NationStates Jolt Archive

A message to the citizens of the nation of Surdun, broadcast on television and radio yesterday evening:

Good evening loyal citizens, as I'm sure you are aware, I am Her Excellency the Empress of Naasha's Foreign Minister. As you might also be aware, Naashan forces are currently occupying the country, and will be doing so indefinately. I urge you to stay in your homes and refrain from panicking, our soldiers are simply here to keep you, the citizens safe from the renegade terrorists, the SPLA. The glorious armies of the Empress are here to protect you, our unfortunate southern neighbour, from those among you who seek to do us all harm.

Any citizen with a concern regarding Naashan occupation is actively encouraged to seek out any one of our officers at your nearest police station, where your troubles can be discussed ...at length.

Praise to the Empress!

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OOC: This is my first topic on the NS forums, so hello to everyone! A post from Surdun is to follow shortly.

Brave citizens, fellow fighters, I beg of you not to listen to the lies of these despicable invaders! Surdun has always been a free land, it shall remain so until every last drop of our blood is evaporated in the desert sun, throw off the shackles of these 'civilized' usurpers from the north and join the Surdunni People's Liberation Army in our quest to retake the lands that are ours by right!

If any other nations are listening to this plea then I beg of you, lend us your aid against the cruel Naashanites who seek to take away our homes!

- Tegram Ilair, leader of the SPLA, and provisional leader of the Free Nation of Surdun.

OOC: Are you RPing as both nations? Cause I am okay with that, I just want to know.

Mon Jayel lay in the ditch. Mud, rain and worse soaked into his Naashanite uniform, the luxurious black slowly being replaced by dull brown, but then, he had bigger things to worry about.

Compulsory Military service hadn't seemed too bad when he'd been conscripted, good pay, hot meals, seeing the world and all that, but somehow on the posters they'd managed to miss out the crazed Surdunni 'freedom fighters' shooting at you.

He ducked and cursed as a bullet whined just past the lip of the ditch, then, peeking over the edge he returned fire with his rifle, firing almost blindly in the descending gloom of the evening.

OOC: Yes, this is simply an introductionary thread, I'm planning on keeping Naasha as my main nation, Surdun is simply a nice little country with some rich raw resources, waiting to be annexed.

OOC: Yes, this is simply an introductionary thread, I'm planning on keeping Naasha as my main nation, Surdun is simply a nice little country with some rich raw resources, waiting to be annexed.

OOC: Okay. I am going to watch and maybe get involved later. We shall see.

Tegram's soldiers trooped wearily back into camp, most sporting cuts and bruises, one with a broken arm, but, he noticed with a swell of pride, all still in one piece at least.

The same could not be said for the Naashanite they dragged behind them, the corpse was splattered in blood, mud and worse, a neat round hole in his forehead, and another in his torso. Ilair leaned in and examined the trooper's dogtags:
Mon Jayel,
2nd Conscripts Battalion

Well, they had slain one of the invading dogs, but more importantly, Tegram's forces had held the Te-Yaskr ridgeline, the boundary marking the northern extent of SPLA territory, and the gateway to the desert.

The reports were in, and well, most of them appeared to be good. All four of the northern provinces had been secured, with Naashan garrisons installed of course, and two of the three southern regions had been captured during the day.

Only, Yaskr, the gateway to the desert was still in rebel hands, Naashanite forces had clashed with SPLA fighters, leaving one conscript dead and three more wounded.

It wasn't the casualties that worried General Terenga, it was the apparent discipline and experience of these rebel troops, and the obvious lack of it in his own.
Picking an aide at random he barked:
"Deliver these reports to the Empress, and pray she is in a good mood."

Chuckling softly to himself he turned back to his whisky, even with this small setback, his forces outnumbered those of the rebels by almost ten to one, and with no signs of foreign aid for them, it was only a matter of time before Yaskr, and the Surdunni deserts fell to the might of the Empress.

((OOC: Welcome to NS! Great first posts!))

A folder bursting with information crashed upon the Emperor's desk, causing the middle-aged man to look up from his computer screen. Rays of sunlight cast shadows on the Imperial Office, an autumn breeze flowing through the room with a gentle current, rustling papers strewn about the desk.

"And what is this?", Emperor Craven inquired as he opened the folder, carefully thumbing through the materials inside. It was marked with red tape around the edges, symbolising the sensitive data it held within. The Emperor read through some of the papers, then looked back up to the Director of Intelligence.

"Jim, what's going on in there?"
"It appears Naasha has invaded their neighbor to the south for reasons of what we believe restoring stability to the area. Officially, at least. I have a team sifting through data, and it appears they're there mainly for resources."
"And what do you propose we do about it?"
"Well, sir, there's a carrier group in the area which we can deploy quickly if needed. Assuming we capture an airfield we can have light forces in the coun-"
"What do you suggest we do without using force?"
"The locals are pleading for assistance. If we can put pressure on the Naashans and supply the locals, along with flexing some muscle in the area by deploying a task force, we can probably scare them off. If not, I'm sure the Naashans wouldn't be too hard to drive from the area and back into their territory."
"I wouldn't be willing to move past that border, though, Jim. But in any case I'll have a diplomatic communique together for later. I want to organize a meeting with the Chiefs for deployment of a small task force to flex our muscle in the area."
"Yes, sir.", he said, turning about crisply and walking out of the office. Later that night, the Emperor appeared in the central chamber of the Palace, calling a press conference with the local media.

***********************

"If you're just joining us the Emperor has called a press conference on the recent crisis in Surdun. It should be starting any-... Wait, it appears we have activity at the podium. INN takes you live now to the press conference."

The Emperor walked into the chamber, taking his place at the podium with staff and guards around him. He cleared his throat, and looked into the cameras defiantly.

"Today I have learned of a great injustice on the international stage, where the nation known as Naasha invaded and usurped the local government of the nation known as Surdun. This unjust occupation is a blatant breach of Surdun's sovereignty, and a slap in the face to the free world. I have therefore ordered that under proposed Senate Bill 10506-AV12-ES, economic and political sanctions be placed upon the nation of Naasha.

"In addition, a carrier battle group whose composition is to be determined will be deployed to the region to show the Democratic Empire is willing to back its threats with force. Continued occupation of Surdun will result in a police action to restore the rightful Surduni government. We request conference with the Naashan government to engage in negotiations over the fate of Surdun and the Naashan forces deployed to the area, and will be deploying an ambassador to Naasha to participate in negotiations assuming we recieve a positive response.

"It is in the Democratic Empire's best interests to avoid further bloodshed in this conflict, and we hope that this can be accomplished."


((Please don't let this discourage you from refusing my demands and going on with war. As I said I wouldn't continue into your land, and really I need a good small skirmish to dust off the legions. =P A small friendly war is good for the soul, no?))

The chambers were in uproar from the latest news, Terenga himself wasn't particularly surprised, but he quickly arranged for a counter-press conference.

That same evening he took up the Imperial Podium outside the Chambers and faced the cameras, grinning with the knowledge that everything he said was probably headed for some pretty important desks tomorrow.

Fellow citizens of the glorious Naashan Empire, the so-named 'Emperor' of... wait, I have it here somewhere...

He took his time going through his papers, knowing that each second added further barb to the insult, but then again, the Empire of Naasha did not tread lightly.

Here we are... the so-named 'Emperor' of Cravan apparently believes that we, the Glorious Empire of Naasha have overstepped our boundaries in liberating our less fortunate neighbours from their terrorist overlords. Apparently the belief is that we, glorious and civilized servants of the Empress act not out of compassion, but of greed, that we steal the resources of Surdun. How petty...

Terenga grinned, this was fun, although the amount of whisky he'd taken in order to work up the courage for the speech probably wasn't doing his liver any good.

Now, I shall get to the point, any forces, of any nation that interfere with the sovereignty of our glorious Empire shall be crushed, as will these rebels in the south, and all who aid them.

We Naashans do not bow to threats.

Praise to the Empress!

He left the podium, grinning at the cheers from the far right wing crowd that his aides had subtly invited, boos weren't good for publicity, not that many people jeered at politicians in Naasha, it wasn't the kind of place you'd live long in, doing things like that.

OOC: Thanks for the kind words, I'm working on a factbook for the two nations, so you'll have an idea where you'll be fighting, if war does break out.

"Supposed Emperor?", Craven said with a chuckle. "Well, I guess I've supposedly led this country for twenty years."

He stood up and walked to the window, sitting on the pane and opening it to bring in the sounds of the city outside, the towers of downtown Cravna glistening as dusk fell on the eternal imperial city.

"Well, Matt... You know how propoganda can be. All talk, no action. If this does result in conflict I have no doubt in our forces' capabilities. The Marines are a finely trained and highly motivated force, since they'll be taking front on this one.", Head Director Vince Gallens said plainly as he stretched.
"I know. But I've always felt queasy when sending our boys and girls away to fight."

The Emperor watched as Imperial Guard patroled the grounds, walking with their carbines held low. Their black BDUs blended well with the dark gardens, only occasionally being revealed as they walked in front of a decorative light or a window. He looked back up at Director Gallens.

"Has the Third left yet?"
"Put to sea from Colorsia. They'll be maintaining a patrol pattern two-hundred miles from the Naashan coastline." ((Assuming you have a coastline. I'll wait for the factbook before setting anything in stone.))
"Good. Composition?"
"Two carriers, six missile cruisers, fifteen destroyers, two battleships, four submarines, and some transports to take the Marines over."
"Keep me updated, Vince."
"Of course. I'll see you in the morning, sir. Get some sleep."
"Thanks, Vince. Let's hope they give diplomacy a chance."

OOC:Factbook is on it's way, shan't be long, and I have a coastline to the west of the nation,

General Terenga sat smiling weakly in his chambers, it never paid to step on the toes of other nations, and he wished now that he had studied the file on his desk, of intelligence on Cravan before he'd made the speech. It didn't pay to appear weak, but then again, it didn't pay to get invaded by a nation who's armed forces probably outnumbered your entire population.

Oh well, not a lot we can do about it now, he reasoned and turned to the reports on the Surdun conflict.

Yaskr was still in rebel hands was the only news that interested him, this was mildly surprising, maybe he'd order some armoured units up there to break the line that the SPLA still held desperately. It could wait until tomorrow at least.

OOC: Was screwing with font sizes, sorry about last post, I'll get factbook done before I carry on with this any further, shan't be long.

Aimless von Strangaild looked over the review given to him by one of his servants. He quietly smoked a Cuban cigar as he read the notes. " So this nation, Naasha, has invaded another country and seems to be violating it soverignty((wow I just killed this word))? Craven seems to have this handled" he said to the five High Council men.

" Yes but sir, we feel if we help Craven put pressure on the Naasha goverment they will leave Surdun alone without going to war and killing innocent people' said Alex Edgeworth. The High Leader took another puff and shrugged.

" Ok. Its for a good cause. I don't think this thing will really go beyond a small skirmish or two" Aimless said getting up and walking out of the chamber. Awhile's later he had prepared a small little speech to say.

"The nation of Zackaroth feel's as does I the HIgh Leader that Naasha's attack and occupation of the country Surdun is uncalled for and serverly unjust. Like Craven we are willing to place sanctions on Naasha if they do not return control of the goverment to Surdun. We, also like Craven can back up our threats with force but rather not to. We are asking Naasha to make the right choice"

The icy reply came directly from the offices of the Jade Empress herself, issued in a press statement:

The Glorious Empire of Naasha occupies Surdun in order to bring stabilty and a better way of life to the region, we feel strongly that we are acting in the best interests of everyone involved. While the Empress deplores needless bloodshed, she feels it necessary to ask you to make the right choice in not violating Naashan sovereignty, including that of Surdun, or the consequences may be dire.

THe High Leader would like to remind the Empress that anything she can dish out we can dish out ten times stronger. Do not tempt us. The right choice would be to pull out and return ownership of the goverment to the Surdun people.

OOC: do you have maps or any RL maps for you countries? i have interest, and will join when i have time.

The Jade Empress would like to thank the nation of Zackaroth for it's complete lack of understanding of the situation, and its obvious desire to meddle in whatever affairs it sees fit. Her excellency would like to stress that the former nation of Surdun is going to benefit greatly from its incorporation into the glorious Empire, and that the only protest so far has been from pathetic rebels, who hide away in the south, happy to shoot at any authority figure who comes near.

While the Empire of Naashan does not wish to make war with any nation, it feels strongly that its occupation of Surdun is just, and it will defend it's new protectorate against any who would threaten it.

OOC: I don't have a map, but my factbook is here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=11768867&posted=1#post11768867), there's some geographical info in there, and more to follow later.

Gee, feels like Naasha is going to get it's ass kicked here, c'mon, surely there's some other crazed right-wing nation to come help me out?

((OOC: Not necessarily. I only want to build tension and perhaps have a few small skirmishes. =D I've seen small nations pull through before. But, if you want, I'll wait for someone to come to your aid before I begin anything bigger. Besides, I'm only deploying elements of a Marine division if it comes to conflict, which I see happening, meaning relatively small numbers of troops.))

OOC: No, was partly joking, I don't mind what you guys throw at me, I have probably... a million conscripts if needed, just hand'em a rifle and send em out to die. Hehe, compulsory military service ftw.

OOC: Im just looking for a noob to crush. Just JKing. Same here as Craven. I'm not gonna go all out on your nation. Maybe a few battles here and there. And I will wait to till someone comes to your side.

OOC: ya if i join mainly a division of paratroopers at the most, and thanks for the info.

The rebels spread out in a straggling line in the bushes beside the road, the scouts had spotted this convoy, and it's armoured escort earlier that morning, and had given the main force plenty of time to find suitable positions and place explosives along the road.

The squeal of tracks and the roar of engines broke the tranquility of the night air, as the first of the Naashan tanks hauled itself up the dirt road, headed for the Te-Yaskr ridgeline, only half a mile distant. Soon Tegram could hear the whole convoy, each vehicle passing within ten metres of his hiding place, the crackle of voices on the radio brought him out of his reverie, as the scouts reported that the entire convoy was within the trap.

Trusting the engine roar to cover his voice, he spoke swiftly into his handset, ordering the attack. Two hundred metres up the road, the demolitions expert, Makker leant on the detonator, covering his ears.

The first thing that struck Private Callar was that he was still alive, the second was that he was lying in a ditch, some metres away from the wreckage of his half-track. The crack of bullets and the yells of the rebels as they hunted among the wrecked convoy assured him that he probably had seconds left to live, maybe a minute before he was discovered.

A squeal of tracks, and the boom of a heavy engine being fired, followed by shortly by the crackle of heavy machine gun fire startled him to a sitting position.

A solitary tank was headed back down the track, one of its tracks hanging off and the armour skirts around it severely dented, but it was cutting rebels down like wheat at harvest as it limped back the way the convoy had came.

Then, just as he started to heave himself to his feet, he heard the unmistakable click, of a rifle being cocked.

OOC: Going to bed now, good luck planning your invasion.

OOC: Do you have a particular preference on which side I join?

As a mercenary nation (I RP as a private military corporation with offices across the globe), inter-regional conflict makes up most of my business, through arms sales and the deployment of advisors and direct combat troops.

I'm more than willing to RP an entry on either side of the conflict.

I'll leave it up to you (Naasha), and the rest of the invaders siding with the rebels. I really have nothing better to do, and I enjoy these little civil wars.

Third Imperial Task Force
En route to Naasha

"Full steam, helm thirty degrees."
"Aye, sir."

The massive INS Navarra cruised through the waves as she and her escorts made their way towards Naasha, where they would maintain a distance of 200 miles from the coastline. On the accompanying transport ships were almost 30,000 Imperial Marines, fully equipped for fighting in the area. It was their hope that deployment would not occur, but it seemed inevitable.

"ETA, XO?"
"Two days, sir. Long range recon aircraft will be in operational range of the coast by nightfall."
"Excellent. Keep us on course, and maintain a link with the SatNet to keep an eye on the surrounding theatre."
"Aye, sir."

******************
Imperial Palace
Cravan, Cravna

"We currently have the Third Task Force, headed by the Navarra, an Eagle-class carrier. ((OOC: Equivalent to the new CVN-21)) She is accompanied by her sister ship the Castilla, along with six Ticonderoga cruisers, ten Type-45 destroyers, and three Seawolf-class subs. They are to remain two-hundred miles from the coastline. Questions?"

The room was silent, and the admiral at the front of the table nodded.

"Very well.", he said while taking his seat. The Emperor sat at the head of the table, and contemplated the odds of an engagement occuring.

"Gentlemen, we still need to give diplomacy a chance. Perhaps they may see the light. If not... Force may be required. But until that time I'd rather not risk our people's lives."
"I understand, sir. However, I believe this deployment is necessary to show them we can flex our biceps as well."

An aide rushed into the room, exhausted as he tried to catch his breath.

"What is it?", the Emperor asked concerned as he rose from his seat.
"Zackaroth made a statement a little while ago. Naasha stated they would not stand down."
"Damnit..."

The Emperor stood up, and looked to the Joint Cheifs.

"Keep us at a moderate alert level. Prepare the Third for deployment. We will release one last communique before we initiate an intervention."
"Yes, sir."

They immediately set to work, scrambling from the room in a frenzy to complete the tasks at hand.

****************
Third Imperial Task Force
INS Navarra

"Sir, incoming orders from Cravna."
"Let me see."

TOP SECRET
ENCODED LEVEL 5
ORDERS ENCLOSED
**FLASH**
BRING FORCE TO COMBAT OPERATIONAL STATUS.STOP.PREPARE FOR IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT OF MARINES.STOP.HOLD POSITION 150mi FROM COAST.STOP.WAIT FOR FURTHER ORDERS BEFORE ACTION TAKEN.STOP-END

The admiral folded the paper and placed it in his breast pocket.

"Bring us to full combat readiness. I want combat patrols in the air at all times. Let's move people, we've no time to waste."

An unsigned message would eventually reach Mister Ilair, from the nation of Szorosistan, by way of a human runner in the employ of the ex-Soviet nation's intelligence service. It would read:

Dear Mister Ilair,

I believe I may eschew the typical diplomatic boilerplate in this message. I, and my Chiefs of Staff, have agreed to aid you in your campaign. We can offer you what remains of our stores of HK-416s, which total about two thousand, along with ammunition. We can also offer you a limited amount of 9M133 Kornets, around four hundred, along with about one launcher per two missiles, and approximately seven hundred Mk19 GMGs. We feel that this is all that can leave our nation without being detected by others, but rest assured, there will be more, should you have need of it.

The message would need to be passed back via the way it came: ie, the runner who'd brought it.

Terenga sighed, today obviously wasn't his day, explaining to the Prime why His armoured divisions had been halted within a mile of the Te-Yakr ridge hadn't been easy. Explaining to Him that the Cravan battlegroup that appeared to be headed straight to the coastline probably wasn't going to be stopped by the modest Naashan navy was going to be dam near impossible...

He skimmed the rather modest Naashan order of battle, more than enough infantry, but nowhere near enough of anything else, even guns were getting harder to come by. His eyes fell on the small note left by his aide on his desk, previously buried under the grim intelligence reports which he had shredded after the first page, and muttered:
"I guess some more muscle wouldn't hurt..."

To: All Interested Mercenary Forces
From: Naashan Chamber of Defence.

We find ourselves in some plight, the barbaric, warlike peoples of Cravan and Zackaroth appear to have taken offense to small, internal affairs in the Empire. We fear for the safety of our protectorate, the helpless nation of Surdun, specifically, we worry over the lack in Armoured, Mechanized and Aerial units stationed there. Many of you will have worked alongside the Glorious Legions of The Empress before, and will know what great payments, as well as opportunities for glory within the Empire await, therefore I urge you to take up arms, for great glory and gain!

Any interested parties may contact the Naashan Chambers of Defence.

Praise the Empress!

Dear Mister Ilair,

I believe I may eschew the typical diplomatic boilerplate in this message. I, and my Chiefs of Staff, have agreed to aid you in your campaign. We can offer you what remains of our stores of HK-416s, which total about two thousand, along with ammunition. We can also offer you a limited amount of 9M133 Kornets, around four hundred, along with about one launcher per two missiles, and approximately seven hundred Mk19 GMGs. We feel that this is all that can leave our nation without being detected by others, but rest assured, there will be more, should you have need of it.

Ilair re-read the note several times, consulting with several of his sergeants over the longer words.
"As far as I can gather, I think an HK is a rifle, the MK19's are machineguns and the other ones 'Kornets' are handheld missile launchers, but these are huge numbers!"

"Yes sir, but, we have the men to use them, new recruits march in every day, now that the foreign nations are threatening the Naashans..."

Tegram grinned at his comrade, this was true, volunteer fighters had been coming in from miles around now they believed the SPLA had a chance, even one handed to them by the foreign dogs. The greatest of these gains were two defected helicopter pilots, and their machines: NA-3 Attack Helicopters. But, such armaments as offered by these foreign devils, especially at seemingly no cost was truly a blessing from the Gods.

To Whom It May Concern, the SPLA would gratefully accept this generous gift from your nation, although, we humble tribesmen lack the knowledge of what exactly they may be. I think the best way of receiving such large amounts of weapons discreetly would be to fly them in by helicopter, at night, as we currently possess no landing strip capable of serving cargo planes.

Blessings be upon you,
-Tegram Ilair, leader of the SPLA, provisional leader of the free nation of Surdun.

To: All Naashan Defence Forces
From: Naashan Chamber of Defence

The Empire is moving to Strategic Alert Level Three, a force of a foreign nation is currently headed into Naashan waters.

All Regular army units within the Empire are to be brought to combat readiness within the next three days, Local Defence Units (LDU's) are to step up patrols within their designated areas, they should also prepare automated defence systems as necessary.

LDU's stationed within 10km of Samka, the port city on the western coast are to prepare the city for lockdown, this may occur at the Prime's discretion at any point from tomorrow, ensure citizens are aware of the lockdown protocols and encourage them to report any unsual activity they see.

Naval LDU for Samka is to step up sea patrols within a 15km radius of the city, and must challenge any vessel attempting to enter or leave Naashan waters.

The Hammerhead patrol submarine Zion is to commence combat patrols 50 km off Samka while Jade is to establish sonar contact with the inbound fleet at [***Encrypted***] and track it inbound, attempting to remain undetected.

The Radiant Battlecruiser and it's escort are to take up patrol positions 10km from the coast of the Gunwe sector of Surdun.

CAP missions are to be flown as often as possible from Samka over the surrounding airspace, Airforce logistics personnel are notified that the Gunwe Regional Airfield, in Surdun is to be cleared and garrisoned as soon as possible to receive further air force detachments.

Special Wafare Units, including long-range [**************Encrypted**************]

Praise to the Empress!

Naashan ground forces on the Yaskan-Yaskr border region of Surdun launched artillery strikes on SPLA defensive positions along the Te-Yakr ridge earlier this morning, a slow but withering bombardment was kept up well into the day, halting around 2PM local time.

Elements of the 3rd Mechanized Division, along with those of the 2nd Conscript Battalion advanced along major roads toward the ridge, halting around 400 metres short of the summit.

The 5th Attack Helicopter Squadron deployed NA-3's to survey the SPLA lines, but were driven off with Machine-Gun and Rocket fire from hidden rebel positions.

Third Imperial Task Force
Two-Hundred Miles from Naasha

Four CF-80/CV Phoenixes lifted off from the deck of the Navarra with an overcoming roar, their afterburners illuminating the deck with an eerie orange glow. Four more proceeded afterwards, the air squadron taking formation high above the clouds. They began their patrol, staying just outside Naashan airspace.

"How long until we reach our new designated operational area?"
"About two hours, sir. SatNet reports a step up in activity around one of the port cities, designated as Samka. Recon and intel suggests at least one, possibly more of their submarines has put to sea, and could be tailing us now. SONAR arrays have gone active, but so far nothing."
"Keep me posted."
"Aye, sir."

*******************

Cameras flashed wildly as the Emperor called a second press conference, journalists gathered in the Palace press chambers as the Emperor took the podium, Head Director by his side. He wasted no time in making his statement, which was powerful yet simple.

"My fellow Cravanians, Surdunis (sp?), and citizens of the world. I come to you today requesting a united front of opposition against the Naashan government regarding its unjust and corrupt occupation of Surdun. This is our last warning to the Naashans: comply with our orders to vacate Surdun within the next forty-eight hours or face the consequences. A carrier task force deployed to the area can and will respond in kind to any hostile moves, and will proceed with a police action if our ultimatum is not met or refused by or inside the time frame we have given you.

"Further bloodshed will not help either side in its quest for peace, and continued fighting in the area will result in more pain and suffering for citizens of both nations. Our intentions are to stop the fighting and return the land of Surdun to its rightful owners. Only then will our wishes be fufilled.

"Forty-eight hours. Refusal in this time frame or no answer at all will result in action being taken. Use this chance we give you wisely, for you will not recieve another."

He briskly turned from the podium, refusing to answer further questions from the journalists. He immediately made a straight shot to the command center, where his staff and military advisors were gathered.

"Let's get the ball rolling, people. No time to waste."

Terenga was unhappy, he might be a loyal servant of the Empress and Her government, but he was also charged with keeping the country safe, and this didn't seem too safe. But it was out of his hands now, the Prime himself, second only to the Empress had taken personal charge of the operations.

Probably best not to answer, they needed the two days...

Large numbers of citizens were being conscripted, given a rifle, a day's training and a uniform then sent south into Surdun, madness but it was still extra firepower Terenga reasoned.

Elsewhere, Naashans all across Samka were being shown to the Shelters, non-descript, tough looking buildings of concrete and titanium. Lockdown wasn't a nice prospect, but families were making the best of it, dragging sleeping bags and personal belongings behind them in hand carts.

Surdunis (sp?),

OOC: Surdun, Surdunnis.

((Thanks for clearing that up. Should we skip the two days or wait for other replies?))

OOC: You guys can go on without me. I'm not gonna make a really good or big IC post since its my first day of work. I wont be back till 10 45 Est time


The country of Zackaroth is also willing to send military aid to Craven in the likely event Naasha does not pull out of Surdun. We warn Naash that if they want to save lives they had better pull out before things get bloody


Aimless von Strangaild, High Leader.

OOC: I'm going to give it a few minutes longer, I'm drawing a very rough map of the area to give you guys a basic idea of the playing field.

The Free land of Umeltia condemns the actions taken by Naasha against her neighbour in the strongest possible terms. We in the Umeltian government believe that it is the right of every nation to self determination, and as such we see the aggressive and imperialist policies of Naasha as nothing more than an arrogant landgrab by a selfish government.

Regrettably our military is at present ill equipped for even a limited deployment of special forces troops to support the Surdunese forces, and so no military deployment will take place. However, we will issue a trade embargo on Naasha until their forces retreat from Surdun, at which time we shall be glad to recommence trade with Naasha.

Alex Weilmann,

Minister of Diplomacy

Vehicles of the 3rd Mechanized Division fired on SPLA positions on the Te-Yakr ridge.

NA-3's struck SPLA entrenchments, destroying key defensive points.

Elements of the 2nd Conscript Battalion deployed north of the SPLA defenses, a full offensive seems likely, either tomorrow or later this evening.

OOC: A Very rough map, created in paint can be found here:
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j157/Caliyen/NaashaandSurdun.jpg

SPLA forces take a battering from more experienced Naashan forces, desperately holding their defensive positions despite being outgunned.

Rebel reinforcements begin to move into positions on the ridge summit.

*Sounds of battle*
This is a plea, from the Surdunni People's Liberation Army, we have held off Naashan Imperial troops for the best part of the day. Many of our comrades have fallen to the usurping invaders, and we struggle to hold them back, within two days we will be forced to retreat, we beg of you, foreign nations, come to our aid before it is too late.

- Unknown SPLA Leader, Te-Yakr ridge.

"Incoming transmission, sir. Appears the resistance got something through."

"This is a plea, from the Surdunni People's Liberation Army, we have held off Naashan Imperial troops for the best part of the day. Many of our comrades have fallen to the usurping invaders, and we struggle to hold them back, within two days we will be forced to retreat, we beg of you, foreign nations, come to our aid before it is too late."

"Damnit...", the admiral said with a heavy sigh. "We can't really do anything for another day..."

At that point, the admiral perked up.

"What if one of our patrols... 'Accidentally' slipped into Naashan airspace and was attacked? It could easily draw us into the conflict early, and we could always tell command that their charts were off and they believed they were still in the safe zone... It's plausible."
"Yes, it is..."
"Then have it done. I want the nearest patrol flight to divert into Naashan airspace on an indirect course to make our story appear true. We cannot spare any time. Tell them only to fire when fired upon. Flight data recorders will confirm this when they return to the ship."
"Aye, sir."

**************
Flight 21-7B
321st Tactical Naval Squadron, TFS321-CV47, "Red Eagles"

The Red Eagles cruised at a high altitude, their aging F-56 Vipers (comparable to an F-15) screaming in the skies as they cut through the clouds. Their objective was simple, to 'accidentally' infiltrate Naashan airspace and cause a conflict to give Cravan an excuse to deploy. Although dangerous, it was well worth the risk pay being given to them for this assignment. It was entirely voluntary as well, resulting in only half the squadron taking on the mission. The six Vipers gradually made their way in, finally reaching the line where they would officially be in Naashan airspace over Surdun. Now all that could happen was watching and waiting for the bait to be taken...

Upon seeing the plight of the Surdunni, the plans for fleet to head to Ackistan were called off. The plight of the people on CNN had stirred commanders, remembering the old days of civil war they decided something had to be done.


Official Clandonian Response
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/madnukedude/clandoniansmallflag.png

To Naashain Government

Stop your agresion now into your Southern neighbour or we will be forced along with our allies to act to stop the bloodshed. We give you 24 hours to halt your atacks or we will act on your nation to remove your government and military putting an end to the bloodshed you have caused.


Message Ends


In response a taskforce was constructed under the command of Commander Dridon to head to the area with the following ships:

1x CVN 21 Class Aircraft carrier: CSN New Warrior

2x Albion Class Assualt ships: CNS Marine Fighter, CNS General Mitigen

1x Durance Class AOE: CNS Piekbroad

4x Type 45 Daring Class DDG: CNS Titan, CNS Vengence, CNS Tilordon, CNS Scorpion Sting

The groups task was to deliver humaniterian aid to the Surdunni people, the ships would be several days away. For the short term force the army was called in and the 16th Air Assault Brigade was mobalised, 5000 combat troops armed with light armour and hi-tech equipment, flexible, mobile and could be dispatched anywhere in the world in 48 hours. The airforce would begin prepartions for deployment as soon as. A message was wired to the Surdunni forces.

Message to Surdunni Government

We support your plight, with your permision we ask to bring humaniterian aid and forces into to defend your nation. We can begin deploying in 48 hours less if you decide to call our airforce in we can begin striking Nasshain forces. We have given them an ultimation of 24 hours to halt their advance, we have sent several ships to your position which will arrive in several days time. Our 16th Air Assault Brigade is operational now, provide us a safe landing site and we can be there within 24 hours.

The Hound detected them first, but before long, the six blips were appearing on the radar screens of Hound, it's sister ship Vixen and the Samka Military Airbase.

Messages were briefly exchanged, frantic voices filling the Maritime Air Defence network, aging Mig 31 interceptors were scrambled into the air from the airbase, flying an intercept course that would bring them into contact with the unidentified planes almost directly over the AA systems onboard the Vixen, a relatively modern fleet-escort type cruiser.

The pressure was mounting, that much was obvious. The best course, Terenga reasoned, was to finish off the SPLA quickly before the foreigners could intervene, and then withdraw, leaving a battered and broken Surdun to be quietly annexed once CNN had moved on to the next big news...

Squads of the 2nd Conscript Battalion engaged SPLA defensive forces, advancing under the cover of an artillery barrage.

Half-tracks of the 3rd Mechanized Division provided support, using towed field artillery to great effect.

"Multiple contacts coming in from the north."
"Let them come in. If they fire, we fire. Until that time we continue on as if they aren't there. Don't acknowledge them and you'll be fine."
"Copy that."

The squadron leader, Captain Steve Bruckswinner, opened a channel with the Navarra.

"Contact made with Naashans. We'll keep you updated."
"Thank you, Captain. Our eyes and ears are open."

The aircraft continued, knowing full well that there was a high chance of engagement on this mission...

SPLA fighters were pushed back to the very summit of the Te-Yakr ridge, slowing the Naashan assault there using wire-guided rockets to force the half-tracks to retreat.

Another artillery barrage damaged SPLA entrenchments, things were getting dire.

Message to Cravan:

We need to organise a coalition of the willing to stop the Naashaian government in its tracks before it commits an act of genocide on the people of Surdun. We propose our naval forces meet up and prepare a plan, if we commenced a first strike now using air power we could hit the Naashians military power and stop them advancing givining our ground forces time to arrive. We have sent the 16th Air Assualt Brigade now they will be on the way in less than 24 hours if things do not go acording to plan as we doubt the Naashians will accept our proposal.

"Eagle Flight, reduce speed, establish radar contact with bogies."

"Roger that, Vixen, identify targets."

"Targets appear Cravan, F-56's."

"Roger that, Eagle Flight to claw formation, Two, Four and Six go right, the others with me."

"Unlock targeting systems Eagle Flight."

"Weapons released, missile lock established."

"Roger that, hail them."

"Unidentified aircraft, you have entered Naashan airspace, you are unauthorized to be here, turn back immediately."

The AA frigate had been in pandemonium, now, as the F-56's came into view an unsettling calm had settled across the decks. Weapons systems were manned, and the Bridge was in contact with Eagle Flight, the interceptors, there was nothing to do but wait and hope they turned back.

OOC: To clarify, this engagement is over Naasha, the ground engagements between Naasha and the SPLA are happening in the Yaskr province, in the south of Surdun, please bear this in mind when considering airstrikes and invasions.

NA-3 Attack helicopters launched strikes on rebel supply lines south of the Te-Yakr ridge. Infantry of the 2nd Conscripts continued their slow advance up the northern slope.

************************************************************

Thomas Keffen ran, he ran like a parched nomad to an oasis, sprinting to the next cluster of boulders, rebel bullets whining past him on each step. Finally, he got there, and dove behind the sheltering bulk of a section of scree, the shouts of his sergeant driving them on ringing in his ears.

For this was hell, if hell existed, the evening sky was lit by the dancing flames of trees that had caught ablaze, the sounds of small arms fire was almost entirely drowned out by the deafening boom of the field guns that the Mechanized Division had deployed.

Mechanized division. Lucky buggers. The half-tracks that ought to have been supporting them were drawn up at the base of the ridge, driven off by rocket fire.

Sensing a lull in the firing, he raised his head and fired up at the SPLA position above him, his bullets thudding ineffectually into the sandbags piled around the strong point. As if in a dream, basic training kicked in, and Thomas felt his hand head to his belt, pulling a grenade from it's pouch. With a sick dread, he pulled the pin and threw it, with all his might.

Clanon City Airbase

The Nimrod MR4 aircraft took off from the snowy runway into the night sky, heading for Surdun to recon ground forces there in the Yaskr province. Acompanying it, two X-35 fighter bombers on long range mode, they were to be refueled somewhere over the ocean with a VC-10. Once mission was complete they were to relay data to CENTCOM.

**FLASH**6.10.2006**

ALL UNITS MARK NAASHIAN FORCES AS HOSTILE ENGAGE IF PROVOKED AT ALL COST, FLEET ETA 4 DAYS, BOMBER FORCE A.O.K.

**END**

Ilair watched the battle from his command post, right on the summit, Imperial infantry were pinned down across the slope by sustained Machine Gun fire from SPLA strong points. But, even as he watched, the strong point below him exploded.

Sand was thrown into the air, spreading into a thin haze, obscuring the slope briefly, but the sound told Tegram exactly what he needed to know, the sound of cheers, and of Machine Guns suppressing the other strong points as the Naashans advanced, seemingly unstoppable.

((OOC: Will respond to you later, Clandonia. 'Fraid I'm limited on time right now.))

A tone filled Captain Bruckswinner's ears as his HUD turned a deep red, symbolising a target lock. He juked and maneuvered to break the lock while responding to the Naashans.

"Naashan airspace? According to our charts this area is well outside your airspace. We will continue as scheduled. Another attempt to gain a target lock will result in hostile action."

It appeared to be working... Bruckswinner stroked the ejection lever above his head, hoping he wouldn't have to use it and instead would be landing again on the Navarra. But there was always that slight chance.

Imperial troops paused, only one more defensive line ahead of them, the Conscripts of the first wave were beaten and bloody. Field artillery fired on SPLA positions as the first of the Naashan forces pulled back, a second wave already deploying toward the base of the ridge.

The Naashan flight leader grinned, he knew the trick, well Naashan airspace was here, and these Cravan were violating it. Time to teach them a lesson.

"Eagle Flight, kickout, establish targets and maneouvre for firing positions."

"Vixen, this is Eagle One, we intend to engage on your mark."

"Roger that Eagle Flight, stand by."

Targeting computers hummed to life onboard the Vixen, missile arrays swivelled ominously toward the F-56's.

Eagle Two swung around, flying parallel to the bandits now, its pilot 2nd. Lt. Jenned stroking the missile fire button gently, as if automatically, he switched his HUD to combat mode, and attempted to establish a short-range lock on the nearest of the enemy fighters.

"Target lock from the surface and from six! Break, break!"

The pilots broke away, scattering in unison and coming around. None fired, however, but jamming systems and countermeasures were ready to deploy. Captain Bruckswinner brought his Viper around hard, his head sinking back into the seat as he tried to outmaneuver the MiGs.

"Pothole, come around with me and Foxy and try and get an angle behind them. I'm not losing anyone today. We'll hold them off. Harky, Hot-Dog, and Bambi, target the cruiser and try to at least knock it around. You're not going to do much but as long as it can't really get to us we should be fine."

Communique from the Naashan Department of Defence
The Glorious Empire of Naasha would like to remind other nations in the region that Naasha claims authority over all of the airspace within thirty km of its coast, including Surdun, infringements on this policy will be viewed dimly, and offending aircraft may be fired upon or seized by Naashan authorities.

'Roger this is victor one, we are passing into radar fields of Naashain forces, advising turning off of non-essentail comms.'

'Roger, this is esourt two, commencing stealth formation, missiles hot and switching to NVG's'

The three aircraft suddenly became darkened in the night sky, switching off the naviagation lights. The two X-35's wings swept back moved to their stealth mode, armed just incase of contact they were pilots trained for events like these, involved in stealth missions deep into enemy territory before and aside from a few near encounters with Migs they had escaped....

'OK our shiney camera is rolling, command you should be getting this link now there is a lot of thermal activity from what looks like ground fire from artilery, we are also reading air activity.'

"Evasive Maneouvres!" screamed Eagle One, Lt. Symond as an F-56 shot past her.

"Vixen, this is Eagle Flight, requesting AA suport, be advised, enemy aircraft inbound to your position."

Pulling her MIG into a high-G turn she fought to get a target into her view.

"Eagle Flight, switch to AA-12 IR missiles and engage!"

'Missile away' calls were coming across the radio now, and the flight was losing altitude, struggling to outmaneouvre their adversaries.

*********************************************************
Vixen picked up the inbound hostiles, targeting computers calculating missile trajectories in the blink of an eye, before human thumbs tapped release keys and the cruiser swung into action

OOC: Can I have an idea of where your flight is coming from and where they are headed Clandonia? Naashan air cover is patchy, so you could slip through, depending on course.

OOC: Its just come from across Fyrr in a straight line to where the fighting is.

A single dot blinked onto the radar screen of an operator at the International Airport on the outskirts of Fyrr, then disappeared again. The operator recorded the contact as 'anomalous - probably system error' and returned to his quiet dozing in the warm tower.

((OOC: 'Friad I'm not gonna be on until later tomorrow. I'll have a response then.))

Blisfully unaware of the Clandonian surveillance above them, Imperial troops redoubled their assault on the remaining SPLA positions. Infantry advancing toward the remaning strong points supported by Light Field Artillery and Machine Gun fire from the Mechanized Division below them.

NA-3 Helicopters, their pilots using night-sight goggles targeted the rebel command post, launching air to ground rockets at key positions.

The mission had inserted without a trace, through a gap in the radar net they collected the data, relaying it via satellite to the central command. Enough was enough, they had decided to act now. The 16th AA brigade was sent to land and help secure a landing site to allow more Clandonian troops to be brouight in if need be. At the same time ten B-52 bombers on patrol in the Northern Hemisphere were ordered to proceed to strike level on Naashian military and government targets using Storm Shadow MK2 cruise missiles,


'This is red strike team leader, ok teams were have been ordered to strike targets being relayed to you now, conventional warheads are go for strike on Naashian forces.'

The bombers went into attack mode, closing 400 miles off the coast they launched their load at targets in Samka, Naash and the capital Sandya. Each bomber carrier around eight missiles so a total of 80 missiles were now heading off. Targeting government, military and key instatalions such a media outlets and communications exchanges.

Alarms blared through the control room, jolting the dozing night operators into panic.

"Missile threat inbound." A computer generated voice informed anyone who hadn't already got that far.

Commands were typed into consoles, the immediate threat was those missiles en-route to Samka, already halfway there and closing fast. A bleary eyed operator snatched up a telephone:

"Samka LDU? This is Air Command, we have around twenty cruise missiles on scope, headed straight for you."

The city was in lockdown, fortunately, and with the curfew in place, the citizens would already be in Shelters, but the military infrastructure stood to take a beating. There was one chance.

"Hound? this is Air Command, make all speed toward Samka, prepare to engage cruise missiles, this is not a drill."

The city was calm, everyone was asleep, or at least at home, thanks to the curfew. The security office of the Imperial Chambers however, was not calm, frantic security staff evacuated groggy, very annoyed senators, the Jade Empress herself left by a back exit and dissapeared in a blacked out Sedan into the depths of the city.

High in orbit a Clandonian satellite watched over the area waiting for strike confirmations.....

Naash itself, being both the furthest away from the missiles, and the most able to defend itself swung into action only slowly. Blast shields swung across windows, citizens were informed by loudspeaker to take cover in basements and cellars and the on-call MIG 31 squadron, or rather the four bedraggled looking interceptors, took off serenely from the Airbase and flew off into the night to engage the missiles.

The tension was high as the missiles came into radar range of the AA cruiser, the Hound was steaming at full throttle back toward Samka, and into the missile's path.

The moment arrived, and without so much as a blink from any of the operators, the ship sprung into action, Sea to Air missiles screeching from the two arrays, fore and aft.

The night was filled with flashes, the crew squinting up into the darkness could make out very little, but the radar operators watched the silhouhette of ten intercept-missiles overlay the sillhouhettes of ten cruise missiles briefly, before all of them dissappeared from the screen. The remaining ten screeched onwards, two of them colliding with, thanks to the lockdown, deserted apartment blocks, the others striking their intended targets.

Runway 1 at Samka airbase was put out of service.
Two of the Main Hangars, one containing NA-3's, and the other fortunately empty, were hit and destroyed utterly.
The control tower was hit, killing the night operator and knocking out the radar.
Two dock facilities were hit and damaged, a patrol boat docked at one of these was also sunk.
A warehouse containing logistics hardware was damaged and set alight.
The Regional Command Bunker for Samka was hit, but suffered only moderate damage.

"Cheetah One, have lock on a missile, Flight prepare to engage."

"Cheetah Flight engage missiles."

The MIG 31 interceptors engaged the missiles as they headed for Naash, knocking all of them out of the air.

The capital was rocked by explosion after explosion as the remaining missiles hurtled to earth. The Imperial Chambers took five succesive hits, mostly collapsing. Other military installations were also struck and damaged. The Broadcast Tower for Naasha's main channel, N1 was hit by a missile, killing three Naashans and a CNN reporter who had been preparing his latest story from the capital.

'Sir space command confirms direct hits on Samka, hits on the airbase.'

'Good, whats the progress on the air landings?'

'Several hours away, they will begin paradrops in around 8 hours.'

The progress of the fleet was monitored on the central plasma with the associated air and allied activity. Now the way had been cleared B-2 bomber force could make pathways with its guided munitions on targets deep in the country, facing a ancient air defence system they would have no trouble.


The first four B-2 Stealth Bombers went up at 0030 hours loaded with thermobarical munitions aimed at taking out communications and logistical depots in aid of slowing the Naashain war effort down.

I hope, that last night's destruction will highlight to the world just how badly certain nations have misunderstood our situation. A total of twenty eight cruise missiles hit Naashan soil last night, killing many, many innocent civilians in the capital. For these... atrocities I call for the world to act, act against the madness of Clandonia! These barbarians, who have sided with pyschotic rebels against the better interests of the nation they claim to want to help.

I call for them to be ousted of such power, which they obviously lack the restraint to possess. Or even the intellignece to possess in fact, someone should remind these fools that Surdun actually lies hundreds of kilometres south of where their missiles landed, one missile in fact, killed a CNN journalist, I understand that the station may be looking into legal action against Clandonia for it's unprovoked attacks on civilian targets!

Praise the Empress and may Naashan recover quickly from these terrible injustices!

Naashan fighters, from squadrons that weren't grounded at least, were scrambled into the air. CAP patrols setting out to defend war factories and depots as priority.

The Chamber of Defence releases an open communique to Cravan:

Please, reassure us that you do not support the unjustified bombing of civilian and infrastructural targets on Naashan soil. We call on you to renounce the nation of Clandonia's proposed alliance with you because of their actions last night. Maybe then there can be a peaceful solution worked out to this situation.

Many regards,

Praise to the Empress!

CNN had reported a total of 58 missiles had hit, conflicting reports seeing as the Naashians had said that only 28 had hit causing villian damage so unless civillians manned radar stations or drove around in military hardware..... Many in the military wondered actually what to do next? They had been used to fighting larger nations before, this small pathetic creature was facing some of the most powerful nations and continued were they maniacs?

Official Clandonian Response
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/madnukedude/clandoniansmallflag.png

Your actions have caused the destruction on your nation, we give you time to decide the course of actions. Stop your advance now and our fleet will turn back and we will recall bombers.

For it's indiscriminate attacks on both civilian and military targets alike, the Empire of Naasha refuses to recognise Clandonia as a sovereign nation, and breaks off all communications, save for matters of it's eventual surrender, with it. We urge all sane-minded nations to do the same.

CNN Breaking News

We bring you pictures tonight leaked from the Ministry of Defence on the brutal and bloody war in Surdun. These pictures show how civillians are being killed by Naashian forces on a daily basis, homes and villages burned to the ground and heavy artilery used in urban areas.

In a firm statement Clandonia told Naashain sources they would stop the bombardment if agresion was halted.

Elements of the 2nd Conscript Battalion, assisted by elements of the 3rd Mechanized Division forced SPLA forces to withdraw from their positions on the Te-Yakr ridge.

NA-3 attack helicopters continued to harrass the rebels during their retreat, but Tegram Ilair, the rebel leader, and many of his subordinates escaped capture and fled into the true desert territories of Yaskr.

Naashan forces consolidated on the southern slope of the Te-Yakr ridge during the night, preparing to push on into the desert tomorrow.

Top sources within the Naashan Chamber of Defence were quick to stress that no such atrocities have taken place in Surdun, and that citizens in every province have been treated with utmost respect by Naashan soldiers.

They remind the Clandonian non-entities that no major engagements have occured in Surdun except for in the province of Yaskr, which was contained entirely between Naashan troops and SPLA rebels.

OOC: Logging for the night now anyway, see you tomorrow, and have fun bombing me to oblivion.

+++Within weeks of the message's arrival at the Szorosistanian safehouse and its subsequent relay to the government, several warehouses were finally stocked with the weapons that were to be "exported." Szorosistanian officials would have preferred that the SPLA would have sent some people to pick them up, so they could have some deniability, but such was life.

---

+++<"Is that everything, Polkóvnik?"> asked the burly mountain of a Kodiak bear, staring with arms akimbo at the squadron of Mi-26s, which were being loaded up with crates of weaponry.
+++<"Yes, Sir. For this load, anyway. We'll need probably another run to deliver the rest,"> replied the shorter feline woman calmly, holding a clipboard before her.
+++<"Good,"> the ursine grunted, turning away. He rather fancied a bit of akvavit, and the woman was a competent sort; he could trust the operation in her hands.
+++Another twenty minutes or so, and the first heavy-lift helicopter would rise from the warehouse, and take its preplanned route through the uninhabited portions of Szorosistan to avoid embarrassing questions (though the military markings were removed, just in case). Others would follow different routes, staggered in time.

In response to the latest occurences, Naasha has moved to Strategic Alert Level Four - Nation at War.

Local Defense Units (LDU's) for the cities of Sandya and Naash are to begin city lockdown procedures, Samka LDU is to ensure lockdown is maintained and to assist firefighters with damage control of the city. All units are to be on combat alert, and expect further missile threats.

The Radiant and it's escort are to step up patrols along the Surdun coast, while the submarine Zion is to commence surface patrols along the coast of the Yaskr region.

The AA Cruisers Hound, Vixen, and Sparrow are to be stationed in a sweep formation 5km out from Samka, where they will be responsible for Anti-Aircraft and Anti-Missile duties. Destroyer escorts with all active surface fleets are to be on alert, expect submarine attack.

Naashan air-superiority is to be maintained by CAP patrol flights from Sandya and Naash, a squadron of MIG 31 interceptors is to be diverted to the Regional Airport at Samka, which will be closed to civilian traffic until further notice.

Any foreign nationals within the country are to be placed under arrest, and held for questioning.

Jade was running quiet. She had picked up the Cravan battlegroup on sonar, and trailed them silently through the day, keeping only the vessel on the edge of the formation on the sonar. Things looked good, there was no sign of their being detected and they had dropped back and surfaced during the night to transmit the news to Naasha. Getting inside the carrier's defences was going to be another thing entirely though, and Captain Heggarts wasn't going to risk that unless the situation changed dramatically.

Rebel forces were falling back across the region, the determined Naashan assault during the night had driven them from the ridge, causing heavy casualties and extensive loss of supplies such as ammunition and the few rocket-launchers they possesed.

After the day's trek through the plains to the south of the Te-Yakr ridge, spirits were low indeed. But at least, as true Surdunnis, they knew the desert well, and could punish anyone who tried to attack them there.

As they camped for the evening, the tranquility was broken by the clatter of helicopter blades, sending all but the bravest scattering into cover. But Ilair and his lieutenants took heart from the noise, and threw wood onto the campfires, flagging down the Szorosistanian helicopters loaded with fresh supplies for the weary SPLA.

The clatter of the helicopters was detected by Naashan ears too, eyes strained into the darkness trying to fathom who could be flying them.

NA-3 attack helicopters were called up to fly surveillance and intercept missions, using night-vision goggles in the darkness.

Maybe they'd be able to intercept whatever was onboard those helicopters.

OOC: This thread is still open for new joiners by the way, and Naasha might still respond to a diplomatic solution if suitable incentives were offered, even the craziest of fanatics don't like being bombed.

I've updated the factbook again, with a slightly newer map and a description of Rosaa, a typical Naashan industrial city.

OOC: This thread is still open for new joiners by the way, and Naasha might still respond to a diplomatic solution if suitable incentives were offered, even the craziest of fanatics don't like being bombed.

I've updated the factbook again, with a slightly newer map and a description of Rosaa, a typical Naashan industrial city.

OOC:

I'm already involved in a developing conflict elsewhere, but diplomacy I can handle.

IC:

Her Excellency the Regent wishes to remind all involved parties in this conflict it is a National government's duty to protect those it governs, which means it is also that government's duty to prevent conflict when possible, as war is an incredibly perilous enterprise in which many innocent lives are invariably taken in the process. Warfare is something that must be avoided save in the worst situations.

Her Excellency wishes to invite all involved parties in this conflict to join with her in a meeting in a neutral place in an effort to resolve this issue diplomatically, and end the destruction before it is too late.

~ Message from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Military Regency of Romandeos.

The Empire of Naasha gladly accepts the offer of talks by the Military Regency Romandea, who appear to be a little better informed of the situation than the foreign aggressors.

However, we require that Clandonia Prime and any nations involved cease military activites in the region before we attend any meeting with them. It the Empress's government's duty to defend her citizens and we will not waste time on talk while bombs still fall on our cities.

Praise the Empress!

Official Clandonian Response
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/madnukedude/clandoniansmallflag.png

We agree to suspend our military activity providing you enter into talks and stop your agression the people of Surdun.

[ I assume your helos are flying low? Also, are they stealth, like the RAH-66? ]

+++The pilots of the twelve Mi-26As took note of the signal fires, and it was confirmed that this was indeed the spot they were to land. Blissfully unaware of the oncoming threats, landing gear was extended and collectives killed. Szorosistanian soldiers, suited up with the standard "Buducil Ratnik" (Future Warrior) equipment--analgalous to the United States' Land Warrior programme--which included the A-103 (http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y273/blast_archives/?action=view&current=A-103.png&refPage=&imgAnch=imgAnch1) and flashlight wands, among other things.
+++The scene around the helicopters was one of ordered chaos: Szorosistanian troopers swarmed about the cargo bays of each, unloading crates as quickly as possible, while terse orders were barked in Russian. One man strode away from the area to find what he assumed to be Tegram (his armed retinue seemed to suggest it). His rifle was clearly displayed, pointed at the ground in a non-threatening posture, and his night-vision goggles were temporarily atop his head.
+++He spared no introduction for himself: "Mister Ilair," he began in deeply-accented English. "I and my troops have been instructed to remain here with your men to train them in the use of these weapons, if need be." It had been an in-flight change of plans--like always. "The helicopters, I'm afraid, cannot stay, as they're of rather limited use to your campaign."

Casualty reports leaked from the Chamber of Defence:

20 Naashan Combat troops, of the 2nd Conscript Brigade, KIA during engagements with the SPLA, mainly Yaskr province.

10 Naashan Military non-combatant personnel, KIA across the country by cruise missile strikes.

10 Naashan Nationals, Civilian, Killed by cruise missile strikes on broadcasting installations and dockyards.

1 Non-National, Civilian, Killed by cruise missile strike on broadcasting installation.

6 Naashan Combat troops, of the 3rd Mechanized Divsion, MIA, presumed dead in ambush by SPLA forces.

50 (approx.) SPLA terrorists, KIA against Naashan forces in Surdun, mainly Yaskr province.

Naashan NA-3 attack helicopters buzzed through the darkness, failing to pinpoint any hostile air-activity.

OOC: An NA-3 is an old, if reliable attack helicopter, adapted to mount cannon and limited numbers of A-G rockets. Pilots identify targets by sight, as no radar or thermal imaging systems are fitted. They are loud and painted in black, designed to inspire awe and fear into enemies who face them, they are not, however, stealthy.

Friends, please, I call upon you enact an immediate cease-fire, effective on all fronts. I ask that all hostile forces in Naasha at this time be withdrawn temporarily to standby positions.

I also ask that any Naashan military forces be withdrawn at once to the land located north of the Te-Yakr Ridge, and stay there, and that Surdunni forces involved in this conflict stay temporarily to the south. I ask that these forces kindly refrain from attacking one another, as this might well stall peace talks.

I wish to stress to all parties, and to Surdun in particular, that the locations in this proposal are just temporary. It is my sincere hope that this conflict is brought to a swift end with all parties satisfied.

~ Message from Her Excellency Regent Taunja Lockeheart, MRR.

Tegram was slightly taken aback by the urgency and almost rudeness of the man, this abruptness was not common in Surdunni culture.

"Yes, I believe that would be appreciated, although as you may not have realised, we are currently in a withdrawal, and I can't guarantee your safety, especially if the Naashans capture you."

The SPLA will represent the nation of Surdun at these talks. We will cause no more harm to Naashan forces as long as they withdraw as requested.

Naashan forces will occupy positions on the Te-Yakr ridge, we will be withdrawing all troops north of this marker at daybreak.

Naasha maintains its claims to all airspace over, and within 30km off the coast of territories it occupies, ANY infringement on this that has not been authorized by Naashan Air Command will be seen as an act of war, and dealt with as such, we will take no chances with civilian lives.


OOC: To Cravan, we can resolve our fighter engagement if you wish, lets just assume that all posts regarding it are taking place before and during these developments.

+++The man nodded his understanding. "I did not expect you to, with all due respect," stated the man bluntly. "War is a dangerous affair, Mister Ilair, and those who enter it with the expectation that they will return are fools."
+++His earbud radio crackled, and a relieved voice sounded from it: <"All of it's stowed away, Leytenánt."> The man nodded to himself, and faced Tegram once more, awaiting his answer.

The SPLA will represent the nation of Surdun at these talks. We will cause no more harm to Naashan forces as long as they withdraw as requested.

IC:

Do you also intend to remain in the lands south of the Ta-Yakr Ridge as requested?

~ Message from the MFA, MRR.

Tegram was liking this foreigner less and less, but a large shipment of weapons, as well as some rather tough looking troops would certainly aid the cause.

"Very well, you may camp with us tonight or move off as you wish, we will be here in the morning."

With due respect to Romandeos, we do not possess the force to even contemplate breaking through Naashan lines, we will respect this ceasefire and use it to treat our wounded and consolidate in the deserts.

-Tegram Ilair, Leader of the SPLA, Provisional Leader of Surdun.

OOC:

Now all we need is everybody else involved to agree to talks, and name a location, and we can get down to business. That shouldn't take long.

IC:

Regent Taunja Lockeheart looked at the latest communique from Tegram Ilain in from the MFA offices and decided she liked this man. He did not beat about important subjects like most politicians, but got right to it.

"Blunt, isn't he?" asked Jamie Bladen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and friend in recent days to the Regent. He stood before the Regent's desk.

"He is," Lockeheart agreed. "I like that. Prepare to manage some peace talks."

"Yes, Excellency," Bladen responded, and left the room.

************

We thank Tegram Ilain for his and his people's cooperation.

Friends, things seem to be going well. Provided we are all in agreement that peace talks should be conducted, it is perhaps time to meet. Provided you all agree, I ask that you send representatives, or come yourselves, to the city of Southcoast, a coastal port city in Romandeos.

~ Message from the MFA, MRR.

+++"Very well, Mister Ilair. I'll have my men set up camp, then." Almost as an afterthought (sensing that he'd made some faux pas, though he couldn't think of what it might have been), his hand was extended to the freedom fighter in a parting gesture. "I bid you good night." He still didn't smile, but he could hope to repair some damage.

The Glorious Empire of Naasha suggests that these talks be held in the Surdun Capital of Fyrr, so that the foreign representatives may see the benefits that Naashan occupation has brought to the people there.

However, it will be happy to comply with any location and date, provided that the talks are not held in Clandonia.

OOC: Create a seperate thread? I'm going to work now anyway, I'll be able to post again in about five hours, feel free to get the ball rolling if you like, Naashan delegates enjoy being 'fashionably late'.

OOC: Create a seperate thread? I'm going to work now anyway, I'll be able to post again in about five hours, feel free to get the ball rolling if you like, Naashan delegates enjoy being 'fashionably late'.

OOC:

I'll make a separate thread and post a link here when I do, but at the moment, I don't have long before I must log out myself, to be honest.

IC:

With all due respect to the Naashan leaders Fyrr, Surdun is an occupied zone held by a nation presently at war, and therefore, may not be safe for all parties involved in the peace talks. We ask that you come to Southcoast.

In time we may well send observers to Fyrr, to gauge the mood of the people living there and see the affect the Naashan occupation has.

~ Message from the MFA, MRR.

Naasha will, of course comply with Romandeon wishes in this matter.

((OOC: I don't feel like going through ten posts right now... Too tired and I just cba to. Updates?

Please tell me this conflict hasn't been ruined by someone coming in and asking for peace talks... It always happens to the good conflicts I'm in when I go hunting or fishing. And that's what it seems like here.))

[ Da, pretty much.

I'm hoping to at least have a few skirmishes with my troops if the talks fail. ]

OOC: You don't seriously think Naasha is going to make peace quite so easily? ;) Naasha is at the table simply because it doesn't like being bombed when it can't hit back.

By the way, new, clearer, more detailed map on ze way.

Ooh, ooh, I'm no longer a new member, woohoo!

Naasha will, of course comply with Romandeon wishes in this matter.

IC:

Excellent. We do appreciate that.

~ Message from the MFA, MRR.

OOC:

Erg. I guess that means that my nation, realizing it has been slighted and played as the Jade Empress's dupe, will likely jump in, though perhaps only indirectly.

I'm drawing up a new thread now where we can play out the negotiations. It is going to be called "Meeting in Southcoast." Creative, huh?

OOC: Thanks, and yet another enemy would be nice, I hear they have a club now ;) .

Nice new map of Naashan and Surdun (http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j157/Caliyen/Nationstates/NaashaandSurdunlinemap.jpg), it's not the old one with the colour taken off and more detail put in, I swear!

"Evasive Maneouvres!" screamed Eagle One, Lt. Symond as an F-56 shot past her.

"Vixen, this is Eagle Flight, requesting AA suport, be advised, enemy aircraft inbound to your position."

Pulling her MIG into a high-G turn she fought to get a target into her view.

"Eagle Flight, switch to AA-12 IR missiles and engage!"

'Missile away' calls were coming across the radio now, and the flight was losing altitude, struggling to outmaneouvre their adversaries.

*********************************************************
Vixen picked up the inbound hostiles, targeting computers calculating missile trajectories in the blink of an eye, before human thumbs tapped release keys and the cruiser swung into action


Naashan Interceptors and an AA cruiser engage Cravan F-56's off the Naashan coast, as yet the result of the conflict is unknown.

OOC: Just need some closure on this piece, assuming the fight will have happened well before this cease-fire was called.

((OOC: Fluid time!))

"Fuck! Break, break!"

Bruckswinner's words, however, were futile as two of his six were engulfed in flame, parachutes opening as both of them safely descended towards the sea. Bruckswinner spared no time in spinning himself around and gaining a lock on one of the now enemy fighters. A tone filled his ears as his crosshairs turned a bright red, two trails of smoke erupting from his wing pylons as he sent his payload downrange.

"Fox two, fox two!"

He switched frequenices quickly, opening up with the Navarra.

"Navarra, this is Flight 21-7B. We have taken fire, and are being attacked by one Naashanni surface ship and a flight of MiGs. I'm going to try to make a withdrawl with my remaining wings, but I need support. Two have gone down, 'chutes on both of them. We'll need an SAR team in assuming someone manages to take care of the ship."
"Copy that, 21-7B, we have a flight of Phoenixes coming in to help you out and keep them off. Hold on for now."
"Copy that, Navarra. 21-7B out."

Meanwhile on the bridge of the Navarra, some of the officers smirked to themselves. The admiral turned to an aide quickly, concealing his grin.

"Contact Cravna. Inform them our fighters were fired upon while over international waters. The Senate will have a field day."
"Aye, sir. Right away."

"Take Evasi-"

Nothing more from 2nd Lt. Jenned as his MIG joined the two Cravan aircraft on their roller-coaster ride to the bottom of the ocean.

Lt. Symond, Eagle One, dived down after her kill, cannon blazing away at the slowly drifting canopy of it's pilots parachute.

It appeared they were driving the interlopers off with ease, until she spotted the flames of a third downed aircraft, turning end over end as they dropped to the sea. And the pilot, nor his parachute appeared.

"...shit. Air Command this is Eagle Flight, we've lost Eagle Two, engaging enemy air units approximately 5km west of Samka, requesting assistance."

OOC:

Let me know when you guys have finished this furball, and I'll post the meeting thread then.

~ Romandeos.

Samka Airbase's J-10 squadrons were rolled out onto the tarmac, two flights totalling twelve aircraft.

Weasel Flight took off first, it's objective simple, sweep Naashan airspace of Cravan fighters.

Snake followed after a few minutes, on a BARCAP mission to defend the Vixen.

"They're firing at the parachutes!?"
"Those damn dirty pigs!"
"I'm making a pass on one of their 'chutes..."
"No... Stay on task and do not stoop to their level. Go for them when they go for the chutes, and try to sneak up on them as best you can. Give them the last surprise of their life."
"Copy that, lead."

The constant chatter of battle drowned out the screams of another pilot who fell from the skies as a missile from the Vixen slammed into the underside of his Viper, sending it into an uncontrollable spin as the plane fell into the waters below. No parachute was seen, and one could only hope the man's death was quick.

**************

Fuck..., Lieutenant Jenna Karlson swore to herself as her parachute gently drifted to the waters below. She had her sidearm in hand, although it probably wouldn't be of any use save for ending her own life. A fighter was already making passes on her, the Naashan pilot's dirty tactics of trying to kill fallen pilots filling her mouth with a taste of disgust. As it made a flyby, missing with every shot, she shouted at the pilot and raised her middle finger at it, her gloved hand awkwardly making the gesture which probably wouldn't be noticed. She felt good doing it, anyway.

Now the hard part..., she thought to herself as she neared the surface. Please, God, let there be some debris for me to use as cover... Please..., she prayed silently as she reached around her neck and stroked a gold cross located under her flight suit.

"Did you hear something?"
"What?"
"I thought I heard a thud."

The rest of the conversation between the two farm labourers was drowned out by the roar of a flight of J-10 Fighters passing over their heads, and such was their sudden interest in the skies, that they failed to notice the corner of a white canopy, hanging from a tree.

*********************************************************
"This is Vixen, enemy fighters making attack-runs on the ship, taking evasive maneouvres so you're on your own for a few minutes Eagle Flight."

"Eagle Flight, this is Weasel One, have multiple bandits on scope, request picture."
"Weasel Flight, be advised, engagement in progress, request assistance."
"Roger that, Weasel Flight engaging bandits, Fox Three"

The PL-12 missiles screeched off wing-racks, radar guided and with rather poor maneouvreability they weren't ideal for this type of engagement, but being Medium-Range meant that they'd be able to do some damage to the enemy before joining the fight.

OOC: Romandeos, post it when you're ready, this fight is actually occuring waay back on page 3 or something.

OOC:

I have posted it.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=11776742#post11776742

Another went down, leaving two F-56s in the engagement.

"Fuck... Fuck... Fuck! Where's that support?!"
"Navarra said they'd be here!"
"Well they aren't!"

As if called upon by pure fate, four F-80 Phoenixes screamed into the area, immediately loosing two Sidewinders each in an attempt to ambush the enemy. Stealthy characteristics and systems had given them the element of surprise, but now that the enemy knew about them there was little they could do about being seen. Therefore they had to use sheer skill and technological upper hand to escort the remaining fighters out.

"We can't stay here, let's get moving. We'll hold them off, you two get out now."
"Copy that. We're pulling out."

The two remaining Vipers pulled around while four Phoenixes took point, intercepting the oncoming Naashan fighters and engaging them in a deadly dogfight.

Captain Jose Mendez led his squadron into the thick of the enemy flights, weaving in and out of the oncoming rounds and making an honest attempt to distract them. Those who tried to follow the escaping Vipers would recieve two Slammers in the engines. Without even thinking Mendez fired his missiles left and right, allowing his ATHENA AI system to guide them in to the enemy as he concentrated on flying. All he could do at this point was stall for time...

*****************

Lieutenant Karlson cut herself from the parachute, landing with a soft thud on the ground. She had been blown from over the sea into a coastal area, and already she realised her predicament. Two farmers watched the dogfight above in awe, paying no real attention to her. She had two choices at this point: Move on and hope they did not find her, or end them both with one round each from her 9mm sidearm. She decided to spare them, knowing full well the consequences of killing noncombatants. She slipped into the bushes, and made her escape through the forest. She had to find a spot to lay low, and hoped that the Naashans were too distracted elsewhere to divert anything to her.

((OOC: Did you ever see Behind Enemy Lines? That's what I'm aiming for with this situation.))

"Disengage, disengage!"
"Weasel Flight reporting two losses, have been ambushed by high-technology fighters!"

The two Naashan flights diverged, Eagle Flight's MIG-31 Interceptor aircraft using their high speed and climb rate to try and get above the swirling melee, while the J-10 aircraft of Weasel Flight desperately maneouvred for firing positions on this new, apparently superior foe.

***********************************************************

It took them a few minutes, but even the simplest of peasants would have noticed the remnants of the parachute eventually, what disturbed them more was the lack of signs of it's owner, alive or dead.

Phone calls were placed, authorities notified and after about fifteen minutes, a police tracker unit, complete with a vicious-looking German Shepard arrived on the scene.

"Alright, we've got their attention! Break back to the carrier, full throttle!"

The confusion the Phoenixes caused was just enough to allow them to turn tail and engage afterburners, flying straight back to the carrier. By the time the enemy would find out what happened, it would be too late to pursue.

"Losses were pretty heavy... I hope we can get an SAR team in soon to get our pilots out."
"Knowing how much command has zero tolerance for casualties we'll have a team in there soon enough. Keep your mind clear, because this was only a taste of what's to come."
"You're right... Let's get home."

********************

God help me... Karlson thought as she sprayed herself with a scent blocker. It wasn't perfect, but it would at least help from the dog she heard. Or was it dogs? At this point her mind was creating sounds and images since she was in so much distress. She hugged her sidearm tightly, crouching as she moved through the brush. She had already applied camo face paint, and her flight suit came in a default of Cravanian brush MultiCam. Lieutenant Karlson just hoped this would be enough.

Okay, Jen... You're gonna make it through this. I'm sure there's an SAR team already en route. They'll find you and take you back to the Navarra where you'll be pampered like a princess... Oh who the fuck am I kidding...

The remnants of Weasel and Eagle flights limped back to the airbase, Snake flight remained on station over the fortunately undamaged Vixen for the remainder of the evening, withdrawing as night fell.

***********************************************************
They were closing in, Yassim Unghafal knew that much. The enormous, dark-skinned and brutish looking Surdunni tracker paused, sniffing the air. The lack of scent was disturbing, but it almost made the trail obvious to him, grunting for his Naashan escorts to follow he loped off again in pursuit, the dog skipping a few paces ahead of him, yapping nervously as darkness overtook them.

***********************************************************
Any thoughts of launching a retributionary strike on the Cravan carrier-group were firmly dispelled that evening, as the Clandonian Cruise Missiles lit up the sky with their flashes, destroying the runway at Samka Military Airbase, as well as various other key military hardpoints.

Karlson removed a pair of night vision goggles from her BDU pocket, placing them over her head as night began to fall. She needed a place to go where there was too much overall chaos or too many people for her to be tracked. Possibly a place to blend in with the locals and hide.

She chose each step carefully, making sure to remain silent as she moved through the thick forest. Her survival training came in handy here as it was meant to, all pilots being required to take the same course as an Imperial Guardsman.

I always knew this sort of thing would happen to me... she thought to herself. I'm just that lucky.

OOC: Going to bed now, see you guys.

The trackers stomped along through the woodland, all attempts at stealth abandoned now they'd lost the trail, apparently Surdunnis with a grudge didn't make good trackers.

The leader glanced at his compass, they had started north of Samka, and were headed north-east, his map detailed several small villages within the next few miles, the closest of these being Wymyt, a settlement of no fewer than two hundred souls, mostly farmers.

OOC: If you fancy taking a trip to a Naashan island detention centre then let meknow, could be the perfect scenario for some Cravan special forces to attempt a rescue too.

((OOC: That'd be a good idea. I think I'll have her try and find refuge in some villiage by some local resistance or freedom fighters or something, but the government swoops in and arrests her Gestapo style and takes her away. Then an inside source or whatever can inform me of it and an Imperial Guard team swoops in and snatches her.))

After a few hours of walking, Karlson finally made it to the edge of the woods, where she found a small villiage with perhaps less than one hundred residents. She carefully moved towards the settlement, staying low to the ground. She had to find someplace to blend in, and fast before the trackers got on her trail again.

"Yes sir, of course, if they come this way then we'll find them. I'll keep you informed, Praise the Empress!"

Replacing the phone on it's hook, Marcus Gorenger stepped out of his house, on the edge of the village of Jeymt. His larger than average house stood a little apart from the rest of the village, convenient for privacy, although most of the village believed he was anti-nationalist anyway. Going against the government meant trouble, and even to be seen talking to a traitor could mean severe ramifications.

He liked it that way, he got left alone mostly. Turning around to survey the woodland surrounding the village he grinned. A bush appeared to be moving.

It was funny how some people's brains worked: camouflage gear plus wooded terrain equalled invisibility. You could see them almost because they thought they couldn't be seen. Fixing his smile and lighting a cigarette, Marcus 'made like a terrorist' and sauntered down to meet whoever it was.

Fuck... Karlson swore to herself as she tried to blend in better. She crouched down further, and took her sidearm in both hands, clicking the safety off.

Alright... Remember your training Jenna. Resist all you can, and if need be cause too much of a problem for them to take you alive. I will not give them anything...

She could feel the sweat trickle down her forehead as her breathing seemed to get louder and heavier to her. Her heart was racing, and her sidearm began to feel slippery in sweaty palms. Her worst fear of capture could very well come true in the next few seconds.

Holding out his palms, Marcus slowed his pace, trying to show he didn't mean any harm.

"Cravan? No, don't hide, I'm a friend!"

He inched closer, praying she wasn't going to shoot him.

"We need to get you out of the open, they'll find you out here."

Beckoning and smiling to show he didn't mean any harm he turned away and called over his shoulder.

"Oh, and I have a satellite phone too, so you can get in touch with your friends."

She cautiously rose from the bush, clutching her sidearm in shaking hands and aiming it between the man's eyes.

"Who are you?", she asked in a staggering voice while she breathed heavily, her dark eyes showing signs of a firey rage.

She began to take in her surroundings in more detail, noticing the large house behind the man. She studied him closely, looking for weapons or objects which would tie him to the local government.

Marcus was dressed in odd, almost jungle clothing, which looked far more suitable for the deserts of Surdun than rural Naasha. A cigarette hung from his smirking lips, a week's growth of stubble still festered on his cheeks and he walked with an obvious swagger, so different from the severely dressed Naashan officials and meek nervous peasantry.

He turned and beckoned to her again.

"A...friend, not all Naashans are Imperialist y'know?"

Winking, he strode off back up toward his house, not bothering to check if she followed.

Elements of the Naashan 3rd Infantry Battalion seized control of the strategic Palar Fields Oil Refinery, located north-west of the Te-Yakr ridge.

Military Engineers units have been deployed, opening oil pipelines to Arkam, near the Naashan border, where specially converted trains ship oil by rail into the Imperial heartland.



OOC: 100 posts, woohoo!

Might as well...

Karlson followed the man cautiously, knowing very well there could be resistance cells around Naasha which could harbor her until assistance could arrive. She walked slowly, her weapon held low and ready to fire, but not directly aimed at the man.

Bobbing his head, Marcus reached the entrance to his house, only then glancing back to check she was following.

She was. Embolded by this, he held the door open for her, revealing a modest sized, but well decorated living area, complete with a Naashan Imperialist flag over the fireplace. He hastily pulled it down to reveal a safe in the wall, and retrieved from this a phone-like contraption, complete with much loose wiring and held together with bits of tape.

Waving the phone in front of her teasingly, he pointed at the blank display on the front.

"Need to get it charged, then get a signal, it's gonna be morning before it's ready, but you should be safe here."

"Good to know.", she said, still clutching her weapon tightly. Her attention drifted around the room, taking in the decor and studying her surroundings closely.

"Nice place you have here.", she said.

((Will do a more indepth post later.))

He grinned,

"It serves my needs."

Taking hold of the carpet, which was peeling near one of the walls, he gave it a firm tug.

"Voila!"

What was revealed was in fact a small steel hatch in the floor, complete with miniature key-hole.

"I've found use for this little gem on many an occasion, but it's empty now, save for a bed. It's actually pretty good-sized down there, but then again, I've had others stay for months before. The house got searched three times, but they never found the place."

On-cue, the phone rang. Feigning a look of surprise, Marcus reached for it and spoke softly into the receiver.

"Hullo?"

His face swiftly grew concerned.

"Really? How long ago?"

He shifted nervously from foot to foot.

"Shit! Well, thanks anyway!"

Moving to the door, he pulled it shut, and turned, looking panicky.

"Look... well, I don't know your name, but a source of mine says an Imperialist patrol set out for here about ten minutes ago. They'll be here any moment!"

Pulling a key from the wall safe, he knelt before the trapdoor and unlocked it. Gesturing inside, he reached in and flicked a light switch.

"Get in quick! They'll be here any moment, and if they see you then we're both better off dead!"

Gesturing frantically, he glanced at the front windows, obviously expecting to see a dark-uniformed figure march past at any moment.

Lieutenant Karlson quickly jumped down into the trapdoor, out of sheer impulse. Her pistol was once again in her hands, and she landed like a cat on both feet. She quickly turned to look around, checking to see if the "trap" part of trapdoor lived up to its name.

************************
INS Navarra

"Lieutenant Karlson's GPS reciever is activated, sir. She appears to be northeast of Samka, marked as a small villiage."
"Hopefully she's found refuge and a means to contact us."

The sounds of afterburners drowned out all other sounds on the bridge of the Navarra as another patrol lifted off from the flight deck below. He watched the ships of the Third Imperial Task Force in the night, knowing Marines were gathering on the decks of the troop carriers, preparing their gear for a possible landing if the talks failed.

"How many Imperial Guard teams do we have aboard?", the admiral asked without taking his gaze away from the ships outside.
"Two, sir."
"Have them prepare their gear for a rescue. I want SatNet to divert satellites to Jenna's last known position constantly. We're finding her and her squadronmates, and we're bringing them back."
"Aye, sir."

Rear Admiral James Karlson watched the black horizon emotionlessly, his gaze remaining fixed for what seemed like hours.

Don't worry... We'll bring you home.

A sharp rap at the door startled Marcus, who hadn't actually expected anyone, but shooting a quick grin at the pilot, he closed the trapdoor and rolled the carpet back over it.

Rehanging the Imperialist flag he casually opened the door, leaning on the doorpost. The icy black barrel of a rifle greeted him, and he was roughly shoved aside.

"The pilot here?"

Marcus paused, feeling a sudden impulse to lie, but shrugged it off and nodded feebly at the carpet over the trapdoor. He felt he had to voice his protest in some way though.

"I hadn't called you guys yet though, this isn't the way it works!"

An icy glare from the patrol's sergeant silenced him, and he kept his mouth shut as the carpet covering the trapdoor was rolled back out. Tossing the troops the key, he turned to face the wall, hands on his head in a pose of surrender, no point in letting her know he'd betrayed her.

*********************************************************

They came for her, lifting the lid of the trapdoor just a few inches and tossing in a flashbang. The SIG, sound, illumination and gas combined grenade detonated with a whoompfh beneath their feet, and they opened the trap door, two soldiers jumping down to arrest the, hopefully temporarily incapacitated pilot.

Karlson had been hiding under the cot as the flashbang hit the floor, and before it detonated she quickly curled into a ball and closed her eyes tightly while clutching her ears. It did little to stop the grenade from affecting her, but she at least was not completely incapacitated. She still had her eyesight, however her ears would not stop ringing. She also began to feel lightheaded from the gas, but managed to keep her breathing under control. Her hands on her pistol, she took aim at the opening. Before the patrol came down, though, she thought it best to not resist, and instead hid her weapon inside her bulky camo flight suit.

That fucker had to betray me... There's no way they'd find the trapdoor that quickly... No way...

They roughly heaved her out from under the cot, one man dousing her face with pepper-spray while the other applied the hand cuffs, not bothering to search her at this point.

There was an awkward moment trying to get her through the trapdoor, but they managed and the captured pilot was dumped unceremoniously onto the carpet.

"I will see you killed in the most painful way possible.", she said softly to Marcus. "You'll die by my hands you fucking son of a bitch."

Her eyes were tearing from the pepper spray, and therefore she couldn't see him against the wall. Even then she would not be convinced that he had not given her away to the authorities.

Marcus winced as the woman announced his death warrant, and watched guiltily as the soldiers dragged her out of the door to the waiting jeep.

************************************************************

They threw her into the grass in front of the jeep, two female soldiers emerged from it and began to search her quickly. The hastily-concealed pistol was taken from her, her captors seeing to it that she couldn't put up a lot of resistance, but the rest of the search drew up nothing.

They crammed her between the two soldiers who had cuffed her, in the back of the jeep and it sped away, beginning the long journey to the Samka Island Detention Facility.

OOC: Don't know if you've been following Clandonia's latest war, but a Naashan helicopter picked up five of their shipwrecked seamen, who are headed to the same place.

((I haven't been, but that can make it even more interesting. You can skip straight to where she arrives at the prison, though, since I don't have much to type until then.))

OOC: Making a new thread now, so as not to clutter both relevant ones, I'll stick the link on in a sec.

((Okay by me. I'm going to have to run in a few miniutes, though, so I probably won't reply until later tonight.))

Message to Naashan Defence Units

Be aware that due to hostile air activity, coupled with the breaking off of peace-talks with Clandonia Prime, the cease-fire is cancelled. The Empire will remain on Strategic Alert Level Four. In particular, CAP aircraft are urged to be vigilant against infringements on Naashan airspace.

Elements of the Imperial 2nd Conscripts advanced south of the Te-Yakr borderline, seizing large portions of the Palar Oil Fields. They halted on the very edge of the Surdunni deserts, the last free territory in the nation.

Units of the 3rd Mechanized Division are pushing through Yaskr to reinforce them, while NA-3 attack helicopters and withering artillery barrages soften up SPLA defences.

"Cease fire's off, sir. Cravna has given us the green."

Admiral Karlson looked back at his executive officer.

"Get those snake eaters on the choppers. I want the advance force in Surdun in an hour to secure spots for a landing. Meanwhile bring the force closer to the coast and watch for subs as we get the landing ships ready to put forces on the ground. I don't want a single transport lost."
"Aye, sir."

The orders were sent out to the ships of the Third. It was time.

19:23hrs
10/10/06
Operation Mercurio

An armada of rotary wing aircraft made their way towards the coastline, moving in low and fast to avoid fire and to stay below the RADAR. They gently moved towards the shore, dropping their payloads: forward elements of the Sixth Marine Division. They promptly turned around to pick up more while AH-72 Vipers circled overhead to cover the troops below. HMMWV's were the heaviest vehicles brought along, dropped in by Chinooks. Heavier equipment was on the way as the Third itself began to move closer and closer to Surdun.

Private Jeff Relakson walked with his M2 carbine at his shoulder, keeping with his squad as they established positions along the coastline. They didn't even know if the Naashans knew of their landing, but they were ready anyway. He watched in silence as his squadmates dug in around their stretch of beach. It would be a long night.

((OOC: I've essentially landed in an area where there's little activity by your forces on the coast of Surdun. I plan on landing two forces: one to move north and one south. It won't amount to more than 50,000 personnel overall for the entire force, 25,000 logistics.))

OOC: The only coastal region is Gunwe, which does have a Naashan battlecruiser and submarine patrolling the coast, although it would take both a while to react. I'll assume one landing in the south of the region, which would put you near the Te-Yakr ridge, and one in the northern area, probably aimed at taking the regional airport.

((Sounds fine to me. I haven't had a chance to look at the map for a little bit so I forget the exact layout. Whatever you feel sounds right.))

The beach landings by helicopter went unnoticed, but the transports weren't. Jade had been with the battlegroup for a long time now, and spotted the movement toward the coast.

Dropping back, she radioed Naashan Command with the details, then circled back underwater, trying to get into position to attack the transport craft when they left the main fleet.

Radiant, a Naashan battlecruiser, and her escorts, Gorgon an anti-aircraft cruiser, and Despair a heavy destroyer, were ordered to sail northwards from their patrol area and attempt to interfere with any troop landings.

Squadrons of MIG-31's, J-10's and the A10-Warthog's attached to the 4th Infantry stationed at Gunwe were all put on combat alert. MIG-31 aircraft were launched for CAP patrols to guard against aerial insertions of special forces, unaware that they'd already missed the first wave.

Elements of the 4th Infantry, around 5,000 fighting men, were called forward to establish a perimiter around Gunwe, while requests for reinforcements were transmitted.

OOC: To save confusion, Gunwe is the name of both the province and city, usually the province is referred to in geographical terms eg. off the coast of Gunwe. My troops are stationed in Gunwe the city, if that wasn't obvious in the post.

The Jade, however, would not get the chance. Five Type-45 destroyers and two Ticonderoga-class cruisers followed the transports, encircling them in a cocoon of firepower. The rest of the battlegroup was close behind, at the center being the two Eagle-class carriers. Combat air patrols were a very common occurance now, the skies constantly filled with fighters and helicopters. ASW choppers swarmed the task force, knowing there was at least one submarine someplace in the area. Meanwhile three Seawolf-class subs watched their sonar dilligently, scanning for a threat from the deep.

Overall the task force was at the highest possible alert level. Those troops were getting on the ground one way or another, and the Naashans could either handle it the hard way or the impossible way. It was up to them how it would occur now.

Jade was practically pinned to the bottom, her threat warning systems picking up multiple threats from all over the place. Being a diesel powered patrol boat she could operate much closer inshore than the Seawolf vessels, but she couldn't dodge helicopters.

***********************************************************

With help from the naval relay station in Gunwe, Radiant and her escort managed to work their way closer to the Cravan fleet. A variety of frigates and destroyers moving into the classic submarine defence formation, with Radiant and Despair in the centre, both equipped with Exocet anti-ship missiles.

"Sir, we're detecting a group of Naashan ships just to the south of us."
"Sound general quarters."

Klaxons resonated throughout the ship as crews scrambled to their stations. Aircraft scrambled from the decks while missile tubes rotated to an agressive position. The SAMPSON system of the Type-45 destroyers came into full operation and began actively searching for hostile targets.

"Open up a radio channel with them."
"Aye, sir."

Admiral Karlson cleared his throat, and spoke into the radio.

"Attention oncoming Naashan fleet. Stand down immediately and stay outside a twenty mile radius of our group. I will not warn you again, pull back and stand down immediately."

As eager as the crews were to engage the Cravan vessels, the chances of success were slender without reinforcements. To this end the Cruiser-Group Commander, Captain Birkill ordered the Radiant and her escort about, moving northwards and slightly back west, trying to stay off the Cravan sensors while flanking them.

"Naashan warships will not stand down while enemy forces stand off our coast. However, we will not approach your vessels."

***********************************************************

The submarine,Zion, in company with Raven; Naasha's other battlecruiser and her escort, steamed southwards from their positions off the Naashan coast.

The objective was simple, the enemy force was to be attacked from the flanks and rear, while pinned on a lee-shore*, Naashan aircraft based in Surdun and even ground based artillery would all aid in it's destruction.

*If you weren't aware, being pinned on a lee-shore is a naval disadvantage, making it harder for vessels to turn and engage the enemy, and almost totally unable to flee.

"GPS and SatNet confirm Naashan movements southward. We're evenly matched in numbers meaning we wouldn't take much of a beating, but we're sure as hell at a disadvantage. They've got us pinned."
"How far away is the nearest availiable reinforcements?"
"The Orgullo del Imperio and supporting ships is based at Colorisia, and is about two days out of air cover range, along with the Razor who's with the Orgullo del Imperio at Cayanace. They're about five days out at full speed. Then we have a few smaller groups running patrols about four or five days out. That's about it."
"Call in everything we can get. And keep those transports under the tightest cover you can possibly imagine. I will not lose a single Marine while they're on a ship."
"Aye, sir."

Where's the Espada del Imperio when you need it? A two kilometer long dreadnought could really come in handy right about now.

Imperial air patrols were running around the clock now, with Phoenixes, Vipers, and Falcons in the air twenty-four/seven. If Naashan pilots thought they had experienced a real dogfight a few days earlier then they were in for a rude awakening.

"Bring the group about twenty degrees, and have the subs fan out in a wide formation. Keep us out of range of whatever they're packing and take a defensive stance. Rearrange formation so the transports are in the back with the carriers. It may be a little bit before we can initiate the landings."
"Aye, sir."
"And... Do you think we can attempt to jam their frequencies? And perhaps crack them? We have some cryppies on board, might as well give it a shot."
"Their systems aren't as advanced as our own, but I'm sure they'd still be a bitch to crack. They aren't a third world country, after all.", one of the intelligence officers on the bridge replied.
"Try it anyway and tell me how it turns out."

He turned to the railing on the upper level of the bridge, and leaned against it.

"After we incapacitate their navy, we're going to have to attempt a rescue of our girl. See if you can get in touch with the Clandonians since I believe they have some sailors there as well. GPS says she's at that island facility, and if reinforcements arrive they can probably deploy a team undetected from another angle up the coast."
"Aye, sir.", the communications officer replied.

**FLASH**
TO CLANDONIAN FORCES IN NAASHAN THEATRE
FROM INS NAVARRA

WE HAVE HEARD YOU HAVE SAILORS THAT WERE CAPTURED.STOP.ONE OF OUR PILOTS IS BEING HELD AT THE SAME FACILITY.STOP.WE WOULD LIKE TO COORDINATE A STRIKE WITH YOU.STOP.REPLY ASAP.STOP-END

**flash**
To Cravan Forces In Naashan Theatre
From Ins Navarra

We Are Prepared To Attempt Rescue, We Have Prisoner Down Confirmed With Gps Co-ordinates Secured. We Are Prepared To Halo In Sas Forces, We Request Pickup Then We Will Tactically Destroy The Prison Once Rescue Is Done

Replay Asap

A reply was sent immediately:

**FLASH**

OPERATION CANNOT OCCUR FOR A FEW DAYS.STOP.GROUP IS BOXED IN BY ENEMY.STOP.SUPPORT INBOUND, WILL BE ABLE TO DEPLOY IMPGUARD UNITS TO ISLAND FOR EVAC.STOP.WE WILL CONTACT YOU WHEN REINFORCEMENTS ARE IN RANGE TO PLAN OP FURTHER.STOP

CLANDONIAN NAVAL REINFORCEMENT WOULD BE APPRECIATED.STOP.IF POSSIBLE PLEASE DEPLOY SUPPORT.STOP.WE ARE OUTNUMBERED AND BOXED IN AND REQUIRE A DIVERSIONARY ATTACK.STOP.WITH THEIR FORCES SPREAD BETWEEN TWO AREAS WE CAN PROBABLY OVERCOME WITH RELATIVELY LOW CASUALTIES.STOP.PLEASE RESPOND IF THIS IS POSSIBLE.STOP.IF NOT WE HAVE REINFORCEMENTS INBOUND, BUT THEY WILL NOT ARRIVE FOR SEVERAL DAYS.STOP-END

**flash**

Negative On Naval Support, We Are Out Numbered We Will Be Able To Provide Air Support. Our Severn Vessels Were Wiped Out, We Will Depoy Thermobarbical Munitions, Regime Change Is Possible In Naasha, Intel Suggests Civillian Population Is Unhappy.

Air Support Is Possible

((OOC: From where? Do you have a carrier in the area?

I have strategic bombers based at an airbase which, although I don't know if it really is, I've RPed as being relatively close to Naasha. A few days worth of sailing at full steam away. I'm sure I could deploy some strategic strikes from there, but for the moment I won't be.))

((OOC: From where? Do you have a carrier in the area?

I have strategic bombers based at an airbase which, although I don't know if it really is, I've RPed as being relatively close to Naasha. A few days worth of sailing at full steam away. I'm sure I could deploy some strategic strikes from there, but for the moment I won't be.))

OOC: The only thing I could do is fly long range Nimrods to provide anti-shipping support, thats it my carriers are going Ackistans way. Get on msn if you want to discuss it more.

Dartia wants to send medical supplies, doctors, and nurses to help treat the civilian casualties of this war.

We have 10 Hercules transports we want to dedicate to ferrying these supplies back and forth to Surdun. We hope all nations involved will take care not to shoot down our unarmed planes. We understand we are putting our doctors at risk by sending them into a warzone. We won't fault anyone if we suffer an occassional casualty so long as we no reason to believe our people are being sought as targets.

If Dartia wishes, Skgorria will send a small force to act as bodyguards to the doctors whilst they selflessly work in these dangerous lands

If Dartia wishes, Skgorria will send a small force to act as bodyguards to the doctors whilst they selflessly work in these dangerous lands

Skgorria,

We may wish to accept your offer in the future. First we want to find out of the nations involved will agree to not shoot our planes down.

If they agree we want to try not using bodyguards at first. Armed bodyguards might draw unwanted attention to our doctors and nurses. If our people start getting killed then will want to accept your offer of bodyguards if that is ok.

Thank you for taking an interest in helping our humanitarian efforts.

Skgorria,

We may wish to accept your offer in the future. First we want to find out of the nations involved will agree to not shoot our planes down.

If they agree we want to try not using bodyguards at first. Armed bodyguards might draw unwanted attention to our doctors and nurses. If our people start getting killed then will want to accept your offer of bodyguards if that is ok.

Thank you for taking an interest in helping our humanitarian efforts.

Understood, the offer is always open. We applaud and support your efforts

Clandonia is insisting with its allies that there is no fly zone, if you proceed you will be in danger of being shot down by allied forces. Turn back now to avoid bloodshead of your people.

The Democratic Empire begs to differ from our Clandonian allies. Imperial aircraft will escort your humanitarian personnel in as far as we can take them to ensure their safety, and will offer to protect these doctors upon Cravanian forces reaching them. The Empire applauds your efforts to provide assistance to civilians, and would hope that you may do what you can to end some peoples' suffering.

Clandonia is insisting with its allies that there is no fly zone, if you proceed you will be in danger of being shot down by allied forces. Turn back now to avoid bloodshead of your people.

We have not sent our transports yet. We are just expressing our desire to provide humanitarian aid to civilians. If it would put your mind at ease we are willing to inform you of our flight plans in advance and allow a respresentative from your nation into our country to inspect our cargo at its point of origin.

The Democratic Empire begs to differ from our Clandonian allies. Imperial aircraft will escort your humanitarian personnel in as far as we can take them to ensure their safety, and will offer to protect these doctors upon Cravanian forces reaching them. The Empire applauds your efforts to provide assistance to civilians, and would hope that you may do what you can to end some peoples' suffering.

Secret Diplomatic Communication:

I must protest at this action, for all we know they are re-arming the Naashians ready to kill more our countrys service personal! We should force all aircraft to land then search them. We need to prepare for the worst, these maniacs have five of our troops we should punish their nation colectively.

Secret Diplomatic Communication:

I must protest at this action, for all we know they are re-arming the Naashians ready to kill more our countrys service personal! We should force all aircraft to land then search them. We need to prepare for the worst, these maniacs have five of our troops we should punish their nation colectively.

This could be entirely true. We will allow them through, but a thorough search will be performed on each aircraft when it is diverted to Cayanace by escorts. Is this agreeable to the Dartians?

Communique to Dartia

On behalf of the citizens of Surdun we accept your generous offer, however we urge you to decline Cravan air escorts, as Cravan infringement on Naashan airspace will be viewed dimly. We recommend that supplies be brought in by helicopter or transport aircraft to Fyrr, the capital and home of Surdun's international airport, where terminal priorites will be granted.

Be aware that Naasha cannot guarantee the safety of any nation's personnel in the region, escpecially those who go south into the combat zones.

We have only offered escort up until your airspace begins. Combat aircraft will not accompany Dartian humanitarian aircraft into your territory.

We would like to remind the Naashians you still have four of our naval personal, you have executed one we know due to satellite intel. If you do not release them in the 48 hours we will bombard your country targetting every major city with orbital weaponry.

Your time starts now

Raven steamed southwards, in company with the rest of her battlegroup, the combined fleets would total almost all of Naashan naval power when they linked up.

Hound and Vixen, the latter already credited with a kill on a Cravan aircraft, were deployed just in front of Raven, to defend against air attack. The heavy destroyer Pride of the Empress sailed ahead of the AA frigates, coordinating with the escort ships to try and defend against a submarine or surface attack.

Zion slipped as close inshore as she could manage, diesel powered patrol submarines like this suffered from limited range, and small size when compared to the nuclear boats of larger nations, but they had the advantage of being able to run almost completely silent at a much shallower depth.

The two fleets were just hours away from linkup.

*********************************************************

The industrial railway line into Gunwe was put to good use, as Naashan artillery was shipped westwards to hamper troop landings and any ships foolish enough to attempt direct shore bombardments.

Infantry and Mechanized divisions were arriving in the port-city now, fanning out along the coast.

*********************************************************

MIG 31 CAP missions were stepped up to provide air cover and up to date intelligence on the theatre, and specially converted FAC variants of the A-10 were ordered to coordinate and provide Close Air Support for ground engagements.

The remainder of Naashan aircraft that were within range of the area were ordered onto combat alert, the lead flights already waiting on the tarmac runways.

This is turning out to be way more complicated than expected. Maybe every country involved should send a team of five people to Dartia. Those people can inspect every bit of cargo as it is being packed, interview our doctors and nurses to determine they are medical professionals, and observe our planes until the moment they take off. Our cargo planes will proceed without escort directly to whatever airport is the most convenient for providing humanitarian aid without making any stops along the way. All parties will have the right to veto any shipment or reject any of the people we are sending. Once our doctors and nurses arrive, Skgorrians will serve as their bodyguards and observe the behavior of our doctors and nurses and report any irregularities.

Naasha will open a terminal at Fyyr's national airport for Dartian Medical use, we will inspect the cargo of each plane as it lands, and then provide any assistance or buildings that you require.

This is turning out to be way more complicated than expected. Maybe every country involved should send a team of five people to Dartia. Those people can inspect every bit of cargo as it is being packed, interview our doctors and nurses to determine they are medical professionals, and observe our planes until the moment they take off. Our cargo planes will proceed without escort directly to whatever airport is the most convenient for providing humanitarian aid without making any stops along the way. All parties will have the right to veto any shipment or reject any of the people we are sending. Once our doctors and nurses arrive, Skgorrians will serve as their bodyguards and observe the behavior of our doctors and nurses and report any irregularities.

We're afraid war is complicated. This is, of course, unavoidable.

Our offer for escort was merely for your aircrafts' safety, since as the Clandonians have said it is dangerous to send your aircraft into a warzone even with friendly IFF tags. An escort of Cravanian or Clandonian aircraft up to the Naashan border could provide extra safety and security. This is optional, but recommended since we cannot guarantee your safety otherwise.

Radiant established radio contact with the incoming Naashan reinforcements in the early afternoon, the two fleets merging and spreading out into a skirmish line, ready to engage the Cravans.

Only Jade and Zion didn't join the formation, Jade was still pinned before the Cravan battlegroup, and Zion hung back a little ways to the south, waiting for an opportunity to penetrate the Cravan formation or engage a Cravan submarine.

NA-4 anti-submarine variants were launched from small hangars aboard the AA frigates, and went active, combing the seas before the fleet as they descended on the Cravan enemy.

"Any progress on cracking their codes?"
"Very little, so far, sir. We'll continue, though."
"Good. Keep at it."
"Sir, multiple aircraft inbound! Intentions and model unidentified!"
"Sound general quarters and bring the fleet's AA systems to full. See if you can hail them."
"Aye, sir."

The young bridge officer flipped a switch on his console and held his headset to his ears.

"Attention unidentified aircraft, you are in violation of the buffer zone around this task force. Turn back immediately or be fired upon."

A group of four Phoenixes moved to intercept them, coming in low and fast as they made their approach.

Meanwhile, back on the bridge one of the communications officers picked up his head.

"Sir, I'm recieving word that command is sending reinforcements in the form of a squadron of destroyers and cruisers. They're also sending in the Orgullo del Imperio to provide some extra air support, but that will be located around 700 miles from our current position so air support can reach us comfortably and the Orgullo can remain at a safe distance itself. Aerial reinforcements should be here within two days, while extra cruisers and destroyers should arrive inside three."
"Good... We only have to hold out for a relatively short time... We may be able to pull this off."

The fleet advanced, relying more and more heavily on destroyer and frigate support for anti-submarine operations as the NA-4's risked getting shot down by flying too close.

The Naashan battlecruiser group heaved to at approximately twenty kilometres north of the Cravans.

Even as the Exocet missiles were being prepped on the decks of Radiant, Raven, Pride of the Empress and Despair, artillery pieces were moving into position on the coast.

A final, simple message was relayed to the Cravan fleet.

"Stand down immediately or be destroyed."

Ok.

We will wait a day to give your inspectors time to arrive. After that, we will begin transporting our humanitarian aid.

**flash**

To Cravan Naval Forces
Help Is Here, Clandonian Naval Nuclear Forces Have Arrived For Classified Mission, 2 Typoon Nuclear Subs, Fresh From Danskeran Reply Asap.

OOC: Those subs would have to be pretty dam fast, my fleet only began to move about two hours before my last post.

OOC: Agreed.

"Sir, Garrison forces at Gunwe are reporting suspicious air-activity, it appears to have been helicopters moving out to sea."

Terenga sighed, and shot the aide an irritated look.

"So?"

The man shuffled nervously.

"Garrison Command believes it may be a pre-cursor to an invasion fleet sir."

"Well, have they identified any enemy forces on the ground?"

"No sir, but, well, I don't think they've really looked sir."

"Right. Well, order a scout unit to the 'invasion area' then, and we'll take a look."

*********************************************************

Two armoured pickup trucks trundled along the coastal road toward the helicopters suspected landing point, scanning the beaches along the way for unusual activity.

The Marines in the area kept low, blending in with the landscape quite well. Their training and advanced gear gave them an edge over the conscripts they'd be facing, but they were ready for even the most elite of troops if the situation called for it. Imperial Marines were famous for several things, and infamous for even more.

The inter-squad radio was constantly going, with whispered orders relayed between squad leaders and into their headsets to allow for precise coordination. So far the beaches were fairly secure, with only this passing patrol being the few forces detected. They knew this wouldn't last long once the Vipers above spotted the trucks, though...

OOC:The whole Clandonian fleet is turning back to begin regime change in Naash, Those submairnes were moving out to aid Cravan forces but now the whole skidalale is coming the Naashans might as well surrender.



'Sir, reports our Ackistani threat has ended, we are now turning back to aid Cravan naval forces. Full speed ahead!'

'Prepare the fleet air arm, do we have confirmation that all Clandonian carrier groups are turning?'

'Yes sir.' The massive sight as the many ships streaming towards Naasha, marines were being prepared. The taskforce was another two days away but they were preparing to begin possible operations. In Clandonia itself, a platoon of 22nd SAS were preparing at the underground airbase at Verdan, their HQ. The large C-17 was being loaded with their equipment and the fourty or so men were checking weapons and specialist equipment, the rescue of the captured sailors was nearly ready to go, the mission would go ahead when the fleet arrived.

Blissfully unaware of the Marine contingent observing them, the convoy moved along serenely past the advance positions.

***********************************************************

Naashan MIG-31 Flights are scrambled into the air from Gunwe's Regional Airport, followed shortly afterwards by J-10's armed with YJ-9K anti-shipping missiles which had already proven their effectiveness on the Clandonian Navy. However, this time Naasha has no allies to weaken the enemy, this will be the first real test for Imperial Forces.

***********************************************************

Raven moves south-east with her escort.

Radiant headed directly south with her escort to complete the encirclement of the Cravan fleet.

Pride of the Empress and Despair sailed in company with their escorts directly toward the Cravan fleet.

Missiles were prepped on the decks of all four vessels.

***********************************************************

Jade risks activating her motor to propel her gently toward the Cravan formation, seeking a clear torpedo shot at the Cravan carrier or a troop-ship, there was only going to be time for a few shots before they were detected.

***********************************************************

Zion glides northwards, silently probing the Cravan formations.

"Alright, get some MIG-31's to fly a passover, get them as high as they can go to avoid the AA defences, let's see if we can't draw out some of their fighters."

The Seawolf-class SSN Mariner silently sat, waiting near the battle group for a target of oppurtunity to show itself. Sonar operators gazed into their scopes hypnotically, listening for a sign of enemy activity.

"Skipper, contact made just to the north, current heading puts it near the group inside an hour. It's moving real slow, but right now I'm not sure what it is. It's too quiet right now to get a clear picture, but the way it just started and its current heading is suspicious. Could be nothing, though."
"Keep an eye on it... You never know. Don't be too worried, though."

Little did the sonar operator realise he had just made first contact with the Jade...

***********************

"Sir, radar's picking up some activity above us. Profiles fit MiG-31s. They're pretty high up, but the Aster 30's shouldn't have much of a problem with 'em."
"Tell the destroyers to pick their targets carefully and divert the nearest squadron of Phoenixes. We gave them a victory before. They're going to have to really fight now."
"SatNet reports we've been surrounded. Our only chance of escaping the area is turning around and attempting to break through. It wouldn't be difficult, but casualties could be much higher than anticipated."
"Keep the option open. XO, what's the status on reinforcements?"
"Three and a half days until another battle group arrives. One and a half until air support is in range."
"Keep me posted."
"Aye, sir."

***********************

Aster 15 and 30 missile batteries armed themselves on the decks of the destroyers of the group, while Harpoon Block II missiles were prepared on the cruisers for immediate ship-to-ship engagement. Harpoons were also armed on the three subs of the group, their batteries silently tracking known enemy targets and positions on the surface. The subs were prepared to break to a launch depth, then silently slip back below the surface. Torpoedo tubes were also loaded, waiting for enemy targets to present themselves for judgement.

The MiG's above would be notified of a missile lock, and they would be given a few moments to bug off. If not, four Phoenixes and a hailstorm of high altitude mid-range SAMs would make short work of them.

************************

Sergeant Katherine Johanson watched silently as the Naashan convoy passed, the stock of her CM2 carbine kissing her cheek gently. An M203 grenade launcher hung from the barrel, fully loaded and ready for engagement with an M1060 thermobaric cartridge placed firmly in the barrel.

Her headset buzzed silently in her ear, completely inaudible to those around her even though they heard the same thing in their own headsets. Connected on an encrypted ethernet channel, the Imperial Marines of the forward scouting party awaited in their positions for the oncoming storm which was to engulf these beaches soon. They had been spread out along the several miles of coastline chosen for the landings, and assigned to scout it out for enemy movement. So far this patrol convoy had been the first. It would not be the last.

Two AH-72 Vipers finally made contact with the convoy, and staying low managed to keep off of Naashan radars in the area. When the convoy saw them it would be too late...

"Alright, they'll know we're here by now, head on past and provide air support for the fleet."

Tiger Flight coasted on past the Cravan battlegroup, hoping that their high altitude and lack of aggressive actions would stay the inevitable AA fire for a little longer.

************************************************************

The rail based, long range artillery in Samka had finally been deployed, although radar suggested that they would only be able to hit about half of the enemy battlegroup from their present location.

"Warbler One ready to fire."

************************************************************

Naashan J-10 aircraft, with MIG-31 escorts closed the range with the Cravan fleet, establishing target locks, the first priority was the carrier, although this might be a difficult objective to reach.

"Snake One ready to engage"

************************************************************

Despair and Pride of the Empress slowed to a speed of a few knots, awaiting the signal from Fleet Command to deploy their Exocet missiles.

************************************************************

Raven came about, and in company with Hound and Vixen headed toward the Cravan fleet.

Radiant and Gorgon turned and approached the Cravan ships from the opposite angle, escorts strung out in picket lines ahead of both groups to deter submarine attacks.

************************************************************

Everything was in place, it was time to test these Cravan dogs against the might of Imperial Naasha. Inside the Fleet Command building in Samka, the order was given.

"All units, engage specified targets at will."

Clandonia, Multipe Air Force Bases

Two hundread Clandonian transport aircraft were lined up around the country in various underground complexes, loading up. The mixture of C-5 Galaxy, C-17 Globemasters and several large An-124 Condor aircraft were loaded with men, equipment and light armour. 50,000 combat paratroopers were ready to jump as part of the invasion force to secure communications and landing sites for heavy equipment. At 22.12 the force set off in waves, the massive air mass took off combined with several large B-2 bomber raids on Naashian lines.

The invasion was on.......

Unaware of Clandonian operations, elements of the 2nd Conscript Battalion and 3rd Mechanized Division engaged splintered SPLA forces around the town of Viir, Jewel of the Deserts.

The town fell quickly, with minimal casualties as exuberant Imperial forces finally threw the rebels back into the wilds in the extreme south of the continent, with a bloody nose that they might never recover from.

The fall of Viir marked the end of organised rebel resistance in Surdun, and allowed Naashan forces to begin mass consolidations across the nation.

'Victor one this payload drop four, escourts have arrived thanks ATC you were great today.'

'Roger that, have a good trip and see you when you get back at base.'

The massive air wave accompanied by F-22 fighters and refueling aircraft they would be on target to land near the coast in the early hours when Naashan forces were sleepy. Ahead of them they knew B-2 and B-52's were pouding away, B-52's were being used to blanket bomb large areas as B-2's perfomred surgical strikes before the main landing.

OOC: Assuming this is coming at Naasha rather than Surdun right? See my map for details but the best place for large scale aerial landings would be the south-west of the nation, it's mostly open farmland.

The bombing had started again, and the main cities were reduced into rubble of rubble, fortunately the civilian populace had been long since evacuated due to the threat of fires and explosions in the already damaged towns.

B-2 bombers unexpectedly struck military targets across Naasha, but both Air Command and Fleet Command remained operational thanks to the timely intervention of Naashan CAP fighters.

The Empire went back onto high-alert, Clandonia had re-entered the war.

"Enemy target lock acquired! J-10s and MiGs from the east!"
"Tell the force, weapons free!"

Klaxons sang their ear piercing tune as the missile bays and CIWS batteries of the Third came to life with a harmonic tune, sounding off as they propelled their aummunition downrange. CIWS batteries spit their 20mm rounds off at oncoming aircraft and any inbound missiles as Cravanian SAM batteries spit missiles at the oncoming aircraft.

The Cravanian air wing which was already in the air circled around to defend the flock while ASW helicopters began their search for the Naashan subs, particularly Jade. F-56 Vipers armed with AGM-119 Penguin ASM missiles swooped in, escorted by their more capable F-80 cousins.

As the fight began, an organized chaos reigned. A message was sent to Cravna, with a video of the action taken from the bridge of the Navarra attached.

************************

"If you're just joining us now we're covering the Naashan crisis, where several new developments have taken place. We have recieved word that the Third Imperial Task Force has engaged the Naashan navy, but we do not have word yet on how the battle goes. We will keep you posted as the situation develops, howeve- Wait, it appears we have activity in the Imperial Palace press room. We're getting a statement from Palace staff... And it appears that the Emperor will be holding a press conference in approxamately an hour. We will take you live to the Palace as soon as we gain confirmation that the conference has started. Until then, we will continue to cover the situation. I'm Julia Stiles for the Imperial News Network."

OOC: I'm landing around the area of Samka aiming to secure the airbase and the city. Thats where the paradrop will occur don't use this oocly comment as it will be a god mod. I'm just telling you now.


IC: Bombers were being harrased, four B-52's were hit. Two going down over land North of Vogrost the crew bailing out and persumed dead. The other one ditched in the sea and one managed to crash land into Clandonia on return crashing on the runway ice crushing the landing gear.

Paradrops were now only several hours away.

Most of the Naashan MIG-31's peeled off from their attack runs as the anti-aircraft fire began to break up the formation. They engaged the Cravan fighters, using short range IR missiles and bursts from their 30mm cannons.

The J-10's came on however, fanatical pilots flying through clouds of cannon rounds to launch YJ-9K missiles on the enemy ships, and then used their slightly larger cannon to strafe enemy decks.

Three J-10 aircraft fell in the original run, and another began its sharp spiral to the sea as a Cravan missile hit it at almost point blank range over one of the ships.

The second wave of Naashan aircraft advanced, A-10 Warthogs getting their first taste of 'sea-attack' missions, while NA-3 helicopters attempted to engage the enemy ASW craft.

*********************************************************

"Warbler One, begin bombardment, fire for effect."

Naashan shore artillery began firing, shells raining down on the Cravan fleet at the very extremities of their range.

*********************************************************

Almost as one, the four heavier Naashan vessels launched their Exocet sea to sea missiles. Using long ranged variants they hoped to stay out of the combat area, making it easier for the acompanying AA cruisers to engage incoming aircraft and missiles.

*********************************************************

A threat warning buzzed in the ears of Jade's crew as the ASW helicopter scans were picked up, they were seconds away from detection, and still no major targets had been spotted.

"Alright, abort, dive to maximum possible depth and swing around inshore, lets look for a way inside this formation, or at least a submarine to hit."

*********************************************************

Zion fared a little better, her sonar array had picked up one of the Seawolf subs, and she was zeroing in on it, making ready for a torpedo launch.

The INS Navigator, another Seawolf SSN picked up the Zion, although only faintly. She began her maneuvers, planning on making the hunter become prey. Torpedos were readied as she swung about, brining her tubes to bear on the incoming sub. A few tense moments were spent trying to track the Zion, the signal getting stronger as she approached even closer to the Navigator.

"Orders, skipper?"
"Flood tubes one and two. Ready them for firing. And watch those scopes like it's a naked woman, we can't afford any fuck-ups."

It was fairly calm on the sub... A complete contrast of the chaos above.

************************

CIWS picked off the incoming missiles one by one, however nothing is ever 100% effective. A number of the missiles made it through, scoring hits on the smaller ships of the Third. One missile barely missed the Navarra herself, the carriers managing to escape the first attack save for a single hit scored on the Castile's port armor plates. One destroyer was already taking on water, listing slightly to starboard. Her watertight compartments closed, effectively stopping the water as crews tried frantically to put out any fires and repair damage to electronic systems.

Meanwhile the artillery shells from Warbler One fell around the Third, however the gun was too far out and too large to score any accurate hits. Pillars of water rose from the surface as the shells impacted, sending waves crashing against the hulls of cruisers and destroyers. Overall, though, there was little done against the fleet itself. Cravanian forces had seen large guns in action before, and although intimidating it did not have the psychological effect one's enemy would hope it would.

Long range Exocets wouldn't do much to keep out of range of the Cravanian fleet as AGM-84K Harpoons thundered from their tubes, selecting their targets in the Naashan fleets and cruising towards them at Mach .85, their 800lb warheads armed.

Six F-56 aircraft were lost, however, as enemy fire had overtaken them. All six pilots had ejected to the waters below, with Cravanian aircraft patrolling over their area until a proper SAR mission could arrive.

The air wing moved to engage the oncoming second wave of fighters, particularly the A-10s. The ATHENA AI automatically selected and targetted aircraft, the pilots simply pressing the fire button. The combination of advanced avionics and excellent training gave the Phoenixes an edge, while the Vipers suffered due to the plane's aging state. They fared just as well as any aircraft of their time would, if not better. But not nearly as well as their more advanced brothers. Their pilots were just as skilled, if not moreso. Just cursed by an older and less effective, yet nonetheless reliable and deadly aircraft.

The engagement continued to rage...

The Cravan Missiles were picked out of the air by the AA cruisers, whenever they came into range, however both Despair and Pride of the Empress took hits, the former had small fires raging over it's fore deck while the latter had developed an alarming list to starboard.

***********************************************************

The A-10 aircraft buzzed toward the battle like a swarm of bloated flies, and like flies, they were swatted down by enemy fighters, the thickly armoured planes faring badly in air to air engagements.

They made it to the Cravan battlegroup in fair numbers though, and engaged, using YJ-9K's as well as various clusters of rockets. Cannon fire swept the decks of the Cravan fleet even as the A-10's dropped out of the sky and into a forbidding sea.

***********************************************************

The Naashan MIG 31's engaged the Phoenixes and Vipers, trying to draw them upwards into a dogfight, three more MIGs went down, two to AA fire and one to a Phoenix.

The J-10's, now clear of their anti-ship missiles engaged the variety of lower flying Cravan aircraft, such as the ASW helicopters.

***********************************************************

"Warbler One, increase elevation to maximum, continue firing for effect."

The artillery wasn't at all accurate, the commander's philosophy being that if they dropped enough shells on the area then they'd hit something eventually.

***********************************************************

Zion's threat warning system engaged, and with time surely running out, the sub launched two wire-guided torpedoes at the Navigator.

***********************************************************

The Naashan ships deployed NA-4 ASW craft to try and thwart any submarine attack that lay in their path, as they began to advance on the engagement.

One of the torpedoes missed Navigator, however the second exploded in a close proximity to the sub. Its steering impaired, it struggled to regain its balance.

The command center of the sub was bathed in pulsating red light as crews struggled frantically to regain control. They did, and the sub balanced itself. Although damaged it was still combat capable.

"Fire off two fish!"
"Aye, skipper!"

Two Mark-48 wire/acoustic guided torpedoes left their tubes with a forceful swoosh towards the Jade, the crew of the Navigator watching intently on the sonar scopes to see the result.

"Sir, we won't be able to stay under long. We're gradually losing hull strength."
"We just have to wait a little longer."
"Aye, sir.", the seaman replied as sparks fell from a console mounted above. Smoke filled some of the corridors of the ship, but so far there was no fire reported and minimal hull damage from the blast. Question was, would the hull hold?

*****************

The decks of two destroyers and a cruiser were in flames as the combined firepower of the A-10s and Exocet missiles nibbled away at them. A brilliant inferno flared on a Ticonderoga, the ship having taken on a serious list to port as the deck began to kiss the water. Some crews had already abandoned ship while others stayed onboard, dilligently fighting the blaze.

Shells continued to fall around the fleet as Warbler One continued the bombardment. They fell inaccurately, often doing little. However, one of the destroyers which was ablaze but salvageable was among the unlucky ones. Whether by chance or fate, a single massive shell came down upon the radar tower of the Type-45, a brilliant explosion immediately following the impact. The destroyer rapidly went under, with little more than four or five survivors out of her 190 crew complement. INS Daring had been the first to kiss the deep.

As the J-10s flew lower to engage the ASW helos, the weapons fire became thicker when they were a safe distance away from the helicopters themselves. Crewmen onboard the support ships were on the decks, spraying the skies with bullets as some manned mounted anti-air guns while others used personal weapons. Stingers stowed on some ships were used quite a bit in addition to the constant fire of the ships' own complement of SAMs. A few helos fell to the water with a forceful crash, but many managed to stay on their assigned patrols thanks to support from the naval ships below.

At Dartia's International Airport, the weather was clear with a slight breeze... perfect weather for flying. On a typical day, the airport was exclusively used by civilian and commercial aircraft, but today wasn't a typical day. Ten camouflaged Hercules transports dotted the southern quarter of the airport.

Men scurried around the transports inspected and loading cargo bound for Surdun. Bored doctors were milling about urging the workers to handle their delicate surgical instruments with care.

The humanitarian aid package Dartia put together was pretty impressive for such a small nation. Various pharmaceutical and medical supply companies donated generously to the humanitarian effort thanks to a tax credit offered by the government. Various non-profit agencies supplied doctors along with a wide assortment of clothing and foodstuffs while the government supplied the transports and pilots.

Everything was coming together perfectly. Later in the day, the first transports would begin to arrive in Surdun. Hopefully, their mission would be greeted with open arms, and not with gunfire.

'Ok light is green, doors open!' Hundreads of aircraft ramps opened, releasing the 20,000 full combat troops into the Samka area, others were destined for the airport ordered to take it without major damage as it would be needed in future campaigns. Others proceeded to jump out and take the port city of Samka, in the landing two Antonov's didn't make it, they were carrying ammo and were lucky not to explode when they crashed, the crew survived and met up with Clandonian forces. Some were facing diffuclities of landing in trees or in areas that were not on the map, however most of 98% were now ready as the sun rose in Naasha for the first time paratroopers from 3 Para were on enemy soil and ready to kick some arse.


The highest ranking officer on the ground was a Brigadier Dannat who had jumped in with his men, G36 in arm he was leading the attack on the airbase surrounding it his men prepared to assault the base. Support was still a long way off in terms of the Navy and Marines, if he took this airport now they could really get this war going.

OOC: Ummm... without wanting to use the 'g-word'...

Naasha is still able to detect huge numbers of transport planes flying over it's largest military port, most of these guys would have been shot down or slaughtered on landing.

Also, 50,000 men? Have you any idea how many aircraft that would take? Or how long?

OOC: Yes I have quite a few of them, check the wiki for my transport numbers. I have 280 heavy lift C-5's, C-17's and An-124's. They were going to be used to deploy into Ackistan so were already being prepared to set for Scandavia. Seeing as I don't know where you are on the world map I estimated around 8 hours flying time so I set the attack off last night.

OOC: My point was that you couldn't possibly land that many men, especially without giving me a chance to intervene, to land 50,000 men AND equipment you'd need more than those transports, plus I don't know how many airports you have, but some of these planes are going to run out of fuel just circling while waiting for the rest of their formation to take off.

You're trying to land near a major city, in the middle of a war, after an air engagement has occurred and I have specifically stated I have CAP patrols over Samka.

Plus, think of the size of the drop zone you'd need for 50,000 paratroops, it would have to be enormous, and in a hostile country it was be logistically impossible.
OOC: We need an OOC thread...

OK I will reduce it to 20,000 men but, I'm getting that airport as I need it. I wanted to take that position because of its location near the island. Do you have msn?

The men had landed North of the city, 5 km north of the only operational airport the task to take it using the 15,000 members of 3 Para. Dannat lead the way into battle, G36K in arm he lead the way with his men advancing. Flying the Clandonian flag on their personal radio masts. They were advancing to the airport, the airport would be theirs in a few hours. His men were good he knew they would do well in battle, he expectes stiff civilian resistance, he didn't care for them they were just targets that needed some more 5.56's into their forehead. He looked at his troop of men, some expirienced ones he knew from before the civil war days, many new rookies fresh faced out of school holding massive GPMG and rocket launchers.

The other five thousand had moved into the deserted coastal city of Samka.

Zion rocked with the impact, one of the torpedoes catching her near the tail of the sub. She immediately began to take on water, and lost propulsion. The quick action of her crew probably saved the vessel, and every life on board, as the torpedo had hit a section of corridor between the bridge and engine room. They sealed the bulkheads at either end of the corridor, the engine room's crew selflessly sealing themselves inside what was likely to become their tomb.

With only emergency lighting activated, Zion gently drifted inshore, eventually coming to rest on a sand bar under some 300m of water and about half a kilometre off Surdun's coast.

***********************************************************

More and more J-10's crashed into the sea as Cravan anti-aircraft fire literally ripped them to shreds.

It was clear that Naashan air-cover wasn't going to last, so Air Command issued one last order:

"All flights, engage critical objective: Cravan carrier INS Navarra. Permission to withdraw when no longer combat effective is granted."

The remaining J-10 (and there weren't so many) and A-10 aircraft re-aligned their weapons on the carrier, hoping to cause some major irritation to the Cravan fleet before they withdrew.

**********************************************************

Pride of the Empress was motionless in the water now, as her crew fought to control the numerous fires onboard the vessel. The remaining combat-effective Naashan ships prepared another volley of Exocet missiles to strike at the Navarra.

Samka Regional Airport

The Clandonian air-drop had been detected, so all of the available defence forces were available to defend the base. But, more importantly, there had been time to launch the remaining NA-3's and MIG 31's, which meant that the interceptors could be safely relocated while the helicopters assisted in defence of the base.

The security forces, coupled with the conscript defence unit assigned to the airport set up a perimiter along the concrete and chain fences on the edge of the base, armed with rifles alone, but backed up with heavy machine guns that were being set up in the guard posts and towers. They had resigned themselves to defeat here, but were grimly determined to take a few Clandonians with them.

The City Centre

The outskirts had fallen, but the defense unit here weren't conscripts, and they had retreated swiftly to more defensible positions amongst the rubble of the city. Establishing checkpoints along the main routes into the city they dug in for a hardy defense.

They were heartened by the fact that a further 200 men, of the Empress' Guard were at this point marching to their relief.

OOC: I mentioned the EG in the detention centre thread, they always deploy in big numbers and fight like mad.

As Clandonian squads moved in position, in range of the machine gun posts they tried to lie low on the grassy knoll ridge. Moving their L115A1 .50's,then on the count of three, fire team engaged the posts with automatic machine gun fire and a few bursts of AG-36 40 mm grenades.

Many Clandonians were rushed forward firing their Sigs and G36's at the guards in the towers taking hits, many fell down a Milan shot at the wall cracked and thirty of so tried to run in seeing the site of the runway they began rushing forward trying to scale the fences on masse.

Oh God..., Admiral Karlson remarked to himself as a swarm of bullets cascaded across the deck of the Navarra, pockmarking it severely. Several missiles missed, others hitting as the Navarra rocked about sharply, throwing some crewmembers off their feet. The combined weight of the air assault had caused some superficial damage to the Navarra in the first strike, but overall she remained afloat and operational. Smoke billowed from some parts of the ship as crews raced frantically to control fires and damage.

The Navarra, however, quickly struck back with a wave of shells and missiles sprayed into the air, her air wing also coming about to bolster her defense. CIWS rounds sprayed the air, hoping to hit the oncoming missiles and aircraft.

Little had changed greatly, though, and the battle was still anyone's to win. But one thing was certain: If this battle group failed, the next would probably not...

It was about a day until aerial reinforcement arrived, and three until another group arrived on the site of battle. And it was still up in the air as to who would walk away victorious.

Samka City

The other Clandonian Paras of 2 Para Pathfinders came to the city, it was complety deserted looking at the signs of bombing damage and a mass evacuation they proceeded through now knowing of the danger of possible hostiles, they assumed from inteligence the place was dead after the massive bombing campaign.

The defenders ducked under the whizz of Clandonian bullets, this was many of them's first taste of combat, many of these simply froze on the spot, unable to react.

They were pushed back, but only as far as the interior chain-link fence, where machine guns swept across the ranks of Clandonians trying to scale it.

The first three transports from Dartia began to land in Surdun. Doctor Michael Milner, leader of the humanitarian mission, looked out the window of his plane as they crossed over the shattered nation. Viewing the destruction from above, it was plain to see the humanitarian package Dartia was sending was a drop in the bucket compared to what was needed.

Shortly after his plane landed, the cargo was being unpacked and inspected. Soon, the medical supplies and doctors were on their way to various hospitals, where their services were desperately needed. Upon their arrival, they would meet their bodyguards, who were tasked with protecting the humanitarian mission as well as reporting any suspicious behavior the doctors and nurses might exhibit.

A few hours after their arrival, long lines began to form outside the hospitals as civilians flocked there in search of medical treatment. It was obvious to Dr. Milner more staff and supplies were needed if they were to truly make a difference. He contacted the Dartian government, and requested the humanitarian package be doubled. The government agreed, and began to contact the various nations involved to see if this was acceptable.


Message to Craven, Clandonia Prime, Surdun, and Naasha:

Our personnel in Surdun indicate conditions in Surdun are worse than expected. We seek permission to expand our humanitarian aid. Specifically, we would like to increase the number of aid workers we are sending to 80, and assign another 10 Hercules transports to delivering vital goods.

Please indicate if this is acceptable to your respective nations.

The defenders ducked down, holding their breath as the Clandonian forces advanced slowly down the street. They had correctly predicted the paratroops path into the city, and were ready to close the trap.

From the upper windows of one of the intact buildings across the street, the muzzle of a machine gun was gently extended.

A low voice muttered into a handheld radio:
"Alright, engage at will"

The ambush began, Naashan fire raking the Clandonian advance, hoping to catch them in the open.

This is of course acceptable to Naasha, be advised that Clandonian and Cravan forces have suspected ground positions within the theatre, it is going to be dangerous for your doctors.

Sgt. Evermans squad of 12 took a battering, his two best climbers were hit in the torso by heavy machine gun fire.

'Christ hes fucked up!' cried the medic as the para bleed heavily, Evermans was pissed he ordered in to his radio operator for mortar crews to fire at the machine gun posts and for the snipers to start doing their job.

L96 sharp shooters were busy popping off people helmets as the units moto was famously of, Brigadier Dannat was busy commanding the various 15,000 elements of the force were busy hitting the fences with the higly versitile paras trying to get through by either cutting, climbing or using the traditional para tool of explosives to break through things. Shell cases were everywhere from the massive firefight against the defence forces thought a brave battle, but Clandonian officers knew they would win the battle because of shear numbers and combat skill.

Samka city centre

'Christ, they are in the buildings, retreat sir we have fire coming from several directions requesting support!'

Dannat leading the airport attack was unable to spare assets, naval forces would be in the theatre soon, for now the city forces would have to fight as many of them as possible.

Grenades were being flung into buildings and LAW's were fired into the open windows where gunfire was seen from. There were dozens of casulites from the ambush.

The Naashan air cover withdrew, taking more casualties as they did so, the sky belonged to the Cravan fighters now.

The Exocet bombardment continued, the missiles mostly failing to penetrate the Cravan defences.

***********************************************************

Jade powered up, the battle was in the balance and now was no longer the time to be lying beneath it all praying they were not spotted.

Taking advantage of the shifting melee and the chaos on the surface, she managed to penetrate the Cravan formation, and found what she believed to be the INS Navarra sat before her.

It was in fact the Castile, but that didn't matter as much as the torpedoes now speeding toward it from Jade's tubes.

The hastily erected defences fell before the mortar bombardment, the luckier Naashan forces being able to effect a hasty retreat in jeeps. A group of soldiers threw grenades into the control tower as they passed, managing to knock out TACAN and communications systems inside.

The remainder of the Naashans were encircled, and threw down their weapons in surrender.

The ambushers quickly lost their advantage as the Clandonians took cover too, but they put up a stiff resistance, falling back gradually toward the City Centre.

Samka airport

With the airport in their hands Clandonian forces secured the frighted prisoners, Dannat walked over MP7 in his hand he pointed it at the officer and fired a volly of shots into his head.

'Kill them all, this is revenge for what they did to the fleet.'

As Dannat walked away, gunners cocked their weapons before the sudden burst of fully automatic gunfire and the red tarmac spread, the hundreds of shell cases on the floor. Dannat walked up to his coms man and picked up the small cordless phone contacting senior command informing of the capture, at the same time a Clandonian naval Harrier flew by, the fleet was here! Unknown durring the fire fight as communications had been hectic naval officers had been trying to communicate with the paratroopers on the ground. Reinforcements were as the order of the air support was request in the city centre where forces were facing stiff resitance. A group of Harriers were ordered in to attack the area using cluster munitions too clear blocks of buildings.

The ground war had begun.

The torpedoes made impact, hitting the Castile in the stern section and knocking the rudder out of shape. She wasn't going anywhere soon very fast without some major repairs, but overall flooding and other damage was to a minimum. The Castile became an island, in a sense.

The Mariner, however, had zeroed in on Jade when two torpedoes were detected. Already she was moving silently to intercept.

"Target coming into range, skipper."
"Flood the tubes and ready the torpedoes... They won't get another chance to fire."
"Aye, sir."

The Naashans were forced to scramble for cover as the Harriers whooshed overhead, dropping their cluster munitions.

Several men were too slow, and were literally cut to pieces by shrapnel.

***********************************************************

Further south of the city, the Empress' Guard convoy rolled through the countryside, almost completely silent save for the chatter of engines.

They headed first to the Clandonian drop zone, where the attack on Samka had been marshalled, to secure the area and see if they could capture any equipment.

Jade came about, she hadn't got a solid lock on Mariner but the ominous beeps on the sonar suggested that something was lurking in the depths.

Abandoning stealth for a moment, Jade darted toward the hull of the Castile, trying to use it to shield themselves from detection from the opposing sub.

Clandonian LZ drop zone

The drop zone had diminished in numbers, left to guard were a few troops mostly just incase more drops were needed but with the airport in their hands it was not needed. Most of the equipment was gone, all that around was supplies, ammo and food.

The guards never knew off the reinforcements, they were busy looking at the skys to the North at the city watching the Harriers deploying munitions and flares over the city. Meanwhile Type 23 naval destroyers were in range of using their guns had been told to strike the naval yards to destroy possible enemy naval instatlions.

3 units of elite Jade Guard deployed from the convoy, advancing swiftly toward the LZ.

They engaged the pre-occupied defenders in what looked likely to be a swift and brutal firefight.

***********************************************************

The Naashan port facilities in Samka were reduced to ruin under the bombardment, but there were no naval vessels currently docked, all of them were currently off the coast of Surdun.

The few forces took a battering, only 30 of them were there, 20 were dead the other 15 wounded or knowing they would be captured threw down their arms. Some put a Glock to the mouth and hoped for the end, the 7 survivors tried to hide and grabbed their guns, one radio technician grabbed two MP7's off a dead trooper prepared to dual them to his death against the Naashans.



Meanwhile of the coast....

The Albion Assault troops were preparing to send forces over to secure the beaches via helicopters to pave the way for landing vehicles and to secure the beachead, also checking the sand to make sure the tanks didn't sink in. Gunfire continued to pound, Wolfitiz fleet was now arrived, the others were still on the way to land forces further down the coast.

After the first few shipments of Dartian medical supplies entered Surdun uncontested, Dartia high command was convinced Clandonia Prime and Craven bought their cover story.

Now, Dartia was prepared to start shipping weapons to Surdun. Craven and Clandononian representatives would inspect transports loaded with medical supplies at their point of origin. Shortly after that transport took off, it would cross paths with an identical transport carrying weapons... all at a low altitude to hide the deceit from nosy radar operators.

The transport carrying weapons would proceed to Surdun while the inspected transports with the medical supplies would return to a Dartian air force base. Occasionally, a transport would actually deliver humanitarian aid to help maintain the cover story. Naturally, when this happened, a few doctors would anxiously meet the transport with their bodyguards in tow, so their bodyguards/observers would witness the benign medical supplies being unloaded.

The first few weapon shipments contained priority systems such as stinger anti-aircraft missiles, javelin anti-tank missiles, heavy mortars, anti-tank mines, and a handful of patriot missile defense systems.

OOC: Hehe. So ya know, someone put me up to this. I am not usually the sneaky sort, but it struck me as fun.

Samka Airbase, Clandonian controlled Naasha

The first flights had touched down at the base, many transport aircraft lined the airlots being unloaded. Tanks were arriving now, various FV4043 Challenger 2 MBTs and M20 "Mackall Main Battle Tanks were being loaded off now. The Armered Brigades were bringing in troops to fight. Marine forces were unloading their M55 Black Tiger Main Battle Tank's onto the beaches as the strong 30,000 first wave hit the shores of Naasha preparing to fight for the great nation of Clandonia and the empire.

All across the country, military units that had previously had to sit and watch their cities be bombed, with nothing else they could do, suddenly found something to do.

The 1st Infantry Division, of approximately 2,000 trained soldiers began to establish a perimiter around the Samka region. A little further back, military engineers were setting up barbed wire, and mining key advance roads to the capital.

Citizens across the country, especially in the eastern Imperialist heartland, rushed to recruitment centres. They were given a day's basic training and a rifle, and told to go join the Regiments.

The 3rd Conscript Battalion established positions south of the Clandonian holdings, intending to deny them passage through to the agricultural cities of Vogrost, Forstvir and Morgur. Vogrost itself was being fortified against any Clandonian sea-assault with the aim of creating a second front.

Ground forces from across the country were converging on the cities of Sandya and Forstvir, from these they would be sent out into the countryside to reinforce the growing defenses.

*********************************************************

The Jade Guards secured the Clandonian LZ, but were disappointed with the few supplies they had captured, it appeared that the Clandonian troops had advanced quickly into the city.

To go after them was foolish, even the 200 battle-hardened soldiers of the 1st Empress' Guards would be cut to pieces in the street fighting. Instead, realizing that they would soon be cut off between Clandonian and Naashan lines, they decided to press the element of surprise.

The convoy re-mounted and headed via the quieter country roads to the Regional Airport, to test it's new masters security.

((OOC: I'll reply tomorrow or something... I'm beat.))

Tanks from the 2nd Mechanised Infantry Brigade had arrived with 5000 men and 80 Challenger 2's they had been ordered to advance South to take the city of Vogrost where the 1st Army Expiditionary Force of 50,000 men was preparing to come ashore from the Albion and Wasp craft that had beached themselves to offload tanks and armour to take the city, supported by offshore bombardments they had demolished or had hoped to a good amount of structural buildings to reduce the need for urban fighting, after it all was the Clandonian way.


3rd Commando Brigade had been orderd to avenge the death of the masacre of the LZ, they were ordered to strike civllian dwellings in search and destroy tactics.

The 4th Armoured Army Group was instructured to capture the capital, Sandya close to 100,000 men and 400 M20 and M55 tanks they were arriving thick and fast via the port and airbase captured. Enginers from the 2nd Combat Enginers Armoured Corp had been constructing another temporary runway to bring in more supplies from Clandonia from the Blitzkrieg campaign that commencing. Dannats job was done, he was promoted to field marshal to take care of the invasion, awarded several awards now his carrer was looking good.



Clandonian Central Command HQ, Clanon City

'Sir the invasion is going well, Dannats forces are preparing to sweep through and take the key cities. The Corporation has expressed intrest in a lab code named C-3Y, they have asked to be allowed to perform a combat mission sending 200 of their special task groups into the base, they will then secure it awaiting for higher orders.'

'Let them have, their fun for now. We must think of securing law and order, I've sent several CPISF signal commanders down, they will atempt to control the locals via 'special treatment' and the media.'

The southern Naashan forces were swept away by the combined amphibous and overland assaults, the city of Vogrost fell within two hours.

But the hastily prepared defensive line in the north of the region was still holding, large numbers of Naashan conscripts were giving their lives bravely to keep the invaders back. Military engineers were hard at work preparing stronger defenses around the capital itself for when the Clandonian armour broke through.

Laboratory C-3Y, Naasha's chemical and biological warfare production and testing facility, is secreted in perilous steep terrain in the north-west of the Empire. A railway line links it to the outside world, but it is well fortified. Currently, the railway tracks were busy, trains laden with unmarked cargos of canisters and crates rumbling back toward the capital, while others returned to the plant to be restocked.

Two black camoflaged C-130K flew over the coastline, 200 commandos or 'security guards' jumped out armed with silenced automatic weapons loaded they inserted in running to the facility targetting the guards through the glowing CWS night vision scopes. The Clandonian Corporation wanted the facility, they needed the weaponry for research purposes, satellite intel had shown railway sideings showing crates coming and going over a 24 hour period, moving towards the city.


Outskirts of the Sandya

The 4th Armoured Army Group of 50,000 men and 400 M20 and M55 tanks was preparing to assault the city. Heavy air support had arrived now with the 16th Air Assault Brigade and their 80 Apache Attack helicopters, with their chinooks they would try to cut off the Naashian lines, firstly a bombardment was needed. Pathfinders had slipped in a team, and ID'ed targets to fire upon, they would rip up the ground with their AS-90 field guns from the 1st Artillery Brigade.

All around the lines, batterys of AS-90's opened up pumping a shell every 2 minutes onto the enemy lines. Overhead AH-64D Longbow Apache's went in using their chain guns to good effect on the massive thermal heat sources.

MLRS's a few miles back were being loaded with cluster munitions, some said this could be potentially a warcrime but Dannat pressed on for the need to take the capital. L118 Light Gun teams of 3 Para were begining to arrrive off the ships, towing them to the front lines ready for the assault.



Out at sea, Sir Victors fleet

The fleet had arrived and landings had been commended onto the beaches Westwards of Morgur. A further 10,000 men of the 1st Mechanised Division and the steady progress of offloading of 200 Mark IX "Incubus MBT's, heavy units designed for tank battles, which no one had seen yet......

Sandya, Naashan Capital

Army engineers had collapsed several buildings across the main roads into the city, making it virtually impossible to get any vehicles in or out of the western side. Veteran troops of the 4th Infantry and 2nd Empress' Guards were setting up strongpoints further back in the city, fortifying key positions in the buildings and rubble.

Holding the outskirts of the city were elements of the 1st and 3rd Conscript Battalions, poorly trained, but surprisingly well armed, maybe this is linked to the trains that had been coming in from Fyrr all day. Machine Gun nests and Javelin anti-tank weapons had been carefully placed to allow sweeping fields of fire into the Clandonians as they advanced.

Now the Conscripts huddled down in the rubble of the once-great city, faces pressed to the ground and praying that the Clandonian barrage would stop soon. Few casualties had been sustained so far, but one squad of men was crushed under a collapsing building.

They were ready, they would hold the invaders here, where their tanks and superior numbers meant little, and they would make them pay dearly.

*********************************************************

Sandya International

Elements of the 1st Infantry, as well as the 2nd Mechanized Division were deployed along well-placed defensive positions, which ran about a kilometre in front of the airport itself.

Planes were coming and going all the time now, as frantic evacuation efforts were underway. The Empress herself would be leaving in about an hour by a Scandinavian Jet, they had to hold the line for at least that long.

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Sandya City Centre, Ruins.

From hidden positions within the ruins, Naashan artillery returned fire on the Clandonians, relying on the rubble and ruin of the city to protect them from detection. Each gun was firing conventional explosive shells, but ominous canisters and crates were scattered around each, several of the crewmen were wearing gas masks. They certainly had something in store for these Clandonian dogs when they advanced.

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Morgur

The city lay abandoned, it's defenders had left once the last of the citizens had been evacuated. An eerie silence hung over the place.

Naashan defences in the south had been completely abandoned, the garrison forces of Morgur and Forstvir headed eastwards to Naash, where they would reinforce the defences of Naasha's strongest city.

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Laboratory C-3Y

Two guards fell without a sound, glistening red holes appearing in their chests. But the third and last man on the checkpoint had time to punch a red button before he too was gunned down.

Alarms blared throughout the compund, searchlights flickered on from the large concrete walls, sweeping the land below. Two men rushed out to haul shut the large iron gates which blocked the railway line in, about two hundred metres ahead of the advancing commandos.

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Over Sandya

Flights of MIG-31s cruised over the city, spotting the tell-tale muzzle flashes of Clandonian artillery and relaying their positions to the Naashan field guns on the ground. They were flying endless CAPs over the city, but had detected the Clandonian Longbow Apaches, using their altitude and speed, they swept down on the almost defenceless attack helicopters, targeting them with short ranged IR missiles.

Flights of A-10 Warthogs were being launched from a terminal at the International Airport, jostling with ground attack configured J-10's for takeoff slots. These two squadrons would be responsible for ground attack and suppresion, as well as Close Air Support of the Naashan defenders.

NA-3 Attack Helicopters were also warming up on the tarmac, ready to go 'tankbusting' if the Clandonians somehow managed to secure a route for their armour into th city.

Sandya, Naashan Capital and Airport

Shelling was hitting Clandonian lines, the order was given to advance under the creeping barrage. , Clandonian tank commanders were ordered to advance when the device detonated and take out the incoming artilery that was starting to hit them. As the first 50 tanks were orderd to advance they began firing their guns, remote controlled machine guns commander by the tank commanders would be used on automatic if there were lots of nice heat sources.

Overhead the roar of more Harriers deploying paveway mk2 bombs onto targets in the citys as the Pathfinders ran away from the incoming nightmare, the airport was needed and so commanders were anxious not to damage it but radar estimated a large enemy troop concentration so it was needed to be destroyed fast.

Morgur

The city was empty and destroyed, commanders were urged to press onto Naash to take out the countrys air command centre where they would hopefully meet up with the elements that from the 4th Army.

Laboratory C-3Y

The commandos ran through, seeing the closing gates sharpshooters targetted the men, the bullets boucing off the iron gates. A second group were ordered to take out the power, they moved in blowing a hole in the wall with explosives. They needed to hurry before they were properly outnumbered, if the situation was not delt with a lone F-117 would deploy a tactical cruise missile to destroy the facility and its deadly substances.

OOC: Clandonia, I have CAP patrols in the air, a C-5 wouldn't stand a chance of getting anywhere near the city, and five miles worth of destruction would also mean your Apaches, spotters and probably advancing troops.

OOC: Clandonia, I have CAP patrols in the air, a C-5 wouldn't stand a chance of getting anywhere near the city, and five miles worth of destruction would also mean your Apaches, spotters and probably advancing troops.


OOC: I don't care if it gets shot down, either way it goes BOOM! The Apaches are not in yet, and a few tanks and troops is not a big worry.

OOC: You realize that since my MIGs would use MRAAMs to bring it down, it would be pretty much over your forces heads.