NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Okay. Here is my rule: I don't want any military action...yet. Ihave a kind of plan, I just don't know how to get to point B yet. Until then, you can respond with anything other than military force. Alright?

IC:

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\Deep within the Temple Church at New Acre/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The aged religious leader looked at the other men seated around the glossy black table in a dimly lit chamber. “So, we are agreed?” he asked in a wheezy sort of voice.

“Yes, the nation has already deviated too far from the precepts of the faith.”

“Good.” he wheezed, “Are we prepared?”

After exchanging uneasy glances, one spoke up. “We are prepared, but…”

“But what?”

“But the Knights are not a united front. There is a faction that believes in this preposterous separation of church and state. That the Church should not take an active role in the private lives of the people.”

“Any dissenters will be dealt with. Are all of the pieces in place?”

“Yes, all is ready.”

“Then let it begin. For too long have we allowed Templa to stray from the path.”

/\/\/\/\/\/\Steps of the Capitol Building, Templa City/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The Templar president was holding a press conference, totally unaware of the Church’s plot. “Yes.” he said, answering a reporter’s question. “The Church has been an integral part of society and the government since the nation’s formation. However, in just a few minutes I will sign into law a bill calling for the Church’s separation from power and wealth. In fact, it--”

\/\/\/\/\/\/\Roughly a mile away and a hundred feet up/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The man switched off the portable television. He was a Knight, a soldier sworn to the Church. He was standing in the bell tower of the massive Payans Cathedral, which provided him an unobstructed view of the capital building. Raising a rifle to his shoulder, he looked through the high-powered scope. The president was still talking. The man must have had a premonition, because he suddenly looked up as if he could see his doom. So much the better, thought the sniper, farewell, heretic. He squeezed the trigger and had the satisfaction of watching the confusion before the stairs disappeared.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\Streets near the steps/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

An unmarked van was parked at the corner, occupied by Knights. The side door slid open and a man emerged, extending a LAW. As he brought it up, he saw the president’s head snap back as he fell. During the ensuing confusion the rocketeer fired, engulfing the stairs in an explosion. Tossing his expended weapon aside, he leapt back in the van and slammed the door as it tore off down the street.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\Other places/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

At various locations across the country, military leaders and others in positions of power received anonymous phone calls. The fruit of these calls would be revealed in the future.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\Still someplace else/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The old man smiled. Everything had happened live, on national television. The event would be seen by the world. All was going according to plan. It had begun.

Chairman Nagaraku Ryouta watched as the President of Templa had his brains blown out with a high-powered sniper rifle.
"To think that they were actually making some progress," he said, switching off the TV.
"So, who did it?" Foreign Minister Mikel Aritza said, taking a short drag on his cigarette.
"Do I really have to tell you?" the Chairman sighed, "It was obviously the Church. They wouldn't just release the iron grip they had there. There are enough crazy religious fanatics to get someone to pop that guy in the head. But there's no proof of it, despite the fact that they're really the only ones with anything to gain from killing him."
"So what are we going to do about it?" Aritza asked.
"For now? Keep a close eye on what's going on. We don't know enough about what's going on there," Nagaraku said.

As various news networks jumped on the story, they all had their own take on the story but there was one common thread: a statement from the Church.

The aged religious leader of Templa is shown slightly stooped, using a cane to prop himself up. In the baqckground were two of the Church's Knights, resplendant in ceremonial armor resembling midievil full plate. Looking at the camera, he wore a troubled expression. "My children, sons and daughters of Templa, a great tragedy has occurred. While these events are seen by some as divine retribution for the blasphemous act he nearly committed, I believe he has found forgiveness in the arms of our merciful God. With the upper echelons of the government in shambles, the Church will move to fill the power vacuum. We will only hold power for the sake of national stability. It will be reliquished after the government has recovered."

The proclamtion ignited a firestorm of controversy, sparking several riots. One rioter was quoted as saying "What, do they think we're stupid or something? This is obviously a Church ploy to take advantage of the situation and seize power!" Curfews were enough to curb most of the violence. However, a growing radical group believes that the Church itself is responsible for the mass murder of the government. This group actually tried to take up arms against the new regime. the entire nation was placed under martial law and the insurrection was put down. It is believed that the survivors of this group now make up the backbone of the Free Templa Society, the resistance.

During these events, large portions of the military simply dissappeared. Declaring the 'defectors' guilty of 'treason against the people', the new government started leaning on the intelligence service to find these 'rogue elements'. The intelligence service, a mostly non-catholic organisation, resented this pressure and began to drag its feet. This in turn earned the ire of the Church.

Matt Booch looked over the report on the recent events.
" Damn, What a pervesion of faith." Booch said to his wife and Security Advisor, Lula
" Yes,it is sad." she said. " At least the people know what the Church did, but they think standing up to the Church would offend their God."
" Well, they do have that one group."
" Of Course. So Matt, let's move on to the next thing and I'll put it on our Watch List."
" No, honey, I want the main government in power. We have no current deployments."
" Are you sure, Matt?"
" Of course, Send in Marine Recon teams, have them train the rebels, and supply them with weapons. I want a Carrier in the region in Case they find them and they need to get the hell out of dodge

At roughly one-thirty in the afternoon local time, the Church made its displeasure with the intelligence service known. Armored vehicles sped up the road towards the isolated headquarters building as choppers soared through the sky above. Hardly pausing to stop, the armored vehicles opened up on the entryway of the building as helicopter gunships strafed the exterior with chaingun-fire.

As abruptly as they started, they stopped. Seeing no return fire, infantry stormed the entrances and were offloaded from choppers on the roof. As they entered however, the resistance started. The infantry was forced to fight from room to room, taking heavy losses. Eventually, they simply won through attrition. But to no avail. The goal had been to seize the building and the information inside. The agents had had other ideas. Every file in the building had either been burned or deleted, magnetized, and eaten through with acid. Frustrated Knights destroyed the motto embossed in the floor of the main lobby by way of revenge.

As they were leaving, piling back into their vehicles and helicopters, there was a dull roar which was quickly growing louder. A group of fighter aircraft were closing in fast. Checking the IFF, one chopper pilot radiod: "Negative, looks like regular military. Air Force planes, please change course. This is the sight of a Knight operation. Repeat--" That was as far as he got. At that point his craft ate an AMRAAM at what would equate to point blank range. The fighter flight quickly eradicated the small force before exiting on the same path that they took to get there.

Two Force Recon platoons were aboard the two Nighhawks, They flew in, silently, and qucikly landend, the Recon platoons were soon on the ground. Splitting up, they headed to the HQ of the rebels.

TO: The Terrosrist Templars
FROM: Grandmaster Dante of the TRUE Order of the Poor Fellow Soldiers of Christ

Brothers in faith,

Lay down your arms, and join the TRUE Order of the Knights of the Temple. Your actions violate the Rule of St. Benedict that our Order is bound by. You will cease and desist all military action withing 24 hours, or be nominated for excommunication by the 7 ruling bishops of Sol Giuldor, who I need not remind you have considerable influence within the Church. Your goal is not wrong, brothers, however, your execution of said goal removes you from the Church you swear to protect. Killing Christians is against your oaths, and violating said oath to achieve a theocracy is in itself removing any merit that a Christian rule may have had. The Catholic Rule of Sol Giuldor was achieved peacefully, and with a general consensus of the public. Until said consensus is gained, perform acts of charity and good within the communtiy. Gain elected office, and come to power by elections. Also, Sol Giuldor is condemming the rise of the corrupt officials in Templa, and would like to mention that these evil individuals do NOT represent the Church, or its divine mission here on Earth. When this crisis is over, Sol Giuldor will offer any aid to the citizens of Templa, as an apology for the actions of this lunatic fringe group. May God have mercy on your souls,

Grandmaster Dante,
Lord of the Templars and Ruler of Sol Giuldor

The Citadel, Urbus Doomanus, Imperium Doomanum

The scene was played back over and over on the holographic screen sitting at the center of the long conference table. This was to allow for the men seated about to take in the scene: the leader of a country having his brains blown out mere seconds after the utterance of a blasphemy. These were people that could be worked with, it seemed. People dedicated to the Will of Christ, to the crushing of those who followed Satan's Word.

The conference room had a dark atmosphere about it, with light eminating from the far corners of the room. The dark marble walls alone made the place feel cold...let alone the air conditioning unit that quietly hummed in the background. The men arrayed about the table were a mixed bunch: men wearing the collars and caps of priests, men in ceremonial armor emblazened with golden crosses.

At the furthest end of the table were the youngest members of Caesar's council, with the oldest and most senior man in the room sitting at the head. That man was Haerus Marcellus Marius, Grand Inquisitor. This was a man who answered directly to Caesar Himself. Caesar Himself rarely attended these meetings. He usualy had something better do. The same for Marius, who had the buisiest schedual of all. Both men usualy had someone to sit in for them (Caesar's personal aid, a Legatus in the Imperial Army, sat directly adjacent to Marius). For Marius to be here at this meeting meant that something rather important must be going on.

That was plain enough to see. It was not often that Men of Christ stepped forward to throw off the yoke of the infidel.

When it was he that first broke the silence, causing the others arrayed in the room to look up from the reports on the situation they had recieved, it was all the more surprising. Marius was a very reserved man, speaking only when necessary. Apparently is was necessary.

"As you can see, my brothers, we have discovered potential allies in the Global Crusade," he began tediously in that monotonous voice of his, "I have already spoken with Caesar Himself regarding this matter, and he and I both agree on this issue: We must aid our brothers and their fledgling new government."

He paused for a moment, allowing it to sink in. The men began to whisper to one another in rapid Latin until he raised his hand to hush them.

"Caesar has dispatched a taskforce already which shall proceed to this nation...Templa, and remain on standby for Caesar's word. We are certain that there well be meddling infidels to oppose us here, and so we wish to be prepared."

Another pause. Heads nodded in agreement, more whispering. Another silence.

"Until that taskforce arrives, this new government is going to be vulnerable to heathen subversion. I have, for this task, acquired a substantial amount of arms and instructors."

Legatus Marcus Valerius, Caesar's personal adjunctant to the council, who sat adjacent to Marius, spoke up next,

"Indeed. In the mean time, Caesar has commanded that we aid this government by all means available. This means supplying their armies with advanced weaponry and training them in their use. If I recall, Grand Inquisitor, you wished to aid in the establishment of an Inquisition in Templa?"

The older man nodded.

"That is correct, Legatus. I personally ordered that a team of my finest men be handpicked for this operation, both to help establish a working intellegence service loyal to the new government, and to advise that government."

Some of the men sitting at that table had been informed mere minutes before the conference that they would be traveling overseas shortly afterwards. They now knew just what was going on and what they would be doing. This was a very sensitive operation, one that had to be conducted from the highest possible level by Master Inquisitors.

Prior to the conference, a message had been dispatched to the new government.

Official Imperial Transmission

Greetings, brothers,

The Senatvs Populsqve Doomanvs and indeed, Emperor Himself, wish to congradulate you on your glorious victory over the infidel and establishment of a righteous government, fit to rule in God's name. We too are ruled by Christ's Laws, and wish to extend our hand in friendship. We offer you both monetary and material aid to help solidify your rule, and would like permission to dispatch members of the Inquisition in order to aid your righteous government in establishing your own services to quell heresies and other unfortunate devil-inspired acts.

In addition, we are sending a gift of guns, tanks, and other military equipment in addition to instructors to teach your crusaders in their proper use. We hope that you take our offer into consideration and that this shall blossom into a glorious alliance.

OOC: Guess this thread is dead

The Citadel, Urbus Doomanus, Imperium Doomanum

The scene was played back over and over on the holographic screen sitting at the center of the long conference table. This was to allow for the men seated about to take in the scene: the leader of a country having his brains blown out mere seconds after the utterance of a blasphemy. These were people that could be worked with, it seemed. People dedicated to the Will of Christ, to the crushing of those who followed Satan's Word.

The conference room had a dark atmosphere about it, with light eminating from the far corners of the room. The dark marble walls alone made the place feel cold...let alone the air conditioning unit that quietly hummed in the background. The men arrayed about the table were a mixed bunch: men wearing the collars and caps of priests, men in ceremonial armor emblazened with golden crosses.

At the furthest end of the table were the youngest members of Caesar's council, with the oldest and most senior man in the room sitting at the head. That man was Haerus Marcellus Marius, Grand Inquisitor. This was a man who answered directly to Caesar Himself. Caesar Himself rarely attended these meetings. He usualy had something better do. The same for Marius, who had the buisiest schedual of all. Both men usualy had someone to sit in for them (Caesar's personal aid, a Legatus in the Imperial Army, sat directly adjacent to Marius). For Marius to be here at this meeting meant that something rather important must be going on.

That was plain enough to see. It was not often that Men of Christ stepped forward to throw off the yoke of the infidel.

When it was he that first broke the silence, causing the others arrayed in the room to look up from the reports on the situation they had recieved, it was all the more surprising. Marius was a very reserved man, speaking only when necessary. Apparently is was necessary.

"As you can see, my brothers, we have discovered potential allies in the Global Crusade," he began tediously in that monotonous voice of his, "I have already spoken with Caesar Himself regarding this matter, and he and I both agree on this issue: We must aid our brothers and their fledgling new government."

He paused for a moment, allowing it to sink in. The men began to whisper to one another in rapid Latin until he raised his hand to hush them.

"Caesar has dispatched a taskforce already which shall proceed to this nation...Templa, and remain on standby for Caesar's word. We are certain that there well be meddling infidels to oppose us here, and so we wish to be prepared."

Another pause. Heads nodded in agreement, more whispering. Another silence.

"Until that taskforce arrives, this new government is going to be vulnerable to heathen subversion. I have, for this task, acquired a substantial amount of arms and instructors."

Legatus Marcus Valerius, Caesar's personal adjunctant to the council, who sat adjacent to Marius, spoke up next,

"Indeed. In the mean time, Caesar has commanded that we aid this government by all means available. This means supplying their armies with advanced weaponry and training them in their use. If I recall, Grand Inquisitor, you wished to aid in the establishment of an Inquisition in Templa?"

The older man nodded.

"That is correct, Legatus. I personally ordered that a team of my finest men be handpicked for this operation, both to help establish a working intellegence service loyal to the new government, and to advise that government."

Some of the men sitting at that table had been informed mere minutes before the conference that they would be traveling overseas shortly afterwards. They now knew just what was going on and what they would be doing. This was a very sensitive operation, one that had to be conducted from the highest possible level by Master Inquisitors.

Prior to the conference, a message had been dispatched to the new government.

Official Imperial Transmission

Greetings, brothers,

The Senatvs Populsqve Doomanvs and indeed, Emperor Himself, wish to congradulate you on your glorious victory over the infidel and establishment of a righteous government, fit to rule in God's name. We too are ruled by Christ's Laws, and wish to extend our hand in friendship. We offer you both monetary and material aid to help solidify your rule, and would like permission to dispatch members of the Inquisition in order to aid your righteous government in establishing your own services to quell heresies and other unfortunate devil-inspired acts.

In addition, we are sending a gift of guns, tanks, and other military equipment in addition to instructors to teach your crusaders in their proper use. We hope that you take our offer into consideration and that this shall blossom into a glorious alliance.

The Crusader State of Sol Giuldor is appaled by such blatant support of terrorism! As of today, the Cardnials of Sol Giuldor are petitioning the Holy Father to excommunicate the terrorist!

OOC: Peoplesfreedom, your soldiers are free to show up in the camp.

IC: Camp: 4, Location: Undisclosed.

There was a bustling encampment near the edge of a forest. Filled with men, armor, other vehicles, and weapons it was one of many operated by the resistance. Resistance leader Vorhad Argonth pored over the information he had at hand. It seemed at least one nation was appalled by what had happened. Fat chance it would change anything, though. Another was proud of the Church, the bastards. He tossed aside the rports and moved on to planning his next attack. The Government forces were slowly closing in on his position, had in fact closed to the point that it was impossible to simply run away and set up elsewhere. Thankfully the enemy force lacked aircraft and artillery. And the Churchies were none too bright to begin with.

Poring over force breakdowns, he was thankful to see that the enemy force was about as large as his own, except Vorhad had more infantry. He shook his head. It had only been a matter of time before this camp was found, there were just too much manpower and equipment gathered in one place. Roughly a third of the resistance army was billeted here, some tanks and other vehicles, but mostly infantry. Nearly twenty-thousand infantrymen were camped here. He went back to planning and hoped that they would be ready when the time came.

Captain James Mcormick was the leader of the Marines. He walked up to the sentries to the camp with his hands up.

" We are Marines from The Peoples Freedom, we have come to help you re-take this nation. There are 80 of us."

The marines were alloewed to enter the camp and word was sent to Vorhad. When he got there and looked at the newcomers he shook his head. "More infantry, " He muttered, "the last thing I needed was more infantry." Walking over to the leader he extended his hand. "Welcome to one of the few patches of free Templa. I am, or rather, was general Vorhad Argonth. I am the founder of the resistance. You, my friends, have come at a rather inoppurtune time. We're going to have a pitched battle here in the next few days."

" Dont Worry, Were not just "Infantry" sir, we are Marines."

Official Transmission front the High Cardinals of the Scandinvans:

We though not pleased with the sudden fall of last government are happy that you taken control of the nation and are certain that your take over shall benefit your people as you shall act as an effective governing if it be for only a time. As well, we offer the support of the 33 High Cardinals of the Scandinvans to your new government. Also, we have mustered ten legions of Teutonic Knights to the aide of your new government.

Esteemed colleagues,

It seems that the Knights of the Temple, New Acre, are in a bit of a fix. The Knights Templeur stand ready to aid you in any way you deem necessary. I have on standby alert two companies of Templar Warriors and six platoons of Black Temple Guardians. In addition, two squadrons of F-18 Hornets of the Temple Air Corps are ready to scramble to your defense.

Please let us know how else we can help.

regards,

Commandre Lucien Delacroix, Scion de Le Knight Templeur

More supporters of this terrorist group? SHOCKING! The Crusader State of Sol Giuldor would like to remind the world that these fringe groups do not speak for the Church! We no longer recognize any of you as soverign Christian governments, and have petitioned the Holy Father to take action!

"Hmm. Well, marines or not, it's going to be pretty hectic soon. If you want to stay, I won't stop you." Vorhad waved a hand off to his left, "You can billet your men over there. Get what sleep you can tonight. Most of our force here is meeting the enemy tonight, and the rest of us will reinforce them tomorrow." True to his word, early that evening most of the armor and vehicles left the encampment.

Late that night, these elements engaged the enemy near Murata Ridge. The mismatched FTS Abrahms and Pattons opened up on their Church counterparts while Humvees and Bradleys attepmted to circle the enemy before running into their foe's flankers. While supposedly even-matched, the Church forces had actually been reinforced earlier that day and their numbers were enough to overcome the surprise by the FTS forces. While the Church armored force was reduced to a third of its strength, the FTS armored force was barely able to escape with a quarter of its original numbers, while the flankers were largely annihilated. So it was that instead of gaining the ridge, they were forced to hold an old redoubt to the southwest.

Early the next morning, the camp was in uproar as troops raced to APCs and five-ton trucks. Several trucks were made available to the foreign marines. Once he saw the situation, Vorhad swore. He arrayed most of his forces behind the redoubt as he and his counterpart exchanged potshots at one another, neither quite ready for the bloodbath that would result from either trying to take the ridge or the redoubt.