NationStates Jolt Archive

President Tobias Grey looked at Sullivan’s large bet and folded his hand. In his annoyance he even forgot the cigarette he had slowly burning as it rested on the ash tray lip. Looking over to Phillip Sullivan he said wearily, “But it isn’t just a pair of sixes we have. How could the Colonials possibly believe we are bluffing? Surely they must know that the Republic and the Hawk Coalition have the power to strike.”

The other members of the Hawk Coalition had massed rapidly outside Colonial waters. But the members of the Hawk Coalition, with the exception of Farmina were not at war with the Northern Colonies. No Farminan naval units had joined them. Ships belonging to the Northern Colonies still sat off Farmina’s east coast. The city of Alice in the Republic’s north was still occupied. The Colonials knew they had time.

As a distant bell sounded, Tobias Grey stood up and tightened his tie, “You can be best the poker player in the world and lose if you have the wrong hands. What I am not seeing? Why have the Colonials continued this bizarre and reckless course. Do they truly believe that the Hawk Coalition is bluffing?”

As the Chancellor for Foreign Affairs straightened the President’s tie, he sighed, “Perhaps they want to use every last minute; they see our fleet still in Farminan waters and then see us as a hollow threat. Perhaps the entire Colonial Parliament has been in the magic mushrooms.”

As Tobias Grey walked up the steps, the Enforcers, dressed in tight black, stood alert on both sides of the President, “Magic mushrooms would certainly explain Alexander Peters behaviour in Macisikan. I’ve never heard of negotiation techniques like it; getting the host country to put an arrest warrant out against yourself.”

Chancellor Sullivan spoke more softly than the overweight President, “Their behaviour was certainly different.”

“The war continues,” said Tobias Grey, stepping onto a large stage, “People will go on dying because of these damned Colonials. That isn’t different. Dying for no good reason other than they can’t seem to lose face. This time Prime Minister Anderson will have to lose face. The Colonials are out of spaces to hide.”

The guards in their tight black were everywhere; guarding the auditorium like a palace. This was in part because the auditorium was in fact within the White Palace. “I must rename it the Presidential Palace,” thought Grey, “So much more PC.”

Walking up to the podium, the President allowed his large weight to rest. Tobias Grey was in his mid-forties, just over five foot, with dark hair and a small dark beard. His suit was the finest attire, a perfect black, with a white shirt and a black tie. His cufflinks were hawks and two more hawks were sewn into the collar of his jacket. Tobias Grey was dressed for a funeral. Phillip Sullivan took up position behind him; a taller, thinner figure, bald on top and his hair gray with age. Sullivan was dressed in matching funeral attire.

As silence fell across the auditorium, Tobias Grey stood up straight, surveying the audience one last time. Sweat, partly caused by the onset of the Farminan summer, dripped down his face. His large mass protruded out from the podium, and as he began to speak his fleshy chin wobbled a little, “Fellow Farminans. Fellow freedom loving people. The Banner of the Hawk is rising.”

That was the signal. Hawk Coalition legislatures were to race through declarations of war against the Northern Colonies and then move for an imminent strike, blockading the Colonies and moving to force the Colonial home fleet to port. The attack would begin well before the Colonials anticipated; without Alice recaptured, without Farminan waters cleared and without Farminan aid. The attack was to begin before Tobias Grey finished speaking.

“I hereby announce the Coalition of the Hawk. It has been a long time coming. The Supreme Governor of the Colonies, Jonathon O’Brien met with me, what seems an age ago; and we discussed an alliance fighting for freedom and justice. I believed his words. Without so much as an explanation or an attempt to negotiate, the Colonial government allied its to the tyrannical rule of Jason Snyder in the Messian state and attacked Farmina.”

Tobias Grey rubbed his neck with his fat hand; still carrying the wedding ring of deceased wife, “We now know the Colonial government to have conspired with Farminan traitor and terrorist Rellian Peters. We know Colonial government has shipped weapons to Cretan terrorists in Rotovia, to interfere with regional borders for financial gain. We took these people at their word; the Republic has learnt its lesson.”

“The alliance I spoke of has now formed to deal with a single issue,” said Tobias Grey, a fat hand clenched before the audience, “Not terrorism nor genocide. But a nation-state acting in a way no nation-state should.”

Tobias Grey was well aware that part of the argument hadn’t been made. Double-crossing, supporting terror and invasions happened every day. They certainly were not popular; but it was not all that Tobias Grey had up his sleeve, “We sought peace with the Colonials and met them in Macisikan. They made demands of us, even as the soldiers of a tyrant they brought to our shores swept south. The Republic however was strong; stronger than its enemies had estimated. The Democratic Republic of Farmina refused to buckle before coercion. Only the will of the people is now heard in this land! The Colonial Foreign Minister stole from our diplomat and tried to make a false slur on his reputation to blackmail him. This minister is now facing an unexpectedly long stay in Macisikan. Prime Minister Anderson of the Colonies has made no apology to the Macisikani government.”

Sullivan’s eyes swept the room as silent crowd waited to here something new. “Let me read from the diplomatic statements of the Colonial government,” said Tobias Grey, “This is from the Supreme Governor of the Colonies after the Colonial bombing of Ricco.”

His tone changed to a softer voice, “You may have noticed that Ricco has disappeared off the map. We have no quarrels about attacking your more major cities if need be.”’

There was still silence. Memories of the statement that caused international outrage stirred emotions in the crowd. “Let me read from the Foreign Minister of the Colonies,” said Tobias Grey allowing a dramatic pause, “What I am saying is that we will continue this senseless war if you are not willing to agree such terms.

“[I]Senseless,” repeated Tobias with a tone of sadness, “I think the Colonial summarised his actions, his nation’s actions well. Senseless.”

He paused, placing both hands on the podium. He couldn’t read from the Colonial’s words forever. It was time for Farminan words; solid and strong, “We have tried reasoning with these people. We have tried befriending these people. God help me, I’ve even tried ignoring them. But the attacks continue. Senseless. The actions of the Colonial government in Macisikan have pushed the Republic too far. If they think I am bluffing and that if they wait I shall eventually fall before their feet, they are gravely mistaken. We have formed a coalition that crosses so many divides in order to deal with this menace. The Coalition of Hawk will strike. The regional allies of the Colonies have agreed to turn a blind eye to any operations in Colonial waters and territory. Operation Full House has begun.”

A massive map of the Northern Colonies appeared behind Tobias Grey, tracking the first minutes of the campaign, “We shall fight the Colonials in the sea and in the air. We shall place their nation under naval blockade to weaken their economic capacity. It is also our intention not to put third parties out of pocket; and we shall try to compensate nations with prearranged business. It is suggested all nations, do not plan future business with the Colonies as it will be to your disadvantage.”

Weaken was the operative word. Northern Colonies had been somewhat isolationist economically and was far less dependent on trade than a nation like Farmina; that could be independent, but preferred the great wealth of free trade. Being isolationist also meant the Hawk Coalition had few nations to worry about compensating.

“All resistance shall be met with force,” said Tobias Grey, “Once under a secure blockade; aerial support will be increased to begin a massive bombing campaign targeting the Colonial economy, as well as normal military targets. Our intention is as much to destroy capacity to produce, ending the supply of munitions, weaponry and finance, than as to destroy the command structure and military force. The military is driven by the forge of industry. And it is a lesson that should never be forgotten.”

That was the plan. Then Tobias Grey spoke to international observers and appealingly, “Farmina will make no claim to Colonial territory as its sovereign own. The use of nuclear and biological weapons will be forbidden within the Hawk Coalition. Operation Full House does not involve an invasion of Colonial territory; but this is not to rule out the possibility in the future. Vitally, the Hawk Coalition will not bomb the Colonial Parliament or make attempts on the life of any of its members.”

Tobias Grey paused before adding the final consideration “The Democratic Republic of Farmina requires an unconditional surrender from the Federation of the Northern Colonies. This situation is beyond negotiation, and considering the Colonial record on negotiation, we should want no part in it.”

Then with a lungful of air and all his energy, Tobias Grey declared, “The Banner of the Hawk is rising.”

Then Phillip Sullivan lead the crowd, “The Banner of the Hawk is rising.”

Tobias Grey wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief as he turned away from the audience. This time the Northern Colonies had miscalculated and he would see it become a fatal mistake. For a moment Tobias Grey thought he could hear the Colonial ports under bombardment, but then he remember that was a very long way away…

OOC: NC should have a map ready tomorrow. Shouldn’t be needed for early phases.

"Admiral Murphy speaking. Yes. Yes. Understood. Thank...no thank you. Good day."

The Admiral got up and strolled across his office and out his door. He continue his trek down the hall and into a small with a large table in the middle. On the table near his designated spot, was a small phone and small computer. He pressed a button, sending message to everyone on the Defence Staff. The message "come to the situation room immediately". The message was signaled by alternating flashing red, yellow and white lights on their phones, and their secretaries' or office clerks' phones.

Within minutes the entire senior Defence Staff had arrived; Admiral Murphy, Air Chief Marshall Jaime Brideau, Vice-Admiral Tim Landry and Superior General Pentz.

"I have called you all here to inform you that the Hawk Coalition will be taking action against the Northern Colonies. We'll be sending in our air force and navy first. The army will follow later pending evaluation and feasibility of land combat. Admiral Landry, notify Lieutenant-Admiral Bronwen Douglas and her third fleet to move to and engage the Northern Colonies."

"Yes sir" Admiral Tim landry, Chief of Naval Forces, complied.

"Marshall Brideau, I have talked to Sunlight Inc and they will provide your planes with enough carrier and men to launch your attack before land bases are secure.

"I understand." She replied with no doubt in her mind that her boys and girls could do it.

"General Pentz, Your division will be deployed via ship immediately, however you will not be engaging until I, or Defence Minister Riel, issues the order."

"There's no point in trying to argue is there?"

"Not this time I'm afraid. Sorry."

"Alright."

"We must be quick on our feet. Let's not let them see us coming. Farmina has issued the order that only military, and economic centers, industries and other targets be hit. We are to leave political, civilian and foreign buildings, areas, people and everything else as untouched as possible. This is imperitive. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir" The officers replied in unison.

"Let's go."

The four of them shook each other's hands like they did before every big mission. Each of them went their seperate way to issue the orders.

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

Third Fleet - Lieutenant Admiral Bronwen Douglas
8x Quickbreaker Class carrier
40x Flanker Class Destroyer
40x Johnston Class Destroyer
20x Thunder Class Cruiser
2x Medical Vessel
75x Support Vessel
30x Dolphin Class submarine
20x Loch Ness Class submarine

Plus 9 additional recommissioned Quickbreaker Class carriers for the Air Force

1st Expeditionary Air Group - Air Vice-Marshall Ashley Wilcocks
240 CF-17 fighters (10 squadrons)(carrier based)
480 F-5 Tiger III (20 squadrons)(carrier based)
120 C-130 Hercules
175 CH-47 Chinooks
3 E-767 AWACS
600 trucks (on ships)

84th Commonwealth Division (Airborne) (http://www.angelfire.com/planet/fedski/CommonwealthArmy.html#_84th_Commonwealth_Division)

3rd Corps - General Bob Tompson
5th Commonwealth Division (http://www.angelfire.com/planet/fedski/CommonwealthArmy.html#_5th_Commonwealth_Division)
22nd Commonwealth Division (http://www.angelfire.com/planet/fedski/CommonwealthArmy.html#_22nd_Commonwealth_Division)

OC: Please clarify for me. This Hawk Coalition is being formed to reclaim rebellious colonies that have staged terrorist attacks on the home country?

Or are the Northern Colonies a seperate country?

OC: Please clarify for me. This Hawk Coalition is being formed to reclaim rebellious colonies that have staged terrorist attacks on the home country?

Or are the Northern Colonies a seperate country?
OOC: A separate country that invaded farmina and sponsored terrorist...

12 days ago

Now, Admiral Brian Kelty thought to himself, is the time. Now is the time to show the world what Illiorians are really made of. We sill show them what it means...

" Admiral?" an ensign said as he peeked in

"What Closser?"

"We have received word of our taskforce designation, and our first coordinates. We are officially Task force Merdeka, seemingly in honor of your first command sir, I get the feeling Overlord Marcus likes you."

He better damn well...Kelty thought to himself as he read the message of his coordinates. "Make sail for Farminan waters, we're to meet up with the rest of this 'Hawk Coalition' there. I want Aldus Luke's boat leading the way out."

"you mean the INS Illian sir?"

Well aren't you the little know it all... "Yes, that'd be his ship... I always liked having a Battleship lead the way."

The ships went off, all four thousand of them, towards Farminan waters, with an Ocean Class BBG leading the way.

TODAY

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is Admiral Brian Kelty, and I think most of you know me somehow, be it you served with me on one of my ships, or you’ve seen me somewhere. Today, we have our orders: we are to sail to The Northern Colonies and blockade them with our large force. We are to also commence air strikes with our Naval Air forces against economic and military targets with assistance from other nations. We will bring the Northern Colonies to its knee and force it to surrender!” Applause and roars rock the ships, and all across the fleet, a song begins to play, and it’s the anthem of the Hell Jumpers, “Fly from the Inside,” by Shinedown, Its chorus, being belted out by every man on every ship…

I am focused on what I am after
The key to the next open chapter
Cause I found a way to steal the sun from the sky
Long live that day that I decided to fly from the inside!

The mass of ships began moving, moving towards their assigned plots, with air patrols being stepped up, and ships being made ready to go to battle stations, and having the diesel ships refueled.

OOC:Okay then, here's what'll be coming as of right now for naval forces...
Fleets 1-10
(Each Fleet consists of the follwoing, except the extra compliment)
Flagship Group
-Ocean Class BBG
-Region Class BBG
-2 County Class DDG (Air defense)
-2 City Class DDG (General purpose)
-4 Furtive Class FFH
-2 Forthar Class SSN
-2 Smith Class AOR
-1 Lem Class AFS

Carrier Battle group (CVG)
-4 House Class Carriers
-2 Ocean Class BBG
-4 Region Class CBG
-10 County Class DDG
-10 City Class DDG
-20 Furtive Class FFH
-8 Forthar Class SSN
-10 Smith Class AOR
-2 Lem Class AFS

Surface Battlegroup (SBG)
-8 Ocean class BBG
-2 Region Class CBG
-10 County Class DDG
-10 City Class DDG
-20 Furtive Class FFH
-12 Forthar Class SSN
-12 Port Class SSGN
-4 Aylesburgh Class AS
-10 Smith Class AOR
-2 Lem Class AFS

Light Strike Group LSG
-4 Rapier Class CVQ
-4 Dutchy Class CAG
-8 County Class DDG
-8 City Class DDGs
-16 Furtive Class FFH
-8 Port Class SSGN
-4 Forthar Class SSN
-4 Smith Class AOE
-2 Aylesburgh Class AS

Expeditionary Force Group (EFG)
-4 Crocodile Class LCS
-2 Lord Class LHD
-2 Ungforth Class LPD
-2 Valley Class LSD
-2 Charter Class BBGN
-2 Duchy Class CAG
-4 Province Class CG
-8 County Class DDG
-8 City Class DDG
-16 Furtive Class FFH
-8 Forthar Class SSN
-4 Storbek “B” Class SSK
-2 Lem Class AFS
-10 Smith Class AOE
-2 Aylesburgh Class AS

Rapid Deployment Force Group (RDFG)
-8 Gabin Class AKR
-10 General Marsden Class AP
-2 Walmsley Class CVL
-2 Province Class CG
-2 County Class DDG
-2 City Class DDG
-8 Furtive Class FFH
-2 Smith Class AOE

Destroyer Squadron Attachment
-6 County Class DDG
-6 City Class DDG
-2 Smith Class AOR

Frigate Squadron Attachment
-6 Furtive Class FFH
-1 Smith Class AOR

Extra Submarine Compliment
-10 Tichy Class SSNs
-6 Forthar Class SSNs
-2 Port Class SSGNs
-1 Pechtas Class SSGN

Extra Intelligence
-2 Siren Class AGI

Extra Compliment
5 Escort Groups consisting of
-1 City Class DDG
-4 Furtive Class FFH
-2 Storbek “B” class SSNs

4 Admiral Class CAG
2 Cernunnos Class BCN

President Moltke sat in his wheelchair on his office's balcony overlooking the urban morass that was Magna Casa. He had received word of the other members of the Hawk Coalition deploying for combat operations against Northern Colonies and was surprised, as Aequatian Forces had not even yet been sent to Farmina for briefings, the Republic's warships remained in port and its aircraft on the tarmac as they awaited the arrival of the representative from the Northern Colonies that would plead with him for the fate of his or her nation. He knew how much controversy this decision would sow within the coalition, especially with the nation of Farmina who had first asked the Republic to take part, but he felt it was necessary before committing a number of Aequatians and resources to certain death and destruction in a foreign land for causes only half-known. A pair of F-1C Banshee fighters streaked by, on air combat patrols over the capital due to the level one defence condition which the country was currently under, and disturbed his concentration. The next few hours would be crucial for the future of the Aequatian Republic and the Northern Colonies.

"I hate to see a country slaughtered," spoke the President, rather plainly. "What do you wnat us to do, sir?" inquired Gen. MacLeod, "the Army is tied up with the mountain rebels. We can not make any major commitment, sir."
"I think my nephew could help throw the balance in the Colonies favor."
"Ahh, the 22nd Regiment then."
"But Mr. President, how can we get our men anywhere near there, and get them out without becoming an international pariah?" asked Sven Lowensen, the Secretary of state.
"That is why they are called covert operations..." replied the general.

OOC: Can we get an OOC thread up so we can discuss things there?

OOC: that would be good, before i do something real dumb

OOC Thread (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=492338)

C.C.S. Minnesota (BBGN-11)
Flagship, Task Force 67
En Route to Farmina

Admiral James Halstead looked out of the bridge over the forward turrets of the battleship Minnesota. Their guns were gleaming and clean, almost as if they hadn't been used. That wasn't far from the truth; other than during sea trials and the occasional training missions, they were rarely used. This time, however, not only would they be used, but potentially against an actual enemy.

Potentially, of course. They had been ordered to proceed to Farminan waters and prepare for combat operations. Then another message had come in from the Navy's head, Admiral Donnell.

"Admiral Halstead?" inquired a young radioman.
"Yes, what is it sailor?"
"This just came in over the VLF circuit, sir," he handed the Admiral a printout.

He started reading over it...

Admiral Halstead-
Proceed to staging areas in Farminan waters
Enforce the sovereignty of Farminan territory
Do not carry out offensive operations until ordered further
Northern Colonies diplomatic envoy en route to capital
-Admiral Donnell

"Thank you, sailor, that'll be all."
"Sir," he responded, before leaving.

Halstead sighed, then Captain Nills started in.

"Look at the bright side, sir, we still might actually do something while we're there. It should at least be somewhat more interesting than shooting at icebergs that fill up our shipping lanes back home."

“We have a problem,” said Sullivan placing a pile of documents on Tobias’ desk.

Tobias Grey inhaled on his cigarette, looking over at the clock. Nearly midnight, “I know; but I thought we were having the Colonies blown up.”

“That’s the problem,” said Phillip Sullivan, “Colonial stalling tactics. They are trying to open another round of talks; this time with our allies. All while their plans to attack Farmina continue. We even have reports, the Colonials just tried to kill Lance Foster in Macisikan.”

“Contact all the Hawk Coalition,” said Grey, “Warn them that it is the opinion of this nation that stalling tactics should be ignored and the case for war is beyond doubt. Just talking with the Colonials is bad for your national security.”

“Immediately,” said Sullivan; who then raced off and sent the appropriate transmissions.

Warning: All Members of the Hawk Coalition

The Northern Colonies have been trying to use diplomatic channels to isolate the Republic allowing them to fight on only one front. The Colonial diplomats should be trusted under no circumstances and should not be allowed to stall international action. Evasive answers should not be responded to; except with force. Valuables should be kept secure at all times.

Reference to Colonial ‘diplomacy’ in Macisikan should be taken seriously. Colonials have now been implicated in an attempt to kill a rebel Messian leader, Lance Foster, under the protection of the Macisikani neutrality; along with the theft of the property of the Farminan government.

For any member of the Coalition who does open channels with the Colonial government; recall that it is a Colonial fleet in the waters of the Republic. If they are the victims; why is it still there, as it has been from the start of the war.

Phillip Sullivan
Chancellor for Foreign Affairs
Democratic Republic of Farmina

The Foreign Affiars department was extremely busy today. Not that it normally wasn't. but today, the Colonies had sent out more dipomats at one time, then any other. Aircraft were immediately dispatched from the NCAF to get them to the three nations that had shown their interest in talk.

After a few hours, the three planes landed at ChevyRocks, Aequatio and Jagada. The dipomats came out to greet the awaiting people.

OOC: Check your TGs, those siding on Farmina's side, if you don't know whats going on.

OOC2: Farmina, you possibly could have not known this talks were taking place, unless your hearing chatter or spying on your allies nations, in which case, we would end up using against you.

Encoded Transmission

From: South Pacific Endeavors
(OOC: Luftsgerd - Controlled Shipping Corporation/ front for GL interests)
To: Northern Colonies Leadership

Dear Sir/ Madam,

We wish to set up an office for our company in these colonies. While we know that the Northern Colonies are experiencing some unrest right now, we feel that our company can be a stabilizing factor in the colonies. We may even be able to provide employment opportunities for your citizens. This is a very important opportunity for your country.

- Signed,

South Pacific Endeavors

End Encryption

Meanwhile, beneath the waves, a SeaStrike submarine silently propelled towards the Northern Colonies. The SeaStrike is a marvel of Luftsgerd engineering. Based off the Typhoon class nuke, it lacks the original missile tubes. Instead, it has a pair of sliding doors that slip between the double hulls, revealing a helicopter pad and Seahawk helicopter. Quieter than an Ohio-class, the SeaStrike can launch a helicopter and then sink back beneath the waves, retreiving it miles from its point of launch. This is how Greater Luftsgerden planned to run its more covert ops. In a few hours, it would be entering NC waters.

Bomfy Memorial International Airport, Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime

Robert Holt was a liason officer with the Aeuqatian State Department and he stood nervously in front of the large black Ford Explorer that waited on the tarmac as the Northern Colonies aircraft came to a stop and the representative exited the plane. With that, Holt walked over to the stairway and greeted the envoy, "Welcome to the Aequatian Republic, I am Robert Holt from the State Department," He said motioning to the large tower that sat in the middle of the city, "I will be bringing you to the Ebon Tor to meet with President Moltke, if you'll come with me," He began walking towards the black sport utility vehicle as armed Sicherheitstaffel officers lined the way towards the vehicle.

The Third Fleet under Lieutenant Admiral Bronwen Douglas was slowly making its way across the ocean to the Northern Colonies. The fleet was still a day or two away from being able to engage the Colonials with their own weapons, but the Naval Air Arm would be able to strike out anytime, once permission was granted.

A short message was sent to the Farminian command:

To: Farmina mission control
From: Commonwealth Third Fleet
Aircraft within range of the Northern Colonies. Requesting permission to engage. Will wait for conformation of order

On the decks of the carriers, the small CF-17s were getting ready to take off. Their first target would be a large airfield just off the south coast. Secondary targets included an army barracks, a railway yard and a small harbour. Tertiary targets would be any armoured vehicle, any aircraft, civilian or military and any cargo vessel in the harbour.

TO: Tobias Grey, President
FROM: Field Marshall F. Lay, 1RAG
RE: Hospitality

Dear President Grey,

I am Field Marshall F. Lay of the Conspiracy of Communist Revolution. I am the commander of the 1st Revolutionary Army Group and the task force that has been sent to aid the Hawk Coalition with Operation Full House. As you have not yet granted permission for an invasion, 1RAG has nowhere yet to land. The fleet will arrive in Farminian waters in two or three days, depending on the weather. Our forces need a place to stay until the order for the invasion has been given. They are able to stay on their ships for a short period of time, however the comforts are seriously lacking and I'm afraid of the effect being holed up indefinitely on tin cans will have on the already lower than acceptable morale.

I ask you to allow us to dock, and hole up in a makeshift camp until we can invade the Northern Colonies.

F. Lay

To: F Lay

Your ships may dock in the city of Ricco only. No weapons may be brought ashore. Any unruly behaviour will result in eviction. Be warned, there are two hostile fleets in Farminan waters that may threaten to sink your ships; one of which is Colonial. The Republic has no spare naval vessels to safeguard your entrance as they are currently preparing to engage the Messian fleet.

We have been subject to rouses before; know now that the Republic does not use half measures.

Phillip Sullivan
Chancellor for Foreign Affairs
Democratic Republic of Farmina

---

To: All Members of the Hawk Coalition

The President has approved the use of force to crush all resistance to Hawk Coalition blockades and bombing raids. Though the Republic feels it is the right of each nation to attack targets as it sees fit; the President’s preference is that initial air-raids destroy all air transport in and out of the country; while naval forces move to demolish all Colonial ports. It is our primary intention to isolate the Northern Colonies, economically, diplomatically and militarily.

Farminan naval units will be joining the blockade as soon as feasibly possible. We ask that any Hawk Coalition naval units in Farminan waters, move to sink the Colonial fleet that has been there since the beginning of the war. The Chancellor for Foreign Affairs has insisted that I remind you that talking to a Colonial should be done under only extreme duress; and everything said should be assumed a blatant lie until there is reason to believe otherwise.

The ball shall be placed firmly in the Colonial court. They will choose when we finish; just as they chose when this began.

Varius Aricar
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
Democratic Republic of Farmina

To: Varius Aricar, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
From: General Robert Clayton, Commander of Chevrokian Republic Air Force
RE: Staging Bases

On the subject of where our forces would be operating from, do you have any specific airfields at which we can land our aircraft and set up operations? Our first group of planes, mostly cargo transports, should be arriving within a few hours and it we be helpful to know where they should land.


*********


Duntovostok International Airport

The Chevrokian delegation had been waiting for the envoy from the Northern Colonies to arrive, and they now had shown up. The President, Ragnar Johanson, Defense Secretary Erik Borgesov were there, along with several aides. There was also a group of Republic Marines waiting, just in case. Hopefully they wouldn't be needed.

"Erik, do you really think this will change our minds about the war?" asked Johanson.

"I don't imagine so, Mr. President. However, it is fair that they be allowed to present their case, so that we'd know both sides of the situation. As opposed to spontaneously jumping into battle without knowing why."

OOC: http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7503/newbitmapimage2ct1.png (http://imageshack.us)

The brown thing represents a mountain

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4000/d741ae87jt9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

To: General Robert Clayton

Although you may use the Second South Verica Airstrip (abandoned); the Democratic Republic of Farmina is a great distance from the Northern Colonies; and would be an inappropriate choice. If any country in the region Reformed Oceania will host your forces; this could be listed as appropriate. Only two nations in Reformed Oceania have ruled out such an arrangement; Macisikan and the Federation of the Northern Colonies.

It is the suggestion that all air missions be run from aircraft carriers. We realise this limits strike capability; but the Northern Colonies is not close and the Republic’s continuing war against MES only threatens vital operations against the Northern Colonies.

Varius Aricar
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
Democratic Republic of Farmina

To: Varius Aricar, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
From: General Robert Clayton, Commander of Chevrokian Republic Air Force

I would have to agree on that matter. I shall recall our air contingent; this shouldn't pose a problem to us due to tanker support. I will also get in contact with Admiral of the Navy, Charles Donnell, and see what fleet forces we can send in their place.

On another note, I believe the Admiral will agree with me that we may still want to send a detatchment of maritime strike planes, our PB-70s, to Farmina to serve as a deterrent towards the Northern Colonies fleet operating off your east coast.

Aequatio

"Thank you," replied the dipomat

The dipomat walked to the awaiting car.

______________________________________________________________
ChevyRocks

The man walked out of the plane.

OOC: If I've missed anyone, assume they've gotten out of the plane and you can rp them getting into the car. I want to get to the talks asap. Illor wants to do it via tg, so I will tg him with what would be said at the meeting.

To: General Clayton

We find your proposal acceptable. It is, however, our intention to move against the Colonials in Farminan waters as soon as we have liberated with Messian occupied Alice.

Varius Aricar
Supreme Commander of the Military
Democratic Republic of Farmina

Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime

The capital was a mess, with the recent escalation of the Kubran conflict with the Reich of Tocrowkia to the brink of nuclear war, and Holt and the Northern Colonies diplomat would be lucky to even see President Moltke that day. The streets were packed with civilians in their vehicles along routes to the main causeways that had been set up by local police forces and the military. Those that were unable to leave the city on their own were being organized by military personnel into groups to board large CH-47F Super Chinook helicopters from the main heliports and even empty parking lots. The government SUV eventully made it to the base of the Ebon Tor and the envoy was brought inside to the elevators that rose above the clouds to the office of the President. Once they arrived at the floor, they moved through the winding hallways until they reached the office and were greeted by a pair of Sicherheitstaffel guards armed with G76k carbine rifles. They were allowed entrance with identifications checked and the envoy was introduced to President Moltke, "Greetings ambassador, I must apologize for the current situation, we rarely need to enact our civil defence measures, but I'm afraid these times call for it. Now what is it you wish to present to me?"

One of the largest convoys the port of Luftsgerden has ever seen in recent years began to be assembled today. Over 50 large cargo ships were filled today with Greater Luftsgerden Red Cross personnel and supplies, all to be sent to the blockaded Northern Colonies. "President Luftsgerden is hoping that a humanitarian mission will be allowed to pass through the massive naval blockade. If this works, it could be a major breakthrough in this crisis," commented former diplomat Rex Googelle. The convoy is expected to leave in one day, and reach the blockade in about three.

Aboard the G.L.S. SeaStrike, comms reported a new message from command. The SeaStrike's captain read the message and then passed it to the leader of the Strike half. "We wait outside of the enemy blockade until the convoy arrives," began the captain, "and then attempt to hide under the convoy's signature."
" This isn't my expertise, but that sounds like we're making a shot in the dark."
" Well, we better hope for a bulls-eye."

Off the Farminian Coast...

"What are those daddy?" A little girl asked her dad.

"Those are boats hunny, big boats." He replied in a sweet little voice.

A couple minutes later, even more ships had come into view out of the fog.

"Daddy! Daddy!" The little girl jumped down from the play equipment and went running to her dad. "Look at all the boats Daddy!"

"Jesus Christ" The man muttered has he gazed, open mouthed into the horizon and into a massive armada of transports and warships. "What is going on?"

By this time, many more ships had appeared, including some of the massive aircraft carriers and amphibious transports. Their sailiors could be seen standing on the decks of the carriers in their unnaturally white uniforms and the army was seen lining the decks of their transports, waving to the crowds that had gathered along the waterfront.

The six massive Nimitz Class carriers had now moved into view. Each of them carried a fighter force of eighty-five aircraft. Three hundred, fifty of which were the F-20 Tiger Sharks and one hundred sixty were the brand new F-35 Lightning IIs.

Forty frigates, twenty destroyers, fifteen cruisers, two battleships and ten submarines protected the amarda that also included four Enterprise Class carriers carrying various cargo and specialty aircraft.

One hundred, sixty five thousand soldiers, forty three hundred main battle tanks (T-90s and Challenger 1s) were carried onboard the transports with thier trucks and a enough supplies to last quite some time.

The convoy never seemed to end as it flowed along the waterfront worrying and impressing the Farminians. It would soon slow to a halt and drop anchor until it was time to invade the Northern Colonies.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TO: Tobias Grey, President
FROM: Field Marshall F. Lay, 1RAG
RE: Hospitality

Our fleet has arrived in Farminian waters. Anchor will be dropped when we reach the wider shipping channel.

What is the status of the Colonial Fleet?

F. Lay

ChevyRocks
The man walked out of the plane.

"Welcome, I'm President Johanson," said the President. "I hope you aren't concerned with our security detail here, it's standard procedure when any foreign diplomats arrive here. I'll show you to our transportation," he said, as he began to walk towards a line of black limos.

About 15 minutes later, the motorcade arrived at the President's Palace. Interesting name, that, considering there wasn't any royalty in the nation. There was a move recently to rename it to something more appropriate, the likely one was the "Presidential Complex." As they arrived, the President led the Northern Colonies envoy to the Main Office, where he carried out the usual day-to-day running of the nation.

"Now then," he started, "let's get down to business. It is correct we have deployed military forces in support of the Farminans, however, due to our discussion today, we have ordered them to not open fire unless fired upon. Whether or not they are deployed further, will not be decided upon until after you have told your nation's side of the story, and after we have allowed you to safely leave our nation."

We think it is fair for both sides of the conflict to voice their information, so if you'd like, tell us what you have to say about the situation."

The blockade is absolute. No ships; whatever their stated intentions may enter the Northern Colonies. All ships that demand pass are welcome to open themselves for inspection after presenting a complete list of crew and supplies; however even on passing a rigorous scrutiny, the Hawk Coalition may still, and probably will, reject entry.

Varius Aricar
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
Democratic Republic of Farmina

OOC: Considering Farminans are highly religious I doubt they would say “Jesus Christ.”

IC:
To Field Marshal F Lay

Colonial fleet is anchored off the east coast. Still floating; however you are welcome to change the Colonial fleet status.

Varius Aricar
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
Democratic Republic of Farmina

Second South Verica Airstrip

For quite a while, the old Second South Verica Airstrip had been abandoned. The tower was silent, the hangars were empty, and the tarmac was covered with dust and debris.

Then, in the distance, the droning sound of turboprops could be heard, eminating from several C-130s on approach to the airfield. As the first dropped altitude and landed, the dust and debris was kicked up by the propwash and tossed into the air and scattered about. Each following transport moved the dust and debris around more, until the runway was nearly clear.

Upon leaving the runway, the C-130s rolled to a stop just off the taxiway, saving room for aircraft still on their way to the lonely airfield. After their turboprop engines chugged to a stop, the rear cargo doors open, and Chevrokian personnel began to walk out, followed by light trucks, surveying the airstrip, and beginning to set up equipment. Since combat operations against the Northern Colonies fleet just off Farmina's east coast had not yet been initiated, there was no sense of urgency among the men and women scattered around the facilities. Even still, the tower was soon up and running, ready to handle incoming and outgoing flights.

A few hours later, a second wave of ten C-130s began to arrive, carrying air defense trucks and runway lights. Just behind them, the enormous C-150s were inbound, packed with heavy equipment and armaments. Unloading them proceeded more quickly, due to worries that the huge weight of the planes might break through the tarmac.

As night approached, the rows of lights flanking the runway were switched on, in preperation for the arrival of combat planes. With almost no light from the sun, the last group of the day arrived, and the outlines of the great, delta-winged PB-70s could be faintly seen, and the howl of their six, powerful turbo-ramfan engines heard as they arrived. They were in place to help make sure the Northern Colonies fleet stayed out of Farminan territorial waters. Until the government decided otherwise, the PB-70s would only see combat if the N.C. fleet violated Farminan sovereignty.

0900 ZULU
The Presidental Palace, ChevyRocks

"Indeed," replied the dipomat. "One should be informed, before we end up sending people to their graves too early."

He pulled out a manilla folder. It was thick, full of files. On the front cover, Farmina was written on the cover.

"My name is George by the way," he said. He looked at the files, reading, thinking, deciding where to start.

"We should start right at the beginning," he concluded. Pulling out a photo, he showed it to the President.

"This is Rellian Peters. An ex-envoy to the Colonies, as proven by this letter."

He showed a letter of credence, signed and sealed with Tobias Grey's signature.

"He showed up again during the President's Ball. He was killed whilst being arrested. He was working for a terrorist network, known then as the Shadow."

__________________________________________________________________
0900 ZULU
Ebon Tor, Aequatio

He pulled out a massive set of files inside a manilla folder. He placed it in the desk of the President.

"This," he replied. "This is the reason we are going to war with Farmina."

Ebon Tor, Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime

President Moltke reached across his desk and picked up the file folder and started to look through the papers it had inside before turning to the Northern Colonies diplomat, "And what, exactly am I looking at here?"

The convoy left as scheduled. Although it appeared as though the convoy would not be able to pass the blockade, the humanitarians felt it was their duty to aid the encircled Colonials.

Form his official residence, President Luftsgerden watched as the ships left. " So no news from the Northern Colonies to our proposal?" he asked an aide. "No, sir." "Wha tis the point General? We know that the convoy will be turned back and that our sub will not be able to get men ashore. The Northern Colonies are finished. They have no international support and we have no navy."
" Well, Mr. President, this will be our last throw, unless you change your mind. If we don't get sixes, then we just pull out. No harm, no foul as far as the world is concerned. All we did was try to help the civilians, but the Hawks turned them into dust."
"All right, General. Proceed as planned."

0900 ZULU
The Presidental Palace, ChevyRocks

"Indeed," replied the dipomat. "One should be informed, before we end up sending people to their graves too early."

He pulled out a manilla folder. It was thick, full of files. On the front cover, Farmina was written on the cover.

"My name is George by the way," he said. He looked at the files, reading, thinking, deciding where to start.

"We should start right at the beginning," he concluded. Pulling out a photo, he showed it to the President.

"This is Rellian Peters. An ex-envoy to the Colonies, as proven by this letter."

He showed a letter of credence, signed and sealed with Tobias Grey's signature.

"He showed up again during the President's Ball. He was killed whilst being arrested. He was working for a terrorist network, known then as the Shadow."


"Would this 'Shadow' group have something to do with the conflict between your nation and Farmina?" the President asked. "I would imagine there was a particular event or incident that sparked the whole situation currently in play."

Ebon Tor, Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime

The dipomat looked at the President.

"Your looking at human rights abuses, violations of Farmina's own consititution. Political parties with private armies, Pirates, Members of Farmina's government turning out to be terrorists, traitors. Pirates too. That, my friend, is what you're looking at."

___________________________________________________________________
The Presidental Palace, ChevyRocks

"Partly," replied George. "Their ex-president was rumoured to be part of it, but no substantial evidence has been shown."

He looked at the massive document.

"Had Rellian Peters had ulterior aims for that meeting, he could have killed our Foreign Minister, our Prime Minister, and the Supreme Governor of the Colonies, our head of state, before we could have done anything about it. This would have started a constitional crisis, as we've never had to deal with such an incident before."

He pulled another photo.

"This, is James Palmer. The ex-president of Farmina. Wanted in the Northern Colonies for piracy. When we went to war, he was in power. He was probably the triggerpoint."

*bump*

Ebon Tor, Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime

The president continued to look through the folder before turning his attention back on the envoy, "That will be all, you are dismissed... I would suggest leaving as quickly as possible." With that, two Sicherheitstaffel guards armed with assault rifles stepped forward and one placed his hand on the diplomat's shoulder before leading him out of the room and to the ground floor with the waiting black Ford Explorer outside on the street.

OOC: I'll be posting my decision on this soon.

Statement to the Hawk Coalition Members and Leadership

The Aequatian Republic has decided to withdraw our support to the operations of the Hawk Coalition after speaking with the envoy from Northern Colonies and due to the lack of benefit for our national interests and because of a current situation within our own region.

The Presidental Palace, ChevyRocks

"Partly," replied George. "Their ex-president was rumoured to be part of it, but no substantial evidence has been shown."

He looked at the massive document.

"Had Rellian Peters had ulterior aims for that meeting, he could have killed our Foreign Minister, our Prime Minister, and the Supreme Governor of the Colonies, our head of state, before we could have done anything about it. This would have started a constitional crisis, as we've never had to deal with such an incident before."

He pulled another photo.

"This, is James Palmer. The ex-president of Farmina. Wanted in the Northern Colonies for piracy. When we went to war, he was in power. He was probably the triggerpoint."

"So, what I'm understanding is that Peters was involved in a terrorist group, and potentially could have taken out the Northern Colonies leadership at this meeting in question," Johanson said. "All right, now, regarding James Palmer. You say he is wanted for piracy in your country. What events occured that would have him wanted for piracy?"

To President Kurt Moltke

The Republic is shocked by the decision of the government of Aqueatio. It is the right of the Republic to hear what lies the government of the Colonies has been telling this time. The Northern Colonies originally claimed that the declaration of war was because of “corruption” which seemed to amount to an opposition to the capitalistic policies of the Liberal government. This was accompanied with accusations that Farmina was undemocratic, yet the Colonies managed to help land the fleet of the absolutist tyrant Snyder on Farminan shores. The next excuse was that at one stage a company mostly based in Farmina used the wrong flags for a short period of time in international waters; and claimed despite the fact no evidence existed, former President Palmer ordered it and should be tried in the Colonies for it (not that extradition was ever requested). We only wait in anticipation what their latest wacky excuse is.

The Republic stands by its central claim that the Northern Colonies violated the sacred traditions of negotiation; to commit theft amounting to espionage under many laws of the world and tried to slander the reputation of an individual as a negotiation technique. This claim is supported by the recordings of the negotiations and the highly respected nation of Macisikan. This act is equal under international code to executing a person bearing the flag of truth.

Phillip Sullivan
Chancellor for Foreign Affairs
Democratic Republic of Farmina

"His party was involved with the company that committed the piracy act," replied the dipomat. "Plus he owned some shares in the company, according to the reports from NCIC. Since he must have known that this was happening, and did nothing to stop it, that make him an accomplice. There is also evidence that he may have set up the whole attack. That put him another an additional charge."

He then lied back, as he casually continued.

"In addition, he eventually put the exact company as the police force of Farmina."

To: The Hawk Coalition
From: W. Kong
Re: Inaction

To my fellow Hawks, I must inform you that the Conspiracy of Communist Revolution is withdrawing its support for Farmina in her struggle against the Northern Colonies.

Not only have they formed this Coalition, they formed the Coalition to fight for them, not with them as proven by their entire lack of action, even against the Colonial Fleet parked right in their own waters.

The lack of leadership provided by the Farminian Military has driven the Conspiracy from this Coalition. I suggest other members do the same or else their forces may end up fighting a war they were never a part of, by themselves.

W. Kong


Orders are passed through the chain of command to Field Marshall Lay who is waiting for orders from the Farminian military.

Lay orderes the ships hoist anchor and return to Communist Revolution, the troops are disappointed that they missed combat yet again, but joyous that they did not have to return home to broken families, broken houses and a changed world. But most importantly they are happy that they are still alive.

To: Phillip Sullivan, Chancellor for Foreign Affairs, Democratic Republic of Farmina
From: Heidi Ghoddard, Secretary of State, United Socialist Republic of Aequatio

Our government apologizes for our recent movements, however, regional affairs in Gholgoth hold much more weight than international situatons of which we were hasty to partake of in the first place. While the situation may be grim, the majority of thought and discussion on President Moltke's decision was focussed towards Gholgoth affairs and not of what was presented by the Northern Colonies envoy. While we cannot offer our nation's military forces to aid the Hawk Coalition, we can provide any amount of war materiel and funding to any coalition members that require it to fulfill our committment made to the organization.

"His party was involved with the company that committed the piracy act," replied the dipomat. "Plus he owned some shares in the company, according to the reports from NCIC. Since he must have known that this was happening, and did nothing to stop it, that make him an accomplice. There is also evidence that he may have set up the whole attack. That put him another an additional charge."

He then lied back, as he casually continued.

"In addition, he eventually put the exact company as the police force of Farmina."

"All right, well, thank you for the information. I shall discuss this with my Cabinet, and put it before Congress, probably will have a decision on the matter in a day, two at most," said the President. "These men will escort you back to your plane, don't worry, we won't try to keep you from leaving. Thank you."

“Alice has fallen, the Messian occupation force has thrown in the towel…finally,” observed the submarine captain, reading the memo, “There are growing expectations MES will drop out of the war. All force is now to be used to end the Colonial threat. Farminan fleet moving to cleanse its waters of Colonial invaders.”

“What are the orders?” asked the Chief Weapons Officer.

The submarine force, amounting twenty in all, had been in Colonial waters since the beginning of the operation, but it was all the Supreme Commander had been willing to spare. Orders had been only to aid the allies if they needed. The Coalition members however seemed little interested in doing anything; and the Republic had little interest in declaring itself absolute master of the hawk.

“All submarines are to release long range to torpedoes against the Colonial’s capital’s power grid then withdraw to the safety of the Illior fleet. Targeting co-ordinates are being sent now.”

The twenty submarines quickly moved to switch to the correct ordinances, long range guided water to land torpedoes; not the world’s cheapest weapons. Then all at once the submarines engaged their motors as forty torpedoes shot down the tubes; before flying out the water as they came to close to land; when they entered the air, with goal of putting the heart of NC in the dark.

NCAF Mt. Yuri Complex
OTH Eastern Seaboard Command Centre
0000 ZULU

The radar screen plotted back and forth. For days the men at the base had been observing the main attack fleet off the east coast of Northern Colonies. The Jindalee Over the Horizon radar was capable of seeing ships, aircraft and other extermities for over 4,000 kms. Thus, the radar gave them unprecedented ability to know what the enemy were doing. The enemy was doing nothing, however, and so most of time was spent drinking coffee.

"I was expecting explosions, not this sitting 'round shit!" Shouted Air Vice Marshal Jimmy Brooks, the Base Commander

"Well, I guess the Foreign Affairs department are doing their job," replied Warrant Officer 1st Class Carol Pollock, the most senior enlisted airwomen in the base. She was also one of the few women on the base at all.

"Hmm...," replied the Air Marshal, sipping on his coffee. He sat a chair in his office. "I hope something happens..."

It was just then, that the Farminan missiles were launched. The radar detected the missiles almost immedieantly.

"Situation Alert! Situation Alert! All personal to their positions!" Shouted the intercom. Red light flashed the whole complex.

"Better get going," replied the Air Marshal.

Moments Later
In the operations room, one of the airmen was shouting at his radio.

"Inbound! Inbound! Cruise Missiles launched, ETA fifteen minutes."

"Alert Air Defence Guard, ready the Patriots. Get the navy to move their Kilos to the location. Figure out the possible targets and have them evaced."

"Yes, Sir," replied one.

_______________________________________________________________
Coast of the Northern Colonies
Seconds after Alert

"Yuri, this is Coast, I have target locked, ready to fire," shouted the Army officer on the ground.

"Well, Fire!"

"Yes, Sir!"

The order was given out. Soon, hundreds of Patriot missiles where launched, intent to locking on and destorying the forty missiles.

Amongst such a use of firepower; the Farminan munitions were decimated, but the Farminan submarines were well underway to the protection of its allies. Supreme Commander Varius Aricar was watching the situation closely. Although the Republic hadn’t succeeded in its objective; it had succeeded in wasting expensive Colonial weaponry; which it was known that the Colonials had only production capacity of. A minor accomplishment at best; but you always had to look at things in the best light. He turned his head from the screen, to another.

“Grand Admiral Frost,” he said firmly, “Have you rallied enough firepower?”

“Yes,” responded Frost, “We have long range missiles and coastal batteries ready on the east coast. Naval units are moving to block any Colonial retreat from the north and south. Farminan aircraft are already leaving airways on the east coast. We can only hope that Colonial invaders have the sense to follow their Messian counterparts and save their own lives.”

“Sense isn’t a word I associate with the Colonials,” commented Aricar, “Commence when the first planes come in range. If they haven’t realized they’ve sailed into the wrong waters by then, only God can help them.”

“As you say Lord Commander,” said the Grand Admiral, signing off.

The dipomat stood up and began to leave, before turning around, and feigning forgotfulness, looked at the President.

"Oh, and did we mention that Tobias Grey is illegally in power?" The dipomat questioned.

The dipomat stood up and began to leave, before turning around, and feigning forgotfulness, looked at the President.

"Oh, and did we mention that Tobias Grey is illegally in power?" The dipomat questioned.

"I don't believe so, but since you mentioned it," the President said, "I suppose I'll wait and hear what you have to say on that matter as well."

Farminian Waters

"Field Marshall, the Hawk is striking!"

"What did you say?"

"I said the Hawk is striking."

"The hawk being code name for what?"

"THE HAWK COALITION"

"Send a message to the chief. We're sticking around."

"The Chief sent us this sir."

He handed the Field Marshall a small telegram.

"By George! We're gonna be fightin' afterall. Put everyone on alert. Return to battle conditions."

"Aye aye sir."

"We'll wait for the hawk to strike harder before we join. If they can't seem to handle the colonial threat, we will have to do it for them. Send patrols over the Colonial fleet just down the coast. Let them know they are being watched, but do not attack, yet."

"Yes sir."

The massive fleet that was steaming back to Communist Revolution slowed to a crawl, then to a stop, just before it left Farminian waters. Individual ships began to turn around and head back to their previous positions.

"Captains, this is Field Marshall Lay. We are returning to Farminian waters. Operation Full House is back on."

"Well, that's for this document," the dipomat walked back into his seat. "Four weeks ago, whilst the war was going on, James Palmer was thrown out of the Presidency, but the Parliament. Problem being, there is no provision for that in the Farminan Consitution, nor any Act of the Farminan Parliament. They were able to do that through having a majority in the parliament. The man voted back in, Tobias Grey, is in the same party as the majority in the Parliament. It was also had a brute force element. The Moralist Enforcers, the Moralist Party private army and current police force of sorts, had managed to win a critial victory over the Reaction Corps, the Liberal's private army cum ex-police force."

The Farminan fleets were closing in on the Colonial fleet. They had made no attempt to flee or surrender.

“Damn it,” said Frost, “Either these people are stupid or…”

He couldn’t think of another possibility. Plans were already in place. Overwhelming might was moving against the Colonials: nearly the entire Farminan naval strength, plus land and air support. Grabbing the radio he sent an open message, “This is Grand Admiral Frost of the Farminan National Naval Service; surrender immediately or face destruction. You are surrounded and severely at outnumbered. Submarines are spread throughout the waters between here and Northern Colonies. Do not waste your lives pointless; you have already lost. Raise the flag of truce and dock immediately. All crew will be imprisoned and then processed before being relocated to a neutral nation. This is your only warning; our cannons are armed and ready.”

He then turned to his Chief Weapons Officer, “Begin the firing sequence.”

Vice Adm. Georges O’Brien talked to his most senior officers over videocam

"All fleets have been combined to provide a better defense against air targets," replied Commodore Rod Gillam, Commander of the NCS Pride of the Colonies, and the 1st Colonial Fleet.

"Submarines have been deployed around to do skirmish attacks against the Farminan fleet, and to defend ours from attacks," said Commodore Jesse Lucas, Commander of the NCS Adamson, and the 2nd Colonial Fleet.

"We've doubled our aircraft and helicopter patrols. We have sonar buoys deployed around the fleet," replied Commodore Clark Barrett, Commander of the NCS Freedom and the 3rd Colonial Fleet.

"Ok, men," Georges responded. "I'll like to talk to the men."

"Certainly," replied the Commodores in unison.

He waited for a few minutes, while the technical things required were done.

"Ok, you're ready," said Commodore Lucas.

The voice of Vice Adm. Georges Lucas was heard across the ships on the Farminan Coast.

"Sailors, Officers, this is Vice Admiral Georges O'Brien, the commander of New Freedom Naval base. You are only hours away from engaging in combat with the enemy. I wish that I could be personally there to lead the battle, but unfortunately, I can not. I can tell you now, that the spirit of the Colonies is with you today. You should now take the time to talk to your husbands, your wife, your boyfriend girlfriends, as I can assure that some of you will not make it. But be assured that your sacrifices will be worth it. If we are able to defeat the enemy, it will deliver a crippling blow to the enemy. If we fail, who knows. The Colonies expects that every man will do his duty. So let us do it well. Thank you, and good luck."

Grand Admiral Frost received no response from the Colonial fleet. He shook his head; carrying out the orders that came from a safe warm base back in the Colonies would amount to murder. “All units fire at will,” he said reluctantly.

While the Colonial navy was concentrated together; the Farminan naval units spread out on both wings of the Colonials. That meant the Colonials were better target and had less room to maneuver; however it did give them a better response to airpower within a moderate distance. All the Farminan carriers were dry-docked and air forces were being run through three airfields on the coast.

Estimates put the enemy submarine strength at six; which airplanes and defense analysts using satellites searched for with great vigor. The inner ring of Farminan ships consisted of about twenty Destroyers; assigned the duty of devastating any Colonial air and submarine power; as well as providing close range shelling, should the Colonial fleet try to break out. Not far behind was a ring of thirty Cruisers providing the bulk of the shelling might; each with two heavy artillery pieces fixed on the Colonial fleet. The first volley was sixty shells alone. Behind this were the heaviest units; treated dubiously by the Farminans, but provided free by the Messian surrender, somewhat willing crew included, eight dated battleships, providing ranged heavy fire of fifteen inch shells. The Messians also supplied four dreadnoughts, each with four 18 inch triple-barreled turrets, with enhanced explosive and primitive rail-gun technology, cruise missile launchers and mass-dispersal rocket suite (a 36 barrel rocket launcher) all opening fire on the Colonial fleet from the back line; along with other weapons remaining silent.

While about one hundred Farminan jets were assigned to patrolling the Farminan ships; another hundred were dropping two Harpoon torpedoes each into the waters, guided directly at the Colonial fleet, aiming primarily for propulsion systems. A force of twenty submarines were occupying the same waters, added another forty medium range torpedoes.

To top off the Farminan strike ten long range rockets were launched for the Farminan coast. Hopefully whatever survived would be wise enough to surrender.

Arn-Maciska Times, Editorial

"Not in our house!"
"This is blackmail sir, and I will not allow it!
Thus spoke Baron Tierce deRenci, Host of Sar'Dahl, and chief Imperial representative to the peace conference between Farmina and the Northern Colonies.
The Colonial Foreign Minister Alexander Peters, now under investigation for breaching the King's Peace, had threatened to blacken the Farminan Delegate, Illorin Romano's good name unless Romano broke faith with his leaders and agreed to a set of humiliating terms that his government would reject. And deRenci would not allow it; such conduct, he has written, is unbecoming of a true diplomat. And I would hasten to add, the manner in which it was done, to imply that Romano had committed acts that are stigmatised by Farminan culture, would have reflected most poorly upon us as well.
Unsurprisingly, this has infuriated the Daíl. All three Houses of Parliament have passed a motion of censure against the Colonial misfits, and the Ministry for External Affairs will likely call for an apology for the disgrace in the near future, but the Colonials won't give it; that would be polite and proper of them, and they can't seem to manage that.
And how unbelievably idiotic of them. They have no idea how light they are getting off; in the days of Akti XIV, may he rest in divine peace, Minister Peters would have been beheaded for his conduct, and the head sent back to the Colonies while the body was displayed in the four corners of the Empire as an example. Instead, doctors at Arn-Askal hospital are working frantically to save the Minister from a life-threatening brain tumour, by the grace of the Holy Monarch. The penalty imposed upon them, when or if the Minister awakens, is likely to be little more then a light slap on the wrist compared to the punishment the Hawk Coalition is preparing.
And yet they have the nerve to slander the good name of the UIK, saying we have an "agenda" against them, when over and over again we have said that we are neutral; a declaration, I'd like to note, that is bound in solemn law.
How dare they. We are not taking sides in this conflict; we are not going to act in either direction. It is illegal for us to do so. And yet, they decide that this means we are working against them, and impugn the good name of leading citizens while doing so. When last I looked, we had no reason, legal, moral, financial, or military to so much as lift a finger to help these people. And after their conduct, we actually have a case to do the opposite.
Now, I hear tell a rumour that the Colonials have attempted negotiations again. I know how Colonials "negotiate". Empty rhetoric, inane demands, theft, blackmail, more inane demands, and more empty rhetoric. Their conduct at Sar'Dahl was that of a petulant, spoiled child, who, upon discovering that he isn't going to get all the sweeties, promptly throws a tantrum. Whether or not the rumour I heard is true, is a matter for debate; I concede I don't know the truth of that matter. But I do know that anyone who honestly enters into discussions with these people must surely be lacking in good sense and sanity, or just have a very large supply of prozac.
I call upon the Parliament to censure the Colonies yet again for their appalling lack of professionalism, and to impose trade sanctions in retaliation for their disgraceful conduct.
- Dr. Sanjana Petal

Dr. Sanjana Patel is an Archbishop in the Maciskan Orthodox Church, and has worked for many years in the UIK diplomatic corps before resigning to concentrate on ecclesiastical matters. She is currently teaching a semester at the University of Vas-Intan, in International Relations.

NB: The views expressed in this article are the views of the author and do not reflect the views of either the Arn-Maciska Times, the University of Vas-Intan, or the position of His Most Serene Majesty's Government.

Grand Admiral Frost received no response from the Colonial fleet. He shook his head; carrying out the orders that came from a safe warm base back in the Colonies would amount to murder. “All units fire at will,” he said reluctantly.

While the Colonial navy was concentrated together; the Farminan naval units spread out on both wings of the Colonials. That meant the Colonials were better target and had less room to maneuver; however it did give them a better response to airpower within a moderate distance. All the Farminan carriers were dry-docked and air forces were being run through three airfields on the coast.

Estimates put the enemy submarine strength at six; which airplanes and defense analysts using satellites searched for with great vigor. The inner ring of Farminan ships consisted of about twenty Destroyers; assigned the duty of devastating any Colonial air and submarine power; as well as providing close range shelling, should the Colonial fleet try to break out. Not far behind was a ring of thirty Cruisers providing the bulk of the shelling might; each with two heavy artillery pieces fixed on the Colonial fleet. The first volley was sixty shells alone. Behind this were the heaviest units; treated dubiously by the Farminans, but provided free by the Messian surrender, somewhat willing crew included, eight dated battleships, providing ranged heavy fire of fifteen inch shells. The Messians also supplied four dreadnoughts, each with four 18 inch triple-barreled turrets, with enhanced explosive and primitive rail-gun technology, cruise missile launchers and mass-dispersal rocket suite (a 36 barrel rocket launcher) all opening fire on the Colonial fleet from the back line; along with other weapons remaining silent.

While about one hundred Farminan jets were assigned to patrolling the Farminan ships; another hundred were dropping two Harpoon torpedoes each into the waters, guided directly at the Colonial fleet, aiming primarily for propulsion systems. A force of twenty submarines were occupying the same waters, added another forty medium range torpedoes.

To top off the Farminan strike ten long range rockets were launched for the Farminan coast. Hopefully whatever survived would be wise enough to surrender.

OOC: You honestly think I'll let you get that close to my ships. RP them coming in, cause it would take them hours to deploy to fire in that manner. My ships are standing still, so they probably be the ones attacking first.

OOC: I've posted them getting closer twice now.

OOC: I didn't think that close.

OOC: The Cruiser range is reasonably extensive. I'm not sure exactly how much. I also question if it would be difficult to make the formations. The formations can be premade; moved around the Colonial fleet and then tightened. In the end; your ships aren't going to stand a chance either way.

Also Frost said "surrender immediately" and "begin firing sequence" so I doubt he would have been hours away.

OOC: By missiles thou, not cannon range. Your ships would be insane moving to cannon range, cause I would fire first. If its missly, and im talking about long range type missile, then thats fine.

OOC: "Cannons" as you call them; have a long range. Artillery is not used on the front line; but taken to the rear. The destroyer guns are out of range; but the crusiers and the Messian guns aren't. And I don't think that you can just make a simple arguement "Well you're moving towards my position; so I get to shoot first."

OOC: Cannons have 18kms range. And don't forget, I also have 18inch cannons. Artellery are not used in naval ships cause they have a max angle to fire from.

Get me on MSN later tonight, I think we need to redo the battle again.

"Damn it, they snuck in on us," replied the Commodores.

The fleet responded with a massive howling of cannon and missile fire. Aircraft were launched, aiming there sights at the crusiers. Locking on, there quickly launched there Harpoon Anti-Shipping Missiles. Underwater, submarines quickly set their sights on the destroyers. With the amount of noise, it would be almost impossible for the destroyers to hear the submarines.

The first shells hit the ships. Three Frigates were destroyed, killing all on board.

In the confrence, the three Commodores organised a quick meeting.

"We have a week before the other fleet arrives on the other side. We need a way to disable their aircraft. They do not seem to have brought their carriers with them.

"Well, the nearest airports are here, here and here. We need to disable them."

"How? We're under bloody attack."

"You don't need a big force to destory an airport. You just need to put one fuckin' big hole in the runway, and it's gone."

"Right"

So, the Crusiers launched dozens of cruise missles, to hit the airport runways, in addition to other coastal targets.

"Well, that's for this document," the dipomat walked back into his seat. "Four weeks ago, whilst the war was going on, James Palmer was thrown out of the Presidency, but the Parliament. Problem being, there is no provision for that in the Farminan Consitution, nor any Act of the Farminan Parliament. They were able to do that through having a majority in the parliament. The man voted back in, Tobias Grey, is in the same party as the majority in the Parliament. It was also had a brute force element. The Moralist Enforcers, the Moralist Party private army and current police force of sorts, had managed to win a critial victory over the Reaction Corps, the Liberal's private army cum ex-police force."

"Well then, thank you for this information," said President Johanson. "We will take this into consideration while we decide how to proceed with the situation. But yes, like I said before, these men will show you back to your plane, and you will be allowed to leave our airspace safely. Thank you, again, for your information, George."

OOC: I doubt those missiles would have hit anywhere near Verica; but you're more than welcome to attack the Colonial fleet. You're also still more than welcome to blast down those missiles.

OOC: They are hitting the nearest airport. Yonks away from Verica.

ENCODED MESSAGE

FM F. Lay. It is time. Operation Xplio is to be commenced immediately. Good Luck. CC Kong, FC Z. McGuire.

END MESSAGE

This was the signal. It was now time for the Conspiracy to strike and strike hard.

"This is Field Marshall F. Lay speaking. Prepare to engage. This is not a drill. Prepare to engage." The commander was able to radio into the every ships' intercom system from his command deck aboard the McGuire. Sirens wailed and horns honked as sailors and aircrew desperately struggled to assume battle conditions.

Minutes after the alarms, aircraft were ready to take off, missiles ready to fire and targets accquired. Only one word stood between the Conspiracy and the destruction of her enemy. That word was 'Xplio'.

Everybody was waiting...and waiting...and waiting.

The Third Commonwealth Fleet was getting antsy. Days passed by with no orders or requests from Farmina. The Saint Fedskians didn't even know where the Farminian Fleet(s) was!

"This is nonsense. Where have the Farminians gone? Where are the other Hawk members? What are they doing?" Lt. Admiral Bronwen Douglas asked herself ever chance she got.

General Bob Tompson, commanding the Fifth and Twenty-second divisions, and Air Vice-Marshall Ashley Wilcocks, commanding the 1st Expeditionary Air Group, were en route to Douglas' command room on board the fleet flagship the SFS Girardi.

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

To: Farminian Fleet Commander
From: Lieutenant Admiral Bronwen Douglas
Re: Hawk

It has been a while since contact was last made. The Commonwealth Fleet appears to be sitting here, all alone 100km off the coast of the Northern Colonies. Where is the Farminian Fleet? Where are the allied fleets? What are the orders? What is the situation?

To: Lieutenant Admiral Brownen Douglas

Farminan fleet is currently engaging Colonial fleet. Was assumed you could manage your own affairs. Target ALL ports and port facillities to end Colonial naval capacity and weaken economic capacity.

Grand Admiral Frost

As the message was sent off; Frost could barely think over the massive two way barrage. “They’ve got another hit on the northern airfield,” called out Lt James, “Ground crews are trying to patch up the holes now.”

Frost was tempted to open up more airfields as that put all three out of operation despite the best efforts of defensive rockets; but he felt he had enough airpower for now. The Colonial fleet would be at the bottom of the ocean within hours at most. There was a large thud and the Leviticus shook. “Holy smoke; we’ve been hit,” someone yelled.

“Keep the ship circling,” ordered Frost, “These ships may be large; but it doesn’t take much to sink them.”

Above him he could hear the roar of jets; and their subsequent splashes, “Casualty estimates.”

“Damage is relatively light; compared to what we expect they’re taking. Damage is wide spread and we have confirmed at least one heavy cruiser sunk. No estimates on aircraft,” said Lt James.

Relative and expect weren’t words that filled Frost with confidence, “Have we disabled the enemy submarines?”

“Not yet,” said Lt James.

“Depth charges,” said Frost, “Have all the Destroyers launch one volley directly under the Colonial fleet and one halfway between the Colonials and ourselves.”

When continuous barrage briefly quieted (though not stopping) the sound of antiaircraft fire from both sides could be heard from both sides.

The Destroyers launched thirty five depth charges within second of each other at water deep below the Colonial fleet; the best hiding place. Within seconds they repeated with a second volley; aimed halfway between the two. Now it was simply a question of seeing what floated to the surface.

Planes were launched in sorties of two. Armed each with Two Harpoon Missiles, they lauched, skipping the destoryers and cruisers, they went straight for their prime target, the Battleships. The missiles flight path was modified so that it would hit the area around deck guns, rather then the hull to avoid the stronger armour of the hull and to ignite munitions nearby. Some sorties, however continued to pound the destroyers and crusiers.. Others began chasing the fighters, knowing that even if they survive, they would be forced to ditch or fly a long way.

OOC: I'll talk about the depth charges tomorrow.
OOC2: ChevyRocks, assume my dipomat left.

OCC: I've RPed the spys getting in already on the Bruning Hourglass thread.

After the beachead landing, the teams split apart, each assigned on different missions. Two of them walked for days to get to the Abbey Ruins, where after pretending to be bums they stoke a car. They drove as near as they could to the Arandior.

"How the fuck are we going to pass that," replied one of them, in a soft tone.

"By this," the other replied.

He went to the boot of the car. Inside was two bags. He took both bags out and opened one. Inside was two Farminan military uniforms. He threw a set to the other man.

"Your now Private Kevin Conklin, of the [insert supply unit], I'm Sergeant Denis Lazarus, of the [insert enginerring division]. You know what our mission is. Remember the cynaide if you are under duress. And for God's sake, don't swear. Remember the Farminan are ultra-religious."

"Bit of a fuckin' oxymoron really," replied the 'Private'.

"Just do your job," replied the 'Serge'. "Now, how to get in."

OOC: I doubt those missiles would have hit anywhere near Verica; but you're more than welcome to attack the Colonial fleet. You're also still more than welcome to blast down those missiles.

OOC: Ah, well I figured it may be a likely target for his missiles, especially since it has a nice selection of military aircraft present.

OOC: You would be highly luck to get a lift NC. This is what is far more likely to happen.

IC:
The military had had reports of two homeless people begging in Abbey Ruins. A squad of soldiers found the beggars exactly where they said. Ruins wasn’t a big place; and it had taken some time to reach. Now it may seem strange to someone outside Farmina, why begging was a military matter; a matter deriving directly from wartime regulations. The Sergeant leading the squad walked up the beggars and put his hand on the beggars upper arm, giving a firm feel, “Gentlemen, you’ve just been conscripted.”

Seeing their opportunity, they agreed to get themselves conscripted.

"Ok," said one. "We need the food."

OOC: NC you haven’t made a single reference to your own ships. Assumable, under such a barrage they must being torn to shreds. Just something you might want to mention.

IC:
Intense anti-air fire blazed from most Farminan ships; mainly missiles but also from flak cannons. Rockets slammed into the battleships causing ammunition cook offs; but the greater majority were taken down. The massive ship based barrage continued; largely from the Messian dreadnoughts and the Farminan cruisers; while Farminan aircraft performed more defensive functions; culling their Colonial counterparts.

Admiral Frost had ordered a fourth airstrip opened to ensure that there was a re-supply facility available as needed. “Keep everything moving,” yelled Frost, “Torpedo strikes are to be concentrated against Colonial propulsion systems; we’ll make them sitting ducks.”

“We’ve lost two battleships, damaged beyond use,” warned Lt James, “They’ve moved a lot of aircraft to our rear positions.”

“They would have paid in aircraft,” said Frost, “Keep up the barrage; continue to his weapons and control centers.”

A new round of air and submarine torpedo strikes began on the ever constricted Colonial fleet; trying to prevent the Colonial ships ever leaving Farminan waters.; totaling about fifty torpedoes from all directions.

“Names,” asked the Sergeant, to the two homeless people, “And service years. We also need all your stuff. You’ll get your food, don’t worry.”

OOC: NC the other eight commandos can’t sit on the boat for weeks. Someone will notice them.

OOC: I have an objection. If your planes were at Verica, I didn't hit them. I hit the three nearest airports, which would've been near Jean I assume.
OOC2: I'll get to the other spys.

IC: "Kevin Conklin," replied one of them. "And this is my buddy Denis Lazarus. One year service, sir. Only Stuffs we have is on me body,"

________________________________________________________________

On the ocean, the massive shelling took its toll on the fleet. Many of the ships had been hit at least once. Three frights completely destroyed, one destroyer heavily damaged.

"Thank God they haven't managed to hit the carriers yet."

The two battleships were ordered to hit the cruisers. Cruisers, with their lighter armour would not be able to stand constant barrage of the battleships.
Estimated ratio ranged from as much as 20 crusiers per battleship to the more realistic 7 cruisers per battleship.

Meanwhile, 20 planes were lost. Many manged to eject, however and so the bigger problem was the many pilots now in the sea.

"We need to keep the attacks on the battleships, with the aircraft. We have at least 210, so. They've lost two already. Once we destroy them, we can rely on the battleships to destory the cruisers."

"Sir, we have reports of the Farminans attempting to assemble another airstrip."

"Launch more cruise missiles. Aim at the runway and the ATC."

"Yes, Sir."

More cruise missiles were launched, aimed at that new runway.

Under the ocean bed. They submariners heard the splashed from afar.

"Get the ship to a hight depth."

Using mathematics and they trusty computer, they estimated the required angle. They were thus able to move in a way to avoid the depth charges. Only one was hit, with moderate damage, but still combat-operatible. Another sound, as they heard the torpedos were launched.

"Launch the distruptor buoys," shouted the Commander.

The distruptor buoys were launched. It was designed to be in place and them sound a massive sound wave across the sea, blinding any type of sonar and the torpedo would track to the buoy, away from the fleet. Unfortunately, that also made the submarine blind.

OOC: I have an objection. If your planes were at Verica, I didn't hit them. I hit the three nearest airports, which would've been near Jean I assume.
I think what CR is saying is that (s)he is going to join the fight anyway; and that would just make addition.

OOC: Not to be pedantic thou, he did write that his planes got smashed by my missiles

OOC: NC your casualty estimates are ridiculous. A cruiser is a heavy ship; the next most powerful thing to a battleship, if you accept a battleship has a place in a modern navy at all. Some suggest aircraft carriers now provide navies with a range that means the battleship is useless. Seven cruisers to a battleship? Come on; closer to 1-1 or 1-2 at most. Since your last casualty estimates you've only had one ship "heavily damaged"; even if that is as good as dead. Thousands of shells, rockets and torpedoes would now have been fired against what you said yourself was ships that banded close together; Farminan weapons systems aren’t wildly inaccurate.

And the submariners HEARD the splash. Not to mention there is a massive battle going on; that would be an impossible feet in ordinary circumstance. And there is no way the ships could move fast enough to avoid them; they weren’t simply dropped but launched.

Also I'm not allowing you to timeslip. Find something to do with those other commandos quickly; even if it is just get caught.


IC: The sergeant looked across to his men, raising his rifle, “Looks like we got ourselves a pair of spies.”

The soldiers had grabbed the weapons when the Colonials had used one incorrect word; but now they were ready and aiming.

“I think you better put your hands up,” suggested the Sergeant, “You two boys have picked the wrong country to mess with.”

OOC: Crusiers have crapper armour compared to Battleship, its one of the ways we make that distiction. And the same must apply to you if thats the case. You can't launch torpedos as well if you can't hear anything. And I said. Nearly all the ships have been hit at least once. Not all the shots have disabled my fleet.

This Is Not The Ooc Thread.

OOC: I know

The two spies feigned shock.

"Excuse me!" Shouted the two spys, what the hell? I am not spy. I'm not smart enough."

Meanwhile, two people walked around. Examining the situation with keen eyes.

“You right,” said the Farminan sergeant, “You aren’t smart enough. Now put your hands up, or they’ll be shot off.”

"What, what?" Replied one as they put their hands up. "What do you have against my intelligence?"

He shook his fingers, seemingly due to fright. But behind them, two people pulled out their silienced pistols. Acting like someone with a mental disorder, the began shooting at the at the guards.

"You homosexual. I've heard the voice of God and he demands you to die!" One of them shouted.

The Field Marshall lay on his bed, just waiting until he sensed the perfect time for the attack.

There was a knock at the door.

"Enter"

"Sir the Farminians are attacking the Colonial Fleet now."

"Excellent!" The Field Marshall shrieked as sprang from his bed to his feet. "Now is the time."

He bounded down the passage ways to the bridge, nearly knocking over severl sailors on his way.

"It's time, it's time" The old man sang to himself with a satisfied smile on his sweaty face.

"Sir, you have heard the news I see. What shall we do?"

"We strike my good man. We strike."

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

The Farminian Fleet was slightly east of the direct line between the Saint Fedskians and the Colonials.

Like firecrackers cruise missiles on board the cruisers lifted up, out of the launchers and into the air as they flew towards the Farminian coast and out of sight. Oil depots, railyards and a military office building in Castile were the targets of the eight missiles. Ten missiles from the destroyers began to pick up speed as they barrelled down on the shore and air defence systems in the immediate vicinity.

Each moderinzed Yamato-Class battleship was packing twelve 18 inch guns in four turrets in addition to their CIWS systems, their AA missile systems and their AAMs. The two ships' trained thier guns inland, at the coastal defences and high rise buildings.

"FIRE" The excessively smiling Field Marshall commanded before being knocked off his feet as the twenty-four massive weapons fired.

Barely below the surface, the submarines began stalking the Farminian Fleet. Each sub launched four torpedoes at the carriers and battleships before crash diving to the ocean floor.

To complement the massive bombardment, the amphibious transports anchored fairly close to the shore released their landing craft, sending fifteen thousand troops and two thousand tanks ashore just north of Denin.

Tiger Sharks and F-35s began flying combat missions over the Farminian shores. The Tiger Sharks were the primary air to air combat fighter of the Revolutionary Navy and would continue to be for as long as they remained adequate. The F-35 was new. It specializes in the air to ground role, in which in found itself doing over Farmina. If the Farminian Army moved against the First Revolutionary Army Group, the leadership would know as soon as the FA moved.

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

(And thus the plot thickens. The Conspiracy has turned its back on the oppressive, uncivil, totalitarian nation of Farmina.)

TO: All field units
FROM: NCIC
Encyption: Ultra.

DIDWNWG S

_____________________________________

TO: Revolution Fleet,
FROM: Colonial Fleet, off the Coast of Farmina.
RE: Battleships.

We are in need of your battleships to protect our fleet which have been damaged heavily in the attack

Cheers,
Commodore Clark Barrett
Commander of the NCS Freedom and the 3rd Colonial Fleet.

“Tobias we have been betrayed; by the dubious ones,” said Sullivan.

The Farminans had been watching the Communists closely; as untrustworthy as Colonials and they’d now proven it. “No one will ever trust them again. This is abuse of trust and they know it,” said Grey, “Warn them to desist immediately or face dire consequences. Call the Parliament for emergency session; I want to call up more conscripts. Have the military readied; triple airpatrol in the region.”

To Communist Revolution

The abuse of trust is a crime you share with the Colonials. Desist immediately or face the might an even wider Hawk Coalition. We outnumber you hundreds of times over. But if you have chosen the path of trechery and dishonesty then so be it.

Phillip Sullivan
Chancellor of Foreign Affairs
Democratic Republic of Farmina

A massive wave of Messian fighter-bombers, with fighter escorts, were flying about two-thousand meters from the water below. Using their pulse detonation engines, they were traveling at Mach 4.6, faster than most other jets could safely intercept them at. The massive air wave, consisting of XG-32 Swarmers from Squadrons Alpha twelve, Alpha thirteen, Epsilon six, and Epsilon seven, XB-91 Rhinos from Squadrons Beta six, Beta seven, Beta eight, Beta nine, and Mu one, Torpedo Bombing XB-110 Roasters from Squadrons Ceta three, Ceta four, and Ceta five, the entire flight wing proved to be one of the largest organised air attacks since the massive bombing raids from World War II.

The majority of the flight was regular Messians, but inside the squadron, were sixteen brand new XG-99 Vengeance superiority fighters, flown by the best fighter pilots the Messian air force has. And they have direct orders from Snyder.

The XB-91's were equipped with a bunch of anti-shipping missiles and bombs, while the XB-110's were equipped with twin torpedoes, with sophisticated guidance systems and water jet engine technology, that is irronically found in Personal Watercrafts. However, the Mu squadron of the bombers were also under the command of Snyder specifically. Unknown to the other pilots, Mu One was equipped with large canisters of napalm...

--------

"They have failed our cause, my fellow loyal servicemen," Snyder said in a major gathering of his troops. "They were supposed to damage the Farminan resolve, destroy their industry. But they sat and did nothing as our own flesh and blood was slaughtered. Now I shall extract vengeance on their fleet, the fleet that failed us. Their pain will be extreme, to cover the multiples of blood that our men has spilt needlessly. They will be burned alive, screaming until there is nothing left to scream with. I want them to remember what they did to us. Your job is simple. Deliver my will's wrath, and set an example to the world, of what happens when the world fails me."

--------

Captain Reagan Hamilton of Black Flight, inside his luxurious, yet deadly XG-99 Vengeance fighter, checked the ranges on the scopes on the targeting display. He was only twenty kilometers away, and at the speed they're going, that wouldn't be long. "Attention all units! Torpedo bombers, slow down and prepare to drop torpedoes! Bombers, climb to three-thousand meters, and dive at the targets! Delta flight, fly behind the bomber wave, and finish off the ships! Fighter cover, stick with me at five-thousand, and search for enemy fighters!"

He then paused, looking at the massive battle quickly approaching him. "Fighters, tanks away!"

========
Attack Information:
Squadron = 64 planes.
XG-32: 256 planes.
XB-91: 320 planes.
XB-110: 192 planes.
XG-99: 16 planes.
Total: 784 planes.

Supreme Commander Aricar’s eyes bulged. The approaching Messian aircraft had at first been assumed to be loyal to the rebel leader Foster delivering aid. As they flew closer; word reached Aricar that these Messians weren’t loyal to Foster; but the tyrant lord, Snyder himself.

“Lord Chancellor,” said Aricar to the communication screen, “We fear that the Messians are going to violate the ceasefire.”

Technically Farmina could call of the ceasefire; just because Snyder had violated Farmina’s waters. “Then let them,” suggested Sullivan, “Our cause is best when our enemies prove our case; that they cheat and break the rules. They are undeserving of trust and should not be allowed to run states.”

“We can’t afford to be fighting three navies,” insisted Aricar, “We should grind these Messians to a pulp while we have the chance.”

“No,” insisted Sullivan, “As you say we can’t afford to violate the peace. Snyder will be flying into Farmina soon to commence negotiations. We allow them to look the bastard.”

Aricar was seething; but Sullivan had a point, “I want the President to confirm this order.”

Sullivan went silent, then said, “I shall discuss this with him; but I suspect he shall try to avoid the issue.”

The screen went blank and there was no response. Ten minutes later, Colonel Richards ran in with satellite photographs, “Colonials are under attack by the Snyder’s forces.”

It sealed the Colonial naval fate and meant the Conspiracy had just chosen the wrong time to change sides. But Aricar was left with a single question; why? Then Richards passed Aricar an intercepted Messian communication. “Dear God,” whispered Aricar, “Snyder is using the ceasefire to build himself an empire. Get me the President, now!”

---

To Prime Minister Anderson

Jason Snyder has begun the construction of his empire and your nation is clearly in his sights; as well as anyone who supports you. Surrender unconditionally to the Hawk Coalition immediately and we can protect you from Snyder’s wrath. If not; I shall have to protect your people by force.

Tobias Grey
President of the Republic
Democratic Republic of Farmina

"Shit, Shit," shouted the Commodores as the bombs fell. If the Farminan shelling had done heavy damage, the bombers were worse. Despite the massive roaring of the CIWS systems, the missiles hit, destorying at least 4 destoryers, and 3 crusiers. One carrier had been hit, but only recieved superfical damage.

"Get aircraft up, hit the damn planes," shouted Commodore Clark Barret.

Some planes, assigned to get the Farminan planes were reassigned to hit the aircraft.

"We have radar lock, Fox One!" Shouted one of the planes.

Twelve planes moved to the Messian planes, launching each twelve sidewinders.

[Farminian Waters]

Admiral Arakida Masahiro looked out over the ocean from the bridge of the JGFS Glass Hammer at the growing situtation in the distant. Occasionally his abnormally acute vision would pick up a flash here on there--a young life no doubt ending pre-maturing. No doubt he would send many more. His two fleets, the Fifth and Sixth Grande Fleets had sailed quite a distance to engage the Colonials--their ambassador was held for days in the Republic, going threw first the turmoil of filling out forums that would never again be known to the public. He was then held up going threw interviews and rigged security testing. This was all an admit to upkeep the Republic's honor, while keeping on coarse. Masahiro could help but feel sorry for the Colonials and their new Communist allies. He never trusted Communist, he trusted countries who put the word in their national name even less. The Conspiracy had indeed chosen a bad time to change sides. Though cowardly impressions of Jagada would be felt at the same time. The Republic entered war to win, not to play fair. The Colonials would be destroyed, their Conspiracy allies smashed and sent to the bottoms of Farminian waters. The banner of the White Star would carry this day--in co-operation with the banner of the Hawk.

The Republic did not enter into this conflict without first gaining knowledge on it. Riyabuo knew of the unstable Farminian politics--of this so called 'Democratic Republics' past. Jagada had to however, gain a foot on the door of this Republic to launch its own plans. These plans were not known to Masahiro though the Farminians would still do doubt accept Jagite help nontheless. They could not hope to force the Colonials to surrender unconditionally themselves, or with the help of the Messians.

As the two fleets came within missile range. Masahiro didn't want to make any surprise announcements--he didn't want to make this a surprise attack. He sent a clear message out.

Threw all communication systems--to all ships he cried out, "The Banner of the Hawk is rising!" Then let slip the missiles.

(OOC: Sorry, family problems has not allowed me to post sooner and it is 4:00 AM. So this isn't my best RPing skills. Please forgive the crude introduction.)

The Colonial missile attack was predictable. Hundreds of light machine guns opened up; more than enough to tear apart the seemingly endless supply of targeted Colonial missiles.

Protect a stretch of flat dirt in the middle of nowhere wasn’t Frost’s prime concern; despite the appearance the Messians had double crossed the Colonies; he knew they weren’t stupid. A full assessment of the Communist strength wasn’t yet made; but it was expected to be bigger in the eyes of the Communist leadership than it actually was. Did they expect that they had been trusted out of hand? Both the Northern Colonies and the Messians had pledged to defend Farmina; then they showed how much they could be trusted. Dumpsterdam had declared its love of Farmina; but when Justinian was deposed it showed the only thing that the great ally had loved was the fallen Emperor. The east coast was massively fortified and could not be easily taken. Even the mighty Messians had been forced to invade Alice instead.

“Give them a volley of sleeping gas,” ordered Frost, “These Messians are up to something. The Colonials can’t be trusted; but Snyder is down right dangerous.”

As the Cruisers and Dreadnoughts continued their high explosive barrage, waiting for the gas shells; Frost received reports of another Messian battleship and a Destroyer going up, not to mention countless aircraft.

He picked up his communicator, “Colonial fleet. Communist fleet. Surrender to the Republic. You are outnumbered and outgunned. We can protect you from Snyder. Your true enemy has revealed itself. Save yourselves. You have seen what Snyder has done to his own nation; imagine what he will do to yours.”

One hundred and twenty six of the Farminan 12-11 jets streaked from airbases, around the south east; their prime goal to win air superiority over Conspirators. Once the airs were clean; the Conspiracy invasion force would be sitting ducks; with their naval forces trying to take on the Farminan fleet and the air units defending it.

Twenty anti-rockets were fired to take down the conspiracy missiles. Two of the four Messian dreadnoughts turned their attention to the Conspiracy troops, but the rest of the naval mass continued targeting the Colonial fleet; but it was expected that they would quickly realise their mistake and wave white flags. However the Colonials had plenty of chances to just slink away or make peace. They hadn’t taken them; what chance the Conspirators would do the same?

Submarines also diverted from the major battle; readying to riddle the Conspiracy landing fleet with torpedos.

OOC: I’m not going to differentiate between the naval damage done by Conspiracy fleet and the Colonial one; damage recounts will be done as one. I don’t like writing big lists of empty meaningless numbers.

The Farmianian 'anti-rockets' managed to knock down 2 of the 18 cruise missiles that were launched into Farmina, the rest were able to bypass the defences on their way to the targets just under 10km inland from the Revolutionary Fleet.

"Marshall LAy, Farmian fighters are taking to the air."

"Alert the planes."

(**Message spoken in code. Not as typed**)
"Yes sir. Command to all fighter. Command to all fighters. Farminian aircraft approaching from the south. Repeat, Farminian fighters from the south."

"Roger Command. Team 3 is engaging"

"Command, Team 4 will assist"

"Roger teams 3 and 4"

20 Tiger sharks darted across the sky towards the Farminian aircraft while sixty others waited for Farminians to pounce on the small squadron.

"Radar contact by Team 3"

"Roger 3. 4 still in bound.

"Roger 4."

The pilots of Team 3 could now see the Farmian fighters on their radar screen and began to climb on their way out to the ocean, waiting for the inferior enemy to attempt an attack.

The fleet's air defences were beginning to activate as the Farminians flew closer.
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

The soldiers scampered ashore beside their tanks and armoured personnel carriers.

Shots rang out as a Farminian police officer with a shot gun blasted holes through a soldier's chest and parts of anothers arm. The Revolutionary soldiers returned fire with machine guns and automatic rifles while the other 14,990 men simply stormed inland. The heavy Challanger 1 tanks ran over anything that got in their path. Playgrounds, cars, people, and even babies and pets weren't immune to the destruction.

-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~

With the enemy airbases now revealed, the destroyers launched four more cruise missiles at the enemy's secondary airfields.

Snyder watched his display carefully since his return from Farmina. He was inside the main command center, barking orders at various groups. He then noticed action on the coast of Farmina. He saw that the Communist Revolutionaries were attacking Farmina! How tenacious they were.

He decided to do something about it, and considering that a good chunk of his army is currently under surrender orders. He decided to use something else instead.

"General, I need your targetting specialists," Snyder said to them.

The General walked up. "You need our assistance, mi'lord?"

Snyder nodded. "Is the Snyder class orbital weapon 2 back online from that ASDS hit?"

"Yes, sir."

"Is number three finally brought online?" he asked.

"Sir, good timing, it should be up within the hour. Our men on board are putting the final touches on it's activation now."

"Excellent," Snyder said. "Here's what I want you to do..."

--------

The Communist Revolutionaries were cutting swaths through the Farminan outside defensive forces, being forced to fall back one after another. A Farminan looked to the sky as he ran back, yelling "God, give me strength!"

All of a sudden, a small, concentrated blast of energy came down, and blew up a tank completely, stopping it in his tracks. The Farminan jumped in surprise, as more bolts came down, incinerating infantry in quick swathes and cuts into the earth. More tanks were cut down into shreads. The Farminan stopped running and looked back. He saw a large number of holes, burning wreckage, and bits of equipment and body parts.

--------

"Beta six and seven, good hits! Beta eight and nine commence the attack!" the Captain yelled. In any moment, he would see Mu flight dropping their napalm.

--------

One of the Northern Colonist deck crews looked up to see jets flying in low at high speed. They tried to shoot them down, and only succeeded in taking down two, but they failed to stop the barrage of napalm coming down on their fleet...

Soon after, both the torpedo bomber waves and the other two bomber flights would be commencing their attack.

PB-70E "Northern Lights," of the 22nd Patrol Squadron
70,000 feet altitude
Over Farminan waters, east of Sarion

A very loose group of four PB-70s rocketed across the empty sky, over the nearly empty ocean. So far up, their crews could see the curvature of the earth itself, and it was curious that the PB-70 was intended as a maritime strike plane.

In the lead plane, named Northern Lights, Major Lorenzo Gibson was overlooking the vital signs of the plane, when Lieutenant Todd Ripling, the plane's radar operator, spoke up.

"Hey Major Gibson, we're getting a lotta' contacts on the scope here. Dozens of ships, maybe hundreds."
"Can you identify?"
"Well, we've got the Farminans north and south of the Colonials, who are just outside of the territorial waters, the Conspiracy fleet is engaging the Farminans, and now there's another fleet moving in from the east."
"That's the Jagadans," said Lieutenant Chris Yates. "I intercepted one of their transmissions, they're preparing to strike against the Colonials as well."
"Sir, there's planes and missiles all over, as well," continued Ripling.
"Must be one hell of a battle going on down there," said Gibson.

A crackle came over the radio, a transmission from command at Verica.

"All Chevrokian units, Eleanor. I repeat, Eleanor."
"Roger that, command, Eleanor confirmed," said Gibson.

For whatever reasons decided by the administration, the Chevrokians were now going to strike.

"All aircraft, climb and maintain FL800, accelerate to Mach 3.3," Gibson said. "Prepare BGM-6 missiles. Targeting information will arrive shortly from command."

"Targeting information from Blackstar surveillance being sent now," said General Roberts, from the command post at Verica.

In the group of planes, their crews were busy organizing the information sent, as to where the strike would be sent. The targets: the remaining Colonial carriers and battleships.

Each PB-70 carried four BGM-6 missiles, huge, sinister-looking weaponry, which were built not to explode but to punch right through a ship's structure by good ol' kinetic energy. Developed as a stand-off anti-ship missile, they would accelerate and climb to a "cruise" altitude upwards of 100,000 feet or more. Upon nearing it's target, they went into a near vertical dive, further reducing chances of interception. A thick, tungsten cone forming the nose provided the penetration ability, and any unburned fuel would likely ignite nearby the puncture hole and start serious fires.

Following in suit, Gibson broadcast the standard message for Operation Full House to all those listening..."The Banner of the Hawk is rising!", before the four PB-70s blasted off their payload of missiles, sending 16 of the deadly BGM-6s on a course towards destruction. After the successful launch, they turned back towards Verica, to refuel and rearm.

OOC: Just a note to ChevyRocks: The NC carriers are now inoperable, in tactical terms.

Off the coast of Port Johnson, Northern Colonies

Lieutenant Admiral Bronwen Douglas was sitting in her quarters onboard the SFS J. Russell, just waiting for the final minutes of the cease-fire deadline with the Northern Colonies to tick away.

10 minutes remaining...

Bronwen left her quarters for the hive of activity that was the command center of the bridge and the aircraft carrier.

"Are we ready?" She asked her executive officer.

"Yes ma'am"

"Let's go!"

"Yes ma'am" The officer replied. "Fire."

The twenty missiles that were awaiting the command on the decks of the Thunder Class cruisers began to light slowly, smoke billowing from the tubes then suddenly, with a massive hiss the missiles took to the air before straightening themselves out and heading for their target.

Reaching full speed just three kilometers from the coast, they began the final stage of their flight towards Port Johnson.

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

Below the surface the Dolphin Class submarines monitored their target's positions, unknowingly stalking them from the maximum distance their armament would allow.

Once the cruise missiles hit their targets in Port Johnson, it would be the Dolphins' turn to strike.

OOC: I don’t have time for much.

IC: Another two cruisers were down and countless more planes. The Colonials would soon be under attack from four sides. Frost wasn’t sure what had happened to his depth charges; but they seemed to have mysteriously disappeared through the enemies sheer stubbornness. “All remaining destroyers are to give another three volleys of depth charges under the Colonial. Commence with ocean floor and then increase height.”

As the order went out; Frost tried to send another message to the seemingly invulnerable Colonial fleet; “Surrender you stupid idiots. All that you can possibly do now is die.”

"Thrust the ships back to the CCR lines," shouted the Commodores.

The remaining ships moved back towards the Yamato Battleships, attempting to dodge the missiles. The Chevyrocks missiles were being hit at with the CIWS system. Nevertheless, it was a threat unseen before by the men, and the missiles hit four ships, including a three cruisers and a battleship.


________________________________________________________________

One of the spys took out a small pipe-like object. He pretended to smoke it, but then threw it to the Sergeant.

"Fine," he said. "But you will feel your life running out. The shadow still lives, for it is the blessed will of Justianian!"

OOC: Sorry NC, forgot to post about your fighters counterattacking my bombers. I'll post it now, but PLEASE, some REALISTIC damage estimates. You're going against two nations with the combined strength of three times your nation. You're badly outnumbered, being bombarded by serious weaponry, and being bombed worse than Berlin. Keep in mind also that all the Napalm that was dropped hit their targets, and with realistic damage estimates, it would make a majority, or all of your anti-air weapons and your aircraft carrier's catch cables, deck crew, and aircrafts on deck inoperable. Also keep in mind that as previously posted, all ordinance and jet fuel on deck (which there always is during an engagement) would be ignited and/or exploded. That includes planes that are armed and/or fueled up.

IC: The Northern Colonies jets flew into the gaggle of the nearly 800 strong aircraft group, firing their twelve sidewinders. The fighter cap nearly two-thousand meters above saw their approach. "All fighter units! Alpha squadrons, engage the enemy fighters below! Use guns only. Epsilon, maintain cap!"

The 128 fighters of Alpha squadron (which were out of importance range* of anti-air units), flew downwards towards the badly outnumbered Northern Colonies jet fighters. They suddenly opened fire with their 20mm cannons, creating a huge swath of lead.

The Northern Colony's missiles streaked away from the soon to be destroyed jet fighters, towards the gaggle from squadrons Beta seven and eight. They swerved to avoid the missile lock, firing their countermeasuring heat flares as they flew past. Most of the missiles aimed for the flares, exploding in fireballs. Some of the shrapanel damaged some of the planes, but the ruggedness of the Rhino's legendary armor protection kept it flying into the swarm of anti-air fire. The few remaining missiles swung around, and came from the rear angle of the incoming jets. Suddenly, small .303 calibre radar point defense turrets popped open, and fired their shots at the incoming missiles. Two were blown up by the fire, but an additional two hit their targets, blasting the engines on both of the planes. They shook from the damage to their engines, and with their dual PDE's only firing on a couple of cylinders, they were shaking the aircraft badly, but they kept on flying, though in no shape to fight.

OOC: Here's some info on napalm, FYI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napalm
It goes up to 1200 degrees, which would probably melt metal.

The Conspirators were marching forward and the Farminan forces under the instructions of General Arnold White were falling back through Denin full speed; huge amounts of military infrastructure was destroyed, leaving hundreds dead; it seemed there was a targeting fault in the previous round of anti-missile rockets. Another 30 had been launched at the next round of cruise missiles; supported by CIWS systems. White examined the map carefully as his adjutants moved markers to reveal the slightest change in positions. The entire nation was trying frantically to scramble airpower to match that of the Conspirators. Farminan tanks were being moved to hiding positions in car parks and infantry in houses to protect them from the war overhead. The main part of the Denin Army still fighting was the FastFirerIV artillery that had devastated advancing Messian units in Alice.

The FastFirer was well named; using a 6-inch shell, the artillery piece would fire rapidly while moving on its tracks. White’s forces had 200 FastFirer’s pulling a zigzag retreat through Denin, maintain heavy fire on the advancing troops, well behind the raging air battle.

Huge reels of the Conspirators senseless destruction was being made, running over things for the simple sake of it, and quickly packaged up with a diplomatic statement that would ruin the Conspirators position forever; diplomacy was the key to any war. Hundreds of anti-air batteries tried to support the outnumbered Farminan aircraft. There was however one simple duty White had to fulfill; allow Ricco the time to put together a sizable force. A reasonable enough task considering Farmina’s army; was by far the strongest part of its military.

Farminans spat on their new occupiers; even if they tried to keep out of the way of the tanks. Who would live under those whose word meant so little? Not even the Messians had received that treatment in their brief occupation of Alice and the Pass. At least with the Messians you knew where you stood; normally under their jackboot.

One of the spys took out a small pipe-like object. He pretended to smoke it, but then threw it to the Sergeant.

"Fine," he said. "But you will feel your life running out. The shadow still lives, for it is the blessed will of Justianian!"

The Farminan soldiers shot the Colonial spy in the arms before they had time to pull out any such object. “Hands up, means hands up,” said Sergeant, “Unless you prefer hands off.”

OOC: Here's some info on napalm, FYI: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napalm
It goes up to 1200 degrees, which would probably melt metal.

OOC: Use the OOC thread. And Iron melts at 1538 Degress Centigrade..

And Farmina, I threw the damn object. Deal with it like that.

Four thousand kilometers from Kahanistan...

"Sir, the Kahanistanian aircraft should be arriving here within the hour."

"Thank you Captain" Commodore Genatov replied.

Commodore Sergei Genetov was leading an expedition of five Quickbreaker Class aircraft carriers and their support vessels to Kahanistan where they were to pick up and transport the Kahanistanian aircraft to the Farminian theatre of operations.

Escorting the flotilla was the Sixth Commonwealth Fleet, led by Admiral Timothy Nixon.

Sixth Commonwealth Fleet

8x Quickbreaker Class
560x Lu-45 Hawks (70/ship)
32xC-2 Greyhounds (4/ship)
16x C-9 Nightingales (2/ship)
16x E-2 Hawkeyes (2/ship)
32x CH-46 Sea Knights (4/ship)
32x SH-60 Sea Hawks (4/ship)

Cruisers
20x Thunder Class
2x SH-60 Sea Hawks


Destroyers
40x Flanker Class
8x SH-60 Sea Hawks

40x Johnston Class
12x SH-60 Sea Hawks

Frigates
40x Halifax Class
15x SH-60 Sea Hawks

Submarines
30x Dolphin Class
30x Loch Ness Class

Auxiliary Ships (Supply, Cargo, Medical)
2x Pasteur Class hospital ships
6x SH-60 Sea Hawks (3/ship)
4x Curie Class light medical vessels
4x SH-60 Sea Hawks (1/ship)
90x supply ship

Additional Units
5x Quickbreaker Class Aircraft carrier
70 Lu-45 Hawks + 300 Kahanistanian F-1 Masadas
50x SH-60 Seahawk

2x Modernized Bismarck Class Battleships
8x 18in guns
6x CIWS
6x Eight-cell VLS

OOC: Use the OOC thread. And Iron melts at 1538 Degress Centigrade..

OOC: The planes would melt though; they're aluminum, and it's not as resistant. Now post the results or I will repost them. If you ignore it, this RP is over.

OOC: The planes would melt though; they're aluminum, and it's not as resistant. Now post the results or I will repost them. If you ignore it, this RP is over.

OOC: No, they are a Carbon composite. They would survive a napalm attack, if ever a tad.. blackened? If you want me to post the results, its all going to be charred people.

And use the damned OOC thread, before I pull my hair out.

The Kahanistanian fighters were ready to dock with the St. Fedskian carriers in its waters, to be delivered to their allies. While Kahanistan wanted no part of the war itself, they were not about to abandon St. Fedski.

Three hundred F-1 Masada (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/F-1_Masada) fighters, VTOL fighters with large internal missile bays (and resulting smaller cockpits) took off from the desert and moved to rendezvous with the Fedskian carriers.

The warplanes would dock on the carriers, and then be donated to the alliance. The pilots would remain on the ship long enough to show their allies how to fly them, but they would themselves avoid combat as far as they could.

They approached the carriers, requesting permission to land.

Fires erupted across the surface of the Carriers, burning the multiple deck crew and pilots who were unlucky enough to be on top of the deck. Immediately, medical terms raced on board, evacuating the crewman, and distrubuting brun masks to the burnt crewmen.

The carriers were now behind the CCR's battleships. The fleet had taken a beating. Most of the surface fleet had been destoryed, mainly from the Chevyrocian (sp?) missile strike. All that was left was the damaged battleships, one cruiser and the three carriers, with two damaged.

___________________________________________________________

"We need to destory the MES, and quickly," shouted Adm of the Fleet Patrick Robinson.

"Well, thats easy enough," replied Willam Smith. "We just need to kill Snyder. And intelligence seems to suggest that Snyder may be on the move to Farmina."

"And?"

"Well, we shoot him down mid-flight, then blame it on the Farminans."

"Fall back story?"

"We release that message from Farmina."

"Right. And how do we find him."

"Either get it from the Farminan, or have our satellites locked on the MES airport."

"Do it!"

__________________________________________________________

The second and third waves dove down at high speed, the torpedo bombers aiming for the surface fleet, while the regular bombers aimed for the carriers.

Soon, the huge number of targeted munitions would be falling down towards their targets...

“The Colonial fleet is ruined now,” said Admiral Frost; his own fleet looking in pretty bad shape, with nearly as many ships sunk as the Colonials. The upside was Farminan ships tended to be smaller so it meant losing a ship wasn’t so bad.

“Give me 30 land based missiles against the remaining battleships. The carrier decks will be to hot for their aircraft to handle. The only thing that they have to match us for speed is a single cruiser. Its time to run down the ruins. Tell all ships to maintain bombardment. Deploy 100 aircraft to disable propulsion systems and then move to sink the ships. We are going for the kill.”

Thirty land based rockets launched, as one hundred Farminan aircraft switched from defending the Farminan fleet to crushing the Colonial fleet, with a range of bombs, missiles and torpedoes.

“Immediately sir,” said the relevant weapons officers who went and carried out their orders.

---

Tobias Grey read over the military report that Sullivan had just reviewed, “The Colonial fleet will have to capitulate now.”

“Indeed,” said Sullivan, “But that is still a long way from the Colonial homeland.”

Tobias nodded and light himself a cigarette, “It may be enough to make the Colonials give us a serious offer. With their fleet crippled; the way to their homeland is open. Stealth bombers flying over their cities night and day. I doubt they’ll offer an unconditional surrender. A conditional surrender; that might be more likely. With MES turning against them; it will be even harder for Anderson to justify continuing the war against Farmina. He followed MES to war against Farmina; and now MES has betrayed him. It validates everything we said.”

“Do you really think Anderson will try to negotiate?” said Sullivan.

“He doesn’t have a choice,” said Tobias, placing the cigarette in his mouth, “He knows that his nation will become a fifth rate power if Farminan carriers get in range of the Colonies. As reports filter in to him; he is going to be sweating. The Prime Minister will not want to be remembered as the man who destroyed his nation; by attacking a friend only to be attacked in turn by the nation that helped devise the original treachery. Now Anderson knows we are serious; he knows we are not bluffing. I assure you Phil, we shall be hearing from him very soon.”

“These Colonials have been stubborn before,” noted Sullivan, coughing after inhaling tobacco smoke.

On the Colonies of the Northern Colonies, aircraft were launched. B-2 Bombers, armed with bunker busters, able to go through any sort of protection from concrete targets. Their target, Ricco Naval Base. Their objective was to destory the Carriers, all of them, whilst they were at port. Other B-2 were sent to bomb the Farminan military base at Alice, and the current fleet near Jean. The operation was designed for continual bombing of Farmina, with only half an hour gap between each launch.

Meanwhile, captured MES transports were being flown up to open up another front for the 50,000 or so forces of the CCR already on Farminan soil, which included 2000 Colonial troops.

The bombers would reach there target in just under an hour. The reinforcement, would be parachuted down in stages, starting in a hour, with the parachuting operations.

The Farminan sergeant fell to the ground as the dart hit him. The remaining Farminan soldiers opened fire; before going to provide their sergeant with the medical attention he needed.

---

“Colonials are stirring again Lord Commander,” said Lt Steves.

Aricar was in Alice; preparing Tobias Grey’s grand vision; a full scale invasion of the Milita Enforced State to topple the tyrant Snyder. The Colonials however insisted on continually setting the invasion back. Now they were defending a nation that they knew had secretly betrayed them; and had now openly betrayed them.

Things were only made worse by the bumbling of Conspirators and evidence Saint Fedski was secretly working against the Hawk Coalition. However, there was plenty of pressure on the Colonies, and all Prime Minister Anderson had to do was swallow his pride and a lot of it would disappear.

“Speak,” said Aricar.

“Massive Colonial preparations. Air movements,” said Lt Steves, “Their remaining ships are trying to charge south toward the Conspirator positions.”

The Colonials really were making a move. A small scale invasion of a nation that had been nothing but loyal; in effect protecting a treacherous nation which the Colonies were now making full scale war with.

Frost had enough ships to deal with the Colonials; a smaller fleet of damaged heavy ships would easily be outrun and destroyed by light ships; especially when half that fleet was on the Colonials southern flank; just where the Colonials wanted to pass through. Frost had already begun maneuvers to chase, block and destroy the Colonial ships using his Cruisers; aided by the heavy Messian model ship, however they weren’t so good for chasing, although decent at destroying. Not even Colonials had the stomach of the Gods; they were now fighting without a cause and without a chance. A Colonial invasion was also doomed to fail; men sent to the slaughter house. Aircraft could be shot down; but that wasn’t a certainty.

Aricar scratched his chin, “This has gone on too long. The Colonials barely have a war industry; how do they expect to support an invasion of a nation much larger and wealthier than them.”

“The Conspirators will be helping them,” observed Lt Stevens.

“The Conspirators are a third rate power,” observed Aricar, “And an untrustworthy one. The Colonies switched sides to join an ally who switched sides on them. Now they have a new ally; who joined them by switching sides. That the Conspirators switch side is the only thing that’s really known about them. The Colonials are going to be keeping their distance. Choosing allies badly have had them burnt. Could you imagine the next election debate in the Colonies, when the dust settles; the media asking the prime minister why he bombed a friendly nation to work with a tyrant who would turn against him quickly.”

Stevens wasn’t a political oriented person; but he could see that attacking a historically friendly nation probably wasn’t a good decision; along with allying the real enemy. “Then why is the Colonies still fighting,” said Stevens.

“Pride,” said Aricar, “Something politicians are expert at. He’d take a short term political hit if he was seen as backing down first; it would also make him feel he had a smaller manhood.”

Aricar felt that was also part of the reason Tobias Grey wasn’t reopening diplomatic channels; the other part being to give Anderson a chance to realise he would lose in the end. Farmina had diplomatic sway; it could call nations to fight at its side. When Tobias Grey talked; people listened, remembered as the democratic revolutionary who defeated Justinian’s monarchy.

“Shall I order the anti-air guns to ready?” said Lt Stevens.

“Aye,” confirmed Aricar, “Though they should already be completely prepared. Scramble fighters as well.”

He paused, then added another instruction, “Send Prime Minister Anderson a message. Don’t allow him to know who its from. He needs a victory; and he is cracked if he thinks he can have one against Farmina. But against Snyder he still has a chance if he is prepared to swallow his pride. A victory over Snyder and forgiveness from Farmina might save his political legacy. It would certainly look better than be demolished by a friend betrayed and side-switching Snyder. An old friendship restored and an act of treachery repaid in kind.”

“You really want peace,” commented Lt Stevens, admiringly.

“No,” corrected Aricar gruffly, “I really want to invade the Messians! And I hope Mister Anderson does to. Now get to it.”

Lt Stevens hurried off and completed the tasks.

[OOC: I won’t actually type the communication. I’d basically be repeating what Aricar said.]

In the distraction, one of the spies dived into cover behind the car. The other however, was too slow and was peppered with rifle flire.

The other spy took a grenade from inside the car, and threw it at the soldiers.

________________________________________________________________
Parliament House.

"A letter from the Farminans has arrived," said the Foreign Affairs offical.

"Put it through the paper shredder," replied the PM. "There is enough support to prosecute this war."

"Yes Sir," replied the offical.

OOC: This is for the SF attack of Port Johnson

Explosions ripped across the ancient port. Port Johnson was one of the first ports to be built in the NC. And now, it was in smoke. Fires ruptured everywhere, smoke all across the port and the surrounding cities.

The strike against Port Johnson proved overwhelmingly successful.

Smoke was billowing from the flames that were dancing around the sky. Sirens wailed as people cried out. The scene was horrific, and would soon be repeated on other cities.

The thirty Dolphin Class submarines were busy lurking around the coast of the Northern Colonies, stalking other enemy subs. In the terms of fleet protection, they left the Third Commonwealth Fleet completely vulnerable to attack by being so far away, but it was a risk the Commonwealth was ready to take.

"Captain, we have acquired our targets."

"Hold fire until in position."

"Roger."

The submarines began to move into position. They knew where the Colonial subs were, and they knew where the twenty Farminian subs were. Sliding into position among the scattered Colonial submarines proved to be easier than expected.

"In position."

"Roger. Fire at will."

Twenty of the submarines fired a single torpedo each toward the Farminian submarines from amongst the Colonial fleet. Sixty more torpedos were already ready inside three of the four tubes of the twenty submarines. As soon as the Farminians made a move, they next twenty would be fired, and pending another move, another twenty would be fired. The other ten subs were lurking incase their firepower was needed.

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

The Sixth Fleet with the borrowed Kahanistanian fighters, was now just under one thousand kilometers away from Farmina.

In the distraction, one of the spies dived into cover behind the car. The other however, was too slow and was peppered with rifle flire.

The other spy took a grenade from inside the car, and threw it at the soldiers.
Err no.

Declaration of Outrage

The Democratic Republic of Farmina is outraged by the betrayal of Saint Fedski. It appears that there a few nations whose word now counts for anything. Withdraw immediately of face consequences on a scale not yet seem in this conflict. We have no comprehension of why you have attacked us (though we have no comprehension why anyone has attacked us). You have made no requests, terms or diplomatic overtures. Attacks against our nation for no reason will have the appropriate consequence as it shall have for all nations involved in this conflict; we shall be calling upon all our allies to launch a counter attack on a previously unprecedented scale.

Learn to live by your decisions; you shall all pay for your alliances with the Messians!

Tobias Grey
Democratic Republic of Farmina


OOC: If my allies don’t want to get involved; this means its me against everyone…once again. SF; I wouldn’t let you know where my subs are. I didn’t trust you.

"Two minutes until impact." Lieutenant Patterson reported the progress of the cruise missiles fired at the Farminian air bases.

The Farminian aircraft were now within reach of the Conspiracy Fleet's air defences, not to mention the other aircraft of the fleet.

Having still faced no opposition from the Farminian ground forces, soldiers continued to march towards Castile.

"AIRPLANE" Soldiers shouted as a small propeller driven plane flew overhead, immediately being pounced on the a Tiger Shark.

F-35s flew over the area patrolling, hoping to find a target before reaching Castile.

With 12km between them and the ocean and nearly 20km between the north and south limits of the advance, the Conspirators had created a beachhead of nearly 240km2. It was now time to capture Denin and to move more troops inland.

(**Message coded. Not as typed.**)

Delivered to: Colonial Forces
Sent from: Lt. Gen. J. Smids

Begin the attack on Denin. Supporting your assault will be 3000 Conspirators and 400 Challenger 1s. Good luck.

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

As Denin was now encircled, 1000 Colonials who had worked themselves around to the west would begin to move while 3000 CCR troops and 400 tanks would attack from the north and east. Resistance was expected to be light.

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/7264/colonialdaily8ca.jpg
Colonials destory Farminan Fleet

Northern Colonies Submairne Command today announced that it had destroyed the submarines that attacked the Northern Colonies a few week ago.

"This is a superb action from the silent service. Detecting submarines are hard, we are lucky to have caught many of the carelessly flocking around the coast, using advanced sonar technology," said Adm of the Navy Patrick Robinson.

At 1100 hours, Northern Colonies submarines, dubbed the 'Kilo-Class' began the onslaught.

"We believe that if it wasn't for the almost undetectable capabilities of the Kilo-Class, this [attacks of Farminan subs] would have not happened."

Continued on Page 2

In what had be the fifth meeting the two men had during the last few hours; Tobias Grey was smoking yet another cigarette and Sullivan was looking at the fat man with disbelief.

“The Shah!” exclaimed Sullivan, “The man is a brute and a dictator. He is a bad as Snyder; dare I say worse.”

“The Shah is an honorable man,” said Grey, nearly choking on his own words, “I accept that this man is a dictator; but we needed someone with courage, someone who wouldn’t buckle after a swing in the polls. An honorable dictator against dishonorable democrats.”

For a long time Tobias Grey had insisted being a democrat made a person honorable. The Colonial betrayal had taught Farmina a lesson in that department. “Tobias,” said Sullivan, “This is a dangerous gamble. The Shah is friends with both the Professor and Justinian; both of whom oppose us.”

“Both of whom love Farmina,” corrected the President, “And hate the left with a fiery passion.”

Memories of what Justinian did to the Socialists on Bloody Fields still ran strong. “It’s a gamble,” insisted Sullivan; sounding more like Rickhart than Grey wanted.

“Gambles win wars,” said Tobias, glossing over the fact they tended to lose them as well, “I have given the Shah a free hand to do as he pleases with our enemies and to call he wants to his side. That should keep our enemies off our backs.”

“So we can make the final preparations for out invasion of the Mes?” presumed Sullivan.

“That will have to be delayed. Snyder will extend the ceasefire. I have realized that I have paid far too much attention to Snyder and Rickhart. I hoped the Colonials would just go home or ask for peace; or try to rebuild the friendship,” said Tobias, remembering drinking and gambling with SGC O’Brien of NC himself, “I was wrong. I’m going to resign. James Palmer will be retaking the office.”

“This is madness!” declared Sullivan, annoyed that Tobias had chosen a man from another party, over Sullivan.

“The Colonials hate him with a passion,” said Tobias, “He is aggressive and charismatic. He shall do well.”

“We’ve been planning this invasion for month,” argued Sullivan, “He’ll undo our build up of over twenty million men in Alice.”

“He’ll bring them against the more immediate threats,” commented Tobias Grey, “And the Colonials know this.”

This was all a little too much for Sullivan, “And what stops Palmer replacing the cabinet with his people.”

“My resignation is temporary,” said Grey, “Palmer will simply be acting president until I am ready to resume my duties.”

“Its six months,” realized Sullivan, “Its six months since Elaine Grey died. The poor sod wants some time to himself.”

Then the Chancellor for Foreign Affairs spoke aloud, “I will observe Palmer carefully; and his relations with Snyder. When is he taking over?”

“He already has,” corrected Grey, “I’ll be reviewing the war economy in detail during my break. The system needs tweaking.”

Tobias Grey stood up and left the room; stubbing his cigarette on the way out. In walked a larger man; in every aspect except the waist. The red haired body builder, Farmina’s most prominent homosexual, sat down in the President’s chair and gazed down on Phillip Sullivan. James Palmer nodded to the Chancellor for Foreign Affairs, “Tobias Grey made one mistake. You can’t make omelets unless you break a few legs.”

General Arnold White looked at the new order, “Attack.”

President Palmer wasn’t taking long to throw his weight around. His adjutant, Major Haines had readied all available resources.

“We’ve got thirty two thousand troops all up,” said Haines, “Including two thousand tanks and four hundred artillery pieces.”

The Conspirators were trying to encircle Denin; a very typical tactic along with flanking. “Break their lines five kilometers behind the spearhead,” said White, “Have all our air support pulled back; of which you can demand more from Ricco. We then use their own tactics and encircle the spearhead and five kilometers of front before the Colonials and our reinforcements arrive.”

“We have had moderate losses in the air battle,” observed Haines, “Though our estimates are that those of the Conspirators are just as bad.”

“The Shah will sink the Conspirator fleet,” said White dismissively, “Our enemies will be in a giant prison camp; cut off without a method of retreat or re-supply.”

“As you say,” said Haines, dubious about the Shah as many Farminans.

---

Anti air guns lined the streets. Lines of the Farminan tanks followed by APCs. Overhead were at least forty jets. FastFirer artillery pieces began to roll along their tracks; launching shells at the Conspirator positions that had been marked out; a ten kilometer hole to be torn through the Conspirator position. Spreading all around Denin undoubtedly would spread the Conspirators thin. They Conspirators were about to face standard Farminan doctrine; let the enemy spread out, then concentrate, destroy, outrun, overrun and exploit. Farminan tactics and weapons were designed for quick, decisive strikes; beating the enemy at one spot before they could concentrate and respond. Once any positions were destroyed; the force would swing south and exploit the victory, while preparing a rear guard.

Major Haines delivered the attack order personally, as the White’s army prepared to throw forward its entire weight, “The enemy has chosen the wrong nation to meddle with. Destroy anything that won’t surrender. Overrun any attempted retreat.”

With that the tanks and APCs moved forward; with the support of the rolling bombardment.

Alice

"Vector Three Confirmed. Preping bombing sequence!"

The aircraft was now only minutes away from their targets.

______________________________________________________________
[B]West of Farmina, 100km North of Abbey Ruins/B]

"GO GO GO!" Shouted the Airmen

The C-5s began to drop their cargo. Inside, the inital force of the invasion of Farmina had arrived (if one discounted the troops on the East end.

Then another one, and another, and another. In as little as three minutes, their was a thousand troops on the ground, plus M113 APCS to get them to the Abbey Ruins. Also brought were equipment to set up HQ, and a landing spot for the C-130 which would be arriving in half an hour.

The two SAM sites in Abbey Ruins began a barrage of the incoming air transports; a most unexpected place for a Colonial invasion.

In Alice hundreds of Farminan anti air guns opened fire on the incoming bombers; with two wings of Farminan aircraft launched to support the clean up anything that survived.

“Commander Aricar,” said General Parms over the radio, “I request that my forces be moved against Abbey Ruins. We can strike with a force of one hundred thousand in two days. My force is the largest in the sector.”

“I want you to move boldly; passing through Parmin, the next logical Colonial target. One day to Parmin then, join up with Lt General Sarck and drive north. Stamp out the Colonial invasion quickly, before they can make a clear supply path,” said Aricar, “President Palmer is insisting I bring the main force south; but I’m going to try and stall a little longer. I suspect rather than a coordinated offensive we will see a series of small invasions; that we crush one after another, our enemies trying to annoy us to defeat and our forces in the south are sufficient to deal with that.”

Going at over 20,000 ft, the AA guns acted more like fireworks, rather then munitions, and so the bombers continued uninterupted.

"Dropping bombs," shouted the crew men.

The bomb bays opened and out came multiple dumb bombs, dropping onto the soldiers below.

OOC: Ill respond to the SAM attack tomorrow or Wednesday.

Persepolis Palace

A small satchel was passed from the hand of the Shah, holding a cigarette between his fingers, to an officer, taking it down to the command room in the palace basement. Within hours, the order had went out, straight from the mouth of the Shah to the forces of the Shahdom, "Begin full mobilization with intent to destroy enemies of Farmina and allies of the Northern Colonies engaged in hostilities with Farmina". Soon enough, hundreds of divisions of the Parthian army had been moved to the port of Bandar-e Abbas, where the Shah's men would board transports to take them to Northern Colonies, while a massive fleet paved the way for them to do so.

Now, with the Shahdom ready and moving towards war, nothing would stop a just punishment of destruction from overtaking the Northern Colonies.

As the bomber released its payload; Farminan soldiers and civilians, along with Messians who had been released from their cells. One bomber however could do little. There was an incredibly inconvenient hole in the Northern Highway; not to mention damage to neighbouring buildings. Two soldiers were killed and several people mildly wounded.

Supreme Commander Aricar looked up to the sky with a furious vengeance. A continuation of the Colonial mosquito campaign. However the two wings of 12-11s would ensure that the Colonials had one less bomber. Barely a gain; but one more death to plague Anderson’s mind.

The Saint Fedskian submarines continued to lurk silently amongst the Colonials'. Just 'hovering' in the water with their neutral bouyancy. As per standard procedure, water was slowly let into the ballast tanks in order to silently drop the submarine to the bottom, hopefully evading any serious probes curious submarines not detected might begin.

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

The Sixth Fleet was waiting out in the ocean, a thousand kilometers or so from the Farminan-MES-Northern Colony naval battle that was in its final stages.

To: Farminian Fleet Commander
From: Admiral Timothy Nixon
Re: Operations

Greetings Sir. I am Admiral Timothy Nixon of the Sixth Commonwealth Fleet. I have been ordered by the higher up to follow the Farminian lead into battle.

The senior-most officials envisage kind of a super fleet, heading for the total destruction of the Northern Colonies' ability to wage war in one, foul swoop.

My fleet will remain at rest here until such a time you deem necessary to head to battle in the Northern Colonies.

[signed]
Timothy Nixon
Admiral, Sixth Commonwealth Fleet
Commonwealth of Saint Fedski

To Timothy Nixon

It is current Farminan strategy not to engage the Colonials more than required. Supreme Commander Aricar has been assured that the combined effect of the Colonials inability to devise a coherent long term strategy and new pressures that should place themselves upon the Colonies; the Farminan navy will be concentrating on repairs in preparation for a potential return to war with the MES; despite President Palmer extending the ceasefire for another two months.

President Palmer’s views on the matter may differ; but there is certainly no intention amongst the military to use a bullet more than required. Chancellor Sullivan’s opinion is that the best option is allowing the Colonials to return to the table in their own time; though if they can be expected to honour the flag of truce twice is dubious.

Grand Admiral Frost

“General Sarck,” said Parms, putting his hand out to his subordinate, “I’m sure Aricar has given you your orders. I’ve brought together one hundred thousand men in all. We’ve had a few breakdowns; but nothing that couldn’t be fixed.”

“We march for Abbey Ruins at first light,” said Sarck, before observing one of Parms tanks, “That is the new Suppressor.”

“We march at nightfall. We shall attack at daybreak,” corrected Parms, “Yes, the Suppressor, my own review after Arandior lead to that; not that many have been built and I have the only ten in active service.”

Lt General Sarck could see the use for the Suppressor; a medium tank bristling with machine guns, but no cannon. Its sole purpose was to make infantry into dog food. Useless against a tank; but that wasn’t what Parms had ordered it for.

Sarck nodded to his adjutant, as though to say ‘prepare the new departure time’, “General, I must say that I’m sure that Aricar said that we march during the day.”

“Do you want to be stuck in a vehicle traveling under the scorching Farminan sun?” asked General Parms.

“No,” accepted Sarck.

“Then the night is fine. The original timetable holds,” said Parms, “We have been promised air cover to make sure we don’t get nasty surprises. The men can take turns at sleeping during the night; so they are a little fresher come morning.”

“Very well,” accepted Sarck.

“Good,” said Parms, “We move out in an hour. Tomorrow morning we inflict a military disaster on the Colonials isolated from their homeland.”

Eight bombers, each with massive amounts of satellite-guided bunker busters, flew straight into the heart of the Farmina Navy Dry Docks, where the carriers were. They had managed to get past the Farminan defence. Now, all they needed to concerntrate on was the attack itself.

"Ready, dropping,"

The bomb bays opened and the bombs guided themselves into the Farminan Military Dry Docks.

________________________________________________________
"Shit, shit," shouted two of the C-5s as they blew up from the SAM missiles.

The C-130s now came in. Also deployed was designated Electionic Warfare aircraft, the EF-111A Raven. It flew nearer to Abbey Ruins.

"Detecting radar ferquency, one-one-zero hertz," shouted the Electionic Warfare Officer
"Fire off a signal, one-one-two hertz," shouted the pilot in reply.

And so it did. By shooting off the frequency, it would effectively disable the Farminan radar system at Abbey Ruins.

The landing continued. Next came the C-130s. As they were prop planes, they were able to land on desert. The runway, having been prepared earlier was made to use, with planes landing and coming out were the new Stryker MGS system. Used by the NC Naval Marines, and not the Army, the Stryker had an advantage over the systems reported being used by intelligence. It had a cannon on it. A modified Royal Ordnance L7, it is a 105mm cannon. Although not designed to deal with actual tank, it's size made it ideal with urban combat, its profile being slimmer then a tank, and more manuvoerable. The inital batch consisted of 20 Strykers, all with the MGS system installed.

Meanwhile, the three carriers edged closer and closer. Soon, it was slightly in range of the beachhead. Despite this being an extreme range, it was decided, based on intelligence, to deploy early. F/A-18 SuperHornets, were launched, two were moved to permanately knock the SAMs out.

Bomber flights Beta eight and nine dove down after the other bombers made their attack run. The decks of the carriers were aflame from the napalm, but for some reason due to some act of God, it seemed overly discouraging that only some of the deck crew were injured, rather than burnt them to ashes, and that the planes and the windows were unscathed.

The pilot heard his communicator beep, and he pressed the button. "Captain Reagan".

"Excellent work thus far, Director," Snyder's voice said through the comms system. "Send a big portion of your fighter wing to cover the Farminan air defenses. It seems like the Colonials are trying to be sneaky. And destroy those God damned carriers. They're ripping our fleet to pieces."

The comm system went quiet. "Beta eight and nine, attack the carriers. Ceta wings, follow suit."

--------

The 128 strong wing of bombers, carrying no less than eight 2000 pound bombs, did a dive right at the carriers. The enemy anti-air batteries poured a missile barrage, yet with the countermeasures and careful maneuvering, they made it past most of it, a half dozen not quite so lucky. They activated their targeters and locked onto the target as they approached. The computer took over, adjusting their angle, and released the large number of bombs automatically, aiming pinpoint at the carriers.

Down low, the quite bulky and large Roaster heavy fighter-bomber/torpedo bombers flew at very high speed with their three PDE's. Their tripple bombbays opened, revealing three large black 'fish', waiting to be fired. Once the bombs hit and when it could be seen that the enemy fleet was in trouble, they would follow suit if necessary.

--------

Snyder looked over the battle map, and saw the Alpha wings of fighters moving at high speed and altitude towards the enemy bombers. Through hacking into the Farminan cell phone network, triangulation, and smart use of satellites, he could see the echos of the bombers. Although it wasn't perfect, it would get the fighters close enough for visual range.

The defence analysts quickly realized their frequencies had been read by the Colonials, “Frequency read. I repeat, frequency read. Adjust radar frequency immediately.” Within minutes the frequencies each of the SAM sites were operation had been modified; both now running a new frequency. The anti-air barrage was renewed; targeting the Raven. Within a few missiles it would be burning scrap and the mechanized weapons would turn their attention to destroying Colonial air supplies.

Official Secret Message to the President of Farmina

I have, as requested, mobilized Parthian forces for engagement against the Northern Colonies, we the Shahdom of Parthia, merely request your desire for its deployment, either to the Northern Colonies immediatley, or elsewhere, as you desire.

If called upon to defeat the Colonials, we intend to ensure none of them ever pose a problem for your nation again, by razing the entirety of the nation to the ground and the annihilation of all its peoples.

-Shah Khosru III

To Shah Khorsu III

Although some might discourage genocide; President Palmer is happy with any measures taken to deal with the Colonials. Though no Farminan would dare dictate policy to the mighty Shah; might I suggest that a more moderate course of action to begin any campaign as not to attract international attention; and step up measures in the name of “suppressing consistent rebellion”. There are also many people of the mind that no crushing reparations can be extracted from dead men.

Again may I emphasis, we are merely suggesting a more cautious course of action. We cannot and shall not disallow any action you decided appropriate to suppress the Colonies; to this extent, your course of action is approved.

Sender withheld

OOC: Let me know if there're any issues, like the name of the division in question.

sort of semi-secret-IC (unless Farmina says otherwise):
The Farminan soldiers of the 39th Strike Division drifted down to the docks in dribs and drabs. Divided into sections of between five and sixty men apparently by chance, they were also dressed in rough civilian clothing; the whole movement stunk of "Be vewy vewy quiet..." When they reached the piers, the reasons became slightly clearer.

"Step right up lads! Rotovia needs men! You brave lads are the front line in the boom!" - various people, wearing the gentle corporate uniform of Asiri & Sons Transportation were bellowing variations on those slogans at the soldiers. Behind them, converted cargo vessels graced the wharfs. They were cramped and not the first word in comfort, but they would deliver people to their destinations in one piece. So they were going somewhere, disguised as civilians...

As that realisation dawned, some of the brighter soldiers looked up at the banner lazily drifting in the breeze from the ships. Three horizontal stripes; red, black, red, with a golden crown superimposed on the bars, and suddenly the mystery cleared.

Macisikani. Private contractors given the government's neutral and decidedly unhelpful stance. Yes, they were slightly on the expensive side, especially given the continuing strength of the Pan-Imperial Rachma, but safe, sturdy, guaranteed, and best of all, they came with no questions asked. While they would be screamed at by the UIK's government for aiding the transport of Farminan soldiers under the Macisikani flag, transporting Farminan civilians eager to "work" in "the booming Rotovian economy" was a different matter entirely; that was helping Rotovia. Smarter soldiers smiled privately. The banner flew from at least six other ships at the docks, and more were on their way. And being from one of the most staunchly neutral states in the world, their captains were adept at avoiding combat zones, and avoiding being blown up by over-zealous combat pilots. The ones who weren't tended to die. And as their corporate bosses liked their ships in one piece, they had a habit of knowing the conditions in the area. As such the ships neatly avoided the escalating mess to the nation's north, sidestepping known deployments, throwing up the flag where they couldn't. Not that they'd be stupid enough to be shipping arms to Farmina; any inspector would either see medical supplies, or "discount cruise liners to aid in the evacuation of civilians from combat-affected areas".

Not all those ships coming in were with Asiri & Sons; others bearing the badge of White Flower Shipping & Storage, ltd. were laden with containers that themselves bore large red crosses; some bright spark in the Farminan government had taken a look at the major exports of the UIK, and had put in orders for a cut of the medicine trade.

Meanwhile in Rotovia, ships flying under the corporate banner of the Trans-Red Sea Shipping Company were unloading containers bound for various warehouses owned by certain other companies. Splashed across some containers was the legend "Dylkos Brothers". Others bore one of two corporate logos. The containers were sealed tightly, and watched carefully by the local authorities. What was in them... the shippers could guess, but there was an unspoken, unacknowledged conspiracy of "don't ask, don't tell" in force.

The bright spark in Farmina who ordered the medicines was probably the same one who had realised and pointed out that everything had to be handled with extreme delicacy, great secrecy, and a massive amount of diplomatic and legal tact so as not to offend or draw the attention of any delicate sensibilities in Arn-Maciska. Especially the ones with the letters "M.P." after their names. Not that anything was illegal or a violation of the neutrality declarations; what private companies did was commerce, after all, and the only place the governments were actually involved were medicines, which fell into the humanitarian clause. All perfectly legal, peaceful and above-board. Except for the reality of course, but since when did that matter?

General William Salamander felt like he could see victory from where he was standing. He could certainly see the Northern Colonies; the small mark out there on the horizon. He could also see a whole lot of blue water; blue sky and Rotovian dirt. For a moment he wondered if the Rotovians called it dirt; he suspected they would call it “Rotovian soil”; a mildly kinder description to the ground.

The General’s train of irrelevant thoughts were broken by the appearance of Major Graham Richter, Salamander’s long suffering adjutant. “Has Palmer approved my promotion yet?” asked Salamander, still looking north across the water.

“I’m afraid not,” said Richter, well aware that as long as Salamander didn’t get promoted, neither did he, “I did however get you a cup of coffee.”

The General grabbed the warm mug as though it was a promotion, “Blast this cold nation I say. And blast that cold nation over there.”

That nation was Rotovia while that nation was Northern Colonies. Although the nations were certainly colder than Farmina; Richter didn’t think they were that much colder, before remembering that General Salamander had spent most of his life in the desert and Alice; far warmer than the cooler rims of the southern coast. Major Richter coughed slightly, “Another batch of Macisikani munitions has been delivered; shipment CZ12. We are attaining quite a stockpile considering those from Farmina and from Macisikan.”

“I could imagine we shall have be able to use up the munitions quickly if we wanted to,” observed Salamander, sipping his coffee, “There is always something else to bomb if you set your mind to it. However, I think that Palmer will reconsider his decision to buy Macisikan munitions.”

“Costs,” suggested Richter, knowing that neither shipping Farminan bullets so far, or buying local was ever cheap.

“Indeed,” said Salamander, “Buying and using munitions here means there will be a surplus in Farmina; so the President is now selling Farminan munitions and goods forward to collect foreign currency to buy similar munitions from Macisikan at a slightly higher price to try to avoid a massive foreign liability; using currency options to secure our remaining position.”

Richter didn’t understand a word Salamander had just said, probably meaning Salamander had been talking too fast again; but the General continued, “Continuing Macisikani financial link is important. They are still going to get all the transport contracts; without a doubt. However munitions purchases may be severely cut; with the promise of give away prices.”

Richter knew what that meant; but didn’t know what nation would be practically giving away munitions. Rotovia was giving Farmina assistance, some supplies and facilities; but never free munitions.

Major Richter removed the thought from his mind and passed Salamander a map of the Colonies covered in strategic locations. Salamander looked at the map for a moment; then looked at the world around him. Due north was the Prince’s End City. Due east was Freedom City. South east was Finstock. Freedom City however was still a long way away; the other two far closer.

“We can hit them from here by George,” said General Salamander, “It is hard to resist the temptation to turn Finstock into rubble.”

“We have the planes, the fuel the men and munitions,” nodded Richter, “We’ve even built our own airbases; and more than enough I should say.”

“Efficiency payments probably helped the Macisikani’s ship the quantities faster. We’ve moved a lot out of Farmina, Alice and Ricco will suddenly be feeling rather empty,” said Salamander, as a fighter-bomber flew overhead practicing its bombing routine.

More unusual that the fact that so many planes were now above Rotovia’s western sky; was that this was XB-92 Rhino. The Republic had been quick to duplicate the Messian planes that performed well in Alice; but typically, things had to be modified slightly to suit the Farminans, using controls more like those found in the 12-11. Everyone knew Farmina was now using Messian weaponry; but for anyone paying attention to the build up in Rotovia, would think nearly the entire remains of the Messian air force was training in Rotovia.

The sound of distant explosions from the training exercise made Richter smile. Salamander smiled too, “We’ll hit them very soon now. We just need to make sure all those the President trusts are ready to stand firm with us.”

Up high at 30,000 meters in the air, two hundred XSB-492 Stratoannihilator super bombers, shaped like a massive arrow with a large wing on the back, flew in a widespread formation. Inside, was a frightening array of weaponry; four cruise missiles, 30 laser guided 2000 pound C-7 bombs (equivelent to standard bombs of that weight), 30 200 pound firebombs, and six point defense turrets, four on the top and bottom of the hull, and two on the wings. On the rear, two missile turrets tracked for enemy fighters. On the bottom, a self-loading flak turret searched usings its infared to target enemy anti-aircraft missiles from the ground. Powering the behemoths were no less than ten massive PDE's, pushing it at a subsonic speed of only 950 miles an hour, but the engines also gave it the range to bring it to the Northern Colonies from home, then to the island airstrips owned, and graciously loaned by Tarlag to be rearmed and refueled. Soon, they would be at the rendevous co-ordinates for the massive air assault.

========

Ten thousand meters above the Stratoannihilators flew the XSB-410 Silencer stealth bombers. One hundred bombers strong, they had special ordinance. Inside, they carried the 5,000 pound C-9 MOAB bombs. Snyder, in an act of revenge and a proof of loyalty, he was going to use these bombs on the air bases and industrial centers of the Northern Colonies. He had special noise makers mounted on the noses of the bombs similar to the German Stuka design, to try to scare the factory workers away from their factories before they were to strike; he after all didn't want to see non-combatants to die.

========

At 20,000 feet, no less than approximately five-thousand XB-91 Rhino bombers carring their standard bombloads, two-thousand XB-110 Roaster bombers carrying eighteen 2000 pound bombs instead of torpedoes, and four thousand XG-32 Swarmer fighters flew towards the coast. Above them, were one thousand XG-99 Vengeance fighters, fresh off of the production lines, produced after the Vengeance's initial debut, and to supliment the Swarmer.

========

Snyder looked at the massive number of green triangles pointing and moving towards the map of the Northern Colonies. Four dozen squares moved towards the Tarlag airbases; which were transport ships with various corporate identities that were carrying another batch of airplanes, as well as fuel, weapons, and logistical supplies. He could see everything moving into position. The Farminans were almost in position. His officers around him looked at him as he waited for the moment.

As a handful of airplanes buzzed overhead, General William Salamander (still grudgingly a general) looked over to Air Marshal Tony Downer. “And we’ve built enough planes and bombs to pull this off.”

“Our friends have been very helpful,” said Downer, “Several of these Rotovian islands are incredibly close to the Colonies. The Macisikani and the Tarlagi have been very helpful with regard to supplies and now even staff. Our industry is working over time.”

“So we will be able to smash Colonial airpower?” asked Major Richter, “It would be a huge set back if we couldn’t.”

“We will have every fighter in the air shooting down every plane they put up,” said the Air Marshal, “Every airbase and airport shall be bombed out of existence. Our friends have added to our existing intelligence. With Snyder’s forces moving against the east; that leaves us to crush the Colonials in Prince’s End and Western Colonies from here; while blasting Southern Colonies states from this group of islands in the south.”

“The states closest to the Rotovian islands,” noted Salamander, “The Colonials will be taken off guard by such a comprehensive move; overwhelmed even. But smashing them is a hard call.”

“Whatever survives will be to little to bother whatever you are planning General,” said Downer.

Richter smiled at that. General Salamander wanted to launch a far larger offensive than Palmer or Aricar would allow; at times the General had called the Colonials the secondary enemy to “our own incompetent politicians; if they want me to win this war then give me a free hand and all the troops I need.”

Major Richter made a small comment, “There are things more likely to spoil the General’s offensive than Colonial airpower.”

General Salamander cast the Major a dark glare; but said nothing as a Macisikani officer brought the three officers warm coffee. “Better than the axle grease available in Farmina,” said the General, “Blasted war, decent cigarettes have gone down the drain too. Smoking those awful lawn clippings forced me to quit.”

Major Richter and Air Marshal Downer nodded in agreement. “Macisikan is making our life easier,” observed Richter, looking out the window at a Macisikani hanging out the General’s washing on the line.

There was yet another interruption, as Major Richter skulled his warm coffee. A lieutenant from communications burst in, “Colonel Richter, you are wanted in the 12th Armoured Cavalry Division, Major General Jones is disputing your orders.”

“I’ll deal with it immediately,” said Richter, “Although if you check my insigma; I’m a Major.”

“The promotions came through an hour ago,” said the Lieutenant, “Didn’t anyone inform you?”

“I think we need to review the integration of Macisikanis into the Farminan military,” said Colonel Richter.

Salamander’s smile stretched from ear to ear; Richter’s promotion was attached to his; Field Marshal Salamander, and commander of ground forces in the theatre. He doubted that this meant he was going to get permission to launch the offensive he wanted. But for a few days he wouldn’t care.

“Attend to the matter Colonel,” said Salamander, “Make sure to mention the Field Marshal has given complete support for this restructuring.”

Colonel Richter gave a brief salute before proceeding to remind Major General Jones that he was part of a team. Air Marshal Downer put down his coffee, “Its nearly time; shall we go to the airfield?”

“Indeed,” said the newly promoted Field Marshal.

After a brief stroll, the two most senior Farminans in Rotovia came to a half. The long thick tarmac that littered so many of these islands was looking busy. Another 12-11 flew into the air, quickly followed by another. The Air Marshal’s adjutant, in fact a Macisikani. “Everything going to plan?” asked the Tony Downer.

“Yes Lord Marshal,” said the adjutant, with the formality of a Farminan, “The Messians are in moving exactly in time. We have been slowly increasing our numbers in the air.”

Downer checked his watch and then his adjutant’s, “One minute Bill.”

“One minute too long,” said Field Marshal Salamander, “They can’t hit us when our aircraft are in Rotovian waters anyway.”

“That has already been factored in,” said Downer, “But we need to enter Colonial waters at the same moment at the Messians. The Colonials know we are up to something big; they just won’t realise that its completely massive.”

“Unlike my ground offensive…” thought Field Marshal Salamander, before being interrupted by the Macisikani adjutant whose name he didn’t know.

“Commence Operation Firestorm.”

On the Rotovian islands stretching along the south and western coasts of the Northern Colonies; hundreds of fighters flew up into the air to join those that had already been launched. Not hundreds; thousands, followed by thousands of bombers.

The groups quickly formed into their wings of 12; to work separately but in co-ordination. The Air Marshal had been clear that a dilution of airpower would be unacceptable; but neither should the planes be running into each other.

Four thousand three hundred and twenty 12-11 aircraft, 360 wings; before the war, Farmina’s only fighter aircraft, basically a cloned F-22A Raptor. These were to be closely supported by the 3600 XG-32 Swarmers (300 wings) that Farmina had built; using Messian designs with Farmina’s massive vehicle production facilities. Next was the XB-91 Rhino fighter-bombers, 1800 all up or 150 wings. Finally was the B-2 bombers, 300 or 25 wings, and 600 or 50 wings of B-54 bombers. These forces had been divided equally between the three Colonial states.

Field Marshal Salamander watched in fascination as the wings formed up; each wing itself part of a greater jigsaw, a jigsaw the result of hundreds of analysts and officers working for weeks; then rapidly ascend. He was told that was so the planes could dive down, to pick up speed. Of more concern to him was that the Air Marshal fulfilled his mission; every airbase bombed and every Colonial airplane that tried to resist was to be shot down, not to mention destroying Colonial anti air weapons.

As he returned to his office with the Air Marshal, Downer reported that Farminan and Messian aircraft were crossing into Colonial waters on all fronts. The mop up was about to begin.

“Lord Marshals, we’re receiving a message...from Snyder,” one of the communications officers said.

“Put him through,” said the Field Marshal, putting on his head set, Downer following suit, “This is Field Marshal William Salamander. With me is Air Marshal Downer.”

“This is Snyder. Everything has been arranged. Is this line secured?”

“Unless we have a dirty Macisikani,” said Salamander, “Everything is fine.”

“Macisikani?” Snyder said in surprise, “I thought that country was neutral in this?”

“We try to maintain a multinational workforce,” said Salamander dryly, “And neutrals have been sorely tested by the Colonies.”

“That explains their willingness,” Snyder said gruffly, “My air forces should be entering your radar range by now, and are ready to attack on your mark. Just don't take longer than ten minutes to make your decision.”

“They know we are coming, they just don’t realize the scale,” said Air Marshal Downer, “Engage everything and anything that counts as a target as soon as possible. With re-supply so close; we wipe them out now.”

“Very well,” Snyder replied, “What targets do you wish for my forces to hit? Keep in mind that I have more than plenty of bombs to hit all the military bases on the west side of the Northern Colonies with extra to spare.”

“Primarily air facilities,” said Downer, “And anything that threatens your aircraft. After that hit other military targets and industrial facilities; especially power plants. But the primary goal is air supremacy.”

There was a short pause. “What about bombing their cities to incite fear? My bombers are carrying noise-making bombs to try to scare the civilian population out of harm's way.”

“I think we have enough other targets to destroy for now,” said Downer.

“Very well, give the word,” Snyder replied, encouraging the Farminan to give the code word.

“Big hat,” said Downer, tracking his own fighters getting closer to Colonial airfields.

It had begun.

CWS Paganini, Low Earth Orbit
"Sir," one of the junior officers called out.
Grumbling, the Paganini's executive officer wandered over.
"Yes Lieutenant?"
"Sir, activity on the coast of Rotovia..."
The XO leaned down and stared intently at the screen.
"How old is this?"
"Live sir..."
"Go to x10... 20..." the junior tapped his control panel, then looked up at the XO as the sensors focused on the surface; he started as he noticed another figure appear behind the XO.
"Sir?"
"Communications," the Captain said in measured tones, "Get me Highnote Station, Yellow Flag."
"Yessir."
The XO, glanced over his shoulder and was met with a happy smile from the captain. The politicians had finally made a decision, and now their ship would be able to actually do something instead of "keeping station".

Highnote Station [Covenant Home Fleet High Command]
Admiral Sebastian Psheck, commander of the Imperial Home Fleet looked over the report, then up at the figure standing next to him, gazing intently at the same set of pictures and diagrams.
"Your Ladyship...?" he queried. He might be in charge of the Home Fleet, but this woman was Viscountess Drusilla deMiliona, Deputy Defence Minister. Several ranks above his boss.
"Tightbeam, encrypt," the woman replied. "to our Ambassador in Wisjersey," her lips curved. "Tell her excellency North bids Six Clubs."
"Yes, your ladyship."
deMiliona leaned forward to peer at the stream from the Paganini intently as a junior crewman brought her a thermos; the border was starting to look as though someone had kicked an anthill. Carefully sipping the fresh roast, sadly tainted by the thermos, she patiently waited for the Colonial air defences to become active.

Captain Ronald Price looked out over the ocean form the bridge of the BCN Rumgar the Terror. The sky was cloudless and a bright blue truly a beautiful day to be alive. " Communications to Captain" came a shrill voice form a near by loud speaker. Price grabbed the nearest phone and punched in the number for the comm room.
"Captain here, what do you have?"
"Flash order from Fleet Comm Sir with orders direct from the Grand Dukes Office. "To commanders of all military units of the Grand Duchy of Tarlag a state of war now exists between Tarlag and the Northern Colonies. Blue Chair is now in effect I say three times Blue Chair is now in effect. That is all the message sir."
"Communications send this message to Fleet."
" I respond Three Times ." With saying the counter sign he hung up the phone and be gain issuing the orders that would sent the Battle Cruiser to war.

This is a General Prod Alert (GPA) for all posters to get back to posting!

*Looks at Northern Colonies* That means you specifically.

OOC: Sound like a bump. And I'm back.

IC: The massive bombing run finally took its toll. At this point, the fleet was not longer recognisable. Oil and fire swept across the. The carriers were left, nevertheless they were heavily damaged.

“Scuttle the remaining ships,” shouted the Rear Admirals to their crewmen.

The War Room
Freedom City, Northern Colonies

“Looks like what I thought it would be,” shouted General Ronstein.

“An invasion huh,” replied the Prime Minister.

“I have the 41st Air Defence battalion moved up to the west a few weeks ago.”

“And they are shooting?”

“Yep.”

West Northern Colonies
At the Same Time

Being very close, the Air Defence battalion was able to detect the Farminan fighter almost immediately.

“Fire, Fire!” Shouted HQ.

Missiles launched, moving towards at the approaching aircraft.

Great Rotovian Straight, West of Northern Colonies
Same Time

A fishing boat was sailing on. The nets were laid out, looking just like another fishing company going about its business. Inside though, some of the most advanced radio tracking devices were located. Able to break heavy encryption, this boat was not just a fishing boat. It was owned by the Northern Colonies Intelligence Community (NCIC).

“Hmm... still can’t hear the transmittion,” replied one of the sailors on board.

The purpose of the boat was, obliviously discover the frequency of which the Farminan were communicating with. Although the ship could possibly discover what the Farminans were talking about, using the decryption machines on board, that was not the purpose of the mission. Not now, anyway.

“Found it!” The same sailor shouted, minutes later. “Frequency is 90.8Hz!”

Another man, the commander took the sailors headphones.

“Seems like Farminan,” he replied. “Even has the accent. Well done, Sam!”

“Thanks Mike!” Sam replied.

He quickly wrote the frequency down, before giving it to the radioman.

“Transmit that to the other ship. Heavy encryption,” Mike shouted.

“Yes, Mike!” came the reply
Bottom of the sea, A few minutes afterwards

The ‘Ship’ was in fact a submarine. The Kilo submarine class, known as the most quiet submarine in the world. Even the most sophisticated sonar would struggle to pick the small, quiet submarine up.

“Ok,” shouted Lieutenant Commander Burt Reeves, the CO of the boat, to the 13 officers on the submarine (the total crew number of the Kilo is 52). “We will deploy radio buoys across the Rotovian islands. With the low frequency, that should only take five or so buoys. We have another two submarines to put a few more buoys in the area. At 1800 hours, we will turn all of them on. If this works, we should be able to completely paralyse the Farminan aircraft in the area. You got me?”

“Yes Sir!” They shouted in unison.

Then one of them, a Sub-Lieutenant put his hand up.

“What if the Farminans destroy the beacons?” He questioned.

“Good question, Lieutenant,” replied Burt. “The answer is that they have been marked as an emergency transmitting beacon. If the Farminans or anyone touches it, they will have a rude awaking for the Prince Police Department or the Finstock Port Police. If they don’t stop, we have authorisation to destroy the ship, acting as the coast guard.”

“What if the Farminans tell the world we are using emergency beacons in a wartime situation?” The Lieutenant shouted back.

“Well, they can only prove that the beacons have a transmitting and a receiving function. Unfortunately for them, beacons normally do have that function. We can also blame it on malfunctioning equipement.”

“Right, Thank you, Sir!”

“Ok men, let’s do this thing!” Burt shouted.

“Yes Sir!”

Abbey Ruins, Farmina
At the Same Time

The Stryker moved into the city after the delayed respond. Behind it, was the M113 APCs, with soldiers inside, ready to enter the city. Their primary objective was to capture the airport in the area, allowing the other aircraft to land in the area. The pervious secondary objective, destroying the SAMs, would now be taken by the F/A-18s.

“MAGNUM! Shouted the Pilots.

The HARM missile was launched. As it was designed to outrange the SAM, thus the SAM missile would not be able to fire against it.

OOC: This is Farmina's post. It was misposted in the OOC thread, so I'm puting it in the right place.

IC:

Home Front

The Colonials would have severe difficulty capturing the Abbey Ruins airport; purely because such a thing didn’t exist. Abbey Ruins was a tiny village; the only thing of any size being the ruins themselves.

Missiles slammed into the two SAM sites destroying them; but now the Farminan airforce was ready; with the sole mission of supporting the General Parms’ rapidly advancing force.

---

In the west Admiral Frost jaw dropped as the Colonials sunk their own ships, “These people are as made as Cultists. Get rescue parties to the survivers; assuming these nuts don’t shoot themselves.

Colonies Front

“[I]Target locked,” called out thousands of Farminan pilots at once as they launched their long range missiles at the Colonial anti-air battalion.

Short range missiles and flak guns on the planes were at the ready to shoot down the incoming missile barrage.

---

Air Marshal Downer looked over his map, “The Macisikanis were exactly correct about the Colonial positions. We have the numbers by George; we shall bury those air defence units and the entire Colonial air force while we are at it.”

“How many Farminans will you bury with them?” was a question Colonel Richter thought but didn’t ask. He figured it would be too many; but not nearly as many Colonials that would be buried.

“Any resistance to our attack on the southern front or to the wipe Messian sweep in the east?” asked Field Marshal Salamander, sincerely hoping that the Messians in the east were being ground to powder.

“Thankfully no,” said Downer, disappointing the Field Marshal immensely, “And as soon as the Colonials do us the liberty of scattering their fighters, we can scuttle them and get on with our air offensive.”

Downer then flicked an eye to a new pile of papers his Macisikani adjutant had brought in, “Our planes in the south are now commencing long range missile strikes against known Colonial airbases.”

“Very good,” said Colonel Richter, sipping his coffee, “Shame that Snyder is still dithering about the use of land forces.”

“Between his and Tarlag’s forces,” commented Downer, “We have enough to stop the Colonies supplying their troops in Farmina. All they’ve done is send a force into a prison camp of their own design; idiots. It is however a shame about the land forces, I admit.”

That struck Richter and Salamander as a fair assessment; but reports from the fighting against the Colonial fleet suggested that when the bullets ran out (which would no doubt be quickly); the token Colonial invasion force would try to fight the enemy off with their knives.

Richter was distracted for a moment before returning to the table with a radio, “Lords, I think you should hear this.”

There was a half a minute of patriotic music then silence, before a bold voice began, “I give you President James Palmer of the Democratic Republic of Farmina.”

Then Palmer’s voice began, “My patience, though large, is wearing very thin now. The Colonial fleet has been destroyed. Masses of aircraft are now reigning death on the Colonies; while more wait their chance. Farmina, the Militia Enforced State and Tarlag are launching overt campaigns against the Colonies. Other nations are providing ample assistance, freeing up millions of men for the front line. The Colonies finds itself surrounded by hostile nations and hostile forces. Their forces in Farmina will soon be cut off from fresh food, water and munitions. For every day they hold out; their destruction we shall reek shall be more severe and our terms more devastating.

This is not just a request; but a plea for reason. Yes the Colonies have shown us they can fight; but they are now drastically outnumbered with war sitting at their doorstep. The Colonies can harm us yes; but Prime Minister Anderson, you are a fool if you think you can win. We outnumber you 3-2 before any ally is considered. We have conscription so all our men are trained to fight. We savagely out produce you and have long had a far greater military orientation and military experience than your nation. This is before you consider the addition of the Militia Enforced State and all associated powers.

Your chance for a return to the status quo ended after your major attack on Ricco. Your chance to gain sympathy ended after the fiasco at Sar’Dahl. How much stiffer punishment do you wish to face?

By the way; Tobias Grey kept a spare copy of the tape. It makes for interesting listening.

Save what you can Prime Minister Anderson and SGC O’Brien. There is a time to face the facts.”

“He’s trying to bale out the war,” commented Salamander, shocked, “Must expect that from a liberal.”

“I don’t think so sir,” said Richter, “I think he is expecting the Colonials to rebuke him. That way he can point at the Colonials being a bunch of war mongers; and more importantly stupid warmongers.”

“We’ve got Lord Snyder on the line as you asked,” said Gina the secretary, before leaving promptly.

James Palmer picked up his phone, “Jason, how are you? How’s the lad coping?”

“He’s definitely coping, and got my ladies distracted,” Snyder replied in a positive tone.

“Good to hear,” said Jamie, smiling to himself, “I’m sure you are aware a large Farminan-Macisikani ground force has been built up in Rotovia; with plenty assistance from the locals. Everyone is aware. We put a nice big sign out the front saying ‘Invasion Force Here.’ The Colonials are watching it like an eagle. This is where you come in.”

“I see,” Snyder replied, “And the answer is no.”

“I’ll make it worth your while,” said Jamie, confidently but vaguely.

“Explain,” Snyder replied.

“To begin with I shall not recall Timothy,” said Jamie, “And I know he’s up to something important; and I suspect it is something you need someone as devious as a Farminan on, correct?”

“Secondly,” said Jamie, “You shall be given crack Farminan troops. You will be able to see Farminan strategy in practice first hand. I suspect that is something you very much want to learn.”

“Perhaps,” Snyder said, “I must admit, you rascally Farminans can be quite clever. Impressive for a former religious power.”

“Your men shall befriend Farminans,” said Jamie, “That might be useful in the future.”

Snyder nodded, though Palmer wouldn’t have seen it, “If I help you, how do I know that I will not be invaded soon after in an elaborate backstabbing attempt? What about my navy?”

“I’ll be keeping your ships,” said Palmer, “I want to have some leverage here; after all you have my dear Timothy.”

Snyder sighed, “A literal trillion dollars worth of ships and aircraft, and twenty-thousand crew is more than one person, even if he’s your significant other.”

“You’re probably correct,” said Palmer, “But I'll be keeping your dreadnoughts to threaten the Colonial west coast. I want to keep their eyes, and their forces, there.”

Palmer then added more confidently, “But he’s not just a significant other to you. He’s fresh blood, a valuable mind. In some ways he’s probably worth more than a few ships. Not that a few ships are going to help you if you get into another wrestling match with my country.”

“I never said to give my entire navy back,” Snyder continued, “But if you could give me my key ships back, I would appreciate it, and be a move of trust.”

“Do you have enough ships, combined with Tarlagi forces, to get troops on the ground?” asked Jamie.

"Well," Snyder replied, "You took TF1, TF2 and TF3 and the rebels have TF4, so actually, other than my logistics vessels, I have lost the entire fleet."

“Ah,” said Jamie, “I suppose I should at least give you a hydrogen vessel then and a few cruisers. I don’t think I’ll be giving you back any carriers. If you want TF4 and the Final Victory, then you better talk to Foster; but I think he’ll tell you where you can go.”

“I can’t believe that that man is out there,” Snyder replied, “He caught me by surprise.”

“We can’t allow the Colonials to do that to us, can’t allow them to catch us by surprise,” said Jamie, then adding an accurate proviso, “Too often.”

Snyder went silent for a moment, “I need my carriers and the Final Victory back if I am to move my land forces; they’re the only ships with enough cargo capacity to move my military over long distances.”

“I don’t have your Final Victory,”said Jamie, “Since you will be operating from Tarlag; I have arranged to move your troops by neutral haulage companies if it pleases you. The carriers however will be staying in Alice where I can keep an eye on them.”

Snyder sighed, “If you can arrange it, I can agree to that. But one thing we do need to do if this arrangement will work.”

“Which is?” said Jamie, wondering if Snyder was trying to keep him in suspense.

“We need to hunt down, and eliminate Rickhart, Ackvick and Dasch, as well as all of their little merry men.”

“I thought you were working with Rickhart,” said Palmer, sounding a little baffled and wondering if Snyder was slightly senile.

“Let’s put it this way regarding Rickhart,” Snyder replied, “Rickhart is probably the most dangerous man alive. Some risks are, perhaps, too big for even myself to take.”

Aboard the H.D.S. Rumgar the Terror
Captain Price looked out over the vast ocean at the assembled armada sailing towords the Northern Colonies. As Price sipped his coffee he thought about what was about to happen. Soon, much to soon we will begin launching cruise missiles at a former Allie. I know they tried to trick use into going to war with Farmina and the hawk alliance and they sunk the Red O'Shay but it just seemed wrong. Price was stirred from his disturbing thoughts by the roar of a squadron of SU-33Ns passing overhead as they were preparing to land on the near by carrier Duke Richard.

TDF Command deep under the Iron lord Mountains

General Gayland Cox looked up at the big view screen showing the forces being deployed aginst the Colonies.
" The Grand Fleet sailed from Forbidden Bay 28 hours ago sir" Said Admiral Robert Franklin.
"How long before they are in firing Range?"
" about 10 hours Sir"
"How about Task Force Delta, are they in position?"
" They should of reached maximum launch point about 45 minutes ago Sir. They have gone deep and are on radio silence. The command sub the S-909 will come near the surface long enough to confirm if Blue Chair is a go then they will launch their EMP missiles."
General Cox looked over to the Air force General to his left. "Please report General Genda."
The small man of Japanese descent stood and bowed the Tarlag's highest general. "All fighter units have been dispersed and have increased their combat air patrols."
"Bomber Command is ready with operation wide eye. They are also preparing the first strikes against the Colonies power plants and oil refineries.
"Very good people, I wish we did not have to do this but because we do we will do it right."

OOC: C'mon people, if I can find time between a job, university, romance, and life in general to track this thread, surely you can too. Get back to posting already, or work out whose turn it is and poke them until they post.

Some of us have other RP's waiting that can't start until this is resolved.

OCC: hey I am just waiting for some of the others to reply.

"Buoy number ten launched, that should be the last one, Sir!" Shouted the weapons officer.

"Good," replied Burt Reeves. "Inform NCIC, the toys are ready."

"Yes, Sir!" Shouted the radio officer.
______________________________________________________________
Unbeknownest to the ships and aircraft of Tarlag and MES, the very moments were being tracked by JORN, a type of Over-The-Horizon radar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JORN). It used to curvature of the Earth to increase the range of normal radar. It could clearly detect objects up to 2600km, as well as detect stealth aircraft.

NCAF Mt. Yuri Complex
OTH Eastern Seaboard Command Centre
1940 ZULU

"Now this is more like it!" Shouted Air Vice Marshal Jimmy Brooks. "More shit to shoot. Ok, what do we have?"

"Well, the Tarlags, and MES are keeping their distance from each other," replied Warrant Officer 1st Class Carol Pollock.

'Right, and what do we have to attack them?"

"Primarily Kilos from the NCN. Our plan is to trap them here, and here," the WO replied, pointing at area where the aircraft would approach. "We have two different fleets of subs. For the aircraft, we position them, here. The Kilos are equiped with SAM missles. When the aircraft approaches the range, it will target and shoot it, using the OTH to seek the target. For the ships, we will sneak it out, using the quietness of the sub to sneak, and attack it's carrier, or an important ship. If the fleet continues to move, we continue attacking it. If it stops, we leave, and continue monitoring.

"Why not just destory the fleet?"

"Well, because an injured soldier is worse then a dead one."

"Because, an injured soldier needs three men to support while a dead one needs none. I see what your planned. Smart!" The AVM smiled.

_______________________________________________________________
Eastern Ocean?
East of Mainland Northern Colonies
2300 Zulu

The subs were moved into position, awaiting their prey.

The speed boat slowed down, circled the buoy once and then stopped. Lip picked up his two-way and said, “Rex was on the money about where to fish.”

What in blazes were the Colonials doing deploying buoys? Nothing pleasant was the general conclusion. Lip leaned over the bow and secured the buoy, making sure it in not secured to anything else.

“Emergency beacons without an emergency,” said Reg, grabbing the buoy to begin dissection, “That can’t be right.”

Lip pulled off the break, “We’ll you better find up what the Colonials are up to. They seem to be being awful secretive. Not like us heh; we being pretty damn blunt.”

The tampering was quickly noted back at the mainland; within minutes a nearby patrol of three speedboats had been directed to intercept the Farminians. Hailing from the Prince's End Port Police, they were soon joined by a support helicopter.

"This is the Prince's End Port Police!" Shouted the Skipper of one of the boats, through a loudspeaker. "You are under arrest and are outnumbered. Put your hands in the air, now!"

Aboard S-909 ( 900 class missile sub)

"Admiral Kell I have mutapul contacts bearing 140 degrees range 14,000 meters." Came the call from the sonar operator.
Admiral Kell looked up from his chart table and then walked over to the sonar station. "How many and who do they belong to, are they reinforcements GAPTS promised?"
" No Sir I don't, those are defiantly not allied subs If they were GAPTS or even MES boats they would be with surface squadrons. These boats are by themselves and are on a parallel course with the Grand Fleet."
"Have the Grand Fleets escorts or sub patrols spotted them?" Asked Kell as he removed his glasses to clean then.
"No sir the range is to great, Admiral Nichols has kept his asw units close to the carriers and not spread them out for some reason."
Kell returned the glasses to his face and turned to Captain Shaw commander of the 909. " Nichols is to much of a Battle cruiser commander for his own good, he sometime will not think in three dimensions. Captain Shaw in your opinion who do those subs belong to?"
"If it was just one sub Sir it would be anybody, but that many boats could only mean that they belong to the NCN. Sonar have they spotted us yet?"
" No Mam, we are too deep and under a thermal layer the only reason we spotted them is because we had a towed sonar array floating above the layer."
Admiral Kell took a deep breath and began issuing orders. "Captain Shaw prepare the sono-kill torpedo. as soon as that is fired send the prearranged ping signal to the squadron and the fleet that should give them time to kill their sonars before the warhead goes off. I also want you to fire off three of the stern torpedoes at the same time."
"Sir at that range we would never get a hit under these conditions."
" I am well aware of that Captain but the NCN subs don't."
"After the Ping signal I want you to signal all missile boats to rise to 100 feet and fire off their EMP missiles towards their Northern Colonie targets."
"What about our hydrogen powered stealth sub escorts Sir?"
" Have them stay in position. After we fire our missiles then we will move at flank speed towards our fleet. When the NC boats can use their sonar again in about five or ten minutes they will either come after us or go after the fleet when they do they will pass over our escorts. I think you can picture the rest."
Ten minutes later the outer doors of the 909 opened and four torpedoes launched from their tubes.

OCC for your knowledge Sono-kill was taken from the animee Submarine 707 Revalution. From what I could gleem from the show it is a small nuclear warhead (about 10,000 to 20,000 ton yeald). It will not go off close enough to the NCN subs to do damage but it will blind all sonar for about five min. or more.

Highnote Station

deMilonia watched the holographic simulation of the unfolding spectacle on the surface below with the vaguely disinterested gaze of a sightseer. The feed was being updated live from the Paganini and its cams.
Admiral Psheck was on his third mug of coffee. The Deputy Minister was on her seventh. A seventh which paused on it's trip to her mouth.
Frowning, she set it down.
"Admiral, what are those...?"
"Uh... buoys of some sort ma'am..."
"Placed by...?"
The Admiral's aide flipped through a report, then whispered in his ear.
"The Northern Colonies, ma'am."
"Oh... OK."
They watched as the Farminan boat arrived at one of the buoys, the Deputy Minister commenting wryly that any Colonials who tried to interfere with the Farminans would probably be blown out of the water; they were at war, after all.

After a few minutes of reflection, bets were taken as to who would shoot first, and when.

************

HMCS Sar-Pakir,1 nm south of the Rotovian maritime border

While the Paganini kept station above, an Imperial long-range submarine was monitoring the situation from below; their role was to observe, and indicate that, while the Empire might be keeping several steps back (primarily due to the strange phenomenon afflicting their airspace), the possibility of involvement was there.

The Sar-Pakir was not as quiet as the Colonials Kilo-class, but Imperial LRM subs didn't need to be; sneak assault was not their primary function. In any case, at this point, it was making no attempt to hide its presence; it was currently surfaced, cruising very lazily towards Rotovia in international waters just south of the confluence of the Rotovian/Colonial maritime border. Close, but not too close.

The Covenant, despite its recent imposition of sanctions and expulsion of Colonial citizens, was, like Rotovia, still officially neutral in the conflict; but the captain wasn't an idiot. The flag was flying, IFF ID active if anyone pinged them, and their position was entirely legal; anyone who attacked them would be handing their heads to Arn-Maciska on a silver plate. She knew of the dangers that were involved in staying where they were, and had her ship ready for action.

Captain Stern lit the message from Director Snyder. A knocking at the door distracted the captain causing him to drop the message earlier than he had intended, “Come in.”

First Mate James opened the door, “Captain, I got a hell of a bad feeling about this.”

“It pays well,” said the Captain, “That’s all you need to know.”

Mister James was less than convinced, “Don’t you think it’s a little suspicious that our employers, whoever they are, give us new ships, tell us to head to the perimeter of a war zone and refuse to let us inspect our own cargo. The Farminans have already demanded we identify.”

“Neutral. Civilian,” said the Captain firmly, “Untouchable; that’s all they need to know. Why we seem to be heading for the Colonies is no one’s damn business, not even yours. Our employer is a man of means. We shall be amply rewarded for discretion.”

“Aye sir,” said James, “But what sort of cargo could possibly require seven ships?”

General Parms did what many would think Farminans did best; he drank his coffee. The black liquid was foul compared to the high grade coffee Farmina used during peacetime, but at least the stuff was better than axle grease, just.

He looked to the east; dawn would be breaking in an hour, a vital part of the attack. Then he looked to the west, Abbey Ruins, or Abbey Village as it had been called when Parms was younger. The Colonials had mustered about a division there by best estimates. The Farminans hadn’t had much time to muster an attacking; but neither would the Colonials have had time to dig in.

Lt General Sarck walked over to Parms carrying his own cup of coffee. “The armor is nearly in position. The artillery has also been prepared. The aircraft promised will be here on time and the bright sparks in Ricco assure us that they will reinforce us some time after the battle is over. A few boats are also watching for anything tricky the Colonials try.”

The Farminan force didn’t need reinforcing. It severely outnumbered an opponent that was suddenly appearing very isolated. Taking anything out of the Colonies was suddenly a lot more difficult; and everything that could be used to defend the Colonies was best use for just that.

“Typical bureaucrats,” muttered General Parms, moving his hand across the map, “The Colonial forces don’t have the depth. Any significant withdrawal will see them in the ocean. This landing was a major mistake on their part; now we shall make them pay for it.”

Sarck sat down looking over the map one last time, “I suspect it would not have been such a disaster if everything went to plan for them. They did not realise they would isolate themselves so badly. They didn’t expect to see such a brutal build up on their door step.”

There was some truth in that, the Colonials had been expecting that they would have help, and the threat of invasion prevented them building up this beachhead. But things often don’t go to plan; and the Colonials hadn’t accounted for that. It was a lesson they would learn at great cost.

“It appears to me,” said Parms, “That this Anderson chap dug himself a hole. Now he’s trying to dig his way out; but he keeps digging down so the hole keeps getting deeper.”

“It appears to me,” said Sarck, “That we are going to kill whole damn lot of Colonials.”

“Fathers, brothers and sons,” thought Parms, wishing Sarck hadn’t phrased it that way, before saying aloud, “Time to commence final preparations. Lets try to make this as bloodless as possible.”

---

Fifteen minutes to daybreak. Three wings of 12-11s streaked east to deliver their missiles upon anything that vaguely resembled Colonial military units. The Farminan ground force number eight divisions in all; comprising only two large corps.

Although artillery was divided equally between the two corps, the northern one was the main force. Equal bombardment to attract equal attention. Lt General Sarck was to take northern corps and used massed armour to tear a gaping hole in the Colonial flank. The southern corps under Major General Hannibruk would strike widely trying to tie up, and kill, as many Colonials as possible. Three mobile infantry divisions, supported by armour and artillery, striking on the southern flank would be enough to cause the Colonials a headache; but the armoured onslaught to be launched by General Sarck, consisting of two armor and two infantry divisions, would take the head right off.

Two hundred Fast Firer artillery pieces opened up all along the line in a vicious and sudden barrage that quickly began rolling forward as did the Farminan front liner, with day break imminent.

In the north, 1500 Leviathan tanks moved forward with 2000 Justice III tanks; supported by 25000 infantry with assorted weaponry. In the south, infantry again numbered about 25000; but with only 100 Leviathan tanks and 10 of the new Suppressor anti-infantry tanks that were apt at making noise and bullets fill the air.

A lot of steel would be heading for the Colonials.


OOC: Here is a unnecessary colour map with few details; but some 2D seagulls to make up for it. http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y145/Farmina/AbbeyRuins.jpg

12-11s were scouting the Straight of Rotovia had been pre-warned of Colonial interference in the recovery operation. Ten changed course, jumping over into Colonial waters for a few seconds; long enough to each release one long range guided missiles at the interfering Colonials, before turning 180 back into the safety of Rotovian waters.

---

“Arrests without a crime would be highly inappropriate,” commented Reg, putting his hands up, but making no other surrender action, “I don’t suppose you are going to arrest the people who have been dumping inactive emergency beacons in the water. Last time I checked; that tended to violate ocean pollution guidelines.”

The SWAT officer responded as he was placing handcuffs on Reg.

"You're under arrest for tampering of emergency equipment and damage to property."

When both of them had been handcuffed, they were moved to the holding cell where they were locked up. As the boats began to move, they crew heard a sound they had never heard before. Strange, like an extremely fast...

"MISSILE!" Shouted one of the crew.

Two hit the helicopter. It blew like the morning sun. Debris came falling towards the water. Three missiles came down, hitting the two boats left and right of the one with the prisoners on board. It too blew up with debris hitting the boat in the middle.

"Shit, Shit, fucking shit!" Shouted Greg Evans, the skipper. "This ain't no fucking easy expedition"

Two missile rained. One narrowly missed the boat, hitting the left side. The other hit the right side, also missing the boat.

"Fuck," he shouted. "I better radio fuckin' command!"

And so he did.

"Command, this is Boat Alpha Lima Papa." He shouted. "We;ve just had fucking missiles rained down on us."

_______________________________________________________________
Abbey Ruins

The showdown was on. Of course they had to make it easier for themselves. So they took tires from every car they could find. Anything they could use to light a fire. They were moved to a;; the entry points to the city, except one. With that one, they rigged it with claymore, providing a nice booby trap for the tanks coming through.

From the sea, Tomahawk missiles were launched almost continuously, mostly aimed at the Fastfire artellery, but some were aimed at fuel and ammo dumps.

B-2 Bombers were diverted from Ricco and Alice and sent to start bombing the Farminan tanks below. Carriers launched Sea Apaches to reinforce the garrison. Sea Knight helicopters would bring supplies to the troops.

Meanwhile, two men were watching one of the infantry with keen eyes. In particular, they were looking at where the men ate...

____________________________________________________________________________________
Under the Great Rotovian Strait

After the buoy launch, the Kilo submarine held onto holding position. Then the navigator started conversation with the Sub-Lieutantant.

"You know we're near the place where that ship sunk," the navigator said.

"What ship? Replied the Sub-Lieutanant.

"That Tarlag one."

"Really?"

"Yea!"

"Maybe we should check it out."

"It's just a dead ship."

"I've been following the case. My uncle is part of the FIB investigation team. Apparently they can't see any evidence for any of our ships to attack it."

"Hmm..maybe we should ask?"

"Yea."

The Sub-Lieutantant marched to the Captain.

"Sir!" Saluted the Sub-Lieutantant

"At ease, we're on a kilo for fuck's sake!" Shouted the Captain back,

"You know that Tarlag ship?"

"Yea."

"Well, we're near it."

"Get to the point!"

"Well, one of the way we could use this is to divide and conquer. We need to get rid of the Tarlags, and one way of doing it is to get rid of their justification for war."

"Good point. I'll think about it. Dismissed!"

The thinking only took a few minutes. The Kilo steered toward the now sunken ship.

"We're there!" shouted the navigator.

"Launch the probe!" Shouted the captain.

The probe was a small, robotic machine, controlled from the Kilo. It was designed to take photographs and video.

Outside the ship looked like it was, well a sunken ship. But there was something odd about the hole that sunk her.

"The metal is bent... away from the ship?" Asked the confused Sub-Lieutantant.

"Yes, take a photo of that," said the Captain.

"Does that mean the Tarlags... faked the bombing?"

"Yes, it does."

After taking more photographs, the submarine sent the photos to command.

Since the Farminans were launching an attack that shouldn’t take more than an hour to drive to the coast, so they weren’t eating out of the small white boxes they carried around with them. But if anyone dared tamper with their food supply, the Farminans would respond in kind. They would order the deployment of herbicide on the crops of the isolated Colonial homeland and just leave the Colonies to starve. It was Farmina’s first rule of war; anything the enemy tries may be copied and used far more brutally.

The Farminan blitz continued, burning tires no match for the military grade protection of tanks and infantry transports. The booby trapped entrance was avoided; it might as well have a sign painted on it. Artillery fire reigned down, as the artillery pieces moved from firing position to firing position to avoid enemy fire.

The launch of the Tomahawk missiles; caused the regional missile command to respond in kind, launching six missiles to destroy the troublesome threat.

Six Farminan submarines off the coast began launching torpedoes out of the water and into the air to destroy the aircraft traveling into the Abbey Ruins.

Unknown to the two captured Farminans, two more missiles had just been launched to finish of the pesky Colonials, as one of the Farminan jets slipped its wing out of Rotovian waters.

Despite their ignorance, the Farminan prisoners took their opportunity and jumped into the water, one yelling, “Mess the with military and the military messes back.”

They swam for their boat; but then their boat did something rather unusual. It started up and took off back to Rotovia without them, taking the buoy with it.

Pilot Steve Johnson kept his plane flying in a close box formation, similar to the one used during the United States bombing raids in World War II, with his flight of XB-200 Stratoannihilators. High above him were the Silencers, while around out of site was the fighter wing, doing arching maneuvers, searching for enemy fighters. The fighter's contrails lit up the sky where the fighters were. Down below, Johnson noticed that there was a large weather storm down below his bomber wing. The pilot turned his head to the co-pilot. "Should we take advantage of that cloud cover?"

The co-pilot looked over the nose of the aircraft from his seat to see the clouds. "With our massive height advantage, I don't think it's a good idea. Besides, weather can be unpredictable, and who knows? Maybe those clouds won't even be near the Northern Colonies."

After an hour of additional flying, it was getting darker. "Almost nighttime. The Colonists won't see us coming," the pilot said.

"Navigation lights off," the co-pilot said in kind, flashing his lights before shutting them off, as they were on radio-silence. The other planes shut theirs off, as their planes flew towards their first targets: Colonial towns and small cities with known industries.

Captain Price paced the bridge of the battle cruiser Rumgar the combat control officer suddenly shouted out to his commander. "Sir I have multiple missile launches 62 km to our stern. near the area where the sono-kill was used."
Captain Price ran over to his command station and began checking his monitors. " I confirm 300+ missiles outbound on course to the Colonies. Configuration of missiles confirmed as Long shot 3 type EMP missiles."
The air search radar officer Lt. Katherina Plumber suddenly spoke up. "Captain I have 3 large formations of aircraft off our stern quarter. Group Alpha is confirmed as an MES bomber force. Group Beta is 100 Henschel type 1000 bombers and 144 Gripen fighters with tanker aircraft. and Group Delta is 123 F-111 fighter bombers with 72 Viggen fighters all on course to the Colonies.

" Very well Ms. Plumber keep me informed. Missile room prepare the first salvo of cruise missiles I need them to clear the tubes in ten minutes."


The 320 EM missiles flew on their ballistic course toward the Colonial targets. Near the top of their arc they deployed their decoy warheads and began the descent to the targets. The main targets are power plants, radar stations, large military airfields and oil refineries.

TO: Crew of NCS Kilo
FROM: Chief of Navy
RE: Pics.

Although the bending is to be expected (the ship was a gas tanker), the calculated force is far beyond any torpedo in the NC ship. We have intelligence to suggest that a Tarlagian torpedo could have done it.

Well done,

Admiral of the Fleet Patrick Robinson

_________________________________________________________________\
http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/7264/colonialdaily8ca.jpg
The Lies That Bind
EXCLUSIVE:Evidence Leaked that Shows Tarlagians to Blame

Tarlag's recent entry into the Colonial-Farminan War has been criticized for being too rash, not allowing time for investigations to be complete. However, evidence, exclusive to the Colonial Daily shows that it is an impossibility for any Colonial torpedo to do 'that kind of damage,' quoted the report.

Analysis from GSTO's (Governor's Science and Technology Organization) Physics Department simulators shows that their is no chance of a Northern Colonies torpedo having hit the ship.

"Basically, the simulator can put in many variables," Professor John McKillen, the Physics Department head, as well as a Professor of Physics at the O'Brien University. "And based on the read-out, it is a technical impossibility, even with the amount of gas the tanker was carrying."

Continued on Page 5