NationStates Jolt Archive

[OOC: Righto, since everyone seems to think discussing RP is a waste of time, here it is. My first attempt a big RP in a long time. Lets see if leading by example works.

First off, this thread will contain no one-line RPing. Ignoring is to be used sparingly. If you really disagree with something, discuss it with that player. I’m not worried about how many people join, but try and support both sides, otherwise it takes some creative RPing for the bad guys to continue the RP. Oh, and use the subscribe function, don't tag. Thanks.

Use this as a showpiece for what II can be like, so keep it clean(ish), keep it good, and keep it intriguing. Oh and keep it fun.]

OOC Thread right here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=498680)

IC:

<Haupsburg Province, Western Lassitern, Two days ago>

It was a usual bitter morning in the mountainous province. People were slowly emerging into the grim and grey morning, getting into cars, and heading off for work. Once quiet roads filled up slowly with traffic, and the usual accidents and traffic jams appeared in abundance.

The house looked just like any other. A small suburban semi-detached property, single garage, children’s toys in the back garden. Inside, four men sat around a cheap Formica table, drinking sweet tea and eating breakfast. One man stopped eating, took a swig of tea, and stood, combing crumbs from his beard. The others turned, staring at him. “The time has come brothers.” He began. “We chosen few must show this kuffar King that he cannot continue his support of the Zionist scum. We all know what must be done. We must strike a blow at the centre of the Churches power, weaken them, and fight until Sharia law is recognized by this cowardly Government. The brotherhood of al-Zaigreba will prove ourselves today.”

In the centre of Leipsbergen stood one of the grandest Churches in the country. Over two hundred years old, it towered nearly two hundred metres into the sky. As the sun rose higher, the light shone through some of the enormous stained glass windows, patterning the white marble floor with images from the Holy Bible. Tourists and locals alike wandered the Church, contemplating life and God, or simply sat in one of the many pews, heads bowed in silent prayer. So it was that the four men entered through the two vast wooden doors, standing out somewhat with their bald heads and long dark beards. Each of them wore a long black robe, covering their bodies, arms, and legs. Slowly and silently, they made their way to each corner of the Church, pretending to show interest in the murals and teachings of Our Lord scattered across the walls.

Behind the Leipsbergen Cathedral was a lower building, lacking the spires and huge windows, but just as famous. The Holy School of St Markus was one of the largest public schools in the country, and took in pupils from anyone who could afford the extortionate tuition fees. There were plenty that could all the same, and St Markus was home to over four hundred children under the age of sixteen, all taught the basics of education alongside traditional religious works. The side nearest the Church was for the pre-teens, and young boys happily chased each other around the playground, kicking footballs, and larking about. The girls stood separately, as the rules dictated, chatting, giggling, and playing hop-scotch or jump-rope.

The explosion came without any warning. The devices detonated simultaneously at 10:11 am, one in each corner of the huge building. Each device may only have weighed about forty pounds, but since the dying act of each of the four suicide bombers was to throw themselves at the corners of the building, the forty pounds of high explosives caused devastating results. Everyone inside was killed almost instantly, either from the overpressure, the fireball, or flying shrapnel. The huge glass windows shattered outwards, covering passers by with razor sharp fragments, scything down those unlucky enough to be too close. But the worst was yet to come. The blast weakened the old stonework just too much. The walls collapsed, starting in one corner, but then dragged down by the sheer weight of the roof. With one final insult, the huge twin spires at the front of the Church began a precarious lean towards the School building, and with an almost graceful slowness, collapsed, crushing the building, causing it to disappear in a cloud of dust.

As the huge dust cloud began to settle, sound returned to those lucky enough to survive unscathed. The sounds of burning fires, screaming people, and those too hurt even to scream, who managed just a soft groaning, filled the air. Husbands knelt over fallen wives, mothers over fallen children. Blood ran down the ruined steps and out onto the plaza in front of the ruined building, giving the impression that the building itself was bleeding. Still worse was the situation in St Markus’ playground. The spires had fallen across the middle of the vast space, and then slammed into the old building, sparking off fires ad explosions from the gas pipes. Children wandered around in a daze, looking at the pile of rubble where once had stood their school, their home, and their friends. The first blow had been struck.


<Al Jazeera Islamic Broadcasting, one hour later>

The video, shown on televisions across the country, showed a tall well built man with a bushy dark beard and turban, staring silently into the camera. “One hour ago, freedom fighters of the Al Zaigreba struck a blow against the Zionist oppression of Muslims in Lassitern. This is only the first act in the saga. These attacks will continue until we are given what the oppressed Lassitern Muslims deserve. Once the King and his cowardly government allow us our own Sharia legal system, then we will rest”. The video cut to black, and so it was that the Royal Guard had their targets. Al Zaigreba.


<Leipsbergen, bomb site>

The emergency services were here now, desperately trying to tackle the fires engulfing the rubble of the Church and school. A lucky handful of survivors were pulled free, but the fires continued to force the rescuers back until they could be brought under complete control. Even so the bravest, or most foolish, depending on your position, of the firefighters and onlookers repeatedly ran back into the burning school, carrying out wounded and stunned children. From the number of small black body bags lined up along one corner of the plaza, it was clear that this was an utter barbaric tragedy.

<Government Response, fifteen minutes later>

“Good people of Lassitern. As many of you will no doubt have heard, there were four explosions at the Cathedral of Lassitern in Leipsbergen a little over an hour ago. I can now confirm that the building has been destroyed, and that the explosions also heavily damaged the Holy School of St Markus. The casualty count is unknown, but will be high, and will include children.”

“Many of you will be asking how this could be allowed to happen. I should know, I am one of those asking that exact same question. Rest assured, we shall find those responsible, their friends, and their families. We will avenge the deaths of those children, those women, those brave Lassitern men. We will not rest until justice has been served”


<LBC Lunchtime News Report, this present time>

The small old television set in the corner of the farmhouse blared out generic noise, before the news jingle cut in, and the most watched program of the past few days began.

“In response to the terrorist actions in Leipsbergen two days ago, the King has ordered massive investigations by the Police, the SCID, and the Royal Guard. Assisted by the military, we have now learnt of vast developments in this terrible story.

The picture changes from the studio to a large old building, set in open land just south of the Capital. Police vans surround the front, and armed officers patrol the grounds. At the windows can be seen forensic crime scene investigators and explosives experts.

“The Police force today carried out a series of raids across the country, targeting Islamic schools believed to be involved in the teaching and grooming of extremists like those who killed hundreds of innocent women and children in their horrific attacks on the Cathedral of Lassitern two days ago”

The images cut to a Mosque in Jarlsten, where policemen manhandle Muslim students and even a cleric, pushing them out of the building, and bundling them all together into white vans, which promptly sped off towards the local police station.

“This has sparked a series of protests from local Muslims, who maintain that they are being persecuted and singled out for violence despite their innocence. The Muslim Council of Lassitern has condemned the attacks, and maintains that whilst a Sharia state would allow their followers to better adjust to life here, they must not go so far as to kill children in cold blood”

The final picture shows one of the protests. Nearly three hundred young men and boys are heard chanting anti-Christian and anti-Government messages, and signs waved in the background praise the bombers and glorify the images of the bleeding Church.

“Karl Ruhr, LBC News”

The broadcast returns to the studio, where the anchor appears to be receiving a news update through his headpiece.

“It would appear that the King has another statement to make. We go live now to the Palace”

The picture cuts again, keeping the producer busy. The King stands tall and proud in his full ceremonial dress, flanked by Royal Guardsmen bearing the huge two-handed axes that were their traditional weapons, but the keen observer could spot automatic weapons slung over their backs, and pistols in holsters on their thighs.

"People of Lassitern. It is on this day that we shall have our revenge. We have leads on those responsible for the atrocities of two days ago. They will be sheltered by Muslims, praised and respected by communities who wish to destroy our way of life. This will not be allowed to happen. As I speak to you now, agents of the SCID and the Royal Guard are making further raids, and we will be shutting down any communities that praise those bombers."

There is a knock at the door of the farmhouse. Inside, the man turned to look at his wife, worry spreading across her face. She left the room, rushing to the two children in their bedrooms.

"On this day, which shall be remembered in history as the day the fight back began, we will no longer live in fear. Fear shall be brought to those who wish to destroy our way of life"

Another knock echoes through the house, and the man turns, walking towards the door. With a loud *[i]KRAK*, the door flies open, and armed men burst into the house. The man drops to his knees, pleading with the men, when hears men rushing upstairs. He leaps to his feet in an attempt to stop them, only to be shot in the knee, and collapse, screaming. His wife and children are dragged in before him, and forced to their knees, guns held to their heads.

“Our retribution will swift, and the Lord will forgive us for these necessary sins. In the name of the Father…”

*BANG*

“…the Son…

*BANG*

…and the Holy Spirit. Amen

*BANG*

“Fear not. Our justice is swift, and deadly. This country will have its vengeance”

*BANG*

The Muslim Council’s leader collapsed to the floor, the side of his head blown away by the last round, and soon his blood mixed with that of his family, dead next to him. The Royal Guard swept for bullet casings and withdrew from the house. Their Jeep had just gotten to the end of the drive when the white-phosphorus grenades detonated, turning the wooden house into a towering inferno.

OOC: Playing as Kornosia---still cant log in...


The news of the killing came as a not so unexpected twist to the Kornosian people. through thier lives they have experienced two killings in the name of a church. From the First Civil war between the Military and the Government. The Church needed to show its face and kill thousands on both sides so that the fighting would end. And the second time when the people lost faith in them, and the church needed to show that it still had a hold on the people.

And from that came the KLA or Kornosian Liberation Army. A militant group that operates to disrupt and destroy the control of the Church from the hands of the Military and the Government.

But They fair little against the Chruchs Militant Alchemist. who slaughter them by the thousand in each engagment.

But now they see that they can not operate with in the Borders of Kornosia. Eversense the Military became the chruchs pets the people have been forced into daily giving to the church and must kill the first born son to offer thier blood to them three Patriarchs.

But this day the KLA was watching and saw a way they could help another out of thier blight. The message was sent...


Encrypted message...

Sent to: Resistance
From KLA

We see your fight on the news but we must say that your tactics are nothing more then destructive on both ends. Atleast with our ways youcan save the hard work of the people and get what you want. And I dont know what your religion brings you and teaches you. But if you want we have a method that kill with out bullets or explosives.

Please think it over "





With the letter sent the KLA gave a chance for the Church to find them so they had to be careful.....

<Encrypted Transmission>
To: KLA
From: Mohammed al-Zaigreb

Sirs,

We are always welcoming to those who wish to help our cause. We must fight, and any additional methodology you wish to offer us to help in our struggle to end this murderous oppression is graciously recieved.

I shall listen to your offer.

Mohammed al-Zaigreb
Prophet of al-Zaigreba

The KLA leadership was over joyed to hear that they would accept thier help. The leader of the KLA, a Hemophage and member of the Talo Cult decided to arrange to meeting. They where an unknown group and still may be a threat if unwatched. The Church relied on War-Alchemist to attack and kill. The KLA had started to learn Alchemy as well. And with this new knowlage they could help other escape thier torment as well.

The letter was sent back this time by Snail mail as it would give the KLA leadership time to prepare for what they said they would do. The days that followed where spent gathering food and money for the expenses it would incure to help the resistance in Lassitern.

" Are your sure that you are ready for this Markus?" asked one of the KLA leadership as he watched his commander finish the tattos on his hands. The starnge circles that he made looked almost fake and made by a crackhead, but the power it gave him.... at the exspense of his own lifeforce.

" Yes, this is something that must be done. Besides my life is short becuase of my Hemophilia declons illness. So what little life I may have left needs to be spent doing whats right." said Markus as he tried out the tattoos. Markus touched a rock and concentrated. soon the rock was ingulfed by lightning and a bright light. And the rock turned to a small statue of his mother. Markus smiled and almost collapsed. the strin was much but he had finished what he wanted.

" Tell them we are ready."Said Markus

<Danzig, Lassitern>

Police Commissioner Tobias Rauter paused to hold the door open for a particularly pretty young policewoman, Making sure she had to squeeze to get past his ample frame, his eyes were transfixed on that perfect little body.

He carried on out the door of the recently refurbished National Police Headquarters, pausing to breath in the fresh smog filled city air, sucking in diesel and petrol fumes. "Ah, good to get some fresh air" he said, laughing to himself at his own 'joke'. Glancing at his watch, he noticed he had missed his train home, so there was no real rush to get to the station. Looking around, he spotted a nice looking brunette heading vaguely towards the distant station, and waddled off after her, and dirty smirk on his face.

Rauter was so fixated on the brunette, he didn't notice a battered red Nissan sedan pull up alongside him, crawling along the curb. Shame. Three sawn-off Ak-47s, even with shortened barrels, and no stock, still couldn't miss with every round from only five feet away. In fact, nearly thirty rounds hit him at almost point blank range. The rest sprayed the front of the NPHQ at random, smashing glass, and injuring more officers inside. The car sped off and vanished around a corner before anyone could even react. Rauter, or what was left of him, lay in a crumpled heap on the pavement surrounded by an ever growing crowd of gawping onlookers.

It was two hours before the first picture arrived, but within six hours of the killing, pictures of Rauter's body had been emailed to almost everyone in the Police and the Government, as well as newspapers, television shows, and major religious figures. The message was clear enough.

"For every-one of our brave soldiers you kill, another big-shot figure will die. You will run-out long before we do"

OOC: I hope you don't mind me getting in on this. If there's a problem, let me know.

IC:
High Council Building, Beta Aurigae City 0500 hours

In the uncertain predawn light, the vast expanse that was the capital of Beta Aurigae seemed to almost glow with an aura of peace. In the High Council building, the figure of the High Councilor could be seen staring out over the city waiting for the sunrise.

Behind him in his office, news reports from hundreds of nations played without sound. The first few rays of sun were finally breaking over the horizon moving slowly up the building as though a curtain was opening. As the light passed through his window, Kisharn turned and walked to his desk. As he sat down, he happened to glance at the newsfeeds across the room.

One man shot here, another kidnapped, a woman assaulted in the streets of some misbegotten country. Shaking his head in disgust, Kisharn glanced at the clock on his desk, Five in the morning, he thought. Excellent, I can still tune into the news from Lassitern. He had been watching their news regularly for the past few months mostly because they had things to report that were more upbeat than most nations. The reporters also had a certain flair about their reporting that he found enjoyable. So, looking forward to all of these things, he pressed a few buttons on his desk and the wall of TV's changed over to a gigantic picture of the Lassitern Lunchtime News Report now accompanied with sound.

As the picture changed over the the news reporter, Kisharn leaned back in his chair to watch.

“In response to the terrorist actions in Leipsbergen two days ago, the King has ordered massive investigations by the Police, the SCID, and the Royal Guard. Assisted by the military, we have now learnt of vast developments in this terrible story.

The picture changes from the studio to a large old building, set in open land just south of the Capital. Police vans surround the front, and armed officers patrol the grounds. At the windows can be seen forensic crime scene investigators and explosives experts.

“The Police force today carried out a series of raids across the country, targeting Islamic schools believed to be involved in the teaching and grooming of extremists like those who killed hundreds of innocent women and children in their horrific attacks on the Cathedral of Lassitern two days ago”

The images cut to a Mosque in Jarlsten, where policemen manhandle Muslim students and even a cleric, pushing them out of the building, and bundling them all together into white vans, which promptly sped off towards the local police station.

“This has sparked a series of protests from local Muslims, who maintain that they are being persecuted and singled out for violence despite their innocence. The Muslim Council of Lassitern has condemned the attacks, and maintains that whilst a Sharia state would allow their followers to better adjust to life here, they must not go so far as to kill children in cold blood”

The final picture shows one of the protests. Nearly three hundred young men and boys are heard chanting anti-Christian and anti-Government messages, and signs waved in the background praise the bombers and glorify the images of the bleeding Church.

“Karl Ruhr, LBC News”

By this point, Kisharn was already reaching around for the button on his desk that summoned the rest of the council into session. He found it just as the screen switched over yet again.

“It would appear that the King has another statement to make. We go live now to the Palace”

"People of Lassitern. It is on this day that we shall have our revenge. We have leads on those responsible for the atrocities of two days ago. They will be sheltered by Muslims, praised and respected by communities who wish to destroy our way of life. This will not be allowed to happen. As I speak to you now, agents of the SCID and the Royal Guard are making further raids, and we will be shutting down any communities that praise those bombers. On this day, which shall be remembered in history as the day the fight back began, we will no longer live in fear. Fear shall be brought to those who wish to destroy our way of life Our retribution will swift, and the Lord will forgive us for these necessary sins. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Fear not. Our justice is swift, and deadly. This country will have its vengeance”

He only managed the first part of the King's speech as his telephone wah suddenly alight with phone calls. Minimizing the Lassitern News and muting it, Kisharn activated the video conferencing mode and the screens were filled with the bleary eyed faces of the council members.

"Fellow Councilors," he began, "I am sorry to bother you at such an early hour but a situation has arisen that I think we should look into. I am sending you the taped version of the events now. Take some time and review them, we will discuss this matter further when the Council convenes in two hours."

One by one, the councilors faces dissappeared from the screens in front of Kisharn. The terrorist story was over by this point so Kisharn turned it off, he wasn't in the mood for the news anymore.

High Council Chamber, Beta Aurigae City 0800 hours

The council was finally assembled and looking at each of the councilors in turn, Kisharn saw the same grim look that he himself wore. Standing up, he addressed them, "You have all viewed the news report of the incident in Lassitern. It is my personal feeling that it would be the least that we could do to send money and supplies to the government to distribute as needed. I am however open to other suggestions."

Kisharn resumed his seat and asked each councilor in for their opinion of the matter. About half of them wanted to send in troops as well as other supplies while the other half advocated to do nothing at all. Debate ensued and for hours they argued.

Four hours nine minutes and twelve seconds later

Kisharn was at his wit's end, all this debate and nothing was getting accomplished. Therefore, he called for silence which he marginally got and then proposed the item to come up for vote. The vote count was fifteen in favor of helping and ten against helping. With that matter settled, they moved on to more pressing issues.

"Since the decision was far from a walk away vote," said Kisharn, "I propose a compromise. We shall offer monetary aid only right away and we will extend the offer of sending a few special operations squads along to help with certain issues."

There was a murmur of agreement around the chamber. As the councilors recessed to wait for Lassitern to answer.

IC Secret:


To: King Harald VI
From: The High Council of Beta Aurigae
Subject: Aid

Your Excellency, your terrorist problem has come to our attention and we wish to help in any way that we can. Therefore, we will send aid in the form of money and supplies to help with the rebuilding process. Also, if you wish, we can provide you with a few of our anti-terrorist squads to assist in surgical strikes against the terrorists. Please let us know as soon as possible, you have our deepest sympathies.

Signed,
The High Council of Beta Aurigae

<Encrypted Transmission>
To: The High Council of Beta Aurigae
From: King Harald VI

Sirs,

I personally extend my thanks to you for your support in our time of need. Any aid you wish to offer, be it monetary, supply, or armed intevention, is welcome. Please note that any troops sent to this country will be expected to abide by our laws and traditions, an official copy of which is attached.

Yours gratefully,

King Harald VI

OCC: If my getting involved is a problem, let me know.

IC:

Of course, Royal satallites picked up these broadcasts. Royal officials had been monitoring the situation since it had begun. It was rumored that the Chief of Naval operations had even visited the magnificent church once...

All nonsense aside, eventually the news reached Chancellor Alexander, who immediately recognized it as an oportunity to not only please the military, but the senate as well. His armed forces were itching for a fight, and the Senate was growing bored with international politics, The ASRC's reputation as a good guy was rapidly fading away. This would be their chance to renew their status in the international community.

With the 1st and 3rd Royal Armies on standby 24/7 due to the situation in the Artereus Islands, as well as the 6th and 7th Air Forces, and on top of that for naval battle groups, men and materials would not be in short supply. Rapid air-deployment forces were already gearing up to ship out. Battle Group Alpha has also been ordered to return to the overseas port, Fort Roxdale, to refuel and rearm.

All over the world, Royal Military personnel were put on alert, and the planes of the 512th Tactical Deployment Air Wing took to the skies, with 7,000 soldiers of the 31st Airborne.

While the planes were taxiing, Royal Officials made a closed telegram to Lassitern

"Honorable Representatives of Lassitern,
We of the Allied States of the Royal Code feel heartfelt sorrow for the loss of life and structure in the recent terrorist attacks. In response, the 31st Airborne Regiment has been sent to your nation to aid in your forgien attack. We will keep them on station in your territory until it is time to deploy to attack the source of the terrorist activity.

-Sincerely,
Sky Marshal Hines, 6th Air Force"

Bump?

Unlike the other nations,Usea was more focused on there home.Yet a somber message from the nation of Lassitern.

USN News
The Beloved Sage and Advisor of Ritual Saint Ark Mealodin IV was struck during the attack in there country.The Sage was Turing on a goodwill mission to learn about the religions of the world when he detoured to see the Grand Leipsbergen Cathedral,a site close to his heart.He was in the Church with two Usean Advisors,all three are not with us.His remains will be sent to his home in St.Ark,Named for the Asendant of the Slain Sage.The Usean Government had no reply as of this moment,yet SSu Mikoyan send's his condolences to the Sages Family and the Families of the other Victims of this incident.

<Encrypted Transmission>
To: The High Council of Beta Aurigae
From: King Harald VI

Sirs,

I personally extend my thanks to you for your support in our time of need. Any aid you wish to offer, be it monetary, supply, or armed intevention, is welcome. Please note that any troops sent to this country will be expected to abide by our laws and traditions, an official copy of which is attached.

Yours gratefully,

King Harald VI

High Council Chamebr, Beta Aurigae City 2100 Hours

The feeling throughout the High Council Building had become subued throughout the day as news of the tragedy in Lassitern spread. It had expanded so far beyond the confines of the building that the story was now on the national news. Finally, after many hours of waiting the word from Lassitern had come through. The council had reconvened and was working to tender a response as they read through the files that Lassitern had sent. The joint heads of the army and airforce had also been summoned to the meeting to provide their input on troop numbers and support.

After reading through the information, Field Marshall John Anderson turned to his counterpart, Marshall of the Airforce Martin Kingston, and said, "What do you think Martin? Three squads with sufficient air support, say two Goliath's to get them there along with three Komodoensis' and three Trimersurus' for support," he asked looking questioningly at Kingston.

"That sounds about right to me John, we should have no problem sparing the equipment and insertion should be no problem once we have a location for them."

"Well gentlemen," came a voice from behind them.

Turning quickly, Anderson responded, "Three squads with sufficient air support should be all we need for sure sir. Just in case, we'll keep another squad on standby here at home."

"Good, I'll draft a response to the King, meanwhile you have permission to assemble your teams and get them in the air."

"Yessir," the two men resonded in unison. They saluted and left the room, leaving Kisharn and the rest of the Council to send a response to the King.

IC Secret:

To: King Harald VI
From: The High Council of Beta Aurigae
Subject: Aid

Your Excellency, we appreciate the speed in which you rendered your last response. We are now coming back to you with the exact details of our force numbers and what we need from you. First of all, we will be sending three squads of ten men. In addition, they will be supported by three troop transport helicopters and three light combat helicopters. They will be arriving aboard two heavy transport aircraft, we require a landing field for these (an airport will be sufficient for the initial landing) and housing once they have arrived in your country. You can expect their arrival approximately twenty hours from recieving this messege.

Signed,
The High Council of Beta Aurigae

Fort Williamson Airfield and Military Base, Beta Aurigae 2245 Hours

The call had gone out earlier that night and now the squad members kissed their loved ones goodbye and walked up the ramp onto the waiting Goliath transports. Just then, the akward silence of the night was punctuated by the high pitched whine of the massive turboprops as the ramp closed completely. When the onlookers had retreated to a safe dsitance, the two massive transports taxied down the runway and disappeared into the night sky, their running lights the only sign of their prescence.

It was a sunny evening in the presidential palace as President Ramzan Urmev's aids were preparing for his diplomatic trip to the UPEO conference. He was looking over some reports in his office when an aid knocked on the door.

"Come in" spoke the 6'2" tall man in his 60's.

An aid walked into the room with an intelligence report in his hand. He handed it to the president and left the room. Urmev's eyes widened as he skimmed the document containing new reports, pictures, and a secure data chip. The news of the church bombing did not trouble him too much, half the planet was going to hell on a fast train and Groznyj had larger issues of its own. What took his attention however, was the Lassitern governments response to this crisis. Urmev was shocked that government had started a blood campaign against the entire Islamic population of the country, ruthlessly slaughtering any it thought may have any remote connection to the bombing. Being muslim himself and Islam being the dominant religion of his nation, Urmev couldn't help but feel enraged at Lassitern's response. It wasn't just the fact that they had initiated an anti-Islamic campaign, but also the blatant violations of personal rights and freedom, and the killing of people that the GIA had deemed "not connected or relevant to the bombings".

However he had no time to handle this situation with his full attention; he already had a obligations elsewhere. He pushed a button on his desk,

"Laura, I want you to arrange an emergency meeting of my cabinet by tonight"

"Right away Mr. President."

Most of the cabinet was at the meeting that night, the others were out in remote areas of the country and could not come. For those present however, all agreed that there had to be some response to this foreign crisis.

"Ibrahim-" said Urmev to his Secretary of State, "I am putting you in control of this situation until I return from my trip. I want it handled to the best of your ability and I give you authorization to do what ever you need to ensure justice remains..although I urge you not to pursue military action unless there is no other alternative. Do you understand?"

"Fully sir."

"Good"

Later in the night Urmev transcribed a messege to the Lassitern Government:

encrypted transmission

To: The honorable King of Lassitern
From: President Ramzan Urmev of the Republic of Groznyj

Good king, I do not know you further than your involvment in the current wargames we are both engaged in. However your present crisis is of great concern and interest to me. You have my sympathies for the barbaric bombings and I hope that the perpetrators are brough to justice. However, I do wish to stress that the actions your government has taken against the Islamic population of Lassitern is utterly unacceptable. You are commiting grevious crimes against an entire religious population in your nation and helping to incite further violence and separation between religious groups.

Please change your condemnable course of action or The Republic of Groznyj will be forced to intervene on behalf of the innocent.

-signed Ramzan Urmev,
President of the Republic of Groznyj

<Encrypted Transmission>
To: Sky Marshall Hines, The Royal Code
From: King Harald VI

I extend my thanks to yourself and your government for offering your assistance in this time of struggle and internal battles. RAC Lindenberg, our third largest airbase, is being devoted to the deployment of foreign troops to our country. With additional tents, the 31st Ariborne should easily be accomodated. Feel free to use our ground equipment and facilities to ease your time in country. As soon as we get a target, we will pass the information on to commanders of all forces to co-ordinate a strike.

Regards,

King Harald VI

<End Transmission>


<Encrypted Transmission>
To: The High Council of Beta Aurigae VII
From: King Harald VI

We have opened up RAC Lindenburg for use as a staging post for any international troops being sent to serve in our nation against the threat of al Zaigreba. Since your deployment is far smaller than others, they will be far more efficiently housed. I have ordered one barracks building near some of the less use hangars emptied. It, and those hangars and any equipment required, are yours.

Once again, many thanks for your aid in this time of need.

Regards,

King Harald VI

<End Transmission>


<Encrypted Transmission>
To: Ramzan Urmev
From: Foreign Secretary Ursula Kohler.

The King is currently too involved in running his country the way he knows how to respond to your thinly veiled threat. Suffice to say, his answer is thus. He will deal with these terrorist scum the way he knows how. The way that works. The Alemmani way.

Ursula Kohler

<End Transmission>


<Royal Broadcast>

The King is standing next to a desk in a non-descript office. It is clearly not his own Throne Room, or indeed, any of the immediately recognisable offices in the Palace. He turns, and staring straight at the camera, starts talking.

"Tobias Rauter was, for all his faults, a good friend to myself and this country. He was a respected lawkeeper, and a damned fine policeman. Those of you out there responsible for his barbaric execution will learn, even if we have to beat it into you. Your threats mean nothing to us. We are stronger than you, and we always will be. By Royal Decree, all Muslims must now register with their local Council office within two months. Failrue to do so will lead to a two-thousand mark fine, and possible imprisonment. Mosques and Islamic Schools must apply for an Approved Obscure Religious Centre licence, or face being closed down, and pulled down, with no compensation to their owners."

"To those directly responsible for the killings. We are coming for you. We know who you are. We know where you live, and we know what your families look like. You have chosen the wrong people to try and intimidate. You have awoken the proverbial sleeping giant."

"In fact, you may have noticed, but one of your members is missing. Next time you use a car for a public assassination, try covering the plates up. Your driver didn't, and we found him."

The shot pulls back, and a young man is kneeling on the floor next to the King, his hands bound, head hooded. The King stares silently into the camera before drawing his side-arm, and pumping five rounds into the mans chest at near point-blank range.

"Remember, we're coming for you"

The president read the messege just as he was about to board the plane. His face grew grim as he read it and he spoke to his Sec. of State.

"Ibrahim I don't like how they are dealing with this situation.." the president re-read a line in the letter and scoffed, "A thinly veiled threat? Ah it's this kind of political arrogance I hate so much. Anyway,"-he looked at his watch,"I don't have time to deal with this. This scenario is now in your hands. Good luck."

"I assure you sir I will handle it."

"And I don't doubt you. Good bye" - The president then left the palace in his limo to Farbanti international. Ibrahim Karachay turned to set about the work that lay upon him. His first order of business was to offer political asylum to those who felt the persecution in their home country was too dangerous for them and their families. The nation had supplies to accomodate quite a few million people so it wouldn't be an inconvenience for the nation. Plus there were many charity and humane foundations which would take up the call to aid any and all.

<encrypted transmission>
To: Foreign Secretary Ursula Kohler
From: Secretary of State Ibrahim Karachay

Groznyj opens its arms in empathy to those poor people who must feel the brunt of the ill-focused rage on behalf of your government. I will offer refugee status to the muslims in your nation that you persecute. I ask that your nation not hamper our attempts at foreign aid. All individuals will be processed and ID'ed and will undergo a background check to determine if they have any involvement in terrorist activities. Those we deem possible threats will be labeled accordingly and promptly sent back to your border for whatever 'justice' you wish to deal out.

Also, my government has no reason to pursue military action against your nation and as such I find your accusation of my president making 'threats' a childish and ignorant insult.

signed, Ibrahim Karackay,
Secretary of State

<Encrypted Transmission>
To: Secretary of State Ibrahim Karachay
From: Foreign Secretary Ursula Kohler.

It is good to see someone with some political sense acting on behlaf of your country. We will gladly allow those who wish to leave to do so, as we always have done. But those believed to be linked to this outbreak of cowardice and terrorism will be detained and dealt with accordingly.

Regards

Ursula Kohler.

The 31st Airborne's first aircraft had come within 500 miles of Lassitern. The squadron leader sent out a open-all channel message in the direction of the nearest Lassiternian radio post.

"Breaker breaker, this is ASAF 31st Airborne, flight 001, requesting permission to set down. Come on back. Over."

The 12 transports of this squad, and the three accompanying fighters, all waited for the response from air traffic control.

"Flight 001, if you look out your port wing, you'll see Jagfleugh Two-Nine, flight of four. They'll be your escort. GPS co-ordinates transmitting for the airfield, but you'd be best off following those fighters."

The four interceptors lit their burners and closed into a very tight fignertip formation in front of the lead ASAF aircraft, slowing dramatically, before starting a slow turn onto a heading to join the circuit at RAC Lindenberg.

There were four Dyellians who landed in Lassitern, claiming to be business people. There was really no reason to suspect otherwise unless someone had decided to examine the numbers on their cellphones...

They were of course, the Cheka, Dyellian Secret service. They carried no weapons, weapons were suspicious, but hoped they might be able to find some at this end, maybe.

"It's quite simple really." the four had gone and sat at a coffee bar. Far enough away from others not to be overheard. "We don't meddle, we just find out what's really going on."

The first speaker was the leader of the small group, he was a D'Reg, and looked Arabic. His name was Fadi, but were he to use that among middle eastern people, it would immediately identify him as a Christian, so for now he was Ali.

"Oh yes, quite simple." snorted the young woman on his left. Ethnically Dyellian, she was quite short, caucasian, slender with black hair and dark eyes. The fine Dyellian bone structure tended to make the women attractive and the men... somewhat effeminite looking, "Just a case of going out into the countryside and working out what's going on. You do know we're all going to get killed?"

"Quiet Lorna." the third was another Dyellian, a male, he carried the same black hair and dark eyes, "Nobody's going to get killed. Fadi, I presume before you were interrupled, you were going to outline the plan."

"Yes." he nodded, giving the woman an unpleasant look, "Thank you James. You will stay here, rent a flat and set up a Communications centre. Brendan..." that was the one who hadn't spoken, he was taller, with lighter coloured hair, "You will try to mix in with the criminal element and source us some weapons."

It was sensible, Brendan Mitchener was the only one of the four with any knowledge of unarmed combat.

"Lorna." the D'Reg continued, "You will set yourself up seperately in a hotel and let it be known that you are unofficially representing his Imperial Majesty the Emperor Pierre Soult's Government. I want you to mix with the big wigs, you're a pretty girl, there will be someone who will blab information."

"I will help James... until we get some weapons... then I will go out into the country and try to make contact and infiltrate these rebel cells."

-----

Over the next few days news would begin to leak that a Senior Dyellian diplomat was in town. Officially she was on a holiday, although unofficially the Dyellians wanted to talk to the Government. Dyelli Beybi was a large oil rich State. It had a reputation for infighting and for selling anything to anyone who was willing to pay, which included unscrupulous dealings with terrorist groups.

The others in the group kept a low profile, buying electronic gear from shops all over the city, while Brendan made very discreet inquiries as to how to locate the local mafia, if it existed.

With the first squadren landed, the rest of the 31st Airborne followed suit. 7,000 troops landed within the next couple days and began to establish a temporary headquarters in tent city. Needless to say, the skies were very busy for that period. The 6th Air Force would be kept busy for some time.

Meanwhile, the veteran Battle Group Alpha was only days away from Lassiternian waters. The fleet would stay on station near Lassitern until it was time to take offensive action against the terrorist homelands.

RAAF Flight 633, Approaching Lassitern Airspace 1830 hours

After almost twenty hours in the air, the Goliaths were finally on the home stretch into Lassitern. Now all they needed was the cooridnates of the airfield.

"I wish they would hurry up with the bearings of the airfiled," commmented the pilot to his partner. "We're getting a little low on fuel and I really need to get some sleep."

Just then, a vioce came over the radio, "Flight 633, this is control, we have the coordinates of the airfield. Over."

"Speak of the devil," the pilot muttered to himself as he responded, "This is 633, we copy. You can send the coordinates when ready. Over."

"Transmission commencing," the voice said.

"Confirmed," said the pilot, "but lets not cut it so close the next time guys."

"We try 633, control out."

Smiling to himself, the pilot glanced at the bearings. "Changing course five degrees west," he said to the copilot. "Radio ahead to the airfield and inform them of your imminent arrival."

"Aye sir. Lassitern control, this is RAAF Flight 633 requesting permission to set down. Over."

The Imperial Empire of Demon 666 is willing to provide elements of a Imperial Police for help against the Muslim scum.
The Empire has long experience in dealing with Muslims, and I belive that you will find our experience in'relocation'
highly useful.
Needless, we demand a small fee for our services.

<encrypted transmission>
To: Foreign Secretary Ursula Kohler
From: Secretary of State Ibrahim Karachay

First of all my government appreciates that you will not take such barbaric actions as barring refugees into my nation. Secondly, and to the true reason for this messege, I personally want to warn you that Demon 666 has a bloody history when it comes to muslims. They have violently purged them from their land by means of blood. They are rutheless and there men will be over eager to spill more Islamic blood. Do not expect them not to falsely accuse as many as they see fit. Do take heed of my warning. If you would like to know my grounds for this, Groznyj and Demon 666 have been involved in action in the past. Our leaders have dealt with each other in before.

signed, Ibrahim Karackay,
Secretary of State

Tenarius sipped at a cup of Earl Gray tea. Finishing it, he looked around him.
Casting an icy glare at his Foreign Secretary, he closed his eyes.
"So explain to me why you couldn't tell me a simplistic thing like the goddamned Groznyjians are in this thing."
"Sir, I received the news in my intelligence dossier, but I forgot to send it."
"I am highly aggravated with such news. You know better than to do that again."
The Foreign Secretary swallowed. A small, spectacled man, he knew what had happened to the last high minister who had really pissed off the Emperor.
"I understand, my Emperor."
"Good."
Tenarius got off his chair and strode off down the long hallway. He didn't like this. Deep in his heart, he knew a confrontation with Groznyj was perhaps inevitable, but he didn't think war was a good idea. He was confident that the Imperial Army could defeat Groznjy by itself, but Groznyj could count on allies more easily than he could, and the costs would be staggering. Only three hours, the head of Nicrohard, the premier Information Technology company of the Empire, had told him that a war would not be in the "commercial interests" of the Empire. And Tenarius had spent nearly his whole life working to make the Empire a economic power.
He would wait- for now. If Groznyj got all pissy about him sending men, well then events would happen

As General Hayden finished up the daily brief to his staff, he went back to his private tent.

After hearing the reports of the rising international tentions, he decided to write a personnal letter to the leader of Grozny.

"To the honorable leaders of Groznyj,

On the behalf of the Allied States of the Royal Code, we strongly urge you not to take hostile actions against Lassitern. With such an enormous military buildup from so many nations taking place, hostile action on their home ground would be disasterous. Not to mention the naval loses that would surely come suit.

We instead urge you to commit troops to offensive action against the terrorist cells. Bring your forces to Lassitern and join the buildup force, and we shall all deploy at once. None of us want to see the erradication of a religion, and it is up to gentlemen like ourselves to see that the war is fought professionally and honorably.

With the greatest regards,

-General Hayden, 1st and 3rd Royal Armies."

He scribbled his signature and folded up the paper. He slipped it inside an envelope, and walked across the row to his assistant's tent.

"Get this letter to Groznyj right away." Hayden said.
The assistant swivled in his chair, saw the general holding the envelope, and got up out of his seat to retrieve it. "Right away sir."

Hayden flagged down a passing humvee, and hopped in. "Find me Colonel Powers." he said to the driver.

A short ride later, they found the good Colonel in the midst of a artillery battery doing a routine firing calibration.

Hayden hopped out of the humvee and greeted Powers. "Mornin' Colonel." They exchanged salutes.

"Morning sir. Come to watch the show?"

"Actually i was looking for a status report. We ready?"

"For the most part sir." Powers replied, "Most of the mongooses* got a little shook up in transit, and need to be recalibrated. Should be done by tomorrow sir."

"Very good then. So i'm assuming the infantry and armor is ready?"

"Correct sir."

"Well then Colonel, i'll see you at chow."

*the mongoose is the primary 165mm all-purpose artillery gun of the Royal Army. Reference the link in sig for stats.

In his office Ibrahim Karachay read to himself a letter that an aid had hurriedly brought in moments before in an envelope reading: for your eyes only

The absolute last thing he wanted was war, more than that a war with the Empire of Demon 666. He thought to himself the advantages and disadvantages of both sides.

Groznyj had superior weight in numbers and was in good standing in the international community. The president was even off making new allies and friends in the international community at the UPEO conference of nations. But on the other side The Empire had resources far superior than what was available to Groznyj. While Urmev focused on making a peaceful and beautiful nation, Tenarius had spent all his energies making an economic monster out of his Empire.

He then thought about what would happen if war actually ensued.

If a war started Groznyj could confidently rely on its closest ally, West Corinthia; the two had always been good neighbors their people shared their heritage and considered each other cousins. After Groznyj's venture to help WC durring its civil war this bond had been set in stone. The only trouble, however, was that conflicts in WC weren't fully resolved and thus only limited reinforcement could be expected.

Perhaps Kahanistan could be summoned, but outside of its respectable reputation, Groznyj didn't have too much involvment in other nations to this point and thus other states couldn't be counted on to come to its aid.

Then an expression of surprise rushed across his face and he remembered the most significant thing in the Republic's favour.. GDI, the Global Defense Initiative which Groznyj quietly joined years before. Cofounded by two world powers; Questers and Hotdogs2, GDI is composed of a number of powerful nations like Craven, I.H., Zukariaa, the Stevidian Empire... the list went on and on with the names of heavy hitters. Perhaps not all would be involved but GDI would come to aid Groznyj.

Then he sensed something horrible. If Tenarius played his cards right durring a conflict and were able to recruit the Burnsian Desert against Groznyj then surely all hope was lost. The people would not let them sleves live under another oppressive government and would rather die than be someone elses colony.

No doubt about it. Karachay thought to himself.. There is no way that I can risk a massive military engagement. Until Ramzan returns it's going to be pure diplomacy.. and perhaps a little covert ops.

Broadwave to all involved in Lassitern incident:

The Republic of Groznyj has no inclination to begin a fullscale war as such would result in one so cataclysmic that many nations and many hundreds of millions of lives would be destroyed. Still I urge the government of Lassitern not to accept help from the Empire of Demon 666. For the time being Groznyj will not pursue military action.

<encrypted messege>

From S.S Ibrahim Karachay
To Lassiternian leadership

Before you make you decision i want you to consider the vast economic potential to be lost or gained the is on the table for your nation.

If Lassitern does accept help from Demon 666, then The Republic of Groznyj will place an embargo on all trade from Lassitern to Groznyj. Your foolishness will be advertised globally and perhaps not only leaders, but people around the world will learn of the arrogant and foolish government that is Lassitern.

If Lassitern decides not take heed of my government's warining, then highly valuable trade agreements and oppurtunities await. The Republic's economy has been on the rise for years and shows great promise. With vast stores of knowledge and technology Groznyj can help Lassitern move into the future and put the right foot forward to becomming a world power as her king has once stated in a public address.

Furthermore if Lassitern accepts there are more incentives. There is a massive arms industry in Groznyj and military surpluss is abound. We can work out a trade agree ment and help furnish your army and provide training in the arts of war.

Your next decision will be a pivitol one for the future of your nation. Short term arrogance or longterm economic prosperity. The choice I leave entirely up to you.

Ibrahim Karachay, Secretary of State,
Republic of Groznyj

<Radio Transmission>

"Flight 633, clear to land on any runways at RAC Lindenburg. Your hangars are situated on the northern side of the field. ground crews will show you to them, and your accomodation. Welcome to Lassitern"

<End Transmission>


<Encrypted Transmission>
To: Imperial Empire of Demon 666
From: King Harald VI

Sirs,

Thankyou for your offer of assistance. We have heard many things about your own effective controls over militant Islamic extremist, and they please us. Name your price, and we will debate whether we can afford it.

King Harald VI.

<End Transmission>


<Encrypted Transmission>
To: General Hayden, Royal Code Lattisern Deployment
From: LAFCC Intelligence Chief Klaus Ritter

General,

Attached you will find co-ordinates of a suspected terrorist training facility, as well as latest satellite and HUMINT gathered maps and photographs of the site. Under standard ROE, you are clear to engage and destroy that site with any conventional weapons at your disposal. LAFCC officials will accompany you int ehir own vehicles to ensure yoru authority is not challenged by civilians who do not recognise your forces.

Regards,

Klaus Ritter
Intelligence Chief, LAFCC.

<End Transmission>


<Encrypted Transmission>
To: Secretary of State Ibrahim Karachay
From: Foreign Minister Ursula Kohler

Sir,

Since you colleagues attempts at threats of physical war seemed to have failed, I take it you are now responsible to continue their threats, and even go so far as to attempt to bribe us not to deal with the people within our country who would blow up innocent women and children. You do not scare us, our people have faced far worse than you and survived. We do not need your inferior goods, nor your cowardice in face of trials. Do not threaten us again.

Minister Kohler.

<al Jazeera Lassitern Headquarters, outskirts of Danzig>

This building was responsible, in the governments eyes, for broadcasting propaganda and messages of treason to the more regular Muslim communities. They had repeatedly praised the bombers and assassins of al Zaigreba, and continued to show pictures of Lassitern casualties so far. Enough was enough. The time had come to shut it down, permanently.

The job had been handed over, strangely, to the Royal Air Corps. They had to perform a surgical strike to disable the broadcasting stations abilities for an indefinate amount of time. After days of planning, a solution was reached. Simple in its execution , it was the first deployment of military forces against civilians in Lassiterns troubled history.

The three ship formation of low-level supersonic A-9 Shrikes swept low across the plains, heading towards the large square shaped building and its surrounding transmitters. Each aircrafts' bomb bays snapped open, and munitions fell away. From two came two five-hundred pound TV-guided anti-surface missiles and two larger, almost surfboard shaped cruise missiles, with the other launching a single weapon thirty seconds behind the first.

The four anti-surface missiles instantly destroyed the main gate, secondary exit, guard hut, and power-stations with a loud boom and four smoky fireballs. The cruise missiles drifted over the transmitters and the car parks, spreading high-explosive one-pound fragmenting charges over both areas, wiping them out in a carpet of explosions.

But the key weapon was the third, much larger missile which ignited its rocket motor and climbed rapidly to over five-thousand feet, before turning over into a steep dive straight towards the top of the building. Inside, people were just picking themselves up off the floor when the tip of the three-thousand pound missile slammed through the ceiling. It was almost dead-centre in the building on its way down when its two-thousand pound thermium-nitrate warhead detonated. In the blink of an eye, a ten-storey office block disappeared. The explosion could be heard ten miles away on the other side of the city, and even shook the windows of the Royal Palace. All that remained of the building, its surrounding area, and its four-hundred strong workforce was a crater, and huge plumes of smoke.

<Radio Transmission>

"Flight 633, clear to land on any runways at RAC Lindenburg. Your hangars are situated on the northern side of the field. ground crews will show you to them, and your accomodation. Welcome to Lassitern"

<End Transmission>
RAAF Flight 633, Lassitern Airspace 1845 hours

"Thanks control, we are coming in on final approach now. Flight 633 out."

Spotting the runway lights ahead, the pilot lowered the landing gear and soon afterwards, the transport touched down and taxied down the runway. Its sister aircraft was close behind coming in only minutes later. After they were cleared by the ground crews to unload, the ramps slowly lowered and the squads walked out with their weapons ready. They may be on a friendly airforce base, but this was still classified as a combat zone.

After a quick scan of the area by the troops the commander spoke with a few of the ground crew about the location of the housing that had been set aside for them. The Lassiternians(?) pointed out a few buildings in the distance, and Lt. General Haven thanked then and signaled for the troops to unload the equipment.

RAC Lindenburg, Lassitern 2100 hours
The supplies were loaded aboard the helicopters and the squads were loading up as well when the Lassiternian airstrike commenced. At the first explosion, the troops immediatly dropped to one knee and switched to NVG mode on their weapons. Two more explosions punctuated the air and the ground shook beneath their feet. Still scanning, one of the squad spotted the first plumes of smoke from the blast sight. Pointing quickly, the rest of the squad stood up and moved towards their helicopter, there was nothing they could do about it now anyway. Minutes later, the helicopters took off and headed to their barracks arriving quickly and disembarking.

Once they landed, they saw a Lassiternian soldier waiting for them. Walking quickly over to him, Haven raised a hand in greeting. Without preamble he said, "I'm Lieutenant General Christopher Haven commander of the Aurigean troops in Lassitern. What the hell was that explosion about?"

<RAF Lindenburg>

Sergeant Karl Gruber swiftly saluted the Lieutenant General, before stand back at attention, and barking out the answer.

"Sir, that was a tactical strike against a known terrorist supporting agency, sir. It was felt that an example needed to be made to discourage further support for al Zaigreba. I have been asked to tell you that we have several targets in the pipeline, and you will be provided with information on them as soon as we can confirm the targets usig HUMINT. Would you like me to show you to your debriefing rooms and accomodation block sir?"

<RAF Lindenburg>

Sergeant Karl Gruber swiftly saluted the Lieutenant General, before stand back at attention, and barking out the answer.

"Sir, that was a tactical strike against a known terrorist supporting agency, sir. It was felt that an example needed to be made to discourage further support for al Zaigreba. I have been asked to tell you that we have several targets in the pipeline, and you will be provided with information on them as soon as we can confirm the targets usig HUMINT. Would you like me to show you to your debriefing rooms and accomodation block sir?"

"That would be excellent Sergeant and the name's Chris, we're a pretty tight knit group and rank doesn't really mean much with us. I don't really like the rank anyway, it makes me feel old," he said with a grin. "Lead the way. I would like to speak with the overall commader of the operation as soon as we're settled in to work out certain details. Oh and where is the base firing range? I have my men go through about 300 rounds per day to keep them in top shape."

Gruber moved to ease with a relieved look on his face, and his expression softened.

"Certainly si..., sorry, Chris. I'm Karl, by the way. Building's over this way, just past the hangar, the range is over the far side, so I'll get a couple of trucks rustled up and we'll head over in, say, half an hour. It's an Air Corps guy that runs the base, overall command of the operation is from LAFCCP, but thats a long way away. They're scheduling a swing-by from General Raden, the commander of the anti-terrorist task force, tomorrow."

He began to lead the men towards their block before turning again, and adding, with a smile:

"Mind if some of our guys join you on the range, show you all how to really shoot?"

Actually, in light of recent events, we are willing to provide them for free. However, you are responsible for logistics.

To: King Harald the VI
From: Emperor Reginald the Third

The Empire shall send 4000 of our secret police to aide in your struggle against these extremists, but they will be put under your nation’s command unto they are recalled by the Empire or you return them to our Empire. Do you accept?

Signed,
Emperor Reginald the Third

The young Secretary of State clenched his fists as he read the letter. Cowardly? They fucking called Groznyj..Cowardly? He was shocked at how his offer had gone over so badly with Lassitern officials. True it was at heart meant to bribe Lassitern away from accepting Demon 666 help, but it did offer significant advantages for Lassitern

That stupid sonofabitch... he still thinks we threatened violence against him! Ramzan never said that, it was just a misinterpretation. And I even cleared his name too and explained what he really meant. They just want to push us that's all.

Ibrahim looked up at the hallway's wall displaying a line of diseased generals. Then a thought came to him.

I'll show that small pisspot of a kingdom who to insult.

Urmev had given Krachay limited military authority.

He called Gen Farley on a secure line.

"Y'ello. Farley here."

"Degan, its the secretary of state"

"What's the news Ib?"

"You know where Lassitern is on the map?"

Farley switched the image screen on his desk to a world view and typed in Lassitern. In seconds the program zoomed into a small kingdom.

"Yy'ea, its a fair distance away."

"I want a full intelligence operation on that nation. Find out where every major building is, their customs, languages, national seal, security codes, everything."

"Uh... you sure you got that kind of clearance?"

"I have a document explaining what I can and cannot do, I'll show you when I get there and tell you why I'm having you do this"

"No problem. Will this lead to blood?" Farley asked in an unconcerned, somewhat hopeful inquiring voice.

".......maybe"

<encrypted transmission>
To: Foreign Secretary Ursula Kohler
From: Sec. of State, Ibrahim Karachay,

I will skip the formalities Kohler. You've done a damn good job at insulting not only me, but my president while he is away, and my nation. I want to sort out a few misunderstandings first.

Sir,

Since you colleagues attempts at threats of physical war seemed to have failed, I take it you are now responsible to continue their threats, and even go so far as to attempt to bribe us not to deal with the people within our country who would blow up innocent women and children. You do not scare us, our people have faced far worse than you and survived. We do not need your inferior goods, nor your cowardice in face of trials. Do not threaten us again.

Minister Kohler.

For one, President Urmev never, ever threatened war with your pathetic village. Secondly he is not my peer but my superior. Thirdly if you had been aware, only two men have communicated with you from our nation. The president and myself. Whoever "they" are I do not know. Although I can forgive this counting error on your part, so I've mailed a preschool math learning kit to your office. I hope it proves quite an aid to you.

Also I would like to ask when I have ever told you not to deal with the terrorists in your nation. Excuse my frankness but your stupidity, or more likely, ignorance-though I fear I am still overestimating you-has lead you to misread our pleades with you not to wrongfully persecute innocents, and offer to turn a cold shoulder to the Empire (saying nothing of the throngs of powerful nations flocking to your aid) as an order to not deal with your own people.

But.. I think you were right in one passage in your letter. You have faced worse than us. You are completely oblivious, and this makes me almost feel sorry for you, to the fact that the nation that could easily trample you simply by marching accross your soil, is asking politely and diplomatically for you to reconsider your previous errors. You were right. This will probably be the last time you see a nation so mindnumbingly patient

You, Minister, Are An Idiot.

Signed Ibrahim Karachay,
Sec. of State, Rep. of Groznyj

<Throne Room, Royal Palace, Danzig>

Minister Kohler waited in silence as the King read the latest transmission from Groznyi.

"Pathetic village? Calling our minister an idiot? That seems somewhat the actions of a man desperate to hide his own misgivings and faults, doesn't it minister?" he said, after what seemed an eternity.

Kohler relaxed, no longer fearing that she may be in trouble for causing frosty relations with those blatantly arrogant pimmelkopfen.

The King turned to look directly at Klaus Ritter, the most senior member of the Lassitern intelligence networks. "Ritter, find out more about this secretary of state. Find out where his family lives. Parents, cousins, distant relatives. I want the file on my desk in two days. If this situation goes south, I want to know where to hurt these people. While you're at it, I want information on security precautions for all their government figures, and HUMINT on the President's security details. They'll learn not to get involved where they aren't welcome."

Gruber moved to ease with a relieved look on his face, and his expression softened.

"Certainly si..., sorry, Chris. I'm Karl, by the way. Building's over this way, just past the hangar, the range is over the far side, so I'll get a couple of trucks rustled up and we'll head over in, say, half an hour. It's an Air Corps guy that runs the base, overall command of the operation is from LAFCCP, but thats a long way away. They're scheduling a swing-by from General Raden, the commander of the anti-terrorist task force, tomorrow."

He began to lead the men towards their block before turning again, and adding, with a smile:

"Mind if some of our guys join you on the range, show you all how to really shoot?"

"Excellent," replied Haven. "I look forward to meeting with him. Give us some time to unpack our gear and we'll meet you guys over there. We need to get a little bit of a run in anyway as we missed out on morning PT. Thirty minutes should be good though."

Turning to his teams, Haven said, "Get your gear inside and regroup outside in ten minutes with your weapons. We're going for a run and then to the range."

Then looking at Gruber he said, "The more the merrier, bring as many men as you want. We enjoy a challenge."

Karl smiled back at the officer, before snapping a smart salute, turning, and jogging off towards the range, speaking into his throat mike in Lassiternian as he went.

<Gunnery Range, RAC Lindenberg>

Srgt Gruber's range request was immediately authorised by the Duty Officer, and all the ranges were checked out and then set up for mass target shooting. The main range had four distance settings for each of the twenty four shooting positions, one for pistols, one for sub-machine guns, one for rifles and heavy machine guns, and one for sniper rifles. Two seperate ranges had moving targets that popped up from behind cover, and moved on hidden tracks to new positions. The secondary range was for explosive munitions training, for hand grenades, grenade launchers, and mortar teams, consisting of a number of hard targets that let off coloured smoke when hit with the dummy training rounds.

Gruber's own security squad assembled in the range armoury, gathering a variety of personal weapons, and weapons more suited to the explosives range. They then sat around, chatting amongst each other, waiting for their Aurigaen (?) counter-parts to arrive.

<Encrypted Transmission>
To: Secretary of State Ibrahim Karachay
From: Foreign Minister Ursula Kohler

Sir,

I am writing to officially inform you that we are hereby cutting off all diplomatic discussions with your antion, adn will not allow any Groznyian nationals in our country. We are also placing a ban on any Groznyian imports, and will instead be seeking aid from those you wish to discredit.

Minister Kohler,
Holy Kingdom of Lassitern.

<End Transmission>


<RAC Trenthaus, present day>

Trenthaus was the main weapons supply centre for several RAC airbases, including the international staging post at RAC Lindenberg. They held munitions that couldn't be safely stored on site. Guarded by five-hundred well armed RAC Regiment troops, several heavy armoured vehicles, and fixed gun emplacements, it consisted of four heavily fortified bunkers, three accomodations blocks, two guardhouses, and miles of razor wire.

It was, however, also located on the outskirts of Trenthaus, a small city in the Northern Hills, and as such, was regularly driven past by hundreds, if not thousands, of cars and trucks every day. Trucks like the two big fourty-tonne three axle jobs currently cruising past the main gate. Well, almost like them. Most trucks going past the gates weren't driven by al Zaigreba followers. Even fewer carried the same cargo as these two. They both screeched to a halt, causing several cars to rapidly swerve to avoid the stationary road blocks. The tyre smoke hadn't even cleared when the first RPG slammed into the gatehouse, or even when the second, third, and fourth almost simultaneously destroyed the Bär APC on gate-guard. Before the guards, reeling from the destruction of their gatehouse, could recover, 7.62-mm Ak-47 rounds spattered around them, scything down those out in the open, and forcing others into cover.

One truck started up, gunend its engine, and roared towards the heavy reinforced gates, which already weakened by the explosions, snapped off their hinges, leaving the armoury wide open to the Islamic warriors. They streamed through in the second truck, finishing off the guards without a single casualty, and setting up a defensive perimeter. Three white painted CB500 motorcycles screamed through the ruined gates next, tearing off across the open ground towards the low-lying barracks buildings. Bullets from those defenders alert enough smacked into bikes and riders, but nothing would stop these drug-fuelled martyrs. They rode at full pelt into the buildings, each detonating the explosives strapped to their bodies and bikes at the last possible moment. Three fireballs lit the night sky, clearly marking the damaged barracks for the mortar crews set up at the gates. Rounds began to fall all around the defenders, keeping up the momentum of the assault, not giving anyone a chance to regroup. The two trucks continued inwards, heading for the nearest bunker. Once there, they blow open the doors, and rushed inside, shooting down any that opposed them.

Private First Class Johan Stikler was one of those. He sprayed the blown open doorway with 9-mm rounds from his PD-3 machine pistol, watching as one of the attackers fell, clutching at his throat. He hardly even felt the first round nearly take his leg off, but the second, which blasted the gun from his hand, and left him without fingers two and three on his right hand, he really felt. Just before the next rounds took away what remained of his conciousness, his left hand found the panic alarm, and instantly, a silent alarm was triggered across the country.


<LAFCCP, Danzig>

*Alert, Alert, Code 19, Code 19* blared the PA system deep underground in the nerve centre of the Lassiternian military. Red symbols flashed on the vast wall mounted map, illuminating Trenthaus and its vital armoury. The response was instantaneous. The Code 19 call alerted every military unit capable of responding to do so, including the SpecFor detachment and its airborne support at RAC Lindenberg. Men and women rushed around, trying to piece together information for the commanders expected to deal with the situation at Trenthaus, whatever it may be.


<RAC Lindenberg>

Red strobe lights flashed around the base, and an alert klaxon rang out, causing several men at the range to start running full pelt towards the nearest vehicle, which then tore off towards a distant black painted hangar, which was clearly off limits to any of the bases visitors, heavily guarded by two IFVs and nearly two dozen heavily armed men.

The vehicle's horn blared as it roared in front of the Aurigaen troopers doing the daily PI routine, swerved violently, then settled back on its course towards the building.

To: King Harald the VI
From: Emperor Reginald the Third

The Empire shall send 4000 of our secret police to aide in your struggle against these extremists, but they will be put under your nation’s command unto they are recalled by the Empire or you return them to our Empire. Do you accept?

Signed,
Emperor Reginald the ThirdPlease respond.

<Encrypted Transmission>
To: Demon 666
From: Foreign Minister Ursula Kohler

Very well, we graciously accept your offer of help. The sooner you can assist the better, we currently have a major situation developing which may lead us into a full blown domestic conflict with al Zaigreba.

Minister Kohler.

<End Transmission>


<Encrypted Transmission>
To: Emperor Reginald the Third
From: King Harald VI

At this time we have plenty of investigative members of our own security forces, as well as 'secret police' assistance, so unless you wish to deploy them as a distinct entity for a specific purpose, we will have to graciously decline your offer.

My thanks for your support anyway,

King Harald VI

OOC: I.e, I'm not taking control of your secret police for you. You want in, RP it yourself. Properly.

The APCs crossed over the border, lights blinking on and off.
Inside each one were members of the Imperial Police. Each one was dressed almost totallty in black, with their embelm, a falcon, on their right shoulders.
Inside one of them, they paused to talk to each other as the APCs travelled on.
"So why are we going here?"
"You know the deal. What's left of the Muslim population is hiding in the mountains in the West, and the Emperor figured it's not worth it. But we are to cleanse the world of the Muslim place."
"Are we going to kill any Groznyj scum?"
"You know the orders. We're not going to fight them yet. And there probably aren't any in this country."
The APCs moved on, heading toward Trentheus.

<RAC Lindenberg>

Red strobe lights flashed around the base, and an alert klaxon rang out, causing several men at the range to start running full pelt towards the nearest vehicle, which then tore off towards a distant black painted hangar, which was clearly off limits to any of the bases visitors, heavily guarded by two IFVs and nearly two dozen heavily armed men.

The vehicle's horn blared as it roared in front of the Aurigaen troopers doing the daily PI routine, swerved violently, then settled back on its course towards the building.

The Aurigeans were halfway through their PT and right on schedule for the shooting range when the alarms went off. Stopping dead, the teams glanced around and at a look from Haven began to sprint back to the barracks. At one point they were almost run over by a truck but this only made them increase their pace.

Thank god we were close," thought Haven. They had opted for a few laps around the closer buildings rather than through the base. As they came into view of the barracks, he was relieved to notice that the helicopter crews were still getting their gear into the barracks. The teams arrived seconds later and formed up at attention.

"Alex, keep your team here and serve as tactical for this mission. Ed, Mark combat ready in five let's saddle up lads."

Nodding quickly, the teams went into the barracks. The helicopter pilots had been listening to the exchange and began to prepare their birds for take-off.

Glancing over at the hangars, Haven saw some Lassiternian men begin prepping their aircraft as well. At least we know who to follow, he thought to himself before ducking into the barracks himself to change into his ISS system.

Five minutes later, the teams assembled as promised and loaded up into a troop transport. They were just in time as the Lassiternian craft were already in the air and beginning to head to wherever the trouble was. The Aurigeans took off in fast pursuit, one transport and two light combat helicopters.

Oboard transport, Haven gestured to the pilot to give him a headset. Pulling it over his head and adjusting the pickup, he radioed the Lassiternian aircraft up ahead. "Lassiternian aircraft, this is Lt. General Christopher Haven commander of the Aurigean troops in Lassitern. We are following you to the emegency, can you patch me through to the commander on site?"

<Skies above RAC Lindenberg>

"Aurigaen aircraft, at this time we have no contact with the on site commander. If you can support Charlie in clearing and securing the gatehouse, we'll take the compromised bunker, and handle any hostiles inside the perimeter."

Four light attack helicopters flanked the transports as they raored at low-level across the tree tops, the distant lights and flames of Trenthaus visable on the horizon. As they neared the base, the formation split, with one helicopter, the Aurigaen transport, and an escorting attack helicopter broke off towards the al Zaigreba held gatehouse, whilst the three remaining ones veered towards the bunker currently being raided. Small arms fire filled the sky, troops on the ground firing at the incoming helos, and the attack helicopters responding with rockets and heavy machine gun fire. Battle was well and truly joined.

The APCs lumbered on in the night sky when they came to an abrupt stop.
The driver's intercom crackled on.
"I'm getting gunfire from Trenthesus area. You guys need to get out."
The Imperial Police quitely crept out of the APCs. There were as many as 500 of them.
The men set off quitely, battle rifles slung over their shoulders.

Ibrahim read the letter to the high standing men in his office. Two of them started laughing and the third sat with a stern look on his face. This man was the High-Admiral of the Groznian Republic Navy, Moggamed Uslanbek, a close friend of the president and a very influencial political figure.

"what's wrong Moggamed? afraid of the economic collapse of our nation?" sead the secretary of finance, half controlling a fit of laughter.

"Has he been informed?" said the quiet, hardened military figure. The room began to quiet down once again.

"you mean the president? Of course he has, I've sent out reports daily."

"Good then" he said and made a spire of his fingers against his mouth, deep in thought.

"Ya know Ibrahim, I'd think it would be more right for us to have placed an embargo on them and not the other way around." said the sec. of finance

"It won't matter anyway and what ever they do to there country I don't care anymore." the men noticed his voice grow stern and cold at the end of his sentence, they weren't aware of his foreign diplomatic frustrations. "I'll have a notice sent out, any refugee that wishes to return to their home can do so now. If not they can apply for citizenship, our role in this conflict is over-" the admiral shot a stair that seemed to hit Ibrahim between the eyes, the two other men noticed this confusedly, Our role is over is it kid? You politicians make me sick with your half-assed lies, "though..." Ibrahim tried to avert his eyes from the admiral, "I want an embargo placed on all Lassiternian trade goods."

"Pah, it isn't like we've ever done business with them in the past." said the other man.

Uslanbeck's eyes were now fixated on the floor once again, in deep thought. Ibrahim breathed a sigh of relief as he stood up, "Well that's settled then gentlemen" he said, and they all left the room, the admiral the first out.

<Skies above RAC Lindenberg>

"Aurigaen aircraft, at this time we have no contact with the on site commander. If you can support Charlie in clearing and securing the gatehouse, we'll take the compromised bunker, and handle any hostiles inside the perimeter."

"You heard the man, follow their helicopter. We'll rope out of the helicopter about two hundred yards from the gatehouse and go from there." The pilot nodded in understanding and veered off after the Lassiternian craft. About a minute later, small arms fire erupted from the ground as the terrorists attempted to take out the helicopter. Against Aurigean armor however, the AK's were obsolete. Round after troud spanged off the hull of the helicopter until they were silenced by the Trimersurus helicopter's rockets and heavy machine guns.

"LZ's clear sir."

Nodding, Haven turned to his troops. "Alright men out the back you know the drill."

One by one, the troops slid down the rope into the field and took up positions. When everyone was on the ground, the transport lifted away and would serve an aerial relay station.

The team leaders were in their element in the combat zone. Immediatly, they sent their long riflemen into cover positions and began to move the rest of the men towards the gates. Motioning for them to stop, Mark consulted his HUD and counted the enemies. He relayed the information back to the rest of the men, 35 terrorists against 16 of his men. He almost felt sorry for the terrorists.

"We are weapons free lads," he said into his throat mike. "Long rifles wait for my signal to attack."

A series of aknowledgements came back to him and the team ran the last hundred yards to the gatehouse. "Long rifles, fire at will." Seconds later, four shots rang out as now almost headless bodies fell to the ground. The rest of the men fired as they ran dropping almost half of the terrorists in the first exchange. More rifle fire rang out as the battle became close. Ed who was right in the thick of things turned put three rounds in the nearest terrorist head and spun just in time to see another killing him as well. The battle was nearly over ebfore it began, the terrorist were hopelessly overmatched and began to drop faster. One of Mark's team members was grazed in the arm by a bullet but was still firing. The last terrorist fell and the battle was over in about two minutes. Good guys 35, Terrorists 0.

OOC: Lassitern, you can RP your team's battle with the terrorists at the gate. I hope you don't mind me not taking any losses but in the open field against my guys, the terrorists don't stand a chance.