The Joys of Peacekeeping (MT) [Archive] - Page 2

Russkya

27-09-2006, 23:04

OOC: That's just the standard PoliBldg lobby, too. Navy drew the 'greeting' duty this time, last month it was Air Force. Some of the locals (Me'i, others) need to be impressed by the elaborate entrances. This is about as elaborate as it gets.
The Russko-Germans aren't nessecarily the "National Jesters," far from it, but because of the laid-back attitude to politics and pomp and circumstance, when a Russkyan thinks he can get away with something, practically anything, that will cause a laugh, he's likely to do it. In the case at the end of the IC section here, it was just Krushamev going through the main entrance in a "practice" for when the Me'ei Delegation arrived later that week.

Govak and two of the RISS officers conducted the Generalissimo and his entourage through the lobby and up on a wood-panelled elevator. Down a hallway, around the ninety degree bend in that hallway, and slightly further down still, there was a double doorway with the solid wood doors open. Inside that, a conference room with a long wooden table, topped with a varnished, highly polished, dark Vietnamese Rosewood. A functionary in knee-length black skirt and white shirt with her brunette hair pulled back comfortably and in an appropriately formal fashion, stood by a table set perpendicular to the one that Igor Krushamev, the General Secretary of the Russkyan Politburo, stood at one side of. He walked forward towards the entrance, extending his right hand and a warm greeting.

"Welcome to Russkya, Generalissimo Maxwell. I am Igor Krushamev, General Secretary, although perhaps a more appropriate term would be Prime Minister. I hope your arrival was... not too flamboyant?"

Although Maxwell had no way of knowing this, the last time Krushamev had been subjected to the 'fanciful' entrance, the Russko-German Corps delegation that had drawn the duty had put on a amusing song and dance routine ending with their NCO sliding across the floor on his knees striking a theatrical pose while ending their short song with "We're fancy!"
Which is the danger of giving combat troops ceremonial duties, in Russkya.

Estovakia

28-09-2006, 22:08

"Welcome to Russkya, Generalissimo Maxwell. I am Igor Krushamev, General Secretary, although perhaps a more appropriate term would be Prime Minister. I hope your arrival was... not too flamboyant?"

Generalissimo Mxwell extened his right hand. "No, not at all. Actually it was very impressive. It was worth the jet lag to come here. It was perfect."

Russkya

29-09-2006, 00:25

Generalissimo Maxwell extened his right hand. "No, not at all. Actually it was very impressive. It was worth the jet lag to come here. It was perfect."

Krushamev shook hands like a Russkyan, strong grip and briefly.

"I can offer you coffee, tea, both available with cream, milk of varying percentages, and sugar. I can also offer you vodka, cognac, bourbon, and whiskey. I'd offer you pertsovka but none of us would be able to talk particularly well after that. Also a variety of breads and cold meats available."

The General Secretary gestured towards a seat with his left hand and moved towards his own, past a stack of documents pertaining to the Estonavian Theatre. Some of these were sufficiently up to date that the ink had barely had time to dry before they were collated and shifted up to the meeting room.

Aequatio

01-10-2006, 02:38

Statement from the Aequatian Joint Chiefs of Staff

As our previous commitments have now been completed, the Aequatian Republic is prepared to deploy forces to join in the peacekeeping efforts within the nation of Estonavia. We shall be deploying the Aequatian 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) and its support elements in order to conduct peacekeeping operations.

Aequatian 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
- 5th Infantry Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 10 Personnel)
- 107th Signal Battalion (37 Ferret HMMWV with mounted MG85 LMG; 152 Personnel)
- 607th Civil Affairs Battalion (8 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 32 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 332 Personnel)
- 407th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Battalion (12 EH-10D Super Raven Light Helicopters with mounted Loudspeaker Systems; 27 M909 Ferret HMMWV with mounted Loudspeaker System; 9 M909 Ferret HMMWV with mounted MG85 LMG; 3 Centurion, Mark I LAV; 215 Personnel)

DIVARTY
4th Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment (24 203mm Broadsword SPG; 12 M10 Spotter FISTV; 18 M11 Longbowman; 442 Personnel)
5th Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment (24 Fire Arrow MLRS; 12 M10 Spotter FISTV; 18 M11 Longbowman; 390 Personnel)

7th Air Defence Regiment
(72 Cyclone, Mark II ADV; 20 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 36 Centurion C3V; 12 SPY-21C Phased-Array RADAR Suites; 12 SPY-22A LIDAR Illuminator Suites; 216 M939A2 5-ton Cargo Trucks; 12 M940A2 5-ton Mobile Generator Trucks; 48 MIM-154G Super Comet Launch Units; 1,004 Personnel)

1st Brigade
- 1st Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 10 Personnel)
- 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment (56 M4A2 Spartan MCV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 752 Personnel)
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment (56 M4A2 Spartan MCV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 752 Personnel)
- 1st Battalion, 7th Armoured Regiment (72 IPM20 Mackall MBT, 24 M924 Ferret and 8 M910 Ferret HMMWV, 408 Personnel)
- 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Battalion (24 155mm Sabre SPH; 24 120mm Centurion, Mark I SPM; 12 M10 Spotter FISTV; 6 M11 Longbowman; 722 Personnel)
- 1st Battalion, 7th Field Engineer Regiment (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 12 ARRV Mark II; 12 AVLB Mark III; 12 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 536 Personnel)
- 125th Forward Support Battalion (2 M909 Ferret HMMWV with MG85 LMGs; 48 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 24 M978 HEMTT Tankers; 24 M985 HEMTT Cargo; 24 M990 HEMTT Mobile Mess Units; 24 ARRV, Mark II; 24 Conqueror, Mark I ARRV; 24 Caregiver, Mark I Armoured Ambulances; 12 UH-20Q MEDIVAC Helicopters; 938 Personnel)
- 1st Battalion, 7th Military Police Regiment (72 M909 Ferret HMMWV with mounted MG85 LMG; 338 Personnel)
- 1st Battalion, 7th Military Intelligence Regiment (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 15 Centurion, Mark I C41V; 18 RQ-9B Predator III; 170 Personnel)

2nd Brigade
- 2nd Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 10 Personnel)
- 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment (56 M4A2 Spartan MCV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 752 Personnel)
- 4th Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment (56 M4A2 Spartan MCV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 752 Personnel)
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Armoured Regiment (72 IPM20 Mackall MBT, 24 M924 Ferret and 8 M910 Ferret HMMWV, 408 Personnel)
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Battalion (24 155mm Sabre SPH; 24 120mm Centurion, Mark I SPM; 12 M10 Spotter FISTV; 6 M11 Longbowman; 722 Personnel)
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Field Engineer Regiment (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 12 ARRV Mark II; 12 AVLB Mark III; 12 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 536 Personnel)
- 126th Forward Support Battalion (2 M909 Ferret HMMWV with MG85 LMGs; 48 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 24 M978 HEMTT Tankers; 24 M985 HEMTT Cargo; 24 M990 HEMTT Mobile Mess Units; 24 ARRV, Mark II; 24 Conqueror, Mark I ARRV; 24 Caregiver, Mark I Armoured Ambulances; 12 UH-20Q MEDIVAC Helicopters; 938 Personnel)
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Military Police Regiment (72 M909 Ferret HMMWV with mounted MG85 LMG; 338 Personnel)
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Military Intelligence Regiment (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 15 Centurion, Mark I C41V; 18 RQ-9B Predator III; 170 Personnel)

3rd Brigade
- 3rd Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 10 Personnel)
- 5th Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment (56 M4A2 Spartan MCV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 752 Personnel)
- 6th Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment (56 M4A2 Spartan MCV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 752 Personnel)
- 3rd Battalion, 7th Armoured Regiment (72 IPM20 Mackall MBT, 24 M924 Ferret and 8 M910 Ferret HMMWV, 408 Personnel)
- 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Battalion (24 155mm Sabre SPH; 24 120mm Centurion, Mark I SPM; 12 M10 Spotter FISTV; 6 M11 Longbowman; 722 Personnel)
- 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Engineer Regiment (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 12 ARRV Mark II; 12 AVLB Mark III; 12 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 536 Personnel)
- 127th Forward Support Battalion (2 M909 Ferret HMMWV with MG85 LMGs; 48 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 24 M978 HEMTT Tankers; 24 M985 HEMTT Cargo; 24 M990 HEMTT Mobile Mess Units; 24 ARRV, Mark II; 24 Conqueror, Mark I ARRV; 24 Caregiver, Mark I Armoured Ambulances; 12 UH-20Q MEDIVAC Helicopters; 938 Personnel)
- 3rd Battalion, 7th Military Police Regiment (72 M909 Ferret HMMWV with mounted MG85 LMG; 338 Personnel)
- 3rd Battalion, 7th Military Intelligence Regiment (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 15 Centurion, Mark I C41V; 18 RQ-9B Predator III; 170 Personnel)

4th Brigade (Aviation)
- 1st Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 10 Personnel)
- 1st Attack Helicopter Squadron, 7th Aviation Regiment (24 AH-72 Viper Attack Helicopters; 48 Personnel)
- 2nd Attack Helicopter Squadron, 7th Aviation Regiment (24 AH-72 Viper Attack Helicopters; 48 Personnel)
- 3rd Attack Helicopter Squadron, 7th Aviation Regiment (24 AH-72 Viper Attack Helicopters; 48 Personnel)
- 1st Light Helicopter Squadron, 7th Aviation Regiment (32 MH-20 Shadowcat M3U Helicopters; 128 Personnel)
- 1st Medium Helicopter Squadron, 7th Aviation Regiment (24 CH-47Z Super Chinook Helicopters; 72 Personnel)
- 128th Forward Support Battalion (2 M909 Ferret HMMWV with MG85 LMGs; 48 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 24 M978 HEMTT Tankers; 24 M985 HEMTT Cargo; 24 M990 HEMTT Mobile Mess Units; 24 ARRV, Mark II; 24 Conqueror, Mark I ARRV; 24 Caregiver, Mark I Armoured Ambulances; 12 UH-20Q MEDIVAC Helicopters; 938 Personnel)

7th Cavalry Regiment
- 7th Cavalry Regiment Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (2 M1171 C2IV; 12 Personnel)
- 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (44 M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 4 M1184 Reconnaissance Vehicles; 6 M1182 90mm Mortar Carriers, 6 M1190 Tank Destroyer Vehicles, 1 M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicle, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 664 Personnel)
- 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (44 M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 4 M1184 Reconnaissance Vehicles; 6 M1182 90mm Mortar Carriers, 6 M1190 Tank Destroyer Vehicles, 1 M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicle, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 664 Personnel)
- 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (44 M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 4 M1184 Reconnaissance Vehicles; 6 M1182 90mm Mortar Carriers, 6 M1190 Tank Destroyer Vehicles, 1 M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicle, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 664 Personnel)
- 1st Battalion, 507th Field Artillery Regiment (24 155mm Sabre SPH; 24 M1182 120mm Mortar Carriers; 12 M10 Spotter FISTV; 6 M11 Longbowman; 722 Personnel)
- 4th Battalion, 7th Field Engineer Regiment (2 M1171 C2IV; 12 ARRV Mark II; 12 AVLB Mark III; 12 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 536 Personnel)
- 807th Forward Support Battalion (2 M909 Ferret HMMWV with MG85 LMGs; 48 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 24 M978 HEMTT Tankers; 24 M985 HEMTT Cargo; 24 M990 HEMTT Mobile Mess Units; 24 ARRV, Mark II; 24 Conqueror, Mark I ARRV; 24 M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicles; 12 UH-20Q MEDIVAC Helicopters; 938 Personnel)
- 807th Military Police Battalion (72 M909 Ferret HMMWV with mounted MG85 LMG; 338 Personnel)
- 807th Military Intelligence Battalion (2 M1171 C2IV; 15 M1180 ICV; 18 RQ-9B Predator III; 170 Personnel)

Estovakia

03-10-2006, 21:39

OOC: This is actually something I tried to post yesterday. Unfortunately, the server did not concede to my demands that it work and refused to post.

Please note Aequatio: I do acknowledge that you have returned and will post something, though it can't be today. Feel free to bring your troops (or a large portion) to Fort Stovakgrada and Fort Caesar in occupied Estonavia.

Krushamev shook hands like a Russkyan, strong grip and briefly.

"I can offer you coffee, tea, both available with cream, milk of varying percentages, and sugar. I can also offer you vodka, cognac, bourbon, and whiskey. I'd offer you pertsovka but none of us would be able to talk particularly well after that. Also a variety of breads and cold meats available."

The General Secretary gestured towards a seat with his left hand and moved towards his own, past a stack of documents pertaining to the Estonavian Theatre. Some of these were sufficiently up to date that the ink had barely had time to dry before they were collated and shifted up to the meeting room.

"We ate on the plane," Maxwell answered. "It is better to talk on a full stomach than a light head."

Maxwell and his entourage took the seats provided for them. The Black Guard sat on his right, while his secretary sat on his left. The Air Force Oberst sat in any open chair remaining.

The Generalissimo took out the paperwork he had brought which was courteously carried by the Black Guard Commander. They revealed satellite images, intelligence briefings, demographical information, and a few miscellaneous pieces of information.

The Air Force Oberst got out of his chair and distrubuted the pieces of information as the Generalissimo spoke of them.

"This satellite image," the Generalissimo began, "shows the obvious: the Estonavian army is still alive. Somehow. It seemed its morale is proportionate to the distance from the capital. Far away it was weak, the officers were careless, and the soldiers unenthusiastic. All of a sudden, as we approach the capital, the soldiers are stubborn, the officers are now suddenly competant, and the army has a shot in the arm from a needle which seems to not exist."

The Oberst handed out a photograph of the president of Estonavia, while the Generalissimo continued. "The glorified mayor of Karadjevo, the president. His powers were worthless outside the city boundaries and it came as little surprise that the Estonavians cared enough about him as they do a forest sprite and that if it weren't for the Russkyan soldiers and the cooperation of your government, he'd be in a bodybag, and we'd miss out on serious intel. Fortunately, he's alive and thanks to him we can guess what exactly this 'needle' was that shot the Estonavians back into shape."

A new picture was passed out. This time, the Black Guard Commander spoke.

"This is Igor Ramanisky. From his name, he is obviously Yugarian-born. Grew up in Estonavia. Became an orchestra conductor in the Karadjevo Philharmonic Orchestra. No military experience. Two years ago he decided he felt it was his duty to eliminate the anarchy of the Western provinces. Joined the military and with his excellent logic and intelligence was made a Brigadier General. When the Estovakia Pact (OOC: Estovakia and Stoczania) invaded to restore order he began increasing the defense of Karadjevo. His superior was killed in a skirmish with Stoczanian troops in the first days of the war, leaving him alone. He reformed his own troops and when Estovania invaded his troops were able to at least fight back and cause considerable damage. He has a knack for creative ideas and is not afraid to use everything he has to its full advantage."

Another picture was being passed out when the Oberst's cell phone rang. The Generalissimo, whose face showed his displeasure, motioned to his Oberst. "Pick it up."

The Oberst immediately excused himself and did so. After a brief moment, the Oberst spun around to face the table of Russkyans and Estovakians.

"Sir," he said motioning to the Generalissimo, "Ladies and gentlemen", he said to the rest of the table,"I have some intersting news. Aequatio has rejoined the peacekeeping force. They are prepared to deploy their 5th Division."

"Well, call up Stovakgrad and tell them to welcome them, then. General Tate will surely be able make room. I believe there is still room in at Fort Stovakgrada and they newly rebuilt Fort Caesar for the Aequatians, no?"

The Oberst left the conference room.

Russkya

04-10-2006, 03:14

Aequatio

05-10-2006, 03:08

Estovakia

05-10-2006, 03:21

Krushamev raised a quizzical eyebrow, trying to remember Aequatio. Then it clicked, the memory of the RMSMC expressing interest over their UNISUV projects, which had lost to the Isselmere-Nieland L-16 series, but only barely.

"Wait a minute and there'll be an aide in here with some sheets on Aequatio and the news that they just joined in, I'm sure. That's good news."

A pause, in which the General Secretary perused a handful of photographs, both satellite overheads and images from reconnaissance patrols, depicting Estonavian and Estovanian soldiers in the field. The Fennek's optical mast was quite powerful, as was self-evident. He handed the images to the Generalissimo.

"This Ramanisky sounds like an interesting fellow. But to quote Stalin, 'No man, no problem.' "

"Quite interesting. We like this man. This man is creative to say the least. He took giant sling shots and launched molotov cocktails at the enemy to make up for the lack of light artillery, and actually managed to hold. He's also the master of RPG and ambush teams, attack and defeating armored advances by Estovanians in some cases. He never likes to defend and always attacks, and when he is defending he is on the strategic offensive, which is something I find admirable.

We'd prefer if this man stays alive. He is a good leader and postive person to have, and precisely the person we'd put in charge of the new Estonavian forces once the war is over. His only flaw is his compassion it seems, for he actually contemplates surrender as an option and does anything he can to stop a battle as quickly as possible, going for the decisive blows, hence his attack on your men during the initial advance. He didn't achieve a decisiveness that he'd hoped when he attacked your men and our intelligence members report he is probably waiting for a surrender to be offered, for he'd never ask himself. He's as hungry to end the war as we are, which is something we can utilize as he's the man to end this war right now, regardless of his superiors and their wishes.

However, I do know that he was in charge on the attack on your men in Karadjevo and that he planned it, so if you have any reservations, this is certainly the time to say so."

Estovakia

05-10-2006, 03:27

Stovakgrad, Estovakia

The first of the Aequatian Republic Air Force C-5G Galaxy II transports carrying the first elements of the 1st Brigade, 5th Infantry Division. Corporal Dennis Holden handled his new G65 rifle as he sat with the rest of his company aboard the militarized airliner with the rest of his company, their heavy vehicles aboard one of the many transports. The brigade had been rotated in after a training cycle with a plethora of new weapons and vehicles, including the new IPM20 Mackall main battle tank, BGM-225 Goblin anti-tank missile and M7A2 launcher with its many different munitions, replacing the venerable Javelin and Starstreak missiles in service. Soon enough, they would be on the ground and moving to their new homes for the deployment, helping to stabilize the troubled nation.

OOC: Sorry for the short post, just wanted to post something.

OOC: BTW, I have (it's not an option) to comment you on the thoroughness of your unit organization.. I have seen your "Aequatian Military Organization" thread and it is something I try to emulate for my own forces (with difference of course), although I haven't gotten beyond "platoon" level and have only started with light infantry. I have to say, your organization is awe-inspiring.

Now, regarding the RP itself...

Russkya and I are having a conference on the future of the country and if you want to join in all you have to do is ask Russkya (because the meeting is in his country) and join.

Russkya

05-10-2006, 06:05

"Quite interesting. We like this man. This man is creative to say the least. He took giant sling shots and launched molotov cocktails at the enemy to make up for the lack of light artillery, and actually managed to hold. He's also the master of RPG and ambush teams, attack and defeating armored advances by Estovanians in some cases. He never likes to defend and always attacks, and when he is defending he is on the strategic offensive, which is something I find admirable.

We'd prefer if this man stays alive. He is a good leader and postive person to have, and precisely the person we'd put in charge of the new Estonavian forces once the war is over. His only flaw is his compassion it seems, for he actually contemplates surrender as an option and does anything he can to stop a battle as quickly as possible, going for the decisive blows, hence his attack on your men during the initial advance. He didn't achieve a decisiveness that he'd hoped when he attacked your men and our intelligence members report he is probably waiting for a surrender to be offered, for he'd never ask himself. He's as hungry to end the war as we are, which is something we can utilize as he's the man to end this war right now, regardless of his superiors and their wishes.

However, I do know that he was in charge on the attack on your men in Karadjevo and that he planned it, so if you have any reservations, this is certainly the time to say so."

"Karadjevo was... interesting, as I am led to believe. Quite the battle. I have no reservations, he's a skillful leader and he employed no chemical or biological weapons, so I have no real desire to put his head on a silver platter. Besides, he's not the man I'll have to deal with all that frequently, whereas he'll be part of your new next-door neighbour's household."

OOC: Aequatio, if you want to get in on this meeting, we can easily recess until your delegation arrives, then bring you in no problem. Apologies to all for the short post, but it's 02.35.

Aequatio

06-10-2006, 00:28

OOC: Thanks, Estovakia, I try to create the most realistic charts for my military.

As for the meeting, I would like to send a representative to it, so I shall prepare one to send from my intelligence agency or military command.

IC:

Corporal Holden moved with his platoon as they assembled in formation of the first battalion's companies on the tarmac of the airport while the M4A2WSP Spartan, or "Wasp" as was the name given to the interim upgrade package to vehicles after the operations in The World Soviet Party, vehicles were lined behind the formation, still clean in their three-colour forest pattern paint scheme. The entire battalion's force was nearly unloaded from the transports while the first brigade's single armoured battalion was offloading their IPM20 Mackall tanks. Now they waited for the order to move.

----------

Major-General Amy Henderson stepped off the aircraft which had brought her and her general staff to the nation, she was hoping to meet with a liason officer or a representative so that the division would have its area of operations outlined for them along with the mandate and rules of engagement. Her digitized woodland uniform did not do her slender figure justice as he placed her field cap over her dirty blonde hair, its two star insignia shined as the sunlight hit them. One of the general-purpose Ferret humvees pulled up to the mobile staircase at the jetliner and she boarded it, before being taken to the assembly area for the first brigade, where she would meet with the commanding officers under her command.

Russkya

06-10-2006, 01:21

OOC: I'll leave it to Estovakia to get you deployed, as it is his RP. As to the meeting, show up when you're ready. You'd be landing at the same airfield and the airfield controls are the same as in Western Europe / North America, so feel free to do everything up to but the initial greetings. And yes, a horrendous post, but just hoping to keep some momentum here.

An aide entered the room where Maxwell and Krushamev held their meeting, and notified those assembled that an Aequatian representative was on their way. Krushamev suggested;

"Perhaps we should continue this tomorrow, when the Aequatian is here?"

--

Major Iltchenko was notified of reinforcements that would be added to his command. Already it was something that would normally be commanded by at least a Colonel if not a Brigadier-General, but it would seem the General Staff placed enough trust in him to make him effectively a Brigadier-Gen in his own right.

Those reinforcements included a complete Brigade of rocket artillery, Grozom type platforms, an Armoured Brigade equipped with Zulu Mk. II MBTs, and an additional battalion of VDV, and a Frontal Aviation Squadron. A loss to his command consisted of the Black Glengarries, who would be withdrawn.
Iltchenko was also notified of the Aequatian involvement and recieved quite a few files to peruse on the Aequatian military.

Aequatio

06-10-2006, 03:03

Major-General Henderson watched as the first brigade almost fell over itself trying to assemble and become an organized fighting unit, If we didn't need all of that heavy maneuver power, I would have preferred to come with a cavalry division, She thought as she looked over at the newly-arrived 7th Cavalry Regiment, which already had a squadron ready to move with its lighter vehicles. She sat back into the passenger seat of the humvee as it drove off to her temporary command centre.

----------

Sergeant Carmen Mendes sat with the rest of her team as they inspected their new M1184 Reconnaissance Vehicle. The entire squadron had been on the ground less than six hours, but they were ready to move unlike their mechanized comrades who were still preparing their own vehicles. She led a recon team, includig herself, she had Private First Class Tony Vicari, her grenadier, Private Jake Fisher, the gunner armed with the reliable MG55A3 SAW, although the two most valuable members were her snipers, Specialist Jesse Black armed with the venerable SSG14A9 rifle, modified for the 8.5x60mm heavy round and Specialist Debra March, who was equipped with the massive SSG20, a semi-automatic rifle firing the 20x140mm anti-materiel round, which was taller than her when she had the weapon standing on its buttstock. In the end though, Mendes knew that each member of the squad was the best, and knew she could count on them for anything.

Estovakia

06-10-2006, 03:07

OOC: To fill everyone in...

Note: Russkya, this is what I had approximated the battle lines to look like give or take. I did this rather quickly.

Current Battle Lines (http://www.freewebs.com/estovakia/Karadjevomodified.JPG)

Red, Yellow, and Blue flag with eagle- Estovakia
Black/Red flag with Asian characters on it- Russkya
Horizontal burgundy, yellow, and blue stripes- Estonavia
Horizontal burgundy, white, and green stripes- Estovania

I don't know where you want to fit in Aequatio. You could join the main conflict with the bulk of the armies in Karadjevo or finally finish the siege of Gromadin which has been going on ever since Russkya and I bypassed it.

Russkya

06-10-2006, 03:23

OOC: Yeah, good to have that map there, that's not a bad approximation. I'd love a scale though, make the writing a bit easier here. Hopefully I haven't RP'd any distances being too short. For the record, the Kanji character (Japanese) on the flag is the symbol for "Loyalty." There's a story behind that, but it doesn't quite belong here, not right now, anyways. A map of the entire Front would be pretty useful as well, denoting what is were in terms of frontline.

"Go liase with the Aequatio-anians he says," continued Captain Mikhailov from the seat nearest the rear hatches on the L-16ISC as it headed down the road towards the Aequatian deployment area, "see if you can get things going, he tells me."

"Aequatian, Captain," came the voice from the radio.

"Oh, fuck."

The Corporal riding in the back, his blue beret tucked under the shoulder-strap of his assault vest, laughed and released the transmission key from the radio handset, tuned to the frequency set up for the liason. Dozens of kilometers away, Iltchenko and the remainder of the Operations Staff laughed in the command tent at the Russkyan forward base.

"You bastard."

"You love me and you know it."

The crew of the L-16 laughed, and the commander tapped his gunner on the shoulder and pointed out the Aequatian picquets. Through his headset he ordered the driver to halt at the gate, guarded by what appeared to be a group of Aequatian Military Police. Waving in greeting, he shouted over the noise of the engine:

"Hello! Take me to your leader!"

Aequatio

06-10-2006, 03:37

OOC: Well, I'll send my forces to help in the main battle first, halt that before moving on to Gromadin.

IC:

The young sergeant held his hand in the air as he stepped over to the L-16 vehicle, "Greetings, gents, mind if I see some papers first?" The other Military Police soldiers did not seem to concerned with the arrival, as they remained at the Ferret humvee, socializing, while the soldier at the turret kept the old MG76A1 machinegun close by on its cupola mount.

Russkya

06-10-2006, 04:29

The Master Corporal in command of the vehicle hauled himself up out of his hatch and dropped to the ground, landing in a crouch to soften the impact. Straightening up he pulled his identification cards from the inside waterproof pocket of his battledress jacket.

"Here you go, Sergeant. Don't know if you can read those or not. Everyone else has one, two guys in the back and all. It would seem we're here to meet with your Deployment God, whoever you've got in charge to work out some kind of liason."

The gunner disappeared for a moment, a rear hatch opened, and Captain Mikhailov and the Corporal disembarked. The Gunner popped back up and sat on the rim of his hatch, calling to his counterpart in the Ferret while indicating the 30mm automatic cannon.

"I think mine beats yours, mate!"

Mikhailov walked up to the Sergeant with his identification papers and a letter from Iltchenko - this last translated into several languages and requesting the assistance of Aequatian military personnel in aiding the Russkyan 'delegation' in their task - to try and prove their authenticity as Russkyan soldiers.

Estovakia

07-10-2006, 03:24

It was a quiet, rainy afternoon in Brezovka, Occupied-Estonavia. Besides being a town of 17,000, it boasted a small 17th century chateau, which was being used as a conference center. While the Estovakian leader was in Russkya discussing things over with the major countries involved, regional Estonavian leaders took it upon themselves to host a meeting of their own, outlining their future intentions. The Brezovka Conference, as it became known, came up with ideas for the future of Estonavia.

The three-day conference succeeded in coming up with a rough mandate, known as the Twelve Step Mandate.

1. The people must have a say in the government. The government must not impede on the personal rights of individuals, and the rights people have are bestowed upon them as their divine rights, not as a privilege.

2. The country must be unified and strengthened. Fractionalism has dominated the society of Estonavia and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands. Already, the 10 year conflict has cost the lives of 1 out of every 8 Estonavians. Religious and racial tolerance must be taught in all schools and a public awareness campaign must be launched.

3. Labor rights must be enforced. A minimum wage must be set up to prevent exploitation of workers, and a 10-hour day must be enforced. Unions of skilled labor must be equal and job protection must be enforced by the government.

4. Children rights must also be enforced. Universal compulsory education until age 14. Child labor laws should be established mandating that children may not work more than 6 days a week and no more than 30 hours a week. Abused children should have the opportunity to be placed in foster care.

5. The encouragement of children to enroll in colleges and universities for the betterment of Estonavia to created an educated and well-informed society.

6. A stricter quota on the amount of alcohol and tobacco products eligible to be sold. Currently, alcoholism is a severe problem amongst Estonavians, being one of the highest non-war related deaths. Cigarettes has left many with lung cancer and respiratory issues, putting a strain on helath and welfare funds. A massive PR campaign denoting the evils of too much alcohol and the effects of tobacco must be published.

7. The build up of commercial business, especially financial, must be strengthened. Traditionally, Estonavia has been a haven for overseas banking due to the very low tax rates and strictly enforced anonymity. However, the instability of the country has cost Estonavia 60% of its banking investments, while potential investments has significantly decreased.

8. The removal of organized crime. Organized crime has been a prevalent and overt business in Estonavia for a long time, costing billions in potential revenue for the country and taking billions from Estonavians over many years. It has long been a stain on the country and cannot be allowed to continue in its current state, if Estonavia is to survive.

9. The eradication of human trafficking, debt slavery, and all forms of slavery whether for hard labor, servants, sex and forced prostitution, or other reasons not specified. Women (especially young women) and children are illegally trafficked or forced into slavery through enticements or false promises and fraud, and in the lack of a stable standardized government, as many as 140,000 in the last two years alone have been sold off into slavery in the country or trafficked out of the country for forced servitude where they are isolated due to language and culture barriers and exploited.

10. The establishment of a central criminal bureau and/or national police to centralize all information regarding criminals and actions. Lawlessness can be prevented if a national system is in place, to prvent the evasion of criminals.

11. The establishment of a defense force capable of preventing foreign aggression, prevention of outside influence through force, and portection from anarachy and civil disorder in times of crisis.

12. The encouragement of famous past Estonavians in the fields of science, literature, and the arts through history classes and classes of the arts. The encouragement of Estonavians to feel pride in their country is a capital concern and is vital to the survival of the nation.

The Estovakian government, as well as the Stovacean government, Stoczanian and Estovanian governments, all received word of the conclusion of the conference. All of the countries received the mandate with lukewarm reception and gave much criticism, questioning the realism and thought behind the mandate. Nonetheless, the mandate became a reference point for discussions about the post-war Estonavia and the establishment of a government(s). Generalissimo Maxwell read of the report that was handed to him through the Black Guard and prepared to show the mandate to the Aequatians and the Russkyans when the meeting resumed.

Estovakia

07-10-2006, 03:36

Supply trucks moved around in the distance. Colonel Metzger took a moment to tie his bootlaces on the bumper of his OPV-469i (OOC: OPV-469i = Offroad Personnel Vehicle 469 import , which is a modified UAZ-469 locally produced in Estovakia.) On his way to meet the Russkyans, he had not received the message that the Russkyans were withdrawing and the platoon he was travelling in almost walked right into the Estonavians, and worse, the battery fire from the Russkyan Grozom batteries. Almost captured, and then almost killed by friendly fire, they platoon nonetheless made it to safety on the coattails of the last retreating Russkyans and withdrew with the Russkyans to friendly lines.

The lines were solidified and strong, and the Estovakians and the Russkyans made progress applying power in force and forcing the Estonavians to gradually fall back. They had no place to retreat anymore, as the Estonavians were wedged in between the Estovaians and the coalition. All they needed was a decisive blow, and the army would probably fall apart. With the Russkyans reformed and the Aequatians in the picture, the attack would come soon. Karadjevo would fall and Gromadin shortly after. There would be chaos and disorder with the break up of the Estonavian army, the only serious obstacle being Estovanian-backed AK-74-totting militia. In the chaos that would follow Colonel Metzager would be able to complete his plan.

He only had to sit and wait.

Russkya

07-10-2006, 04:34

[OOC: "Battlegroup" and "Task-Force" are sometimes used interchangeably, whereas "KG," the abbreviation of Kampfgruppe and literally meaning "Battlegroup" are very much used in the traditional German sense of the word, a unit formed for a particular mission. In this case, KG White and KG Blue were created for extracting the ENLO Partisans and the Estonavian President, and covering the rapid withdrawl of the Russkyans from the salient that they created, because a fighting withdrawl would have been as subject to encirclement as a rapid one. It's a peculiarity of the Russkyans, and something encouraged by the existence of the Russko-German Corps.]

The coat-tails that Colonel Metzger and his associated platoon rode back to friendly lines on were that of Kampfgruppe Blue. KG White had already been dissolved, its components returned to their parent units, while the Estonavian President and the remaining ENLO Partisans had been handed over to the nearest Estovakian Divisional Commander.

After apologizing profusely for nearly killing "Polkovnik" Metzger and company, the young Captain in charge of the formation ordered the final bound back into friendly positions. Within a half-hour, the move had been completed, and while KG Blue dissolved, two bottles of vodka from the Northern Steppes had been pressed into Metzger's hands before he departed. Fortunately, KG Blue had been observing all of their fires, or Colonel Metzger's story would have likely ended there with that of two dozen Estonavian partisans.

Due to Russkyan patrols in the rear areas sometimes taking the time to stop to talk with a handful of the locals, rumour of the "Brezovka Mandate" filtered up to the Intelligence Staff of the Russkyan Battlegroup, where word was forwarded to the Politburo through the appropriate channels. There, Krushamev opted to wait for Maxwell to bring it up during talks the following day, confident that his counterpart had a well prepared explanation of the Mandate and its seemingly positive ramifications for Estonavia.

Estovakia

07-10-2006, 20:12

From a distance Major Bugeand peered out through his binoculars at the snow-capped mountaintop of Mount St. Issac. Next to him stood his girlfriend and lover, the esteemed Miss Willis of the Estovakian Press Corps and her stocky and bulbous loyal cameraman Roalf, who despite his appearance was actually quite fit and capable with the camera. The three peered through binoculars at the tip of the mountain waiting for movement- any movement.

It came. First, a little black dot moved, followed by another black dot. A third black dot began moving behind the two other balck dots. Roalf ran to his t.v. camera and put on maximum zoom. The black dots fidgeted and hassled around. Soon two of the dots moved back from the third, which stood squarely on the tip. This dot began fidgeting before unfurling and planting in the ground a staff with a colorful flag of red, yellow, and blue and an eagle in the center.

Two hours later, on the news, it was announced that Estovakians had cimbed the highest mountain in Estonavia.

Aequatio

07-10-2006, 20:55

OOC: Sorry for late reply.

IC:

The MP Sergeant inspected the identification briefly before handing it back to the corporal, "All right, you'll want to meet with Major-General Henderson, she'll be at the temporary command tent inside," He said pointing into the base.

The specialist at the machinegun smiled as he looked up at the Russkyan manning the automatic cannon, "Perhaps, but this little Ferret can move, we'd be several kilometres down the road befor you brought it to bear."

Russkya

07-10-2006, 22:30

OOC: Man, I hope it was hexagonal you said earlier. My memory is a bit fuzzy on that. Pretty sure you mentioned two guards.

"That might be true, but this can reach a few kilometers. See you around, Specialist."

The gunner waved goodbye from his place ontop of the turret while his vehicle commander clambered aboard and the L-16ISC rolled down the roadway into the midst of the reforming Aequatian units. The L-16 threaded its way past armoured vehicles, vehicle crews, and Infantry, the driver's boot always hovering just above the brake. It really wouldn't do to accidentally run over a new ally, and in the span of three minutes, the Vixen was eventually able to halt outside the hexagonal command tent with a pair of Aequatian Military Policemen at the entrance.

Captain Mikhailov disembarked, handing his identification and the translated letter to the MP who challenged him. He returned the guard's salute and quickly made his way inside the tent, looking about at the unfamiliar insignias for Major General Henderson. The L-16 parked nearby, and the crew observed the nearby and busy Aequatians, noting the weaponry and vehicles they could see.

Estovakia

09-10-2006, 21:30

Lieutenant Diaz jumped out of the M113 and hit the dirt. Machine gun fire sprayed the ground and dirt clumps flew into the air. The M113 responded in turn with its .50 cal and suppressed the machine gun fire. Diaz took the moment to pick himself up and look around to see his men unloading from his M113 and two others. His men had settled itself in a bocage and underneath brush and took up good defensive ground. They fired across an open field towards the enemy, the Estonavians, who were trying to achieve break out by Cistowes. The M113s began to move rather erratically to avoid RPG fire toward Cistowes itself. Estovakian platoons began moving around Lt. Diaz's and started onto the open field.

Helicopters overhead assaulted the defenses, but the majority of the aircover was not used because of the large amount of refugees around there. there had been a lot more refugees than had been anticipated in the attack on Karadjevo and the surrounding cities. The Estovanians and the coalition had moved too quick for many and many were stranded in between the two. Reports indicated that the populace was starving and had resorted to eating family animals, stray dogs, and stray cats to stay alive. The lack of shelter and food was beginning to take tolls on the civilians, and many were weak. Ususally combat-related stress and wounds don't help much either. It was decided the bombing of the city would be delayed or only used if needed.

Liuetenant Diaz almost ordered his men to advance, when he spotted something moving quickly. Two PT-76, defying helicopters and ground fire, began counter-advancing out in the open. A HEAT round from one slammed into one unlucky M113, which burst into flames. Machinegun rounds began catching Estovakians in the open and despite hugging the ground to minimize their silhouettes, the machine gun fire began to kill a few. An AT-4 round killed one PT-76, but not before the firer himself was shot in the chest by a PKM. The other PT-76 leveled its barrel at more Estovakians but for some reason did not fire, and decided to retreat. Estovakian helicopters stalked the light tank with chain gun rounds and rockets and soon the tank was abandoned by its crew, shortly before it blew up.

Russkya

12-10-2006, 04:50

OOC: Granted, it's essentially a glorified bump. Estovakia; Estonavian armour is deployed where, primarily? I ask, because I don't want to suddenly have the Anti-Armour Company bitchslap a T-55AM2. That's because where there's one tank, there's usually a platoon of them. And so on so forth.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead."

The Reconnaissance soldier with the scarred face looked across the interior of their Fennek as it made its way with its companion across the undulating Estonavian terrain, to take up another position in observation of remaining Estonavian forces.

"How long have you been a Warrant Officer?"

"Five years."

"Why so long? Shouldn't you have been promoted by now? I mean, it's obviously not because you're not up to the requirements MWO slot."

"You want the long version or the short version?"

"Well, long version I suppose, Warrant, we're not really going anywheres for a while."

"There's this senior officer who will go unnamed, who has a list of names belonging to NCOs and Officers who are not gentlemen. Now, he can't really do much, but if he thinks he can get away with it for a second, you'll probably be passed up for promotion if you're on this list.

Now, remember that I was an gentleman at the time, but he was freshly married and apparently not too capable in the conjugal department, being freshly married and all. Well, it's hard to remain an upright young gentleman for long when his very attractive wife is shoving her hands down your pants.

Stop laughing, let me finish. Well, she was probably the hottest woman I've had, and I've had a lot of women. Well, one day this senior officer and his wife were invited with a handful of others to visit the Defence Minister and General Secretary at the Politburo Buildings, in the garden out back. You know what a gazebo is, right? Well, it's a little wooden birdcage with vines on it. Yeah, was. Because they tore it down right after.

Well, my Squadron was dismissed and she hauled me into this gazebo. She was sitting with her back to the door and I was standing infront of her, and she was servicing me. Yes, orally. Well, that's when Krushamev and Sergetov and this senior officer all strode into the gazebo. But her back was to the door, and no-one said anything. So she hadn't ceased operations South of the belt-buckle, you follow my meaning, I'm sure.

Well Master Corporal, I did the only thing I could do. I saluted that senior officer and the Politburo. And that, mate, is why I will never be promoted while that senior officer has any say in it."

The Warrant Officer checked his screens and looked back at the Master Corporal sitting in the gunner's seat.

"I told you to stop laughing. Don't make me smack you."

Estovakia

14-10-2006, 16:00

OOC: Granted, it's essentially a glorified bump. Estovakia; Estonavian armour is deployed where, primarily? I ask, because I don't want to suddenly have the Anti-Armour Company bitchslap a T-55AM2. That's because where there's one tank, there's usually a platoon of them. And so on so forth.

OOC: I'm waiting for you to resume the meeting between Maxwell and the Premier. I can't essentially post that the meeting is resumed because it isn't my country where the meeting is taking place.

Regarding the tanks...

Estonavia wisely decided to not even bother sending armour against us in large scale. Estonavia is rather mountainous, and somewhat forested, and where some of the fighting has been urban, and therefore tanks don't have a relatively large amount of manouvre space. The knowledge that we have air superiority also factors in, as no tank crew wants to get into essentially a "metal coffin" and mutinied and disobeyed orders to get into tanks. Most officers, anyway decided that instead of having tanks taken out in en masse, they can retrain the crews to be infantry and use them in that respect.

The Estonavian tank has been a novelty on the battlefield, and most of the armour (and air force) has been captured by us (both you and I) already in their storage unit, unused. The only time they have used or do use their armour is when the think they can- where air power is temporarily unavailable and they need an extra punch- i.e. when they tried to break out of Gromadin. Now they are trying to break out of Cistowes, they're only open road and escape from Karadjevo. The use of tanks was an act of despiration. The two Pt-76s that attacked were just random tanks manned by random crews- they might not even be wholy manned by tank crews- with no organization. There is no tank platoon or even much organization for the whole army in general anymore, just thousands upon thousands of frightened soldiers hoping to make it out of the war in one piece and trying anything to hold out a bit longer. Even the estonavian general has no control anymore.

The reason why Maxwell is in Russkya is because any more of a push will force them to surrender. It is the end of the conflict; there is no where else to fight. When Estonavia surrenders, all forces involved (and the other major powers on the peninsula that didn't participate much like the Stovakian Union and Stovakistan) will be forced to sit at the peace table and it is better to be unified in demands and plan then to decide in front of everyone else. A predetermined plan will be more likely to be accepted in the brief time where no rival plan has been drafted yet.

Russkya

14-10-2006, 21:14

OOC: I was waiting for an OOC comment from Aequatio, or seeing Aequatio on MSN, to determine when his delegation had arrived, thus we'd restart the meeting then.

Good to have this explained, then. I think I'll have to have the reconnaissance troop conduct snatch-and-grab raids then.

Estovakia

20-10-2006, 22:57

"?"

Russkya

21-10-2006, 00:15

Estovakia

23-10-2006, 20:34

OOC: Yeah, that didn't make much sense. I was thinking out loud. Still haven't seen Aequatio, have you? I'll wait another dozen or so hours and if I don't see him by then I'll put the post up that'll restart the meeting, we'll play it by ear from there.

The "?" was actually just a reference to the videogame Metal Gear Solid. Whenever a guard got confused a "?" appeared over his head. If he saw you, it'd turn to a "!".

But no, i haven't seen Aequatio.

Russkya

24-10-2006, 22:15

OOC: Right. Enough waiting, let's keep this going. When Aequatio shows up again we can bring him up to speed and dump him into the conference. I don't want to control any of your characters, so respond as you see fit and we can get going again.

Krushamev wiped his fingers on a napkin, to avoid transferring a bit of grease from the croissant to the document folder, and opened the file, stamped with the insignia of RISS - Russkya's equivalent to the GRU, KGB, CSIS, and a rather large number of other acronyms.

When Maxwell and his entourage arrived, he intended to ask about this new "Brezovka Accord." Igor Krushamev half-expected that the Generalissimo already had prepared a briefing on it, and was confident that it would turn out to be a good move, if it was all that RISS had said the rumours indicated it to be.

Estovakia

25-10-2006, 22:51

The Generalissimo was not thrilled by the events in Estonavia. The allies held the highest point of the country, and they held the lowest point, too. The genocidal actions of warring governors, fringe groups, and would-be dictators were for the most part stopped. Military checkpoints prevented human trafficking to a large extent, as well as the flow of illegal goods and arms. The war was ending in their favor.

The Brezovka Accord, however, was a thorn in the side. A few professors and wannabe leaders coming up with a proposal independent against the wishes of Estovakian and allied occupying forces was a danger to the occupying forces. Any independent thought, while peaceful at first, would turn to action, violence. It'd be only a matter of time before partisans marched around the countryside.

The Generalissimo had no intention of making the country fascist. However, he did have intentions of making a government loyal to Estovakia. And he did want a strong central government that is capable of making sure that what happened would never happen again. It was his belief that any rights the Estonavians would ever have be a privilege, not a part of some "divine right". The Estonavians messed up and abused their rights, and a genocide was initiated. The Estonavians abused their "rights" and couldn't be trusted again.

He prepared his notes, met his entourage, and left to meet Krushamev again.

Russkya

27-10-2006, 00:58

OOC: Just talked to Aequatio. He's out of NS for a while for personal reasons - I won't go into them here, that's not my place. But it's entirely understandable, so I'm thinking we'll avoid much mention of the Aequatians, since they won't be doing a whole Hell of a lot, it seems.
In the meanwhile, let's keep this ball rolling.

Krushamev greeted Generalissimo Maxwell at the entrance and went through the usual pleasantries, before resuming his seat and flipping through the RISS-provided file folder. Straight to the point, the General Secretary said:

"This Brezovka Conference, Mandate, or whatever it may be called, what are your thoughts on it? It seems to have been put together by a number of Estonavian local leaders, which is probably a good thing, but does it conflict with your interests?"

The questions made sense - Russkya only wished to see Estonavia restabilized, preferably with an Estovakian government in control, since they seemed most committed to the idea. And it wouldn't be the Russkyans who would have to live next door to whatever Estonavia became.

Estovakia

31-10-2006, 00:39

Estovakia

31-10-2006, 01:03

Generalissimo Maxwell seemed a little put off by the fact the General Secretary had asked about the Brezovka Mandate, since if he had heard abouit the conference and the subsequent mandate, he also probably heard about the media and communications blackout in and around the town to prevent such information from leaking out.

But as a leader of a commited nation he did deserve to know. Besides, he was a little too smart for the plausible deniability speech.

"TheTwelve Step Mandate is a beautiful idea with promises of grandeur and a new era of properity. That being said, it belongs in poppy fields with other pot-smoking idealists. Quite frankly, it is a fundamentally flawed plan because its goals, while admirable, are highly unrealistic starting with the first step.

If you think I am going to allow a democratic government, then you have been misled. These people have proven they cannot be trusted. Most likely, these animals will continue to kill, rape, cheat, and pillage if given the rights to do so. I do realize that my type of government isn't the best government for Estonavia, and I will not enforce my type of government on these people. Even I wanted to I probably wouldn't be able to anyway, as I'm sure that your nation would object as well as the other nations on the peninsula. I have arranged for a decendent of the last noble of Estonavia to resume a nobility position in Estonavia at the conclusion of the conflict. He will help to establish a strong central government, due to the fact that there will be one highly identifiable and distinguishable ruler, not like the weak decentralized government of before. He will have a Parliament to prevent him from being a tyrant, or make really stupid decisions, but the power will lay mostly with him.

The labor laws, while also admirable, are also flawed. Flawed not in how they would be executed, but in reality. With jobs going oversees, the establishment of a minimum wage or stricter labor laws would turn Estonavia into a welfare state, without any form of employment at all.

I could go into specifics with other steps, but I realize that since you brought it up, you must have an opinion. So if you have one, we'd like to hear it."

Russkya

31-10-2006, 01:24

Krushamev was pleasantly surprised.

"It is rare for me to find that I agree entirely with something. In this case, I do. The mandate sounds very good, so chances are you will experience quite a bit of opposition to your plans. But the mandate is badly flawed - hopefully the Estonavians themselves will realize this. I suspect that they will, but it would be best to expect very high tensions in the region until the majority understand."

Estovakia

01-11-2006, 03:33

"I am not too concerned with criticism and tensions in the region. There will always be resistance, I know. However, the tight control on the country involving not just military occupation but complete media control means that any internal strife and discontent would be limited, since the Estonavians will either comply or risk disappearing in the night- or at least the threat of it.

The other peninsular powers will object. They will boo, kick, scream, and shout to have their way, but they will quickly give up. They did nothing to intervene and thus their words are hollow. They know their words are hollow and worthless. As long as Estonavia does not label itself an autocracy or a dictatorship, the other politicians from the other nations can go home and sleep at night having stopped a dictatorship by relabeling and reconstruing it as a "democracy". Besides, its not like any cvountry on the peninsula is a perfect democracy.

As for the economic factors, Estonavia is controled by 'us' and 'them', 'them' being the Estovanians. No one, apart from the future Estonavian government has any control over the economics except 'us' and 'them'. I am not worried the slightest."

Russkya

01-11-2006, 03:47

Estovakia

01-11-2006, 23:23

"Sounds like you have everything well in hand then. Your explanations make sense and match up with what RISS was telling me earlier.

There is something to be said for the benefits that the threat of disappearing in the middle of the night has. It does tend to limit discontent; used sparingly it's a useful tool. Used too frequently and it breeds greater discontent. But of course you're aware of that.

I am none too impressed with the other nations in the region. Since you have greater experience with the Estovanians than we do, what can you tell me of their potential to make life difficult? Unlike the other nations, only the Estovanians acted - granted, after Estonavia was already well on the defensive."

"Yes, I am aware that too many people disappearing breeds discontent. Like I said earlier, the threat is pretty useful enough. Who was it that said 'kill one, terrorize a thousand?'. It doesn't matter. Estovakia is not in the business of euthanasia. We try not to 'make people disappear' if we could help it.

The Estovanians aren't so bad. They won't torture or terrorize. Honestly, they aren't the tyrants and evil-doers my propaganda machines make them out to be. But the Estovanians are the last major power to form on the peninsula and are now going through the 'imperialism' part of their history. To make a long story short, Estovanian-occupied territory will become Estovanian territory. The areas they occupy will cease to exist as an independent country or part of Estonavia. A strict border guard will be set up, as well as a DMZ. The country will be divided."

Russkya

02-11-2006, 01:04

"The DMZ system has worked in Russkayn experience as well. The Northern Border Zone with Sorachoak has worked rather well for quite some time; the Sorachoakai even have an expression 'Run to the South,' an equivalent for 'Go burn in Hell.' The Border Guards seem to think it's rather amusing.

A division of the country doesn't bother me. It is easier to rule then, especially if conditions on the Estovakian-controlled side improve markedly and rapidly. It may be possible to placate the Estonavians with the show of rebuilding infrastructure such as bridges, power stations, building schools, especially schools for the younger children, and hospitals, of course. I believe that a reinforced Russkyan engineering group as well as the Estovakian Engineers could easily pull this off.

Despite the buffer that would be provided by a demilitarized zone, how likely is friction between the Estonavians and Estovakians? It would be a damned shame for another war to break out over Estonavian ground."

Estovakia

02-11-2006, 01:31

"Friction is always possible, but a serious friction between our two nations is unlikely. We plan to evacuate combative units from Estonavia once we establish a stable government and get basic utilities back. The Estonavians will establish a Defense Force under Estonavian general Ramanisky- unless he objects, which he won't- and that will be used to keep any further peace.

What will most likely happen is that the Estonavian military will gradually take over starting with the outskirts of Karadjevo and eventually taking over all military posts up until the Estovakian border, instead of being centralized in Karadjevo as they were pre-war where their influence was weak in the countryside. This will help keep stability.

Surviving Estonavian paratroopers will be reformed and supplimented with loyal Estovakian-trained personnel and put under an "Emergency Response Unit". The unit will be located in the capital under the nose of the government to keep an eye on it, as well as protect the capital from any potential attack. If there is a serious problem in the countryside the military posts cannot handle ranging from civil disorder to rebellion, the Emergency Response Unit will be dispatched by helicopter- if necessary they may even paradrop from planes- and help regain control.

We don't plan on being in Estonavia for too long; hopefully not so long as to develop a permanent anger. In the last Peninsular War fifty years ago, before my government, Estovakia was the aggressor. No country has trusted Estovakia since and part of the reason we were so quick to help Estonavia is to regain the confidence of the peninsula again. Thus, it is paramount for us to help as much as possible while leaving as quick as possible lest someone think we are annexing instead of helping. After establishing trade agreements, a standard railroad guage, an intranational highway system, and perhaps a common currency, Estovakia wants little to no part in Estonavia's affairs and will intervene only when absolutely and unquestionably necessary."

Russkya

02-11-2006, 01:53

Estovakia

04-11-2006, 03:27

"It sounds like an excellent plan. I am sure that the battlegroup currently in Estonavia will be able to assist in the implementation of reconstruction efforts and the like. Working in tandem with Estovakian Engineers, for example, would prevent any polarization that fringe groups might try, for example: 'The Russkyans rebuild while the Estovakians watch,' or some similar bullshit.

Is it likely that the Estovanians will attempt to 'creep' the border, in an attempt to secure more land? That would present a rather serious problem - a redeployment of Russkyan forces may stop that, stretching in a line along the new border zone or manning outposts and the like in a similar fashion; I doubt that the Estovanians truely wish to agitate anything more than they already have."

"We shouldn't worry about 'creeping' right now, when the borders aren't even settled yet. Estonavanian forces are already in Karadjevo and we expect the eastern section to be occupied by the Estovanians, and a good portion of the western side if the Estovanians are allowed to continue. Estovanian forces will also probably capture Cistowes before long and most likely will hold that city as well."

Russkya

04-11-2006, 03:34

Estovakia

04-11-2006, 03:40

"Would it be possible to convince the Estovanians to stop their advance on 'their' side of this river*, which leaves them out of Cistowes and Karadjevo, but makes for a simple and effective border?

It seems that if Estonavia is to have any future, the majority of it needs to fall under Estovakian control."

OOC: * - I assume that blue line on the Karadjevo map is infact a river.

OOC: Correct assumption.

"No, Estovania doesn't care for a unified Estonavia. Annexation of as much territory as possible is Estovania's answer to eliminating discontent, by absorbing the region a suppressing the dissidents forcefully. And yes, most of the country needs to fall under our control. Otherwise, there would be no point in creating a country when there is no country left."

Russkya

04-11-2006, 03:47

Estovakia

05-11-2006, 04:21

"Indeed. We do not seem to have an effective means of ceasing the Estovanian advance other than to establish a line which we will not permit them to cross, which may very well result in all out war. Control of Cistowes does not seem to be as important as control of Karadjevo. Is there some possibility to the chance of convincing the Estonavians that they will recieve an independant country when hostilities have been concluded? This may be enough to stop Estovanian territorial gains."

"Cistowes is an important city, for while Karadjevo is mostly commercialized, Cisotwes contains manufacturing; so does Gromadin but I don't think Gromadin will be taken by the Estovanians. It was written off our battle plans because capturing it seems rather hopeless since it is farther away. You can try to convince the Estonavian to have a free independent country. But if the Estovanians reinforce their will, that'll just lead to mayhem and needless killing."

Russkya

06-11-2006, 18:02

"Very true. In this case, what do you suggest we do? Convincing the Estonavians has been ruled out for now, it would be better to convince them of this in the zone you'll end up controlling, in the process of nation-building.

Might it be possible to partition Karadjevo? Much like Berlin, at the end of the Second World War, except between two parties, rather than three?"

Estovakia

06-11-2006, 22:57

"It is possible to partition Karadjevo; I'd just prefer if Estovania receives as little as possible. Estovania will most likely receive everything east and north of the river dividing the city in two, though they are posed to potentially take more than that and thus this issue needs concerted action on our part.

For me to fully answer the question though would require some answers on your part. What are you willing to contribute in terms of finance, equipment, material, troops, etc. and how will you contribute, if you are going to contribute, to Estovania once the lines stop moving and the conflict ends?"

Russkya

07-11-2006, 00:00

"I will answer as best I can at the moment, though firm numbers will probably have to follow at a later date. Finance and equipment wise, we should have no problems. Troop-wise, an additional battalion of VDV and a reinforcement of the Black Glengarry Regiment elements already in-theatre, plus substantial artillery and the like should be enroute. Could easily add a reconnaissance squadron or two and an Armoured Brigade. I suspect the theatre commander on the Russkyan part would remain Major Iltchenko, and I trust your experiences with him have been positive.

Militarily, I am not expert in such things. But any bridges over this river - and does it have a name that I am not aware of at the moment? - could be dropped by artillery or air, or if they proved resistant to that for some reason, some sort of operation. Unless the Estovanians have substantial engineering forces in their forward echelons, it should slow their advance appreciably.

The Estonavians would recieve, if required, stocks of equipment that is currently sitting well maintained in warehouses, Russkyan-modified BMPs, for example, or AKM or AK-74 rifles, whatever is required. Rebuilding efforts would be definately beneficial to troop morale; as far as I am aware we hold no grudge against the Estonavians, and it would be helpful to assist in reconstruction. On that note, I have regional allies and other nations which may be interested in taking a part in reconstruction efforts, even a nation such as Great Brabant might take hand in peacekeeping and rebuilding - chances are since it would look good on the newsreels, they'd be right in there.

As to what the Estovanians would recieve... I suspect little. Sufficient concessions to maintain peace, but if there is a need to stretch a line of steel across the near bank of this river to halt their advance, they will find that Russkyan troops are nearly immovable in the defence.

That said, I don't suppose living under Estovanian rule would be a tremendous hardship, despite being a recently acquired province. As you said yourself, they're not the terrorizing overlords your propaganda machine makes them out to be, and the primary reason behind the apparent aggression to Estovania is simply that Russkyan blood has watered many patches of ground in Estonavia, and giving this terrain back without some garuntee that it would become... something useful, wouldn't be acceptable."

OOC: Thanks to the influx of the Japanese Bushi that was recieved early in Russkya's history, Russkyan 'honour' is sometimes quasi-Japanese. The desire to halt the Estovanian advance and establish a independant Estonavia is because that is something the troops can be proud of, and soldiers cannot fight without pride. The demoralizing effects of having fought for and won terrain to have it given back or taken back and then do nothing about it would not be insubstantial, especially for a Russko-Celtic unit such as the Glengarries, who have in some cases refused to withdraw from captured ground.

Aequatio

11-11-2006, 03:39

OOC: I'm back and I'm looking to hop into the action if there's any left.

IC:

Henderson was looking over one of the monitors as a young major with the word "SIGNALS" written across his divisional patch worked on initializing the ABICS console in the tent when she was approached by her chief of staff, an older colonel, who brought Captain Mikhailov's arrival to her attention. She turned and stepped forward to greet him, her hair was still tucked back inside the field cap, the digitized woodland pattern matched the rest of the battle dress uniform which fit loosely over her figure, "Salutations, Captain, welcome to the headquarters of the Aequatian Fifth Infantry Division."

While the officers spoke inside the command tent, the L-16 LAV parked outside brought forth a gathering of young Aequatian soldiers as they admired the vehicle, "Looks like one of the Cav's UNISUV-Twos!" Said one private as a sergeant approached, a small badge shaped like a tank rested on his uniform's front pocket identifying him as one of the 1st Brigade's tankers.

"That's a mighty fine vehicle you have there," He said as he produced a package of cigarattes from his pocket along with a lighter, "How does it fare cross country?" He took a cigarette for himself and lit up before offering it to one of the Russkyan crewmembers.

Russkya

11-11-2006, 05:19

"Greetings, ma'am."

Mikhailov, looking for something else to say, noted the interesting digitalized combat uniform.

"Interesting looking combat uniform, ma'am."

Then Mikhailov realized just how badly what he'd said could be misinterpreted, and swore fluidly and at great length mentally while staring at the furthest tent wall, hoping he hadn't already screwed over his task of liasing with the Aequatians.

Outside, the Russkyan crewer sitting on the roof of the L-16's turret declined the cigarette politely and jumped down, landing in a crouch before standing again.

"Handles pretty well cross country, gets up to a good clip and doesn't bang anyone around inside too bad. Haven't had a problem with getting bogged down either. Pretty mobile, though there are times I miss having a good half-metre of steel and ceramics between me and the outside world," as he noted the tanker badge. Then he extended his hand.

"Fyodr Petrichko."

Waving behind him he indicated the driver and the commander.

"Ivan Kuliyesev and Vladimir Ivanov, respectively."

Kuliyesev responded to the Private: "Aye. Actually, the L-Sixteen won out just barely to the UNISUV when we went to adopt these. Not sure what pushed this over the edge though."

Aequatio

11-11-2006, 05:30

Amy smiled as she blushed slightly, always one to accept a compliment thrown her way, "Thank you, captain, I am looking forward to working together with this mandate. What plans have your command outlined for us to take part in?" She asked as she walked over to the map displayed on one of the large-screen monitors hanging inside the tent.

The sergeant reached his hand out and firmly grasped the Russkyan's as they shook, "Charlie Michaels, I know what you mean, I have a hard time getting out of the turret sometimes, you just feel safer inside."

One of the troopers from the cavalry regiment approached the L-16 and the group standing around it, his MG66 light machinegun slung over his shoulder, "It's probably because it looks meaner than our M-eleven eighties, the troop carriers only have the twenty-mil up top and its only for taking on infantry."

Russkya

11-11-2006, 05:51

"To be honest ma'am, we are prettymuch following Estovakian lead. At the moment the situation seems stable, a frontline has been established and liasing with the Estovakians to see where they'd planned for your division to take up position sounds like a good plan. We've got constant patrol activity all along the front, some skirmishes, and deep reconnaissance activities, but nothing major from us or the Estonavians yet.

Apparently we can provide guides. I think we've enough VDV who speak English to provide that service. Some joint patrol operations might do the trick to get our forces acclimatized, and then the Major may have some possible joint operation ideas."

Cpt. Mikhailov indicated an area a few square kilometers in size forward of what constituted the frontline.

"And there are some reconnaissance boys in this general area, so try not to go trigger happy. They're riding in Fenneks, and you might not see them anyways, but it'd be good to notify your aviation guys, though I'm certain there'll be no problem."

Outside the tent, Vladimir Ivanov jumped down off the roof of the vehicle and dropped the rear hatch of the Vixen LAV, retrieving his AKS-74M rifle and a brace of canteens before gesturing at the MG66 LMG.

"Interesting weapon there. And yeah, I figure we adopted the Vixens probably because they look meaner. Though given this thing's capabilities, it certainly isn't just the cosmetic reasoning."

Aequatio

12-11-2006, 18:51

"I can certainly leave a note for our aviation personnel to be careful in their support operations, we shall restrict them to limited rules of engagement, making sure they contact their headquarters upon detecting a target and confirm that they belong to the enemy before firing. We don't need any blue-on-blue incidents," Explained Henderson as she looked over the map, "For the time being, we can send forward our cavalry regiment along with some of our helicopters from fourth brigade."

The group outside continued to talk with their allied counterparts as they examined the foreign vehicle. The trooper looked at his MG66 as Ivanov motioned to it, "Ahh, yes, the '66 is our new SAW, fires the same ammunition as our rifles, but at around a thousand rounds per minute," The private replied, "We received a number of new weapon systems before arriving in-country, I suppose we're to field test them for the TRADOC Command."

Russkya

12-11-2006, 19:41

"Hopefully the new weapons won't fuck you over in the field then, mate. It certainly looks impressive."

Unfolding a map he carried in his inner left pocket, Mikhailov traced out the route he'd taken from the forward position to where he was now.

"Right now there are three positions in use by the Russkyan battlegroup and our supporting elements. We have the airfield logistics point here, a base suitable for three battalions built on a rather large flat-topped hill, located here, and finally our forward position here, plus our areas of responsibility in which we have various outposts, field fortifications, and the like."

One finger circled a hilltop near the Russkyan forward position.

"This hilltop here would be suitable for maybe a battalion - say five hundred or so personnel, if your battalions differ from ours, and I suspect they do - plus a detatchment of helicopters for mobility purposes. The area is relatively quiet, but be aware of some partisan activity and there are Estonavian patrol actions all along the front.

The base that's 'between' the forward position and the air-head is secure, well fortified, and even has some prefabricated buildings the engineers put up. It's overlooking a village and within ten minute's drive of a half-dozen others, and as you can see, sitting quite near Highway Ten, which is still of critical importance. Right now this position isn't filled to capacity, you could easily get one or two battalions in there to shack up with my comrades, and that'd get you out of your rally areas here and into the action."

He unfolded and handed a second map to Henderson, marked in green and blue grease-stick pencil over various points.

"This map was put together by the reconnaissance and engineering lads. Any position marked in green is suitable for two or three thousand personnel and their vehicles - probably a Brigade or so? - is a decent defensive position with some work, and any position marked in blue, all three of them, should be - with a fair bit of work mind - a good position for a Regiment or so. There are probably other areas we didn't mark out that you might run across, and our doctrines likely differ on the defensive end, so these positions may not be as suitable for you as they would be for us."

Aequatio

13-11-2006, 01:22

Henderson watched the captain provide his directions and outlines on the map before speaking, "If it's needed, we can take that hilltop, right away I can send my first squadron from the seventh cavalry. They have enough organic elements to remain there and fight off anyone, plus I can provide support from fourth brigade's aviation assets along with a tank company from one-seventh armoured," She said as she examined both Mikhailov's and her own digital maps, "The cavalry's other squadrons can be split up and sent to help hold Highway 10, that way they can remain open for the heavier elements like my other M20A1s." The general looked over the second map before handing it back, "We'll enter this information into our network and continue to update it as we get on through operations."

As the planning was being initiated, the first squadron of the 7th Cavalry Regiment was preparing its own equipment and vehicles for the immediate movement into the field. Among the battalion-sized unit was Sergeant Carmen Mendes and her reconnaissance team within the headquarters company. She led a recon team, includig herself, she had Private First Class Tony Vicari, her grenadier armed with the same G65A1 carbine with an added M206A1 launcher, Private Jake Fisher, the gunner armed with the new MG66 SAW, although the two most valuable members were her snipers, Specialist Jesse Black armed with the SSG30 precision rifle, and Specialist Debra March, who was equipped with the massive SSG20, a semi-automatic rifle firing the 20x180mm light cannon round, which was taller than her when she had the weapon standing on its buttstock. As the call came out over the radio channels, they mounted onto their vehicles as the mass of UNISUV-2 vehicles began to assemble for the mobilization. The gunner looked over at the other cavalry personnel assembling for the move and turned back to the Russkyan crewmember, "I don't think it should, it was well-tested before it got handed out. You'll have to excuse me though, my platoon is preparing to move," He said as he quickly saluted the ally and took off in a quick step towards his company area. As the column of the 8x8 vehicles passed by the Russkyan L-16, Aequatian crewmembers waved from their hatches, one vehicle commander for an M1190 tank destroyer waved with one hand while he held onto the grip of his cupola-mounted MG68 general-purpose machinegun.

Russkya

13-11-2006, 01:56

Ivanov returned the salute and clapped the Aequatian soldier on the arm in the typically Russkyan fashion. "Looks that way. Good luck and smooth travels."

The Russkyans clambered back aboard the L-16 Vixen, Kuliyesev and the others watching the crowd of UNISUV-2s and Cav troopers leave. Petrichko knelt on the roof of his turret before dropping inside the hatch, returning the friendly gestures with a grin. Ivanov, dropping into the commander's hatch, knew that at least a few of the vehicle commanders outranked him, so he held a salute until the Aequatian column had passed. The soldiers prepared their vehicle to move, figuring it was likely Mikhailov would be leaving in short order with this exodus. A short radio message, and the Russkyans knew that the Aequatians were now moving.

Inside the command tent, Mikhailov was gratified to hear the sound of engines and moving vehicles so quickly. He nodded, then turned back to General Henderson.

"Ma'am, I'm supposed to liase, but Batyanya figured it would be politic to ask nicely first. Should I go put up a tent next to the CP here and bring down a liason staff, or would it be better if I stayed a few dozen klicks up the road?"

Aequatio

13-11-2006, 02:17

Most of the cavalry troopers stood in the passenger compartment of the infantry carriers, keeping watch on the passing environment with their personal weapons at the ready. Mendes switched her carbine to fully automatic as she scanned the left flank of the reconnaissance vehicle, the vehicle commander sat at the hatch, manning the M96 20mm chaingun manually, "Any idea where they have us going, Carman?"

"We're going to be babysitting a hilltop, hold it for our new friends, lucky us though," The sergeant said as she fixed the chinstrap on her helmet, "The rest of regiment gets to watch the traffic on Highway 10!" The commander laughed as the column continued down the road. Mixed within the mass of wheeled vehicles was a dozen M20A1 Mackall tanks, sent along to hold the hilltop and provide increased direct-fire support to the cavalry squadron. Many of the cavalry officers sighed at the sight of the tanks, since the last reorganization of the Army, the troopers had lost their organic tanks and turned into divisional reconnaissance forces.

While the regiment began to mobilize from the base, the remaining units of the division prepared their own equipment and gear for their call to move. Although most of the support elements of the 7th Regiment remained at the base, to be air-lifted to the hilltop position once the ground troops had arrived there. The massive CH-47Z Chinooks sat on the tarmac alongside the smaller, utlity MH-20 Shadowcats all awaiting t lift off as the loadmasters and forward support battalion personnel attached a number of vehicles and pieces of equipment to slingloads.

The general watched the movements of her forces on the digital display before turning back to Captain Mikhailov, "You are welcome to remain here and have your staff present, with the closeness of the coming operations, it is important that communication is in real-time between our commands."

Russkya

13-11-2006, 02:39

"Very true ma'am. With your permission I'd like to return to my position temporarily to retrieve my kit and the kit of my crew and the liason staff. It would take me maybe three hours."

Aequatio

13-11-2006, 03:34

Henderson nodded, "Do what you must, captain, we'll monitor everything from here," She said as she saluted the liason officer.

The drone of the diesel engine in the M1184 became nothing more than background noise as the column continued on towards the squadron's position. They had been told that they would most likely encounter foot patrols before arriving at the hill and the Russkyan observation post. Most of the team had taken their seats inside the vehicle, leaving Mendes and Fisher, with his SAW poking out from the roof hatch over the passenger compartment. The column turned a corner and stopped short as the lead M910 Ferret humvee pressed its brakes as the soldier manning the MG68 machinegun took out a pair of field binoculars out and peered down the road. He raised his hand in the air and the sergeant literally kicked her team out of the vehicle's rear door as they moved over beside the humvee, she looked up at the staff sergeant manning the turret, "What is it, sir?"

He pointed down the road towards a fork in the road, "I could swear I spotted movement ahead, looked like a squad or larger."

"We'll check it out, sir," Mendes said as she turned to her team, "Fisher, Vicari, you're with me. March, you're on overwatch from the vehicle, keep an eye out for them and keep in radio contact. Black, I want you to move around on the right flank, see if you can spot them from another viewpoint."

There was a collective nod among the team as they split up. Specialist March climbed up on top of the M1184 vehicle and set up the bipod on her SSG20 rifle and scanned the road as the sergeant led the other members forward along one of the ditches lining the road, carefully monitoring for both the contacts or tripwires as Black moved silently through the foliage, his SSG30 rifle covered in strips of the digitized BDU material, along with his makeshift ghillie uniform. The sniper would stop periodically and monitor his surroundings before he would watch the team as they came to a stop, he pressed the button on his headset, "Sarne, all clear from what I can see."

"Affirm that," Mendes replied as she pointed to Fisher with two fingers in a "Vee" shape and he nodded, deploying his MG66 on its bipod in prone position from the ditch as the sergeant and Vicari moved forward. There was a snap of a twig as they swung around, weapons sighted at the trees across the road from them, Fisher moved his machinegun to zero in on the target, "This is Sergeant Carmen Mendes, recce, one-seventh cavalry regiment, identify yourselves!"

Russkya

13-11-2006, 03:58

Mikhailov returned the salute with precision, about-faced, and marched from the tent, signalling the Vixen's commander as he left the doorway. He would return with a six man liason team and a complete set of equipment in three and a half hours.

--

A Desantnik coughed lightly as a man in a lightly constructed ghillie suit, carrying what appeared to be a precision rifle, stopped two meters infront of his position. He waved, the movement would've been obvious, and dropped the muzzle of his AKS-74M rifle before stepping out from his hiding place. Another VDV man, pulling his characteristic blue beret onto his head, helmet hanging by its straps from his assault vest, stepped out just behind and to the left of the marksman, offering a canteen with the lid unscrewed.

The patrol leader stepped out from brush diagionally to the right of Mendez's patrol, his grenadier following. A series of orders in Russkyan, and a man with an RPK-74M and another rifleman stepped out from their hiding place. The rifleman held two broken twigs in his left hand; the first twig had been too green, hadn't broken with a sufficiently loud noise to be heard clearly. The gesture the RPK gunner gave the patrol leader was obvious, the meaning slightly less so: 'Next time, you get to be the bait.'

In accented English, the patrol leader, another Sergeant, responded.

"Dmitri Ulyanik, Russkyan Battlegroup Second Battalion, VDV. Hello, Sergeant Mendez."

Aequatio

13-11-2006, 04:08

Mendes grinned as she rose from her kneeling position and stepped forward towards Sergeant Ulyanik to greet him, her rifle hung from its strap over the front of her tactical vest and body armour, as Vicari did the same. The gunner picked up his machinegun as he lightly jogged over to the others, Mendes waved her hand as the headlights of the Ferret humvee flashed twice before starting down the road towards them, the column in tow.

Off to the side of the road, Black lowered his own rifle as he breathed relief upon seeing the Russkyan. He took a quick draught from the canteen before wiping it off and returning it to his counterpart, "Christ, you scared the hell out of me, the rumours of you guys owning the forest were true."

Russkya

13-11-2006, 04:18

Ulyanik shook hands like a Russkyan, firm grasp, quick shake. He gestured at the riflemen, the grenadier, and the man with the RPK, who looked down the road at the approaching convoy.

"My men, they don't speak a whole lot of English. They could probably hit on you awkwardly, and tell you to pour them another beer, but they don't want to be kicked in the groin so they won't. Mine is hopefully understandable, but not great. That was an impressive bit of movement there, if there is one thing I would recommend in country such as this it is to spread the recce team a little bit further from the column so if the ambushers are durakii, they set the ambush off too soon."

The Blue Beret who'd offered Black the canteen took it back, nodded and smiled broadly, understanding the import behind Black's words and the word "Forest," but not a whole lot else. He eased the canteen back into its carrier and gestured with one hand, indicating the roadway, then turned and led off towards the pavement.

Aequatio

13-11-2006, 04:30

Black followed the Russkyan down to the roadway where they joined the rest of the group and were greeted by them, the Russkyan joining his comrades quickly as the traffic passed by. Mendes nodded, "Thanks for the advice, sergeant, I'll be sure to pass it on to the other teams," She said with a smile, "I'm sure our CO will want to meet with yours."

The lead humvee had pulled off to the side and a man in a full, clean combat uniform stepped out, the MP45 submachinegun in its leg holster and the silver oak leaf on the front of his helmet signalled a lieutenant-colonel as Mendes and the other Aequatians saluted as he approached the group, "Sir, this is Sergeant Ulian-nick, Russkyan VDV."

The officer extended his hand towards the sergeant, "It's nice to meet you, I'm Lieutenant-Colonel John Gold, commander of first battalion, seventh cavalry regiment. Now I've heard you have a hilltop for us."

Russkya

13-11-2006, 04:43

Sgt. Ulyanik didn't salute, instead extending his hand to shake the Lieutenant Colonel's.

"Dobro pozhalovat, Podpolkovnik Gold. Yes, sir, we do have a hilltop for you, about a kilometer and a half further up this road, a few klicks away from our forward base. There's an observation post on it now, but we can let them know you're coming."

In Russkyan, and Russian, since the expression was essentially identical, Ulyanik had returned Lieutenant Colonel Gold's greeting. The patrol knew that Colonel Gold was an officer, probably a senior one, but they hadn't known he was a Lieutenant Colonel, assuming instead that he was a Captain.

"And my apologies for not saluting, sir. As you are now, you're uh... what is the expression, exactly? Sniper-food? Bait, maybe, that's it, yes."

Aequatio

13-11-2006, 04:56

"It's all right, sergeant," Said Gold as he looked down the road as the column continued on, "All right, do you need a ride back to your post?" Mendes and her team boarded their M1184 which had stopped to let them on, "Sergeant, you can ride in there with the recon team," The colonel said, pointing at the 8x8 vehicle.

Russkya

13-11-2006, 05:38

"Thank you kindly, Colonel. And good timing sir, since if you'd shown up earlier we would've been in the middle of our patrol, rather than on the leg that sends us back to the base."

Translating quickly, Ulyanik indicated the M1184 and the Grenadier grinned appreciatively. The Sergeant bid farewell to the Colonel and walked towards the vehicle.

A few kilometres away, Major Iltchenko was notified of the Aequatians moving into position, as was the observation post on the hilltop. A pair of L-16ISCs were dispatched to retrieve the OP and relocate them, though they would arrive only after the Aequatians did.

Estovakia

13-11-2006, 22:54

OOC: It's good that you (Aequatio) came back. I'm probably going to be busy for the rest of the week. Sorry for not posting a lot lately, a lot of RL things going on right now.

Aequatio

13-11-2006, 22:56

Lieutenant-Colonel Gold returned to the rear seat of the humvee as it pulled back onto the road and rejoined the column as Mendes' recce team themselves climbed aboard the M1184 through the rear compartment ramp, Private Fisher helped one of the Russkyan riflemen climb up and shook his hand once aboard. The vehicle filled with both the Aequatians and Russkyans, it pulled out into the road and took a place among the other vehicles. In front, one of the squadron's mortar carriers was riding with its roof hatch open, the gun team sitting on the benches on each side of their massive 90mm automatic mortar, an Aequatian flag hung from one of the communications aerials and waved from the movement of the vehicle. Behind them was one of the attached M20A1 tanks, the commander and loader both sitting at their respective hatches, the loader, who looked no more than eighteen years old, was rigging up a pair of external speakers and set them on the roof of the turret before turning on one of the crewmember's music players, Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" blared instantly through the speakers, although it was difficult to hear over the roar of the massive diesel engine and the trundle of the tank's tracks.

Aequatio

14-11-2006, 02:04

With the increase in Aequatian military involvement within Estonavia, the Aequatian Republic Air Force has been called upon to deploy an Expeditionary Wing to the nation of Estonavia in order to support the allied EFOR units already deployed. The forces will consist of the following:

1st Aequatian EFOR Air Expeditionary Wing
1st Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 20 F-1C "Banshee" Multirole Tactical Fighters (20 Personnel)
1st Pursuit Figher Squadron
- 20 F-2A "Abaddon" Advanced Air Superiority Fighters (20 Personnel)
2nd Pursuit Figher Squadron
- 20 F-2A "Abaddon" Advanced Air Superiority Fighters (20 Personnel)
1st Electronic Warfare Squadron
- 20 EF-2B "Baal" Electronic Warfare Aircraft (40 Personnel)
1st Air Control Flight
- 4 E-10B MC3I-STARS Multi-Sensor Command, Control, Communication, Intelligence, Surveillance Target Attack Radar System Aircraft (136 Personnel)
1st Airborne Intelligence and Surveillance Support Squadron
- 2 E-10C Airborne Control Aircraft (Modified E-10 for 20 UAV Pilots, 20 Radar Operators and 6 Flight Crew per Aircraft) [184 Personnel]
- 40 RQ-10 Electric Hawk Drones (RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV with Clear Sight Suite Mounted)
1st Air Rescue Squadron (ARS)
- 24 HH-20J "Jaycat" Helicopters (96 Personnel)
- 4 HC-130P "King" Long Range Rescue Aircraft (36 Personnel)
(136 personnel: 9 Combat Rescue Officers, 1 Flight Surgeon, 102 PJs, 3 survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists and 21 command staff and support personnel.)

The 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) is also being reinforced with the addition of the 5th Special Combat Applications Regiment (Airborne).

Special Combat Application Regiment (Airborne) (1,000 Personnel)
- Headquarters Detachment (2 M1171 C2IV, 4 M910 Ferret HMMWV; 54 Personnel)
- 3 Special Operations Squadrons (396 Personnel)
- 1 Special Operations Aviation Battalion (20 MH-20, 8 MH-46A, 8 AH-10D; 120 Personnel)
- 1 Personnel Support Company (20 MH-20; 150 Personnel)
- 1 Vehicle Support Copany (8 MH-53J; 160 Personnel)
- 1 Airmobile Reconnaissance Company (8 MH-20, 4 AH-10D; 120 Personnel)

Russkya

14-11-2006, 04:46

Ulyanik translated a question asked by one of his riflemen, addressing Sergeant Mendes.

"Hey Sergeant? There's no way you heard us, being in the APC and all, so how'd you pick up on our patrol?"

The RPK gunner, his weapon resting across his knees and muzzle towards the rear hatch, tried to make himself understood in accented English to the reconnaissance soldiers sitting just across from him.

"It is a nice ride, but I think there is more room in Vixen for uh, hand to hand combat practice, yes? Is enough room here, but she cannot be so creative as she could be in Vixen."

Sergeant Ulyanik rolled his eyes skywards and translated for the rest of the vehicles occupants, with an apologetic, quasi-Gaullic shrug for Sergeant Mendes's benefit.

--

Major Iltchenko was informed that his command would be reorganized with the arrival of a more senior commanding officer and a number of supporting units, to include an Armoured Brigade, a large amount of Artillery, a Signals squadron, and a Reconnaissance squadron. The new C/O would arrive with the additional Infantry and Engineering assets, slated to arrive after the additional supporting units. This substantially bolstered force would be referred to as the 1st Russkyan Overseas Service [Brigaded] Regiment, Estonavian Theatre. The overly lengthened title was only marginally abbreviated by an annoyed Operations Staffmember as the "Combat Veterans Who're Getting Organizationally Assfucked Regiment," and finally the shortened moniker "1st Russkyan O-E* Regiment" was decided upon as sufficient.

OOC: O-E would be "Overseas: Estonavian Theatre," abbreviated. Just for those who were curious.

Aequatio

14-11-2006, 05:28

Mendes pointed to one of the Ferret humvees as it passed by, "The colonel's gunner aboard the humvee thought that he spotted a soldier, so we were dismounted to go have a look."

Privates Fisher and Vicari listened to the Russkyan gunner speak before both cracking a wide grin and peering over at the sergeant and March, who was seated beside her rifle. Fisher chose to reply, "I don't think the crewmembers would appreciate us, uh... fooling around, in the back of their vehicle." There was a collective laugh from the Aequatian gunner and grenadier as Black merely shook his head before continuing with his somewhat worn novel.

The tank's speakers continued to play music as the convoy moved along the road, Grand Funk Railroad's "Gimme Shelter" was playing now as the tank commander leaned against the hatch cupola, scanning the side of the road while he tapped his hand on the ammunition box of his M96 chaingun to the music. The sound of the music and the diesel engines were interupted as a round streaked in and struck the mortar carrier close to its running gear, causing it to swirve and fall into the ditch at the side of the road. There were shouts from many of the soldiers as the other vehicles were raked with machinegun fire from the treeline.

Mendes pointed to an area in the forest as Fisher and Vicari rose to their feet inside the compartment and scanned the trees through their weapons' respective sights before opening fire on a small group of individuals moving through the underbrush. The chatter of a PKM machinegun could be heard as the bright green tracers flew from the woods over the recce team's vehicle and poured into the trees on the other side of the road. It was at this time that Mendes looked over at her team and the Russkyans and ordered them to drop down as she watched the massive turret of the M20A1 traverse to bring its gun to bear on the treeline, the roar of the gun shook the M1184 vehicle and was followed by the cracking of trees and the falling of branches as the tungsten-carbide ball-bearings within the tank’s 125mm canister round tore through the air. The column came to a halt and the hatch fell open, "Everyone, out, now!" Shouted Mendes as she pushed the soldiers forward through the hatch.

Russkya

14-11-2006, 05:42

Ulyanik and the section obeyed immediately, and Dmitri Ulyanik looked up through the open roof hatch as the air roiled behind the Mackall's massive muzzle blast, while the APC shook.

"Out the back, old comrades!"

The RPK Gunner went by him, followed closely by the Grenadier and a Rifleman, and a Russkyan stumbled and was back up and out the rear of the M1184 so quick it was as if he hadn't nearly tripped at all. Over to one side of the road, prone, and firing at the source of the green tracers, the RPK-74M began chattering, the percussive 'thump' of the GP-30, and a VOG-25 smashed into the rise beside a shredded bush and blew the vast majority of it, and anything nearby, into a bloody mess.

The Russkyan Sergeant knelt next to his counterpart, two VDV in tow, while the RPK-Grenadier team continued firing, and two more Desantnikii found concealment and cover on one side of the road to protect the Mackall tank's left flank from any marauding Estonavians.

Aequatio

14-11-2006, 23:34

Fisher and Vicari joined their Russkyan counterparts in their prone position, the gunner's MG66 sat with its bipod deployed, firing in bursts into the forest, his orange tracers piercing the trees alongside the green ones coming in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, March and Black, who were now both armed with their secondary MP45 submachienguns, joined Mendes and Sergeant Ulyanik and his VDV troopers as they pressed across the road, hand grenades at the ready. Mendes pointed to the ditch on the other side of the road and shouted over the firefight, "Defilade! GO!" As soon as the group made it to the other side, they dove into the cover provided against the enemy PKM machineguns and myriad of large calibre rounds from the partisan collection of AKM, G3A3 and FAL rifles. Their fire was resonded to, however, by the coaxial 12.7mm machinegun mounted on the M20A1 as it swept the treeline along with the 20mm chaingun mounted on the M1184. The high-explosive, air-burst rounds cracked in the air with deafening concussons as they tore into the trees and unarmoured bodies of the rebel gunmen, these were followed by a larger detonation as one of the rounds caught the 73mm rounds of the partisan SPG-9 gun and exploded them. Mendes turned to Ulyanik as she held up one of the M71A5 canister-shaped frag grenades plucked off her tactical vest, "All right, frags first, then charge," She said as she fixed her bayonet to the end of her carbine's muzzle while Black and March prepared their own grenades, "Ready?"

Russkya

15-11-2006, 02:03

"Grenades, then we assault."

The VDV nodded assentment, having understood the English but being grateful to have the order translated regardless. Sergeant Ulyanik looked over his shoulder and held up a clenched fist that was then tapped against the grenade pouch. The Blue Berets then pulled R-RGO2 blast-fragmentation grenades from their pouches and hooked fingers through stiff steel wire pin-loops, ready to arm the grenade and throw. The Sergeant then turned back to Mendes, shouting to make himself heard over the noise of the hopefully-brief firefight.

"Ready, Mendes!"

Aequatio

15-11-2006, 02:33

The sergeant nodded as she pulled the pin from her grenade and cooked off the safety release, allowing the fuse to burn for two seconds before lobbing it through the air with the other M71A5 and R-RGO2 grenades. Within a few more seconds, the chatter of the PKM was silenced by the detonation of the half dozen fragmentation devices and Mendes rose to her feet with her soldiers at her side, forming a rough skirmish line with Ulyanik and his troopers. Behind them, the M20A1 and M1184, along with the gun teams, watched the flanks, spraying machinegun and light autocannon fire into the trees, dropping any outlines they saw that would come to bear on the assault team. The tank's loader and commander were both at their stations, the commander firing his M96 and the loader his MG68, increasing the amount of firepower being wrought on the partisans.

Russkya

15-11-2006, 02:49

OOC: Gotta love talking over MSN while the action is ongoing, makes for a real smooth RP. Edit: And yes, the bayonet lug on the AK-74 is actually jagged enough to cut well. It was originally unintentional, but when noticed, was kept as a "additional feature" of the rifle. It is found on the AKS-74M and AK-74M in Russkyan service as well, but as an intentional measure.

The line went forward, up out of the defilade that had provided so much cover in the past few moments, and across uneven ground through mangled forest. A round cracked in the space between Ulyanik and a Aequatian soldier, and the source of that round was immediately knocked down by a fusilade from three Kalashnikov rifles. A smaller defilade, running paraell to the first, was filled with blood and parts of shredded bodies. The end results of 20mm High Explosive Airburst were not particularly pleasant. A shape missing one leg attempted to raise the muzzle of its FN-FAL to the Aequatian's front, was killed, and slumped backwards in death.

One of the VDV slammed the skeleton stock of the AKS-74M rifle against the side of a Estonavian's head, the bayonet lug drawing blood as he reversed the stroke, slicing through flesh to open the carotid artery. Two rounds and that Estonavian fell sideways from his knees, the back of his skull missing, two holes in the bloodied, dirty forehead.

An unwounded Estonavian challenged Mendes in an awkward fashion, swinging forward with the heavy stock of the AKM rifle he carried. A deft parry, then a bayonet slammed upwards into the center of the sternum, a twist, and the ragged wound pulsed blood with the Estonavian's heartbeat as the shape twisted, falling backwards off the blade. Ulyanik shouted approval and snapped two shots off at a fleeing Estonavian, catching him in the lower back, the rounds twisting, fragmenting, and ripping out the center of his torso, bringing most of his pulped internal organs with the fragments as they exited.

Aequatio

15-11-2006, 03:27

The partisan weapons post had been effectively neutralized, the PKM sat up on a fallen log on its bipod, the gunner's ragged corpse still holding the pistol grip. The SPG-9 sat twisted and blackened on its broken tripod, the blast marks of the cooked-off rounds present along with mangled bodies, many facing away, having been killed attempting to escape. Mendes took a quick look around her position before looking over at Ulyanik, "Clear!" She said as she signalled to the gun teams and vehicles to cease fire.

Russkya

15-11-2006, 03:35

Sergeant Ulyanik nodded his agreement with that assement and knelt, reaching to his personal role radio and sending a brief message to the Russkyan soldiers still on or near the roadway. They hurried up, and set up a hasty peremiter while two of their number went about kicking bodies, searching for signs of life. An Estonavian, torn in half near the SPG-9 recoilless rifle, grunted as the foot connected with his shoulder. The Russkyan knelt, quieted the Estonavian, and rose after a scant few moments, one hand brushing over the bloodied face to close the eyelids.

Ulyanik switched frequencies, radioing his Platoon HQ, who passed the word up to the top. Additional patrols were deployed from the Company that had security duties in this sector at the moment, and they re-swept and re-secured the road ahead with the help of their L-16ISC vehicles.

This task done, he turned to Sergeant Mendes and the Aequatian soldiers.

"Well done."

Aequatio

15-11-2006, 03:59

"Thank you, sergeant," Mendes replied as the members of her team were helping other Aequatian personnel help the crew and passengers out of the wrecked M1182 mortar carrier. There new no fatalities, although most of the gun crew were put out of action as they were seated into the rear compartment of one of the M1170 medical vehicles, each being examined by the vehicle's medic. As the other personnel returned to their own vehicles, one of the engineering vehicles pulled up from a rear position in the column and the team working to pull the damaged vehicle from the ditch. Mendes led the recce team back down to the waiting vehicle along with the Russkyans, as they approached the M1184, she turned to look at Ulyanik, "You fought well, sergeant, it's nice to know we have strong allies in-country," She said before climbing aboard the reconnaissance vehicle.

Russkya

15-11-2006, 04:11

"The same would apply to you and your fellows, Sergeant Mendes. It will be nice to have another capable ally here."

The Desantnik toting the RPK-74M limped to the M1184, left hand clamped over his left thigh. Ulyanik stopped him at the hatch.

"Did you get hit?"

The gunner just grinned, and the grenadier shook his head, answering for his comrade.

"No, Sergeant."
"Then what the Hell happened? Why are you limping? How the Hell did you get hit in the legs, you were in a ditch!"
"Bad cramp, Sergeant! Sat still in this thing too long, then sat still in the ditch too long."

Ulyanik regarded his gunner with a raised eyebrow.

"Just when I think I've heard it all, you come up with something new. Get in the fucking vehicle."

Ulyanik reloaded his rifle and shoved the half-empty magazine into his combat trouser cargo pocket, then boarded the Aequatian armoured vehicle, finding a comfortable position and then unhooking his canteen to drink.

Aequatio

15-11-2006, 05:15

The column continued down the road, the damaged M1182 mortar carrier still in front of the recce team's vehicle, although it was now being towed by one of the engineer's M1183 support vehicles. Mendes wiped her bayonet off before replacing it in the holster attached to her belt as she sat on the internal bench of the vehicle. Beside her sat Black with his rifle now sitting in his lap, who was back to reading his novel, the title on the front depicted a large barbarian-like hero swinging a battleaxe into the chest of a fantasticall beast, at his knees, clutching his leg was a voluptuous woman with long blonde hair. Fisher was standing, his MG66 perched on the roof hatch door on its bipod as he smoked a cigarette, watching the passing scenery, which included a number of Russkyan L-16 light armoured vehicles, the "EFOR" insignia present on the turrets. The Aequatians waved at the passing allied soldiers as the column made its way up the hill on a small gravel road, passing the shrubbery and small trees as they drove. Once they arrived at the top, they began to assemble into their units while the engineers disembarked and started to survey the area for what modifications needed to be performed to make the hill a defensive position.

As the M1184 came to a halt in its position with the battalion headquarters company, the rear compartment ramp opened and touched down onto the soft ground. The group of soldiers rose to their feet and made their way down out of the vehicle, Vicari and Fisher took the opportunity to stretch their legs and walk around the company area while March located the other snipers of the platoon. Black continued reading his book while Mendes spoke with Ulyanik, "How long do you think they'll keep us here?"

Meanwhile, the M20A1 tanks and the few platoons of cavalry troopers started to maintain a light perimeter as the engineers started working on creating the fortifications, leaving most of the work of setting up concertina razor wire and filling sandbags to the infantry while they built small trenches using the dozer blades on the M1183 ESVs. The tank that had been involved in the firefight earlier was approached by one of the support company's trucks hauling ammunition as one of the specialists spoke with the tank's commander and gunner as to what needed replacement.

Russkya

15-11-2006, 06:35

The Russkyan patrol dispersed across the hilltop, their helmets hanging from their assault vests or webbing belts, blue berets prominent. Ulyanik responded to Mendes as he gestured for her to follow him.

"I don't know. It's not up to me, konyechno, but I suppose you'll be here a while. It's not all boring. Our forward-most base is just a couple kilometers that way -" Ulyanik indicated a hilltop in the distance "- and I think we would be conducting joint patrols, that sort of thing."

He knelt, slid his hand underneath a heavily camouflaged frame, practically indistinguishable from the grass surrounding it, and tipped it up and backwards, revealing a spider hole, currently occupied by a dozing VDV man and his partner, who looked up at the Sergeants, grinned, and waved hello.

"There's another one of these and then we have a camouflaged position in the bushes somewheres, probably some slit trenches. As you can see Carmen, we take our camouflage very seriously."

The soldier in the hole punched his comrade's shoulder before picking up his rifle and clambering out. The awakened Desantnik leapt up out of the spider hole and shouted at the crew of a Mackall tank. Dmitri Ulyanik translated as the Blue Beret performed the "Fuck You Dance" around his spider hole, grinning broadly and then walking towards the tank with two canteens.

"He says that your tankers are uncivilized louts who don't know the meaning of the word quiet, and are quite rude for interrupting an academian's sleep. One of those canteens is probably filled with liquor, but at least it's the local stuff, you can smell it, even over fuel vapor, so I don't suppose any of your soldiers will break regulations."

The other VDV man dropped into the hole and came up with heavy rucksacks, battle gear, another rifle, and carefully lowered the lid back down, marking the position with a little red triangular flag at the front so no Aequatian accidentally fell into the hole. He looked at Sgt. Mendes, back at Ulyanik, spoke briefly from around a toothpick and turned to help manhandle a GWS.77 'Emu' launcher from its equally camouflaged position. The ATGM was broken down into its component pieces and the crew bundled it for transport.

"And he says that it's nice to see some attractive women here at last. At least we know he's not sun-blinded. I think the other position would be over there, 'bout twenty meters away. If you look carefully you'll notice one of them moving around just behind and at the bottom of the third bush there. He's not trying to hide, so he hasn't camouflaged his hands."

Then in a rather loud voice, Ulyanik bellowed at a pair of Aequatians who seemed to be inspecting the bushes to not be alarmed, and three Blue Berets in their Telnyashkas walked out from a concealed entranceway, a scant five meters from the Aequatian soldiers.

OOC: "Konyechno," though it would be pronounced "Kon-yesh-na" is a word for "Of Course." Sometimes it carries various meanings, depending on the tone its spoken in, where it becomes contextually different in meaning.

Aequatio

16-11-2006, 01:36

The sergeant kept up with her Russkyan counterpart as he spoke, "I'm sure we'll be able to learn quite a lot from those patrols from each other," She said without a hint of suggestion as she watched the Desantnik soldier yell at the Mackall tank crew and supply sergeant standing inbetween the M20A1 and M939A3 supply truck. "I must say, you Russkyans know your concealment well, your people should come to the Sniper School back home to instruct our people," She said, examining the camouflaged position the anti-tank missile launcher was previously sitting in. Mendes blushed slightly at Ulyanik's translated comment before smiling at him and removing her tactical gloves, revealing a small gold band on her left hand, "I'd watch where you tread, sergeant, I'm spoken for."

The tankers and supply sergeant spoke with the soldier offering them the canteens and politely refused after smelling the contents. The tank's driver opened his small forward hatch and poked his head out, "Do you mind, I'm trying to sleep a little here, I'm still lagged from the flight over!"

The supply sergeant looked over, "You're sleeping in the Mackall? It's like forty five degrees in there."

"Shut up!" The driver replied sharply as he slumped back down into his supine seat and shut the hatch closed.

One of the attached Mark II ARRVs of the regiment's engineer battalion, based off the older hull of the M55 Black Tiger tank, was using its massive dozer blade to carve into the earth of the hilltop to create trenches for the squadron's combat vehicles. Once the trench had been completed, one of the engineers guided one of the M1190 tank destroyers into its now-hull down position. Only the very top of the vehicle could be seen, allowing its "cherry-picker" style launcher to fire its BGM-225 Goblin anti-tank missiles at any angle at enemy forces. Other, smaller slit trenches were constructed, which allowed for the small cavalry squads to create well-hidden and protected positions. Each squad consisted of a leader and two fireteams each containing a corporal, an MG66 SAW gunner, a grenadier, a designated marksman with an SSG90 and an anti-tank specialist, armed with an M7A2 launcher and sight unit along with the standard loadout of ammunition, carried with the assistance of the other team members. Behind each squad's trench sat their M1180 armoured carrier, sitting under camouflaged netting which provided concealment against both visual and infrared detection.

While the combat elements dug into their positions around the hilltop, the other personnel were busy setting up the temporary housings of sandbag bunkers and large rectangular and hexagonal tents. One of the M1183 engineering vehicles had large, titanium alloy plates resting on its roof as it was brought to a clearing and with the aid of a Mark II ARRV's A-frame crane, were placed down in a massive 30mx30m square and painted to resemble a makeshift helicopter landing pad. Landing flares were lit as the first of the CH-47Z helicopters arrived with their slingloads, carrying the more delicate equipment which could have been heavily damaged in the firefights and ambushes of traveling by road.

Russkya

16-11-2006, 02:10

OOC: Tamga is an ancient Slav thing, originally used to identify clans, but in Russkya it's now sort of like an engagement ring, but not quite the same. Starshiy Syerzhant would be Senior Sergeant, one grade above Ulyanik in rank.

Ulyanik smiled back, reaching inside the neck of his light-blue and white Telynashka to pull a small tamga from underneath his shirt, beside his dogtags, on its leather cord.

"Yes, so am I. Not really pleasant being this many hundreds of klicks away. One of the things you'll find is that overall we're pretty hospitable, and always ready with a deserved compliment. Also, we cook well. It's almost like being French, except we shower and we wouldn't lose to the Germans in three weeks."

The Starshiy Syerzhant walked up to Ulyanik, his rifle looking like a toy gripped in one hand that looked as if it could strangle an ox. Ulyanik looked up at the bulk of the OP's commander.

"Hello, Senior Sergeant. Meet Sergeant Mendes, Aequatian Reconnaissance."
" 'Allo." The large man nodded at Mendes and continued on in Russkyan. "You guys getting picked up via Vixen or are we all going to walk back with our kit?"
"I think we might all be walking, Senior Sergeant. I can check, it's probably easier than walking the three and a half kilometers back with your ATGM and all."
"Good man. Radio's in the slit trench, tell the Master Corporal to ask for a lift out."

Ulyanik excused himself and left for the heavily camouflaged slit trenches. The bear of a Senior Sergeant shook hands with Mendes and offered a tour of the OP for her and the platoon leaders, speaking good but accented English.

Aequatio

16-11-2006, 02:56

Mendes smiled, "Thank you, sergeant," She said as they stopped and spoke with the Russkyan senior NCO, "Hey," She greeted as they conversed in their native language until he turned back to her and offered the tour, "I wouldn't mind, but we would have to track down Colonel Gold, as I'm sure he and his staff would appreciate the tour more than myself."

The sergeant turned back towards the squadron's headquarters section, where Lieutenant-Colonel Gold was discussing the layout of the camp with his troop commanders. The headquarters troop's command assistant, a young MP corporal stopped the two before they entered the area cordened off with sandbags, "What is it, sergeant?"

"Corporal, this is the commander of the Russkyan observation post here on this hill," Replied Mendes, "He has offered a tour of the area to Colonel Gold and the other officers."

"We're still busy with setting up the positions, but I can leave it with the admin clerk to set up a time," Said the corporal as he moved the sling of his rifle on his shoulder and addressed both of them, "My apologies, ma'am, sir."

At that point, Black was returning from the supply tent with a crate mixed with a number of M71A5 frag grenades and short, 10-round magazines of 8.5x60mm rounds for his rifle, when he spotted Mendes and the Russkyan senior sergeant, "Hey, sarne, what's up?"

"Nothing really," She replied, "Although I'm sure you'd appreciate the tour he's offering, get a lay of the land."

"Yeah, that'd be great," He said as he placed the crate in the back of the M1184 parked next to the headquarters troop area and checked the MP45 submachinegun before replacing the weapon in its leg holster, "Let's go."

Russkya

16-11-2006, 03:03

The NCO nodded and gestured with one hand for Black to follow him. As they walked he pointed out the two spider-holes with the small red flags an inch and a half off the ground to the front of the position, and then stood aside at the entrance to the camouflaged slit-trench system as three heavily laden Russkyans brought out all of their equipment in bulging packs and filled rucksacks.

"I will never understand officers. I try to give them a tour so they don't fall into our holes, they say later, but between now and then one of them is going to land on his groin when his boot goes through a unsupported space in the camouflage roof. Oh well."

He shifted the solidly constructed camouflaged door closer to the trench wall and stepped down into the green-tinted shadow, calling over his shoulder; "Watch your step, there is a drop."

Aequatio

16-11-2006, 03:20

Mendes and Black both followed the Russkyan to the slit trench, "It's not their fault, Aequatian officers prefer to maintain as much order as possible," Said Mendes.

"Maybe whe they don't have their heads up their asses," Added Black as they stepped down inside the trench, examining its construction, "Have all of your forces been observing from positions like this?"

Russkya

16-11-2006, 03:31

"Da, I know. But still, if one of them groins himself on the support beam like this, he'll care. Make sure that none of your NCOs or enlisted do that though, okay? I'd feel badly then. With an officer its just amusing."

He knelt, reaching inside a hole and ensuring that the antipersonnel mine similar to the M-18A1 Claymore had been removed now that friendlies were nearby.

"Normally we would have a mine here, to fuck up anyone coming in that we didn't want to come in. It operates off command detonation, or else we might accidentally set it off ourselves." He looked over his shoulder at Black. "Yes, on many hills like this we have two-section strong observation posts like this. They are all well camouflaged and connected via radio to headquarters. They have supplies for two or three weeks, in the event that they become cut off. They can simply hang tight in their positions."

The Senior Sergeant led them down the trench, past firing and observation positions, stopping at one of them where the tripod marks from a PKM equipped with its sustained fire mount showed in the packed dirt.

"Now, I'm not going to pretend to tell you how to do your job, but camouflage is all about the little details. Notice that here we have two layers of camouflage netting, we keep it very low to the ground, and all of the dirt we dug out during the night is packed into these sandbags, which add structural support. We have some sections that are deeper down with overhead cover; just under a half-metre of dirt will protect you from everything but a direct hit - that is, a one-fifty-five shell or a two-oh-three shell, landing directly ontop of you. It could land two meters away and not do more than concuss you under a half metre of dirt. As you can see, we dig in well. See this shroud? The gunner would camouflage himself, and get fire orders from the observation slit up the trench a little, but the shroud keeps him in trapped shadow like this, and he's far enough back from the aperture itself that you'd have to be close and looking right into it to notice it in the first place."

He led the Aequatians further down the trench before directing them into a small dugout designed for four people and their equipment. Four more Russkyans left, calling to the Sn.Sgt that he was the last in the position as they continued on up out of the trench.

"He says that we're the last ones here now. See the overhead cover on the trench? You can get light through it, but we have infrared suppressing net as the second layer, and as you can see, everything is well supplemented with natural foliage."

Aequatio

17-11-2006, 23:08

"We'll be sure to pass the world along for everyone to be careful," Said Mendes as she looked over the construction of the trench with Black in tow, "It's all so detailed, it seems to much for simply observing." The sergeant examined the netting as they took a rest within the dugout, "We have a similar material for absorbing infrared, we use it in both our own netting and in our uniforms."

Black paused at one of the firing ports and pulled the red dot sight off his MP45 and looked through it at the area outside, "You have an impressive field of fire here, I could do a lot of damage to a company from this spot," He said, replacing the sight on his weapon and following the Russkyan NCO.

On the hilltop, Lieutenant-Colonel Gold walked around to the different positions taken up on the hill, stopping at each small trench and performing inpromtu inspections and making sure his soldiers were equipped with enough ammunition and checked their firing positions, making sure they had the most effecient coverage with their heavy weapons. Elsewhere, a number of the first sergeants created a firing range to keep the troopers sharp on their marksmanship, allowing entire platoons to take part in exercises with weapons ranging from the P5 sidearm to the heavier M96 20mm chainguns, which could be dismounted from the M1180 armoured carriers and remounted onto tripods to provide a static position with increased firepower.

While the Aequatian cavalry regiment was taking up its positions around their area of operations, Major-General Henderson remained within her command centre, still monitoring and managing the movements made by her serving officers. With the way the officers were trained, there was little in the way of micromanagement from general officers when it comes to mobilization and maneuvering of forces. However, the bulk of the 5th Infantry, the three combat brigades, still remained within the central base, awaiting their orders to move into combat.

Russkya

17-11-2006, 23:25

Before a quartet of L-16ISC vehicles arrived to ferry off the Observation Post unit and Sgt. Ulyanik's patrol, one of the Russkyan machinegunners, PKM slung over a shoulder, expressed delight at the idea of dismounting the 20mm chainguns for use from a ground-based tripod system. Although not present at this position, the Russkyans were well trained in the employment of heavy machineguns; the heaviest being the FN BRG-15, discontinued by Fabrique Nationale but picked up by the RMSMC.

The Senior Sergeant, before leading Mendes and Black out of the Observation Post's slit trench network, mentioned; "The detail will save lives later. We've been told to leave this in place, so if you want to use it as quarters or an additional position, feel free to, now that you know your way around it."

A Lieutenant dismounted one of the Vixens and strode over the Sn/Sgt, greeting Mendes and Black as he did so.

"Sergeant, we'll be leaving patrolling on the far side of this hill to our new allies. The zone inbetween, and of course the rest of the sector, we'll continue patrolling in."

Then addressing Mendes and the Starshiy Serzhant; "We should set up a joint patrol to introduce your men to the lay of the land and get used to operating in patrol operations alongside Russkyan personnel. Do you have the authority to do that on your own, Sergeant, or am I going to have to talk to one of your officers, which'd probably be a good idea anyways."

Aequatio

18-11-2006, 00:55

Mendes nodded to the lieutenant's suggestion, "I agree, sir, it was also suggested by my platoon's commanding officer to bring it forward with your people. As for setting it up officially and preparing the necessary personnel, you'd probably have to speak with the squadron's XO, as he has authority over the recce teams." She then led them through the positions to the headquarters where the squadron's executive officer, a young major with an MP45 submachinegun sitting on the table next to her maps as she continued to look over them.

After speaking briefly with the MP guarding the entranceway, they were led in and introduced to the executive officer at her desk, "Major, the Russkyan officer wishes to speak with you on matters of joint patrols."

The major rose to her feet and walked through the wet grass towards the lieutenant, "Greetings, I am Major Valerie Lyander, executive officer for the first squadron, seventh cavalry regiment."

Russkya

18-11-2006, 01:11

"Major." The Lieutenant nodded his recognition and greetings. "I'd salute, but there is a risk of you being shot by a sniper afterwards, although we haven't run into any properly trained Estonavian snipers yet."

He looked out at a hill maybe eight hundred meters distant, coated in a thin straggle of trees, scarred with the pock-mocks of 81mm mortar fire.

"One of our sniper teams shot a Estonavian marksman on that hill about four days ago, at two in the morning. The mortar holes aren't because of us. We wanted to put a forward observer team there one day, but the Estonavians took exception to it after we wiped out their element on the hilltop to site the observers. Hence the mortar fire. But, joint patrols. I'm told to let you know that the area between our respective positions will be patrolled by Russkyan troops, but we'll no longer range over to the far side of this hill here. Of course, we'll keep up patrols on our side, so you needn't worry about being outflanked, ma'am.

It was suggested to me that we conduct a few joint patrols in the middle area to get used to how the other does things, thus reducing the chance of a friendly fire incident, but since it doesn't look like your troops aren't going to start shooting at noises in the forest, we shouldn't have many problems anyways. Still, better to be safe."

Aequatio

18-11-2006, 03:00

The major nodded in agreement, "That is a good idea, lieutenant, it is important that we avoid any fratricide incidents in this operation," She said as she sat back down at the table, "Teams of eight with four members from each respective force should do for the patrols. I have four teams, they can take turns with your people to learn the layout of the surrounding area, it may be best to run three patrols a day, once every eight hours, this can allow for two daylight and one night patrol each day," She explained as she continued with her work on her maps, "I will leave it to my teams to organize the personnel chosen on our side."

Russkya

18-11-2006, 03:12

"Sounds good to me, ma'am. On a related note, I have two communication specialists here, it would be a good idea to see if we can set up some method of linking radio networks. I also have a spare tactical display, it's a sort of scrolling digital map, rather useful, and some additional equipment that you may find useful for liasing with us. I'm fairly certain if you have any similar gear we can get it operational in the appropriate headquarters. I'd suggest we do that before we send out the first patrol, as well, Major."

Well behind the Lieutenant the L-16ISCs turned to head back towards the Russkyan forward position. Ten soldiers gathered around a small heater with a fairly large kettle on it, bought from a local villager for a twenty Russkyari bill, mugs at the ready with powdered kye mix filling the bottom of each mug. For where there was an opportunity to "brew up," let it be used as such.

Aequatio

18-11-2006, 03:29

"That would be good, it is best that we integrate our C2 gear as best we can," She said looking over at one of the Signals teams, "You three, speak with their comms specialist, see what you can do about connecting them in with ABICS."

The sergeant nodded, "Yes, ma'am," He walked over to the table, "Let's see what you have."

Russkya

18-11-2006, 03:49

The Lieutenant about-faced and whistled twice for the communications team to haul themselves and their equipment up to Major Lyander and her Signals team.

"Major, I'll be taking all of the Russkyans here except these two when I leave, which needs to be soon. When it's all sorted out, we'll test the system and then you can give us a call whenever you're ready to start the first joint patrol."

The PRR headset the Russkyan Officer wore spoke into his ear and he reached to his shoulder, clicking the transmit key down, then speaking. A moment later two of the four Vixen L-16ISCs left.

Aequatio

18-11-2006, 04:36

The major looked at her slender silver watch before looking back at the lieutenant, "I'd like to start the first patrol at around eighteen hundred hours, then we still have daylight left to work with, a second patrol at oh-two hundred and a morning patrol at ten hundred tomorrow. If the work proceeds well, we shall contact you at seventeen thirty hours," She said as she saluted the Russkyan officer.

Russkya

18-11-2006, 04:46

The Lieutenant grimaced and returned the salute with the snap and precision of the parade square for the sake of proper behaviour infront of the enlisted and noncommissioned men.

"Snipers, ma'am. But hopefully they're long gone by now. All the same, paranoia kept most of our officers alive.

And yes, seventeen-thirty sounds good, with a patrol at eighteen-hundred. Joint night patrol operations will also be interesting. I'll alert my platoon to be ready to conduct patrols at the specified times, ma'am. We'll be waiting for your call, and if we don't get anything by seventeen forty-five we'll send an ell-sixteen over. And now if you'll excuse me, I must be going."

Aequatio

18-11-2006, 04:58

Lyander nodded as the Russkyans left and she turned to the technicians as they worked with the communications equipment, "Make sure that they received the callsigns for our support units, including the AH-72 Vipers and all artillery units, rockets and guns." The sergeant's reply was a thumbs up sign without even looking up from the device he was working with, "Good," She said, turning to Mendes, "Sergeant, I want you to sort out the recce teams, make up schedules with the other sergeants so that we know who's going out when. Also, I'm implimenting a 'no-salute' order for the field, the Russkyans are correct about snipers and we would be wise to follow their lead."

"Yes, Ma'am, I will speak with the other team sergeants right away," Mendes said as she turned and directed Black towards the other reconnaissance teams, "I want Wilson's team out on the first one and Baker's on the second, we'll take the one in the morning.

Aequatio

19-11-2006, 23:09

Corporal Holden sat with the rest of his squad on and around their M4A2WSP Spartan armoured vehicle as they listened to the reports of the 7th Cavalry already deployed to their positions. The three mechanized brigades sat at the airport, still awaiting their orders to move, and many were beginning to become anxious as to whether they would be sent to fight at all.

Bomfy Memorial International Airport, Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime

The motorcade arrived at the airport's entrance and President Moltke, with his personal guards escorting him, were directed towards the waiting aircraft that would bring him to Russkya to take part in the talks with the other national leaders involved with the maintainance of the EFOR Mandate. Within thirty minutes, the aircraft was off the tarmac and set on its course towards Russkya, the president on board and preparing himself for the meeting.

Russkya

19-11-2006, 23:25

When the Aequatian President arrived at Berisak International, his aircraft would be directed to land on a secured strip where he would be greeted by an honour guard of MVD-ISF personnel in dress uniform. A small motorcade of three modified vehicles painted a gloss black waited at the end of the honour guard detatchment. RISS had provided a small detail from two of its Directorates, which was most likely unneeded for actual security concerns, but the Russkyans had inherited a measure of paranoia from their Soviet colleagues of decades past.

--

Captain Mikhailov and his Liason Staff managed to reach the Aequatian's primary base in good time, the Vixen pulling up alongside the HQ tent again, Mikahilov greeting Major General Henderson and requesting permission for the Liason Staff to begin setting up.

Estovakia

21-11-2006, 00:06

OOC: For those who were wondering...

I'll post as soon as I catch up with the posts and i get time. 4 pages have gone up since I last posted a full post it seems, which means a lot of reading for me. :)

Aequatio

21-11-2006, 04:34

OOC: Nice to have you back, Estovakia, not much has happened within the new pages other than some minor deployments of my forces.

Estovakia

23-11-2006, 05:14

OOC: I'm afraid I'm still reading the posts :(

Note for future reference:

The original purpose I had in mind for the RP was to use the term "peacekeep" as a a friendly and nice way of saying I'm annexing the hell out of the country. However, I quickly abandoned that angle the third post into this RP when i decided instead to make it an actual peacekeeping thread so as to make Rp allies for future events, as well as make an interactive history for upcoming events.

That means (if I'm making any sense) that yes, this RP isn't the "end-all" RP and the last you'll hear of the peninsula but rather a prelude to something bigger. As we all know Estonavia is a small nation with a rather small populace. There is only so many times you can kill, bring back to life, and kill them again until you've managed to kill a soldier ten times over. This RP has introduced background the background of the peninsula and the nature of thos involved, i.e. ethnic tensions, ancient rivalries, mannerisms, and different cultures, etc., and has increased the tension on the peninsuala (the first Estovakian intervention in another country since the government change, complete Estovanian mobilization and increase in military numbers, and major foreign intervention on the peninsula for the first time ever by you two have all created a volitile environment).

There is going to be another RP, escept unlike now where the RP is supposed to be an occupation, the next RP will have no pretensions. It will be a war RP. It won't just be limited to a peninsular war either but a continental war in a giant slugfest to see who keels over first. While I haven't been able to have been on as much as i would have liked the past few weeks, I have talked with RL friends who play NS and we will be creating a new thread sometime in the future. It'll involve all the major players in this RP plus a few others as the conflict expands from Estonavia to a whole continent.

It'll also be more challenging for you two (if you were to join that is, I'd understand if you didn't want to) since it won't just involve beating the crap out of a shitty army and ragtag guerillas. I feel bad that both of you are specific and realistic when it comes to RPs with military action and all you are doing in this RP are assaulting ragtag soldiers, which are basically nothing but uniformed civilians. There's no challenge and no way to flex your military muscle. It's a waste of talent. ;)

I'll let you know when more comes up and tell me what you think about this. So far the only thing keeping the next thread from beginning would be that one of my acquaintances is trying to organize his army.

Estovakia

23-11-2006, 05:18

OOC: Oh, and i will post soon. As soon as I figure out what. Where Russkya and I left off is considerably different from where Russkya and you (or if if you are Russkya and you are reading this, Aequatio and you) are currently.

Russkya

23-11-2006, 07:14

Estovakia

23-11-2006, 19:10

OOC: I'm rather enjoying this RP, it's interesting to explain to others how the Russkyan involvement has developed; I wasn't expecting Major Iltchenko to actually explain it himself either, that just kind of happened. As to a SITREP, Aequatio has landed in force, is established at his air-head, and has a Cav unit forward, just a few kilometres away from my forward base. As you recall, I have another base a few dozen kilometres back, between the forward one and the air-head I'm operating out of. The Aequatian President is enroute to our uh... meeting, which is currently on hold.
Besides the Aequatians being on the ground, and the two of us having some OOC plans regarding nailing the shit out of Karadjevo if it comes to that again, the Russkyan Battlegroup has been upscaled to a "Regiment" consisting of Brigaded-together independant units I had floating around and available, I don't believe I've posted a complete Order of Battle for them yet however.

As to the knock-down fight, well, I'd probably get involved in that once I finish reorganizing my units and developing some new and improved items of kit. Sounds like fun.

OOC1:

To explain the future RP, I'll have to explain a little more. First, I'd have to explain that the peninsula is just the southern area of a larger continent. So you'd just have to imagine for a second what I'm talking about since you haven't seen the whole continent.

To the north of Estovakia is Yugaria. North of Yugaria is one of my friends' nations "The Appalacians". Yugaria bulges into his country quite annoyingly. In the next RP, he's going to attack Yugaria to take over that bulge, then drive east to take over a small Estonavia-sized neutral nation, then continue to drive east some more to take over yet another neutral nation that controls a highly valuble Suez-like canal.

Estovakia will intervene in Yugaria to protect its bread-basket (as Yugaria supplies most of Estovakia's food) leaving the country mostly undefended, as most of the army is in Estonavia, Yugaria, or overseas protecting Pacific Estovakia, a large low-density continent that requires a large military presense to protect ther vast mineral mines and petroleum wells spread over thousands of kilometers. Worse yet, because of internal divisions within the populace, low funding of heathcare, education, and commerce and a high income tax, and complacency in the populace due to the false belief that Estovakia is completely safe, the government was forced to severely slash the defense budget leading to a drop in new recruits and stagnation and cancellation of new military projects.

Conversely, Estovakia's neighbors are increasing in military strength. 5% of Estovania's population (and perhaps even more), a maximum number for most during wartime and unheard of in peacetime, is being called up and armed for presumably no purpose. And Stovakistan's navy, the most modern in the region, is increasing in numbers, and holding naval excercises just in international waters nearby Estovakia's coastline. As you can see, the next RP will be a tad bigger and more complex.

Already, there would be two major theatres of war (up north and by Estovakia) encompassing four climates for warfare (arctic, temperate, alpine, and ocean/sea). If it goes in to include, say Pacific Estovakia itself, that would mean yet more theatres of war encompassing at least two more climates (desert and tropical/jungle) and would make the conflict global in scale.

OOC2: I just don't know if I should post nearby as Colonel Metzger/Lieutenant Diaz/Sergeant Alvarado or if I should continue with the meeting in Russkya right now. I would just like to point out the meeting in Russkya should be a small meeting as another one, the final one will be in Stavidad, Estovakia to dicate between all parties (including Estovania).

Aequatio

25-11-2006, 05:46

The entire squadron had finished preparing the hilltop position just as the sun began to go down over the horizon, the orange glow falling over the encampment, casting long shadows over the ground of armoured vehicles, soldiers and communications aerials. Major Lyander sat on top of the roof of the M1171 command vehicle as a pair of Ferret humvees approached the command post, a small group of Aequatian and Russkyan soldiers disembarked as they dragged along a young man, plastic flex-cuffs on his wrists and a blindfold over his eyes as the Aequatian reconnaissance sergeant addressed the officer as she jumped down from the vehicle, "Major, we've completed our patrol, a minor incident arose, but it was quickly solved," He said as the prisoner's clothes smelled of dried blood and sweat, "We counted them all, six dead with this one left alive, figured intel might want him."

The major nodded as she pointed to the other M1171 that sat in the command post, its rear-mounted tent set up with two MPs standing guard, the squadron's intelligence officer waiting eagerly inside. The sergeant and one of the Aequatians, a gunner armed with an MG66, escorted the prisoner inside the tent's doors as Lyander turned to the rest of them, "I want you all to go grab some chow," She turned to the Russkyans, "You may join them if you do not need to return to your own positions."

The Russkyan sergeant, a large man with green paint, broken up with weaving diagonal brown lines, across his face nodded, "Thank you, major, we shall return the favour to you at some point," He said as they left with the others.

Inside the tent, the prisoner sat on a small folding chair made of hard plastic and aluminium, his blindfold removed as the intelligence officer, a lieutenant-colonel, looked into the man's soul with his cobalt-blue eyes, the prisoner nearly jumped on the seat when the officer spoke abruptly, "Your family must be proud of you, I've been told that of the others you were with, you were the only one to survive."

"They know I fought against you Imperialist oppressors," He said quietly before looking up and raising his voice, "If I hadn't been wounded by your dogs, I'd have managed to kill one of them."

The intelligence officer looked at the sergeant and nodded as the soldier stepped up behind the prisoner and smashed the buttstock of his new G65A2 carbine into the back of his skull, causing him to slump forward. The colonel stepped forward and grabbed the man's hair, pulling his head up to face him, "Now then, how do you want to save yourself and your family tonight?"

The man looked confusingly at the officer, "What do you mean?"

The lieutenant-colonel smiled as he lit a cigarette, "Well, if you help us with our operations and help us root out the rest of the partisan forces throughout the area, we can be sure not to let anything happen to your village, such as an accidental air strike or artillery barrage."

The prisoner nodded, his head still being held by the colonel's gloved hand, "I will help, I only fought to protect my family."

The officer and the pair of soldiers smiled in unison as the prisoner began to point out places on the tactical map, a point of special importance was a house holding one of the prominant partisan leaders and a collection of communications equipment being used to coordinate the militia actions in the area. After they were finished, the prisoner was processed by the MPs and was taken away to a small detention camp which had been created at the main base operating out of the airbase with the rest of the division.

Estovakia

26-11-2006, 20:33

Unspecified Black Guard Complex, Inside Occupied-Estonavia

There was a knock at the door of Captain Pinzon's office.

"Come in."

A Black Guard Lieutenant walked into the incredibly dull office of Captain Pinzon, closing the door behind him. He glanced at the office. There were no decorations, no family pictures, no color. The office was painted a drab, rather dark cream, the ugly steel desk he used was totally bare, except for papers,a laptop, and his pistol holster, which he seldom wore because he rarely left to go anywhere dangerous, save the acidic, caustic environement that was the Estovakian Parliament. The chairs in the room, were uncomfortably straight and bare and it seemed like the Captain spared nothing to make his office a personal hell.

"Hail Estovakia," the Lieutenant said as he extended his right arm out in front of him, making his hand toa fist.

"Hail Estovakia," repeated the Captain, barely looking up from his military laptop.

The Lieutenant lowered his arm.

"Is this going to take a while, Lieutenant?"

The Lieutenant answered back. "No, but I think you might like to hear it."

"Be seated Lieutenant."

The Lieutenant sat down in the seat in front of Captain Pinzon's desk. Captain Pinzon, seemingly ignoring the Lieutenant, continued working on his laptop for another two or three minutes.

He finally closed his laptop and looked up at the Lieutenant.

"This better be good. You said you had something," he paused, "interesting?"

The Lieutenant nodded nervously. "I have something," he paused also, "interesting. I don't know what to make of it, sir."

The Lieutenant handed the Captain a small stack of papers.

The Captain began to glance through the pile while the Lieutenant narrarated.

"You see, sir, we have finally gone through all the communiques, audio messages, and other assorted messages from a few weeks ago. Nothing majorly out of the ordinary. As you know we have discovered short burst-transmissions from unknown transmitters in the past using an uncommon frequency and channel, something we have attributed to unknown Russkyan special forces or intelligence forces, as whomever was sending them operated close to known Russkyan patrols. Around the time of the Russkyan withdrawl following the successful capture of the Estonavian president, a substantial increase in these transmissions were sent."

The Captain continued to go through page after page while the Lieutnenat continued.

"It makes perfect sense that whomever sent them were indeed Russkyan, since they coincided with major Russkyan movements."

"Yes, we've established that a long time ago, Lieutenant," the Captain responded glumly.

"True, Captain. However, the increase in transmissions made a few of us want to investigate further. A few of the officers and I poured over HUMINT from agents and reports from Estovakian liason officers and found no trace of any covert Russkyan presense or operation, and found little motive for one should they have launched one. For the most part, they seem to be honest about their intentions."

The captain stopped through the papers when he found a paper thoroughly highlighted in light blue highlighter. The captain mumbled "What's this?" and poured all over the document.

The Lieutenant continued. "We were not able to decrypt the messages that the unknown transmitter sent but due to the frequency of the messages, chiefly on the last day of the withdrawl, we do have enough messages to determine the type of encryption."

The captain looked up intently. "Which is, Lieutenant?"

"I won't go into specifics, sir, but I will summarize. The encryption maybe Russkyan- there's always the possiblity. But my fellow officers and I are thoroughly convinced that it isn't a military-type encryption and isn't Estovanian, Estonavian, or Russkyan or Aequatian."

"Then who and what is it?"

"High level diplomatic encryption. Stovakistani, sir."

The Captain expression jumped from his usual apthetic, stolid look to utter surprise. "Explain."

"And due to the frequency of the transmissions, we have narrowed down where the source was transmitted. We determined that whomever it was with the Russkyan battlegroup or in Outer Karadjevo, and possibly trailing behind the Russkyan battlegroup, covertly relaying intelligence to Stovakistan."

The Captain's face, turned a shade of red. His breathing became heavier, and his stoic demeanor began to steadily change to man about to explode. "Can you verify what you said is true, Lieutenant?"

"We'll never be 100% positive, sir, but we've got pretty incriminating evidence."

The captain gritted his teeth. "Very interesting, Lieutenant. Anything else?"

"Well sir, standard operating procedure state that the matter be relayed up the wire to the Covert Branch of the Black Guard and to Army Intelligence. I do think Colonel Metzger will find this news most disturbing and this information should be immediately realyed to him at once. There may be a traitor in the Russkyan ranks or a stalker reporting on the Russkyans and some of our Estovakian elements."

"Or in our ranks," the Captain mumbled furiously.

"Excuse me, sir? Are you okay, sir? I could not hear what you said sir."

"Fine, I'm fine," he responded containing his anger.

"May I be excused, sir? I must report this information immediately."

"NO!" the captain barked. "You cannot, under any circumstances, relay this information."

"But sir-"

"This matter must be dealt with accordingly. I know you are concerned about Colonel Metzger. I will make Colonel Metzger aware of the situation, myself."

The Captain resumed his stoid manner. He glanced at his watch. "It looks like I have a meeting soon. A shame really, I didn't get to eat lunch. I shall bring this information up to the other, senior Black Guard officers. They will deal with the matter. Don't worry yourself and resume your normal duties."

The Captain rather hurriedly packed up his things, organized his papers and rushed to get out of the room, failing to dismiss the Lieutenant and take him out of the office with him. The Captain shut off the lights to his office and left the Lieutenant in the room.

The Lieutenant sat for a second, realized the Captain had no intention of coming back, and took it upon himself to dismiss himself. He got up, noted the ugly desk again, and noted something else. The Captain had left everything on the desk: his laptop, his papers, and his pistol holster.

Except for one thing.

The Captain's pistol was gone.

Aequatio

27-11-2006, 02:02

Lieutenant-Colonel Gold and Major Lyander sat in the rear compartment of their M1171 vehicle as they looked over reports from the patrols being performed when the intelligence officer entered, "Colonel, major, I have something here that requires your attention."

Gold turned in his seat, "What have you got for us?" He asked, taking the paper from the officer.

"It's a high-priority target, something that will make our jobs a lot easier out here," He began to explain, "It appears a higher up in the partisan ranks operates his actions from a nearby village, with the use of some fairly advance communications equipment."

Lyander looked over the location on the map and a few photographs provided by a flyover by one of the division's reconnaissance drones, "We know the location, but because you're here, it means you want this done quietly. Otherwise you'd already be on the horn with the Flyboys to knock this house down."

The intelligence officer nodded, "Yes, I'd like your recce elements to take care of this, a joint mission with the Russkyans, go in, take this man out and destroy his radios."

The major turned to Gold, "Don't worry, sir, I'll place my best people on this," She said turning back to the other lieutenant-colonel, "How long do we have?"

"From what the prisoner told us, he stays in the house all the time, although leaves periodically to visit his lieutenants. I'd like him taken out at night, since it would be the easiest time for our people to do it."

Lyander nodded and saluted both colonels as she was dismissed. Immediately exiting the tent, she moved towards the collection of reconnaissance vehicles and approached Mendes, "Sergeant, I have a job for you and your people." She proceeded to explain the objectives and the time limit placed on them by intelligence, "I know it can be done and we want this to be done jointly, since we still don't know the area fully. What do you need?"

The sergeant paused for a moment to think, "I'll go, along with March with the twenty and Black with his rifle. As for the Russkyans, I'd suggest Sergeant Ulyanik, from number two battalion, VDV, and his best people, no more than eight people total."

The major nodded, "All right, I'll be coming as the commanding officer then, along with four of the Russkyans. I'll get them on the horn then and have them over here." Lyander left the reconnaissance troopers and returned to the signals team as she contacted the Russkyan commander and proceeded to inform them that Sergeant Ulyanik and his three best soldiers were required for a joint mission and that it would be explained to them on their arrival at the hilltop base.

Russkya

27-11-2006, 04:58

Sergeant Ulyanik stepped through the tent door and walked past two communications technicians with a Signals NCO kneeling beside them as they wrestled with the electronic innards of the battlegroup's Data-Link array. He snapped to attention inside the command 'room' of the tent, one of the Operations Officers, a Starshiy Leutenant, waving him down to a more relaxed stance. Major Iltchenko's left hand held a thin sheaf of papers which he laid on the edge of the large map table.

"That was fast, Sergeant. How's it going for us out there?"

Iltchenko referred to the impromptu competition between eight Platoon Designated Marksmen, four of them from the Black Glengarry Brigade that had been assigned to the Battlegroup. Two more cracks from SVD-K rifles sounded, and a cheer.

"It was going well when I left, sir. We were ahead by a point, but that might've evened up now."
"All-right. Is your platoon's marksman involved?"
"No sir. Last I saw he was trying to get some sleep."
"That's good, Sergeant. What do you think of the Aequatians?"

Ulyanik stood quietly and noticed his After Action Report sitting on the top of the sheaf of papers his Commanding Officer had presumably finished reading before he arrived. He indicated the stapled sheets that constituted his AAR.

"As I said sir, they seem to be professional soldiers. It is a good thing as many of us speak at least a little English as we do, or we'd be screwed. They're good troops, not as good as us in the forest, but competant."
"Good. You worked with one of their reconnaissance sections?"
"Operated alongside Sergeant Mendes and her section briefly, sir."
"Her?"
"Yes sir. They seem to have a number of women in their combat arms elements. All of them seem fit, though they're not as big as the Kilrany women."

A Captain gave a small cheer, causing every head in the room to swivel in his direction. Embarrassed, he coughed once and turned back to the Systems Interoperability Manual he had laid out on a desk next to him. Ulyanik looked back to his C/O.

"Yes sir, I would concur with the Captain."

Iltchenko regarded his subordinate with a quizzical expression and eventually shook his head, sighed, and spread his empty hands in the wordless, quasi-Gallic Russkyan expression.

"I obviously need to get out of the CP more. Glad you're comfortable with the Aequatians, Sergeant, because you've been requested for some sort of quiet joint mission. It's you and your three best, but I want you to take along the designated marksman from your platoon and a man from the recce platoon. The last man I'll leave up to you. Go see if you can scrounge any equipment you think you may need, keep in mind it's probably going to involve some measure of stalking, so if you're having any trouble getting what you need, direct them my way. You'll be ferried over by a Vixen when you're ready. Questions?"
"Nothing in particular, sir."
"Good man. Dismissed, Sergeant."
"Sir!"

Ulyanik about-faced and left the tent, gathering his element and their equipment together. Major Iltchenko looked down at a dispatch sheet handed to him by recently unshaven communications tech. It read:

BE ADVISED: 1 O-E REGIMENT LEADING ELEMENTS INC. SIGNAL SQN ARRIV ESTIMATE 08.45 LOCAL TIME TMRW. RMDNR UNIT ARRIV OVER WEEK. NEW C/O PRESENT. POLITBURO & HIGH COMMAND SEND BEST REGARDS ON JOB WELL DONE. MSG ENDS.

The Major understood the content of the message well enough. The Russkyan Battlegroup would cease to be a Battlegroup and would become a Brigaded Regiment, and with that change, his position as Battlegroup Commander would be removed. Iltchenko chewed on the inside of his left cheek as he wondered how best to explain this recent development to the soldiers under his command.

OOC: Starshiy Leutenant would be a "Senior Lieutenant," which I find to be a rather useful filler rank between LT and Captain. Estovakia: Excellent post, I will think of a way to respond to that when I have more spare time, and perhaps figure out an IC way of knowing what you know.

Estovakia

27-11-2006, 17:29

Captain Pinzon's M151 bounced up and down on the rough dirt road. He was making good time, considering the conditions of many of Estonavia's rural roads. He continued at his normal pace, the jeep bobbing up and down and kicking up thick wads of mud. Not too far ahead he saw a roadblock. He slowed down and pulled up carefully to the roadblock, which consisted of a three Estovakian Military Policemen, two being riflemen and one being a machinegunner. The highest ranking MP made his way to the driver's side.

"Sir!" the MP offered a crisp salute. The captain turned in his seat and offered one back.

The MP went through the normal procedures. "May I see your credentials?"

The Captain pulled out his military photo ID. The MP took a cursory glance and handed the ID back.

"Have a nice day, sir."

The MP began to walk away. Pinzon called to the MP. "Do you know the best way to the Russkyan Headquarters? I need to get there ASAP."

The MP paused and began to think. "Straight ahead for a ways until you reach the next Estovakian checkpoint which will be at an intersection. Make a left at that intersection, continue down the road, and you should get you to a Russkyan checkpoint soon enough. It might be slow going though. POW traffic. Apparently we've captured a few hundred surrendered Estonavians. It doesn't look like they had the stomach to fight anymore. Of course, from what I hear, their stomachs are so shriveled from lack of food that who could blame them, right?" The MP smiled weakly.

The Captain smiled weakly also, but only to prevent the MP from feeling embarrassed. "Thank you Corporal."

The MP walked away and Pinzon continued on his way. 2 kilometers down the road ahead Pinzon saw a single, long black line ahead of him. Approaching closer, he noticed that the line consisted of hundreds of disheveled-looking men marching single file along the side of the road, their feet trudging in the muddy puddles, their faces worn and tired. As Pinzon got closer, Estovakian MPs herded the men, Estonavian POWs, closer and closer to the side of the road. Most had the gymnastiorka unforms, but the occasional few had the DPM camoflauge of the Estonavian paratroopers. Behind the file of troops, trucks and ambulances carrying soldiers too weak or injured to move on their own power continued at a crawl.

Pinzons continued past the soldiers. He arrived not much later at the second Estovakian checkpoint.

There were three MPs here as well, two riflemen and one grenadier. The grenadier, the ranking MP, approached the driver side.

"Good day, sir," the MP saluted hastily. "May I see your credentials?"

The Captain got out his military ID again and handed it to the MP.

The MP gave a quick glance and handed the ID back. "You may proceed."

"If I were to make a left here I would be heading toward the Russkyan HQ, correct?" The Captain asked.

"Correct sir, but I'd suggest getting an escort of some sort before proceeding. I notice you are traveling alone."

"I've determined it is safe enough, soldier. There hasn't been any guerilla attacks in the area in quite some time now. The Russkyan apparently have dealt with the situation adequately. There hasn't been a single Estovakian fatalitiy in this area in months." the Captain responded.

"It's safe alright. If you aren't Russkyan," one of the MP riflemen interjected, overhearing the conversation.

The Captain's eyes narrowed. The MP's smirk vanished. "What do you mean by that, soldier?"

The MP rifleman responded nervously. "Well some of the guys and I when we have leave we hang out at the local tavern and chat with the local girls. I'm not gonna lie, they're drop-dead gorgeous here. When we chat and the alcohol flows, they loosen up a little bit, y'know? We always hope we're gonna get laid, which never happens, but when we buy them a few drinks they start ranting about the Russkyans. They start bitching about how the Russkyans are monsters, that they give no quarter in battle, they shell innocent civilians, they're a bunch of angry drunks, they terrorize the population into complacency, yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah!"

The second MP riflemen interupted. "And we nod our heads and agree with them because we wanna get in their underwear. And they go on and on and on. 'My friend's cousin was hung by his shoelaces from a tree' or 'my great uncle was urinated on by a Russkyan general' or 'my sister said she heard from a friend that her friends' mother was kidnapped by Russkyans and is forced to work in a toy factory' or 'a Russkyan Sergeant kicked my dog' or 'I heard that the Russkyan premier said that all the Estonavian should die.'"

"Don't forget 'The Russkyans make necklaces out of people's ears,'" the first MP riflemen said in an effeminate voice.

"Right, right, right," the second MP rifleman said. "Somebody's been watching too many Vietnam war movies!"

The two MPs began laughing to themselves. The MP grenadier put his hands on his forehead and walked around and around in circles, for he knew the more the other MPs talked, the more trouble they were going to get into.

The second MP rifleman continued, oblivious to the MP grenadier's embarrassment and Captain Pinzon's growing anger. "And that the only reason why the Aequatians, they say, are here is to prevent the Russkyans from killing us all."

The other rifleman continued. "Unfortunately, they get so worked up that they don't wanna have sex, 'cause they're so angry."

"I heard angry sex is the best sex," the second rifleman retorted.

"I heard anal isn't too bad."

"Anal? Really?"

The Captain groped for his pistol and checked to see if it was loaded. He seriously contemplated putting a bullet into them, or himself. He looked at the grenadier and while the grenadier said nothing, he pleaded, begged with his eyes to be shot by Pinzon so that he can be heavenly embraced and taken to a place, anywhere, where he no longer had to be responsible for such people.

"Ahem!" Captain Pinzon was visibly annoyed. "When you're done with your conversations, soldiers!"

The two riflemen MPs instantly straghtened, their faces whitening from terror.

"When you go into taverns and get people drunk they start spouting all types of crap because their drunk! If you both feel the need next time to go on repeating verbatim every single word you hear from the drunks and the village idiots, prepared to have your asses kicked and your faces shoved in. By me!"

The Captain looked at the grenadier who hesitantly and slowly gave the Captain's photo ID back.

The Captain began to speak, got locked up, tried to speak again, and found his words foundering in his mouth. He began to try to speak again, but thought the better of it, and in trying to get away from his aggravasion, sped off as quickly as he could, kicking up mud onto the uniforms of the two riflemen as he drove away toward the Russkyan HQ.

Russkya

27-11-2006, 18:04

As the Battlegroup did not contain a Military Police unit, infrequent checkpoints and the frequent patrols were conducted by troops not currently 'on the line.' One of these units manned a Section Checkpoint, consisting of an L-16ISC, eight troops, four dozen sandbags, and two dozen square metres of camouflage netting. As fate would have it, the Mlyadshi Serzhant commanding this checkpoint had earlier kicked an Estonavian dog. Nevermind that it had been a large Doberman, snarling and attempting to bite his Platoon Commander, meaning it had been lucky not to have been shot repeatedly.

The PKM machinegun's muzzle traced towards the approaching M151 'jeep,' the gunner's finger well clear of the trigger guard, however, as the Russkyans recognized the Estovakian markings. A man with his AKS-74M held by its pistol grip in his right hand raised his left arm and flagged down the approaching vehicle, stepping up to the driver's side. Half of the section watched the vehicle and road, and the other half scanned the small copse of trees they were situated in.

Aequatio

27-11-2006, 23:04

Major Lyander and Sergeant Mendes sat in the small assembly area that was contained within the encircled M1184 armoured vehicles as they prepared their personal gear alongside Black and March, who would be joining them in the coming mission. Fisher sat relaxed, his back against one of the large wheels of the vehicle, wearing only an undershirt and his fatigues, revealing the tattoo on his shoulder of a woman's outline in black with the red hourglass symbol seen on the body of a Black Widow spider, he looked over at Black from underneath the brim of his boonie hat, "Lucky man, you're going out into the field, at night, with three women."

Black sighed as he set his SSG30 rifle down on the ground, its bipod keeping the muzzle perched above the grass, as he turned to the twenty year-old machinegunner, "You do remember I have a wife at home, pregnant with my new son?"

Fisher grinned, "That doesn't mean you can't hit it on the side."

The sniper cracked a smile as he said jokingly, "Don't worry, when you hit puberty, you'll get a woman someday."

"That's cold," March commented as she finished cleaning the lenses of her scope and attached it to the rail atop her massive SSG20 rifle.

"Yeah, whatever," Fisher replied as he pulled the hat over his face and lounged in his spot to the laughter of the team, his weapon propped up against the vehicle's hull.

Mendes had paid no attention to the jokes as she examined her gear, she slipped on the body armour vest constructed from layers of Neoprene material sandwiched with Glycidyl Azide Polymer, or GAP as the tankers called it, which created a robust personal armour, especially with the addition of the Boron carbide ceramic inserts, which were more than capable of defeating enemy rounds. Her webbing belt and tactical vest followed shortly as she adjusted it to fit her upper body and filled the pockets and attached pouches with the necessary equipment and ammunition, magazines for her re-worked G65A2 carbine, fragmentation and smoke grenades, her bayonet, field dressings, tactical maps copied from the ones provided to Major Lyander, a set of binoculars and her thermal viewer goggles, should the moon's light be covered by clouds. The others were nearly ready when the major stood and waited for the arrival of the Russkyan soldiers.

Russkya

28-11-2006, 00:06

"These Vixens are like God, but real."
"Nietzsche won?"
"Nietzsche won."

The L-16ISC driver faintly smiled at the old inside joke belonging to Kampfgruppes White and Blue, who had conducted the earlier fighting withdrawl from Karadjevo. Comfortably seated, the systems available to the crew ensured a highly "fightable" vehicle, at all times of day in practically every weather condition. The commander leaned to one side of the turret, calling down to and recieving directions from a nearby Aequatian, and then guiding the driver towards Major Lyander and the accompanying troops.

In the back, four VDV troops rode with more gear than they could carry. Since they hadn't been given a general idea of what their operation was, an assortment of gear had been brought to be used as needed. Included in this stash were four complete Leshiji camouflage suits. Not quite as effective as a properly constructed ghillie suit, but still brutally effective, especially when natural foliage was added to the provided-for-the-purpose olive drab elastic and netting.

Smoothly, the Vixen halted beside the M-1184s, dropped the rear hatch, and the four Desantnikii disembarked, Ulyanik greeting Major Lyander and then Sergeant Mendes, the Reconnaissance specialist kneeling quietly beside the Platoon Designated Marksman, whose SVD-K rifle was held in his left hand by the forestock, stock resting on the ground, eyes fixed on the large antimaterial rifle. The Marksman smiled a greeting, in rather accented English asking; "What is calibre of this rifle? Has to be at least fifteen point five, no?"

Aequatio

28-11-2006, 01:29

March looked up at her Russkyan counterpart and smiled, "He's twenty actually, same round used in that chaingun up on the vehicle," she said pointing to the M96 chaingun mounted in the remote station on the M1184. She offered a handshake to the marksman, "Specialist Debra March."

Lyander and Mendes greeted Ulyanik, although the major was right to business, "Welcome, sergeant, you must be good if you were recommended by Mendes here," She paused as she produced the reconnaissance drone photographs, "This is the house our target is sitting inside. Intel wants him to get dead as soon as possible, so we'll be leaving immediately and I'll explain en route," The major then handed the sergeant a small map, "This is for your vehicle commander and driver, as they'll need to know where we're going as well."

Mendes turned to her team members and the Russkyans, "All right, let's mount up!"

Russkya

28-11-2006, 01:43

"It is nice to meet you, Miss March. I am Senior Corporal Sergei Kalinov. That is a very impressive rifle; we will see how it shoots, yes?" Kalinov smiled back, recalling the last time he'd seen an antimaterial rifle in use, which had been 12.7x108mm. Undoubtedly the 20mm round fired by this beast would result in a much more spectacular end to the target.

Sergeant Ulyanik accepted the map and photographs from the Major and looked down at them, pulling a map from one of his cargo pockets and comparing them briefly.

"Yes, I know this village. The Company I am part of secured it prior to the dagger-thrust into Karadjevo," he paused, then continued. "Ma'am, I need to unload some equipment from our vehicle here, and if you do not mind, there is a Recce Vixen at the bottom of the hill to escort us, though it probably isn't required. I guess we'll need to be stealthy here. If you give me five minutes, we can fully equip ourselves, repack the gear we're not using, there shouldn't be much of it in that case, and then get going. Apologies for the delay."

Aequatio

28-11-2006, 01:53

The major shook her head, "It's no problem, sergeant, it's good to see that you'll have knowledge of the area. I agree on that stealth will be of the utmost importance in this mission, it would simply take to long to march it the entire way, I was hoping to have your vehicle take us to about three klicks from the village, infil into our position and complete the objectives and exfil out to a rendezvous point with one of the fourth brigade's Shadowcats."

March smiled back, "It's nice to meet you too, Mister Kalinov," She rose to her feet at the sound of Mendes' order and slung the large weapon over her shoulder, "I've been told I'm coming along on this mission to specifically use this weapon against a materiel target."

Black followed suit to March's movements, his SSG30 rifle was housed within a custom case made from extra material from the Aequatian Digital Woodland Pattern uniform, his MP45 replaced with a larger G28 rifle, its magazines sitting in an extra row of pouches along his webbing belt.

OOC: "Shadowcat" refers to the MH-20 Shadowcat Multi-Mission Medium Utility (M3U) Helicopter.

Russkya

28-11-2006, 02:25

The Russkyan Sergeant nodded and stripped off his assault vest, ballistic protection, and battledress jacket, retrieving the complete Leshiji uniforms from the Vixen and handing them out amongst his unit, who similarily disrobed and pulled the loosely fitting uniforms on, re-fastening their ballistic vests over their long-sleeved Telnyashka striped undershirts and pulling the jackets on over that. In short order, most of the soldiers were already well camouflaged, and tucking spare equipment and magazines into specially provided pockets built into the uniform for just such a purpose, as web gear would bring the uniform closer to the body and thus reduce the effectiveness of its ability to break up the human outline.

Hefting their weapons, each Russkyan nodded in turn to Sergeant Ulyanik. Before they boarded the L-16ISC, he indicated each man in his new four-man unit.

"I am Sergeant Ulyanik, my English is fluent if somewhat accented. That is Senior Corporal Kalinov, he is a platoon marksman, his English is good so long as we don't talk about Shakespeare. That is Corporal Roman Kulikov, he is from the Reconnaissance unit. He doesn't talk much but his English is also fluent. Finally, but not least, the obscene-minded Private Viktor Parinen. He'll understand prettymuch anything so long as it involves some kind of depravity or alchohol. Or an order to kill things. He's good with those too, almost as good with that as he is with the GP-Thirty," Ulyanik turned and handed the map up to the L-16's commander, before turning back. "So, Major, shall we go?"

Aequatio

29-11-2006, 23:29

Lyander nodded as the Aequatian soldiers walked over to the vehicle behind her, "You have a good crew, sergeant, I'm sure things will go smoothly," She said boarding the L-16 light armoured vehicle. Mendes followed wearing 'light' gear and a collection of local flora situated around the tension band around her helmet while her face was covered in a myriad of camoflague paint colours, her G65A2 hanging from its sling over her shoulder as the snipers March and Black followed, wearing their custom-made ghillie suits, March's followed a rather simple design, one of the standard issue rain ponchos hand-painted with natural, woodland colours, strips of Aequatian Digital Woodland Pattern uniform and local flora attached in patches to break up her small form. Black's suit was much more intricate, after making several back alley deals and promises to the aviation brigade's forward support battalion clerks and supply sergeants, he had obtained a flight suit for an AH-72 Viper attack helicopter pilot and used it in the construction of h is suit, adding the strips of the ADWPAT uniform and parts of a number of pieces from different hunting camoflague outfits avalable on the civilian market, along with a number of pieces from the local foliage. His rifle resting in its pouch on his back while he carried his G28 rifle from the stock, the standard M80A red dot sight replaced with a small 4-times power hunting scope.

With the team's elements aboard, the vehicle pulled out of the squadron's hilltop position and towards the mission's target. The major began to outline the mission as the vehicle travelled, "We'll be driving to within eight kilometres of the village to a disembarking point, where the team will continue on foot. Our primary target will be the local militia leader with the second primary target being his communication's equipment being used to organize his troop's actions against allied EFOR personnel. I want both Specialist Black and Corporal Kalinov to work together in eliminating the leader while Specialist March locates the radios and destroys them along with any vehicles that could be used to track our movements after we exfiltrate out to the extraction zone, where a pair of the aviation brigade's MH-20 Shadowcats will be waiting to pick us up and return us to the Hill 115 position. One bird will land while the other acts as a gunship to protect the extraction, although it shouldn't be necessary, there will also be a medivac procedure in place, a utility Shadowcat and a UH-20Q along with two of the fourth brigade's Vipers as escorts will land to pull us out of the area should things go south."

OOC: "Vipers" refer to the AH-72 attack helicopter.

Russkya

30-11-2006, 00:29

Through the image of his night optical device, the commander of the L-16CRV saw the L-16ISC's commander wave his right arm forward. The Recce Vixen rolled out, the Carrier following behind. Turned out of their hatches, heads scanned from left to right and back again, hoping not to find anything - and hoping to see it in adaquete time if something was there. It would be at least twenty minutes before the L-16s, making good speed, reached the disembarkation point marked on the distributed maps.

In the back of the Infantry Section Carrier, the Russkyans concealed their features as they remembered from long fieldcraft exercises at NORDLAND. A basic coat, in this case a green. Over this, brown streaks, lines, blotches. Finally, the finishing touches, including a light spot of grey, often applied on the jawbone and running underneath the chin. This would help solve the problem of the eyes. Kulikov and Kalinov finished applying their greasestick easily and quickly, then quickly checked each other for gaps in coverage. Ulyanik turned to Parinen, noted the unpainted spot on the side of Parinen's neck, and fixed the problem himself. Parinen jerked his head towards Specialist March and her massive rifle, stating; "I'd really much rather have her do that." Ulyanik rolled his eyes and turned to Major Lyander, indicating a man-portable medium range radio secured to the forward bulkhead.

"Additional support, ma'am? I'm guessing that if everything goes to Hell we can rely on these Vipers to help pull our asses out of the fire, but do you have any artillery arranged? If not, it would be a simple matter for me to request Grozom fire, one battery is standing by, tasked to us, if we need it."

The Reconnaissance soldier at the back of the Vixen's troop compartment, nearest the rear ramp, pulled his fighting knife from its sheath, produced a sharpening stone from one of his cargo pockets, and began running it over the blade again, though it was already razor-edged. Sitting beside him, Kalinov shifted slightly, then leant forward, addressing March and Black.

"Why the difference in your ghillies? I can see that it is not a issue item that is easily personally modified, such as our Leshiji uniforms," he said, as he tapped his closed left fist against his chest, "it looks like a different take on what our snipers usually do. But you're at the section level, rather than platoon or company? How many squads are outfitted with snipers like you two? I ask, because either you have tremendous training resources available, or your training is not quite as in-depth as mine, let alone a Russkyan sniper's, is."

Aequatio

30-11-2006, 01:16

The major nodded, "It's a yes and no matter, sergeant, intel wants us to keep things quiet for this mission, although regiment has agreed to provide fire support from the one-twenty millimetre heavy mortars should we need it, callsign 'Hammer' over the radio. For the medivac, we'll be going through squadron command, so it'll be Gray Wolf Six for callsign."

Black, enamoured with his novel once again, failed to hear the conversation as March responded, "We're part of four reconnaissance teams attached to our squadron command, each team has a sniper with the bolt-action SSG30 along with an anti-materiel gunner, like myself. The cavalry's organization is different than that of the mech or airborne battalions, since our regiment is a divisional recce outfit, we have a lot more snipers at lower levels in the organization. Our training is the same as any other sniper at the higher levels, those that don't make it in our programme go to testing to become designated marksmen in the infantry."

At this point, Black had set his book aside and decided to join the discussion, "As for our ghillies, snipers are allowed to create their own suits, whereas marksmen are issued with a standard camoflague outfit that they can customize of their own accord. But like Debra mentioned, we're cav troopers, we're special compared to the dogfaces in the leg regiments."

Estovakia

30-11-2006, 01:46

Russkyan Checkpoint

Captain Pinzon pulled up to the Russkyan checkpoint carefully, half expected from the absurd conversation before that the Russkyans would be sporting new ear-necklaces from the bodies of fallen enemies.

Captain Pinzon readied his military ID as the jeep slowed to a halt.

He brandished his ID for the approaching Russkyan soldier.

"I am Captain Pinzon of the Estovakian Black Guard. I need to meet with the Major urgently. I have some questions I must ask him."

Unnamed Estovakian Foward Operating Base

Colonel Metzger finished sifting through military intelligence briefings. He had some urgent news to give to the allies.

From: Colonel Metzger
To: Lieutenant General Weiss and our allies

Radio intercepts, satellite imagery, and HUMIT has revealed interesting news.

The Estonavian position in Karadjevo is fully untenable. Sources of have confirmed that Estonavian General Igor Ramanisky has called for a full evacuation from Karadjevo and plans to move SE towards Cistowes and hopefully for a breakout.

This leaves Karadjevo relatively open. A push en masse may be needed to take a large portions of Karadjevo before the Estovanians do the same. Already, Estovanian-supported militias have filled in vacuums left by the retreating Estonavians. They should be much easier to dispatch than the Estonavian army was in previous attacks on the captial due to the militia's non-existant organization and chronically low morale. The major issue here is that any land currently unoccupied by Estovania in Karadjevo needs to be taken over as possible to prevent it from falling in their hands, and a starved populace that is by now extremely desparate for food and may do whatever it takes to get food.

The retreat from Karadjevo also leaves its smaller sister city Gromadin isolated. While it is still garrisoned by approx 50,000 troops the populace and soldiers are under cruel and deplorable conditions, being virtually living scarecrows. The army is now an armed mob, stealing food by force from the population, leaving the civilian population to die from starvation. It should be noted that conditions have been so bad that reports of cannibalism are starting to surface from among the civilians. The army probably has no stomach to fight and should surrender in mass after light fighting, obviously has no supplies left other than bullets, but has not surrendered yet, probably due to the Estonavian commander of Gromadin's stubborness. It is rumored he is a chronic alcoholic and is quite content to drink all day into a near comatose status, while his army pillages out of control from children. Karadjevo maybe important, but if something is not done sooni Gromadin, the mass starvation will continue and thousands will die.

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

Additionally, Colonel Metzger wrote a brief message for the Major.

From: Colonel Metzger
To: Major Iltchenko

If you have time I need to speak with you privately.

Russkya

30-11-2006, 01:55

"Yes, ma'am. I figure that if they wanted us to actually use the artillery, they simply would have gone out and shelled it, and let me sleep in. But no, that'd be too easy."

The Sergeant flipped his OD-Green covered notepad open and wrote down the appropriate callsigns and what those callsigns were for. He swore quietly as the pencil caught on the net of the leshiji as he restowed the pad, to him the suit was unfamiliar, though Kalinov and Kulikov looked comfortable enough in them. Kalinov was nodding his understanding, one hand wrapped around the forestock of his SVD-K rifle.

"Makes sense, a good system. Comrade Black, by special, I guess you don't mean special as in riding the short bus special. I always feel odd sitting in these things, at least in a helicopter you need something more than a barely guided RPG, usually, to kill us all."

Kulikov re-stowed his knife and sharpening stone while Parinen observed in Russkyan that a half-half ratio of males to females would be better. Kulikov, still leaning back against the bulkhead of the L-16ISC quietly spoke, eyes still closed, and perhaps only loudly enough for Black, Kalinov, and March to hear. "He says that it'd be better with four women and four men, that he doesn't go in for this gangbang shit. At least the Sergeant warned us that he was a vulgar bastard, no? He's probably good hand, just not used to working with women. And Black, when we get back, remind me to lend you one of my books, you may like it."

--

At the checkpoint, the soldier checked Pinzon's ID and pointed up the road.

"Another kilometre, then hard right, and you'll be within sight of the wire, sir."

The soldier stepped back and waved the Black Guard man through before returning to his duties. At the base, Major Iltchenko wrote a quick reply to Colonel Metzger's message and had it sent immediately.

To: Colonel Metzger
From: Major Iltchenko
//
Of course, Polkovnik, you are always welcome here. You've been a tremendous help - if you need it, I can dispatch one of the Echo-Flight Mi-24s to pick you up quickly, unless you want to make your own way here.
Regards,
- Iltchenko

OOC: "Echo Flight" would consist of the six Mi-24Ds that Estovakia lent me earlier.

Estovakia

01-12-2006, 01:29

Western Karadjevo

Estovakian Army forces began to move immediately. SA 330s loaded with troops began to take off, heading for bridgeheads, police stations, and government buildings. M113s began heading into the city. A few citizens cheered and waved. More stood quietly. Most hid inside, as the arrival of Estovakian troops last time meant open combat.

Russkyan Checkpoint

"Thank you, soldier."

Pinzon returned his ID to its proper place. He continued past the guards. He slowed his speed down as compared to the roads earlier, for he didn't want to surprise anyone accidentally with a random jeep bouncing about. He followed the guard's direction. A full kilometer, then a hard right. He turned the jeep 90 degrees and sure enough noticed the wire in front of him, only a very short drive away. He pressed on the gas and slowly made his way there, as he got out his military ID to show it to the guards.

His jeep slowed and inched toward the Russkyan guards and leaned out his head.

"I am Captain Pinzon of the Estovakian Black Guard. I'm here to see Major Iltchenko, though he doesn't know who I am or that I was coming, unless the checkpoint I passed radioed ahead, and even then they don't know why I'm here. Regardless and nevertheless, it is imperative I meet with major Iltchenko at once!"

Russkya

01-12-2006, 02:20

The guards hauled the barricade out of the way, the man on the emplaced BRG-15 HMG swung the barrel up and away from the M-151, the commanding sentry nodded his head and gestured up the road.

"We got a call, but that's it. The Command Tent currently has an antitank vehicle parked infront of it and the entryway should be roped up so you can see inside. Otherwise it's gonna look like any other tent. If you get lost, ask any soldier, he'll know where. Hurry on, sir!"

Inside the tent, the operations staff were all having simultaneous apoplexies at the need to move into Karadjevo quickly. A quick message had been sent to the Cavalry on Hill 115 and another message shot quickly to Captain Mikhailov and his liason team. While Mikhailov relayed that message to General Henderson, though she probably already knew of it, quick communications were exchanged between the Black Glengarry Brigade (Currently No. 2 Brigade of the 1 O-E Regiment) inquiring as to their status on refits, reinforcements, and the preparedness for an operation. Only two companies were currently fully ready, and these units rolled out on the road towards Karadjevo to support their Estovakian allies at the best possible speed - given that they were mechanized with the L-16ISC and variants thereof, that was a rather fast clip.

At the airfield, a substantial number of Russkyan Heavy-Lift aircraft were lifting back into the sky on their return journey. They had deposited the Signals Squadron, the Reconnaissance Squadron, the Field Ambulance unit, a towed artillery company, and half of No. 1 Squadron, a quarter of the Mi-24P/Rs that would provide airlift and CAS support for the 1st O-E Regiment.

Estovakia

05-12-2006, 00:50

Russkya

05-12-2006, 18:14

Unfortunately, the 1 O-E Regiment had yet to be provided with a complement of Military Police for security duties such as these, meaning a half-section of VDV stood at or near the entranceway of the bunkered Command Tent, all armed with AKS-74M rifles. The ranking Desantnik, a Corporal, greeted Captain Pinzon, checked identification, and ushered him inside, while a ryadavoi moved from the inner wall of the tent nearest the entranceway to follow Pinzon inside.

--

Continued heavy-lift flights had worn out some of the Russkyan heavy-lifters. An An-124 rested at the logistics base, its massive size dwarfed by the even heavier aircraft that were currently rotating in and off the tarmac, bringing in more Russkyan assault helicopters, artillery, and reinforcements.

The Black Glengarries had reinforced, reequipped, and currently had a full battalion prepared to advance alongside Estovakian units when the word was given. The soldiers rode in modified L-16ISCs equipped with ERA or slat applique, carried rifles and machineguns loaded with recently re-issued APFJ and other specialized ammunition, and now two men of each section were equipped with the KRCS Blackthorn combat shotgun. In short, the reequipped troops were well prepared for urban combat once again. The remainder of their Brigade continued to reinforce and reequip itself, though that would not be complete for a minimum of another three days yet.

OOC: Not ignoring you Aequatio, just don't want to jam too many scenes into a single post here. Next post I make, I'll be sure to mention the Vixens and the whole nighttime raid.

Estovakia

06-12-2006, 01:16

OOC: Not ignoring you either, Aequatio, and I'm sorry for not acknowledging you as often as I should (I appreciate you joining the RP, and I'm sorry I've been tacit about it). If you'd like to participate in Karadjevo, that'll be good. I thought the timely evacuation would be a good way for the three of us to participate together instead of Russkya and I and Russkya and you. And as for you Russkya, I thank you for being patient with me. I feel embarrassed sometimes that you post more often then I do and you usually are the one holding the alliances together, but RL events force my attention away often.

IC:

Russkyan Headquarters

"Greetings, Major." Pinzon offered a brief salute. "I know you're busy, Major but if I may have a moment of your time. It is quite important. I have a few questions to ask, regarding strange circumstances around the time Russkyan forces were called to pull back toward more defensible positions. I'd like to ask questions, if they would be okay with you, of course."

Karadjevo and Thereabouts

Food convoys, many carrying canned foods, some carrying rations and refrigerated goods, and a very few carrying livestock and fresh vegetables and fruits rolled into the outskirts of Karadjevo. Estovakian MPs were assembled to guard the food as the trucks began to assemble into smaller convoys that would head towards distribution centers within the city.

General Tate's orders to the Russkyans were implicit. He asked the Russkyans, because of their peacekeeping attire and organization, to help guard (from the Estovanian-backed militia and civilian disorder) and distribute the food at the distribution centers. He also ordered for both Aequatian and elite Russkyan forces to attack the rear of the retreating Estonavian army. This he felt, would be a finishing touch and a suitable end to the whole Estonavian affair. There was with little doubt that the Estonavian General would have to surrender if the Aequatians and Russkyans applied pressure in force. After that, there would only have to be mopping up.

In Russkya

Generalissimo Maxwell shuffled through reports on the Estovania. Apparently, the Estovanian government, under "threat of invasion", has called up all military personnel and reserves and has called for an armament program and increased military training spending, presumably to handle a greater number of new recruits. The rumor was that Estovania was calling for 5% of its population to be under arms soon- reasons unknown. Satellite imagery showed a noticeable increase of military activity to the east by the Stovakian Union and to the southeast by Estovanian-occupied Estonavia. What military activity was unknown, as security was extremely tight. There was also military buildup on the border of Estovakia, though not nearly as alarming as the other ones. Nonetheless, none of the buildup made sense and all the Generalissimo could do was sit and wait.

Russkya

06-12-2006, 05:45

OOC:
Estovakia - My RL time is currently divided between exercise, self-motivated study on various subjects, and supervising contractors. I really don't have much on the go in this bloody shithole. So it's no problem. I am glad that your posts are consistently quality, something that seems to lack on this forum far too often for a roleplaying area.
Aequatio - Next time I see you on MSN mate, we'll have to work on the night operation. I'd assume that your President (Pretty sure you sent el Supremo there, I might be wrong) has arrived safely in Russkya and is en-route to meeting site, but I don't want to direct-control any of your units here. Just bad etiquette and all when we're not planning this out in real-time as we write the posts. Thank some form of deity for MSN. On a related note, if you've got MSN as well Estovakia, hit me up via TG and I will send you my address, we'll do some damage then.

IC:

Major Iltchenko greeted the Captain, and returned his salute.

"Welcome, Captain Pinzon. Sure, I've got time, ask away. Ivanov, bring up the recording of Kampfgruppen White and Blue on the laptop there."
"Yes, sir."

Ivanov, an operations staffmember whose subdued rank insignia was currently obscured by the limited lighting in the command tent at the moment, tapped away on a proper keyboard balanced on his left thigh and plugged into the back of the ruggedized laptop, bringing up the record images of the manuevers KGs Blue and White had taken during the earlier Russkyan withdrawl from Karadjevo. This feed was then shunted over to a display screen that was near the map table, currently covered in tactical markers and greasestick pencil marks, to serve two purposes. Firstly, to protect against some kind of catastrophic electronic problem, and secondly to satisfy the Russkyan's inbuilt need for a physical backup of most things.

The dim lighting was mostly being provided by the glow of display screens, as the three bulbs powering the overhead lighting had burnt out simultaneously for some ungodly reason. In this light, approximately ten Operations Staff members worked constantly, accompanied by a half-dozen Communications Technicians and Staff, and the sentries. Fortunately the tent was large.

Had Pinzon looked down at the map table, and if he were able to understand the tactical markers used by the Russkyan Military, he would have ended up noticing the markers denoting the Black Glengarry's currently deployed Companies as moving into Karadjevo from their earlier laager position outside the city, and the copy of the Orders Sheet from General Tate requesting the soldiers to provide local security on food depots, and the added order from Iltchenko: "To secure the area around these food depots and conduct aggressive patrolling to disrupt any forming partisan activity."

He may also have noticed the two Operations Officers talking quietly between themselves and the men manning the banks of radio communications equipment, as No. 1 and No. 3 Battalions of No. 1 Brigade prepared to advance to contact with the withdrawing Estonavian forces. All of this information was also displayed on the TADS screens and other systems arrayed around the tent, the layout of which was focused on the large map-table.

--

Meanwhile, in the People's Socialist Republic, General Secretary, or Premier, although an equally accurate title would have been Prime Minister, reviewed intelligence sheets passed to him by the Foreign Intelligence Directorate of RISS. The same information that Krushamev went over was also reviewed by the Defence Minister, Mikhail Sergetov. Acting on his authority, additional heavy-lift aircraft assets were ordered to make themselves available to the 1 O-E Regimental commander, still in Russkya, to accelerate the deployment process of the entire Brigaded unit.

Krushamev looked across his desk at the small and reliable mechanical clock, noting the time. With luck, the Aequatians would arrive soon, be ferried to the Poltiburo Building's meeting room, and then discussions could begin in earnest once more.

Estovakia

14-12-2006, 02:01

OOC: I'm probably not going to be able to post until this weekend. :( Just giving both of you the head's up.

Aequatio

14-12-2006, 02:20

Lyander nodded to his comment, "Of course, more than likely, the flyboys in the Air Force would have been given the task of wiping the village out," She said.

Black looked about the passenger compartment, "Yes, riding in these bullet magnets is never fun, I prefer the Shadowcats when fourth brigade is nice enough to let them out to us myself," He said, holding the G28 rifle by its forestock. He laughed at the comment, much to the irritation of March as she took a drink of water from one of the clear plastic bottles provided by the mess crew, "Working with women is just natural for the Republic, since there's always more of them around than us males. However, I'd like to see some of your books, I wouldn't mind a change in material."

OOC: Sorry for the late reply, just have some heavy things going down right now. I'll be a lot more active in the next little while, before I start getting into other things.

Russkya

14-12-2006, 02:43

Turned out of their hatches, the crew of both Vixens had a good view of the surrounding area. The commander of the L-16ISC carrying the joint-forces unit was therefore easily able to see the raised left arm of the L-16CRV's commander, which signalled the halt. "Primitive" techniques such as this enabled the Russkyans to maintain a much lower level of radio chatter, which when faced with enemies capable of electronic warfare, proved a bonus. Of course, when circumstances did not permit, the Russkyans would natter over the radio as much as any other professional military.

Thus halted, the gunners slowly turned their turrets the full three hundred and sixty degrees. All eyes scanned the surrounding area - they were halted in a small clearing no more than ten metres wide, backed on two sides by a thin copse of trees, a dirt road on the other, and stunted scrubland to the remaining side. A four man reconnaissance team disembarked the L-16CRV and spread out across the field, suppressed weapons held ready. Nothing special, just the RMSMC manufactured variants of the PBS-type suppressors fitted to their Kalashnikov rifles. The Commander of the Vixen toggled the switch on his headset and spoke directly with Ulyanik; as the L-16's crew communication headsets could be easily set up to run with accompanying Infantry personal/personnel role radios.

In the troop bay, Ulyanik listened intently and looked up at Lyander, picking his rifle up in one hand and switching position to a cramped stand inside the vehicle. "We're here, Major."

Kulikov looked at Parinen as the rear ramp dropped, adjusting his grip on his rifle.

"Parinen, you're my new hero. What, you didn't notice the size of the rifle she carries?"

With a practiced motion he rose from his seat and leapt out the now open rear hatchway, landing in a crouch a metre from the vehicle and moving off further to kneel and watch the rear arc. Ulyanik translated to English as he hurried the remaining personnel out the rear of the vehicle, adding his own comment at the end: "It's unusual for Kulikov to get this talkative. Last time he was this talkative, we all nearly died when a mortar went off next to our foxhole. This worries me."

Then Ulyanik picked up the radio from its resting place leaning against the forward bulkhead and disembarked.

Aequatio

15-12-2006, 23:08

The major shrugged her arm through the sling of her carbine as she followed the others out of the rear exit of the L-16ISC vehicle. Mendes and Black took up their oen position upon exiting the vehicle, carbine and rifle at the ready, respectively. March carried the heavy 20mm rifle on her pack, a smaller MP45 in hand, as she followed the major as the officer studied her plastic-protected map before refering to the digital map provided by the small, mobile terminal attached to her kit. The major turned to the Russkyan sergeant, "We've got a good sixty-six hundred metres that direction," She pointed intot the distance while speaking, "Until we can come up to a position to engage the targets."

Russkya

15-12-2006, 23:21

Sergeant Ulyanik looked up from the radio, which he'd loosely wrapped in camouflage net to break up its outline, secured in place with two olive-drab green straps. He checked to ensure the antenna would be able to deploy cleanly, then slung it over his back and shrugged until the straps rested comfortably against his shoulders. He turned to the Russkyan half of the element and made a series of hand gestures. Kulikov, Parinen, and Kalinov fell into a loose staggered column formation behind Ulyanik and turned outwards, weapons at the ready.

The Recce detatchment made a final sweep of the area and gathered nearer the L-16CRV, with a man moving quickly and quietly through the knee-high grass towards Lyander and Ulyanik. He questioned the Russkyan NCO quickly in his native tongue and knelt nearby with his weapon's stock pressed to his shoulder, muzzle angled down at the ground, head constantly scanning the copse of trees to the man's right. Ulyanik looked at the Aequatian Major.

"He wants to know if you want the Vixens to stay here or if they're free to return to base, ma'am."

Aequatio

20-12-2006, 02:57

The major glanced at the L-16 vehicles before turning to the sergeant and shaking her head, "Negative, they are to withdraw from the area, we're to be the only EFOR personnel present. Our exfil will be conducted by fourth brigade's aviation assets," The officer explained as she motioned for the Aequatians to start moving, "Let's get it going, shall we, sergenat?"

Russkya

20-12-2006, 03:08

Ulyanik relayed this to the Recce soldier whose curt nod indicated understanding. He nodded acknowledgement to Major Lyander and moved in the same mostly-crouched swift walk back to his unit, who re-boarded the L-16CRV and let the ISC Vixen take point as they left the area.

The Russkyan NCO turned to the Aequatian officer. "Who do you want to take point?" Behind Sgt. Ulyanik, Kalinov checked to ensure his weapon's stock was locked in its extended position and checked to ensure that the bipod was securely folded up.

Aequatio

20-12-2006, 03:20

Lyander checked her watch before replying, "One of mine, then one of yours." She said, walking alongside the sergeant, "We will switch them out every two hundred metres." Mendes walked forward, her G65A2 carbine at the ready as she scanned the environment.

Russkya

20-12-2006, 03:30

"Yes ma'am."

The recce soldier attached to Ulyanik's group would be cycled on point more often than the others. Kulikov knew this without needing to be told. Every few metres, Parinen - at the tail of the formation - turned around and walked backwards for a few paces, scanning the rear arc. Each Russkyan moved as quietly as they'd been taught at NORDLAND, with stops every fifty metres to scan the route ahead with their night vision equipment or the pair of night vision capable binoculars that Ulyanik carried around his neck by their strap, tucked inside his Leshiji suit's jacket.

Aequatio

20-12-2006, 03:58

The night air was cool, as much of the daytime's heat blocked by the light canopy of the forest, Black, his turn on point, signalled for the unit to stop as he dropped to one knee. Immediately, Mendes moved forward from her position in line to the marksman, "What's the fucking hold-up, Black?"

She turned to look down into the small river below as a number of bodies had collected in the water, having become snagged on an overturned tree. The bodies were held to no particular age or gender, Mendes lowered herself down to the shoreline and examined the bodies as the other soldiers discovered the scene as they approached the water.

Russkya

20-12-2006, 04:13

Kalinov crouched next to Black momentarily, taking the time to wrap his rifle's sling more securely about his left forearm, and gripping the forestock tightly in a gloved hand, used his right for stability as he kept low to the ground and slid down the riverbank to stop a metre and a half from Sergeant Mendes.

Inspecting the riverbank, Kalinov quietly called up to his Sergeant, "No blood, no shell casings. They didn't die here." Ulyanik knelt at the top of the riverbank, gazed downwards for a moment, and indicated Parinen and Kulikov.

"Get across to the other bank."

Kulikov nodded, characteristically quiet. In the darkness, Parinen's mouth was a tight, white-lipped line. Both men moved down to the fallen tree, tested its bracing, and slowly edged across the trunk to the other bank, one at a time.

Russkya

27-12-2006, 22:32

OOC: Apologies for the double-post.

The 1 O-E Regiment now boasted a complete Reconnaissance element, substantial Artillery, an additional Battalion of VDV troops, mechanized with L-16 series vehicles, and upscaled Air Defence and Anti-Armour capabilities. The new Regimental Commander and his staff remained in Russkya with the Armoured Brigade that was awaiting transport to Estonavia, which meant that the much expanded Russkyan commitment remained under the more than capable command of Major Iltchenko, performing a Colonel's, Brigadier's, or even Lieutenant-General's duties.

Current force deployments showed that a reformed battalion of Black Glengarries had been redeployed to Karadjevo. Those men once again wore their distinctive headdress, though this time without much of the earlier danger. A section had escorted a Military Photographer through the area that was the narrow battlefield the Glengarries had bled and died in earlier, all for the sake of relieving a near-obliterated platoon of their VDV comrades and a handful of ENLO partisans holding the Estonavian President and accompanying entourage. The photographer's camera clicked, whirred, and were reloaded with film as he continued to snap away scenes of the devastation in black and white and full colour film. A Glengarry spotted a tassel, impregnated by concrete dust and grey against the ruins of a building, and rooted under a fallen section of wall to pull a dirted and damaged Glen from the ruin.

A flight of two Mi-24P-Rs went by overhead, weapon pylons loaded with a variety of ordnance, including a pair of antitank guided missiles on each wingtip hardpoint. The helicopters looped around the Black Glengarries' positions, working alongside their Estovakian allies and distributing food supplies to cooperative civilians and guarding the depots from less cooperative civilians, and headed back on their patrol route.

Several kilometres from Karadjevo, between National Highway 10 and Highway 12, and within two dozen kilometres of the Estovanian lines, a group of Reconnaissance specialists sat. Two L-16CRVs and two Fenneks were drawn up and facing outwards, underneath camouflage netting and guarded by a section of camouflaged recce specialists, as their leaders conferred. A radio crackled, the radioman replied, the transmission ended. A patrol of the Fenneks fresh from Russkya had taken up position in the loose recce chain deployed to provide intelligence on Estovanian actions and monitor what few Estonavian units were left.

The "Russkyanized" Mi-24P-Rs continued their patrol route and passed over the forwardmost base, now expanded to accomodate two reinforced battalions. The earlier established position now had room for an entire Brigade, and the airfield occupied by the Russkyan Logistics Support Group could now seat half a Regiment without great difficulty. Pallets of supplies waited under tarps, ready to be transported forwards, a Field Hospital unit was well established, and most combat elements had been shifted forwards and deployed. The gunner in the Hind's tandem cockpit looked to the right as his pilot announced "Clear left" and heard the radio's report; "November Leader, you are clear to land." "Clear right," the pilot announced and the gunner confirmed, and the cyclic was eased down as the assault helicopter's wheels crunched down on the tarmac of the helipads.

In the command facilities of the forward base, Major Iltchenko listened to Captain Pinzon. A corner of his mind interjected momentarily, wondering where exactly Colonel Metzger was, there had been limited communication. Iltchenko suppressed that and fixed his attention on Pinzon. Behind him, an operations staffmember updated the Order of Battle charts.

Estovakia

29-12-2006, 22:47

OOC: December's my busiest month of the year (sorry). Will try to post tonight. I have kept up with the posts just, haevn't been able to post.

Estovakia

07-01-2007, 04:15

Captain Pinzon began to probe the Major. He started innocuously enough, asking mainly about the Russkyan military actions and how well they did, if estovakian support was good enough, how it could be improved, etc. He gradually shifted his focus toward Colonel Metzger, trying to pass it off as small talk. He began by asking the Major if he was annoyed at Colonel Metzger's slow movement and thus his almost accidental annhilation. He talked about the Colonel's great deeds, his talent as an intelligence officer, how he liked to be in the field (which wasn't true, he was forced). Finally, he asked the question he wanted to ask. "I haven't spoke much to Colonel Metzger, him being very busy and all, but I couldn't help but notice some rather strange transmissions on that day. I don't know if it was your men or something else, or if you even know what I am talking about, but if you noticed anything strange on that day, let me know.

Estovakia

07-01-2007, 04:27

In Russkya

While the meetings were delayed, the Generalissimo took the time to visit Russkyan war memorials, visit museums, monuments, tour parks and tourist attractions in and around the capital and talk amongst Russkyan politicians.

Yet three things bothered him. The Estovanian mobilization reached about 5% of the total Estovanian mobilization. Whether this was a great exaggeration to the "Estovakian threat" as they called it, or whether it was for an invasion was unknown. Second, Stovakistan mobilized its navy and began conducting naval exercises off Estovakia's waters. Third, Estovakia's northern neighbor and breadbasket Yugaria was under imminent threat from its northern neighbor, the Appalacians. War seemed imminent, with the potential to take place anyday, especially since the Appalacian's army was fully mobilized. The problem was that as Estovakia's breadbasket, if Yugaria had a problem, Estovakia had a problem too, whether it liked it or not. If a war broke out, Estovakia would have to intervene.

"Sir I have some rather glum news." it was the president's advisor, the Black Guard Oberst.

"Yes?"

"It's about the Federal Republic of Germany. They've cancelled our orders. Any undelivered arms are being kept and our money is being refunded. Something along the lines of 'due to the political climate, Estovakia's regime, policies, and recent military action, Germany can no longer supply Estovakia with the desired weapons.' Signed by both the prime minister and economic minister, too. We can no longer receive G36s, or Leopard 2s, or even spare parts."

"Damn." The Generalissimo slammed his fist down on a table. "We're caught with our pants down. It couldn't have come at a worse time. We're in the middle of a reorganization period. We don't have the old arms or the parts to use them, and now we don't have the new ones either. We need a new tank and a new gun."

Russkya

07-01-2007, 07:04

In Russkya, some members of the Politburo had taken time to greet and talk with the Estovakian Generalissimo, though two - notably Parlimentary Representative Veronica Mikovskaya and Cultural & Educational Minister Georgei Kolbukin, hadn't had the opportunity, much to Kolbukin's particular dismay.

Additionally, the Foreign Intelligence Directorate of the Russkyan Internal Security Service had recieved some disturbing news. Firstly, from a report that was dated from two weeks ago and seemed to reference already out of date information, that the Appalacians had mobilized themselves to 75% of maximum strength, with progress expected to continue to full mobilization. Analysts, trained to recognize the worst possible outcome and not be overcome by wishful thinking, believed it highly likely that the Appalacians were at full mobilization already, thus threatening the area identified as critical to the Russkyan's oddly-found Estovakian allies, known as Yugaria.

This report was supplemented by a number of reconnaissance satellite overheads and similar technologies. The same pass-overs indicated that a number of naval vessels were conducting exercises just off Estovakian waters. This was most alarming to the RISS analysts, as should those vessels - believed to be for simple geographic reasons, Stovakistani - begin operations against Estovakia, the Russkyan Battlegroup could concievably be cut off from sea-borne reinforcement, resupply, or strategic withdrawl routes.
Further intelligence gathering indicated the Estovanians, presumed to be the largest semi-immediate threat to Russkyan forces for quite some time now, were at five to ten percent of total mobilization. Suitably encrypted and transmitted over a secure channel, this information was relayed to Major Iltchenko, and hand delivered to the General Secretary and the Defence Minister.

The Russkyans remained unaware of the cancelled transactions between the Germans and the Estovakians, although it was noted that a rumour was floating around in the Federal Republic that the Germans may be looking for new buyers for a measure of unsold hardware, both from Heckler und Koch and Krauss Maffei Wegmann.
With the talks temporarily delayed until the arrival of the Aequatian delegation, Krushamev conferred with the Agricultural Minister, who unfortunately confirmed the General Secretary's suspicions, that grain exports, while available, were not available in the quantity desired by the forward-thinking Krushamev. The general concept had been - should a sufficient surplus been available - to offer this for export to the Estovakians, rather than the Me'ei to the immediate South, who experiencing a record harvest of their own, were unlikely to need it, or for that matter, want it. Being a prideful people, it somewhat shamed their government that many years they relied on Russkyan grain exports to prevent a measure of starvation from taking hold in their less fertile provinces.

In Estovakia, meanwhile, Iltchenko looked up at Pinzon from his dossiers and worn, somewhat dirtied file-folders.

"I've always considered the intelligence I've gotten from Metzger to be top-notch and worthy of acting on or at the very least, investigating further with the limited attached reconnaissance assets I have here. I think I remember what you mean, let's see if I can find it. When was it, exactly..."

The Major's voice trailed off slightly as he flipped open a new folder and thumbed through the pages, jamming his index finger down on a paragraph under the headline "Intercepted Communications - " followed by the date. The top of the sheet was marked "COMSINTEL" in Russkyan Cryllic. Reading it off to Pinzon, Iltchenko spoke again.

"Yes, I've got it. We didn't have an attached intelligence analysis team or a dedicated communications squadron, but we do now. What we picked up was limited, but in a strange encryption set we haven't encountered before; I assumed it to be local to the Stovakian Peninsula here. It concerned me that it came from such a proximity to my forces, if it happened to be some kind of Special Forces unit, something of that nature, then they must be very good indeed to evade detection by my forces.
The Recce lads said they didn't find anything that would suggest their presence, but they weren't exactly looking for that - a little too concerned with staying alive during that short withdrawl, the unit in the general vicinity of this transmission was under attack by irregulars at the time.

How many transmissions did you intercept, and from where, Captain Pinzon? There's no doubt you had more guys looking for this kind of thing than I did."

Aequatio

13-01-2007, 23:39

OOC: Sorry for the such late reply.

IC:

The Aequatians followed their Russkyan counterparts as they crossed over the water and continued on through the brush. The major was occupied by her navigation equipment as the soldiers marched through, Mendes walked alongside the officer, keeping her eyes on the environment with her G65A2 carbine in hand.

Russkya

13-01-2007, 23:52

Parinen took a quick tally on a well-worn notepad he carried in a back pocket, counting out the bodies he could see, marking a "5" on the paper, and following it up with a question mark for the number that could plausibly be submerged and concealed by the other corpses that were still floating. The notepad contained tallies from several other mass graves and the like, evidence of the ethnic tensions in Estonavia and perhaps warcrimes or crimes against humanity by other nations. Parinen had been with an NCO by the name of O'Connor when his patrol had stumbled across a "cleansed" village, much earlier in the campaign.

Kalinov walked just behind Black, perodically turning to check the back one-eighty, and Kulikov was on point, footfalls silent in the sparse woods and eyes alert, the stock of his rifle pressed into his shoulder, muzzle angled slightly down. Ulyanik walked beside Parinen.

"How many?"
"Fifteen? Maybe five more. I'm getting real tired of this, Sergeant."

Ulyanik copied the numbers down and moved up the column's length to Mendes and Lyander. "How much further does the little device say we have to go, ma'am?"

Estovakia

15-01-2007, 04:39

Russkya HQ

How many transmissions did you intercept, and from where, Captain Pinzon? There's no doubt you had more guys looking for this kind of thing than I did."

"Its true that I am an intelligence officer, though not of the sort you can get that information from, Major," Captain Pinzon replied. "Though I do have dedicated transmission analysists, my department focuses on more internal matters and not necessarily foreign transmissions. I would not have been assigned to investigate these transmissions if it wasn't because of- well, that's confidential. You would have to ask Colonel Metzger for more information. He knows more about these transmissions. I know he is busy in Karadjevo. You can try getting in touch- I know he's talked to you in the past. I have not been able to get in touch with him.

"If you have any questions that I can help you with, please ask. Otherwise I must leave to continue my investigations, You have been a big help with my inquiry, and I wish you luck in your endeavors."

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

In Russkya

"Estovakia faces its worst crisis in years, decades."

The Generalissimo folded his hands together on the ledge and looked off the veranda to his penthouse suite. Down below people scrambled to get to work, cars scrambled to get to where they were going, Russyans with busy lives commuted past busy intersections, other busy people.

"Sir?" his secretary asked shyly.

"For the first time in my life I am unsure of what to do."

His secretary approached carefully from behind and stood next to him, in a silence only broken by the small chatter and street horn down below.

Finally, she broke the silence. "General Tate phoned a half hour ago. He said he cancelled the shipping order for the new heavy armoured vehicles and the new all-purpose vehicles to Pacific Estovakia and is instead distributing them to bases within Estovakia. He also began to recall troops from Pacific Estovakia; the 108th Marine Infantry should be leaving our central naval base, soldiers from the colony of Pacific Estovakia, and some from the island of New Gorsky. The Garland Free State is willing to send more patrols to cover more territory in the desert regions to free up more of our troops and the charter republics have agreed to increase their military patrols, too. Alpini troops are being mobilized back home, Stoczania is willing to mobilize at your orders, the Civil Guard is readying itself, the National Police are reorganizing for wartime, the air force is readying itself, the Reserves are being notified, and the army has ordered more anti-tank weapons."

She panted and put her hand on her chest. "I'm almost out of breath," she noted jokingly.

He chuckled nervously.

She took her other hand and gently put them on his. "Don't get nervous. You're doing fine. Everything's going to be alright."

He looked her in the eye for a good minute or so then looked away. "I have to get back to Estovakia," he said forcefully, walking to get his coat. "I want to leave ASAP. Explain to the Russkyans quickly. I need to be there. they'll understand. Hopefully. Nothing wrong on their part. Make sure you mention that."

"I will sir."

"Notify the rest. We're leaving."

"Okay sir."

"The Oberst will stay as liason to the Russkyan though. Tell him to set up shop. he's my most trusted advisor. He won't fail us."

"Yes sir."

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

Presidential Palace
Stovakgrad, Estovakia

Terrible news broke out on the television screens. Johann Letzelder (OOC: the Generalissimo's adopted son), General Tate, and a whole host of political and military advisors stared motionless at the television panel in the meeting room. The news was official: Estovania and The Appalacians entered into a full alliance.

(OOC: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=514218)

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

Outside the Parliament Building
Karadjevo, Estonavia

Colonel Metzger took out his military issue laptop. He sent a private e-mail without going through the military protocols, censors, and scanners using a few tricks and procedures he learned from an imprisoned hacker.

To: Major Iltchenko
From: Colonel Metzger
Urgent!

Meet me inside the Prime Minister's office inside the Parliament Building ASAP. Come alone if possible. I must reveal something to you in private.

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

Gromadin, Estonavia

Food packages were dropped on the city. There was a fair chance Estonavian soldiers would get most of the food packages, but with thousands of living scarecrows wandering about, if one were to get a package, the mission was worth it.

Sergeant Alvarado watched as parachuttes opened and dozens of small objects floated into the city and disappeared. The funny thing was, in about half an hour, he would see a great deal of those packages. Armoured vehicles readied themselves, soldiers checked and rechecked their ammo, and radiomen tested their equipment.

Gromadin was to be stormed, finally.

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Estovakian Territorial Ordinance Bureau Office
Richtoffen, New Gorky, Pacific Estovakia

As the time ticked away on the tropical island of New Gorky, an ordinance Major began thinking of the firigid air of Estovakia. Although he sat boringly inside an air-conditioned room, he dreamed of escaping the heat to a place that actually got colder than 20 degrees Celsius. Just as he began snoozing a phone call rang. He picked up and found Mainland Estovakia calling. The stressed and hurried tone told him to get busy at once with certain instructions.

At once the ordinance Major went through his file cabinets, picking out engineers and officers that would best complete his mission: to acquire new weapons/plans for new weapons, specifically AT weapons, small arms, and armoured vehicles. He sent his artillery and armour engineers to Aequatio for evaluation of the new Aequatian tanks (OOC: if this is okay with you, Aequatio) and sent purchasing agents and small arms engineers to Russkya for small arms and armour purchasing.

Russkya

15-01-2007, 05:58

In his Forward Headquarters, Iltchenko shook hands with Pinzon.
"And luck to you as well, Captain. I won't keep you from your duties, goodbye for now, and good hunting."
A few minutes later, the on-duty communications specialist rocked back in his chair, holding his hands up and away from the keyboard.

"Whoa, shit."

A Captain overheard him, looked over his shoulder, and his brow furrowed in momentary confusion. He half-turned and called his Commanding Officer's attention to it.

"Sir, this just came in, bypassed the normal system and thus the sorting system, but that one looks somewhat accidental from looking at this tag. It's yours. Private Nikolov will route it to your personal machine - you may have a duplicate message there though."

Iltchenko nodded, clapped the Captain and Nikolov on the shoulder, and left the command room to his room just behind, closing the door, such as it was, behind him. Sitting on the cot that served as a bed, he flipped open his hard-duty laptop and opened the mail program.

"Captain!"
"Sir?"
"I need an Mi-24 and a section of Desantnikii."
"Sir!"

He hefted his rifle in one hand, took his battle gear, clipping his helmet over the canteen pouch, and walked out the door of the Command Tent, noting a section of VDV jogging towards the cleared space used by helicopters. Five minutes later two Mi-24s arched down, and were boarded. Iltchenko stopped by the forward-most helicopter, shouting to be heard over the noise of the rotors as he explained the situation to the on-duty Captain.

"Listen! I'm going to Karadjevo, to the Parliment Building. If anyone asks why, I'm visiting the Glengarry Battalion Commander. I'll be back by dark, if I'm not, avenge my death."

The Captain's lips pulled back from his teeth in a grin and he nodded an affirmative.

"Yes sir! I'm guessing you're joking, but if I don't get you back by sundown I'll kill half the fucking country. See you in a few hours then, I'll keep it tight here!"
"Good man!"

Iltchenko deftly jumped up onto the lower ramp of the Mi-24's open doors and sat on the first seat he came to. The doors closed, and the helicopters lifted off, headed towards Karadjevo. Their stub wings sported four air to air missiles, two on each wingtip pylon. The second pylon carried a quartet of ATGMs each, heavy duty versions of the "Krizhantema" missile, adapted for air launch. The inboard pylon carried dual purpose 80mm rockets. Thus geared for war, Iltchenko headed to Karadjevo.

--

"I understand perfectly, and no offence is taken, Oberst. I would be worried if he had delayed himself, I hope all the best for him and your nation. We will talk again soon, I am certain - follow the Podpolkovnik there. He will find you suitable quarters and an office to liase from."

RISS would undoubtedly notify the Politburo in short order as to potential reasons for the Generalissimo's quick exit. Krushamev notified the RMSMC to stand ready for immediate-production notice. Though he didn't know it yet, a slight suspicion had rightly caused him to expect purchases of military equipment in the near future. These, of course, would be accomodated as well as possible.

OOC:
- Apologies for assuming the Oberst did the whole liase-thing and that the Generalissimo is already gone. Also, Lieutenant-Colonel would be "Podpolkovnik."
And things become more... hectic. A good lead in. I suspect bad shit is about to happen.

Aequatio

18-01-2007, 00:42

OOC: I'm all right with inviting your engineers and officers to see my nation's wares.

IC:

The major looked up from the device and at Ulyanik, "Fifteen hundred metres, then we'll be in position to strike at the target," She explained to the sergeant.

Mendes stepped over beside the Russkyan, "What do you want to do for coverage once we're in position?" She asked as they continued walking.

----------

Major-General Henderson sat in her quarters, a small heated tent which provided her with a small escape to home when deployed overseas. She had become somewhat irritated at practically being left out of the major actions, as she still had three full maneuver brigades sitting on the tarmac of the airbase without orders other than to sit on their hands. She sat back in her chair and sighed, "'Tis war, non?" She said to herself.

Russkya

18-01-2007, 21:59

"Yes ma'am." Ulyanik looked over to his Aequatian counterpart and adjusted his grip on his rifle slightly.

"I think the two snipers together, seperated by say fifty metres. Other than that we can fan out in a shallow U-shape, with the snipers centered in the 'bend' of that formation, facing towards the village, and it should do the trick. Or bend the flanks of the U back for a shallow V with the snipers at the point of that - a very shallow V, so that they can fire across our fronts, but can easily retreat backwards a hundred meters into a skirmish line with the rest of us if it's nessecary. Your thoughts?"

Aequatio

18-01-2007, 22:38

Mendes nodded at Ulyanik's suggestions, "The shallow V should do well enough, considering we're only here for a single target," She said, "I had considered the skirmish line myself, as we'll be on the move rather quickly once the shots ring out."

The major interupted, "I'd like to create a small staging point, somewhere to dump the heavy gear so we can travel light to the strike zone," She explained, "I want personal weapons and ammunition only for when we get into position, everything else will stay behind and we can retreive it all in the exfil."

Russkya

19-01-2007, 02:38

"That's an idea, ma'am. Can we call a halt about a kilometer from the objective and do a final sorting-out of the terrain and our individual positions, since we didn't quite have time for a proper briefing?"

Kalinov glanced up the formation to Kulikov and over his shoulder to where Parinen quietly walked. He carefully snugged the sling of the SVD-K rifle around his left forearm and reminded himself to remove it later. Or now, he thought, as he unhooked the sling, rolled it with one hand, and tucked it into his left-bottom cargo pocket on his battledress jacket. He glanced at the large antimaterial rifle March carried, grinned in the darkness, and felt the cool metal of the SVD-K's reciever under his forefinger, keeping his finger outside the trigger guard. Lucky to have the smaller rifle, that beast would be pretty unwieldly. I have no idea how she manages to carry that, it's almost as tall as I am.

Estovakia

21-01-2007, 00:57

OOC: I'm all right with inviting your engineers and officers to see my nation's wares.

OOC: That's good, because I am interested in your M20 Mackall tank. It's a nice tank ;) . I would also like to know though if it is alright to develop a tank off one of your tanks though, i.e. a modified chassis, different turret and different armament to make do with current Estovakian ammunition stores and surplus armament. I would buy the chassis and then refit the tank to my specifications.

IC:

[Insert name here],Aequatio

Several military engineers arrived in, Aequatio after a long and arduous flight involving two transfers and an overnight stay in an ally of Aequatio (the military engineers noted to ask the government to ask Aequatio if they'd be interested in direct flights between the two countries when they got back home). The engineers booked into a top hotel and called the Aequatio military adminstrative offices to set up an appointment to discuss what armament Aequatio was willing to sell and what help the Aequatians were willing to give.

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

Berisak International, Russkya

Several military engineers also arrived in Russkya, arriving on a Russkyan brand-name airline. The engineers booked into a top hotel (though they were delayed by lost baggage) and confirmed their appointment set up by the the Oberst liason. It was rumored Russkya was coming out with new weaponry and Estovakia was curious to see exactly what it was

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

Gromadin, Estonavia

A few bullets cracked by as Sergeant Alvarado foolishly stood up. He instantly hit the dirt again while others returned fire.

Normally he was more careful but the situation was different this time. Usually, during the middle of a firefight, skeletons don't walk around scavaging for food. They only time that usually happens is in a horror movie or B-movie zombie flick.

Unfortunately, Sergeant Alvarado was neither watching a movie nor mentally unbalanced. There [i]really were walking skeletons, people so thin that all their bones showed, their clothes loosely fit around them, much as an adult shirt would on an infant. They were barely human; all Alvarado wanted to do was help them before it was too late. For some, it was too late. Their stomaches shut down, one by one other organs began shutting down, and finally they died when their heart shut down. Alvarado had seen a few like that. It was painful to watch, especially the children...

Fortunately, the absolutely starving were relatively few. Many Estonavians were, shrimpy, skimpy, and sickly but few were absolutely dying, though they would be in a few more weeks if relief wasn't given soon.

In the minds of the Estovakians, the famine were the Estonavians' faults. They foolishly had not surrendered, they foolishly listened to their drunken commander to never surrender, and the foolish few diehards in the cadre had made sure to put a bullet in the back of any who thought differently. Now the battles were easy for the Estovakians as many Estonavian soldiers collapsed from exhustion or died in vain without having ever been shot. Dozens, hundreds more surrendered and civilians flocked away from the Estonavian soldiers to the Estovakians. Estovakian famine relief organizations were so desparate to save everyone they could, they went ahead of Estovakian lines.

8 hours after the assault on Gromadin, the remainder of the Estonavian army mutinied and killed their officers and their CO, and surrendered. A division and a brigade's worth of men now longer fought for the Estonavians. Now the war was in the mopping up stage. Now it was the end. The only army left in the field was Raminsky's, wedged in between a stopgap force of Estovakians, an advancing force of Russkyans to the north and a large Aequatian force to the west that prevented an escape west.

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

Inside the Parliament Building
Karadjevo, Estonavia

Colonel Metzger had now finished some unfinished business. He rummaged through a Senator's desk and pulled out a few pink pieces of papers and stuffed them into his pockets. He walked out of the Senator's office and down a long hallway. Down the hallway and down the stairs, in the main chamber of the Parliament Building, Estovakian soldiers held a mock session of Parliament declaring Estovakia rightful protector of Estonavia and declaring war on Estovania. They toyed with gavel and made paper airplanes out of notes left behind by parliamentarians.

Colonel Metzger wanted no part of that. He pased in the hallway nervously, awaiting Major Iltchenko. He didn't know if he could trust Iltchenko with what he had to ask him; after all, he barely knew the man. He was his only hope, however, as he knew something bad was going to happen soon. He had a feeling he was being watched, that his time was limited, that he needed help. He was weak, and Estovakia knew he was weak, and he knew that they knew they could give or take everything he held dear to him. However, he knew something they did not know, and they wanted to know, and that was the only thing keeping him alive. Whether, the Major could be trusted with what he had to say was uncertain, whether the Major wanted to know or should know was a difficult question.

But all he could do was wait.

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

Presidential Palace,
Stovakgrad, Estovakia

It was good to be back. Generalissimo Maxwell began to issue orders again as he if he hadn't left. He ordered production of AT systems to increase, to push the indiginous weapons programs, to move weapons machinery from the homeland to Estovakia Pacifica. He notice that Estovania and The Appalacians had entered in an alliance together, and their troop numbers definately hinted at one thing: they were going to war. He quietly began issuing orders to recall the army from the territories and back to the homeland and began mobilization of the National Guard. Estovanian mobilization was alomst complete and satellite imagry showed massive buildups along the border with Allied-Occupied Estonavia and the Estovakian border.

Russkya

21-01-2007, 20:02

The hotel room in which the Estovakian military engineers were staying was rather elaborately constructed in that it consisted of four seperate bedrooms, a large dining room and attached kitchen, three seperate and completely fitted out bathrooms, and a large main room to which everything was connected, the dining room by French doors. The door to the room was heavy, steel-cored and panelled in a dark wood, secured by a deadbolt, an exterior bolt, a chain-and-lock, and a simple lock on the latch. The room had already been swept by an operations team from the RISS's Counter Intelligence Directorate (Secondary), who ensured it was free of listening devices, installed counter-surveillance devices, and as their orders were to trust the Estovakians, did not install any devices of their own to monitor their guests.

A group of four men from the Protection Directorate would function as the bodyguard for the Estovakian group. Despite the distinct lack of actual danger, paranoia kept people alive. In this case, people from a nation that Russkya was effectively allied to, even if no formal papers had been signed. And though not entirely relevant, one of those men was an accomplished cook, who surveyed the kitchen with satisfaction and out of habit, checked all of the cutlery, including a large bladed cleaver with a razor edge.

--

In Estonavia, October Flight circled the supposed LZ once. A park near the Parliment Buildings, in an area secured by the Black Glengarries, had been converted into a quick landing zone and staging point. October One touched down gently with both doors open, Iltchenko leapt out and crouch-ran away from the LZ, stopping near the sandbagged and dug-in positions of a mortar section, while October Two landed smoothly in the area just vacated by October One. The VDV deployed and eight Glengarries hurried stretchers towards the waiting helicopters. A medic clambered aboard with the litters and the helicopter lifted off again. Both Mi-24P/Rs headed back towards the primary airfield and the Field Hospital unit; given the limited number of Russkyan casualties at present it was now feasible to treat wounded Estonavians when required.

Iltchenko and the escorting section of VDV headed out towards the Parliment Buildings in staggered column formation down a street that had only seen war's touch through small arms and mortar fire, as only a handful of buildings were gutted by flame and partially collapsed in on themselves. Most of the others bore pock-marks from small arms fire. Iltchenko took the steps up to the Parliment Building's entrance two at a time, the VDV following. Half the section, including the PKM, took up position at the main entrance, the other half continued with Iltchenko. He stopped a passing Estovakian NCO with a gloved hand on his shoulder.

"Where's the Prime Minister's office?"

Recieving an answer he jogged down the hallway, laden with OTs-33 automatic pistol, magazines, grenades, smoke canisters, individual field aid kit, personal role radio, two canteens, his AKS-74M rifle, and spare magazines for that. The half-section took up position in the hallway outside the office, Iltchenko knocked once, and stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.

"Colonel?"

Aequatio

23-01-2007, 03:11

Lyander nodded to the sergeant's suggestion, "All right, we'll stop for a final rundown then before we move in on the target," She said as they approached a small clearing, "I hope here will suffice," She said, letting her ruck down from her shoulder.

The other Aequatians followed suit as Mendes took a quick look around the area and assured herself it was secure enough to set her gear down on the ground and dropping to a knee to sort through it for the necessary equipment.

----------

San Allimos International Airport, San Allimos, Aequatius Prime

A State Department liason official was the first to greet them upon the engineers' arrival at their hotel, he was joined with a young executive from Aequatian Military Industries as well, who would be showing them a catalogue of the company's arsenal, showcasing the most cutting edge equipment and weaponry.

Russkya

23-01-2007, 03:28

"It certainly is convienent, ma'am."

Ulyanik crouched near the Major and Sergeant Mendes while Kulikov kept watch nearby. Parinen and Kalinov were despatched on a short patrol around the area, to a maximum distance of two hundred meters, to ensure that no Estonavians waited nearby. Night patrols were a constant feature of VDV operations in Sorachoak, the brutal country that was on Russkya's Northern border, and they'd learnt caution during their training, the lessons reinforced by the 'professional partisans' of that violent and disorganized nation.

"It would have been nice," Kulikov commented quietly, "if I'd been stationed to patrol this sector more. I'd know the ground better then." The experienced Reconnaissance soldier looked at the sky and gestured towards a low hanging patch of cloud.
"They have power, in the village. It is possible they have a generator, or more than one, and they're currying favour by permitting its use by more than themselves, I would guess."

Kulikov repeated himself in Russkyan for the benefit of Kalinov and Parinen, who returned from their short jaunt. The normally quiet man had heavily accented English, though hopefully understandable to his Aequatian comrades.

Aequatio

23-01-2007, 04:12

Mendes listened to Kulikov as he spoke, "Well, why not have March use the twenty millimetre and take out the generators, send them back to the middle ages and give us all the time in the world to sit in the dark and take out the target?"

"It wouldn't be a problem," Said March as she kneeled, the massive rifle leaning against her, "A generator is easier to hit than a human, I'd just need it pointed out."

Black reattached the scope with its night vision filter to his SSG30 as he looked up at the group, "Then who's taking the shot on the target?"

Russkya

23-01-2007, 04:39

"You kill him. I will kill his companions, my weapon is semiautomatic."

Kalinov tapped his SVD-K rifle by means of demonstration as he spoke. Ulyanik sat nearby near the Major, content to let the marksman and Aequatian snipers work the plan out for themselves. He compared his map to the Major's and half-listened to his soldiers. Kulikov looked up at that cloud again, seeing the reflected light, and looked back around the clearing before double-checking his night optics.

"I could work with you, Black, to shoot the objective. Kulikov could act as local security for March."
"Or I could." This, from Parinen, in Russkyan. Kalinov responded in the same language, and Kulikov just smiled slightly.
"Yes, or you could. But you'd spend more time watching her than watching the ground around the two of you, and I'm not carrying both your bodies back home."
"Is it my fault that we don't have women in the combat arms units?"

Kulikov spoke again, quietly as always, and in English. "Yes, it is your fault."

Aequatio

23-01-2007, 23:48

Black was in agreement, "All right, that won't be a problem," He said, setting his G28 rifle over his shoulder as he held his precision, bolt-action rifle in his hands as they continued the discussion.

March spoke as the Russkyans chatted, "All I need is a few moments to spot the generators, then I can knock them out," She explained as Black nodded and interupted.

"True, little Deb here is the fastest one in the regiment to dial in a shot and fire with the twenty."

March blushed slightly at the comment before turning to Kulikov and Parinen, "He's right, but for that time, I'll need someone to keep the area clear for me," She said pointing to Kulikov, "You'll do, the others can go with the major and sarne.

Lyander looked to Ulyanik as they looked over their compared maps, "All right, we want to make sure we hit the target within two minutes of hitting the generators, as it will give us enough time to exfil before they can react. I want constant communication between both sniper teams and I don't want the AMR to hit the generator until we're ready to take out the target."

Russkya

24-01-2007, 03:29

Kalinov quietly rearranged the ten round magazines of 9.3x64mm ammunition in their pockets in his Leshiji camouflage uniform, and keeping low to the ground, made his way over next to the Major and both Sergeants.

"Ma'am, do you happen to have any satellite overheads? If you do, may I take a look at them, to determine what kind of fo... whoreson. What kind of grasses, bushes, that kind of thing are around the objective? And how far do you want us to shoot from?"

Ulyanik interjected. "Word you're looking for is foliage, Kalinov." The marksman nodded acknowledgement and repeated the word in English, before pocketing the polymer fifteen round magazine he'd been given to field test several weeks ago. Kulikov edged over towards March and tapped the forestock of the anti-material rifle.

"I am guessing this is not exactly a quiet weapon, but one round should be enough to disable a generator, yes?"

The Russkyan Sergeant pointed at the personal role radio he and all of his men carried in the pocket designed for it on the inside-front of the '03 Pattern Leshiji (RSK) uniform.
"These are encrypted, not well, but decently, and have several frequencies. I'm sure that one of them will match up to yours, or by going one Russkyan and one Aequatian we'll ensure that we can coordinate decently."

Aequatio

25-01-2007, 02:18

Lyander shook her head, "I'm afraid we don't have another satellite pass-over for another few hours, you'll have to go with what you see when we get there," The major looked at the Russkyan sergeant's radio, "What band are they on?"

As Kulikov admired the rifle, March grinned, "The high-explosive capped round should be more than enough to take that machine out of commission," She said as she attached the infrared scope to the SSG20.

The Aequatians had set their equipment down on the ground and Mendes gave the major a thumbs up before looking over at the Russkyans.

Russkya

25-01-2007, 02:38

"UHF. I suggest I start turning the dial until it matches up; mine's a little damaged and most of the frequency markers on it were lost because of that. Kulikov! Your radio isn't buggered like mine, is it?"
"No, Sergeant."
"Then match up the frequencies with our good friends here."
"Yes, Sergeant."

With that small task complete, Ulyanik returned Mendes' gesture and stood, ready to begin approaching the objective itself.

Aequatio

25-01-2007, 03:03

The Aequatian sergeant nodded in reply as she ordered her soldiers forward with hand gestures as the snipers moved forward through the brush. The major followed behind the soldiers as the panned out to take up their respective positions that would place them at their different strike points. March moved slowly, her massive weapon in her hands as Kulikov matched her pace beside her.

The reinforced-plastic stock of the SSG30 provided a light weapon for Black as he moved with Kalinov, both of them stepping lightly through the terrain as they came into view of the lights from the village, separate from the rest of the group.

Russkya

25-01-2007, 03:12

Kalinov halted, an outstretched arm indicating Black should do the same, and withdrew a green-dominant camouflaged veil from an inside pocket of his camouflaged uniform, draping it over his SVD-K rifle to break up the outline.
"Crawl from here?"

Kulikov had improved his camouflage earlier and now cast an experienced eye over the ground to his front and sides, noting that the foliage fortunately wasn't out of place. He silently followed March's lead, turning at random intervals to check their back one-eighty degree arc before returning his attention to the front and flanks.

Ulyanik stayed close to Mendes and kept Parinen nearer the Major. Though it didn't show, both men were close to enjoying themselves. They'd proven themselves before in a dozen night patrols and a half-dozen nighttime firefights.

Aequatio

25-01-2007, 03:45

Black nodded in silence as he dropped down and moved slowly, his hands holding his rifle as they helped him over the ground. He tapped Kalinov's shoulder lightly and pointed to a spot as they could see a small collection of buildings, "From there?" He said as he produced a small pair of binoculars from his tactical vest's front pocket.

March kneeled as she paused and scanned the area ahead of them with the infrared scope, looking for the heat signature of the generator. Seeing a faint sign, she turned to Kulikov, "I can't quite tell what that is, we need to get closer."

The Aequatian sergeant halted and allowed a few others to pass by her until Ulyanik approached her, she held up her free hand, the other holding her rifle, "Where do you want to start the skirmish line, to cover the sniper teams?"

Russkya

25-01-2007, 04:04

"Wherever you'd like, Mendes. Probably take the chance of silhoutting ourselves and set up on a slight rise overlooking the village if we can find a convienent one, wait until they take their shots, then to the ridge, lay down some fire, and start backpedalling.
With any luck they'll think it's a feint designed to draw them into an ambush, something that blatant. And Parinen here can collapse some houses with his GP-30 if he has to; we might have enough range to put fire on the far side of the village, make them think there's a larger attack coming from that direction. Might damage a few civilians doing that though."

Kalinov shook his head slowly in the negative, and made sure the veil was secure, not likely to slip off or snag on nearby foliage.

"No, too easily trapped. But if they're abandoned buildings, if we set up in that yard, see the compost heap and the uncut grass and untended bushes? That'd be a place to be. D'you figure it's on a rise, Chyernoi? Good lines of sight then, but potentially more obvious than a lower spot."

OOC:
- Chyernoi; "Dark," "Black," in Russian. Russkyan is pretty well Russian. I didn't want to explain my method of familiars and intimates in terms of nicknaming and the like, therefore Black's new Russkyan nickname is "Black." Just to clear up any confusion.

Aequatio

26-01-2007, 21:16

The major shook her head, "We aren't here to take out the vil, we're here for one man, I want us set up to cover the sniper teams and engage only if we have to, the first and only shots should be against the generator and the target."

Mendes nodded, "Looks like we're doing that then," She said, "Let's get into a position that will place us right in a striking position along their avenue of approach towards the other teams, hit them hard if they try to come through," She said as she produced a few small items from a pouch hanging at her side, revealed to be a number of small, M18B1 Claymore mines and a remote detonator, "Here, Ulyanik, care to help me set these up?" She said, handing a pair of the weapons to her counterpart.

Black examined the terrain that Kalinov explained, "Well, you are right about it being more obvious," He said as he thought for a moment, "But it makes taking the shot and bugging out a little easier to fal back towards the others. Let's go for it then," The sniper said as he moved forward slowly on his stomach.

Russkya

26-01-2007, 21:51

Ulyanik hefted both of them in one hand, appreciating their promising weight. If anything like the Russkyan variant of the same weapon, when triggered, they would produce a sixty degree arc filled with two hundred or more steel ball-bearings propelled by a small brick of plastic explosive. He carefully pushed both of them into a cargo pocket, shrugged out of the manpack radio and handed that to Parinen, then followed Mendes into the brush.

Kalinov followed a few metres behind Black, pausing every half dozen meters to freeze for a few moments, to blend into the terrain and give anyone who might be casually looking over their approach route and the terrain around it that nothing was happening. Old habits died hard, even though the approach was mostly in dead ground, not easily seen, or seen at all, from the village.

"Clear reading from here?" Kulikov asked, crouching beside March and pointing out the pale exhaust of the generator seeming to come from a aluminum-panel shed, visible in the light seeping from a two-story house's windows.

Aequatio

02-02-2007, 23:32

The soft ground was pressed flat underneath Mendes's boots as she moved forward in a low crouch, her carbine over her shoulder as she examined the earth for suitable placements for the small mines. She opened the weapon's small spike and slowly pressed them into the ground before pressing a small button on top and extending a small aerial for the remote detonator in her other hand. She pointed to another area after getting Ulyanik's attention before signalling with her free hand to plant his mines.

Black came to a stop as he held his hand up for Kalinov, "We're here," He said quietly deploying the small, spring-supported bipod on the end of the forestock. He almost caressed the rifle as he set it on the ground and turned on the night vision scope sitting atop its attachment rail. He scanned the few buildings around the target before whispering to his partner, "Distance and windage?"

March gave a thumbs up and a smile to Kulikov as she deployed the massive rifle's bipod and crawled into a prone firing position. She examined the small shed through the thermal viewer and noted the mass heat signature. She nestled the buttstock's rest against her cheek as she dialed in the rifle and used her thumb to turn off the safety, "We're good to go, call it in to the major."

Russkya

03-02-2007, 00:04

Ulyanik carefully planted the somewhat-familiar device and camouflaged it and its aerial, lining them up so they'd cover a wide arc, imagining the two killing zones intersecting. Securely planted, the devices would rain shit, death, destruction, horror and damnation upon those who were in their path if and or when they were detonated.

Meanwhile, Kalinov carefully sited himself near Black, opting to rest his SVD-K's forestock on his closed fist, and shook the rifle very slightly to rearrange the scrim-net that covered it. His head dropped behind the optic and he ranged the doorway of a weather-battered house.

"Range six hundred meters. Wind light, right to left, estimate ten kilometres per hour. The meteorologists," Kalinov had some difficulty with the correct English pronounciation of that term, "said it is unlikely the wind will gust much. Good for us."
Then Kalinov rested his finger inside the trigger guard, though still off the curved steel of the trigger itself.

Kulikov sat back in the grass and for the nth time wished he was carrying subsonic ammunition and a PBS-type suppressor for his AKS-74M rifle, before letting his left hand reach for the transmit-switch to call in to the Major and his Sergeant. The headset's straps were olive drab, as was the earpiece, and was somewhat difficult to distinguish from the green-brown camouflaged shape that was his head, half-hidden in shadow. The headset itself strongly resembled the SELEX Personal Role Radio device in use with the British, the superlative ear-piece design allowing "hearing-through," rather than deafening one ear. For this reason it was highly favoured.

Aequatio

03-02-2007, 23:55

Mendes looked over at Ulyanik as he planted the last weapon before waving her hand back towards the skirmish line's position.

"Agreed," Replied Black as he moved his hand to the switch behind the rifle's action, switching the safety off as it slid down to the trigger as he held the rifle firmly while at the same time placed his index finger lightly against the trigger. Hiw other hand worked at the controls for the scope, adjusting for the conditions as he trained the crosshair on the second-floor windows. "I think we're good for the shot... call it in."

Lyander sat crouched in her position, her G28 rifle resting on her knee as she listened to the intercom channel for the calls coming in from the two other teams.

Russkya

04-02-2007, 01:02

"Major Lyander. Kalinov and Black. In position, ready to fire. Over."

The Russkyan Platoon Designated Marksman let his hand double-check to ensure the safety on the SVD-K was disengaged. It was, and had been since they'd left the L-16ISC, a precaution taken in the event of bumping an enemy patrol.

Ulyanik followed Mendes back to the hasty skirmish line and crouched between his counterpart and Parinen, who loaded a standard VOG-25 high-explosive fragmentation round into the GP-30 fixed under the forestock of his rifle. He clicked off his safety, setting his rifle to semiautomatic with the same gesture, and shrugged to get a more comfortable fit with the tactical sling affixed to his weapon.

Kulikov, meanwhile, attempted to estimate the muzzle-blast of the 20mm "anti-material beast" wielded by the diminuitive March, and eventually settled on a spot slightly behind and to her right. He settled in, scanned the surrounding foliage again, and tapped the sniper on her upper back to indicate that she was clear for a shot, when the order came.

Aequatio

04-02-2007, 01:55

"Affirmative," Replied Lyander as Mendes and Ulyanik joined their position on the line, "Be ready to fire as soon as the lights go out, Lyander out." The sergeant shouldered her weapon and switched to semi-automatic as she scanned the night, peering through the darkness for the coming fight that would ensue.

Black scanned the windows of the target building as he searched for the outline of the target, he managed to spot a vague outline as he strained his eyes to make sense of the green field of view and bright white light of the interior of the night vision device. The crosshair sat on the man's breast as he spoke on a handheld radio, the sniper whispered to Kalinov, "I have the shot."

March nodded as she brought her eye tight to the scope's eyepiece, resting her face against the synthetic rubber as se viewed the generator's signature. Lyander set her own rifle to semi-automatic when she switched channel to speak with all of the teams, "This is Lyander, we are now weapons free, on your mark, March."

Kulikov passed the message onto March as she silently nodded in acknowledgement as she focussed on the rifle. She centered the crosshair on the generator and brought her hand to the trigger, slowly squeezing it back to the guard until it erupted, the deafening concussion of the muzzle blast blew up some of the foliage as the visable gas from the round's ignition was expelled from the break. It was then that the lights in the section of buildings dimmed immediately as the generator's sound was eliminated from those of the night.

As the light dropped, there were panicked yells from the village from the occupants, Black squeezed the trigger on his own rifle as he watched the target look about, his shot made easier as he opened the window and looked outside. The crack of the SSG-20 was less so than that of the massive twenty millimetre , but no less lethal as the round struck home in the target's chest, causing him to stumble back and disappear from view. The sniper dutifully racked the bolt on the rifle as he looked down around the foot of the building.

Russkya

04-02-2007, 02:35

Kalinov spoke quietly but audibly, having given up the pretense of being quiet after the tremendous report of the twenty millimetre and the nearby crack of the SSG-20. "Good kill. I hope it was the right man - I do not want to come out here again. Base of the building, bottom right. Two contacts. Maybe three."

The Russkyan took the "morally dubious" shot, the 9.3x64mm casing kicking out of the reciever of his rifle as the bolt slammed straight back as the weapon recoiled into the man's shoulder. The round flew mostly straight, not arcing much at this range, and impacted in the upper center mass of a confused-looking fellow carrying a machine-pistol. He swung the muzzle over a few degrees and centered the optic on the second man, carrying a rifle, but not a Kalashnikov, possibly an SKS semiautomatic, judging from the dim silhoutte. He fired again, heard the casing 'ping' off the nearby stone footing of the nearest building - ah, thus the downsides of a semiautomatic over a bolt-action for a sniper's weapon - and the shape collapsed down and forwards, folding over the rifle that barely had time to slip from suddenly dead hands before the corpse landed on it.

Kulikov, meanwhile, shook his head slightly to clear it, rose to one knee, and brought his rifle to a firing position. In good English, he suggested to March that they now proceed to "get the fuck out of here before some spavined whoreson decides to take shots at where the giant bang came from," and provided overwatch as the Aequatian began what Kulikov assumed were preparations for getting the fuck out of the way.

While not immediately obvious to the naked eye, a practiced eye could easily see the dark shapes flitting about in the village. No doubt every partisan was now awake and looking for some kind of trouble. To partially solve this problem, Parinen knelt and gauged the trajectory of the VOG-25, easing his finger onto the grenade launcher's trigger and waiting for a clear target and the affirmative from Ulyanik, Lyander, or Mendes, before he fired. It would not do to piss off the Major with accidental civilian casualties, and that was the only reason the VDV man held his fire. The Russkyans had long ago established that they were unwilling to risk their lives for the lives of Estonavian civilians who allowed themselves to be shields for a hostile force. All sides seemed to understand this arrangement.

Aequatio

04-02-2007, 03:24

March snapped the bipod's holding locks on place as she hefted the rifle in her hands and climbed to a crouch as she passed Kulikov in the direction of the makeshift skirmish line, tapping his shoulder as she moved by, her MP45 machinepistol in-hand, "Tell them we're on our way to them," She said as she walked on in a crouch over the ground.

The sniper swung his rifle around scanning for any other prominant targets before shaking his head and turning to Kalinov, "Let's get moving, back to the line then to the packs," Black said, switching his bolt-action for the G28 assault rifle and keeping watch for his counterpart to ready his own things for movement.

The major scanned the night as she watched for her approaching squad, she looked upon the three others in the line, "Engage any who break the five hundred metre limit, use mines for only large groups. Any vehicles should be knocked out by grenades or LAW." Mendes nodded as she unslung a small olive green plastic tube from her back, written in the usual white, stencilled font was "LAW-75A, 75mm HEAT" as she deployed the sight and set it at her side on the ground.

Russkya

04-02-2007, 03:32

Kulikov took the chance of assuming that March understood the concept of bounding backwards by pairs or individually, and knelt in place with his rifle's muzzle tracking across an ninety degree arc and his head across a hundred and eighty degrees as he waited for a count of thirty, then turned and headed after March quickly and low to the ground.

Kalinov, meanwhile, simply lifted himself up off the ground, staying in a very low crouch, bent forward at the waist with his rifle's stock tucked into his side and the barrel paraell to his body. He jerked his head back and to the left, indicating Black should lead off towards the rear, and he began edging backwards himself.

Ulyanik and Parinen, upon seeing the readied LAW-75A, immediately shifted a few meters further away and beside Mendes to ensure they were well away from the back-blast. The danger of back-blast had been drilled into every Russkyan soldier's head repeatedly over the course of their basic and advanced training, and settling down in a modified prone position, both men hefted their weapons again and waited for contacts. Ulyanik asked Mendes a question without taking his eyes from his fire-arc. "You have the detonators for all the mines, yes? You may be able to better judge when to set them off than me."

Aequatio

04-02-2007, 04:01

The sergeant nodded, keeping her eye on her carbine's sight and watching her fire arc, "Yes, the mines are covering an area I knew we wouldn't be able to supress well with rifle fire, mines going off in an area they think is safe from us will make them think twice about an assault."

Black moved quickly, partly sacrificing stealth for speed as he led Kalinov back to the rear area. He halted quickly came to a halt and dropped to a knee as he kept an overwatch for his counterpart, sweeping the area towards the village as he heard yelling before a spray of bright green tracer rounds passed just over their heads and into the trees behind them, the sniper took aim with his rifle and fired at the source of the enemy machinegun.

March moved silently, despite her weapon's great weight, although stopping periodically to watch their rearguard as Kulikov caught up to her lead.

Russkya

04-02-2007, 04:16

Kulikov's head snapped over in the direction of gunfire as he bounded past March, stopping fifteen meters away from her and about-facing to cover her bound backwards. Kalinov dropped to the ground out of instinct and scrambled towards Black, staring at the dirt as the G-28 fired, the rounds cracking over his head with the characteristic supersonic 'pop' produced by small arms fire.

He rolled onto his back, sat up and shouldered his rifle, fired four rounds quickly to discourage pursuit, then swung his legs underneath him and began hauling ass back in the direction of the skirmish line, slapping Black on the shoulder as he jogged past, dropping to one knee to cover his comrade's retreat backwards a dozen and a half metres from where he had been only thirty seconds before.

Aequatio

04-02-2007, 23:01

Through the exchange of small arms, March managed to hear the start of an engine as she turned and replaced her submachinegun with the massive SSG-20. The thermal viewer was quickly switched on as she scanned the buildings and spotted the signature of a truck's engine as it warmed up the air around it and began moving. Looking around, she braced herself against the trunk of a tree and took aim with the rifle, firing from the shoulder as the weapon discharged, sending another round through the air and into the engine block of the pursuing truck, a collection of yelling and cursing revealed the shot had disabled the vehicle. With a smile and a quick rub of her shoulder, she head on towards the staging area, passing by the skirmish position that lay several metres to her side, she stopped to make sure it was safe for Kulikov to move as well.

Black kicked up the earth and leaves behind him as he ran, once the bullets had started to fly, stealth no longer matter compared to getting out alive. He dropped to a knee and sighted down the G28 as he scanned for enemy figures, not seeing any and having Kalinov pass by, he checked over his shoulder as he saw the Russkyan take up his position, and he started to move again. It was in this sprint that he reached the skirmish line and brought his weapon to his shoulder again, he realized he was kneeling next to both Lyander and Ulyanik, he caught the officer's attention, "Major, where's March and Kulikov?"

"They've already been through here, to the staging post, you should be too," She said, switching over to another channel on the A-Sat Commlink before looking up at the sniper, "Get going, specialist, the bird will be here soon!" Black nodded as he signalled to Kalinov as he slumped down next to him on the line and pointed towards the rear. In a second they were on their feet moving as bursts of rounds and green tracers flew by over the skirmish position, causing all four occupants to dip low before returning a suppressive fire.

Russkya

05-02-2007, 22:03

The only bad thing about this, thought Kalinov, was that eventually the adrenaline would wear off and I'll be hurting for slamming into the ground like that. It's so much more comfortable to take a run when those bastards aren't shooting at you.
He stopped for a second near a tree that had a chest-high bush sitting at the base of it, and checked their rearward arc before turning around and following Black, charging through the brush towards the Landing Zone.

"Group of them at our two o'clock, one hundred fifty metres, Sergeant," Parinen said - rather nonchalantly, given the amount of incoming automatic fire they were recieving. Most of it went high, the hallmark of a stressed and poorly trained enemy. But that was perfectly all-right with the Russkyans and presumably the Aequatians as well. Ulyanik acknowledged Parinen as he changed his rifle's magazine, throwing the empty magazine inside his tucked-in Telynashka shirt to be reloaded later. He popped back up and pulled his trigger five times, barely noticing the minimal recoil of his rifle.

Parinen popped back up as well and the 'thump' of the GP-30 could be distinctly heard. Then the cracking explosion of the VOG-25 round, and a high-pitched scream.

"That looked to be right on target, Parinen. Reload that and I'll see about pulling out." The Russkyan NCO switched to English and tapped Major Lyander on the shoulder with his free left hand, leaving his right on the pistol grip of his AKS-74M.

"Major, we've overstayed our welcome, perhaps? Mask our withdrawl with smoke and fall back by pairs to the others?"

Aequatio

05-02-2007, 22:25

Mendes held her G65A2 carbine in one hand as she held the release as the empty magazine dropped out and was quickly replaced with a fresh one from her tactical vest. She looked over at Ulyanik and Lyander as they spoke before the major signalled to her, "Sergeant! We're bugging out in fifteen seconds, set the Claymores to remote proximity charge and ready smoke!"

"Roger that!" Yelled the sergeant over the firefight as she produced the master detonator from her jacket and switched the mines to detonate once the enemy had come close to them. She then grabbed a cylindrical canister off her belt and pulled the pin, holding the safety handle as she saw Ulyanik doing the same, with a slight nod back and forth, they heaved the grenades forward and they starting to pull a curtain of white smoke between the skirmish line and the enemy village, "We are leaving!" She yelled as her hand grabbed the shoulder strap on the LAW-75A and lifting it as the four soldiers climbed to their feet, a pair keeping their weapons trained as the other two started to move towards the landing zone.

Black changed out his rifle's magazine as he ran, having mostly cleared the effective range of the enemy fire, both him and Kalinov made their way towards the distant sound of rotors, the sniper turned to his counterpart with a smile, "Those sound like our cats!" He said excitedly through his heavy breathing, "We're home free now!" Not far off from their position was March and Kulikov, who had both broke into a sprint at the sound of the helicopters.

Estovakia

06-02-2007, 03:35

OOC: Did not mean to not post the last two weeks, but i have been busy in RL. Please note Aequatio i will post a reply to what you have posted to me last, though I won't be able to today.

And to you Russkya, I must admit i I have more typed out, I just couldn't type out exactly what I had to say so I'll just post this and see where you go with it.

IC:

Russkya

The Estovakian engineers were grateful for the rooms and the warm reception they received. They were comfortable-almost too comfortable- for this made them very reluctant to do their job. If it was not for the urgency, they might have used the occasion as a vacation of a sort. However, it was necessary that they complete their mission quickly. As soon as the russkyans were ready to discuss what they were able to offer, they would discuss.

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

Parliament Bldg., Karadjevo, Estovakia

The Colonel stood silently. He paced to the desk, pulled back the curtains away from the window, opened the double windows and peered out into the enclosed courtyard outside. A cold draft came into the room. The sun was setting and it was cold, the first considerable snow came the night before- and gusts of wind blew tiny snow drifts across the brick below.

"Damn chilly outside." The Colonel suddenly closed the windows suddenly. "Glad to be inside. And you have to be careful when looking out windows. The wrong time and the wrong moment and you're missing a forehead. They're still around."

Colonel Metzger turned around and faced Iltchenko. "I guess I've delayed long enough. Now to the truth."

He began by explaining his predicament. "6 years ago, I was one of the most promising officers. I had a lot of good luck and a lot of talent. I was one of the best in my trade and one of the younger to reach my rank in the intelligence department. Things were running smoothly. Then everything turned bad. The civil war began, thanks to 'Generalissimo Pompous'. I misjudged the fascists. I backed the democratists. They lost. The new government began purging the armed forces of 'traitors'. I was to be one of the purged and probably killed. But-"

Colonel Metzger paused.

"I made a deal. I made a deal to save my life".

The Colonel continued to explain. "Over the years, I have accrued a large amount of information. I know a little something about everybody and everything. I know a lot of secrets, a lot of dirty secrets, career-destroying secrets, and confidential governmental secrets we don't want our enemies to know. Secret projects, Black Ops, location of every Estovakian covert field office and agent, who slept with who,what politician has been stealing from the government- anything one can ever learn about the insides of a government. A priceless amount of information to any two-bit government anywhere. The government knew I knew too much, but they also knew I have an inummerable amount of contacts, contacts who would release all I have found out to the world for anyone to see if something happened to me. So I bargained. My life for my secrecy. And nothing happened to me.

But I became complacent. I did what anyone in the intelligence community would consider a fatal mistake: I let my guard down. I had been living on borrowed time and now the government came to collect. Since the new government took over, a considerable amount of my contacts have been found out one way or another. I have children and unfortunately, the government knows how much family means to a person. My children were bargaining chips for the government. I have been forced to divulge contacts and information for the safety of my family. But there is one secret, the secret they want most, that I haven't divulged to them: I know where the sixth nuke is.

During the civil war, Estovakia's nuclear systems were up for grabs. Fortunately, the navy, indifferent to either side of the conflict and seeing the vast dangers in this, took all of Estovakia's SSBNs and five out of six of the army's tactical nukes out of Estovakia until the war's conclusion. The sixth tactical nuke was never recovered. Army loyalists, seeing the war was a lost cause, had dissasembled the tactical nuke and hid the nuclear component somewhere so that when the war was over they could reclaim the nuke and use it to extort the new government and other governments on the peninsula for money. But when the war was over, no extortion note popped up and no nuke showed up. The government stayed quiet for a while, hoping the problem would just disappear. Then rumours started. The nuke became a sort of "treasure chest" with every 'yahoo' and government looking for it. Estovakia knew it was only a matter of time before others would find it. So they started looking for it too. And they managed to zero in on its location being somewhere in Estonavia.

The Estovakian government I'm afraid hasn't been completely honest with you. The invasion of Estonavia was as much a photo op as it was searching for the missing nuke. Estovakia feels it would be nice to have the nuke back because if the nuke finds its way into an enemy's hands or the nuke detonates elsewhere and tests show the nuclear material was Estovakian in origin then Estovakia would have a lot of explaining to do. And politicans hate paperwork. The Estovakians want the nuke and they know I know where the nuke is, but they haven't been able to get it out of me because- and now here's the biggest secret. Here's to hoping that I can trust you."

Colonel Metzger sighed.

"I've been communicating with the Stovakistanis ever since i was put into the field. In addition to offering me asylum, they have also been able to covertly sneak my family out of Estovakia using a smuggling agency fronting as a missionary organization. I'm sure you are aware nothing is without a tradeoff these days. In exchange for their asylum, I am forced to tell them where the nuke is. I have judged this to be an acceptable tradeoff since they already have nukes and have assured me they don't need anymore and promised to keep it in safe hands. It's a better choice than giving it to the warhounds within my government. I am also to act as an intermediary between revolutionary groups within Estovakia and Estonavia and the Stovakistani government. If you have any doubts that I've supplied information leading to the deaths of Russkyans or have compromised Russkyan forces I urge you to trust my word that I haven't as I have carefully selected which information to pass on. They only people hurt by my actions, I can assure you, are the criminals who call themselves leaders and loyal fascist demons that exist within our rotten society.

But now to ask you a favor. The Estovakian government is after me, I know it. They know I've been corraborating with the Stovakistanis and are losing their patience. I need to get out of here, and I need someone to sneak me out or smuggle me out. I know i can trust you and that's why i have come to you. All i need to do is either get across to Estovanian-controlled Estonavia and I can find my way or to get off the peninsula. To show my friendship, I will even tell you where the nuke is when you smuggle me out. After all, I am forced to tell the Stovakistanis where the nuke is, true, but I can delay them a slight bit and if you get to the nuke before they do, is that my fault? All I had to do was tell them where the nuke was, not recover it for them. And your country can do whatever they want with the nuke and the world will be a better place without it being in the hands of anyone here."

The door opened. Inside the door frame stood Captain Pinzon, his coat absent from his body, revealing his full military regalia. In his hand was his pistol and it was pointed at Metzger.

"You know, there's no such thing as a thick enough wall to keep you away from me, Colonel."

Russkya

06-02-2007, 05:29

OOC: Because putting me in an easy situation would be too easy. Now I wish I'd brought a full platoon instead of a section with Iltchenko. Well, let's see how this goes. My apologies for the background, but that's the price I pay for not detailing the character more beforehand.
I will deal with the Estovakians in Russkya in a later post, there's a particular way I want to do things there given recent technological advancements I've made. And Aequatio, we shall get out of that hot LZ in another post as well.

Iltchenko stood very still and listened to Metzger's tale. At one point he moved to shoulder his rifle, slinging it diagonally across his back, but he kept his eyes fixed on the desk and listened carefully. The window closed and he looked up from the desk at the Colonel's mention of continuing enemy marksman presence, and shrugged, his battle gear resting slightly more comfortably afterwards. He kept his eyes clear of the Colonel, their Polkovnik, as he'd earned the nickname from the Operational Staff, was well liked by the Russkyan forces in Estonavia, a reputation for timely and useful intelligence.

And the Russkyan hoped that wouldn't be construed as an insult, but as the signal that it was, that he was listening carefully to what was being said and not forming any opinions before the man had finished talking. Such was Iltchenko's way, one of the reasons he was the capable leader his men made him out to be. This talk of nuclear weapons didn't concern him nearly as much as it would have another man. Circumstances were unique, Iltchenko was a student of military history, and for the past months, he, and the battlegroup he led, had been writing chapters of Russkyan military history. He remembered it all.

It was simple, really. First he'd been a Captain, leading a Company-sized force of observers. Events had conspired against them, they'd boosted their presence, remained involved. Metzger had been around in those early days, earned the trust - often indirectly - of every man in what was now Number One Company, First VDV Battalion, 1 O-E Regiment. And the Russkyans had fought for Estovakian causes, lost blood for Estovakian causes. Now this.

Metzger finished his tale, and out of habit, Iltchenko undid the strap that held the automatic combat pistol inside its drop leg holster. His PRR headset spoke into his ear, a warning, he felt the door open behind him before he heard Pinzon's almost familiar voice. Without turning, Iltchenko sidestepped between the two Estovakians and for the first time since Metzger had started explaining this shadow war to the Major, he met the Colonel's eyes.

"Polkovnik. The Captain here has told me... some interesting things. And only one of them concerns me now. There were unknown communications transmitted from near my forces, during the rearguard action. They could not be identified. We made no odd contacts during that withdrawl. If you know, I want to know who those transmissions came from."

A harsh-sounding Russkyan voice from behind Pinzon. It came from a man whose rifle's stock was tucked securely into his shoulder, a suntanned face marked by powder stains, the darkness of this contrasting sharply with clear green-grey eyes, which focused down the iron sights of the rifle, the muzzle held in the upper center of Pinzon's back.

"Major. What am I to do?"

Combat boots could be heard clattering on the floor, the harsh jingle of ammunition belts, the remainder of the section arrived from their place near the entrance of the building. They spread out along the hall, effectively sealing this part of the building off from interlopers. It seemed now that the play was in motion, the actors, two Russkyan, two Estovakian, on center stage. Iltchenko rested a hand on the comfortably familiar grip of the OTs-33 he carried, and his mind began sorting out probabilities, possibilities. He'd stabilized the situation, at the risk of his own life - a rook blocking the queen's advance. Now, it was to see how the pieces would move again.

Aequatio

16-02-2007, 20:06

To the respective commanding officers of both Russkyan and Estovakian elements of EFOR

It is at this point in time that the cost of maintaining the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) as part of EFOR has no longer been deemed economical, due to the changing nature of the situation and the increasing amount of resources needed to maintain a heavy mechanized force in-country. At this point in time, the Aequatian Republic Air Force will begin an airlift operation to extract only the maneuver elements of the division, including the three mechanized infantry brigades, the 7th Air Defence Regiment. The 7th Cavalry Regiment, 5th Division headquarters, divisional artillery, aviation and combat service support units will remain deployed until replaced by units from the 2nd Aequatian Airborne Division which will be deployed.

Once the 2nd Airborne Division's elements have arrived, the 5th Infantry Division's headquarters will be relieved of command of the Aequatian EFOR element and will be removed along with its respective combat service support and aviation elements. The divisional artillery, consisting of both 203mm guns and MLRS vehicles will remain as EFOR elements, although all others will be replaced with units from the 2nd Airborne. We feel that the flexibility provided by an air assault unit with improved aviation units will increase the effectiveness of the Aequatian forces in their areas of responsibility.

Aequatian Mobilization to EFOR

Headquarters and Combat Service Support Group (Composite), 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
- 5th Infantry Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 10 Personnel)
- 107th Signal Battalion (37 Ferret HMMWV with mounted MG85 LMG; 152 Personnel)
- 607th Civil Affairs Battalion (8 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 32 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 332 Personnel)
- 407th Psychological Operations (PSYOP) Battalion (12 EH-10D Super Raven Light Helicopters with mounted Loudspeaker Systems; 27 M909 Ferret HMMWV with mounted Loudspeaker System; 9 M909 Ferret HMMWV with mounted MG85 LMG; 3 Centurion, Mark I LAV; 215 Personnel)

DIVARTY, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
4th Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment (24 203mm Broadsword SPG; 12 M10 Spotter FISTV; 18 M11 Longbowman; 442 Personnel)
5th Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment (24 Fire Arrow MLRS; 12 M10 Spotter FISTV; 18 M11 Longbowman; 390 Personnel)

2nd Special Combat Applications Regiment, 2nd Airborne Division
- Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron (18x MIM-360 Talon MANPADS; 180 Personnel)
- A Squadron (Pioneer) (27x M1240 Lynx Fast Attack Vehicles; 8x M44 2.5-ton Cargo Trucks; 16x M117 BGM-225 Goblin ATGM ; 8x M224A3 60mm Mortars; 466 Personnel)
- B Squadron (Pioneer) (27x M1240 Lynx Fast Attack Vehicles; 8x M44 2.5-ton Cargo Trucks; 16x M117 BGM-225 Goblin ATGM ; 8x M224A3 60mm Mortars; 466 Personnel)
- C Squadron (Pioneer) (27x M1240 Lynx Fast Attack Vehicles; 8x M44 2.5-ton Cargo Trucks; 16x M117 BGM-225 Goblin ATGM ; 8x M224A3 60mm Mortars; 466 Personnel)
- D Squadron (Field Artillery (Light)) (12x M777A1 155mm Field Howitzers; 16x M44 2.5-ton Cargo Trucks; 10x M940 HMMWV Cargo; 1x M1240 Lynx Fast Attack Vehicle; 158 Personnel)
- E Squadron (Aviation) (16x UH-20D Shadowcat Light Utility Helicopters; 12x MH-10D Raven Light Reconnaissance Helicopters; 4x AH-10D Raven Light Attack Helicopters; 8x M44 2.5-ton Cargo Trucks; 6x M44 2.5-ton Fuel Trucks; 151 Personnel)
- 125th Forward Support Battalion, 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) (2 M909 Ferret HMMWV with MG85 LMGs; 48 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 24 M978 HEMTT Tankers; 24 M985 HEMTT Cargo; 24 M990 HEMTT Mobile Mess Units; 24 ARRV, Mark II; 24 Conqueror, Mark I ARRV; 24 Caregiver, Mark I Armoured Ambulances; 12 UH-20Q MEDIVAC Helicopters; 938 Personnel)

4th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Airborne Division
- Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion (2x M1171 Command, Control and Intelligence Vehicles; 6x M1192 Air Defence Vehicles; 18x MIM-360 Talon MANPADS; 30 M931 HMMWV MP Weapon Carriers; 10 M935 HMMWV Loudspeaker Carriers; 4 M930 HMMWV Weapon Carriers; 508 Personnel)
- 1st Battalion, 4th Parachute Infantry Regiment (4x M1171 Command, Control and Intelligence Vehicles; 4x M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 8x M939A4 5-ton Cargo Trucks; 6x M977A1 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) Cargo; 6x M978A1 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMMT) Fuel; 6x M1174 Spartan (Recovery) Vehicles (18 Personnel); 10x M910 Ferret HMMWV GP; 10x M44 2.5-ton Cargo Trucks; 6x M990 Heavy Equipment Transporters (HET); 6x M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicles; 16x M1190 Tank Destroyer Vehicles; 6x M1184 Reconnaissance Vehicles; 8x M1182 90mm Mortar Carriers; 60x M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 787 Personnel)
- 2nd Battalion, 4th Parachute Infantry Regiment (4x M1171 Command, Control and Intelligence Vehicles; 4x M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 8x M939A4 5-ton Cargo Trucks; 6x M977A1 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) Cargo; 6x M978A1 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMMT) Fuel; 6x M1174 Spartan (Recovery) Vehicles (18 Personnel); 10x M910 Ferret HMMWV GP; 10x M44 2.5-ton Cargo Trucks; 6x M990 Heavy Equipment Transporters (HET); 6x M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicles; 16x M1190 Tank Destroyer Vehicles; 6x M1184 Reconnaissance Vehicles; 8x M1182 90mm Mortar Carriers; 60x M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 787 Personnel)
- 3rd Battalion, 4th Parachute Infantry Regiment (4x M1171 Command, Control and Intelligence Vehicles; 4x M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 8x M939A4 5-ton Cargo Trucks; 6x M977A1 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMTT) Cargo; 6x M978A1 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (HEMMT) Fuel; 6x M1174 Spartan (Recovery) Vehicles (18 Personnel); 10x M910 Ferret HMMWV GP; 10x M44 2.5-ton Cargo Trucks; 6x M990 Heavy Equipment Transporters (HET); 6x M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicles; 16x M1190 Tank Destroyer Vehicles; 6x M1184 Reconnaissance Vehicles; 8x M1182 90mm Mortar Carriers; 60x M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 787 Personnel)
- 4th Battalion, 4th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Field Artillery (Light)) (12x M777A1 155mm Field Howitzers; 16x M44 2.5-ton Cargo Trucks; 10x M940 HMMWV Cargo; 1x M1240 Lynx Fast Attack Vehicle; 158 Personnel)

4th Brigade (Aviation), 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized)
- 1st Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company (2 M8 Leonidas C3IV; 10 Personnel)
- 1st Attack Helicopter Squadron, 7th Aviation Regiment (24 AH-72 Viper Attack Helicopters; 48 Personnel)
- 2nd Attack Helicopter Squadron, 7th Aviation Regiment (24 AH-72 Viper Attack Helicopters; 48 Personnel)
- 3rd Attack Helicopter Squadron, 7th Aviation Regiment (24 AH-72 Viper Attack Helicopters; 48 Personnel)
- 1st Light Helicopter Squadron, 7th Aviation Regiment (32 MH-20 Shadowcat M3U Helicopters; 128 Personnel)
- 1st Medium Helicopter Squadron, 7th Aviation Regiment (24 CH-47Z Super Chinook Helicopters; 72 Personnel)
- 128th Forward Support Battalion (2 M909 Ferret HMMWV with MG85 LMGs; 48 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 24 M978 HEMTT Tankers; 24 M985 HEMTT Cargo; 24 M990 HEMTT Mobile Mess Units; 24 ARRV, Mark II; 24 Conqueror, Mark I ARRV; 24 Caregiver, Mark I Armoured Ambulances; 12 UH-20Q MEDIVAC Helicopters; 938 Personnel)

7th Cavalry Regiment
- 7th Cavalry Regiment Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (2 M1171 C2IV; 12 Personnel)
- 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (44 M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 4 M1184 Reconnaissance Vehicles; 6 M1182 90mm Mortar Carriers, 6 M1190 Tank Destroyer Vehicles, 1 M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicle, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 664 Personnel)
- 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (44 M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 4 M1184 Reconnaissance Vehicles; 6 M1182 90mm Mortar Carriers, 6 M1190 Tank Destroyer Vehicles, 1 M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicle, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 664 Personnel)
- 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (44 M1180 Infantry Carrier Vehicles; 4 M1184 Reconnaissance Vehicles; 6 M1182 90mm Mortar Carriers, 6 M1190 Tank Destroyer Vehicles, 1 M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicle, 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV, 12 M35A2 2.5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 664 Personnel)
- 1st Battalion, 507th Field Artillery Regiment (24 155mm Sabre SPH; 24 M1182 120mm Mortar Carriers; 12 M10 Spotter FISTV; 6 M11 Longbowman; 722 Personnel)
- 4th Battalion, 7th Field Engineer Regiment (2 M1171 C2IV; 12 ARRV Mark II; 12 AVLB Mark III; 12 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 16 M909 Ferret HMMWV; 536 Personnel)
- 807th Forward Support Battalion (2 M909 Ferret HMMWV with MG85 LMGs; 48 M939A3 5-ton Gun Trucks with M2C1 HMGs; 24 M978 HEMTT Tankers; 24 M985 HEMTT Cargo; 24 M990 HEMTT Mobile Mess Units; 24 ARRV, Mark II; 24 Conqueror, Mark I ARRV; 24 M1170 Medical Evacuation Vehicles; 12 UH-20Q MEDIVAC Helicopters; 938 Personnel)
- 807th Military Police Battalion (72 M909 Ferret HMMWV with mounted MG85 LMG; 338 Personnel)
- 807th Military Intelligence Battalion (2 M1171 C2IV; 15 M1180 ICV; 18 RQ-9B Predator III; 170 Personnel)

21st Aequatian Air Expeditionary Wing (Composite)
1st Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 20 F-28A "Black Eagle" Multirole Tactical Fighters (20 Personnel)
1st Pursuit Figher Squadron
- 20 F-29A "Hurricane" Advanced Air Superiority Fighters (20 Personnel)
2nd Pursuit Figher Squadron
- 20 F-29A "Hurricane" Advanced Air Superiority Fighters (20 Personnel)
1st Electronic Warfare Squadron
- 20 EA-74 "Electric Arrow" Electronic Warfare Aircraft (40 Personnel)
1st Air Control Flight
- 4 E-10B MC3I-STARS Multi-Sensor Command, Control, Communication, Intelligence, Surveillance Target Attack Radar System Aircraft (136 Personnel)
1st Airborne Intelligence and Surveillance Support Squadron
- 2 E-10C Airborne Control Aircraft (Modified E-10 for 20 UAV Pilots, 20 Radar Operators and 6 Flight Crew per Aircraft) [184 Personnel]
- 40 RQ-10 Electric Hawk Drones (RQ-4 Global Hawk UAV with Clear Sight Suite Mounted)
1st Air Rescue Squadron (ARS)
- 24 HH-20J "Jaycat" Helicopters (96 Personnel)
- 4 HC-130P "King" Long Range Rescue Aircraft (36 Personnel)
(136 personnel: 9 Combat Rescue Officers, 1 Flight Surgeon, 102 PJs, 3 survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists and 21 command staff and support personnel.)
- Alpha Flight, 1st Special Operations Air Wing (4 AC-130V Spectre Gunships (M777B1 155mm gun, 2x M88 25mm Vulcan Cannon); 52 Personnel)
- Bravo Flight, 1st Special Operations Air Wing (4 AC-130V Spectre Gunships (M777B1 155mm gun, 2x M88 25mm Vulcan Cannon); 52 Personnel)

Estovakia

07-03-2007, 00:04

OOC: I shall post either later today or tomorrow. I know its been a while but in addition to the virus my computer had, RL obligations keep biting me in the ass.

But I'm not bitter. :mad:

Aequatio

07-03-2007, 19:18

OOC: I shall post either later today or tomorrow. I know its been a while but in addition to the virus my computer had, RL obligations keep biting me in the ass.

But I'm not bitter. :mad:

OOC: It's all right, I know Russkya and I are still here to continue this.

Estovakia

15-03-2007, 02:23

OOC: It's all right, I know Russkya and I are still here to continue this.

OOC: Again, sorry. And doubly sorry the following post is for Russkya, but i want to get this post out of the way already. I will respond to your other posts. (that is, if you guys are still around, i wouldn't blame either of you if you weren't.)

IC:

Iltchenko stood very still and listened to Metzger's tale. At one point he moved to shoulder his rifle, slinging it diagonally across his back, but he kept his eyes fixed on the desk and listened carefully. The window closed and he looked up from the desk at the Colonel's mention of continuing enemy marksman presence, and shrugged, his battle gear resting slightly more comfortably afterwards. He kept his eyes clear of the Colonel, their Polkovnik, as he'd earned the nickname from the Operational Staff, was well liked by the Russkyan forces in Estonavia, a reputation for timely and useful intelligence.

And the Russkyan hoped that wouldn't be construed as an insult, but as the signal that it was, that he was listening carefully to what was being said and not forming any opinions before the man had finished talking. Such was Iltchenko's way, one of the reasons he was the capable leader his men made him out to be. This talk of nuclear weapons didn't concern him nearly as much as it would have another man. Circumstances were unique, Iltchenko was a student of military history, and for the past months, he, and the battlegroup he led, had been writing chapters of Russkyan military history. He remembered it all.

It was simple, really. First he'd been a Captain, leading a Company-sized force of observers. Events had conspired against them, they'd boosted their presence, remained involved. Metzger had been around in those early days, earned the trust - often indirectly - of every man in what was now Number One Company, First VDV Battalion, 1 O-E Regiment. And the Russkyans had fought for Estovakian causes, lost blood for Estovakian causes. Now this.

Metzger finished his tale, and out of habit, Iltchenko undid the strap that held the automatic combat pistol inside its drop leg holster. His PRR headset spoke into his ear, a warning, he felt the door open behind him before he heard Pinzon's almost familiar voice. Without turning, Iltchenko sidestepped between the two Estovakians and for the first time since Metzger had started explaining this shadow war to the Major, he met the Colonel's eyes.

"Polkovnik. The Captain here has told me... some interesting things. And only one of them concerns me now. There were unknown communications transmitted from near my forces, during the rearguard action. They could not be identified. We made no odd contacts during that withdrawl. If you know, I want to know who those transmissions came from."

A harsh-sounding Russkyan voice from behind Pinzon. It came from a man whose rifle's stock was tucked securely into his shoulder, a suntanned face marked by powder stains, the darkness of this contrasting sharply with clear green-grey eyes, which focused down the iron sights of the rifle, the muzzle held in the upper center of Pinzon's back.

"Major. What am I to do?"

Combat boots could be heard clattering on the floor, the harsh jingle of ammunition belts, the remainder of the section arrived from their place near the entrance of the building. They spread out along the hall, effectively sealing this part of the building off from interlopers. It seemed now that the play was in motion, the actors, two Russkyan, two Estovakian, on center stage. Iltchenko rested a hand on the comfortably familiar grip of the OTs-33 he carried, and his mind began sorting out probabilities, possibilities. He'd stabilized the situation, at the risk of his own life - a rook blocking the queen's advance. Now, it was to see how the pieces would move again.

As quiet and unassuming as Russkyan soldiers maybe, Russkyan soldiers are still soldiers and soldiers tend to make a good amount of noise. Thus, the recent movement of Russkyan soldiers was not lost upon Estovakian soldiers within the Parliament chambers and loitering in the hallway, who watched their sudden rearrangement and movements with great suspicion. At first, it was assumed there were hostiles. The Estovakian soldiers were more than willing to help and followed behind the Russkyan soldiers.

The trouble was there were no hostiles and when it was discovered the Russkyans sealed off the hallway, suspicion mounted. The CO of the troops, a young and rather new Lieutenant, was perfectly aware Colonel Metzger was in the sealed off section, and perfectly unaware of the situation that had transpired. When it was discovered there were no hostiles and there was no tangible reason for the Russkyans to be tense, except if they were plotting something, something perhaps involving the Colonel involuntarily, it was the Lieutenant's job to do something to protect Metzger.

He radioed in for snipers and vehicle support, in case things got ugly, citing only that "there is suspected enemy presense in the area". He asked that the building be sealed off and that available troop units in the area should be on standby, in case something developed. He did not want to leak that something was wrong, especially involving allied troops, because it would be only natural for Russkya to find out, and for senior military brass to find out, and to have a whole international incident over the whole thing.

He also quietly positioned his troops. He stuck some troops in plain sight of Russkyan troops, to make it known they knew the Russkyans were up to something, but he also hid other troops around corners in case something went awry and fighting broke out. Then at least he'd have people already in cover, regardless of who won the shootout in the hallway. His troops did not necessarily get into combat positions, but there fingers were offly twitchy, and it was evident they'd shoulder their weapons in a moment's notice.

The Lieutenant approached the Russkyan perimeter. "I urge you to stand down. As an officer, charged with the protection and garrison of the Estonavian Parliament and all Estovakian equipment and personnel within this building, it is my duty to carry out these orders. If I suspect any wrongdoing or suspicious activity, it is my duty to deal with the anomalies as I see fit. The Colonel, who is currently surrounded, is part of my jurisdiction and I must oversee his condition immediately. I urge you to cease your suspicious activity. I must inform you that any compromise to my orders shall be dealt with accordingly and that any consequence as a a result of your defiance will be the result of your actions. I can take no blame for carrying out my orders in a timely and direct manner."

OOC: If you remember, way back in August, when I said you had to make a choice Russkya, this was it, sort of. there are two things at risk: Metzger and the alliance. If you A: kill or arrest Metzger, B: Allow Captain Pinzon to take Colonel Metzger, or C: Allow the Lieutenant to get through, Metzger is screwed over.

But if you assist Metzger in killing Pinzon , or you do it yourself (which you can do since you share the same weapons as the Estovanian-backed milita and/or Metzger would help cover it up) and then help Metzger leave, you will sour relations, since the truth will be known eventually that Metzger wasn't loyal and that Major Iltchenko helped him escape.

Each choice has its pros and cons, which I have determined. It doesn't matter which choice you make; I have no preference.

Russkya

15-03-2007, 04:17

Aequatio

15-03-2007, 19:43

The first of the pair of MH-20D helicopters came in low to the grass of the clearing as its rotorwash kicked up the dirt and dust from the ground as the second helicopter held its position over the second as the 70mm rockets from its attached pods streaked through the darkness and into the militia gunmen, exploding either in the air or as they strike the ground, showering the enemy with shrapnel and burning white phosphorus. Mendes set her rifle to hang from her arm as she flipped up the small iron sight for the LAW-75 and took aim, "GET DOWN!" She bellowed before pressing the trigger and unleashing a flash as the escaping gases from the rocket's motor poured out the exhaust port of the weapon, allowing the rocket to fly through the air into the trees, exploding as it made contact with a target with a flash.

March pushed Kulikov up onto the deck of the landed helicopter as she followed immediately afterwards, slumping forward onto his lap clumsily as the light aircraft moved to the side while Black and Kalinov stood outside, the Aequatian tapping his counterpart shoulder as he took aim at an advancing target with his G28, firing in a short burst of 6.5mm rounds, "Kalinov, go!" He shouted, directing him to the helicopter's open door.

Lyander fired from her G65A2 in semi-automatic mode as she turned to point at the helicopters, "Mendes, Ulyanik, Parinen, get on that--" The major fell silent as she slumped back and onto the ground.

"Major!" Yelled the sergeant as she kneeled next to the officer, "Cover me!" Mendes shouted over the helicopters and firefight as she took hold of the straps of Lyander's tactical vest and pulled the major towards the waiting Shadowcat, Black helped the NCO place her on the deck as they waited for Ulyanik and Parinen.

Russkya

15-03-2007, 20:47

This is why I became VDV. Nothing says "Fuck you" quite like FFARs. Parinen's teeth were bared in a savage grin as he backed towards the helicopters, keeping his rifle shouldered and hunched over awkwardly. Facing away from the helicopter as such had the risk of tripping over something, but prevented his face from being battered with bits of debris thrown up by the rotor-wash of the Aequatian whirly-birds.

Kulikov rolled March off him onto the deck of the helicopter as he rolled himself up into a kneeling position, normally quiet voice loud and distinctive, shouting in Russkyan as he brought his rifle up to his shoulder and his forefinger pulled back on the shaped steel of the trigger. The AKS kicked straight backwards and the bolt slammed back, the brass of the ejected casing rolling out of the open door. Kulikov kept up his steady cadence of double-taps into the surrounding brush to force heads down until his firing pin snapped forward and no cartridge's primer was there to take the impact. Kalinov pulled Black into the helicopter, hand wrapped securely in the collar of the Aequatian sniper's jacket so the man could continue firing at least in the general direction of the enemy without worrying about tripping over anything on his way into the helicopter.

The reconnaissance soldier jerked his AKS-74M's muzzle skywards as the Major was hauled onto the flight deck and the other Aequatians clambered aboard. In the self-same time, Kulikov smoothly rocked the magazine out of his Kalashnikov, dropped it inside his half-open jacket to be refilled later, withdrew a fresh magazine and locked it into place, right hand coming up off the pistol grip to bring the bolt back against the recoil and return spring and chamber a fresh round as the left hand guided the muzzle towards a likely muzzle flash. The right hand returned to the pistol grip as a bullet richochet'd off the helicopter's fuselage, just above the door. The rifle thumped backwards twice, there was movement in the bushes and the full-automatic muzzle-flash stopped, and then Ulyanik and Parinen were barely five metres from the helicopter, half-crouched to instinctively avoid the rotor-blades above their heads. The Sergeant's head turned towards Parinen.

"Grenade, on the bird! My throw!"

Parinen didn't bother answering, merely slung his rifle over his back and withdrew the powerful fragmentation grenade from its pouch on his assault harness. He pulled the retaining pin, the fuze already in place, let the safety lever "ping" off the body of the grenade, and caught the motion of his NCO throwing overhand into the brush. He was halfway through the throw when he felt the muscle of his tricep half-seperate, a searing hot pain, and half-choked trying to simultaneously insult the mother of whomever had shot him and suppress a wounded shout. The grenade fell from limp fingers only two metres infront of the pair. Ulyanik rose from his crouch and booted the grenade forward, in nearly the same movement spinning to throw Parinen forward towards the helicopter. Both men clambered aboard as the grenade unintentionally air-bursted, careful to avoid the prostrate form of Major Lyander on the deck.

Ulyanik was too busy reloading to join Kulikov in the fusilade of rifle fire being poured out of the side of the MH-20D helicopter to bellow at the pilots that now was a good time to go. Though his ears felt stuffed with cotton from the noise of the firefight and the rocket's explosions barely sixty seconds earlier, he was fairly certain he heard his Aequatian counterpart bellowing at the flight-crew.

Aequatio

16-03-2007, 04:30

The helicopter's turbines whined in a higher pitch as the pilot pushed the throttle to full and the Shadowcat lurched forward as Mendes climbed up and looked back outside the door as the aircraft moved. The NCO strained her eyes as she looked out into the darkness, spotting the white-painted warhead of an PG-7 mounted on the launcher, she pushed the switch for her carbine's firing mode and pulled the trigger only to have the weapon jam, panicked, she hit the crewchief on the shoulder and pointed out until the gunner noticed. The sergeant spoke into the aircraft intercom, "Jack, I've got an RPG on the left, give me forty five degrees right!" The Shadowcat responded almost immediately as it spun on its axis and the 8.5mm GAU-85C minigun spit out a constant line of tracers and five times as many standard rounds into the darkness as it cleared out a number of the approaching rebels as both helicopters pulled away and set their course back to the 1-7th Cavalry's staging area.

Estovakia

25-03-2007, 22:14

OOC: As far as I know, we're all still here. I'll accomplish three things with this post, firstly move along the clusterfuck occurring in the Parliment Buildings, secondly I will attempt to find a third solution to your posed problem, and thirdly, I will attempt to move along the extraction process with the small reconnaissance/sniper element operating outside the unnamed Estonavian village. These will occur in the abovelisted order.

OOC: I cannot say I did not expect you to try to find a plan C. But I cannot say that I didn't plan for it either. But every minute this situation drags on, the harder it is (Just saying).

IC:

In the Hallway

The Lieutenant and his men continued to stand wary and half-ready for any new event and any news. Kept in the dark and a little confused, their anxiety and stress at being in the predicament kept them a little anxious and a bit trigger-happy.
Nonetheless, they waited. The vehicle support arrived along with the snipers. The Lieutenant posted the vehicle support, a new type of armored car (if you could call it that since its much closer to a LAV) at the end of the courtyard to seal it off from outsiders, and order the snipers to the opposite end of the courtyard from the the room Pinzon, Metzger, and Iltchenko were in.

Snipers weren't the technical term for them for they weren't really true snipers. They were officially "squad-designated marksmen", equipped with MSG-90 Designated Marksman Rifles and sent only because other available snipers were already on duty. Nevertheless, the Lieutenant felt he could trust them to carry out their duty effectively. The marksmen made it to the rooftop and crawled carefully to the ledge overlooking the courtyard. They readied their weapons and looked for a target. It wasn't hard. There was only one room with lights on since the building was almost entirely unoccupied. The marksmen, apart from each other by a few meters, began to make silent hand gestures, which the encroaching cover of darkness hid from the occupants inside the room, if they noticed the marksmen at all.

When they were ready, they radioed the Lieutenant on his shortwave radio. the Lieutenant ducked around the corner of the hallway to listen in.

"What do you see?"

The leader marksman responded. "I count three- no four men. Two Estovakian, two Russkyan. One Russkyan is behind a Black Guardsman and appears to be holding something, something I cannot see. Possibly a gun."

"A Black Guardsmen? Are you sure soldier?"

"An officer by the looks of it. There's a Russkyan army officer in front of the Black Guard officer, apparently talking to him, though he is touching the grips of his service pistols."

"Is there anything wrong?"

"They seem tense. No outright action yet. Pretty quiet. Wait. The Black Guard officer has a gun pointed at either an army officer or the Russkyan army officer I can't tell! What the hell is going on?"

"There is an army officer? One of ours?"

"One of our Army Colonels is in the corner of the room, separated from the Black Guardsman by the Russkyan officer. I can't see what he's doing, he is a little offset from the window and he's facing away from us."

"He's the man I'm looking for. Does he seem alright?"

"Wait a minute!" The marksman paused. His partner whispered something to him. The marksman then got on the radio again.

The Captain had shifted from his position, apparently angered and spouting something which the marksmen couldn't hear from their distance. In doing so, the second marksman got a view of the Russkyan behind him, with a gun pointed in his back. The second marksman had whispered this information to the first marksman, who then relayed it to the Lieutenant on the radio.

"Chirst! We have visual! A Russkyan is pointing a carbine into the back of the Black Guard officer. We do have a potential hostage situation in progress. I say again, we have a potential hostage situation in progress! We have a clear shot. Awaiting orders!"

"Hold fire! Hold fire!" The Lieutenant had no idea what to expect. He told his radioman. "Call HQ immediately. Tell them about the situation. Let them know our progress and get support immediately!"

The Lieutenant did not know whether the gun pointed at the Black Guardsman (whomever he was, he had no idea) was a result of the gun he was holding, or whether the Black Guardsman had his revolver out due to the gun in his back. All he knew was he had a duty to carry out. He rounded the corner again and went to the Russkyan perimeter.

"I'll give you two minutes to comply. Two minutes starting now. At the end of two minutes, I'll be forced to carry out my duties."

His soldiers shouldered their weapons and picked a target.

"Whether peacefully or by bullet and grenade, is up to you. I hope it isn't by the latter. I don't want it to go that way."

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Within the Room

Captain Pinzon had shifted from the doorway, the gun still implanted in his back.

"Suggestion by gunpoint is effective in almost all situations except this one, Major. I demand your man remove his gun from my back immediately. And I demand that you step aside. He's my jurisdiction, not yours. If he presented any risk with actions endangering your men, I will see to it personally that he is charged with the crime in addition to his traitorous actions. Any thoughts about aiding this traitor will be noted and reported to your superiors, so I urge you to act intelligently. Now step aside."

While the Captain was speaking the Colonel slowly felt for his service pistol...

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

Fort Stovakgrada, Estonavia

A junior officer rushed into the room of Lt. General Weiss. "Sir, it's an emergency."

The general spun around in his chair. "What is it?"

"We have an apparent hostage situation. Between Russkyans and Estovakia in the Estonavian Parliament building. Russkyan instigated."

The general paused for awhile. "Does it seem to be a isolated incident or does it seem to be part of a broader plan?"

"There is no evidence the Russkyans have planned anything. Other Russkyan units seem to be operating normally. Russkyan activities for the most part don't seem to be counteractive."

"This is an isolated incident?"

"I believe so, sir."

"You sure about the situation Lieutenant?"

"We have visual confirmation."

"Damn. You know procedure. If it does not resolve itself, the situation must be extinguished with the utmost secrecy. We cannot let an activity like this interfere with the alliance. Reroute the jamming aircraft; they should only be five-ten minutes to the south. Reroute the aircraft to be over Karadjevo. I want no communication out of Karadjevo. You are to tell no other person-no officer-nobody about what was said in this room. Only tell others what you need to tell them. As soon as the Black Guard finds out, they will want to know exactly who knows what. If you leak unnecessary information to anyone else, you can expect to never exist. You understand."

"Total confidentiality, sir."

"Exactly."

The general's door opened.

"Always punctual," the general smirked.

A Black Guard officer walked into the room with a suitcase. He placed it onto the desk and pulled out a small orange-red booklet. "This is no longer under your jurisdiction. Everything involving this incident is now under my control. I have full authorization to use whatever it takes to resolve this situation secretly and effectively."

He handed the booklet to the general.

"You understand what is needed. You know procedure. Only you will be able to access this booklet. It shall be kept in a secure location. When the mission is over I shall come back to collect it. It shall not be shared with anyone else."

"Of course."

"Is there anything I should know, general?" the Black guard officer asked.

"I am diverting Air Force jammers to fly over Karadjevo. No communication in or out."

"Excellent." The officer faced the Lieutenant. "As soon as you carry out your orders you are to immediately forget all you have seen or heard tonight, tommorrow, anything about this incident."

"I understand, sir."

Russkya

26-03-2007, 04:42

Many things can happen in the span of two minutes, as little time as it is.

The NCO in the hallway informed the Estovakian officer that he didn't care one way or the other and that "today is a good day to die," without any sense of false bravado. Then he turned away from the Lieutenant while keying the transmit switch to his personal role radio. The rifleman carrying his section's radio held up his left hand to indicate he was recieving a message while still maintaining watch on his narrow fire-lane, and the NCO returned the gesture to indicate he understood.

"Sir, you're going to need to get done with whatever you're doing or explain to the Lieutenant out here what you're doing in about a minute and a half before everyone in this hallway dies."

Kneeling by the radioman, he asked "What was the message?"
"XO wants a SITREP and a LOCREP and kindly asks us to put the Major on before he has the Grozoms obliterate something in retaliation."
"Tell him that the situation is fucked and that we're in the Parliment Buildings, that I'd like to get the fuck out of here, and I'm going to go see how the Major's doing now. October flight inserted us, find out who's extracting us now, not sure if the situation is fucked all over or just here, so plans might have changed.

And Rodyetko, load one of the TBGs into the launcher and take the distance-fuze off the warhead. It's likely three to one odds or probably more, so if we're going to die we might as well bring this entire half of the building with us."

Rodyetko knelt by his RPG-7V launcher, was handed a TBG-7V round, unscrewed the distance-safety from the warhead and then loaded the round, which would now detonate on impact. And being a thermobaric, it would result in a very large bang especially in these confined quarters. He shouldered the weapon and winked at the nearest visible Estovakian while his NCO pounded on the doorway and bellowed, in the event of his PRR having malfunctioned that the Major should "proceed to resolve whatever the fuck is going on in there, because in sixty seconds everyone in this half of the building is going to die a messy fucking death. Sir."

Inside the room, Iltchenko flicked the selector lever on the OTs-33 to full automatic and sighed heavily, as the metallic click was loud in the silence following the non-com's pounding on the thick door. The Major looked at Colonel Metzger, eyes showing apology, and looked back to Pinzon, hand now securely resting on the grip of the automatic pistol.

"Captain, what you will do is lower your weapon. What the Colonel will do is surrender his weapon to me, and as I do not have jurisdiction as our doctrines were not examined by the other in an 'aligned forces conference,' he will surrender himself to your custody. Once you have lowered your weapon and ideally re-holstered it, my man will have no reason to continue aiming his rifle at your center of mass. And apparently we have about sixty seconds in which to do this before we all are killed by whatever's going on outside, and since I would like to see the sunrise, I'd really prefer that you all safe your weapons now!"

Estovakia

27-03-2007, 02:55

"Captain, what you will do is lower your weapon. What the Colonel will do is surrender his weapon to me, and as I do not have jurisdiction as our doctrines were not examined by the other in an 'aligned forces conference,' he will surrender himself to your custody. Once you have lowered your weapon and ideally re-holstered it, my man will have no reason to continue aiming his rifle at your center of mass. And apparently we have about sixty seconds in which to do this before we all are killed by whatever's going on outside, and since I would like to see the sunrise, I'd really prefer that you all safe your weapons now!"

The Room

"You miserable bastard!" the Colonel yelled at Iltchenko as he inched toward the window. "I came to you for help and you threw me to the dogs. You betrayed me! You don't know what you've done! We could have saved the peninsula, we could have saved democracy but its over now! May you live with your decision for the rest of your life, Major!"

The Colonel whipped out his gun. Realizing that if he took the time to raise the gun he would have be shot to death by the Captain or the Major he had instead thrown the gun directly out of the holster in the direction of Major Iltchenko as a diversion for what he was going to do. The Colonel's motive was immediately apparent to Captain Pinzon. Pinzon, acted instantly, elbowing the man behind him, hoping to temporarily stun the soldier, and sprinted foward, shoving Iltchenko out of the way violently.

But it was too late. Metzger, not wanting to be taken alive, leaped out of the window right before the Captain could reach him. The Colonel in his split-second freefall pulled something from his belt and then smacked into the brick surface of the courtyard below.

"Holy fuck what the hell was that!" the lead marksman jumped straight up from the prone position on the rooftop.

Captain Pinzon grasped the window ledge with both hands and leaned out of the window below. Colonel Metzger had landed face down, his legs smashed and bent in a ungodly manner, blood oozing out of his skull. "Damn!"

There was a possibility Metzger was still alive. It was only a three or four storey drop. The Captain rushed out of the room giving only a cold, cursory glance toward the Major he had shoved and a scornful face to the soldier he elbowed. Business first, apologies later.

As most Black Guard officers were, he was ultra-nationalistic and regarded Russkyans and other foreigners as highly inferior and as dirt beneath his feet. He felt if it wasn't for the major's interference, the incident would never have happened. Honestly, he would have preferred to have the Major and his comrade hung for incompetence and aiding and abeiting a terrorist. Unfortunately for him, his lead witness was apparently dead and the information he would have extracted from the subsequent torture Metzger would receive in custody was no longer tangible.

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

The Courtyard

"What the hell?"

Metzger's body had smacked the courtyard. The crew of the armoured car reacted with sheer amazement.

Other soldiers from outside the courtyard ran into the courtyard and sprinted to the body.

A Sergeant barked orders. "Secure the perimeter! Quick give the man some medical attention! You! Get the radio! You-"

An explosion eminating from the Colonel's body knocked over those rushing to his body. Apparently the thing he had reached for before he fell was a pin from one of his grenades. Its explosion was a symbolic 'Screw you' and a calling card from beyond the grave. The concussion and shrapnel tore through his body and whatever he was carrying in his napsack, which bore the brunt of the grenade, splattering gore and blood all over the courtyard. The information he carried with him was destroyed and all he knew was lost forever.

All the Sergeant could do, tone-deaf from the explosion, was yell 'fuck' over and over.

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

In the hallway

The explosion outside could be heard within the hallway. Captain Pinzon could only guess that when he made it downstairs there wasn't going to be much left of him. But first he had to diffuse the situation.

"What is the meaning of this?" he asked an Estovakian soldier from across the perimeter.

The Estovakian replied back. "We had a possible hostage situation, sir."

The Lieutenant rounded the corner and faced the Captain, his face very tense. "Where is the Colonel?"

"Dead. He killed himself. The bastard was a traitor and decided to take his own life rather than face justice. None of this ever happened. Stand down, resume normal duties. That is an order."

The Lieutenant was shocked. Here he was, trying to prevent a hostage situation, trying to prevent a standoff between threatening to tear an alliance in two, pssibly three with Aequatio. He loses the man he was supposed to protect and in the snap of two fingers he was to totally forget about the incident?

"Yes, sir?" the Lieutenant replied, not sure what to make of the situation, though he dare not ask.

"I'm going to go back to check on the other people in the room. I have a few apologies I have to make. Ones I'd rather not make, but which I probably owe nonetheless. you are to go downstairs. I need to clear this situation up with the Russkyan Major and ask him a few brief questions. I'll expect a report at the end of your shift detailing what happened. Unless I need to write up a court-martial for incompetence for almost starting a needless conflict between two nations?"

"Yes, sir. will do sir. Lets go men." the Lieutenant ordered his soldiers to stand down and they walked off, their eyes filled with contempt for the Black Guard officer. He was not a personable person. But it wasn't his job to be.

Russkya

27-03-2007, 04:27

Iltchenko was in the process of swearing as Metzger's hand blurred upwards from his holster, his arm came across his torso as he twisted out of the way to avoid the shape of the pistol flying towards him, and he only barely regained his balance instead of crashing into a desk as the Black Guard Captain shoved him out of the way. Much to Pinzon's benefit, the Desantnik behind Pinzon had kept his finger out of the trigger guard, and had stepped back from the violent backwards snap of the elbow while holding his fire, and simply stepped away from the door, dropping the muzzle of his rifle to point at the floor as he intuitively understood the situation.

As Pinzon left the room, pausing to order the Estovakians at the end of the hall to stand down, the Russkyan NCO let loose with a hallway-filling shout, simultaneously ordering his men to hold fire at the sound of the explosion and for Rodyetko to secure the thermobaric rocket. Before his NCO had finished the sentence, Rodyetko was already unloading the weapon, screwing the safeties back on to the ugly, lethal shape of the TBG-7V. Like all good non commissioned officers, he had also managed to work five creative invectives in at the end of his more pressing orders. He looked into the room to find Iltchenko leaning out of the window as Pinzon had done, and gestured for the VDV man to rejoin his section.
"Unbe-fucking-lievable, Master Corporal."

Iltchenko stared out the window at Metzger's corpse, biting hard on the inside of his left cheek without realizing it. Turning his face from the window he tasted blood and spat the bloody scrap of flesh onto the floor. It would stop bleeding soon enough. Certain areas of the body healed quickly, the mouth was one of them. He ordered the VDV to the courtyard, pausing long enough in that order to take the radio handset and report in with his executive officer and call in October Flight for helicopter extraction and a return to base.
Elsewheres in Karajevo, completely unaware of what had happened, Black Glengarries continued working alongside Estovakian units to hand out food, restore power and water where needed, and control civil unrest.

Goddamned subterfuge was the thought that raced through Iltchenko's mind. If this were a combat situation, he would have been able to be decisive, even if there wasn't a clear objective. That is what I know, what I was trained for, what I'm expected to do. Goddamnit to Hell and back! He safed his weapon, retrieved his Kalashnikov from its spot on his back, and walked down to the courtyard to pay his respects to a man who'd provided intelligence that had at least in a few cases saved Russkyan and Estovakian lives, who was a traitor to his mother country, and now a fixture of Iltchenko's concious mind. He passed the Lieutenant, hesitated for a moment, and then walked on. Should have told him to try and forget everything, that it was a clusterfuck of epic proportions inside that room, and thanked him for keeping a cool enough head that we didn't all die. But that Guardsman probably did it already, and I wouldn't have the words if he hadn't.

Holding his AKS-74M just forward of the magazine, other hand hanging by his left side, he stood in the courtyard and watched the Estovakians busy themselves around Metzger's bloodied, crushed, and blasted remains. The VDV were nearby, the helicopters were probably ten minutes away at most. Iltchenko walked up to Pinzon, standing a half metre behind and to the left of the Black Guardsman.

Estovakia

04-04-2007, 00:35

Courtyard

Pinzon noticed the Major coming towards him.

"My apologies for earlier," Pinzon responded. "I hope I did not injure you too much. I had to do what I had to do. But now I have to ask you certain questions. I know what he talked to you about, so do not try to play stupid. He mentioned a nuclear missile, a very important nuclear missle. I'm sure he filled you into the background of why we are eager to find it. All I want to know is where the nuclear missile went. Where did he say it went? Where is it?"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeast of Karadjevo

"Sir!" A ragged Sergeant walked into the room.

"What is it, Sergeant?" General Raminsky asked.

"A letter from Lt. General Igorovich, sir."

The general opened the envelope. Inside was a message.

Dear my honorable collegue,

Due to the extenuating circumstances I can no longer meet what is required of myself. My Corps is mutinous, starving, and in poor health. My Corps has been demolished by death, disease, and desertion. It is at brigade-strength at most but even the remaining men are unwilling and unable to fight and will go on no further. I am a leader without men and unfortunately find myself redundant and useless. I write to you to inform you that as of today, I resign my post as Corps Commander and relinquish my command.

Respectfully,
Lt. General Boris Igorvich
Corps II Commander

General Raminsky sighed and stared sadly at the letter. "So its over then. Nowhere to run, nothing to fight with. Nothing more than a mob. Sergeant?"

"Yes sir?"

"Sergeant, get to the radio tent. Tell them it's over."

"I don't understand sir."

"Tell them to radio for a ceasefire between all parties. Tell them it is over and we cannot stomach any more deaths. We surrender."

It was now the sergeant's turn to sigh. "Yes sir."

A radio message went out to Estonavian armed forces, telling them to lay down their arms and surrender immediately. A second radio message, the surrender notice, went out to Estovakian, Estovanian, Aequatian, and Russkyan armed forces.

Russkya

07-04-2007, 03:04

OOC: I'm guessing that such a message would be left to repeat broadcasting on several frequencies, unencoded. Assumptions however, are bad. So here's hoping I don't destroy your idea of what's happening.

Generally speaking, radio signals from a static location more than once indicated some kind of command facility, be it a temporary local command post or a position further up the chain of command housing higher-ranking personnel. Various techniques can be used to disguise the electronic signal existence of such facilities, to include multiple widely-spaced radio transmitters, "burst" transmission technology, and other devices or methods.
And generally speaking, such facilities were a opportunity target for Russkyan gunners, be they conventional or rocket artillery. Radio-direction-finding equipment was always operating in an attempt to locate enemy command facilities and "service" them with a violent time-on-target barrage followed immediately by a ten-minute "neutralization" fire mission.

Even if they weren't within range, such facilities were added to intelligence reports and one of these reports was in the progress of being drafted, to be sent to both Estovakian and Aequatian commanders at the local and operational levels in the event that they should wish to service those targets with ground-attack or strike aircraft, or other methods the Russkyans may not currently have available in the operational area.

Signals personnel recieved the broadcast and handed it off to their watch commander, who then handed it up the chain of command and 'horizontally,' with such news, as every man had to realize immediately the magnitude of what had happened. For five minutes, the radio networks became 'locked' with an overflow of messages, then every Russkyan feeling that he was in a remotely safe position tipped his head back and let loose with the common ancestral war-shout.
Generally heard only to bolster confidence enough to carry Infantry into the bloody melee or as a psychological tactic in urban warfare, it comes deeply from inside the chest on a full breath, low pitched and rising constantly in volume to last for a minute or slightly more, the sound of several thousand throats bellowing 'Urrah' was felt rather than heard by nearby observers, a bassic rumbling felt through the body and reverberating in the chest. Then it stopped, and over the next hour a doubled vodka ration was distributed and the normal routine resumed until modified rules of engagement and routines came into effect shortly thereafter.

--

Iltchenko shrugged, hands spread slightly from his body with palms upturned in the quasi-Gallic shrug characteristic of Russkyans. In this case the gesture was slightly spoiled by the harsh form of the Kalashnikov-derived assault weapon in one hand, which the Major looked at before letting his hands return to fall by his sides.

"No Captain, he didn't tell me where the missile is - because he told me it was a tactical nuclear weapon with no mention of a missile. Nor did he tell me where the warhead was. Of equal importance to you might be the pressing matter of any information that may be released to your enemies as the Colonel's death becomes apparent to any surviving contacts of his."

Aequatio

20-04-2007, 23:58

OOC: My apologies for my inactivity, I'll be posting some more about my involvement, although I want to take this opportunity to enact a retcon for my last deployment order and I'll be keeping my old order of battle including the 5th Infantry Division (Mechanized) (+).

Aequatio

22-04-2007, 00:44

Major-General Henderson watched as the G-5G Galaxy II transports landed at on the tarmac, the Air Force had been flying sorties all day from Aequatio loaded with replacement equipment for the 5th Infantry Division to use, including the upgrade package for both the Mackalls and Spartans, the new AH-85A Sidewinder attack helicopters and components for small arms. Along with the new arrivals included a company of soldiers lacking any insignia on their uniforms short of the Republic flag, they carried varying equipment and weapons, but cast an aura of unison among them as their commander approached the general, "Major Davis, Alpha Company Commander, first battalion, second Special Forces Group."

The general smiled, "Greetings, Major, it's so nice to have your people in-theatre to support our operations, have yourself settled in and ready for orientation briefings by nineteen hundred." The special operations officer nodded as he led his troopers off to a vacant area of the base to set up their lodgings.

The Aequatian airpower had been most appreciative of the intelligence garnered by the Russkyans and were preparing to put it to good use with the F-28A Black Eagles as they were loaded with satellite/intertial-guided 450-kilogram bombs and sent in pairs over the countryside to strike at the targets out of range of the Aequatian and Russkyan guns, throughout the area, the concussion of strike missions were heard as the fighters' weapons impacted and erased the militia command posts from existance.

The Shadowcat's rotors and turbines were all that was heard as the pair of helicopters sped towards the post for the Aequatian Cavalry Squadron, Mendes and Black knelt on the deck of the helicopter, hovered over the striken Lyander. Her helmet removed, they were able to see the extent of the damage done by the 7.62mm round that had pierced her collarbone, shattering its structure and allowing for the fragments to protrude from the flesh in a grisly manner to stain the uniform and her hair which had come loose. Her fair skin was removed from its normal colour as the officer lay unmoving on the aircraft as the sergeant did as much as she could do with the pilot's first aid kit, hoping to at least stabilize her until they could reach the aid station at the post.

Russkya

22-04-2007, 18:42

Kneeling on the metal floor of the Shadowcat with the Cav and VDV, Kulikov pulled the Leshiji jacket off Parinen's shoulder, forcing the sleeve off the wounded arm before doing the same with his battle-jacket and drawing his combat knife. Working the blade through the doubled linen fabric of the long-sleeved heavy-weight Telnyashka shirt, he cut the sleeve off at the shoulder and began plucking strips of fabric out of the bleeding gap in Parinen's upper arm. Teeth gritted, the soldier sat cross-legged on the deck with the knuckles of his free hand white around the foregrip of his AKS-74M rifle.

Not glancing at Lyander, Kulikov freed the last few threads from the wound, simply tugging them free as they stuck up from the mangled flesh as if air were escaping and they were blowing in the slipstream. Quickly he stuffed absorbent gauze into the exit wound, fashioning a small pad with some more to place over the entry wound. The field dressing was next, a thick pad of gauze with a long olive drab fabric "tie" that was placed over the exit wound, wrapped around the smaller pad, and then tied off tightly to control the bleeding. Kulikov wiped his bloody fingers on his trouser and cleaned his blade on the shoulder of Parinen's light-blue-and-white striped undershirt before resheathing it and looking across at Major Lyander, who was in a much worse way than Parinen. Ulyanik sat cross-legged by Mendes and the prostrate officer, reaching across to apply pressure where needed while Mendes worked but otherwise staying well out of her way so she could get the job done.
Kalinov, detatching the radio handset from the side of the radio on Ulyanik's back, dialed into the required frequency and reminded the Aequatian post that there was a serious casualty aboard in the offchance that the pilot had not already called ahead. Ulyanik's radio headset hung around his neck unused, and he glanced over his shoulder when he felt the radio handset being reclipped to the steel frame the radio was carried on. With one hand he pulled his headset on and had Kalinov dial into the command frequency for this particular sector, informing the company commander of the wounds sustained by the element and mission status. A pair of L-16ISCs left the Forward Operating Base to recover the Russkyans when the aircraft landed.

OOC - Presumably the airstrikes were made prior to the surrender notice, since we're kind of operating on two different "times" here; one with the operation that is now concluding and the other that just saw the surrender and Metzger's death.
In the next piece of "fluid time" we get, or just when its convienent, the remainder of 1 O-E Regiment's assigned equipment and personnel will be arriving to include a new command echelon, two squadrons of PLT-24 light tanks, additional engineering and support assets, etc.
In addition, at some point a discussion should take place between the Aequatian, Estovakian, and Russkyan commanders in theatre, to assign operational sectors and responsibilities now that the war has effectively ended, brief on new strategic considerations (Estovanian forces in theatre) and the like.

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