NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is Earth II. Sorry I forgot the tag.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Empire. Today I come to you with news of hope, of realization, of promise. For too long now the Caribbean Sea has been only partially complete. I draw your attention to three islands in particular: Barbados, Cuba, and Saint Lucia. The former and the latter are both in the possession of the Cottish Realm, traded diplomatically for the greater good. This we can live with, for now. However, the second, Cuba, is shared, between our Empire and that of Teh Ninjas.

"The civil war within Teh Ninjas rages today, albeit mostly in Africa. We have yet to see anything major with concern to this civil war on the shores and beaches of Cuba but this cannot be forever. This civil war has raged, infested, and consumed and it is only a matter of time before it turns its eyes to Cuba. It could be days or weeks, maybe even months, before we see infighting within Cuba. By then, it is too late. Once this fighting reaches Cuban soil it is inevitable that it will threaten the sanctity of our border.

"It is my order that our military forces begin an immediate encirclement of the island of Cuba. Our DMZ is being prepared to recieve oncoming soldiers. Carrier battle groups within the Caribbean Sea will immediately take up quarantine positions around Cuba. If the government falls, I will order that our forces begin an immediate annexation of Teh Ninjan territory on the island.

"Ladies and gentlemen. To allow Cuba to fall into foreign hands not only threatens the integrity of our realm but it would be a travesty to further subject this island to division. We have seen the results in Ireland and they are not pretty. Unification is the only answer. Thank you and good night."

It was 20:10 hours, May 1. The Emperor's speech was quick and to the point. Cuba was a smoldering inferno. One gust of wind could turn it into a conflagration of epic proportions. The Empire already maintained its presence in Guantanamo and the Caribbean Sea was as good as controlled. The Panama Canal, the Hondoran Canal, the Antilles, all of these were in the control of the Empire. A blockaide of the Caribbean Sea could effectively stop any foreign military forces into the Caribbean. There was access through Texas and Mexico but shipping couldn't get into the sea unless it went through Layartebian controlled areas and the Caribbean Sea was a bastion of Layartebian submarine activity.

As the speech was being made, four battlegroups were setting into position within the Caribbean Sea. Two were Enterprise CVBGs and the other two were Amphibious Assault Ready Groups. A Vampire CVEG was on its way from Peru and two more Amphibious Assault Ready Groups were on their way from the eastern coast of the Province of Layarteb. Submarines would come with all groups as well as from normal submarine squadrons, to set up picket lines throughout the sea and its entrances. Lastly, naval forces based on the island of Cuba would be moving out, to form another line in the Atlantic, just outside of the Lesser Antilles. Marines, soldiers, paratroopers, and special forces soldiers were all preparing.

Order of Battle
Operation Fortunate One

This is a partial ORBAT of forces. The entire Empire is available for call albeit this is a semi-detailed listing of what is currently serving already. Further information can be found off-site at this location (http://theforsakenoutlaw.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=81). The Imperial Layartebian Military will remain at REDCON 3 until actual war is declared, at which point it will elevate to status 2.

Amphibious Assault Ready Group (AARG)


Arsenal Class MMGN: 1
Dnalkrad Class FFGN: 2
Emperor Class AS: 1
Falcon City Class LHDN: 2
Hampton Class AO: 1
Heretic Class FFGN: 2
Indefatigable Flight II Class DDGN: 2
Jackal Class LSDN: 2
Layarteb Class BBGN: 1
Liberty II Class AKN: 4
Mexia Flight III Class BCGN: 1
Mexia Flight IV Class BCN: 1
New York Class SSGN*: 1
Ocean Class CVHAN: 1
Odin Flight II Class CVAEN: 1
San Antonio Class LPD: 2
Seawolf Flight III Class SSN*: 1
Supply Class AOE: 2
Unforgiven Class CGN: 2
Verrazano Class DDKN: 2
Virginia Class SSN: 1
Wilson Class AKRN: 4
Ynoga Class CVLN: 1


Amphibious Assault Ready Group Air Wing (AAW)


AH-94B Stalker: 44
AV-8C Harrier III: 10
CH-53N Super Stallion II: 45
F-35B Raven: 26
HV-24C Bulldog: 26
MC-11B CSA: 2
ME-11C CSA: 2
MH-60R Sea Hawk: 25
MH-60S Knight Hawk: 15
RQ-8C Fire Scout: 54
SH-97A Serpent: 2
SH-97B Serpent: 8
UH-95A Huey II: 32


Carrier Battle Group (CVBG)


Dnalkrad Class FFGN: 4
Earthquake Class BBGN: 2
Emperor Class AS: 1
Enterprise Class CVN: 1
Hampton Class AO: 2
Heretic Class FFGN: 4
Hunter Class SSN*: 2
Hurricane Class MMGN: 2
Indefatigable Flight II Class DDGN: 4
Liberty II Class AKN: 4
Mexia Flight III Class BCGN: 2
Mexia Flight IV Class BCN: 2
New York Class SSGN*: 1
Scythe Flight II Class SSN*: 2
Supply Class AOE: 4
Unforgiven Class CGN: 4
Verrazano Class DDKN: 4
Wilson Class AKRN: 1


Carrier Battle Group Air Wing (CAW)


A-5D Vigilante: 8
CH-53N Super Stallion II: 8
EA-5F Vigilante: 4
EA-18H Growler: 4
F-14E Super Tomcat: 12
F-19B Ghostrider*: 16
F-24B Knightowl*: 16
F-26B Typhoon: 16
F-35B Raven: 16
F-37E Razor*: 24
KA-3C Skywarrior: 4
MS-11A CSA: 4
MC-11B CSA: 4
ME-11C CSA: 4
MH-60R Sea Hawk: 32
MH-60S Knight Hawk: 20
RA-5E Vigilante: 4
RQ-8C Fire Scout: 52
RQ-12B Pegasus*: 4
SH-97A Serpent: 4
SH-97B Serpent: 9


Carrier Escort Group (CVEG)


Arsenal Class MMGN: 1
Dnalkrad Class FFGN: 2
Earthquake Class BBGN: 1
Emperor Class AS: 1
Hampton Class AO: 2
Heretic Class FFGN: 2
Hunter Class SSN*: 1
Indefatigable Flight II Class DDGN: 2
Liberty II Class AKN: 2
Mexia Flight III Class BCGN: 1
Mexia Flight IV Class BCN: 1
Odin Flight II Class CVAEN: 1
Seawolf Flight III Class SSN*: 1
Supply Class AOE: 2
Unforgiven Class CGN: 2
Vampire Class CVN: 1
Verrazano Class DDKN: 2
Wilson Class AKRN: 1


Carrier Escort Group Air Wing (CEAW)


AH-94B Stalker: 14
AV-8C Harrier III: 6
CH-53N Super Stallion II: 19
F-26B Typhoon: 16
F-35B Raven: 14
HV-24C Bulldog: 4
MC-11B CSA: 2
ME-11C CSA: 2
MH-60R Sea Hawk: 19
MH-60S Knight Hawk: 13
RQ-8C Fire Scout: 36
SH-97A Serpent: 2
SH-97B Serpent: 5
UH-95A Huey II: 8


Marine Cavalry Brigade (MCB)


Marines (Cavalry Crew [included in Marines Officers/Infantry]): 2,580
Marines (Cavalry Dismount Carriage): 7,676



M777A1 LW155: 8
M2005A1 Boar: 16
M2008A1 Dingo APV: 128
M2010A1 Bushmaster IMV: 128
M2011A1 Scout: 36
M2011A2 Scout TD: 36
M2012A1 Marauder APC: 36
M2012A3 Marauder TD: 36
M2012A4 Marauder C3: 16
M2012A5 Marauder MRTR: 16
M2012A6 Marauder EW: 16
M2012A7 Marauder AT: 16
M2014A1 Howitzer: 16
M2015A1 Cobra APC: 96
M2015A2 Cobra MRTR: 16
M2015A3 Cobra AT: 16
M2016A1 LAADS: 16
M2017A1 Frog: 60
M2018A1 Wolf LBT: 48
Five Ton Truck: 144


Marine Infantry Brigade (MIB)


Marines (Infantry): 6,788
Marines (Logistics): 15,000
Marines (Officers): 712



Brigade (BG): 7,500 (4 regiments)
Regiment (COL): 1,875 (3 battallions)
Battalion (LTC): 625 (2 companies)
Company (MAJ): 312 (4 platoons)
Platoon (CPT): 78 (6 squads)
Squad (LT): 13 (2 Fire Team, 1 Sniper Team)
Fire Team (SGT): 5 (2x Rifle, 2x Grenadier, 1x Machine Gunner)
Sniper Team: 2 (1x Scout, 1x Sniper)


New York Cruise Missile Squadron (NYCMS)


New York Class SSGN*: 1
Seawolf Flight III Class SSN*: 1
Virginia Class SSN: 1


Submarine Attack Squadron (SAS)


Hunter Class SSN*: 1
Scythe Flight II Class SSN*: 1
Seawolf Flight III Class SSN*: 1
Virginia Class SSN: 1


Currently there are 2 [Carrier Battle Group (CVBG)], 2 [Amphibious Assault Ready Group (AARG)]. Currently on their way are 1 [Carrier Escort Group (CVEG)], 2 [Amphibious Assault Ready Group (AARG)].

The one hundred and sixty-eight Layartebian warships sitting around Cuba were just about to be augmented by a lot more. Another one hundred and two were just eleven hours away, moving quickly through the calm seas of the Atlantic. Reconnaissance aircraft had begun nearly 24/7 surveillance of the island from high altitude RQ-4 Global Hawks, RQ-10 Predators, and U-2 Dragon Lady's. U-3 Aurora aircraft were going to be running at least a dozen runs over the island the Caribbean within the next eighteen hours, flying at 107,000 feet at low hypersonic speeds. Bombers and fighters were kept on constant alert, flying high and slow, maintaining their stealth characteristics as they monitored everything and anything over the island of Cuba. Shipping stayed within international waters, though they were encircling the island. Submarines, particularly gifted in their spy capabilities, monitored the island and everything within their sensor ranges.

The naval blockaide commander was Vice Admiral Riddick. His command post was one of the Enterprise CVNs floating offshore, over the horizon, keeping quietly away from the enemy. He was a strong man, gifted in naval combat, and had been a naval commander for the whole of his life. He stood 6'6" and was nothing short of an impressive figure aboard any ship. He was taller than most men under his command and thoroughly enjoyed looking down at people while berating them for failures. He was calm though and rarely lost his temper, even in the face of loss. He had an impressive war games record, winning all but two, those two being draws. Now, as almost three hundred ships bore down on the small Cuban island, he had to remain as calm as possible. He was, in essence, in charge of the entire operation (air, land, and sea). The battleplan, drawn up by him, four army, two other naval, and six air force commanders called for a massive attack. The first stage would be pummelling air strikes against airfields, radar, communications, and air defenses by naval and air force fighters and bombers. Army helicopters and air force CAS planes would attack tanks and other vehicles along the borders and throughout the country. Within twenty-four hours, army soldiers would flood across the border at Guantanamo and begin to move throughout the island. That would begin the second stage, which would also include further air strikes, naval bombardments, and all four Marine Infantry Brigades landing at sixteen various points along the island. The third stage would be occupation. Commanders expected the operation to last no more than ten actual days.

Bombardment by battleships, destroyers, battle crusiers, and crusiers would be relentless. Naval shipping not at sea would be sabotaged by paratroopers and SOF soldiers, who would deploy within the initial waves of the first stage. Ships that were at sea would try to be commandeered; otherwise, they would be sunk. Reconnaissance operations were the most difficult as they required constant attention. Photographs and imagry was drawn up and passed throughout the ranks within heavily encrypted networks.

If the civil war caused the fall of the Ninjan government, the order would be given; otherwise, things would draw back down. Time was ticking away, slowly. With two more days until the expected fall of the government, the military had a lot of planning to do and they did, whilst bullets and rockets tore through the African countryside, Cuba isolated, for its own good.

The Emperor stood at the podium in the news room, the usual backdrop for a television conference displayed, which was the flag of the Empire, hanging down, properly. It was 1953 and he would be on in seven minutes. He checked his note cards one last time before putting them inside of his suit jacket and taking a sip of water. The microphones at the podium would pick up his voice perfectly and send it through television and radio sets throughout the Empire. This was a monumental speech for the Emperor, a time of great danger for the Empire. When the camera operator informed him that he had thirty seconds, he straightened his tie and looked straight ahead. The cue was given for the final five seconds.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen of the Empire. I come to you tonight with grave news, news that not only requires out immediate reaction but also requires our immediate support. The Ninjan rebellion has reached the shores of Cuba. Fighting throughout the streets in Havana, Camagüey, Holguín, Colón, and Cienfuegos has been detected by reconnaissance and intelligence elements and agents. This is unfortunate. We had hoped that the rebellion within the Ninjan Empire would not grace the shores of Cuba and not threaten the Caribbean Sea but it is only a matter of time now before it spreads further and further.

"The Empire is hereby giving the Ninjan rebels twenty-four hours to cease and desist their fighting inside of Cuba and to leave this island and this region of the world. The peace that the Caribbean Sea has enjoyed shall not be shattered by Cuban rebels who wish nothing more than to seize the Ninjan government and their military for the sole purpose of power, corruption, and greed. If the Ninjan rebels do not vacate in twenty-four hours, the Empire shall be forced to begin our planned annexation of the remainder of Cuba into the Caribbean Republic. If these rebels do wish to heed our warning and leave, we shall back off from our Cuban prospects and assist the Ninjan government in getting back on their feet. We can only hope for the latter.

"Layartebian military assets poised around Cuba number almost three hundred warships, thousands of aircraft, hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and countless intentions, hopes, and desires. We wish not for the Cuban people to be cast into the darkness of rebellion and civil war whilst their brothers in Guantánamo live in peace and prosperity. It would be shameful to turn our backs on the brethren of our people and to allow such a disgrace to go on without check.

"Effective immediately, all Layartebian military forces are to be placed to Readiness Condition 3. In the event that we must invade the remainder of the Cuban island, I will order them to elevate to level 2. They will not elevate to level 1 unless foreign countries join on the side of the rebels and counter our invasion. Blockaides and picket lines are being set up throughout the Caribbean to ensure that this remains a matter for the Empire. No other foreign nation has any business within Cuba nor within the Caribbean Sea, which is a manifest destiny for the Empire and its vast, wonderful, and glorious people. Realization of destiny shall not be thwarted by any nation, friend or foe.

"Thank you and have a good night." The Emperor ended his speech with stern resolve and returned to his office where he looked at the latest figures for the invasion. There were going to be at least 500,000 Layartebian soldiers in Ninjan Cuba within forty-eight to seventy-two hours, most of them having come across the border at Guantánamo. Many others would come through the beaches and still more would come via aircraft. As he concluded his speech, a flight of C-17A Globemaster III aircraft would be a flying low-level, high-speed, and very dangerous sortie to the opposite end of Cuba. They would be deploying some 750 paratroopers (a whole battalion). Another group of aircraft, C-17As as well, would be depositing another 750 paratroopers into the center of the island. Between these two battalions, there was enough firepower to secure a half dozen cities, easily. SOF soldiers would be deploying as well. There would be 160 of them on the island by sunrise.

The missions were dangerous and the key aspect was staying underneath enemy radar. The capabilities of the rebels was a big unknown and whether or not they controlled the air defenses was a big "if," at the moment. The lumbering cargo transports, which could move in excess of 500 miles per hour at low-level, would have to slow down to under 170 to drop their paratroopers and they would have to do so from 1,500 feet. They would be more than in the view of radar. To combat this, RA-5E Vigilante EW aircraft would be flying with the flights. Each flight had 12 aircraft, protected by 4 RA-5E Vigilante EW aircraft, armed with 4 AGM-88F AARGM Block I missiles for taking out radars and SAM units. In addition, 6 fighter escorts would accompany each group. The escorts were F-39A Tengriy fighters, armed with full stealth in mind. Each of them carried 6 AIM-120D-2 AMRAAM missiles in their center bays and 4 AIM-204A Escape missiles in their side bays. They could have carried a lot more but that would have annihilated their stealth capabilities and made them vulnerable to radar detection.

The deed was a masterful one and the forty-four aircraft were all aloft within minutes of the start of his speech. The two groups would split off midway across the Caribbean Sea, flying from bases in Jamaica. One group would go towards Cienfuegos whilst the other headed towards Pinar Del Rio. The twelve transport aircraft carried, all together, 830 soldiers and at least two dozen small M2021 FPV vehicles for the SOF soldiers. Many would go on foot but some would have the advantage of travelling by these quick, fast, and agile buggies. More would be dropped over time but, thus far, most of them would be on foot.

Moving at 450 miles per hour, across the Cayman Trench, flying only 100 feet above the waves, the two groups split. The western one, Package A and the eastern one, Package B, quickly sped up to 500 miles per hour, which was insertion velocity. At the same time, they dropped down to 50 feet AGL. This kind of flying could only be done by the pilots of the ILAF. They were specially trained for this type of flying, especially cargo transport pilots. Most supply and troop drops were down at extremely low altitude and high speed. Maximum speed on the C-17 was 517 miles per hour and, loaded, down at sea-level, they were pushing their engines to the maximum. They would have plenty of fuel to return and if necessary, a pair of KC-26E Condors were available over the Cayman Trench for refueling, though it was doubtful it would be necessary given the short hope from Jamaica to Cuba.

The fighters grouped within the aircraft and the EW aircraft took a 4 mile lead. They could jam everything for at least twenty miles with extremely high effectiveness. Some systems they could jam further our whilst others they had to be closer. Suffice it to say, nothing for twenty miles would be able to pick up anything on their screens, whether they used EO, infrared, or radar. Advanced radars would be hit hard too, albeit they would be at least slightly effective at seeing the aircraft. However, the RA-5Es did not activate their jammers. They were only there if it were needed and they were only going to alert their presence if they had been located. There was no sense giving anything away.

At twenty miles from the drop site, the aircraft all slowed down to a meager 240 miles per hour. At ten miles, they slowed down to only 170 and climbed to 1,500 feet. The cargo aircraft were on their own now, so to speak. The F-39 fighters kept a close watch on the skies and not much was to be found. However, every ground radar for fifty miles was awake and locking onto the C-17s. The RA-5s would have to work quickly and they did, turning on their jammers and targetting the radars with their AARGM missiles. Each package had sixteen AARGM missiles at their disposal and they would use most of them. Package A went through eight of them, firing at two radar sites, four AAA sites, and two SAM sites. Package B, on the other hand, used thirteen, firing at six radars, four AAA sites, and three SAM sites. The missiles worked beautifully and though it announced their presence, it was too late. The paratroopers and SOF soldiers were falling, their chutes deployed, their FPVs almost on the ground. The F-39s maintained low-altitude orbits around the bombers and EW aircraft, just looking and hoping for enemy fighters. There wasn't going to be much up there to be found and the aircraft would return to base, unharmed, albeit this was no easy walk in the park.

Governor's Island, Layarteb City

"Sir. We've given them twenty-eight hours. Nothing has changed. Fighting in the streets has only intensified. My recommendation is that we begin Operation Fortunate One immediately." The Emperor's office was buzzing with brass, cabinet members, and aides. The large office looked as if it could hold, on any given day, about eighty people. It seemed to be testing those limits.

"Exactly sir. I cannot agree more with the Intelligence Minister. We must act swiftly and act decisively."

"Admiral. I am in full understanding and cooperation. You don't have to convince me. I agree. I give the order, effective immediately. Operation Fortunate One will commence within two hours. Send the word to Vice Admiral Riddick."

"Yes sir!" The Admiral of the Navy departed immediately for the other side of the room, where the secure communications link was set up.

Enterprise CVN, Task Force Omega, Cuba

Vice Admiral Riddick was sipping on his tea in the CIC when the secure phone rang. "Authenticate." He said.

"Colonel, Dog, Gamma, Gamma, Gamma, Echo, Niner, Fiver."

"Authenticate complete. Who are you holding for?"

"Vice Admiral Riddick. This is the Admiral of the Navy."

"One moment sir." The panel operator put the phone on hold and stood. He walked briskly and side-stepped anyone in his way, until he got to the Vice Admiral. He saluted and stood straight. "Admiral. Sir. The Admiral of the Navy is on the secure line."

"Very well. Lead me there."

"Yes sir." He unclipped his side arm and put one hand on it as he moved towards the phone. The Vice Admiral followed quickly behind him and arrived within seconds. "Admiral. He is here."

"Yes sir. Vice Admiral Riddick."

"Admiral. How are things holding up?"

"Fine sir. Couldn't be better."

"Aye. The Emperor has just authorized Fortunate One to commence in two hours."

"Aye. At 0400."

"Yes Admiral."

"Very well. Out." The Vice Admiral hung up the phone and looked around the room. "ATTENTION!" He yelled and everyone stopped what they were doing instantly and straightened up. "The Emperor has just authorized Operation Fortunate One to commence at 0400. Alert the forces." People buzzed right back to work and began their tasks and operations.

As the forces encircled Cuba and began air operations, the Cayman Islands became another target. An Amphibious Assault Ready Group had already moved close to the islands and were in the process of preparing Marines for landing. The islands would be taken quickly and effectively. Mexia and Heretic class ships began an immediate bombardment of the island with their 6" and 8" ETC cannons. The targets were all planned and selected and as they would bomb them, assault helicopters and F-35B Raven V/STOVL fighters would be taking their tolls on the islands as well. Airfields were primary targets with radars and air defense as secondary targets.

The time drew quicker and quicker. H Hour approached and just before 0330, the entire aerial armada was in the sky. F-14E Super Tomcats would take on dual missions, bombing highly important targets and engaging enemy aircraft. F-35B Ravens would be taking on very dangerous missions, using their superior air to ground capabilities to hunt and destroy mobile AAA and SAM units. They would also act to annihilate radars and static SAM sites. AV-8C Harrier IIIs would be fighting near the beaches, destroying armor and vehicles throughout the country and along the landing points. RQ-8C Fire Scouts would provide necessary over-the-horizon targetting for the fleet, which would be launching Tomahawk II and Imsdal missiles against hardened targets, airfields, and other important targets throughout the country. A-5D Vigilantes would be moving in to attack very hard targets. Their heavy weaponry could effectively destroy most of the hardest targets within the country. EA-5F Vigilantes would be providing escort service to all aircraft, using their AARGM missiles to destroy static radars and SAM sites. Their jamming would provide paths for the navy and air force. F-19B Ghostriders and F-24B Knightowls would be moving into the most heavily defended parts, using their stealth abilities to sneak in and out. F-37E Razors would be able to do the same but in a more limited fashion. F-26B Typhoons would be providing CAP around the country along with their F-14E Super Tomcat brothers and F-37E Razors. They would also be hunting and destroying mobile air defense units.

With the entire aerial armada poised for a full blown hit, the island of Cuba sat silent, until the first missiles hit. These were launched from the fleet. Imsdals impacted first, at least a hundred of them, at various hardened targets. Some two hundred Tomahawk II missiles came next, dropping incendiary and anti-runway submunitions on airfields, tank depots, fuel depots, and other essential targets. Those with warheads would come screaming in to attack targets throughout the country. Over a thousand missiles would have struck Cuba by dawn, all launched from the fleet. Air Force bombers and fighters would come in as well, albeit naval aircraft would be first on scene. Paratroopers and SOF soldiers within the country would be working overtime, trying to sabotage what they could and to destroy what they could.

It was paramount that they catch the rebel leaders to stand trial for endangering the island of Cuba. SOF soldiers would be working for this. Force Spectre, deployed to the island as well, would be undergoing the most sensitive missions, namely their capture and the sabotage of Ninjan naval assets.

North Atlantic

Four flights of aircraft stayed high over the North Atlantic. They had come from the Canaries, the Azores, Bermuda, and Ireland, and they were all flying towards one objective, the Madeira Islands. The North Atlantic was effectively controlled by the Empire and the Reich and having the Madeira Islands would complete that dominance. The four flights had one hundred and eighty-two aircraft in total, carrying a full brigade of 6,000 paratroopers, 80 SOF soldiers, an assortment of M2021 FPV vehicles and M2011 Scouts, and supplies. The paratroopers would be tasked with taking the islands and ensuring that they were in the control of the Empire before long. Naval assets were bringing a full Marine group with them and would be arriving within sixteen hours to take the main island. Paratroopers were to have most of the islands secured by then, albeit it was going to be no easy fight. They would all drop in from 1,500 feet, their vehicles dropped their them by parachute or by low-altitude drop. Resistance on the islands would very high and their control would crucial to the North Atlantic Closure Plan. Layartebian aircraft from the Azores and from the Canaries would be able to keep them supported and alive long enough for a task force consisting of an AARG and a CVBG to arrive, which would be there within sixteen hours.

They would all begin to descend on the island at 0500, the aircraft having been aloft for some time now. The triple head strike against the Cayman Islands, the Madeira Islands, and Cuba would cripple the Ninjan rebels and effectively turn them into dominant areas for the Empire. It was going to take some time but they would all submit within days, weeks at the longest.

Imagry

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The Emperor sat at his desk now, awaiting the green light to go ahead and give his speech to the land. It was approaching 0600 and his speech would be replayed for everyone during the morning news, which usually ran between 0600 and 0800. Commuters were usually all out by 0800 and were beginning to wake up at 0600. He would address everyone concerning the beginning of Operation Fortunate One.

"Go ahead sir." The technician said as the cameras began to roll.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Empire, good morning. I regret that you will have to wake up to this news, expecting to hear good tidings but rather to recieve what has been delivered. The Ninjan situation has finally blown overboard. We have given them twenty-four hours to cease and desist. Twenty-eight hours later, I authorized the beginning of Operation Fortunate One, the annexation of the remainder of Cuba and the Cayman Islands into the Caribbean Republic and the Madeira Islands into the Atlantic Republic.

"Your soldiers are currently engaged in battle over these three lands. They are on the beaches, on the high seas, and in the sky, fighting for the Empire. Rebels throughout Ninjan land have made no press statements yet concerning our involvement but we can assure you that they will be riddled with propaganda unlike any we have seen before. They will tell tales of countless soldiers dead, planes brought down, and the defeat of our forces. These will be nothing more than lies. Our forces will prevail as they have done so in the past.

"The Empire extends its sympathy to those involved and will be accepting any refugees from these areas as temporary for they will be able to return to their homes as Layartebian citizens soon enough. The bombs will stop falling, the bullets will stop flying, and the disaster will be cleaned up. Never before has the Empire thrashed a land and not rebuilt it. Never before has the Empire forsaken those whom she wages war against. The Empire will be the victor.

"Thank you."

OOC: this ok

IC:Havana, Cuba

John Fergenson was a former intellegence officer for the Special Intellegence Agency. He was visiting Cuba on a vacation when he read a paper about Layarteb's possible attack on Cuba. He knew something was up, so he left the cafe and drove his rental car back to the hotel.

OOC: Weak but fine. LOL he wouldn't need to read a paper though. Bombs are a falling on Havana.

[ Cuba ]

Enrique Daniels looked on the city as the aircraft he couldn't see, only hear, bombed the living bejesus out of Havanna. They were just like the briefings had said they were: invisible, deadly and highly accurate. He sure was glad he wasn't on the recieving end of the ILM.

Enrique was a officer in the Cottish military, currently assigned to the military intelligence service FO/E and under deep cover in Ninjan territory as he had been for the last six years. As far as the Ninjans were concerned, Enrique ran a profitable cigar factory in the outskirts of downtown. As soon as he recieved word of the impeeding Layartebian invasion, he was activated through another agent who had later removed himself from Cuba via covert extraction to a Murmansk¹ class submarine which has managed to slip silently through the Layartebian net.

The resistance in Havanna was getting more and more organized, as were the resistance in the areas surrounding it. While extremely difficult to spot from the air or via satellites, soldiers and guerillas were preparing themselves under cover of vegetation and underground structures. This was pretty vital information, and the Layartebians would want to get it before they started any attack on Havanna. That was why he was in a old taxi heading for Guantanamo, having paid the cabbie the equivalent of $1,000 so that he would drive there dispite the shooting and bombing.

As they were about four kilometers from the front, Enrique told the cabbie to pull over and handed him another $250.

"It's a bonus patron. Thanks for the ride, and good luck." he said in Spanish.

"Same to you. Vaya con dios."

Enrique smiled to the man before he started moving on foot towards the front. He was travelling lightly, having only a P99 10mm pistol, his military I.D. papers from the Royal Cottish Military and a bag with a laptop computer containing the intel with him. He would have to try to make it to a Layartebian unit and hope not to be shot before he could explain himself.

[¹ = The Murmansk class submarine is a highly advanced and highly classified submarine, capable of diving to extreme depths while staying undetected thanks to a foam-like substance between the two hulls and a advanced propulsion system similar to that found on the Layartebian 'Hunter'-class SSN.]

Cayman Islands

Dawn rose over the Cayman Islands. Smoke rose on the horizon form the two hours of non-stop bombardment by aircraft, naval ships, and missiles. The Marines were poised to land, coming in from the east on the main island. They would come right out of the rising sun, blinding their enemy as their LCACs and amphibious vehicles came on shore. Bulldogs, Knight Hawks, and Huey IIs would drop in more Marines on the western portion of the island, come in low, at high-speed, and from the east as well. They would be escorted by Stalkers and Harrier IIIs, flying ahead of them with their Brimstone and Hellfire missiles and their CRV7 rockets. The main objectives for these escorts would be anti-aircraft units, tanks, armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, and other assorted vehicles. Cluster bombs were also going to be used against any troop emplacements.

The helicopter armada, which consisted of four AV-8Cs, twelve AH-94Bs, twelve MH-60Ss, fourteen HV-24Cs, and twenty-four UH-95As came in low at 0600, moving at near top speed, no more than 20 feet above the treet tops. They tore through them, bending the trees as they sped towards their objective. Some of the aircraft were going to be going to Owen Roberts IAP while others would be going to Georgetown. The LCACs and amphibious vehicles would be landing near North Side Village and East End, putting down at both places, in force. They were split rather evenly, a regiment to each position that needed to be secured, putting 7,500 Marines on the island within a mere hour. Army personnel wouldn't be needed for this operation and members from the 2nd Special Operations Forces "SEALs" would be dropping in from a pair of C-130J Hercules transports. They would drop into two locations, near the airport and the other near the center of the island.

The plan called for the complete take over of Grand Cayman and then the transportation of one regiment to the Lesser Caymans, dropping half on Little Cayman and the other half on Cayman Brac. They would be transported by air mostly. C-130s would be required to land at Owen Roberts IAP and pick up the 1,875 Marines and fly them over to the other two islands. However, they wouldn't solely be transported by C-130. More would be transported by HV-24C Bulldogs and CH-53N Super Stallion IIs. F-35B Ravens and AV-8C Harrier IIIs would fly to the smaller islands and clear them of any possible resistance. AH-94B Stalkers would assist as well.

Grand Cayman was an isolated island. It was expected to be loaded with a contingent of both rebel forces and Ninjan soldiers, possibly duking it out. When the helicopters passed over the land, the ILM symbol shining underneath them, they took immediate fire. They were moving fast and small arms fire had little chance of doing any damage to them, especially since they were armored to at least 23 millimeters or more. Most of the small arms fire that they would be taking would be 7.62 millimeter, from assault rifles. If they took 15.5 millimeter machine gun fire then it would be more dangerous but they doubted that much. Still, the helicopters and assault fighters kept their radars on ground search, looking for moving and static targets, tanks and air defense units being the most dangerous. They would find, between the IP and the drop point, twenty-eight vehicles of suspicion, two were mobile AAA units. Brimstone and Hellfire missiles found their marks, destroying the tanks and vehicles without effort. Most of the kills went to the F-35B Raven pilots because they were out front, moving the fastest, with the most advanced radars of the flight.

The Marines were dropped in on time and on target. Things were dicey and they took fire almost within four minutes of getting on the ground. Still, they were Marines, highly trained specialists who were trained to go into hot zones before assistance arrived. They were heavily armed and trained to fight as hard as they could. When they hit the ground, with their machine guns, assault rifles, shot guns, and rocket launchers, they pounced hard and began to secure their areas. They would fight at the airport for eleven hours before gaining control of it. Georgetown would take two days. Other areas would take as much as a week. However, they were only a half hour into the fight.

Cuba

Two hours after the assault began, most of Cuba was in flames. Incubus and Magnum bombers had arrived over the island and began dropping thousands upon thousands upon thousands of pounds of guided bombs and missiles on the island. Fighters and attack aircraft were over the island in massive numbers, dropping their ordinance and firing their missiles against tanks, air defense units, radars, and other crucial targets.

Two hours had seen close to a thousand sorties, most of them flown by naval aircraft. The fleet had launched close to twelve-hundred missiles against the island, most of which were Imsdals. The missiles more than penetrated their targets but annihilated them.

Army soldiers and Marines were ready and raring to go. They would have to wait until 0200 to come but they were ready. Artillery guns and tanks along the border had already begun shelling the border. Mines inside the DMZ would have to be deactivated by radio before the army rolled.

Madeira Islands

The paratroopers had landed on the Madeira Islands without incident. The islands were quiet, untouched by the revolution and untouched by the war, thus far. Layartebian reconnaissance aircraft had identified several targets throughout the islands that needed to be taken out but, for the most part, they found the islands to be eeriely quiet.

Madeira Islands

The Madeira Islands were a bastion of fighting. Ninjan soldiers met the Layartebian paratroopers and SOF forces head on. They had significant amounts of armor on the main island and they had, thus far, held the Layartebians quite well. Nonetheless, they were under constant attack from long-range aircraft flying from the Azores and the Canaries. F-22A Raptors maintained a good level of CAP over the sky, though two had already been shot down, one possibly by friendly fire. Neither pilot was seen ejecting. F-16G Super Falcons had managed to come on shore with a significant amount of firepower, primarily Brimstone and Maverick missiles, which made short work of Ninjan vehicles. Longer-range F-37A Razor and short-range F-26A Typhoon fighters bore down hard. They kept the Ninjan soldiers from overruning the Layartebian paratroopers and SOF.

When the Marines arrived, it would open a whole new front against the Ninjan soldiers, cutting them off and surrounding them. The AARG group had stepped up its speed and would be on station by 1400, meaning that the Layartebian soldiers only had to hold out a little bit longer before the cavalry arrived. They called in airstrike after airstrike and made little advancement between then. By the time the Marines arrived at 1400, they had lost between 100 and 200 soldiers, two F-22A Raptors, a pair of F-16G Super Falcons, and an F-26B Typhoon. The Typhoon was taken out by a ground-launched SAM.

Cuba

Eight hours of fighting left Cuba in a ghastly state. Aircraft flying over the island were dancing in the skies, avoiding surface and air launched missiles, engaging enemy fighters, and trying their best not to run each other over. The air battles were insane. Fighters from the Ninjan Air Force were everywhere, intwined in a dangerous dance of life or death, with the Layartebian Air Force and Navy. Bombers stayed very high, using long-range missiles to their best ability. The ones that were armed with bombs were escorted in and out of hostile territory by jamming aircraft and fighters. Whilst no bomber had been lost, at least seventeen aircraft had been shot down by missiles or aircraft, compared to at least eight times that, which was lost by the Ninjan military. When the ground invasions began, the country would be in such disarray that the soldiers would just steamroll through.

Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands were as bad, if not worse, than the Madeira Islands. Helicopters and V/STOVL aircraft were engaged in non-stop battles with ground vehicles, air defense units, fighters, and enemy helicopters. The Ninjan military was throwing everything and anything that they had against the Layartebians and they were somewhat effective. The Cayman Islands was definitely going to see the highest casualties of the war for Layartebian forces. Inside of eight hours, paratroopers and Marines had secured only 28% of their planned objectives, at least 30% lower than expected. It was going to be a long battle that would have to be fought inch by inch and foot by foot, using constant artillery support from the fleet, Marine cavalry, and aircraft.

Madeira Islands

Two days of fighting in the Madeira Islands saw some of the most heavy combat in Marine history. When the Marines landed around the island, the fighting doubled. The Ninjan military had hidden several assault helicopters and managed to get them into the air and over the Marine landing positions. They managed to do significant damage, destroying eight tanks and armored personnel carriers before being shot down by a pair of F-35B Ravens. The islands were in trouble now though. Paratroopers and Marines had been airlifted to Porto Santo and taken the smaller island without effort. All of the forces were concetrated on the main island, which was being bombarded by the fleet and by the paratroopers and Marines.

The Seige of Funchal began on the third day, with both paratrooper and Marine brigades except for a battalion of each that had been moved to Porto Santo. Funchal was a tightly secured city of 76.25 km² and just over 100,000 people. It hadn't been evacuated nor had it been prepped before the invasion. Naval bombardment and aerial bombardment was limited, at first, targetting just the necessary targets. With the cavalry all around the city, now adding artillery to the mix, bombing the capital relentlessly. It wasn't going to be long before the Ninjan commanders gave up, not under that level of bombardment.

Thus far there had been sixty-two Marine casualties and fotry-two paratrooper casualties. Four M2018A1 Wolf LBTs and four M2012A1 Marauder APCs had been lost to enemy attacks and another two M2012A1s had been disabled by enemy action. One more aircraft was downed as well, an AV-8C Harrier III, which had been shot down by a surface-to-air missile launched from somewhere over the capital.

Cuba

The landings and invasion began on time and on schedule. On the third day of fighting, soldiers were moving briskly towards Havana. They were backed by armor and helicopters, assaulting through the lines at top speed. Bombs and missiles flying throughout the island crashed down upon their targets as left and right, the enemy fought bravely and fiercely against the juggernaut of the Empire. Marines had landed at sixteen various points and the army slaughtered through the DMZ, across towards the rest of the island. It was a long way to Havana for the army but the Marines and the paratroopers were there immediately, encircling the city to seige it just as they were doing at Funchal.

Naval and aerial bombardment, as well as ground artillery, laid waste to the city as troops clashed throughout the country. So far the Layartebians had taken just under 200 casualties in the Cuban campaign, many of them from aircraft losses but still more from the Marines and paratroopers, who landed and attacked heavily defended fortifications that were not nearly as pummelled as they should have been, but then again, they had only been at the bombing for a day before the soldiers landed.

Cayman Islands

After three days, Georgetown was secure. The backwoods were still fighting against the Empire and Marines and paratroopers were being moved to the smaller islands to the east. The Cayman Islands had been spared most of the wrath of the Empire, in comparison to both Cuba and the Madeira Islands. The Marines and paratroopers that had struck the island were extremely elite and the bombardment by the navy had been extremely precise. Encircled and without anywhere to go, the Ninjan soldiers fought bravely and fiercely, retreating into the backwoods. There, they could strike with better effectiveness but they would eventually be flushed out, just like they would be in Cuba and the Madeira Islands.

[ Cuba ]

Enrique was near the lines now. He knew that the Layartebian Army had started its invasion, and that he had to act quickly. Moving down towards the advancing Layartebians, he had his pistol ready and his training clear in mind. The fighting was growing more and more intense by the minute, but Enrique did his best to avoid getting into fightings. The intel needed to reach the Layartebians quickly! Still, just before he would reach the Layartebians, a Ninjan infantry squad tried to hold off a Layartebian assault. With all the Ninjans facing the Layartebians, they didn't see the stealthy man sneaking up on them.

At only ten meters away and taking cover behind a rather large rock, Enrique took a deep breath before opening fire against the Ninjan soldiers. Enrique managed to shoot dead three Ninjans before they realized that their comrades hadn't been killed by the Layartebians in front of them, but rather by someone behind them. As such, they found themselves pinned down and were subsequently killed. Changing his clip, Enrique put his pistol away and started running towards the Layartebian infantry with his hands over his head, praying silently that they wouldn't shoot him.

OOC:

TAG-Interesting little development.

(Oh, you should watch out for my character General Koinenge in Senegal, he's a rebel guy. I'm gonna make a real monster out of him, Idi-Amin 'heads in the fridge' style monster!)

Madeira Islands

Smoke rose over Funchal as the seige was ending. Layartebian paratroopers and Marines were inside of the city and hammering onward, under the cover of naval and land artillery. The 8" ETC cannons of the Mexia had hit the hardest, dropping in guided and unguided shells with incendiary, high-explosive, and submunition warheads. It wouldn't be long before the flag of the Empire was raised over the capital of the Madeira Islands. Ninjan commanders were fighting bravely and had taken out at least another ninety Layartebian soldiers throughout the seige, which was obviously lower than what they suffered but they were at a disadvantage in terms of firepower. Cut off from the rest of the Ninjan territories, the Madeira Islands were without supplies, reinforcements, or anything else that would enable them to fight on far longer than they could. Sustainment was crucial and they were without any means.

Ravens and Harrier IIIs kept above 10,000 feet as they dropped their guided bombs and fired their guided missiles. Main targets had shifted away from armor and vehicles and moved towards troop positions. Troops and UAVs were able to spot for the naval and ground artillery, which was going at a near constant now. With the airstrip at Porto Santo captured, cargo aircraft from the Canaries and the Azores were able to bring in supplies on a near constant flow. Naval ships were rearmed from embarked cargo ships and even more that had departed from both island groups.

Cuba

Cuba was turning into a desolate wasteland of destruction and chaos. The army was moving at a rapid rate, assisted by helicopters and CAS aircraft, just pummelling through the resistance. The Ninjan military was torn between fighting the rebels and the Layartebians and were split, essentially, on their resources. The rebels were just as confused. They no longer knew who to fight and wound up being caught in the crossfire, often by their own. Havana was burning day and night as bombs and artillery fell upon it in fifteen minute intervals. Every other major city was under the same stress and fire barrages.

Commanders estimated another week and Cuba would be secured, except for insurgent problems. Those would continue in all three areas for at least a decade, as some predicted. Nothing that they could do would be able to counter that, unfortunately. They would have to pummel the back woods beyond any plausible means.

"Ladies and Gentlemen of the Empire. I come to you tonight with news that I am beyond pleased to present." The Emperor was at his desk, with a smile on his face, looking out at the cameras in front of his desk. "Tonight, after three weeks of war, after three weeks of death and destruction, after three weeks of pure terror, I can safely say that the Empire has completed its objectives of Operation Fortunate One. The Cayman Islands were secured first, with less bloodshed than any of the areas. The Madeira Islands came second, with more difficulty. Cuba was finished last. Layartebian soldiers and pilots, sailors and officers, all fought bravely and fought with courage that is unbeknownst to the normal man or woman.

"Bravely they fought and defeated our enemies, making all of these areas secure so that their people and ours can live safely and with prosperity. Still, twelve hundred of our soldiers will not be returning home. They gave the ultimate sacrifice to the Empire and to the goals and ideals that will forever live on throughout the Empire. I ask that we please observe a minute of silence for them throughout the Empire for theirs is an eternity." Everything went silent as the Emperor and everyone else bowed their heads. When the silence ended, the Emperor raised his head again and was much more somber. "The Empire is eternally greatful for the sacrifices of our soldiers and of our populace. Things have changed drastically. The Caribbean Republic has expanded massively. Our Atlantic Republic will be welcoming new members. I wish all to join in for a celebration tomorrow, to commemorate our boys, who will be returning home. Thank you and good night."