NationStates Jolt Archive

Rise of the Red Flower

Shortly after midnight, Lord Antoku Akabana’s female retainers eliminated the Singaporean leadership in a massive decapitation strike that paralysed both the state and military. As the country reeled from this initial blow, additional agents shut down the island nation’s tenuous water supply from neighbouring Malaysia, leaving the four and a half million inhabitants totally dependent on desalination plants powered by the nuclear power plant, and by the time suitably bribed workers succeeded in crashing the main electrical grid at around three in the morning, Singapore was effectively at Akabana’s mercy. Little encouragement was needed in these circumstances to persuade the military’s confused and leaderless conscripts to desert en masse later that morning, leaving their regular comrades to reach a swift accommodation with Singapore’s new master.

***

The small, solemn and disturbingly precocious eleven year-old had seemed harmless enough when he arrived in Singapore some years after the fall of Bonstock, accompanied by a pair of attractive Japanese girls in their mid teens, a small retinue of female servants, and a considerable fortune in gold bullion. With the economy in ruins and the regime an international pariah, Singapore’s leaders could not afford to be too selective when it came to potential investors, and with their tacit approval Akabana had soon acquired an impressive portfolio that expanded steadily in the subsequent months. By the summer of 2006 his corporate empire had grown to become Singapore’s second largest employer, a fact that did not unduly trouble the regime; after all, the projected re-establishment of Greater Bonstock required a sound financial basis, and if this bizarre child was willing to contribute toward their economic recovery then so much the better. Besides, as an exile from Imperial Japan the boy clearly had no love for the regime’s foreign opponents, and was in any case far too young to pose a political threat in the foreseeable future.

The regime was highly mistaken in that last assessment. Never the most trusting of individuals, Akabana had already decided that it was only a matter of time before the regime woke up to the undesirability of allowing an outsider to dominate the local economy, and having recognised that his small band of female shinobi* would be no match for a government backed up by thousands of hardened veterans, had resolved to strike first…

*Shinobi: alternative term for ninja

SHIREIKANATE OF AKABANIA

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/antoku/AMW%20Akabania/150x100flag.gif

Overview

Established following the overthrow of the Federal Republic of Singapore, the Shireikanate of Akabania is effectively the private demesne of its leader, Lord Antoku Akabana, who exercises total control through the military and the various subsidiaries of his Akabana Zaibatsu.

Geography

Situated on an island off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.

Land Area: 699 square kilometres.

Demographics

Population: 4.5 million

Languages: English (official)

Politics

Official Name: Shireikanate of Akabania

National Motto: The flowers of hell are fiery red

Capital: Shonan-kyo

Head of State: Shireikan Antoku Akabana

Head of Government: Shireikan Antoku Akabana

Executive: Lord Antoku Akabana, as head of the Akabana Zaibatsu and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, serves as chief of state with the title of Shireikan (literally ‘commanding officer’).

Legislative: Legislative authority rests with the Shireikan.

Judicial: Legal system is based on common law model, with justices appointed by the Shireikan for an unlimited term.

Economy

All facets of the local economy are dominated by subsidiaries of the Akabana Zaibatsu, and the conglomerate is directly or indirectly responsible for the employment of most of the local workforce.

Currency: Rin

Major Companies:

Akabana Bank (Akabana Ginko): financial services
Akabana Broadcasting Corp. (Akabana Hoso Kyokai): broadcasting, media services
Akabana Electric Industries (Akabana Denki Kogyo): electrical goods
Akabana Electric Power Co. (Akabana Denryoku): electricity (from nuclear plant)
Akabana Heavy Industries (Akabana Jukogyo): shipbuilding, armaments
Akabana Printing Co. (Akabana Insatsu): printing, publishing services

Military

Red Flower Defence Force (RFDF)

Conscription was abolished following the Akabana takeover, and the former Federal Armed Forces have since been comprehensively restructured into a smaller, professional service under the Shireikan’s personal control.

Order of Battle:

1st Brigade: 1x Armoured Regiment, 2x Infantry Battalion, 1x Signal Battalion, 1x Artillery Battalion, 1x Combat Engineer Battalion, 1x Air Defence Battalion
2nd Brigade:1x Armoured Regiment, 2x Infantry Battalion, 1x Signal Battalion, 1x Artillery Battalion, 1x Combat Engineer Battalion, 1x Air Defence Battalion
3rd Brigade:1x Armoured Regiment, 2x Infantry Battalion, 1x Signal Battalion, 1x Artillery Battalion, 1x Combat Engineer Battalion, 1x Air Defence Battalion
Special Forces Brigade: 1x Active Commando Battalion, 1x Reserve Commando Battalion, 2x Air Assault Battalion, 1x Naval Diving Unit, 1x Special Tactics and Rescue Unit

Submarine Squadron: I-1 (ex-Challenger), I-2 (ex-Conqueror), I-3 (ex-Centurion), I-4 (ex-Chieftain), I-5 (ex-Castrator), I-6 (ex-Champion)
1st Carrier Division: CVN-1 Aoi Sora (ex-Port Yuko II)
2nd Carrier Division: CVN-2 Grand Stream (ex-New Town, ex-Gustav Adolphus)
Frigate Squadron: FF-1 Formidable, FF-2 Imperator, FF-3 Dictator, FF-4 Overlord, FF-5 Warlord, FF-6 Supreme
Corvette Squadron: FS-1 Victory, FS-2 Valour, FS-3 Vigilance, FS-4 Valiant, FS-5 Vigour, FS-6 Vengeance
Gunboat Squadron: PC-1 Sea Wolf, PC-2 Sea Lion, PC-3 Sea Dragon, PC-4 Sea Tiger, PC-5 Sea Hawk, PC-6 Sea Scorpion
1st Patrol Squadron: PC-7 Fearless, PC-8 Brave, PC-9 Courageous, PC-10 Gallant, PC-11 Daring, PC-12 Dauntless
2nd Patrol Squadron: PC-13 Resilience, PC-14 Unity, PC-15 Sovereignty, PC-16 Justice, PC-17 Freedom, PC-18 Independence
Amphibious Squadron: LPD-1 Endurance, LPD-2 Resolution, LPD-3 Persistence, LPD-4 Endeavour
Mine Warfare Squadron: MM-1 Bedok, MM-2 Kallang, MM-3 Katong, MM-4 Punggol

1 Strike Squadron: 6 GX-2, 3 GX-5
2 Strike Squadron: 9 GX-2
3 Interceptor Squadron: 25 FRB-22
4 Interceptor Squadron: 24 Viggen
5 Interceptor Squadron: 24 Viggen
6 Interceptor Squadron: 24 Gripen
7 Interceptor Squadron: 24 Gripen
8 Interceptor/Training Squadron: 5 Viggen, 14 Gripen
9 Attack/Training Squadron: 18 Hawk 100
10 Attack/Training Squadron: 17 Hawk 100
11 AWACS Squadron: 4 707 AWACS
12 Maritime Patrol Squadron: 5 F50
13 Tanker/Transport Squadron: 8 707
14 VIP Transport Squadron: 4 F50
15 Transport Helicopter Squadron: 10 Super Puma
16 Transport Helicopter Squadron: 10 Super Puma
17 ASW Helicopter Squadron: 4 Super Puma
18 Light Attack /Training Helicopter Squadron: 10 Super Puma

Major Equipment:

Leopard 2A6 MBT: 450
AMX-10P: 24
AMX-10PAC90: 22
AMX-10RC: 22
V-200 Commando (RBS-70 Air Defence): 200
V-150 (RBS-70 Air Defence): 250
M113 ULTRA (40/50, 40mm AGL + 0.5-inch HMG): 700
M113 ULTRA OWS (25mm): 300
Bionix II (30mm & Improved Armour): 100
Bionix 25mm: 300
Bionix 40/50 (40mm AGL + 0.5-inch HMG): 300
FH88 155 mm Towed Howitzer: 92
FH2000 155 mm Towed Howitzer: 18
Primus 155 mm Self-Propelled Howitzer: 54
NDL-40 70mm MRLS: 184
Combat Engineer Tractor: 18
M728 Combat Engineer Vehicle: 8
M60 Armoured Vehicle Launch Bridge: 12
Field Engineer Vehicle Launched Bridge: 6
Foldable Long-span Bridge: 6
Projected Line Charge: 12
Bionix Launched Bridge: 12
Bridging Engineer Comet: 6
Almond: 4
Bronco ATTC: 200
RPG-7 Anti-Tank Rocket: 2000
Armburst Anti-Tank Rocket: 1000
MATADOR Anti-Tank Rocket: 1000
Mistral MANPAD: 450
Bofors 40mm AA gun: 300

Gustav Adolphus class nuclear aircraft carrier: 2 (CVN-1 Aoi Sora, ex-Port Yuko II; CVN-2 Grand Stream, ex-New Town, ex-Gustav Adolphus)*
Sjöormen class attack submarine: 4 (I-1, ex-Challenger; I-2, ex-Conqueror; I-3, ex-Centurion; I-4, ex-Chieftain)
Södermanland class attack submarine: 2 (I-5, ex-Castrator; I-6 (ex-Champion)
Formidable class frigate: 6 (FF-1 Formidable, FF-2 Imperator, FF-3 Dictator, FF-4 Overlord, FF-5 Warlord, FF-6 Supreme)
Victory class corvette: 6 (FS-1 Victory, FS-2 Valour, FS-3 Vigilance, FS-4 Valiant, FS-5 Vigour, FS-6 Vengeance)
Sea Lion class FAC-M: 6 (PC-1 Sea Wolf, PC-2 Sea Lion, PC-3 Sea Dragon, PC-4 Sea Tiger, PC-5 Sea Hawk, PC-6 Sea Scorpion)
Todak class Patrol Boat: 12 (PC-7 Fearless, PC-8 Brave, PC-9 Courageous, PC-10 Gallant, PC-11 Daring, PC-12 Dauntless, PC-13 Resilience, PC-14 Unity, PC-15 Sovereignty, PC-16 Justice, PC-17 Freedom, PC-18 Independence)
Endurance class amphibious transport dock: 4 (LPD-1 Endurance, LPD-2 Resolution, LPD-3 Persistence, LPD-4 Endeavour)
Pulau Rengat class Minesweeper: 4 (MM-1 Bedok, MM-2 Kallang, MM-3 Katong, MM-4 Punggol)

JAS-39 Gripen fighter: 62
JA-37 Viggen fighter: 53
FRB-22 Raptor stealth fighter: 25**
Hawk 100 attack/trainer: 35
Super Puma transport/ASW helicopter: 34
Fokker F50 VIP transport: 4
Fokker F50 maritime patrol- cruise missile: 5
GX-2 Apocalypse heavy bomber: 15***
GX-5 Armageddon stealth bomber: 3****
Boeing 707 Air tanker/transport: 8
Boeing 707 AWACS: 4

*Comparable to US Nimitz class, with some design flaws (an elevator is located along one of the catapult paths, slowing deployment speeds, and various wiring issues have occurred over the years).
**Comparable to USQ F-22 ‘Rector’.
*** Comparable to US B-52F.
**** Comparable to US B2.

General Equipment:

Towed/Man-portable Mortars: 60 mm, 81 mm, 120 mm, 160 mm.
Assault Rifles: SAR-21
Machine Guns: CIS .50 HMG, Ultimax-100 SAW
Submachine Guns: H&K MP-5N 9mm SMG, FN P-90 5.7mm SMG.
Pistols: Sig-Sauer P226 9mm Pistol, FN 5-7 5.7mm Pistol

OOC Note: The military data is derived from Spyr's excellent article on the various Bonstockian successor-states

IMPORTANT FIGURES

**Under Construction**

The Akabana Household

Very little is known about the three young individuals named Akabana. The term itself means 'red flower', and given the obvious ethnic differences between the trio it seems likely to be a pseudonym, a theory reinforced by their highly unusual personal nomenclature: Antoku (literally meaning 'peace and virtue') was the posthumous title of the child Emperor Kotohito who famously drowned at the battle of Dannoura in 1183, whilst Ayanami ('woven silk waves') and Ariake ('dawn twilight' or 'daybreak with the moon shining') are poetic terms not commonly used as given names. Although there are no extant records of the three prior to their arrival in Singapore, it is generally accepted that they were originally from Japan and fled that country some time after the Imperial Restoration.

Antoku Akabana 赤花 安徳
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/antoku/AMW%20Akabania/AntokuAkabana.jpg
Rank/Title: Shireikan
Position: Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces
Notes: Believed to be of Anglo-Japanese origin, little else is known of Lord Akabana's background. How he acquired his immense fortune remains shrouded in mystery.

Ayanami Akabana 赤花 綾波
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/antoku/AMW%20Akabania/AyanamiAkabana.jpg
Rank/Title: Bakuryocho
Position: Chief of Staff
Notes: The elder of Lord Akabana's two female lieutenants, Ayanami serves as his deputy and second-in-command with the title of Bakuryocho, or Chief of Staff. The exact nature of her relationship with the Shireikan is the subject of considerable speculation.


Ariake Akabana 赤花 有明
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v166/antoku/AMW%20Akabania/AriakeAkabana.jpg
Rank/Title: Rikugunshokan
Position: Ground Forces Commander
Notes: The younger of Lord Akabana's two lieutenants ranks third in the heirachy of the Shireikanate with the title of Rikugunshokan (Ground Forces General). As with Ayanami, the nature of her relationship with the Shireikan remains unclear.

This was too good to be true. The excessively armed regime who had launched an abortive attempt to retake Malaysia, the last bastion of the FRB, had been destroyed from the inside out. If General Liu was still alive, it may even have broken him out of his depression.

Beijing hurriedly dispatched a diplomat to the new regime while the intelligience services seek out information regarding the mysterious young man who had arrived in Singapore as an 11 year old.

[OOC: It's just occurred to me that I don't have all that much idea how many years have passed since the fall of Bonstock...so I've slightly edited my original post and will henceforth be rather vague when it comes to dates/ages etc]

Beijing's expression of interest in the Shireikanate was seen as a welcome development for a regime keen to establish itself of the international stage, and every courtesy was extended to the visiting Chinese envoy.

A palpable sense of order had returned to Singapore, and the temporary chaos that accompanied the regime change now seemed along way away; yet even a carefully chaperoned visitor would soon be aware of less pleasant overtones. The pervading sense of calm about the city had a forced, unnatural quality to it, somewhat akin to the deceptive peacefulness of a paralysis victim, whilst the mechanical efficiency of the new regime belied its fundamental inhumanity. The red oxalis symbol of the Akabana Conglomerate was already an omnipresent feature; whether lording it over the populace from the lofty heights of a skyscraper, or emblazoned on a simple bottle of soft drink, red flowers covered the city like spring blossom.

Despite Koancho suspicions regarding Akabana and his previous allegiances, the Empire of Japan viewed the new regime in Singapore as an excellent potential counter-balance to the growing leftist threat in Southeast Asia. Yes, their head of state was only eleven, but Emperor Shinseiki had only been seven years older than that when he became involved in a government for the first time.

The JRP government resolved to dispatch a diplomat to Akabania if that was acceptable with the new regime, in order to show that the Empire of Japan would be a friendly power as well as a willing trading partner. The nationalist opposition party, Aikoku Toko, strangely kept quiet when this was announced.