loose three towns in TWO days? We had regular Army back up for God's Sake! We had Artillery, Tanks...EVERYTHING. And we still lost." General Koeinenge fumed as he spoke, pacing heavily and angrily up and down the Mayor's office in the Mako Town Hall. His boots were crusted with dirt and dust and his uniform creased and dirty. The room was filled on one side with ammo boxes and a few crates of weaponry. A small and dusty AK-74SU sat on the desk, the General's personal weapon. On his hip he carried an old Colt revolver in a cracked leather holster.

In front of the closed door stood three men, one grim faced regular Army officer, and two nervous looking rebel officers wearing berets. One of the rebel officers nervously blurted out, "But sir, they-"

The General nearly exploded as he screamed, "BUT NOTHING! WE LOST BECAUSE OF COWARDS LIKE YOU, WITH YOUR BUT'S AND FUCKING 'FIGHTING' RETREATS'." The General quickly unholstered his colt pistol and blew the rebel Officer's brains into the door behind him. The other rebel officer flinched and grimaced as the lifeless body of his comrade collapsed to the ground, blood oozing from the large hole in the middle of his face. The Army officer didn't even flinch, he just looked grim and ashen faced at the General.

The General paced up and down the room again, he kicked an ammo crate onto its side, the AK magazines clattering onto the floor. He then kicked a hole in the wall of the Officer before putting the still smoking Colt pistol into its holster. He turned to the two men. "Now, I want...I want a counter attack...immediately. Send Kigolo and his tanks and send those Hirgizstanian and Brinkian bastards packing. There will be no retreat."

The rebel Officer was turning quickly for the door as the Army officer finally spoke up slowly, "Sir, if I may have a word?"

The General eyed the Army officer with wild eyes, "Damm you, what is it Colonel?"

"Sir, although your plan is commendable and bound to secure victory, I believe that if we consolidate our position here we will be able to withstand any attack that the enemy throw at us. One of my Officers retreated from Saraya with a great number of tanks and artillery, he went to Missira. I suggest that while we build secure defenses here you send in rebels across the plains to Missira, perhaps Major Ogolodo from Niokolo Koba could be dispatched? He apparently has fanatics and suicide bombers. It would unsettle those smug bastards in the south?"

The General paced up and down the room again, more slowly this time, considering his options. Then he spoke, "Colonel, I have decided to secure our position here. See that Major Ogolodo makes it to Missira to link up with your forces there. See they attack Saraya soon." Inside the Colonel rolled his eyes, the General never gave credit for someone else's plan. The rebel officer and the Colonel saluted and stepped over the body and were out of the room.

Morondava
ETA of Convoy – 2 hours

Hunger, fatigue, and low ammunition began to settle in. An operation that was supposed to last no more than 2 hours was now running close to a full day. The fighting was close an intense, with no break whatsoever. Most of the SF forces no longer had rounds for their weapons and were constantly making raids over the fallen TN soldiers for their weapons. Fires burned without stop from the immense amount of damaged sustained during the attack. The scene was hellish and unforgiving. Unable to evacuate the death toll climbed ever higher for the SF troops defending their ever shrinking defense networks. To make matters worse the rebel convoy was no more than an hour away meaning for at least an hour all hell would break loose.

Surely the TN forces knew about this and quickly realized that if they were to hold off these forces they would need to eliminate these TATO forces now. They began, in earnest, their final attack designed to completely destroy the TATO forces. It started off by a massive mortar and hand held rocket strike which left the first defenses devastated. This was quickly followed by an infantry run which met initial success. TN forces made it 100 feet into the SF perimeter when they realized they had fell victim to a trap. Understanding their situation, Abu order the front lines to be manned by the dead while the majority of his forces concentrated on their second and final line. This makeshift line had, amazingly, interlocking fields of fire. They rapidly unleashed this against their aggressors engulfing them in small arms. The attack had stalled dead in its tracks but didn’t die. The sheer number of forces meant that this would soon to become a very intense fire fight. TN unleashed another mortar barrage demonstrating their dominance over the battlefield this time with horrific consequences. A HE mortar round found its way into a large group of SF wounded killing them instantly. It was now a battle for survival that was quickly being lost.

The rebel force numbered in the 5 thousands which greatly outnumbered even the remaining TN forces. The fire fight between TATO and TN finally died out as TN forces were quickly rushed to defend against the upcoming assault. This was of vast contrast to rest of operation: AFRICATIGER where TN forces and rebel forces were teaming up. This was most fortunate for the TATO members trapped because had they been in an alliance it meant certain doom. The rebel forces crashed down into the outer TN defense. Their vast numerical superiority was not yet realized and the battle was a stalemate. Having time, at least they thought, the rebels began to lay back and lob shells into the base. This wreaked havoc on the TATO members who clung desperately to life. It wouldn’t be long now.

Finally the Convoy arrived amidst an ever increasing battle. Marked by yellow smoke they quickly found their way to the trapped soldiers. They didn’t hesitate to fire, moving to the outskirt of the camp in a John Wayne fashion. By the time they arrived at the hanger they TATO SF had sustained some 87% casualty rate. Cpl. McGhee had been wounded three times in the arm by a machine gun post; he now made his way to the back of a humvee clinging to consciousness. The Rebels had secured almost the entire complex, only stopping in the wake of TATO relief vehicles. Although they had arrived with limited armor support they still remained vastly outnumbered and to stay and fight would not be ideal. As the last of the wounded were being loaded Abu gave the command to remaining three SF who looked healthy. As he gave the command for them to place charges on some rather large, still intact, structures he was struck in the neck by a stray bullet. He collapsed on the ground, having made it through almost the entire operation. The three soldiers were gone only minutes before hopping on the last humvee. Under the screen of smoke the retreated from the compound which disappeared along the horizon as if a distant nightmare.

AFRICATIGER

By dawn the next day the fighting had subsided, the rebels finally beat. Most surrendered wholesale while the remaining slipped away into the countryside. With the delay Command order that the four divisions take the two cities which now stood before them. Polaner and Fianarantsoa was suspect to contain on light local resistance. Intelligence stated that a large rebel garrison in the cities had been dwindled because it had moved in on Moradabad. With most of the fleet there destroyed and the base in ruins after the raids which ironically were considered unsuccessful, would simply be bi-passed by the 4 divisions so that the 3 divisions being moved ashore could deal with it later.

These two cities were the last urban concentrations before they could take the capitol. Still the assaults would be hampered because of the decreased size of the following divisions. It began early in the morning with the soldiers hopping the break the outer defenses before the sun could hit its highest point. With this they met success. As always however the rebels consolidated their positions and again a fire fight ensued. Madagascar was proving what an out numbered resistance could do if they fought a defensive and retreating battle. Although they had no chances of stopping the peacekeepers they inflicted serious casualties. It was going to be a long campaign.

The conflict in the DRC had finally been deemed over. TATO forces there began their much anticipated breakout into CAR and Uganda. The CAR was a milk run compared to Madagascar or Senegal. Bjornoyan command latterly walked into the country. Only pockets of resistance was met which were quickly overrun. UAV’s picked up concentrated rebel formations along the outer limits of Ndele but that was it. Since the capitol sat right on the border it was taken during the first days, hours even of combat. The first day concluded in CAR with TATO forces making record time. It was unknown why this sector was so quiet but the second day, which contained Ndele would prove just slightly more difficult

Uganda proved to be just like the rest of TN, stiff resistance. However this country was small in nature and a determined resistance had no real intentions of winning a battle. It was suspected that once beat the remaining rebels would take flight into Kreynoria Kenya. Nonetheless the TATO forces in the area became bogged down in the extreme forests in the area. A stalemate ensued which warranted the transfer of units from CAR to Uganda.

Saraya, South Eastern Senegal

The huge skyscrapers and towering apartment blocks of Saraya had been silent for days now. The bodies of rebel snipers and Teh Ninjan regulars had been cleared away, the burnt out vehicles and weaponry were also removed, usually by truck and bulldozer. The town was pretty devoid of life, the odd civilian hustled to and fro, but business and normal life had all but stopped, and it looked like the town had been in dissarray for sometime before the war aswell.

Citizens of the city stayed well away from where the epicentre of the fighting had been, which was close to and north of the city centre, the suburbs and apartment blocks mostly being south of that area. Some of the larger buildings and the metallic and glass skyscrapers, glinting in the hot African sun, had enormous holes punched into them, some going straight through, where tank shells or helicopter missiles had ploughed out the other side and into a target.

Now the city was full of bustling soldiers and tanks and vehicles, all tearing about in a seemingly disorganised, but actually highly co-ordinated manner. From defectors word was coming in that a force was being assembled near Missira and that they meant to attack, quickly.

During the night a rabble of what appeared to be refugees from the North had turned out to be around 200 suicide bombers. They broke through the outermost barricades of the city and managed to kill 42 COH soldiers and 38 USB troops. Others had flung themselves at vehicles and tanks, others running toward barricades screaming in some horrible foreign tongue, before being torn to pieces by either 50.cal fire or sniper bullets.

As the noon sun rose high into the sky and the heat started to rise steadily, the coming storm had apparently began to break. Five F-15's patrolling near Missira had spotted the beginnings of an armoured column breaking out of the city towards Saraya. The planes had opened up immediately, destroying ten tanks and taking out a couple of thin skinned vehicles. But more tanks and vehicles poured out onto the highway and plains from other parts of the city and as the F-15's went in for a last look they noticed around ten enemy planes headed straight for them, and with no weaponry left they bugged out south, flying straight over Saraya and reporting to the commander's there.

Helicopters, AH-64D's, RAH-66's and some sleek and menacing looking AH-94A's were up in the air in minutes, beginning patrols of the city. Around twenty minutes later enemy planes were detcted by mobile SAM's and they deployed accordingly, USB and COH troops breaking out Stinger's on the roof's of buildings. From the south a flight of twenty F/A-22A's were coming up north, flying over Saraya, armed for Air-Air combat.

The enemy planes were identified as S-37 Berkut, a fearsome and strange looking next gen fighter. There were seven of them in all, heading toward Saraya at speed, shooting out ahead of the enemy column lumbering out of Missira.

Both the S-37's and F/A-22A's locked each other up long before they came into visual range and an assortment of missiles danced from the wings of the sleek aircraft, and sped towards each other out over the hazy horizon. Twenty missiles came from the F/A-22A's, some S-37's being fired on twice, and 14 missiles coming, in succession from the S-37's. The missiles streaked past each other high in the sky and a few minutes later four S-37's were spinning toward earth, piping out black smoke or tearing apart in spins. Six Raptor's also bought it, two pilots managing to eject after taking daring evasive manouvers.

After this it would have been common for the S-37's to disengage, but their pilots had everything to loose and still the three remaining aircraft came on. By now both aircraft were in range for secondary weapons, the Raptor's firing sidewinders, the Berkhut's firing a Teh Ninjan equivalent. Two more S-37's exploded into balls of flame, one more Raptor went spiralling down, one of its wings on fire, the small parachute canopy of the pilot opening just as the clouds engulfed him.

Now the thirteen Raptor's toyed with the S-37, it being out of missile ammo and trying to beat a hasty retreat. But the pilot never stood a chance. He made one false move and six Raptor's, readily in position, spat 20mm bullets at the fleeing Berkut, tearing the light airframe to shreds in a matter of seconds, the remains erupting into a fireball that split into many parts. Out of seven downed aircraft only one enemy parachute had been spotted. The dogfight had taken them well off course so they were out in the rolling plains in the western sector North East of Saraya.

But the battle was not over yet, it had hardly begun.

On the ground a huge enemy column with over 200 tanks was still rumbling toward Saraya, but now, their air cover gone, they were entirely vulnerable.
The attack helicopters made short time from Saraya and from the safety of distance began to snipe at the lead vehicles. Soon the highway and the plains either side of it were filled with acrid black smoke, the scream of men, the pop of ammunition cooking off and the wop-wop-wop of Apache rotor blades in the distance.

The helicopters, almost reluctantly, returned to base after around half an hour having run out of ammo. Amazingly, around 20 T-80BV's and some BMP's had made it out of the fray, even managing to bring down two Apache's that had lingered for too long. They were now stretching out west in the afternoon sun.

Satellites and small Cypher devices watched them for hours as they bounced and weaved along the smaller roads out west, before doubling back and heading straight for the western flank of Saraya. Indeed, it was some sort of suicide charge, for sure. The COH and USB commander's wanted Artillery to be brought to bear, but the speed at which the enemy vehicles were moving would mean Artillery wouldn't be that effective. Artillery would probably scatter the BMP's that had rebel markings on their flat surfaces, but it was likely the T-80's, that appeared to be crewed by regulars would not be fazed by artillery they could probably outrun, Instead a daring COH Major decided to speak up. His name was Vultmeyer

He surmised that, as of yet the M1A5 had not been tested alone against such odds. He volunteered himself and his crew to charge the vehicles alone, primarily to test the M1A5 against the enemy forces. The Higher Command debated bitterly as the enemy charged closer and closer, finally they relented but they sent a Company of M1A5's and USB M1A2's out to a certain point, in case Vultmeyer should not suceed.

His tank rode out with the other's assigned to him, until they were in a slight defilade overlooking a large expanse of scrubby plain, with some tiny trees dotted here and there, a few mangy looking wild dogs scampering about in the distance. He raised a huge COH flag on each aerial of his tank and saluted the Company of tanks assembled behind him. He ducked into the commander's hatch beside the 40mm Metal Storm APW.

The driver revved the huge AGT-3000 Gas Turbine engine a few times and then gunned the tank, it lurched off the mark and was speeding away over the scrub in no time.

A nearby Cypher, an E-8C JSTARS and a Sattellite in orbit gave Vultmeyer all the information he needed. The 21 T-80's had split into a wedge formation and the 12 BMP's were arrayed either side of the wedge in a poor attempt at formation.

When the lead T-80 was around eight miles away Vultmeyer ordered the tank to be parked behind a small sand berm and the chassis was lowered at the front, ensuring only the turret was protruding over the berm. The last minute checks were completed, the gunner poised to shoot, the driver poised to move off at a moment's notice and Vultmeyer eyeing the horizon through his sights.

As the T-80's closed in to five miles Vulymeyer quietly said, The computer has locked up all 33 vehicles, Gunner, fire at will."
A few moment's later the tank kicked back slightly as the mighty gun roared and punched out a huge ERAPSR round. A few seconds later the lead T-80 bucked and exploded like a Roman Candle, then the M1A5 kicked again and another tank went down, its turret flying off high into the air.

This went on without return fire until seven T-80's were down and six BMP's had taken direct hits from the TOW rounds on the weapons docks at the sides of the tank. The T-80's now hastily returned fire at a target they could barely see. The hits, SABOT rounds and a couple of HEAT-AT rounds simply bounced off the tank, or in one case stuck into the armor. All the while Vultmeyer's Gunner kept up his turkey shoot and four more T-80's bought it, fizzlying a few miles away.

A couple of streaks from the BMP's indicated some sort of indigenous AT Missile had been fired, a few short sharp punch like noises echoed from the left side of the tank as a few CIDS canisters shot up and out into the air and as the missiles neared they streaked out well wide of the tank and exploded somewhere behind it. Vultmeyer shouted an order and the tank hissed and returned the chassis to a zero plane and the behemoth burst out of the sand berm, charging the remainder of the enemy armor, not two miles away. The gun kept spitting death and the Metal Storm APW was humming and spitting millions of rounds, cutting the light skinned BMP's into swiss cheese. The remaining two BMP's now broke off contact and turned around, a departing shot of two TOW missiles was sent after them and they exploded a few hundred metres to the right of the M1A5.

In the charge four more T-80's had gone down, initially the T-80's had sped up and reboubled their fire as they saw only the one tank. But fifteen of theirs lay smoking behind the remaining six that kept gunning toward the M1A5. They were so close now and were firing from not a 1000 metres away, and still the M1A5 ploughed on, only rocking slightly as it was hit with SABOT rounds. Two more T-80's exploded into flame and the M1A5 sped past the remaining three, Vultmeyer's driver skidded to a halt, the turret traversing quickly round to face the remainder of the tanks, but there was no need.

The remaining three T-80BV's had stopped dead in the scrub, improvised 'white flags' being waved through the commander's cupola's. Vultmeyer ordered one of the tanks fired on and it was, the turret popping off, a body being thrown clear of it, landing near the turret somewhere. The other two tanks still showed their surrender and Vultmeyer had a TOW trained on one, the main gun on the other as he radioed in backup to take prisoners. Even though the inside of the tank was nice and cool, Vultmeyer and his crew were sweating and panting like they'd run a marathon. A helicopter and a couple of HEMMTT trucks arrived a few minutes later and the enemy tank crews were flex-cuffed and thrown aboard the Blackhawk which promptly tore off into the blue sky.

Vultmeyer, his crew and the re-supply and engineer crews from the two trucks then surveyed the outside of their tank. It was a sigh to behold. Black scratches and molten metal covered the front outer layer of the turret. It was streaked with black smoke and three of the DU penetrators from SABOT rounds were protruding from the armor, the metal around them literally melted into the tank. Usually the SABOT would burrow into the tank in a flash and spark off the ammunition, as the ERAPSR rounds had done to the T-80s, but the M1A5's armor was so thick and dense that the SABOT just didn't have the means to get through so many layers. Vultmeyer's driver was being treated by one of the medics from the trucks, as one of the SABOT rounds struck as they charged he was thrown to the side by the impact smashed his head on a dial nearby. Apart from mostly superficial damage the tank seemed ok and Vultmeyer proudly sat up in the turret as it was driven back into the city, the COH flag's fluttering in the wind, despite a few shrapnel holes here and there. TATO forces in the city cheered and whooped as he drove in, two T-80 tanks, the trophies, trundling along behind, USB and COH troops waving from their decks. Even some of the people from the city came out and watched the strange procession, some realising that the rebel and former Government forces had probably been beaten. Whether that would stop the nightly attacks on TATO roadblocks and positions was another matter, but the attackers were terrible shots and were usually chased or killed by the superior TATO troops.

The whole incident had been captured on film from the air and from the tank. Although the T-80 was an old tank, not really a fit adversary for something like the M1A5, it still fired the ammunition that most modern tanks used. The final battlefield test for the M1A5 would be going up against ETC armed tanks. Whether that would happen in Senegal or not, was not yet clear.

Overnight Vultmeyer would become a hero, his fame would spread like wildfire on the internet and news stations back home, things would only get better as some footage of his tasks were revealed to the public. But as for the man himself, he would stay in Senegal and lead his men.

The situation in the south looked to be coming along nicely for TATO forces, the enemy had thrown themselves against a rock and had been beaten back. In the next few days assaults along the western border with Gambia and up north would begin.

Madagascar

It had seemed as if Madagascar was all wrapped up, with little resistance and open roads ahead. However this proved not the case. The scene come daybreak was surreal the highway was littered with bodies, rubble, and charred skeletons of once living mechanical beasts. A slight breezed cooled the desert heat and sent fine grains of dust tumbling about and the whole time this was going on the world seemed almost silent. The only thing that broke the tranquility was the whip and crackle of fire brewing up from the death scrambled about or the slight sigh of your breathe. The roads to Tolaner and Fianarantsoa lay open for the taking, with only minor resistance if any at all. Nevertheless Command, seeing the capabilities of the rebels before, sent a division each to secure the cities. The remaining two would clear the route, which also was suspected to be light, to the capitol.

Tolaner and Fianarantsoa proved to be light after all. Although, unlike before, they did run into some armor units. This seemed suspicious and even more so when Command was given the details of the encounter. The report claimed that the attack seemed as if it had surprised the rebels more so than the TATO forces. It was uncoordinated in some places and fierce in others, rag-tag here, and organized there. Local commanders were led to believe that these forces were on the move rather than preparing a counter attack and were flung, ill-fatedly, into battle. The infantry, caught somewhat off-guard, were pushed back but later recovered and returned fire in the form of small arms, close air support, and SABOT rounds from the armor support of TATO forces. It had been proven no more than a few hours ago in Senegal that TN armor left much to be desired against the upped Hirgizstan M1A5 battle tank. This tank was much the pride and joy of TATO as was the Se-9A2 Night Angel. Simply put the rounds could not penetrate the tank unless hit in certain locations meaning that a TATO tank could fire a number of more rounds with impunity before the enemy could return fire effectively. It was a deadly weapon to say the least. By mid-day the cities were deemed secure and mopping up began as it always did. That sector would remain calm for the remainder of the operation. However, as mentioned before, the assessment of the armor moving to a new location became evident during mid-day near the capitol.

When reports said that once the capitol was secure, the country would be secure it was rumored to be false information or sketchy but now it was becoming more evident that this was in fact the truth. This statement was backed up with the fact that intelligence reported a massive buildup of armor, infantry, and even scattered air support on the north side of the city. Lead columns of the TATO advance had already ran into stiff armored resistance. It wasn’t long before an intense air battle began to develop for control of the city. Usually this would be an easy victory for TATO but hidden SAM sights were playing games with TATO fighters and was issued that in order for dominance of Antananarivo airspace, ground troops would have to take the city. This would mean that this battle would be the “fairest” battle of the campaign or as fair as it was going to get. TATO sill had much better tanks and over all weaponry for that matter but the rebel’s zeal was something to be feared. Sure TATO forces were trained by the pinnacle of military advancement but come crunch time skills slightly gave way to instinct and leadership which could easily be matched. So by early evening the battle for the capitol had begun in earnest.

It started it a large counter attack by rebel forces pushing the TATO lines back a scary amount of miles. This, however, led them right into TATO air space and the attack quickly puttered out. This was followed by a less effective counter attack by TATO infantry. After this failed to gain much ground the armor pushed forward amidst heavy air engagements. This attack also stalled but Command threw everything they had into the battle, air included and soon the surrounding environment became an apocalyptic battleground. Tank rounds tore through house, men, and armor; missiles streaked and danced across the sky in a dazzling hellfire; and small arms zipped and popped and thudded into dying men. The battle had no clear cut winner but the TATO forces had an easier time replacing their troops and material. By dawn TATO withdrew bloodied and bruised but no defeated. The battle had worn itself out and left the outskirts of the city somewhat scathed. It was concluded that artillery was going to have to knock out the entrance to the city. By mid-day two divisions from the three that landed were in line along side the two that had been battling for around a day near the capitol. The third division was mopping up Morondava. After the curtain of destruction was lifted and the air fell silent the 2 fresh divisions hurled into the battle this time reaching the outskirts and taking the first few blocks of the city. Although during the street to street fighting the ensued they were pushed out of the city they had destroyed some SAM sights and greatly enhanced their air cover. By 1300 they had received reinforcements and were pushing even further into the town but for the most part seemed to lack confrontation with enemy armor. The fighting became, at times, hand to hand and moral in the soldiers began to fall at an alarming rate. This battle had to end quickly lest the peacekeepers loose their meaning and become foot soldiers.

Dawn the third day saw TATO advancing into the center of town which was highly undefended. The air battle seemed over, although SAM sights on the far side of town kept TATO forces from launching a major air thrust. However during the night of the third day with TATO forces finally breathing a sigh of relief the rebels began their final and largest push against TATO. They made a clean sweep, completely pushing TATO out of the city while at the same time launching an air offensive to match the daring assault. This had adverse affects on the battle however. The rebels had out fought themselves and were worn thin while at the same time the TATO solders were at an all time low morale. They now thought that instead of being used for stability they had been ground down into mere grunts. This made their fighting abilities much weaker than what they were and to deal with that during the 4th day of fighting they were replaced with the two divisions that had cleaned up Tolaner and Fianarantsoa. During the 5th and final day of battle for a single city the rebel air force was finally destroyed as well as the majority of the SAM sights. The two divisions were now free from threat of an air attack and with the rebel troops fighting on E they took the city by dusk. By the 6th day it was official Antananarivo had fallen and with that the remainder of a heavy organized resistance in Madagascar.

About two weeks later Madagascar was deemed clear and armed operations ended on that very large island. Minor threats would still emerge here and there but this was anticipated and two divisions were left behind from the original seven. They would finally serve their true purpose in organizing civil affairs and setting up a provisional government until the economy could be brought back to its feet. This mission fell into the hands of the United States of Brink who would be officially claming the island after the overall operation was complete. The recent “Lang Report” had made it clear that although not the best, the USB economy was something to be proud of and this addition would in help strength an already stellar job. Regardless infrastructure was not the most complicated of the tasks that had to be settled in fact it technically speaking already was. TATO had drawn up a massive internal/external reconstruction plan for Africa after the Operation was over known as the Mulungu Project. Although this was highly secretive money donations had been received by Hawdawg, even North Germania had a slight hand in it. The biggest concern for Madagascar and the entire country was security. This would not be addressed right away but rather was being debated by the new presidential nominees fighting for the presidency. For now Ovambo only had to worry about her ever growing trading partners and the Operation at hand.

The transfer had been complete and now the forces hitting Uganda had gained two more divisions bringing their strength up to 5 divisions. Still this didn’t help in the tangle mess that was the Uganda countryside. Armor had little effect save being stationary artillery pieces. Close air support proved highly ineffective proving to TATO command that after this was all said and done they had to work out the kinks of having a multi-lingual army. Still, the infantry pushed on often fighting in hand to hand combat with many a hidden rebel. The fighting was intense, some of the most intense of the entire campaign. Hereto the highly trained, better equipped TATO solider proved his worth and they began to push the rebels back towards Kenya. By noon TATO forces had broken the backs and the will of the rebels who began to flee. Within hours the rebels were routed, thousands began to pour, hands in the air, into TATO lines the rest fleeing into the safe zone of Kenya. TATO didn’t continue because this is what they wanted, and easy victory as well as not wanting war with friendly nation Kreynoria. This, however, did not diminish the fact that the fighting had been brutal and the casualty count very high. It was a testament to the ingenuity and zeal of the TN rebels who, by now, were fighting alongside downtrodden TN soldiers. What governments had remained after the collapse of the official government was now overrun with nothing they could do. It would take time fore tensions to ease but it was hoped that when the dust settled it would be clear that the rule they would now be under was much better than that of their previous rulers. It was all hell now but seemed worth it in the long run. It would be a few days before the country could be considered clear but for now the fighting had subsided.

CAR had seen a dramatic change of events. Just hours ago a large rebel force had gathered outside Ndele in what looked to be the marshalling area for a large counter attack. The latest reports indicated that the force, probably by order, vanished into the countryside. Surely a force of that size could not simply disappear so it was assumed that they had demobilized. Their must have been a communications link between them and the forces in Uganda. The idea behind this reasoning came from the fact that the force seemed to devolved only hours after the fighting was completed in Uganda. Regardless the remaining 5 divisions in CAR pushed forward and by nightfall had made major inroads into the country. Ironically they had run into no resistance at all, they had the quietest sector of the whole front. The ironic part was, beside from Uganda, they were given the majority of the troops in Operation: AFRICATIGER. The next day they took to clearing the entire country and than the next. About 3 days later and not to many battle casualties they deemed CAR clear. This meant two sectors of fighting were clear with one to become clear within a few days, that being Uganda. Command, and everyone for that matter, was taken surprise by the loyalty and great fighting strength of the TN rebels. Simply put they didn’t suspect this much combat would take place and certainly not see the number of dead and wounded they did. They felt that the lack of air support and artillery due to close civilian proximity had left them venerable. In the next stage of combat things would be much different.

The operation in Senegal was going as planned, and as planned the next phase was to continue regardless of that operation. In the next week a new operation would take place. Operation: ZEBRADART as it was to be called entailed the invasion of Ethiopia and than later Somalia, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Forces from Madagascar, CAR, and Uganda would be moved from CAR through Sudan into Ethiopia. Combining these forces would be under Brink command and included 9 divisions or around 135,000 peacekeepers. Bjornoya would be in charge of the remaining 6 divisions left behind to fulfill true peacekeeping duties in the recently occupied territories. To being this venture and smaller operation would begin called: Operation: DOWNPOUR II. This was a large bombing campaign entrusted to eliminate SAM sights as well large concentrations of men and armor. Command was slightly alarmed by what looked to be large formations moving in these lands. It was thought that what forces hadn’t fought there had fallen back through Sudan and Kenya into these lands for a final last stand.

OOC: WARNING! Profuse language and gore are present in the following RP from the outset.

IC:

Rebel HQ, Mako, Senegal

"THEY WHAT? ONE TANK? IT'S A LIE, A DAMNED FUCKING LIE. ALL OF OUR FORCES ARE DOWN? EVEN THOSE BLOODY FANCY AIRCRAFT? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE." General Koeinenge was exploding with rage. He spat spuriously as he shouted, saliva dripping down his chin, his eyes wild and searching. He thumped his desk and sighed, almost growling. The Colonel and the Rebel Officer stood where they had a few days ago, the rebel officer jumping every time there was a thud or a shout, he was sweating profusely while the Colonel stood nonchalantly, without expression.

The rebel Officer attempted to speak, "But General they-". Koeinenge rounded on the young officer in an instant bellowing inches from his face, "BUT...BUT NOTHING YOU INCOMPOTENT LITTLE FUCK." In a moment there was silence, the General eyeing up the young officer. He bent in close to his neck, his head hovering just above the officer's left ear. And then, without ceremony, Koeinenge bit into the officer's ear, tearing the top half of it off in his yellowed teeth, bloody spurting from the wound and the torn top of the ear in Koeinenge's mouth. The officer fell to the ground screaming, clutching his ear, bloody running down his neck and in between his fingers. Koeinenge spat the top of the ear out onto the floor, blood dripping down his chin, and staining his teeth, the rebel officer whimpering on the ground.

Then, through the whimper's Koeinenge started to shout at the Colonel. He called him a plethora of different names and then tailed off before the Colonel spoke, taking no notice of the whimpering and bleeding Officer on the floor near his feet. "General, your plan was perfect, immaculate. I carried out your orders to the letter. Those Hirgizstanian bastards should be running back across their border, leaving behind fly eaten corpses. But no, treachery was afoot. This slip of a man at my feet is to blame. His rebel forces were unprepared and ruined your plan."

The General stood staring out the window behind his cluttered desk. By now the young rebel officer was standing up, clutching the top half of his ear to his chest, his other hand clasping his bleeding ear, bloody staining his uniform around his neck as the blood continued to trickle down. Koeinenge sighed and nodded and quickly removed his old Colt revolver. Initially he pointed it at the Colonel, the wizened officer's face, though, betrayed no emotion. And in a split second the gun was levelled at the head of the young rebel officer, he whimpered more now, his eyes pleading, mumbling something inaudible. And then, the Colt was lowered to the man's groin area and the gun kicked. Blood splattered and an inhuman scream came out of the officer as he tumbled to the ground, clutching at his groin area. The General spat and roared, "NOW YOU KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO REALLY HAVE NO BALLS. TRAITOROUS SCUM!"

Koeinenge turned to the Colonel, and above the awful screams said, "Drag him outside, show him to the men. They will take a lesson from this." The Colonel nodded and grabbed the young officer by the collar, dragging him outside, still screaming, blood trailing from in between his legs, soaking through his uniform like water. As the Colonel dragged the Officer out of view he quickly removed a knife and cut the poor man's throat, his misery was ended in a few seconds. Unbeknownst to the 'General', the Colonel had ensured there was not enough air support for the column at Missira and had filled it full of rebels. The young officer was none the wiser, but he'd paid for it. The Colonel, a wise soldier and former Teh Ninjan regular Army officer, knew when the battle was won and lost. So far nearly all the rebel and regular forces had been routed in the south. Between Mako and Dakar there were very few soldiers, only the odd band of regulars. The bulk of forces in the south were now at Mako and were pulling back from Missira to Tamboucondua, on the main railway to the capital. The other larger forces were in Dakar and St Louis, and had no chance of making it down south in a hurry, not that they'd want to.

The Colonel had also heard from Teh Ninjan SOF that forces in Gambia were not even preparing to fight. News had reached them quickly of the massive USB and COH forces arrayed in the south, and had heard of how quickly supposedly 'superior' TN and rebel forces had been overcome. The Colonel knew the game was up, and as soon as Mako was attacked he would slip away, leaving the fat bastard Koeinenge to his well deserved fate.

TATO III Corps HQ, Saraya, Southern Senegal

At about 4.30am, when the dark African night was turning to a brilliant blue and purple haze in expectation of the sun, a number of large planes were touching down on a NIA (National Intelligence Agency) Airbase around 100 miles north of the city of Mali, Guinea.

The red, black and yellow of the Fuhrer's E-4B was subdued in the dusky glow of the early morning and all that could be heard on the runway as the screech of tires and the steady beating of FHX-1 and its two escorts, three UH-60M Blackhawk's in total, all kitted out for the Fuhrer and his guards.

The three helicopter's, around 50 F-104X and 20 F/A-22A Fighter's flying overhead, landed in Saraya around 6.30, as the sun peeped over the horizon, bathing the city in a warm glow.

A few hours later at the III Corps HQ in the city, a joint USB and COH Honor Guard was drawn up on the parade ground, the base being a former Teh Ninjan facility. Further down the ground sat Vultmeyer's tank, him and his crew in their newly washed overralls standing in front, dwarfed. On either side stood COH troops that were also about to be personally decorated by the Fuhrer for gallantry in combat. A number of USB troops and a few tank crews were also present, and were all about to receive the Foreign Troops Medal for Bravery from the Fuhrer.

The ceremony itself took about two hours, the Fuhrer, dressed in DIGIPAT combat's, took the time to talk to all the assembled COH and USB troops, pinning on their medals and shaking their hands. Vultmeyer and both his crewmen received the Medal of Honor for their deeds, a couple of other soldiers also received this honor, the second highest medal in the COH. Vultmeyer was also awarded the 'Fuhrer's Military Medal', the highest award for bravery.

Later that day the Fuhrer made a speech to the troops from on-board a truly massive prototype M112 Thunder Puncher 203mm Howitzer, informing the troops that it had been finally approved for service. He ended the speech by firing the mighty cannon in the first of a barrage on Mako that would last just over 24 hours before a final attack was mounted.

As night drew on the Fuhrer's aircraft took off again from the the airfield north of Mali, disappearing in the dark clouds, heading back towards Cape Verde.

As the day drew to a close and the last barrage went up a lone 4x4 roared along the highway toward Saraya, a white flag flying from the sunroof and its driver beeping like crazy as he drove. USB Troops manning a large roadblock eventually stopped him and took him to the HQ in the back of an M2A2 Bradley.

He was a Sergeant Major, formerly of the Teh Ninjan Army, and he had a message for the Hirgizstanian Commander's in the south. It read:

"From Colonel X.

I wish to save lives. The man in charge of TN forces in the south is General Koeinenge. This man is unhinged and of no skill. I wish to negotiate a peace in the south and surrender all forces under my command. However, the General needs to be removed before anything of the sort can happen. Every afternoon at around 3pm he makes a patrol of the city perimeter and the defenses. I am always with him. He will be at the city hall defensive positions at 3.30pm for the next two days, for five-ten minutes. I will make sure of this. Once he is gone I will reveal my identity and surrender my forces."

For hours, the I, II and III Corps Commander's argued bitterly about the letter. It could quite possibly be a ruse or something to offset the offensive. It was eventually decided that two Strike Force Lightning soldier's would be para-dropped by HAHO over the city that very night with orders to kill the General should they be able to.

Thus as the moon ducked in between clouds two black silhouettes deftly landed their small parachutes on the roof of a building overlooking the city hall. They had used a satellite pinpoint device to land in the right place and now, in their CENTURION Armor they took stock of the city, all information going straight back to the Commander's in the south.

Rebel HQ, Mako, Senegal

On top of a large apartment block that over-looked the lazily constructed defenses around the gothic looking City Hall, two Strike Force Lightning Soldiers surveyed the scene in the glow of the afternoon sun. Their digitally painted CENTURION armor was cool on both the inside and the outside, despite the sun, its climatic equipment doing an excellent job.

The two soldiers used a tiny optical camera that drooped over the ledge to survey the scene without exposing themselves. They viewed the scene through their enclosed helmet's. Two large rifles sat beside each soldier, one had an M29 AICW, the other a 7.62mm SCAR-H [Sniper] with a longer barrel and silencer. They had spent the morning monitoring the defenses, watching the odd tank roar about and the odd soldier run to and fro. But most of the time the soldiers, what appeared to be regulars with a rebel here and there, stayed put. A couple of artillery barrages had landed a few miles away, the freindly forces in the south keeping the impacts well away from the city hall, for now. The two soldiers had already organised a barrage to hit the city hall the minute after they had taken out the General, to send confusion into the ranks so they could go un-noticed until the night.

At 3.20pm a battered looking BRDM arrived on the scene, a BMP trundling along close behind. Keoinenge stepped heavily out of the rear of the BRDM, a regular Officer in tow. For a few minutes he surveyed the defenses, listening to the distant sounds of artillery rounds exploding elsewhere in the city. He spat and then moved in among the defenses, chatting with soldiers here and there, bawling orders as he went.

The two CENTURION soldiers were already in position, just on the lip of the building roof. The General eventually stopped at an M2 MG nest and was chatting with the crew. The CENTURION soldier locked his sights on the General's head. The soldier beside him saw everything through the crosshairs, via his visor. The non-sniper put the distance at 456 metres and the scope was adjusted by the sniper. The crosshairs then moved to just over the General's right earlobe and then there was a sssh noise and a 7.62mm bullet went straight through the system connecting the brain to the spine in Keoinenge's upper neck. He didn't simply fall over though. He collapsed straight down, in a strange manner, like water. Everyone around him jumped in disbelief, until the blood started to trickle out of his neck. But just then a huge explosion rocked the building and soldiers were shouting orders and running to and fro, the General's body sitting lifeless in the MG pit. The artillery barrage lasted around an hour until it was lifted and the rounds began exploding elsewhere.

Later in the day some fighting erupted in the city itself. The two CENTURION soldiers, from their vantage point, watched, puzzled, as a number of rebel soldiers fired on the regulars. The regulars outnumbered them and eventually killed them. Sounds of gunfire echoed across the city for a couple of hours before it fell silent again.

Then, as the sun began to get lower in the sky another 4x4 came tearing down the highway toward Saraya, another white flag flying from the sunroof. There was another message from the so called Colonel X. It read:

The General is dead. Upon trying to send this message I was attacked by a number of rebel soldiers in my HQ building. The city erupted in violence between my regulars and the rebels as word spread of the death and my plans. I have since brough the situation under control. A number of rebels, however, escaped North with a few tanks and vehicles.
In any case I, Colonel Omogrundo, hereby, surrender. All forces in Mako will, from midnight, ceasefire. I will welcome your forces into the city whenever that should be. I have information on forces in the north that may prove useful.

Colonel Omogrundo, former Teh Ninjan Army, Commander, Mako Forces.

Southern Senegal

Within half a day around 30,000 USB and COH forces had taken over Mako, with the Colonel's co-operation. His soldiers became de-facto POW's but because they had surrendered without a fight were moved to the largest hotel in Mako. The Colonel became an Advisor to what was known as Task Force Sword.

Within another two days rebel forces in Niokolo Koba and Dialakoto had been routed and mostly destroyed. The bulk of rebel forces in the south were now held up at Tambacounda, it was estimated that around 75% of rebel forces in the entire country had filtered through to try and stem the advances of the TATO troops. From Dialokoto Artillery began to shell the large city, while Commander's tried to hash out the best possible strategy.

A group of 20,000 soldiers from both USB and the COH struck out West from Salemata and, within a few days, were at Kounkane. There was little resistance, if any in this area. The rebels had fled while they could, up north via Velingara. Teh Ninjan SOF forces surrendered as they appeared, they were the Colonel's men and appeared to have been coming down from the Gambian border.

If operations continued like this it would not be long until the rebels and the regulars had been destroyed.

DOWNPOUR II

The air over Ethiopia was horrific, missiles streaked skywards with intentions of destroying every and all aircraft in the vicinity. It was a sure surprise for TATO command when they learned of the fierce anti air put up by the rebels yet it only solidified the Intel suggestions staunch resistance within the sector. The solution to this problem was high altitude bombers which would greatly hamper the effects of SAM’s and old fashioned iron sighted AA. However the Brink command wanted to keep the collateral to a minimum, this was after all a peacekeeping force. A compromise was made that would allow a limited number of bombers to be used against obvious SAM sights and out of the way rebel strongholds which had been identified but were heavily guarded. Once this was complete the fighters would be able to function with pin point accuracy and a lot less ground fire. It was clear nonetheless that the defenses were greatly intertwined with urban areas thus leading Command to bring in an entire battalion of attack helicopters courtesy of the Hirgizstan military which was already stretched. The firepower packed into those bad boys was enough to make even the toughest TATO soldiers quiver. Along with this bombing expedition came much needed recon. Again, it just made the theory of heavy enemy positions truer. This was indeed going to be a difficult task.

After a few days the defense began to wear thin and due to the increased amount of enemy positions hidden from the naked eye, the air force branch of TATO was going to be flying double sorties until this operation was over. TATO was holding nothing back, in the way of support. Still, Brink Command insisted, there would be as least amount of civilian casualties as possible. Although the Brink forces had always been bent on civilian safety it was more important now, than ever before with the massive deaths of millions in the Carthage War which was closer than could be imagined. It seemed that all of Africa was in flames yet, once the former lands of TN was under control it would be a proving ground of what determined, free, financial set people could accomplish turning Africa into an economic powerhouse. For the remainder of the operation, close air support was the name of the game, if the air force had its way the ground troops would simply have to sweep up the ashy remains of their enemies.

ZEBRADART

The invasion kicked off at first light a week after the guns fell silent in Uganda. The first few miles inland was met with open desert and an ever so hot sun. The gritty dust like sand clogged into every pore whether it by human or mechanical. It was a sluggish advance made worse by the boredom that ensued. The soldiers needn’t wait long before a hellish barrage caught them out in the open. The barrage had come from behind, however, and it wasn’t friendly fire. What seemed like a small dyke leading perpendicular to the road was actually a well hidden trench which, when the peacekeepers passed, erupted a battery of artillery. Almost simultaneously another ditch this time running parallel opened up small arms while a neat row of urban housing unleashed sniper and machine gun fire raking the hapless troops caught along the road. The intense fire rained down for what seemed like ages before someone got on the horn to the armor and air force. It wasn’t long before the peacekeepers were pouring some heavy fire into the concealed locations. Finally the soldiers began to move and within minutes the artillery fell silent. A rather brave charge of around six solders let by a SSgt. ran through the enemy formation spraying with their M4’s and 9mm sidearm’s until, running out of ammo, they picked up the dust covered AK-47’s of their aggressors and began to unleash a point blank barrage of their own. The men cheered as the artillery died down and the armor moved up. The rows of houses to their east, or front, began to crumble after shot after shot of HE rounds caught their infrastructure. As the armor rolled along the soldiers began to clear out the trenches at time only feet away from them. What remained of the rebel force made their way through the first rows of houses back into the small village, the first village, on the road into the heart of Ethiopia.

The next few days proved harder than the last until finally they came within a days march from the capitol. It was here, around the 4th day of ZEBRADART did the real enemy action begin. It started with a modest aerial assault which in turn led to a massive dogfight which in these days is a rare action. The fighters zipped and twirled and flashed to the ground as missile struck metal. The Se-9A2 Dark Angel’s had the MiG’s beat in every category yet they still proved a tough match up most notable because of the constant shoulder launched missile that found its way into the air. However, losing seemed to be the plan. Once the skies were clear of enemy fighters, hidden SAM and Stingers, began to lift from concealed locations in the city catching the Night Angels highly vulnerable even with so much ground to air defense built in. As was planned, the peacekeepers were rushed into the city to clear the sky of these hidden SAM’s. The rebels had them right where they wanted.

South Western Senegal and Gambia

In just over three days nearly 20,000 USB and COH troops had reached the western coast of Senegal, some troops arriving at Kabrousse and the others arriving at Diouloulou, further North, near Gambia.

A Gambian delegation arrived one afternoon from their capital, Banjul, on the sea front in the Western Province. They had surrendered the place without a fight, providing information on rebel and Teh Ninjan incursions that had been taking place along the Northern border. Supposedly the town of Barra had been taken over for a few days before the regulars had finally left the town, after TATO troops did not, as they had hoped, arrive.

Essentially the south of Senegal and now Gambia was under TATO control. The stragglers in the various towns had been caught napping and were either killed or taken prisoner, while some fled up through the porous Gambia border and into northern Senegal.

Tamboucounda Province

30,000 TATO troops were now makng their way steadily from the ruined town of Dialokoto to the rebel stronghold of Tamboucounda. The rebels and any other enemy forces from the south had been trapped there, unable to escape due to the fact that the railways were not running and if they tried to break out the Air Force would pick them off.

At the moment TATO air assets were bombing the town round the clock, and Artillery, as it neared the town, also began to open up. Tamboucounda was a smoking shell of itself long before the advance TATO troops arrived.

A couple of flight's of mig's and twenty remaining S-37's tried to attack the TATO aeroplanes bombing the city, but the F-78A's, F-104X's and Raptors made quick work of them, only loosing TATO planes and downing 23 enemy ones before the remainder turned tail and after-burned their way to safety.

Nevertheless the rebels and some regulars put up a hell of a fight, forcing a retreat several times by TATO forces, but control of the skies and artillery soon put paid to any hopes that the rebels could hold out.

They were literally slaughtered where they stood, unable and unwilling to retreat. Around 200 tanks, 140 APC's and over 1500 rebels were lying dead and destroyed in the streets by the end of the day. This, to the loss of only 225 TATO troops, 16 APC's and 12 tanks.

The last rebel stronghold had finally fallen. Now the only thing that lay between the reamaning enemy forces in Dakar and St. Louis was a lot of plain and scrub.

Complete chaos was the only way to describe the onslaught that ensued. The dusty capitol became an urban nightmare as the rebels gave everything they had and than some. From concealed locations in almost every building and every window they sprayed rounds of AK and RPG fire on the approaching troops. It was quickly turning into a quagmire of hellish proportions for the hapless TATO troops. It seemed as if Stalingrad was doomed to happen again only this time it was a lot warmer and the weapons ten times deadlier. Armor was quickly rushed in as the lead elements of the first battalions became trapped and slowly annihilated. Yet this armor proved ineffective in the dense city terrain and just as quick became pray to close quarters rockets and anti-tank mines which were dropped from windows as they drove by. Luckily the M1A5’s could take a beating but that didn’t stop a lucky shot from disabling it or sending molten hot steel bouncing around the cockpit like a ping pong ball. Round after round was expelled as the fire fight became more intense. The constant rain of grenades kept the noise to a much needed maximum and as always keeping the shrapnel flying. The sudden rush of troops into the city had caused not only delay problems but an unwanted concentration of soldiers in one place. It was like shooting fish in a barrel.

The situation became more critical as the day wore on with no advance whatsoever into the city and the reports of trapped solders deep in the heart of the city. The first elements to hit the city marched in unopposed and were even able to knock out some artillery and AA guns before reaching the center of town by which time the whole damn city opened up. President Ovambo, not wanting any more causalities, ordered Harvard Dugan to take command of the operation and finish it. Dugan was the most brilliant general of his day in USB, not because he was an efficient killer but because he could save lives and still get the job done. He arrived near the front just as the clock stuck midnight. The night didn’t stop the fighting as some units were fighting to survive. It was clear to Command that this was their last stand.

Dugan quickly addressed the situation and with a division he surrounded the city. When dawn broke a fresh new division was to drive into the city and rescue the soldiers who were unfortunate enough to be trapped. Once secured they would pull out and simply by-pass the city, a siege if you will. There was no need to waste lives on one city when it was likely that the rest of the land under TN would fall at the first sign of TATO troops.

The assault began in earnest and it needed to. The trapped soldiers quickly found themselves fighting with sidearms, knives, and enemy weapons due to lack of ammunition. The assault had initial success but to strengthen the thought of the last stand scenario enemy tanks were revealed from hidden locations such as parking garages. Self-propelled guns unleashed a devastating volley on TATO armor advancing to put away those tanks that belong to the opposition. The first few waves were repulsed but after a short time the M1 commanders had had enough, they began to slog their way through blowing holes in just about everything, showing the capabilities of the colossal tank. The infantry rushed behind and by mid day they began their pullout under intense counter fire. By nightfall the city was clear of TATO forces and the siege lines were tightened. All they could do now was wait out the storm.

Log:

Name: Colonel Ndugu
Date: 5/22/2006
12:10:45 A.M.
Current Location: Central African Republic, Birao
Longitude: 22° 33' 0" E
Latitude: 10° 30' 0" N
Origin: Bjornoyan Equitorial, Congo
Division: 4th

Health: 86.2%
Vehicles: 81.2%
Personnel: 91.2%
Progress: C.A.R.

Logistical: 91.4%

Neutralization: 98.2%
Ninjinian Governmental: 99.9%
Local Insurgents: 96.5%

Stability: 52.6%
Infrastructure: 67.3%
Humanitarian: 68.1%
Governmental: 22.5%

Damn this computerwork, no matter a small price to pay for the information being collected on all fronts. Methods, efficiency, ideas, all of these are being put to the pragmatic test by millions of TATO Peacekeepers. Our goals are quite clear, just finding what works. Far more complicated than finding a means to an end however, we are not so foolish as to separate the two. Prior to the ascendancy of the nations of TATO our New Jyrian leaders would eliminate everyone not of the same mindset as themselves and call it ‘peace.’ It is fortunate we live in more civilized times.

Civilization; such a wide gap exists between ourselves and many of the Ninjinian insurgents it is disgusting. Such violent savagery I have not heard of since the last-resort methods of the Jyrians when Bjornoya first arrived. We all felt the cold sting of the Bjornoyans’ condescension when we heard them label some of our own as ‘savages.’ It is strange how quickly one’s point of view changes after such a powerful cultural revolution.

All accounts of racism within the Bjornoyan Government ranks on behalf of our talk-show hosts are and must be dismissed; the most recent events are absolute proof. The Bjornoyan participation in TATO shows a shift of attention from the north to the south. The Herrgotts, once thought of as distant and uninterested have proven otherwise. Our justified mistrust ever since the ‘cleansing’ has since been eased by vast improvements to our continent especially since the introduction of the Mulungu Project, the vast investments and trust that despicable Wilhelm has put in us, and the rumors of visits to the region by both Lucy and the Patriarch himself. It is quite fortunate timing, the Mulungu Project shall be entering this sector within weeks to assist in reconstruction as well as throughout all fronts continuous with the rest of TATO Africa. Hopefully racism will no longer even be an issue after this campaign.

Luxurious it seems that racism is an issue to Bjornoyan Africans, here the Ninjinian insurgents have committed such unspeakable brutality I do not wish to dwell on it. Writing about it will neither help anyone nor rinse myself of these polluting thoughts. I take great assurance knowing countless millions within and without the TATO Peacekeeping ranks are united in creating and preserving justice throughout our glorious continent. For too long have we Africans lived unjustly both by the acts of foreigners and tragically by acts upon ourselves. The world seems to have changed their ways, some for the better others for the worse. TATO is changing Africa in so many ways, and from what I’ve seen I have high hopes for the future of our people and our continent.

Honorably,
Colonel Ndugu
4th TATO Peacekeeping Division

ooc: really sorry guys, am utterly confuzzled by when and where I should be (my fault, suck at reading partly due to me being at home and having to deal with my parents 'filtering' device that warps posts beyond readability at times) so RPed from single person POV where I could cause the least amount of confusion.

IC:

Central Senegal

With the capitulation of Gambia and the defeat of the main rebel force at Tambacounda, the way was clear for TATO forces to attack all the way to Kaolack which lay at the end of a natural fjord, winding in from the Atlantic.

In the days following the Tambacounda victory, the enemy Air Forces had smashed themselves on the rock that was TATO forces. They had run out their Backfire and Blackjack bombers, along with their Mig's and Sukhoi's, but the aircraft never made it to Tambacounda. TATO AA and SAM units, scouting ahead to Toubere Bafal had downed a couple of bombers and alerted all the freindly aircraft in the area, some 30 aicraft in all. Within a few hours what remained of the Teh Ninjan Air Force was burning on the ground on the prairie between Toubere Bafal and Tambocounda.

Now, 20,000 USB and COH troops who were moving through Gambia arrived at Nioro Du Rip on the southern road to Kaolack, while another 20,000 troops from Tambocounda moved in by rail and road on the eastern approaches to the city. B-52's and B-1B's pounded the city, along with artillery, for 48 hours before any advance was made on the enemy positions.

Essentially the battle began as a hard slog through the heavily defended outer reaches, TATO troops being forced to retreat several times, before Artillery and well placed air strikes from attack helicopters forced the defenders to move into the city. Now the Teh Ninjan's threw tanks and armor at the advancing TATO forces but they simply didn't have the modern firepower to deal with M1A5's and ARSB made tanks. Once the Teh Ninjan's realised this the battle turned into a full blown rout as the Teh Ninjan's pulled out of the city quicker than TATO forces could advance. They were making for the northern highways that would lead them up to Dakar, but Apache's, Stalkers and Commanche's, with F-16's and F-15L's put paid to their plans, the enemy forces were simply destroyed as they tried to escape, the highways and roads became littered with burned out vehicle hulks and charred bodies.

However, 10,000 troops were left in Kaolack, but the remaining 30,000 pulled back toward Tambocounda. The enemy forces would now be expecting an attack on Dakar, but they wouldn't get it. Now, 10,000 troops went up through the central desert toward Yonofere, passing the somewhat freindly town of Dendoudi. The other 20,000 TATO troops began to travel up north, via the cities close to the Mali and Mauritania borders. Towns, in the north, seemed cowed but not exactly freindly. The odd rebel force or Ten Ninjan regular column attacked the vast body of troops moving north, but the advantage of superior numbers and air cover made short work of any attacks. Within two days forward element's had made it to Richard Tol, only 75 Miles from St Louis. Enemy troops had dissappeared quickly from the town and were fleeing toward St Louis as forward element's arrived in Richard Tol.

The other 10,000 TATO soldiers at Yonofere had made it to Louga, only 50 Miles from St Louis...


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OOC: Give me two more days and I'll have this wrapped up.

East African Theatre

Artillery was prohibited during the siege by orders of High Command who did not want the city to fall into rubble when captured nor did it want thousands of civilian dead on their hands. However this did not mean that smart bombs couldn’t be used so day and night missiles fell on strategic strong points and designated locations throughout the city. Special Forces members infiltrated the city not with hopes of causing significant infantry casualties but rather to pin point locations in which to eliminate via the air. By now most if not all of the SAM and AA sights had been wiped out meaning that aircraft over the city could fly with immunity.

Meanwhile the frontline advance made quick routes into the surrounding countryside. As planned there was hardly any resistance. At this time it was quite clear that there was no way to halt the rapid advance into their once mighty country and seeing the Mulungu Project start to take affect, some didn’t mind the development. TATO now had to deal more with local militia which had turned into the “police” force after some time without any real authority. However sensibility and wives ended any stiff organized resistance now clogging TATO’s path. This made for a rapid advance with little digression. Victory was at hand as the armored columns made headways into Somalia, Djibouti, and Eritrea. Under Dugan’s wise leadership the casualty rates dropped drastically, although one could argue that this can be directly linked to the decline of resistance, morale rose, and relief applied with an unequaled quickness. Everything was falling into place.

Seven days after leaving a ring around Addis Abbaba they stood on the gates of the ever turbulent Mogadishu. Dugan reached in his bag of tricks and once again decided on another siege. By this time TATO could and had claimed victory, every country save Senegal, had been occupied. In Senegal’s defense that operation was about to completed. Nevertheless TATO troops had time on their side along with numbers, weapons, money, technology, etc. TATO flags now flew from the capitols of almost every country. Relief was now pouring in, schools rebuilt, and hospitals constructed. I write this not to sound as if TN was a third world country but to simply enlighten you that during its collapse and takeover their was destruction if not on a massive scale. Only the major cities and notable rebel hotspots were targeted. The vastness of the land would make it impossible to nip every corner in the butt. It was thought that once the head was cut the body would die and if not the case the country that would later take controls police force or internal affairs would handle the remainder.

After a number of weeks thousands upon millions of civilians began to wander out of the two cities, tired, sick, and hungry. The rebels were not an occupation force and did not ration food or ammunition as should have been done. They were completely unprepared for a conventional siege. Once the local populace was out of the city for the most part they were fair game and they knew it. Their strongholds and weapons caches had been destroyed and their “body armor” had been removed. For them the gig was up and of all the people Dugan knew this. He made the announcement to commence the attack codenamed Operation: GUILLINTINE NIGHT. Armor and Special Forces blitzed through the city guns blazing during one fateful midnight summer. The city ground shook as HE rounds tore through buildings and bullets hit their mark sending men down in blood and flesh. The fight was more than one sided and by dawn the guns fell silent, the remaining rebel forces marching heads down and arms up. The Operation was over; victory was officially TATO’s.

A new operation began almost immediately. It incorporated the ever growing Mulungu Project. It was time for the peace keepers to do their rightful jobs.

Countries Now Occupied: The DRC, Madagascar, Uganda, CAR, Eritrea, Somalia, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Parts of Sudan

Near St.Louis, Northern Senegal

The main attack began before dawn, and it was from the sea. TATO battleships and Cruisers opened up with their big guns and cruise missiles. As the enemy were occupied, their heads firmly between their legs, TATO SOF began to infiltrate the city, taking down the soldiers with Stinger Missiles all over the rooftops, and planting shaped charges on various SAM units, while the dead eyes of the crews looked longingly at the sky.

Once the SOF forces reported back that their mission was complete it was nearing noon and the Naval barrage had ceased some time ago. Now came the aircraft and attack helicopters, taking out tanks and bunkers and fortified buildings identified by remaining Special Forces soldiers.

Throughout the night and the early morning the 20,000 troops aroun Richard Tol had been inching closer to the city and most were now at Ross-Behtio, and from their position they could see smoke plumes from St Louis and could see the roofs of the taller buildings. From Louga the remaining 10,000 TATO troops could only see the hazy black and white smoke rising straight up into the windless sky.

At 3pm the mission was a go. Around 15,000 troops, hundreds of tanks, APC's and other vehicles struck out from Ross-Bethio. Apache Helicopters ensured that no tanks impeded the advance of the TATO forces and within an hour the forward element's were in he city proper, having traversed through the suburbs. The enemy, apart from a few brave stragglers, was conducting a very professional fighting retreat, using buildings and obstacles to stay out of the way of the helicopters. The regulars were abandoning their larger vehicles here and there, for lack of fuel or for what the TATO troops didn't know, but they had the enemy on the run again.

At around 4.30pm the 10,000 troops at Louga had already been moving in toward the city, in a line that would stretche out along the railway and highway to the Atlantic on one side and a highway near a lake on the other side. The plan was to catch the enemy on the retreat and take them out before they could escape toward Thies and Dakar. Within an hour of moving into position the 10,000 troops were meeting columns of fleeing tanks and troops, taking them by surprise. It was essentially a turkey shoot, the enemy, once out of the city, had lost all co-ordination and was simply going hell-for-leather toward freindly forces in Dakar, but none of them would make it.

It was only at about 6pm when the first Teh Ninjan regular forces began to surrender. They had heard what was happening in the south and were being driven into a trap from the north and with the sea to one side and a lake to the other, they were utterly trapped. The battle for St. Louis was over, the second largest town had fallen in only a day, with 90% of enemy forces being killed or captured.

Now the TATO troops re-grouped, leaving around 2000 TATO troops to begin their peacekeeping missions around St.Louis.

Information given up by former Teh Ninjan officers suggested a massive enemy presence in Dakar, but one that was quickly running out of food and supplies. Some had tried to escape west but had run into the remaining 60,000 TATO troops that were advancing up from the south, leaving forces here and there to begin peacekeeping missions.

Now the battle-hardened force of TATO troops near St Louis began the final leg of their mission, the slog south toward Dakar.

The odd rebel force and roaming band of regulars caught a few of the forces out, but the troops were spread wide, and the enemy were spread thin. 15,000 troops were advancing parallel to the railway down to Thies which had been virtually deserted as SOF had arrived, the enemy vacating quickly, leaving vehicles, weapons and fortifications all over the place. Another 10,000 troops were advcancing down the highway towards Diourbel, west of Thies. The two forces then joined up in Thies. The battle for Dakar was about to begin.

Dakar, Senegal

Dakar is probably the most ill-placed city in all of Africa when it comes to defense. Situated on the largest part of a small spit of land jutting out into the Atlantic, the metropolis provides almost no coastal shelter and trying to break out of the city along a spit of land would be suicide. Thus was the situation presented to the remaining Teh Ninjan regulars and the brave few rebels who had made it to the last stronghold of a dead regime.

Now 25,000 TATO troops had hemmed the force of around 10,000 into the city, by occupying Rufisque and by blocking the roads and railway lines out of the city, just beyond Rufisque township. From the sea the city had been pounded for days by TATO battleships. From the land Artillery hadn't stopped for 48 hours. A constant stream of refugees was coming out from the city, some running, others just nonchalantly walking, struggling with their belongings. They were organised into camps around the city of Kayar, a short walk to the north east, were they were identified, searched and given food or imprisoned for fear of them being rebels.

Early on the first night of the barrages an armoured column of around 50 tanks and some 20 APC's tried to break out of the city, but they ran straight into the barrels of TATO tanks and AT rockets. TATO forces lost 12 tanks in the ensuing melee but all 60 pieces of armor were destroyed. After that only the odd rebel or brave Teh Ninjan SF trooper tried to make a break for it, but using OH-58D's and thermal imaging they were caught quickly, some as they tried to bury themselves in the earth.

On the third morning the various barrages were lifted and the first TATO troops began to move on the city, helicopters buzzing about overheard, F-16's and A-10's just coming back after mopping up armor and defenses on the outskirts of the city.

The TATO forces simply overwhelmed the bedraggled forces on the permiter defenses to the city. The only hold up came when it was discovered the highway's into the city were mined and under fire a battalion of Engineers took a few hours to clear them away.

Now the attack resumed. Tanks, APC's and wheeled vehicles rolled by soldiers marching on foot toward the city. But the attack wasn't needed. At the outskirts of the city a bunch of blooded, battered and blackened Officer's sat on the steps of a huge office building, a white flag waving from a dead plant pot, each man with a white handkerchief displayed on his chest or waving it above his head. The city had surrendered.

Now SF forces went into the city proper to clear out the remaining rebel forces, intent on still fighting. This took the better part of a day, resulting in 12 deaths. But apart from that the city was taken. Senegal and Gambia were taken, TATO had scored yet another victory in Africa.
Now they would begin proper peacekeeping operations, helping to pave the way for the Mulungu Project that was on everyone's lips.